In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, we are looking into the actual events of the April 12, 1926, one-day Trappers' War in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana where mercenaries hired by Judge Leander Perez mounted a machine gun on a boat and attempted to kill the Islenos trappers on Delacroix Island. We will also look deeper into the life of Leander Perez while asking why so many corrupt leaders have come out of this region of the country. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to bea...
Jul 02, 2025•48 min
On this episode. we're going behind the scenes of Brent's first ever solo hunt film. He's out in Kansas with his good friend, Jeff Writer, along with Jeff's decoy dogs, hunting coyotes. Brent shares the inside scoop on the challenges that arise in filmed hunts, and how this particular one went. He also learned that what he thought he knew about coyotes may have been quite the opposite. He's talking about coyotes, decoy dogs, and predator control on this week's episode of MeatEater's This Country...
Jun 27, 2025•23 min
In this episode of the Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb travels to Winnebago, Texas and is joined in the Rodeo Time Podcast Studio by "The World's Greatest Bullrider" himself, Dale Brisby. Dale talks about what it's like to be a cowboy and the romance and nostalgia around it, his experience creating Radiator Ranch and his ranch intern program, and the impact that losing his father had on him. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay a...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 33 min
On this episode of Backwoods University we’re going to find out what really happened to the bobwhite quail and the hunting culture that surrounded it. Well known hunter and conservationist, Will Primos, gives us a first-hand account of what quail hunting and quail hunting culture was like during the perceived “glory days” of the 1950s and 1960s. He also shares his experience of watching quail seemingly disappear from the landscape. Wildlife biologist and upland game bird professor, Dr. Mark McCo...
Jun 23, 2025•24 min
It’s creepy crawly season in most places and that means, among other things, that ticks are on the prowl. Aside from staying indoors, there’s really no avoiding these obnoxious little parasites. Brent’s talking about a time 20 years ago when they were at nightmarish levels and so bad, in fact, that he got sick from a bite! With the potential threat of the many diseases and illnesses that ticks bring, Brent's giving an overview of how to deal with these stinkers to help both you and your dogs. Gr...
Jun 20, 2025•21 min
In this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, Clay Newcomb introduces the characters of the little known Trappers' War which took place in 1936 in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. You’ll meet filmmaker David Dubos, Isleños Trappers' War descents Paul Lagarde and “Wimpy” Seringe, and the unlikely star—the muskrat. Additional content from Louisiana native and political commentator, James Carville. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and Mea...
Jun 18, 2025•43 min
Father's Day is this week, which means it's time for a celebration of family. In this week's episode, Brent invites you to be a part of his own family celebration as it involves every This Country Life listener. Then, he celebrates his father's life by reflecting on some personal journal entries he wrote over the last few months of his father's life. Brent views the connection of his memories and observations as being a lot closer to each listener than what they may think. This Country Life is a...
Jun 13, 2025•22 min
In this special episode of the Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb, Bear Newcomb, and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker are joined by Andrew Maxwell and Jacob Meyers of the Alabama-based Southern Outdoorsman Podcast as they share some of the highs and lows of creating their popular hunting podcast. Clay shows off the Ben Rogers Lee box call gifted to him, and also talks about a new devious real estate scam. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 25 min
Most commonly when folks hear the word “bison” they think of the American West. It is rarely, if ever, recognized that there was once a population of bison in the East. In this episode of Understand The Wild we will take a deep dive into the history of bison East of the Mississippi River. We will learn about them as species, we will gain an understanding of their deep impacts on the country’s landscape, and ultimately, we will find out what led to their demise. Connect with Lake Pickle and MeatE...
Jun 09, 2025•38 min
Packing multiple adventures into a short period of time can sometimes make a mediocre experience of them all. Brent's sharing a recent trip that had him fishing in the Gulf one day and then in the heart of Texas chasing hogs the next. Two distinct and contrasting activities performed in such a short time span can diminish the returns of each. They key to fun and meaningful returns though, according to what Brent found out, is the people with whom you spend time with. He's also sharing a listener...
Jun 06, 2025•22 min
In this episode of the Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb along with Bear Newcomb, and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker welcome Lake Pickle and author and pastor Tracy “TL” Jones from eastern Tennessee. Tracy Jones shares some short stories from his book, The Old Men and discusses the influence that key mentors and men made on his life. Lake Pickle talks about his new podcast on the Bear Grease feed Backwoods University. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater....
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 32 min
Backwoods University explores wildlife biology and the people who dedicate their lives to studying animals and their habitats. Guided by host Lake Pickle’s curiosity, you’ll hear insights from wildlife biologists and outdoorsmen, while gaining an intimate perspective on North American wildlife, habitat, and the impact humans have had on them. You’ll learn from the experts how to understand the wild. After all, you can’t love what you don’t understand. Connect with Lake Pickle and MeatEater Lake ...
Jun 02, 2025•2 min
For the folks fortunate enough to have a good relationship with their grandfathers, they all seem to have endless stories of good times to share. This episode is no different with two examples; one from a grandchild by blood and the other by choice. We think you’ll enjoy them both. Follow Brentlee Smith: https://www.instagram.com/heartofthehomeland/?igsh=YnBmZG5nNXZzamtk# Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram , Facebook , Tw...
May 30, 2025•24 min
On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, Clay Newcomb travels to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas to meet with archaeologist Dr. David Meltzer. Dr. Meltzer discusses what has been learned through recent advancements in research of prehistoric human’s lives, diet, and travel routes in North America through the use of DNA sequencing. These discoveries have led to new theories of how the first people came to North America. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargre...
May 28, 2025•47 min
It's graduation time and Brent's talking about the struggles we all go through during this period of life. Students may have a different perspective on things than their parents, and some youngsters are more prepared for the world than others. Brent shares a profound coming of age tale from a listener and talks about his experiences both as a student, parent, and observer that gives him hope for us all. Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEa...
May 23, 2025•25 min
On this Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb, Dr. Misty Newcomb, and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker are joined by Bear Grease podcast featured guest Pablo Esquivel. Pablo gives more details of what it was like growing up in Costa Rica, some of the culture shock of moving to Alabama as a young adult, his passion for deer hunting, love of finding stone points, and laid-back attitude about his big game tattoos. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect w...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Brent’s taking one more swing at turkey season with a couple of good ones. A father shares a son’s firsts--that’s plural--from down in Texas and Brent’s got something hot off the press from the Show Me State. Double gobbles, double gobblers, and double barrels on this week’s “This Country Life” podcast brought to you by Case knives. Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , Youtube , and Youtube Clips Meat...
May 16, 2025•27 min
On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast host Clay Newcomb interviews self-proclaimed hybrid of a Costa Rican and a redneck, Pablo Esquivel. Pablo shares about his life growing up in Costa Rica with a love of the outdoors to the process of his immigration to the United States, gaining citizenship, and finding a passion in whitetail deer hunting. He talks about the follies and successes in his journey to become a better hunter and the impact that his hunting mentors have had on him. If you have...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Brent’s joined by his colleague Tony Peterson, host of MeatEater’s “Houndations” podcast, for an informative discussion on the overlap of hounds and upland dogs. They exchange tips on what to look for when picking out puppies and working with older dogs. They also share the criteria for judging a dog's ability to learn and how to gauge and assess progression. For two completely different types of hunting dogs and the environments they work in, the similarities are very interesting. Dog Week is b...
May 12, 2025•26 min
Some turkeys are still gobbling and dropping all over the place, while others live to see another day. Brent’s got a story about a fairly recent father and son turkey hunt in Pennsylvania. He’s also sharing an oldie but goodie about his friend and filming mentor in Missouri. It’s time for MeatEater’s “This Country Life” podcast. Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , Youtube , and Youtube Clips MeatEate...
May 09, 2025•27 min
On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, join host Clay Newcomb live at the Ada Oklahoma Mule Sale. Listen along as Justin Kelso and Max Bishop watch the Trail Competition course and describe the qualities of what makes a good mule and what they specifically watch for when looking for one to buy. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , Youtube , and Youtube Cl...
May 07, 2025•58 min
The roller coaster of turkey season can sometimes literally go up and down. Brent’s got two prime examples of that this week when a self-proclaimed Yankee finds himself between a Southern local and gobbling turkeys. Not to be outdone, Brent’s climbing the hills with one of his good friends in search of their very first turkey--a memorable hunt indeed! It’s time for MeatEater’s “This Country Life” podcast. Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater Meat...
May 02, 2025•23 min
In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, host Clay Newcomb travels across the border to the 33rd annual Ada Oklahoma Mule Sale. Johnny Kelso and son Justin Kelso talk about their family history with mules, history with the sale, and what it means to be "mule folks." Mule buyer and seller Max Bishop describes what he looks for in a good mule as the mule sale moves along. We answer the question of what a mule is and how they compare to a horse. Listen closely for the auction of the High Selling...
Apr 30, 2025•46 min
Certain animals are known for certain behaviors, and the only safe bet in Nature is that there are no safe bets. Today, Brent’s gonna tell you about some out-of-the-ordinary events that involve wild turkeys. It's time for MeatEater’s “This Country Life” podcast. Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , Youtube , and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear ...
Apr 25, 2025•24 min
On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb is joined by Brent Reaves, Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker, and Lake Pickle from onX. The crew shares some Turkey Stories, talk about hunting legends, and even some hunting tactics. They also discuss the latest episode of the Bear Grease Podcast Ep. 314 “Confessions of a Former Outlaw” and the impact of the story of Johnny Johnston. Check out the new Bear Grease Merch ! If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themea...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 25 min
Traveling out of state to turkey hunt is one of my most favorite activities, especially when I get to go somewhere I've never been before. I always come home with something, and more times than not, it’s a turkey. This time was no different and I brought back two things--one was an unused turkey tag and the other was a greater appreciation for home and family. On this trip, I met folks who value people and places just like I do and it wouldn’t have been better had I punched that tag. It’s turkey...
Apr 18, 2025•19 min
In this episode of The Bear Grease Podcast, host Clay Newcomb is joined by Oklahoma man Johnny Johnston as he shares the honest, transparent, and nitty-gritty details of his life story and his relationship to wildlife law, but more importantly about the transformation that he underwent that brought him out of this dark time in his life. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram , Facebo...
Apr 16, 2025•52 min
There's something to be said for doing your own thing, and in this episode, Brent's saying a lot. His brother Tim is literally churning out homegrown goodness from his own kitchen and during a recent visit, he clued Brent in on what he was doing. Brent's also sharing a listener story that's definitely worthy of a second helping. It's a feast for your ears on this week's "This Country Life" podcast. Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater o...
Apr 11, 2025•23 min
In this episode of the Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb along with Bear Newcomb and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker are joined by historian and author of the book "So Great Was the Slaughter," Dr. Buckley Foster of the University of Central Arkansas. Dr. Foster educates the Crew on the history of market hunting in the state of Arkansas continuing on into the cultural shift of more modern conservation practices from the early days of State Game Wardens and the the Arkansas Game and Fish Commiss...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 31 min
Flying deer have been a part of our culture since the first tracks were found on snow-covered roofs on Christmas Day. Turkeys that can do math are a wholly different animal in more ways than one. Brent’s sharing a listener's story and looking for answers to a 19-year-old mystery. Turn your ears on and let's see what you think. It’s time for MeatEater’s “This Country Life” podcast. Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram , Face...
Apr 04, 2025•24 min
