This week on Bear Grease, Clay Newcomb hosts another all-star cast of sure 'nuff dyed in the wool, turkey hunting storytellers. Gobbling turkeys create a rare intoxication for man. It’s exhilarating to call, get a response, and watch a long beard work into shotgun range. Each spring, the turkey hunter has the opportunity to step into a world he does not fully understand and participate in it for short windows of time… it’s a rare experience. On this episode we’ve got eight storytellers that'll h...
Apr 05, 2023•57 min
On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb gathers special crew of turkey chasers and storytellers. Clay is joined by Gary “Believer” Newcomb, veteran Bear Greaser Andy Brown, Cauy House and his grandfather from his turkey story, Steve Phillips, as well as retired United States Forest Service agent and former Arkansas Game and Fish agent Joe Liles. Tune in for stories of first hunts, any swarms, and chasing poachers. Stay tuned for Gary describing his custom modified turkey gun. We ...
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 14 min
This week is open mic night at the Bear Grease home fire and Clay Newcomb is givin’ the stage to some of the best turkey hunters he could dig out of the spring woods. You'll hear from Cauy House, authors Robert Hitt Neill, Jr and Hank Burdine, Garvin Gibbons, and Richard Campbell. And Bear Grease veterans Andy Brown, Moe Shepherd, and Hall of Famer Roy Clark. These stories give a glimpse into the joys, tribulations and passions of the American turkey hunter. On this episode, we’ll hear about a w...
Mar 22, 2023•1 hr 2 min
On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb is coming at you live for the second time from the Black Bear Bonanza in Northwest Arkansas. This time Clay is joined by render regulars Misty Newcomb, Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker, and of course Brent Reaves, as well as Arkansas BHA Chapter Chair James Brandenburg and the state of Arkansas's Large Carnivore Biologist, Myron Means. The crew discusses hunting black bears in Arkansas, misconceptions about hunting bears over bait, and the impo...
Mar 15, 2023•1 hr 5 min
What do you think of when you hear the state, Arkansas? This is Clay Newcomb’s beloved homeland, and on this episode he dives deep into the long-standing national image of Arkansas. It hasn’t always been great. Scholars say it was the most picked on state in America in the 20th century and to this day remains the most “hillbilly” state per the internet. But is that truth, or just the results of branding and strong stereotypes? Clay interviews Dr. Books Blevins, Dr. Jeanie Whayne, and Dr. Bob Coc...
Mar 08, 2023•1 hr 22 min
On this week's episode, Clay Newcomb is all business. After introducing the render crew - Misty Newcomb, Gary Newcomb, Brent Reaves, Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker, and Ben Lagrone - Clay gives a quick recap on the Bear Grease Hall of Fame, emphasizing its seriousness and immutability, before introducing not one, but two new candidates! Following the vote, the discussion turns to Clay's Magnum Opus, the most recent episode on "the Big Bear of Arkansas." The gang dissects a few topics like the nuan...
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 10 min
On this episode Clay Newcomb is going to take you on a journey to explore an uncanny bear hunting story written in 1841 called “The Big Bear of Arkansas.” Its influence almost single-handedly branded Arkansas as the “Bear State” and paved a path for some of America’s greatest Southern authors. Clay Newcomb and the crew will talk about the remarkable and pretty-durn-new-to-planet-earth power of media to influence our imaginations about people we’ll never meet, places we’ll never go, and how it ca...
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr 4 min
This week the Bear Grease Render is coming at you from camp in the Arkansas Delta on the Cache Bayou. Your fearless host, Clay Newcomb, is joined by the incomparable Brent Reaves as well as render veteran and owner of Sunspot Outdoors, Michael Rosamond. Cameramen Loren Moulton and Dave Gardner flew in for the render as well and decided to stick around and shoot some Coon and Squirrel Hunting for an upcoming Bear Grease project. As the river level rises, the crew discusses relevant topics like ho...
Feb 15, 2023•1 hr 3 min
We’re on the third and final episode in our series on the Shawnee leader, Tecumseh. He’s been called the greatest Native leader in American history, but we’ve found ourselves backed against the bedrock of inevitability. On this side of mortality, all great men and their stories must come to end. On this episode we’ll talk with Peter Cozzens, Robert Morgan, Dave Edmunds and Shawnee Chief Ben Barnes about that fateful day in October 1813, but perhaps more relevant to us today, we’ll explore the wa...
Feb 08, 2023•53 min
This week on the Bear Grease Render, a very special crew braves the elements to meet up to talk about the famed orator and Shawnee leader of the pan-indian confederacy, Tecumseh. Misty, Clay and Josh are joined this week by first time guests Jessica Jessica Lewallen and Kristie Speilmaker, as well as returning favorite Terrell Spencer. Topics discussed include an AI generated biographic article that struggles with the Newcomb's first names, the APPA rooster calling championship, and the importan...
Feb 01, 2023•1 hr 12 min
This is the second episode in our Tecumseh series were we’ll look at his life from 1775 through 1812. Originally, I planned to title this one, “Uncommon Genius” which is what US President William Henry Harrison called the Shawnee. I decided, however, to use a declarative statement made by “the panther crossing the sky” himself. In response to intolerable encroachment, while many of his own tribe were leaving and heading West, Tecumseh said, “we shall remain.” We’re going to learn the details of ...
Jan 25, 2023•58 min
On this episode of Bear Grease, most of the regulars, Clay, Misty, Josh, Gary, and Isaac, gather at the Bear Grease Global Headquarters to discuss the great and enigmatic leader of the Pan-Indian Confederacy Movement, Tecumseh. But not before the crew, who is joined by James Brandenburg, Chair of the Arkansas chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, talk about the upcoming second annual Black Bear Bonanza which will take place March 4th from 9am to 5pm and feature, among other things, an owl ...
Jan 18, 2023•1 hr 20 min
On this episode we’re neck deep in the murky waters of American identity - we’re peering into the life of the Shawnee leader, Tecumseh. I want to understand his social and political context, the foundations of what built him, while trying to understand the extraordinary leadership of the man whose name means “a panther crossing the sky.” He was a hunter, a warrior, and an exceptional orator. He was a revolutionary leader who was a genius. Though he was considered an enemy of the United States, h...
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr 10 min
On this episode of Bear Grease, Misty, Clay, and Brent are joined by some really special guests. Anne Marie Doramus is not only an AGFC Commissioner, but a life long duck hunter. Austin Booth, a former marine, is also an avid waterfowler and the director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. And Kayle Browning is an sport shooter who has competed at the Olympics and a professional shooting coach. This star studded render crew discusses their favorite duck stories, from the podcast and from t...
Jan 04, 2023•1 hr 30 min
Waterfowlers occupy the ranks of the hardest core, most passionate, and ridiculous partakers of wild meat sources known. And they're great storytellers. This is our Duck Stories episode. We’ve searched the swamps and bayous for the best stories about skies being blacked out by mallard ducks, sunk boats, incredible dog retrieves and even gators. We really doubt -- even if you’re not a duck hunter -- that you’re going to want to miss this one. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram Meat...
Dec 28, 2022•57 min
On this episode of Bear Grease, the render crew gathers at Meateater South HQ to discuss a variety of things. Clay and Isaac discuss wild Bear Grease Hat sightings. Josh relates being recognized while fishing…by his voice. Brent talks about coon hunting with Clay’s dog Hoot. While Mist and Gary give their thoughts about on Target 2, Mr. Claude Maxwell. Make sure to catch our special guests bringing the Christmas well wishes. I really doubt you’re gonna wanna miss this one. Connect with Clay and ...
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr 4 min
This week, after getting a surprising email, Clay pulls an audible and hops a flight back to Ohio just to interview one very unique man - a business owner, a family man, and a respected pillar of his community. Without saying too much, what we can tell you is this: loyal listeners will recognize the popular threads of redemption, forgiveness and nuance woven into the tapestry of this story. To say that this episode is a surprise might be an understatement, but what we can guarantee is, you're no...
Dec 14, 2022•58 min
One this episode of the regular crew is joined by Clay's friend Ben Lagrone. They talk about child birth, Clay's new coonskin cap, and the mystery Bengal's fan wearing a Bear Grease hat on national television. Clay goes into detail of the untimely passing of best coonhound, Fern. Which leads Gary "Believer" Newcomb to tell a rogue story of how he rode motorcycles all over Vietnam dressed in disguise and ended up in a motorcycle wreck. The crew has a lively discussion about the final episode in t...
Dec 07, 2022•1 hr 24 min
This is the third and final episode of our Secret Agent Man series with undercover Ohio Wildlife agent RT Stewart. In part one we learned about the big picture mechanics of undercover stings and how RT was a pioneer in the early 1990s for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. We learned that humans don’t do well with chronic stress and discussed the personal toll placed on undercover agents and their families because of it, On this third episode we’re going to hear about some close calls whe...
Nov 30, 2022•37 min
On this episode of Bear Grease, the “OG” render crew reunites to discuss Operation Redbud, which at the time was the largest turkey poaching sting in US history. Clay grills Brent on his experiences as an under cover narcotics agent and whether or not he is presently running a sting operation on Clay. Josh ponders the psychological impacts of long term deep cover operations. Gary discusses his experiences growing up around future President Bill Clinton, as well as some audio production tips for ...
Nov 23, 2022•1 hr 17 min
On this 2nd episode in our Secret Agent Man series we’re going deep into the trenches of the darkside with undercover Ohio wildlife agent RT Stewart to get the full story on Operation Redbud, which at the time, was the largest turkey poaching sting in US history. RT is going to take us on a tour in the Poach Coach and we'll hear how he videoed over 100 illegal turkey kills in two springs. How would you like to see that on VHS tape? He’ll talk about the incredible owl hooting of his number one ta...
Nov 16, 2022•54 min
On this episode, Clay is down in Oklahoma chasing whitetails in the heat of the rut, but finds some time to sit down with Bryan Jump, Sherry and Alvin Grigg, Dave Gardner, & Brian Ringles. They discuss the most recent episode, "Secret Agent Man," following real life undercover game warden R.T. Stewart. The crew also finds time to discuss people's strong opinions on equine hoof care, the finer points of hog hunting and plott hounds, and why law enforcement officers ask you to come sit in thei...
Nov 09, 2022•1 hr 29 min
On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’re going deep undercover in the rough country of Southeast Ohio to learn about the secret lives of wildlife poachers AND the life of an undercover wildlife agent by the name of RT Stewart. He worked 18 years for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and in the 1990s, was one of the lead agents on the largest turkey poaching sting in US history. He’s a decorated law enforcement officer, known for going deep undercover – even years at a time -- an...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 6 min
On this episode Clay hosts a group of longtime friends from his hometown - Andy and Scott Brown, Steve Phillips, Randy Stepp, Cauy House and Gary "Believer" Newcomb. This is a humdinger of a conversation about wild hogs, deer hunting, three-wheeler wrecks, wrestling deer and an eclectic assortment of wild stories - one involving Andy losing a finger. Scott tells about the time they killed two giant hogs and big buck on the same hunt. Clay tells about stalking a group of wild hogs on his hands an...
Oct 26, 2022•1 hr 58 min
This episode is stacked with incredible whitetail deer stories including one from Janis Putelis and, Clay Newcomb’s tale of a buck with unbelievable antler development and a heavy dose of drama. We’ve got four stories that end with bucks in the truck, and four that end with broken hearts. We’ll hear again from James Lawrence and Andy Brown, but we’ll also hear some new voices. I doubt you’re going to want to miss this one. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram ...
Oct 19, 2022•1 hr 18 min
On this episode of the Render it's all about big bucks. We have Arkansas Deer Program Coordinator, Randy Meeker, as our guest as we talk white-tailed deer. We also have Rusty and Rusten Johnson of United Outdoors, Moe Shepherd and Brent Reaves all here to talk about deer hunting. We're recapping the recent "Whitetail Stories" podcast from last week! We talk about the release of Phelps Game Calls new line of deer calls! Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram , Fa...
Oct 12, 2022•1 hr 20 min
On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast we’re talking whitetailed deer, but this isn’t the typical tips, tactics and biology that we hear so much about. That stuff is useful, and we love it, but the foundation of why that knowledge is even desirable is found in the onion a layer deeper. We want the knowledge because of how valuable whitetails are to us. Whitetail deer hunting culture in this country is uniquely Americana, there’s nothing else like in the world. The sheer number of whitetails,...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr 5 min
On this episode of the Render we're doing things a little different. The guys are sitting around a campfire with James Lawrence (Hall of Fame Member), Gary Newcomb, Justin Michau and Gerald Brewer. They talk about Bear Newcomb's big bear and how they got it out of the woods. Clay goes into detail about his recent moose hunt, but not before James and Gerald talk about black panthers. Clay also tells about the bear he shot at three yards. It gets wild. They didn't get a chance to catch up on the f...
Sep 28, 2022•1 hr 30 min
This week on the Bear Grease Podcast, we’ve got the third and final episode in our series on the extraordinary life of the former slave, confederate soldier, bear hunter and Mississippi native, Holt Collier. Many believe he deserves to sit in the saddle with the greats of American history, but his life is stacked deep in controversy, murder, fortunes won and lost, and unrivaled adventure. We’ve tracked all the data points we have on Holt, but like boar bear pursued by hounds, he’s difficult to c...
Sep 21, 2022•1 hr 1 min
On this week's episode of the Bear Grease [Render], Clay has flown the coop and left Misty in charge of the normal ne'er do well Bear Grease Crew as they navigate the second portion of Holt Collier's life, but not before: Brent questions why everyone is so angry in the kitchen. Josh gives us the 4 things to expect while Clay is gone. Misty clarifies, once again, that she is not against tattoos. Isaac shares some choice Bear Grease Bargain Barn listings. And our honored guest, old friend, and gen...
Sep 14, 2022•1 hr
