The MeatEater Podcast
MeatEater
Building on the belief that a deeper understanding of the natural world enriches all of our lives, host Steven Rinella brings an in-depth and relevant look at all outdoor topics including hunting, fishing, nature, conservation, and wild foods. Filled with humor, irreverence, and things that will surprise the hell out of you, each episode welcomes a diverse group of guests who add their own expertise to the vast world of the outdoors. Part of The MeatEater Podcast Network.
Episodes
Mentioned books
10 snips
Feb 20, 2026 • 1h 11min
Ep. 837: This Episode is Called "It's the Third-to-Last Episode" | MeatEater Radio Live!
Bear Newcomb, content creator and hunter relaunching Bear Grease on YouTube, and Clay Newcomb, writer and co-creator working on a black bear book, join Scott Heidebrink, director of landscape stewardship at American Prairie. They dig into American Prairie’s bison grazing leases and BLM decisions. Short takes cover bear-channel plans, bear history, public hunts, land management, and next steps for the bison controversy.
Feb 18, 2026 • 47min
Ep. 836: 2026 MeatEater Trivia Tournament, Round 2
Seth Morris, comedian and actor known for sharp improv and frequent banter, brings levity to a high-stakes trivia championship. He trades jokes and quick riffs while contestants tackle topics from fishing gear and bird ID to Lazarus species and mountaineering geography. Fast-paced competition and playful trash talk keep the energy up.
Feb 16, 2026 • 2h 2min
Ep. 835: Attack Of The Screw Worms
Caleb Hubbard, a veterinary entomologist at New Mexico State University specializing in pest threats, walks through the danger of New World screwworm. He covers how screwworms attack living tissue, historic outbreaks like the Florida Keys event, and the sterile-insect eradication strategy. The conversation also touches on detection, reporting, and limits of current control tools.
Feb 13, 2026 • 1h 9min
Ep. 834: Dr. Crayfish, Fox Collars, and Blue Tarps | MeatEater Radio Live!
Dr. Zack Graham, ecologist and crayfish author, explains crayfish diversity, burrowing species, threats from invasives and habitat loss, and fishing tips. Emily Davis, PhD student studying wolves, coyotes, and red foxes, describes collaring foxes in Grand Teton research, trapping methods, and memorable field stories. Multiple lively segments include Hot Tips, Price is Right games, and quirky wildlife anecdotes.
4 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 51min
Ep. 833: 2026 MeatEater Trivia Tournament, Round 1
Steven Rinella, hunter and outdoor writer, and Janis Putelis, frequent contributor and trivia ace, face off in a lively trivia showdown. They trade hunting tales and a flea-infested coyote story. They spar over river lengths, insect life stages, rangefinder batteries, firewood measures, pipelines, and more in rapid-fire rounds.
5 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 1h 54min
Ep. 832: Osceola, Native American Slavery, and The Seminole Wars
Jamie Holmes, author of The Free and the Dead and archival narrative nonfictionist, joins to unpack Osceola, Abraham, and the Black Seminoles. He describes deep archival detective work and the tangled histories of Seminole formation, slavery, and guerrilla warfare in interior Florida. The conversation highlights contested events like Osceola’s capture and the long, costly Seminole Wars.
Feb 6, 2026 • 1h 37min
Ep. 831: A Wildlife Officer and Skier Walk Into a Bar | MeatEater Radio Live!
Demi Wright, a Colorado wildlife officer who enforces wildlife laws and investigates poaching. Paul Schommer, U.S. Olympic biathlete who competes, trains, and shoots at the highest level. They discuss a Fort Carson poaching investigation, tracking methods and social media evidence. They also cover biathlon basics, shooting strategy, training volume, and how competition skills translate to hunting.
Feb 4, 2026 • 54min
Ep. 830: Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CCII
Randall Williams, stalwart trivia competitor and on-air personality who won the contest for charity. Seth Morris, longtime contributor who brings hunting, fishing, and conservation savvy. Doug Duren, landowner and musician spearheading the Sharing the Land habitat initiative. They trade rapid-fire trivia, conservation projects, habitat restoration, wildlife science, and fishing and hunting gear talk in a lively, playful competition.
Feb 2, 2026 • 2h 44min
Ep. 829: Who Will Save the Columbia River's Salmon?
Doug Hatch, Columbia River fish scientist focused on salmon monitoring and steelhead reconditioning. Donella Miller, fishery manager leading tribal-driven salmon recovery and habitat work. They discuss the Six Sovereigns restoration plan. They cover dam impacts, sea lion predation upriver, lamprey and salmon reintroduction, funding gaps, and trade-offs between hydropower and restoring runs.
Jan 30, 2026 • 1h 28min
Ep. 828: Nonresidents, Wildlife Commissions, and the Boundary Waters | MeatEater Radio Live!
Jeremy Romero, wildlife conservationist with the National Wildlife Federation who advises on state wildlife commissions. Lukas Leaf, chef and advocate protecting the Boundary Waters and sharing wild-game cooking. They discuss threats from sulfide-ore mining, politics around mineral withdrawals, how to take action, and wild-game shore-lunch recipes. Conversation also covers state wildlife commission roles and how citizens can engage.
