Bear Grease

Brent followed his father’s footsteps in a lot of the Reaves family hunting traditions. Deer hunting however, wasn’t one of them. Brent’s dad was not a deer hunter but had some encounters that Brent’s gonna tell you about. You’ll also hear a listener story about another parent and son deer hunting tradition that’s not so traditional. It’s time for MeatEater’s “This Country Life” podcast.  Subscrib...

In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, we celebrate MeatEater’s Whitetail Week with another collection of deer stories from Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Listen along as contributors Mitch Sikes, Keith Polk, Bob Wilson, Gerald Brewer, Henry Susong, and Moe Shepherd share memorable moments searching for the crown jewel of the North American woods—the Whitetail Deer. If you ha...

It’s the first big hunt of Arkansas’s fall season for Brent and the bear camp faithful. They’re struggling with dry conditions, dropping acorns, and the Arkansas heat that just won’t go away. They managed to “scratch a few out” as Brent would say, but the biggest trophy carried home had nothing to do with a bear. It’s time to head to the bear camp on this week’s episode of MeatEater’s “This Countr...

On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, join host Clay Newcomb and Render regulars Brent Reaves, Bear Newcomb, and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker, along with wildlife biologist Spencer Daniels and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Bear Biologist Anthony Ballard live from Bear Camp as the "akerns" rain down.  Listen in as they discuss the highs and lows of the week's bear hu...

Just when he thought he was through investigating crimes, Brent gets called back to the job. This time someone has stolen from him and with Arkansas' 2024 Bear season drawing closer, the stakes couldn't be higher. It's time to sort through the clues and crack the case. You'll also hear a tale of two guys who made better television stars than criminals. You now have the right to listen to this week...

In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, we hear from storytellers Lake Pickle, Mitch Sikes, Myles Malone, and a one Mr. Clay Newcomb, as they recall some pretty unusual and unforgettable experiences in the deer woods. But, if there's one you're not going to want to miss, it's the last story by Med Palmer. You've never heard a deer story like this one. If you have comments on the show, send us...

The approach of the fall season has Brent waxing poetic about the trapping experiences he had growing up in rural Arkansas. The time spent on his trapline served up invaluable lessons on a number of things, only one of which was trapping. Brent credits "laying steel" as one of the cornerstones that helped him understand not only the conservation aspects of animals, but also how they interact with...

On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb is filming live from the World Championship Squirrel Cook Off! He's joined by Brent Reaves, small game extraordinaire Kevin Murphy, the king of the cook off Joe Wilson, squirrel-skinning champ Clifton Jackson, and world-famous BBQ man Malcolm Reed. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with  C...

In this bonus episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb invites Dan Gates from Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management back to give an update on the ballot initiative in Colorado to ban mountain lion and bobcat hunting. He's also joined by guests Lake Pickle of On X, Brent Reaves, Bear Newcomb, and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker. This initiative is a movement away from science-based wil...

According to the archaeological record, the relationship between humans and dogs goes back thousands of years. Brent can only testify to the last fifty-eight and it's this span of time that he's talking about today. From lost dogs, hot biscuits, and frozen horses, it's time for this week's episode of MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Con...

In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, Clay Newcomb invites you to meet Sterlin Harjo, a Muscogee Creek and Seminole Filmmaker who co-created the award-winning show "Reservations Dogs."  His ability to convey the cultural nuance of what it means to be native to a wider audience is what has made him successful.  Listen along as Sterlin tells the story of his life: growing up, hunting, and film...

Brent's wrapping up his series on safety by giving more examples of how he tempted fate and luckily came through unscathed. Not everyone gets a second chance however, and Brent has a firsthand account that reminds him to stay ever vigilant. Brent's hoping you'll hear this one and take away the same lesson he did. It's safety first, always on this week's episode of MeatEater's "This Country Life" p...

On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb and the Render Crew—Misty Newcomb, Brent Reaves, and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker, are joined by distinguished guests, Misty Langdon of the Remnants Project, Lake Pickle of OnX, and Kyle Plunkett of the Ozark Podcast, as they discuss Ozark legend Eva "Granny" Barnes Henderson's life and legacy on the Buff'lo. There's even a little friendly co...

Brent's talking about safety and the lack thereof on this episode. He's sharing some examples of how the progression of time and technology has helped him make better decisions compared to his "back in the day" era. Lessons on what not to do are the focus this week on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and  MeatEater Me...

In this episode, Clay Newcomb shines a deeper light on the land acquisition for the Buffalo National River in 1972, including a rare glimpse of the woman who was the face of the resistance, none other than icon of the Buffalo River, Eva Barnes "Granny" Henderson. In an original recording, "Granny" describes life on the Buff'lo in her own words, including a historical-turned-modern conversation wit...

From reptiles to rodents, we're talking about all of what could wind up on your supper table. Brent's sharing a story from his brother Tim's kitchen and telling about some friends of his up north who are making the most out of their trapline. Come on in, it's supper time on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. New England Naturals Riley DeBow New England Naturals Jake and Riley DeBow Subscribe...

This week on the Bear Grease Render, the BG Headquarters is taken over by Render crew members Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker, Brent Reaves, Misty Newcomb, Bear Newcomb, and special guest River Newcomb, while host Clay Newcomb is gone in Alaska on a mountain goat hunt. Bear shows off his latest creation in his self-bow journey, Brent gives his opinion on goat's milk, and Misty talks about how River N...

People collect all sorts of things for all sorts of reasons. We know all about Brent's collection of knives, but this week, he's sharing a story about how he acquired a special shotgun for his gun collection, as well as telling stories of other people's collections. From old guns to loose change, we're talking Collections on this week's "This Country Life" podcast. Subscribe to the MeatEater Podca...

In 1972, the Buffalo River in northern Arkansas was designated the nation's "First National River" - a celebrated act of Utilitarian Conservation. But in the process, 2,000 families along the river were stripped of their generational land by eminent domain. In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, listen along as Clay Newcomb tells the story of these people consigned to oblivion and the sacrifi...

A recent visit with new friends has shown Brent that some of the old ways are alive and well. There's still some good country living taking place and families with enough desire can make it just fine living close to the land. From catfishing to milking goats, this episode has something for everyone. It's time for MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. Riverstead YouTube: https://youtu.be/4BSdGDd...

In this episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay and the Render crew members Brent Reaves, Bear Newcomb, and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker are joined in the BG Global Headquarters by the man, the myth, the legend, and the featured guest of the last three Bear Grease podcasts, Russ Arthur. Russ also brings along his 9-year-old grandson Kash to share some of his stories. The conversation gets lively a...

In this Bonus Episode of the Bear Grease podcast, Retired US Forest Service Agent, Russ Arthur, tells host Clay Newcomb one more unforgettable story of one of his first undercover jobs infiltrating a wild group of outlaws stealing Atlantic White Cedar along the Apalachicola River in Florida. Russ uses his construction background to assimilate into their group and gain their trust, but little do th...

Brent's taking us on a trip to the Case Knife factory in Bradford, Pennsylvania. He's also teaching us a game he used to play with his friends in elementary school that got his personal knife collection started. Leave it to Brent to have toothbrushes and pocket knives playing pivotal roles in one activity. All that and a homecoming story you don't want to miss on MeatEater's "This Country Life" po...

In this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, Clay Newcomb interviews Retired US Forest Service Special Agent, Russ Arthur, once again as the plot thickens with another unbelievable story of undercover law enforcement. This time busting a North Carolina man illegal elk guiding in Yellowstone National Park. It's a wild story of intrigue and covert operations that puts Russ in a situation to push the...

The recent celebration of our nation’s Declaration of Independence got Brent thinking about heroes. Just what constitutes a hero? He’s gonna share his thoughts and give what he thinks is a prime example of one. If that’s not enough he’s sharing a heroic listener story and offering up suggestions to help baseball grow their audience and speed up the game. There’s a lot to unpack on this episode of...