Bear Grease

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...

In this episode of the Bear Grease Render, retired US Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer, Joe Liles joins Clay Newcomb and Render crew members Brent Reaves , Misty Newcomb , Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker, and Bear Newcomb. Joe's career with the Forest Service overlapped with the end of Russ Arthur's and he confirms the legendary stories told on the Bear Grease podcast. Bear shows off his latest...

Brent's taking us back to the tomato fields of his youth. You'll hear how he spent a lot of his summers battling the heat on his family's South Arkansas farm and he'll tell about an epic adventure he and two others set out on that didn't quite go as planned. We know. Big surprise, right? Thankfully, the participants are all still here and Brent's sharing their story on this week's episode of MeatE...

Russ Arthur entered his post with the US Forestry Service in 1985 with a dedication to protecting the lands he was taught to cherish and appreciate back when he was a young child, but little did he know the twists and turns it would take him down. In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, Clay Newcomb interviews this Bear Grease veteran as he recalls some wild stories of attempted murder, high-s...

Just when you thought Brent had talked about every kind of hunting dog, he shows up with another one. This week he's giving us an introduction to decoy dogs, how they're hunted, and for what purposes. He's also sharing a 4th of July story from a listener that involves strawberry jelly and a pink flamingo. There's a lot going on this week on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.  Check out Decoy...

In this action-packed episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb and Render crew members Brent Reaves , Gary "Believer" Newcomb, and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker are joined by Capt. Jeff Brown (Ret.) and Lt. Joe Alexander of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Hear more of the behind-the-scenes efforts to bring Oklahoma Paddlefish poaching to an end.  Also, listen along as the w...

We're after flatheads this week and Brent's gonna tell you about a fun way to catch them. He's also gonna tell you the story of a different way to catch them without nets or hooks. His uncles employed this method back in the day, and it's very efficient but not recommended. All that and more on MeatEater's This Country Life podcast. opelousasbankpoles.com The Riverstead on YouTube Subscribe to the...

By the 2000’s, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation had paddlefish poaching largely under control, but it wasn’t long before a new group of poachers hit the scene. In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, Clay Newcomb continues his conversation with retired Oklahoma game warden, Jeff Brown, as he recounts the details of “Operation Russian Snag,” and the lengths that this group went...

The title of this episode was a question posed to Brent by his youngest daughter, Bailee. It was a fair question and one that took him a while to answer. His response may surprise you. You’ll also hear about his mind-reading abilities that peaked in Army basic training. Bet you didn’t see that coming on MeatEater’s This Country Life podcast. Connect with Brent and  MeatEater MeatEater on  Instagra...

Today on the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb is joined by Brent Reaves, Misty Newcomb, and a posse of game wardens from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.  Cap. Hank Jenks, Lt. Joe Alexander, Austin Jackson, and Kody Moore bring some law and order and regale the Render Crew with stories of retired game warden Keith Green, poacher-turned-legitimate caviar producer, Billy Wishard, an...

It’s time to pause and give a salute to the dads out there. They do a lot for us, and this week we’re recognizing their efforts by putting them in the spotlight. Brent's sharing something special with us that we think you’re sure to enjoy. Plus, we’ve got a listener story that will have you covering your eyes just listening to it. It’s “Father’s Day” on MeatEater’s This Country Life podcast.  Chec...

Prepare to take an unexpected turn in this week's episode of Bear Grease as Clay Newcomb goes on a deep dive into the topic of Paddlefish caviar. This prehistoric creature is cherished as a game species but is also targeted by poachers to produce black-market caviar. Retired Oklahoma game wardens, Jeff Brown and Keith Green, tell the stories of starting the revolutionary Paddlefish Research Center...

Brent's talking wild hogs this week and sharing his brother Tim's story that could've turned tragic. You'll hear why so many put so much value on pigs in the past and how they've affected not only the environment, but also a lot of the creatures that share the habitat. Say it with us, "WOO PIG SOOIE!" It's time for MeatEater's This Country Life podcast. Connect with Brent and  MeatEater MeatEater...

Today on the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb is joined by Da n Gates from Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management as they discuss the proposed state Mountain Lion Hunting Ban and the implications for hunters and wildlife management far beyond the state of Colorado. savethehuntcolorado.com Connect with  Clay  and  MeatEater Clay on  Instagram MeatEater on  Instagram ,  Facebook ,  Twitter ,...

Brent's back from the Canadian bush of Manitoba and he brought a big color phase bear with him. Hear the tale of that hunt and get a teasing glimpse into a family that lives their lives close to nature. More on those folks in a future episode. Right now we're bear hunting and the bear hunting is good! All that plus a listener-submitted story showcasing the teamwork of three generations of turkey h...

Luke McFadden is a 27-year-old, first-generation waterman on the Chesapeake Bay. In this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, Clay Newcomb invites Luke to tell his story of how determination combined with a love for the outdoors, fishing, and the water, propelled him down a one-way path to becoming a crabber. His experience shows how he embraced challenges, and with thinking outside the box, create...

It's time to eat and there's "masked bandit" on the menu. Brent's  gonna tell you how to cook one like they do down in Gillett, Arkansas, home of the world-famous Gillett Coon Supper. He's also sharing a listener-submitted story that anyone can enjoy. It's time to get supper ready on MeatEater's This Country Life podcast. Connect with Brent and  MeatEater MeatEater on  Instagram ,  Facebook ,  Twi...

On this Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb is joined by Kolby Morehead, of Bear Hunting Magazine, along with Misty Newcomb and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker.  Clay brings the heat playing his original song “Ballad of Backwoodsman.”  The group discusses long-range shooting and bear hunting. Dr. Misty Newcomb takes a deep dive into her field of expertise, "social capital," as they review the Coon Suppe...

It won't be long before family vacations and interactions with nature increase. Schools are out for most, but for some the real education in the outdoor classroom begins. The temptation of getting that perfect profile picture with a seemingly docile bison can turn a vacation into tragedy. It can happen quicker than you can say, "Where'd Frank go, and why is that buffalo standing by his shoes?" It'...