MeatEater

Bear Grease

Sports EN ↓ 483 episodes

The Bear Grease Podcast with host Clay Newcomb delivers compelling storytelling through documentary-style episodes exploring the culture, traditions, and history of rural America. He’ll dive in deep with hunters, biologists, anthropologists, and hillbillies to learn about human nature and our ancient connection to the land. Bear Grease explores unique people, topics, and stories that reveal the incredible value of life lived close to the land. Part of the MeatEater Podcast Network.

Author

MeatEater

Category

Sports

Podcast website

www.themeateater.com

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

Ep. 82: Secret Agent Man - Instinct (Part 3) 30.11.2022

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 an...

Ep 81: Bear Grease [Render] - Operation Redbud, Confronting Brent, and Elon Musk 23.11.2022

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 exp...

Ep. 80: Secret Agent Man - Operation Redbud (Part 2) 16.11.2022

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 woul...

Ep. 79: Bear Grease [Render] - Oklahoma Sheriff, a Farrier, and Undercover Debrief 09.11.2022

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...

Ep. 78: Secret Agent Man - R.T. Stewart (Part 1) 02.11.2022

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...

Ep. 77: Bear Grease [Render] - Bucks, Wild Hogs, Losing Fingers, and Three-Wheeler Wrecks 26.10.2022

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 gi...

Ep. 76: Whitetail Stories - Holiday Bucks, 33-Point Bucks, and Missed Bucks (Part 2) 19.10.2022

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...

Ep. 75: Bear Grease [Render] - Deer Biologist, Randy Meeker & El Caminos 12.10.2022

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...

Ep. 74: Whitetail Stories - Bristlin', Gruntin', and Clickin' Bucks (Part 1) 05.10.2022

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 c...

Ep. 73: Bear Grease [Render] - Moose Hunt, Three-Yard Bear, and Black Panthers 28.09.2022

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 tell...

Ep 72: Holt Collier - The Teddy Roosevelt Hunt, Part 3 21.09.2022

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 tr...

Ep. 71: Bear Grease [Render] - Cow Patties, Items For Sale, and the Unusual Mindset of Holt Collier 14.09.2022

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. Is...

Ep. 70: Holt Collier - Texas Cowboy, Gunfights & Market Bear Hunting, Part 2 07.09.2022

On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast we’re on part two in our Holt Collier series and looking into the second section of his life, from the age of 20 to his mid-60s, which were defined by gunfights, cowboying and bear hunting. Holt was a former slave turned confederate soldier, he was acquitted of the murder of a white man after the civil war, and he made a lot of money as a market bear hunt...

Ep. 69: Bear Grease [Render] - Possum Tattoos, The Bargain Barn, and Holt Collier 31.08.2022

On this week's episode of the Bear Grease [Render], Clay and the gang circle up to talk about the  slave, soldier, and bearhunter, Holt Collier. But first: Brent gets sentimental with a good-luck charm that he carries with him everywhere. Misty clarifies her stance on tattoos. Isaac shows off his new boots. Gary extols the virtues of love above all else. Clay tells us about getting stuck in an app...

Ep. 68: Holt Collier - Slave, Confederate Soldier, and Bear Hunter, Part 1 24.08.2022

On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast we'll be introduced to the man that president Theodore Roosevelt said was “the greatest hunter and guide I have ever known.”  Many believe his legacy deserves to be on the American pedestal with the likes of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. And some might even suggest he stand with the great African American civil rights pioneers early 20th century, based...

Ep. 67: Bear Grease [Render] - Tavin, Tik Tok, and Turkey Salmon 17.08.2022

On this episode of the Bear Grease [Render], Clay and the gang talk about their most recent podcast. They get to know a special guest -- Tavin Dillard -- who shows Clay how to call in a turkey salmon. Later, they meet another special guest, Joel Barry. Finally, they discuss Clay watching Instagram Reels like a dad, why Gary Newcomb had to aggressively fine-tune his Tik Tok preferences, and what th...

Ep. 66: Basketball and Coonhunting - The "Hicks From the Sticks” Story 10.08.2022

On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’ll be crossing the streams of sports, rural life, and hunting as we learn about the 1960’s championship Bradleyville Eagles basketball dynasty in Missouri. We’ll talk with author, Leon Combs who wrote the book on them and we’ll meet one of the players – Leon Boyd – the teams ball handling point guard and coonhunter extraordinaire who still hunts and l...

Ep 65: Bear Grease [Render] - Whitetail Antlers, Underground dogs, and Bucking Mules 03.08.2022

On this week’s episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay is joined by the familiar crew to discuss the public display of taxidermy in gas stations. Brent Reaves tells us about Waylon’s new found ability to tree a raccoon underground. Isaac Neale shares the perils of cowboy boots. Josh Spielmaker embraces his roll as the Bear Grease Bad Boy. Misty Newcomb raises the collective IQ of the room when she...

Ep. 64: Gas Station Taxidermy Roadshow 27.07.2022

On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, Brent Reaves and Clay Newcomb hit the two-lane highways and byways of America in search of taxidermy in gas stations. This type of public display of bucks, bears and ducks is becoming rarer - and we’re in search of why. The public display of taxidermy is something deep in the root system of American identity and symbolic of a way of life. The American ga...

Ep. 63: Bear Grease [Render] - The Bear Grease Hall of Fame and Streaks of Luck 20.07.2022

On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay opens the floor up so that Josh can finally spread the good news about Fly Fishing. Misty reminisces about the time Josh's mom saved Clay's life. Isaac tries out cowboy boots. Gary, dressed for golf, pontificates on his friend's streak of hole in ones. And you're not going to want to miss Clay's brand new song featuring Brent on the bear's femur &amp...

Ep. 62: The Unusual Whitetail Streak of Ora Lee Provence 13.07.2022

On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast we’re talking about two giant, public-land whitetails killed by the same man on the same year, all the while exploring a universal and ancient idea. It’s one that has not escaped any culture - it’s homogenous across time, oceans, and peoples. It’s the idea of a “streak of luck”. All can agree that beneficial things do happen that are far beyond human cont...

Ep. 61: Bear Grease [Render] - Near Death on a Tractor, Black Panthers, and the Brutality of the Middle Ground 06.07.2022

Clay and the crew are joined by Zach Newcomb, mental health professional and real life brother to Clay.  After a rousing version of “I Saw the Light” the gang discusses the finer points of seasoning gravy, larger than life black panther busts and near misses with heavy machinery before jumping into the most recent episode of Bear Grease about Lewis Wetzel. You’ll want to stay tuned til the end to...

Ep. 60: The Deathwind - Lewis Wetzel 29.06.2022

On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast we’ll be looking into the life a man whose legacy is wrought with conflict. To Americans who lived in the Ohio River Valley he was a folk  hero, but to the Native Americans he hated and murdered in cold-blood, he was known as the Deathwind. Clay Newcomb went to the Ohio Valley to interview outdoor writer and author, Chip Gross, to learn about the life of...

Ep. 59: Bear Grease [Render] - The Game Warden’s Here 22.06.2022

On this episode of the Bear Grease [Render],  Clay Newcomb and the crew are joined by Lt. Ep Fletcher of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. They discuss wildlife regulations and some of the most memorable moments in his career. Fletcher describes how he evaluates each violation with three specific questions: what was the intent, how does it effect the resource, and how does it impact public sa...

Ep. 58: Poaching - Our Relationship with the Law 15.06.2022

This episode of the Bear Grease Podcast will be an exposé on two men in the outdoor industry that you may have heard of. We typically don’t like to air people’s dirty laundry, but we gained access to these hunters and you may know them, maybe even respect them, and their stories might shock you. The hunters we’re talking about are Clay Newcomb and Steven Rinella! They had...

Listen to the Bear Grease podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.