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.

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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 sacrifices forced on them to create these public lands. Follow 78-year-old local Willard Villines on a mule ride through the wilderness as he shows Clay the forgotten homesteads of family members, and even the remains of the home that was his birthplace.

Clay speaks with Misty Langdon, a descendant of these families and creator of The Remnants Project, which documents the history of Newton County, and Dr. Brooks Blevins, Ozark historian, author, and hillbilly, describes the dirty work of "progress." 

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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/4BSdGDdrqSc?si=7X-5yCuAmEpqtq6q

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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 as they discuss bobcats, self bows, disabled box turtles, outlaws, turkey hunting, and the monster buck that got away. Russ and Brent talk about the "good old days" of undercover operations.

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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 they know that the trap is being set for an arrest story worth making a motion picture about.

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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" podcast.

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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 limit to keep his cover. Also hear how Russ was brought out of retirement for a special assignment that required his very particular set of skills, training, and instructing wildlife officers overseas.

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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 MeatEater’s This Country Life podcast. 

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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 self bow, Misty talks farming, Brent explains what nets to catch catfish with, and Clay even permits a little fly fishing talk.

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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 MeatEater's This Country Life podcast.

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