February 11, 2025

Ep. 152: Why We Hunt: The Wild Food Revolution with Jesse Griffiths

1 hour 11 minutes

Jesse Griffiths isn’t just a chef—he’s a hunter, butcher, and James Beard award-winning author who’s on a mission to reconnect people with their food. From tracking feral hogs to teaching butchery and conservation, Jesse brings a no-nonsense approach to ethical hunting and cooking.

In this episode, we dive into the truth about wild hogs, why Jesse is committed to hunting locally, the surprising impact of invasive species, and the deeper connection between hunting, conservation, and food. We also swap stories about overcoming school struggles, the MeatEater crew, and the primal draw of hunting, its process and our connection to nature.

Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman, a passionate foodie, or someone who just wants to understand where their meat comes from, this episode will challenge the way you think about food, conservation, and the hunting lifestyle.

https://www.thewildbooks.com/

https://www.daidue.com/

https://www.newschooloftraditionalcookery.com/home

https://www.instagram.com/sac.a.lait/

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Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4

Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U

Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU

Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9

Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav

Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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Timestamps:

📌 [00:00:00] Intro – Meet Jesse Griffiths: Chef, Hunter & Wild Food Advocate

📌 [00:00:35] How a Signed Copy of The Hog Book Brought This Episode Together

📌 [00:01:52] Why Travis’ First Hog Hunt Was a Bust (& Why He’s Going Back)

📌 [00:02:16] Jesse’s Mission: Teaching People to Hunt, Butcher & Cook

📌 [00:04:19] The "Why" Behind Jesse’s Passion for Hunting & Cooking

📌 [00:07:49] ADHD, Struggles in School & How Unconventional Thinkers Thrive

📌 [00:15:13] The Surprising Truth About Black Bear Hunting & Ethics

📌 [00:18:37] Invasive Species: Why Axis Deer & Feral Hogs Are a Growing Threat

📌 [00:26:35] Will Wild Hogs Ever Take Over British Columbia?

📌 [00:29:10] The Impossible Battle: Why Hogs Can’t Be Eradicated

📌 [00:34:02] Gloves or No Gloves? The Real Risks of Handling Wild Game

📌 [00:42:46] Jesse’s Take on MeatEater, Giannis & Steve Rinella’s Food Obsession

📌 [00:50:52] How COVID Changed the Way People Think About Hunting & Food

📌 [00:56:06] What Happens When People Stop Supporting Local Farmers?

📌 [00:57:53] Is the Future of Food Moving Toward Sustainability or Big Business?

📌 [01:02:18] The Best Wild Game Jesse Has Ever Cooked (And How You Can Do It Too)

📌 [01:07:44] Final Thoughts: How to Start Your Own Journey Into Wild Food

...more

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By Travis Bader

66 ratings