Joe Wilson is an outdoorsman, a self-described “preacher of the meat gospel,” and has been called the “redneck Oprah Winfrey.” He is the founder and organizer of the annual World Champion Squirrel Cook Off, which draws dozens of competitors and thousands of spectators to northwest Arkansas every September, as well as the CEO of Steaks 4 Sheepdogs, a nonprofit organization which has served thousands of steak dinners to law enforcement officers and first responders.

Joe has been featured on Bizarre Foods America with Andrew Zimmern, CBS Sunday Morning, the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and numerous podcasts including Bear Grease, This Country Life, and The Ozark Podcast. He is also one of the hosts of the Cookin’ Up A Story podcast, which recently celebrated its 300th episode.

Chris and Crystal got to hang out with Joe in Dorchester County, Maryland, where he’s co-hosting a forthcoming episode of the Outdoor Channel’s Dead Meat.

Topics discussed:

• Welcoming Joe to Delmarva with a sampling of regional products including Hughes Delaware Maid scrapple, J.O. Spice, Wye River seasoning, Fisher's Popcorn, Dolle's saltwater taffy, and Smith Island Cake.

• How Joe launched the World Champion Squirrel Cook Off with a lie.

• Expert tips for hunting, skinning, and cooking squirrels.

• Delmarva-themed squirrel recipe ideas: Squirrel scrapple? Maryland squirrel soup?

• Eastern Shore accents from an Arkansan's perspective.

• Joe's expectations about Maryland vs. his experiences.

• Local sika deer hunters' feelings about Steve Rinella after he blew up their spot.

• Shooting a Dead Meat episode about muskrat culture on Delmarva.

• Chris and Crystal went to the Southern Grille and tried their first muskrat in preparation for this Slower Lower episode. It was delicious!

• Cooking a whole moose in Alaska.

• Serving law enforcement officers by providing tens of thousands of steak dinners.

• Our shared appreciation for the Bear Grease podcast and host Clay Newcomb.

• Joe's next adventure: A TV show called Meet Joe Wilson.

• America isn't a melting pot, it's a gumbo.

• . . . and much more!