The MeatEater

On April 30, the House of Representatives passed an update to Farm Bill (HR 7567)—a package of conservation and agriculture programs renewed by Congress on an approximately five-year cycle—to send it to the Senate for consideration. The Farm Bill provides critical resources for multiple agricultural and conservation programs that conserve open spaces, restore habitat and environmental quality, and expand access to hunters and anglers.

Soon, the bill will be sent to the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee chaired by Senator John Boozman (Arkansas), where he and fellow committee members will have the opportunity to review, discuss, and amend the bill. If changes are made, it will return to the House for concurrence. Often, the two legislative chambers must meet in a conference committee where negotiators iron out their differences so that one version of a bill can be supported by both chambers.

Needless to say, while passage from the House is an important step, much work remains to be done.

The Farm Bill provides funding for multiple programs important to hunters, anglers, and other outdoors enthusiasts in every state, such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and Forest Legacy Program, among many others. Without a renewal of the Farm Bill, partner agencies on the ground such as soil and water conservation districts, state natural resource agencies, and land trusts and the landowners they work with are left in limbo. These partner agencies will have to wait to implement projects that protect farmlands from conversion, restore water quality, and expand access for outdoor recreational uses.

That long wait could cost agencies partnerships with willing landowners. That is why organizations such as the Land Trust Alliance and their member land trusts are hopeful the Farm Bill can become law soon and make these conservation outcomes a reality.

“We’re excited to see the Farm Bill move forward with resources for multiple conservation programs at levels that really support on-the-ground conservation benefitting every corner of the country,” says Susan Morley LaCroix, Land Protection Director for Legacy Land Conservancy in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “In addition, the Farm Bill that came from the House includes funding for the Forest Conservation Easement Program, which enables us to protect smaller forest properties around Michigan, many of which provide habitat for wildlife important to hunters and anglers such as turkeys, whitetail deer, brook trout, and walleye.”

The Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) is a new program similar to the established Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. It can protect working forestlands from conversion to developed uses (e.g., housing subdivisions, warehousing, etc.). But, unlike the existing Forest Legacy Program that is geared toward large, commercial forestlands, the FCEP is better suited to smaller landowners who still experience many of the same environmental and economic challenges as larger commercial landowners. If you have a small property with a few hundred acres of actively-managed forest that also happens to support your whitetail hunting activities, FCEP may be able to help conserve your land for your children and grandchildren to enjoy while still allowing you and them to use and enjoy it as your own.

In addition to the permanent protection mechanisms like RCPP, Forest Legacy, and FCEP, past iterations of the Farm Bill authorized the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP), which provides financial incentives to landowners to allow for public access (e.g., hunting and fishing).

If you have hunted on private lands open to the public for hunting and fishing, chances are those landowners have received VPA-HIP funds in exchange for the access you enjoyed. Established through the 2008 Farm Bill, VPA-HIP not only restores natural resources found on private lands and provides for recreational opportunities, but it also creates a significant return on the investment benefiting local economies.

Unfortunately, the version of the Farm Bill that passed the House does not include any new funding for VPA-HIP in spite of recent efforts to include up to $150 million in funding proposed through bipartisan legislation. While the Department of Agriculture recently announced some additional funds for the program, the resources remaining in the program will not carry it forward indefinitely; thus, new funds will need to be appropriated if the program is to continue supporting private landowners as well as hunters and anglers.

Since the Farm Bill passed the House, it’s up to the Senate to pass its version of the bill. Committee members—led by Committee Chair Boozman and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota)—will begin reviewing material, holding hearings, and engaging with stakeholder organizations to consider amendments.

That’s where hunters and anglers can play a critical role.

While organizations such as the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and others are meeting with elected officials and their staffs to help inform their decisions, outdoor enthusiasts also need to make their voices heard. Just as we helped stop efforts in 2025 to sell off public lands, you can contact your senator to urge their support for the Farm Bill and get it across the finish line.

You can contact Senate offices through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, send a letter or email, or work with one of the litany of hunter and angler organizations that you support to urge the Senate to take action on the Farm Bill.

19 year old, Bear Newcomb heads to Montana for his first solo spring black bear hunt. Bear's game plan is to put on as many miles along Montana's endless logging roads to find a spring black bear. Presented by Sig Sauer

Tommy Ballard refused to let his daughter’s disappearance fade away. After Crystal Rogers vanished in 2015, Ballard became the face of the search. He organized volunteers, worked with investigators, and publicly called out the man he believed was responsible.

A year later, while hunting with his grandson, Ballard was shot and killed.

The attack was precise. Intentional. And, to many, not a coincidence.

As investigators worked to unravel both cases, one question loomed over everything: was Tommy Ballard murdered because he got too close to the truth?

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Spencer Neuharth hosts MeatEater Trivia with Brody Henderson, Randall Williams, Seth Morris, Alex Plachta, Sarah Delany, and Jon Montressor.

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Host Clay Newcomb is joined by Dr. Misty Newcomb, Bear Newcomb, Brent Reaves, and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker, along with special guest Jason Dean, whose story was featured in episode 451, Shot in the Back - The Jason Dean Story. Together, the crew reflects on the 1990 hunting accident that nearly took Jason’s life and explores how surviving and a life-threatening event such as this can profoundly shape a person’s outlook and perspective for every day that follows. More than just a story of survival, this conversation reveals the character of a man who, despite overwhelming hardship and impossible odds, has remained grounded in faith, gratitude, and positivity.

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There’s something deeply satisfying about coming home from a hunt with more than just meat in your game bag. Historically, hunters in the French countryside paired wild game with foraged mushrooms in a rustic preparation known as "Chasseur sauce," which literally translates to "hunter's sauce."

Today it’s typically made with chicken simmered directly in the sauce, but I prefer to treat wild turkey breast a little differently. Pan-roasting the breast gives it a beautifully browned crust while keeping the meat tender and juicy, and it leaves just enough fond in the skillet to build a quick mushroom sauce with white wine, tomato paste, and fresh herbs. Even though the roots of this dish are rustic, it’s quite elegant and makes a perfect celebratory meal.

You don't have to be a scent-control junkie to appreciate a good pair of rubber hunting boots. They're perfect for those late-season whitetail hunts when you need to layer extra socks, run some toe warmers, and keep your scent to a minimum. But, they're also necessary if you spend a lot of time in warm, swampy conditions. Unlike application-specific boots, you can use a good uninsulated pair all year round.

However you use them, rubber boots should keep your feet dry above all. Over the past few decades I've had the opportunity to hunt with and test the best rubber hunting boots available. These are my top picks.

Jump to: The Boots We Tested and Reviewed

Depending on your distance from the equator, you might require a heavily insulated (1600g) boot or an uninsulated one for the majority of deer season. Regardless, make sure you opt for boots that you wouldn't mind wearing all day.

Rubber hunting boots come in a variety of insulation options for certain tasks or hunting seasons. Uninsulated boots work great for turkey or early bow seasons around much of the country. In fact, most southern hunters can get away with an uninsulated boot for most of the year. Hunters above the Mason-Dixon require more insulation by the time winter rolls around.

Cheaper rubber boots are susceptible to tearing, especially in the uppers. If your boots can't keep you dry, you might as well go barefoot. Spend more on the front end and you'll have a solid pair of boots that should give you years of service.

Whether you're chasing squirrel dogs through hardwood bottoms or sitting on stand all day, make sure your boots fit properly. If your boots are too big or small they'll create blisters, and nothing ruins a hunt faster than mangled feet.

LaCrosse Alphaburly Pros might as well be synonymous with rubber hunting boots. With uninsulated or 1600g Thinsulate options, you can find one for just about any hunting scenario. I've used some version of the Alphaburly Pro for the past several seasons, and they're my go-to hunting boot for most of whitetail season. They're snug but true-to-size, and I've had zero durability issues with them. I hunt in a lot of river bottom country that stays wet most of the year, so the durable uppers and traction on the Alpha Burly Pros make it easy to navigate sloppy terrain like sloughs, palmetto flats, and cypress swamps.

After a long hike out or during warmer temps, the Alpha Burly Pros can be a pain to remove. Hunters with larger feet might find them a tad bulky for small platforms and climbing sticks. Otherwise, their durability makes them some of the best rubber hunting boots around.

As someone who's spent their life chasing turkeys in the deep South, I'm a fan of snake boots. It's not that I think snakes actively try to bite humans, but when you've got a screaming gobbler on your mind, it can be easy to neglect your surroundings. I see plenty of copperheads and cottonmouths throughout turkey season, so a snake-proof upper provides a little more peace of mind.

I've been running the LaCrosse Alpha Agility Snake Boots for the past several seasons. There's nothing fancy about these uninsulated rubber boots. They're all business, exactly what you want from a snake boot. The streamlined lowers make them ideal for turkey season when you're trying to drift nimbly through the woods or cut and run when you strike a bird. They're not the most breathable, but that's a tradeoff I'll take if they keep fangs out of my feet.

Sitka recently made their entrance into the rubber boot game a few years ago, and I had the opportunity to test out their Back40 boot one deer season. While they might not look so different from their competitors, the Back40 boots are some of the most comfortable rubber hunting boots I've ever used. The wide toe box allows your toes to splay but adds to the boot's overall footprint.

Though light for a rubber hunting boot, the Back40 is bulky. In fact, I showed them to a hunting buddy who immediately described them as "moon boots," and I couldn't agree more. My Alpha Burly Pros already feel a tad large on a saddle platform or lightweight stand, and the Back40s nearly eclipse them.

One of my main gripes about rubber hunting boots has to do with the difficulty of removing them when you're layered up or sweaty. Unlike other boots I've used, the Back40s are extremely easy to remove right out of the box. You can even use the heel kick (hands-free) to remove them and save your obscenities for more pressing matters.

Rubber hunting boots never fit as snug as I'd like, but the Chêne Floodline Velo boots come pretty close. Despite their snug fit, the Floodline Velo boots offer painless on/off. This factor alone makes them a top contender if you're in the market for the best rubber hunting boots.

The Floodline Velo boots required zero break-in. My first time in the boots, I logged just over six miles during a postseason scouting trip. I never had any hot spots, blisters, or rubbing, which is a lot to ask from a rubber boot. They're also the most flexible, yet durable rubber hunting boots I've ever used.

These uninsulated boots make an excellent option for turkey hunting or early-season whitetails, especially if you prefer to run-and-gun. I'd like to see grippier traction on the outer soles, especially for a boot that's tailored for turkey hunting and wet spring conditions. However, their lightweight and shoe-like fit makes them one of the best rubber hunting boots for multiple seasons.

"I've worn Muck Boots for years. The Arctic Sport II Tall Boot is a warm, versatile boot that I wear for a good seven to eight months out of the year. Where I live, the winters are long and the snow sticks around, which means the mud seasons also last longer than desirable. This boot can handle both.

I often wear them during cold-month fishing and quick waterfowl jump-shoot outings. The calf cuff is tight enough that I don't worry about water getting in, but it isn't so tight that it's uncomfortable. The boot is tall and super waterproof, so it's perfect for shallow wading and loading/unloading boats.

They're what I slide on my feet almost every day for an after-work dog walk. They offer support so that my feet and legs don't get fatigued while providing enough warmth on those days when you'd rather just stay inside.

My only and biggest gripe with these boots is that I've found they need to be replaced every couple of years. The rubber starts to crack, and they lose their waterproofing. But at $155 with some pretty serious wear and tear, I have yet to find a better replacement." - Maggie Hudlow, MeatEater's Director of Web Content

Steven Rinella and the MeatEater crew discuss: Smokejumper Sam Forsag running for Congress in Montana; people getting weird about waterfowl in North Carolina; grizzly attacks at National Parks; spearfishing in Michigan; public land transfers in Alaska; a $44K walleye in Iowa; mountain lion populations rebounding; and more.

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Not only do most Americans misunderstand the great variety in western places, but many westerners are similarly clueless. This episode makes a stab at explaining nature in a part of the West unfamiliar to many, the southwestern state of New Mexico.

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Deer hunting is often talked about as mostly a mystery-free endeavor, but that's just not true and the hunters who acknowledge the value of staying curious are the ones who end up tagging more mature bucks.

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