The MeatEater

On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’re diving deep into the heart of southern cultural identity and the mind of Jerry Clower. Does that name ring a bell? Jerry was thrust into national fame in the 1970s when a story he told about coon hunting topped the country charts. I’m interested in those odd places where rural culture -- and specifically hunting -- crosses tracks with the mainstream. Wilson Rawls bridged that gap with his book “Where the Red Fern Grows,” and Jerry did it with comedy about hunting varmints. He’s been gone for a long time, but I was able to meet up with his old Amite County neighbor in East Fork, Mississippi: a man named John Newman. He’ll give us a behind the scenes look into who Jerry was, and some of it may surprise you. And believe it not, Brent Reaves met Jerry Clower and saw his famed Gold Cadilac. Brent swears it was as long as a battleship. Trust me boys and girls, you’re not going to want to miss this one!

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This week, Tony talks about how time and a little due diligence go a long ways toward finding the perfect pup.

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Spencer Neuharth hosts MeatEater Trivia with Cory Calkins, Nate Mason, Max Barta, Sarah Delany Maggie Smith, and Jon Montressor.

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When the long-term market exploitation of wildlife was joined by a form of elite safari hunting known as “field sports,” a massive destruction of western animals threatened to destroy millions of years of North American evolution. Teddy Roosevelt’s and George Grinnell’s Boone & Crockett Club wasn’t perfect, but it helped government usher in a new stage before Wild Wild West anarchy could run its course.

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Check out more MeatEater's American History audio originals "The Long Hunters" and "Mountain Men"

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This week, Tony explains how all of us try to fill in the blanks when it comes to deer behavior and our hunting successes, but sometimes it's best to just accept what we can't know and keep trying.

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This week Reid and Dan wrap up 2025 with some of the best stories they've had out in God's Country. We wish you a happy New Year and will see ya in 2026!

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In this episode, Cal explains how you can get rabies without ever touching an animal, why international crime doesn't pay, and why a Montana golf course is still trying to hog all the water.

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Steven Rinella talks with Ronan Donovan.

Topics discussed: What it means to be a National Geographic Explorer; doing hard shit to get the perfect image; photographing beavers through the ice; when arctic wolves get used to you being around; musk ox kills; and more.

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As the lead photographer at MeatEater, Seth Morris has spent years traveling the world documenting hunts, fishing trips, and backcountry adventures from behind the lens. That time in the field—often in remote, demanding conditions—has given him a deep understanding of what actually matters when you’re living out of a vehicle. Add in the fact that Seth is a serious hunter and outdoorsman himself, and you get a camper setup that’s built from experience, not theory. Every decision is geared toward efficiency, durability, and the realities of camping, hunting, and fishing out West.

The crux of Seth’s setup is the camper shell—a raised fiberglass topper. The extra height adds much-needed headroom, making the space far more livable for extended trips. Windows with screens bring in daylight and airflow, which is clutch when you’re camped for multiple days or dealing with warmer temps. It’s a simple foundation, but one that immediately transforms a truck bed into a functional shelter.

Inside the camper, Seth built a custom bed platform and storage system from wood. The platform provides a solid, comfortable surface for a mattress, while the space underneath is a large drawer. It’s mounted with heavy-duty slides to easily access gear, food, water, and all the essentials that pile up on long trips. Instead of wasted space, everything has a purpose. It’s a straightforward, DIY approach that strikes a balance between comfort and organization.

For food storage, Seth relies on the Dometic CFX5 electric cooler, a tried-and-true option for extended travel. It functions just like a fridge or freezer at home—set the temperature you want and let it run—only in a more compact and durable package. As long as the battery remains charged via the truck or solar power, food stays cold or frozen indefinitely.

Water duty is handled by Dometic’s water jug paired with their electric faucet. The jug itself is rugged and simple, but the electric tap steals the show, combining a pump, battery, and faucet into one self-contained unit for instant water at the push of a button.

When it comes to cooking, Seth kept things refreshingly modest. A classic two-burner folding camp stove gets the job done, whether he’s cooking solo or feeding a couple of people at camp. It’s reliable, easy to use, and packs away neatly when not in use. No overcomplication—just a proven setup that works everywhere from roadside pullouts to deep backcountry camps.