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Spencer Newharth
Warning.
Ryan Callahan
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Giannis Putelis
Welcome to Meat Eater Trivia.
Ryan Callahan
Meat Eater Podcast.
Giannis Putelis
Welcome to Meat Eater Radio Live. We're coming to you from Meat Eater HQ in Bozeman, Montana. But we're not live today. I'm your host, Spencer Newharth, joined by Ryan Callahan, Giannis Putellis, Randall Williams and Corey Calkins. This is a pre recorded episode because we're on Christmas break. On today's episode we're answering your questions from how to pick the perfect puppy to to unique ways to prepare ground meat. This entire show is Q and A, but boys, it is Dang near 2025. You got any New Year's resolutions we're.
Ryan Callahan
Going to be working on? I think we should tackle the fact that us adult men all in this room are on Christmas break, much like your children.
Giannis Putelis
Uh huh.
Ryan Callahan
And well, I think it's important to note that in order to go on Christmas break, you have to do three times the amount of work ahead of time in order to then have the break, which is fine.
Spencer Newharth
The past two weeks have convinced me that I don't really want a Christmas break moving forward. Just too much stuff. Plus, you know, less time at home with family.
Randall Williams
Yeah, well, you two without kids obviously don't understand that. Kids get about 16 days off coming up here. Oh, we're in the midst of it, right?
Giannis Putelis
Mm.
Randall Williams
As we're live here.
Spencer Newharth
Am I right, Phil?
Ryan Callahan
Oh, yeah. Preaching to the choir, bud.
Giannis Putelis
All Right. The question was, does anybody have any New year's resolutions? It's January 2nd when the show comes out.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. I'm gonna start drinking at work.
Giannis Putelis
Okay. Cal has an Edmund Fitzgerald lager.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. Great Lakes Brewing Company. It's a porter.
Giannis Putelis
Okay.
Ryan Callahan
Very tasty. 6%.
Corey Calkins
She's a doozy.
Ryan Callahan
37% is pretty tough for me these days.
Giannis Putelis
He's going to start talking like Michigander here pretty soon.
Corey Calkins
I don't know if it's a resolution, but I did get lucky enough to sign up and get onto the roster to run The Crazy Mountain 100.
Ryan Callahan
Oh, sweet.
Corey Calkins
And so that's pretty exciting.
Giannis Putelis
When is it?
Corey Calkins
It's July 25th.
Giannis Putelis
Okay.
Corey Calkins
So I have roughly six months of heavy duty training.
Giannis Putelis
And that started by now.
Corey Calkins
Yes.
Spencer Newharth
We should backpack in there and just set up a checkpoint.
Corey Calkins
That is a great, great idea. We did. My family and I did that last year at Sunlight Lake and watched all the runners come through. We stayed up until like midnight.
Spencer Newharth
Is that what lit the fire for you? No, like, I. I should be out there.
Corey Calkins
I paid. I paced the year prior to that, and that got me pretty excited to do it.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. I feel like I could pack in there with the old steel chainsaws and help out a lot of the. The runners there because there's a lot of blowdown in. In that race.
Corey Calkins
Really?
Ryan Callahan
Yeah, 100 miles through that country.
Corey Calkins
Oh, I think they have it. Well, I haven't heard that, but it might be a thing.
Ryan Callahan
Well, Randall's brother. Yeah. He did a pre run and he.
Spencer Newharth
Did like 60 miles, like a couple weeks before the race to just check out part of the course and.
Corey Calkins
Because he was running it.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah. But then he got into a horrific bicycle accident and destroyed his arm.
Corey Calkins
Oh.
Spencer Newharth
But he did run into a lot of blowdown on that shakeout run.
Giannis Putelis
Okay.
Spencer Newharth
So I can't say if he was officially on the course at that point in time. His navigation skills are questionable at best. But he did encounter blowdowns on that run.
Ryan Callahan
I did sit with him on the couch while he just destroyed like four pizzas by himself after that. Yeah. Which was cool to see.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah. We just got back from the rodeo.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah, he was being. I mean, yeah, he was having a great time.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah.
Giannis Putelis
Any other resolutions in the room besides Yannis making a big old run up a mountain?
Spencer Newharth
Corey?
Randall Williams
I mean, I'm hoping to help deplete the predator population in Region 1 of Montana. Hopefully when this podcast comes out on the 2nd, I'll have a couple down, a couple wolves down. Yeah. Not reaching too far into 20, 25. Hopefully by the first week, I have my first wolf in the back of the truck.
Giannis Putelis
Yeah. I want to start creating a history with a place that I hunt. Ever since I moved to Montana, I don't have a place that I've went back to more than two consecutive years to hunt. And that kind of disappoints me, that looking back at, like, I'd hunt the same property when I lived in South Dakota, like, for five or six straight years, sometimes a decade in some cases. You'd like it to know bucks and spots, and you'd, like, really create a relationship with a place, and I haven't had that since I moved out here. So I need to start finding a place that's, like, that's my spot. That's a spot I go to every year. And I think next year it begins is, like, when I find the place that I go to for the third consecutive year, and then that all of a sudden becomes a place in a decade from now that I'm still going to. To haunt.
Spencer Newharth
So to clarify, are you still looking for that spot, or might you go back to one of the spots you hunted this year?
Giannis Putelis
Well, I have some spots in mind, but I'd also, like, love to start, you know, a new spot and find a place this coming year that I think could be that kind of spot. So I'm just, like, missing. Missing a thing in my fall where I really deeply know a place, and I want that back.
Spencer Newharth
That's lovely.
Corey Calkins
I. I hear you. I hear it because it's good to have both, because I think there's a lot of credit to give to someone that doesn't hunt more than a year or two in the same spot because you're forced to learn new places and be successful in new places. But you can have both. I. Yeah, you can definitely have both. And. And I love going back to a spot, you know, that I've been to. And I know it's more casual. Takes away some of the stress for me big time.
Ryan Callahan
No, it's true. But it is a crutch, though, too. So, like, if you're the person who's like, well, our family hunting camp is this. And that's my week of hunting. There's def. There. It puts some limitations on. On your effectiveness as a hunter because, like, you just. You got to be challenged with, you know, the figuring stuff out as you go. Yeah, yeah.
Giannis Putelis
Listen, I think it made me a better hunter, but I want a spot that's my spot now, and I haven't had that Living in Montana yet. But next year it starts. Randall, Cal, any resolutions before we start tackling these questions?
Ryan Callahan
Well, I. You want to jump back to the Edmund Fitzgerald Porter here.
Spencer Newharth
There's a tremendous amount of oxidation around the.
Ryan Callahan
Well, I would, I want to know, like, I think this would be like the best gimmick in the world. So for folks who don't know, the Edmund Fitzgerald sunk. Okay. And it's a big rusty hulk and the, the cap on the beer bottle rusted. I was gonna say all the way around. That was like part of the flavor profile. We got those beers a couple years ago, I think. Really? Yeah. Oh, yeah.
Spencer Newharth
They came in on a freighter from the Great Lakes.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. They have to spend a year underwater in order to be sold. Like, I'm in, I'm in. So, like, hunting related things. I need to kind of came to the conclusion this year that my Montana mule deer spot is just like. It needs to be burned. The. The habitat is wrong at this point to where it used to be. You know, it was, it was hard to intercept mule deer in there, but when you did, they were big. Now it's like, kind of like, oh, oh my God, there's a deer in here. And it's, it's a hard place. So I need to start expanding and doing some, some summertime exploration of some other spots, which I just.
Giannis Putelis
When I thought you're gonna say you'd burn it.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah.
Giannis Putelis
That was gonna be your resolution.
Ryan Callahan
Well, I know a lot of wildland.
Spencer Newharth
Firefighters would appreciate hands on habitat management there.
Ryan Callahan
So that, that would be one thing. And he did go find a new good mule deer zone. And then, man, just going through cases of shells on the shotgun side of things over the summer. Just shooting more in general on center fire as well. But that's just got to be a part of the program. And you know, schedules get so jacked up. It's hard to prioritize this stuff, but man, does it pay dividends. So. And then getting back on just like a really consistent dog training schedule. These dogs benefit so much from that consistency. And, and that's a hard thing to pull off with the type of travel that we do too. But I, I can still do better.
Spencer Newharth
You know, what is going well in your life?
Ryan Callahan
I, I wear.
Giannis Putelis
Gonna turn this thing around.
Spencer Newharth
Shooting the dog training.
Ryan Callahan
I wear the same clothing, like three days a week. I can make that four days a week.
Corey Calkins
There you go.
Ryan Callahan
And get more dog training in, you know, sacrifices.
Corey Calkins
Yeah, I'm getting to be that way with age. Easy. Like, don't wash pants now for weeks on end, I'm like this.
Giannis Putelis
You're not supposed to wash jeans very often.
Corey Calkins
I don't know when the last time the shirt was washed.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. Yeah. Why? Beat it up. Throw on some pit stick. Yeah, I swapped out the interior shirt here.
Corey Calkins
Yeah. That I do more often.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah.
Giannis Putelis
Randall, what do you have to add?
Spencer Newharth
I don't know. I just. I need to stop lying around me with that. We're gonna start with myself, actually, in all honesty, I need to. I need to shoot my rifle a lot more. I used to be in the habit of shooting, you know, a couple thousand rounds center fire in a year. And this past year was probably the worst year for shooting that I've had. Just in terms of volume. And, you know, there's nothing like just good old practice to make you feel like you're ready when the fall rolls around.
Giannis Putelis
20, 25.
Corey Calkins
Did that. Did the lack of practice affect your hunt? Did you have a miss this year?
Spencer Newharth
Yes, but I don't know that practice would have. It was a very bad situation just to rush. But, yeah, I just like. I got in, I was like, getting all my stuff ready, and I, you know, putting my rifle in the truck, and I'm like, man, I should shoot more. I used to shoot a lot, like, literally burning out barrels and re barreling rifles. But, you know, work just gets in the way. Family, all sorts of commitments. Yeah, the dogs, they're just always trying to get my attention, and they don't like shooting rifles. So it's tough. But I'm gonna be more selfish this year, I guess, is what I'm saying.
Corey Calkins
Can you shoot at your house now?
Spencer Newharth
Yes.
Corey Calkins
Oh, nice.
Giannis Putelis
Shoots on his property, but not at his house.
Randall Williams
Yeah, it's gonna get awfully drafted if you shoot too often.
Ryan Callahan
Cute.
Giannis Putelis
All right, we're gonna tackle some listener questions here. We got about 10 of these. First one is from James. I'm in my 40s. I live in Northeast Ohio.
Ryan Callahan
Welcome, James.
Giannis Putelis
Having a dad who haunted, I never took an interest until recently. What would be your advice for the first thing someone should do to take their first step towards hunting whitetail deer? I've shot guns for many years as a hobby and recently took my first archery lesson. I'm open to gun hunting or bow hunting. To answer this question first, here is Mark Kenyon.
Corey Calkins
Why must Mark get to answer?
Giannis Putelis
This is a great question and one that we hear from folks frequently. People that are intrigued by whitetail deer hunting but just don't know where to start. And my number one piece of advice is to Seek out a mentor. There's so much to learn to get started as a deer hunter. There are so many different things about deer behavior, deer habitat, hunting strategy. You can get some of that from podcasts and videos of which we have plenty of metadur. You can read about these things in magazines and and web articles. But the single best way you can learn is to actually find a real life person who can answer your questions, who can maybe take you out there in the field with them and show you some of these things firsthand. And there is a terrific program to help you find a mentor and that is called the Field to Fork program is put on by the National Deer Association. You can sign up to be connected with mentors like this through their program and to possibly go through this incredible educational experience. If you go to deerassociation.com/Fieldtofork, that's F I E L D T O- fork. Go to that website, do the new hunter survey, see who they connect you with. Be a part of that program if you can. There's also a Deer Hunting 101 online course you can participate in through that program. That'll definitely give you some of those building blocks to get started. Good luck. That thorough answer is why Mark Kenyon got to go first. Yanni. But what would you like to add?
Corey Calkins
It's pretty solid. It's pretty, pretty solid. Now that I heard it, I might have to retract my earlier statement.
Spencer Newharth
The seriousness of tone in that, in that short clip I think really is at odds with the mood in this room right now. So I'm just feeling a little conflicted.
Corey Calkins
About Mark doesn't want you to have fun when you're out there. Whitetail hunt.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah. Seriously.
Ryan Callahan
Well, I tell this folk, I mean Northeast Ohio is a great place. I mean you have a short, it's a short range weapon state. Right. So it's a straight wall cartridge if you want to shoot center fire. But you can. There's a shotgun season, muzzleloader season, man.
Spencer Newharth
Crossbows.
Ryan Callahan
You want to own a shotgun. You got spring turkey, let's big turkey state, lots of grouse and you can shoot deer with, with a shotgun there. So barrier to entry is pretty low. Lots of, lots of cool, cool stuff in Northeast Ohio.
Giannis Putelis
I got two pieces of advice for James. First one would be Randall Williams is from Ohio. So reach out to him. He'll tell you all his spots, give you all his connections.
Spencer Newharth
Opposite corners of the state though it doesn't matter.
Ryan Callahan
Salty chili spaghetti.
Spencer Newharth
I think if you want to kill a deer in Ohio, find a place where you are allowed to hunt and at least when I was growing up, buy a crossbow. Go buy a Barnett Rhino or whatever the entry level crossbow is these days. And that's how we figured things out. It's a lot of deer in Ohio.
Giannis Putelis
Yeah, Yeah.
Ryan Callahan
I just saw a giant 200 plus inch buck just got whacked on public land in Ohio.
Giannis Putelis
It's a good state. I like, I've never hunted Ohio. I've always wanted to hunt Ohio, but the public land in that part of the country hunts a lot bigger than other places because you have these rolling hills that are really timbered, so there's a lot of opportunity.
Ryan Callahan
Oh, explain. Hunts big. That's a great hunting phrase.
Giannis Putelis
Hunting big would be like if you had two 80 acre parcels, one of them was 70 acres of corn with 10 acres of timber and slough grass that are flat, that hunt small. Whereas if you had 80 acres of rolling hills with creek bottoms that would hunt big. You feel like you don't see everything when you're hunting that 80 acres versus if you're hunting the 80 acres. That's all cornfield and a little bit of slew and timber. So Ohio, I think a lot of the public land there hunts bigger than other parts of the Midwest. Here's the other thing I'd say to James, as someone who picked up a new hobby during the pandemic, which was rock hounding. I learned so much of what I know now or like gained a foundational level of knowledge just through watching YouTube videos a lot. And a lot of YouTube videos. And deer hunting is no different. You're not going to be.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah, because like you couldn't identify a rock before you could find the Internet.
Giannis Putelis
Hell, YouTube, you're like, well, I mean, it sure got a lot easier. The barrier to entry is, is much.
Ryan Callahan
They're always running away from you. You couldn't figure out how to where to find them.
Giannis Putelis
Huh. So, James, YouTube is going to help you out. It's probably not going to be the reason you kill a deer, but you'll find a lot of relatable content there from meat eater and others. Anybody else have any advice for James?
Randall Williams
I mean, finding a mentor is huge, but if you're struggling to find a mentor or, you know, schedules don't align, just go out, go hunting. You'll make mistakes, but you'll learn.
Spencer Newharth
Got to put yourself out there.
Randall Williams
That's right.
Corey Calkins
Just find a spot. Sounds like there's deer everywhere. Find a spot. You know, you can hunt legally and learn it. Learn that landscape, learn that property, whatever it is, maybe go knock on some doors. You can get yourself a spot where you don't have to have any competition. But yeah, I think learning the landscape really helps people be successful.
Ryan Callahan
And don't think that you need to dedicate. Whole days, like whole days and multiple days in a row are fantastic, but those are hard to come by. So if you can find a spot that's close to you where you can kind of eliminate that like, oh, it's not worth going out type of mentality. Like, man, you can learn so much by those 15 minute, 20 minute hour long sessions where, you know, it's like, sure, you gotta, you know, he could be home washing clothes or something.
Spencer Newharth
But we know you don't need to do that very often.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah, we already covered that.
Giannis Putelis
All right, James is gonna kill a big old buck in 2025. Here's the next question. This is from Joe. For those with kids, what are your go to places to getting quality youth hunting base layers and outerwear for cold weather hunts. We put our two fathers on this side of the table. They even dress the same today.
Ryan Callahan
They just got back from an audition to be the next brawny paper towel man sometime.
Randall Williams
Some great dad jokes too.
Corey Calkins
Just before we got Yanni.
Giannis Putelis
Corey, how do you outfit your kids when you're going out hunting or just doing anything in cold weather?
Corey Calkins
You know, I'll be honest in that, you know, I get a pretty steep discount with the old first light. And even one of my girls were. They make it extra, extra small in women.
Giannis Putelis
2X small.
Corey Calkins
I believe so. Oh, and so even when they were super small, we could fit them into that, you know, and then we just did the hand me down thing as we grew up into them. So that's one way to do it. I mean, obviously you're getting the highest quality of youth, but that's, you know, it can be expensive. I think you can do an rei. I mean these days, synthetic base layers. I mean, let's be honest, like it's. If it's polyester, it's polyester, right? You can go get some knockoff stuff at Target probably if it's not cotton, you're probably going to get pretty close to similar benefits from buying super expensive synthetic base layers. And it's going to get the job done for you. Then when your kids trash it or grow out of it, you're not out a bunch of money.
Giannis Putelis
Yeah, Corey. I don't know if Marshall's been on too many haunts yet, but I assume he's Done some skiing with you. How do you get him dressed for those?
Randall Williams
Yeah, he kind of took the answer right out of my mouth.
Ryan Callahan
That was a weird way of saying skiing. What was? Do you not like skiing? What's your deal?
Giannis Putelis
I like skiing. I didn't think I said it weird.
Randall Williams
Oh, Spencer's a good skier.
Ryan Callahan
Now some skiing with you?
Giannis Putelis
No, no.
Randall Williams
A skier.
Giannis Putelis
Anyway, I'm a competent. I'm not. I don't feel like I'm gonna go out there and do a green and break my arm. So that's. That's the sweet spot for me.
Randall Williams
I mean, my kid's only six. We've gone on one spring turkey hunt and multiple fall and winter squirrel hunts. So actually, yeah, wearing ski gear is what we've been doing. I mean, just staying warm is so crucial. And then having two, if not three, backup pairs of clothes because inevitably they're getting wet and uncomfortable. So having backup boots, socks, gloves, just to keep them out there as long as you can is. Is what I do. And then for, like, base layers, man, we just go to Costco and get the good solid synthetic stuff for $9.
Giannis Putelis
I've ran into Corey twice at Costco. If I was trying to pattern him to assassinate him, I just go to Costco and then Winco because I know he goes to Winco as well.
Randall Williams
Meet me in the food court line at about 11:45.
Giannis Putelis
That's where I'd find him.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah.
Giannis Putelis
And I assume with ski gear they make that for kids of, like, all sizes. Just like little tykes.
Spencer Newharth
Oh, yeah.
Corey Calkins
Oh, yeah.
Giannis Putelis
The teens.
Ryan Callahan
Yep.
Randall Williams
Little guys.
Giannis Putelis
Yeah.
Randall Williams
So warm and comfy.
Giannis Putelis
Anything else to add from the fatherless people in the room?
Ryan Callahan
Goodwill?
Spencer Newharth
Well, I have a father, thank you very much.
Giannis Putelis
Oh, I'm sorry. The childless. The childless people.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah.
Giannis Putelis
Of course you have a father.
Spencer Newharth
What do you think, Cal? If you're gonna dress up a little.
Corey Calkins
Kid, well, remember the question is where. Where.
Randall Williams
Yeah, where do you find them?
Ryan Callahan
Well, good. Yeah. Thank you, Randall. So a ton of my hunting stuff came from the Saint Vincent de Paul church thrift store that my grandma worked at. And so, you know, she'd Cherry Pick the 50 cent Wool items for us. I mean. Yeah, I mean, that's. That's the stuff to. To grab. Especially if folks are gonna. If they're really hard on stuff or if they're gonna grow out of it. Right? I mean, go recycled.
Spencer Newharth
You know, I just say find a. A well to do family with kids slightly older than yours and get their hand me downs and pattern. Kids are always getting made you know, and it's just like you find an age class slightly above yours and position yourself to benefit from that.
Corey Calkins
That works.
Ryan Callahan
That's a good strategy.
Corey Calkins
We've gotten a lot of hand me downs from families.
Spencer Newharth
How's that for some a little bit older.
Giannis Putelis
Yeah.
Spencer Newharth
Advice from the childless side of the room here.
Giannis Putelis
Or just don't have kids like me, Cal and Randall. Here's the next question. This is from Adam. What qualities should I look for when picking boots to hunt elk in Wyoming? What are your go to boots for a western elk hunt? To answer this question here is Jason Phelps.
Spencer Newharth
He's probably gonna say what quality should.
Tony Peterson
I look for when picking boots to elk hunt in Wyoming? And then what are my go to boots on a western elk hunt? So the qualities I'm looking for, it really depends on where you're hunting, what type of hunt you've gotten, and really how tough your feet are. Everybody's a little bit different and everybody's foot shapes a little bit different. So a boot that may work perfect for me, may not work for you, may not work for somebody else. So you need to try all these boots on. Number one, they need to fit. So that's one quality you need to have. You need to fit your heel pocket based on what insoles you have. You need to make sure you don't get hot spots on steep stuff down and uphill. But then as far as, where are you hunting? If you're above tree line and the steep stuff, you know, hunting above the, you know, the goats and, you know, mountain goats and sheep, then you're going to want a boot that's typically stiffer. You're going to want a boot that's typically taller. As you put more stress on your feet, you're gonna, and then if I'm hunting in the sage brush, maybe flatter stuff in Wyoming, I'm gonna go for a boot that's more flexible, something that, you know, my foot won't fatigue as quickly. And even though I'm in a more flexible boot versus if you take that flexible boot up high and the steep stuff, your foot may fatigue throughout the hunt. And then as far as what are my specific go to boots on a western elk hunt, I found that the crispy brick stall line of boots works best. So they've got like a four flex rating uninsulated boot I wear on a lot of my September hunts. You know, I went on a sheep hunt this year. I, I, I chose their Pro, which is 2 inches taller and a stiffer, you know, sole on that boot, so it didn't flex as much for the steep stuff. So for me, crispy, brick stall and all those boots work really well. But really, you got to go try boots on, make sure they fit your foot, make sure they're comfortable. And that's my recommendation on western elk hunting boots.
Giannis Putelis
Yanni, you tackle this one after. Jason, what do you have to add about finding the right boots for an elk hunt?
Corey Calkins
Yeah, I mean, Jason covered it very well there. The only thing I would add is that oftentimes, like an archery season when I know I'm gonna have to be sneaky because I want to get in close for a archery shot, is that the boots need to perform both in hiking, you know, climbing across mountains, but then also in those last 50 yards when you're getting in close. And so I'll often go with a boot that is kind of under. Not undersized, but it's, it's not what you would consider like a mountain, big mountain boot. Right. Because I need it to be soft enough so that at the end when it's go time, I can maybe run a little bit very comfortably and I can be very sneaky and quiet. Usually the bigger the boots get, the burlier they get, the sole gets stiffer. The stiffer a boot is, the noisier the boot is. There's nothing like sneaking through the woods in a pair of running shoes. Like, the elk cannot hear you coming, so that's something to consider. But otherwise, I think Jason covered it pretty good.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah, I mean, it's not even mountain like even like right now or yesterday. Now with our current warming trend, we're going through, which is so annoying, walking through fields that are frozen with a full shank, stiff mountain boot is very unpleasant because there's just no flex in that boot. But you take that boot on to steep terrain, shale rock, and it's the best. It's your, it's your best friend. So you do have a little bit of a quiver. Some options throughout your season is great. And yeah, I would say be. Don't automatically assume that you need like a fully lined boot like a Gore Tex liner, because that's going to be a more expensive boot or an insulated boot is going to, you know, it's going to perform well only in a specific range of temperatures. So if you're hunting in a warm day, then you're going to sweat that boot out from the inside and it's, it's not going to perform well for you. So I would really caution folks to really analyze their season before they go into an insulated boot. I sure do. And then, yeah, the, you know, there's a, everybody's like, what is the boot? And people have very different feet, just like your fingerprints. So there's a gajillion boot companies out there for a reason. They all have different lass, which is like the, the footbed form of the boot. And, and that's because people have different feet. So don't think that just because you need a hunting boot, you need to look at hunting boot companies. If you're not finding success in hunting boot companies, you know, go look at the Lowas and the Scarpa's and, and that mountaineering world too. You know, these companies exist for a reason. So.
Giannis Putelis
Randall, Corey, anything to add?
Randall Williams
Footbeds. I mean, yeah, get you a good boot, but do not skimp on solid footbeds.
Corey Calkins
There you go.
Randall Williams
Insoles.
Giannis Putelis
That's not very, that's not a real expensive upgrade either.
Randall Williams
No, I mean you could spend 50 to 100 bucks easily with some over the counter stuff or just go to your local REI or whatever or you could get some custom ones that might run a couple hundred dollars. But anything is going to be better than what you buy. It's pretty Sad. You spend 500 bucks on a boot and the footbed is garbage. So make sure you get a better footbed.
Spencer Newharth
I would only add that I think the more I, I guess like over time I've come to prefer a lighter and lighter boot just because heavy boots wear you out and you like can't wait to get them off. So if you don't need something like super high and super stiff, I think like things on the lighter end of, you know, there's. I have like a spectrum of boots, but I often find myself, if I can get away from it, going with like a lighter option just because it's more comfortable and, and you never want to take them off.
Giannis Putelis
Only thing I'd add to this is I've had really bad luck ordering hunting boots online. As far as sizing goes, it seems more than casual footwear or tennis shoes or dress shoes, hunting shoes or bass slides. Yeah, any of that. The sizing is, is much more variable. And so if you can find a boot that you can go try on in person, it'll make your life easier than having to order something online and be prepared to then make a couple returns.
Corey Calkins
Yeah, to piggyback on Randall's point there, and Jason even mentioned it, like if you're hunting elk above the mountain goats, that happens to like 0.5% of the elk hunters in our country annually. It's just not a thing usually where you're hunting above the mountain goats. So you don't need boots that are made for that alpine, shale, super rocky landscape because you're just not there that much. The elk are usually in the timber.
Giannis Putelis
Moving on, next question is from Krista. My family eats a lot of ground venison with burgers, tacos, and chili firmly in our rotation. What are some other weeknight meals with ground meat that are easy, tasty, and outside of the norm? Cal, what could you recommend to Krista?
Ryan Callahan
Larb. That's good stuff.
Corey Calkins
What?
Giannis Putelis
Larb is really outside of the norm?
Ryan Callahan
I mean, it's. It's just finely chopped or ground meat. And what is it? Tile?
Spencer Newharth
Is it?
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. So, you know, make like lettuce wrap tacos. Make a little sauce. That's totally a winner. And it's, you know, it's a little sweet, ginger, garlicky, little red chili in there. That's great.
Corey Calkins
Do some larb tomorrow night. I need some ground pulled out. I needed an idea. There we go.
Giannis Putelis
Okay.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah.
Giannis Putelis
Someone else makes some recommendations for Krista and Yanni.
Spencer Newharth
We. We have a delightful North African meatball recipe from the New York Times. And we just had it last night. Little couscous, but they're like these little meatballs and kind of a. It's almost like a. I don't know, it's almost like a. You've had those, haven't you?
Ryan Callahan
No.
Giannis Putelis
Oh, well, I put a lot of trust into the New York Times recipe.
Ryan Callahan
Oh.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah.
Giannis Putelis
I haven't been let down yet.
Corey Calkins
Oh, solid.
Spencer Newharth
The New York Times recipes will not. They will not lead you astray. But yeah, this North African meatball thing.
Giannis Putelis
And to be clear, if you're new to cooking wild game, if you find a recipe from the New York Times, you can just, you know, use venison in place of ground beef.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah. And.
Giannis Putelis
And basically anything.
Spencer Newharth
We'll make like whole sheet, like cookie sheets of these meatballs and then make the sauce and then fill up gallon baggies with meatballs and sauce and freeze them.
Giannis Putelis
Yeah.
Corey Calkins
And so broil the meatballs to cook them.
Giannis Putelis
Yes.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah. But, yeah, it's like last night we had people over for dinner and we didn't tell them that we'd pulled these out of the freezer and just simply reheated them, but we did, and they loved it.
Giannis Putelis
On a similar note, we make a lot of pot stickers at my house. A few times a year, we'll set aside a Saturday, we'll Just get the wonton wrappers that we get from Albertsons, but I think they sell the same exact ones at Walmart and Hy Vee, whatever your grocery store is. And that makes ground venison go a really long ways. We'll do a one to one ratio of ground meat and vegetables, slash mushrooms. And I think this last time, we made 300 pot stickers in one going. And then that's a super easy freezer meal to get out. You freeze them in whatever portion makes sense for your family size. You get those out, and you can be serving them within 15, 15 minutes. And they're just really easy to make. Both like prepping them for the freezer and coming out of the freezer. So pot stickers, highly recommend.
Ryan Callahan
Yep.
Giannis Putelis
And you can make them to your liking. If there's, like, a certain vegetable or flavor profile that you really like or really dislike, Your pot stickers can be unique to. To your taste.
Ryan Callahan
Basically, every culture has a pot sticker too. So, like, if you wanted to put like, marinara sauce and mozzarella in there, like, sure. It's not that crazy.
Giannis Putelis
Wonton wrappers are a great vessel for just like, any meats and veggies.
Ryan Callahan
We filmed a Stand and stir with Chef Linda here in town.
Giannis Putelis
Is that hummingbird?
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. Kitchen. Yeah.
Giannis Putelis
I've been looking to go to some of her meals.
Ryan Callahan
You should do it. It's super, super cool. And Linda's hoot. She's. She's super fun. But that should be on the Meteor YouTube channel. And we do, do. We do do wontons.
Randall Williams
January 14th. That should be on the.
Ryan Callahan
Oh, really?
Giannis Putelis
Yeah.
Ryan Callahan
Son of a gun.
Spencer Newharth
There you guy here.
Giannis Putelis
Johnny Corey. Unique ground venison meals. Besides burgers, tacos, and chili, man, it's.
Randall Williams
Not unique, but y'all ever had Hamburger Helper? But I do it without the box. Homemade Hamburger helper.
Corey Calkins
Oh, meat.
Randall Williams
Little can of, like, cream of mushroom and then your favorite vegetable. Can of corn, can of green beans, peas, whatever. And then some noodles on top of that. Man, you call it a goulash.
Corey Calkins
You mix it all together.
Randall Williams
Turns out, yep, One pot meal.
Spencer Newharth
Just say, depending on how runny it turns out, you can call it a goulash.
Ryan Callahan
Correct. I love it.
Corey Calkins
You know, we do a lot of meatballs, too. Usually Italian flavor profile. But we do the same thing that Randall does is. And we make hundreds and then freeze them. And usually around 20 ish is what you can get into a liter vacuum seal bag. But those are great.
Ryan Callahan
And so do you put sauce in there?
Corey Calkins
No, no, no, no. No, dry.
Spencer Newharth
Did. Did we cover meatloaf?
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. I mean, I assume meatloaf was part of this. Was part of this program.
Spencer Newharth
If it. I mean, if I just. If it wasn't explicitly mentioned in there. I think we should just point out meatloaf should be celebrated stuffed and different styles of burger.
Corey Calkins
You know, oftentimes my kids, like, we don't like burgers anymore. I'll be like, what about smash burgers?
Ryan Callahan
Oh, yeah.
Corey Calkins
You know, so, okay, I'm going to make them real thin.
Giannis Putelis
On the topic of meatloaf, though, I think when I think of meatloaf, there's like the meatloaf my mom made, which I don't like. And then there's like, like an elevated version of meatloaf recipes you can find online.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. Which is just using more bacon.
Giannis Putelis
Yeah. It's like, you know, using some cheese and sauteed spinach and just some other herbs and spices. And that's like. That's a unique weeknight meal that anybody could make at home.
Spencer Newharth
Great leftovers.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah, yeah. I mean, there's. There's no end, like, pocket food. Right. Like, so, like we're talking, so wontons, pierogies, pasties, empanadas. I mean, yeah. Yes, yes.
Giannis Putelis
And the Media.com posts new recipes every week. I bet the most common protein in those recipes is probably ground meat. So themeater.com backslash recipes. You'll get all kinds of good recommendations there. Next question. This is from Cole. I was wondering what you think the most doable DIY big game hunt would be out West. Some considerations would be tag attainment and public land access. I imagine you guys are gonna have the same answer, but I would say an antelope hunt, it. It takes like the least amount of gear, least amount of time, the least amount of physical fitness. If you're coming from the Midwest or the east to the south, and this is your first western hunt, the tags are like the same price or cheaper than deer tags in a lot of these states. Public land access.
Corey Calkins
I feel like these days. I mean, it used to be a thing where you could get a bunch of pronghorn tags, and now it's like there had some winter kill issues attainable. I mean, unless you have some private access.
Giannis Putelis
What I would say to Cole is this is a hunt you could plan for 2027 or 2028, but you're probably not doing a good rifle Antelope hunt this coming fall, I'm going to go.
Spencer Newharth
With another big game option that starts with the letter A, and that is Antlerless. Find a cow tag, find a doe tag.
Giannis Putelis
Often cheaper.
Spencer Newharth
You're going to have the same experience. Yeah. You're going to take home meat. You're not going to feel like things are as competitive as if you're gunning for a big buck or bull. So, yeah, if you just want to go make some memories and check out a new part of the country, I'd look into those options. And oftentimes those tags are cheaper as well, in addition to being more available.
Giannis Putelis
And antelope and analysts have a lot higher success rate for, for hunters out there. What do you guys got to add to this black bear? Oh, over the counter at a different time of year.
Randall Williams
Yep.
Ryan Callahan
Just made a face.
Corey Calkins
Yes.
Randall Williams
Thought, well, some of us don't know how to kill him or at least have a curse and aren't somehow allowed to kill them.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah.
Spencer Newharth
There's more of a learning curve to it, though, I would say. Coming out for the first time, a.
Randall Williams
Lot of states have two seasons for them. Some regions have over abundant numbers of black bears. So save a couple deer, go shoot a black bear.
Giannis Putelis
Giannis.
Corey Calkins
Yeah, I was gonna go on what Randall said. I was gonna just say go get a doe tag. You know, very doable, very attainable. You can just drive around looking for a doe, but you can hunt, you.
Ryan Callahan
Can hunt your butt off too, if you want to do it.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah, right.
Corey Calkins
Yeah.
Ryan Callahan
So there's a bunch of ways to go back country.
Giannis Putelis
Cal, any other advice for Cole on how to plan his first doable DIY big game hunt out West?
Ryan Callahan
Boy, the biggest limitation people put on themselves is time. Give yourself time. And that's the hardest thing to acquire, in my opinion. But boy, give yourself like a full week no matter what you do. Or more like if you want to do your first big game hunt and you're like, I'm going to take a long weekend, you're just setting yourself up for not having a great experience. You can have it, you can have a surprisingly good experience, but it's just going to be. You're going to have that clock ticking in the back of your brain the whole time.
Giannis Putelis
It seems like when you're short on time, you end up thinking about like work or family stuff that's going on. If you've got a full week, you'll have some extra time built in on the beginning and end of that.
Ryan Callahan
Yep.
Spencer Newharth
And if the trip starts out poorly, you can just totally reset and you still have another three day hunt on the back half.
Corey Calkins
Yep.
Giannis Putelis
Next question is from Kevin. This is a short One. What's your go to hunting and fishing snack? To answer this one here is Brent.
Ryan Callahan
Reeves my go to hunting snack. I usually keep it in my side.
Giannis Putelis
By side and I keep it in.
Ryan Callahan
An army can like this right here. Here it is.
Giannis Putelis
Potted meat, Beanie weenies.
Ryan Callahan
Cheese crackers. Now if you want to get bold and make a meal out of it, this is what I do. I also like Viennes, but I don't eat them when it's cold because get.
Giannis Putelis
A little salve on them when that gel kind of sticks to the weenies.
Ryan Callahan
But this right here, potted meat.
Corey Calkins
Cheese crackers.
Ryan Callahan
My brother Tim and I ate this.
Giannis Putelis
Just the other day. We was running the nets on the river.
Ryan Callahan
We needed a little snack because all them fish was sapping all the wind out of us while we was out.
Corey Calkins
There pulling them in.
Ryan Callahan
Here it is right here.
Tony Peterson
Cheese crackers, potted meat.
Ryan Callahan
Good. It's good. I believe him.
Giannis Putelis
What a treat. You should go watch this on YouTube because you'd get to see Brent preparing his little lunch there. And this is how organic that was for Brent. I sent an email last night at like 9pm asking everyone to make these videos by noon. So that was just what Brent had on hand. This is. That's truly like his favorite hunting, fishing snack. He didn't go out and, you know, produce this content.
Spencer Newharth
We just had to go to the old army can.
Giannis Putelis
That's right, Randall. Favorite hunting and fishing.
Corey Calkins
I want to know if anybody in this room has had that meat that he just pulled out.
Ryan Callahan
Well, potted meat, like there's a wide variety of canned meats.
Corey Calkins
Okay. Cuz that almost looked like a pate.
Ryan Callahan
It did. Yeah.
Corey Calkins
Is that what it is?
Giannis Putelis
That looked like cat food. I don't know what that was.
Corey Calkins
I mean, I enjoy pate.
Ryan Callahan
Right.
Corey Calkins
But I don't really know what that. What he.
Randall Williams
I don't know.
Giannis Putelis
I think the other thing he was referencing was what, Vienna sausages.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah.
Corey Calkins
Which I thought that was the go to in that part of the country.
Randall Williams
Was they say Viennese.
Giannis Putelis
Randall go to hunting and fishing snack.
Spencer Newharth
Man. This past year I just ate a lot of peanut butter and jellies.
Corey Calkins
Oh.
Spencer Newharth
Like a lot of times, A lot of times I'd. I like get a gallon Ziploc bag and fill it up. Oh, I'll have some nuts. I'll have some jerky. I'll have some like a power bar. I'll have this and that. And then I just don't eat it. And I just. This year I was like, I'm gonna Make four peanut butter and jellies. And at any point in the day, if I get hungry, I have one, and it's perfectly satiating. And I will. I'll consume all the calories I need, and I won't have to think about what I'm picking out of the bag and whether or not I'll want to eat it, because I always want to eat a peanut butter and jelly.
Giannis Putelis
How about you, Cal?
Ryan Callahan
Obviously, like, it's. It's all dependent on situation, but Randall got experience a little bit of hunting camp with some of the crew that I grew up horse packing with this year. And no matter what's happening, there's at some point, the little smokies that we scald in a pan.
Giannis Putelis
Sure.
Ryan Callahan
And eat little. Little smokies out of a pan. And that was always, like, an awesome deal.
Corey Calkins
Is that just a miniature hot dog?
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. Yeah, exactly. You know, they're cocktail weenies. Yeah.
Spencer Newharth
Like, for making pigs in a blanket.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. And then smoked oysters. I mean, they were just, like, a thing when I was growing up, and I still love them. And occasionally I'll just have that for dinner by myself here. And, you know, in a home, in.
Corey Calkins
An actual home, I love a smoked oyster, but, man, in the woods, it's just such a mess maker. And then you got that greasy can left over. You almost need a vessel to get the can in your backpack and out of the woods.
Ryan Callahan
I don't do it backpacking anymore because of that. And it's just like, you know, you end up, like, packing dirt in there to try to like, soak it up. And then you're like, well, then I dump the dirt out, and it's all a mess. You're. You're correct. But, yeah, so I do. Pro bars is, like, a staple, and it's not something that, like, I really enjoy at all. And the refrigerator bars, the. What are those ones? The. They're supposed to be refrigerated.
Corey Calkins
Yeah. There's a few of them out there. There's a Bozeman local company. Is that the one you're thinking of? They make that product. It's, like, called Jack and Jane.
Spencer Newharth
Or maybe I should know, because I picked up those packages from your front door and put them in your refrigerator. Yeah.
Ryan Callahan
But it's like almond butter or whatever, like, in a bar. Peanut butter in a bar. And. And those are a big deal. And then. Yeah, at this point, I just don't even mess around with, like, trail mixes and stuff like that.
Corey Calkins
I'm actually going back towards trail mix. A Little bit more but custom making it. Yeah, like going to Costco. I get the big bag of cashews, the big bag of cranberries, some mango slices and that way when I go in there I'm like oh, this is all stuff that I like that I want to consume because there's nothing worse than looking at that trail mixing like yeah, yeah.
Ryan Callahan
You're like white chocolate.
Corey Calkins
Yeah, F you.
Giannis Putelis
My favorite hunt and fishing snack, always has been, I think always will be are apples because it's good at any temperature whether it's 80 degrees or 20 degrees. And it also keeps me regular when you're like, you know, on a five day hunt or something like that. That's an awful feeling when you just can't go to the bathroom. And if you're eating apples that's never the case. It's a natural diuretic, at least for me. So apples are a go to. And then also this year is the first time I had honey stinger stuff and I had yet to have a bad product from honey stinger. They're waffles, they're, they're like energy gels. Some of them have caffeine in them. I'm a really big fan of those. So apples honey stinger stuff I think.
Corey Calkins
To add to some apples too is you can get those Justin's peanut butter packets or hazelnut butter packets and if you need just a little more protein or something.
Giannis Putelis
Yeah, it's good like at 5am and it's good at 5pm in Apple and they keep. That's right. Like I said 80 degrees or 20 degrees.
Spencer Newharth
All this stuff applies to peanut butter and jellies too.
Ryan Callahan
Well like the dark chocolate Justin's peanut butter cups. Oh yeah, you know, I'll like.
Corey Calkins
It's an expensive item but they are good.
Ryan Callahan
It is. But like when I'm at night I'm heating up my meal or whatever, I always boil enough water for my meal and like a cup of tea which could just be you know like one of those salt packet deals or liquid IV or something thrown in water but it's you know, hot flavored drink. And then we'll have my like dark chocolate peanut butter cup and that's like my whole, whole backpack and dinner right there.
Giannis Putelis
Is there a universal snack you could bring guiding that anybody would eat and enjoy?
Randall Williams
Jerky. Oh yeah. And it also every bite reminds you why you're out there. Some homemade jerky and I don't know, the store bought stuff's okay. Man it's expensive these days though. So some Homemade venison jerky. Salmon jerky, too.
Ryan Callahan
It's all these damn diet trends getting into the jerky world.
Randall Williams
The whole carnivore.
Ryan Callahan
Yes.
Corey Calkins
I've been souping up the PB and J a little bit the last few years and just Johnson, you know, from Artemis down there in Wyoming, she turned me on to it and it's just do it on a tortilla instead. Yeah, maybe you need a little less bread in your life. Maybe not. Maybe just different flavor. But then I also have been putting in like a slice or two of bacon and then peanut butter jelly bacon. Such a real canvas that'll set you free, brother.
Giannis Putelis
I'll buy Jack links every now and then, just hoping that there's going to be like a little note inside saying I can come hunt their property. Like, I won an award. They own like 20,000 doll, thousand acres of badass ground in western South Dakota where they raise the cattle that turn into the beef that you eat. So someday, someday I'm going to open up that package and it's going to say, congratulations, you won a mule deer hunt.
Corey Calkins
I think you're very sneakily right now just like throwing.
Giannis Putelis
Absolutely what I'm doing. Absolutely.
Corey Calkins
Just in case.
Giannis Putelis
It's not even sneaky.
Spencer Newharth
He's not feeding his dreams into the world. World.
Giannis Putelis
Yeah, it's not even sneaky. And their names are the Links, by the way.
Ryan Callahan
Oh, you're kidding me.
Giannis Putelis
No, it's L I N K the Links.
Randall Williams
They make their own sausage, too.
Ryan Callahan
That's amazing.
Giannis Putelis
All right. Their next question is from side. My family has always owned dogs, but now we're ready to own the dog. The was all capitalized. A dog that haunts and is great with the family. The kind of dog you remember long after they're gone. Does the crew have any recommendations for how to pick the right breeder or pup? And to answer this question, here is Tony Peterson.
Corey Calkins
We should always be looking for the dog. That's like the best dog ever, I think anyway. But, you know, a lot of people focus on the off switch, which is.
Ryan Callahan
Sort of a minor thing.
Corey Calkins
Even though it doesn't seem like it.
Spencer Newharth
You just train that in like you can train any dog to be a.
Giannis Putelis
Good dog in your house.
Spencer Newharth
You can't train a dog to have.
Ryan Callahan
Extra drive out in the field. So for me, that's my focus when.
Giannis Putelis
I'm picking a pup or I have.
Corey Calkins
Somebody looking for, for, you know, a litter for me.
Giannis Putelis
And so I forget about the individual dog and look at the blood.
Corey Calkins
Like, you want to check out the the pedigrees.
Ryan Callahan
And for me to get a lot.
Giannis Putelis
Of drive, I like to have some.
Corey Calkins
Hunt test and some field trial, you know, competitors, champions in the mix. Somewhere in there, at the very least, you know you're going to get a.
Giannis Putelis
Dog that really likes to work, is intelligent, it's going to be an athlete.
Corey Calkins
And there's going to be a lot of good health checks that come along with that.
Giannis Putelis
And that's the way you're going to.
Corey Calkins
Get the drive that you're going to.
Giannis Putelis
Have to work with.
Corey Calkins
And then you're gonna have to take.
Ryan Callahan
That pup home and just train that off switch.
Giannis Putelis
Cal, how did you select Snort?
Ryan Callahan
What the heck? Well, I, I liked a lot of what, what Tony just said because, yeah, the drive is, is what you need and it's hard to like encourage more drive if that's what you're looking for. It's, it's way better to try to train for the off switch so folks can't see it. But Snort here, here, come on. Up, up. Snorts Been here the whole time.
Giannis Putelis
Good snort.
Ryan Callahan
And this dog's got an incredible amount of drive and runs like a bat out of hell and, and has all the things, sometimes too much of them in the field. But she's just been crashed here on, on the floor for, I mean, hours. And she's four, which you know, is plenty old for some folks. But I know a lot of people listening probably have that dog. You're like, you know, that dog's eight and everybody still thinks it's a puppy. And I think hunting is, is a great way to take dogs that have a ton of drive. And these dogs understand, they're like, oh, here's where all of my energy and neuroticism go into this thing that like really clicks with, with that little doggy soul. And I think there's a lot of knucklehead, Labrador, retrievers out there. They are that way because they don't, they don't get a hunt. I picked Snort exactly like Tony said. So I said, hey, I want a dog that is a little hard headed and has some independence. And when I went and picked her up, I still have a video of it, she had a pink collar. A lot of these breeders, they're like, yeah, they tie ribbons around them or color code them somehow, some way. And she was the only puppy that was not like up at the gate paying attention to what's going on. But when I walked in, all the puppies got up on the gate and they were like, oh, something interesting is happening. And then the pink collar girl turned around and all the puppies just spread out of the way and snort came up to the. To the fence and was like. And at that point, I was like, oh, man, maybe I shouldn't have done this.
Giannis Putelis
This spiritual at that point.
Ryan Callahan
Well, I. I was. I interpreted it more as like, oh, that's the alpha female in this thing. And she's like. All the puppy litter was like, get out of her way.
Corey Calkins
She's picking you. You're not picking her.
Ryan Callahan
I don't think she was picking me. I think she's just like, like, sizing things up. So. But the plane ride home and everything, she was like, oh, I am. I need. I need a friend here, because this is scary, scary stuff. And. And that's where the bond was. Was formed initially. So. But, yeah, I like. I like that. I like higher drive, more competitiveness, stuff like that. You know, you can train out some bad behaviors. It's just hard to build them in.
Corey Calkins
I feel bad.
Giannis Putelis
You, Tony, talk about more of those things on Houndations right now on Cal's.
Ryan Callahan
Weekend Review, which I think is a very unique dog podcast in the world of dog podcasts out there. I think this is a unique take. So Tony's doing an awesome job. Yeah.
Corey Calkins
I feel bad for all the dogs that this family has had prior to this moment because they're not remembered. They're just, like, cast off, forgotten. And, you know, I don't even know if they got a proper burial.
Spencer Newharth
But deep down, when those dogs, they.
Ryan Callahan
Said in the email, it's time to quit messing around.
Spencer Newharth
When those dogs look in the mirror, they know what they're looking at. I mean, do you think they're really a dog?
Giannis Putelis
Not the dog.
Corey Calkins
Not the dog.
Giannis Putelis
Yanni, how many trips did you make to the pound before you found Mingus?
Corey Calkins
I only made one.
Giannis Putelis
Okay. Did you have an inside source there?
Ryan Callahan
No.
Corey Calkins
No. Because at the time, what had happened is I had been researching dogs way too long, like over a year maybe, in coming on too. And it got to the point where my family said, f this, we're just ready for anything with fur and at least a couple of legs and we'll be good. You know, we just need something to rub on. And so I just got a phone call that said, hey, we're heading down to the Stafford shelter in Livingston. They've got a bunch of blue tick coon hounds. You know, if you want any input on this, you better come down too. So on the way there, I'm like, calling my buddy Jake, who runs hounds I'm like, hey, what do you know about blue tick coonhounds? You know, because looks like we got a chance. So the way we picked out a dog is that basically by the time I got there, I got there just in time to see the guy from the shelter basically shoving my kids into the cage with the puppies and locking the lash behind them. And then they just had a ball in there. And yeah, they picked out the mild mannered one.
Giannis Putelis
Oh, so there were. You had other options there besides Mingus?
Corey Calkins
Yeah, there were two others that were definitely at that moment in time. It's hard to tell because Mingus looked emaciated. And I think that he pro. If I had to guess, the other two males were just stronger, tougher. And when there was any food around, Mingus was not getting a bite.
Ryan Callahan
Right.
Corey Calkins
Because the other two were pushing him out of the way maybe. He was literally a bag of bones. And so, yes, we could have picked what seemed to be more, you know, aggressive, more energetic, definitely healthier looking in the moment dogs. But we went with the mellow one.
Ryan Callahan
Mingus was. Mingus is huge. Or I mean, he's not as. He's probably not as big.
Corey Calkins
If you let him, he will easily hit £100.
Ryan Callahan
Big boy. And I brought Snort home, you know, at like seven and a half weeks. Little tiny puppy. And. And Mingus is the first dog because we were watching Mingus at, at the time. So I got. Brought a Snort home and put her down in her kennel and just opened the door and was like, don't drag her out of there. Let her have her space. And then eventually she crept out and crawled into bed with Mingus. I mean. Oh, you wanted. I mean, just.
Giannis Putelis
They're good.
Ryan Callahan
Cute, cute.
Giannis Putelis
Randall.
Ryan Callahan
Mingus, this giant dog, like real hunting dog, like gentle old soul man. Good, good dog.
Giannis Putelis
Randall, you think you own as many dogs as everyone else in here combined?
Spencer Newharth
Yes.
Giannis Putelis
How did you pick those?
Spencer Newharth
Well, our most recent dog was a rescue from a. A breeding operation. So we got her when she was six and a half and just a delightful animal, terrified of everything. People mostly. But we didn't really have choices there. We saw this Facebook post that they were trying to find a new home for this dog. And so that's how we got Lil Dolly. We. This was like the day or like the. We had. We were gonna go to New Orleans for a wedding. The wedding got canceled because of COVID So we're like, well, we're gonna be home for a little while. It seems. It seems like a good time. To get a puppy. Sweet called around and tried to find a litter that was available within a five hour drive. And sure enough, we drove down to St. Anthony, Idaho, and there were two puppies left in this litter. And the one was like this and then the other one was like this on top of it. And I can't remember if Dolly.
Ryan Callahan
They were in a pretzel formation.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah, I can't remember if Dolly was on the top or the bottom. But we're like, how bad? I mean, they're both doing cute things. Plus there aren't any other options. So we grabbed Dolly and drove home. And then the lockdown order went into effect. Rosie. I don't know what we did to get so lucky to have Rosie, but yeah, none of our dog buying experiences. I probably if I just started from scratch and sketched out the playbook, they it would in no way resemble how we got our dogs.
Giannis Putelis
But not applicable.
Spencer Newharth
Nope, nope. I mean, asking how to buy a dog that's a good hunting dog and that is going to make you proud in the field and is going to be well behaved at home. Asking me that question is like, I don't know, asking someone who's never been in a serious relationship what their marriage advice is or something to that effect. I just, I don't know. I have dogs, but they don't fit that profile.
Giannis Putelis
So they just exist?
Spencer Newharth
Yeah. Yeah. Like Dolly doesn't have an off switch. She just carries the tennis ball around and puts it in your lap. But we love her still.
Giannis Putelis
Cory, Anything, Dad?
Randall Williams
Man, I don't really have a dog in this fight.
Giannis Putelis
Oh, good one. All right.
Spencer Newharth
And so our next question is.
Giannis Putelis
We're gonna do our final question. This is from Nancy. What would y'all be doing if you didn't work at Meat Eater? What's your dream job? And to answer this, here is Clay Newcomb.
Corey Calkins
I am very interested to hear this.
Ryan Callahan
Spencer, you asked me what I would do if I didn't work for Meat Eater. And I was doing my dream job. Man, I'm really ambitious and that would.
Spencer Newharth
Just shoot for the stars.
Ryan Callahan
I would like to raise and train young mules. And about every two years sell a crop of really high dollar finished mules. That would be part one of my entrepreneurial business because I've always valued independence over finances. So part one would be mules. Part two would be I would raise.
Spencer Newharth
A few squirrel dogs every year. Now, there's not a big, it's not big money in squirrel dogs.
Ryan Callahan
Don't get the wrong idea, but, you know, it'd be just enough to make it worth it. I'd probably have to supplement it with some manual labor. I've got a college degree. I mean, like, I could go work in the business sector or something, maybe. I don't know.
Randall Williams
And.
Ryan Callahan
But that would just be ridiculous. Not going to do that. So I would probably have to do stonework. That's kind of something that I do. I do masonry work. And lastly, I'd commercial fish with Brent Reeves. Me and Brent Reeves would own the southern fish market. That's my dream, dream entrepreneurial package right there.
Giannis Putelis
Giannis dream job, raising mules and catching fish.
Corey Calkins
I think it'd be fun to learn how to, how to train a mule, but not my dream job. You know, I have been thinking about that lately. I've been really getting into the habitat management thing over there in Wisconsin. And I could see it'd be that sometimes I get jealous of those foresters and those people that are doing that works. I look at them, I go, man, I think they might be spending more time outdoors than I am, you know, because even in the off season, right, they're just out in the woods working some way or another, you know, And I don't know, I've been, I've been digging, going into that rabbit hole and so I could see doing that.
Giannis Putelis
We had a trivia question before about the happiest profession in America, and it's forestry. People who work in forestry are the happiest, not just, by God, not just happiest of folks in like the outdoor industry or people who work outside. Just the happiest in the entire country. Corey, how about you?
Randall Williams
A surf instructor in Costa Rica.
Giannis Putelis
Do you know how to surf?
Randall Williams
I can stand up on a surfboard.
Corey Calkins
You can?
Spencer Newharth
Oh, yeah.
Corey Calkins
Okay.
Randall Williams
But I don't know if I'm technically.
Ryan Callahan
You'Re a way better surfer than I am.
Randall Williams
Why Costa Rica behind a boat on Whitefish Lake? Growing up.
Corey Calkins
Oh, that don't count.
Ryan Callahan
Oh, no.
Randall Williams
But it does translate into the ocean.
Corey Calkins
Have you got. Have you gone in the ocean in Hawaii?
Spencer Newharth
Wow.
Randall Williams
But if I could, if I could afford it, I'd drop everything and move my family to Costa Rica and just live in a banana house on the beach.
Spencer Newharth
Given your complexion for your long term health, I think it's a good thing.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. They call that the widowmaker. Yeah, yeah.
Randall Williams
Or a professional golfer.
Giannis Putelis
Oh. Golf courses aside, Corey is a great golfer.
Spencer Newharth
Can I be a magician? I mean, come on, what are we doing?
Giannis Putelis
Corey is genuine the meat eater's best golfer. And he does it like once a Year, sometimes once every two years.
Randall Williams
Didn't make it out this year, but he played thousands.
Giannis Putelis
I went out thousands of days prior, but thousands. For most people, golf isn't like that where like you just don't play for a decade and then you go play and you're still good. Corey, it is like that.
Ryan Callahan
Well, most people overthink shit, you know.
Randall Williams
Oh yeah. Golfing is a lot of not thinking at all.
Giannis Putelis
I could work the rest of my life to be as good as Corey and it wouldn't happen.
Randall Williams
I don't.
Giannis Putelis
Thanks. Genuinely my dream job. I would want to be a fantasy football commissioner for high rollers. Imagine leagues that have like a million dollar purse where I'm the commissioner for like Michael Jordan and Jerry Seinfeld and Snoop Dogg and every single week I'm like writing a newsletter for them. I'm hosting just an absolute banger draft party at the beginning of the year.
Ryan Callahan
I'll be honest with you, Spencer. I can't imagine it'd be great.
Giannis Putelis
I would design logos for each team. I'd have power rankings. I would be so good at that job and I would just be like the fantasy football commissioner.
Ryan Callahan
I can't even tell you that I want that for you because I have no idea what you're talking about.
Giannis Putelis
Well, that's good. The other thing, I'd love to be, you know, like a hunting consultant maybe if like Jack links, you know, they need lots of hunting for their property.
Corey Calkins
Tell me more.
Giannis Putelis
Yeah, and then I'd go out there and be like, well, here's how I'd do it. And then they would pay me and I'd also get to hunt there. So I think that's the other.
Corey Calkins
They'd probably pay you enough that you just be able to buy your own 20,000 acres.
Giannis Putelis
Randall, dream job. Oh, besides playing meat eater trivia.
Spencer Newharth
I was gonna say playing professional basketball. I can shoot a basketball.
Corey Calkins
Yeah.
Giannis Putelis
And you're like, you're tall enough to be a point guard.
Ryan Callahan
Oh, no.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah. I thought if we were just doing our dream jobs, we could arbitrarily change everything about ourselves. So I'd be six, eight.
Corey Calkins
I don't think we've quite done that. I mean, Spencer did just kinda.
Randall Williams
That job does exist though.
Giannis Putelis
Which one?
Randall Williams
Your dream job.
Giannis Putelis
I mean, so the surf instructor in Costa Rica and forestry.
Spencer Newharth
Jeez.
Giannis Putelis
Six, eight. Randall. I should have small forward.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah. I should have thought about this more.
Giannis Putelis
Cal, dream job. We'll come back to Randall while he thinks about it.
Ryan Callahan
Food truck for part of the year. That'd be great.
Giannis Putelis
Have you ever watched. Have you ever watched a great American food truck race?
Ryan Callahan
Interesting.
Giannis Putelis
It's a lot of fun.
Corey Calkins
Tell me more about why that would be a dream job for you.
Ryan Callahan
I really like food. I really like people appreciating the food that I cook. And here in Bos Angeles, there's just like, this horrible void of the breakfast sandwich market where it's like, man, you want to fork over $14 for just a crappy breakfast anything.
Giannis Putelis
Yes. I don't, man.
Ryan Callahan
It's here in Bozeman.
Corey Calkins
It's very true.
Ryan Callahan
Oh, just ridiculously over complicated crap. So.
Corey Calkins
Yeah.
Ryan Callahan
Good. Coffee. Breakfast sandwich.
Corey Calkins
Okay.
Ryan Callahan
Open until we're closed.
Corey Calkins
Do you already know the. The makeup of this breakfast sandwich? Like, do you make it now home? I want to hear.
Ryan Callahan
Well, the sandwich is Egg McMuffin.
Corey Calkins
Okay.
Ryan Callahan
Right. Just. Just like a nice, solid Egg McMuffin.
Corey Calkins
Okay. And American cheese.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah.
Spencer Newharth
Canadian bacon.
Ryan Callahan
No. God.
Giannis Putelis
And is it, like. Is it butter?
Corey Calkins
Let's start with American bacon.
Ryan Callahan
Love it or leave it, Randall.
Giannis Putelis
Is it butter on the muffin or what are we putting on the muffin?
Ryan Callahan
Mayonnaise. Oh, yeah. Yes.
Giannis Putelis
That's. That's what I do with cream.
Corey Calkins
But don't tell anybody, because they'll love it.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah.
Corey Calkins
If you tell them, it's so good about this.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah. Yeah. So that. That's one part of it. And then. Yeah, I want, like, you know, a reasonably sized, you know, farm and grazing operation, and I want to live in the middle of it.
Giannis Putelis
Okay. Randall.
Spencer Newharth
I want to be. I want to be like a. Like a property manager, but, like, it's not. It's not actually like, some of the. Oh, he's got a guy.
Ryan Callahan
You want to be like, Magnum P.I.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah.
Ryan Callahan
He lives in that giant house. They're like.
Spencer Newharth
I don't really know what he does, but he seems to be comfortable, and he has access to all of this stuff that he didn't earn.
Ryan Callahan
I'd like to be that Lamborghini helicopter.
Spencer Newharth
He's got to get the boat. Oh, you know, so. And so is coming in for. To. For a fishing trip. He's got to get the boats out, make sure the boats are all running.
Giannis Putelis
Well, and then you tell someone to get the boats.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah, exactly. I have, like, a couple, like, local teenagers that do most of the work for me. Yeah, but.
Ryan Callahan
And you just shower them in wisdom.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah, yeah. And. And.
Tony Peterson
But.
Spencer Newharth
But I'm just sort of grumpy all the time, despite this.
Ryan Callahan
You know, where the name Evinrude comes from?
Spencer Newharth
Embarrassingly comfortable situation that I've stumbled into. I Think that would work well for me?
Giannis Putelis
Yeah.
Ryan Callahan
Yeah.
Spencer Newharth
I don't know about the food truck thing. It just seems hot in there.
Corey Calkins
A lot of work, too.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah.
Corey Calkins
Doesn't sound like what you're in a regular schedule.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah, actually, I was at a bar last year, and there's. There are two women, and they're dressed well. And someone asked, oh, what do you do? And. And she said. She said, yeah, I'm a. I'm a. I manage money. I'm a financial manager. And her friend said. Her friend sort of popped her balloon. She's like, yeah, she just manages our money.
Giannis Putelis
Oh.
Spencer Newharth
And so that's what I like to do.
Giannis Putelis
Yeah. You know, I'd learned the first year in Bozeman that the. The question of saying, like, what do you do for a living? Can be a little indelicate sometimes.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah.
Giannis Putelis
So I've heard folks phrase it. What. What keeps you busy. And that's like an opening to saying what your career is or if you don't have a career, what you do instead.
Spencer Newharth
I'd like to be a dilettante with a vast portfolio.
Giannis Putelis
So we've got. We've got Randall as the starting small forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cal has the best food truck in Bozeman. I'm the fantasy football commissioner.
Ryan Callahan
Only if you want breakfast. Sandwiches. My way.
Spencer Newharth
Cory's. Cory's sun baked on a beach somewhere.
Ryan Callahan
In Costa Rica for the next six years.
Giannis Putelis
People, how to stand on the.
Spencer Newharth
Hopefully drinking out of a coconut.
Corey Calkins
Giant oaks down.
Spencer Newharth
Yeah, honest is missing a limb.
Giannis Putelis
Bill the engineer, what would be your dream job?
Ryan Callahan
Oh, well, I'm pretty lucky because my dream job would be being a podcast engineer. Fortheringer.com Please, somebody help me.
Corey Calkins
I'm trapped. I would leave in a heartbeat.
Ryan Callahan
Pop culture, sports, I don't give a. Get me out of here.
Giannis Putelis
That is the end of the show. We're gonna cut it off right there.
Ryan Callahan
Happy New Year.
Giannis Putelis
Good luck. We'll see you next week with our regularly scheduled Meat Eater Radio live programming.
Ryan Callahan
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The MeatEater Podcast: Ep. 645 – "MeatEater Radio (Not) Live! Happy New Year"
Release Date: January 3, 2025
Introduction
In this special pre-recorded episode of The MeatEater Podcast, host Steven Rinella, alongside co-hosts Spencer Newharth, Ryan Callahan, Giannis Putelis, Randall Williams, and Corey Calkins, takes a moment to reconnect with listeners during the Christmas break. The episode primarily focuses on answering listener questions, sharing personal insights, and discussing New Year’s resolutions, all infused with the signature humor and camaraderie that fans have come to love.
New Year's Resolutions
As the new year approaches, the hosts reflect on their personal resolutions and aspirations for 2025.
Ryan Callahan humorously suggests, “I’m gonna start drinking at work” (02:12), highlighting the light-hearted nature of the discussion.
Corey Calkins shares his excitement about running The Crazy Mountain 100, stating, “And so that's pretty exciting” (03:28), emphasizing his commitment to intense training.
Randall Williams outlines a goal to manage the predator population in Montana’s Region 1, aiming to have a wolf down by the first week of January (05:28).
Giannis Putelis expresses a desire to establish a consistent hunting spot in Montana, reflecting on past experiences in South Dakota where he developed a deep connection with specific properties (05:49).
Spencer Newharth admits his need to “shoot my rifle a lot more” (11:11), acknowledging the importance of practice for readiness in future hunts.
Listener Questions and Expert Answers
The core of this episode revolves around answering listener-submitted questions, offering practical advice and sharing personal experiences.
Question from James (Northeast Ohio): How should someone with little hunting experience take their first step toward hunting whitetail deer?
Giannis Putelis emphasizes the importance of seeking a mentor, recommending the National Deer Association’s Field to Fork program: “You can sign up to be connected with mentors like this through their program” (13:14).
Ryan Callahan adds practical tips for Ohio hunters, mentioning the state's short-range weapon allowances and suggesting equipment like crossbows and shotguns for diverse hunting opportunities (15:00).
Corey Calkins advises perseverance, stating, “If you're struggling to find a mentor... just go hunting. You'll make mistakes, but you'll learn” (18:02).
Question from Joe: What are the best places to find quality youth hunting base layers and outerwear for cold weather hunts?
Corey Calkins recommends Old First Light for discounted youth sizes and suggests supplementing with affordable synthetic base layers from retailers like Target to ensure functionality without breaking the bank (19:34; 20:02).
Randall Williams highlights the importance of durable and layered clothing, advising multiple pairs of boots and socks to keep kids comfortable during extended hunts (21:01).
Question from Adam: What qualities should one look for when picking boots to hunt elk in Wyoming, and what are your go-to boots?
Jason Phelps (guest speaker) outlines key factors:
Corey Calkins and Ryan Callahan add that mobility and versatility are crucial, especially for archery hunts where stealth is necessary (26:54; 26:54).
Randall Williams underscores the importance of quality footbeds, recommending investing in solid insoles to enhance comfort and support (29:21).
Question from Krista: What are some easy, tasty, and unique weeknight meals using ground venison beyond burgers, tacos, and chili?
Ryan Callahan suggests larb, a Southeast Asian dish that can be adapted with venison, offering a flavorful alternative to traditional recipes (31:41).
Spencer Newharth shares a North African meatball recipe from the New York Times, emphasizing versatility by substituting ingredients to suit fresh and frozen ingredients (32:17).
Giannis Putelis recommends making pot stickers using wonton wrappers and ground venison mixed with vegetables and mushrooms, highlighting their ease of preparation and customization (33:25).
Corey Calkins and Randall Williams discuss variations like homemade Hamburger Helper and experimenting with flavors, such as adding bacon or cheese to enhance dishes (35:18).
Question from Side: How to pick the right breeder or pup for a hunting dog that is great with the family and memorable?
Tony Peterson (guest speaker) advises focusing on the dog’s drive and intelligence, ensuring it matches the hunting requirements (50:35).
Ryan Callahan shares his experience selecting his dog, Snort, emphasizing the importance of observing the puppy’s behavior in a litter to gauge temperament and drive (51:38; 52:06).
Corey Calkins recommends looking into the dog’s pedigree, seeking hunting-tested lineages, and ensuring the breeder provides health checks to guarantee a strong, working dog (51:06).
Randall Williams highlights the significance of quality footbeds and insoles for hunting boots, indirectly connected to ensuring suitable gear for hunting dogs (29:21).
Spencer Newharth and Giannis Putelis discuss adopting rescue dogs and the spontaneous nature of their choices, illustrating that finding the right dog can sometimes be serendipitous (56:52).
Question from Nancy: What would you all be doing if you didn't work at MeatEater? What’s your dream job?
Ryan Callahan dreams of raising and training mules, running a commercial fish market, and engaging in masonry work to supplement his entrepreneurial ventures (60:55; 61:08).
Corey Calkins envisions a career in habitat management, expressing a desire to spend more time outdoors and contribute to forestry (63:02).
Randall Williams whimsically aspires to be a surf instructor in Costa Rica, blending his love for outdoor activities with a relaxed lifestyle (63:23).
Spencer Newharth humorously contemplates being a magician or a property manager with access to extensive outdoor resources, reflecting his multifaceted interests (65:06; 66:00).
Giannis Putelis fantasizes about being a fantasy football commissioner for high rollers, showcasing his creativity and love for unique challenges (65:25).
Favorite Hunting and Fishing Snacks
Question from Kevin: What's your go-to hunting and fishing snack?
Ryan Callahan favors potted meat and cheese crackers, often combining them into simple yet satisfying meals in the field (41:20).
Giannis Putelis enjoys apples for their versatility and digestive benefits, along with Honey Stinger energy gels for sustained energy (46:39).
Randall Williams advocates for homemade jerky as a reliable and flavorful option, despite the rising costs of store-bought varieties (48:25).
Corey Calkins customizes his trail mix with preferred nuts, cranberries, and mango slices, avoiding common pitfalls like unwanted ingredients (46:20).
Conclusion
In this engaging episode of The MeatEater Podcast, the hosts provide valuable insights into hunting practices, gear selection, culinary creativity with game meat, and the joys of integrating dogs into hunting lifestyles. Their candid discussions about personal goals and dream jobs add a relatable and human touch, making the episode both informative and entertaining for listeners. As they wrap up, the camaraderie and shared passion for the outdoors shine through, leaving listeners inspired and eager for the next installment.
Notable Quotes
Ryan Callahan on preparing for The Crazy Mountain 100: “I feel like I could pack in there with the old steel chainsaws and help out a lot of the runners there” (03:28).
Spencer Newharth on hunting practice: “There's nothing like just good old practice to make you feel like you're ready when the fall rolls around” (11:45).
Corey Calkins on trail mix customization: “I get the big bag of cashews, the big bag of cranberries, some mango slices and that way when I go in there I'm like oh, this is all stuff that I like” (46:20).
Ryan Callahan on dream jobs: “I would like to raise and train young mules. And about every two years sell a crop of really high dollar finished mules” (61:08).
Note: Timestamps are included for reference to specific parts of the discussion.