The MeatEater Podcast
Episode: Ep. 647: Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CXLVI
Release Date: January 8, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 647 of The MeatEater Podcast, titled "Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CXLVI," host Spencer Newarth orchestrates an exhilarating and competitive episode centered around a trivia game that intertwines the podcast's core themes: hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking. The episode features a diverse cast of guests, including Steve Rinella, Yanni, Brody, Randall, Alyssa, Nate, and Sid, each bringing their unique expertise and personalities to the forefront.

Trivia Game Overview

Spencer Newarth introduces Meat Eater Trivia as a distinctive game show where conservation is always the victor. The format comprises 10 challenging rounds, each categorized under one of four verticals: hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking. Participants vie for the opportunity to have Meat Eater donate $500 to the conservation organization of the winner's choice. The competitive spirit is palpable as players engage in friendly banter and strategic gameplay.

Notable Quote:
[00:47] Spencer Newarth: "Welcome to Meat Eater Trivia, the only game show where conservation always wins."

Behind the Scenes: The Jingle Story

Before delving into the trivia questions, the episode shares a light-hearted anecdote about Steve Rinella creating a jingle inspired by playing UNO with his children over Christmas. The jingle, "he's the champion of champions, can't be beat," becomes a humorous focal point when Steve's daughter playfully alters it, sparking a playful debate about letting kids win games.

Notable Quotes:
[01:24] Steve Rinella: "So I made up a song that goes, he's the champion of champions, can't be beat."
[02:18] Randall: "We shouldn't let your kids win. It's bad. Bad for him."

Stat of the Week: Steve’s Hiatus from Trivia

The conversation shifts to a "Stat of the Week," revealing that it has been 76 days since Steve Rinella last participated in Trivia. Steve explains his absence was due to recording his new History Channel show, Hunting History, which delves into eight outdoor mysteries, including cattle mutilations and historical survival stories like the Donner Party.

Notable Quotes:
[03:02] Spencer Newarth: "Steve, where you been, man?"
[03:40] Steve Rinella: "All summer long and almost fall long, I was recording a new show, filming a new show for History Channel called Hunting History."

Hunting History: Cattle Mutilations and the Donner Party

Steve Rinella provides an intriguing glimpse into his new show, Hunting History. He discusses investigating the perplexing phenomenon of cattle mutilations in Oregon, engaging with ranchers, animal pathologists, and houndsmen to explore non-human explanations. The segment also touches on historical survival tales, drawing parallels between past and present survival strategies.

Notable Quotes:
[05:02] Steve Rinella: "We visit with a rancher, rancher dude. He’s gone through every possible explanation. The only thing he can land on is that it was not human."
[07:17] Steve Rinella: "It’s not flavored, it's weirdly flavorless, but it's real sticky and gluey."

IFAQ Segment: Steve’s Wrestling Anecdote

In the "Infrequently Asked Question" (IFAQ) segment, the crew addresses a question about Steve Rinella’s wrestling experience with Steven Chester. The story unfolds with humorous recollections of a wrestling match fought in frigid temperatures, highlighting the camaraderie and playful competitiveness among the participants.

Notable Quotes:
[10:09] Ben Stewart: "Steven Chester once wrestled, and Chester pinned him. What's the story behind that?"
[10:33] Steve Rinella: "He might have been, like, kind of amped up from it."

New York Times Crossword Controversy

A significant portion of the episode delves into a controversy where Meat Eater Trivia alleges that The New York Times may have copied one of their trivia clues. Spencer Newarth narrates how a similarly phrased clue about Yellowstone National Park appeared in the Times’ crossword puzzle shortly after Meat Eater Trivia published it. While attributing an initial skepticism, Spencer expresses determination to investigate the matter further.

Notable Quotes:
[11:54] Spencer Newarth: "If that obscure clue was borrowed from Meat Eater, then it was likely fed to Dana via Chat GPT."
[14:08] Steve Rinella: "They steal our stuff all the time."

Trivia Rounds: Questions and Responses

The core of the episode revolves around the trivia game, featuring a series of questions across the four verticals. Each question is met with enthusiasm, strategic thinking, and occasional humorous interruptions from the participants.

Question 1: Hunting

Topic: Bighorn Sheep Hunting Season
Question: Which of these states does not have a bighorn sheep season? (South Dakota, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota)
Correct Answer: Oklahoma
Highlights: Participants navigate through the nuances of state hunting regulations, with Randall emerging as the first correct responder.

Notable Quotes:
[15:14] Randall: "Son of a. Oh, Steve's out of practice here."

Question 2: Gear

Topic: Color Coding of Shotgun Shells
Question: According to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, 20 gauge shotgun shells should be this color.
Correct Answer: Yellow
Highlights: A listener-submitted question leads to an engaging discussion about ammunition color standards, with most participants correctly identifying yellow.

Notable Quotes:
[18:32] Randall: "I think you should have picked a more obscure gauge."

Question 3: Conservation

Topic: Fishing Practice Defined by Trawling
Question: A fishing practice that herds and captures the target species by towing a net along the ocean floor.
Correct Answer: Trawling
Highlights: A moment of confusion ensues when a participant spells the term differently, prompting a clarification and acceptance of slightly varied spellings.

Notable Quotes:
[22:42] Steve Rinella: "He means trolling."
[26:09] Steve Rinella: "And I interpret trolls as a misspelled trolling rather than him just putting down a fishing term."

Question 4: Fishing

Topic: Hybrid Fish Controlled by IDFG
Question: The Idaho Department of Fish and Game calls this hybrid their secret weapon for controlling populations of non-native fish.
Correct Answer: Tiger Muskies
Highlights: Randall mistakenly answers "batf," leading to a correction and an informative explanation about the ecological roles of tiger muskies.

Notable Quotes:
[29:13] Spencer Newarth: "He’s the champion of champions."

Question 5: Cooking

Topic: Vegetable Flavor Profile
Question: Taste of Home magazine describes this vegetable's flavor as, "a little bit sweet like garlic and a little bit pungent like onions."
Correct Answer: Shallot
Highlights: Steve and Randall correctly identify shallots, demonstrating their culinary acumen.

Notable Quotes:
[32:48] Steve Rinella: "I better double check."

Question 6: Natural History

Topic: Lewis and Clark Expedition Leadership
Question: What president spearheaded the Lewis and Clark expedition?
Correct Answer: Thomas Jefferson
Highlights: A brief historical discussion clarifies the role of Jefferson in the expedition.

Notable Quotes:
[37:15] Steve Rinella: "You knew more about that."

Question 7: Gear

Topic: Boat Stern Terminology
Question: The American Boater exam defines this seven-letter word as, "the cross section of the stern where you attach an outboard motor."
Correct Answer: Transom
Highlights: All participants except Phil correctly answer "transom," showcasing their nautical knowledge.

Notable Quotes:
[39:50] Phil: "She’s got chalice."

Question 8: Gear

Topic: Bureau Acronym
Question: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives goes by this acronym.
Correct Answer: ATF
Highlights: Randall mistakenly answers "batf," leading to an informative segment about the agency's history and acronym usage.

Notable Quotes:
[41:04] Steve Rinella: "My only interaction with this was about suppressors."

Question 9: Woodsmanship

Topic: Morning Star – Brightest Planet
Question: Known as the Morning Star, this is the brightest planet in our solar system.
Correct Answer: Venus
Highlights: A challenging question leads to confusion among participants, with Brody and Yanni correctly identifying Venus.

Notable Quotes:
[47:06] Steve Rinella: "I panic. I would never think of Venus."

Question 10: Conservation

Topic: California Condors
Question: Name three of the four states with California Condors, according to The Cornell Lab.
Correct Answer: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah
Highlights: Brody accurately identifies the states, securing his position as the game's winner.

Notable Quotes:
[49:07] Spencer Newarth: "Brody got it right. Damn it. Making him this week's winner."

Final Scores and Winner Announcement

As the trivia game concludes, Brody emerges victorious with eight points, narrowly defeating peers Randall and Steve, who both scored seven points each. The friendly competition underscores the camaraderie and shared passion for outdoor and conservation topics among the participants.

Notable Quotes:
[50:42] Spencer Newarth: "Brody, you are the winner. Where is that $500? Barely."

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with light-hearted exchanges and reflections on the game, the significance of conservation, and upcoming episodes. Randall humorously suggests donating to the Mule Deer Foundation, while Steve Rinella contemplates amusing uses for a river otter hide. The affirming tone celebrates knowledge, camaraderie, and the unwavering commitment to conservation that defines The MeatEater Podcast community.

Notable Quotes:
[51:38] Spencer Newarth: "Thanks. Spencer flew too close to the sun, crashing into the sea."
[52:10] Steve Rinella: "There's even that cowboy Junkie song about watching Venus rising."

Key Takeaways

• Community and Camaraderie: The interactive trivia format fosters a sense of community among participants, blending education with entertainment.

• Conservation Advocacy: The episode reinforces the podcast's dedication to conservation, with game rewards directly benefiting conservation efforts.

• Diverse Expertise: Guests bring a wide range of knowledge, enriching discussions on hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking.

• Engaging Storytelling: Anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories add depth and personal connection to the content.

• Educational Insights: Trivia questions serve as educational tools, highlighting lesser-known facts and promoting awareness on various topics.

Join The MeatEater Podcast
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