The MeatEater Podcast: Episode 659 - "Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CXLX"

Host: Spencer Newarth
Guests: Steve Giannis, Cal Brody, Randall Simon, Seth, Marge, and John
Release Date: February 5, 2025

1. Introduction to MeatEater Trivia

In Episode 659 of The MeatEater Podcast, host Spencer Newarth introduces a special edition of MeatEater Trivia, a game show format where conservation always takes the win. The episode features a lively trivia competition among a diverse group of MeatEater enthusiasts: Steve Giannis, Cal Brody, Randall Simon, Seth, Marge, and newcomer John, who serves as the retail associate at the MeatEater flagship store in Bozeman.

2. Meet the Contestants

Spencer warmly welcomes John, highlighting his role at the flagship store and sharing amusing anecdotes about customer interactions. John mentions that while approximately 70% of store visitors are MeatEater fans, the percentage drops to about 50% during the tourist season, amusingly noting that some customers mistake the store for a restaurant, with one even requesting a menu (01:57).

3. Game Structure and Rules

MeatEater Trivia comprises ten rounds divided into four verticals: hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking. Participants compete to answer questions correctly, with the ultimate prize being a $500 donation from MeatEater to a conservation organization of the winner's choice. This week's featured organization is Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.

4. Round Highlights and Notable Interactions

Round 1: Fishing

• Question: Which state is the brook trout not native to?
  Options: Virginia, Iowa, Arkansas, Connecticut
  Notable Interaction:
  • All contestants except Brody answered "Iowa," but the correct answer was "Arkansas" (09:35).
  • Brody quickly responded with the correct answer, demonstrating his trivia prowess.

Round 2: Gear

• Question: What is a knitted covering for the head and neck with an opening for the nose and eyes, worn for protection against wind and cold?
  Answer: Balaclava
  • All participants correctly identified "balaclava," showcasing their knowledge in hunting gear (10:47).

Round 3: Hunting

• Question: A hunter named Van Pelt is the antagonist in which 1995 Robin Williams movie?
  Answer: Jumanji
  • Despite some confusion, several contestants correctly answered "Jumanji."
  • Spencer Rinella humorously elaborates on the cultural impact of the movie and its sequels (14:56).

Round 4: Public Lands

• Question: New England's tallest mountain, Mount Washington, is located in which state?
  Answer: New Hampshire
  • Half of the participants nailed the answer, reflecting their familiarity with American geography (18:26).

Round 5: Cooking

• Question: Who is the author of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"?
  Answer: Julia Child
  • Approximately half the contestants answered correctly, demonstrating their culinary knowledge (20:57).
  • Spencer Rinella praises Julia Child's influence on American cooking, mentioning Danielle Pruitt's Duck a la Bourbon recipe inspired by Child's work.

Round 6: Hunting (Arrow Stiffness)

• Question: Easton Archery defines this as an arrow's measurement of its stiffness.
  Answer: Spine
  • Only Randall correctly answered "spine," highlighting his expertise in archery (27:36).

Round 7: Natural History

• Question: The song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" was the inspiration for the famous skeleton discovered in an Ethiopian cave in 1970.
  Answer: Lucy
  • Most contestants correctly identified "Lucy," underscoring their knowledge of anthropology (30:04).

Round 8: Fishing (Downrigger)

• Question: A 10-letter device which places a lure at the desired depth while the boat is moving.
  Answer: Downrigger
  • The majority correctly answered "downrigger," reflecting their fishing expertise (33:09).

Round 9: Conservation

• Question: Soil that has sand, silt, and clay in equal amounts is defined as what?
  Answer: Loam
  • Multiple contestants answered "loam," demonstrating their understanding of soil science (37:53).

Round 10: Conservation (Final Question)

• Question: Name two of the seven states that have exactly two national parks.
  Answer: Nevada, Hawaii, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming
  • Randall Simon clinched the final correct answers, securing his victory with a total of nine correct responses (41:08).

5. Scoreboard and Competitive Banter

Throughout the episode, the contestants engage in playful banter, especially concerning the placement and frequency of fishing-related questions. Randall Simon emerges as the frontrunner, maintaining a steady lead and ultimately winning the game. Memorable exchanges include Randall contemplating whether he could have won earlier and the group's humorous critiques of the trivia questions' sequencing.

6. Conclusion and Prize Donation

Randall Simon triumphs in the trivia competition with nine correct answers, earning the right to allocate the $500 donation. He opts to contribute the prize to Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, acknowledging their vital role in land conservation efforts (43:12). The episode wraps up with expressions of gratitude among the participants and an invitation to listeners to join future editions of MeatEater Trivia.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• John on Store Visitors:
  "[02:20] John: Then like, we've always had people coming into the store thinking it's a restaurant. Believe it or not, we actually had somebody ask for a menu at one point."

• Randall on Question 10:
  "[39:26] Randall Simon: So if you think about it, if Randall gets this one wrong, it could have been that I won."

• Marge on Donation Choice:
  "[43:12] Marge: I'd like to give the $500 to our friends at Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Okay, a lot of land transfer talk back on the table and they're out there on the front lines."

• Stephen Rinella on Culinary Recommendations:
  "[22:55] Stephen Rinella: The works of Jack Pepin, otherwise known as Jacques Pepin."

Final Thoughts

Episode 659 of The MeatEater Podcast offers a captivating blend of trivia competition and camaraderie among outdoor enthusiasts. The engaging format, combined with knowledgeable contestants and spirited interactions, makes it an entertaining listen for both regular followers and newcomers interested in hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking. Randall Simon's victory and the subsequent donation underscore the podcast's commitment to supporting conservation efforts, staying true to its mission of enriching lives through a deeper understanding of the natural world.