The MeatEater Podcast – Episode 677: "Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CLVI"

Release Date: March 19, 2025
Host: Spencer New Arth
Guests: Giannis Randall Brody, Colin, Nate, Tressa, and Cade McParlin

Overview

In Episode 677 of The MeatEater Podcast, host Spencer New Arth elevates the usual outdoor discussions by hosting a lively and competitive edition of MeatEater Trivia CLVI. This episode transforms into a dynamic game show where participants navigate through a series of trivia questions spanning the four verticals of MeatEater’s expertise: hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking. The stakes are high, with MeatEater pledging a $500 donation to a conservation organization of the winner's choice. Randall emerges as the standout contestant, demonstrating both knowledge and strategy to clinch the victory.

Contestants and Roles

• Spencer New Arth: Host and quizmaster.
• Giannis Randall Brody: Retail store associate and outdoor guide, showing strong performance throughout the game.
• Colin, Nate, Tressa, and Cade McParlin: Compete alongside Randall, each bringing their unique backgrounds and personalities to the game.

Game Structure and Highlights

The episode kicks off with an engaging introduction to the MeatEater Trivia format, emphasizing its unique blend of entertainment and conservation-minded rewards. Spencer introduces the contestants, highlighting their roles and connections to the outdoor world.

Notable Interaction:

• Spencer New Arth: "[...] This is a 10 round quiz show with questions from meat eaters. Four verticals which are hunting, fishing, conservation and cooking. And there is a prize." ([02:10])

Round-by-Round Breakdown

1. Question 1: Hunting – Federal Tax Stamp for Suppressors

   • Question: What does the federal tax stamp cost when applying for a suppressor? $100, $200, $300, or $400.
   • Correct Answer: $200
   • Notable Commentary:
     • Spencer: "The suppressor tax stamp was introduced in 1934, and surprisingly, it was also $200 then." ([10:02])
     • Giannis: "[...] I've already forgot about last year's champion." ([10:34])

2. Question 2: Conservation – 38th U.S. President and Park Ranger

   • Question: This man was the 38th president and America's only president to work as a national park ranger.
   • Correct Answer: Gerald Ford
   • Notable Commentary:
     • Cade McParlin: Score involves a birthday confessional, adding humor to the competitive atmosphere. ([14:02])

3. Question 3: Foraging – Nicknames for King Bolete Mushrooms

   • Question: Porcini and penny bun are nicknames for the king variety of this mushroom.
   • Correct Answer: Bolet
   • Notable Interaction:
     • Giannis Patelis: Reflects on past foraging experiences with questionable boletes. ([16:25])

4. Question 4: Gear – Brand Named After an Illinois City

   • Question: This brand, which made their first tackle box in 1952 and first bow case in 1995, is named after an Illinois city.
   • Correct Answer: Plano
   • Notable Commentary:
     • Giannis: "So what was throwing me off is. Is all I could think of was Plano, Texas." ([21:23])
     • Colin: "You have plans?" – Highlighting the playful banter among contestants. ([44:28])

5. Question 5: Fishing – Largest Lakes in a Specific State

   • Question: Lake Marion, Lake Strom Thurmond, Lake Moultrie, and Lake Hartwell are the biggest lakes in this state.
   • Correct Answer: South Carolina
   • Notable Commentary:
     • Spencer: "Lake Strom Thurmond, it has two different names." ([23:17])

6. Question 6: Cooking – New York Times' Cocktail Sauce Recipe

   • Question: The New York Times recipe for this condiment combines ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
   • Correct Answer: Cocktail Sauce
   • Notable Interaction:
     • Colin: Shares an anecdote about preparing for a banquet with horseradish. ([29:07])

7. Question 7: Conservation – Oil Tycoon with Wildlife Refuge and Skyscraper

   • Question: This oil tycoon has a wildlife refuge in Louisiana named after him as well as a skyscraper in New York City.
   • Correct Answer: John Rockefeller
   • Notable Commentary:
     • Colin: Attempts to recall relevant details amidst playful confusion. ([32:07])

8. Question 8: Hunting – Character in a 1987 Bigfoot Comedy

   • Question: Legendary hunter Jacques LaFleur is the antagonist in this 1987 comedy about Bigfoot.
   • Correct Answer: Harry and the Hendersons
   • Notable Interaction:
     • Phil: Reflects humorously on childhood memories of the film. ([35:16])

9. Question 9: Public Lands – Murdered YouTuber in Bridger Teton National Forest

   • Question: This YouTuber was murdered by her boyfriend in the Bridger Teton National Forest in 2021.
   • Correct Answer: Gabby Petito
   • Notable Commentary:
     • Giannis Patelis: Expresses confusion over the relevance of the question to outdoor topics. ([38:00])

10. Question 10: Wildlife – Most Common State Insect in America

    • Question: What is the most common state insect in America? You need to be specific. If you thought the answer was a black lab, you need to say black lab. You can't just put Labrador.
    • Correct Answer: Honeybee
    • Notable Commentary:
      • Colin: Mistakenly guesses without sufficient knowledge, highlighting the challenging nature of the questions. ([43:31])

Player Dynamics and Memorable Moments

Throughout the trivia game, contestants engage in spirited competition, humorous exchanges, and occasional groans at challenging questions. Randall consistently leads the pack, showcasing his extensive knowledge across multiple MeatEater verticals.

Highlighted Quotes:

• Randall: "I'm hot on it right now." ([04:27])
• Colin: "Sucks to suck." ([10:13])
• Giannis Patelis: "I've had him sitting there trying to mate with the decoy." ([28:29])
• Spencer Newarth: "You don't want to give it any more thought?" ([42:51])
• Colin: "I can't name a single state insect?" ([42:55])

Humorous Interactions:

• Spencer and Colin's back-and-forth on counting presidents adds levity, especially when Colin admits his counting errors. ([19:31])
• Phil's live troubleshooting moment provides a brief, relatable tech hiccup in the middle of the game. ([05:44])

Conclusion and Prize Announcement

After ten rigorous rounds, Randall emerges victorious with seven correct answers, securing the $500 donation to the National Wild Turkey Federation—a choice that aligns perfectly with the show's conservation-centric ethos.

Finality:

• Spencer Newarth: "Well done, Randall. Seven correct answers to win the first regular season game of Meat eater trivia in 2025." ([44:28])

The episode wraps up with Randall's triumph, celebrating both his knowledge and dedication to conservation. Spencer teases future episodes, promising more engaging content and competitive fun.

Additional Segments

Interspersed within the trivia game are promotional segments, including advertisements for Ram trucks and Dave Smith decoys, maintaining the podcast's balance between content and sponsorships.

Notable Advertisement Highlights:

• Dave Smith Decoys Promo: Steve Rinella passionately describes the effectiveness and durability of Dave Smith decoys, emphasizing their realism and American craftsmanship. ([26:55] & [28:29])

Final Thoughts

Episode 677 of The MeatEater Podcast showcases a perfect blend of camaraderie, competition, and a deep-rooted commitment to outdoor conservation. Through the engaging format of MeatEater Trivia, listeners are entertained while also being educated on various topics pertinent to hunting, fishing, foraging, and more. Randall's victory not only highlights individual expertise but also reinforces MeatEater’s mission to support conservation efforts through community-driven initiatives.

Key Takeaway:
"MeatEater Trivia CLVI" exemplifies the podcast's dedication to fostering a knowledgeable and passionate outdoor community, all while ensuring that conservation remains at the forefront of its endeavors.