The MeatEater Podcast – Episode 712: "Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CLXVII"

Release Date: June 4, 2025
Host: Spencer Newarth
Guests: Randall Brody, Corey, Hansi, Tressa, Logan

Introduction

Kicking off at [02:03], Spencer Newarth welcomes listeners to MeatEater Trivia, a spirited ten-round quiz show encompassing topics such as hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking. The stakes are high, with a $500 donation to a conservation organization of the winner's choice. Spencer introduces the contestants: Randall Brody, Corey, Hansi, Tressa, and Logan, and shares a "stat of the week" highlighting the rarity of perfect games, noting, "On average, 6.4% of episodes end in a perfect game" ([02:46]).

Round 1: Conservation

Question: What percentage of Canada is Crown land (public land)?
Options: 14%, 39%, 64%, 89%

• Responses:

  • Randall Brody: 14% ([08:37])
  • Hansi: 39%
  • Tressa: 14%
  • Corey: 64%
  • Logan: 39%

• Outcome:
  Correct Answer: 89%.
  Spencer remarks, “[09:00] 'Nobody got that one right.'”

• Discussion: Spencer elaborates on Canada's land distribution: "48% is provincial Crown land and 41% is federal Crown land, meaning just 11% is privately owned," ([09:01]).

Round 2: Hunting

Question: This big game magazine was founded in 1987 and calls itself a "three-generation media-based hunting company."

• Options:

  • Peterson
  • Outdoor Channel
  • Eastman’s
  • Field and Stream

• Responses:

  • Hansi: Outdoor Channel
  • Tressa: Outdoor Channel
  • Randall Brody: Eastman’s ([10:53])
  • Corey: Sports of Field
  • Logan: Field and Stream

• Outcome:
  Correct Answer: Eastman’s.
  Randall Brody and Eastman’s were confirmed as the right answers ([12:13]).

• Discussion:
  Spencer shares a brief history: "Gordon Eastman started filming hunting in the 1950s, inspiring his son Mike to create the magazine in 1987," ([12:23]). The group reminisces about the magazine’s legacy and its impact on hunting culture.

Round 3: Public Lands

Question: The National Park Service recommends wrapping your vehicle in tarp while visiting Kings Canyon to prevent this animal from eating your radiator hose.

• Options:

  • Marmot
  • Packrat
  • Porcupine
  • Redfish

• Responses:

  • Hansi: Marmot
  • Tressa: Packrat
  • Randall: Porcupine
  • Corey: Packrat
  • Logan: Porcupine

• Outcome:
  Correct Answer: Marmot.
  All contestants missed, leading Spencer to lament, "Nobody got it right," ([15:09]).

• Discussion:
  Randall shares a personal anecdote about vehicle damage caused by marmots: "Marmots disable about 30 vehicles every year in California's Kings Canyon national park by chewing through car wiring," ([15:51]).

Round 4: Cooking

Question: The Food Network describes this as "a flat, crispy corn tortilla that is typically layered with mashed or refried beans, protein, cheese, and toppings."

• Options:

  • Flauta
  • Indian Fry Bread
  • Tostada
  • Taquito

• Responses:

  • Hansi: Flauta
  • Tressa: Indian Fry Bread
  • Randall: Tostada
  • Corey: Tostada
  • Logan: Tostada

• Outcome:
  Correct Answer: Tostada.
  Randall and Corey secured the correct answers ([20:12]).

• Discussion:
  Spencer highlights a recipe: "Check out Wade's recipe on the meat-eater.com called Turkey Tostada," ([20:38]).

Round 5: Fishing

Question: The Florida Museum of Natural History lists nicknames for this fish as Puppy Drum, Channel Bass, and Spot Tail.

• Options:

  • Redfish (Red Drum)

• Responses:

  • Hansi: Redfish
  • Tressa: Redfish
  • Randall: Red Drum
  • Corey: Redfish
  • Logan: Redfish

• Outcome:
  Correct Answer: Redfish (Red Drum).
  All except Randall correctly identified it as Red Drum ([23:33]).

• Discussion:
  Randall shares regional insights and the significance of Red Drum in fishing culture.

Round 6: Conservation

Question: What river has a dam on it that's named after America's 31st president?

• Options:

  • Colorado River

• Responses:

  • Hansi: Colorado
  • Tressa: Madison
  • Randall: Colorado
  • Corey: Colorado
  • Logan: Hoover Dam (incorrect interpretation)

• Outcome:
  Correct Answer: Colorado River (Hoover Dam).
  All but Logan correctly answered Colorado ([28:14]).

• Discussion:
  Spencer provides historical context: "Hoover Dam was built in 1931 and is named after Herbert Hoover," ([28:37]).

Round 7: Hunting

Question: Snoopy is this kind of dog, which AKC describes as "an excellent hunting dog and loyal companion."

• Options:

  • Beagle
  • Springer Spaniel
  • Dalmatian
  • Beagle

• Responses:

  • Hansi: Springer Spaniel
  • Tressa: Dalmatian
  • Randall: Beagle
  • Corey: Beagle
  • Logan: Beagle

• Outcome:
  Correct Answer: Beagle.
  Randall, Corey, Logan, and Brody nailed it ([32:12]).

• Discussion:
  Reveals a Peanuts comic strip reference and discusses the traits of Beagles as hunting dogs.

Round 8: Woodsmanship

Question: This seven-letter word is defined as "a small, steep waterfall, especially one of a series."

• Options:

  • Cascade

• Responses:

  • Hansi: Cascade
  • Tressa: Springs
  • Randall: Cascade
  • Corey: Cascade
  • Logan: Cascade

• Outcome:
  Correct Answer: Cascade.
  All contestants correctly answered ([33:52]).

• Discussion:
  Spencer explains the etymology: "The word cascade comes from the French verb 'cascader,'" and describes the nature of cascades.

Round 9: Fishing

Question: This company created the world's first motorized fish shack, which they say is the "ice fishing dream machine."

• Options:

  • Snow Bear

• Responses:

  • Hansi: Polar
  • Tressa: (No answer)
  • Randall: Ski Doo
  • Corey: Beaver Dam Mobile
  • Logan: Eskimo
  • Brody: Eskimo

• Outcome:
  Correct Answer: Snow Bear.
  No contestants answered correctly ([38:33]).

• Discussion:
  Spencer describes Snow Bear’s features and pricing, noting the $123,000 price tag for the 2023 Model 4 ([39:14]).

Round 10: Cooking

Question: Hákarl, which is fermented shark, is considered a national dish of this country.

• Options:

  • Iceland

• Responses:

  • Hansi: Iceland
  • Tressa: Australia
  • Randall: Iceland
  • Corey: Iceland
  • Logan: Iceland
  • Brody: Norway

• Outcome:
  Correct Answer: Iceland.
  Randall, Corey, Hansi, and Logan correctly identified Iceland, with Randall Brody emerging as the winner with seven correct answers ([42:12]).

• Discussion:
  Spencer and Randall delve into the cultural aspects of Hákarl, sharing personal experiences and taste impressions. Tressa describes the dish as "disgusting," and Randall elaborates on the fermentation process and serving traditions.

Leaderboard Update

By the halfway point ([23:53]), the standings were:

• Randall Brody & Corey: 3 points each
• Hansi, Tressa, Logan: 1-2 points each

By the penultimate round, Randall and Brody led with six points, Corey followed closely with five, and Hansi and Logan trailed with three points each ([36:15]).

Conclusion

Winner: Randall Brody with seven correct answers out of ten.

Prize: Randall chose to donate the $500 prize to the New York chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, acknowledging the importance of supporting conservation efforts across all regions ([44:15]).

Closing Remarks: Spencer wraps up the episode with humor and camaraderie, "We end this game with a shot at old Randall," ([45:02]) and invites listeners to tune in for the next installment of MeatEater Trivia, emphasizing that "conservation always wins."

Notable Quotes

• Spencer Newarth ([02:46]): "If only Randall would have gotten that perfect game last week."
• Randall Brody ([03:05]): "I was about to ask you why we're talking about perfect games this week."
• Spencer Newarth ([09:01]): "11% of the country is privately owned."
• Tressa ([43:42]): "It's disgusting."
• Randall Brody ([43:20]): "I'm Norwegian."

Key Insights and Highlights

• Conservation Focus: The trivia game underscores the podcast’s commitment to conservation, both through the topics discussed and the donation prize.

• Engaging Interactions: The playful banter among contestants, especially between Spencer and Randall, adds a humorous and relatable layer to the episode.

• Educational Content: Each question serves as a learning opportunity, providing listeners with factual information about topics like land distribution, hunting culture, and unique culinary traditions.

• Community Involvement: Listener participation is encouraged through segments like the "infrequently asked question" and the listener question of the week, enhancing community engagement.

Join the next episode of MeatEater Trivia for more challenges, laughs, and a continued dedication to the great outdoors and conservation efforts.