Episode Summary: Ep. 739: Sunday Hunting and Sage Grouse | MeatEater Radio Live!

Release Date: July 25, 2025
Host: Brody Henderson
Guests: Adam Eckley (Pennsylvania BHA Chapter Chair), Ted Cook (Executive Director, North American Grouse Partnership)

1. Introduction

In this engaging episode of The MeatEater Podcast, host Brody Henderson welcomes regular co-hosts Corinne Schneider and Seth Morris to discuss a range of outdoor topics, including recent legislative changes, conservation efforts, and exciting bucket list adventures. The trio sets the stage from Bozeman and Prince of Wales Island, sharing their current activities and teasing the episode's main segments.

Notable Quote:

• Brody Henderson (01:04): "Today we're going to be talking with Adam Eckley from Pennsylvania backcountry hunters and anglers about Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania. We're going to talk with Ted Cook from the North American Grouse Partnership about sage grouse and some other stuff."

2. Moultrie Trail Cam Photo Contest

Brody announces the second round of the Moultrie Trail Cam Photo Contest, shifting the focus from humorous and odd photos to capturing the best velvet buck trail cam images. He shares a personal story about spotting impressive velvet whitetail bucks in an alfalfa field, highlighting the quality of deer that remain elusive to hunters.

Notable Quote:

• Brody Henderson (02:10): "Send us your velvet buck trail cam photos. This time we're doing it different."

3. Safari in Tanzania: Banter and Experiences

The hosts delve into their recent safari trip to Tanzania, sharing humorous and insightful anecdotes about their encounters with wildlife and dealing with insect bites. Seth recounts his experience with TTS fly bites, while Phil describes a tense encounter with a puff adder snake, illustrating the unpredictability and challenges of safari adventures.

Notable Quotes:

• Seth Morris (04:02): "They bite you, it's like getting electrocuted."
• Phil (08:59): "We were not the deadly snakes that we saw..."

4. Legalization of Sunday Hunting in Pennsylvania: Interview with Adam Eckley

Brody introduces Adam Eckley, the Chair of the Pennsylvania Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) Chapter, to discuss a landmark legislative achievement: the legalization of Sunday hunting across all Sundays in Pennsylvania. Adam provides a detailed timeline of the BHA’s advocacy efforts, highlighting key milestones from identifying Sunday hunting as a priority in 2017 to the successful passage and signing of the bill in 2025.

Notable Quotes:

• Adam Eckley (12:30): "2017, the newly formed BHA Pennsylvania chapter identifies Sunday hunting as our top legislative priority."
• Adam Eckley (16:11): "We were able to, you know, certainly have lots of conversations with all the different stakeholder groups. And we really arrived at a place where I think everybody could kind of come to the table and agree."

Adam explains the opposition's concerns, such as fears of increased trespassing and hunting accidents, and counters them with data from other states, demonstrating that these issues have remained unfounded. He emphasizes the positive reception from the hunting community and the potential for expanding the number of Sundays available for hunting.

Key Outcome:

• Adam Eckley (18:49): "I think that that was really the catalyst that kind of got the ball rolling."

5. Sage Grouse Conservation: Interview with Ted Cook

Brody welcomes Ted Cook, the Executive Director of the North American Grouse Partnership, to discuss the critical state of sage grouse populations and the recent declaration of their extinction in North Dakota. Ted elaborates on the sage grouse’s dependence on sagebrush habitats and the broader ecological implications of their decline, affecting species such as mule deer, pronghorn, and various songbirds.

Notable Quotes:

• Ted Cook (53:00): "Grasslands, including sagebrush steppe grasslands, are the most threatened ecosystem on the continent and in the world."
• Ted Cook (56:24): "We want to pay these landowners who want to save lesser prairie chickens and other prairie grouse species what it actually costs to keep grasslands in grass."

Ted explains that the primary driver of sagebrush habitat loss is the invasive cheatgrass, which alters fire regimes and outcompetes native species. He emphasizes the partnership's efforts to empower ranchers and land managers to maintain healthy rangelands, reducing soil disturbances that facilitate cheatgrass spread.

Key Outcome:

• Ted Cook (57:03): "We want to work with the people that manage the lands and even own the lands, the ranchers, to empower them to make sure that they're avoiding chronic soil disturbance in the form of overgrazing."

Ted underscores the importance of conserving sage grouse as an umbrella species, which, if protected, can help preserve entire grassland ecosystems vital for numerous other species.

6. Top Three Bucket List Hunts/Fishing Trips

In a lively segment, the hosts share their top three hunting and fishing bucket list adventures:

• Phil's Bucket List:

  1. Iguana Hunting in Florida: Seeking the invasive yet flavorful green iguanas.
  2. Bighorn Sheep in Montana: A challenging and highly sought-after big game.
  3. Fishing for Giant Kubera Snapper in Panama: Combining excitement with diverse marine life.

• Seth's Bucket List:

  1. Fishing in Norway: Experiencing the vast and pristine fishing environments.
  2. Hunting Rios in Oklahoma: Completing his slam with elusive Rio hunters.
  3. Witnessing the Caribou Migration: Observing the awe-inspiring natural spectacle with his sons.

• Brody's Bucket List:

  1. Fishing in the Bahamas: Enjoying spear fishing and the vibrant marine ecosystem.
  2. Bighorn Sheep in Montana: Joining Phil in pursuing this majestic species.
  3. Witnessing the Caribou Migration: Sharing the experience with his family.

Notable Interaction:

• Phil (28:16): "For wild berries, we try to get out. It's coming up on huckleberry season around here."

7. Hot Tip Off: Fishing Tips

Listeners submitted their valuable fishing tips, which the hosts evaluated in a friendly competition. Two standout tips were presented:

1. David McMurray (68:15): Using a Clam Knife to Scale Big Bluegill

   • Benefit: The clam knife’s dull edge prevents cutting through the fish's skin, while its stiff blade allows for effective scale removal without damaging the meat.
   • Technique: "Once I remove the scales off the main part of the fish's body, I like to point my knife down to get along the edges of the fins."

2. Adam Smith (69:18): Using a Backpack Cooler to Carry Fish While Walking

   • Benefit: Keeps fish cool and fresh without occupying hands, preventing damage during transport.
   • Technique: "Pack it with three or four or five pounds of ice, and carry your fish around on your back. It works great."

After audience voting, Adam Smith’s tip prevailed, winning him a MeatEater hat, hoodie, and T-shirt combo.

Notable Quotes:

• David McMurray (68:15): "Using a clam knife to scale a big bluegill."
• Adam Smith (69:18): "Carry your fish around on your back. It works great."

8. Q&A from Listeners

The hosts engaged with listener questions, providing practical advice and sharing personal anecdotes:

• Moose Hunting with a Cow-Only Tag: Recommendations included scouting areas, identifying timber cuts, and using effective hunting techniques.

• Cooking and Taxidermy Tips: Corinne shared her experience with taxidermy and handling game, while Seth offered insights into preparing fish and building fleshing beams.

• Favorite Game to Try: Phil, Seth, and Corinne shared their experiences with different game species, highlighting unique and memorable hunts.

Notable Interaction:

• Phil (49:04): "The antelope jackrabbit is the one I want. And he said we can make that happen when the rabbit populations recover because it's the hemorrhagic virus that knocked out the population."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with the hosts encouraging listeners to participate in future segments, such as Chester's cheticate series, and promoting upcoming events and merch. They express gratitude to their guests and audience, maintaining the show’s friendly and interactive atmosphere.

Notable Quote:

• Brody Henderson (83:36): "Thanks everyone for tuning in and have a great weekend. We'll see you next week."

Key Takeaways:

• Legislative Win for Hunters: Pennsylvania's legalization of Sunday hunting is a significant advancement, providing more opportunities for hunters with limited time.

• Conservation Alert: The extinction of sage grouse in North Dakota serves as a critical warning about habitat loss affecting multiple species. Efforts by organizations like the North American Grouse Partnership are vital in reversing these trends.

• Community Engagement: Interactive segments such as contests, top lists, and listener Q&As foster a strong sense of community among outdoor enthusiasts.

• Practical Tips: Sharing fishing and hunting tips empowers listeners with actionable advice to enhance their outdoor experiences.

This episode effectively balances impactful discussions on hunting rights and conservation with lighthearted segments and community interaction, offering valuable insights and fostering engagement among listeners who are passionate about the outdoors.