The MeatEater Podcast

Episode: Ep. 747: Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CLXXVII
Release Date: August 13, 2025
Host: Mark Kenyon
Guests: Giannis Clay, Brent, Maggie, Bear, Tony Spencer, Heather
Description: In this lively episode of MeatEater Trivia, host Mark Kenyon and a diverse group of guests engage in a spirited 10-round quiz competition covering hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking. With humor, personal anecdotes, and expert knowledge, the participants vie for the top spot, culminating in a thrilling tie-breaker.

Introduction

Mark Kenyon kicks off the episode by welcoming guests Giannis Clay, Brent, Maggie, Bear, Tony Spencer, and Heather to MeatEater Trivia, emphasizing the show's unique blend of conservation-themed questions and the exciting prize of a $500 donation to a conservation organization chosen by the winners.

Mark Kenyon [00:45]: "This is the only game show where conservation always wins."

He introduces two first-time participants, Bear and Heather, adding an element of freshness to the competition.

Round Breakdown

Round 1: Hunting

Question: In the 2001 cult classic hunting-themed film Escanaba in the Moonlight, what was the name of the character whose Chevy took a hit on the side of M35?

• Heather [04:20]: "I'm ready."
• Bear [05:15]: "I’ll be honest, I’m always at the bottom of the pack."
• Maggie [06:00]: "Must have been Jimmer Nagamini."

Correct Answer: Jimmer Nagamini
Highlight Quote:

Mark Kenyon [07:10]: "It’s a story of true Michigan deer camp and hilarious family dynamics."

Round 2: Biology

Question: What is the name of the famous biologist and author most widely credited with popularizing the term biodiversity?

• Heather [12:30]: "Stephen Rinella?"
• Brent [13:50]: "E.O. Wilson."

Correct Answer: E.O. Wilson
Highlight Quote:

Mark Kenyon [15:00]: "Biophilia means love of life as far as it connects us to nature and wildlife."

Round 3: Fishing

Question: What popular game fish is known to the scientific community by the Latin name Megalops atlanticus?

• Bear [19:00]: "Largemouth bass."
• Tony [20:15]: "Tarpon."

Correct Answer: Tarpon
Highlight Quote:

Tony Spencer [22:45]: "They look like dragons and can weigh over 200 pounds!"

Round 4: Cooking

Question: What is the name of the popular meat pie-like dish uniquely popular in both Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Butte, Montana?

• Maggie [27:30]: "Pasty."

Correct Answer: Pasty
Highlight Quote:

Mark Kenyon [28:50]: "Pasties were the original fast food of copper miners and lumberjacks."

Round 5: Public Lands

Question: What public land agency is responsible for managing our nation's 58.5 million acres of inventoried roadless areas?

• Heather [34:20]: "USDA."
• Brent [35:10]: "U.S. Forest Service."

Correct Answer: U.S. Forest Service
Highlight Quote:

Mark Kenyon [36:00]: "The Roadless Rule conserves backcountry public lands and provides flexibility for active management."

Round 6: Hunting

Question: What was the name of the deer call introduced in the early 2000s that attempted to simulate the sound of deer feeding on hard mast to calm nearby wildlife?

• Yanni [40:50]: "Acorn muncher."

Correct Answer: Acorn Cruncher
Highlight Quote:

Bear [42:15]: "It's a joke among hunters, representing all those high-tech gimmicks."

Round 7: Public Lands

Question: What is the largest national wildlife refuge in the United States?

• Clay [46:30]: "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge."

Correct Answer: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Highlight Quote:

Mark Kenyon [48:00]: "The Arctic Refuge spans nearly 20 million acres, offering a haven for diverse wildlife."

Round 8: Fishing

Question: What is the name of the popular fly casting technique to increase the distance of your cast by utilizing two distinct poles of your fly line?

• Maggie [53:45]: "Double haul."

Correct Answer: Double Haul
Highlight Quote:

Mark Kenyon [55:20]: "The double haul helps store more energy in the rod, shooting fly lines like arrows from a bow."

Round 9: Natural History

Question: What state in the Lower 48 has the most glaciers?

• Clay [60:30]: "Washington."

Correct Answer: Washington
Highlight Quote:

Mark Kenyon [61:45]: "Washington’s Mount Rainier alone hosts 25 glaciers, showcasing the state's icy beauty."

Round 10: Conservation

Question: Name the author who wrote these famous words: "We simply need that wild country available to us even if we'd never do more than drive to its edge and look in for it. Can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures. A part of the geography of hope."

• Maggie [66:15]: "Wallace Stegner."

Correct Answer: Wallace Stegner
Highlight Quote:

Mark Kenyon [68:00]: "Stegner’s 'Wilderness Letter' was pivotal in the creation of the Wilderness Act."

Scoreboard Updates

Throughout the episode, Mark Kenyon provides periodic updates on the scores, adding excitement and tension as the competition progresses. By the final round, participants like Giannis and Maggie are neck and neck, leading to an intense tie-breaker.

Mark Kenyon [75:00]: "We need to wrap it up, folks. Let's get to the final question!"

Tie-Breaker and Conclusion

In the climactic tie-breaker, participants vie for the crown with one last conservation-themed question.

Tie-Breaker Question: How many acres of lawn grass are in the United States of America?

• Maggie [80:30]: "1.5 million."

Correct Answer: Approximately 40 million acres
Highlight Quote:

Mark Kenyon [83:00]: "There are about 40 million acres of lawn in the nation, a prime area for turning native for wildlife."

Despite Maggie's spirited guess, her answer is acknowledged as the closest, securing her victory.

Mark Kenyon [85:15]: "Congratulations, Maggie! You win and will donate $500 to the Wyoming Wildlife Federation."

Final Thoughts

Mark Kenyon wraps up the episode by commending all participants for their knowledge and enthusiasm, highlighting the importance of conservation through engaging trivia. The episode emphasizes the community's dedication to wildlife preservation and sustainable outdoor practices.

Mark Kenyon [88:00]: "Join us next week for more MeatEater Trivia, the only game show where conservation always wins."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Mark Kenyon [00:45]: "This is the only game show where conservation always wins."
2. Mark Kenyon [07:10]: "It’s a story of true Michigan deer camp and hilarious family dynamics."
3. Mark Kenyon [15:00]: "Biophilia means love of life as far as it connects us to nature and wildlife."
4. Tony Spencer [22:45]: "They look like dragons and can weigh over 200 pounds!"
5. Mark Kenyon [28:50]: "Pasties were the original fast food of copper miners and lumberjacks."
6. Mark Kenyon [36:00]: "The Roadless Rule conserves backcountry public lands and provides flexibility for active management."
7. Mark Kenyon [42:15]: "It's a joke among hunters, representing all those high-tech gimmicks."
8. Mark Kenyon [48:00]: "The Arctic Refuge spans nearly 20 million acres, offering a haven for diverse wildlife."
9. Mark Kenyon [55:20]: "The double haul helps store more energy in the rod, shooting fly lines like arrows from a bow."
10. Mark Kenyon [61:45]: "Washington’s Mount Rainier alone hosts 25 glaciers, showcasing the state's icy beauty."
11. Mark Kenyon [68:00]: "Stegner’s 'Wilderness Letter' was pivotal in the creation of the Wilderness Act."
12. Mark Kenyon [83:00]: "There are about 40 million acres of lawn in the nation, a prime area for turning native for wildlife."
13. Mark Kenyon [85:15]: "Congratulations, Maggie! You win and will donate $500 to the Wyoming Wildlife Federation."

Key Insights and Discussions

• Conservation Efforts: The episode underscores the critical role of organizations like the U.S. Forest Service and Trout Unlimited in managing and protecting public lands.

• Cultural Significance of Hunting: Through discussions on Escanaba in the Moonlight and traditional hunting practices, the conversation highlights the deep-rooted cultural connections to hunting in various communities.

• Biodiversity Awareness: By addressing E.O. Wilson's contributions, the guests delve into the importance of biodiversity and the ongoing crisis threatening it.

• Fishing Techniques: The exploration of fly casting techniques like the double haul provides valuable insights for anglers looking to enhance their skills.

• Culinary Traditions: The popularity of pasties in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Montana showcases regional culinary traditions tied to outdoor lifestyles.

Conclusion

MeatEater Trivia CLXXVII offered an engaging blend of questions that not only tested the guests' knowledge but also enriched listeners' understanding of hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking. With Maggie emerging victorious and choosing to support the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, the episode reinforced the podcast's commitment to conservation through community participation and education.

For those who missed the episode, it serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of outdoor activities and the importance of preserving natural habitats for future generations. Join Mark Kenyon and future guests as they continue to celebrate and protect the wild through fun and informative trivia.