The MeatEater Podcast: Ep. 761 – Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CLXXXI (September 10, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of The MeatEater Podcast, host Spencer Newarth leads the team through another round of MeatEater Trivia, a 10-question quiz show covering the outdoors: hunting, fishing, conservation, and wild foods. The group is full of humor and off-beat banter, with questions ranging from wildlife facts to outdoor gear and pop culture references. The winner receives a $500 donation to the conservation organization of their choice.

Featured Participants:

• Spencer Newarth (Host)
• Giannis “Yanni” Putelis
• Brody Henderson
• Randall
• Seth
• Corey
• Logan
• Phil (Engineer, Scorekeeper)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Banter (01:25–05:44)

• Spencer introduces the trivia format and areas covered: “hunting, fishing, conservation and cooking.”
• Previous episode was notably competitive, with a rare overtime perfect game.
• Group jokes about the odds of trivia results compared to real-life probabilities (e.g., IRS audits).
• Lighthearted tax talk: Giannis contemplates hiring a CPA due to increasingly complex finances, launching jokes about writing off ammo and turkey calls.

“I am, for the first time ever this upcoming year, going to pay a legit CPA to do all my stuff, because it's getting complicated.” – Giannis (03:13)

Trivia Game Begins

Question 1 (Conservation) [06:14]

• Q: Which of these states does NOT have pika: Washington, Arizona, Utah, or Oregon?
• A: Arizona
• Discussion:
  • Pika are sensitive to climate change and found in cold climates.
  • “They can die from heat exposure when temps rise above 78 degrees.” – Spencer (07:12)
  • Group shares sightings and trivia about pika range.

Question 2 (Hunting) [08:48]

• Q: What does the archery acronym “FOC” stand for?
• A: Front Of Center
• Debate: Some contestants argue for “Forward Of Center”.
• Resolution: Both answers eventually awarded after group consults archery forums and magazines.

“FOC or front of center describes the percentage of the arrow's total weight that is located in the front half. In general, high FOC means your arrow will fly with good stability…” – Spencer (10:47)

Question 3 (Gear) [12:28]

• Q: This sporting goods store with an educational name has over 1/3 of its 301 locations in Texas.
• A: Academy
• Discussion: Speculation about other answers, playful commentary about gear.

Question 4 (Wildlife) [14:39]

• Q: 12-letter word: A technique bats & dolphins use to locate objects with sound wave reflection.
• A: Echolocation
• Interlude: More ribbing and phone-use accusations as contestants discuss terminology minutiae.

Question 5 (Fish) [18:44]

• Q: Name 3 continents brown trout are native to.
• A: Europe, Asia, Africa
• Discussion:
  • Surprise that brown trout aren't native to North America.
  • Banter about what defines "native" species and fish introduction in the US.

“Why the hell do we care so much about them here?... Because most predatory of all species of trout.” – Giannis & Spencer (23:35)

Trivia Game (Continued)

Scoreboard Update [24:26]

• Randall, Brody, and Giannis in the lead with 5/5 after a controversial scoring decision on FOC.

Question 6 (Wildlife) [26:16]

• Q: This squid is the world's heaviest invertebrate and has the world's biggest eyeball.
• A: Colossal Squid
• No one gets it correct.
• Fun Fact: Its eyeball can be as large as a soccer ball. (“10 inches in diameter.”)

Question 7 (Gear) [29:03]

• Q: What is a tarp cut in the shape of your tent floor called?
• A: Footprint
• Group consensus; all get it right.

Question 8 (Hunting/Dogs) [30:49]

• Q: The _____ _____ Duck Tolling Retriever is the smallest AKC retriever.
• A: Nova Scotia
• No one gets it right.
• Discussion: Jokes about increasingly rare hunting dog breeds gaining popularity.

Question 9 (Cooking/Film) [34:09]

• Q: A Mayan warrior is tricked into eating tapir testicles in the opening scene of this 2006 Mel Gibson film.
• A: Apocalypto
• Discussion:
  • Debate on the film’s merits, its all-subtitled presentation, and Mel Gibson’s controversial era.
  • “Hard to say I love it, but this is the era Mel Gibson really went off the rails as a public persona.” – Randall (35:52)

Scoreboard Before Final Question [37:12]

• A three-way tie between Randall, Giannis, and Brody.

Question 10 (Ecology) [37:18]

• Q: Name two of the five states producing the most sunflowers in 2024.
• A: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, California
• No leader gets both correct.
• Tiebreaker triggered.

Overtime/Tiebreaker (Public Lands) [39:19]

• Q: What year was Mount Rushmore finished?
• A: 1941
• Winner: Brody (closest with 1951)
• Fun Fact: "The project was supposed to include a Hall of Records… plans were canceled after the sculptor died and WWII began." (42:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You should start a conservation org.” – Spencer, after wry debate on fish nativity (24:03)
• On colossal squid: “I don’t like that question. I don’t like knowing that exists.” – Randall (28:57)
• “If you fight hard enough, anything’s possible in a ten-question game.” – Corey (24:45)
• “They can die from heat exposure when temps rise above 78 degrees.” – Spencer (07:12)
• On the trivia rivalry: “Been a tough second [half]... someone’s going to falter here.” – Spencer (33:52)
• On Mel Gibson & Apocalypto: “Hard to say I love it, but… this is the era Mel Gibson really went off the rails as a public persona.” – Randall (35:52)

Donations & Conservation Focus

• Winner’s Charity: Brody selects the Montana Vet Program (“trips down the Smith River with veterans… campsite cleanup and river bank stabilization”—43:04).
• Prize: $500 donated, fulfilling the show’s recurring theme: “Where conservation always wins.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening Banter and Rules: 01:25–05:44
• Question 1 (Pika Distribution): 06:14
• Question 2 (FOC in Archery): 08:48
• Question 4 (Echolocation): 14:39
• Question 5 (Brown Trout Distribution): 18:44
• Scoreboard Update: 24:26
• Question 6 (Colossal Squid): 26:16
• Question 9 (Apocalypto): 34:09
• Final Question and Tiebreaker: 37:18–41:31
• Winner Announcement & Donation: 42:39–43:30

Episode Tone & Atmosphere

The episode features the playful, energetic chemistry characteristic of MeatEater’s regulars. Even as debates over technical terminology get heated (e.g., “front of center” vs. “forward of center”), the humor and camaraderie keep things grounded. The competitive spirit and love of the outdoors shine, punctuated by jokes, personal stories, and gentle ribbing rooted in deep expertise.

Summary by The MeatEater Podcast Summarizer.