The MeatEater Podcast

Episode 770: The Cornell Bear Skinner Speaks Out
Host: Steven Rinella
Guest: Aaron Chin (Cornell University student)
Date: September 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This emergency episode dives into the viral story of Aaron Chin, a student at Cornell University who, along with a friend, legally hunted a black bear and processed it in their campus dorm’s communal kitchen. Steven Rinella unpacks the controversy, exploring not just the facts of the incident but broader themes about student hunting culture, public perceptions of hunting, and the challenges and rewards of living as a hunter at an Ivy League school.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Story Behind the “Cornell Bear Skinning” Incident

• Media Frenzy: The episode opens with Rinella listing headlines and describing how the story “blew up everywhere,” with coverage from NBC, People.com, Reddit, and more.
  • “It was one of those things that everybody sends me—the article about the two kids at Cornell who were in trouble (or not) for having dared…process it in a communal space on campus.” (03:35)
• Facts vs. Rumors: Aaron clarifies the facts (approximate bear weight: 150 lbs, not 120) and dispels rumors (it was not a cub, it was not illegal, etc.).

2. Aaron Chin's Hunting Background

• Late Start and Motivation: Growing up in San Diego without a family hunting tradition, Aaron’s curiosity was ignited by bushcraft manuals and survival TV.
  • “I started shooting archery… thinking like, early middle school… shot Olympic archery for the longest time…” (04:08)
• College Choice: He chose Cornell partly for its proximity to the woods and student hunting opportunities, aiming to gain the hunting experience he’d lacked.

3. Planning and Execution of the Hunt

• E-Scouting & Preparation:
  • Used NY DEC bear harvest reports, picked nearby state forests, scouted for bear sign, and chose a spot based on natural food sources and water features.
    • “A lot of research, a lot of e-scouting…looking at the regions with the highest bears reported…closest to the university…” (07:28)
• The Hunt:
  • First day of legal season, still-hunting after finding fresh bear sign; successful shot by Aaron’s buddy.
    • “We heard scratching…in a pine grove…my buddy, his eyes go full killer…he pops off a shot and we…he gets it.” (09:17–10:29)
  • Recovery was quick (40-yd shot, .308 caliber).

4. Processing the Bear on Campus

• Plan B Decision: Originally planned to process off-campus, but used the dorm kitchen due to a scheduling conflict and urgency to cool the meat.
  • “Our one place was gone, so might as well do it there…10 o’clock in the morning…” (11:17)
• The Scene:
  • Few people present, mostly curious rather than upset; open, modern kitchen with concrete floors; took precautions to keep things clean and respectful.
    • “We were really diligent…clean up…bleach, Lysol wipes…public image, no blastin’ heavy metal…” (13:51)
• Aftermath:
  • Stored meat temporarily in a communal freezer, clearly labeled.

5. Viral Outrage and Official Response

• Social Media and Local News:
  • Story broke on local scanner/Facebook groups and quickly spread online.
    • “I’m shopping…someone sends me a screenshot of the page…‘cupd is there’…” (17:01)
• Initial Reactions:
  • Pictures surfaced on College “side chat” apps; rumors and misinformation spread.
    • “People started circulating pictures…keyboard warriors…overnight became a huge sensation.” (18:37)
• Law Enforcement Interaction:
  • Police contacted Aaron to confirm facts; officers were generally supportive, understood the legality.
    • “They’re like, hey, you did nothing wrong, but we just wanted to hear.” (19:19)

6. University and Community Responses

• Administration: No disciplinary action, only an offer of student support for stress.
  • “University didn’t…no one said anything…we didn’t do anything wrong.” (21:16)
• Cornell Contacts: The show’s producer found unanimous support and even pride from faculty.
• Broad Support: Outside of “keyboard warriors,” Aaron reports surprising real-world support—“people opened their doors” to future processing, faculty advocated on his behalf.

7. Reflection and Lessons Learned

• Would He Do It Again?:
  • Aaron affirms he would not use the dorm kitchen again, but due to practical alternatives, not regret or fear.
    • “Oh, hell no…people reached out…now I got better options…for the most part, people in the real world have been pretty, pretty supportive.” (23:02)
• Broader Takeaways:
  • Glad for how they handled themselves and the educational effect of the story; would be “more prepped for the worst” next time.
    • “No regrets for what we did…were very considerate of etiquette…definitely, if we probably do it in the woods next time.” (24:48)

8. Host’s Final Thoughts

• Praise for Initiative:
  • Rinella celebrates Aaron’s research, initiative, and willingness to ignore naysayers and actually get out hunting as a student.
    • “What I like about it is…you go out and you had success. That’s cool. Love to see it, man. Good American hunting. Elbow grease, dude.” (25:26)
• Closing: Thanking Aaron, wishing him well, and labeling him an “American hero” in a tongue-in-cheek, approving manner.
  • “I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say you’re an American hero.” (26:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It was one of those things that everybody sends me—the article about the two kids at Cornell who were in trouble (or not) for having dared kill a bear and process it in a communal space on campus.” — Steven Rinella (03:35)
• “I saw a recipe somewhere…like, black bear pastrami…that sounds delicious. I mean, I love a good pastrami on rye.” — Aaron Chin (06:36)
• “We thought we’d get, you know, yelled at by an RA maybe, but we didn’t expect it to blow up to the extent of which it did.” — Aaron Chin (12:56)
• “We were really diligent in reading all of the rules…made sure we did everything by the book, because we knew…we were going to be under scrutiny.” — Aaron Chin (13:51)
• “The university didn’t…no one said anything. I mean, we…we didn’t do anything wrong.” – Aaron Chin (21:16)
• “For the most part, people in the real world have been pretty, pretty supportive.” – Aaron Chin (23:58)
• “Oh, hell no…now I got better options…for the most part, people in the real world have been pretty, pretty supportive.” — Aaron Chin (23:02)
• “I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say you’re an American hero.” — Steven Rinella (26:34)

Timestamped Highlighted Segments

• 03:35 – Overview of the news story and initial media coverage.
• 04:08 – Aaron’s background and origins as a hunter.
• 07:28 – How Aaron and his partner scouted and selected their hunt location.
• 09:17 – Account of the successful bear hunt.
• 11:17 – Decision to process the bear in the dorm kitchen.
• 13:51 – Precautions taken and consideration for communal space.
• 17:01 – How Aaron found out police were looking into the bear processing incident.
• 18:37 – The viral spread on campus social media.
• 19:19 – Positive and professional police response.
• 21:16 – University’s lack of disciplinary action and administrative support.
• 23:02 – Aaron’s reflections on whether he would process game in the dorm kitchen again.
• 24:48 – Aaron’s balanced perspective on lessons learned.
• 25:26 – Host praise for student initiative and hunting success.
• 26:34 – Steven Rinella’s “American hero” moment.

Episode Tone & Style

The episode is conversational, irreverent, and good-humored, with both host and guest displaying self-awareness, humility, and curiosity. Rinella’s approach is supportive and celebratory of initiative, while Chin is candid about both the stress and the joys of being the “Cornell bear skinner.” The tone shifts from lighthearted disbelief at the news coverage to thoughtful reflection on personal responsibility and community.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking the full story and context behind the Cornell bear skinning saga, highlighting both the lesson and celebration at its core.