The MeatEater Podcast

Ep. 775: Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CLXXXV

Release Date: October 8, 2025
Host: Spencer Newharth
Notable Participants: Giannis Patelis, Brody, Randall, Seth, Corey, Maggie, Jordan

Overview

This lively installment of MeatEater Trivia pits regulars and special guests against each other in the ultimate outdoors-themed quiz show where "conservation always wins." Hosted with Spencer Newharth’s signature humor and rapid-fire pace, the crew tackles questions spanning hunting, fishing, natural history, conservation, wild foods, gear, and more. This episode also spotlights new MeatEater projects, behind-the-scenes stories, and a record-breaking trivia battle that stretches into double overtime—all in the service of donating to conservation causes.

Episode Structure & Key Segments

1. Intros, Guest Updates, and MeatEater News

00:56 – 08:36

• Guests Introduced:
  Jordan returns, plugging her new true crime outdoor podcast “Blood Trails,” releasing its first full season on October 30th (01:32). The pilot covered the mysterious disappearance of a deer hunter, involving wild theories and “a nun, and John Wayne Gacy potentially.”
  Quote:
  “This is MeatEater’s first foray into true crime. These are stories about hunters, anglers, campers, hikers, public land users, people getting into pretty serious trouble in the outdoors.” — Jordan (01:41)

• Upcoming Food Episode Teased:
  Maggie Hudlow and Brody reminisce about “college kids cooking bear meat” with some sketchy food safety moments and meat thermometers (04:45).

• Mailbag and Show Logistics:
  How listener-submitted trivia questions are used and credited.
  Brody jokes to bypass the backlog by DMing him directly for faster consideration (07:14).

• Live Tour Announcement:
  The crew hypes the upcoming MeatEater Christmas Tour, noting that Fayetteville is already sold out.

2. MeatEater Trivia Game: Questions, Answers & Commentary

08:36 – 42:55

Format:

10 rounds, covering four categories (hunting, fishing, conservation, cooking); everyone plays for a $500 donation to a conservation org chosen by the winner.

Sample Questions & Discussion Highlights:

• Q1 (Hunting):
  Distinguishing a “redhead” from a canvasback, cinnamon teal, ring neck, or goldeneye.
  Answer: Canvasback
  Fun facts on duck ID and fluctuating populations (11:00).
  Quote:
  “Canvas backs are bigger with a longer forehead and red eye; redheads are smaller with a shorter forehead and a yellow eye.” — Spencer (11:40)

• Q2 (Fishing):
  Which outdoor brand launched "Performance Fishing Gear" (PFG) in 1996?
  Answer: Columbia (13:07)
  Host notes Gert Boyle’s original pocketed fishing vest.

• Q3 (Natural History):
  Where does the Iditarod ceremonial race start?
  Answer: Anchorage (16:36)
  Some confusion about the actual finish in Nome.

• Q4 (Cooking):
  Regional terms like taverns, wimpies, steamers, and barbecue refer to which dish?
  Answer: Sloppy Joe (19:15)
  Fun side chat: different regional names and recipes (20:00).

• Q5 (Hunting):
  Seven-letter word for spiral grooves in a gun barrel.
  Answer: Rifling (22:29)
  Goofy banter as Giannis momentarily blanks on the answer.
  Quote:
  “My brain was farting big time on that one.” — Giannis (22:45)

• Q6 (Wildlife | Listener Question):
  Most popular animal tattoo in America, 2022 data.
  Answer: Butterfly (27:36)
  Crew guesses various insects and regional trends, then discusses other trendy animal tats (28:16).

• Q7 (Cooking):
  Clooney line about gopher in which 2000 film?
  Answer: O Brother, Where Art Thou? (32:43)
  Movie trivia fun, Cohen Brothers’ film linked to The Odyssey.

• Q8 (Fishing):
  Type of hook that “sets itself” and reduces gut-hooked fish?
  Answer: Circle hook (35:44)
  J Hooks vs. Circle Hooks discussed.

• Q9 (Gear):
  White Flyer is best known for manufacturing what, labeled “fragile as eggs”?
  Answer: Clay pigeons (39:20)
  Brief history from glass balls to live pigeons.

• Q10 (Conservation):
  How many Gulf Coast states have a national park?
  Answer: Two (42:14)
  Texas and Florida only.

Scoreboard as of End of Game (Before Overtime):

• Tied for 1st: Randall, Brody, Seth (7 points)
• Right behind: Jordan (6 points)
• Other high scorers recognized.

3. Double Overtime Showdown

42:55 – 50:05

• First Tiebreaker:
  What number president was Teddy Roosevelt?
  Correct Answer: 26th (47:01)
  Randall and Brody both guess within three, so it goes to second overtime.

• Second Tiebreaker:
  According to Indeed, what is the average hourly pay for a butcher in 2025?
  Correct Answer: $19.08/hr (49:28)
  Randall wins by edging out Brody’s guess.

4. Conservation Donation & Closing Roundup

50:05 – End

• $500 Donation Chosen:
  Captains for Clean Water
  Reason: “...A great group that works on all kinds of marine fisheries stuff. I think they do a lot with the Everglades and...involves charter boat captains, guides. Folks who are on the water every day and know the issues facing our fisheries better than most.” — Randall (50:47)

• Closing Banter:
  Thanks to guests, inside jokes, and the promise of more trivia next week.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is MeatEater’s first foray into true crime. These are true crime stories about hunters, anglers, campers, hikers, public land users, people getting into pretty serious trouble in the outdoors.” — Jordan (01:41)
• “My brain was farting big time on that one. It just wasn’t happening.” — Giannis (22:45), struggling with “rifling”
• “Clay pigeon shooting replaced glass ball shooting, and glass ball shooting replaced live pigeon shooting.” — Spencer (39:27), connecting modern gear to odd historical origins
• “A third of a gopher would only rouse my appetite without bedding her back down.” — George Clooney (as quoted from O Brother, Where Art Thou?) (31:32)
• “There’s pretty strong overlap between that list and the list of like the most generic 15 animals you’d find in a kid’s coloring book.” — Randall, on the most popular animal tattoos in America (29:21)
• “I’m glad we’re not going to a third overtime because I think by then I will truly have expired.” — Randall, after finally winning (50:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:56 – 08:36: Guest updates, news, and tour announcements
• 08:36 – 42:55: 10-round Trivia game, including category, questions, group answers, and running commentary
• 42:55 – 50:05: Double overtime: presidential trivia + butcher average hourly wage
• 50:05 – 51:18: Conservation donation and closing banter

Takeaways

• This episode exemplifies the playful, informative, and conservation-minded spirit of MeatEater.
• Listeners are treated to outdoor and hunting facts, quirky pop culture, and candid guest chemistry.
• Practical discussion is mixed with humorous asides and regional folklore, giving both trivia fans and outdoors enthusiasts something to chew on.
• The $500 conservation donation is both a prize and a reminder of the show’s broader mission.

For fans and newcomers alike, this episode delivers a fun learning experience that celebrates the quirks and questions of outdoor life, finished with a healthy dose of camaraderie and competition.