Podcast Summary

Podcast: The MeatEater Podcast
Episode: Ep. 813: Stolen Elk and the Best Fishing Lures of All Time | MeatEater Radio (Not) Live!
Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Steven Rinella’s crew: Spencer, Max, Corey, Mark Kenyon, Phil
Key Guests: David Fabian (Guns & Ammo), Mark Kenyon (Wired to Hunt)

Overview

This episode is a lively, story-driven roundtable covering wild outdoor mishaps, memorable hunts, gear talk, listener Q&A, and the ultimate fishing lures. The focal point is a jaw-dropping account of trophy elk theft on Wyoming public land, told first-hand by outdoor editor David Fabian. Woven through are top-3 lists from the hosts, excellent practical advice for hunters and anglers, and plenty of classic MeatEater ribbing and laughs.

Major Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Christmas Accidents & Embarrassment (02:03–05:42)

• Corey shares a humorous but painful story about getting a concussion by throwing a rock at a frisbee stuck in a tree, only for the rock to bounce back and hit his face.
  • “The rock didn’t knock it down. And it was a hell of a throw, too.” – Corey (05:09)
• The gang teases Corey for opting for honesty about how he got injured, rather than making up a more heroic tale.

2. Stolen Elk Saga: Interview with David Fabian

(The main feature; timestamps 05:43–21:36)

The Setup (06:01–08:06)

• Fabian and friends accessed a landlocked Wyoming public parcel via helicopter—"You can't walk there," only aerial access or private connections.
  • “We could look back in the distance… but yeah, can't walk there.” – Fabian (06:24)
• It took years and over two dozen calls to find a pilot willing to fly them in.

The Hunt & the Theft (08:06–11:46)

• After a successful elk hunt (doubled up on mature bulls), events take a wild turn:
• While returning to the kill site, they spot a rancher walking across the flats with an elk rack.
  • “Holy cow, could we really be witnessing an elk theft…from a rancher who obviously came on private across private ground.” – Fabian (09:12)
• Recognizing the unique antlers as one their group shot, Fabian describes a gut-sinking realization.

Confrontation in the Brush (11:46–15:04)

• Fabian and his friend catch up to the rancher, who is hiding in brush, initially denying everything and refusing to identify himself.
  • “He finally came out. And it’s a 70-year-old dude and I’m just like, my mind is blown…” – Fabian (12:07)
• Fabian starts recording with his phone for evidence.

Denial & Bizarre Resolution (15:04–16:12)

• Despite initial denials, the rancher admits he took the antlers because “he didn’t want us hunting on this outfit,” referring to the public land he’s had to himself for decades.
• The rancher offers Fabian’s team help getting the antlers out of the steep drainage—“a little bit of redemption on his behalf.” (15:52)

Aftermath: Law Enforcement & Stakes (16:12–21:36)

• Fabian immediately calls the game warden, who is astonished and begins investigation.
• Potential charges exceed hunter harassment due to the documented theft.
  • “This goes way beyond that. So I’m going to open the local sheriff’s office and they’re gonna do an investigation…” – Game warden, quoted by Fabian (17:22)
• Fabian shares stories of repeated landowner hostility toward public land access, including threats and land sabotage.
  • “In their minds it is their land. They don’t have the deeded rights…but they genuinely do feel…it is their land.” – Fabian (18:32)
• The story is emblematic of larger access and etiquette conflicts in the American West.
  • “The part that scares me the most…if this guy gets off with a slap on the wrist that it’s gonna put future flying hunters in danger.” – Fabian (17:59)

Notable Quote:
“I was relieved that we got the elk head back, and I was relieved that we didn’t get shot. Truthfully, that was my biggest fear in the whole thing.” – David Fabian (15:06)

3. Quick Listener Q&A: Waterfowl Cooking, Gear, and Game Memories (24:18–34:10)

• Duck Cooking: Simple "steak-style" duck and goose, skin-on if possible. Phil highlights one of the best cooked waterfowl moments as a side-by-side with mallard and coot (25:26).
• How to Wash Merino Wool: Use gentle, specialized detergent, cold cycle, low or air drying (26:05).
• Favorite Gear Under $50: Hand warmers and toe warmers, aftermarket boot insoles, neck gaiters/buffs—all highlighted for their massive comfort impact vs. cost (27:49).

Memorable Moment:
“You can get a $500 coat or you can get a $1 hand warmer... and it’ll really keep you out there longer.” – Spencer (27:21)

• Phil’s Favorite Episodes: Author interviews, nautical disaster episodes, and special field episodes (31:00).

4. Top Three Lists Frenzy (35:46–54:56)

Corey: Top 3 Outdoor Adventures (36:19)

1. Texas aoudad hunt with Corinne—“being able to explore this super rugged, dry, arid country…staring into Mexico” (37:01)
2. Family drift boat camping trips—“fish all day, pull into a beach wherever you want” (38:44)
3. Secret Montana creek trip with son, culminating in a giant cutthroat caught by his boy (40:13)

Max: Top 3 Duck Hunting Accessories (41:19)

1. Jerk rig – for water motion (41:31)
2. Game tote – keeps ducks separated and helps with legal clarity and photo ops (42:45)
3. Neck gaiter – warmth and concealment (43:52)

Spencer: Top 3 Fishing Lures Ever (44:26)

1. Johnson Beetle Spin – ultimate panfish lure; caught a huge flathead on it (45:11)
2. Rapala Shad Rap – versatile, reliable crankbait (45:34)
3. Strike King KVD Sexy Frog – favorite for topwater bass (46:22)

Pro tip:
“Take scissors and cut off a half inch of that hula skirt, add a trailer hook—you’ll get better hook sets.” – Spencer (47:24)

Phil: Top 3 Office Tiki Mugs (49:14)

• With honorable mentions, including a Star Wars Ewok-themed mug from Disney parks.

5. Mark Kenyon’s Top 5 Books for Whitetail Hunters (55:56–63:32)

1. A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold – “equivalent of the Bible” for conservation-minded hunters (62:24)
2. Whitetail Access by Chris Eberhart – DIY hunting adventure via minivan across multiple states
3. Whitetail Nation by Pete Bodo – blend of personal journey and whitetail culture history
4. A Hunter’s Heart (ed. by David Peterson) – collection of essays on the philosophy of hunting
5. Mapping Trophy Bucks by Brad Herndon – foundational, visual-heavy text on topography and deer movement

Memorable Quote:
“There are some who can live without wild things and some who cannot. These essays are the delights and dilemmas of one who cannot.” – Aldo Leopold, read by Mark Kenyon (62:24)

6. More Listener Questions: Wild Game Pairings, Best Bites, Gear Wishes, Game Strategies (63:42–75:59)

• Wine with Wild Game: The panel pokes fun at themselves for having limited opinions, suggesting red wine, Malbecs, or just using ChatGPT for recommendations (64:29).
• Best wild game Phil’s eaten: Michael Hunter’s elk tenderloin with huckleberry demi-glace – “melted in my mouth” (65:38).
• Outdoors gear wish lists: Wall tent, more decoys, “a lot of land” (67:10).
• Favorite fossil hunting states: Any state with ample BLM land—Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming (68:54).
• Hunting/Fishing Video Games: Phil touches on The Hunter: Call of the Wild and expresses interest in chill fishing games like Cast and Chill (69:03).
• Exotic Deer/Elk/Waterfowl Strategies for New Ground: Always have multiple backup plans; for deer start with food sources, for waterfowl start with water and weather, for elk prioritize boots-on-the-ground scouting days (72:46–74:59).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Lines (with Timestamps)

• “Holy cow, could we really be witnessing an elk theft in the process…from a rancher who obviously came on private across private ground.”
  – David Fabian (09:12)

• “I was relieved that we got the elk head back, and I was relieved that we didn’t get shot. Truthfully, that was my biggest fear in the whole thing.”
  – David Fabian (15:06)

• “In their minds it is their land. They don’t have deeded rights…but they genuinely do feel…it is their land.”
  – David Fabian (18:32)

• “You can get a $500 coat or you can get a $1 hand warmer... and it’ll really keep you out there longer.”
  – Spencer (27:21)

• “If you care about wildlife and wild things, this is a book that just has to be on your bookshelf.”
  – Mark Kenyon on A Sand County Almanac (63:32)

• “Lots of agates and petrified wood. Still don't have quite the eye for it…even though I have found the biggest agate I've ever seen.”
  – Corey, on Montana river camping (38:33)

Tone & Style

The episode balances pragmatic backcountry advice with storytelling and affectionate ragging among the hosts. It’s full of vivid, detailed anecdotes, practical outdoor wisdom, and the wry, self-aware humor MeatEater fans love.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Christmas mishaps, concussion story: 02:03–05:42
• David Fabian's elk theft saga: 05:43–21:36
• Listener Q&A, gear under $50 and food tips: 24:18–34:10
• Top-3 lists (adventures, accessories, lures, mugs): 35:46–54:56
• Mark Kenyon’s top 5 whitetail books: 55:56–63:32
• Final listener Q&A (wine, best bites, gear, game plans): 63:42–75:59

Takeaways for Listeners

• Even ultra-remote public land is no guarantee of a drama-free hunt—access battles and entitlement run deep.
• Recording confrontations can be critical for protecting your rights and covering your bases.
• Sometimes the best hunting and fishing tips are the simplest—hand warmers, basic lures, practical gear.
• The community's collective knowledge (and humor) shines through—whether sharing favorite books, recipes, or stories of hard-won success.
• If you want more detail, check out David Fabian’s article: “A landowner stole our trophy elk” on Peterson’s Hunting.

For further inspiration, laughs, and real-world outdoor lessons, this episode offers plenty—topped by the jaw-dropping tale of the stolen Wyoming elk.