The MeatEater Podcast

Episode 819: $0 Tax Stamps and Mr. Bear Grease Himself | MeatEater Radio Live!

Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Randall Williams (MeatEater)
Key Guests: Brandon Maddox (Silencer Central), Clay Newcombe ("Bear Grease" podcast, outdoorsman), Corey Calkins, Seth Morris, Phil

Episode Overview

In this energetic live episode of MeatEater Radio, Randall Williams and co-hosts gather at MeatEater HQ in Bozeman for a new year of hunting, fishing, and conservation conversation. The show features a landmark discussion with Brandon Maddox of Silencer Central on the elimination of the $200 suppressor tax stamp, a catching-up session with storytelling legend Clay Newcombe about his incredible late-season whitetail, tips from the audience, and a rowdy round of "Price is Right"—all laced with humor, practical advice, and classic MeatEater camaraderie.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Season Kickoff and Outdoor Updates [00:30–06:15]

• Banter and camaraderie set the stage for the new year.
• Hosts share holiday hunting stories:
  • Seth takes advantage of the deer season extension in Montana due to EHD outbreak, fills the freezer, and endures the “mean” mood of the local ice fishing Facebook groups.
  • Corey recovers from a black eye, laments the dreary, dry winter ("Skiing's piss poor... pretty sad." – [03:28] Corey).
  • General gripes about warm, muddy conditions and poor fishing and skiing.
• Upcoming trip to Texas:
  • Corey and Seth detail plans for bobcat and hog hunts with special guest Kevin Murphy, “the world’s greatest small game hunter.” ([05:01])
  • Bobcat calling in South Texas brush ("Last time, called in 14 coyotes in one stand and bobcats 50% of the time." – [05:18] Seth)
• Football tangents and regional pride about football and bobcats.

2. Interview: Brandon Maddox, CEO, Silencer Central [06:15–17:59]

$0 Tax Stamp on Suppressors: What This Means

• Big News: As of Jan 1, 2026, the $200 ATF tax stamp for suppressor purchases is eliminated.

  • “Of course, the laws change where there’s no tax stamp anymore, so it’s cheaper to get a suppressor.” – [07:05] Brandon Maddox
  • “All the suppressors out there are now $200 cheaper in terms of the end user out of pocket.” – [08:41] Randall

• Process — How Silencer Central Streamlines Suppressor Ownership:

  • Must pass background check, provide fingerprints/photos (1934 law).
  • All paperwork is digital; suppressor is shipped directly to your door if legal in your state (42 states eligible).
  • "It’s a fully automated process through Silencer Central from beginning to end." – [07:05] Brandon
  • Drastic wait time reductions: from 13–14 months to only a few days in some cases ([10:45]).

• Demand & ATF Backlog:

  • Demand for suppressors has increased 3 to 4 times overnight.
  • ATF's digital infrastructure is struggling with the surge:
    • "Their computer system probably hasn't been able to handle the volume... Sometimes we're submitting your info 25, 26 times." – [09:39] Brandon

• Advice for First-Time Buyers:

  • Consider dedicated cans (tailored to your most-used firearm) over trying to buy a “do-all” suppressor.
    • “You'll find it to be so effective, it's easier to open your wallet to buy further later.” – [12:34] Brandon
  • The “just buy one and you’ll end up with more” axiom is validated by experience ([13:36], [13:49]).

• Cultural and Practical Benefits:

  • Suppressors transform shooting/hunting for families, range time, and especially for hearing protection ([15:00] Randall quoting Will Primos: “Protect your hearing.”).
  • Brandon shares: “100% of the time, once they bought one, they said, 'I’ll never shoot a rifle or handgun again without a suppressor.'” – [14:23]

• Upcoming for Silencer Central:

  • New, lighter titanium models.
  • Software tools so more dealers can easily handle suppressors.
  • Expanded services: barrel threading, SBR applications.
  • Improving efficiency, even for repeat customers: “If they go through the process with us again, they’re gonna see... smoother and quicker.” – [17:01] Brandon

3. Hot Tip Off: Ice Safety & Skull Cleaning Tips [19:18–26:12]

Contestants: John Mertz vs. John Foley

• John Mertz's Ice Measuring Tip [21:07]:

  • Mark chisels at 4”, 8”, and 12” with white tape to check ice thickness on the go.
  • “Just because it’s four inches here does not mean it’s four inches out there. Keep checking as you go and stay safe out there.”

• John Foley's Skull Cleaning Hack [22:22]:

  • Remove brain matter from skulls using a $10 Harbor Freight air chuck and an airline.
  • Quick blast of air cleans the cavity instantly into a bucket. “Cleaned it out perfectly... My pup is excited because he’ll probably lick up the extra stuff.” – [23:35] John Foley
  • Result: Chat decisively votes Foley’s no-mess method the winner (91%).

• In-Studio Reactions:

  • “That was good… Both good, but that’s a tough one to beat.” – [25:55] Corey
  • Lively banter about other methods (stick, tent stake in drill, boiling).

4. Listener Q&A & Community Banter [27:39–35:18]

• Zeroing Problems:

  • Systematic approach to a gun that won’t hold zero (check scope, mounts, bedding, try different ammo).
  • “Life’s too short to shoot an inaccurate rifle.” – [29:24] Randall

• Fleshing Beam Construction:

  • Use half-log siding; simply sand/smooth. Becomes self-greasing after use.

• Store Inventory and Gnome T-shirts:

  • “When we make something like the gnome T-shirts, it’s kind of a collectory thing…” – [33:01] Corey

• Historical Color Phase Animals:

  • No records found of color phase animals in long hunter accounts; rare in east.

• Guide vs. DIY for Elk:

  • Guides offer a huge learning curve lift if new; drop camps less recommended than full DIY or full guide.
  • “There’s a beauty in figuring it out yourself, but you’re going to make a lot of failures.” – [34:51] Corey

5. Clay Newcombe: Buck of a Lifetime and Tour Recap [36:28–49:19]

• Tour Reflections:

  • Clay and Randall reminisce about the MeatEater live tour, connecting with fans, musical gigs with Evan Felker, Reed Bargainer, and the crew.

• Big Buck Story:

  • Christmas Day, “Jiminy Christmas” buck appears; becomes Clay’s new obsession in Oklahoma.
  • “Within seconds I was texting it… gagging over this deer… the biggest deer I’ve seen on camera in a long, long time.” – [43:41] Clay
  • Four and a half days of sporadic patterning leads to success on January 4th.
  • Notable Details:
    • 14.5” wide, 14 6/8” G2 tine (“Very few deer have a tine over 14 inches.”)
    • Bow-killed at 22 yards.
    • “I still can’t believe I killed that deer. I’m still on cloud nine.” – [45:34] Clay
  • Solo tent camping adds to the adventure.

• Family Success:

  • Son Bear killed a once-in-a-lifetime buck (154”) in Arkansas.
  • “Couldn’t let him stay on top for long, you know?” – [47:58] Clay

6. The Price is Right: (Outdoorsman Edition) [50:24–59:05]

• “Deer Scrotum Christmas Ornaments” ($30 actual)
• Four-gallon case of Doc’s Catfish Dip Bait ($187)
• Portable Teemu heating hunting seat ($18.40)
• “Deck the halls with buck balls…”, “Waste nut want nut” — hosts crack up at outrageous product descriptions and wild guesses.
• Corey Calkins dominates the game.

7. More Q&A, MeatEater Book Club, and Lively Wrap Up [59:29–end]

• Buffalo Cooking: “Short answer is everything… treat it like the closest thing to beef you get from wild game.” – [60:35] Randall

• Book Recommendations:

  • “Breaks of the Game” (Halberstam, NBA history),
  • "Ends of the Earth" (Neil Shubin, polar research),
  • "Only God Can Judge Me" (Jeff Perlman, Tupac),
  • "Lewis and Clark: Pioneering Naturalists",
  • "Plainsmen of the Yellowstone",
  • "The Will of the Many" (James Islington, fantasy).

• Barbecue Sauce Preferences:

  • Phil: “Vinegar-forward all the way.”
  • Randall: “Alabama white BBQ is not an everyday thing.”

• Video Game Talk:

  • Randall’s back in his “Zelda phase,” Phil on Baldur’s Gate 3—a touch of MeatEater nerd life.

• Warm closing: “We love you, we appreciate you. Happy New Year!” ([66:35] Randall)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s a fully automated process through Silencer Central from beginning to end.” – [07:05] Brandon Maddox
• “Once you own a can, you’re hooked. It’s a totally different experience.” – [13:36] Randall Williams
• “Just one quick blast of air and that’s it. Cleaned it out perfectly. My pup is excited because he’ll probably lick up the extra stuff.” – [23:38] John Foley (Hot Tip Off winner)
• "Life’s too short to shoot an inaccurate rifle.” – [29:24] Randall Williams
• “I still can’t believe I killed that deer. I’m still on cloud nine.” – [45:34] Clay Newcombe (on his “Jiminy Christmas” buck)
• "Deck the halls with buck balls." – [52:13] Seth Morris

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Season/Holiday catch-up, ice fishing woes: 00:30–06:15
• Texas hunt plans & Kevin Murphy: 04:44–06:12
• Suppressor law changes (Silencer Central interview): 06:15–17:59
• Hot Tip Off—ice safety & skull cleaning: 19:18–26:12
• Listener Q&A—zeroing issues, gear, historical animals: 27:37–36:28
• Clay Newcombe interview—big buck, tour stories: 36:54–49:19
• The Price is Right (outdoorsman edition): 50:23–59:05
• Q&A: buffalo recipes, books, video games: 59:29–66:31

Tone & Typical MeatEater Style

Irreverent, friendly, insightful—with a heavy dose of outdoor expertise, dry wit, camaraderie, and appreciation for audience interaction and curiosity.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is a perfect mix of hard news every hunter should know (goodbye $200 suppressor tax!), classic MeatEater storytelling (Clay's “Jiminy Christmas” buck), and down-to-earth hunting, fishing, and gear advice. You'll laugh, learn, and feel right at home—don’t miss John Foley’s riotously effective skull-cleaning trick, the rowdy “Price is Right,” or Clay’s infectious storytelling. It’s outdoors culture at its finest, in all its goofy, knowledgeable, and heartfelt glory.