The MeatEater Podcast Ep. 821: Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CXCIX

Release Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Spencer Newarth
Panelists: Giannis Patelis, Brody Henderson, Randall, Corey, Nate, Logan Williamson

Overview

This episode features a spirited round of "MeatEater Trivia," the long-running, conservation-themed outdoor game show where contestants vie for a $500 donation to the conservation organization of the winner’s choice. Host Spencer Newarth leads the crew and guests—including regulars and staff from First Lite—through a 10-question quiz spanning hunting, fishing, woodsmanship, wildlife, conservation, and cooking. Along the way, the group swaps stories with their signature mix of humor, in-depth outdoor insights, and friendly ribbing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

First Lite at NWTF and Trade Show Banter

• First Lite & NWTF: Logan Williamson’s presence signals First Lite's prepping for the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) convention in Nashville next month (Presidents Day weekend).
  • "You can come see First Lite at NWTF. You can come see Giannis, me, Clay, some of the other crew members." (03:43)
• Owl-Hooting Contest: Team debates reviving a voice-only owl hoot contest at NWTF as opposed to tube calls.
  • “I think bringing back the voice, owl hoot would be a real hit.” (02:25 Giannis)
  • Discussing how calling techniques draw in real owls to the point of distraction.

Live Tour Stories & Regional Outdoor Culture

• Comparisons of owl-hooting skills from past live trivia tours.
• “Once we got into Texas, it just dropped off the cliff. Like those folks, like aren’t—aren’t owl hooters at all.” (05:18 Giannis)

Trivia Rules & Host Grading

• Unique Scoring: Nate proposes the negative 5 to 5 hosting scale, referencing his previous turn at hosting.
  • “I do think we should use negative 5 to 5 for roasts. ...” (06:23 Nate)
• Panel offers candid feedback on each other’s trivia-hosting performances, with much banter.

Correction from Previous Episode

• Spencer addresses a prior quiz dispute about “crop” vs “craw” as a four-letter organ in birds; both are accepted. (09:01 – 09:50)

Featured Trivia Questions (with Answers & Commentary)

1. Boone & Crockett/Pope & Young Record Entries (11:34)

• Q: What's the cost to enter an animal into the Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young record books? ($0, $20, $40, $60)
• A: $40
• Memorable moment: “I never killed one big enough to have to find out.” (10:45 Giannis)
• Discussion on which applicants (official measurers, agencies) are exempt.

2. Landlocked Sockeye Salmon Beer (13:06)

• Q: This salmon shares its name with a Canadian beer.
• A: Kokanee
• Giannis: Reminisces about drinking Kokanee beer at 19: “...put it in the class of... Budweisers and Molson’s...” (13:32)

3. Popular Woodsmanship YouTube Channel (16:11)

• Q: Luke Nichols’ YouTube channel, quitting announcement in May 2025.
• A: Outdoor Boys
• Nickname discussion: “I always get served his content through someone else...” (15:49 Spencer)

4. Alliterative Conservation Term (18:50)

• Q: The maximum number of a species that can sustainably live in a given area (definition).
• A: Carrying capacity
• Wolves in Yellowstone used as a case study: “The number one killer of wolves in Yellowstone National Park? Other wolves. That is correct.” (19:27 Giannis & Spencer)

5. Amphibious Ten-Letter Goby Fish (22:42)

• Q: African/Australian goby that walks and breathes on land.
• A: Mudskipper
• Brody nails a tough question; group reminisces about related fish.

6. Oldest Outdoor Monthly Magazine Acronym F.F.G. (27:00)

• Q: Outdoor magazine since 1925: "Fur, Fish, Game"
• A: Fur Fish Game
• Giannis laments a lost Jack O’Connor book loaned to Steve Rinella:
  • “Never got it back and the salt gave it away.” (25:54)

7. Where Most US Pollock is Harvested (30:05)

• Q: Northernmost Pacific body, between Asia & North America, major pollock source.
• A: Bering Sea/Bering Strait
• All agree, but Nate’s spelling (“Bering Straiac”) draws laughter.

8. Butcher’s Vertical Saw (32:13)

• Q: Vertical saw with endless tooth belt (used in butchering).
• A: Band saw
• Giannis admits: “For a long period of my life, I thought that it was just called a bandsaw.” (32:24)

9. Extinct “Thylacine” Species (36:40)

• Q: Thylacine is another name for this extinct animal.
• A: Tasmanian Tiger
• Randall references the Willem Dafoe film “The Hunter”: (36:45)

10. Tree with Insect Name—Two Types: Black & Honey (39:27)

• Q: What tree is named after an insect, with black and honey varieties?
• A: Locust
• Side discussion on honeysuckle and its invasiveness; closing out Brody’s win.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On tour culture: “I just don’t know if our show attracts the people that can make the best owl hoots.” (04:34 Giannis)
• Band saw safety: “These things, I think, are dangerous. ...You have to sign a waiver before you turn it on, I think.” (31:27 Giannis)
• Dark Trivia Humor: “What’s the number one killer of wolves in Yellowstone National Park? Other wolves.” (19:30 Giannis & Spencer)
• Win gives back: “What are you going to do with your $500 donation? ...We’ll donate to National Wild Turkey Federation.” (40:55 Brody)
• Giannis’s post-game gratitude: "Thanks, Spencer." (41:11)

Key Timestamps

• Trade show plans & live show stories: 00:46 – 05:41
• Host evaluation and feedback: 06:23 – 08:45
• Clarification on 'crop' vs 'craw': 09:01 – 09:50
• Game begins: 10:15
• First half of trivia (questions 1–5): 10:15 – 23:15
• Scoreboard check & color commentary: 23:15 – 23:56
• Second half of trivia (questions 6–10): 25:08 – 40:27
• Final scoreboard & winner's donation: 40:27 – 41:11

Contest/Feature Details

• Contest Format: 10 questions, four outdoor “verticals” (hunting, fishing, conservation, cooking)
• Winning Prize: $500 donated by MeatEater to the winner’s selected conservation group.
• Winner: Brody Henderson – chose National Wild Turkey Federation.

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode’s tone is irreverent, knowledgeable, and highly collegial. Regular guests tease each other over answers (and spelling), reminisce about outdoor lore, and share an authentic passion for hunting, fishing, and ecological stewardship. Good-humored debates about rules and memories of previous events show MeatEater’s mix of expertise, humility, and fun.

Summary prepared for listeners who want every critical highlight without the banter, ads, and intros!