The MeatEater Podcast – Episode 836: 2026 MeatEater Trivia Tournament, Round 2

Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Spencer Newharth (with Steven Rinella, Giannis Patelis, Randall Williams, Brody Henderson, Seth Morris, Corey Calkins)

Overview

This episode is the second round of the fourth annual MeatEater Trivia Championship. The stakes are high as returning guests and core members of the MeatEater crew compete in a 30-question trivia showdown covering hunting, fishing, conservation, nature, and wild foods. The humorous, competitive, and irreverent tone balances deep outdoor knowledge with the playful camaraderie of the host and panelists.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tournament Standings and Format (00:14–01:30)

• Spencer recaps the format: scores from round one, competition across three episodes, and a champion crowned after 30 questions.
• Current standings:
  • Corey: 4 pts; Randall: 5; Brody & Seth: 6; Steve & Giannis: 7.
• Banter about squirrel hunts, the Super Bowl, and who is a “true outdoorsman.”

Memorable Quote:

“This event is bigger than the Super Bowl.” – Brody Henderson (00:47)

2. Pre-Trivia Banter and Chair-Switching (01:30–05:24)

• The crew jokes about Giannis hosting a Super Bowl party versus a squirrel hunt and who got invited.
• Steve switches chairs for better reading and answering comfort.

3. Housekeeping & Contesting Last Week’s Answers (04:34–05:24)

• Spencer reviews a prior trivia dispute about "Rick Cord" being an acceptable answer for a firewood measurement.
• Notable institutions (e.g., the Minnesota DNR, National Park Service) call it a "Rick."

4. Trivia Questions & Answers

Q1: % of Americans Eating Game Meat (05:52–09:31)

• 2019 National Shooting Sports Foundation survey: What % of Americans eat game meat at least once/year?
• Choices: 13%, 28%, 43%, 58%
• Correct: 43%
• Panel expresses disbelief; lively debate ensues on plausibility and survey method.
• Quote:

  “I knew it was going to be something wacky because it’s coming from an advocacy group...” – Steve Rinella (09:09)

Q2: Common Spinner Bait Blades (10:44–13:37)

• According to Mike Iaconelli, most common blades are Colorado, Indiana, and what non-state elongated blade?
• Correct: Willow blade
• Discussion about fishing lures, regional preferences, and angling credibility.
• Quote:

  “Willow blades are long and create more flash, which is ideal for clear water...” – Spencer Newharth (13:39)

Q3: Bird Named for Its Call, Mini Canada Goose (14:24–17:24)

• What bird, named for its high-pitched call, looks like a miniature Canada goose?
• Correct: Cackling goose (accepts "cackler")
• Trivia about bird classification changes and relative sizes.
• Quote:

  “Cackling geese used to be considered a subspecies of Canada geese but were split from each other in 2004.” – Spencer Newharth (17:00)

Q4: “Lazarus Species” (Conservation) (17:50–21:03)

• What biblical term describes a species that reappears after being presumed extinct?
• Correct: Lazarus species
• Example: Coelacanth fish; etymology and secondary uses of coelacanth scales.
• Quote:

  “A Judas species would be one that they... tag.” – Spencer Newharth, on alternate biblical names (20:17)

Q5: Mount Shasta’s State (22:14–23:45)

• Where is Mount Shasta, America’s 34th tallest mountain?
• Correct: California
• Includes geography, snowfall records, and national forests.
• Quote:

  “At 14,179 ft, Mount Shasta is the second highest peak in the Cascades and fifth highest in California.” – Spencer Newharth (23:45)

Q6: Floating Six-Letter Rock (25:02–27:42)

• What six-letter, porous rock floats due to trapped gas pockets?
• Correct: Pumice
• Includes off-topic banter about previous trivia tournaments (“Jabroni” trophy).
• Quote:

  “Pumice is a volcanic rock… the trapped gas bubbles are called vesicles, which gives it a density lower than water.” – Spencer Newharth (27:50)

Q7: ATF Firearm Transfer Form Number (28:26–30:53)

• What four-digit form do you fill for the ATF to buy a gun from a dealer?
• Correct: 4473
• Contextual trivia: Hunter Biden’s legal history as an example.
• Quote:

  “Randall got it. It’s a 4473.” – Spencer Newharth (30:53)

Q8: Nine-Letter Wagon on Oregon Trail (32:08–36:20)

• You still see wheel ruts from this nine-letter wagon (curved floor, white canvas) on the Oregon Trail.
• Correct: Conestoga
• Fun facts: Links to “smoking a stogie,” wagon types.
• Quote:

  “Unlike its depiction in the Oregon Trail video game, the Conestoga was used to move freights, not families, across the country.” – Spencer Newharth (36:31)

Scoreboard Update (37:14–38:26)

• Corey: 6, Giannis: 8, Seth: 9, Brody: 10, Randall: 11, Steve: 12

Q9: Conservation Group Named for Angling Author (39:06–42:06)

• The ___ ___ League of America is named after the author of “The Compleat Angler” (1653).
• Correct: Isaac Walton
• Includes background on the group’s history and influence.
• Quote:

  “The Isaac Walton League of America was created… to protect natural resources and encourage outdoor recreation.” – Spencer Newharth (41:14)

Q10: Two Countries With Most Wolves (43:28–45:51)

• Which two countries have the highest wolf populations?
• Correct: Russia and Canada
• Included population numbers and historical range.
• Quote:

  “Russia has 70,000 wolves... Canada has about 55,000, and they occupy 90% of their historic range.” – Spencer Newharth (45:51)

Final Standings for Round 2 (46:41–end)

• Corey: 7 | Seth: 10 | Giannis: 10 | Brody: 11 | Randall: 13 | Steve: 14
• The competition remains close, with Steve and Randall leading as the championship approaches next episode.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “You got to practice some level of discretion about what makes sense or not.”
  – Steve Rinella disputing survey data on wild game meat (09:35)
• “Judas species would be one that they... tag.”
  – Spencer Newharth, riffing on biblical species names (20:17)
• “I feel like Brian Harmon going into like... hole on the Wimbledon.”
  – Steve Rinella joking about his lead, mixing sports metaphors (46:58)
• “Join us next week for round three of the MeatEater Trivia tournament where we will crown a champion.”
  – Spencer Newharth (47:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Tournament standings/format: 00:14–01:30
• Banter about squirrel hunts and Super Bowl: 01:30–05:24
• Discussion on "Rick Cord" answer: 04:34–05:24
• Start of trivia questions: 05:52
• Disbelief & debate on wild game stats: 09:01–09:31
• Cackling goose answer & explanation: 16:28–17:24
• Lazarus species, coelacanth story: 20:06–21:03
• Scoreboard updates: 24:03, 37:14, 46:41
• ATF Form 4473 question & Hunter Biden anecdote: 30:53–31:32
• Discussion about presidential pardons: 31:36–35:30
• Isaac Walton League and conservation efforts: 41:14–42:06
• Wolves, country populations: 44:30–45:51
• Closing banter and next episode tease: 47:10

Tone and Style Highlights

• The conversation is playful, irreverent, and highly informed, reflecting camaraderie and expertise.
• Joking about politics, personal habits, and the quirks of outdoor life keeps the atmosphere lively even in moments of disagreement.
• Technical depth is balanced with accessibility, welcoming both trivia fans and those new to outdoor topics.

Conclusion

Episode 836 delivers a competitive, educational, and entertaining trivia session that blends deep knowledge of outdoor life with spontaneous humor and panel camaraderie. Scores are tight as the championship heads into its final round, setting the stage for the crowning of the next MeatEater Trivia champion.

For avid radio game show fans and outdoor enthusiasts alike, this episode packs facts, banter, laughs, and learning in equal measure—and, per the show's guiding principle, proves that “conservation always wins.”