The MeatEater Podcast

Ep. 842: "12 in '26" – Jani's Hunt for a Manitoba Giant

Host: Giannis "Yanni" Patelis (with Corey, Phil, and guest Craig McCarthy)
Date: March 3, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, the hosts dive deep into Giannis Patelis' first experience hunting black bears over bait in Manitoba, Canada—a hunt documented for the “12 in ‘26” film series. The conversation unpacks both the practicalities and controversies of baited bear hunting in Canada, discusses ethical debates, reviews gear and tactics, and addresses listener questions about hunting methods, bear behavior, meat quality, and personal reflections. The discussion is factual, candid, humorous, and loaded with insights for both experienced hunters and the bear-curious.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Manitoba Bear Hunt

[03:04]

• Yanni clarifies this podcast is a companion to the new “12 in ‘26” hunt and fish video series.
• Sets the stage for the Q&A format focusing on burning viewer questions, especially surrounding baited bear hunting.

2. The Baited Bear Hunt Controversy

[05:07–10:04]

• The crew reads both negative and positive listener comments about baiting, highlighting the ethics debate.
• Sample Negative Takes:
  • "This is not hunting. This is just killing.” – MarkMcMurphy9507 [06:11]
  • "If you can't hunt it fairly, don't hunt at all.” – Christopher O Dash K2 [06:36]
• Sample Positive Takes:
  • "It's population control…baiting can be part of wildlife management.” – strugglebusoperator [07:24]
  • "Birds use bait in the animal world, it’s not just humans." – some random gamer1260 [08:07]
• Yanni reflects on his own limited experience with baited hunts and recognizes the unique aspects and ease, but also values them as viable, ethical, and educational.

3. Is Baiting Bears Different from Baiting Deer?

[12:34–14:44]

• Yanni acknowledges "consternation" about being comfortable with bear baiting but uncomfortable with deer baiting due to its influence on animal movements.
• Compares sitting over a cornfield for deer (legal) to sitting over a bear bait, drawing parallels in ease and ethical judgment.

4. Manitoba Bear Habitat & Hunt Timing

[16:57–21:55]

• Manitoba has vast, ideal bear habitat: a mosaic of aspen--bur oak forest and agricultural fields.
• Hunt timing is dictated by the June bear rut; mature boars’ hides stay better, as opposed to rubbed younger bears.
• Most hunts happen just after farmers plant crops.

5. Bear Bait Ingredients and Effects on Meat

[25:44–33:07]

• Craig McCarthy explains bait tactics: Oats, corn, fryer grease, commercial bear lure, birthday cake, and beaver meat.
  • "They eat anything that’s soaked in fryer oil." – Craig McCarthy [26:33]
  • "But that sweet beaver meat, they love it." – Craig McCarthy [29:05]
• Discussion of how baiting (mainly corn and oats, plus sweets) does not noticeably affect bear meat flavor or quality.
• Only year-round baiting has been shown to cause health issues (ex: tooth decay in North Carolina, [33:39]).

6. Bear Behavior Around Bait and Human Proximity

[41:49–47:44]

• Bears become very habituated and bold at bait sites; younger bears compete aggressively.
• It's a risk–reward calculation for bears—the boldness is due to competition for high-calorie bait, not domestication.
• Sows with cubs are especially defensive and quick to tree their young when a boar appears.

7. Gear, Shooting, and Recovery Details

[35:07–38:56]

• Yanni’s bow setup: Matthews Lift X at 70 lbs, 30" arrows, 500 grains total weight, iron will single bevel broadhead.
• Describes the challenges of shot placement at close range due to the all-black target and fading light.
• Reflects on safe (or not entirely by-the-book) practices for stand climbing and gear hauling.
  • "Kids, when you’re climbing into those stands, you should always use a rope to pull up your bow." – Yanni [40:57]

8. Bear Intelligence and Problem Solving

[56:22–59:39]

• Bears demonstrate remarkable problem-solving skills, especially with accessing hard-to-reach bait (beaver carcass hung on a branch).
  • "Black bears are proven to be the most curious and problem-solving animals on our continent." – Reference to Clay Newcomb’s research [58:41]

9. Meat, Hide, and the Value of Bear Hunting

[63:27–73:35]

• Yanni’s boar: ~388 lbs, green scored 19+" skull, squared 7.5 feet.
• Rendered about 2 gallons of fat; describes it as pure, flavorless, and highly prized.
  • "Bear grease would land in the oils that are...most flavorless and odorless." – Yanni [32:12]
• Yanni emphasizes hunting for the meat/fat ("such a nice change of pace from all of the super-lean venison”) and plans to continue hunting bears mostly for the meat, not trophies.

10. Regulations, Future Plans, and Accessibility

[73:48–78:13]

• Regulations on baiting and bait types vary dramatically by location and state/province.
• Yanni plans to return to Manitoba, possibly hunting bears from a ground blind next time for a closer, more immersive experience.
  • "100%, no doubt [I plan to do it again]...I want to still...there’s more there that I did not get to experience yet." – Yanni [73:48]
• Baited bear hunts are recommended as excellent opportunities for new bowhunters.
  • "It’s a great animal for people to get their first bow kill." – Yanni [77:45]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Baited Bear Hunting:

  • "I don't think there's anything wrong with it...the thing that has caused me the most sort of thought is, well, if that's okay, how come I'm not okay with baiting deer?" – Yanni [11:39]
  • "Just because one version of hunting is easier, it’s not improper or unethical. It’s just different." – Yanni [14:22]

• On Hunting Ethics:

  • "Set your expectations, right? You’re not going to have that big, emotional moment...but it shouldn’t take away from it." – Yanni [14:14]

• On Bear Meat Quality:

  • "Bear grease is odorless and flavorless...in the oils that are the most flavorless and odorless." – Yanni [32:12]

• On Bear Intelligence:

  • "That was worth the price of admission, to watch that bear problem-solve that." – Yanni [59:14]

• On Why He’ll Keep Bear Hunting:

  • "What I do need more of is bear meat." – Yanni [67:21]

• On Baited Bear Hunts for Beginners:

  • "…It’s a great animal for people to get their, like, first bow kill. There’s just a lot of opportunities." – Yanni [77:45]

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic/Discussion | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:04 | Introduction to the Manitoba bear hunt and podcast format | | 05:07 | Ethics of baiting bears: listener questions and host reflections | | 12:34 | Comparing baiting for bears vs. deer; movement, challenge, and ethics | | 16:57 | Manitoba habitat, bear numbers, and timing of the hunt | | 25:44 | What goes into bear baits; ingredients and their effect on meat/fat | | 35:07 | Archery setup: gear details and shot description | | 41:49 | Bear proximity at bait: boldness, habituation, and behavioral observations | | 47:44 | Cubs, sows, bear hierarchy and defensive behavior | | 52:34 | Why bears tolerate human movement and scent around the bait | | 56:22 | Observing bear intelligence: trouble-shooting bait setups | | 63:27 | Harvesting: description of Yanni’s bear, skinning, processing, and value of hides, meat, and fat | | 73:48 | Will Yanni hunt this way again? Reflections on the experience and plans for the future | | 77:45 | Baited hunts as ideal for new hunters/bowhunters |

Conclusion

This episode gives a thorough, honest, and nuanced look at both the practical and ethical aspects of baited black bear hunting in Manitoba. Through thoughtful Q&A, field anecdotes, and listener engagement, Yanni and the crew shed light on a polarizing style of hunting with humor, self-deprecation, and genuine passion for understanding wildlife and the hunting experience. The show is as much about learning and reflection as about reliving a successful hunt for a Manitoba giant.