The MeatEater Podcast – Episode 875: Grizz Attack, Mountain Lions Rebound, and a $44K Walleye
Date: May 12, 2026
Host: Steven Rinella
Featured Guests: Randall, Phil, Chris, Eli, Sam Forsteg
Episode Overview
This action-packed episode of The MeatEater Podcast delivers a medley of outdoor news, conservation issues, wild foods, and hunting–all with the group’s signature blend of irreverence and sharp insight. The crew is joined by guest Sam Forsteg, a former smokejumper and union leader running for Congress, who provides inside perspective on federal land management, fire crews, and challenges facing America’s public servants. The episode covers everything from grizzly attacks in Montana and mountain lion comebacks in the Midwest, to a $44,000 tagged walleye that (almost) changed an angler’s life, along with extensive debates on conservation, policy, and the wild mishaps of the outdoor world.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Public Lands and Conservation Fundraising
[03:19 - 04:15]
- Tucker Town Campaign:
The hosts promote efforts to save public land near the Tucker Town Reservoir in North Carolina, once managed by Alcoa, from private development.
2. Noteworthy Outdoor News
[04:52 - 07:50]
-
Extreme Long-Range Shooting Competition:
Phil shares his experience at Wyoming’s KRG Extreme ELR match, finishing 118th out of 137, with longest shots over a mile (23:23 yards in practice).
- “There were only three people who hadn’t shot this exact match before and I was one of them… I exceeded my expectations.” – Phil [05:58]
- Trivia Fun: Hosted ballistics trivia, which was later praised by a ballistics expert.
-
Norwegian Wood Book & Firewood Fetishism:
The crew humorously dissects a book about Scandinavian wood-chopping culture and marvels at firewood-stacking photos.
3. Wildlife Wrangling: The “Swan Patrol” Saga
[13:44 - 16:48]
- Listener Letter – North Carolina’s “Swan Patrol”:
A group of older locals cordon off lake banks, feed massive amounts of corn to waterfowl, capture and relocate wild birds by car—legally questionable and potentially harmful to wildlife behavior.
- “You’re not allowed to tamper with the wildlife to this extent. No, you’re not.” – Randall [14:55]
4. In-Depth: Wildland Firefighting and Federal Land Policy with Sam Forsteg
[17:04 - 42:32]
Sam’s Background:
- Former Smokejumper: Parachuted into wildfires for cost-effective early containment.
“Speed, range, payload... The idea is they don’t want anyone who’s going to end up in the program who might be a risk to themselves or anybody else because there’s four of you in the woods.” – Sam [18:22]
- Union Leader: Vice-president, National Federation of Federal Employees – Forest Service Council.
- Congressional Candidate: Running in Montana’s Democratic primary.
Dissecting Life as a Smokejumper:
- Weeks of rigorous, risky training; 130+ parachute jumps, 34 into active fires
- “You should be ready to be out there for two weeks... If you’re making it to two weeks, you probably didn’t catch that thing.” – Sam [22:52]
The Grim Realities of Public Land Jobs:
- Low Compensation:
- “My starting wage was $15 an hour as a smokejumper.” – Sam [23:44]
- Mass Layoffs: 360 Forest Service jobs cut in Montana—“The most efficient workers we got… people who actually do the damn work.”
- Systemic Issues:
- Underfunding leads to inefficiency rather than actual savings; leads to more contracting, ballooning federal costs.
- “It created a lot of inefficiencies, sort of accidentally made all these inefficiencies… like people are taking watch parts and flicking them out–not realizing they make the thing tick.” – Randall [32:07]
Federal Policy, Privatization, and The Future of Land Management:
- “There's a lot of ways to sell off public land. Selling off the acreage is just one.” – Sam [28:40]
- Legislation and reorganization, like closing regional Forest Service offices, can pave the way for less effective, less local management—making public lands vulnerable.
Sam’s Political Ethos:
- “The average Congressperson’s worth 12 to 15 times the average American right now... I think where we’re missing is sending working people to Congress so we can fight for ourselves.” [36:12]
- Push for positive, “civil discourse” and bipartisan cooperation on basic issues like healthcare and homelessness.
Memorable Quote:
“I think that lived experience influences the policymaking you’re doing and where you’re going to be looking to cut, if you are going to be making those cuts.” – Sam [36:12]
5. Wildlife and Outdoor Incidents
Grizzly Bear Attacks
[49:47 – 52:46]
- Two separate attacks:
- One fatal in Glacier National Park – first since 1998.
- Two brothers mauled in Yellowstone (both survived).
- “First fatal attack in Glacier since 98… I can’t believe they went that long without.” – Eli [50:49]
Record Waterfowl Over-Harvest
[52:46 – 55:48]
- Two hunters caught with 223 ducks over the limit in Montana; one day they shot 120 ducks—both “impressive and very bad.”
- “That is some very good duck hunting... but also very, very, very bad.” – Randall [55:01]
6. Mountain Lions: Midwestern Comeback
[56:54 – 61:00]
- Minnesota researchers confirm first mountain lion reproduction in the state in 100+ years.
- Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin also seeing signs of recolonization.
- “[Mountain lions] were historically native… overhunting, habitat loss, predator eradication campaigns... now they’re coming back.” – Chris [58:36]
- Texas Changing Reporting Rules:
- Proposal to require reporting of all mountain lion takes within 24 hours sparks concern among hunters and trappers, seen as “a step toward ending the take”—reflects debates over management and data gathering.
7. The $44,000 Walleye–A Tale of Heartbreak
[65:56 – 81:21]
8. Walleye Spearfishing Controversies in Michigan
[92:19 – 100:45]
- Michigan expands spearfishing opportunities for walleye, lake trout, pike—over major opposition from angling groups and some tribes.
- Extensive stats dispel fears:
- 4,000 spearfishing permits issued; only 200 people actually took fish; only 430 walleye speared annually vs. 900,000 taken by rod-and-reel.
- “If people want to go in the water and risk shallow water blackout and get all cold, let ‘em... it does not matter.” – Randall [99:21]
- Call for Future Salmon Spearfishing: In jest, Randall advocates for expanding the model.
9. Alaska Land Transfers
[87:16 – 92:19]
- 1.4 million acres of BLM land along the Dalton Highway transferred to the state, part of Alaska Statehood Act’s ongoing process.
- Potential for Energy Development: Some concern about suitability and effects on public land access and projects like the Ambler Road.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Sam Forsteg’s personal motive for running for Congress:
“When I called our Congressperson Zinke’s office four or five times, I got crickets. So I decided, if he’s going to take my coworkers’ and members’ jobs, I’m going to come take his.” [24:58]
-
Randall on nature documentary narration:
“My only beef with [Attenborough] is how many nature documentaries he has ruined with his narration… He is a one man wildlife footage ruining machine.” [45:40]
-
On extreme shooting:
“My longest shot was 13:53 [yards]… I had three hits over a mile in practice.” – Phil [06:52]
-
$44k Walleye heartbreak:
“The fish is stone cold dead… the rules explicitly state a fish must be alive to count.” – Eli [74:41]
Timestamps by Segment
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic |
|-------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| 03:19–04:15 | Save Tucker Town Land Campaign |
| 04:52–07:50 | Extreme shooting; long-range ballistics trivia |
| 13:44–16:48 | The “Swan Patrol” in North Carolina |
| 17:04–42:32 | In-depth: Smokejumping, land policy (Sam Forsteg) |
| 49:47–52:46 | Grizzly attacks in MT/Glacier/Yellowstone |
| 52:46–55:48 | Record 223 ducks over the limit (Montana) |
| 56:54–61:00 | Mountain lions reclaim MN, MI, WI; Texas regulations |
| 65:56–81:21 | Walleye Weekend, the $44k heartbreak; rule conflict |
| 87:16–92:19 | Alaska BLM–to–State Land Transfers, Ambler Road |
| 92:19–100:45| Michigan walleye spearfishing controversy & stats |
Final Thoughts
This episode stands out for its blend of rich storytelling, on-the-ground policy perspectives, and the raw, entertaining camaraderie of the MeatEater crew. Whether discussing the gritty realities of fighting wildfires for low pay, the intricacies and ironies of wildlife regulation, or the heartbreak (and humor) of tournament fishing, the show educates and entertains in equal measure. If you care about public lands, wildlife, and the future of hunting and outdoor culture, this episode is a must-listen.
For full details, stories, and laughs, listen to the episode in its entirety or check the MeatEater Podcast archives for show notes and resources.
