If you love the intersection of wild food, land stewardship, and outdoor adventure, this episode is for you. Learn how to use bear fat in your cooking, forage native plants, and get the latest updates on community events that celebrate the Ozark lifestyle. Plus, get inspired to try your hand at creating your own Arkansas gumbo—tomatoes and all.

**Support for this episode**

Vortex Optics - Industry leading scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars

Moultrie Mobile - The ONLY cell trail cameras with A.I. integration

Umarex Airguns - The leader in Air Rifle technology

Pack Rat Outdoor Center - Gear for the adventurous outdoorsman

[00:00] Intro & Black Bear Bonanza recap

[03:15] Viral gumbo controversy: tomatoes, bear grease, and Cajun backlash

[12:00] Ancient bear bones and the science of radiocarbon dating

[19:30] How bear fat transforms biscuits, gravy, and gumbo

[25:40] Foraging sumac and bur oak acorns for next-level wild cooking

[33:50] Trypophobia and the surprising fear of lotus pods

[41:00] Hunting creek ducks during an Ozark freeze

[47:10] Spring in the Ozarks: turkey season, white bass run, and upcoming events

What is The Ozark Podcast?

In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.

Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews

Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton

Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast

PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com