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In this episode of the MeatEater podcast, Steven Rinella hosts the crew for a news roundup focusing heavily on deer hunt reports from various regions across the country, alongside discussions of conservation policies and wildlife ballot measures. The hosts break down the failure of Colorado's Proposition 83, which sought to guarantee a constitutional right to hunt and fish, analyzing how disingenuous opposition framing and lower rural voter turnout impacted the outcome. Following the policy update, the show dives into scattered field reports from Alaska, Montana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Michigan, detailing the challenges of unseasonably warm weather, pre-rut versus rut activity, and specific harvesting successes and close calls by crew members.
Throughout the episode, the crew debates tactics, travel management rules on public lands, and the realities of modern hunting pressure. Ryan Callahan provides a detailed breakdown of illegal off-road vehicle use and federal travel management plans, urging listeners to understand trail regulations and participate in conservation stewardship. The episode stands out for its blend of practical hunting advice, humorous field anecdotes, and frank assessments of the obstacles hunters face both in the woods and at the ballot box.
The episode opens with a brief iHeart Podcast intro followed by a promotional segment for One Pay’s Builder Card and Zamberland boots.
The host announces the upcoming deer hunt reports from crew members across the country and introduces the main segment of the episode.
The hosts discuss the failure of Colorado’s Proposition 83, detailing vote counts, political context, and implications for hunters.
Listeners submit questions about preferred weapons for deer drives, leading to a discussion of the Ruger 44 Magnum Carbine and other firearms.
Crew members report on weather, deer sightings, and hunting conditions in southeast Alaska, highlighting the challenges of hunting in the rainforest.
A hunter shares his experience hunting mule deer in Montana, noting the lack of rutting activity and his encounter with a western whitetail.
Kevin Murphy provides a detailed small‑game hunting update from Western Kentucky, covering squirrels, rabbits, and hunting tips.
The hosts invite listeners to submit short hunting stories, wrap up the episode, and thank the audience for tuning in.
The hosts talk about the benefits of having a tracking dog while hunting deer, sharing personal experiences and enthusiasm for the practice.
A humorous anecdote about a hunter named Alonso who used a fake doctor’s note to gain access, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
The hosts share recent deer hunt reports from Kansas and Wisconsin, detailing conditions, camera footage, and hunting outcomes.
A deep dive into federal travel management plans, the rise of illegal off‑road activity, and the importance of following regulations to protect wildlife.
Colorado Proposition 83 Failsdata
The hosts discuss the failure of Colorado's Proposition 83 at the ballot box, analyzing how disingenuous opposition groups and a larger blue wave contributed to the defeat of the constitutional right to hunt and fish.
Southeast Alaska Rain and Rigsstory
Seth and the crew report from southeast Alaska on a difficult black-tailed deer hunt defined by heavy rain, gale-force winds, and steep terrain.
Randall shares the story of forgetting his tent on a backpack hunt, riding out the weather under a tarp, and successfully harvesting a bull elk on public land.
Small Game in Kentuckystrategy
Kevin Murphy shares a squirrel hunting report from the Clark's River bottoms in Kentucky, offering philosophy on embracing less-than-ideal weather and utilizing suppressors.
Kansas Versus Wisconsin Rutinsight
Yanis reports on a grueling ten-day bow hunt in Kansas with high temperatures and minimal daylight deer movement, contrasted with booming trail camera activity in Wisconsin.
Illegal Off-Road Vehicle Damageinsight
Ryan Callahan details the rising problem of illegal cross-country motorized travel, broken gates, and braided trails destroying public land habitats.
Decoy Tactics in Missouristrategy
Brent Reeves describes setting up a deer decoy in central Missouri to pull in bucks during the early stages of the rut.
“If you've been listening to the news show, we've been covering this over the past few months, Proposition 83 in Colorado, which would guarantee a constitutional right to hunt and fish to residents of Colorado.”
“Voters' rejection of Amendment 83 speaks to how much Colorado cares about wildlife.”
“The thing that, that is not going to happen is what this would have done is kind of given a buffer against things like, uh, the, the cats aren't trophy ballot measure that got defeated.”
“The most impressive thing is I was soliciting these videos last week.”
“They don't take it for granted.”
“I like the idea of always having a dog with you when you're deer hunting.”
“If you see something, say something and earn yourself a little, uh, cash on the side.”
Randall Williams and the MeatEater Crew Discuss: The blue wave drowns proposition 83; hunt reports from around the US; Randall fields listener questions; and Cal goes offroad! Contact Forest Service Law Enforcement https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/law-enforcement-investigations or your local fish and game for motorized infractions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/law-enforcement-investigations Find BHA’s reward for reporting Illegal Motorized Use here https://www.backcountryhunters.org/get-involved/issues/public-lands-waters/illegal-motorized-use-program: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/get-involved/issues/public-lands-waters/illegal-motorized-use-program Connect with Steve https://www.themeateater.com/authors/steven-rinella and The MeatEater Podcast Network https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork Steve on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stevenrinella and Twitter https://twitter.com/stevenrinella?lang=en MeatEater on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/meateater, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater/, Twitter https://twitter.com/MeatEaterTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor, and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
15,084 words · 8 speakers
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