Steven Rinella is on New Zealand's South Island for a do-it-yourself, free-range hunt for the majestic red stag. But first, he needs to secure some camp meat in the form of wild lamb. Battling weather and wary game in mountainous terrain, he uses his spot-and-stalk hunting skills to discover Kiwi red stags are a trophy worthy of the wall and the cook pot.
Steven Rinella heads into the mountains of the Sonora Desert on a true, wild, free-ranging bison hunt. Steve knows Buffalo, but seeing and stalking these beasts in this dry, stark habitat is very different from anything he's ever done. But with persistence and patience, he's able to find a herd of one of North America's most iconic animals. Sharing the bounty, Steve experiences a traditional Mexican feast with a table of hungry cowboys.
In the harsh desert Southwest, Steven Rinella has come to learn the truth about tracking a mountain lions with dog. With the help of two expert lion hunters, he immerses himself in the physical and emotional challenges of cougar hunting. Sometimes the reward of the hunt is the thrill of success and a delicious meal, and other times it's a more personal, and possibly more important lesson of knowledge and humility.
Pat Durkin guides Janis through the conservation success of Green Bay, Wisconsin, highlighting the Fox River and Lake Michigan's positive transformation. They engage in urban ice fishing and an adventurous homemade airboat ride. Heading north to Sturgeon Bay, they rendezvous with expert guide JJ Malvitz. The episode culminates in JJ's shop, where a grand fish fry and a masterclass in crafting the perfect Old Fashioned.
While part 1 is all about the preparation for sturgeon season, part 2 follows Janis, Jake, and his whole crew as they attempt to achieve the improbable, spear a lake sturgeon by hand through a hole in the ice. Success requires patience, intense focus, quick reflexes, and a steady hand. Will Janis and Jake be one of the triumphant few, or will they go home empty handed?
Janis hops the state line over to Wisconsin and travels to Lake Winnebago for the annual lake sturgeon spearing season. Lake sturgeon are ancient and incredible fish, and the communities around lake Winnebago have long revered and relied on these fish. Local angler Jake Andrews is one of the few who consistently gets sturgeon almost every season. In this episode Janis hooks up with Jake and his crew to prep for the season opener.
Janis Putelis teams up with renowned angler and biologist Mandy Uhrich on Lake Mille Lacs. They confront the stark reality: Mille Lacs is not the walleye haven it once was. Through discussions with local anglers, fish biologists, and business owners, including the former head of the Minnesota DNR, Janis strives to fathom the intricacies of this transformation
Janis Putelis starts the Tour at Whitefish Lake, Minnesota, where he meets wild foods expert Mark Norquist from Modern Carnivore. Mark introduces Janis to dark house ice spearing, a traditional winter food gathering method in the Midwest. Together, they cut a hole in the ice, set up a dark shelter, and use long-handled tridents to spear lake whitefish and northern pike. Chef Lukas Leaf joins them on the ice to cook fresh whitefish cakes.
To pivot off of the ease and accessibility we featured in episode 1, episode 2 goes the opposite direction and shows Cal and Miles embarking on a deep backcountry winter expedition requiring tracked Can-Ams and thousands of pounds of gear. Ice fishing can be simple and local, but it can also be adventurous. Cal and Miles explore a high mountain Montana lake that Cal’s been wanting to fish for two decades, in the hopes of catching a large, or at least respectable, burbot.
In the first episode, Steven Rinella takes Tracy Crane, an inexperienced and slightly skeptical first timer, ice fishing at a series of local neighborhood ponds. Their goal is modest and attainable: catch enough panfish for a meal. Steve teaches Tracy the basic why and how of ice fishing for perch and bluegill, they catch a few fish, and share the spoils after.
In this episode of MeatEater, Steven Rinella and Clay Newcomb head into Alaska's remote interior for a challenging moose hunt. Over a 10-day season, they navigate the rugged wilderness, using patient calling to attract moose. Finding a legal bull and navigating through thick vegetation are just two of the challenges faced on this trip. The hunt captures the essence of moose hunting: patience, adaptation, and persistence in one of the world's wildest places.
Steven Rinella teams up with spearfishing champions Danny Bolton and Kimi Werner off Hawaii‚ coast for a thrilling underwater adventure. Targeting pelagic species like Mahi Mahi and yellowfin tuna, the crew navigates the deep blue waters, dodging sharks and learning to use fish aggregating devices (FADs) to attract game fish. After they spear a variety of species, including a massive Ono, the team ends with a fresh, ocean-to-table feast, celebrating the rich marine life of Hawaii.
Steven Rinella, Ryan Callahan, and Danny Bolton travel to Hawaii's Big Island for a unique hunt. They stalk feral sheep in the lush mountainsides and target wild hogs on a coffee plantation, using the animals' movements through macadamia groves to their advantage. The episode highlights Hawaii's blend of hunting and conservation, ending with a Hawaiian-style feast featuring the fresh game they harvested.
Steven Rinella heads to the Gulf of Mexico for a spearfishing adventure beneath the oil rigs that serve as artificial reefs. Joined by his spearfishing mentor Greg Fonts and Brandon Hendrickson, they target a variety of prized fish, including Cobia and red snapper. The episode captures the thrill of diving in murky waters filled with sharks and navigating the massive structures. Along the way, they showcase the rich marine life of the Gulf and the skills needed to harvest fresh seafood.
Steven Rinella heads to New Mexico's Gila Wilderness with his friend Carl Malcolm to hunt Merriam's turkeys. Set against a backdrop of stunning landscapes and rich history, they explore the first federally protected wilderness in the world. Although few and far between, the duo find gobbling birds through hard scouting and perserverence.
Steven Rinella joins Jean-Paul Bourgeois and Ronnie Collins in Louisiana‚ Mississippi Delta for a duck hunt. Surrounded by the unique landscape of the Delta, they target multiple duck species. After a successful hunt, the team returns to camp, where Jean-Paul prepares a traditional Cajun meal featuring the day‚ catch. Experience the cultural tradition of turning fresh game into flavorful, local dishes like duck gumbo and crawfish boil.
Midway through a challenging hunt on Prince of Wales Island, Steve, Ryan Callahan, and Mark Borman are searching for Sitka blacktail deer. The rut hasn't kicked in as expected, leaving the hunters frustrated and the deer elusive. Adapting their strategies, they decide to split up and quietly stalk through dense woods and muskeg. After days of patience and perseverance, a mix of skill, luck, and determination finally leads them closer to success.
Late October in Southeast Alaska finds Steve, Ryan Callahan, and Mark Borman chasing Sitka blacktail deer. As the bucks begin their descent from the alpine into dense timber, the trio faces the challenge of hunting in the thick, damp rainforest. While navigating through muskeg patches and testing their luck with calling techniques, they must contend with unpredictable weather and tough terrain. When deer prove elusive, they turn to fishing and foraging.
Steve and his friend Ronny Boehme head to the vast sagebrush seas of Southeast Wyoming to hunt America's largest game bird, the sage grouse. Known for their size and elusive nature, these birds offer a challenging hunt across open country. Joined by local experts, they explore the complexities of sage grouse conservation and hunting, testing their patience and skills in pursuit of these storied birds.
Steven Rinella heads back to his fish shack on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, this time with friend and colleague Morgan Fallon. Known for his cinematography, Mo now wants to switch roles from behind the camera to filling his freezer. Together, they embark on a classic Alaskan adventure: fishing for rockfish, setting shrimp pots, and hunting Sitka blacktail deer, all while reminiscing about past trips and discovering new ways the wilderness shapes them.