MeatEater

Some of the nation’s best public lands hunting and angling are being jeopardized by irresponsible energy development. Steven Rinella talks about what’s at risk in southwestern Montana’s Powder River Basin.

Steven Rinella discusses the importance of the Blue Range Primitive Area to hunters and anglers while hunting mountain lions.

Waterfowl are so universally revered that the North American Wetlands Conservation Act was passed to fund wetlands and waterfowl conservation efforts in Canada, the United States and Mexico. However, the NAWCA program is subject to constant need for approval and funding in the congressional cycles. In 2012, the programs budget was down 26% from just 2 years ago. It’s important for sportsmen to speak up for this essential program.

Hunters and anglers are learning how to make a difference in the critically important battle against invasive species. Sportsmen should be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Hunting and fishing in North America, and the management of our wildlife and fisheries, are characterized by a unique and successful system of management called the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Underlying principles behind the North American Model include the ideas that 1.) wildlife is owned by the public, 2.) wildlife can be killed only for legitimate purposes and 3.) the management of our wildlife resources should be accomplished through science-based management. The model is a concept that distinguishes the U.S. and Canada from many other nations where the opportunities to hunt are restricted to those who have special status, such as land ownership, wealth or other privilege.

The Pilgrims didn’t get their turkey at the store and neither does Steve. On this special Holiday episode Steve recounts the adventure of his first hunt for a Gould’s Turkey and demonstrates how to roast a big wild bird to perfection. The Turkey will be packed with Caribou Sausage Stuffing—made from the back hams of Steve’s big Alaskan Caribou. Appetites will run large as Steve makes a special meal for his family and friends.

Located on Alaska's North Slope, the 22.8 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve comprise the largest single block of federally managed land in the United States. - The habitat provided by the reserve supports abundant migratory bird populations and the largest caribou herd in Alaska as well as numerous other game and non-game species. - The Bureau of Land Management is currently developing an Integrated Activity Plan and associated Environmental Impact Statement to plan for the future management of the reserve. - The TRCP supports Alternative B-2, which proposes a no lease designation that would account for protection of habitat on a mere 13 percent of the 22.8 million-acre NPR-A while still allowing for future oil and gas development in the majority of the reserve.

- There are four subspecies of North American wild sheep: Thinhorns which consist of the Dall's and Stone's sheep; and Bighorns which consist of the desert and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. - More than 90 percent of North American wild sheep reside on public lands. - State, federal, crown land agencies as well as tribal entities play an important role in wild sheep management. - Disease transmitted from domestic sheep to wild sheep is the No. 1 limiting factor to successful recovery of wild sheep populations. - Some public lands allow domestic sheep grazing in suitable historic wild sheep habitat causing large scale die-offs with many years of poor wild sheep lamb recruitment.

First described by J. Gould in 1856, the Gould's wild turkey is found in portions of Arizona and New Mexico, as well as northern Mexico. The population estimate in the U.S. in 1989 was fewer than 150 birds. The reintroduction of the Gould's wild turkey in Arizona occurred over a 30-year period and resulted in the current population exceeding 1,000 birds. Due to the success of this restoration effort, a limited hunting season is now in place for the Gould's wild turkey in Arizona. For more information on Gould's wild turkeys, please visit the below sites.

With a full freezer from a long and successful fall season, any big sporting event is the perfect opportunity to cook up a pile of game meat and invite over some friends to watch the game. Steven Rinella prepares a collection of killer appetizers from animals harvested on recent MeatEater episodes. Featured dishes include tahr chili, Dall sheep sliders, Javelina tacos, and caribou sausage. These recipes are easy to make at home. With Steve’s help, your next party will truly be a wild game.

- Sportsmen must travel farther than ever to access public lands. - Public lands can be rendered inaccessible by adjacent private land owners. - The federal Open Fields program incentivizes land owners to enable sportsmen access to privately owned lands, including otherwise inaccessible hunting grounds.

The goal on MeatEater has always been to make viewers feel like they’re on a hunt with Steven Rinella, but on this two-part episode Rinella grants his viewers an all-access pass to see just how the MeatEater crew works together to make the show. In this first installment, Steve has promised his crew he will provide them with some high-test venison to share with their families for Thanksgiving Dinner.

- In the next century, nearly 40 percent of the natural ecosystems where sportsmen hunt and fish will change due to a number of reasons, including climate change. - Higher water temperatures in waterways such as Montana's Yellowstone River negatively impact trout populations. - Drier and warmer weather patterns aggravate fire cycles in states like Oregon. Temperature changes can push out native species and allow foreign species to disrupt the natural food cycles.

The behind-the-scenes special of MeatEater continues.