Clay Newcomb

Date: 2021-06-26 | Duration: 2h 40m

Episode Overview

Clay Newcomb dives deep into the world of bear hunting and the broader hunting culture, sharing detailed insights on traditional uses of bear fat, including its role in making soap and its value before refrigeration. He explains the importance of utilizing every part of the animal, emphasizing respect and sustainability in hunting practices. Newcomb also reflects on the history and ecology of bears in North America, noting how their populations have rebounded and how human expansion has increased encounters with these powerful animals. He recounts vivid stories of bear behavior and survival, highlighting the animal’s incredible senses and the reverence hunters hold for them. The conversation also explores the ethics and responsibilities of hunting, contrasting trophy hunting with a more thoughtful, conservation-minded approach. Newcomb discusses the role hunters play in funding public lands and wildlife management, stressing the complexity behind population control and habitat protection. He shares personal anecdotes about hunting traditions passed through generations and the emotional weight that comes with taking an animal’s life. Additionally, the episode touches on encounters with elusive wildlife like black panthers and the challenges of coexisting with predators in modern landscapes, offering a nuanced perspective on the intersection of nature, culture, and conservation.

About Clay Newcomb

Clay Newcomb is a 7th-generation Arkansan whose deep-rooted connection to the Ouachita Mountains shapes his multifaceted career as a hunter, mule skinner, and keen observer of rural culture. As the owner and publisher of "Bear Hunting Magazine," he brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for wildlife conservation to the forefront. Newcomb is also the host of the popular MeatEater podcast "Bear Grease," where he shares compelling stories and insights about bear hunting and the unique traditions surrounding it. His engaging storytelling and dedication to preserving the outdoors make him a captivating figure in the hunting community, inspiring others to appreciate the natural world and its cultural significance.

Key Moments

– Bear Hunting
– Wildlife Conservation
– Animal Behavior
– Traditional Hunting Methods
– Bear Fat Uses
– Predator Safety
– Hunting Ethics
– Wildlife Population Management
– Historical Hunting Practices
– Animal Tracking
– Hunting Equipment
– Human-Wildlife Interaction
– Black Panthers
– Exotic Animals
– Mule and Hybrid Animals
– Outdoor Survival Skills
– Hunting Culture
– Environmental Impact
– Wildlife Documentary
– Podcast Production
0:00:00 – Introduction to bear hunting and podcast context
0:01:14 – Discussion on bear meat flavor and value
0:02:41 – Uses of bear fat before refrigeration
0:03:33 – Making soap from bear fat and lye
0:07:06 – Public knowledge about bear grease
0:08:32 – Hunters using all parts of animals
0:10:44 – Regulations on bear hunting on public land
0:15:45 – Bear population density and human overlap
0:17:16 – Historical recovery of mountain lions and bears
0:19:35 – Safe cooking temperatures for bear meat
0:22:17 – Book 'Make Prayers to Ravens' on black bears
0:25:22 – Traditional practices of respecting bears
0:27:47 – Bear's extraordinary sense of smell explained
0:32:08 – Cultural significance of bear deaths
0:34:18 – Emotional impact of killing a bear
0:37:52 – Bears as indicator species in ecosystems
0:38:42 – Debate on pistol vs. bear spray for defense
0:43:38 – Ballistics and caliber effectiveness against bears
0:45:06 – Video evidence of bear encounters
0:48:24 – Spirit and behavior of bears in hunting culture
0:50:06 – Podcast episode with immersive sound design
0:54:01 – Discussion on black panther sightings
0:55:19 – Life-or-death bear attack story
0:57:48 – Historical hunting equipment and techniques
1:04:09 – Mental challenges during hunting
1:06:53 – Impact of hunting on hunters' lives
1:10:52 – European arrival and wildlife abundance
1:14:09 – Measuring bear antlers and trophy hunting debate
1:18:43 – Funding wildlife protection through hunting
1:23:59 – Hollywood's portrayal of hunting stories
1:26:33 – Ag-gag laws and hunting privacy concerns
1:31:14 – Book 'Bison Ecology, Bison Diplomacy' discussion
1:38:34 – Human disconnection from nature explored
1:43:28 – Changing perceptions with shows like MeatEater
1:47:14 – Relationship with Steve Rinella and hunting
2:10:19 – Large predator sightings in Texas
2:26:15 – Hybrid animals like zonkeys explained
2:33:37 – Advantages of mules for mountain travel

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 the joe rogan experience train by day joe rogan podcast by night all day Starting point is 00:00:55 bears. Starting point is 00:01:14 And he said, it is the most delicious meat you'll ever eat. Starting point is 00:01:38 Tell me what you got there. Starting point is 00:02:08 This is for you. Starting point is 00:02:25 You would fry with it. Starting point is 00:02:41 before refrigeration because bear fat stayed, didn't go rancid as quickly as pork lard was super valuable on the frontier before refrigeration because bear fat stayed, didn't go Starting point is 00:03:33 some stuff that you can do with bear grease this is uh this is some bear fat lye soap if you've Starting point is 00:04:12 They used to use ash. Starting point is 00:04:38 Yeah. So the real primitive method for making soap from animal tallow. Starting point is 00:05:01 Just give it away. Starting point is 00:05:11 So just lye and- Starting point is 00:05:23 It smells like one of them stores. Starting point is 00:06:00 hands and uh oh that smells good yeah it's interesting and then the last one here and then Starting point is 00:07:06 grease i mean like what percentage of people would even know what it was probably like one percent of Starting point is 00:07:48 Spell it like eel? Starting point is 00:08:12 Do you see what I'm saying? Starting point is 00:08:32 And then as hunters, we're very interested in using as much as we can from these animals that we're taking. Starting point is 00:09:16 We have incredible meat. Starting point is 00:10:10 Yeah. Starting point is 00:10:25 But they don't kill bear themselves. Starting point is 00:10:44 So if you're on public land or what do they call it, Starting point is 00:11:06 But there's a lot of them. Starting point is 00:11:23 Yeah, I wonder why. Starting point is 00:12:01 All like very... Starting point is 00:12:41 Have you ever seen it online where someone's animated this piece about. Starting point is 00:13:06 That's what happened...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1674?

Clay Newcomb was the guest on JRE #1674. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1674?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1674 with Clay Newcomb, topics include Bear Hunting, Wildlife Conservation, Animal Behavior, and Traditional Hunting Methods.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #1674?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1674 with Clay Newcomb is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.