Ep. 659: Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CXLXI

Trivia Fun

The trivia segment of the episode features a lively mix of historical and conservation-themed questions. Steven Rinella kicks off with a question about national forests, revealing that Annie Oakley, unlike Davy Crockett, Mark Twain, and George Custer, does not have a national forest named after her 1. This sparks a discussion on Oakley's legacy, including her Broadway musical, "Annie Get Your Gun" 2. The trivia continues with a challenging question about a monopod company named after North America's smallest falcon, the kestrel, which Brody Henderson and Randall Williams correctly answer 2.

The average kestrel is about the size of a mourning dove. Besides being the smallest falcon on the continent, they are also one of the most common and most colorful.

--- Steven Rinella

The segment also includes unusual trivia queries, such as those sent via fax during major events like the Super Bowl, highlighting the unique engagement of the show's audience 3.

   

Mountain Men

The exploration of the mountain men era offers a deep dive into the lives of legendary figures like Jim Bridger, Jed Smith, and John Colter. Spencer Neuharth narrates the rugged history of these backwoodsmen who thrived during the Rocky Mountain beaver trade from 1806 to 1840 4. Their stories are filled with adventure and hardship, as they navigated unmapped territories and faced violent conditions. The discussion covers their survival tactics, interactions with Native Americans, and the grim reality that 10% of them died violent deaths.

We explain what started the mountain man era and what ended it. We tell you everything you'd ever want to know about what the mountain Men ate, how they hunted and trapped, what gear they carried, what clothes they wore.

--- Spencer Neuharth

This segment paints a vivid picture of the untamed west, capturing the essence of exploration and the spirit of those who dared to venture into the unknown 4.