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Clay Newcomb's Arkansas Bear Camp | MeatEater's 12 in '26

MeatEater

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Clay Newcomb opens Arkansas bear season with a camp steeped in tradition. He and his friend Willard Villines cook down sorghum into molasses, using a family recipe that dates back to the early 1800s, then use the sweet skimmins on the bear bait. First-time bear hunter Lake Pickle joins the hunt, and the week wraps with a jar of hard-earned bear fat.
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20 Comments

@joshdalton9846 2 months ago

I love how Clay gave us a lesson on the genetics and evolution of different black bear colors and where they originated. I love how he genuinely seems to "nerd out" about black bears, it's relatable!

@nicholaseedy3244 2 months ago

This is 120% why I am such a big fan of this channel.

@erikacombs6129 2 months ago

I love the guitars and especially the mandolin!! I'm a 65 year old woman, and I hunt because of Steve Rinella. And have come to adore Clay!

@ArchDrake 2 months ago

Came for the hunting, stayed for the amazing history and cultural education! Clay, know that you have a fan all the way from Singapore (the LAST country you would expect a hunting fan to be from).

@REALbeargrease 2 months ago

Love the mule-powered mill and Ol Willard Villines.

@WilliamAsberry-zo8wr 2 months ago

The Bear Grease crew is LEGIT. Family, hunting, tradition! Love the content - Tyler Asberry

@fogdown1997 3 weeks ago

Clay and brent are seriously my favorite meat eater crew. Clay being from arkansas is so cool, i grew up in kansas in a small town outside of joplin missouri, and i think its so cool that hes from the four state's area.

@TheRealChetManley 12 days ago

Good on Lake for being respectful with his shot.

@aikinsmike1 2 months ago (edited)

Addition of Bear Grease to MeatEater is such a huge gain for both and we all get to enjoy the benefits and now with Bear and his channel its even better!

@__-pl3jg 2 months ago

Nick Shoulders - Snakes and waterfalls. Always reminds me of that landscape.

@2000hdfxdx 2 weeks ago

You guys tell a good story. This hunt was a success.

@ClayNewcomb-n8i 2 months ago

It was a great camp. Really enjoyed Willard. If you look at the last scene you'll see Ted Koppell sitting at our campfire.

@alexfentonreynolds 2 months ago

This was by far one of my favorite episodes! Love the history, stories, and family essence of this one. Great Job y'all

@paultheangler9741 2 months ago

Sorghum is one of those crops that if you don't know a little about it, you know nothing at all. I first heard the term 20 years ago and had no idea what it was.

This reminds me much of the process of making maple syrup. You get hundreds of gallons of sap from the trees to make a few ounces of liquid gold after boiling off the water for hours. The hot steam coming off the large tanks, the smoke from the oak fire, and the smell is out of this world sweet.

I've learned even more about this interesting plant via this video and I'm quite sure the final product is simply divine.

It was great to see literally three generations putting it all together. This part of the video was an extra bonus. Thank you!

@wademartin2198 2 months ago

Love the respect for traditions! And love the bibs!

@ethanallenmusic1 2 months ago

In Morgan county Kentucky they have the Sorghum festival every year where the old timers make it fresh right there in the town center. I have early memories of the smell and chewing on the sugar cane with my parents. Watching the old timer make it in this video made me miss that, and lord willing I’ll go to the festival this year again. Yall let me know when ya need a decent archer and a two bit cowboy singer in bear camp and I’m there!

@MetalBuddhaHead 4 weeks ago

Man I can't wait for the book!!

@Clem_Kadidlehopper 2 months ago

Granny ran fat through a hand crank meat grinder and rendered it down that way. I remember Grandpa using bear grease on all our ranch tackle. That stuff is still hanging in my aunties barn. Grandpa died in 1982. I looked at that tack a couple years ago and it was starting to dry.