Ep 5. Turkey Troubles

In this episode of MeatEater, host Steven Rinella heads to North Carolina in search of wild turkeys. Joined by his friends, Steve is determined to hunt and cook his own Thanksgiving feast, but things don't go as smoothly as planned.

As they set out early in the morning, Steve and his team face a series of challenges, including thick brush, bad weather, and stubborn turkeys. Despite these obstacles, they press on, tracking the birds and trying different hunting techniques. Throughout the episode, Steve provides detailed explanations of the different types of calls and decoys he's using, as well as the strategy behind each approach.

As the day wears on, Steve and his crew begin to feel the pressure of the looming holiday deadline. With no turkey in sight, they turn to desperate measures, using a hen decoy and a turkey tail fan to try to lure in a gobbler. This unconventional tactic works, and Steve finally has his shot. After a successful hunt, he sets to work cleaning and preparing the bird, demonstrating step-by-step how to pluck and gut a wild turkey.

But the challenges are far from over. As Steve heads back to camp with his trophy, he discovers that his cooking plans have hit another snag: a sudden power outage has left them without electricity. Undeterred, he and his crew gather wood and start a fire, cooking the turkey over an open flame and improvising with what ingredients they have on hand.

Throughout the episode, Steve emphasizes the importance of respecting the animals he hunts, treating them with care and using as much of the animal as possible. He also discusses the cultural significance of hunting and the importance of connecting with the land and the food we eat.

By the end of the episode, Steve has successfully hunted and cooked his own Thanksgiving dinner, providing a powerful reminder of the rewards and challenges of living off the land.