Ep. 440: Turkey Stories - Bears, Bows, and a Pot Belly Pig
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Bear Grease Episode 440, 'Turkey Stories - Bears, Bows, and a Pot Belly Pig,' delivers a series of gripping, unpredictable tales from turkey hunters across the American South and Midwest. The episode opens with Cody Valines recounting a harrowing 15-year-old hunt where he nearly became prey to a sow and her cubs after calling in a turkey—only to have the bear appear as if summoned by his calls. Next, Dr. Adam McCall and Mark Yacht share a tense Nebraska bow hunt filled with miscommunication, lost gear, and a miraculous recovery of a wounded gobbler found 450 yards from where it fell. Andy Brown’s story features a near-miss moment when a turkey nearly walks into a hunter’s lap, only to be saved by a last-second shot from a friend. Giannis Putelis delivers a dramatic Texas tale with a double kill after a near-failure, culminating in a desperate, all-out calling spree that finally wins over a wary flock. The episode closes with Clay Newcomb’s emotional story of his father-in-law’s final turkey hunt, a poignant moment where his wife calls in her first gobbler—just before her father-in-law passes away in hospice. The episode blends humor, suspense, and deep respect for the land and tradition.
A turkey call can attract more than just turkeys—bears, pigs, and even unexpected wildlife can disrupt your hunt.
Patience and persistence are critical: even after a near-failure, a well-timed call or strategic move can turn the tide.
The best hunts often involve unexpected allies—friends, family, or even a forgotten backpack.
Always respect the wind and terrain; a single scent or sound can ruin a hunt, even from a pig.
The emotional weight of a hunt can be as powerful as the kill—some of the most memorable moments are shared with loved ones.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Bear That Answered the Call
“It was like I called that bear up. And like I said, I hadn't called a whole lot to this turkey. You know, I called maybe two times when that turkey was on the roost. And I ain't calling loud. But I probably called three times. She came straight to me. Coincidence, whatever it was, I don't know.”
The Lost Gear and the 450-Yard Comeback
“I get up to my backpack. A random spot 450 yards away from the direction that bird went, opposite direction. And I hear something moving in the leaves 20 yards away from me. That bird was right there, 20 yards from me up that hill. It was just one of those moments where I just paused and went, man, what are the odds? Thank you, Lord.”
The Turkey That Wouldn’t Come In
Andy Brown shares a story where his friend Bill nearly misses a turkey that walks directly into his line of fire—only to be saved by a last-second shot. The gobbler, drawn by drumming and gobbling, approaches Bill from the side, but Bill’s focus is elsewhere. The moment is saved when the turkey turns and Bill fires at 10 yards.
The Double Kill After the Near-Disaster
“I just start getting after them. Yelping, clucking, cutting, fighting purrs, love making purrs, everything I know. It sounds like a... Like if you did this to some... If you met a turkey hunter at the National Wild Turkey Federation and you were like, hey, check out my calling and you did that to him, they would look at you and go, your calling sucks.”
The Pig That Ruined the Hunt
“You never know what's going to ruin your hunt. Well, we just can't believe it. Of all the things that could spook a hunt, a bobcat, a coyote, another hunter, a four-wheeler, a cow, just all the things that could have happened, we weren't expecting the pig to blow this hunt.”
“That was the last turkey that my father-in-law will pull the trigger on, unless there's a miracle because he's in hospice care right now. But to see her get to experience the joy that I had experienced all those years, you know, and it finally did light come on.”
“I get up to my backpack. A random spot 450 yards away from the direction that bird went, opposite direction. And I hear something moving in the leaves 20 yards away from me. That bird was right there, 20 yards from me up that hill. It was just one of those moments where I just paused and went, man, what are the odds? Thank you, Lord.”
“It was like I called that bear up. And like I said, I hadn't called a whole lot to this turkey. You know, I called maybe two times when that turkey was on the roost. And I ain't calling loud. But I probably called three times. She came straight to me. Coincidence, whatever it was, I don't know.”
Host
Guests
Clay Newcomb
person
Mark Yacht
person
Cody Valines
person
Giannis Putelis
person
Pot-Bellied Pig
other
Dr. Adam McCall
person
Brian Patton
person
Meat Eater Phelps Prime Cuts 3-Pack
product
Andy Brown
person
Lake Pickle
person
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