Ep 2. The Sweetest Meat: Alaskan Black Bear

In season 1 episode 2 of MeatEater entitled "The Sweetest Meat: Alaskan Black Bear," host Steven Rinella travels to Alaska in search of one of the state's most elusive and misunderstood big game animals: the black bear. Rinella is on a mission to prove that black bear meat is worth hunting and eating, contrary to what some people believe.

The episode begins with Rinella scouting for black bears in the dense Alaskan wilderness. He explains that although black bears are plentiful in Alaska, they are notoriously difficult to hunt due to their elusive nature. Rinella sets up camp near a salmon river in the hopes of spotting a bear fishing for its next meal.

After several days of scouting, Rinella finally spots a black bear on the riverbank. He carefully stalks the bear and takes a shot, successfully harvesting his first black bear. Rinella then demonstrates how to field dress and butcher the animal, explaining that it's important to use every part of the bear, from the meat to the fur to the bones.

Rinella takes his bear meat back to camp, where he cooks up a variety of delicious dishes, including bear ribs, bear sausage, and bear stew. He explains that black bear meat is surprisingly sweet and flavorful, and that it's often compared to pork in taste and texture.

Throughout the episode, Rinella also delves into the history of black bear hunting in Alaska, and explains how the animal has been unfairly demonized in popular culture. He argues that black bears are an important part of the ecosystem, and that hunting them can actually help maintain healthy populations of other wildlife.

Overall, "The Sweetest Meat: Alaskan Black Bear" is an informative and entertaining episode of MeatEater that sheds light on a misunderstood and underappreciated big game animal. Rinella's passion for hunting and cooking is infectious, and viewers are sure to come away with a newfound appreciation for black bear meat and the thrill of the hunt.