Beaver Trapping w/ Steven Rinella and Seth Morris | S1E04 | MeatEater Hunts

In this episode, MeatEater’s founder Steven Rinella and his buddy Seth Morris, aka the Flip Flop Flesher, head out for some beaver trapping along Montana’s famed Yellowstone River. Steve and Seth plan to help out a small ranch by nabbing a few nuisance beavers that have been clogging local irrigation. The result is a couple of happy landowners, some healthy beaver hides, and beaver leg confit. It's a true win-win situation.
#fueledbynature #MeatEater
Steve and Seth's First Lite Gear
Uncompahgre 2.0: bit.ly/3f2c0fZ
Furnace Henley: bit.ly/3aIKq45
Tag Cuff Beanie: bit.ly/3aOsmWq
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[@hoosierpatriot2280]

I used to trap beaver but then one trapped me and I have to pay child support now.

[@davidbolton4930]

Gold

[@Here2shtpst]

LMFAO

[@mccainridercampbell]

Nailed it.

[@jameschristiansson3137]

Is her name Wynona?

[@p.t.anderson1593]

I've figured out, the hard way, that catch and release is the better option. Leaves more beaver out there in the environment for the other trappers.

[@planetadecapitan2395]

Hoping Steve writes a book about beavers similar in style to “American Buffalo.”

[@spacemanspif]

Yes!

[@EscapereaIity]

Paul Bestick would be very interesting

[@tomthumb3701]

You should check out a book called Eager, it gives an excellent description of the importance and history of beavers

[@jjkjhjkh]

American Beaver 😂

[@kyled3063]

Got my trapping license after watching the Wyoming Beaver episode of Meateater (Season 6). Totally addicted now, thanks Steve!

[@ohtehlolz]

I used to eat tons of beaver when I was dating. Then I got married and all that stopped. Now I'm divorced and I think I'd like to try this new type of beaver.

[@yeldarbarrow3172]

Of late it's become fashionable for them to lose their pelt. 🤠🦫🌮 (Dafuque??? Ain't no clams in my emojis section....😂)

[@Blue_Collar_Colonizer_1776]

You've got to be careful. Beavers these days are way more sociable.. disease is much more prevalent. I would suggest using protection when handling today's beaver.

[@voodlandroamer4543]

I still like to eat beaver, I don't even mind getting the fur in my mouth anymore.

[@toms7947]

This type of beaver is a lot less complicated.

[@cuthbertallgood_man2267]

And a lot cheaper.

[@somedumwhite]

Steve, your the man. Farmer got paid for this episode, you got paid, and you LEARNED about the environment. Win win, win. COOL.

[@TheOutdoorsman]

The biggest life lesson trapping has taught me(and probably many others) humility.

[@czwirner]

Man that was a beautiful piece of land. As much as i love Michigan, the western states sure have some amazing landscapes

[@nick6328]

Travelled to Michigan first time 2 summers ago and LOVED it, but nothing beats the mountains and uncrowded, wide open space of Montana and Alberta.

[@cusefan5510]

Table-Country pinxing THRYM Firearms 27 if you don’t mind the drive into nothing it’s fantastic!

[@ronh8717]

Seeing Steven with the grandsfors bruk Scandinavian forest axe makes me feel like I made the right choice in an axe.

[@509Gman]

They are great, I’m just not sure if they’re great for the price.

[@ronh8717]

@@509Gman the price is steep but you get what you pay for

[@SupermanBB]

I’ve got several quality axes… But the GBA is tough to beat. I’d recommend buying one and taking care of it. You’ll have it for life

[@ronh8717]

@@SupermanBB it’s funny you say that. Years ago I walked into a local store that sells them and I couldn’t decide if I should spend that much on an axe. The clerk could tell and he told me the same exact thing. “You take care of it and you’ll have it for life”. He wasn’t wrong.

[@C-24-Brandan]

Can't beat a good Beaver pelt & then putting the meat in the Crock-Pot!! Can not wait for season 9 on Netflix!!

[@FukyurTvest]

you can beat a good beaver

[@ForrestMillerMusic]

Y’all gotta finish the episode with tanning, prepping, cooking, eating! Ohhh man, had me for a sec

[@kobyhansen3300]

I love that fiddle song they have playing in the background.

[@nikfish1]

Sounds like banjo to me?

[@crabmansteve6844]

@@nikfish1 it's got both.

[@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors]

I'm loving that you guys are putting these out on KZbin!

[@Fullyautomaticmechanic]

Seth Morris is a really cool guy. He’s got a lot going for him.

[@RATBURL]

Nice Beaver 🦫 Thanks I just had it stuffed 😂

[@kylemarter5627]

I learned how to trap from a gentleman named Mr.Muskrat(Jerry Korneffel.RIP)in a little old place called St.Johns Marsh,southeast Michigan and he passed away and I got to work with his son Jay and I can remember skinnin mink and muskrat till my hands were bleeding.I know for a long time he cleared damn near 6 figures from fur,ain't like that no more....I appreciate you Steve and all the other fur bearers...✊🏼...

[@_theHUMUNGUS]

I really dig using that tiny youth rifle as the dispatch weapon. Super light to haul around I imagine

[@dare369]

Nice video. Steve you have inspired me from being a gardener to a fishing hunting gardener and would like to thank you for showing us how to fill freezers!

[@jeffwhite2395]

I went to Vegas and partied no sleep for about 4 days. I developed panic attacks for like 2 weeks afterwards and thought I was never gonna be right again. I would sleep all day to stay away from people and stay up all night watching this. Idk if it is Steve’s voice or what but this show was only thing I could watch and idk if it cured me but it helped so much. I am thankful for this show during my living nightmare

[@JohnChoidotOrg]

Bro, start living a more stable life.

[@JohnDoe-hu9ve]

Appreciate the attention paid to trapping, a dying art and also a critical component of sound wildlife management.

[@evanrindal6392]

I’m loving the MeatEater hunts, and cal in the field! I like not having to wait a full year for the Netflix season. Although, I love the seasons too! Keep it up guys!!!

[@OlTreeKiller]

I remember when I was in 4th grade and this guy came too my school he grew up in a town 15 min away from me, now I’m 20 and this guy is still going at it, hats off too you man.

[@jtb9544]

As a relatively new Trapper, 4 years, here in Michigan I hope I have changed that statistic. I know that it’s a little bit of a niche sport, but I would really love to see more trapping videos from you guys. Thanks for putting this video out.

[@michaelduncan2759]

Steve, in answering your question about the decline in the number of trappers is I believe attributable to the false sense that it is a cruel and brutal practice. I believe people view it as more cruel than hunting because of the seemingly slow death. I am still an avid hunter, but stopped trapping when I joined the military and just never picked it up again. However, inspiration is what I find from your Meateater series and videos. Thank you for your videos.

[@philippmuller4129]

I think you are right. I am definitely pro hunting and pro instant death traps. The trap that just caught the ankle so the beaver drowned made feel very bad for the animal. In my opinion it is our duty to inflict a sudden death that is as painless as possible on the animals we choose to kill. But that is only my opinion of not being a hunter myself.

[@TriedFR]

I under stand your points also thanks for yout service

[@NatetheHoofGuy]

If you want to be buddies with Steven Rinella you need a quality mustache.

[@TeachaMantoFish]

Beaver trapping! I love getting beaver...

[@mcguireoutdoors5187]

As I sit here watching this, I can’t help but to think what life would have been like if I had chose a life like this. Not to generalize it, but rather an outdoors/less tech sort of way. It seems so peaceful.

[@chrismitchell523]

You aren't dead. There's still time.

[@mcguireoutdoors5187]

Chris Mitchell couldn’t agree more, the past 10 years or so I’ve changed a lot of habits/hobbies. What I’d have done different would be my occupation. With a family that “change” becomes intimidating if I’m being honest.

[@nonyabeeznuss304]

My grandpa used to trap beaver. I remember he always smelled like castor when he got home, I associate that smell with sitting around the woodstove in the garage stretching and scraping pelts while he talked about the old days.

[@seeszm]

The check music is priceless. 😂😂

[@greenfish13]

Well shoot now you got me wanting to go learn trapping to get me some beaver.

[@jedidiahbaker2398]

Steven Rinella talked about john Coulter, etc in this episode. Ironically, I'm reading Lewis and Clark: Voyage of Discovery about same areas. Much recommended book. One of the best books I ever read and makes me prouder to be American. I love watching these episodes and like how Rinella builds bridges and connects with our fronteir past. Manifest Destiny type stuff. What a cool dude

[@andrewsnyder4643]

Check out Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose. Same author, just more literature and less photos. You will love it!

[@kentuuri8272]

You don’t see many trappers in simm’s waders lol.

[@taenphillips5039]

Why?

[@spoils2873]

Because they are $800

[@TheD3m0n93]

How about $40 yeti buckets lol

[@Valscorn01]

@@taenphillips5039 Simms are basically the fly fishing world's, Sitka or First lite gear. Very expensive, but well made. Just like sitka, the brand itself is a little bit of what you're paying for. Most of their stuff is fly fishing specific.

[@iamsmalls8993]

I am sure it is just advertising right?

[@jmg25000]

Great episode, and thanks for making trapping cool again. I usually try to watch the adds to get you guys some extra coin for this free content, but this episode seemed to have one every 2 minutes. Still enjoyed the hell out of it.

[@mikeb1189]

"That's a good size beaver there" LMFAO

[@nicholilarson8369]

Impossible to talk about beavers as an animal nowadays. Even I can't help myself.

[@stevoblaile]

My 4 yro daughter loves your show and wants to be a trapper, so far all she got was a possum. We have a lot of coyotes here in NC, everything is outta season except for them, but next year I’m really hoping to get better at trapping because it’s nice to stomp through the bush and waterways with my baby girl. If you’re ever up this way, my daughter and I would love to meet you and I’d love to pick your brain about becoming a better trapper.

[@ronaldtrask3444]

Thats awesome!!!!

[@comradeelmo8639]

Your daughter is going to be a badass hunter soon! Goodjob.

[@mentalmidget7799]

If you can trap a coyote you can trap anything. Ps always set more than one trap when after coyote because they don't always go right to lures and will circle around it 6-10 feet out.

[@beebop9808]

Don't know what part of the state you're in but I've seen some sasquatch beaver in the French Broad river. lol Seriously, 60 -70 lb kinda beaver. Wish they had been around when I was a kid trapping muskrat and mink.........

[@bigjuicy2493]

@@mentalmidget7799 I’ve seen a lot of coyotes with 3 legs so even if you get em they get themselves out

[@janmorse6948]

Enjoy the show Steve. The scenery there is a bit wider than around Twin Lake! I'm an old Houghton Lake trapper, sorta a has-been of late, but still have my traps ready to go at a moment's notice....got a couple grandboys I intend to show the ropes to if I'm lucky enough to be here in a few short years. Can't wait!

[@PeaceManBro]

Wow, I could watch a full 1 hour meateater episode on beavers like this

[@jakking6111]

I have never hunted anything in my life but your videos makes me want to get outdoors and have a few adventures of my own I appreciate everything you do thanks for all the great content big fan

[@jamesdavis5329]

My favorite of all times MEATEATER!

[@Thejakegee]

Awesome to see. Thanks for the journey.

[@dylmcd12]

this content is what keeps me coming back to meateater

[@crewclark1482]

Who else thinks he should feature some wolf hunts?!

[@Ace-oz9uy]

Crew Clark yes!!

[@westernoutdoors8787]

Crew Clark those are the best hunts to watch!

[@krakca]

only if he actually hunts it himself instead of ending one caught in a trap. unmanliest form of hunting.

[@theJoefamilychannel]

Nice new content! Keep it coming Steve.

[@darkoleskovsek2558]

man that first one was huge

[@joebennett3384]

I’m loving these keep them coming please

[@BadTitan1330]

I have been waiting for more NETFLIX episodes but just found this channel.. this will do for now. LOVE THIS!

[@vlarep2]

I'm an ecologist (B.S Biology, M.S Ecology) that recently got into hunting, 2020 was my first hunting year. I got a few pheasant. I did not like it when I was younger but in a way I was also interested in it at the same time. Then while in school I understood the importance of hunting and I learned the contribution that hunters make to conservation. That combined with making some hunter friends was the little push I needed to become a hunter myself. I really like how Steven touches on conservation here and there. Hunting and conservation definitely go hand in hand and I think the more well informed hunters become, the better we will be able to manage populations, preserve species, and protect ecosystems.

[@Mikey8028]

Watching from New Zealand. Very interesting watching and learning about trapping. Hunting here is very different and is mostly based around deer, pigs and ducks. They manage to make what is basically a giant water rat look very tasty!

[@Vinson9119]

Awesome video guys keep em coming

[@TheIceman1302]

The hams make for some good eating, but I didn't see you cut out the backstraps. The backstraps, when grilled, are better than the best steak you've ever eaten! Thanks for posting this video!

[@joedunn6523]

Loving these episodes! Also, if we had them here I’d 100% be into this. Sad that it’s such a dying tradition over there. Keep up the good work!

[@GotrekGurninsson]

I'm a long time trapper. But beaver is mostly trapped a nuissance animal now. They require 10 times more work then most other pelts and there's no money in them anymore. I make the most money on them selling their skulls as decoration and the tails in wallet form. But they taste good :). I started on muskrats in grade school to pay for my nintendo... made 600$ that first year and hooked since I put up a lot of rats through my school years...

[@northeastslingshot1664]

Just bought my first traps! Thanks Steve!

[@stephanlandry9406]

I've caught many beavers over the decades. Most of them were urban beavers that I caught down at the local bar. I just had one rule I always held myself true to, something my grandfather taught me about beavers when I was a young lad. He said " If it smells bad, don't eat it"😁🇨🇦

[@scottglew9641]

Nice all the hipsters in Bozeman will be drinking craft beers in beaver hats

[@danielchan9556]

ive been trappin since i was 8 with my dad you did a great job showing how its done, thank you for that. every year i give out a beaver hat for xmas

[@karlos_marxican-godless-co1712]

Steve: beavers have a scent gland and they'll secrete an odor " Me: yeah, scent like raspberry tea!!

[@canadiantrapper2702]

Great job guys on the harvest, man those beavers are light in color compared to the ones we have in the north!!Cheers Boys!

[@jacobcram1]

Steve is awesome.. Guess 0 and hope to catch 1.. Under promising and over delivering is the best mindset for a hunter/trapper/fisherman.. Keep up the great work!

[@blackmesaoutdoors4863]

Lots of knowledge and good times!

[@azoreking]

Love this episode. Steve can you guys do more of these. I am interested in the skimming process and everything beyond. Can you show more of the process?

[@damondiehl5637]

You stretch them out round by tacking them to a sheet of plywood. You draw out a bunch of concentric circles, and it takes a lot of little nails. A guy that trapped with my dad did it for us, I never learned how he decided which circle to use. Then you scrape off the fat and any flesh with a flensing knife (a kind of scraper). I read that the mountain men made their own willow hoops to stretch beaver. It was all a lot of work, and they had to watch out for hostiles. And then they carted a mound of pelts down to the rendezvous in spring, got paid, and spent it all on booze, squaws and supplies.

[@kurzhaarguy]

I’ve enjoyed all your vids. This one gives me the back story I expected on you. I’m jaded, admittedly, but real woodsmen always have a background in trapping. It is that visceral connection to the wild world that separates them from casual visitors. I’m a northern Wisconsin kid with 6 decades of wear. It makes me truly sad that there are so few young trappers plying the craft. I feel it is because of negative peer pressure, even sadder.

[@harleystevens3090]

Good to see Seth center county proud

[@azrael3758]

Guys like this are guys I admire they got skills I dont possess and always wish I did.

[@liverturcxdanpavs]

Yes this is exactly what we need in these days. Doing God's work boys

[@kylejackson5558]

Steve I trap every season please keep doing trapping videos!!!!

[@TheEnvelopeOZ]

Really enjoyed this, from Sydney!

[@user-kf8qc7cx4n]

You can also season them up and cook them low and slow on a smoker. Good stuff 😀

[@fishingontariofishon9304]

great show keep up the good work

[@dannyb.9721]

Good stuff...awesome show!

[@thewoodsytype7243]

Hi Steve 👋👋 !! It's me boe Jenkins from southern Indiana. The corn is looking good this year.

[@HikeHuntHaul]

Beaver 🌮 tacos.?.?.? 😃 yum! 👍🏻😃

[@johnnyrios4554]

I wanna see Steve go noodling 😂👍🏼

[@hythsmskater]

@10:04 I have that zero mentality too XD

[@austineup6462]

Got his cook book for Xmas. Can’t wait to get to using it.

[@johnwood551]

Good videos guys. Love the music too

[@Manisteefly]

The music on this video is amazing.

[@speedwolf5212]

I’ve been an avid watcher of MeatEater since the first episode and this is the first time I’m seeing these MeatEater hunts, Cal in the field, etc. Never seen any advertisements or received any notifications. KZbin shadow-banning?Regardless, these episodes are amazing! It’s so good to see all the guys branching out and getting their own shows under the MeatEater name, growing from a show into it’s own network. Hopefully next year we can see some feature length films. Keep up the great work dudes!

[@dvkevin]

I remember, lifetime ago now, I was sleeping rough, hunting game and trapping beaver to make a living. I couldn't believe my luck when I caught this giant beaver, easily 45lbs. When I got it out of the water I noticed it was an albino! White with a pink tail and twice the size of your average beaver, due West of the old Van Horn trading post. Upriver, further north, there was talk about something rotten in the water, pollution runoff from an old mine or something. No idea what the state of is now, but maybe that's what spawned this monster. I made sure to tie that big boy properly on my horse and ride to Saint Denis to sell it to a trapper buddy of mine who opened up shop there. Got a nice pair of gloves out of it and a trinket.

[@dvkevin]

But on a serious note, this is an amazing channel. If I'm ever in the States, I'd try to spend a month or so learning to trap and hunt with a pro like Rinella or his buddy.

[@alexsilvestre3930]

Steve has the absolute best product placement in the entire world

[@RekziAlpha]

LET THE BEAVER EATING JOKES BEGIN!

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

Too late, they already did.

[@jacobdaus3835]

I saw you digging with that Gransfors Bruks Steve! You tried to edit that out too 😂😂

[@jamesgalliver6652]

These are great! Close to watching a real meat eater episode.

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

Why did some seasons get taken off of Netflix? And how can I see them? 😨😨

[@thebossness1440]

S1-S6 are now on prime, though you have to get a subscription to myoutdoortv Edit: yea you get a bit for free

[@C-24-Brandan]

Depending on what cable service you have season 1-6 are available on demand if not you can get the episodes on the meat eater site.

[@MrMilk5hake]

you can get a free month of MyOutdoorTV on amazon prime video for seasons 1-6

[@carsonito852]

My outdoor tv

[@nathanflogel7946]

First beaver trapper to wear Simms waders 😂

[@jbell254]

Great episode

[@snapperlocklear-hs3mw]

Great episode to learn from..Now I need a beaver recipe

[@bullishharvey8793]

You guys do good work by the way.

[@bobbysweeney5377]

I wish there was so much more Rinella vids

[@RuggedTheBeast]

That mustache game is on point,

[@joshjameskiwibushman]

Mate, you should check out our beavers in New Zealand, them suckers are massive and hairier than a hobbits crotch - taste varies with age and they can be notoriously difficult to trap

[@mrivantchernegovski3869]

I was thinking we don't have beavers here in New Zealand ,but ah i get it lol

[@albertawildcat3164]

Josh you Rascal! You know damn well the best beaver comes from Canada!! Cheers from the Great White North.

[@kimymelmesina49]

They looked like meerkats watching for predators here 11:11 hahahaha

[@HuntandFish]

If only we could trap on public land in Australia. There used to be a commercial harvest of koala and possum for fur but that went away in the 1950s

[@cammyhunt9574]

Beaver castor best scent for trapping anything in my opinion

[@murrayandru7527]

Natures Engineers the Best at what they do !

[@markalleman4520]

Earlier this year I was checking my trap and it had been tripped but no beaver. I went to re-set it and notice one of the beaver’s claws was caught in the trap. Close but no cigar.🤣

[@Johnrag1000]

Nice work folks🤞

[@juliocesarperezperez7452]

greetings and blessings from Georgia very good videos I am a faithful follower of your videos I like them a lot and I learn a lot both on KZbin and Netflix I do not speak English but I use a translator to write this thanks for your videos

[@boneheadsoutdoors6555]

hard to beat a good day on the trapline

[@kierstenfenner6792]

I hope yall right a book on trapping! There would be a great market for a book on trapping! Especially with yalls experience!

[@bigsexyfowler]

Bet there is a bunch of jokes about eating beaver made around that crockpot.

[@toadamine]

Not what I was hoping for when I clicked the title... 🤣