The Waters Edge: Waterfowl in Alaska | S1E03 | MeatEater

Steven Rinella joins wildlife biologist Brandt Meixell on a remote trip to some Alaska wetlands in search of ducks and geese. With a spread of decoys and a loyal retriever, they try to get their limit and cook some willow-spit roasted whole duck. Check out the MeatEater Podcast for more from Steve and the MeatEater Crew. Available here: bit.ly/2Scxfjn or wherever you get your podcasts. #fueledbynature
Presented by @onX Hunt
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[@declanvanderlinde2212]

That dog is a certified good boy

[@JobVanDam]

I don't wanna sound like a animal right activist or something but isn't the dog absolutely freezing? There in Alaska, the water is very cold and he's jumping in there. The only thing not wet on the dog is its head.

[@brightbkh07]

Frank Grisafi they are better insulated than we are and I promise you they love doing this so much it would be more cruel to not take them on a hunt than anything else. They have such a tremendous drive to hunt and retrieve that they shake in warm weather hunts in Florida purely out of anticipation. That little neoprene vest also holds in a lot of their body heat to keep them warm.

[@TonyChin226]

Frank Grisafi A: it’s a dog. Built for this. B: they’re*

[@txhunter9329]

@@JobVanDam labs are literally bred for cold water retrieving they have an insulating layer of fur and are more than capable of handling cold water. Also if the dog didn’t like it there’s no way you could make it retrieve ducks. Duck dogs live for picking up birds. If you ever get the chance definitely go duck hunting with someone that has a good dog it’s almost more enjoyable than the actual hunting part.

[@jonanderson5137]

Some dogs don't get that cold. Some people too. I grew up there and would swim in the rivers.

[@Lucifurion]

I love how even the dog is worried when the engine doesn't start.

[@Imugi007]

She thinks she won't be able to do her job. She lives for it. Labs are so awesome.

[@ElkinsEric]

This episode was made possible by Delta the duck retriever, without her it would have been a completely different show.

[@bryanincommiefornia5629]

Steven would've been wearing a scuba suit and diving out there to get the ducks himself, and would have forever earned the nickname Scuba Steve.

[@DocHolliday3841]

@@bryanincommiefornia5629 This comment is golden, 😂

[@brianharris2813]

Agreed. Watching a well trained hunting dog/retrieving dog is it’s own reward. They play such a huge part when it’s you that’s out there.

[@johndycus7800]

I’ll go pick up my own ducks.

[@Imugi007]

@@johndycus7800 sucks for you. Labs are the best.

[@gasolinedreams2691]

Brandt seems like a good dude. I’d hunt with him. Good mix of knowledge and trash talking.

[@daugustine100]

"blow on your call, steve. they'll know it's fake" lol

[@SteelheadTed]

Brandt did a moose hunt with Steve as well in a later season, one of my favorites.

[@puprilla]

That always makes it fun

[@kevyt3095]

I love hunter because they are use to sit comfortably in silence

[@patrickpelletier3104]

That moment a duck lands and looks around at all the ducks around him and realizes there decoys. Oh man this can't be good...

[@466chalk]

"It was at this moment duck knew, he fucked up."

[@simenheiaolsen7871]

@@466chalk duck'ed upp* 😂

[@getjacked107]

yeah that look

[@TheFlyingTater]

*Looks at hen decoy* Hey girl you come round here often? H-hello, uh oh *Bang*

[@PRD2HNT]

I wish you guys would do more waterfowl. Maybe when they guys go just do quick youtube version like Das Boat.

[@buckfan125]

I would enjoy more waterfowl as well. Since you brought up Das Boat, what if they did a ‘Da Gun’ mini series on the same premises? Buy a common gun and pass it on like the boat in Das Boat. Season one could be a pump shotgun such as a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. Game could be deer, turkey, ducks/geese, rabbit/squirrel, hogs, and pheasants/grouse. I’m sure all of us who regularly watch this content would enjoy something along those lines.

[@PRD2HNT]

@@buckfan125 that would be awesome

[@mikeremillard275]

Agreed!

[@thekid9152]

The best one was when he did that deer hunt with Joe Rogan and Brian, before they came to the camp in WI Steve and Doug shot a nice batch of mallards on a creek- was so cool to see him cook themZ

[@underthetrees4780]

NeoWaders waterfowl tour

[@lancet.346]

I’m so glad the music has evolved on the show, and I’m continually impressed with Steve’s progression as a presenter and writer. I like these old episodes but I think the new ones are elegantly casual by comparison. Thanks so much for sharing these.

[@vitaly6312]

Seriously. Hardcore and heavy metal don’t really work when you’re hiking a trail in the middle of nowhere or sitting on the banks of a river or something. I hated that about the first few seasons (even though I like that music otherwise).

[@lancet.346]

@@vitaly6312 Totally agree. I don't really know why it bothers me, but it does. The heavy metal stuff just doesn't jive with the beauty of the images, and I also enjoy that music.

[@bbantel]

He's honed his craft well over the years - but I still love getting the older seasons

[@brianharris2813]

This guy isn’t just a world class hunter, he’s become a true educator on hunting, wildlife, and conservation. I found him on Rogans podcast years ago and have been a huge fan ever since. Not only is he well traveled and extremely knowledgeable but he also surrounds himself with people that know more than he does. Love this dude.

[@lancet.346]

@@brianharris2813 Well said!

[@zk2939]

My dad always said to never call at a ducks face. Good to see a waterfowl biologist agree

[@captainconnorsadventures6357]

I really enjoyed this, please do more Waterfowl hunting and salmon fishing.

[@AM-tb4fn]

please stop killing and abusing animals for no reason like an idiot

[@brendancallanan2183]

@@AM-tb4fn they taste good who cares

[@YellowLabradorTV1195]

@AM1110 Shut your uneducated, fight starting, pathetic ass up.

[@pshort8086]

"....like a first kiss. But better." Lmao

[@ericleusch8469]

Living in western alaska hunting waterfowl is not only my passion but a huge source of food. Cant wait for spring snow geese

[@plutoniceye2215]

I have never hunted a day in my life but I love these videos.

[@ilikewaffles3689]

I want to start and took the written test, but can't take the field training cuz no ones doing it cuz Corona. 😔

[@ponder6184]

Same haah

[@lukem2492]

thanks for putting up the old episodes, first time I’ve been able to see them. I appreciate you showing the reality of winging and losing a bird, makes it real for the viewer and we can all relate.

[@bobbertee5945]

I thought the same thing, Steve always shows the truth about all the types of hunting he does, I was thinking about it as the show progressed, Steve is the real deal

[@macshatchetman13]

💯

[@bbantel]

Steven I found you on Netflix and fell in love with the show. Its so interesting to see this older seasons! You've grown and honed your craft very well over the year, far more polished now - but I'm still really enjoying these releases. Keep them coming! Best wishes.

[@philllax1719]

I love that a dude named Brandt grew up to be a waterfowl biologist

[@rexfknwetzel7162]

I don't get it bud

[@philllax1719]

@@rexfknwetzel7162 a brant (pronounced the same way) is a type of goose

[@rexfknwetzel7162]

Lol, nevermind, I thought it out buddy! Very witty

[@rexfknwetzel7162]

I guess I didn't get it, I thought the Brandt was mimicking the sound they make. Say Brandt four or five times right close together, lol

[@cameronbuttigieg9060]

I love nominative determinism! I have a friend whose last name is Gallop and is a riding instructor.

[@brightbkh07]

As a duck hunter I can not even count the times I pulled the trigger on a duck and had the safety on, no shell in the chamber or gun wasn’t in battery! If you can say you haven’t done that before then you haven’t been duck hunting long! I really enjoyed this video and would love to see more! Come hunt Florida with us! It’s a whole different challenge! Ducks that have been shot at all the way down from Canada, ducks that won’t decoy no matter how your spread looks, and hunting in waders submerged up to your chest in marsh mud in 80 degree weather! Haha

[@jeffpomietlarz76]

brightbkh07 lol amen there brother

[@boermetroer1714]

I had a pump action that automatically activated the safety when I fired. I developed a skill to always click the safety off when engaging the pump to load the next cartridge

[@kylewarner9822]

i literally just went duck hunting for the first time last week. Already did that

[@kylewarner9822]

happens with pheasant to

[@albertledesma5173]

Who the hell wants to hunt waterfowl in 80° weather?! No thanks. Half the fun is freezing your balls off.

[@johnalexander5194]

I'm a simple guy, when I see Steve upload a hunting video I click👌

[@ClayTallStories]

What an amazing edit. The sound quality was tip top mate. I have followed you for many years Steve and read your book. In a world that is quickly going nuts you offer those of us who hunt to sustain ourselves and loved ones some good amo for all the nut jobs that we come up against.

[@joewilson2020]

Hey clay, Come for a shoot on Ellesmere next year mate.

[@SankofaNYC]

Delta stole the show.... 😭❤️

[@DennyBass]

I actually felt the part when his shotgun wasn't in battery and the duck got away.

[@BRG13DEAN]

Anyone who didn't feel that is lying.

[@ljguy300]

Can you explain what it mean when the shotgun isnt in battery

[@jackjon7763]

@@ljguy300 our of battery meaning you hear a click instead of a bang. It means the internals of the firearm didn’t cycle correctly and won’t function.

[@MusicVidusha]

I’m not a hunter myself, but I’d love to hunt my own food someday here in Australia. Thanks for sharing these gems Mr Rinella 😁

[@jokesismael]

Man I just remember the game of hunting ducks, when I missed the shot the dog laughed at me 😂

[@fishbummin27514]

As an east coast waterfowler this is my favorite episode so far. Thanks for posting!

[@kevinwinkler7116]

So glad I left the feet on my Wood duck today! Always learning new tricks from MeatEater!

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

That tendon trick works on grouse, too. Not much meat, but it gives you cooking options. Spatchcocking birds is the way to go.

[@happywhale1786]

man, finally golden retriever retrieve something other than shoes.

[@JoshSDshot]

Love watching Steve Rinella shoot ducks. Its by far my favorite hunting, i love shooting ducks !!!

[@mwngtombing4970]

The best thing is the dog🐶🐕. 🥰🥰🥰

[@zachkirkpatrick6601]

Losing ducks has the be one of the worst feelings in waterfowl hunting. Second only to getting water in your waders lol

[@Anu-dn7hb]

Thanks for listening to your fans, I can' t wait to watch 'em all

[@anthonyrowell3122]

Steve’s my spirit animal lol

[@briananderson7008]

Are you kidding me. Meateater is on youtube? I wont get nothing done at work now. Thanks Steve

[@wadethimbey8596]

Im watching this from tree stand. No roe deers at sight yet.

[@nagtaq07]

Good luck!

[@randysparks1271]

Hope you got one!

[@bryanincommiefornia5629]

They walked by while you were looking at your phone. That's ok, though, at least you got to enjoy some MeatEater.

[@kylewarner9822]

so did you get anything?

[@zela0017]

Love these episodes, keep them going.

[@quinnsack]

lol the epic shots of the dog though

[@panzer13]

2:08 Idk why I love this so much lol. Steven Rinella is my favourite person ever “Dropped my ear plug in the water, now I gotta do the ol’ wet willy.”

[@claythomas9467]

Chambering a shell... "That's an old duck hunting trick right there." Hahahahaha

[@jasonmaes6021]

I’d give Delta a whole duck of her own.🤷🏽‍♂️ edit: but it may not be healthy for her to eat that much at a time, I’m sure these men know exactly what they’re feeding the beautiful baby.

[@Caliekat15]

I get what your saying, Delta is a good girl! Dogs can definitely eat that much at a single sitting buuuut game meat isn't good for them, the reason we cook game meat is to kill the bad stuff like parasites or bacteria. Dogs can pick that up easy with game meat and in Alaska it's illegal to feed dogs game meat except a certain type of salmon that the mushers use. She is beautiful, well trained and loves her job!

[@jasonmaes6021]

@@Caliekat15 I knew there were details I wasn’t aware of and the beautiful dog looks like the happiest baby. I’m sure she’s living the best life a dog can ask for.

[@Caliekat15]

@@jasonmaes6021 you are so on point! Delta is so happy, She got so upset at loosing the duck! The guy who owns her loves her - he's got her decked out in equipment to help her with the job. It's great to see people who love their dogs, and the dogs that love their job! ❤️

[@jasonmaes6021]

@@Caliekat15 Happiness is contagious, especially around the four legged babies.

[@samwagner31]

Does that tendon removal trick work with Turkeys too?

[@macshatchetman13]

Well great. Now I need to go and get a proper waterfowl shotgun. Thanks Steve. 😉

[@CR-qx8qf]

Shooting pumps and 3.5" shells by the looks of it 😂

[@FluffyBuzzard2TheMax]

Ouch

[@schottiey]

After about a dozen of those I start getting a headache.

[@DocHolliday3841]

3.5" is too much & tend to jam more often than 2-3/4" or 3".

[@blacktailbowhunter0135]

@@DocHolliday3841 yeah 3.5” is for sky busters. Ive always shot 2 3/4” #6 for ducks and 3” #2 for geese. When your pulling the birds within 10 yards theres no reason for anything more.

[@dubchung]

I'm super glad that the early seasons are uploaded here I don't know why, but I seem to enjoy the first couple of seasons more than the later ones on Netflix

[@johnsullenger4397]

steve sits on the board of TRCP, which endorsed Deb Haaland with 2 thumbs up. Now thousands of acres in Alaska have been put off limits to hunters. Great move steve, meateater and TRCP

[@ratta_tat]

I'm sitting here at the trailhead, watching Meateater, waiting for shooting light....gonna be a good day!

[@CampusWaterfowl]

Great all around story of waterfowl hunting in Alaska!! Keep the waterfowl hunting videos coming MeatEater crew!

[@hookahgamer2331]

Thank u for posting the old seasons!

[@bubsterjohnson7438]

13:26 that was one tough duck lol took 3 shells to knock him down

[@chetmcdonald]

Minto Flats Alaska is probably the best duck hunting in the US. YOU DON'T NEED A PLANE TO GET THERE. The Elliot highway goes right to Minto.

[@quintinhammond6565]

Losing a cripple is most deffinelty the worst feeling you can get to make a good hunt feel dirty

[@Paraaronoid]

LOL they're making rattling decoys!

[@timwhite7048]

"Cause ducks are worth havin' around"... Amen Steve lol

[@danieltaylor5231]

One of my favorite episodes. Mainly cause of Delta.

[@chaloop]

That dog is the best ! good shoot too guys!

[@JigglePhysicsX]

That dog is the goodest boi!

[@mscudde2]

That dog is amazing!

[@thenomadicoutdoors]

Please do more waterfoul hunts, you’re one of my idols

[@andrewkistner3740]

Awesome episode! Love that you’re putting these on here!

[@187Whitey]

Definitely would like to see more bird hunts with Brant and Steve. Excellent episode.

[@BBallKiller420]

Thank you for posting these on here, I was shaking with out my old school meateater vibes

[@kostas666lelapas3]

Dude from the Goonies came a long way.respect

[@martinkennedy603]

I’m impressed with Steve’s bush fixing on the motor !

[@MyWeedgrower]

thank you for posting these. love the show

[@4finch]

Keep ‘em coming.!

[@gregorykelly9479]

Thanks for posting these

[@alaskatrapper104]

I have really enjoyed your latest string of videos! Thank you for sharing your adventures, always educational!

[@Iraqwarvet23]

The only passion I have is for waterfowl. I am glad you put out this episode.

[@donzelljohnson927]

this brought me back to duck hunt on Nintendo lol haha

[@scjustin2002]

Joe Cermele pike fished the minto flats on hook shots, look up Alaska pike camp.

[@fanosoX]

RIP hook shots

[@alsbro1234]

Got some crazy spread on that gun

[@joshr5321]

Need to do more waterfowl episodes!

[@jcrawdawg7470]

man i love this episode so much. duck hunting is an such a blast!

[@tinysupreme6417]

Gosh damn, I love duck hunting!

[@ca9968]

That Doggo is living it`s best life...

[@randykinley1766]

A big part of our diet in northwest Washington is duck's. I lead off the tip of the bill when they're flying by. While coming at me with a decoy set up head shots.

[@RichCommander]

I doubt they ate those diver ducks lol. Especially that blue bill

[@justinbusuttil6553]

Great episode. Thanks Steve.

[@ethanmathias7974]

Always thought you hated duck hunting. Searched through every episode on netflix and finally found this episode on youtube. If you ever make it Arkansas and want to hunt flooded timber and a once and a life time experience give me a call. Would be glad to take you out. Hope all is well Steve and hope to see some more duck hunting videos in the future!

[@sampimentel347]

Can’t wait for episode 4

[@zakcastaneda1149]

Finally some waterfowl vids!!!

[@bobmontgomery7059]

Thankyou for the awesome inspiration.

[@ptrcksrn]

Thanks! Can’t wait for the next episode.

[@canadiangunnut]

That tip about getting the leg tendons out is nifty, will try it this season!

[@canadiangunnut]

Well, I tried it out today on two ducks I harvested, and yes it does work.

[@artmartin1913]

Awesome episode! Love duck hunting!

[@pasarea999]

Best outdoors show! Even beats most fishing shows!

[@mikeyc340]

Love the waterfowl content! Would like to see more

[@shanelonergan1792]

You and your team steven are doing the best job on ye're content I absolutely love the show and the podcast its unbelievably good thank ye very much for all of it .

[@jwilliams3170]

I was a late comer to the Meateater show, as I imagine many people were. It’s really cool seeing these early episodes and how much the show has changed in production but is so much the same in content.

[@macsmith2092]

Love it! Keep them coming. Great content.

[@americanfamilyunityandcomm5553]

Thank You for the share! Love it keep em coming!👍😁👍

[@petrokemikal]

Great Episode and What a beauty Labrador Brandt has !!

[@user-go2ib4ig1c]

Love these episodes, keep them going.. I really enjoyed this, please do more Waterfowl hunting and salmon fishing..

[@michellehardisty3296]

Steve looked so pissed when the motor pooched LMAO

[@davemom2]

When he water swatted that wigeon at 9:05...look at how open the shot pattern is. Open choke?

[@joeysanchez7318]

Glad I’m not the only one that noticed. Look like large shot too

[@christopherdroste3812]

Yeah that was bad. I’d guess it as a bad ammo choke combo and blew out the pattern. I couldn’t get a pattern that wide with my cylinder choke. But I had a gun that would do that with a modified choke and #2s

[@JRock3091]

This entire hunt is nothing but good Doggo.

[@markschnittker4770]

That is the first time I have seen the tendons removed from the leg like that. Nice trick. Thanks for sharing.

[@joshvail5942]

i like that rich-n-tone brandt is blowing,and a dog name delta you'd think he was a good ole boy from arkansas

[@alexjohnson8520]

The camera work on this show is fantastic. Ax

[@TCdiscgolf]

Am I the only one that cracked up when Steve popped up from the blind and went “kapow!”

[@lyndonswick6106]

this guy is the best feature on the show

[@benthesinger1276]

Love this show. Thx.