Ribeye of the Sky: Sandhill Cranes in West Texas | S5E10 | MeatEater

Steve and bird hunting aficionado Ronny Boehme join up with wildlife biologist Ed Arnett in Lubbock, Texas to hunt Sandhill cranes. The Sandhill crane offers a unique wingshooting opportunity and also carries the nickname “rib eye of the sky” because of its supposed similarities to a handsome cut of beef. It’s fast action and plenty of laughs as Steve, Ronny, and Ed explore the culinary delights of these birds with a Texas style “Crane Cookout.”
#fueledbynature #MeatEater
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[@jackiekinner3826]

That lady on the phone was the star of this episode.

[@lukeabram1674]

Wasn't she awesome?

[@spideymcgee4718]

That's what I was gonna say.

[@alexkmoz]

Best part is, she got her 15 minutes of fame, and can say, "I was on Meat Eater, with Steven Rinella". Her friends won't believe her, then she shows them this video, and hopefully the outtakes too.

[@lukeescamilla9386]

100% she was out here making things happen. Can we do four? “ watch me “

[@tommysmith7232]

100%. Somebody give that lady raise.

[@questionablecooking7019]

Ribeye in the Sky is a hell of a marketing slogan... whoever came up with that should get a raise lol

[@louiss.w1944]

This man has nearly singlehandedly help fill the void of Anthony Bourdain. If he started cooking meals with hunters worldwide more often that would be amazing. Much love from Canada Steve

[@chrismcdonald6481]

He has quite a few hunting and Cooking on his meateater series on Netflix. Lots of wild game cooking vids

[@odawg9198]

Perfectly said

[@marklopez4650]

He’s special. You have an excellent idea. I hope him or someone on his team sees this.

[@bfg5291]

Check out the new show I think he helped with duckcamp diaries.

[@spencerdunn6933]

Is Steve Canadian?

[@matthewmurray4159]

This is the best hunting show ever made. It shows all of what hunting is about. Going out time and time again to see nothing but finally get a harvest. Then sit around and tell stories and cook up the meat while talking about whatever. Nothing I love more then sitting in hunt camp, eating fresh meat and listening to stories

[@larsohara1506]

I literally attended kindergarten to sixth grade right next to where that old crane was tagged in alaska. not at the same time when it was tagged, but it probably flew through the area while I was there.

[@jeffnpatricia]

And that my friend is a cool coincidence

[@joshbarrow6246]

Very cool. This world is an amazing place.

[@MeatEaterTV]

Very cool, thanks for sharing!!

[@michaelperez81583]

@@jeffnpatricia I like to think coincidences are Gods reminders of his existence

[@user-vt3vo1yd3v]

@@michaelperez81583 Nope, they are just coincidences.

[@tommysmith7232]

I’ve watched enough of these episodes to know that this is definitely one of my top three KZbin binge watching shows. Good stuff man.

[@sailorsguidetoselfreliance2928]

Agreed, Steve has monopolized and revolutionized hunting show entertainment.

[@lunkydog]

It's always a good show when Ronnie is in it. No exceptions.

[@stevenxho]

Ronnie seems like such a dick to me. I have never met him, so i don’t know.

[@JacobDavisGuitar]

Totally agree.

[@ronwilson3414]

How true!!!!

[@americanghostbat]

Ronny describing his first banded goose left me in stitches

[@historikus3193]

Yeah I am still laughing

[@willoconnell1620]

Not sure what it is, but the bird videos are always my favorite.

[@jc9291]

I wish they were longer! More steveeee

[@repetemyname842]

WO; Sandhill Crane. They love crop fields and marshy areas, they stand about 4' tall. Once market hunted almost to extinction, back around the turn of the century I believe, 1900 or thereabouts. Many states didnt even have a population 40 years ago, we never saw them in Wisconsin until the mid 90s. Very numerous now.

[@auto_5]

I have a feeling it’s the birds

[@GraphicDesignerStephen]

The best hunting show being made. Hands down.

[@dragonsnatch1146]

It really is, got me to get my hunting license after all these years.

[@hunteranfinsen2804]

“It’s not really a design” 😂😂

[@jeremymatheson6885]

That was pretty good.

[@rudyfries7094]

@@jeremymatheson6885 c

[@michaelbonthuys7455]

The Meat Eater team should plab a trip to Africa, we love the show.

[@damianshady9826]

Facts boet proudly South African🙌

[@VeganV5912]

@@damianshady9826 ... but we’re not cavemen. We have a phone and house and car. We don’t need cavemen. Saturated fat is animals, heart attack and cancer and diabetes and strokes and high blood pressure... 😵🦠🥓🥩🍖🍣🥩...... 51% death rate !!! That is extremely high !! Vegans have 4% cancer and that’s it. Scientific fact. KZbin Dr Greger. Actual pictures of blockages eating animals.

[@Jeremycook_]

@@VeganV5912 what does your unwanted spam comment have to do with his being proud of where he's from?

[@VeganV5912]

@@Jeremycook_ .. you’re hurting innocent animals ?? For a burger ???? And I’m the one that’s Coward ???? 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@Jeremycook_]

@@VeganV5912 who said anything about you being a coward? Your obviously *real* brave calling people serial killers on youtube, you fuckin wack job.

[@Texasfishingfamily]

I've been hunting and guiding for cranes since 1997. Still haven't seen a crane band in the field. Truly lucky.

[@stevenhorton83]

Where do you guide out of

[@Texasfishingfamily]

@@stevenhorton83 I guided in Knox city Texas and then in NW Oklahoma. I'm retired now.

[@ethang7389]

Mine and Steve’s definitions of “devils butter” are very different

[@philiphahn6086]

I'm so happy this is my favorite episode of all time

[@lokei1326]

It's up there for me

[@joshcoyne2983]

My God when they were all missing shots and hearing them commentate on how shit they were had me rolling

[@JohnSmith-py9fx]

This is a good one

[@lescobrandon8522]

That lady was awesome giving out 4 certs for that bird. Another great episode

[@anthonymurimi1220]

Love your shows buddy...Always hooked up from Kenya 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@kimchi2780]

My first Canadian Geese was banded. It was 10 years old and banded in Northern Ontario. It was pretty cool knowing the history. I am a Texan and I think I will go do this! Sandhill Crane Shashlik sounds amazing!

[@loudmouf9246]

Yo that actually sounds awesome and delicious!

[@kimchi2780]

@@loudmouf9246 My GF is Kyrgyz so having genuine Russian Shashlik crane would be epic!!! I have a friend who lives in the Panhandle I am going to see if I can go shooting on his property.

[@connordent3560]

Do you know where in norther Ontario? I live up here so maybe I know the place

[@vanderlin4966]

I didn't know you could hunt Canada Goose! I'm in Ontario, looking to get into hunting, so this is good to know!

[@user-yt2nv3si7i]

@@loudmouf9246 goose isn't exactly "delicious"😂

[@texasaggie2063]

Did my first Sandhill Crane hunt in November up in the panhandle of Texas. Took me 8 hours to get there from Houston. It was well worth the effort to get there because the meat is fantastic.

[@jc7354]

Finally an episode for all the bird hunters out here who watch Steve

[@appleseeD552]

The meat preparation and consumption in these episodes ALWAYS makes my mouth water 😋....plz keep em comin 😋👍

[@captaincool5387]

Ronny!!! I love that guy- Best episodes have Ronny!

[@Thisismycomment.]

I know this is re-upload, but I love watching it twice.

[@philiphahn6086]

They cut out part of the bird cleaning at the end cause I can remember where Steve was talking about how Jim Harrison said its a sin against God and man to skin a bird

[@gonavy1]

I don't know why it took me so long to see this channel but thank God I did. There is actually hope for this country.

[@Dremansworld]

In South Africa its our National Bird. Never even considered hunting or eating them. Eye opener for sure. Love this channel

[@Gatorraider]

Dude. I would hunt with Ronny any day of the week! Probably my favorite meat eater!

[@sh80611]

As a West Texan, I love seeing this.

[@Ckmerr]

Same! I live near Lubbock

[@arcticman1522]

We are seeing more of the Sandhills cranes far up north in canada. They are a sight to see when they are ‘dancing’ with each other.

[@Utubeisassho]

A regular in Kawartha Lakes, now

[@lucienvandegaart3611]

Steve has the best hunting. Cooking shows out there hands down. Wish I knee of his secrets when I was in my teens and 20s. Almost 70 now and still trip out on this mans sense of the wild nature we are blessed go live with

[@spencerdunn6933]

Lol wish you'd caught that comma

[@randyclary8144]

I grew up in West Texas little town call Kermit I’m just guessing 50 to 60 miles from Kermit Crane we played them in football but I never knew you could have those birds small world

[@Gatorraider]

Steve is never gonna miss another sandhill season !

[@luketw2818]

More cranes than ever. Wisconsin here and I’ve never seen more as a birdwatcher and hunter. We need a season soon

[@ResurrectDecoys]

As a Nebraskan where sandhill cranes are basically worshipped, I was surprised to learn that you can hunt these birds on other states

[@TuffMcAwesome]

Same in Florida, Fish and Wildlife would fuck your ass for this.

[@zsu-23-4shilka2]

I wanna eat em

[@anthonycoci5743]

Love watching meat eater this is one of my favourites..

[@TonyMichaels166]

Seeing a flock that big is crazy. In Michigan you might see 3-5 cranes together. Not thousands.

[@MAJORMCPATTY]

In Lapeer they gather like this and the chorus in the morning is a sound to behold.

[@raymondharnack4160]

@@MAJORMCPATTY yeah I’m in Oakland county and they congregate by a water pond in the morning…. Hope you didn’t wanna sleep in.

[@TonyMichaels166]

@@raymondharnack4160 I’ve got some really good close up photos of cranes in front yards right by the road in Oakland county

[@MAJORMCPATTY]

@@raymondharnack4160 If you get up early, you will hear one lonely "whoopwhoopwhoop" followed by silence. About twenty minutes later you will hear it again followed by one or two others. This goes on for a few rounds getting more and more support and then all of a sudden one whoops and the whole flock starts whooping and they all take off at once. It is absolutely beautiful to listen/watch.

[@raymondharnack4160]

@@MAJORMCPATTY is that where juggalos get their whoop whoop phrase from? Yeah these giant asshole birds hoot nonstop in the summer around here

[@davidbuben3262]

I logged in Icy Bay Alaska for 4 years back in the 70s, and we would catch the sandhills coming and going on their migration. You could hear them coming an hour before they got there. The moose and goose boys estimated the number at well over a million! They darkened the sky, and was deafening. Yes they are delicious. Now that the Swan numbers are up, it would be nice to hunt those as well.

[@tex_gil117]

MAN that meat looks freaking amazing.

[@danielcarrillo4385]

I grew up around these birds my whole life in FL, I never knew you could eat them wild!!

[@skezus]

at 16:10 I swear the dog catches a crane in mid-air before it hits the ground.

[@mattthompson4005]

dogs >

[@headflat449]

Love how you guys changed up your spot and spread and also changed what you were wearing to help camouflage you guys better. Another awesome video!! Thank you for that.

[@leer670]

Hunted plenty of Playas and fields around Lubbock - Plainview. Cranes Ducks and Pheasants. Who said going to TTU wouldn't get me anything!

[@rogerramjet7567]

Had a permit in Montana. It was indeed ribeye of the sky!!! Great on the grill!!

[@KAP32DW]

Awesome video. Everything you said about the taste and preparation is true. Plus the livers and gizzards fry up real nice. A pairing with a Cabernet or Pinot Noir and some mashed potatoes is really top notch. The hearts are delish and glad you served them up.

[@marktracy2577]

One of the best episodes yet!

[@MrMrHougland]

Even the thought of shooting these birds is foreign to me, they are heavily protected here.

[@IWjake]

Florida?

[@repetemyname842]

@@IWjake : Wisconsin does not have a season, either. Dipshits in Madison control our lives.

[@repetemyname842]

@Russ H : Yep, were loaded with 'em unfortunately.

[@matthewsmall7607]

Another item that is going into my bucket list.... Sandhill crane hunt!

[@shanevids4644]

Had 2 wicked crane hunts last fall, limits both times and we get 5 birds each here in MB....great show and great cooking tips

[@b0ssatr0n91]

That last video of the hunt filled my heart with joy

[@abrahamkim1078]

Beautifully cooked. Perfect med rare.

[@tommclarty17]

This is a perfect example of why you book a 3 day hunt with a waterfowl outfitter. 17:00 to know that Steve isn’t a duck hunter.

[@jordanarill]

As someone who lives in port st Lucie Florida they are a menace I’m jealous of these men

[@patrickgjorven7832]

Very cool that you got to tell about the banded bird process!

[@rwilson208]

I always learn something with every hunt, fishing trip that you go on. Super great video as usual. Lots of great comraderies.

[@radamrussell]

This is 100% right. To me, sandhill tastes like venison tenderloin, maybe even less gamey. Frikkin terrific meat though. If you and a few other guys limited out, that'd be a heckuva good haul. It's killer tenderized and chicken fried.

[@CafeBianco]

The philosophical side of Meat Eaters channel will live for ever rent free in my head

[@traviscassaday7666]

As someone from Indiana and having hoards of them around my house in the fall and winter, I have always been curious what they taste like.

[@loudmouf9246]

Like ribeye. 🥩

[@mr.smitty1993]

Same. I live amongst farm fields with a creek running through so I see them daily.

[@traviscassaday7666]

It's hard to not shoot them

[@ryankiesow8440]

I'm up in north central IN and I've seen some while floating the tippy

[@JuanTurks27]

They’re absolutely delicious. I hunted cranes around this exact area almost my entire life. If you ever get the chance I’d say do it.

[@JonathanSimmons42]

Also, you should go down to the snow goose conservation contest in Arkansas next year. This year, the winning team shot over 400 in one day. All the meat goes to charity too.

[@Mitc667Hell]

Crazy how the word Conservation and phrase "shot over 400 in a day" are in the same sentance. But then again USA has several world series involving just one country..

[@JonathanSimmons42]

@@Mitc667Hell it’s tundra conservation not bird number conservation. There’s millions and millions of these birds, who’s number grows every year mind you, and they are decimating the arctic tundra. Educate yourself before pointing fingers on something you obviously know nothing about.

[@Mitc667Hell]

@@JonathanSimmons42 Ahh get that stick out your ass before telling people to educate themselves. 'Snow goose conservation contest' doesnt mention Tundra. It also implies that the geese are being protected, not frozen ground. Also the word contest, so how is that played out? People measure how many acres of tundra they saved in a day? Just coincidental 400 birds were also shot? Artic tundra is found generally above the artic circle, alpine tundra found in high elevation in the USA, generally below the artic circle. So how much by percentage is Arkansas above the artic circle? And how much of their ARTIC tundra has been 'decimated' by snow geese? It's rhetorical.. Oh and i imagine that increased greenhouse gases and buring of fossil fuels in the USA has nothing to do with it, just farting geese. Have your self a wonderful day, educator ;)

[@JonathanSimmons42]

@@Mitc667Hell lol you’re a fucking moron. Go look up the point of the conservation season before you try to roast me on a subject you know nothing about, bud.

[@JonathanSimmons42]

@@Mitc667Hell www.ducks.org/hunting/goose-hunting-tips-tactics/light-goose-conservation-order Here you go, keyboard warrior. Like I said before, educate yourself.

[@IMKINDOFABIGDEAL13]

I had no clue those birds lived that long and traveled that far.

[@jaymunoz9123]

Could you imagine being one of those birds like, “oh shit shit shit! harry? We lost harry!”

[@Dave839]

I can darn near walk up to massive flocks that winter in the ponds and fields around Cochise county. Now that I know how good the meat is, looks lime they're on the menu next year.

[@petergithaka1182]

Still following from Kenya

[@justinstark3504]

Chilling Cold winter afternoon here in Cape Town. Love the show Bro

[@hawkbug]

I live in College, Alaska its so cool to see that bird so far away

[@jakerisner4139]

That's literally exactly what Canadian goose looks like when you cook it the same way. I soak mine in a brine for 10-12 hours but it looks and taste like a super lean steak.

[@chrisluna8231]

Bro they came to my hometown Lockney ,TX how awesome!! Love this show

[@Banditomojado]

Sandhills are so rare where I’m at (NW Illinois) that this ever so slightly bothers me. But not too much! Great episode. We have a nesting pair near my turkey spot that loves to make all sorts of noise when we’re hunting.

[@1989inception]

There not rare here in Arizona, but they dont populate as much so you have to go through a draw process and can only get one.

[@IWjake]

I could literally hit a sand hill crane in my yard with a rock on a daily basis. And there’s no season in Florida 😭😭

[@andrewdean1]

They’re protected too man even if you accidentally nail one with your car you can get arrested 🤣🤣

[@IWjake]

My point exactly. They say it’s because they are “migratory” even though they’ve proven there’s a subsect that stays in Florida year round.

[@loudmouf9246]

@@IWjake can’t even apply for a tag? 🏷

[@IWjake]

No tags 😔

[@tristanmack5779]

But if they're in your backyard and you have a slingshot...will anyone even really know?? 🤔 Sorry I'm a bad influence I'll leave now 🤐🤣

[@bussdownblunt971]

As a floridian this while video is mind blowing fr 😂😂

[@hudsonfoley7294]

Part two for Janis elk?

[@garretwitterholt5842]

No this is cranes

[@xxbpxpeanutxxx162]

Tuesday

[@johncummings8751]

@@garretwitterholt5842 no this is Patrick

[@rubensandoval1845]

Ribeyes oh yeah brother👍👌💪

[@mycroftvieira1858]

melhor canal de caça que já encontrei nunca decepciona (keep it up Steve) 🇧🇷

[@TheShire26]

I have to tell you whenever I press translate the flag turns into an American flag

[@breakingbenjamin4769]

Was missing your videos... really awesome

[@lindawuorio5466]

When she says we can do up to 4 but we're gonna do it 1 at a time.... I lost it haha

[@danlewis6157]

A guide named Kyle, in Kyle, Saskatchewan, said when you shoot a crane it looks like a lawn chair thrown out of a helicopter. Darned if he wasn’t exactly right. Great eating, too!

[@jasongreen6842]

Great production Steve. My go to show to relax 👍

[@rickamc3521]

I love this show and finally a hunt near a town I lived in. LOCKNEY TEXAS

[@garyK.45ACP]

These birds hang around all year long in Florida and wander across the roads like they own them, forcing all the traffic to stop while they go on a stroll. I grew up in Runnels county TX and used to see them flying overhead...like 15,000 feet overhead! I never had the opportunity to hunt them, but felt like I would need a flak cannon to reach them.

[@sturisa]

Hey Steve, great hunt, looks like lots of fun! I just listened to the Big Game Hunting Podcast with John Mcadam today and it was the Sandhill Crane Hunting episode. He talked about his chance encounter meeting you on a plane trip while he was reading your book Adventures from the life of an American Hunter. I just ordered the book today! I really enjoy the MeatEater series!

[@demetrimellos3406]

Best bird meat I have ever ate

[@wesleybullock814]

I'll take your word for it but I prefer pheasant

[@ohreally...]

16:19 totally reminded me of the dad in The Christmas Story when his lamp got delivered.

[@ohreally...]

I'd take my kids to personally see Steve. Can't say the same for Anthony.

[@jimharley6660]

My mouth is watering!

[@thomengel9720]

I never knew there was a season on this bird.

[@skeetermalcolm1655]

Dam Steve,I didn't know you could eat crane, looks delicious man, great video

[@702havingfun]

6:53 LMAOOOOO 😆 🤣 😂

[@lillmeca1983]

Sounds tasty! On the list to try now!

[@alanhelton]

That part where she said it was tagged in 2002 in Alaska, had me in tears! What a journey it took! At least you made a feast!

[@alblanzjr]

Where I live, in South Florida, Sandhills are protected. This is breeding ground, and we have them by the boatload.

[@robguti]

Looks like a lot of fun.

[@kuriboh635]

Nice. I am from Michigan too. I've always wanted to try one but like you said no season. Nice to know their are places to get some cranes

[@camovlog1922]

Nice hunt and delicious cooking steve!! 👍👍

[@chriskrueger1753]

Making my mouth water. Shot some in North Dakota memories I’ll always cherish

[@timbratsch1919]

They are the prime rib of the sky good eating for sure

[@jessieeads5569]

Now that was a pretty informative video

[@dhooter]

I absolutely love fried deer heart more then the loins.

[@wesleybullock814]

I love this show...!!!!

[@robertanstey466]

Interesting, I was told to cook sandhill crane with a rock, once the crane is cooked, throw it away and eat the rock cause you’re better off. Never known them to be called rib-eye of the sky. Here in northern Alberta we have tons of cranes too.

[@hatzlmike1]

Illinois had some ribeye in the sky bird this year

[@ducktapepilot]

Man I wanna go Sandhill crane hunting now. That meat looked delicious

[@telly115ify]

I got to say if there is one thing I've learned from watching meat hunter , of Steve ever invited me over from diner I guarantee you its gonna be the best thing ever I mean I have favorite cooks and stuff but if I could choose dinner with steve would be the greatest thing ever

[@BlackTyler_]

2:34 good ol Michigan boys nothing like it 💙💛

[@bcoffey63]

Another great video. Many thanks.