Ep. 152: Why We Hunt: The Wild Food Revolution with Jesse Griffiths

02/11/25 • 71 min

The Silvercore Podcast with Travis Bader

Jesse Griffiths isn’t just a chef—he’s a hunter, butcher, and James Beard award-winning author who’s on a mission to reconnect people with their food. From tracking feral hogs to teaching butchery and conservation, Jesse brings a no-nonsense approach to ethical hunting and cooking.

In this episode, we dive into the truth about wild hogs, why Jesse is committed to hunting locally, the surprising impact of invasive species, and the deeper connection between hunting, conservation, and food. We also swap stories about overcoming school struggles, the MeatEater crew, and the primal draw of hunting, its process and our connection to nature.

Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman, a passionate foodie, or someone who just wants to understand where their meat comes from, this episode will challenge the way you think about food, conservation, and the hunting lifestyle.

https://www.thewildbooks.com/ https://www.daidue.com/ https://www.newschooloftraditionalcookery.com/home https://www.instagram.com/sac.a.lait/

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Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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Timestamps:

📌 [00:00:00] Intro – Meet Jesse Griffiths: Chef, Hunter & Wild Food Advocate
📌 [00:00:35] How a Signed Copy of The Hog Book Brought This Episode Together
📌 [00:01:52] Why Travis’ First Hog Hunt Was a Bust (& Why He’s Going Back)
📌 [00:02:16] Jesse’s Mission: Teaching People to Hunt, Butcher & Cook
📌 [00:04:19] The "Why" Behind Jesse’s Passion for Hunting & Cooking
📌 [00:07:49] ADHD, Struggles in School & How Unconventional Thinkers Thrive
📌 [00:15:13] The Surprising Truth About Black Bear Hunting & Ethics
📌 [00:18:37] Invasive Species: Why Axis Deer & Feral Hogs Are a Growing Threat
📌 [00:26:35] Will Wild Hogs Ever Take Over British Columbia?
📌 [00:29:10] The Impossible Battle: Why Hogs Can’t Be Eradicated
📌 [00:34:02] Gloves or No Gloves? The Real Risks of Handling Wild Game
📌 [00:42:46] Jesse’s Take on MeatEater, Giannis & Steve Rinella’s Food Obsession
📌 [00:50:52] How COVID Changed the Way People Think About Hunting & Food
📌 [00:56:06] What Happens When People Stop Supporting Local Farmers?
📌 [00:57:53] Is the Future of Food Moving Toward Sustainability or Big Business?
📌 [01:02:18] The Best Wild Game Jesse Has Ever Cooked (And How You Can Do It Too)
📌 [01:07:44] Final Thoughts: How to Start Your Own Journey Into Wild Food

https://www.thewildbooks.com/ https://www.daidue.com/ https://www.newschooloftraditionalcookery.com/home https://www.instagram.com/sac.a.lait/

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Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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Timestamps:

Previous Episode

Ep. 151: Survival, Psychology, and Burnout: A Deep Dive with Megan Hine

Join me as I sit down with one of the world’s top survival experts, Megan Hine, for a raw and thought-provoking conversation. Megan is an expedition leader, the author of Mind of a Survivor, and a key figure behind some of the most extreme survival TV shows in the world. In this episode, we explore survival psychology, the power of human connection, and how the outdoors can heal and transform.

Megan opens up about her personal experiences with burnout, the lessons she’s learned from decades in high-risk environments, and the mental toughness it takes to thrive when the odds are against you. We also discuss the role of nature in balancing the chaos of modern life and how embracing discomfort can help us grow.

This is more than just a podcast—it’s a deep dive into what makes us resilient as humans. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a psychology buff, or just someone looking to be inspired, this conversation will leave you with new perspectives and actionable insights.

🔗 Connect with Megan Hine
📚 Megans Website: https://meganhine.com/
🌍 Follow Megan: https://www.instagram.com/megan_hine/

🔗 Connect with Silvercore
🎙 Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/c/SilvercoreCa?sub_confirmation=1
🌲 Learn more about Silvercore: https://www.silvercore.ca/

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Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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Timestamps

0:00 - Intro: Megan Hine, Survival Expert & Author
2:10 - Behind the Scenes: Working on "Extracted" and Survival TV Shows
8:30 - Childhood Adventures: Megan’s Early Love for the Outdoors
14:50 - The Psychology of Survival: Why We Seek Nature
18:20 - Social Media vs. Real Connection: The Nature Disconnect
21:05 - Megan’s Battle with Burnout and the Road to Recovery
27:30 - ADD, ADHD, and Finding Strength in Challenges
33:45 - Flow State in Extreme Environments: Megan’s Climbing Philosophy
39:15 - Spearfishing and Connecting with Nature in North Wales
44:00 - The Meaning of Hunting and Food Connection
49:25 - Human Connection: The Key to Happiness and Resilience
52:10 - Lessons from Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
57:00 - Mental Toughness: Managing Mindset in Extreme Situations
1:02:00 - What Keeps Megan Centered in High-Stress Environments
1:05:40 - Final Thoughts: How Resilience and Connection Transform Lives

Next Episode

Ep. 153: The Government Is Watching - And Stéphane Monette Knows It

For over 1,775 episodes, Stéphane Monette has spoken his mind. An extremely positive, and passionate lifelong hunter, entrepreneur, and CEO of Fermé Monette, he built a business around the outdoors—only to find himself on a government watchlist for speaking out.

This episode dives into the hard truths behind social media censorship, the battle over hunting rights, and the real impact of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) on the industry.

🔥 What’s inside this episode:

🎯 The shocking moment Stéphane learned his content was being monitored
🎙️ How he fought back against social media bans & government pressure
🦌 The hidden reality of CWD and its devastating effect on the hunting industry
🛑 Why anti-firearm policies are built on myths, not facts
🏹 Life on Anticosti Island—115,000 deer, no predators, and a hunter’s paradise
👊 What it takes to succeed in business and life

This isn’t just another hunting story—it’s a wake-up call for anyone who values personal freedom.

🔔 Subscribe now & hit the bell so you don’t miss out.

This episode isn’t just about hunting—it’s about who controls the narrative.

📢 What do you think? Are hunters and firearm owners being silenced? Drop a comment below.

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/stephmonetteonjase/

https://www.facebook.com/smonette

https://onjase.live/

https://fermemonette.com/

Connect with the brands talked about in this episode (Sako, Beretta, Norma, Tikka...);

https://www.stoegercanada.ca
https://www.instagram.com/sako_international/
https://www.instagram.com/tikka_international/
https://www.instagram.com/normaammo/ https://www.instagram.com/berettaofficial

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Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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Show Notes:

[00:00] Introduction

Travis introduces Stéphane Monette, highlighting his experience in hunting, media, and business.

[02:00] Meeting at SHOT Show

Discussion on SHOT Show 2024, industry trends, and the reality of post-event sickness.

[06:00] The Business of Hunting Products

How Fermé Monette evolved from real deer urine attractants to synthetic solutions.
The impact of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) on hunting regulations.

[12:00] Anticosti Island & Early Days as a Hunting Guide

A deep dive into life on an island with over 115,000 whitetail deer and no predators.
Stéphane’s journey into guiding at just 16 years old.

[18:00] Cooking, Hunting & The Wild Food Movement

How his culinary background influences his connection to hunting and food.
The growing trend of hunters embracing ethical food sourcing.

[24:00] The Social Media Battle & Censorship of Hunting Content

The challenges of posting firearms-related content on Facebook, YouTube & Instagram.
How Stéphane built his own platform after being restricted online.

[32:00] Government Monitoring & The Hunting Industry

Stéphane shares shocking details about government agencies monitoring his content.
How he uses his platform to push for fair regulations.

[40:00] The Role of Firearms in Outdoor Life

Firearms as a tool vs. the political debate around gun ownership.
The misconceptions about handguns in Canada.

[50:00] The Power of Consistency in Media & Business

Stéphane has hosted 1,775+ episodes of his show, Angeas, and reveals the secret to longevity.
The impact of daily content creation on influence and business growth.

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