On a snowy November morning in 1975, 25-year-old hunter Ludger Belanger stepped into the woods with his .30-30 and the hope of backstraps for dinner. But what started as a simple deer hunt quickly became one of Maine’s oldest—and most haunting—unsolved cases. At first, game wardens thought Ludger had lost his way. But the tracks in the snow told another story: a shot deer, a missing rifle, tire marks on a back road, and two strangers in a green Buick. Join host Jordan Sillars as this episode of Blood Trails follows a path that twists into drunken parties, threats, explosions, and suspects who always seemed one step ahead. Nearly fifty years later, Ludger’s wife, children, and grandchildren are still searching for the truth—and for the body of the man stolen from them.

Want more Blood Trails? Check out the Case File.

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On a snowy November morning in 1975, 25-year-old hunter Ludger Belanger stepped into the woods with his .30-30 and the hope of backstraps for dinner. But what started as a simple deer hunt quickly became one of Maine&rsquo;s oldest&mdash;and most haunting&mdash;unsolved cases. At first, game wardens thought Ludger had lost his way. But the tracks in the snow told another story: a shot deer, a missing rifle, tire marks on a back road, and two strangers in a green Buick. Join host Jordan Sillars as this episode of Blood Trails follows a path that twists into drunken parties, threats, explosions, and suspects who always seemed one step ahead. Nearly fifty years later, Ludger&rsquo;s wife, children, and grandchildren are still searching for the truth&mdash;and for the body of the man stolen from them.
Want more Blood Trails? Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/series/blood-trails-case-files">Case File</a>.
Follow Blood Trails on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blood-trails/id1848185680">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3WRqMmdRVZ3MjOZb0uK0ob?si=e9a15992ce65400a">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIQv7voZWHy4_K5Yu3T9pgFXpFzQDiCsf">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-blood-trails-301855865">iHeart</a>, <a href="https://www.pandora.com/podcast/blood-trails/PC:1001110258">Pandora</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/85c4a194-a3e7-435c-bd54-9f8653bce49b/blood-trails">Amazon</a>.
Connect with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/jordan-sillars">Jordan Sillars</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/">MeatEater</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork">MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube</a>
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Blood Trails is a new investigative podcast from MeatEater, hosted by writer and journalist Jordan Sillars. Each episode digs into true crime stories from the world of hunting and fishing—cases where the woods and the water became the backdrop for violence and mystery. From missing hunters deep in public land to poachers turned killers and fishing trips gone fatally wrong, Blood Trails uncovers the moments when outdoor life collides with the darkness of the human heart. But this isn't repackaged Wikipedia. Each story features original reporting you won't hear anywhere else, expert insight from detectives and hunters, and first-hand accounts from the people who were actually there. For true crime listeners looking for something new—and outdoorsmen who know the thrill and risk of time afield—Blood Trails exposes the stories left behind in the tracks. If you’re a fan of Dateline, Criminal, or Bear Grease but want your true crime set in the wild places you know, this podcast is for you.

Blood Trails is a new investigative podcast from MeatEater, hosted by writer and journalist Jordan Sillars. Each episode digs into true crime stories from the world of hunting and fishing&mdash;cases where the woods and the water became the backdrop for violence and mystery. From missing hunters deep in public land to poachers turned killers and fishing trips gone fatally wrong, Blood Trails uncovers the moments when outdoor life collides with the darkness of the human heart. But this isn't repackaged Wikipedia. Each story features original reporting you won't hear anywhere else, expert insight from detectives and hunters, and first-hand accounts from the people who were actually there. For true crime listeners looking for something new&mdash;and outdoorsmen who know the thrill and risk of time afield&mdash;Blood Trails exposes the stories left behind in the tracks. If you&rsquo;re a fan of Dateline, Criminal, or Bear Grease but want your true crime set in the wild places you know, this podcast is for you.

Blood Trails

S1E5: A Big Woods Cold Case

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/76aee0ed-8940-4ddd-8e5e-b3a1011d3553/transcript