Today's guest may be best known for being the first to take all 29 North American big game animals with a recurve bow and complete the Super Slam, but today we are interested in his knowledge of and experience with calling black bears. We discuss the short attention spans of bears and how long to give a setup, Fred’s go to calls and sequences, some precautions to use while calling in grizzly country, and much more.

Connect with Jason and Phelps

Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube

Shop Phelps Merch

Today's guest may be best known for being the first to take all 29 North American big game animals with a recurve bow and complete the Super Slam, but today we are interested in his knowledge of and experience with calling black bears. We discuss the short attention spans of bears and how long to give a setup, Fred&rsquo;s go to calls and sequences, some precautions to use while calling in grizzly country, and much more.
Connect with&nbsp;Jason and&nbsp;<a href="https://phelpsgamecalls.com/">Phelps</a>
Phelps on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/phelpsgamecalls/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Phelpsgamecalls/">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbS-yIrtBH_yBW7b5MCuxBg">Youtube</a>
Shop&nbsp;<a href="https://store.themeateater.com/collections/turkey-calls">Phelps Merch</a>

In Pursuit is your definitive guide to fitness and performance in the wild. Hosted by Rich Froning, four-time CrossFit Games champion and founder of CrossFit Mayhem. This show goes beyond the hunt, diving into what drives us to test our limits in the backcountry and beyond. Each episode features raw, wide-ranging conversations with athletes, hunters, doctors, and thought leaders, from the gym to the lab to the wilderness, connecting the grit of mountain hunting to the pursuit of something deeper: purpose, resilience, and human potential in the wild.

In Pursuit is your definitive guide to fitness and performance in the wild. Hosted by <a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/rich-froning">Rich Froning,</a> four-time CrossFit Games champion and founder of CrossFit Mayhem. This show goes beyond the hunt, diving into what drives us to test our limits in the backcountry and beyond. Each episode features raw, wide-ranging conversations with athletes, hunters, doctors, and thought leaders, from the gym to the lab to the wilderness, connecting the grit of mountain hunting to the pursuit of something deeper: purpose, resilience, and human potential in the wild.

In Pursuit

Ep. 9: More On Calling Black Bears with Fred Eichler

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5b21583f-6b2b-409c-bb21-aea701808fd0/transcript

On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, we kick off a series on building a no-nonsense home gym, starting with a strict $1,000 budget. The goal is simple: what equipment actually matters if you want to train hard, stay consistent, and be prepared without wasting money. Next up is the $5,000 gym, followed by the $10,000 build. The crew debates sleds versus barbells, benches versus vests, dumbbells, sandbags, and pull-up bars, breaking down what gives you the most return when space and budget are limited. There’s plenty of disagreement, practical experience, and real-world perspective from years of training in stripped-down setups.

They also touch on the end of whitetail season, property management, getting kids into shooting sports, and Conquer 90, a 90-day challenge built around discipline, fitness, and consistency.

If you’re building a home gym or rethinking what you really need to train well, this episode delivers.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, we kick off a series on building a no-nonsense home gym, starting with a strict $1,000 budget. The goal is simple: what equipment actually matters if you want to train hard, stay consistent, and be prepared without wasting money. Next up is the $5,000 gym, followed by the $10,000 build. The crew debates sleds versus barbells, benches versus vests, dumbbells, sandbags, and pull-up bars, breaking down what gives you the most return when space and budget are limited. There&rsquo;s plenty of disagreement, practical experience, and real-world perspective from years of training in stripped-down setups.
They also touch on the end of whitetail season, property management, getting kids into shooting sports, and Conquer 90, a 90-day challenge built around discipline, fitness, and consistency.
If you&rsquo;re building a home gym or rethinking what you really need to train well, this episode delivers.
Connect with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/rich-froning">Rich Froning</a>
MeatEater on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meateater">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeatEaterTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaa0mleeU128Ad5iM1RFIg">Youtube</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterClips">Youtube Clips</a>
Subscribe to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork">The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube</a>

Ep. 22: Spike Camp - $1,000 Home Gym

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/66afc9a8-74d3-4e22-b190-b3ca01889dbd/transcript

Join Rich Froning and Pat Spinosa on this episode of In Pursuit, as they sit down to talk rural America, agriculture, and the “Like a Farmer” brand Pat built with NFL QB Josh Allen. They cover the pillars behind the movement—outdoors, sports, food, and country music—plus why the next generation is crucial for keeping farming strong in a changing world.

The conversation also digs into rancher-athlete culture, direct-to-consumer meat, processing realities, conservation, and a few fun detours—duck hunting stories and the never-ending chicken debate.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

Join Rich Froning and Pat Spinosa on this episode of In Pursuit, as they sit down to talk rural America, agriculture, and the &ldquo;Like a Farmer&rdquo; brand Pat built with NFL QB Josh Allen. They cover the pillars behind the movement&mdash;outdoors, sports, food, and country music&mdash;plus why the next generation is crucial for keeping farming strong in a changing world. The conversation also digs into rancher-athlete culture, direct-to-consumer meat, processing realities, conservation, and a few fun detours&mdash;duck hunting stories and the never-ending chicken debate.
Connect with <a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/rich-froning">Rich Froning</a>
MeatEater on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meateater">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeatEaterTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaa0mleeU128Ad5iM1RFIg">Youtube</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterClips">Youtube Clips</a>
Subscribe to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork">The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube</a>

Ep. 21: Pat Spinosa - Highlighting Rural America

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b1014a67-bea2-4153-a35d-b39c0174507a/transcript

On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning sits down with the crew to talk off-season training for hunters—why now is the time to build strength, maintain conditioning, and let fat loss happen as a byproduct of consistent work. They also preview the upcoming Conquer 90 Challenge with Mountain Ops, break down the different training tracks (including the new Everyday Hunter hybrid program), and discuss the importance of goals, accountability, and community in preparing for the hunts that matter most.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning sits down with the crew to talk off-season training for hunters&mdash;why now is the time to build strength, maintain conditioning, and let fat loss happen as a byproduct of consistent work. They also preview the upcoming Conquer 90 Challenge with Mountain Ops, break down the different training tracks (including the new Everyday Hunter hybrid program), and discuss the importance of goals, accountability, and community in preparing for the hunts that matter most.
Connect with <a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/rich-froning">Rich Froning</a>
MeatEater on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meateater">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeatEaterTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaa0mleeU128Ad5iM1RFIg">Youtube</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterClips">Youtube Clips</a>
Subscribe to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork">The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube</a>

Ep. 20: Spike Camp - Optimizing the Offseason to Improve Your Health and Fitness

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3aa2998e-7a89-4fea-9405-b3bd01756aeb/transcript

Ep. 9: More On Calling Black Bears with Fred Eichler

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