On the hunt for bear in the Ozarks

February 1, 2026

TL;DR

Clay Newcomb views hunting as a unique way to teach children responsibility and a land ethic.
Bear Newcomb, 20, recounts his five-year pursuit of a bear, culminating in an emotional kill at age 15.
The article highlights the practice of bear hunting in September as a family tradition.
A friend, Lake Pickle, experienced a difficult hunt where a bear was wounded but not recovered, a situation the hunters find deeply regretful.
The Newcombs argue that their hunting practices are more ethical and sustainable than modern confinement agriculture.
Bear grease was historically significant, used as oil and for predicting weather, with 14% of New Orleans exports in the mid-1700s being bear fat.
Unregulated market hunting nearly wiped out black bears, but conservation efforts by hunters helped restock populations.
Clay Newcomb hosts a podcast called 'Bear Grease,' exploring historical hunting figures and practices.

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