For 2026, we’re taking a trip through time to revisit the moments that shaped American outdoor culture and influenced the way we hunt, fish, explore, and connect with the land.

We’re calling it the MeatEater Time Machine. It’s a yearlong look back at the stories, people, and turning points that built the outdoor world we’re part of today. 

July, 1776 - July, 2026. 250 years ago, a nation was born, defined by vast horizons and a new sense of ownership over its own destiny. As America took its first steps, its identity became inseparable from the wild landscapes that stretched across forests, plains, and rivers. At the center of those landscapes stood the bison. A titan of the plains, it is a living symbol of the untamed spirit of our country. Once driven to the brink of extinction, the bison today stands as a testament to resilience, conservation, and the enduring power of the land we call home. Two and a half centuries later, our relationship with the wild has evolved, but the core principle remains: to be the Land of the Free is to have the freedom to wander, to connect with the outdoors, and to care for the land and all its creatures.

Curious how the American buffalo has shaped the land and the way we hunt today? Start with A Guide to Hunting Bison, then hear the conversation in Ep. 472: The American Buffalo with Ken Burns and Ep. 643: Should Yellowstone's Buffalo Roam Free?. For a deeper look, American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon brings together the history, hunt, and ongoing story of this iconic animal.

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