Luke Combs: Camo, Cooking, and Country
Building on the belief that a deeper understanding of the natural world enriches all of our lives, host Steven Rinella brings an in-depth and relevant look at all outdoor topics including hunting, fishing, nature, conservation, and wild foods. Filled with humor, irreverence, and things that will surprise the hell out of you, each episode welcomes a diverse group of guests who add their own expertise to the vast world of the outdoors. Part of The MeatEater Podcast Network.
Steven Rinella talks with Luke Combs, Seth Morris, Chester Floyd, and Austin “Chilly” Chleborad.
Topics discussed: The finer details of wild turkey management; how to lose listeners; how Steve has a song idea for Luke; nice vs. funny; when you don’t know if you’re gonna be alive long enough to fill a trash bag; the rules of pitch meetings; turkey numbers in the 90s; suppressing Turkey harvest; hating and boning out-of-state hunters; turkey DNA; parenthood and bandwidth; how Luke’s kids think he personally knows every famous person; cleaning up after yourself; the number of songs on a record; and more.
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In a down-home yet deeply reflective episode of the MeatEater Podcast, country superstar Luke Combs joins host Steven Rinella and the team for an open, sometimes hilarious, often heartfelt discussion about everything from wild turkey regulations to parenting priorities and the nature of success. It’s not just another hunting podcast—this episode offers an intimate look into the personal philosophies of one of country music’s most authentic voices, all while deep in the weeds of conservation, streaming economics, and fatherhood.
Luke Combs Unplugged: Music, Family, and Making Time for the Hunt
The episode opens with some classic MeatEater banter—bugs, underwearlessness, and readers (“cheaters,” as Rinella calls them). But quickly, the conversation shifts as Luke Combs, calling in from deep South Texas, talks about the changes he’s made in his career to make room for what really matters.
“I was supposed to do a set of shows in November,” Luke says, “and I just said no—that’s the middle of deer season.”
That might sound wild from an artist whose albums dominate country charts, but for Combs, it’s all about reclaiming time for family, the outdoors, and raising his boys right. “It’s a super luxury to be able to do stuff like that,” he admits, “and I haven’t had a really great deer season in six or seven years.”
This is the first year Combs has drawn a hard line between work and life, and it’s refreshing to hear a Grammy-nominated artist talk about balancing big stages and small family moments with equal reverence.
Teaching Kids the Wild Way
Throughout the episode, Combs shares his vision of parenting with purpose—using hunting and outdoor life not only as a hobby but as a platform for values. He talks candidly about instilling humility and responsibility in his young sons through simple things like cleaning up their toys or helping under the dinner table after a meal.
“They didn’t ask to be born. It was my choice to bring them into the world,” Luke says. “So, I want to be around. I want to show up.”
He and Rinella connect over this ethos, reflecting on how exposure to hard work, nature, and ‘mundane’ household tasks helps raise grounded, grateful kids—no matter how famous their parents are.
A Hunter at Heart, Even at the Top of the Charts
Even as Luke’s career soars—stadium tours, record-breaking streams, sold-out shows—he’s still the same guy who wants to be in the woods come November. The episode gets deep into wild turkey conservation, touching on South Carolina’s changing regulations, declining bird populations, and predation patterns.
Combs listens intently, offering thoughtful questions and personal experiences from the field. There’s a clear respect for wildlife, a curiosity for conservation science, and a hunter’s deep-seated desire to be part of the solution.
The team also jokes about songwriting, including Rinella pitching a “trash bag” song idea and lamenting his pitch-meeting blunder—”You never start with the loser.”
“I’ve heard worse,” Luke deadpans, laughing. “That can be a compliment in songwriting, depending on the tone.”
When Stardom Meets the Stream: The 40-Song Album Strategy
Toward the tail end, the conversation veers into the music industry’s changing landscape, with Combs breaking down how the streaming economy is shaping album creation.
“If I put out a 12-song record or a 40-song record, every 100,000 spins equals a sale. So why not put out more songs?”
It’s a candid peek into the business mechanics behind modern country music—and Luke Combs is playing the long game, strategically and creatively. Yet even amid algorithm-driven decisions, his focus remains on quality and authentic connection with fans.
Why This Episode Matters for Luke Combs Fans
For those who love Luke Combs songs about real life, his music makes even more sense after this episode. Whether it’s balancing tour life with family time, passing on hunting traditions to his sons, or simply deciding not to miss another deer season, this is Luke at his most honest and relatable.
This isn’t just the Luke Combs who’s topped Billboard or played the Super Bowl. This is the Luke Combs who says:
“I want my kids to see me do things at a really high level… and still make breakfast in the morning.”