The Great American Bull Boat Race

Steven Rinella and Ryan Callaghan test their woodsmanship and bushcraft skills to construct their own Bull Boats using only raw bison hide and willow branches. Steve and Cal then race their organically constructed vessels a few miles down a mighty Montana river during runoff. The first to successfully navigate the river in their boat and hoist the MeatEater flag will have bragging rights for ages to come. Which of these two modern-day mountain men will construct a better Bull Boat?

The first written accounts of Bull Boats were from trappers in the 1790's near present day North Dakota who noted these light and convenient design used by Native Americans for traveling and fishing. By the 1820's frontiersmen and fur traders along the Missouri River were utilizing this age old boat design to navigate water for exploration and to transport hides.

Unlike native tribes and frontiersmen who had to hunt down and collect their hides, Steve and Cal will get their bull bison hides supplied from our friends at North Bridger Bison (@northbridgerbison).

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