#1395 - Glenn Villeneuve
NaN minutesEpisode #1395
Glenn Villeneuve is a hunter, fisherman and TV personality, best known for appearing in the show “Life Below Zero”, which showcases the life of the Alaskan hunters particularly during the harsh winters.
Watch the full episode of #1395 - Glenn Villeneuve.
Episode Timestamps
Life Below Zero: Journey to Living Off the Land
- Glenn Villeneuve, the main character of 'Life Below Zero,' lived by himself in a small room in the rugged terrain of Alaska, hunting and hiking for survival.
- Inspired by a love for nature, Glenn decided to live as a hunter-gatherer after living in a tent in Vermont and discovering his passion for outdoor living.
- After seven years of preparation, Glenn moved to the Brooks Range of Alaska, driving up the Hall Road and trekking 60 miles into the wilderness to start his off-grid lifestyle.
Transition to Primitive Hunting and Wilderness Living
- Glenn spent four years organizing his life in Fairbanks before moving to the wilderness, where he learned to hunt and live off the land.
- Starting with two months' worth of supplies, Glenn built a cabin, used a rifle for hunting, and transitioned to hunting moose for meat.
- Glenn embraced a primitive hunter-gatherer lifestyle, waiting for cold weather to preserve meat, and reflecting on the abundance of wildlife in Alaska compared to other areas of the US.
Dalton Highway & Hall Road Construction
- Flight to Tokyo with view of Brooks Range and the Great Circle Route
- The construction of the Dalton Highway also known as the Hall Road in 1974 to build the Alaska Pipeline for oil
- Remarkable speed of construction, starting in April and completed in a single summer
Sylvia & Discovery of the Reality TV Show
- Living mostly alone in wilderness with Sylvia occasionally present
- Isolation and self-reliance, surviving on hunting and living off the land
- Discovery of a reality TV show opportunity after years of living in the wilderness
Living in the Wilderness - A Life-Long Dream
- The speaker had been planning to live in the Brooks Range for seven years, feeling a deep connection to nature.
- Choosing a life in the woods over a traditional job, he focused on staying active, hunting, and foraging for food.
- By managing expenses and living self-sustainably, he achieved his dream of living close to nature.
Transition to Alaskan Wilderness & Survival Challenges
- Transitioned to Alaska at age 30 after prior jobs in courier flying and real estate management.
- Studying aviation and wilderness forays delayed the move but added valuable skills.
- Encountered survival challenges in Alaska, including tracking wolves for food during harsh winters.
Prionic Disease and CWD in Deer: The Concerning Situation in Wisconsin
- Research on prionic disease and the absence of it in Alaska
- High prevalence of CWD in parts of Wisconsin, including where Doug Durian lives
- Impact on deer and moose populations, with concerns over human transmission
Chasing a Wounded Caribou to Save it from a Wolf
- Encounter with a wounded caribou being chased by a wolf
- Racing against time up a 5,000-foot mountain to prevent the wolf from catching the caribou
- Successful rescue of the caribou and the challenging journey back home in extreme cold
Encounter with Pack of Wolves
- Witnesses giant pack of wolves taking down prey on a frozen lake
- Faces a close encounter as the pack starts to approach him
- Decides to shoot some of the wolves in self-defense
Defending Against the Wolf Pack
- Lures the wolves near the cabin to take a safer shot
- Hits three wolves while defending himself
- Highlights the unusual occurrence of being targeted by a pack of wolves
Encounter with Wolves and Moose
- Encounter with wolves where the speaker shot three wolves near a lake
- Describes the difficulty of handling wolf meat due to parasites like trichinosis
- Incident of chasing and shooting a paraplegic wolf with a .22 rifle
Discussion on Parasites and Grizzly Bear Meat
- Information on parasites that can be found in bears and their potential dangers to humans
- Anecdotes about parasites causing harm, such as worms in eyes and brains
- Experience of dealing with parasites and the precautions taken to prevent their spread
Exploring the World of Caribou Stomach Contents
- Caribou stomach contains partially digested lichens which become edible
- Eating caribou stomach contents was part of a primitive subsistence lifestyle
- The process of pickling tenderloin in caribou stomach for heat retention
From Wolf Meat to Primitive Living: A Journey of Survival
- Experimenting with aging and fermenting meat with unique flavors
- Discussing consuming wolf meat as a desperation food
- Transition from survivalist lifestyle to sharing life experiences and learning about wilderness hunting
Glenn's Illegal Living in Alaska Wilderness
- Glenn lived illegally in Alaskan wilderness for 17 years before getting a permit
- State troopers occasionally checked on Glenn without major issues
- Being on a TV show exposed Glenn's location, leading to official visit after 17 years
Survival Skills: Weasel Eating & Life Partners
- Glenn recounts eating weasels out of necessity during the winter
- Weasel meat described as crispy and needing careful preparation
- Discussion about partners Sylvia and Trisha, including their contrasting professions and adaptability to bush life
Exploring Stone Age Site in Alaska with Jack Recoff
- Narrates overcoming producer resistance to make a story about finding a Stone Age site in Alaska
- Describes discovering stumps of stone-axe-cut trees and what it signifies about the Stone Age
- Highlights the episode where the Stone Age site in Alaska was explored
Differences in Creative Vision and Departure from Show
- Recounts his friendship with Eric Salatan and overlap on the show
- Explains his departure due to creative differences and desire for deeper narratives
- Reflects on tensions with producers, lack of contract renewal, and departure from the show
Jussie Smollett's Alleged Hate Crime Hoax
- Jussie Smollett, a successful actor, claimed to be a victim of a hate crime involving white supremacists in MAGA hats
- Investigation revealed that Jussie allegedly paid two individuals to stage the attack
- The story received national attention for its obvious inconsistencies and suspected motive for attention
Life in the Wilderness: TV Personality's Alaska Experience
- TV personality sharing his life in the Alaskan wilderness, living in a 600 square foot cabin
- Discussions about challenges with permits and building structures in remote locations
- Exploration of the appeal and connection to nature in contrast to modern urban living
Hearing Protection and Gun Laws Discussion
- Discussion on the importance of using suppressors to protect hearing while hunting
- Debate on the need for gun laws regarding suppressors and urban safety concerns
- Comparison between loudness levels of rifles with and without suppressors
Preferential Hunting Methods & Ethics
- Preference for archery hunting due to the challenge and skill required
- Comparison between hunting with rifle and bow in terms of difficulty and ethics
- Debate on humane aspects of hunting with bow and arrow versus rifle
Sheep Hunting Adventures: Thrills and Dangers
- Sheep hunters are known for their thrill-seeking nature and passion for sheep hunting
- The challenges include hiking on steep cliffs and dangerous heights, making the experience exciting
- The satisfaction of a successful hunt brings relief and happiness, with delicious food rewards
Autonomy and Isolation in the Wilderness: Meeting a Stranger
- Living in isolation enhances the appreciation for human interaction, as seen during chance encounters
- The sense of autonomy and independence in the wilderness is a profound experience
- Meeting someone unexpectedly in the vast expanse of nature creates unique and memorable connections
Living in the Wilderness - An Experience of Autonomy and Independence
- Preference for living in the wilderness over urban areas due to autonomy and independence
- Discussion on basic activities like bathing, eating, and sleeping in nature
- Importance of living close to nature and its profound impact on perceptions and senses
Survival Challenges in the Wilderness - From Starvation to Refeeding Edema
- The experience of enduring a prolonged period of starvation leading to severe physical weakness
- Discussion on the challenges of limited food sources and adaptation to harsh winter conditions
- Recovery phase marked by the occurrence of refeeding edema after sudden intake of food
Hunting Caribou with Primitive Techniques
- Exploration of hunting techniques of indigenous people in Northern Canada
- Use of voice and stone structures to confuse and guide caribou
- Demonstrated hunting technique involving yelling and echoing voices
Exploration of High Protein and Fat Diet
- Discussion on high protein and high-fat diet consisting mainly of wild game
- Importance of consuming fat for energy and well-being
- Variation in diet including raw or half-dried meat for optimal health
Meat vs. Vegetables: The Debate
- Hardliners believe only in meat, shunning vegetables despite evidence.
- Vegans advocate for vegetables as the sole diet, demonizing meat.
- Discussion on the impact of different types of meat consumption on health.
Life in the Wilderness & Transition Plans
- Reflections on living in the wilderness and experiences of drinking water from nature.
- Discussion on the future plans including potential transition to YouTube for self-produced content.
- Exploring the idea of making traditional tools like bow and arrow for survival.
Climate Change Anecdotes and Impact on Alaska
- Anecdotal evidence of warmer winters and thinner ice in Alaska discussed
- Use of salt on roads in Fairbanks increasing due to warmer winters
- Shift in weather patterns leading to freezing rain events in winter
Debunking Bigfoot Myths and Society's Distractions
- Critique of Todd Standing's fake Bigfoot videos in 'Survivorman Bigfoot' show
- Discussions on the implausibility of Bigfoot existence and lack of evidence
- Reflection on societal distractions like excessive screen time and belief in myths