Got Game University Podcast

Back from a short break, Mike and Ryan dive into a deceptively simple question: If you had the power to change one thing about hunting, what would it be? Ryan explores the tension around resident opportunity and out-of-state pressure in Idaho—and what it really means to choose a lifestyle built around hunting. Mike imagines a radical (and slightly ridiculous) shift in predator behavior that would transform spring bear season forever. Underneath the humor is a deeper conversation about sacrifice, access, expectations, and why we choose to live where we live. Short episode. Big opinions. Honest reactions.

In this episode of Just the Tip Tuesday , Mike Edgehouse (Cutrite) and Ryan Smith (GameTech) ditch the overthinking and hit record to talk about the best $100 hunting investments —before, during, and after the kill. From trekking poles (“sissy sticks”) and meat grinders to sausage stuffers and pack add-ons, the guys break down what gear actually earns its keep when budgets are tight.

In this episode of Just the Tip Tuesday , Mike and Ryan flip the script on the usual “do more, grind harder” hunting advice. Instead of talking about what makes you a better hunter, they dive into what they’ve stopped doing —and how those changes made the biggest difference. Mike opens up about stepping away from regular alcohol consumption and the unexpected ripple effects it had on his health, family life, and time in the field. Ryan shares how letting go of social media pressure and the “need to kill” transformed his mindset, improved his shooting, and brought the joy back into hunting. Along the way, expect plenty of laughs, honest reflection, and real talk about influencer culture, freezer anxiety, new-hunter pressure, and why success in the field doesn’t always look like what you see online. If you’ve ever felt burned out, stressed, or judged by the highlight reels on social media, this episode is a reminder to hunt for you —not the algorithm.

Mike and Ryan are back with another Just the Tip Tuesday , breaking down what they actually mean by hunting intentions —not resolutions, not fantasies, but realistic plans built around life, work, and time in the mountains. From horse-packed deer hunts and first-year bear bait plans to slowing down in new elk units and embracing October rifle seasons, this episode is about playing the long game. Toss in a little truck ranting, marketplace ethics, and an emergency elk-neck Instapot recipe, and you’ve got a classic Just the Tip episode. Short, honest, and straight from the field—this is hunting talk for people who still care more about meat than horns.

Welcome back to Just the Tip Tuesday — and welcome to 2026. After a much-needed break from social media, podcasting, and the noise of everyday life, Mike Edgehouse and Ryan Smith are back with fresh batteries, tighter shirts, and a renewed perspective on what actually matters. This episode isn’t about New Year’s resolutions . It’s about intentions . Mike kicks things off by sharing seven powerful questions passed down from his son’s hockey mindset coach — questions that force real self-reflection instead of surface-level goal setting: What habits helped me grow this year, and which ones held me back? Where did I stay comfortable when I knew I should have changed? Who or what drained my energy the most — and why did I allow it? What am I most proud of that no one else sees? What fear stopped me from going all in? Am I living by my values, or just reacting to life? If nothing changed next year, would I be okay with that? From there, the conversation unfolds into an honest look at trimming the fat — not just body fat, but mental fat, emotional fat, time fat, and relationship fat . Ryan shares his intentions around health, discipline, and performance — why dropping weight has made him a better hunter, runner, and human, and how his version of “75 Not So Hard” is about sustainability instead of punishment. He also opens up about stepping away from doom scrolling and redefining social media as a business tool , not a time sink. Mike dives deep into personal growth — cutting energy drains, shrinking his circle, and working to sever what he calls the “give-a-f*** wire”: learning to do his absolute best without letting other people’s dissatisfaction define his worth. This episode is raw, funny, reflective, and deeply relatable. It’s about ownership, values, and asking yourself the hard questions — not on January 1st, but whenever you’re finally ready to grow. Next week, the guys take it to the mountains with their 2026 hunting intentions — but this episode lays the foundation.

It’s a holiday-season edition of Just the Tip Tuesday , and Mike and Ryan squeeze in a morning recording to talk food, hunting gear, and a little life balance before Christmas chaos takes over. This episode starts in the kitchen, where Mike throws down a bold culinary challenge: elk tartar . From raw backstrap done right to the exact crackers that make it shine, Mike breaks down why this appetizer has become a Christmas showstopper—even winning over skeptical in-laws. Ryan shares his own wild-game comfort food favorites (yes, ranch is involved), and the guys talk about how food has become a bigger part of hunting culture than ever before. From there, the conversation shifts to the field. With the new year coming up, Mike and Ryan each name two things they’ll never hunt without again —from good boots and real meals to comfortable camp chairs and why a standard-length truck bed might matter more than you think. It’s practical, honest gear talk rooted in real hunts, real mistakes, and lessons learned the hard way. They wrap things up talking holiday breaks, motivation cycles, and setting intentions for the coming season—before signing off and gearing up for a short Christmas pause. Whether you’re planning Christmas appetizers, upgrading gear, or just dreaming about next season, this one’s packed with laughs, insight, and a few ideas you might actually steal.

In this special Christmas edition of Just the Tip Tuesday , Mike and Ryan unwrap their ultimate hunter’s holiday gift guide—from budget-friendly gear to big-ticket upgrades that will change your season. The guys cover everything from the legendary Kinko mittens and “No Snow” leather treatment to Sitka layers, Tricer bino adapters, SheepFeet insoles, and even the game-changing SIG stabilized binoculars. You’ll hear steak-cooking stories, hunting-partner ribbing, and one traumatic neck-gaiter emergency involving field-expedient toilet paper. Whether you're shopping for a hunter, a gear junkie, or yourself , this is the episode full of ideas you didn’t know you needed.

Welcome back to Just the Tip Tuesday , the weekly (mostly 😏) collaboration between GameTech and CutRite where Mike and Ryan talk about the stuff we’re not experts in… we just have enough experience to be dangerous. This week, we’re fired up about one thing: taking care of your wild game after the shot . Mike shares some jaw-dropping stories from recent butcher jobs—including a garage that smelled so bad he knew the meat was toast the second the door opened. From there, the guys dive into hunter responsibility, reverence for the animal, and why “I didn’t plan on killing anything” is a terrible excuse. You’ll hear: Why every hunter should own a $75 garage fridge The four tiers of keeping meat cool: walk-in, Wild Meat Gear setup, garage fridge, and cooler How to age meat safely in a fridge (Mike’s gone 3+ weeks on elk ) Pros and cons of aging in a cooler—and how to do it right if that’s your only option Why bad meat is almost always a planning problem , not “bad luck” Plus, the guys drop a Black Friday bomb : 🎁 The CutRite mobile app is FREE for one year on Black Friday only when you use code BLACKFRIDAY (all caps) in the app store checkout. One day, 100% off. If you care about your meat, your freezer, and the animals you hunt, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Game Tech University “Just the Tip Tuesday” podcast, Ryan Smith sits down with Game Tech co-founder Tayler Tibbitts to break down an elk hunt that had just about everything: big summer expectations, painful misses, dad duty on the mountain, and a last-day bull that finally came together in the snow and fog. Tayler shares how a carefully scouted “plan A” fell apart when rifle season hit and the elk weren’t where he’d found them all summer. He talks through: Missing the same bull twice—once long, once at 40 yards A 7-hour solo track job with no pack, no water, and rabdo in the back of his mind Three big 10-mile days hunting with his 12-year-old son and balancing “hard hunts” with “fun hunts” A basin absolutely lit up with rutting elk, cows contact-buzzing, and silhouetted bulls bugling in the dark Rebuilding confidence by re-checking his rifle mid-hunt and finally making a perfect 300-yard shot on a unique 5-point herd bull on the very last day Along the way, Ryan and Tayler dig into lessons on scouting for the right season, always having a backup plan, spending enough time behind your gun, hunting with kids the right way, and staying mentally in it—right up until the final evening light.

On this Just the Tip Tuesday, Mike and co-host Ryan Smith welcome Tayler Tibbets for a no-BS breakdown of what an elk really yields and why so many hunters think they got shorted. We dig into realistic hind/front quarter weights, how aging changes flavor and reduces weight, the 30% trim + rind loss many folks forget, and when it makes sense to grind early vs. age big cuts. We also hit rib meat (love it or leave it), cold-room setups (temp & humidity matter), and a couple spicy butcher stories about expectations vs. reality. If you’ve ever believed every elk is “200 pounds of meat,” this episode is your reality check—and your roadmap to tastier meals and fewer arguments with your processor.

Whether it’s a small cut or something more serious, being prepared in the wild matters. Ryan Smith goes solo this week to talk about first aid in the field — what to pack, what to skip, and how to be ready for the unexpected. Hear practical advice from medical pros and get tips on lightweight gear that keeps you safe without weighing you down.

On this week’s Just the Tip Tuesday , Mike and Ryan reunite to dig into one of the hottest topics in the hunting community — game waste and Fish & Game crackdowns. From Idaho’s latest enforcement push to the viral stories of hunters leaving tenderloins behind, the duo breaks down what it really means to show respect for your harvest.

We’re bringing back one of our most popular episodes! In this rerun, Ryan and Mike go all out as they each share their top 3 must-haves in their kill kits. These aren’t your typical items like knives or game bags — we’re talking about the underrated, often-overlooked gear that can make a real difference in the field.

In this rapid-fire Q&A session, Mike Edgehouse and Ryan Smith from GameTech and Cutrite Mobile tackle your most-asked butchering questions — no fluff, just sharp talk. From the #1 rule of butchering to Mike’s top 3 steaks you’re probably grinding by mistake , the guys dive into the cuts, tools, and techniques that make or break your wild game experience. Whether you’re a first-time DIY butcher or a seasoned elk slayer, this episode packs 20 minutes of straight-cut wisdom — and a few laughs along the way. 🎧 Listen now and level up your butchering game. Download the Cutrite Mobile App to follow along with video guides and pro tips from the field.

In this week’s episode of Game Tech and Cut Rite , Mike and Ryan reflect on another elk season—one filled with highs, lows, and lessons that will carry them into next year. From missed shots and bruised arms to the importance of remembering your “ABCs” in the heat of the moment, they dig into the hard-earned wisdom that only comes from time in the mountains. Mike shares how practicing “purposeful patience” led him straight into a bugle fest, while Ryan opens up about a missed opportunity that taught him the balance between instinct and fundamentals. The two also debate calling versus sneaking, trade stories of close encounters, and remind us why success isn’t only about filling the freezer—it’s about learning, growing, and experiencing wild places that few ever see. Whether you’re a bowhunter gearing up for next year, a rifle hunter about to hit the peak rut, or just someone who loves the hunt, this episode will leave you with laughs, takeaways, and plenty to think about before your next trip into the elk woods.

Welcome back to Just the Tip Tuesday , brought to you by Cut-Rite and Game Tech. We’re kicking off a special Elk Nut Rerun Series , revisiting our very first and most popular conversations with the legendary Paul Medel—better known as the Elk Nut. Paul is the voice behind the Elk Nut mobile app and a master of elk hunting strategies. In this timeless series, you’ll learn how to read elk behavior, master calling tactics, and adapt your approach for success in the elk woods. Whether you’re brand new to chasing bugles or a seasoned DIY hunter, Paul’s insights will help you build confidence and sharpen your skills. In this episode, we rewind to our original sit-down with Paul and special guest Chris Treest, who shares his journey from first hunts to unforgettable encounters in the backcountry. Together, they break down real-world elk hunting experiences and extract lessons you can take into your next season. Sit back, tune in, and let’s revisit the wisdom that made these episodes fan favorites.

Welcome back to Just the Tip Tuesday, a Cut-Rite x Got Game Tech collab. We’re rewinding to our Elk Nut series featuring Paul Medel—architect of the ElkNut app—and unpacking timeless elk language. In this first rerun, Ryan and Taylor revisit cow bugles, why meanings don’t change by gender, and when a “cow bugle” belongs in your cold-calling toolbox. Paul breaks down sneaking on advertising bulls, reading growls versus nervous grunts, playing both caller and shooter as a solo hunter, and using sound sequences to steer encounters. Whether you’re new or seasoned, these classics sharpen your decisions before bugles light up.

Welcome back to Just the Tip Tuesday, a Cut-Rite x Game Tech collab. We’re rewinding to our roots with the Elk Nut, Paul Medel. These fan-favorite episodes dive into elk calling fundamentals, reading behavior, and DIY strategies that win. Paul unpacks why bulls respond, when cows use contact buzzes, and how to match emotion to every call. Whether you’re brand new or tuning up before season, this unedited Elk Nut Rerun Series delivers field-proven insights and reed tips straight from the man behind the Elk Nut app. Press play, learn the language, and stack the odds on your next bugle.

We’re bringing back a classic ElkNet conversation from the Got Game University Podcast archives. In this second episode of the series, Ryan and Taylor sit down with Paul “ElkNut” Medell for an in-depth discussion that’s just as valuable today as it was when it first aired. Paul unpacks whether bulls use challenging bugles toward cows, explains the emotional nuance in elk vocalizations, and shares proven strategies for hunting in open terrain. He also highlights the biggest calling mistakes hunters make—and how to fix them. Even though this episode was recorded years ago, the lessons are timeless. From slow play breeding sequences to adapting for pressured elk, this rerun delivers insights that continue to help hunters succeed season after season.

We’re excited to bring back one of our most popular podcast series with the ElkNut, Paul Medel. As one of our earliest guests, Paul shared timeless elk hunting strategies, calling techniques, and insights that every DIY elk hunter can apply in the woods. Whether you’re new to elk hunting or looking for a refresher before the season, these rerun episodes are packed with knowledge and practical advice. Join us as we revisit the original ElkNut series and learn from one of the best in the business.