Elk Hunt

I sat down with Jaden Bales this week for one of those conversations that starts as a catch-up and turns into a full-on masterclass — and I didn't even plan it that way. It's been way too long since Jaden and I recorded together (we live in the same town, so we keep telling ourselves we don't need a podcast to catch up — turns out we do). Jaden's got a trail camera bull he's chasing this fall — a mid-July photo puts him around 340", with room to grow into the 350 range by September — and he wanted to pick my brain on how to actually turn this thing up before archery season opens. So that's exactly what we did. We get into the real difference between hunting a "201-level" six-point and hunting a genuine target bull — because trust me, those are two completely different games. We talk about why elk don't respect your neat little three-mile circle on OnX, why a good bull might blow off his summer ground and go rut ten miles away, and why "air miles" is the only way to actually think about elk movement in big mountain country. We also get into backpack-hunt logistics, meat care in the backcountry, why purple roads and hiking trails matter less than you think (until they don't), and the mental shift it takes to go from "find one bull" to "learn four different herds at once." If you've got a shooter on camera right now and you're trying to figure out your game plan for opening week, this episode is basically a free coaching session. Grab a coffee and get ready to think differently about how elk actually use the mountain. This Episode's Sponsors Tricer This episode is brought to you by the good folks over at Tricer. I always want to call them Tricer Tripods, but they make a lot more than tripods — the RP Bipod is one of my favorite pieces of gear I own. At 10.5 ounces it's stupid lightweight, it comes with long legs and short legs, and it works on both Picatinny and ARCA. All that for $350 is a no-brainer. I've shot a lot of critters off this thing. Check it out at tricer.com and use code TRO to save 10% off. Maven Optics This episode is also brought to you by Maven Optics — a direct-to-consumer optics company out of Wyoming that I've been running for years. The comment I get every single time someone picks up a pair is, "Oh man, these are actually really good." Yeah — I told you. From binos to rangefinders to rifle scopes, Maven is hands-down the best bang for your buck in the optics world, because cutting out the big box store markup means better glass for less money. Check them out at mavenbuilt.com and use code TRO at checkout for a special gift. Chapters Timestamp Segment 0:00 Intro — Welcome to the Elk Hunt Podcast 1:15 Sponsor: Tricer RP Bipod 2:45 Sponsor: Maven Optics 4:00 Catching up with Jordan Bales — wedding recap 6:30 First elk hunt four weeks out — this year's scouting mission 8:15 The trail camera bull — first photos and initial score estimate 11:00 Piecing together bull location vs. known cow herds 14:30 Why elk wander farther than most hunters assume 18:00 201 vs. 301 hunting: chasing a six-point vs. chasing a target bull 23:00 Why it takes a team to hunt one specific giant bull 27:30 Thinking in "air miles" instead of trail miles 31:00 Bachelor herds, rut timing, and reading bull behavior in late August 35:00 Strategy: kid gloves vs. hard-charging a target bull 39:00 Backcountry logistics — backpack hunting, horses, and pulling meat 43:00 Meat care and temperature management in the backcountry 46:00 Recreational hiker traffic — does it actually affect elk? 48:30 Roly-poly country vs. big mountain drainages — which makes you a better elk hunter 51:30 Hunt West coaching — booking a consult with Jordan 53:00 Outro — free hunt planner and show links (Note: these timestamps are estimated proportionally based on conversation flow within the 50-minute runtime — swap in your actual DAW/editing timestamps before publishing.) Three Key Takeaways Think in air miles, not trail miles. The mental trap most hunters fall into is measuring distance the way a human experiences it — on foot, along trails. Elk cover ground on a completely different scale. A bull that seems "close" to a herd on the map might actually be far enough that he's already moved on to check her and bounce. Recalibrating your sense of distance is one of the biggest jumps from intermediate to advanced elk hunting. Targeting one specific bull requires understanding every herd around him, not just his. The moment you commit to "301-level" hunting — chasing one specific animal instead of just filling a tag — the job changes from finding an elk to mapping an entire drainage system: every bachelor group, every cow herd, every likely wind-and-terrain funnel within a few miles. It's genuinely harder and less fun than general elk hunting, which is exactly why it usually takes a team. Patience beats pressure with a known target bull. The instinct to hike straight into a bull's last known location and start calling is usually the fastest way to lose him for the season. Watching from a distance, learning what the herd is doing morning and evening, and staying in "kid glove" mode until you actually have eyes on him gives you a far better shot than blowing him out of the country on day one.

Alright guys, this one is mind-blowing. I know Mark Livesay is talented — you all know him from Treeline Academy, the best e-scouting course on the planet — but I was not ready for what he showed me on this episode. Mark's been locked in a cave for six months building something called Hunt Research IQ , and he brought it to the Elk Hunt Podcast for the very first reveal. First show. Nobody's seen this yet. This isn't a draw odds app. This isn't a spreadsheet. This is 20 years of harvest data for elk and deer across 11 Western states, run through AI, and turned into heat maps, custom scoring sliders, unit comparisons, moisture tracking, remote-core calculations, and print-ready reports that make every other research platform out there look like it's stuck in 2005. We get into how the scoring system works, why averaging three, five, and twenty years of data matters more than looking at last year's numbers, why Montana's fractional bonus points might be sabotaging your odds without you even knowing it, and how Mark's moisture-tracking tool is already changing how he plans hunts around drought years and burns. Then we shift gears and talk burns, same-year fire strategy, moisture-driven elevation shifts during the rut, and Mark's own busted rotator cuffs — which means he might be strapping a crossbow to a llama this September. You don't want to miss this one. Take a listen, then go dig into Hunt Research IQ yourself. Links below, and use code TRO for a discount from our guy Mark. Brought to You By onX Hunt This episode is brought to you by onX Hunt. If you've been through our free four-hour e-scouting course over at elkhunt201.com, you know I preach building color-coded waypoints, markups, and tracks for every hunt. Building a folder, building a plan — that's the difference between showing up and figuring it out versus showing up ready. This is what onX is superior at: hunt planning. If you're not an Elite member yet, Elite has a ton of tools to help you plan better. onxmaps.com Use code TRO when you upgrade to Elite for a special discount. Maven Optics This episode is also brought to you by the good folks over at Maven Optics. Direct-to-consumer optics company right out of Wyoming, and I've been using them for years. My favorite thing is watching people get their hands on a Maven for the first time and go, "Oh man, these are actually really good." Yeah — I told you. From binos to rangefinders to rifle scopes, Maven is the best bang for your buck out there, because you're not paying the big box store markup. mavenbuilt.com Use code TRO at checkout for a special gift. Chapters Time Segment 0:00 Intro & sponsor reads (onX Hunt, Maven Optics) 4:30 Welcome Mark Livesay — the big reveal, first show, six months in build mode 8:15 Elevator pitch: what is Hunt Research IQ? 12:00 Why averaging 3/5/20-year data beats single-year snapshots 17:30 Building custom scoring sliders and unit health trends 23:00 The heat map: dragging, hovering, live data pulls 28:45 Comparing units side by side & the "unit profile card" 34:15 Rankings tab, health trend colors, and finding sleeper units 40:00 101 / 201 / 301 hunter framework — what stats matter at each level 47:00 Print reports, unit briefs, and AI-written unit descriptions 53:30 Montana's fractional bonus point trap explained 58:00 Remote core, road density, and what "remote" really means 1:03:00 Bull-per-square-mile harvest density and reading hunting pressure 1:09:00 Moisture tracking tool & elevation focus bands 1:14:00 Hunt planning suite, checklist tool, and hike time calculator 1:18:30 Talking burns: mosaic vs. straight-edge fire boundaries 1:24:00 Live demo — analyzing a current Utah fire for same-year burn potential 1:29:00 Mark's Island Park story: why elk drop elevation in dry years 1:34:00 Rut timing shifting later into September 1:37:00 Mark's rotator cuff injury, crossbow talk, and this year's hunt plan 1:39:30 Pricing, free trial, and where to find Hunt Research IQ 1:40:30 Outro & free hunt planner (Timestamps are approximate — built from transcript flow, adjust to actual audio if needed.) Three Key Takeaways Averaging beats snapshots. A single year of harvest data can be wildly skewed by a low tag allocation or a random survey year. Looking at 3-year, 5-year, and all-time averages side by side — and watching whether a unit's score is trending up or down — tells you far more than last year's numbers alone. In Montana, buying a bonus point can hurt you. Mark's tool surfaced something almost nobody talks about: hunters with zero points had roughly a 53% draw chance in some units, while hunters with a single fractional point dropped to 0%, because a set percentage of tags are reserved specifically for zero-point applicants. Understanding your state's fractional point system can change your entire application strategy. "Go high" isn't a universal rule — moisture matters more. The common advice to push to the highest elevation in September doesn't always hold. In dry years, the grass at the top dies off first, and cows follow the moisture downhill toward better feed. Tracking soil moisture data for a basin can tell you more about where elk will actually be than elevation alone.

Alright guys, today's episode is a good one. I'm sitting down with Kevin Gower — a Colorado public land guy who's been in the elk woods since he was 12 years old and has packed out more elk than the years he's been hunting. That's 22 elk in 23 seasons. Not luck. Not private land. Public dirt, over the counter, doing it the hard way. We get into it — why most guys aren't consistent on public land, the "cover ground" era of learning to elk hunt, and why the YouTube backpack-hunting romance can actually work against you when you're trying to learn a mountain. We talk mindset — the "today's the day" mantra, why you can't write the story before the hunt is over, and why the guys who stack hard experiences early end up with the confidence to go get it done later. Kevin also walks through his biggest bull — a solo four-mile pack out in thirteen inches of fresh snow — and why moments like that are what separate hunters who quit from hunters who figure it out. We dig into silent bulls and why they're some of the most killable elk in the woods, calling strategy, reading pressure on the edge of private land, when to leave elk to go find better elk, and why learning to hunt the storm front instead of fighting the wind might be one of the most underrated skills in elk hunting. This one's packed with real public land wisdom from a guy who's put in two decades on the same mountain. Grab a notebook, this is a good one. Sponsors onX Hunt Today's episode is brought to you by onX Hunt. If you haven't checked out our free 4-hour e-scouting course yet, go grab it at elkhunt201.com — it's completely free. Building a color-coded system of waypoints, markups, and tracks for your hunt is one of the most important things you can do before season. Too many guys draw a tag and just show up to figure it out — don't be that guy. If you're not an Elite member yet, Elite unlocks a ton of extra planning tools that'll make your prep this fall way more dialed in. onxmaps.com Use code TRO when you upgrade to Elite. Bridger Watch This episode is also brought to you by Bridger Watch — a smartwatch built specifically for hunting. All your normal smartwatch features (health tracking, fitness tracking, texts) plus, in my opinion, the best mapping capability of any wearable on the market. You can save offline maps, ship them straight to your watch, and pan around right on your wrist with a screen that's genuinely impressive for its size. Bridger Watch also integrates directly with onX — share a whole hunt folder or a single waypoint from the field straight to your watch, so if your phone dies or you lose it, you've always got a backup. bridgerwatch.com Timestamped Chapters (Approximate — based on episode flow, total runtime ~1:02:00) 00:00 – Intro / onX Hunt: free e-scouting course & building a hunt plan 02:15 – Bridger Watch: mapping-focused hunting smartwatch & onX integration 04:00 – Welcome Kevin Gower — gearing up for elk season 06:00 – Kevin's background: 22 elk in 23 seasons on public land in Colorado 08:15 – What most hunters get wrong: sitting in the same meadow vs. covering ground 11:30 – The YouTube generation, backpack hunting romanticism, and today's pressure 14:30 – Blocking out other hunters without losing your own game plan 17:15 – Mindset: "today's the day" and staying positive in the field 19:30 – Don't write the story before the hunt is over 22:30 – Early lessons learned solo, the 90/10 rule, and being more aggressive 25:30 – Kevin's biggest bull: solo 4-mile pack out in 13 inches of snow 29:30 – Stacking hard experiences to build confidence over time 33:00 – Pushing limits early — lessons for newer hunters 36:15 – Hunting a brand new unit for the first time this season 39:00 – E-scouting: finding elk vs. figuring out where people will be 43:00 – Staying balanced as a hunter & always having backup plans 46:30 – E-scouting and boots-on-the-ground as separate, underrated skills 49:15 – Recognizing elk in the field — don't walk past what's right in front of you 51:30 – Silent bulls: why quiet elk are often the most killable 55:00 – Calling strategy, patience, and reading stick breaks/non-verbal cues 58:15 – Reading pressure on private edges & when to leave elk to find elk 1:00:30 – Hunting the storm front instead of fighting bad wind 1:02:00 – Wrap-up, why you hunt, and closing advice for the season 3 Key Takeaways Don't write the story before the hunt is over. It's easy to mentally give up on a season five days in when things aren't going your way. Both Kevin and the host agree — stay in the present, trust your prep, and don't decide the outcome before you've actually run out of time. Silent bulls are still killable bulls. Pressured public land elk often won't respond to calls, but that doesn't mean they're unhuntable. Learning to locate, approach, and call elk in silently — without over-relying on a bugle response — opens up way more opportunities than waiting for a screaming match. Sometimes the right move is to leave elk to go find better elk. Whether it's a herd locked up on private land or elk buried in noisy, impossible-to-approach downfall, burning days trying to force a bad setup can cost you more than it gains. Recognizing when a situation is unwinnable — and moving on to find more huntable elk — is a skill in itself.

Man, this one's for anybody who just loves talking to a regular dude who's put in the years and killed a lot of elk — because that's exactly what this episode is. Brian Rae grew up in Idaho with an outdoors family, killed his first buck AND his first bull at 12 years old within two weeks of each other, and has been chasing bulls in some of the nastiest, steepest, most brutal backcountry ever since. We get into it all in this one. Brian tells the story of getting truly lost overnight at 19 — no coat, dead flashlight, sleeping next to a fire he built with toilet paper and a lighter, and the almost unbelievable coincidence of how he found his way back to camp. We talk about how close that feeling of panic really sits, even for guys who know these mountains better than anybody. Then we get into the good stuff — the hunting. Brian breaks down calling in two six-point bulls back to back with his buddy Chad, a wounded-bull recovery that turned into "a bathtub full of blood," and an eight-yard, full-draw standoff with a black bear that walked right down a game trail at him. But this isn't just war stories. Brian gets into the real strategy behind killing a herd bull consistently — why getting close beats bugling every hundred yards, why he mimics satellite bulls instead of challenging the herd bull head-on, and why wind and thermals will beat you every single time, no matter how good your setup is. If you want to hear what it actually takes to kill mature bulls year after year — not the highlight reel, the real work behind it — this episode is for you. This Episode is Brought to You By onX Hunt This episode's hunt-planning talk is powered by onX Hunt . Whether you're building color-coded waypoints, markups, and tracks or organizing an entire hunt folder before you ever set foot in the field, onX is where the planning happens. If you drew a tag this year, don't just show up and figure it out — build the system, build the plan. Upgrade to onX Elite and unlock the full hunt-planning toolset. onxmaps.com Use code TRO when you sign up or upgrade to Elite. Bridger Watch A smartwatch built specifically for hunting — with the best mapping capabilities of any wearable on the market. Save offline maps, pan and zoom right on your wrist, and integrate directly with your onX account to send waypoints, tracks, and markups straight to your watch. It's not replacing your phone's mapping — it's your backup when your phone dies, drops, or gets left in the truck. bridgerwatch.com Chapter Timestamps Time Segment 0:00 onX Hunt sponsor read — hunt planning & Elite features 2:15 Bridger Watch sponsor read — the wearable built for hunters 5:00 Welcome Brian Rae — Idaho roots and growing up in an outdoors family 8:30 First buck and first bull at 12 years old, two weeks apart 13:30 The "Hell Hole" story — lost overnight at 19, no coat, building a fire with toilet paper 20:00 Finding his dad's voice at the outfitter camp — the wild coincidence 24:00 Getting the whole family GPS units for Christmas 27:30 Arizona 2021 — dropping his phone miles from the side-by-side, texting his wife via inReach 34:00 Switching from rifle to archery in the early 2000s after wolf reintroduction 37:00 The double bull story with hunting partner Chad Booth — calling in two six-points back to back 44:00 The "laughing bull" and getting outsmarked by herd bulls 47:30 The tree-falling, sneaking-in six-point stalk 51:00 The wounded bull recovery — "a bathtub full of blood" 56:00 What actually makes a hunter successful year after year: luck, time, and physical work 59:30 Herd bull strategy — the satellite bull / "bar fight" trick 1:04:00 Small sounds vs. big bugles — reading what a bull is really telling you 1:08:30 Wind, thermals, and the "New Zealand" drainage they've never killed in 1:11:30 The buck brush bull that got away — twice 1:14:30 The eight-yard black bear encounter — full draw, standoff, and the "live grubs" story 1:17:00 Last season recap, plans for this year, and closing out the episode Three Key Takeaways Proximity beats volume. Once you locate a bull, the move isn't to keep bugling every hundred yards — it's to close the distance quietly and get as close as physically possible before making another sound. Herd bulls pinpoint calls with scary accuracy, so every call you make should come from a position you're willing to defend with a shot. Make the bull jealous, not challenged. Instead of bugling head-on at a herd bull (which he may recognize as a threat or ignore entirely), mimicking cow sounds followed by subtle satellite-bull sounds — grunts, chuckles, raking — plays on his instinct to protect a cow from a sneaking rival. It's a subtler, often more effective way to pull in a smart, mature bull than an aggressive challenge bugle. Wind beats setup, every time. No matter how well you know a drainage or how good your calling is, areas with constantly shifting thermals and crosswinds can make a spot essentially unhuntable — elk bed there specifically because the wind keeps them safe. Recognizing that some encounters are unwinnable on a given day is as important as any calling tactic.

Dillon Ness is back on the show, and dude, this one's a good one. If you haven't heard our last conversation, go find it — I've always considered Dillon one of the best open country elk killers I know. But what people don't realize is the guy crushes it in the mountains just as hard. Well-rounded doesn't even cover it. In this episode, Dillon walks me through the full story of last year's mountain bull — a hunt that started with him throwing a dart at a map, glassing bulls pouring off the alfalfa at first light, getting boogered by other hunters, losing the herd, and eventually catching them in the dark on their last drink of water before bed. It's one of the best hunt breakdowns we've recorded, emotional gut-punch ending and all. From there we get into the nuts and bolts — how to actually dog a herd in the dark without blowing them up, why satellite bulls are your best friend, what 20 failed days of hunting really look like (because that's 90% of the season, not the highlight reel), midday strategy for guys who don't have 27 days to burn, and the biggest lesson 301-level hunting has taught both of us: elk are never random, and neither should your strategy be. We also get into a mindset shift that I think is worth the price of admission alone — using onX the wrong way is probably costing you elk without you even knowing it. Grab your coffee, settle in, this one's just shy of an hour and fifteen, and it's packed. This Episode's Sponsors 🔭 Maven Optics This episode is brought to you by the good folks over at Maven Optics. Love those guys, love the product, love the team, love everything about it. Maven is a direct-to-consumer optics company right out of Wyoming, and I've personally been running their stuff for years. My favorite comment I get when someone picks up a Maven is, "Man, these are actually really good" — and I just say, "Yeah, I told you." Binos, rangefinders, rifle scopes — Maven is, hands down, the best bang for your buck out there. Because they sell direct-to-consumer, you're not paying the big box store markup for the same glass quality. Check them out at mavenbuilt.com ⌚ Bridger Watch This episode is also brought to you by Bridger Watch — a project I've been building for a long time now. Everyone said we couldn't take on Garmin. Here we are anyway, and I think we've built something amazing: a smartwatch built specifically for hunting. The standout feature is the mapping. On top of all your normal smartwatch stuff — health tracking, fitness tracking, texts — Bridger Watch has the best mapping capability of any wearable on the market. Save maps offline, pan around right on your wrist, and the screen clarity is unreal. We've also built a full onX integration, so you can push waypoints, tracks, and markups straight from your onX account to your watch. Set a waypoint at the truck, drop a pin on a bedded bull, and it's on your wrist — even if your phone dies. This isn't about replacing your phone's mapping. It's a redundancy for the woods, and a watch you'll wear every day of the year, hunting season or not. Check it out at bridgerwatch.com Chapters Time Segment 0:00 Sponsor reads — Maven Optics & Bridger Watch 3:15 Welcome back Dillon — new baby, real estate license, fencing life update 6:30 Why "time" is the real secret to killing big bulls 10:15 Setting up the story: last year's mountain bull, throwing a dart at the map 14:45 Glassing bulls off the alfalfa at first light, finding the herd bulls' pattern 19:30 Getting boogered by other hunters, losing the giant at 58 yards 24:00 Relocating, finding the sanctuary drainage where elk funnel every night 29:15 The morning of the kill — dogging the herd in the dark through the willows 35:00 The shot, and the emotional final bugle exchange between the two bulls 40:30 Blending mountain calling with open country tactics after the kill 44:00 The underrated skill of dogging herds in the dark without bumping them 49:30 "Chumming the water" — using satellite bulls to create chaos 55:00 What 20 failed dogging days actually look like (the other 90% of the season) 1:01:15 How long to wait before going back after blowing a bull out 1:05:00 Midday strategy — mountains vs. open country, and what changes with less time 1:10:00 101 vs 201 vs 301 — the biggest lessons each level teaches you 1:12:30 The onX mistake most hunters make (turn off the purple lines) 1:13:30 Two totally different hunts this year — mountains, then prairie, and "upgrading your lens" 1:14:20 Wrap-up and free hunt planner (Approximate timestamps — adjust to final edit.) 3 Key Takeaways It's not skill, it's time in the field. Both Cody and Dillon agree the biggest separator between guys who kill giants and guys who don't isn't calling ability or fitness — it's days. Hunt 27 days instead of 7, and you don't even have to be that good. The years you close it out in a weekend are the rare exception, not the rule — most giants take multiple trips and a lot of grinding to finally connect. Big bulls are hiding in plain sight, not miles from the road. Some of the biggest bulls either guy has ever killed or encountered were within a mile — sometimes a few hundred yards — of a truck or a main road. After the first few days of season, you're not really hunting elk anymore, you're hunting other hunters . Elk find the overlooked pockets fast, and so should you — including turning off the public/private overlay on onX so you're not subconsciously avoiding good country just because of a purple line. Stay mobile instead of committing to one backpack camp. It's tempting to load up 5-6 days of gear and dig into one drainage, but if that spot gets blown out on night one, you're stuck. Both guys recommend "heat checking" a spot with just 1-2 days of light gear, staying ready to bail and relocate, and treating a hunt like a search across the whole unit rather than a siege on one canyon.

Alright guys, this one's a good one. Darin Hardy's back on the show, and dude, we go everywhere in this conversation — broadheads, blood trails, mountain lions with broadheads stuck in their throat, turkey hunting like you elk hunt, and the mindset work that actually separates the guy who kills every single year from the guy who's still hoping to get lucky. We start off nerding out on pre-season bow prep — what "long distance" actually means, why I want four-inch groups at 80 before I ever worry about a 40-yard shot, and the drills Darin runs to build pressure into his practice instead of just chasing tiny groups. We get into the fixed-blade vs. mechanical broadhead debate (and why I think too many guys aim right behind the shoulder when middle-middle gives you way more margin for error), then Darin tells a wild story about tracking a bull for a mile and a half off almost no blood — and an even wilder story about a mountain lion he shot that had been living for years with a broadhead through her throat. From there we get into the real meat of this episode: what actually makes a 201 hunter. Darin breaks down why the guys who kill consistently aren't the ones who need every condition to line up — they're the ones with an adaptive mindset who can find the shot that's three steps to the left instead of only seeing the one they planned for. We talk about the 90/10/1 framework, calling audibles in the field, why it took Darin 23 years to kill his first bull, and why the "10 straight days in September" rule matters more than almost anything else for a new elk hunter. We close out talking about Darin's new venture, Level Seven High Terrain, where he's using horsemanship and hunting as vehicles for leadership and mindset coaching — and honestly some of what he shares about "demand vs. ask vs. offer" will change how you think about pressure, calling elk, and life in general. If you're gearing up for season, this episode's got tactics, gear talk, and the mental framework to actually go use it. Enjoy, guys. Sponsors onX Hunt — onxmaps.com This episode is brought to you by onX Hunt. Remember the old Garmin Rino days where you could see your buddy on the map? onX basically reinvented that with their new Share feature. Head into the app, go to the new Go Track section, and hit Share Your Location — now you and your hunting buddy can see each other on the map in real time (works while you're in service). It's a small feature but a genuinely useful one for staying connected with your crew in the field. Go check it out at onxmaps.com . Bridger Watch — bridgerwatch.com This episode is also brought to you by Bridger Watch — a smartwatch actually built for hunting. On top of all the usual smartwatch stuff (health tracking, fitness tracking, texts), Bridger Watch has the best mapping capability of any wearable on the market. Save offline maps, pan around right on your wrist, and thanks to the onX integration, you can share waypoints, tracks, and markups straight from your onX account to your watch — so if your phone dies or gets left in the truck, you've always got a backup. It's built to work alongside your phone, not replace it. Use code TRO at checkout at bridgerwatch.com for a discount on your watch. Chapter Timestamps (estimated based on episode flow — adjust to exact audio if needed) Time Chapter 0:00 Intro — Welcome to the Elk Hunt Podcast 1:00 Sponsor: onX Hunt's new Share/Go Track feature 3:00 Sponsor: Bridger Watch — mapping, onX integration, and redundancy in the field 5:30 Pre-season excuses, scouting (or lack thereof), and getting back into bow shape 9:00 Switching to broadheads Aug 1 and Darin's practice progression 12:30 What counts as "long distance" — 4" groups at 80, and how standards have changed 16:00 Tack drivers vs. tactical shooters — building a foot in both camps 19:30 Darin's pressure drills: cold bore walk-up shot and the 3-second draw timer 24:00 Random range drills, pin setup philosophy, and avoiding the 30/40/50 gap 28:00 Cody's 104-yard follow-up shot story and shot placement lessons 31:30 High lung vs. low lung — the biomechanics of a shot and why tracking differs 36:00 Why "middle-middle" beats aiming right behind the shoulder 40:00 Fixed blade vs. mechanical broadheads — guiding clients vs. personal preference 45:00 Jarrett's bull — an incredible mile-and-a-half track job off almost no blood 50:00 The "Shot Science" idea, uphill/downhill elk myths, and animal toughness 53:00 The mountain lion with a broadhead through her throat 55:30 Darin's turkey hunting film, elk-hunting-for-birds strategy 58:00 What separates a 101 hunter from a 201 hunter — the adaptive mindset 61:30 The 90/10/1 framework and calling audibles in the field 65:00 Journey vs. destination — why Darin's first bull took 23 years 68:00 The 10-consecutive-days rule for new elk hunters 71:00 Level Seven High Terrain — horsemanship, leadership, and mindset coaching 75:00 Demand vs. ask vs. offer — lessons from horses that apply to elk and life 78:00 Closing thoughts, shoutouts, and outro (Note: since I don't have your actual episode audio, these timestamps are placed proportionally based on the order and length of topics in the transcript. Send me the real runtime markers if you want these tightened up to the minute.) Three Key Takeaways Consistency beats conditions. The hunters who kill year after year aren't the ones who need the wind, weather, and lane to all line up perfectly — they're the ones who stay adaptive when things go wrong and still put themselves in position for luck to find them. Shot placement margin matters more than pinpoint accuracy. Aiming for the middle of the lungs instead of tight behind the shoulder gives you a much bigger margin for error — and understanding the difference between a high-lung and low-lung hit changes how (and when) you should track. Time in the field compounds. Ten consecutive days in September, rather than scattered weekend trips, lets you actually read the mountain's rhythm — and for a new elk hunter, sustained immersion (not luck) is what shortens the road to a first bull.

Alright guys, this week we're kicking it off with Tate Bradfield, founder of Process Based Hunter. Tate's got one of the more interesting backstories I've heard on this show — went from working in a mine, to door-to-door sales, to guiding elk for other outfitters, to eventually running his own semi-guided elk hunting courses where he takes 150-180 people a year and actually teaches them how to hunt instead of just pointing at a bull and telling them to shoot. We riff on a ton of stuff in this one — his "at-bats" philosophy for picking a guided hunt (spoiler: stop asking how big the bulls are and start asking how many encounters per day you'll get), why he thinks cow calling during rifle season is one of the most underused tactics out there, how he snuck within 60 yards of a 200-inch mule deer with a cow elk decoy and no rifle in hand, and why most guys pack way too much gear and focus on the wrong stuff before a hunt. If you've ever thought about leveling up your elk hunting instead of just white-knuckling your way through another season, this episode's for you. Tate's semi-guided archery course still has a few spots open for 2026, and rifle spots are open for 2027 — head to processbasedhunter.com or check him out on Instagram @processbasedhunter. This Episode Is Brought to You By: 🎯 Maven Optics If you're in the market for a new rifle scope, go check out Maven Optics. These scopes are built around world-class Japanese glass and built for hunting — not just for sitting on a shelf. Because Maven sells direct to consumer, you're getting an unmatched value for what you're paying, whether you're just getting into the game or you're dialed in for long-range shooting. Cody's used a lot of them, killed a lot of things with them, and stands behind every one. 👉 Shop now at mavenbuilt.com 💰 Use code TRO at checkout for a special gift 🗺️ onX Hunt onX just rolled out a new Share feature that's basically the modern, better version of the old Garmin Rino days. Head into the app, go to the new Go Track section, and hit Share Your Location With Your Friend — now you and your hunting buddy can see each other on the map in real time. (Heads up: it only works with cell service, so it won't help you deep in the backcountry — but for the hunts where you've got signal, it's a game changer.) 👉 Check it out at onxmaps.com Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Sponsor Shoutouts (Maven Optics & onX Hunt) 02:38 – Welcome Tate Bradfield to the Show 04:10 – Tate's Backstory: From the Mines to Door-to-Door Sales to Guiding Elk 09:15 – The Birth of Process Based Hunter 12:20 – Who's Actually Booking Guided Hunts These Days 16:05 – Inside the Semi-Guided Archery Course 19:30 – The "At-Bats" Mentality for Picking a Hunt 21:45 – Wall Tent Classroom Days & Elk Calling Fundamentals 24:50 – The Hot Take: Cow Calling During Rifle Season 28:40 – The 200-Inch Buck Cow Call Story 32:15 – Learning to Glass and Spot Elk From Miles Away 36:30 – The Three Biggest Mistakes New Elk Hunters Make 40:05 – Method Hunting with an '80s Bow (Chasing an Alaska-Yukon Moose) 43:50 – The Pack Weight Debate: Why Lighter Usually Wins 48:20 – Knowing When to Move On (Reading Elk Sign and Trusting Your Gut) 51:40 – Where to Find Tate & Process Based Hunter 53:00 – Outro & Free Hunt Planner (Timestamps are approximate chapter markers based on episode content — adjust to your exact audio if needed.) Three Key Takeaways Judge a hunt by encounters, not inches. Instead of asking "how big are the bulls" when someone offers you a guided hunt, ask "how many encounters per day will I get?" A unit stacked with giant bulls you never see is a worse learning hunt than one where you're in elk constantly, regardless of size. Cow calls aren't just for archery season. A soft cow call during rifle season can stop a spooked herd in its tracks, slow down a wounded animal for a follow-up shot, or calm down a bumped group of elk long enough for you to keep tracking them — all without giving away that you're a threat. Pack light, move efficiently. Most new hunters overpack for worst-case scenarios instead of the actual hunt in front of them. A heavy pack doesn't just wear you out — it slows your reaction time when an opportunity opens up, and it can trap you into "staying just one more night" simply because you already hauled the gear in.

Alright, if you want a raw, unfiltered elk hunting conversation from a guy who is absolutely obsessed with the game — this is your episode. Brandon Schmitz out of North Idaho joins the show for his very first podcast appearance, and let me tell you, this dude brings it. No fluff, no highlight reel — just honest elk hunting from a guy who has spent the last six years grinding through some of the most demanding country in the West. Brandon didn't grow up with a silver spoon handed to him in the elk woods. His dad lost the fire for hunting after wolves moved into North Idaho and wrecked what used to be some of the best big game hunting in the country. So Brandon had to figure it out himself, and that journey is exactly what makes this conversation so good. From his very first elk hunt — where his cousin smoked a bull that basically walked up to a truck parked in the middle of the road — to going toe-to-toe with grizzly bears, packs of wolves, and rutting bull moose in the same drainage, this guy has seen it all. Six-plus years in, Brandon still hasn't notched his tag, but don't let that fool you. This dude is FINDING elk — like, legitimately locating 20-plus bulls in a single season. The problem he keeps running into is the same one that trips up a ton of DIY hunters: closing the deal. We dig deep into that in this episode, and I think a lot of you guys are going to hear yourselves in Brandon's story. We talk about the mental side of solo hunting, what it really means to "be in striking distance," how to work a bull when your setup goes sideways, the art of building a bull's ego so he's absolutely fired up the next morning, and why sometimes the laziest move IS the right move. We also get into the very real challenges of elk hunting in grizzly and wolf country, the predator management problem that nobody in power wants to touch, and what it's like to be solo in the woods surrounded by apex predators that don't have a healthy fear of humans anymore. This is one of those conversations that reminds you why we love this thing so damn much — even when it's hard. Maybe especially when it's hard. This Episode's Sponsors Tricer If you're not running Tricer gear in the field, you're leaving performance on the table. I'm a huge fan of the RP Bipod — at 10.5 ounces, it is flat-out one of the best hunting bipods on the market. It comes with long and short legs, works with Picatinny and ARCA systems, and for $350 you're getting features that compete with bipods that cost twice the price. I've shot a pile of critters off this thing and I wouldn't leave home without it. Tricer makes more than just bipods, too — go check out their full lineup. Shop now: tricer.com | Use code TRO to save 10% off your order. Bridger Watch I built Bridger Watch because I was sick of pulling my phone out 100 times a day to check onX. The idea was simple: put maps on the watch so hunters can keep their phone in their pack and their eyes on the country. We set out to build the best smartwatch ever made for hunters, and I genuinely believe we did just that. If you're a watch guy and a hunter, there is nothing else like this out there. Check it out: bridgerwatch.com Timestamp Chapters 0:00 – Intro & Sponsor: Tricer RP Bipod 2:15 – Sponsor: Bridger Watch 4:00 – Welcome & Brandon's Background | Growing up in North Idaho, impact of wolves on his dad's hunting 8:30 – Getting Hooked | Brandon's first-ever elk hunt, cousin CJ kills a bull, truck in the road, borrowed gear, high school kids packing meat 17:00 – Six Years Deep | Journey from first hunt to now — tagged out? No. Elk found? Absolutely. 21:30 – Finding vs. Killing | Brandon's biggest skill and his biggest challenge; heavy glassing in thick country 27:00 – The Mental Game of Solo Hunting | Decision fatigue, second-guessing, the ex-wrestler problem, and why being "lazy" sometimes wins 33:30 – Striking Distance Philosophy | Cody breaks down the concept — be close, let things happen, stop trying to kill the elk and start trying to stay near the elk 39:00 – Close Call on the Wallow | The mid-September herd bull story — moose sparring, 7 cows, drawn back, two steps short of a shot 47:30 – Working a Bull After a Blown Setup | Building a bull's ego, bugling small, raking in the dark, keeping him fired up for first light 54:00 – Grizzly Bear Encounter | Sow with three cubs, bear spray + pistol double-fisted, fog rolls in, the Snapchat decision 1:02:00 – Getting Back on the Horse | Overcoming the fear, returning to the same hillside, the mental win of facing it 1:05:30 – Wolf Country | Multiple wolf encounters — road wolves, pack following them out of the timber, wolves lighting off after a bugle 1:13:00 – Predator Management Frustration | Grizzly population, government inaction, hound hunting, trapping, and the reality of wolf numbers in North Idaho 1:18:00 – Bull Moose Problems | Moose responding to elk calls, moose following, Brandon's very close call with a bull moose 4 yards away 1:20:00 – Wrap-Up & Good Luck | Final thoughts, gratitude, planning a return episode after the kill 3 Key Takeaways 1. Stop Trying to Kill the Elk — Start Trying to Stay Close to It One of the most useful mindset shifts in this episode: instead of putting the pressure of "I need to kill this elk tonight" on every single move, just focus on getting into striking distance and staying there. Elk hunting rarely goes according to the exact plan, but things tend to happen when you're consistently close. Measure your days by time spent within range of elk, not by whether a shot materialized. This single reframe takes the anxiety out of solo hunting and keeps you in the game longer. 2. Let Curiosity Kill the Cat — Silence Is a Weapon When a bull hangs up and won't commit, most hunters feel compelled to keep calling. Big mistake. A quiet elk is a suspicious elk — a quiet *location* is a curious elk. When you go dark after a bull responds, you're not losing the conversation, you're winning it. He'll start wondering where you went, and that curiosity will often pull him toward you. Learn to sit on your hands, let the shot clock run a little, and only break the silence if you truly feel him losing interest. When you do break it, try raking over calling — it's less demanding and gives you the chance to move. 3. The Decision Fatigue Problem Is Real — Have a Plan and Commit to It Being physically tough enough to elk hunt is table stakes. The thing that actually determines success — especially for solo hunters — is the mental discipline to stick to a plan when everything is going sideways. It's easy to leave a drainage after a tough morning and convince yourself the elk blew out. It's harder to say "I committed to this spot for two days and I'm seeing it through." The hunters who string together good at-bats aren't necessarily the ones who work the hardest — they're the ones who make fewer panic decisions and have the confidence (sometimes fake confidence) to stay the course when doubt creeps in.

What does it actually take to stick it out on a 28-day elk hunt, fail over and over again, and still come home with a bull? This week I sat down with Matt Hartsky of Backbone Unlimited, a Wyoming bowhunter and podcaster who's as honest about his failures as he is addicted to the grind. If you've ever watched elk disappear into thin air, wondered why your calling fell flat, or felt like packing it in on day five — this one's for you. Matt walked me through his entire 2023 archery season in southeast Wyoming: hunting public land over-the-counter tags, chasing one particular herd bull from four cows to nearly three dozen, learning the hard lesson of open-country thermals, and finally closing the distance to four yards on September 28th after 28 days in the field. It's the kind of season most elk hunters dream about — and the kind most would've quit on by day ten. We also get into the fundamentals that separate elk hunters who fill tags from those who go home empty-handed: how to build a real plan in OnX beyond just dropping pins, why transition-area hunting is the most underrated tactic for early season bulls who refuse to bugle, how elk behavior changes day to day and week to week through September, and why the single biggest advantage you can give yourself is just more days in the woods. Matt also pulls back the curtain on what makes a herd bull so uniquely difficult to hunt — and why peak rut may not be when you think it is. And beyond the hunting, Matt shares something personal: why Backbone Unlimited is about more than elk content, and what drives him to keep connecting with hunters across the country. This is exactly the kind of conversation that reminds you why we all love this sport. This Episode's Sponsors Tricer Tripods I've been running Tricer gear hard and I'm not going back. They make everything fast, light, and simple — from their seriously dialed tripods and bino mounts to pan heads, truck mounts, and the bipod I've been killing critters with all season. If your glassing setup feels clunky or your rifle needs a more stable platform in the field, Tricer has the answer. These are awesome dudes making great products, and it shows in every piece of gear they put out. tricer.com Use code TRO — save 10% Stone Glacier My Stone Glacier Sky Archer 6400 has been to Alaska, British Columbia, Wyoming, and Montana this year. Ten-day backpack hunt or a quick day hunt off the side-by-side — this pack handles it all because it's designed to be minimalist and lightweight without sacrificing a thing. Stone Glacier builds an entire lineup of hardcore mountain hunting gear and every piece is built the same way: for hunters who actually go deep. If you're in the market for a pack or any mountain hunting gear, do yourself a favor. stoneglacier.com Use code TRO — save at checkout Episode Chapters 0:00 Intro & Sponsors Tricer Tripods and Stone Glacier Gear 3:10 Meet Matt Hartsky Backbone Unlimited, Wyoming public land hunter, and the "everybody's got a plan" mindset 6:45 The 28-Day Hunt Begins Southeast Wyoming public land, a grueling access hike, and finding the bull for the first time 13:20 Four Cows to Three Dozen Watching a herd bull accumulate cows through September and what that does to your strategy 19:55 The Open-Country Thermal Lesson How a cool finger in 80-degree heat cost Matt a chip-shot opportunity and what it taught him 24:30 Why the Bull Wouldn't Come In Herd bulls, satellite bulls, the rut timeline, and understanding why a bull just doesn't need you 30:15 Peak Rut Isn't When You Think What biologists say about when cows are bred and why late September may be your best window 35:40 Transition Area Hunting Breakdown How to find, plan, and hunt feed-to-bed transitions — and why it works when nothing else does 41:00 What Most Hunters Do Wrong Poor e-scouting habits, bugle-chasing, and not understanding elk behavior by time of month 46:20 Morning vs. Evening — The Debate Matt's morning bias, Cody's evening argument, and why temperature may matter more than time of day 50:45 The Value of Failure & More Days Why every great elk hunter says the same thing, and what 16 blown shots inside 40 yards taught Matt 54:30 Backbone Unlimited & Matt's Son Saxton Eight bulls in nine seasons, why the platform exists, and what it means to truly connect with hunters 56:10 Outro & Free Hunt Planner Where to find Matt and how to grab the free download at elkhunt201.com 3 Key Takeaways 01 Peak rut may be later than you think — and that's when a herd bull is finally vulnerable. Most hunters treat the whole month of September as "rut season," but the biologists Matt talks to estimate that 90%+ of cows are actually bred in the final days of the month. A herd bull managing 30+ cows has zero reason to leave his ladies for your call until he's actively breeding and feels threatened. Stop counting on early bugling as your primary metric for elk activity, and think hard about your late-September strategy. 02 If elk aren't talking, transition areas are your best friend. The single most practical tactic in this episode: find a feed area, identify the most likely bedding spot, and set up in the funnel between them — before first light, with the wind locked in your favor, and soft cow calls at most. You don't need a bugle to find bulls this way. In fact, some of the best setups happen in total silence. This works even when you're hunting new country for the first time, which makes it a game-changer for out-of-state hunters who can't rely on years of local knowledge. 03 There is no substitute for more days — but confidence in elk behavior is what keeps you from quitting. Matt says it plainly: he's not a great elk hunter, he's a stubborn one who spends a lot of time in the field. But the part that actually keeps him going on day 22 when the bull vanishes again isn't stubbornness alone — it's knowing how elk behave well enough to trust they didn't leave the county. Understanding bedding, feeding, thermals, and daily movement patterns gives you a reason to come back when everything feels hopeless. Build that knowledge base, and the "punched in the mouth" moments start to feel a lot more survivable.

You already know Montana gets talked about a lot in Western elk hunting circles — but are hunters actually hunting it right? This week, Cody sits down with Gibson Butler, a Montana-bred elk hunter who's put in the time, miles, and boot leather to figure out what it really takes to tag a mature bull on a general tag in the Treasure State. Gibson breaks down his 2024 season in full detail — from the early September frustrations of finding a stud seven by eight and losing him, to going deep into a hard, committing piece of country in October and coming out the other side with a 58-inch main beam giant. This is a real, honest account of what a serious DIY public land elk hunt looks like — the setbacks, the patience, the weather, and the moment it all comes together. Beyond the story, Cody and Gibson get into the strategy that makes or breaks general unit Montana hunts: why most non-resident hunters funnel into the same mountain ranges, how private land dynamics are shifting, why calling with a Hoochie Mama in Eastern Montana might be the worst thing you can do, and the underrated value of hunting October when everybody else has gone home. If you've been thinking about Montana, applying for points, or trying to level up your open-country elk game, this episode is going to hit different. Gibson's a student of the craft, and the insights he drops on big bull behavior, elk density versus hunter density, and hunting elk like mule deer are the kind of stuff you don't find on YouTube. SPONSORS This episode is proudly brought to you by two brands that Cody trusts in the field season after season: Tricer Tripods Fast, light, and simple — that's the Tricer way. From top-of-the-line tripods and bino mounts to pan heads, truck mounts, and their new bipod lineup, Tricer makes glass-and-glass accessories for hunters who take their optics seriously. Cody's been running the Tricer bipod hard and putting critters down with it. If you want to upgrade your glassing system, Tricer is the move. Website: tricer.com | Use code TRO at checkout for your discount. Stone Glacier Stone Glacier builds hardcore mountain hunting gear for the serious backcountry hunter. Cody's Sky Archer 6400 pack has logged miles in Alaska, British Columbia, Wyoming, and Montana — equally at home on a 10-day alpine backpack hunt as it is on a day hunt off the side-by-side. Minimalist, lightweight, and built to last, Stone Glacier makes an entire suite of gear designed around the demands of mountain hunting. Website: stoneglacier.com | Use code TRO at checkout for your discount. TIMESTAMP CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro & Sponsor Read — Tricer and Stone Glacier ads. 2:30 The General Tag Situation — Gibson reveals he drew a Montana general tag — and Cody breaks down where general Montana archery fits in the Western draw tag hierarchy. 7:00 Public/Private Dynamics in Montana — How ranch ownership changes are shifting elk movement and sanctuary availability across the state. 12:00 Non-Residents and the Mountain Range Problem — Why 90% of out-of-state hunters funnel into the same few ranges and how to think differently about unit selection. 17:30 Gibson's 2024 Season — September Struggles — Four weekends of finding big bulls and losing them, including a near-miss on a giant symmetrical seven. 24:00 Going Deep in October — Gibson commits to a hard-access piece of country with one Peak Refuel and no water — and finds nearly 100 elk. 31:00 Watching the Herd for Two Days — Why Gibson didn't attempt a stalk immediately — broken six, a stud seven, swirling winds, and a giant donut of cows. 37:00 The Kill Shot — Rain sideways, foggy binos, Pink Panther stalking through satellites, and a 70-yard arrow eight inches back. Still double-lunged. 43:00 Big Bull Behavior — When to Strike — October elk movement, the 'cranky grandpa' bull theory, nomadic giants, and why routine bulls get killed. 50:00 The Case for October — Why Cody and Gibson love hunting the back half of the archery season — fewer people, cooler temps, and more active bulls. 55:00 What Most Hunters Get Wrong — The Hoochie Mama problem in Eastern Montana, elk density vs. hunter density, and why 'going deep' doesn't always mean going alone. 1:02:00 Covering Ground — The Eastern Montana Way — Using online research, rapid-fire glassing points, and moving smart to find elk in low-density country. 1:07:00 Calling vs. Glassing — An Honest Take — The evolution from stress-bugling everything to hunting elk like deer, and where calling still fits. 1:10:00 Wrap-Up & Outro — Links to Gibson's blog on elkhunt201.com, plus the free hunt planner resource. THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Most Hunters Are Competing for the Same Ground The natural way hunters research general Montana tags — looking at population numbers, picking obvious mountain ranges, following social media threads — funnels the majority of non-residents into a handful of the same units. The elk in those areas either end up on private land or go quiet from pressure. The guys killing mature bulls consistently are actively avoiding the herd mentality and looking for the anomaly: ground that doesn't show up in 15 Rock Slide threads, offshoots of established herds expanding into new territory, and country that doesn't look like a classic elk postcard. 2. Big Bulls Don't Get Old by Being Smart — They Get Old by Being Sporadic One of the most honest and applicable insights of the episode: mature bulls aren't necessarily intelligent, they're unpredictable. The same wandering, nomadic behavior that keeps a bull alive for years is also what occasionally gets him killed — walking across the wrong piece of ground at the wrong time. If you're hunting for age class, you have to be ready to recognize and capitalize on those brief windows of vulnerability, like weather events, rut chaos, or the moment a bull is locked down and distracted by a hot cow. Patience and preparation matter more than calling or aggressive play. 3. Elk Density and Hunting Opportunity Are Not the Same Thing More elk does not mean more at-bats — it means more hunters, which means more pressure, which means elk that stop bugling, leave timber late, and camp on private. The sweet spot for a serious DIY hunter is finding unmolested elk that still act like elk. That often means lower density areas where you have to cover serious ground to find them, but when you do, you're dealing with animals behaving naturally. Whether it's a glassable open-country unit or a commitment-heavy piece of backcountry, the goal is always the same: find elk that haven't been messed with.

This week I sat down with Cody Nelson, a man who has spent the better part of 12–13 years in elk and deer camps across Arizona and the West, helping legendary hunters like Jay Scott and Steve Chapa put tags on bulls by doing one thing better than just about anyone alive: finding game before the hunt ever starts. Cody just made a move over to Tricer as their Director of Innovation — and if you've been paying attention to what Drew has been building over there, this hire makes a whole lot of sense. Cody has been quietly consulting and pushing ideas on Drew for years, and now it's official. Big things are coming from that crew. But this episode isn't a gear ad. This is a masterclass. We dig deep into glassing as a genuine hunting skill — not just a tactic, but a discipline that separates average hunters from the ones who consistently find and kill mature animals. Cody breaks down why most hunters are simply in too much of a hurry, what his three pillars of effective glassing actually look like in the field, and why patience behind the glass is the single most underrated skill in the hunting community. We cover the binocular debate that never gets old — 10s vs. 12s vs. 15s — and actually give you a real answer that depends on where you hunt and what you're doing. We get into the stabilized binocular conversation, and Cody shares an honest take that goes beyond the hype. We talk tripods, the micro pan head, the weight-versus-stability trade-off, and why Cody would rather forget his rifle than forget his tripod. And then there's the story. The Unit 23 bull. A bull over 430 inches that Cody found by accident, locked onto for an entire day without breaking, and helped orchestrate one of the most incredible archery kills I've heard in a long time. If that story doesn't make you want to sit behind your glass longer, nothing will. We also talk about hunting for tomorrow — the concept of letting your glass do the work so your boots don't blow up your opportunity — and why the hunters who consistently win are the ones willing to look into the dark, nasty, quiet pockets that everyone else drives past. This one is worth a second listen. Lock it in. Sponsors This episode is proudly brought to you by three brands that actually make a difference in the backcountry. These are products I use personally and trust — no exceptions. Tricer Tripods Fast, light, and simple — Tricer builds the best tripod system in the hunting space. From backcountry-ready tripods and bino mounts to panhead truck mounts and bipods, every piece of Tricer gear is engineered to make you a more effective glasser in the field. If you're serious about finding more game, your glass needs a home. Tricer is that home. Discount Code: TRO — saves you 10% at checkout Stone Glacier Gear I've had my Stone Glacier Sky Archer 6,400 in Alaska, British Columbia, Wyoming, and Montana this year alone. Whether you're on a 10-day alpine backpack hunt or running a side-by-side along a canyon edge, Stone Glacier's full suite of mountain hunting gear is built minimalist, built light, and built to last. This is hardcore mountain hunting gear — no fluff, no filler. Discount Code: TRO — saves you 10% at checkout onX Maps I don't go anywhere without onX. From e-scouting potential glassing knobs before the season to navigating unfamiliar units during the hunt, onX is the single most powerful scouting and navigation tool available to DIY hunters today. Hunt smarter. Know where to go. Discount Code: TRO — saves you 10% at checkout Timestamp Chapters 0:00 Intro & Cold Open — Cody Rich welcomes listeners and introduces the episode topic — glassing as a skill. 2:15 Sponsor Read — Tricer Tripods — Fast, light, simple. Use code TRO for 10% off at tricer.com. 4:30 Sponsor Read — Stone Glacier — The Sky Archer 6,400 and a full suite of mountain hunting gear. Use code TRO at stoneglacier.com. 6:00 Welcome Cody Nelson / Two Cody's Walk Into a Podcast — Introductions, backstory on past phone calls, and how Cody Nelson ended up at Tricer. 10:30 Cody Nelson's Background — Arizona, Jay Scott & 12 Years in Elk Camp — How glassing shaped Cody's entire hunting philosophy and career. 15:00 Why Most Hunters Suck at Glassing — The #1 problem: people are simply in too big of a hurry. The three pillars of effective glassing introduced. 20:45 Hunting for Tomorrow — The Philosophy — Find the elk today. Hunt them tomorrow. How patience and observation beat boots-on-the-ground every time. 26:00 How to Choose the Right Glassing Spot — Reading terrain, using timing, understanding elk movement pre-rut vs. rut, and looking into the dark pockets everyone else ignores. 33:30 The Randy Ulmer Lesson — Looking Into the Sun — How flipping conventional wisdom opened up new opportunities and why big country rewards unconventional thinking. 38:00 10s vs 12s vs 15s — The Real Answer — Field of view, brightness, exit pupil, and why the honest answer always starts with: where are you hunting? 44:30 Stabilized Binoculars — Honest Take — What they do brilliantly, where they fall short, field of view trade-offs, and the pet peeve Cody can't shake on a glassing knob. 52:00 Stabilized Spotting Scopes & The Wind Factor — Why stabilization matters more for spotters than binos, cutting wind shimmer on long-range glassing, and the Epoch Outdoors app. 57:30 What Makes a Great Glasser — Muscle memory, terrain familiarity, patience — and why there are no real shortcuts to building this skill. 1:03:00 Tripod Philosophy — The Force Multiplier — Why any tripod beats no tripod. The micro pan head, the AD vs. BC, LP for backpacking, and Cody's 30+ tripod collection. 1:10:30 Chair vs. Ground — And Not Skylining Yourself — Eye fatigue, hours in the glass, and how your setup affects how long you can actually hunt. 1:16:00 THE STORY — The Unit 23 Bull Over 430 Inches — A flat tire, a spike road, one bull of a lifetime, and a full day locked onto a single tree. Michael Parks. Jay Scott. One of the greatest archery bulls ever killed in Arizona. 1:22:00 Cody Nelson's New Role at Tricer — Director of Innovation, what he's been consulting on for years, and what's coming next from the Tricer team. 1:24:00 Wrap-Up & Outro — Final thoughts, where to find Cody Nelson, free hunt planner link, and thanks for listening. 3 Key Takeaways: 1. Patience Is the Most Underrated Glassing Skill — and It's Completely Free Cody Nelson has three pillars of effective glassing: buy quality glass, put it on a tripod, and slow down. The third one is the hardest and the most important. Most hunters are in a hurry — they crest a ridge, look for 14 seconds, and move on. The elk are often right there. A methodical, unhurried approach to covering a hillside will reveal animals that the speed-hikers will never see. You don't need the best glass in the world if you're willing to be the most patient person on the mountain. 2. Stop Looking for a Giant View — Start Looking Into the Dark Pockets There's a common assumption that good glassing means finding the biggest vantage point you can and looking at the most country possible. The hunters who consistently find mature bulls do the opposite — they look for the small, ugly, nasty pockets that are hard to see into. Late season bulls especially want to be left alone in deep timber, on north-facing slopes, in spots where most hunters won't bother to look. The goal isn't to cover the most acres. It's to look where the animals actually are — and they're usually not standing on a skyline waiting for you. 3. Your Tripod Is More Important Than Your Rifle — Seriously Cody made a statement at a seminar that stopped the room cold: he'd rather forget his rifle than forget his tripod. Why? Because without a rifle, you can still find game, watch patterns, and come back tomorrow without disturbing anything. Without your tripod, you're fighting eye fatigue from the first hour, you're missing animals in terrain that requires steady glass, and you're giving up precious hunting time every time your eyes give out. A tripod isn't a luxury accessory. It's the tool that multiplies every other piece of glass you own — including your $50 binoculars from the garage.

What's up everyone! This week I've got Dillon Deitz back on the podcast—probably for the ninth time, which makes him the most requested guest in the history of Elk Hunt. And by "requested," I mean Dillon requests to be on the podcast. But honestly, I love having this guy on because he's genuinely one of the most passionate people I know about getting new hunters into the game. Dillon just dropped a new film series called " The Rookie Season ," and it's honestly one of the coolest projects I've seen in the hunting space in a long time. The premise is simple but powerful: take grown adults with zero hunting background—I'm talking computer geeks, software engineers, people who've never even thought about hunting—and show them that hunting isn't some secret club reserved for people who grew up doing it. The tagline says it all: "Hunting is not for everybody, but it could be for you." Over the course of the series, Dillon takes three complete rookies—people who didn't even know why you have to check the wind—and teaches them everything from hunter safety to field dressing to making ethical long-range shots. And here's the wild part: all three of them filled deer tags within a couple days. We're talking a one-handed Asian kid named Brandon who almost died on a mile packout, a guy named Solomon who made a 600-yard shot on his first hunt and then packed a deer seven miles in five-degree weather (oh, and he forgot his inhaler because he has bad asthma), and a hundred percent disabled veteran named Steven who Dillon rattled in a buck for after scrambling to get him a tag at the last minute. This conversation is part tactics, part philosophy, and part Dillon being sick as a dog but refusing to quit (which is very on-brand). We dive into why deer hunting is the perfect gateway for new hunters, why Dillon is obsessed with mountain whitetails instead of the yard deer everyone else shoots, and his absolute deadly system for rattling in bucks during pre-rut. Spoiler: he's rattled in five or six bucks this year alone, and his method is shockingly simple. We also get into why Dillon believes taking new hunters into the field reminded him of the magic he'd been taking for granted—like watching a moose for the first time through someone else's eyes and realizing how cool this whole thing actually is. It's the same feeling you get when you invite someone to your house for the first time and suddenly notice everything differently. If you're someone who's ever thought about getting into hunting but felt intimidated, or if you've been hunting for years and want to remember why you fell in love with it in the first place, go watch The Rookie Season on Dillon's YouTube channel. And if you're already a hunter, share this episode with someone who's been on the fence about trying it. Dillon's proving that hunting is accessible to anyone willing to put in the work—and that's something we need more of. Sponsors OnX Hunt - If you're not using the new LiDAR feature on OnX yet, you're literally leaving elk on the table. LiDAR cuts through the trees and shows you micro terrain details—benches, contours, hidden pockets—that regular topo maps just can't show. It takes your mapping to the next level and makes you a better hunter. If you're not an Elite member yet, now's the time. Head to onxmaps.com and use code TRO to save 20%. Tricer - Big news from Tricer—they just dropped the updated AD and BC tripods with new TriTech technology. The center post is now a T-post, which makes it smaller diameter, packs down tighter, and a couple inches shorter. Drew is constantly innovating and coming up with new ideas, and this tripod system is cleaner and simpler than ever. If you're on the fence, check out the new setup. Head to tricer.com and use code TRO to save 10%. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: The most requested guest ever (sort of) 03:30 - Dillon's new film series: The Rookie Season 08:45 - Why deer hunting instead of elk for first-timers? 13:20 - Do we put elk on too much of a pedestal? 18:50 - Teaching grown adults the absolute basics 24:15 - Brandon's story: One-handed Asian kid's first hunt 29:40 - Solomon's 600-yard shot and 7-mile packout with asthma 35:10 - Steven the disabled vet and the last-minute tag scramble 40:30 - Rattling in mountain whitetails during pre-rut 46:20 - Dillon's rattling system: Why 11 AM is the witching hour 52:15 - Mountain whitetails vs. yard deer: Why Dillon won't shoot his backyard bucks 56:40 - Calling black bears for 30-40 minutes straight 1:00:15 - Where to watch The Rookie Season and closing thoughts Three Key Takeaways Hunting Through Fresh Eyes Renews Your Own Passion - Dillon talks about how taking first-time hunters into the field made him hyper-aware of all the things he'd been taking for granted. Watching a grown man see a moose for the first time and say "if I don't see another animal this whole trip, this was worth it" reminded Dillon why he fell in love with hunting in the first place. When you teach someone else, you stop just doing and start seeing again. It's like inviting someone to your house—you notice everything differently. Pre-Rut Rattling is Deadlier Than You Think - Dillon has rattled in five or six mountain whitetail bucks this year using a simple system: hunt pre-rut (late October through early November), blind call for about two minutes, then wait 30 minutes and go harder. Bucks are curious but not committed yet, so they'll come check things out within a couple hundred yards. He's had way more success pre-rut than during the rut when bucks already have does locked down. Think of it like calling a bull that doesn't have cows yet versus one that's already got his harem. Deer Hunting is the Perfect Gateway, Not a Lesser Hunt - Dillon deliberately chose deer over elk for his rookie series because it's more accessible—tags are easier, success rates are higher, and the physical demand can be scaled to the person. But that doesn't mean it's easy. Solomon killed his first buck in some of the nastiest country Dillon hunts, made a 600-yard shot, and packed it seven miles. The lesson: don't gatekeep hunting by making people think they have to start with the "hardest" species. Meet people where they are, give them a win, and build from there.

Welcome back to the Elk Hunt Podcast, your go-to source for everything elk hunting. I’m your host, Cody Rich, and this week I’m joined by the legendary Bob Terilliger, a man who’s been living the elk hunting dream for over three decades. From his roots hunting whitetails and turkeys in New York to guiding full-time elk hunts in Colorado, Bob shares stories, wisdom, and hard-earned lessons from a lifetime chasing bulls in some of the toughest country out there. We dive deep into Bob’s journey—from moving west in the ’90s, killing his first bull, to guiding for nearly two decades, and how staying in shape and embracing the grind made all the difference. Whether you’re a DIY hunter or chasing your first bull, Bob’s insights on packing elk, learning the land, and hunting smarter will get you fired up for the season ahead. Sponsored By: Tricer Tripods — If you want gear that’s fast, light, and simple, Tricer’s your go-to. From tripods to bino mounts and bipods, their gear helps you glass better and hunt smarter. I’ve been using their bipod for years and it’s a game changer. Check them out at tricer.com and use code TRO for 10% off your order. Stone Glacier Gear — I’ve packed out more animals than I can count with my Stone Glacier Sky Archery 6,400 pack. Whether you’re day hunting or on a 10-day alpine trek, their minimalist, lightweight gear stands up to the toughest mountain hunts. Visit stoneglacier.com and use code TRO for a discount on gear that lasts. OnX Maps — The ultimate tool for elk hunters who want to own the mountain. OnX Maps helps you navigate private and public lands with confidence, so you can spend more time hunting and less time guessing. Head to onxmaps.com and enter code TRO for savings on your subscription. Time Stamp Chapters 00:00 — Introduction & Sponsor Shoutouts 05:00 — Bob’s Hunting Roots & Early Years in New York 12:30 — Moving to Colorado: The Dream Begins 20:45 — First Bull & Learning the Elk Country 30:00 — Transitioning from Corporate to Full-Time Guide 40:15 — Lessons Learned: Fitness & Hard Work in Elk Hunting 50:00 — Guiding Stories & Memorable Hunts 58:00 — Staying Active & Hunting Into Your 60s and Beyond 1:05:00 — Final Thoughts & Advice for Elk Hunters Three Key Takeaways: Fitness is your greatest asset — Bob’s success came from being in top shape, allowing him to access tough country others wouldn’t dare tackle. Elk hunting is as much about endurance as it is skill. Learn the land, pack smart — From horses to packing techniques, understanding your environment and how to move efficiently with heavy loads can make or break your hunt. Adapt and evolve — Bob’s journey from corporate life to full-time guide shows the power of following your passion and adapting your lifestyle to live the dream.

What's up everyone! This week I'm sitting down with Jerrod Lile, CEO of Hunting Fool and one of the most underrated elk hunters you've never heard enough from. Jerrod spent 14 years working alongside Dan Evans at Trophy Taker—yeah, THE Dan Evans—and the stories and lessons he picked up during that time are absolute gold. This conversation goes deep. We talk about how Jerrod went from being a good shooter to a great archer after Dan called him out on his bad habits, the mental game required to perform under pressure (spoiler: it's just like you to make a good shot), and why he's helped 15 first-time bowhunters kill their first elk. Jerrod breaks down his hunting philosophy into one simple mantra: get as close as you can for as long as you can, and good stuff will happen. But this episode isn't all tactics and tips. Jerrod gets brutally honest about the emotional rollercoaster of elk hunting—from getting too cocky after a string of successes and missing a giant bull at 35 yards, to the heartbreak of his father passing away in the middle of a 23-point Arizona hunt. That story alone is worth the listen. It's raw, it's real, and it's a reminder that elk hunting is about so much more than antlers. We also dive into the psychology of hunting with other people (spoiler: it usually makes you worse), why repeating the same game plan year after year is a trap, and how to pivot when things aren't working. Jerrod doesn't hold back on his mistakes—like setting up a comfy wall tent camp in Arizona and being too stubborn to relocate when the pressure got heavy—and the lessons he's learned from them. If you want to hear from someone who's been in the trenches for decades, worked with legends, and still gets humbled by elk every single season, this is the episode for you. Jerrod is humble, authentic, and full of hard-earned wisdom that only comes from putting in the work year after year. Sponsors Stone Glacier - If you're in the market for a new pack, Jerrod and I both run Stone Glacier gear. I packed out a lot of animals this year with the Sky Archer 6400, including a couple elk. The thing I love about Stone Glacier packs is they work whether you're on a 10-day backpack trip or day hunting from the truck. Minimalist design, tough as nails, and they collapse down so you don't need multiple packs. Built by mountain hunters for mountain hunters. Check out the Sky Archer 6400 at stoneglacier.com and use code TRO . Tricer - Tricer makes way more than just tripods. One of my favorite products is the RP Bipod—a legit hunting bipod with all the features you'd expect from a high-dollar setup. At 10.5 ounces, it's lightweight enough to take on any hunt. Comes with everything: long legs, short legs, works on Picatinny or Arca. For $350, it's a no-brainer. I've shot a lot of critters off mine. Head to tricer.com and use code TRO to save 10%. OnX Hunt - We didn't have an OnX ad in this episode, but if you're a Hunting Fool member or thinking about becoming one, OnX Elite members get Hunting Fool for free. Plus, OnX is running a giveaway right now through April 15th—a hunt for two, no charge to enter. Just visit the OnX website, click the single sign-on button, and you're automatically entered. Check it out at onxmaps.com . Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: The underrated elk hunter you need to hear from 04:30 - Working alongside Dan Evans at Trophy Taker 09:15 - Going to first and second grade together 14:20 - The story that changed everything: Dan circles a bull in New Mexico 19:45 - "Iron Elk Syndrome" and why calling is the default trap 24:30 - Helping 15 first-time bowhunters kill their first elk 28:50 - The mantra: Get as close as you can for as long as you can 32:40 - Managing the emotional rollercoaster of new hunters 37:10 - Dan breaking down Jerrod's shooting and rebuilding it 42:20 - "It's like me to make a good shot" - the mental game 46:15 - Getting cocky and missing a giant bull at 35 yards 50:30 - Arizona 2023: Hunting with his son and running into people 55:40 - The lesson: Don't repeat the same game plan year after year 58:20 - Hunting with multiple people makes you worse 1:02:15 - The 23-point Arizona hunt and losing his father mid-hunt 1:08:45 - Shooting the bull on the last night with 15 minutes of light 1:12:30 - Carrying his dad's ashes on every hunt 1:15:00 - Hunting Fool giveaway and closing thoughts Three Key Takeaways Master the Mental Game of Archery - Jerrod learned from Dan Evans that you can control every variable in elk hunting except whether you'll panic when the moment comes. He spent months blind bailing, shooting 5-spots, and reading books like With Winning in Mind to build his mental game. His mantra under pressure: "It's like me to make a good shot." Repeating that phrase in third person creates psychological distance from the pressure and keeps you focused on execution. Great elk hunters aren't just good woodsmen—they're elite archers who can perform when it counts. Hunting with Others Usually Makes You Worse - Jerrod's favorite way to hunt with buddies? Share camp, high-five in the morning, split up, and reconvene at night. When you're constantly consulting with a partner—should we go this way? Should we move?—you have 15 mini-meetings a day and 0.5x the decision-making power. Even worse, if your gut disagrees with your partner's call, you'll be less committed, step on a stick, or miss the subtle cues that lead to success. Pick a point person, trust them completely, or hunt solo. Don't Fall in Love with Last Year's Game Plan - Jerrod burned his Arizona hunt by repeating the same meal plan that worked the year before. Just because elk were in a certain spot last year (or the last three years) doesn't mean they'll be there this year. People change, pressure changes, and elk are nomadic. If you're consistently running into hunters or the elk aren't doing what they did before, pivot early. Don't lose four days being stubborn. The devil you don't know might be better than the devil you do.

What's up everyone! This week I'm sitting down with Chris Burandt—yeah, THE Chris Burandt. X Games gold medalist, backcountry snowmobile legend, and someone I've looked up to since the original Schooled videos dropped. If you grew up watching extreme snowmobiling, you know exactly who this guy is. But what a lot of people don't know is that Chris is also a serious elk hunter who's been chasing bulls with a bow for over 25 years. This conversation is incredible because we dive deep into what it takes to master a craft—whether that's throwing backflips at X Games or stalking a giant public land bull for 20 straight days. Chris breaks down his journey from hating hunting as a kid (sitting in the cold while his dad napped) to becoming obsessed with bowhunting after reading Cam Hanes' book and having his mind blown on his very first day in the woods. We talk about the parallels between high-level snowmobiling and elk hunting, why both require you to get comfortable being uncomfortable, and how Chris's ability to read terrain from a snowmobile gives him a massive advantage when hunting big country. He also gets brutally honest about the mistakes he's made—including missing a giant bull at 46 yards after spending an entire season prepping for that exact moment, and what he learned from it. One of the most fascinating parts of this episode is Chris talking about spending 20 days hunting ONE bull on public land in Colorado without making a single call until the moment he shot. We break down the chess match, the patience required, and whether he should've been more aggressive. This is a masterclass in strategic hunting, mental preparation, and the sacrifice required to be a true 10-percenter. If you want to hear from someone who's mastered pressure situations at the highest level and is now applying that same intensity to archery elk hunting, this episode is for you. Chris is real, humble, and just getting started in this game—and that makes his perspective incredibly valuable. Sponsors Tricer - I run Tricer gear, and for good reason. They just dropped the updated AD and BC tripods with new TriTech technology—smaller diameter center post, packs down smaller, couple inches shorter, and a cleaner top. Drew is constantly innovating and pushing the limits on what a tripod system can do. From tripods to bino mounts, panheads, and bipods, Tricer makes gear that's fast, light, and simple. Head to tricer.com and use code TRO to save 10% at checkout. Stone Glacier - If you're a mountain hunter, you know gear weight matters. Every ounce counts when you're grinding up and down mountains all day. Stone Glacier was built by Kurt, a legit mountain sheep hunter who designed minimalist, lightweight gear that actually holds up in the nastiest conditions. No gimmicks, no BS—just mountain gear built by mountain hunters. Whether it's packs, sleeping bags, or shelters, they've got you covered. Check them out at stoneglaciergear.com and use code TRO at checkout. OnX Hunt - We didn't have an OnX ad in this episode, but if you're not using OnX, you're missing out on the most essential hunting tool out there. Detailed maps, property boundaries, offline access, and now weather data that takes topography into account. Become an Elite member at onxmaps.com and use code TRO to save 20%. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: Meeting a childhood hero 04:15 - Why Chris kept elk hunting separate from his snowmobile career 08:30 - Growing up hating rifle hunting with his dad 12:20 - Reading Cam's book and the first day bowhunting (running at a bull) 18:45 - The path from beginner to deadly: Steps 1-5 24:10 - Signing up for Mountain Tough and learning you have to train 28:50 - Giving up three hunting seasons to guide for experience 33:20 - Why 10% of hunters kill 90% of the elk 37:40 - Reading terrain like a snowmobile rider vs. a hunter 42:15 - Hunting one mountain vs. bouncing around 46:30 - The 2023 hunt: Drawing a dream tag and going all in 51:00 - Missing the giant bull at 46 yards and what he learned 55:20 - The mental difference between X Games pressure and elk hunting 59:45 - 20 days hunting one bull without calling 1:03:30 - Should he have been more aggressive? Tactics breakdown 1:06:15 - Advice for new bowhunters and closing thoughts Three Key Takeaways Guiding for Experience is Underrated - Chris gave up three of his own hunting seasons to guide on private land, not for the money, but for the reps. Being around elk every single day, getting multiple "at bats" in a season instead of hoping for one opportunity on public land, accelerated his learning curve by years. If you want to get better fast, find ways to be around elk as much as possible—even if it means helping friends on their hunts or volunteering to pack out. Control the Controllables, Then Trust the Process - Chris went all-in preparing for his 2023 dream tag—quit drinking, worked out every day, scouted relentlessly, dialed his gear—but he neglected shooting practice. He had a 46-yard shot on a giant bull and missed because he split the wrong pins. His lesson: You can do 99% of it right and still fail if you don't master the fundamentals. Shooting your bow consistently, year-round, is non-negotiable if you want to capitalize when the moment comes. Reading Terrain Like a Snowmobiler Gives You a Massive Edge - Chris's ability to see mountains on a macro level (from snowmobiling hundreds of miles and connecting drainages) gives him a huge advantage over hunters who think micro. Most hunters pick a trailhead and hunt one drainage. Elite hunters understand how the entire mountain system works—where elk can move between basins, what routes they'll take, and how to cut them off. If you want to be a 10-percenter, stop thinking small and start hunting the whole mountain.

What's up, elk hunters! This week I'm sitting down with Jace Guymon, and holy crap—talk about a banner year. This guy drew a Nevada late rifle tag AND a Utah late archery tag in the same season, with hunt dates less than a week apart. Yeah, you read that right. Jace takes us through the entire journey of crushing a 394" bull on his Nevada hunt opening morning, then immediately pivoting to Utah where he arrows a massive late-season giant. We're talking about hunting two of the most coveted elk tags in the West back-to-back, and somehow making it all come together. What I love about this episode is how raw and honest Jace is about the process. He'd never even been to Nevada before, had minimal scouting time because of his guiding schedule, and still managed to execute on both hunts. We dive deep into his e-scouting strategy, why he focuses on covering massive amounts of country from glassing knobs, and how being aggressive—like actually jogging to close the distance on bulls—has been the key to his success. We also get into some real tactical stuff about late-season elk hunting: why north-facing slopes matter more than you think, how to move through crunchy snow without spooking bulls, and why patience behind the glass is non-negotiable this time of year. Plus, Jace drops some truth bombs about physical fitness and why most hunters aren't aggressive enough when it matters. Whether you're chasing premium tags or just trying to become a better late-season elk hunter, this episode is packed with actionable advice from a guy who's been guiding for years and knows how to close the deal when the pressure's on. Let's get into it. Episode Sponsors Tricer Tripods - Fast, light, and simple—that's what Tricer is all about. From amazing tripods to bino mounts and their new bipods, Tricer makes gear that just works. I've been using the heck out of their bipod and it's helped me kill a lot of critters. Head over to triceroutdoor.com and use code TRO to save 10% at checkout. Stone Glacier - The leaders in ultralight hunting gear. Whether you're on a 10-day backcountry sheep hunt or covering 10+ miles a day looking for elk, Stone Glacier's minimalist designs keep the weight down, which pays big dividends when you're covering lots of miles. But it's not just about light packs—Stone Glacier has the full setup now with tents, sleeping bags, and premium clothing. You don't sacrifice quality and durability with their lightweight gear. Check out their high-performance gear at stoneglaciergear.com . Chapter Timestamps 0:00 - Intro: Banner Year with Jace Guymon 2:15 - Drawing Nevada Late Rifle & Utah Late Archery Back-to-Back 5:30 - Zero Knowledge of Nevada: E-Scouting Strategy 9:00 - Limited Scouting Time: Making It Work 12:45 - Spotting the Bull: 4.6 Miles Away 16:00 - Nine Buddies Show Up: Decision Time 19:30 - Opening Morning Execution & The Miss 23:00 - 394" Bull Down: What Nevada Hunting is Really Like 27:15 - Was It Too Easy? Outfitters Struggled This Year 31:00 - Pine Nut Crop Impact on Nevada Elk & Deer 34:30 - Pivot to Utah: The Late Archery Grind 38:00 - Spotting a 10-Year-Old Bull Running Cows in Late November 41:45 - The Aggressive Stalk: 1.4 Miles in Under an Hour 45:30 - Seven Arrows, Rotator Cuff Injury & Dead Bull 49:00 - Late Season Bull Behavior: North vs. South Slopes 52:15 - Physical Fitness & Aggressiveness: The Two Big Mistakes 56:00 - Late Season Tactics: Walking vs. Sneaking 58:00 - Final Advice for Late Season Success Three Key Takeaways Be More Aggressive Than You Think You Need To Be - Jace's biggest piece of advice: 95% of the time, you should be going NOW. Most hunters wait too long to make a move, trying to let situations "develop" when they should be jogging uphill to close distance. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take, and even a 2% chance of success is better than watching a bull walk away at dark. The difference between successful guides and struggling clients often comes down to one thing: guides move FAST when it's time to move. North-Facing Slopes Are Critical for Late Season Bulls - While everyone focuses on south-facing slopes for feeding, mature bulls in late season are often bedded on north slopes where they can stay cool in their thick winter coats. Jace actually prioritizes glassing north-facing slopes because bulls will be bedded in cover there, whereas south slopes are easier to scan quickly. Look for trails leading over ridgelines to north-facing timber—that's where the big bulls are hiding. Patience Behind the Glass Will Outperform Covering Ground - Late season success comes down to being comfortable sitting on a glassing knob for 4+ hours straight. Bulls bedded in junipers disappear completely—you can scan right over a 400" bull for 45 minutes until he finally stands up. The difference between 0% success units and killing giants often isn't location or fitness—it's the willingness to sit and actually GLASS rather than covering ground. Pick big vantage points where you can see maximum country and commit to them.

$10,000 Elk Voucher Giveaway! Before we jump in, I've got to tell you about an incredible giveaway we're running with Hunting Fool Adventures. We're giving away a $10,000 elk voucher that's good for a landowner tag, a fully guided hunt, or credit toward whatever you want for next elk season. Here Here's how to enter: For the last three years, I've been building a smartwatch specifically for hunters - the Reckon Founder Series. I was frustrated with the smartwatches out there and thought we could do better. Turns out, we can. If you're a smartwatch person, you're going to love this product. Trust me. Head over and hit the presale on the Reckon Founder Series watch right now and use code HF - you'll be automatically entered to win this $10,000 elk voucher from Hunting Fool. Whether you're looking for a landowner tag, a full guided hunt, or anything else, this voucher has you covered. If you've ever thought about getting a new watch, now's the time. Go check it out and throw your name in the hat! What's up, elk hunters! This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast, I sat down with my buddy Jared Miller, and man, this conversation went deep. We started talking about rifle hunting versus archery hunting elk (spoiler: Jared thinks rifle hunting elk in Montana is way harder than bow hunting), and somehow ended up diving into the mental game of archery, bow tuning secrets, and his insane Matthews hunt that we filmed this fall. Jared's one of those guys who's just obsessed with the process - whether it's shooting Vegas rounds every single day, torque tuning his bow, or working through Joel Turner's shot control process. We get into all of it. He shares some wild stories from this season, including a two-day Montana archery hunt that turned into one of the best films we've put out, and breaks down exactly how he stalked to 20 yards on a bedded bull in socks. If you're into archery hunting, this episode is packed with gold. We talk about grip pressure, forgiveness in bow setups, the mental side of executing under pressure, and why Jared shoots 30-60 arrows a day leading into season. Plus, he drops some serious knowledge on open country elk hunting and what he's learned about where these bulls actually bed. This one's a bit different from our usual episodes - less tactical talk, more mental game and archery deep dive - but I think you're gonna love it. Let's get into it. Jared's Matthews Film - Immersion Tricer Tripods - These guys make gear that's fast, light, and simple. From incredible tripods to bino mounts, panheads, truck mounts, and now even bipods, Tricer has everything you need for better glassing setups. I've been running their bipod hard this season and killed a lot of critters with it. Head over to www.tricer.com and use code TRO to save 10% at checkout. Stone Glacier - My Sky Archer 6400 has been everywhere with me this year - Alaska, British Columbia, Wyoming, Montana. Whether it's a 10-day backpack hunt or day hunting from the side-by-side, Stone Glacier makes minimalist, lightweight gear that works for everything. They've got a full suite of hardcore mountain hunting gear, so if you're in the market, check out www.stoneglacier.com and use code TRO for a discount. Chapters 0:00 - Intro & $10K Hunting Fool Elk Voucher Giveaway 3:15 - Rifle vs. Archery Elk Hunting 8:30 - Montana Rifle Season Grind 12:45 - Wyoming October Rifle Hunt 18:20 - Getting the New Matthews Bow 24:10 - Bow Setup & Tuning Philosophy 31:40 - Joel Turner Shot Process & Target Panic 40:25 - Forgiveness in Bow Setups 46:50 - String Angle & Slow-Mo Arrow Flight 52:15 - Alaska Blacktail Mental Rollercoaster 58:40 - The Matthews Film Hunt Begins 1:02:30 - The Stalk & Kill Shot 1:07:45 - Zach's Seven by Eight 1:10:20 - Open Country Hunting Tips 1:12:00 - Outro Three Key Takeaways Trust Your Instincts Under Pressure - Jared talks about how he played it too safe on his first couple stalks trying to accommodate the camera crew, but once he went back to his aggressive, instinctual hunting style, he closed the deal at 20 yards on a bedded bull. The lesson: find what works for you and stick to it, especially when the pressure is on. Forgiveness Over Speed in Bow Setup - Instead of chasing maximum speed, Jared prioritizes forgiveness in his bow setup (shooting around 280-285 fps, lots of vane, torque tuning). He explains how you can find an "equilibrium" where your bow hits center even when you torque left or right - critical for real hunting situations when you're not perfect. Mental Reps Are Everything - Jared shoots 30-60 arrows a day, but not just for physical strength. He's training his mental process - getting comfortable operating in a state of awareness, managing shot anticipation, and executing controlled shots even when his pin is floating. He credits Joel Turner's process for helping him overcome severe target panic that had even started affecting his rifle shooting.

Alright, so Jeremy Gilbertson is one of those guys who just went all-in on elk hunting—and it worked. This dude studied elk hunting harder than he studied school, killed a bull on his first-ever trip 36 hours from his front door in Minnesota, and then spent the next few years guiding hunters and building maps for a living. Now he's joining the Bridger Watch team to help us build the absolute best maps for wearables, because turns out everyone who said "nobody wants maps on a watch" was dead wrong. We dive deep into Jeremy's journey from cold-calling Colorado OTC units to guiding on private ranches in New Mexico, and we get into the real tactics that separate the guys who find elk from the guys who wander around hoping. We talk about e-scouting secrets, micro terrain, efficiency versus effectiveness, why busy is lazy (shoutout to Cal Arnold), and how to hunt like a 301 even if you're happy shooting raghorns. Jeremy's got a unique perspective because he's both a hardcore public land DIY guy and a guide who's seen hundreds of hunters make the same mistakes. If you want to learn how to find elk in tough units, how to balance aggression with patience, and why you need way more than seven days to figure out a unit, this one's for you. Let's get into it. $10,000 ELK HUNT GIVEAWAY We're partnering with Huntin' Fool Adventures for an insane giveaway. When you preorder a Bridger Reckon Watch and use code HF at checkout, you're automatically entered to win a $10,000 elk hunt voucher . You can use this for New Mexico landowner tags, a fully guided hunt, or whatever elk hunting adventure you want. Here's the best part: we're talking single-digit entries right now, so your odds of winning are actually really, really good. This isn't one of those giveaways where you're up against 50,000 people—this is a legitimate shot at a dream elk hunt. Head over to bridgerwatch.com , preorder your Reckon, use code HF , and you're in. If you were already thinking about getting the Founder Series, this is a no-brainer. OnX Hunt - The ultimate tool for elk hunters and the app I absolutely won't go into the field without. Whether you're e-scouting from the couch or actually hunting elk, OnX gives you detailed maps, property boundaries, and over 50 layers of mapping data including satellite imagery, offline maps, and waypoints. It helps you make smarter decisions no matter where you hunt. Save time, avoid mistakes, and stay connected to your crew. If you're not an Elite member yet, you're missing out on a whole other level of tools. Head over to onxmaps.com and use code TRO to save 20% off your membership. Tricer - These guys make gear that's fast, light, and simple. From bomber tripods to spotting scope mounts, panheads, truck mounts, and now even bipods—Tricer makes gear that just works. I've been running their bipod hard this season and it's been rock solid. If you're looking to upgrade your glassing system, check out Tricer. Head over to tricer.com , use code TRO at checkout, and save yourself 10%. Stone Glacier - I've packed out a lot of animals with my Stone Glacier pack. This year, the Sky Archer 6400 has been with me to Alaska, British Columbia, Wyoming, and Montana. Whether it's a 10-day backpack hunt or day hunting from the side-by-side, Stone Glacier is minimalist, lightweight, and versatile. They make an entire suite of hardcore mountain hunting gear. Head over to stoneglacier.com , use code TRO , and get yourself some great gear. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Intro & Bridger Watch Announcement 2:30 - Jeremy's New Role at Bridger Watch 5:45 - Building the Best Maps for Wearables 8:20 - Jeremy's Elk Hunting Origin Story 11:15 - From Minnesota Deer Hunter to Colorado Elk Obsessed 14:30 - First Hunt: 36 Hours to a Bull on the Ground 18:45 - How Much Was Luck vs. Skill? 21:30 - Advice to Your Younger Self 24:15 - Learning When to Run and When to Crawl 28:40 - Hunting 101 vs 201 vs 301 33:20 - Understanding Herd Dynamics at the Macro Level 37:50 - What Guiding Teaches You About Elk 41:15 - Elk Bros Outfitting Model Explained 45:30 - Hunting the Nucleus vs. Chasing Satellites 49:00 - Teaching Hunters vs. Learning Yourself 52:45 - E-Scouting Secrets: Avoid the OnX Holes 57:20 - Looking for Micro Terrain, Not Big Features 1:01:30 - Turn Off Public Land Layers When E-Scouting 1:04:45 - Rifle Hunting: Finding Where One Elk Can Survive 1:09:15 - Efficiency vs. Effectiveness in Hunt Planning 1:13:30 - Decision Fatigue and Mental Management 1:17:45 - Whoop for Hunters: Managing Expedition-Level Stress 1:21:00 - Why You Need More Than Seven Days 1:25:30 - Time on Feet Beats Everything Else 1:28:15 - Patience is the Hardest Skill to Master 1:31:45 - Elk Bros Details & Who It's For 1:34:00 - Outro & Hunt Planner Download THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS Stop Looking for Perfect Spots—Find Where Elk Can Survive - Everyone e-scouts the same big features: burns, mega meadows, obvious north-facing slopes. Jeremy's secret? Look for the smallest pockets where elk could survive, not where they want to be. That 50-acre hidden basin above the highway? That's where the pressure-educated bulls are living. When you're looking at a unit, turn off the public land layers and ask yourself: if I could hunt anywhere, where would the elk actually be? Then figure out how to access those spots legally. The micro terrain beats the macro highlights every single time. You Need Way More Than Seven Days to Figure Out a Unit - Outfitters operate on seven-day hunts because they've already spent years figuring out where the elk are and what they're doing. When you show up as a DIY hunter with seven days, you're spending the first five just learning what the guide already knows. Jeremy's rule: plan for 10-15 days minimum if you're hunting a new unit. The hard units? Budget 12+ days just to figure it out, then another 3-4 to actually execute. If you only have seven days, you're gambling that you'll figure it out faster than average—and most guys are packing out on the drive home with all the knowledge they needed on day one. Hunt Like a 301 Even If You're Happy Shooting Raghorns - The difference between a 201 hunter and a 301 hunter isn't the size of the bull—it's understanding the entire system. A 201 hunter finds a herd and focuses on that six-point. A 301 hunter understands where all the herds are, how they interact, where the satellites are coming and going, and how pressure moves elk across the entire unit. Here's the secret: if you hunt the nucleus where the big bulls are, you'll magnetize all the smaller bulls trying to be there too. Understanding macro herd dynamics doesn't just help you find giants—it puts you in position to encounter way more elk, period.

What's up, elk hunters! This week I'm sitting down with Jayden Bales to talk about Idaho's brand new draw system—and honestly, this changes everything for how we think about western elk hunting strategy. If you've been following along, you know Idaho just flipped the script from their old over-the-counter system to a randomized draw. No more showing up at midnight to get in line. No more refreshing your browser hoping your number gets called. It's a whole new ball game, and Jaden and I are breaking down what this means for both residents and non-residents. We dive deep into whether Idaho is actually worth applying for, how it stacks up against other states like New Mexico and Colorado, and whether the new party application system makes this the perfect "backup tag" state. We also get into some real talk about draw strategy, why trophy quality doesn't matter as much as you think, and how to actually pick a unit that's going to make you a better elk hunter—not just feed your Instagram. Plus, we talk about dirt bikes, the death of honey holes, why flying into the backcountry isn't always the magic solution people think it is, and whether open country glassing is officially blown out. Jaden also drops the bombshell that he's officially a Montana resident again (told you he'd be back), and we wrap up talking about whether either of us are even going to apply for Idaho this year. This is a no-BS conversation about modern elk hunting strategy, where the opportunities actually are, and why guarding your Septembers is more important than ever. Let's get into it. Episode Sponsors Stone Glacier - The leaders in ultralight hunting gear. Whether you're on a 10-day backcountry sheep hunt or covering 10+ miles a day looking for elk, Stone Glacier's minimalist designs keep the weight down, which pays big dividends when you're covering lots of miles. But it's not just about light packs—Stone Glacier has the full setup now with tents, sleeping bags, and premium clothing. You don't sacrifice quality and durability with their lightweight gear. Trust Stone Glacier to help you go further and faster. Check out their high-performance gear at stoneglacier.com . OnX Hunt - If you're not using the new LiDAR feature on OnX yet, you're literally leaving elk off the table. LiDAR gives you the ability to see micro-terrain in your topo maps—it cuts out the trees and shows you micro benches and details on the side of mountains that are huge for finding elk. If you're not an Elite member yet, you need to be, because LiDAR is amazing. Better maps make you a better hunter. Head to onxmaps.com and use code TRO to save 20% off your membership. Tricer Tripods - Fast, light, and simple—that's what Tricer is all about. From amazing tripods to bino mounts and their new bipods, Tricer makes gear that just works. I've been using the heck out of their bipod and it's helped me kill a lot of critters. Head over to tricer.com and use code TRO to save 10% at checkout. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 - Intro & Sponsor Ads 2:15 - Idaho's New Draw System: What Changed? 5:30 - Are We Pissing Off Idaho Residents? (Probably) 8:00 - Party Applications: Game Changer or Overhyped? 12:45 - Where Does Idaho Rank for Elk Hunting? 16:00 - Draw Odds: Idaho vs. New Mexico Reality Check 20:30 - Should You Actually Apply? The Honest Answer 24:15 - Trophy Quality Doesn't Matter (Here's Why) 28:00 - The Panhandle, Frank Church & Hard-to-Hunt Units 32:30 - Becoming a Better Elk Hunter: At-Bats Over Inches 36:45 - Dirt Bikes, Four-Wheelers & the Access Advantage 40:00 - Why Honey Holes Die (Stop Being Married to Spots) 44:15 - Fly-In & Jet Boat Hunts: Adventure vs. Success 48:30 - Open Country is Blown Out (What's Next?) 52:00 - Are We Even Applying? The Hypocrite Dilemma 55:30 - Jaden Moves to Montana & Guarding September Three Key Takeaways Optimize for At-Bats, Not Trophy Quality - When picking an Idaho unit, stop filtering for the biggest bulls. The difference between a 270" bull and a 300" bull isn't worth sacrificing opportunities. Ten chances at 260" bulls will make you a better hunter than one chance at a 300" bull. Focus on elk density, huntable terrain, and getting as many encounters as possible to actually improve your skills. Assets Matter More Than Effort in Idaho - Idaho is one of those states where you almost need a dirt bike, ATV, or side-by-side to hunt successfully. The terrain beats up trucks, trails go deep, and most successful hunters are mobile. If you're planning to just park at a trailhead and hike, you're going to be severely limited. Build your hunt strategy around the tools you have access to—whether that's motorized access or focusing on lower-elevation glassing country. Party Applications Change Everything for Draw Strategy - With Idaho's new party application system, it's now the perfect "backup tag" state for groups who hunt together. Unlike Colorado (where point differences screw you) or other states with complex systems, Idaho lets you draw as a group with zero upfront cost beyond the license. This makes it ideal for having an elk tag in your pocket early in the draw season, which completely changes how you approach applying for other premium tags.

What's up, elk hunters! This week I'm sitting down with Jacob Winn, and let me tell you—this guy had an absolutely banner year. We're talking about a double bull season: a great six-point with his bow AND another six-point during rifle season. Jacob takes us through his entire 2024 elk hunting journey, from chasing big bulls in Idaho's rugged backcountry to navigating the ups and downs that come with archery season. We dive deep into his strategies, the mistakes he made (and learned from), and how persistence and putting in the days is what really separates successful elk hunters from everyone else. This episode is packed with action—we're talking multiple close encounters, blown opportunities, and some absolutely clutch moments that'll get you fired up for next season. Jacob breaks down everything from scouting tactics to reading bull behavior, hunting with buddies, and knowing when to leave elk to find better elk. Whether you're a DIY archery hunter grinding it out or a rifle hunter trying to find bulls in nasty late-season country, there's something in this episode for you. Let's get into it! OnX Hunt - If you're not using the new LiDAR feature on OnX yet, you're leaving elk on the mountain. LiDAR gives you the ability to see micro-terrain in your topo maps—those hidden benches and terrain features that make all the difference in finding elk. Upgrade to OnX Elite and take your mapping to the next level. Better maps make you a better hunter. Head to onxmaps.com and use code TRO to save 20% off your membership. Stone Glacier - Jacob and I both run Stone Glacier packs, and for good reason. The new Sky Archer 6400 is versatile enough to handle an 8-day backpack hunt or work as a lightweight day pack for bow hunting. These packs are built tough but weigh almost nothing. Check out the full line of Stone Glacier packs at stoneglacier.com —they've got something for every style of hunter. Tricer - Fast, light, and simple—that's what Tricer is all about. From amazing tripods to bino mounts and their new bipods, Tricer makes gear that just works. I've been using the heck out of their bipod and it's helped me kill a lot of critters. Head over to tricer.com and use code TRO to save 10% at checkout. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 - Intro & Meat Processing Talk 2:45 - Jacob's Epic Double Bull Season 5:30 - Getting Started: Jacob's Elk Hunting Background 8:15 - First Archery Season (2021) - 25 Days of Learning 12:00 - Adapting Tactics: From Calling to Open Country 16:30 - The Banner 2023 Season & Double Bull Success 20:45 - Learning from Failure: The Tough 2024 Archery Season 24:00 - Planning for 2024: Scouting & Drawing the Control Hunt Tag 28:15 - Opening Day Drama: The 348" Bull 32:00 - Noah Tags Out in 30 Minutes 35:30 - September Gets Tough: Reading Bull Behavior 39:00 - The Move to New Country 42:15 - Discovering the Mother Lode Basin 46:30 - Ten At-Bats in One Evening 50:00 - The Final Morning: Persistence Pays Off 54:00 - The Perfect Shot at 43 Yards 56:30 - Rifle Season: Finding Elk After the Storm 1:00:00 - Last Evening Magic: Double Bulls Again 1:03:30 - Advice for Becoming a Better Elk Hunter 1:05:15 - Wrap Up & Where to Follow Jacob Three Key Takeaways Volume of Opportunities Matters More Than Perfect Execution - Jacob's success came from getting 10+ close encounters with bulls rather than making every shot count. The more you can put yourself in position with elk, the higher your odds of success. Hunt as many days as possible and stay persistent. Don't Be Afraid to Leave Elk to Find Better Elk - Especially in archery season, pressured or difficult-to-hunt elk aren't worth grinding on forever. Jacob's best success came when he was willing to move to new basins and find unpressured bulls that were actually killable. Combat hunting changes the game. Bulls Have Different Personalities and Situations Change Daily - Not every rutting bull acts the same way. Some go crazy on opening day, others stay cautious all season. Wind, cow cycles, pressure from other bulls, and even individual personality all factor in. Stay adaptable and don't expect bulls to behave like they do in hunting videos.