Transition Wild - Western Hunting Podcast

Today on the Transition Wild Podcast, I am joined by returning guest, Fred Bohm. It’s always a pleasure having Fred on the show to talk hunting and this episode was a lot of fun. During our discussion, Fred walks us through his season so far and all of the exciting animals he’s been chasing with a bow in hand throughout 2020. We start things off with his recent elk hunts in Wyoming and Colorado, where he was able to take a cow and bull on public land within about a week time frame, on back to back hunts. We then cover his big horn sheep hunt in Colorado and all of the ups and downs associated with that endeavor. Fred also walks us through his hunt in Hawaii earlier this year where he chased sheep, goats, and wild pigs. To round out the episode, we talk about what gear Fred has added to his setup, his photography, and what hunts he has coming down the pipe later this year. If you enjoy great photography and writing revolving around hunting, make sure to check out www.fredbohm.com.  Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today I’m covering my recent archery mule deer hunt from early September in Colorado where I cover the events that unfolded during the hunt, as well as the preparation that lead up to it. I begin by covering how I decided on a certain unit and the reasons why I chose to do this hunt in the first place. I then talk about the preparation such as totally revamping my bow and shooting form, along with physical fitness for an above tree-line excursion around 13,000 feet elevation. I then cover my digital scouting and my one and only scouting trip to the area in early August. I round out the episode by diving into the details of my 2020 hunt, starting with the initial hike into the area and ending with a heavy pack-out. I highlight how I spotted deer and how I was able to get in position for a close range stalk with a bow and release a well placed arrow to seal the deal. This was a fun hunt and cool story to share with you all. I hope you enjoy it!Look for an upcoming article on transitionwild.com that recaps the lessons learned during this hunt in the near future! Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today I’m joined by my friend Ben Guttormson for another badass elk hunting podcast. What’s cool about this episode is that it’s positioned as a question and answer format of various hunting situational and preparation scenarios, where Ben explains what he would do and the reasons why. During our discussion of preparation, I have him rank five categories of scouting, fitness, shooting, gear, and calling and how he prioritizes them in order of most important to least important. I also have him break down what a week long hunt would look like day by day if he were dropped into a unit blind without any prior knowledge of the area.We round out the episode with “in the field” type scenarios where he breaks down certain scenarios of calling and how he would set up to get within bow range of elk, given a number of circumstances. We also cover strategies for locating elk in various weather and early season conditions when the rut is not in full swing yet. If you are hunting elk tin the west this fall, this episode is loaded with all sorts of valuable knowledge and information that will help you become more successful on the mountain.  Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today we have Cody Rich on the show to hit us with all kinds of elk hunting knowledge, advice, and wisdom. For those of you who might not be familiar with Cody, he hosts The Rich Outdoors Podcast and talks with some truly remarkable guests on elk hunting tactics and strategy. In addition to that, Cody has many years of hunting experience and many bulls under his belt to boot so he is walking book of elk hunting knowledge, to say the least. We cover a number of topics during this episode but a big part of the discussion is focused around thinking outside the box when it comes to locating elk and avoiding pressure, along with common mistakes a lot of people make when hunting public land. I also get Cody’s perspective and strategy on calling, moon phases, planning hunts, scouting, gear, and more. To round out our discussion we talk about Backcountry Fuel Box, a company Cody started to help people find the right foods and nutrition for a backcountry adventure. For more information, please visit www.backcountryfuelbox.com.  Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today my guest is Tim Andrews, owner and operator of Gypsum Creek Outfitters, based in Gypsum Colorado. Tim grew up in New York hunting whitetails, moved to Colorado in 2013 and instantly fell in love with elk hunting in the mountains. Tim is an everyday, DIY guy that followed his passion and purchased this outfitting business in 2019 to make a lifelong dream come true. During this episode, we talk about his progression as an elk hunter and how it ultimately led him to owning and running a big game hunting operation in Central Colorado. We discuss some of the struggles early on, business obstacles, and all of the work that goes into a guide service. Tim walks us through the accommodations they offer, species they hunt, and what to expect when hunting them. For more information, please visit www.gypsumcreekoutfitters.com Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today we have a really cool episode where we are talking solo, DIY public land elk hunting with Brandon Mcdonald. Brandon embarked on his first archery elk hunt in 2019 and we cover everything from preparation, gear, the highlights, and the struggles. We also talk about what he learned from his experiences and what he changing up for 2020 in order to tip the odds in his favor. It takes grit and a whole lot of mental toughness to keep grinding even when every voice inside your head is telling you to back out, pack up camp and get the hell out of there. Solo archery elk hunting is no joke so we talk about the mental struggles he experienced and how he dealt with them during his week long hunt in Utah. If you are new to elk hunting and are planning a solo archery elk hunt this fall, you won’t want to miss this episode. Brandon has been self filming his hunts and produces some really cool, informational archery videos on his YouTube channel so make sure to check those out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChLDlQLOQitmTtkdd4yLA1A Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

On this episode, we are joined by returning guest, Cliff Gray of Flat Tops Wilderness Guides to talk about what you should be doing right now to prepare for an elk or deer hunt in the west this fall. Cliff walks us through why gear is important, but also why it shouldn’t necessarily be at the top of your list based. We also touch on a 2020 Colorado hunting outlook where we highlight a number of potential outcomes based on various weather patterns and changes in hunting pressure due to the corona virus. We then talk about “True Hunts” which is his hunting outfit that specializes in planning and booking a dream hunt anywhere in the world. As part of this venture, Cliff also puts on mountain hunting seminars to help beginners and people who want to learn more hands-on, tactical knowledge when it comes to western hunting. In conjunction with these seminars, he has created an entire library of videos on his youtube page to help kickstart your western hunting experience with videos on gear, thermals, and feed, just to name a few. For more information, please visit www.ftguides.com or www.truehunts.com Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today we are joined by Justin Allen, founder of Woodroad Gear Co. to talk about his high quality, performance based socks that are built for western hunters and outdoorsman. If there is one thing for sure when it comes to mountain hunting, your feet are everything so its important to have a good pair of socks inside your boots. Prior to this episode, I thought socks were just “socks” and I never put much thought into the design and technology, but Justin explains what makes Woodroad Gear different and why they use Alpaca wool in their products. I have been wearing a pair of their socks for a few weeks now and I am really digging their quality, comfort, and moisture wicking ability while hiking for hours in rugged terrain. If you’ll be doing some western hunting of your own this fall, make sure to check them out. For more information or to pick up a pair for yourself, please visit www.woodroadgear.com  GIVEAWAY ALERT!!Three lucky listeners will win a gear package of two pairs of socks and a hat from Woodroad Gear Co! Tune into the entire episode to find out how to enter to win! Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today I talk with Dan ‘The Man’ Johnson about our upcoming mule deer archery hunts that we have planned for later this Fall. Dan will be chasing muleys again in South Dakota and I’ll be partaking in my first archery mule deer hunt in Colorado. Dan and I both describe our scouting process and our hunting styles based on the areas we will be hunting. We also cover a little bit of turkey hunting, shed hunting, and a much anticipated Michigan public land whitetail hunt for Dan later this year. This is a fun episode where we talk about the future and god willing, we will come out the other side successful.  Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

On today’s Transition Wild podcast, we are joined by PJ Delhomme, hunting editor of Bugle which is a nationally published magazine by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Ever since I moved to Colorado in 2015, I’ve been a member of RMEF and I sincerely enjoy reading every issue of Bugle so it was a true pleasure being able to sit down with PJ. To start off the episode we talk about PJ’s background of where he grew up, how he got into hunting, and his path that lead him to working and writing for the magazine. We cover his job responsibilities as hunting editor and he also shares a few of his favorite stories he has worked on throughout the years. If you are interested in finding out more information about Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Bugle Magazine, please visit www.rmef.org.    Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today I’m joined by Garrett Roe, owner of Heads Up Decoy to talk Spring Turkey hunting and tactics for chasing birds on the ground with a decoy. During the first half of the episode, Garrett gives us a number of tips and strategies to get aggressive on Spring turkeys. We also cover some of the product features of a Heads Up Turkey Decoy and how they are portable, durable, versatile and lightweight. During the second half of the episode, we transition to the story of Garrett’s whitetail he killed this past fall in Kansas. It is an epic story with years of history with this particular buck that he was able to get an arrow through during a spot and stalk decoy hunt. For more information on Heads Up Decoy, please visit www.headsupdecoy.com Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

On today’s episode, I talk with Brian Sommers, a Montana Game Warden who specializes in criminal investigation and grizzly bear attack training. Brian has been working with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for over 35 years and has helped develop wildlife attack response guidelines for Montana FWP. We discuss various topics all revolving around grizzly bear and black bear attacks in Montana, how officers conduct investigations and why they are important. We also talk about high risk encounters, how to be prepared for an encounter and what gear you should have when entering grizzly country. We then cover proper procedures for packing out meat and how to mitigate the chance of a grizzly attack after you put a deer or elk on the ground. To round out the podcast, Brian talks about grizzly bear management, quotas, and the future of grizzly bears in Montana. For more information on Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, please visit http://fwp.mt.gov/ Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

We are already half way through March and before we know it, elk season will be knocking at the door. In today’s episode, I cover 2020 elk hunting in Colorado and what you should expect for archery and rifle seasons later this Fall based on some changes to the season dates and hunting pressure. I also cover some highlights of the 2020 big game application period which is currently open and why you should be applying for preference points during this time. I then cover how to nail down a particular hunting area by using digital mapping software to figure out unit boundaries and public land areas in conjunction with over the counter tag options. I also talk about hunting styles and how to determine which one would work best for you as well as gear and physical conditioning. If you are new to Colorado elk hunting or elk hunting in general, this episode should put you on the right track.  Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today I’m joined by Kristin Cannon of Colorado Parks and Wildlife to talk about laws and regulations revolving around big game hunting in Colorado. Kristin has worked for the agency for many years and gives us a background of how she got started in the field of biology and wildlife enforcement. With the big game application period opening up in March, we talk about recent changes for the 2020 draw and new things you should be aware of. We also cover the five-year big game structure season dates and how those have differed from years past. To round out the last hour of the podcast, I ask Kristin a number of legality based questions revolving around public land access, firearm transportation and discharging, use of technology and tagging requirements in an effort to shed light on potentially grey areas of law interpretation. If you’re planning on hunting in Colorado this fall, you won’t want to miss this episode.  Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today we are joined by Mike Mershon, a resident of Montana who hunts elk each fall in grizzly country. Since moving to Montana in the 90’s, Mike has grown up hunting among grizzly bears and even though it is second nature to him, he has had some pretty crazy experiences over the years. We talk in depth about his gear preparation against grizzlies which includes bear spray and a side arm for protection. Mike covers how he carries his handgun, where his holster location is, and how he is able to draw a gun or spray very quickly if needed. We also cover how he sets up his camp, where he cooks, and how he stores his food to help avoid attracting bears to his sleeping area. We then dive into past grizzly encounters during hunts and summer trips to the mountains, along with a story about a hunting partner who was attacked and mauled by a grizzly during an elk hunt. To round out the podcast, Mike talks about his crazy experience from this past fall where he was charged by a grizzly at full speed and discharged his gun. We cover common mistakes and his advice to help prevent potentially harmful encounters for anyone who hunts or recreates among bears. If you’re planning on hunting elk in grizzly country or are looking for a damn good hunting story, this episode is for you. Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today we are joined by Morgan Lommele of People For Bikes to talk about laws, policies, and information pertaining to the use of electric bicycles on public lands. A big reason for recording this episode is not only because I work for QuietKat, an electric bike manufacturer based in Eagle, Colorado but also because I’m an avid e-bike rider on public lands. During the podcast, we cover what People For Bikes does to help with bike and e-bike access on public lands, trails, and roadways and what resources they offer. Morgan then dives into different classifications of electric bicycles, what they are, and where they can be ridden. We also cover the recent 2019 ruling of e-bike access on National Parks and BLM lands and how those areas are governed. To round out the discussion, we talk about the future of electric bikes, how they are enforced, and what we can do to help open more places to ride. For more information, please visit www.peopleforbikes.org.  Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

My guest today is Matt Dunfee, Director of the CWD Alliance, where we cover the current state of Chronic Wasting Disease in Colorado. We begin by covering what CWD is, what a prion is, how it spreads, and why we should be concerned as hunters and outdoorsman. We then talk about what the history of the disease in Colorado and the prevalence percentage of deer and elk in the state. We then discuss what Colorado Parks and Wildlife is doing to actively manage CWD and the action plan revolving around their strategy such as increasing tag quotas, mandatory testing, and altering hunting season dates. Matt also walks us through what we should do after harvesting a deer or elk and how to preserve what is needed for testing. To round out the episode Matt divulges what happens, based on scientific research, if CWD is left unmanaged and how the snowball effect could get out of control. For more information, please visit www.cwd-info.org.  Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today we are joined by Curt Headington, Vice President of Xpedition Archery, a leading compound bow manufacturer based in Decorah Iowa. During this episode we cover the 2020 lineup of bows which include their flag ship models MX15 and M16 as well as the Denali LX, Xscape, Mountaineer X, Thresher X, and the Perfextion XL. Curt walks us through the entire multi-year process from concept to production on what it takes to manufacture a premium bow in today’s world. We also cover many significant changes for their 2020 lineup which includes a forged, caged riser design and their all new HDS cam system which allows one to choose between limb or cable stops, or a combination of both. We then dive into many other notable upgrades from the 2019 Mako X which include limbs, limb pockets, and dampeners. For more information on Xpedition Archery, please visit www.xpeditionarchery.com Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today I’m joined by returning guest and all-around hunting badass, Fred Bohm. We start off the podcast with a recap of his 2019 hunting season which included antelope, high-country mule deer, and multiple states for whitetails where we cover some the successes, failures, and lessons learned along way. We also talk about introducing his kids to hunting and the outdoors by involving them in every process at a young age. Fred then walks us through his photography series on his website, which is an archive of written blog articles dedicated to help you take better pictures, coming from the perspective of an everyday hunter. To round out the episode, we talk about his writing style, how he generates his thoughts for a blog post, and some of his more recent articles. Follow Fred’s work by visiting www.FredBohm.com.  Transition Wild Is Powered by Simplecast

Today we are joined by returning guest, Cliff Gray who is the owner of Flat Tops Wilderness Guides where we discuss all things related to elk and deer hunting in Colorado. During this podcast, we dive into a recap of the 2019 hunting conditions, success rates and setting realistic expectations for public land elk hunting. We also talk about weather related trends and how precipitation can affect elk and elk hunting conditions. We talk about the current and future state of elk/deer hunting in Colorado in regards to the quality of hunting, animal numbers, policy decisions, and hunting pressure. We talk about 2020 season date changes and the positives and negatives associated with them. Lastly, we speculate on decline of elk numbers in Colorado in recent years, what is causing it, and what could be done to help improve hunting and wildlife. For more information on Cliff’s outfitting service, please visit www.ftguides.com Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

Today my guest is John Ferkowicz who recently made the transition from whitetail guide to an elk guide, where he worked for an outfitter in Colorado during the 2019 archery season. John owns a food plot business and during his offseason, has been guiding whitetails in Illinois for the better part of a decade. On today’s episode we cover why John wanted to try elk guiding, how he was able to land a job with an outfitter, and what it took to make it all came together. We also cover what guiding elk entails from working with clients, to day to day responsibilities, as well as his pay structure. We talk about the perks of the job, the challenges, and what certifications you need to become a licensed guide under an outfitter in Colorado. If you’re interested in becoming a guide yourself, this episode is for you! Transition Wild isPowered by Simplecast

On today’s episode we are joined by Mark Holyoak, Director of Communication for RMEF. During our discussion, we cover the background of how the organization began back in 1984, its overall mission, and what they are doing today to help preserve elk and elk hunting. Mark explains how RMEF is more than just an elk organization by helping open up land access, habitat restoration and forest management to benefit both wildlife and outdoorsman. We also talk about some of the hot button topics RMEF is at the forefront of such as helping to fight chronic wasting disease (CWD) and educating the public on a potential wolf reintroduction to western Colorado. To round out the episode, Mark covers becoming a member of RMEF as well as Bugle Magazine, chapter banquets, and national events they put on each year. To find out more information about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, please visit www.rmef.org Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

On today’s episode we are joined by returning guest, David Ware to talk about his 377” bull he killed in New Mexico on a DIY public land elk hunt. This hunt just took place last month in September of 2019 and when David sent me photos, I knew I had to have him back on the show. We cover the details A to Z, from when he drew the tag back in April, to scouting and hanging cameras in June, to when he killed the bull in late September. We talk about his scouting efforts, hanging cameras, and how he keyed in on certain areas as well as a story of a close call bear encounter during a  mission! David also explains his camping situation and why he was truck camping next to the road as opposed to doing a pack-in hunt, miles into the backcountry. To round out the podcast, he covers his week long hunt in great detail and how he was finally able to close the deal on a once in a lifetime bull during the final days of his trip. This is a story you won’t want to miss. Enjoy! Transition Wild is Powered by Simplecast

On today’s Transition Wild podcast, I’m joined by my good friend Josh Neville to recap his 2019 archery elk hunt in Montana. After five years of chasing elk in multiple states, Josh was able to experience success in 2019 with a great bull. During this episode, we cover why he chose Montana over other states such as Colorado or Idaho and how he was able to nail down potential areas to hunt. We also talk about making adjustments when things don’t go as planned and the full play-by-play details of his hunt as well the pack out. Lastly, we cover some of his gear that he uses for remote backcountry hunting and what he has changed over the years.  Transition Wild is Powered  by Simplecast

Elk hunting, especially archery elk hunting, is no easy task. It takes time, dedication, and grit to pound the mountain day after day on a week long trip. On today’s episode, I talk with Dan Johnson about his past two years of elk hunting in Colorado where we discuss expectations, goals, and lessons learned from his 2018 and 2019 seasons. One big takeaway from Dan’s elk hunt during the 2018 season was just how physically demanding and rugged the terrain is where we hunt, so we talk in great detail about his training program and what he did to prepare differently this year. We also talked about his gear in regards to clothing, packs, boots, and meals and how they differed or stayed the same. We also recapped some of the events during his 2019 hunt and the expectations he had for this year. 

Today we are joined by my friend Beau Martonik to talk about out of state DIY elk hunting in the mountain west on public land. We cover all aspects of non-resident elk hunting and how he goes about selecting a state, scouting and researching hunting areas, and overall preparation. Beau recently got into elk hunting so we talk in great detail about his hunts from last year in Montana and how he is changing things up in 2019 in regards to gear, hunting areas, and strategy. We also cover physical fitness for elk hunting, what pack and boots he uses, and his arrow setup for elk. If you’re looking for some motivation to hunt elk for the first time, this episode is for you!

Today we are joined by Ben Guttormson to talk about tactics and strategies for hunting pressured elk on public land. Ben grew up in the Midwest but now resides in Montana and has years of elk hunting experience with a bow under his belt. He is without a doubt the real deal when it comes to killing big bulls. During this episode we cover Ben’s summer scouting routine and how he puts the odds in his favor well before the season even begins. We talk about common mistakes people make when elk hunting and how he is able to locate pockets of prime elk hunting ground that are often overlooked by other hunters. If you plan on hunting public land elk during the 2019 season, this is a podcast you don’t want to miss because it is jam-packed with all sorts of elk tips and tricks.

On today’s episode, we have returning guest, Garrett Roe to cover aggressive decoy tactics for elk. Garrett is the owner and founder of Heads Up Decoy, a manufacturer of lightweight, portable decoys for bowhunting. This podcast is jam packed with tips and strategies all revolving around elk bowhunting and how to get aggressive on public land bulls. We first cover the design and features of the decoy that are appealing to archery hunters, and reasons why you should consider using one on every hunt. We then cover how Garrett uses his decoy’s during calling setups and ways to make any scenario more realistic. We round out the podcast with some real-world applications and stories from Garrett’s previous elk hunts in Colorado and Arizona. For more information on Heads Up Decoy, please visit www.headsupdecoy.com GIVEAWAY ALERT! Stay tuned to the entire episode to learn how to enter to win a cow elk decoy!

If you’re a beginner to elk country and you live 1,000 miles away, chances are you’ll be putting some effort into scouting before you show up to the mountains. Unfortunately, not all of us can drive 30 minutes and dive head first into elk habitat so were forced into doing the next best thing, digital scouting on platforms such as Google Earth and onXmaps. On today’s episode I’m covering digital scouting tips for elk that you can use to help you become a more successful hunter this fall. I break down everything step by step from figuring out a unit to locating bedding areas. I also tell you about species overlays to identify summer areas and wintering locations in Colorado and how they can help find the higher probability spots where elk live. I also identify certain things to look for when trying to find bull bedding areas, food sources, water holes, and pinch points. If you’re hunting in Colorado this fall, make sure you check out my full video on digital elk scouting

Today I’m joined by my friend Jake Bell who is a super knowledgeable bow technician in Colorado. We talk all things related to archery setups and dialing in your bow for western big game hunting. When chasing elk in unforgiving mountain terrain, your bow has to be bomb proof and Jake talks about the things we can do to prepare and to ensure our equipment doesn't fail in the field or let us down during the moment of truth. Elk and mule deer are bigger animals than your average whitetail and sometimes the shot distances can be further, so we cover arrow weight, spine, FOC, and tuning your bow to maximize kinetic energy. We also talk about beginner archery and the process Jake goes through to set up a new hunter with a bow and how things like brace height and axle to axle measurements matter. We cover a bunch of technical aspects of compound bows and how small adjustments can make big differences. Lastly, we cover archery form, the overall shot process, and some tips to make you a more confident hunter and archer this fall.

Today I’m joined by my good friend Clint Campbell to talk about his latest venture, Skull Brew Coffee and what they are doing to give back to conservation and wildlife. We talk about how Skull Brew came to be, why it was started, and what they are doing differently than other coffee companies. Clint then walks us through the different coffee blends they currently offer and how a portion of the profits are donated back to support clean water, wild places, and the animals we love. In addition to talking coffee, Clint provides a number of examples and ways we can all give back and how we can do more together, collectively as a hunting community. For more information on Skull Brew Coffee, please visit www.skullbrewcoffee.com. GIVEAWAY ALERT!! Make sure to tune into the entire episode to learn how to enter to win a bag of my personal favorite, Skull Brew Backcountry Roast!

Today I’m joined by Colin Wayne of Outdoor Edge to cover their full line up of hunting knives and cutlery designed for backcountry outdoorsman. Colin leads the sales team and walks us through how the company was started and where they are at today as leading manufacturer of knives and tools. In addition to making high quality knives for hunters, Outdoor Edge has many product offerings for other market segments such as fishing, camping, tactical, industrial, and every day carry. Colin also explains the numerous advantages of their knives over the competition by comparing price, quality, design, and multi-purpose functionality. For more information on Outdoor Edge and to view their entire 2019 lineup, please visit www.outdooredge.com GIVEAWAY ALERT!! Make sure to listen to the entire episode to learn how you can enter to a win a Razor Pro Saw Combo which is my favorite hunting knife and saw package, valued at $100!

Most of you are probably familiar with Jared Scheffler from Whitetail Adrenaline, creator of the most action packed deer hunting videos ever, but today he joins us to talk all things elk hunting. Although whitetails are his primary gig, Jared is a master when it comes to figuring out animals and making aggressive moves to have success on pressured elk. Jared walks us through how he got started with elk hunting in 2015 and his progression from beginner to seasoned pro in just a short period of time. He also tells us how he selects areas to hunt and why he doesn't do any sort of pre-scouting before getting to a location. He then dives into certain scenarios of knowing when to give up on an area, when to move to a different location altogether and how to dissect pieces of land to increase the odds of killing elk. We also discuss tips for finding elk in public land OTC units and the strategies he uses to find those parcels that many people overlook for various reasons. Jared and his crew at Whitetail Adrenaline have produced some badass elk videos the past few years in conjunction with their whitetail DVD’s. To find out more information and to view their content, please visit www.whitetailadrenaline.com.

Today we are joined by Jason Sibble to talk Spring bear hunting in the mountain west. Jason is a resident of Montana and walks us through the strategies for a beginner bear hunter in regards to digital scouting and how to locate black bears in the field. One strategy that Jason uses is spending time prior to season contacting state game officials and local biologists in the areas he is considering hunting so that he can find units with higher concentration of black bears. 
We also discuss which areas of mountain topography hold the most animals during May and April while bear season is in full swing. Jason also describes the ideal scenario for getting into bow range and what setups he looks for to increase the odds in his favor. We also talk about private land hunting and how Jason has been able to gain access to thousands of acres of privately owned ranches to hunt bears for free. If you're planning an upcoming hunt or bear hunting is on your bucket list, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Today I’m joined by Curt Headington, Vice President of Operations for Xpedition Archery. Xpedition is a bow manufacturer located in Decorah, Iowa that specializes in making some of best vertical hunting and target bows in the industry. Curt gives us the background of Xpedition Archery, its recent acquisition, and how they are building a “new” company from a strong history from its aerospace industry roots. We talk about the differences in design and the features that set them apart from the competition as well as what they are doing to support a dealer base across the country. Curt then covers the 2019 line up of bows including their flagship speed bow, the Mako X, which sports a five-inch brace height and IBO speeds up to 364 feet per second. We then discuss color options and finishes for their risers, limbs, and strings. BIG NEWS! I’m excited to announce that Xpedition Archery will be an official partner of the Transition Wild blog and podcast for 2019! For more information, please visit www.xpeditionarchery.com

Today I’m joined by my good friend Brad Delman where we cover elk and mule deer shed antler hunting. I’m an avid shed hunter myself so it was fun to talk with Brad and pick his brain for all sorts of tips and strategies that he uses to come home with a heavy pack loaded down with antlers. We cover the May 1st Colorado shed hunting restriction, why it was enacted, and our take on how it could be improved so animals are further protected during winter months. Brad talks about how he got into shed antler hunting a number of years ago and how he still has the bug till this day. He tells us how he uses Google Earth and OnXmaps to digital scout prior to ever putting boots on the ground and what terrain features he looks for that hold wintering animals. We discuss snow pack and how that affects wintering zones year to year as well as the differences in areas that hold mule deer versus elk. Brad is the shed hunting master so this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Today we talk with Jimmy Hamilton of Vortex Optics about their line of scopes, binoculars, range finders and spotting scopes designed for hardcore hunters. Jimmy gives us the background of how Vortex got its start and his background of working at the company. We start by highlighting the brand itself and dive into what separates Vortex from it’s competitors through offering a superior quality product at an affordable price and always putting the customer first. Jimmy explains their VIP warranty and how they go above and beyond to take care of the customer should anything ever happen to your optics. Vortex offers a diverse line of optics for hunters, law enforcement, shooting enthusiasts, and birding but the main focus around today’s discussion revolves around scopes, binos, range finders and spotters that are geared for the western hunter. Jimmy makes recommendations for the beginner enthusiast as well as the seasoned professional. Jimmy is also the co host of Vortex’s very own podcast called Vortex Nation Podcast which covers a variety of hunting and shooting topics. For more information on Vortex, please visit www.vortexoptics.com GIVEAWAY ALERT! Vortex has agreed to participate in a giveaway of a Vortex Hat, T-Shirt, and Diamondback 10x42 Binoculars to one lucky winner! Tune in to the entire episode to learn how to enter to win!

Today we are joined by Luke Hardin, Brinck Bowers and Dan Conner of FOB Archery. More likely than not, you’ve probably never heard of this company but they have come out with an innovative fletching design for bowhunters. One of the unique features about a FOB (Fletching Only Better) is how quick and easy they are to install without using glue or jigs. These innovative fletchings have an airfoil design that provides better arrow flight and broad head stabilization for longer shots in windy conditions. Another unique feature about a FOB is that it pops off during a pass through shot on so it can help aid in tracking and animal recovery by marking the point of impact. We talk about certain limitations of using these fletchings such as not being compatible with cross bows or certain rests such as whisker biscuits. To wrap things up, we talk about how durable they are, how much they cost and their other product offerings. GIVEAWAY ALERT!! Make sure to listen to the entire episode to learn how to enter to win a pack of FOBs from FOB Archery. We also reveal a discount code that is only available for a limited time.

Today I talk with my good buddy and returning guest Charlie Williams on backcountry hunting photography. Charlie is a self-taught photographer and does freelance work across the country for waterfowl, elk, and whitetail deer. We talk about the importance of telling the full story of the hunt through photos and how Charlie mixes things up with a variety of shots to portray different emotions. We discuss his younger years of getting started and what made him dive head first into a full-fledge addiction behind the lens. Charlie walks us through how he plans and sets up his photos to obtain a certain style and how everything is situation dependent depending on the environment or activity. We then talk about photography gear necessities for the backcountry and a couple options for “point and shoot” and DSLR cameras based on your needs. Lastly, we cover the current trend of social media and how we as hunters can do a better job to portray hunting in a positive light so that our heritage resonates well with the non-hunting public. For more info on Charlie Williams and his recent photography work, check out his photo blog at https://sportsmensnation.com/blog/mountain-hunting.

Today I’m joined by Gordon Whittington, editor in chief of North American Whitetail magazine. We dive into a number of topics regarding whitetails but we talk a lot about western whitetail deer hunting in states like Kansas and Nebraska, and how it’s a perfect stepping stone hunt before going on an elk or mule deer trip in the mountains. We also discuss the latest issue of NAW Magazine and the new world record “Brewster Buck” which scores over 320 inches B&C as the featured cover story. We then highlight his 2018 season where he was able to take three beautiful bucks across Texas and Kansas. Gordon also talks about his background of hunting as a young kid, his degree in journalism, working as a freelance writer, and how he helped found North American Whitetail. He then speaks to the hunting community and how we can help grow our heritage by taking kids and adults into the field. To round out the discussion, Gordon gives us his take on Chronic Wasting Disease and it’s impact on the future of deer hunting. For more information on North American Whitetail, please visit www.northamericanwhitetail.com

On today’s podcast I’m joined by Gabriel Saindon, owner and founder of Ivory Holsters. We talk about the history of the company, why it was founded, and how they set out to create a better holster for hunters and concealed carriers. We also discuss the importance carrying sidearm while bowhunting in the backcountry for self defense against predators and providing piece of mind in remote areas. Gabriel highlights the product design and features of Ivory Holsters that makes them unique and a better quality product than other holsters on the market today. We also talk about the compatibility with different handguns and how they offer a variety of models to that attach to your hip, backpack, and waist belt. For hunters that are looking for an ideal handgun for the backcountry, Gabriel makes a recommendation on a certain caliber and why it’s an all around solid choice for outdoorsmen. We also touch on bear spray and whether or not it’s good to use during potentially dangerous encounters. To round out the episode, we talk about the importance of becoming comfortable and familiar with your equipment so that you can react to anything that is thrown your way. For more information or to purchase one of their custom fit, lightweight Kydex holsters, please visit: www.ivoryholsters.com. GIVEAWAY ALERT! Be sure to tune in to the entire episode to find out how you enter to win an Ivory Holster of your own! The winner will be announced via Instagram - good luck!

Today I’m joined by returning guest, Joe Wilson to discuss all things technology related to hunting and how the use of technology is evolving us as hunters. We dive into a number of specific hunting products which include cellular trail cameras, range finder sights, scent elimination products, and electric bikes among other things. We talk about their position in the world of hunting and cover angles revolving around fair chase, hunter recruitment and legality regulations. During the entire conversation, we weigh the pros and cons or using certain products and how they play into the ethics of hunting. For example, are cell trail cameras “fair-chase” when they are used to locate game animals in real time during hunting seasons? Is a bow sight with a built-in range finder pushing things too far and making it too easy to kill animals with archery equipment? We also discuss the evolution we go through as hunters and it’s relation to modern society always trying to develop a better mouse trap. Our natural instinct as human beings is to constantly innovate and make our lives easier but in a modern world where hunting has become less of a need for survival, are we taking things too far? There are no right or wrong answers and we attempt to illustrate many of these topics from a wide array of view points.

A pronghorn hunt has been on my bucket list for years. On today’s show, I’m joined by John Mulligan where he covers his past two years of hunting in Montana, chasing speed goats with a bow. Topics covered during our discussion include tactics for spot and stalk and how to increase your odds when making the decision to pursue an animal. John also shares his tips for finding public land areas and planning driving routes prior to hunt to cover the maximum amount of land as possible. We discuss why antelope hunting is an ideal first western hunt for someone who is used to hunting whitetails in Iowa. A Montana archery non-resident pronghorn hunting license is only around $300 and you don’t need all of the crazy mountain gear that is usually required for high country elk in the mountains. He explains that this type of hunting really prepares you for other western hunting styles because all of the antelope hunting takes place on the ground and you get a lot of spot and stalk experience in a very short amount of time. John has a serious knack for portraying the hunt and story through photographs and video. Make sure you check out “The Last Arrow”, a short film that he put together which entails his exciting 2018 Montana antelope hunt where everything comes down to the final day: https://www.carbontv.com/shows/arrow-wild-tv/seasons/1/episodes/7/. For more information on John’s hunting show and podcast, please visit www.arrowwild.com.

On today’s episode, I recap my whitetail deer hunt to Oklahoma and to go along with the DIY theme, I thought it would be fitting to record this podcast by myself since the trip was done completely solo. Although the majority of my hunting now takes place in Colorado chasing mule deer and elk, it’s in my blood to go on at least one whitetail hunt each year to stay true to my Michigan roots. During this podcast, I cover why and how I ultimately ended up choosing Oklahoma to hunt in 2018 after plans fell through with Nebraska at the last minute. I also talk a lot about my gear, specifically my pack and tree stand combo that allowed me to bounce around and be mobile. Since this was a solo trip, I also cover my camping gear and why I decided to sleep in the back of my truck for the entire week. To end the episode, I cover my entire week of hunting and what I doing each day for scouting and hunting setups. I also reveal why I believe I was successful and how I used other hunters to help locate deer on vast areas of public land. This hunting trip will go down as one of my most memorable yet and if you have the opportunity to do the same solo excursion, I highly recommend you go for it because life is short.

Today with we talk with Adam Gall, owner and founder of Timber To Table Guide Service about their ongoing efforts to showcase hunting in an all-encompassing view of conservation, wildlife management and food. Adam has a background as a firefighter/forestry technician, wolf biologist and a high school science teacher which has helped shape his educational focus to showcase hunting as so much more than the “kill”. In addition to guiding paid clients on public and private land for elk and mule deer in unit 61 and 62 in Colorado, they are also making a positive impact for the future of hunting through their “Hunting For Sustainability” course. This weekend workshop is in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers where they bring in a group of 10-15 college students who have never hunted before to learn about conservation, firearm safety, field processing, and the history of wildlife management. We also cover their partnership with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation where they host participants from Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow. Each year, they select a few individuals to participate in their first big-game hunt who will be working in the field of wildlife management for a career path with the goal of them making management decisions based on a real-life hunting experiences. For more information on Timber To Table Guide Service, please visit: www.timbertotableguideservice.com

Today we have my good friends, Joe Umphries and Jackson Ryley on the show to talk about their recent public land rifle mule deer hunt in Montana. What’s cool about this story is that they did this completely DIY with their Father’s and were able to go 4/4 on bucks in a short week of hunting Any successful out of state adventure hunt starts months ahead of time with meticulous planning so we cover a lot of what they did to properly prepare, from scouting to gear. We talk about the importance of having backup plans and covering as much ground as possible during the first few days to really get a lay of the land and to find out where the deer are at. Lastly, we cover each hunt in detail and how everything unfolded leading up to the shot. Jackson and Joe reveal the terrain features that held the most deer and why 3/4 bucks were taken within a few hundred yards of each other.

On today’s episode, I’m getting back to my whitetail roots with Bob Polanic where he talks about his out of state whitetail deer hunts to Nebraska. He covers why he started hunting Nebraska and how he was able to get access to hunt some private ground without paying a high dollar lease or hunting with an outfitter. We talk about the terrain and how it’s a different world of hunting when you leave the confines of northern Michigan. We also discuss his upcoming hunt in Iowa, where he was able to gain access to a private farm while doing some spring and summer scouting a few months ago. He talks about his game plan for that hunt and why he thinks this could be his best hunt yet. To summarize, we talk about the importance of going on an out-of-state deer hunt and why everyone should experience states like Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and many more areas of the country that offer quality deer hunting. Public land is in abundance and door knocking is always a good option because you can never have to many properties to bow hunt. Bob runs his own hunting blog, Hybrid Outdoors where he documents all of his hunting and fishing adventures across the country. Check out his website at: www.Hybrid-Outdoors.com

Planning your first western DIY elk hunt can feel like an overwhelming task when you haven't done it before and you're starting at square one. On this episode of Transition Wild hunting podcast, Adam talks with Jacob Coons as he shares his tips and strategies for planning a successful elk hunt on public land. He really drives home the point that a successful hunt relies on your planning and preparation months in advance of the actual trip itself. Jacob has a very analytical mindset and talks about all of the different factors to look at as far as success rates, elk numbers and hunting pressure when determining which state to hunt. He also highlights his reasoning for doing an archery elk hunt and why he chose Montana for 2018. He then walks us through the details of e-scouting and determining where to set up camp in close proximity to a chosen hunting area. We also touch on important gear items and how to save costs when purchasing expensive western hunting equipment. To round out the podcast, he walks us through the story of his first DIY elk hunt from this past September where he was able to take a great bull with a bow on public land. Jacob has also put together an elk planning course that is geared for the beginner elk hunter. For more information about the course, please visit: https://www.udemy.com/twelve-months-to-elk/

Today we have another returning guest, Garrett Roe where we talk about his 2018 archery elk hunt in Colorado. We cover everything from drawing the tag, to his August scouting trip, to the heart pounding encounters over the two weeks he spent in the mountains. Even though this hunt took place in a draw unit on public land, Garrett quickly realized that the hunting pressure and the elusiveness of elk remained just as high as OTC units. His determination and will to find and kill an elk with a bow on the final days is admirable, and he tells a cool story of the ultimate grind. In this podcast we also talk about the many blown attempts and close opportunities that slipped through his fingers, as well as the final moments of a bull closing in and taking the shot. After many years of waiting and getting pushed back from point creep, he was able to fulfill a 15 year dream of taking a bull in Colorado. Garrett Roe is the owner of Heads Up Decoy, a maker of portable lightweight decoys for deer, elk, turkey, moose, and pronghorn. To find out more information on all of their products, please visit: www.headsupdecoy.com

Today we have another returning guest, Drew Rouse of Reel Game Calls, where he shares the details of his 2018 elk hunt where he was able to kill a smoker bull elk on public land in Colorado. We discuss the events leading up to the hunt, drawing a unit 61 tag, and the scouting preparation for this particular unit. Drew also talks about the number of encounters he had while testing “yet to be released” calls and how much fun he had interacting with so many elk. We also discuss the current state of elk hunting in Colorado and what Drew is doing for the future of elk by starting a non-profit to help support our local elk herds. The discussion also dives into environmental impacts and how things like a drought, cattle grazing, predator management, and backcountry recreation impact them and what we can do to further educate the public on these issues. For more information on Reel Game Calls, visit www.reelgamecalls.com

Today we have our first returning guest on the Transition Wild podcast where we are joined by Cliff Gray of Flat Tops Wilderness Guides. As someone who has guided hunters on OTC public land units for many years, Cliff really knows his stuff when it comes to finding and killing pressured elk. Some of the specific topics of discussion we get into include the moon phase and if it matters, dry conditions for 2018 and how it will affect elk concentration, and what to do during the middle of the day if the action is slow. With archery season in full swing, he shares his tactics and tips for hunting during the middle part of September as well as the rut. We then dive into all four elk rifle seasons in Colorado where Cliff provides a synopsis of what he does to be successful during each time period of October through November. Most importantly, he breaks down the factors that cause elk to move (or not to move) and how you can plan your hunting strategy accordingly. For more information on Cliff Gray and his western hunting operation, please visit: flattopswildernessguides.com