Mule Deer Hunting with Braxton Hamilton
Mule Deer Hunting Stories with Braxton Hamilton
Show Notes:
Braxton Hamilton joins me to talk about mule deer hunting and share some stories. He’s fresh off a bear hunt, and we spend some time talking about bear hunts from the past. Braxton lives in northwestern Wyoming, where I used to go every year for the opener of mule deer. He’s been hunting for as long as he can remember. Braxton’s dad hunted just about everything when it was open, and as a kid, it was really fun. They spent a lot of time in the mountains, and he grew up seeing a lot of huge deer. Back in the 90s and 00s, there were a ton of deer out there.
When he was younger, Braxton had his heart set on killing a giant one and nothing else, and he went a whole 9 years before grabbing one! There are so many lessons in deer hunting, especially when using a bow. We chat about everything that goes into it and how important those moments are when you pull back and draw. Sometimes, it’s as simple as having that killer instinct to go after your target and getting rid of any doubts.
Braxton shares a story about how he shot a 5 x 4 deer back in 2021. He says it was the biggest learning experience he’s ever had in his hunting career. He was out with a partner, and they had been tracking the deer since 2019. We talk about how the majority of mule deer hunting is mental, and sitting in one spot for hours is a whole other grind. They played a bit of a waiting game and wound up losing track of him after shooting him with an arrow. They took a few days off and wound up finding him dead in another camp! It wasn’t a pretty scene, and they think it must have died the night he got him.
What’s Inside:
How Braxton got into hunting and got his first deer.
A mule deer hunting story from Braxton where he played the waiting game.
The mental challenges of deer hunting.
Mentioned in this episode
Days In The Wild Podcast
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.h
Cliff Gray learning from other’s experiences
Cliff Gray Hunting learning from other's experiences.
Cliff and I discuss: being on Joe Rogan, we talk about learning from the experiences and stories of others, we talk about blood trailing, and determining when is the best time to seize an opportunity.
Follow Cliff Gray here Cliff Gray (@cliffgry) • Instagram photos and videos
youtube Cliff Gray - YouTube
Hunting and Mental Toughness with Weston Paul
Hunting and Mental Toughness with Weston Paul
Show Notes:
Weston Paul is the Director of Business Development at MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab out of Bozeman, Montana. MTNTOUGH is a state-of-the-art fitness app that helps hunters get into tip top shape for the hunting season. Their programs have been tested and proven for conditions like high elevation, steep terrain, and multiple days under load. Your mental toughness will most certainly be challenged. Founder Dustin Diefenderfer designed the app with the backcountry athlete in mind, and the training programs feature a good mix of both strength and cardio.
In hunting, we know things don’t always go the way we want them to. MTNTOUGH also has a 10-day mental toughness course that trains you how to handle adversity and achieve your goals, so you can persevere through challenges. There are also yoga, physical therapy, and spirituality aspects woven into the various programs. This well-rounded approach is a great way for hunters to prepare for just about anything.
Weston and I talk about failures and how we learn from them. He also shares a story about an elk hunt where his brother-in-law wound up catching COVID and he wound up leaving. Later, a big snowstorm hit and dumped about two feet of snow. He followed some grizzly tracks to a few bulls and was able to sneak in and get one. We also chat about carrying loads on elk hunts and how to pack what your body can handle, toughing through injuries and ailments, and how Weston’s partnering with Howl for Wildlife.
What’s Inside:
How MTNTOUGH helps hunters get into physical and mental shape.
An epic elk hunting story from Weston.
Carrying loads and tough pack outs.
Mentioned in this episode
Days In The Wild Podcast
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
MTNTOUGH
Short Description:
Weston Paul is the Director of Business Development at MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab out of Bozeman, Montana. MTNTOUGH is a state-
120 Days of Hunting with Clint Casper
How to Hunt 120 Days of the Year with Clint Casper
Show Notes:
Clint Casper hunts 120 days out of the year and here he shares his stories and how he’s achieved his success. Clint runs the Working Class Bowhunter podcast and we met back in 2015 through Outdoor Insiders. He’s in his second year running the show on the CC Hunt Files platform. We start our conversation by talking about what it takes to run a podcast and the challenges that come along with it. The industry creates a lot of snake oil salesmen with their products and sponsors, and we share a few stories and laughs about it.
Clint is very vocal about what he uses and why he uses it on his podcast. He only promotes what he uses, which means he truly endorses what he shares on his shows. Clint also doesn’t get paid to hunt for a living and he talks about all the different jobs he does. We talk about the right way to get into the hunting industry and why you should find a job that gives you a lot of time while generating a steady income.
Hunting isn’t always fun, and Clint shares a story about when he quit a mule deer trip after 8 days. He threw in the towel mentally, and for the next year, it was all he thought about. It was the worst and best thing to happen to him and since then, Clint’s been adding more days to his hunts. He shares how he defines success and why some of his best hunts were ones where he didn’t even release an arrow. Clint also talks about some of the toughest trips he’s had, how they tested him, and what he learned.
What’s Inside:
How Clint defines a successful hunt.
The right way to get into the hunting industry.
Why podcasting has created snake oil salesmen.
Mentioned in this episode
Days In The Wild Podcast
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
Working Class Bowhunter Podcast
Short Description:Clint Casper hunts 120 days out of the year and here, he shares his stories and how he’s achieved
120 Days of Hunting with Clint Casper
How to Hunt 120 Days of the Year with Clint Casper
Show Notes:
Clint Casper hunts 120 days out of the year and here he shares his stories and how he’s achieved his success. Clint runs the Working Class Bowhunter podcast and we met back in 2015 through Outdoor Insiders. He’s in his second year running the show on the CC Hunt Files platform. We start our conversation by talking about what it takes to run a podcast and the challenges that come along with it. The industry creates a lot of snake oil salesmen with their products and sponsors, and we share a few stories and laughs about it.
Clint is very vocal about what he uses and why he uses it on his podcast. He only promotes what he uses, which means he truly endorses what he shares on his shows. Clint also doesn’t get paid to hunt for a living and he talks about all the different jobs he does. We talk about the right way to get into the hunting industry and why you should find a job that gives you a lot of time while generating a steady income.
Hunting isn’t always fun, and Clint shares a story about when he quit a mule deer trip after 8 days. He threw in the towel mentally, and for the next year, it was all he thought about. It was the worst and best thing to happen to him and since then, Clint’s been adding more days to his hunts. He shares how he defines success and why some of his best hunts were ones where he didn’t even release an arrow. Clint also talks about some of the toughest trips he’s had, how they tested him, and what he learned.
What’s Inside:
How Clint defines a successful hunt.
The right way to get into the hunting industry.
Why podcasting has created snake oil salesmen.
Mentioned in this episode
Days In The Wild Podcast
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
Working Class Bowhunter Podcast
Short Description:Clint Casper hunts 120 days out of the year and here, he shares his stories and how he’s achieved
Tiny Boat Nation DIY Boat Building
DIY Boat Building with Mike Lopez
Show Notes:
Mike Lopez is an artist and a YouTuber who’s made his business out of building and modifying small bass boats. His channel is called Tiny Boat Nation and definitely check it out if you’re a DIY guy or gal. He’s currently working on a welding cart and gearing up to work on a pontoon boat next. He says it’s going to be business in the front and party in the back, and he wants to call it the mullet! Mike’s been working on boats and running his YouTube channel since 2015. He eventually took his online success full time and left his day job behind after the pandemic took his channel to a new level.
Mike and I start our conversation with a chat about airboats and their pros and cons. Mike also built me a boat, and we talk about how he made it and all the great features. A lot of guys out there want to take on a project or improve their boats, but they have some reservations since a project like this can be costly and time consuming. Mike offers some suggestions on how you can get started and insights into how he plans out his builds. Unlike an engineer who does a ton of upfront planning, Mike likes to work as he goes and tries to solve as many problems as possible.
We chat about different motors and rigs and how to incorporate them into a build. We also talk about the best kinds of boats for bow fishing and how to choose one based on your needs and budget. If you’re thinking about your own build, it helps to start with what you want the boat to accomplish and back into it. Mike also suggests going with a custom layout over a standard manufactured model to really make it your own. If you’re interested in buying a kit, check out Mike’s Tiny Boat Nation store through the link below.
What’s Inside:
How Mike left his day job to run Tiny Boat Nation full time.
Tips for planning out your own boat build.
How to customize your boat based on your needs.
Mentioned in this episode
Days In The Wild Podcast
Pho
Robby Denning Mule deer Q&A
Mule Deer Hunting Live Q&A with Robby Denning
Show Notes:
I brought Robby Denning of Rokslide on for a live Q&A where we talked all things mule deer. Robby is the author of two mule deer hunting books: Hunting Big Mule Deer: How to Take the Best Buck of Your Life and Hunting Big Mule Deer: The Stories. We kick off things with an audience question about whether or not Robby prefers to bed deer before he stalks them or if he prefers them on the hoof, and if that changes between rifle hunting and archery hunting. Robby says bedded is always the best, but it’s easier said than done, and he walks through his process.
Next, we talk about hunting in the early season vs. the late season and the pros and cons. Another question asks Robby to share his idea of the perfect scenario and paint the picture so hunters can recognize that out in the field. He says he doesn’t usually know until he puts his finger on the trigger because so many things happen between finding bucks and actually getting them. Being careful and not letting the buck know you’re there are, as Robby says, the most important. The distance and the topography have to be in your favor, and Robby talks about some of his experiences.
Robby and I discuss which mule deer behavioral attributes to pay attention to that ultimately help you harvest the animal. We talk about sightings and tracks and which times of day are the best. Mule deer also tend to return to the same area around the same dates each year, so mark your calendar. Other questions we ask Robby include how many years he follows a deer before he gets them, moon cycle patterns and summer bucks, how to decide if a unit has too much hunting pressure, and more.
What’s Inside:
Hunting bedded mule deer vs. on the hoof
What the perfect hunting scenario looks like and all the factors that come into play
Key mule deer behaviors to pay attention to
Moon cycle patterns and deer hunting
Best places and terrain to hunt bucks
Mentioned in this episode
Coyote Hunting with Heath Baker
Coyote Hunting with Heath Baker
Show Notes:
Heath Baker is a full-time coyote hunter. He’s been hunting coyotes since he was 13, and the more he got into it, the more obsessed he became. Heath grew up watching Randy Anderson videos and says he was his idol. Heath is also a licensed clinical therapist, which you might not guess by looking at him. He’s currently on a break from that work to focus on hunting, and we talk about how to make a living as a hunter. It’s way more than just going out on the hunt. You have to take a unique approach, do something no one else does, and pursue it relentlessly.
Today, Heath is the marketing director at Predator Tactics, a company that designs and manufactures high-quality hunting lights and gear. He goes live on Facebook while he’s out hunting coyotes, and he has an 85% kill ratio when he’s streaming. Heath also shows people how to work through the whole process and the entire dynamic in the moment. We take some questions from the audience about coyote calls and talk about best practices.
Another audience question came through about Heath’s go-to starting volume when using a Revolt caller. Heath shares his recommendations, what he’s using today, and how to use the volume level to get coyotes’ attention. We talk about what to do with coyotes that hang up a couple hundred yards out and how to adjust your call’s pitch and volume to lure them in. I also ask Heath what he looks for when he chooses a place to go hunting and how he sets up a sequence.
What’s Inside:
How Heath teaches coyote hunting through livestreams.
Coyote calling tips around volume and pitch.
How Heath chooses an ideal hunting spot.
Mentioned in this episode
Days In The Wild Podcast
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
Predator Tactics
Predator Tactics on Instagram
Heath Baker on Instagram
Short Description:Heath Baker is a full-time coyote hunter and heads up marketi
Supporting Conservation with Coffee with Will deRover
Supporting Conservation with Coffee with Will deRover
Show Notes:
My buddy Will deRover is an interesting cat. He’s a husband and a father of four boys, and the youngest was born about a month ago. Will’s 27 and he’s been hunting since the age of 18. As a kid, his family wasn’t into hunting or the outdoors, but he really got into it because of his wife and his in-laws. Will owns half of BearTrack Outfitters in Manitoba where they do guided black bear hunts. He’s also the founder and owner of Bear Beans Coffee, which is what we’re getting into here.
Will started Bear Beans Coffee about two years ago to stay involved with the outdoor industry when COVID shut his outfitter down for a while. It’s also Will’s way of giving back to the hunting community. Recently, Will started getting an idea of how he could support conservation better. Today, Bear Beans has conservation partnerships with a number of groups, including Howl for Wildlife. Howl for Wildlife has its very own branded coffee through Bear Beans, and a portion of the profit goes directly to us as a donation.
With all the attacks on hunting in the US and Canada, the more companies that can support the hunting lifestyle and passion, the better. Along with info on how to get your hands on some coffee, Will shares some of his best hunting stories. He’s got a great story about himself and his business partner, as well as stories from his outfitting trips.
What’s Inside:
How Will supports conservation through Bear Beans Coffee.
Will’s hunting stories.
Info on Will’s outfitting business.
Mentioned in this episode
Days In The Wild Podcast
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
Bear Beans Coffee
Bear Beans Coffee on Instagram
Short Description:Will deRover started Bear Beans Coffee about two years ago to stay involved with the outdoor industry when COVID shut his outfitter down for a while. Recently, Will started getti
It doesn’t always go as planned Kia and Talon Philips
It doesn't always go as planned Kia and Talon Philips at the Arizona Hunt Expo
Show Notes:
I caught up with Kia and Talon Phillips at the Arizona Hunt Expo, which is put on by Arizona Game and Fish. It was a pretty big turnout, and I’m pleasantly surprised. The last time I attended was during the pre-Covid days, and it definitely wasn’t as big as it was this year. Stieg Phillips, who owns Muley Maniacs, is Kia and Talon’s brother and I got the chance to interview him in a recent episode. Kia just started an outdoor gear business called AK Lloyd, and she’s working on some cool products. They’re getting ready to come out with a USB-heated sleeping bag/bed roll, so stay tuned.
Kia and Talon share with me some hunts that had some unfortunate events and show the not so pretty side of hunting and how at times the emotions and adrenaline make us make rash decisions.
Kia and Talon both had some pretty awesome hunts last year. Kia’s hunt was up first at the end of October. She had a muzzleloader elk tag in Nevada, and they saw a lot of really good bulls when scouting. Her husband convinced her to put in for the hunt because it went into the rut a bit. They watched one bull in particular and decided to go after him at the end of the hunt. With the help of a couple of friends and a little luck, they got the job done.
Next, we get into Talon’s hunt, which was a day or two after Kia’s. He scouted throughout Kia’s hunt but didn’t see anything decent. However, a friend of theirs spotted another bull across a valley, and they decided to check it out at night. Eventually, they spotted him again and he got set up. Talon hit him in the shoulder on the first shot with a 28 Nosler. All hell broke loose after that and Talon shares the story of how he wound up finally getting him down.
What’s Inside:
Info about Kia’s new company, AK Lloyd.
Stories from Kia’s elk hunt in Nevada.
Stories from Talon’s hunt and how he got his bull.
Mentioned in this
Turkey and Predator Hunting with Logan Holtz
Turkey and Predator Hunting with Logan Holtz
Show Notes:
My buddy Logan Holtz joins me to talk turkey, predator hunting, and everything in between. Logan grew up in north central Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin and worked in the outdoor industry his whole career, including at Cabela’s corporate headquarters. Logan also worked at Burris Optics, and today, he’s at QuietKat E-Bikes. Hunting is one of his major passions, and it’s given him a number of great opportunities throughout his life.
Turkey season has already started, and here out west, they’re just about to kick things off. Logan’s an avid turkey and waterfowl hunter, and he’s got over 200 waterfowl hunt videos on his YouTube channel. Before we dive into that, we talk about his ideal coyote setup. His coyote gun is the same one he uses for snow goose hunting; he just changes the choke. With the right kickoff system, you get better target reacquisition. He also has a mounted red dot between the receiver and the stock, but Logan prefers the bead on a shotgun.
Logan and I get into why it’s important to pattern your turkey guns. Whether you’re using a bead or a red dot, the most important thing is to know where that pattern hits. You should be comfortable putting it on a golf ball from 10 yards away, because that’s where many people miss. We talk more in depth about coyote hunting, and I pick Logan’s brain on how he chooses his best hunting spots. We also talk about Logan’s calling sequences, bow hunting turkey and coyote, and more.
What’s Inside:
Logan’s ideal coyote gun setup.
Why you should pattern your turkey gun.
How Logan picks good coyote hunting spots.
Logan’s calling sequences.
Using a bow to hunt turkey and coyote.
Mentioned in this episode
Days In The Wild Podcast
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
Holtz Outdoors on Instagram
Holtz Outdoors YouTube Channel
Short Description:
The Impact of Howl for Wildlife with Jesse Deubel
The Impact of Howl for Wildlife with Jesse Deubel
Show Notes:
I recently had the chance to join Jesse Deubel on his podcast, Ahi Va. I got in touch with Jesse because of some of the New Mexico State legislation around hunting and wanted to talk about how Howl for Wildlife could provide support. We kick things off by talking all about Howl for Wildlife, starting with the backstory and what’s going on today. Getting hunters to show up can be challenging, but we’ve set things up in a way to make it easier than ever to get involved.
Activism is usually seen as a dirty word, since that’s what the other side calls itself, but hunters are the champions of wildlife, and it’s time we stepped up our advocacy efforts. Jesse and I talk about the New Mexico Wildlife Foundation and some of the things Howl is doing in terms of the tools and technology we have in place. Legislation is complicated, and we’ve overcome some of the major hurdles through our systems and our action center. We also talk about how we came up with the Howl for Wildlife name and logo, some of the struggles we've faced since we started, the debate on the role wolves play in the wild, and how hunters can be better ambassadors for the cause.
What’s Inside:
How Howl for Wildlife removes hurdles from hunting advocacy efforts.
The story behind the Howl for Wildlife logo.
How hunters can be better ambassadors for the cause.
Mentioned in this episode
Days In The Wild Podcast
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
Ahi Va Podcast
Short Description:I recently had the chance to join Jesse Deubel on his podcast, Ahi Va. Jesse and I talk about the New Mexico Wildlife Foundation and some of the things Howl’s doing in terms of the tools and technology we have in place. We also talk about how we came up with the Howl for Wildlife name and logo, some of the struggles we faced since we started, the debate on the role wolves play in the
Jordan Sillars of Meateater
Inside the Campaign to Divorce Hunters from Wildlife Policy with Jordan Sillars
Show Notes:
Jordan Sillars is a writer and managing editor for MeatEater. He covers firearms and conservation as well as American literature and hunting stories. Jordan started freelancing in 2020 and started working full-time for MeatEater last April. He didn’t grow up doing a lot of hunting but got into it later in life. Jordan’s currently living in east Texas, and he loves to hunt whitetail, hawk, and squirrel. He also goes after white and hybrid bass.
I recently read one of Jordan’s articles and was intrigued because it’s in line with what we’re trying to do with Howl for Wildlife. The article’s called “Inside the Campaign to Divorce Hunters from Wildlife Policy” and it couldn’t be more spot on. Jordan gives us a background of why he decided to write the article and we get into all the details. The topic came under his radar last year with the Wildlife Society Conference, where they gave a group called Wildlife for All a panel discussion. The more he looked into it, the more Jordan realized how big of a campaign it was and how long it’s been going on.
Anti-hunting groups are wising up to what we hunters have been doing to stop their initiatives. Jordan and I discuss the tactics anti-hunting initiatives use and how they often have an advantage, especially when it comes to propaganda. What we can do is to humanize hunting a little better and show what it means to us. Jordan and I talk about things hunters can do to make a difference, the impact of elections and politics, and how the public trust doctrine is used to get hunters on board with anti-hunting policies.
What’s Inside:
All about Jordan’s new article about anti-hunting campaigns.
The strategies anti-hunting groups use to pass legislation.
What hunters can do to make a difference.
Mentioned in this episode
Days In The Wild Podcast
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for
Brice Hensley shotguns, chokes, and ammo loads
Brice Hensley shotguns, chokes, and ammo loads:
This is a live episode we did on Instagram where Brice and I talk about shotguns, TSS ammo, choke tubes, coyote and turkey hunting.
check out Brice at Brice Hensley (@foxtrotammo) • Instagram photos and videos
and Check out Fox trot ammo
Ryan Lampers live at hunt Expo
Title: Ryan Lampers
Show Notes:
I had the chance to catch up with Ryan Lampers at Hunt Expo. I love the expo since it fits in perfectly with my Javelina season plans. Ryan and I start our conversation by talking about Coues deer and I recap my Megatron buck story from back in December. We get into chasing Javelina and Coues and trying to see them in the grass and Ryan talks about his trip south of the border. The last time I was in Mexico, I cut my hand trying to cross a fence and it was a pretty tough hunt. I did get a buck and also saw a jaguar!
Ryan’s hunted in Arizona for a number of years, but he’s fairly new to Mexico. He doesn’t do a ton of border hopping since it can be pretty intimidating, especially when you’re carrying rifles. This past January, Ryan went down to a ranch, and he says he saw way more Coues deer in Arizona. They felt lucky to turn up a couple of bucks a day and there were very few does. He was high in the mountains, and it wasn’t as open. Even though it was tough at times, Ryan and his crew had a great time and they did wind up with some good ones.
Ryan and I talk about rifle hunting and chasing mule deer and the challenges that come up. Sometimes the challenge is more with dealing with the weather and elements and locating deer than the actual shot itself. To put more of a challenge on the hunt in Mexico, Ryan put limitations on which kind of deer he was after. We chat about the tag system and different units and how desperation can result in wounded deer. We also talk about getting “the moment of truth” right, getting the perfect range right before taking a shot, and Ryan’s current bow setup.
What’s Inside:
Hunting stories from Mexico
The challenges of rifle hunting
A chat about tags, units, and wounded deer
Ryan’s current bow setup
Mentioned in this episode
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
StealthyHunter.com
Short Description:
Securing Montana’s Hunting Heritage
HB419 and the Hunting Heritage Amendment in Montana with Everett Headley
Show Notes:
Everett Headley works for us at Howl for Wildlife as one of our content writers and researchers. I’m talking to him about a couple of bills we currently have up on the action center. Some of the main ones are HB419 and a constitutional amendment, which is out of Montana. Even if you don’t live in Montana, these bills set precedents for hunting everywhere and make it easier for us to do the same thing in other states. I’m working on similar legislation in Arizona and we might see the same things come up next session. We’re all in this sh*t together!
We start by talking about the hunting heritage amendment in Montana. The amendment currently protects hunting and fishing and we’re looking to enhance that protection to protect the hunting heritage, which means current means of take, like trapping and how we trap. One of the plays from anti-hunters is to first go after trapping and then go after other activities. Everett talks about similar bills in Oregon and protecting the right to food.
Everett and I chat about how hunting legislation impacts non-hunters. Community and society at large benefit from hunter actions and hunter dollars, even if they don’t realize it. We then get into HB419, which Everett calls the Montana bond bill, which requires anti-hunting groups to put up a minimum bond of $50,000 if they want to sue. One of the anti-hunting strategies is to litigate and delay, and even if they don’t win, they could completely ruin a hunting season. When money is on the table, those who suffered losses like guides, local hotels, and outfitters can recoup funds from the bond.
What’s Inside:
How the bills in Montana impact hunting nationwide.
Info on HB419 and the hunting heritage amendment.
How hunting legislation impacts non-hunters.
Mentioned in this episode
Days In The Wild Podcast
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife:
Javelina Camp 2023 Armando Martinez
Javelina Camp 2023
Show Notes:
We’re in the midst of javelina season and HAM hunt, which is handgun, archery, and muzzleloader. I’m with Armando Martinez, Mr. Bow Hitch himself and we’re sitting here in camp, freezing our nards off. It’s snowing and we’ve got some pretty crazy wind gusts, not exactly ideal javelina conditions, but it’s a beautiful country. I first came down with my son and we were helping out Shane with one of my clients. Then Joe and my nephew Anthony came down and we hunted for another couple of days. Now, I drove down and met Armando, who brought the weather with him.
With my client, we got in on three different herds, but things kept falling apart for us. Late in the afternoon, we spotted another herd. Anthony was the number two shot and Shane and Joe were on the radios. We got in tight about 70 yards and then Anthony got in a great shot with a muzzleloader. We almost doubled up, but my gun misfired, and my hunter went home empty-handed.
Armando and I recap our hunt together and we didn’t turn up anything at first. The wind was blowing us over so bad, Shane said we could trust fall in it. We worked our way out to the leeward side and glassed up a group. The rocks were brutal, and our legs were pretty chewed up. I recap some stories from the rest of the hunt and what I’d do differently. Armando recaps his experience using his bow in some pretty interesting terrain. We talk about the Bow Hitch and how Armando and I first got connected. I also tell some stories from a recent trip with my wife, and we get into some of the worries I’ve had over hunting and what the future could hold in terms of rules and policies.
What’s Inside:
Stories from our recent javelina hunt.
Recap of a recent trip with my wife.
Worries about the state of hunting and what’s next.
Mentioned in this episode
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
Short Description:
We’re in t
Why its so important
We are not that far away from losing all hunting as we know it...... If we continue to go down the road we are taking and refuse to lock arms with our fellow hunters the aforementioned statement can and will become a reality
Frontal Shots with Joel Turner
The Controversial Frontal Shot with Joel Turner
Check out the article I wrote on frontal shots that goes along with this podcast
Also if you want to learn how to be in control of your shot check out Joel's program
Buck Hunting Adventures with Stieg Phillips
Buck Hunting Adventures and the Canati Tripod with Stieg Phillips
Show Notes:
I’m picking Stieg Phillips’ brain a bit about some hunting adventures. We also talk about some of the products he’s developed, one of which I use. Stieg is based out of southern Nevada, and we start our conversation about past Nevada hunts. He likes to hunt out in Ely, where I’ve been before and had a pretty poor performance there a while ago. I like unique-looking animals with interesting racks and we get into how character trumps size and score in a lot of cases. Stieg went out with some friends from northern Utah and shares a story about getting some decent-sized mule deer.
Stieg and I also talk about misjudging buck size and getting surprised after shooting and walking closer. Sometimes it works out in your favor, especially when you can focus properly. You’re less likely to wound the animal and it’s a win-win. Next, we talk about the Canati tripod, which Stieg helped develop. He always wanted a nice tripod, but they were always really expensive. Stieg found a way to make a high-quality tripod at an affordable price. I’ve owned expensive tripods and the Canati is my favorite by far.
The Pro Backpacker tripod is an inch or two shorter than the standard one, collapses down to 18 inches, and weighs three pounds, perfect if you’re moving around a lot. We talk about how I like to use the Canati tripod and some adjustments I’ve made to customize the experience. If you’re not comfortable while you’re glassing, you’re not going to spot anything or want to spend the time it takes. Stieg walks through some of the Canati tripod’s features to help people get the most out of their hunts. He also shares some of the newer gear he’s come out with.
What’s Inside:
Hunting stories from Nevada and Utah
Misjudging buck size
All about the Canati tripod
How the Canati stacks up against other tripods
Info on new gear
Mentioned in this episode
Phoenix Shooting Bags sa
Catching Up with Jordan Budd at Hunt Expo
Catching Up with Jordan Budd at Hunt Expo
Show Notes:
I’m live at the Hunt Expo in Utah and I’m catching up with Jordan Budd. Jordan’s originally from northwest Nebraska and grew up on a cattle ranch where she hunted deer and elk. She later got into videography and started working for a TV show doing production and editing. Jordan also did some writing for Rokslide. She now has an outfit in Nebraska called Running Water Hunting where she does hunts throughout November and December. Today, she co-hosts the Gear Talk Podcast on MeatEater and is also working with her own sponsors and partners.
So many people want to be famous in the hunting world, and Jordan’s a great example of someone who’s dedicated and seeing great success. Here, we recap Jordan’s hunting season, and we start with her experience in Idaho, where she’s currently living. She dove into archery and found a buck that someone else wound up getting. She eventually found another buck before the rifle opener and ended up shooting him opening afternoon. From there, Jordan went to Wyoming where she had a pretty rough hunt and we talk about unit-specific tags there.
Jordan’s going to dive more into elk this year. We chat about hunting deer in the desert, late archery tags, and the challenges that come up. Jordan also shares her most memorable hunt as well as experiences that changed the way she hunts today.
What’s Inside:
Jordan’s backstory and how she built her hunting career.
A recap of Jordan’s current hunting season.
Jordan’s most memorable hunting stories.
Mentioned in this episode
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
Jordan Budd on Instagram
Running Water Hunting
MeatEater Gear Talk Podcast
Short Description:
I’m catching up with Jordan Budd at the Hunt Expo in Utah. Here, we recap Jordan’s current hunting season, starting with her experience in Idaho, where she’s currently living. Jordan also s
Talking Turkey with Jace Bauserman
Talking Turkey with Jace Bauserman
Show Notes:
I’m talking turkey with Jace Bauserman. What drew me to Jace was a clip I saw where he used a predator decoy on his bow. He’s got a bit of a different approach and turkey season is right around the corner. I was never excited about turkey, but I got excited about it a few years ago and look forward to it. I learned how to call better, and I started viewing it the same way as elk hunting. Jace has hunted turkey in over 20 states and he’s going back to Florida in March. He’s taken four of the major subspecies and Springtime is his favorite time of the year.
Jace and I talk about the differences in the birds and how they react between different habitats and species. We start with one of the most common types Jace sees out west: the Merriam. The Merriam subspecies is popular with hunters, and they have white-tipped tails. They’re found as high as 10,000 feet in mountain areas. Jace says they’re nomadic and very callable birds and are used to traveling long distances to find a hen. The Eastern wild turkey is Jace’s favorite because of the gobble. They’re more reluctant to come into decoys, so you have to be on your A-game with calling.
Jace talks about the importance of knowing the subspecies of turkeys you’re hunting and being aware of how they move in their surroundings. He also gives tips on how to locate birds and where to start hunting. We walk through a typical morning of a Merriam bird hunt on public land and Jace shares his wisdom of how to make it a success. We also talk about how close you want to get to a bird, how to use a bow-mounted decoy, and the most important turkey sounds to master.
What’s Inside:
The subspecies of turkey and their characteristics.
How to locate birds in a new area.
Walkthrough of a typical Merriam turkey hunt.
How to use a bow-mounted decoy.
The most important turkey sounds to master.
Mentioned in this episode
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnst
Wolf Management in Colorado with Aron Snyder
Wolf Management in Colorado with Aron Snyder
Show Notes:
In about a year, Howl for Wildlife grew to over 20,000 members and we’re helping hunters have a voice. Almost every action we’ve been involved in has either progressed forward or was a win for hunting. It’s a powerful tool to connect hunters with decision-makers and it’s really had a positive impact. Aron Snyder is the president of Kifaru International, a company that makes some of the best hiking and hunting gear available. Here, we talk about something that’s near and dear to Aron’s heart: the wolf issue in Colorado.
Back in 2020, proposition 114 was on the ballot for Colorado to reintroduce wolves. 50.9% of the votes were in favor of the decision, meaning we lost by just a little. Hunters don’t often want to get involved in things that don’t directly impact them, but if everyone took a stand, we’d get a lot more done in our favor. There are over 16 million hunters in the US and in the age of social media and the internet, we’re more in the know than ever. Colorado alone has over a million hunters and if they all stood up against the proposition, we’d likely be in a much different situation than we are today.
Proposition 114 states that 250 wolves will be transplanted by the end of 2023. The Colorado parks and wildlife commission has to create and carry out plans to reintroduce and manage the wolves. We need the commission to know which parts of the plan we support and get it in place before they potentially get non-hunters on the board. Aron and I talk about the details of the plan and how hunters can get involved. The easiest thing to do is head to the Howl for Wildlife website. Click on the Action Center and enter your name and email in the wolf management plan action and hit send. We also talk about other hot topics in the hunting world, which you can also check out on HowlforWildlife.org.
What’s Inside:
Issues with wolf management in Colorado
Why it’s important for hunt
Conservation in 2023 with Gabriella Hoffman
Conservation in 2023 with Gabriella Hoffman
Show Notes:
Gabriella Hoffman is the host of the District of Conservation podcast. She’s also a media strategist, consultant, and award-winning outdoor writer based in the Washington D.C. metro area. Since 2016, Gabriella has been a consultant to various non-profit organizations, political campaigns, small businesses and start-ups, and veteran-owned companies. She’s worked on all kinds of media projects, ranging from radio and public relations to op-ed writing.
As it relates to conservation, Gabriella’s one of the few journalists in D.C who actively hunts and fishes. She’s been fishing for most of her life and started hunting about five years ago. Gabriella shares some great insights as to what’s trending and we kick off by talking about the long game anti-hunting groups, or “preservationists” seem to be playing. Hunters aren’t always painted in the best light, and preservationists have won the narrative. However, there’s been a renewed interest in hunting lately and opinions are starting to change.
Gabriella also shares information about the Equal Access to Justice Act and how it has empowered environmentalists to sue to stop hunting activities and true conservation. We talk about how conservationists can fight back, even though it’s a bit of an uphill climb. Gabriella and I discuss wildlife management issues, how hunters can use their social media platforms to bring awareness to issues, and how anti-hunting organizations make money from lawsuits to raise funds.
What’s Inside:
How preservationists shape the anti-hunting narrative and how opinions are shifting.
How environmentalists use the Equal Access to Justice Act to raise funds.
How hunters can use their platforms to bring awareness to issues.
Mentioned in this episode
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
GoHunt: https://www.gohunt.com/District of Conservation Podcast
G
Creed and Stallone AZ OTC Deer
I’m done for January and I’m here with Creed to chat about deer hunting. The time between the holidays and hunting goes by so fast. I didn’t get anything in December, but I made up for it in January with a big buck I call Megatron. He looked exactly like the offspring of a buck I chased around in 2017 and was in the same area. I stalked him twice last year but wound up getting Covid and my whole plan was shot. All this past December, I kept looking for him but every time I went to glass, some other guys would beat me to it. I wound up shooting him in the neck because he was quartering to me.
Creed got an amazing Coues buck this January and it was a buck he had some history with. He found the buck last year and was living in a place where there were very few deer. He almost killed him last year and got to about 90 yards, but he miscalculated the distance between him and the ravine he was bedded in. This buck was the easiest for Creed to see and lived close to his house. Things took way longer than anticipated because he had to go slow to avoid making too much noise. He started stalking at 11:30 and got him at 2:00.
We also talk about the buck Creed got last year. He shot a Coues deer in January with a bow and before that he got another one with a rifle in November. The buck he shot last January was similar in size to the one he recently shot, and he got to hunt with his brother and cousin. Creed’s brother shot his first archery Coues deer on that trip and later that day they went in to look for another deer his brother had seen. Fortunately, he was right where he was supposed to be, and a doe led him in. Creed and I also talk about frontal shots and share our opinions.
What’s Inside:
How I finally got a buck I was tracking, Megatron.
How Creed got his recent Coues buck.
Stories from Creed’s hunting trip from last January.
Thoughts on frontal shots.
Mentioned in this episode
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: h
AZ OTC Deer Recap with Charles Whitwam
AZ OTC Deer Recap with Charles Whitwam
Show Notes:
Charles Whitwam and I are recapping an epic deer hunting trip with a ton of awesome stories. The last time he came out, it was a bit of a drought and neither one of us got a deer. We’re going through our trip day by day, and things kicked off on a Thursday. About an hour in, Charles was already on a stalk on a deer we named Limp Bizkit. He got in super close to a buck, but he had no shot. I then made a stalk where I was trying to cheat the wind. I moved to a spot where I tried to get a shot, and then a big buck we called Megatron came into view, but there was a doe right in front of him. Charles then found my number two buck, Heavy D, and dropped in after him and we chat about how things turned out.
Every morning of the trip, one of us had some great opportunities. Charles had the chance to shoot a big Javelina boar, but it was starting to get hot during the afternoon which was frustrating. We picked up some mule deer bucks, but we had to go out pretty far to get the wind right. We also were looking at a bunch of Coues deer who were in a decent position, but the doe wound up deciding for us and we passed on the buck that time. One evening, we decided to switch units, which didn’t turn out too great, so we packed up and tried somewhere else the next morning.
Towards the end of the trip, Charles was within yards of a buck. I had to leave, but Anthony was with us, and he decided to take over. Charles snuck up closer to where the buck was within the flats and waited for a bit. Eventually, the deer caught his wind, and they took off. He moved in on another good buck, but the smaller lead buck got off to his right too much, and they both took off as well. Charles then sat up on some peaks and picked the bucks back up. The story continues through some more twists and turns but ends on a high note.
What’s Inside:
Recap and stories from an OTC deer hunt with Charles.
Mentioned in this episode
Phoenix Shoot
Hunters always the Villain Never the Hero Before Howl was Howl throwback
Hunters always the Villain Never the Hero 10.28
The Problem:
There was a time when hunters were revered as providers, adventures and even heroes. A societal shift has transformed the perception of the hunter/provider into an un-educated, reckless, blood thirsty animal hater. As a result hunters and hunting became recluse and stepped into the background, not because we were ashamed but because we did not want to offend the non-hunting public” the middle ground”. I remember when I took hunter safety back in the early 80’s one of the things we were told was never to flaunt our harvest because we do not what to offend anyone. This mentality of keeping to ourselves and sticking to the background was a sound practice back then. But it came with consequences: 1) We never took main stream credit for the good that we do, we never informed the main stream public that the majority of conservation was made possible due directly to the efforts and dollars of the hunter. So the middle ground was left to believe whatever they were influenced to believe. 2) While we were in the background our opposition was doing the opposite and taking a very public very “in your face” approach to pushing their agenda, infiltrating main stream media, using big name public figures, funding for movies and planting seeds in the minds of our young. 3) We no longer live in an age where we can shield the middle ground from our harvests. Social media and the internet allows information good and bad to travel at the speed of light and a picture that is intended for our friends and family to see may get placed in the eyes of a non-hunter. The anti-hunting public has exploited this and uses it to paint the picture and direct the narrative to make us look like we are evil.
Our silent work in the background approach has left us at a disadvantage, Anti-hunting have been building mountains of propaganda designed to discredit our efforts in conservation. Moreover, they have become masterful at direc
The Controversial Frontal Shot with Joel Turner throwback thursday
The Controversial Frontal Shot with Joel Turner
Check out the article I wrote on frontal shots that goes along with this podcast
Also if you want to learn how to be in control of your shot check out Joel's program
Calling and Hunting Stories with Bill Ayer
Calls and Hunting Stories with Bill Ayer
Show Notes:
Bill Ayer is with Slayer Calls. He got started around four or five years ago selling waterfowl calls. About two years ago, Bill started developing products for elk hunting. Bill and I might even try to put together a John Stallone elk call! Last year, they released their first-ever acrylic bugle tube and a couple of others. Slayer also has external calls and reeds. The elk products were well received, and they were able to adapt a lot of the waterfowl technology, giving them an edge.
Bill and I talk about our preferences in calls and some of the key features of Slayer’s bugle tubes and more. We also get into weight differences between acrylic and plastic tubes and some differences in what’s offered by competitors. The material of the tube impacts the sound, but it doesn’t necessarily affect performance. Elks all have different tones as well, and so using calls with different tones could even give you an advantage. Slayer also makes some pretty great turkey calls and they come in a bunch of different cuts. Bill has something new up his sleeve that could be a game-changer. He’s not quite ready to share it, but stay tuned.
Although he didn’t kill any bulls this year, Bill’s had some close encounters. He shares some stories from hunting in Idaho this past season. They chased some bulls with the Slayer Enchantress, but it was tough to get them to commit and close the distance. Bill tells a great story about what not to do while elk hunting. On one trip, he talks about his experience with higher elevation, which can really knock you out if you’re not used to it. If you’re heading to higher ground, make sure to do your research and plan accordingly.
What’s Inside:
Details on Slayer’s different calls.
Bill’s hunting stories from the past elk season.
How elevation can impact your hunting trip.
Waterfowl hunting stories.
Mentioned in this episode
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johns
Calling and Hunting Stories with Bill Ayer
Calls and Hunting Stories with Bill Ayer
Show Notes:
Bill Ayer is with Slayer Calls. He got started around four or five years ago selling waterfowl calls. About two years ago, Bill started developing products for elk hunting. Bill and I might even try to put together a John Stallone elk call! Last year, they released their first-ever acrylic bugle tube and a couple of others. Slayer also has external calls and reeds. The elk products were well received, and they were able to adapt a lot of the waterfowl technology, giving them an edge.
Bill and I talk about our preferences in calls and some of the key features of Slayer’s bugle tubes and more. We also get into weight differences between acrylic and plastic tubes and some differences in what’s offered by competitors. The material of the tube impacts the sound, but it doesn’t necessarily affect performance. Elks all have different tones as well, and so using calls with different tones could even give you an advantage. Slayer also makes some pretty great turkey calls and they come in a bunch of different cuts. Bill has something new up his sleeve that could be a game-changer. He’s not quite ready to share it, but stay tuned.
Although he didn’t kill any bulls this year, Bill’s had some close encounters. He shares some stories from hunting in Idaho this past season. They chased some bulls with the Slayer Enchantress, but it was tough to get them to commit and close the distance. Bill tells a great story about what not to do while elk hunting. On one trip, he talks about his experience with higher elevation, which can really knock you out if you’re not used to it. If you’re heading to higher ground, make sure to do your research and plan accordingly.
What’s Inside:
Details on Slayer’s different calls.
Bill’s hunting stories from the past elk season.
How elevation can impact your hunting trip.
Waterfowl hunting stories.
Mentioned in this episode
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johns
