Hunt West Podcast

The 3 Phases of Scouting For September Elk Hunts

Most hunters think scouting means hiking around and hoping to stumble into elk. In this episode, Jaden breaks down the actual system I use to scout elk hunts before season ever opens. From e-scouting to boots-on-the-ground work, we talk about the three phases of scouting that help you stay in elk and avoid wasting precious hunting days figuring things out on the fly. The Three Phases Jaden Dives into are: 1. Getting a Lay of the Land 2. Developing an Area 3. Actually Scouting He also shares real examples from past hunts, including what worked during his 2019 breakthrough archery elk season and what burned him on a more recent limited-entry hunt when he skipped important scouting steps. If you're staring at a fresh elk tag and wondering where to start, this episode will help you build a better plan before September gets here. LINKS: Hunt West Planning Services >> [https://huntwestplanning.com/services-guide] Hunt West Digest Sunday Email >> [https://huntwestplanning.com/hunt-west-digest] Bridger Reckon Watch >> [https://www.bridgerwatch.com/products/reckon-smartwatch-early] Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

Archery Hunting Fundamentals with Keifer Rogers

This week on the Hunt West Podcast, I sit down with guide, archery coach, and all-around bowhunting addict Keifer Rogers to talk about what actually matters when it comes to becoming a better hunter. We dive deep into shot process, target panic, offseason preparation, and the biggest mistakes most archery hunters make long before the season ever opens. Keifer shares how he went from a Pennsylvania whitetail hunter who barely practiced to killing his first bull elk on opening day of his first-ever elk hunt in Colorado. Along the way, we break down lessons about thermals, patience, drawing early, and why smooth execution matters more than brute force. And then there's the story of the "Michael Phelps elk"... a giant Wyoming bull that took the crew on a 38-hour rodeo involving multiple stalks, private land, game wardens, and a mile-long swim across a reservoir. One of the wildest elk hunting stories I've ever heard. If you're serious about becoming a more effective archery hunter this fall, this episode is packed with practical nuggets you can apply right now instead of scrambling in August wondering why your setup and shooting feel shaky. You can find Keifer at: * Instagram: @keiferrogers_hunts [https://www.instagram.com/keiferrogers_hunts/] * The Hunting Consultant Website [https://www.thehuntingconsultant.com/] LINKS: Hunt West Planning Services >> [https://huntwestplanning.com/services-guide] Bridger Reckon Watch >> [https://www.bridgerwatch.com/products/reckon-smartwatch-early] Eastman's Elite Membership >> [https://eastmans.com/elite/] Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

How To Manage Hunting Pressure | Solo Round

Using real stories from Wyoming elk camps, OTC mule deer hunts, and Nevada trophy deer tags, Jaden explains how understanding how other hunters move through the landscape can completely change your success. Sometimes the guy "stormtrooper-ing" through the woods isn't hurting your odds at all. Other times, a single serious hunter on the right angle can completely change the game. This episode dives deep into: * Why "pressure" and "competition" are not always the same thing * The importance of hunting angles and visibility * How arriving early creates options and backup plans * Why most hunters aren't actually hunting effectively * When you should pivot to Plan B immediately * How to structure hunts around weekdays, season timing, and hunting culture * Why some of the most "crowded" hunts still hold incredible opportunity Jaden shares detailed stories about doubling on mule deer during a packed general season opener, managing guided-hunt competition on a premium Nevada tag, and learning that elk don't magically disappear just because you see other hunters in the woods. If you've ever looked at a crowded trailhead and thought, "Well… this hunt's blown," this episode will help you rethink the way you assess pressure and build better hunting strategies moving forward. LINKS: Wyoming Mule Deer Webinar >> [https://stan.store/huntwest/p/wyoming-mule-deer-applications-webinar] Hunt West Planning Services >> [https://huntwestplanning.com/services-guide] Bridger Reckon Watch >> [https://www.bridgerwatch.com/products/reckon-smartwatch-early] Eastman's Elite Membership >> [https://eastmans.com/elite/] Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

Chubby Athletic & Dangerous: Always Hunt Ready with Lyle Hebel of MTNTOUGH

In this episode, I sit down with Lyle Hebel from MTNTOUGH to talk about what it really means to be prepared for a Western hunt. We dive into everything from long-range shooting and gear choices to spring bear hunting tactics and how fitness actually plays into success in the field. Lyle shares how he went deep down the shooting rabbit hole, and how chasing improvement across different skills has shaped the way he hunts. We also get into bear hunting strategy, including how to approach early vs late season bears, why getting on the same hillside matters, and how consistent effort beats "perfect timing" more often than not. On the fitness side, we break down how MTNTOUGH [https://mtntough.com/] has evolved over the last decade from hardcore sheep-hunter prep into something that actually meets hunters where they're at. From beginner programs to full preseason prep, the goal is simple: build hunters who are always ready, not just hoping to survive their hunt. If you want to hunt harder, shoot better, and stop making excuses… this episode is for you. LINKS: Hunt West Webinars May 7th & 12th >> [https://stan.store/huntwest] Bridger Reckon Watch >> [https://www.bridgerwatch.com/products/reckon-smartwatch-early] Hunt West Planning Services >> [https://huntwestplanning.com/services-guide] Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

Spot & Stalk Lessons You Can Use This Fall: Stories from Argentina

Fresh off a trip to Argentina, this episode breaks down what happens when you treat a hunt like a training ground instead of a one-shot opportunity. Jaden spent the week chasing blackbuck with a bow while the rest of the crew hunted red stag, stacking reps in open country that feels a lot like pronghorn or mule deer terrain. The result? A pile of blown stalks, a couple missed opportunities, one clean kill, and a ton of lessons that translate directly to Western hunting. This episode dives into what actually matters when you're trying to close the distance: using subtle terrain, waiting for high-percentage setups, and not forcing bad opportunities. There's also a deep look at string jumping, including why mid-range shots can be the most dangerous and how alert animals completely change your odds. If you've ever rushed a stalk, taken a shot you shouldn't have, or felt like you just needed more reps to figure it out, this one will hit home. LINKS: Randy Ulmer's Multi-Part String Jump Articles >> [https://www.bowhunter.com/editorial/part-1-combating-string-jumping/460816] Eastmans' Elite Membership >> [https://eastmans.com/elite/] Check out Kifaru Gear >> [https://kifaru.net/products/pointe-synthetic-jacket?avad=386909_c4c1d8b05] Learn about Hunt West Planning Services >> [https://huntwestplanning.com/services-guide] Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.