Jason talks about the 2024 Deer Camp, the weather, November rut and preparing for the late sesaon along with much more!

On today's show, Jason pays tribute to one of the greatest whitetail bowhunters of all time, Ben Rogers Lee. Ben was famous as a multi-time national turkey calling champion as well as a spokesperson for several products in the mid eighties. Jason reviews a video in which Lee created for Wellingnton Outdoors titled Hunting the Rut with Ben Lee and Don Bell which is what insprired Jason to become the bowhunter he is today. 

Jason gives his 2023 elk recap, including some valuable takeaways. 

Heather Iverson is a Michigan native that love to hunt, fish, and trap. She is also passionate about including her family when she ventures out into Michigans public lands

https://www.instagram.com/heather_iverson_outdoorswoman/

We've got Bush! Jake Bush!!

Jake returns to get more specific when it comes to scouting public lands for mature whitetail bucks.

Follow Jake and enjoy his content in the links provided below

https://www.instagram.com/jake_bush_solo/

https://www.instagram.com/legendsofthehunt/

Mike Herne is a freelance writer and photographer for Black Rifle Coffee, and Free Range American, and is also an active duty member of our military. Mike is also a bowhunter, that is passionate about chasing bull elk in the mountains.  

https://www.instagram.com/mike_herne/

Conservationist, hunter, biologist, filmmaker, and adventurer  Donnie Vincent joins the show today to share stories, and talk about one of his films that has had a profound impact on me as well as many others and has helped to bridge the gap between hunters and non-hunters alike. 

https://www.instagram.com/donnie_vincent/

https://www.donnievincent.com/collections/own-the-films

Kifaru International CEO, Tradbow Jesus, and Kifarucast host Aron Snyder takes some time out of his day to talk about prioritization of your life to be able to do the things you love most, which for him is hunting as much as possible. We also talk about his love of whitetails, Covid-19, and changes at Kifaru for 2021 and beyond. 

https://www.instagram.com/aron_snyder/

In this episode I give my final verdict on saddle hunting, new gear I used, a last day big buck encounter, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Enjoy! 

Jake Bush made the move to Ohio to chase his whitetail dreams, and he's making them come true. Jake has also started filming his one hunts and is putting a scouting/shed hunting series together. 

Follow the links below to follow and connect with Jake! 

https://www.instagram.com/jake_bush_solo/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGIr3ryMiHa840gyjfm8e3Q

Ryan Lampers joins the show to discuss everything from owning a business, CBD benefits, his 11 year old daughters first mule deer hunt and of course the Gritty films that over the last year or so has found Ryan in some seriously remote yet "open to the public" hunting country, in search of bears, and of course, giant muleys!

https://www.instagram.com/sthealthyhunter/

https://www.instagram.com/huntharvesthealth/

https://westernhuntingsummit.com 

USE CODE HARVEST TO SAVE 20% AT CHECKOUT! 

Mark put together a extremely comprehensive course that covers a wide variety of topics that include, evaluating zone of pressure, putting a daily hunt plan together to keep you "on track" and more.  Follow the links below to connect with Mark, and to sign up for his masterclass! 

https://www.instagram.com/treeline_pursuits/

https://www.treelineacademy.net

Sam Soholt is a talented photographer, hunter, champion for public lands, "bus driver" and entrepreneur.  His many conservations programs are an inspiration that have generated thousands of dollars, all in the name of public land advocacy. 

https://www.instagram.com/publiclandtees/

https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/

On today's show Jason shares past elk hunt experiences and the rarely discussed topic of te mental/emotional aspect that acn play a factor in why some hunters quit too early.

This is part 2 of 2 of my summary of 2020, and how I crafted the life I currently have through several years of hard work and sacrifices. I hope this episode brings you value and inspires you to go after your dreams. 

Friends, I think there's an incredible amount of value in this 2 part series. I go super deep into my thoughts on 2020 for me personally, as well as professionally, and how discovering Gary Vaynerchuck and taking my first trip to the Rockies in 2016 along with my first elk encounter, changed my perspective on life. Life is about taking risks, setting goals, making sacrifices, and ultimately living the life you want. What are you waiting for?

https://www.instagram.com/garyvee/

The title says it all. This show I reminisce about Christmas Past, Present, and Future,  family traditions, my favorite holiday cocktail, and why we still get too caught up in buying gifts, instead of being in the moment with family and loved ones. My wish for you this Christmas, is that you be filled with gratitude, perspective and of course patience.  Merry Christmas to all. 

Today I'll be giving my initial thoughts on the "velvet windbreaker" aka, the Stratus bibs and jacket. The Stratus system can be used for varying weather conditions, and is 100% windproof, and extremely quite. 

I'll be giving my thoughts on Sitka's extreme cold weather whitetail system, the Fanatic system. 

As a kid, Thanksgiving day was/is a gaurenteed hunting day, and looking back, some of the BEST "rut action" came on pr around turkey day. I recount some of my best hunts around this time as well as reflecting on how blessed I've been through the years. Thanks for listening! 

Today I will summarize my 2020 "sweet November" and give a few pointers as to what's helped me catalog my best days, in the month that all whitetail hunters dream about. I will also give a sneak peak into next weeks Thanksgiving Day show! 

Part 2 of my 2020 archery elk hunt recap, with my friend Todd Johnson

On today's show, I'll chat about our third annual deer camp, and how the record high temps the first week of November played a factor in our hunt

My good friend Todd Johnson joins the show for a little Q&A on my second year and second time solo hunting for elk, in the mountains of Colorado. We discuss how it came to be a solo trip, leaving without my boots, the pressure of leaving for two weeks, and heading into a brand new unit without ever stepping foot in it. This is part one of a two part episode. 

Jason talk with Ike Eastman of Eastms's Hunting Journals and the pair have a great conversation from consevation efforts, family,social media, and creating connections wit great people in the hunting industry. 

eastmans.com

https://www.instagram.com/eastmanshuntingjournals/

As the title implies, I got my first deer of the year, and also my first public land deer, and first deer from a saddle!  I made a less than desirable shot, and learned some valuable lessons that I feel need shared here.

Pulled a rookie move and recorded the whole show without the external mic.. Audio is still clean. However, the content was too good to try to re record  Enjoy!  

Hope you like rabbit holes kids, because today we're going down a few! I will be recalling my first buck encounter as a kid, Barney the beagle, and a few significant dates during my hunting career that has helped me be successful over the years. I also give my take on this years "pre rut" and personal thoughts on how the next couple of weeks will pan out based on my "memory". 

I make reference to Don Higgins and an article he wrote years ago.  Follow the link below and get Don's book. 

https://higginsoutdoors.com

As the title implies, I will be giving another candid review of the Sitka mountain jacket, a versatile windstopper jacket, that is lightweight, and ultra packable.  I bought it primarily for western hunting, but it is becoming a key part of my early season whitetail kit as well. Plus mid October updates from my first couple hunts. 

First impressions of the new Tool Bucket from Sitka. 

https://www.sitkagear.com

On todays. show I discuss what's been going on the last few weeks, my first few days of the 2020 whitetail season in Ohio, and my initial impressions on the first time using a tree saddle for hunting, as opposed to the traditional "hang on" or platform style stand. I think there's some value here for anyone that wants to "jump in" the saddle game, and some things to consider before making the commitment.

https://www.instagram.com/tethrdnation/

https://tethrdnation.com

My longtime friend and fellow Ohioan, Todd Johnson joins the show today. We talk about he and his brothers first DIY elk hunt from 2006, mistakes they made, and how they transformed those lessons into success over the years. Todd also shares the story of his first New Mexico solo hunt, mental toughness vs physical toughness, picking a good hunting partner, realistic expectations, loading a minivan and just "doing it", and going DIY before it was a "thing" on the "Gram". 

https://www.instagram.com/toddjohnsonoutdoors/

https://www.instagram.com//

I am joined today by the founder pf Ironwill Outfitters, Mr Bill Vanderhayden. Bill started Ironwill after a broached he was using, let him down and cost him a nice bull elk. 

 The result of that fateful day materialized onto on of the best and most durable heads on the market. 

Topics discussed include broached vs field point flight and more!

https://www.ironwilloutfitters.com

The title pretty much says it all. I am about to head out for my second year chasing elk with a bow, and after the first year, I'll be making some changes. I will give a rundown of my list of gear I'll be taking, what's being left behind, testing gear before you go,  lessons learned on the mountain, going the "cheap" route vs "top shelf" gear, practical choices, first aid, and the thing no one ever talks about, being mentally prepared for being alone for multiple days in a row. If you're planning your first ever DIY big game western hunt, this one is worth a listen. 

Today I'm breaking down my 2020 Sitka layering system. I'll go over each piece, and why I'll be running it. There's a few pieces that won't be making the trip this year, and some new ones that will, and the "why" behind it.

Also, if you're on a budget, I give my "must have" Sitka picks, to get you started, so you don't break the bank and/or end up divorced.

https://www.sitkagear.com

Today I talk about what foods I"ll be bringing to eat on my 2020 archery elk hunt. Since this is only my second year as an elk hunter, I've yet to try everything out there, but am quickly learning that knowing what different dried meals and snacks actually taste like before hand makes a huge difference. I also discuss some "budget friendly" and "DIY" options as well. 

https://www.alpenfuel.com

Chad Ryker of Backcountry Rookies joins the show to discuss his new show Out of State Hunter and he and Jason talk about what makes Chad's show unique, and the two share some plans for their own out of tate hunts this year.

Out of State Hunter on IG

Dylan Dowson joins me on the show today to discuss the in's and out's of OnX's digital mapping service. I have used this product over the last two years, and it has been a key component to my success, as well as my safety in the mountains and the field.

If you're on the fence, OnX offered a free 7 day trial, and I highly recommend trying it out! Link below. 

https://www.onxmaps.com

I don't know about you, but I have noticed a "shift" in the last few months regarding "influencers" on social media. It seems like people (myself included) are following more people that they can relate to, more so than the "fully sponsored" or "celebrity" hunters that we've all been accustomed to over the years. 

Luke Cauldillo is one of those "real" ones. A Nebraska native, retired UFC fighter, fight coach, podcast host of GU Unfiltered Podcast, and bowhunter, Luke is passionate about his family, friends, and bowhunting. We have a great conversation, and talk about how he was able to capture one of the greatest bowhunting photos of all time. We chat about that photo, his love of whitetails, and losing bets on the 3D archery range to Aron Snyder. Lots of laughs in this one, I hope you enjoy! 

https://www.instagram.com/gladiators_unleashed/

https://www.instagram.com/gu_unfiltered_/

After owning the Garmin Instinct for a full year, I give my thoughts on this "entry level" backcountry watch. What worked, what didn't, pros and cons, and my thoughts on weather or not such a watch is necessary for a first time backcountry hunter. 

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/

He's Baaaack!  Sitka's Big Game product manager John Barklow joins the show to discuss specific pieces of Sitka's big game line. Topics discussed:

What I used last year

What worked, what stayed in the truck

What I should've bought 

Choosing gear for early September through late September and why.

What gear I'll be using this year. 

And more!

https://www.sitkagear.com

Sitka's Whitetail product manager Chris Derrick joins the show today, to discuss the proper way to layer for hunting whitetails in any season. Chris dives into the fundamentals of layering, and how and where to start when making the investment in Sitka gear. We also dive into what's new for 2020! Enjoy!

https://www.sitkagear.com 

The "Blue collar bad ass" aka Jake Downs joins me on the show today. Jake is a Nebraska native, family man, small business owner, and bowhunter that prefers traditional archery over the modern day compound. Jake has been on some incredible hunts for only being 32, and we go into great detail on how he has worked hard to earn these trips, common misconceptions about gear, and more.  Click the link below to give Jake a follow. 

https://www.instagram.com/jake_d_downs/

I chose the Kifaru International 2 man floorless tipi and medium stove as my shelter for my first backcountry elk hunt in 2019. I give a candid review of both products, as well as my thoughts on how much you should spend, vs what you actually need to spend when planning your first western hunt.   I have pushed this theme throughout my last two episodes, and I feel there's a ton of value in this episode beyond a simple gear review.

DISCLAIMER: I am not sponsored by Kifaru in any way. 

https://kifaru.net

Another candid review of some of the gear I chose for my 2019 elk hunt. Today I review and give my thoughts on Kifaru's 20° slick bag. This is a "mummy style sleeping bag, and the first time I had ever used such a bag. 

 I also go over my thoughts on how much you should spend on gear for your first archery elk or other big game/DIY hunts. 

https://kifaru.net

In this episode I give my two cents on the Kifaru International 44 Mag. This is a 4400 cubic in bag that I attached to the Kifaru Duplex frame. Being from Ohio, and new to backpacking, I chose Kifaru for their all American made products. This pack system did not disappoint. Built for 3-5 day hunts, it can also have pockets, and lids to add extra packability. Click the link to check out all of Kifaru's products! 

https://kifaru.net

Brian Call is the host of the GRITTY Podcast. One of the first to host an outdoor/hunting podcast, when no one knew what the hell a podcast was. Today, along side his successful show, Brian is now creating outdoor hunting adventure films that break away from the stereotypical  "hunting show"  of the past. Brian is a thoughtful, hard working human, and I was inspired to start this show, as well as make some serious life changes because of his work ethic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw-iQA6BVDw

https://www.instagram.com/brian_call/

https://briancall.com

He' baaaack! 

Jason returns to give an update on some personal/professional happenings, as well as the future of the HarvestHolliday Podcast

From The MeatEater Inc, and host of the wildly popular Hunting Collective Podcast, Ben O'Brien joins todays show. We chat about podcasting, and how we connect through these conversations. There's a heathy dose of name dropping in the one as well. Follow the links below to listen to Ben's show, as well as all things Meat Eater. 

https://www.themeateater.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hunting-collective/id1346262634?i=1000473630332

On todays show I am joined by the president of Kifaru International, and host of Kifarucast, Aron Snyder. Kifaru produces some of the highest quality hunting/hiking and technical packs, shelters, and sleep systems in the outdoor industry. Aron spend's nearly 200 days a year in the mountains and in the field, not only testing and developing Kifaru's newest packs, but a wide variety of hunting gear, clothing, optics and archery equipment.Snyder's love for archery led him to put down the modern compound, and pick up a traditional recurve bow. Several years later, he is arguably one of the most popular "struggle stick" shooters in the country. His years of experience has helped hundreds of people that are getting into not only archery, but planning that first backcountry adventure. 

https://www.instagram.com/aron_snyder/

https://kifaru.net

On today's show, I talk with Sitka's big game product manager, John Barklow. This was a fun conversation with a great mix of entertainment, as well as education, as we discuss what it is that makes Sitka gear stand up above the rest of todays modern hunting clothing. 

https://www.sitkagear.com