Explore every episode of the podcast Drawn West
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why Broadheads Fail: Arrow Penetration and Recovery with Dr. Ed Ashby | 07 oct. 2026 | 01:52:31 | |
Last Day to Win a Custom Bow! Enter at: And get 10x entries when you shop Drawn West Apparel! Your broadhead might work great when everything goes right. But what happens when an elk turns, your arrow catches a shoulder, or the blood trail disappears? I sit down with Dr. Ed Ashby to talk arrow penetration, single-bevel broadheads, and building a hunting arrow for more than a perfect broadside shot. I’ve followed his research since I started changing my arrow setup for elk hunting, and I brought out a box of broadheads to ask the questions I’ve always wondered about. We get into the Natal study, why structural integrity and arrow flight come before chasing high FOC, and what the roughly 650-grain heavy-bone threshold actually means. I also push on the other side of the equation: if my arrow already passes through, could a wider cut help me recover a deer in thick Minnesota cover? Ashby shares his perspective on blood trails, bleeder blades, and why breaking through bone doesn’t guarantee lethal penetration. What we cover: · How four unrecovered whitetails sparked Ashby’s arrow-performance research. · Lessons from testing 32 broadhead designs during the Natal study. · Why you shouldn’t sacrifice arrow flight for higher FOC. · How tip shape, ferrule design, and single bevels affect penetration. · What the 650-grain threshold does—and doesn’t—tell you. · Cutting width, blood trails, and recovering animals when the hit isn’t perfect. If this gives you something to think about before your next hunt, follow the podcast and share it with someone working on their arrow setup. Follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram to keep up with what we’re doing.
Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article! Check out Drawn West Apparel:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/shop
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Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
00:00:00 ARC giveaway final announcement 00:04:09 Dr. Ed Ashby and the origins of his research 00:14:18 Natal study: testing broadheads on real animals 00:22:52 Broadhead failures and bone penetration 00:29:39 Bone deflection, tip design, and single bevels 00:40:57 Recovery records and modern arrow setups 00:45:29 High FOC versus proper arrow flight 00:50:28 The 650-grain threshold and shot selection 00:54:56 Blood trails, cutting width, and bleeder blades 01:14:59 Modern bow testing and African dangerous game 01:31:07 Conservation and close calls in Africa 01:40:04 Heavy-bone thresholds, shot placement, and final takeaways | |||
| SFP vs FFP Rifle Scopes: Which One Is Right for Your Hunting Setup? | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:50:55 | |
Trucker hats are live! Shop the most comfortable blaze orange hats and build some extra entries for the ARC! First focal plane vs. second focal plane scopes does not need to be complicated. The right choice comes down to how you hunt, how far you shoot, and whether you want a simple point-and-shoot setup or more options for dialing and precision.
I break down how FFP and SFP reticles work, what changes as you adjust magnification, and how that affects holdovers, wind holds, and elevation adjustments. I also cover the scope features that actually matter when you are buying one: magnification, objective size, turrets, parallax, throw levers, and more.
Whether you are setting up a rifle for Minnesota whitetails, Western mule deer and elk, deer drives, an AR, or a farm rifle, this will help you choose an optic that fits the way you actually hunt. What we cover in this episode: · FFP vs. SFP reticles and what changes when you zoom · When a simple SFP scope makes the most sense for whitetails and known-distance hunting · Why I prefer FFP for dialing, wind holds, long-range practice, and Western hunting · 200-yard zeros, MOA, holdovers, and when dialing is the better move · Choosing the right magnification range, from 3–12x hunting scopes to 1–10x LPVOs · Objective lens size, low-light performance, and the scope features worth paying for · When an LPVO makes sense for deer drives, ARs, close-range hunting, and varmint rifles I use Maven scopes as examples because they are what I have in the studio, but these same FFP vs. SFP principles apply across almost every optics brand. If this helps you choose your next rifle scope, subscribe to the Drawn West Podcast, leave a rating and review, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.
Don’t forget to claim your 50 bonus entries for the ARC and if you’re looking for even more entries, check out the Drawn West Apparel for even more entries!
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/shop
Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article! Check out Drawn West Apparel:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/shop
FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
| |||
| Drawn West Apparel Is Here: 8 Hunting Shirts and Hoodies With a Story Behind Them | 24 sept. 2026 | 00:25:57 | |
Most hunting merch is a logo slapped on a shirt nobody actually wants to wear. I didn't want to do that. After months of sketching, the first Drawn West apparel line is live: eight shirts and hoodies built around real hunting stories, inside jokes, and a few statement pieces meant to start a conversation at the airport, at deer camp, or at the trailhead. I go piece by piece through the launch lineup. That includes the OG Hoodie and OG Tee, the Classic Hoodie, the One Country topo shirt with a bugling bull set into the map where I shot my first elk, the Speed Goat pronghorn on a Drawn West chopper, the Spoon & Crockpot Buck, and the 98% Non-Res Plate. I also get into why resident vs non-resident tension out West matters to me, why hunting is more than a score, and how we chose blanks, fit, and halftone DTF printing so the shirts feel good to wear. Then I explain exactly how apparel entries work in the Mathews ARC giveaway, and why it's statistically impossible to buy your way to the bow.
Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article! Check out Drawn West Apparel:
FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
00:00:00 Drawn West apparel is here + Mathews ARC giveaway update 00:02:20 Why we didn't make logo-slapped creator merch 00:03:10 OG Hoodie and OG Tee: colors, fit, and sizing 00:08:14 Classic Hoodie: lighter athletic fit vs heavyweight 00:10:35 One Country: USA topo design and where I shot my first elk 00:13:40 Speed Goat and halftone DTF printing 00:16:05 Spoon & Crockpot Buck: deer hunting is more than a score 00:19:00 98% Non-Res Plate: resident vs non-resident tension 00:24:04 Pricing, 10 entries per dollar, and why you can't buy the giveaway 00:27:52 Why launch apparel now + send in your shirt ideas 00:31:02 Where to shop, new giveaway dashboard, and October 7 live drawing | |||
| Best Deer Blind Yet? Maverick's New XLV Blind Reviewed Live from the Blind | 17 sept. 2026 | 00:33:12 | |
Shopping for a new box blind and wondering if the upgrades are worth it? I sat down with Kile from Maverick Hunting Blinds inside their brand-new XLV to get an unfiltered first look at what changed this year — nearly double-sized windows, fully pre-assembled panels, and a patent-pending 7-bolt system that builds the whole blind in about 20 minutes. What we cover in this episode: · What's new on the XLV: bigger windows, pre-assembled panels, and a redesigned insulated door with full overlap. · The patent-pending 7-bolt assembly system and how it locks together in about 20 minutes. · How scent-tight the blind really is, including where the sweet spot for deer downwind seems to land. · Maverick's new adjustable platform — 5 to 10 feet in six-inch increments, including leveling on a hillside. · Hunting with a newborn and young kids, plus a shotgun-to-rifle debate on deer herd quality.
Subscribe to the podcast and follow along on YouTube for the full walkthrough video, and head to drawnwest.com/giveaway to enter the Mathews Arc giveaway with this episode's code word.
Save 10% on the new XLV blind with code DRAWNWEST! https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article!
FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
00:00:00 Rolling for the first in-person episode & meeting Kyle 00:01:19 First podcast ever recorded inside a hunting blind 00:02:06 First impressions of the XLV: bigger windows, better visibility 00:03:40 Scent containment test: guests have no idea we're in here 00:04:20 Pre-assembled panels and the new insulated door 00:05:24 The patent-pending 7-bolt assembly system explained 00:07:09 Just how airtight is this blind? Scent control breakdown 00:10:13 Hunting with kids and a newborn this season 00:14:17 XLV dimensions vs. the all-new XLTM blind 00:15:29 New adjustable platform system: 5 to 10 feet 00:20:06 Bear hunting plans and a close call while turkey hunting 00:26:26 Shotgun vs. rifle: will it improve deer herds? | |||
| Why Bare Shaft Tuning Matters the Most, Yet Nobody Does It | 10 sept. 2026 | 01:30:56 | |
GIVEAWAY: $4000 Mathews Arc Pacakge! Enter Now: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaways Ever wonder why almost nobody in bowhunting content talks about bare shaft tuning — even though it might matter more than any broadhead you'll ever buy? I sat down with Troy Fowler, better known as Ranch Fairy, who's been in on hundreds of archery kills on hogs and whitetail and has helped test broadhead terminal ballistics on Cape Buffalo. We get into why bare shaft tuning gets skipped by almost everyone, why mechanical broadheads lose their cutting edge on impact, and why mass — not speed — is what actually breaks bone. We walk through the real difference between single bevel and mechanical broadheads, how much arrow weight you need before a broadhead can call itself a "bone breaker," and why blood trail distance comes down to shot placement more than broadhead choice. Troy also breaks down lessons from Ed Ashby's terminal ballistics research, including why a blunter, single-bevel design outperformed sharper designs on Cape Buffalo. There's a bonus code word in this episode worth 50 giveaway entries for the Mathews ARC giveaway. What we cover in this episode: · Why bare shaft tuning is the one step nobody talks about, and why Troy himself still avoids it on his own arrows. · Single bevel vs. mechanical broadheads — why mechanical blades take on damage the instant they deploy into hide, hair, and bone. · Why you need 600+ grains of arrow mass before a "bone breaking" broadhead actually breaks bone · The vital V approach for shortening blood trails in thick cover, and why aiming close to the crease matters more than broadhead choice · What Ed Ashby's Cape Buffalo terminal ballistics testing revealed about broadhead shape, penetration, and pass-through rates. · Why time-of-flight at 60 yards is roughly equivalent to a 600-yard rifle shot, and why that changes ethical shot distance. If this helps you rethink your arrow setup, subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating and review, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. And go enter the Mathews ARC giveaway at getdrawnwest.com/giveaway — the code word from this episode is worth 50 entries!
Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article!
FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| The Year of Suppressors: Buying, Trusts, and Hunting With Brandon Maddox of Silencer Central | 03 sept. 2026 | 01:12:04 | |
Win our $4000 Mathews ARC Package: In this episode, Brian sits down with Brandon Maddox, founder of Silencer Central and creator of the Banish suppressor line, to unpack why 2026 is being called "the year of suppressors." Brandon has been in the industry since 2005 and breaks down what's actually driving the surge, how to judge suppressor quality when brands are popping up overnight, and why trusts still matter even after the tax stamp changed. He also gets into the real differences between titanium and aluminum cans, and what changes for hunters once they take the earplugs out in the field. Highlights: · Why 2026 is being called "the year of suppressors" · How to judge whether a suppressor is actually good quality, regardless of brand · What an NFA gun trust does, and whether you even need one · The real history of why trusts became popular (it's not what you'd guess) · Titanium vs. aluminum: what actually matters long term · What getting a barrel threaded for a suppressor looks like, start to finish · The real hunting benefits: sound, recoil, and tracking your shot placement
If you've ever wondered why suppressors are suddenly everywhere, or you're weighing whether one is worth the paperwork, hit play. And don't forget — our Mathews ARC bow giveaway is live at drawnwest.com/giveaway, with a bonus code word dropped later in this episode for 50 extra entries.
Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article!
FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:48 Introduction to Suppressors and the Podcast 02:20 The Evolution of Suppressor Legislation 05:12 Understanding Suppressor Mechanics and Performance 08:02 Choosing the Right Suppressor 11:18 The Importance of Trusts in Suppressor Ownership 14:15 Navigating the Trust Setup Process 17:08 Benefits of Trusts for Suppressor Ownership 20:14 Final Thoughts on Suppressors and Trusts 28:46 Navigating Suppressor Ownership 29:53 Trusts and Inheritance Planning 31:48 Efficiency in ATF Processing 34:58 Simplifying the Suppressor Purchase Process 37:03 Fingerprinting and Trust Creation 39:01 The Role of Experts in Firearm Transfers 40:55 Understanding Firearm Trusts 42:48 Threading Firearms for Suppressors 46:00 Hunting with Suppressors: Expectations and Benefits 52:28 The Chaos of Shotgun Shooting 53:21 Benefits of Suppressors in Hunting 55:15 Tracking Shots and Confidence in Hunting 56:57 The Impact of Suppressors on Shot Visibility 57:45 Modular Suppressors and Recoil Management 01:00:58 Choosing the Right Silencer for Your Rifle 01:02:23 The Rise of Rimfire Silencers 01:04:29 The Importance of Silencers for Farm Life | |||
| The Maven Built Difference: Why These Optics Feel Better Than the Rest | 27 août 2026 | 01:10:43 | |
Ever pick up a pair of binoculars and feel like you're fighting it — a focus dial that's stuck or floppy, glass that gives you a headache after an hour? That's the opposite of what I noticed the first time I looked through a pair of Mavens. Everything just feels like it's in the right spot doing the job it was meant to do. So I got Craig and Jordan from Maven Built Optics on the podcast to explain why. We get into the engineering and the "secret sauce" — the magnesium chassis, the knurling, why the focus dial is smooth but not loose, and how every optic that leaves Lander, Wyoming has been inspected by a real set of human hands. Plus how to pick between 8x, 10x, 12x, and 15x binos; why Maven's B2 is 11x45 instead of 10x42; and how the S3 spotting scope's interchangeable reticle eyepiece can tell you if a moose is legal before you pull the trigger. Then the origin story, the demo program, the new RS6 LPVO, and a code word worth 50 giveaway entries. What we cover in this episode: • Why Maven optics feel different — materials, tolerances, and edge-to-edge clarity • How to choose 8x, 10x, 12x, or 15x binos for treestand, timber, or western glassing • Why the B2 is 11x45 instead of the standard 10x42 (abakonic prism, light gathering) • The S3 spotting scope and its interchangeable reticle eyepieces (MOA and MIL) • How to measure a legal 50-inch moose at distance with a reticle and rangefinder • Maven's direct-to-consumer origin story and the try-before-you-buy demo program • The new RS6 1–10x LPVO: locking turret, toolless zero, 34mm tube • What's next from Maven — plus this episode's code word for 50 giveaway entries If this helps you sort your next optics purchase, subscribe, leave a rating and review, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. And enter the Mathews ARC giveaway at getdrawnwest.com/giveaway — secret code word for 50 extra entries in this episode! Enter the Mathews ARC Giveaway: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaways Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Mathews ARC vs Lift X: My Honest Review + the $4,000 ARC Giveaway | 21 août 2026 | 00:28:08 | |
Want to know if the new Mathews ARC is actually worth the upgrade over the Lift X? I shot both, carried both in the field, and I'm breaking down exactly what changed — the good, the small, and the stuff that probably isn't worth buying a new bow for. Plus, I'm giving away a fully custom Mathews ARC and over $4,000 in accessories in the biggest giveaway Drawn West has ever run. I walk through my full 2026 bow build on the ARC 34, from the SWX Z comfort mods and integrated Silent Connect System to my stabilizer setup. Then I get into the arrow change I've been avoiding for a decade — moving off my trusty Black Eagle Deep Impacts to the X Impacts in a 200 spine, switching from right-hand to left-hand helical fletching, and dropping my broadhead weight from 200 grains to 125. There's a bonus code word in this episode worth 50 giveaway entries, so listen for it. What we cover in this episode:
If this breakdown helps you decide on your bow or arrow setup this year, subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating and review, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram so you don't miss the rest of the build series. And go enter the ARC giveaway at getdrawnwest.com/giveaway Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter.
FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| First Time Bear Baiting: The Strategy We're Running This Fall | 06 août 2026 | 01:09:10 | |
Ever wonder what it actually takes to pull a big bear into bow range, or how a guy with an old TV and a pull-up bar racked up 17 million views? This episode answers both. I sit down with Jared Lewis, the archer behind that viral saddle-hunting stunt, to break down his content approach and then dig deep into real bear baiting tactics ahead of fall season. We cover how Jared built a following posting hilarious, high-risk archery content, then shift into the meat of the episode: scent strategy for pulling bears into a bait site, barrel setup, bullet and broadhead selection, and where to actually aim on a bear so you don't lose a blood trail in the swamp. If you're weighing whether to run a bait station this season, or just want to laugh at a guy shooting a TV while hanging from a saddle, this one delivers both. What we cover in this episode: • The real story behind Jared's viral 17-million-view "shoot the TV" archery video and why the stunt worked • How Jared went from zero to over 30 million monthly views across Instagram and Facebook in just a few months of intentional posting • Why scent, not bait itself, is what actually draws bears in from a distance, and how raccoons and squirrels help spread it • Bait barrel setup: plastic vs. metal, hole placement, vertical vs. horizontal mounting, and what holds up to a determined bear • Rifle bullet selection (45-70 with a 300-grain Barnes copper bullet) versus bow broadheads (expandable hybrids and VPA single-bevels) for bear • Why bear shot placement is different from deer, and how to avoid a lost blood trail when their wound channels clog with fat • Balancing a bear bait station with whitetail season on the same property If this one gets you fired up for bear season, subscribe to the podcast and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram so you don't miss part two, the bear season recap. Check out more of Jared’s Content at: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/reveal Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! Best Prices on Trauma Kits & FirstAid at Jase.com 00:00:00 – Intro and welcome to Jared Lewis 00:01:04 – Behind the viral TV-shooting archery stunt 00:09:37 – How Jared started making viral hunting content 00:12:36 – Bear sightings and population talk on Brian's farm 00:16:16 – New Hampshire vs. Minnesota bear seasons and baiting laws 00:20:18 – The real secret to attracting bears: scent over bait 00:24:43 – Picking the best location for a bait site 00:30:58 – Jared's bear bait recipe and barrel setup 00:41:07 – Rifle bullet selection for bear hunting 00:43:17 – Broadheads and bow setup for bear 00:52:30 – Bear anatomy and shot placement 00:56:04 – Running a bear bait alongside deer season 00:59:24 – Cooking and eating bear meat 01:03:41 – Wrap up and where to follow Jared | |||
| How To Pick the Right Ammo For Your Rifle | 30 juil. 2026 | 01:12:03 | |
You've bought the ammo everyone swears are "the best," and they still didn't work in your gun. Ryan Burnett from Pattern Pro USA joins me to break down why that keeps happening, and why his company's brand new rifle ammunition variety packs are about to save western hunters a lot of money and a lot of frustration this season. Ryan and I go all the way back to the origin story: how patterning a shotgun shell actually works, why his company started with a simple variety pack of shells, and how that idea is now expanding into rifle ammo. We get into the real differences between cup and core, bonded, partition, and monolithic bullets, and why the "best" bullet completely depends on your hunting scenario, not just what's sitting on the shelf. We also cover why trigger time matters just as much as a good zero, and Pattern Pro's brand new upland bird boxes and choke tube rental program. What we cover in this episode: • Why patterning your shotgun (not just sighting in a rifle) can save you hundreds of dollars a season and dramatically cut down on crippled birds • The origin story behind Pattern Pro USA, and how a buddy's bad box of shells turned into a business • Pattern Pro's brand new rifle ammunition variety packs: five calibers, four manufacturers, 20 rounds a box so you can find your best five-shot group • The real differences between cup and core, bonded, partition, and monolithic bullets, and which one actually fits your hunting scenario • Why a hunter shooting 500 yards on a CRP farm needs a completely different bullet than one shooting 75 yards in a Wisconsin food plot • New upland bird boxes and a first-of-its-kind choke tube rental program for waterfowl hunters If this gets you thinking about what's actually sitting in your ammo box, go follow Pattern Pro USA on Instagram and Facebook, and check back for more gear breakdowns like this one. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! Best Prices on Trauma Kits & First Aidat Jase.com 00:00:00 – Studio Renovation Update and Episode Kickoff | |||
| Best Over-the-Counter Tags Left This Season | 23 juil. 2026 | 01:09:34 | |
It's July, your buddy's been talking points for years, and you still don't have a fall tag. Before you write off the season, there's a real list of over-the-counter and leftover tag options still on the table — and some of them are better hunts than people give them credit for. Brian sits down with GoHunt's Dave Barnett to break down exactly where OTC opportunity still exists this late in the year, from Colorado's second and third rifle elk to Utah's OTC spike bull tags, plus Idaho's return tag sale and Nevada's first-come-first-served leftover tags. They also dig into GoHunt Insider Plus as a mid-season option for hunters who need a fast plan, and close out with an overrated/underrated tag debate covering Montana mule deer, Nevada return tags, and Utah spike elk. Highlights: • Where OTC elk tags still exist in Colorado, Utah, and Idaho after July 4th • How Nevada's first-come-first-served return tag system actually works • Why the Idaho OTC "DMV line" tag sale rewards solo hunters over groups • What GoHunt Insider Plus actually includes and when it makes sense to sign up mid-season • A strategy breakdown for hunting Utah's OTC spike bull tag • Brian and Dave's overrated and underrated picks for backup tags, including Montana mule deer and Nevada return tags • A caliber debate on sunsetting 30-06, 308, and 270 Win in favor of newer 7mm and 6.5 options If this helped you find a plan for fall, subscribe to the show and check out GoHunt Insider Plus using code Drawn West for $50 gear shop credit! Enter the Reveal Giveaway! One winner every month for therest of the year! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebs Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:00:00 — Intro and catching up with Dave Barnett 00:01:16 — Inside GoHunt's research content role and predictive draw odds accuracy 00:08:38 — Why state application systems feel outdated, and a dream fix 00:14:37 — What GoHunt Insider Plus actually includes 00:19:38 — Is Insider Plus worth it mid-season if you're scrambling for a tag 00:26:46 — Where the real OTC opportunity is right now (Nevada, Idaho) 00:32:00 — Colorado OTC elk, expectations vs reality 00:34:00 — Utah OTC spike elk strategy breakdown 00:37:33 — OTC options for mule deer and antelope 00:44:47 — Overrated vs underrated backup tags segment 00:53:33 — Rifle and caliber talk, sunsetting old cartridges 01:02:31 — Where to find Dave and closing GoHunt discount info | |||
| Best Way to Transport Your Bow w/ ANKR Point | 16 juil. 2026 | 01:06:36 | |
Ever thrown your bow in the backseat only to find your fletchings crushed, your sight bumped, or fresh scratches on your door frame? That annoying, expensive problem is exactly what pushed two Utah hunting buddies to design one of the coolest truck bow mounts on the market. In this episode, Logan Cornwall and Dave Hansen of Anchor Point break down how a bumpy elk hunt turned into a universal bow-storage system that sold out its first batch overnight. They cover the messy prototyping process, why grabbing the bow by the grip (upside down) solved the fit problem across different bow models, and how they're bootstrapping production with a basement full of 3D printers while gearing up to scale into injection molding. The conversation also drifts into classic Western hunting talk — road hunting strategy, Utah's weapon-and-season draw restrictions, elk calling stories, and trail camera setups for summer scouting. Highlights: • The bumpy elk hunt that sparked the idea for a truck-mounted bow holder • Why flipping the design upside down solved compatibility across bow brands and models • How Anchor Point sold out 20 units overnight on launch night, before HuntExpo • The tradeoffs between 3D printing and injection molding for a scaling hunting brand • How to spot (and avoid) scam websites copying small outdoor brands' products • Logan's solo, limited-entry Utah bull elk story and Dave's plans for next season • Trail camera picks and cellular coverage tips for summer e-scouting Check Out ANKR Point: https://www.instagram.com/ankr.point/ If you enjoyed this one, subscribe to the podcast and follow along for more gear breakdowns and Western hunting strategy talk every week. Enter our Reveal Cell Cam giveaway — sign up at https://www.getdrawnwest.com/revealto be entered to win. And stick around for the whole episode: there's a secretcode word in this conversation you'll need to get 20 extra entries, so don'tskip ahead. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Gain 300fps In Your 6.5 Creedmoor with Federal’s +Peak Alloy | 08 juil. 2026 | 00:56:49 | |
The 6.5 Creedmoor has always taken heat for being underpowered on elk — until now. Federal's engineers sit down to explain how their new Peak Alloy case technology closes that gap by packing 300 extra feet per second into the exact same cartridge millions of hunters already own.
Federal design engineers Ben Carlson and Brad Abramowski, along with product line manager Josh Vickers, break down how a U.S. Army next-generation weapons program in 2018 led directly to Peak Alloy, a case material designed to beat the pressure limits of brass. From there, the conversation covers why they picked the 6.5 Creedmoor for this upgrade over more exotic calibers, how modern bullet technology like Terminal Ascent changes the terminal-performance math on smaller cartridges, and where the industry is headed with older rounds like the 30-06. • How Peak Alloy case technology started inside the Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon program back in 2018 • Why Federal picked the 6.5 Creedmoor, not a magnum, as the first commercial cartridge to get the Peak Alloy treatment • How Peak Alloy pushes 155-156 grain bullets in a 6.5 Creedmoor faster than stock 6.5 PRC velocities • An engineer's honest take on whether 6.5 Creedmoor Plus Peak replaces a 300 Win Mag for elk • Why bullet design (Terminal Ascent, bonded bullets) matters as much as raw velocity for clean, ethical kills • Real hunting stories, including a mule deer taken at 15 feet, an elk shot with a 6mm Creedmoor at 700 yards, and doubling on whitetail does in the same food plot • Whether classic cartridges like the 30-06 and 270 Winchester are ever likely to disappear If you're rethinking your next big-game rifle setup, hit follow and share this one with your hunting crew — it might change what's in your safe this fall. Check out more from Brad, Josh, and Ben on Instagram: Ben: https://www.instagram.com/ben_carlson_/ Brad: https://www.instagram.com/real_gunnerdog/ Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! Save 20% On Reveal Cell Cams & Accessories with codeDRAWNWEST20https://www.tactacam.com/ 00:00:00— Meet the Federal team: Ben, Josh, and Brad 00:04:36— Backstory: the 7mm Backcountry launch 00:06:55— Why brass limits cartridge performance 00:09:15— Origin of Peak Alloy: the Army's next-gen weapon program 00:11:33— Beating the 7mm PRC: designing a better big-game cartridge 00:13:55— How the "Backcountry" name came to be 00:16:19— Announcing 6.5 Creedmoor Plus Peak 00:18:35— Making the 6.5 Creedmoor more versatile 00:20:53— Is 6.5 Creedmoor really an elk cartridge? 00:23:17— Terminal Ascent and choosing the right bullet 00:25:43— Ben's honest take: 6.5 Creedmoor vs 300 Win Mag for elk 00:32:41— Should older calibers get Peak Alloy too? 00:35:06— Will classics like the 30-06 ever sunset? 00:39:47— Choosing a first rifle for mule deer hunting 00:42:07— Suppressed rifles and the Peak Alloy advantage 00:44:26— Draw results and fall hunting plans 00:48:53— Minnesota whitetail stories and early doe season 00:53:34— Bear baiting tips and strategy00:55:56 — Elk hunting stories and hunting withfamily | |||
| Mobile Whitetail Hunting w/ Tom Lalond | 30 juin 2026 | 01:07:03 | |
If you've been daydreaming about real deer camp adventure but feel stuck by time, money, or gear, this conversation will feel relevant. Tom LaLond from XOP joins me to break down attainable whitetail trips on realistic budgets, the culture behind XOP's gear labs, and how building one dialed-in kit frees up money to hunt more states. We walk through what attainable adventure actually looks like in states like Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, and the Appalachians — where a $2,500 trip is the real constraint, not a marketing line. Then we get into mobile stand setups, packing systems, and why smarter clothing choices matter more than adding another layer to the pile. 00:00:00 – Introducing Tom LaLond and the XOP deer camp world 00:01:30 – How deer camp culture and camaraderie became the core of XOP gear labs 00:03:20 – Attainable adventure: $2,500 trip budgets and hunting everyday states 00:07:20 – Nebraska gear lab: cheap tents, shared gear, and what made it memorable 00:35:40 – Packing a mobile whitetail kit: skinny packs, layer order, and tree efficiency 00:37:50 – One kit, more tags: spending less on gear to hunt more states 00:39:45 – Bluff country clothing: hiking cold, managing sweat, and building a puffy system Topics Covered: • What XOP's deer camp gear labs are and why serious hunters keep choosing them • How to frame and plan a $2,500 attainable adventure trip in almost any state • Packing a mobile whitetail kit efficiently from bag to tree • Why one complete setup beats five halfway-finished ones — and frees up tag money • Puffy vs bib layering systems for cold, steep, sweat-inducing terrain If this episode sparks a few ideas for your own deer camps or mobile setups, share it with someone you'd want in camp and hit follow so you don't miss the next one. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Bighorn Sheep Populations w/ Cody Hinkley | 24 juin 2026 | 01:08:00 | |
You've probably looked at sheep tag odds and thought — that's never happening. The numbers are brutal. Most states are handing out a handful of tags to thousands of applicants, and the herds aren't exactly booming. But there's a population in the Black Canyon of Colorado that just got its first hunt tag in over 80 years, and a wildlife researcher who's been tracking every sheep in that canyon for the last two years using 71 trail cameras. The results are pretty interesting. Cody Hinkley is wrapping up his master's research at Western Colorado University, and his thesis asks a simple but important question: can trail cameras replace expensive, dangerous helicopter surveys to monitor bighorn sheep populations? If the answer is yes, it changes how wildlife managers across the West track herds — and potentially how tags get allocated. In this episode, we break down how the mark-resight method works, what the population data actually shows for this herd, and what the disease threatening sheep herds nationwide would take to solve. We also get into the honest reality of what it would take — population-wise — for a non-resident to have a realistic shot at drawing a tag in their lifetime. Highlights: • How trail cameras can be used to estimate wildlife population size and sex ratios — and why it matters for tag allocation • Why this Colorado Black Canyon herd is an anomaly — growing when most sheep herds are struggling • The preliminary data: ~80 sheep, and more rams than ewes, with implications for future tag numbers • Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (MOVI) — the disease from domestic sheep that is the #1 management threat to bighorn herds nationwide • What "full curl" means, when rams reach maturity, and how wildlife managers think about harvestable surplus • Realistic advice for hunters who want a sheep tag someday — including which states to watch and why Colorado is worth a closer look • Why whitetail hunters can actually run a mini population survey on their own property using the same science If you want to follow Cody's research when it's published, keep an eye on his work coming out of Western Colorado University — he's planning to make it publicly accessible. And if you haven't already, subscribe to the Drawn West podcast so you don't miss episodes like this one. https://www.instagram.com/codymhinkley/ Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Glassing Made Comfortable w/ DRT Hunting | 16 juin 2026 | 01:07:40 | |
If you’ve ever tried to glass all day on a steep hillside and felt your lower back lock up, this episode is going to hit home. I sit down with Steven Giles from DRT Hunting to talk about the Recon Lounger—a rifle cover that turns into a legit glassing chair—and how one well designed piece of gear can keep you comfortable, protect your optic, and replace two or three other items in your pack. We dig into the engineering behind it, the real world use cases, and how a multi use mindset changes the way you hunt out West. Steven is a manufacturing engineer and co founder of DRT Hunting, and he built the Recon Lounger out of his own frustration with sore backs, sap covered jackets, and expensive optics getting beat up in rough country. The result is a thousand denier, carbon reinforced rifle cover that unfolds into a stadium style chair, doubles as a shooting support, and even pulls duty in your sleep system—all without adding another bulky, single use item to your pack. We talk through why comfort actually keeps you “in the game” longer behind the glass, how Western residents and non residents think differently about glassing, and why multi use gear matters more as hunts get more remote and expensive. If you’re the kind of hunter who tinkers with homemade scope covers, hates traditional slings, and loves figuring out new ways to use the gear you already carry, this conversation will give you a bunch of practical ideas to test on your next mule deer, elk, antelope, or coyote hunt. Highlights • The Dirt/DRT origin story, “dead right there” name, and bison logo. • How the Recon Lounger works as a rifle cover, scope shield, and glassing chair. • Why comfort behind the glass matters for long Western hunts. • Multi use field applications from rifle cover to chair, pad, and camp utility. • Real hunt use cases from long glassing sessions to packing out birds or sheds. • Manufacturing lessons from prototyping to over building and show season inventory. • Using knowledge and creativity to carry less gear and solve more problems afield. If this episode gives you ideas for making your pack lighter and your glassing more comfortable, hit follow on the podcast and share this one with a hunting buddy who’s always tweaking their gear setup. You can check out the Recon Lounger and follow Steven’s crew at dirthunting.com and @drt_hunting on Instagram—links are in the show notes https://www.instagram.com/drt_hunting/
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Helping Women Learn Hunting w/ Taylor Gutierrez | 09 juin 2026 | 01:23:01 | |
It can be hard for women to find a mentor in the hunting world. Taylor Gutierrez is changing that. Taylor grew up in Colorado where grabbing an elk tag on a free weekend was just... a thing people do. She didn't realize how rare that was until she started teaching women who are brand-new to hunting and have no idea where to start. This conversation is part draw system deep-dive, part honest guide to how women can get into Western hunting without it being weird or unsafe. We get into Colorado's point system—elk, pronghorn, the big three—and what the 2028 OTC and Northwest corner changes actually mean for hunters at different point levels. From there Taylor talks through her work with Uncharted Outdoors Women and why education-first programs are in such high demand from women who want to learn but don't know who to trust. What we cover: • Why Colorado residents still have serious OTC and leftover opportunity—and how to use it • Point creep in the Northwest corner and what the 2028 changes mean for 30+ point elk holders • The pronghorn trap: a perfect starter hunt, but good rifle tags now take 5+ points • How Taylor got a 14-point pronghorn tag off the leftover list and tagged out in 27 minutes • Why solo elk hunting is a bad idea—and how to find the right hunting partners as a woman • What women's elk camp actually looks like and why it sells out fast If this one was useful, hit follow so you don't miss the next one—and share it with someone who's been saying "I want to go out West someday." Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Maine Moose w/ Jacob Haskell | 02 juin 2026 | 01:34:40 | |
If you’ve ever daydreamed about drawing a Maine moose tag, chasing bugling bulls in Colorado, or finally taking turkey season seriously, this episode is for you! Brian sits down with Maine-based hunter and filmmaker Jacob Haskell to talk about what it actually takes to draw these tags, how the odds and bonus points really play out, and why these hunts are more realistic than most people assume. Along the way they break down real pack-outs, close calls, missed opportunities, and the kind of strategy that turns “someday” hunts into actual dates on the calendar. Jacob walks through the Maine moose lottery from his own experience—what the nonresident odds look like, how Maine’s bonus point system behaves more like a raffle than a true preference system, and why he still calls it a once-in-a-lifetime hunt. He explains how the hunt actually feels in northern Maine: logging roads, clearcuts, bogs, calling bulls into bow range, and why success is still high if you do things right, even with tick issues and shifting populations. From there, Brian and Jacob compare Maine moose to Western elk, including Colorado’s brutal moose odds, over-the-counter elk experiences, and what realistic expectations look like when you’re playing long odds across multiple states. The back half of the episode dives into turkey hunting—reaping tactics, using full-fan decoys, bow vs shotgun setups, and why turkey season might be the best way to get new hunters hooked on calling, movement, and decision-making in the field. Highlights • How Maine’s bonus point system and extra entries actually work for nonresidents, and why long-time applicants can still get leapfrogged by newer hunters. • What a modern Maine moose hunt looks like on the ground—pressure from roads, using calls in September vs October, and how to make the most of a one-week season. • Real-world pack-out stories comparing a Maine bull moose to a giant North Dakota elk, including meat yields, quarter weights, and the mental side of multiple trips. • Why Maine moose success can still be high despite tick issues, and how biologists and outfitters are adapting to keep the hunt meaningful. • How Jacob’s first Colorado archery elk hunt went down—close encounters, setup mistakes, and the decision to pass a risky shot at less than 20 yards. • Practical turkey tactics: full-fan Tom decoys with real fans, using reaping safely, roost scouting, and calling sequences that pull gobblers off the limb. • How Jacob built his “The Pursuit Hunt” brand, films hunts across the Northeast and West, and uses YouTube to share these stories. If this episode helps you see Maine moose, Colorado elk, or serious turkey hunts as actually possible, subscribe to the Drawn West podcast and drop a rating or review so more hunters can find it. Then go check out Jacob’s “The Pursuit Hunt” on YouTube and thepursuithunt.com—his Maine moose film alone is worth the watch! https://www.instagram.com/thepursuithunt/ https://www.youtube.com/@thepursuithunt
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| How To Find More Shed Antlers w/ Alex Kunkel | 26 mai 2026 | 00:51:47 | |
Want to find more sheds each season? This is the episode for you! I sat down with Alex Kunkel from Minnesota Shed Hunters, one of the most active shed hunting community pages in the Midwest. Alex has been doing this long enough to figure out what actually works — and a lot of what he shared challenged some of the "common wisdom" you hear thrown around, like walking fence lines (spoiler: neither of us has ever found a shed on one). We cover the full strategy side of shed hunting — from how winter severity changes where deer concentrate, to why timing is probably more important than location, to how to use apps like Scout to Hunt and GoHunt Maps to stop re-walking ground you've already covered. If you've ever spent a whole Saturday shed hunting and come home with nothing, this one's for you. Episode Highlights: • How to identify the "limiting factor" in your area — food or cover — and why the answer changes depending on where you live • The exact window Alex targets every year: why late February to early March is his peak and how he thinks about going too early vs. too late • Why public land shed hunting has gotten harder and what private access actually looks like in the Midwest • The Scout to Hunt app breakdown — what it does, how the analytics work, and why the track-width gridding feature alone is worth the $30/year • Why rivers and creek crossings knock sheds loose (and why fence lines are mostly a myth) • How to use snowshoes to access areas that eliminate almost all competition on big public tracts • Habitat projects that actually move the needle for your shed season, not just your hunting season If this episode helped you think differently about where you spend your time this spring, it'd mean a lot if you left a rating or review — it helps more hunters find the show. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| 2026 Wyoming Mule Deer Application Guide | 21 mai 2026 | 00:34:46 | |
2026 Wyoming Mule Deer Application Guide Tired of how confusing Wyoming's mule deer draw is? We cover how it works and the best mule deer units in the state! Wyoming's application system is one of the most complicated in the West, the June 1st deadline is coming fast, and 2026 is the last year to buy preference points at the current price before they jump to $75 across the board. If you've been putting Wyoming off, this is the episode that changes that. I break down the full Wyoming mule deer draw — how the splits work, what all those tag types actually mean, what the 2026 weather and snowpack means for your hunt, and which units are worth your points from zero all the way to 10+. What we cover: • Why 2026 is the last year to buy Wyoming points at the current price — and why that matters • How the Wyoming draw actually works: resident/non-resident splits, regular vs. special, 75/25 point draw, and what the random draw means for you • Every tag type (Type 1 through Type 0) explained in plain language so you know exactly what to apply for • The 2026 snowpack situation and what low moisture years mean for antler growth and herd health • Wilderness area restrictions for non-residents — the unit research step most hunters skip • The second-choice trick: how to draw a tag and keep building points in the same year • Unit recommendations at zero, five, and ten points for non-resident regular and special applicants If this helped, subscribe so you don't miss the Wyoming Antelope episode dropping right after this one. And if you've got a hunting partner who's been on the fence about Wyoming, send this their way — it'll save them hours of digging. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:03:03 — Deadlines, Tag Fees, and the 2027 Preference Point Price Increase 00:05:12 — Tag Cost Breakdown: Regular, Special, Reduced, and Youth 00:07:31 — 2026 Weather and Snowpack — What Low Moisture Means for Your Hunt 00:08:30 — How Wyoming's Draw System Actually Works 00:11:00 — Hunt Choices, Second-Choice Strategy, and Retaining Your Points 00:11:45 — Every Tag Type Explained (Type 1 Through Type 0) 00:15:30 — Group Applications — How Averaging Works and Why Wyoming Over-Allocates 00:17:50 — Wyoming Mule Deer Herd Overview: Where It Stands in 2026 00:22:38 — Zero-Point Options: Regular and Special Draw Breakdown 00:27:30 — Ten-Point Range: Units Worth Targeting as Non-Resident Regular 00:29:05 — The Second-Choice Trick and Unit 15 00:31:17 — Five-Point Range: Units to Look At Right Now 00:34:42 — How to Use GoHunt Insider to Research Units Yourself | |||
| 2026 Wyoming Antelope Application Guide | 19 mai 2026 | 00:24:03 | |
Want to go Antelope hunting this year? THIS is the episode for you! Wyoming is coming out of one of the worst winters in recent memory, and the antelope herd has responded. Tag allocations are going up almost across the board, units that were off-limits without 15+ points are becoming more accessible, and there's never been a better time to get serious about your Wyoming antelope application. The problem most hunters run into isn't a lack of options — it's knowing where to start. Wyoming has more units than almost any other state, and the draw system is complicated enough to make even experienced applicants second-guess themselves. In this episode, I break down the Wyoming antelope application from top to bottom — what the herd looks like right now, why 2026 is an exciting year to be in the draw, and which units you should actually be targeting based on your point level. Whether you're sitting on zero points or burning 15, there's something worth applying for. What we cover: • Why Wyoming is still the top non-resident antelope state and what makes 2026 especially promising • The difference between regular and special tags — and when paying the extra $800 actually makes sense • Which units consistently produce 80-inch bucks and what it costs in points to draw them • Unit recommendations at every major point level, from zero all the way to 12+ • The public land and access reality in Wyoming — corner crossing, private land, and how to scout before you apply • How to keep building points while still drawing a tag and hunting every year If this episode helped, subscribe on your platform of choice so you don't miss the rest of the Wyoming series. And if you've got a buddy trying to figure out antelope points, share this one — it'll save them a lot of time. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article!
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:01:17 — Deadline, Tag Fees, and How the Draw System Works 00:03:26 — Where the Herd Stands in 2026 and Why Tags Are Going Up 00:06:19 — Where the Giants Live — Best Regions and Units for Trophy Bucks 00:07:27 — The Special Tag Advantage — Second Choice Units and Hunting While You Build Points 00:09:13 — Top-Tier Units at 12–20 Points (58, 60, 61, 90, 91) 00:12:32 — Options at Every Point Level — Zero Through Five 00:18:04 — Eight to Ten Point Units Worth Targeting (48, 79, 46) 00:20:08 — Non-Resident Special Breakdown — Zero Points to Five Points 00:25:04 — If You Have 10+ Points, It's Time to Pull the Trigger | |||
| Oregon Antelope, Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goat Application Guide — Is It Worth It? | 14 mai 2026 | 00:21:23 | |
Already applying in Oregon wondering if you should add antelope, sheep, or goats to your application? We breakdown everything you need to know to decide! Oregon isn't known for massive antelope numbers, but what it does have is consistent trophy quality, high harvest success rates, and one of the most cost-efficient point systems in the West. For sheep and goats, it's a fully random draw — no points, no guarantees — but if you're already buying the license, $10 is a pretty cheap lottery ticket. We break down exactly when it makes financial sense to add these species, what point levels unlock for antelope, and what the current tag counts and population data look like for bighorn sheep and mountain goats in 2026. In this episode: • Why Oregon antelope is more consistent than other states — and what that means for trophy hunters • The point level breakdown for non-resident antelope draw odds (0, 5, and 15 points) • How sheep and goats use a completely different, fully random draw system in Oregon • Current non-resident tag allocations for California bighorn, Rocky Mountain bighorn, and mountain goat • Why Oregon mountain goat populations are concerning — and what it means for draw odds If this helped, subscribe and leave a rating — it makes a real difference. Follow along on Instagram @getdrawnwest. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:00:03 – Oregon's Bonus Species:Antelope, Sheep & Goats Overview 00:02:02 – Why Oregon Antelope IsDifferent From Other States 00:03:15 – Draw Odds, Trophy Potential& What It Takes to Draw 00:04:41 – Application Deadline, Costs& Tag Prices 00:06:21 – Zero-Point Antelope Strategyfor Non-Residents 00:08:21 – Five-Point Antelope Options:Archery & Rifle 00:10:42 – Fifteen-Point AntelopeBreakdown & Best Units 00:13:45 – Resident Antelope StrategyNotes 00:16:30 – Sheep & Goat Costs, TagPrices & Draw System 00:18:25 – Oregon Bighorn Sheep: Residentvs. Non-Resident Allocations 00:19:19 – California Bighorn & RockyMountain Bighorn Tag Breakdown 00:21:48 – Mountain Goat Trophy Potential& Population Decline 00:23:26 – Should You Apply for Sheep& Goats? The Decision Framework | |||
| Oregon Elk Application Guide — Units, Draw Odds, and What to Expect as a Non-Resident | 13 mai 2026 | 00:18:54 | |
Oregon has 130,000 elk. That's not a rumor — it's one of the largest herds in the country. But most non-residents either overlook it or misunderstand what it actually offers. If you're building a Western elk strategy, this is the episode that puts Oregon in the right place. We break down both sides of the state — Roosevelt elk on the west side of the Cascades, Rocky Mountain elk to the east — and walk through exactly what the draw looks like depending on how many points you're carrying. From zero-point opportunities all the way into the 20-plus-point elite units, Oregon has more range than most people realize. The deadline to apply is May 15, so if this is on your radar, the window is closing fast. What we get into: • Why Oregon is built for opportunity — and what that means for trophy expectations • The Rocky Mountain units pushing 320, 350, and even 360 inches of antler (and what it takes to draw them) • Why unit 58 might be the best mid-range value in the whole state for non-residents • Roosevelt elk 101 — why they hunt differently, where the public land actually is, and which units are worth your time • A full breakdown of what's realistic with zero, four, and ten-plus points for both species and both weapon types • The non-resident cost breakdown — and why Oregon's 10-to-1 resident/non-resident split is actually one of the fairer ones in the West If you're serious about applying, subscribe so you don't miss the over-the-counter breakdown coming later this summer. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:02:28 Roosevelt vs. Rocky Mountain: How Oregon's Herd Is Split 00:04:06 Is Oregon a Trophy State? Setting the Right Expectations 00:06:47 The Elite Rocky Mountain Units — 320 Inches and Up 00:08:48 Roosevelt Elk Units — What to Expect and Where to Start 00:11:03 Zero-Point Options for Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt Elk 00:11:26 Four-Point Strategy — Archery and Rifle Breakdowns 00:15:00 Four-Point Roosevelt Elk Units — What's Actually Worth It 00:19:46 Ten-Plus Points — Where the Draw Really Opens Up 00:20:57 Final Thoughts and Application Deadline Reminder | |||
| Oregon Deer Applications - Mule Deer, Blacktail & Whitetail | 12 mai 2026 | 00:19:07 | |
Looking for another option for a deer tag this fall? Oregon might be the perfect fit! The state just renamed and restructured every deer unit in the eastern half of Oregon — which means nobody has clean odds data, and for once, experience and points alone won't tell the whole story. Oregon doesn't get talked about much — and that's part of why it's worth a closer look right now. The combination of new units, zero historical odds, and a 25% random draw makes this a year where even someone with a handful of points has a legitimate shot at a tag that would normally take a decade to draw.
If this helped you figure out where Oregon fits in your plan, subscribe so you don't miss the elk and antelope episodes dropping this week. And if you're getting value from the show, a quick rating goes a long way — it genuinely helps more hunters find this content. Want more like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the Drawn West newsletter and we'll send you application updates, strategy breakdowns, and new content as it drops. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Nevada Moose, Sheep & Goat & Moose Applications — Draw Odds, Tag Costs, and Unit Strategy | 09 mai 2026 | 00:24:23 | |
Fourteen dollars. That's the cost to add a desert bighorn, mountain goat, or moose application to your Nevada big game submission — and for the right hunter, it might be the best $14 you spend all year. This is part four of the Nevada Application Series, the final installment covering the big three: moose, sheep, and goats. If you haven't listened to parts one through three covering mule deer and antelope, start there — those are where your real drawing opportunities live as a nonresident. This episode is about the long game, the lottery ticket add-ons, and why a few of them are more strategic than they look. We break down Nevada's squared point system and what it means for species with fewer than 20 nonresident tags. We cover desert bighorn population trends, which units have the best trophy potential, and where the draw odds actually start to get interesting for residents. We get into California bighorn and Rocky Mountain bighorn — including why nonresidents can't apply for Rocky Mountain at all. And we cover mountain goats and Nevada's brand new moose program, which is residents-only and only two years old. What's covered: • Nevada application deadline: May 13, 11 p.m. Pacific — costs for license, app fees, and tag prices for residents and nonresidents • Desert bighorn population decline (8,000 to 6,300 animals) and why Nevada still leads the country in desert bighorn tags • Nonresident desert bighorn draw odds — max points at 33 years, best unit under half a percent — and how to decide if it's worth it • Resident desert bighorn strategy — unit 268 approaching 24% draw odds at max points, and why ewe tags are worth a second look • California bighorn and Rocky Mountain bighorn — resident odds, best units, and why the odds are brutal even at max points • Mountain goat population growth (340 to 430 animals in four years) and the one nonresident tag available in unit 102 • Nevada moose — residents only, 37,000 applicants for a handful of tags, and why getting in now matters for the long-term point curve If this series helped you sort out Nevada, subscribe on your platform of choice so you don't miss the Wyoming mule deer and antelope breakdown coming up next. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:02:30 — Should You Apply for Nevada's Big Three? 00:04:13 — Desert Bighorn Population and Tag Numbers 00:07:11 — Nonresident Desert Bighorn Draw Odds 00:09:37 — Resident Desert Bighorn Draw Odds and Unit 268 00:11:54 — Best Units for Trophy Desert Bighorn 00:12:56 — California Bighorn Sheep Overview 00:15:08 — California Bighorn Trophy Units and Resident Draw Odds 00:16:30 — Rocky Mountain Bighorn — Residents Only 00:17:30 — Nevada Mountain Goats: Population and Draw Odds 00:19:38 — Goat Trophy Potential and Best Units 00:20:00 — Nevada Moose — Residents Only Program Explained 00:21:57 — Final Nevada Wrap-Up and What's Coming Next | |||
| Nevada Elk – Best Elk Units in America | 08 mai 2026 | 00:17:11 | |
Want to hunt 400” bulls? Me too. Somewhere in Nevada, there are bulls pushing 400 inches on public land that almost no one will ever hunt. The draw odds are that bad. But if your name comes up, it's probably the best elk hunt you'll ever go on. This is part three of the Nevada application series, focused entirely on elk. Nevada doesn't have the numbers Utah has, but unit for unit, the top public land tags in the state compete with anything in the West — Colorado, Utah, Montana's Missouri Breaks, Arizona, New Mexico. The difference is access. There are only a handful of non-resident tags in even the best units each year, which is exactly why this is a lottery ticket conversation, not a guaranteed hunt conversation. We break down what those draw odds actually look like at every point level — from zero points to max — across archery, muzzleloader, and rifle. We cover which unit groups to target, how to think about stacking your five choices, and why the $19 application fee only makes sense in the context of what else you're already doing in Nevada. • Whether Nevada elk is worth applying for if you're not already in for mule deer or antelope • The $19 vs. $1,200 cost breakdown and what it means for your application strategy • Units 111–115 and 221–223: what makes them elite and how many non-resident tags actually go out • Draw odds at 10 points and max points — and what "less than 1%" really means long-term • How to use your five choices between top-tier units and higher-odds fallback picks • The secondary draw and leftover tag list: when to check and why it's worth watching • Why you should never skip a year in Nevada because of drought conditions Subscribe wherever you listen, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If this helped your application strategy, leave a five-star rating and pass it along to someone else putting in for Nevada! Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:00 – Nevada Elk: Why the Draw Odds Are Bad and the Tags Are Elite 01:03 – How Nevada's Best Units Stack Up Against Utah, Colorado, and Montana 02:30 – The Decision Framework: Should You Even Apply for Nevada Elk? 03:23 – Application Fee vs. Tag Fee: The Real Cost Math 04:20 – Deadline, Group Rules, and the 90/10 Non-Resident Split 04:50 – Drought Conditions and Whether to Skip a Year 05:42 – Why You Should Always Keep Building Points in Nevada 06:00 – Tag Cost Breakdown: $1,200 and How It Compares to Other States 07:06 – Bonus Points, Secondary Draw, and the Leftover Tag Opportunity 08:32 – The Best Nevada Elk Units: 111–115 and 221–223 09:10 – How Few Non-Resident Tags Actually Go Out Each Year 10:33 – Draw Odds at 10 Points: What the Numbers Actually Look Like 11:30 – Max Points Draw Odds: The Honest Reality for Non-Residents 12:51 – How to Stack Your Five Choices as a Lottery Strategy 14:45 – Wrap-Up: Nevada Goat, Sheep, and Moose Coming Next | |||
| Nevada Antelope Application Strategy | Best Units for 80” Bucks | 07 mai 2026 | 00:27:00 | |
Nevada might be the most overlooked antelope state in the West — and the hunters who know about it are already building points. Statewide, Nevada produces a higher percentage of mature, oversized bucks than any other state. In peak years, a third of all antelope harvested were 15 inches or taller. Even in down years, about a quarter of the harvest hits that mark. No other state comes close to those averages across the board. And the tag is $300 for non-residents — one of the best values in Western hunting when you factor in the quality. This episode is part of the Drawn West Nevada series. We cover what non-residents need to know about applying for antelope: the draw system, group application risks, surrendered tags and the leftover list, herd quality, and unit strategy by points level. • May 13th deadline (11pm Pacific) — same as mule deer • $155 hunt/fish combo license + $14 antelope application fee to start building points • Nevada checks all five of your hunt choices before moving to the next applicant — always use all five • Applying as a group in Nevada is risky — with limited tags, a group of three can be disqualified if only two tags remain when their number pulls • Archery is the most realistic path: double-digit draw odds are available with as few as five points in units like 141 (16%), 31 (15%), and 32 (13%) • Muzzleloader is a solid mid-tier option; top northwest corner units (12, 13, 14) showing 7% odds at five points • Rifle antelope as a non-resident is effectively a long-term lottery — don't count on it • Top trophy units: northwest corner (11–15), central units (145, 161, 162, 172, 251) — 80-inch potential, 70–90% public land • Surrendered tags go back into a first-come-first-serve list — worth monitoring if you're local to the region Deadline is May 13th. If you're already applying for mule deer, adding antelope costs just $14 more and uses the same license. No reason not to be in. Subscribe so you don't miss the elk and once-in-a-lifetime episodes coming next in this series. And if you want to go deeper on unit research and draw odds, GoHunt Filtering 2.0 is what Brian uses throughout this episode — use code drawnwest when you sign up. Stay up to date with everything Drawn West at GetDrawnWest.com.
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Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:00:00 Nevada Antelope 2026 — Why ItBelongs in Your Strategy 00:01:51 Trophy Potential and Why NevadaStands Apart 00:02:30 Deadline, Costs, and What ItTakes to Apply 00:04:15 How the Nevada Draw Works (All 5Choices Explained) 00:06:00 Group Applications — Why NevadaIs Different 00:08:30 Surrendered Tags and theLeftover List 00:10:14 Nevada Antelope Herd Status andQuality Breakdown 00:12:34 Archery vs. Muzzleloader vs.Rifle — Realistic Timelines 00:14:44 Draw Odds at 5 Points — BestArchery Units 00:19:03 Top Trophy Units at 15–20 Points 00:23:25 Rifle Reality Check forNon-Residents 00:24:30 How to Pick Your 5 Hunt Choices— Final Strategy | |||
| Nevada Mule Deer: Draw Strategy, Trophy Units, and Draw System Explained | 06 mai 2026 | 00:30:37 | |
Is Nevada mule deer even worth putting in for as a non-resident? That depends almost entirely on where you're at in your strategy, and this episode breaks down exactly how to think about Nevada Mule Deer. Nevada doesn't hand out a lot of non-resident tags, but the trophy potential is as high as anywhere in the West. Twenty units with 180-inch-plus potential. A minimum 140-inch floor across the entire state. Tags that cost non-residents $240. And a draw system built around giving every applicant multiple real chances — because Nevada checks all five of your hunt choices before moving on to the next person in line. This episode covers everything you need to make a decision before the May 13th deadline: how the weighted bonus draw works, what the current drought conditions actually mean for antler quality and herd health, why feral horses are a bigger long-term threat than people realize, and how to structure your five choices whether you're applying for the first time or sitting on 20 points. • How the weighted bonus system works — and why it makes Nevada one of the most fair draws in the West • The secondary draw, surrendered tags, and the first-come-first-serve leftover list that flexible hunters should be watching all summer • Why the archery and muzzleloader seasons are underrated entry points for non-residents • Unit breakdown: which units Brian targets at trophy potential, and which ones have real draw odds with zero, five, and ten points • Why the 130s (131 and 132) are the benchmark for best-in-state trophy potential • How drought conditions might actually produce some of the biggest bucks of the decade — and why the next three years may be the window • The case for applying for all five choices every year, and when points-only actually makes sense • The deadline to apply is May 13th at 11pm Pacific. Results drop around May 29th. If you're on the fence, apply — Nevada always gives you a chance, and you never want to sit out a year. Subscribe so you don't miss the rest of the Nevada series — elk, antelope, and once-in-a-lifetime species are all coming. And if you're getting value from the show, a quick rating genuinely helps more hunters find this content. Want more like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the Drawn West newsletter at GetDrawnWest.com and we'll send you application updates, strategy breakdowns, and new content as it drops. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:00:00 Welcome — Nevada Mule Deer 2026Overview 00:02:15 Deadline, Costs, and Tag Fees 00:04:20 How the Nevada Weighted BonusDraw Works 00:07:50 Five Hunt Choices and Why YouShould Always Use Them 00:10:06 Points-Only vs. Applying: WhenEach Makes Sense 00:10:32 Secondary Draw, SurrenderedTags, and the Leftover List 00:13:45 Nevada Mule Deer Herd: Drought,Feral Horses, and What It Means 00:16:15 Current Herd Status and WhyQuality Is Still High 00:18:45 Unit Breakdown: Best TrophyPotential Units (131, 132, 221, 231+) 00:21:00 Draw Odds at Zero, Five, and TenPoints 00:26:00 Long-Term Play: What 20 PointsGets You 00:28:00 Should You Apply? StrategySummary and Final Advice | |||
| From Whitetails To Elk w/ Dwayne Jones | 05 mai 2026 | 01:46:57 | |
How many points do you actually need before you can hunt elk in Colorado? If you've been watching that number climb and telling yourself "maybe in five more years" — you might be sitting on a play you haven't tried yet. Brian sits down with Dwayne Jones — sales manager for Novick's Outdoors, co-founder of Dream Dirt, and the man behind Shed Season — to talk through his journey from lifelong whitetail hunter to first-time Western elk applicant. Dwayne has never been west of Kansas, but thanks to a tip straight from a Colorado Parks and Wildlife employee, he's heading into the backcountry this September with a bow, a solid group of experienced buddies, and months of elk calls already practiced. The conversation covers what Eastern hunters actually need to know before going West — how elk behave differently than whitetails, why calling strategy matters more than calling perfection, what broadhead to run and why, and how fitness changes your mental game in the mountains. They also get into farm habitat, CRP programs, predator control, and turkey hunting with a bow. The kind of wide-open conversation that happens when two guys who genuinely love this stuff sit down without a hard stop. • The Colorado two-choice application strategy that lets you build a point and get drawn in the same year • Why a bull that "chuckles" back at you is telling you something specific — and what to do next • Fixed blade vs. expandable broadheads for elk and why pass-through matters more than you think • What CRP actually does for deer and turkey habitat — and why the critics are comparing it to the wrong thing • How fitness training changes your mental ceiling when things get hard in the mountains • Why Brian, despite a 354 bull in the next room, wouldn't pass a raghorn on a bow hunt Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:00:43 The Colorado Two-Choice Application Hack 00:04:01 Archery Elk vs. Whitetail: What Changes 00:07:05 Base Camp, Spike Camp, and First-Timer Advice 00:08:37 Fitness for Elk Hunting — What Actually Matters 00:11:20 Knowing Rich Froning and Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable 00:17:00 Brian's Close Calls: Five Elk at Close Range, No Tags 00:33:21 Reading Elk — When to Call, When to Shoot, When to Wait 00:34:50 Broadheads for Elk: Why Brian Runs Fixed Blades 00:43:10 CRP Programs, Habitat Management, and What's Actually Working 00:53:01 Predator Control and Turkey Hunting with a Bow 01:25:48 Elk Calling Deep Dive and Paul Medel's Playbook | |||
| Montana Moose, Sheep, Goat, Bison Application Strategy | 30 avr. 2026 | 00:32:57 | |
Did you know there are over-the-counter Bighorn Sheep tags in the lower 48? We dive in to that and more in this episode! Montana runs a squared bonus point system, which means you always have a chance no matter how many points you have — but the odds climb very differently depending on the species. Moose points actually build toward something real. Sheep is closer to a lifetime lottery ticket. Goat and bison sit somewhere in between. Before you decide whether to apply, you need to know which of these is actually worth your time and money. This episode breaks down all four species — what the draw odds look like at every point level for both residents and non-residents, why Montana's tag prices are surprisingly affordable compared to Wyoming, and how to think about whether building points here beats saving up for a guided hunt somewhere else. What we cover: • How Montana's squared bonus point system works — and why you always have a shot even with one point • The only five units offering unlimited bighorn sheep tags, the harvest quota system, and why success rates sit at just 2–7% • Why Montana moose odds actually climb to meaningful percentages — and what that means for your long-term strategy • Rocky Mountain goat draw odds for non-residents vs. residents, and why this is one of the best resident opportunities in any state we've covered • Montana's Yellowstone-corridor bison hunt: no point system, pure lottery, and what a quarter-to-half percent draw odds really means • Why the same bison herd costs $1,250 to apply for in Montana vs. $6,000 in Wyoming Hit subscribe and leave us a five-star review — and get on the Drawn West newsletter at getdrawnwest.com so you never miss another deadline like this one. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:00 Montana Once-in-a-Lifetime Overview& May 1st Deadline 02:08 Tag Costs, Refund Policy & HowMontana's Hybrid System Works 04:13 Squared Bonus Points Explained: WhyYou Always Have a Chance 05:13 When to Apply vs. When to BuyPoints Only 07:26 Montana Bighorn Sheep: Best in theLower 48 — But Declining Tags 10:00 The Over-the-Counter Sheep Hunt:What the Success Rates Actually Say 13:00 Top Trophy Units & Non-ResidentDraw Odds by Point Level 16:35 Resident Bighorn Sheep Odds: ADifferent Story Entirely 18:00 Montana Moose Breakdown:Population, Harvest & Trophy Quality 20:08 Moose Draw Odds: Why This SpeciesIs Worth Playing the Long Game 23:39 Rocky Mountain Goat: Best ResidentOdds We've Seen in This Series 25:40 Resident Goat Odds at Max Points —Legitimately Exciting 26:30 Montana Bison Hunt: YellowstoneMigration, No Points, Pure Lottery 29:00 Should You Apply? Brian's PersonalTake on All Four Species | |||
| Wyoming Moose, Goat, Sheep & Bison Application Strategy | 28 avr. 2026 | 00:25:08 | |
Would you pay $6000 to apply for a Bison tag? This episode we dive into the Wyoming Moose, Goat, Sheep & Bison applications for 2026. Moose, bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, and free-range bison are all on the table, but the draw odds, the point system, and the upfront costs are a completely different game than anything else in the West. Before you write that check, you need to know what you're actually getting into. This episode breaks down each species individually — who has a realistic shot, which units non-residents should actually target, and whether buying Wyoming preference points for 30 years makes more sense than putting that money toward a guided hunt somewhere else. What we cover: • The only bighorn sheep unit offering non-residents random draw odds — and what it means if you don't have 26+ points • The three moose units with random odds and why success rates are still near 100% if you pull the tag • Why Rocky Mountain goat is all-random for everyone — and what the odds look like after units 4 and 5 were eliminated • The Yellowstone-corridor bison hunt: best odds of all four species and why success rates have been slipping • The real upfront cost reality and how the May reimbursement timeline works If this helps, subscribe and leave us a five-star review — and get on the Drawn West newsletter at getdrawnwest.com so you never miss a deadline again. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Utah Moose, Sheep, Goat & Bison | 22 avr. 2026 | 00:24:54 | |
Someone bid $290,000 for a Utah Rocky Mountain bighorn tag at this year's Hunt Expo. You can enter the same draw for $21. That's the whole argument for applying for Utah's once in a lifetime species — and it's a strong one. These aren't tags you build toward with a realistic finish line. The point creep is real, the permits are scarce, and you're probably never going to hit 100% draw odds. But if you're already buying a Utah hunting license to apply for elk, deer, or antelope, adding sheep, moose, or bison to your application is just a lottery ticket on top of a purchase you already made. And the payoff, if you draw, is genuinely life-changing. This is the fourth and final episode in the 2026 Utah application series. I break down every once in a lifetime species Utah offers — Rocky Mountain bighorn, desert bighorn, mountain goat, moose, and bison — covering draw odds, permit numbers, success rates, trophy potential, and which ones are actually worth adding to your application. The April 23rd deadline applies here too, so the timing matters. In this episode: • Why Utah once in a lifetime tags are pure lottery tickets — and exactly what that means for your point strategy • Conservation permit auction prices from the 2026 Western Hunt Expo that show just how valuable these tags really are • Rocky Mountain bighorn breakdown: only 5 non-resident permits, 100% managed success rates, and units producing 175-inch bulls • Desert bighorn vs. Rocky Mountain bighorn — the differences in permit availability, odds, and trophy potential • Mountain goat reality check: declining populations, pulled non-resident permits in some units, and why easier access makes it interesting for certain hunters • Moose in the lower 48: 10 non-resident permits, mostly 100% success rates, and why the point pool makes it a true lottery • The over-the-counter bison warning — why buying the Nine Mile OTC permit forfeits your ability to ever apply for the Henry Mountains or Book Cliffs draw • Which species Brian actually applies for — and the honest framework for deciding which $21 applications are worth it to you If this series helped you get your Utah applications dialed in, take a second to leave a five-star rating and follow the show. It genuinely makes a difference Follow along for more tag breakdowns, application strategy, and behind-the-scenes content: @getdrawnwest Want to stay ahead of every deadline and draw strategy before the season hits? Sign up for the Drawn West Newsletter — practical, no-fluff emails straight to your inbox: Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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| Utah Antelope | 21 avr. 2026 | 00:18:18 | |
Is Utah Antelope worth it? A lot of people skip Utah antelope entirely. That might be exactly why you should be building points right now. If you're already applying for elk or mule deer in Utah, adding an antelope point only costs you $— and some of the best pronghorn tags in the state are starting to come within reach. Utah doesn't carry the same reputation as Wyoming or Nevada, but the herds are recovering, the trophy quality is climbing back, and the hunting pressure on antelope is almost nothing compared to what you see on deer and elk tags. In this episode, we break down the full Utah antelope picture for 2026 — where the herds stand after the tough stretch following the 2023 winter kill, which units give you a real shot at an 80-inch buck, and how to think about Utah as part of a bigger multi-state antelope strategy. The April 23, 2026 application deadline is right around the corner. In this episode: • Utah pronghorn herd recovery after the 2023 winter kill — why trophy quality took a hit and where things stand now • How the Parker Mountain herd has served as a statewide source population, including 317 animals transplanted to new units in 2025 • The four units with the strongest 80-inch-plus potential: San Rafael North, Book Cliffs South, Fillmore, and the Beaver • Draw odds breakdown for residents vs. non-residents — and the weapon-type combos where tags get realistic faster than you'd expect • Why Utah is a long-term state, not a cornerstone antelope state — and where it fits in a smart multi-state plan • The $21 point investment that makes complete sense if you're already buying a Utah hunting license ________________________________________ Follow along for more antelope breakdowns, application tips, and behind-the-scenes content: @getdrawnwest Want to stay ahead of every deadline and draw strategy before the season hits? Sign up for the Drawn West Newsletter — practical, no-fluff emails straight to your inbox: Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebs Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Utah Elk Application Guide | 17 avr. 2026 | 00:43:08 | |
Want a shot at hunting some of the biggest public land elk in the country? In this episode, we break down what Utah elk tags cost, how the draw works for nonresidents, and where both limited entry and OTC tags fit into a long range elk strategy. We walk through the nonresident math on the 365 day hunting license, general, spike only, any bull, and limited entry tag prices, and why Utah’s cheap bonus points become a bargain once you’re already buying the license. Then I break down Utah’s hybrid bonus point system for limited entry elk, how the resident/nonresident split works, and why Utah’s age class management creates some of the best public land bull potential in the country—up into the 340–380+ range in top units like Beaver, Boulder, and Pahvant. What we cover in this episode: • 365 day license hacks and point stacking • How Utah’s hybrid elk draw works • Best limited entry elk units for nonresidents • When to chase top tier vs “second tier” tags • Using OTC spike and any bull hunts while building points If this episode helps you sort out where Utah elk belongs in your Western plan, subscribe to the podcast and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram so you don’t miss the rest of the Utah application series! Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebs Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:00 – Why Utah elk is so underrated fornonresidents 01:40 – 2026 Utah elk deadlines and basic rules 03:15 – Nonresident license, tag costs, and 365‑daylicense math 06:30 – Limited entry vs general elk, weapon types,and season breakdown 09:00 – How Utah’s hybrid bonus point draw works forelk 13:00 – Why Utah elk quality is so high (age classand herd management) 17:30 – Top‑end limited entry units: Beaver, Boulder,Pahvant, San Juan 23:30 – Draw odds, long‑term odds modeling, andauction tag values 30:30 – How to build a long‑term Utah elk strategy bypoint level 37:30 – OTC spike‑only and any‑bull elk tags andwhere they fit 43:00 – Key 2026 dates and how to stay on top of Utahelk applications | |||
| Utah Mule Deer Application Strategy | 16 avr. 2026 | 00:29:05 | |
Want to chase some of the biggest mule deer in the country? In this episode, I break down what Utah really costs, how the draw works, and which units are actually worth your points so you can decide if it belongs in your long range strategy. We walk through the nonresident math on the 365 day license, general and limited entry tag costs, and why Utah’s cheap points become a bargain once you’re already in the system. Then I break down Utah’s bonus point system for limited entry, the true preference points for general season, and real world unit examples from zero points up into the 20 plus range. What we cover in this episode: • How to time the 365 day license so you get two application cycles out of one purchase. • The difference between premium limited entry, standard limited entry, management buck, cactus buck, and HAMS hunts—and what happens to your points when you draw. • High end units like Paunsaugunt, Henry Mountains, Fillmore Creek, and San Juan, plus realistic general units like Pine Valley, Zion, North Slope, Chalk Creek, Bonanza, La Sal, and Monroe from 0–10 points. • Why nonresidents often have more opportunity in Utah than residents when it comes to limited entry applications. • How I think about folding Utah into a bigger Western application plan using GoHunt Filtering 2.0. If this episode helps you sort out Utah, subscribe to the podcast and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram so you don’t miss the rest of the Utah bonus series. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebs Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
Chapters 00:00:00 – Why Utah MuleDeer Matters in 2026 | |||
| Elk Don't Exist | 14 avr. 2026 | 01:47:38 | |
Ever walk through the woods thinking “Elk don’t exist” ? I’ve had a few of those days myself – On this episode we have the host of the Elk Don’t Exist podcast himself, comedian and hunter Dillon Deitz. We covered shed hunting and hunting stories stories, but it turned into a really solid conversation about getting into hunting and why it feels harder than it should. Dillon’s working on a series called Rookie Season where he’s taking guys with zero hunting background and helping them go through their first hunt. No experience, no shortcuts, just figuring it out as they go. That led into a bigger conversation about how complicated hunting has gotten, especially for someone looking in from the outside. We also got into public land pressure, non-residents, and the whole social media side of hunting — not trying to solve anything, just talking through what we’re seeing and what actually lines up with reality. Overall it’s just a laid back conversation, but there’s a lot in here whether you’ve been hunting your whole life or you’re just getting started. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed it, leave a 5-star rating and share it with someone who’d get something out of it. Check out the first episode of Dillon’s project The RookieSeason on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4j637LQffc
Follow more of Dillon’s content on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dillondeitz/
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Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:00 – Shed Hunting Stories 08:30 – What “Rookie Season” Is 22:30 – Why Hunting Feels Hard to Start 35:30 – Public Land & Non-Residents 49:00 – Keeping Hunting Fun 1:03:00 – Hunting with Family 1:14:00 – Social Media & Criticism 1:20:00 – Gear & Getting Started | |||
| Colorado Moose, Sheep & Goat Draw Strategy | 06 avr. 2026 | 00:32:24 | |
A Colorado moose, sheep, or goat tag is one of the hardest tags in the lower 48 to draw, but it may be worth applying for and we breakdown why! In this GOHUNT Bonus Episode of the Drawn West Podcast, Brian breaks down how Colorado’s moose, sheep, and goat system actually works, what makes it different from the straight preference draws for deer, elk, and antelope, and why these tags are still one of the more realistic long-game plays if you want a shot at a once-in-a-lifetime hunt. He covers the $2,823 nonresident tag cost, the three-year preference point buy-in, how weighted points create a random-but-improving draw system, and what the current outlook looks like for bighorns, goats, and especially moose. He also gets into an option most hunters overlook: ewe, nanny, and antlerless moose tags that can cut the wait down in a big way. • Colorado deadline: April 7 at 8 p.m. Mountain Time • Nonresident tag fee: $2,823, plus qualifying license • Three preference points required before you even have a chance to draw • Desert bighorn is random and separate from Rocky Mountain bighorn • Antlerless/female tags can dramatically improve draw odds Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article! ColoradoElk Application Strategy FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 0:34 – April 7 Deadline and Tag Cost 4:44 – How Colorado MSG Points Work 12:05 – Why Weather Matters Less for MSG Applications 13:22 – Rocky Mountain Bighorn Breakdown 18:44 – Rocky Mountain Goat Breakdown 22:51 – Why Colorado Moose Looks So Promising 27:55 – Faster Draw Odds with Ewe, Nanny, and Antlerless Tags | |||
| Colorado Antelope Strategy 2026 — Units, Points & Draw Odds | 03 avr. 2026 | 00:20:24 | |
If you’re already applying in Colorado… you might be missing one of the easiest hunts you can add. In this Colorado Antelope breakdown, Brian walks through exactly how to approach the 2026 application—what it costs, what kind of hunt you can expect, and how to actually pick a unit based on your point level. With the April 7 deadline looming, this episode focuses on strategy—especially for hunters already in the Colorado system. Antelope might not be the flashiest tag in the West, but it can be one of the most efficient ways to add a hunt to your fall if you’re already applying for deer or elk. Brian also dives into herd recovery after the brutal 2023 winter, what realistic trophy expectations look like (and where they’re better than advertised), and how public land access—not trophy size—is often the biggest factor in draw odds. From zero points to 20+ year strategies, this is a practical, no-BS walkthrough of how to actually use your points—and whether it’s worth waiting or just going hunting. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Colorado Elk - Changes, Points, and Best Elk Units | 01 avr. 2026 | 00:24:53 | |
Thinking of an elk hunt this year? Colorado needs to be on your radar! In this GOHUNT Bonus Episode of the Drawn West Podcast, we dig into Colorado elk—what’s changing, what’s coming next, and where the real opportunity still lives depending on your point level. Colorado is still the center of the elk hunting world, but it’s evolving. OTC archery has shifted, rifle tags could follow, and a major draw system change in 2028 is starting to reshape how people think about points. At the same time, there are still ways to hunt every single year—if you’re looking at it the right way. We walk through how different point levels actually play out, where things quietly open up, and why some strategies look better on paper than they do in reality. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re playing Colorado the right way—or just want to understand it a little deeper—this one’s worth your time. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:00 – Colorado Elk Overview | |||
| Colorado Mule Deer | 31 mars 2026 | 00:30:46 | |
Colorado is the king of Mule Deer States – and this episode we breakdown why! Big country, a pile of public land, and more opportunity than just about anywhere else in the West—it’s one of the few states where you can still put a plan together and actually go hunt. This episode kicks off the Colorado series with mule deer, and we start with what makes it so good. From early high-country hunts to late-season rut hunts, Colorado gives you options—and that’s really the story here. We get into how the draw works, what the April 7 deadline means, and how to think about points without overcomplicating it. There’s also a look ahead at the 2028 changes and how that might shape decisions over the next couple years. And then we dive into the fun part—seasons, units, and where you might start looking depending on how many points you’ve got. If you’ve ever thought about hunting mule deer out West, Colorado is hard to ignore. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| How The Montana Big Game Draw Works | 26 mars 2026 | 00:29:19 | |
Montana might be one of the most confusing application systems in the West—and if you don’t understand how it works, it’s really easy to waste money or burn points for no reason. This episode is a full breakdown of the Montana draw system, but more importantly, how to actually make decisions inside of it. We walk through the difference between preference points and bonus points, how the combo licenses work, and why Montana’s system forces you to think multiple years ahead instead of just applying on a whim. The biggest takeaway here isn’t just how the draw works—it’s how to decide when to apply, when to buy points, and when to sit out, depending on your situation. There are scenarios where having zero points is actually better than one, and others where a single decision can set you back years. If Montana’s ever felt confusing, this will simplify it—and help you avoid some expensive mistakes. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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00:00 – Why Montana Confuses Everyone 02:15 – Key Deadlines (April 1 + Point Periods) 04:20 – Combo Licenses Explained 07:45 – Limited Entry Permits Breakdown 11:20 – Bonus Points vs Preference Points 14:45 – Why 0 Points Can Beat 1 Point 18:10 – Elk Strategy (What You Should Do) 21:50 – Deer Strategy (What You Should Do) 25:30 – Group Applications Explained 28:00 – Final Strategy + Multi-Year Planning HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Montana Mule Deer Application Strategy 2026 | 24 mars 2026 | 00:36:05 | |
Montana mule deer gets talked about like it’s an easy answer—but I don’t think it’s that simple. In this episode, I walk through Montana’s 2026 mule deer application strategy, what the tag really gets you, and what kind of hunt I think most non-residents should expect if they draw. We cover deadline, cost, draw odds, population trends, limited entry vs. general, and the regions I’d be looking at depending on whether you want an easier hunt, less pressure, or a better crack at quality. I also share some honest thoughts on where Montana still makes sense in a mule deer strategy—and where I think people can talk themselves into it for the wrong reasons. If you’re trying to figure out whether Montana deserves a spot in your application plan this year, this should help you make that call with a little more clarity. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Montana Elk Application Strategy 2026 | 17 mars 2026 | 00:44:24 | |
Montana elk is one of the best opportunities in the West — IF you can figure out the draw system. In this episode of the Drawn West Podcast, Brian breaks down everything you need to know about applying for Montana elk in the 2026 application season. Montana is one of the most popular elk states for non-resident hunters, but it also has one of the most complicated draw systems in the West. Brian walks through the April 1 application deadline, major 2026 rule changes, rising tag costs, and the new rule that Montana will purge preference points if you skip a year applying. He also explains how Montana’s two-tier system works — preference points for general tags and bonus points for limited entry permits — and why planning your strategy 2–3 years ahead matters. You’ll also hear a breakdown of Montana’s elk regions, population trends, drought conditions, and how to find a good general unit using harvest data, public land filters, and terrain analysis. Whether you’re applying for the first time or deciding how to use a stack of bonus points, this episode lays out a clear strategy for navigating one of the most confusing draws in Western hunting. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 0:45 – Montana Elk Application Deadline 2:00 – New Preference Point Rule 4:15 – Rising Elk Tag Prices 6:30 – Grizzly Bears in Montana Units 8:50 – Chronic Wasting Disease Concerns 11:45 – How Montana’s Draw System Works 16:30 – General Tags vs Limited Entry 21:30 – Montana Elk Regions Explained 26:00 – Best General Units to Start With 30:20 – How to Find Hidden Gem Units 34:40 – Strategy Based on Your Points 39:30 – Final Montana Elk Application Advice | |||
| New Mexico Application Strategy | 11 mars 2026 | 00:32:02 | |
In this GOHUNT Bonus Episode of the Drawn West Podcast, Brian breaks down the full strategy for applying in New Mexico’s big game draw, one of the most unique systems in the West. Unlike most states, New Mexico has no point system, meaning every applicant has the same odds each year. Brian walks through how the three-choice draw system works, how to structure your hunt choices, and why New Mexico can be a great “swing for the fences” state—especially for elk hunters chasing giant bulls. He also explains the resident vs non-resident tag allocations, the cost structure for applications, and how the New Mexico deadline lines up with other states like Wyoming. Finally, Brian breaks down each major species—elk, mule deer, pronghorn, sheep, ibex, and oryx—and shares when it might make sense to apply and when it might not. If you’re building a western hunting application strategy, New Mexico might be the wildcard tag that changes your season. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 0:00 – Intro & Maven Sponsor2:05 – New Mexico Application Deadlines3:20 – How the New Mexico Draw System Works5:00 – Using Your Three Hunt Choices Strategically7:00 – Non-Resident Tag Allocation Explained9:20 – Costs and Application Fees12:15 – Elk Strategy & Trophy Units17:30 – Mule Deer Opportunities in New Mexico21:15 – Pronghorn Draw Odds and Access Challenges24:50 – Sheep, Ibex, and Exotic Species28:30 – Is New Mexico Worth Adding to Your Strategy? | |||
| When To Change Units | 10 mars 2026 | 00:39:42 | |
In this episode of the Drawn West Podcast, Brian Krebs breaks down one of the most common dilemmas Western hunters face: when should you keep hunting the same unit—and when should you move on and try somewhere new? After a recent ice-fishing trip to Devils Lake, Brian reflects on a conversation with friends about choosing between several Montana elk units. From thick black-timber grizzly country to open terrain better suited for spot-and-stalk, each unit has strengths and weaknesses. Brian walks through the exact criteria his group uses to evaluate hunts over time. He explains why elk encounters, terrain, travel distance, hunting style compatibility, and public access all matter when deciding whether a unit deserves another chance. He also shares real examples from hunts in Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, and antelope country—highlighting both successes and lessons learned. If you’re building a long-term Western hunting strategy or trying to find your own “cornerstone” unit, this episode will help you evaluate hunts more objectively and make smarter decisions year after year. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| How Far Should You Shoot? | 03 mars 2026 | 01:00:03 | |
Imagine this: Wyoming. Antelope tag in your pocket. Tough hunt. Then a giant buck steps out at 400 yards. You’re seated. Bipod down. Crosshairs steady. And you’re asking yourself one question: Do I take the shot? Last week we talked long range. Today we’re talking about the part nobody really wants to admit — just because you can hit steel at 400… doesn’t mean you should shoot that buck at 400. Brian breaks down the Shot Decision Triangle — the three variables that actually determine your effective range: • Your caliber and bullet construction (energy, velocity thresholds, expansion windows) • Your personal shooting ability and practice standard • The real-time scenario (wind, animal movement, angle, stability, time of flight) He walks through minimum energy benchmarks for common western species, explains how different bullet types behave at varying impact velocities, and lays out a practical field rule: cut the animal’s vital zone in half during practice to establish your real effective range. The episode then transitions into archery — fixed vs expandable broadheads, penetration vs cut width, pass-through priorities, deer ducking strings, and how to honestly evaluate your range with a bow. This isn’t about giving you a magic number. It’s about building a system so the answer becomes obvious when the moment arrives. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If this episode sharpened your thinking, leave a 5-star rating and share it with a buddy who needs to hear it. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!
FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 00:00–08:45 — The 400-Yard PronghornDecision | |||
| Long Range Ethics | 24 févr. 2026 | 01:42:25 | |
How far is too far when it comes to rifle shots on big game? In this episode, I sit down with Jayden Miller of West Elk Precision to break down what actually determines an ethical shot in the field — and it’s not just a number. We dive into zeroing properly, shooting positions, wind, cartridge selection, bullet performance, and how your real-world skill level changes everything. We talk about the difference between shooting paper and shooting animals, how to test your true limits before season, and why ego ruins more hunts than bad equipment. Jayden also shares real-world examples from this season — including a 760-yard bull — and we unpack what went into that decision. If you’ve ever wondered, “Should I take this shot?” — this episode gives you a framework to answer it yourself. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
0:00 – How Far Is Too Far? | |||
| How to Hunt the West Every Year | 17 févr. 2026 | 00:40:14 | |
You don’t need 20 points, a decade of waiting, or a once-in-a-lifetime tag to hunt the West consistently. If you’re willing to think strategically, you can build a system that gets you out there every single year. In this episode, we break down exactly how to hunt elk, mule deer, or pronghorn every season by rotating states, stacking applications, and using Idaho and Colorado as strategic anchors. We dig into point creep, how to build preference points without wasting years, when to swing for the fences in places like Arizona or New Mexico, and how to structure a 5–10 year plan that actually compounds instead of resets. If you’ve been wondering whether to build points or burn them, this episode gives you the framework to decide — before deadlines close. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article: FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 0:00 – Why You Need a Multi-Year Strategy | |||
| How to Draw Tags - Western Application Systems Explained | 10 févr. 2026 | 00:58:43 | |
If you want to hunt the West, drawing a tag isn’t a detail—it’s the entire game. Western tags aren’t “grab one on the way to deer camp” — they’re a 6–12 month planning game, and this episode breaks the whole thing down in plain English. You’ll hear a listener question from Josh (Tennessee) who’s trying to get himself and his son out West this fall for mule deer or antelope with zero points, and we use his situation to walk through what’s actually realistic (and what’s just internet noise). From there, we lay out the four core draw systems (OTC, random/no-points, preference points, bonus points), why “easy to draw” often means “hard hunt,” and how point creep can quietly bury your long-term plan. Then we turn it into an actual strategy: short-term vs mid-term vs long-term rotations, plus a simple “application stacking” method to swing at multiple states in the same year without ending up with overlapping tags. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend. Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/getting-into-trapping FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! | |||
| Why Hunters Eventually Get Into Trapping | 03 févr. 2026 | 00:57:07 | |
If you’ve ever been curious about trapping but felt like it was confusing, intimidating, or just “not for people like me,” this episode is for you. I sit down with Zach from Okayest Trapper to talk through what getting started actually looks like when you didn’t grow up trapping. The mistakes, the learning curve, the frozen ground, the gear decisions, and why most people underestimate how much work (and problem-solving) is involved. We cover how trapper education works in different states, how trapping changes the way you think about animals and habitat, and why so many hunters eventually get drawn into it — even if they never planned to. We also talk honestly about fur, conservation, and whether trapping is something that stays a hobby or can turn into something more over time. If you hunt, own land, or just want to understand another side of the outdoor world without the gatekeeping, this conversation will give you a clear picture of what trapping really is — and whether it’s something you’d ever want to try. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If this helped you see trapping differently, leave a 5-star rating and share it with someone who’s been curious but unsure where to start. Check out our latest article: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/elk-hunting-knives FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! 01:45 – How Idaho vs Minnesota trapping education works 06:15 – Early exposure to trapping culture (and what changed) 09:45 – “Why am I doing this?” — the addiction to challenge 14:10 – Trap prep debate: boil, rust, dye, wax… or just run them 18:10 – Anchors vs drags + frozen ground problems 23:00 – Cable restraints: lighter, faster, more scalable 26:10 – Collector mode: species goals (fox, coon, coyote, fisher, bobcat) 31:45 – Fur boom talk + could markets ever come back? 41:15 – Alternative markets: squirrels, gophers, skulls, and making it pencil | |||