Hunt West Podcast – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

Subscribe to the Elk Hunt Course at Elkhunt201.com >>

Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

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The Elk Hunting Playbook with Cody Rich

Season 1 · Episode 56

Friday, September 5, 2025 • Duration 01:11:30

Welcome to September — the month elk hunters live for. In this episode, I sit down with Cody Rich, longtime mentor and host of The Elk Hunt Podcast, to talk through the 201-level elk hunting playbook.

We dive into the real differences between a "101 hunter" who's just out walking the woods and a "201 hunter" who consistently finds and kills elk year after year. Cody breaks down what separates the average Joe from the top 10% of elk hunters — and how you can bridge that gap this season.

Inside this episode, you'll hear us cover:

🚫 How not to be "Average Joe" on opening weekend
🐂 Why finding people-free country often matters more than finding "perfect elk habitat"
📍 How Cody adapts tactics in pressured units vs. limited-entry hunts
🎯 Tools in the elk hunter's toolbox — when to rely on one skill vs. build new ones
🔥 Contingencies for wildfire, pressure, and weather changes mid-season
🗺️ Backpack hunting, wallows, glassing, and why "diesel sometimes kills more elk than boot leather"
🧠 The mindset shift from chasing opportunity to intentionally picking the skill you want to sharpen

Cody also shares stories from his own hunts — from missing bulls on opening day to glassing elk seven miles away with binos — and gives one clear assignment for anyone wanting to level up their elk hunting game this September.

We hope you enjoy the show!

Listen to the Elk Hunt Podcast here >>

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It's now FREE so use the AI Hunt Mentor here to find out what you should do >>

September Mule Deer Madness with Hayden Richins

Season 1 · Episode 55

Saturday, August 30, 2025 • Duration 01:03:58

September means velvet bucks, blown stalks, and long days behind the glass. In this episode, Jaden sits down with Hayden Richins (@wynotwild) to talk all things September mule deer hunting.

The two swap stories from past hunts, break down archery and rifle strategies, and get honest about the mistakes (and lessons) that come with chasing deer in September. From velvet to hard horn, ambush setups to full-send stalks, this one is packed with practical insights and plenty of laughs.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Why September deer hunting is special (and brutal)
Lessons learned from blown stalks (and why practice stalks matter)
Ambush vs. spot-and-stalk strategies in early season
How to work with (not against) landowners when recovering deer
Rifle hunting September bucks in the high country
Picking your trophy expectations depending on the weapon in hand
Why time and pressure still make the best hunting "diamonds"

Whether you're a die-hard mule deer hunter or just gearing up for your first archery season, this episode will leave you with tactics you can use on your next September hunt.

👉 Follow Hayden on Instagram: @wynotwild

Do you have more questions about your hunt related to this topic? Ask the AI Hunt Mentor things like:

How do you plan a stalk for a buck on a northeast slope?
What should my day look like for an archery September mule deer hunt?

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BONUS: Planning Future Hunts Like Someone With a Touch of the 'Tism

Season 1 · Episode 54

Sunday, August 24, 2025 • Duration 20:13

Every hunt you go on has two stories: the one you're living in the moment, and the one that quietly sets up your future seasons.

In this bonus episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden lays out how you can use your 2025 hunts to build momentum into 2026 and beyond. Whether you're driving through prime elk country, eyeing a future mule deer unit, or keeping a finger on application deadlines, the key is to hunt with your eyes open—not just for what's in your crosshairs, but for what's coming next.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

How pulling over to glass on your way to this year's tag can bank you a scouting trip for 2026.
The power of "swap seasons, swap species"—using intel from elk hunts to plan deer hunts (and vice versa).
Why the application calendar doesn't wait—and how to stay ahead of Idaho, Wyoming, and Arizona draws.
Practical tips for logging notes, dropping OnX pins, and creating your personal library of hunting intel.

Special Offer:
Book a Hunt West Session before Sept. 1st and get a bonus mini-application strategy to help you maximize your time afield this fall and set yourself up for future success. All you need to do is send a quick email to Jaden@huntwest.net to get started.

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Use the AI Hunt Mentor here to find out what you should do >>

Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

No Excuses Hunting: Beating Negativity and Finding Success This Season | Solo Round

Season 1 · Episode 53

Saturday, August 23, 2025 • Duration 51:04

In this solo episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden fires up the mic to deliver the pep talk every hunter needs before stepping into the mountains this fall. Too often, hunters head into a season weighed down by excuses, negative chatter, and unrealistic expectations. Jaden pushes back hard on that mindset with a no-excuses, stay-positive approach that will help you make the most of whatever your hunt throws at you.

From wildfires and winter kills to snowstorms, hunting pressure, and quiet elk, Jaden shares real-world stories and lessons learned from years in the field—proving that backup plans, grit, and adaptability are what separate those who go home early from those who notch tags and create lasting memories.

You'll learn:

How to shut out the naysayers and trust your own preparation.
Why every hunt will go "wrong"—and why that's part of the magic.
How to build backup plans for fire closures, snowstorms, and hunting pressure.
The right way to handle burnout, setbacks, and unexpected challenges.
Why positivity and grit matter more than gear or even the tag in your pocket.

If you've ever doubted whether it's worth the trip, or felt like the odds are stacked against you, this is the mindset reset to listen to before hunting season kicks off.

Do you have more questions about your hunt related to this topic? Ask the AI Hunt Mentor things like:

How do I plan for a wildfire in my September elk hunt?
What do I do if I see a major snowstorm coming in the forecast on my deer hunt?

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Watch Cade Cole's Elk Hunt Video Here >>

Old-School Skills & Modern-Day Mountain Hunting with Cade Cole

Season 1 · Episode 52

Saturday, August 16, 2025 • Duration 01:05:55

This week on the Hunt West Podcast, I sit down with one of the most unique hunters you'll ever meet — Cade Cole. If Jeremiah Johnson and a backcountry rifleman had a kid who grew up in blue jeans, it'd be Cade. He's a young guy with an old soul, a no-nonsense attitude, and the kind of woodsmanship that doesn't come from gadgets — it comes from time in the mountains.

We get into:

Why Cade hunts with simple, old-school gear, and still gets it done year after year
The story behind his "primitive" elk hunt with no food, no water, no modern comforts, just a trad bow and his pony
Real rifle proficiency vs. long-range obsession
Still-hunting tactics that actually work on elk and mule deer
How mental toughness often beats physical fitness in the mountains

...And so much more. If you want to sharpen your shooting, toughen up your mindset, and maybe ditch a few "high-speed" crutches along the way, this episode is a masterclass in keeping it simple and hunting hard.

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Listen to the On Step Alaska here >>

Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

Kill Kits & Field Processing: Field-Tested Systems for Western Big Game Hunts

Season 1 · Episode 51

Sunday, August 10, 2025 • Duration 53:52

In this solo round, Hunt West host Jaden Bales dives deep into one of the most important — yet often overlooked — aspects of hunting: what happens after the shot. Fresh back from a successful Alaska blacktail trip, Jaden breaks down his years of trial-and-error experience building a streamlined kill kit and a field processing system that works whether you're backpacking miles from the truck or hunting private ground.

You'll learn:

How to choose and use the right game bags for your style of hunting
Knife choices — replaceable blade vs. fixed blade — and when to use each
How to pack meat efficiently for a safe, comfortable pack-out

Whether you're heading out for antelope on the plains or elk in steep timber, this episode will help you fine-tune your post-shot plan so you bring home the best possible meat and make the pack-out safer, cleaner, and faster.

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