The Game Trail – Details, episodes & analysis

It’s been a while since Trail was at the mic, but he’s back with a postseason Game Trail podcast. This week, he focuses on answering your questions, including several that focus on obtaining permits for next year and, where you should be applying, and buying points. He talks about buying OTC tags in Idaho and what the nonresident OTC archery elk change to draw hunts in Colorado might mean for 2025. He also answers questions about pack recommendations, glassing from a tripod vs the Sig ZULU6 binoculars, and he also talks about the new Dialed Pruf sight and UV 1K arrows.

On this week’s episode, Trail catches up with Chris Neville, where Chris recaps the wild hunting story for a giant Iowa whitetail. They also talk about their summer preparation for the upcoming mule deer and elk season and offer archery insights on form, shot execution, and equipment in their quest to become more confident and accurate when the moment matters most.

Like most things, the key to opportunity in hunting is in how well you prepare and the first piece of the puzzle is how you obtain a permit. The western states primarily allocate hunting permits through state lotteries or selling permits over the counter. Trail breaks down his planning process to ensure he obtains permits each year. He discusses requirements to apply, application deadlines, costs/fees, draw systems, preference, and bonus points, draw odds, and the tools he uses to get organized and ultimately draw permits. If you want to hunt elk, mule deer, antelope, and other species in the west, those opportunities are available and this podcast is a great first step. Now is the time the time to prepare and apply!

Andrew Whitney of Stone Glacier sits down to chat about picking a backpack, what layering systems to use for early and late season hunts and his favorite shelter choices. More specifically, Trail and Andrew talk about the difference between Stone Glaicer’s Krux and XCurve frames and why he believes the Krux is the better choice for most people. Andrew also talks about how to load a backpack and how you should consider packing each item of gear. He talks about the reasons why he prefers merino layers for early season hunts and synthetics for late season and why a down vest is a great piece of gear for early season hunts. They round out the discussion discussing sleep systems and why a 15° bag is likely the only bag you need.

This podcast is presented by Mathews Archery

September is synonymous with archery elk hunting. On this week’s episode Trail recaps a couple archery elk hunts and lessons he’s learned about what to do after the arrow is released. He offers tips and tricks that will help you find your bull, including what the reaction of the bull at the shot can tell you and what the color of blood and sign left behind might mean. He also recaps a hunt with his dad and lessons learned on anticipating what elk might do and why. The goal of every archery elk hunter is to make that shot and harvest the animal, this is a great episode to help you ensure you recover your bull!

As archery hunts are opening up across the west, Jared Knighton joins Trail to discuss high country spot and stalk mule deer hunting. Jared has found success consistently over the past several years on great bucks and offers some tips in tricks to both find bucks and how to close the distance. The guys also talk about bow and arrow setups, boots, and other gear required to give yourself the best chance in the high country. Jared has released films on his own Youtube channel that we highly recommend, including Cliff Dweller and Chasing Ghosts. Make sure to watch those, listen to the podcast, and get ready for one of the west’s most challenging and rewarding hunts…spot and stalk high county mule deer!