EP 651: Brandon Purcell aka Durango Boone

This week, I’m joined by none other than Brandon Purcell, aka Durango Boone, who just wrapped up an absolutely epic hunting season. Brandon is no stranger to the podcast or to success in the field—he’s one of the most consistent rifle elk hunters out there. But even for him, this season was one for the books.

We dive into Brandon’s wild string of hunts, ranging from fast one-day tag-outs to those grueling, grind-it-out adventures that push you to the limit. He shares key tips, strategies, and insights that contribute to his incredible success year after year.

One of the most jaw-dropping moments we discuss is a rare, adrenaline-pumping encounter Brandon had with a wolf while hunting for a buck in Montana—a story that very few hunters ever experience.

To top it all off, Brandon recounts his most recent hunt, where he took an outstanding general rifle bull elk in Montana—a hunt that almost didn’t happen. With heavy snow and few elk in sight, Brandon nearly called it quits for the season. But perseverance paid off, and the result is a story you won’t want to miss.

If you’re an elk hunter or just love hearing incredible hunting tales, this episode is packed with inspiration, hard-won lessons, and edge-of-your-seat moments.

Tune in now and get ready to be inspired!

If you want to hunt with Brandon: brandon [email protected]

Maven Optics: Elevate your hunting game with high-quality optics designed for the serious hunter. Check out their incredible gear at MavenBuilt.com.

OnX Maps: Never get lost in the wilderness again! With OnX Maps, you’ll have the most trusted mapping system at your fingertips. Start your journey today at onxmaps.com.

Tricer Tripods: If you’re looking for lightweight and durable tripods that are made by hunters for hunters, look no further. Discover their innovative products at TricerUSA.com and take your outdoor photography to the next level!

 

EP 660: Winning with the Wild Life: Brian Stephens’ Toughest Hunt
This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Brian Stephens, author of Winning with the Wild Life. Brian takes us through his toughest hunt to date—a Dall sheep hunt that started as a childhood dream and turned into a much harder journey than he ever expected. The mental and physical challenges of this hunt changed him in ways he never anticipated, and we dive deep into how this experience reshaped not just his hunting life, but his role as a father and a business owner.

We also explore how Brian’s hundreds of hunting experiences have shaped his personal and professional life, discussing goal-setting, hunting as a lifestyle, and how he built a business that allows him to live the life he loves. This episode is packed with powerful insights and life lessons you won’t want to miss.

Brian’s New Book Winning with the Wild Life.

More 2 the Hunt Youtube Channel 

The book Cody Forgot: Happy Money

Maven Optics: Elevate your hunting game with high-quality optics designed for the serious hunter. Check out their incredible gear at MavenBuilt.com.

OnX Maps: Never get lost in the wilderness again! With OnX Maps, you’ll have the most trusted mapping system at your fingertips. Start your journey today at onxmaps.com.

Tricer Tripods: If you’re looking for lightweight and durable tripods that are made by hunters for hunters, look no further. Discover their innovative products at TricerUSA.com and take your outdoor photography to the next level!

EP 659: Mike Herne
This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Mike Herne, an avid elk hunter, career Army enlisted veteran, and someone in the midst of transitioning into a new chapter of his life. Mike shares his unique journey into elk hunting, which started with little knowledge of elk, and how he found his passion for the outdoors despite not even knowing what an elk was until his 20s.

We dive into Mike’s journey of self-discovery, discussing how he’s navigating this transition and figuring out what he wants to be when he grows up. Mike possesses the rare humility and ability to start at the bottom, and it’s this quality that’s helped him build meaningful connections in the outdoor industry. He’s truly living the dream and on a path to great things, and his story is a testament to hard work, passion, and continuous growth.

Maven Optics: Elevate your hunting game with high-quality optics designed for the serious hunter. Check out their incredible gear at MavenBuilt.com.

OnX Maps: Never get lost in the wilderness again! With OnX Maps, you’ll have the most trusted mapping system at your fingertips. Start your journey today at onxmaps.com.

Tricer Tripods: If you’re looking for lightweight and durable tripods that are made by hunters for hunters, look no further. Discover their innovative products at TricerUSA.com and take your outdoor photography to the next level!

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by my good friend Dustin and Nick from MTN Tough Fitness to dive deep into mental toughness and personal agency. While we often discuss mental toughness in the context of exercise, this episode takes a different angle, focusing on personal agency—the power to take control of your life and choices.

We explore how having strong personal agency can enhance your mental resilience, and how it applies to both fitness and life. Dustin also shares his incredible experience hunting the iconic Ibex, an animal he’s always considered the toughest on the mountain. Dustin chose the Ibex as the logo for MTN Tough because of its reputation for toughness, and this year, he finally had the chance to chase it down in the wild.

Check out MTN Tough’s new Post Season 2.0 for FREE

Maven Optics: Elevate your hunting game with high-quality optics designed for the serious hunter. Check out their incredible gear at MavenBuilt.com.

OnX Maps: Never get lost in the wilderness again! With OnX Maps, you’ll have the most trusted mapping system at your fingertips. Start your journey today at onxmaps.com.

Tricer Tripods: If you’re looking for lightweight and durable tripods that are made by hunters for hunters, look no further. Discover their innovative products at TricerUSA.com and take your outdoor photography to the next level!

EP 657: Jarret Johnson Alaskan Caribou 
This week on The Rich Outdoors, I’m excited to welcome back retired NFL linebacker Jarret Johnson. In this episode, Jarret recounts his epic Alaska adventure from this year, sharing insights into his newfound passion for western big game hunting—a pursuit he didn’t have time for while playing in the league.

Jarret discusses the physical challenges he faced during his hunt, emphasizing how even being in great shape couldn’t fully prepare him for the steep mountains of Alaska. He shares the intense experience of carrying half a caribou on his back and the valuable lessons learned from being pushed out of his comfort zone. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the trials and triumphs of hunting in the wild!

Maven Optics: Elevate your hunting game with high-quality optics designed for the serious hunter. Check out their incredible gear at MavenBuilt.com.

OnX Maps: Never get lost in the wilderness again! With OnX Maps, you’ll have the most trusted mapping system at your fingertips. Start your journey today at onxmaps.com.

Tricer Tripods: If you’re looking for lightweight and durable tripods that are made by hunters for hunters, look no further. Discover their innovative products at TricerUSA.com and take your outdoor photography to the next level!

This week on the podcast, we take a deep dive into elk season with one of our most intriguing guests yet—Nick Papsadora. A prior Marine Corps officer, Nick has immersed himself in the world of archery elk hunting, and his after-action review from this season is nothing short of impressive.

In our conversation, Nick shares his valuable insights, lessons learned, and candid breakdowns of both his mistakes and successes in the field. His journey provides a unique perspective that will resonate with both seasoned and novice elk hunters alike.

Beyond hunting, Nick serves as the Operations Manager for The Station Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting special operators, their families, and gold star families. Join us for an enlightening discussion that blends the challenges of elk hunting with the mission of giving back to the community.

Maven Optics: Elevate your hunting game with high-quality optics designed for the serious hunter. Check out their incredible gear at MavenBuilt.com.

OnX Maps: Never get lost in the wilderness again! With OnX Maps, you’ll have the most trusted mapping system at your fingertips. Start your journey today at onxmaps.com.

Tricer Tripods: If you’re looking for lightweight and durable tripods that are made by hunters for hunters, look no further. Discover their innovative products at TricerUSA.com and take your outdoor photography to the next level!

EP 655 Matthew Every on story telling, tracking deer with Hal Blood, and more.

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Matthew Every, an editor at Field & Stream Magazine, who brings a wealth of experience and captivating stories from his time in the outdoor writing world. We kick things off by discussing his fascinating tour of Teddy Roosevelt’s house, a historical gem for any outdoor enthusiast.

Matthew also shares insights on dangerous game guns and recounts his experience learning to track deer from the renowned Hal Blood. As we dive deeper into the art of storytelling, we explore the evolution of narrative in outdoor media—from the great writers of the past to the modern-day influencers on YouTube and other platforms. Join us for an engaging conversation filled with rich experiences and thought-provoking insights into the world of hunting and storytelling.

This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors who support your hunting adventures!

Maven Optics: Elevate your hunting game with high-quality optics designed for the serious hunter. Check out their incredible gear at MavenBuilt.com.

OnX Maps: Never get lost in the wilderness again! With OnX Maps, you’ll have the most trusted mapping system at your fingertips. Start your journey today at onxmaps.com.

Tricer Tripods: If you’re looking for lightweight and durable tripods that are made by hunters for hunters, look no further. Discover their innovative products at TricerUSA.com and take your outdoor photography to the next level!

EP 654: Craig Van Arsdale | Moose Hunting Adventures
This week on the podcast, I catch up with my good friend and hunting partner, Craig Van Arsdale, as we dive into our moose hunting experiences and the love-hate relationship we both have with the pursuit. While Craig and I were hunting different parts of the state, our adventures couldn’t have been more different—one was marked by an epic moose hunt, while the other ended in a spectacular fail.

We reminisce about the struggles of DIY moose hunting, including the challenge of escaping the crowds. After 47 days of hard work, Craig finally got the monkey off his back and harvested a magnificent moose. Join us for lessons learned, thrilling hunting stories, and an in-depth look at the realities of DIY moose hunting in Alaska.

Today’s podcast is sponsored by ON X HUNT, the unrivaled standard for hunting maps. On X is launch in features and upgrading their app faster than I can keep up. there are so many amazing tools that will improve your hunting experience this fall. On X is a must have for me. If you aren’t an elite on x hunt member yet you need to upgrade the elite tier has so much to offer. From elite only mapping features to major discounts on partner brands you are probably paying for anyway. upgrade your account and check out all the amazing features that make ON X HUNT the best mapping system for hunter. TRO to save 20%.

This podcast is brought to you by Tricer, innovators in fast, light, and simple gear for hunters. Tricer is hands down the most innovative company on the market when it comes to tri pods and glassing stabilization.

Explore Tricer’s range of gear and tripods designed for stability and durability in any terrain. Visit Tricer.com to learn more and upgrade your outdoor gear today. Use code TRO at checkout to save 10% on your order.

Today’s podcast is brought to you by Maven Optics. I love my Maven’s and they are such a great group of dude’s. Maven optics is the first direct to consumer optics brand. This little Wyoming optics company is flipping the optics world on its head. Hands down the best bang for your buck and you support local. This year I’m running the  B6 in 12×50 this year and I am blown away at out good those things are for what they cost. Check em out at Mavenbuilt.com and use the code TRO and checkout for your extra gift.

EP 653: Jarret Johnson 
This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Jarret Johnson, a former NFL player and passionate outdoorsman. Jarret shares his inspiring journey from a small town to the professional football league, discussing the challenges he faced at every stage of his career. We dive into the importance of a growth mindset and the willingness to learn, no matter where you are in life.

In addition to his football journey, Jarret and I explore their shared love for audiobooks, discussing some of their favorites, including adventure tales like Shackleton’s incredible expeditions and the insights from John Krakauer’s works. Jarret also shares his excitement for adventure hunts, including his upcoming trip to Alaska to hunt caribou. Join us for an engaging conversation about resilience, adventure, and the lessons that come from both the gridiron and the great outdoors.

Books: 
Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

The Comfort Crisis 
The Second Mountain
The Four Agreements 

Endurance | Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage
Killing Crazy Horse
Rangers, Trappers, and Trailblazers 

 

Today’s podcast is sponsored by ON X HUNT, the unrivaled standard for hunting maps. On X is launch in features and upgrading their app faster than I can keep up. there are so many amazing tools that will improve your hunting experience this fall. On X is a must have for me. If you aren’t an elite on x hunt member yet you need to upgrade the elite tier has so much to offer. From elite only mapping features to major discounts on partner brands you are probably paying for anyway. upgrade your account and check out all the amazing features that make ON X HUNT the best mapping system for hunter. TRO to save 20%.

This podcast is brought to you by Tricer, innovators in fast, light, and simple gear for hunters. Tricer is hands down the most innovative company on the market when it comes to tri pods and glassing stabilization.

Explore Tricer’s range of gear and tripods designed for stability and durability in any terrain. Visit Tricer.com to learn more and upgrade your outdoor gear today. Use code TRO at checkout to save 10% on your order.

Today’s podcast is brought to you by Maven Optics. I love my Maven’s and they are such a great group of dude’s. Maven optics is the first direct to consumer optics brand. This little Wyoming optics company is flipping the optics world on its head. Hands down the best bang for your buck and you support local. This year I’m running the  B6 in 12×50 this year and I am blown away at out good those things are for what they cost. Check em out at Mavenbuilt.com and use the code TRO and checkout for your extra gift.

This week on The Rich Outdoors podcast, Cody is joined by Zach Hanson, the intriguing host of the Okayest Trapper podcast and known as the Okayest Human. In this episode, Zach shares a harrowing tale from his recent outdoor adventures: a dramatic encounter with a charging sow black bear. In a high-stakes moment of survival, Zach made a precise and life-saving shot, bringing down the bear just feet away from himself and a companion. This gripping story highlights Zach’s remarkable courage and quick thinking in the face of danger.

Zach’s journey is as fascinating as his bear encounter. Formerly a successful professional in artificial intelligence, Zach found himself disillusioned and burnt out by the corporate grind. Seeking a drastic change, he purchased a remote cabin in Idaho during the COVID-19 pandemic and embarked on a new life as a trapper. This bold move was a complete departure from his high-tech career, driven by a desire for simplicity and a deeper connection to the outdoors.

In this episode, Zach delves into his personal transformation, discussing how he navigated the shift from a high-powered career to a life of trapping and self-sufficiency. He shares his insights on finding happiness and balance, even as he juggles family life with his passion for trapping and wilderness survival. Zach’s stories offer a compelling look at how significant life changes can lead to newfound fulfillment and adventure.

Tune in for a gripping conversation that covers survival tactics, career pivots, and the pursuit of happiness in unexpected places. Whether you’re interested in extreme outdoor experiences, career transformation, or simply a good survival story, this episode with Zach Hanson promises to deliver excitement and inspiration.

Today’s podcast is sponsored by ON X HUNT, the unrivaled standard for hunting maps. On X is launch in features and upgrading their app faster than I can keep up. there are so many amazing tools that will improve your hunting experience this fall. On X is a must have for me. If you aren’t an elite on x hunt member yet you need to upgrade the elite tier has so much to offer. From elite only mapping features to major discounts on partner brands you are probably paying for anyway. upgrade your account and check out all the amazing features that make ON X HUNT the best mapping system for hunter. TRO to save 20%.

This podcast is brought to you by Tricer, innovators in fast, light, and simple gear for hunters. Tricer is hands down the most innovative company on the market when it comes to tri pods and glassing stabilization.

Explore Tricer’s range of gear and tripods designed for stability and durability in any terrain. Visit Tricer.com to learn more and upgrade your outdoor gear today. Use code TRO at checkout to save 10% on your order.

Today’s podcast is brought to you by Maven Optics. I love my Maven’s and they are such a great group of dude’s. Maven optics is the first direct to consumer optics brand. This little Wyoming optics company is flipping the optics world on its head. Hands down the best bang for your buck and you support local. This year I’m running the  B6 in 12×50 this year and I am blown away at out good those things are for what they cost. Check em out at Mavenbuilt.com and use the code TRO and checkout for your extra gift.

EP 651: Jaden Miller  This week on The Rich Outdoors, Cody sits down with Jaden Miller from West Elk Precision Guns. Jaden has transformed his passion for building custom hunting rifles into a thriving career. He shares the highs and lows of his recent hunting season, including taking a giant velvet buck early with a […]