Catching Elk Fever with Ty Stubblefield

Show Notes:

From being a part of Born and Raised Outdoors to becoming the Executive Director of the Montana Wild Sheep Foundation, Ty Stubblefield has spent the last 25 years in hunting and conservation. Here, I pick Ty’s brain on elk hunting and he shares some stories from out in the wild. Ty started elk hunting when he was in high school without any mentorship, but after graduating, he joined up with a hunter at the sawmill, where he sharpened his skills. 

Ty started out rifle hunting, but his mentor introduced him to bow hunting. Because his early hunting career was a struggle, Ty’s mission now is to help hunters learn as much as possible. Ty shares some of the biggest lessons he’s learned along the way and how he shot his first elk with a bow. You have to have a killer instinct and he says that’s the only way to be successful. Some people don’t have it, but it can be learned with consistency and practice.

Ty and I talk about his go-to approach for choosing an elk hunting area, his top criteria for picking a spot, and what he does once he gets there. We discuss how predation impacts where you hunt and how to draw the right tags. We also get into tips for creating opportunities in high pressure areas, Ty’s top elk calls, and some of his best hunting stories. 

What’s Inside:

• Ty’s background and stories from his early hunting days
• How Ty chooses a good elk hunting spot
• Tips for creating opportunities in high pressure areas
  
  

Mentioned in this episode

Days In The Wild Podcast

Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone

Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/

Short Description:

From being a part of Born and Raised Outdoors to becoming the Executive Director of the Montana Wild Sheep Foundation, Ty Stubblefield has spent the last 25 years in hunting and conservation. Ty and I talk about his go-to approach for choosing an elk hunting area, how predation impacts where you hunt, and how to draw the right tags. We also get into tips for creating opportunities in high pressure areas, Ty’s top elk calls, and some of his best hunting stories. 

Tags

big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, buck hunting, hunting stories, hunting advocacy, elk hunting, conservation, bow hunting, rifle hunting, elk calls, predation

Hunting Gets Political with Baker Leavitt

Show Notes:

Baker Leavitt is a Broker of Expertise and the Director of Strategic Relations over at Black Rifle Coffee Company. In the 2000s, he made a fortune in real estate, but when the economy crashed, he lost everything. From there, he went to NYU to learn Arabic, and he started the drink company Kill Cliff, which he sold in the late 2010s. He then started up a consulting company called Digital Mongoose, and today he invests with several top companies.

We kick off our conversation by discussing a recent incident in Wyoming where someone got fined for torturing a wolf. Most of the hunting community, including Howl for Wildlife, was appalled and it’s our goal to see some better legislation passed. Shockingly, some people are against the person being punished, and we share our thoughts.

Baker and I talk about his fishing trips, one of which was with Donald Trump Jr.! Every year, Baker shoots one elk, and he shares his experiences hunting in Utah and Colorado. He lives in Florida, but he also has a farm in Georgia where he hunts whitetail. Baker loves turkey hunting, too. We talk about some of the political stuff Baker’s involved in, and we wrap things up with Baker sharing a story about an elk hunt on horseback in Idaho.

What’s Inside:

• Our thoughts on the recent wolf incident in Wyoming
• All about Baker’s background and some of the political stuff he’s into
• A story from Baker’s elk hunt on horseback in Idaho
  
  

Mentioned in this episode

Days In The Wild Podcast

Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone

Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/

Baker Leavitt on LinkedIn

Short Description:

Baker Leavitt is a powerhouse entrepreneur and investor, and he joins me to chat about hunting, politics, and more. We discuss the recent wolf incident in Wyoming and all the places Baker likes to hunt and fish. We also talk about some of the political stuff Baker’s involved in and we wrap things up with Baker sharing a story about an elk hunt on horseback in Idaho.

Tags

big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, buck hunting, hunting stories, hunting advocacy, anti-hunting, elk hunting, fishing, politics, hunting legislation

Archery Ops Podcast with Tim Gillingham

Show Notes:

I recently had the privilege of joining Tim Gillingham on his Archery Ops Podcast. On his show, Tim talks with the top experts in archery and bowhunting about what it takes to shoot better target after target, hunt after hunt, and shot after shot! 

Tim and I start off by talking about the history of the Days in The Wild Podcast and how it got to what it is today. We then get into hunting ibex in the Florida mountains of New Mexico, which for many hunters is the toughest hunt out there. It has the highest abandonment rate, and it’s physically brutal, not to mention the constant dodging of poisonous snakes. Tim and I share some stories and compare notes.

We also talk about bow hunting and why I’m considering picking up an even lighter bow to better manage in the cold weather. Tim shares some tips on ballistic efficiency and how to choose the right arrows at different site levels. We talk about how to shoot angles and trade some more stories around bow torquing.

Tim asks me how I prepare for the hunting season, both mentally and physically. I used to do sports training, and since 1998, I have changed my mentality around hunt-specific training. Tim and I talk about how we like to target practice. We wrap up with our ideas on bow hunting education and how to get more folks involved and on board. 

What’s Inside:

• Ibex hunting in New Mexico
• How to choose the right arrow for your hunt
• How I prepare for an upcoming hunting season
  
  

Mentioned in this episode

Days In The Wild Podcast

Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone

Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/

Archery Ops Podcast

Gold Tip on YouTube

Short Description:

I recently had the privilege of joining Tim Gillingham on his Archery Ops Podcast. Tim and I get into hunting ibex in the Florida mountains of New Mexico, which for many hunters is the toughest hunt out there. We also talk about bow hunting strategies, how to prepare for an upcoming hunting season, and a little about hunting education and advocacy. 

Tags

big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, buck hunting, hunting stories, ibex hunting, elk hunting, bow hunting, archery, arrows, hunting community, hunting advocacy 

Elk Hunting Update with Ryan Carter

Show Notes:

Ryan Carter stopped by to chat with me at the recent Hunt Expo. Ryan and I go back a long time, and it’s been a while since we last caught up. Ryan’s an elk outfitter in south Utah and heads up DC outfitters. We kick things off by talking about what’s been going on with Howl, which has been taking off like wildfire. I briefly touch on NGOs and the mistrust that sometimes happens with donations. 

Next, we get into elk hunting. The last time we spoke, Ryan talked about how he does things differently when he locates bulls, especially around camera usage. Here, he shares how his techniques have changed and his current go-to plan of action. We also talk about how much confidence comes into play, and Ryan shares a story of how he and a client took down a couple of bulls.

I asked Ryan about his bull targeting approach, and he shared all the details. We also talk about client expectations in outfitting versus what’s actually possible, how Ryan keeps track of bulls once the rut starts, and why the amount of effort you put into hunting directly impacts your level of success.

What’s Inside:

• The importance of confidence in your hunting game
• Ryan’s go-to bull targeting techniques
• How Ryan tracks bulls once the rut starts
  
  

Mentioned in this episode

Days In The Wild Podcast

Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone

Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/

Ryan Carter on Instagram

Short Description:

Ryan Carter is an elk outfitter in south Utah and heads up DC outfitters. It’s been a while since we last caught up and here, we chat about how his techniques have changed since then. We also talk about setting client expectations in outfitting, how Ryan keeps track of bulls once the rut starts, and why the amount of effort you put into hunting directly impacts your level of success.

Tags

big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, buck hunting, hunting stories, hunting advocacy, elk hunting, rut, bulls

Muleys with Marc Smith and Jeremy Dugger

Show Notes:

Marc Smith,  and Jeremy Dugger (AKA Muley Mojo) joined me at the Hunt Expo. We enjoyed the show and got to catch up on a bunch of good stuff. Marc moved out into the Four Corners area of New Mexico back in ‘94/’95 for his job, and he met Jeremy, who was working at the local archery shop. They immediately hit it off, and they’ve been a dynamic duo ever since. 

Marc and Jeremy share some stories from their hunts, and we kick off with a good one that shows how they split responsibilities between Jeremy’s scouting and game eye and Marc’s magnetic mule deer aura. We talk about whether or not game eye is a God-given gift or if it’s something that can be developed with practice. The guys also share how their seamless teamwork helps them bring down big bucks.

Jeremy gives some of his best scouting tips, why he’s a fan of tracking over glassing, and some of the tools he uses to get the job done. We chat about why getting up in scoring takes away from what hunting’s all about, how we feel about having to fill every tag we get, and Jeremy and Marc’s epic “shining beams” story. 

What’s Inside:

• Stories from Jeremy and Marc’s hunts
• Jeremy’s scouting and tracking tips
• Perspectives on having to fill every tag you get
  
  

Mentioned in this episode

Days In The Wild Podcast

Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone

Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/

Marc Smith on Instagram

Jeremy Dugger on Instagram

Short Description:

Marc Smith, the Muley Slayer and Jeremy Dugger (AKA Muley Mojo) joined me at the Hunt Expo. Marc and Jeremy share some stories from their hunts, and Jeremy gives some of his best scouting tips. We chat about why getting up in scoring takes away from what hunting’s all about, how we feel about having to fill every tag we get, and Jeremy and Marc’s epic “shining beams” story. 

Tags

big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, buck hunting, hunting stories, hunting advocacy, mule deer, mule deer hunting, bow hunting, tracking, glassing, scouting

Making Strides in Advocacy and Conservation with Jana Waller and John Bair

Show Notes:

I got to hang out with the dynamic duo, Jana Waller and John Bair, at the recent Western Hunting & Conservation Expo in Utah. Both of them are power players when it comes to hunting advocacy efforts, and I’m so thankful I got to chat with them. Jana has been in the hunting industry for 14 years but has been a hunter her whole life. She’s got 30+ years of big game hunting experience and started out hunting with her dad in Wisconsin. 

John is also known as “John the Auctioneer,” and he’s one of the most successful conservation auctioneers in the nation. He served as Chairman of the Board on the Wildlife Board in Utah and has over two and a half decades of serving and volunteering experience in conservation throughout the state. John’s family has been in the Colorado ranching business for over 100 years, and he grew up an avid predator hunter.

John and Jana have done a ton to help us out at Howl for Wildlife, and together, they belong to 15 different conservation organizations. Hunting advocacy doesn’t work unless hunters are active, and here, we talk about some of the current efforts that are making a difference. We also talk about reaching and educating non-hunters, fundraising wins and challenges, and more.

What’s Inside:

• How to get involved in hunting advocacy efforts
• Reaching and educating non-hunters
• Why it’s important to portray hunting respectfully
  
  

Mentioned in this episode

Days In The Wild Podcast

Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone

Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/

Short Description:

I got to hang out with the dynamic duo, Jana Waller and John Bair, at the recent Western Hunting & Conservation Expo in Utah. Both of them are power players when it comes to hunting advocacy efforts and have done a lot for Howl for Wildlife. Here, we talk about some of the current efforts that are making a difference, reaching and educating non-hunters, fundraising wins and challenges, and more.

Tags

big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, buck hunting, hunting stories, hunting advocacy, hunting legislation, education, non-hunters, howl for wildlife, fundraising

A Chat with the Dialed In Hunter, Josh Kirchner

Show Notes:

Josh Kirchner runs Dialed In Hunter, a blog that not only documents his own journey and growth as a hunter but also provides gear reviews, tips/tactics for western hunting and encourages other hunters to chase and achieve their goals. He’s a passionate bowhunter who has been hunting with his family since he was small. 

For the last six years, Josh has been eating, sleeping, and breathing the hunting lifestyle. Josh also does freelance writing for various online editorials and print publications. He provides high quality photos with every article, which have been used by companies like First Lite, Exo Mountain Gear, Katadyn, and Dark Timber Coffee. 

Josh shot a pretty good Coues deer recently, and here we recap some highlights from his hunt. I also share my own story about the buck I shot, and we talk about our ideal range to shoot from with a bow. We also talk about how having a family changes the way we hunt, breaking into the hunting industry, and the importance of observation and creating the right opportunities.

What’s Inside:

• Highlights from Josh’s Coues deer hunt
• How family life changes the way we hunt
• The importance of observation and creating opportunities
  
  

Mentioned in this episode

Days In The Wild Podcast

Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone

Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/

Dialed In Hunter Blog

Dialed In Hunter on Instagram

Short Description:

Josh Kirchner runs Dialed In Hunter, a blog that not only documents his own journey and growth as a hunter, but provides gear reviews, tips/tactics for western hunting, and encourages other hunters to chase and achieve their goals. Here, recap a Coues deer hunt, talk about how having a family changes the way we hunt, and the importance of observation and creating the right opportunities.

Tags

big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, buck hunting, hunting stories, hunting advocacy, dialed in hunter, observation, Coues deer hunting, bow hunting 

Why Your Activism Matters with Dan Gates

Show Notes:

Dan Gates runs Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM) as Executive Director. CRWM was formed back in 2017, and they do a lot of hunting lobbying, advocacy, and education as a 501(c). Their mission is to enhance, promote, and defend the North American model of wildlife conservation and responsible wildlife management. Dan is also the President of the Colorado Trappers and Predator Hunters Association and he’s been working with us on some things for Howl for Wildlife.

Dan has intimate knowledge of wildlife issues and believes that if you’re not sitting at the table, you’re on the menu. Politics is part of wildlife conservation, but many hunters just want to hunt and not get involved. There are only a few people in the fight, and we’ve lost a lot of ground due to our current organizations not being organized properly. 

Here, Dan and I talk about how CRWM is working to make significant changes and cast a wider net. There’s a big disconnect in the hunting community when things come up that seemingly don’t impact them directly. Dan shares his thoughts on how we can get people to connect the dots. We also discuss what Dan’s doing to make key changes in the legislature, how the anti-hunting world tries to push their agenda, and more.

What’s Inside:

• Why you need to get involved in hunting and conservation activism
• How Dan’s making key changes in legislature
• Why community education on conservation issues is critical
  
  

Mentioned in this episode

Days In The Wild Podcast

Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone

Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/

Save the Hunt Colorado

Short Description:

Dan Gates runs Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM) as Executive Director. Here, Dan and I talk about how CRWM is working to make significant changes and cast a wider net in the advocacy world. We also discuss what Dan’s doing to make key changes in the legislature, how the anti-hunting world tries to push their agenda, and more.

Tags

big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, buck hunting, hunting stories, hunting advocacy, save the hunt Colorado, conservation, hunting legislation, CRWM

March Howl Cast Syndication 

Join The Pack

Creating opportunities and how that translates into success even in Florida 

Show Notes:

The Southern Collective is composed of consummate outdoorsmen whose roots stretch across the Deep South and who believe in Hunt Camp. They’re bringing it back by hosting hunting camps across the South, creating relatable content for the southern outdoorsman, and by creating a Digital Hunt Camp for those times when we can’t be in the great outdoors.

I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with the Southern Collective on a podcast episode where we cover all things Florida hunting. Florida can be described as the pinnacle of hard work, and we dive into tips and lessons learned. Hunting in Florida tops my list of toughest hunts, and a huge part of it is the bugs alone. We get into terrain challenges, hunting on public vs. private land, and more.

Creating opportunities is a big part of success in hunting, regardless of which state you’re hunting in. I share my thoughts on how to make things happen, including finding your edge and tracking your progress.  We talk about how important confidence is and how it can make or break you, and we share some stories about what we’ve learned along the way. 

What’s Inside:

• The challenges of hunting in Florida
• Lessons learned from previous Florida hunts
• Why confidence is key in your hunting game
  
  

Mentioned in this episode

Days In The Wild Podcast

Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone

Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/

Southern Collective on Instagram

The Southern Collective Hunting Podcast

Short Description:

I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with the Southern Collective on a podcast episode where we cover all things Florida hunting. We get into terrain challenges, hunting on public vs. private land, and more. Our conversation also includes why you should always track your progress, how to create opportunities, and why confidence can make or break your hunting game. 

Tags

big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, buck hunting, hunting stories, howl for wildlife, the southern collective, Florida hunting, confidence, deer hunting, bow hunting, rifle hunting

Victory Drive Podcast Collaboration with Jacob Johnson

Show Notes:

I was recently asked to collaborate with Jacob Johnson, a fellow hunting advocate and host of the Victory Drive Podcast. Here, Jacob and I cover a lot of ground. In the first portion of our collaboration, we chat about where in the country we’ve hunted and what’s on our bucket list. We get into details about a giveaway I’m doing on a mule deer hunt valued at over $1,300, and the proceeds are going to Howl for Wildlife. We also talk about hunting advocacy and how you can get involved.

Jacob and I talk about the problem with the strategy of replacing human hunters with apex predators, like coyotes. We’re seeing reductions in discounted tags and programs because of the increase in wolves and the reduction in game. I share how Howl for Wildlife is fundraising and the impact we’re having on trying to turn things around. We also discuss ways to get everyone on board, even non-hunters.

Towards the end of our conversation, we chat about the support hunting receives from gun advocacy and sport shooting and how the anti-gun mentality hurts our cause. We talk about some of the bills in play and how some taxation initiatives may set us back. We wrap up with some thoughts around our frustrations with current advocacy efforts and what it would take to make us the most powerful. 

What’s Inside:

• Details on a hunt giveaway benefiting Howl for Wildlife
• Why everyone, including non-hunters, should be invested in hunting advocacy
• How partnering with gun advocates and sport shooting makes us stronger
  
  

Mentioned in this episode

Days In The Wild Podcast

Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone

Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/

Victory Drive Podcast on Instagram

Short Description:

I was recently asked to collaborate with Jacob Johnson, a fellow podcaster and host of the Victory Drive Podcast. Here, Jacob and I cover a lot of ground. Our conversation includes how to get involved in hunting advocacy, how partnering with broader gun advocates makes us stronger, and our current frustrations. I also share details on a hunting giveaway I’m doing through Howl for Wildlife.

Tags

big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, buck hunting, hunting stories, victory drive podcast, hunting advocacy, hunting giveaway, sport shooting, gun rights, anti-gun, howl for wildlife