Hunt West Podcast

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 “...

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...

In this special episode, Jaden sits down with Jeff Lund—Alaska teacher, seasoned blacktail hunter, and host of the On Step Podcast—for a deep dive into gear, strategy, and expectations for their upcoming DIY blacktail deer hunt in Southeast Alaska. They break down layering systems, managing moisture, alpine glassing techniques, and why hunting local-style is sometimes better than going big. Whether you're a first-time blacktail hunter or a seasoned mule deer guy looking to branch out, there's a ton of real-world insight packed into this one.

Give Jeff’s show, the On Step Podcast, a listen—especial...

In this special crossover episode, Jaden Bales joins Brian Lueddeke on the Twilight Hunter's Podcast for a deep-dive into Western tag systems, drawing strategies, and how to secure hunting opportunities every year—especially if you’re getting started later in life.

From preference points and random draws to budgeting for multi-state hunts, Jaden and Brian break down practical tips for hunters who don’t want to sit on the sidelines. They also swap stories from their own hunting journeys—including the time Jaden and his brother doubled on bucks in Wyoming—and talk through the value of going on m...

On this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden sits down with longtime buddy and seasoned sufferer Hayden Richins to talk about all the times things didn’t go according to plan in the field. From frozen rifles and “yard sale” fire-starting to saltwater-induced butt bombs and three-arrow tree slaps, this one’s a backcountry blooper reel with some hard-earned lessons baked in.

If you've ever missed a shot, lost your cool, or packed out meat with a broken spirit (and a broken water filter), this episode will hit home and probably make you laugh out loud.

F...

In this solo round, Jaden breaks down the fundamentals of boots-on-the-ground scouting for mule deer and elk. Whether you're heading to the high country, the desert lowlands, or planning a rut hunt in between, this episode serves as a crash course in when, where, and how to scout. From picking glassing knobs to understanding deer and elk behavior by season, it’s a no-BS overview fueled by listener questions that’ll help you get more out of your time afield. Perfect for first-timers or anyone looking to level up their pre-season prep.

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You can now can...

If you've ever thought, “I want to hunt elk out West, but I don’t know where to start,” this episode is your launchpad. Today’s show is a special crossover—Weston Homa from the Run the Rack podcast flips the mic and interviews Jaden about how Eastern whitetail hunters can realistically break into Western hunting.

From over-the-counter tags and reissue strategies to what gear actually matters and how to build a multi-year hunt plan, this one’s packed tighter than your elk packout dreams.

We hope you enjoy this episode, and if you like this podcast...

If you've ever wondered what it really takes to hunt deep in the backcountry—and make it back out in one piece—you’ll want to listen to this one.

Jaden sits down with Brad Brooks, founder of Argali, to talk all things backpack hunting logistics. From elk vs. mule deer strategies, to hauling meat solo, to common gear mistakes—this conversation is full of hard-earned lessons and straight-shooting wisdom.

Brad shares personal stories (including a 7.5-mile elk packout with a camera guy), breaks down his “spoke-and-wheel” base camp method, and dishes on why quilts are overrate...

In this episode, Jaden takes you along on a midday glassing session from a real knob in Montana, where he breaks down how to effectively find—and use—glassing points to locate game. This isn’t about “killing spots,” it’s about how and where to find animals before you can make a move. Whether you’re e-scouting this summer or mid-hunt and struggling to find critters, Jaden lays out a practical, detailed framework to help you locate game from glassing knobs using real hunting scenarios and terrain examples.

What You'll Learn:

How to e-scout for effective...

What does it take to be a top-tier sheep guide in modern-day Wyoming? Jimmy Owens of Lost Creek Outfitters gives us the behind-the-scenes look at a sheep hunt—logistics, expectations, glassing strategies, and the high-pressure stakes of once-in-a-lifetime tags. Learn why mules matter, how shooting trumps stamina, and what it's really like chasing rams in grizzly country. For hunters who dream of drawing a tag or just want to know what it takes, this one is a dang good one. 

Please note: we recorded these live at the Wild Sheep Expo in Casper and while audio quality may...

In his wild ride through decades of conservation work, Kevin Hurley—Vice President for Conservation Emeritus at the Wild Sheep Foundation—shares the untold tales of bighorn sheep research from the 1980s to today. From TWO plane crashes to backpacking solo into Wyoming’s most remote basins looking for bighorns, Kevin’s lived experience paints a picture of how modern sheep management was built on grit, passion, and the occasional ram-shaped miracle. This episode is part history lesson, part survival story, and all heart for the wild sheep of the West.

Please note: we recorded these live at the W...

If you care about the future of wild sheep in Wyoming and across the West, this episode is for you. Executive Director of the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, Katie Cheesbrough, walks us through the behind-the-scenes work that keeps bighorns on the mountain—from prescribed burns and cheatgrass battles to science-informed transplants and working across private lands. It's a boots-on-the-ground conversation about what is actual conservation looks like, and how every tag, dollar, and decision plays a role in the bigger picture.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Please note: we recorded these live at the Wi...

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden Bales sits down with longtime friend and backcountry nutrition expert Kyle Kamp of Valley to Peak Nutrition. Kyle shares how mastering the basics of nutrition—not chasing the latest fads—is the key to performing at your peak in the mountains. From building sustainable systems to dialing in off-season weight loss and fueling long hunts like a late-season elk hunt, or a dall sheep trek in Alaska, Kyle lays down practical, no-BS advice for every kind of hunter.

Whether you're prepping for September elk season, cutting excess weight for...

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, we sit down with lifelong hunter and western DIY guy, Seth Oren for a conversation that’s packed with stories, overarching strategy, and lessons from the field. From the Wisconsin woods to the high country of the West — and even the islands of Hawaii — Seth has spent a ton of time chasing critters, and he gets into some of the hunts that shaped his western hunting skills along the way.

We dive into what makes western hunting so addicting, how Seth prepares for out-of-state hunts, and the gear he’s come t...

In this episode, Jaden has on his friend Jordan Budd after she took a stud of a Wyoming black bear spot and stalk style. They recap the hunt, what they were looking for, the kinds of conditions that came together for this bear to show himself, and all the different pieces of gear that made this an absolutely textbook western big game hunt.

If you like good hunting stories and are a gear nerd like us, this podcast is going to be right up your alley. We hope you enjoy it!

Find Jordan Budd on...

In this episode, you're getting a front-row seat to a real Hunt West e-scouting session. Jaden sits down with two Colorado elk hunters and walks through the exact process he uses to break down a unit — from figuring out elk behavior in September to identifying terrain features that hold animals, and how to build flexible game plans based on wind, access, pressure, and feed.

This is way more than just picking waypoints — it's a deep dive into the Hunt West framework that teaches you how to think about a hunt, not just where to go. Whether you're plan...

While old school deer tactics is in the name, this podcast with Robby Denning holds a lot more gems than that. From remembering Robby's father's impact on his hunting passion, to ways guys hunted deer more often "back in the day" and how to use those tools today, Jaden and Robby cover a whole host of topics in this podcast. They also discuss what it takes to find a big, special mule deer and take him home in today's hunting environment, aging mule deer bucks, and so much more. 

This episode is packed full of great stories, l...

If you want to hear good stories of progressing as a western hunter, this podcast with Matt Emerson is great. Not only that, but today's podcast includes his incredible story of catching high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and how to recognize signs of it before you have to call in a helicopter to the backcountry as he did. I spend a lot of time with Matt, and I even was sucked in by this interview. I am so excited to bring you this podcast with Matt Emerson, and hope you enjoy it, too!
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In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden picks the brain of his friend Chad Eidson about western hunting with muzzleloaders. Chad shared what he knows about the regulations and technology allowed in different states, and they discussed the evolution of muzzleloader technology, and the limitations of sighting systems. The guys also cover overall advantages and disadvantages of using muzzleloaders for hunting with some good old stories sprinkled in there.

For anyone who has wanted to unlock better drawing odds or interesting season dates with a muzzleloader in the west, this podcast will get you pointed...

In this episode, Jaden sits down with coues deer fanatic, and avid western DIY hunter, Jason Scott to cover a ton of topics, and tell a few hunting stories along the way.

First, they dive into Jason's coues deer hunting style and tactics that work for him over the years. The guys also talk about elk hunting strategies in Arizona, dive into Jason's Region G mule deer hunt, what it means to be on an adventure and having fun on western hunts, a few cold weather tips, and so much more. 

This is just a c...

In this solo episode, Jaden Jaden gives you actionable "meat and potatoes" type information to better plan your hunt by breaking down his process for getting started e-scouting and mapping out a hunt for which you drew a tag and don't have a set game plan for yet. He breaks down four steps in detail for getting started: 

A good hunt plan makes your week-long vacation much less stressful as you adapt to every obstacle, hiccup, and audible call along the way. Heck, g...

Back in 2024, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife adopted a brand-spanking-new mule deer plan using a ton of new data collected from mule deer studies. Today, Josh Smith, the ODFW Mule Deer Coordinator, joins the show to tell us what the proposed changes look like, and for Oregon mule deer hunters, they are going to overhaul how you apply. In the least, it's possible your favorite unit's boundaries won't change much, but the codes and names for hunts you apply for will. At most, your hunt area maybe has three different mule deer herds using it, and that...

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, we have Jared Oakleaf from Lander, WY on the show to nerd out about mule deer and their management. Jared is a die-hard big deer hunter who spends as much time learning about mule deer and working to conserve them as he does chasing them.

The guys touch on a ton of controversial topics, including antler point restrictions, ideal buck-to-doe ratios, the effects (or lack thereof) of limited quota seasons, and so much more. They also break down what may just be the secret to timing your hunting plans...

This could be an episode of the Hunt South Podcast, as friends Hayden and Jaden talk about their month hunting, translating, and guiding in Argentina. They discuss what the roar is all about with red stags, how black buck are South America's speedgoats, what it's like bringing down a water buffalo, and the tactics it takes to get a good wild boar on the barbecue. They share stories from the trip and also give advice for those looking to make the trip down one day. 

If you have ever thought, “what if I could have two fall hun...

In this episode, Jaden sits down to talk the messy Montana deer and elk draw, while giving people a sense of tactics to make sure you draw when you anticipate drawing in Montana. In particular, Montana has a split point system using preference points for general elk and deer combo tags, while maintaining a bonus point system for the permitted tags there. The guys also talk about different approaches to using the general seasons to prepare for an upcoming permit tag. 

We hope you come out of this podcast with a clearer approach to drawing Montana tags a...

If you've ever wanted to know about the logistics of hunting Argentina, this episode with Terra Pampa's Remi Donnelly is for you! Remi and Jaden talk about what makes a good outfitter in general in South America, the history of Terra Pampa, free-range hunting in Argentina, how to get heads and hides back to the States, and much more.

If someone doesn't have international hunting on their bucket list, I think they should. It's reasonably priced for an incredible experience, world class accommodations, and a REAL hunt for free-ranging stags and other species. 

For more i...

In this episode, we have Cody Rich from The Rich Outdoors and Elk Hunt Podcast back on the show to talk Montana deer and elk. The boys discuss where Montana sits in someone's applications and the strategies that are effective for getting a nice bull or buck in the Big Sky state. The guys also compare Montana to Colorado as guys consider which of the two states they should invest in with their short-term hunting plans. Cody's experience and stories in Montana and around the West are super helpful for anyone considering putting Montana in their plans. 

W...

In this episode, Jaden sits down with his good buddy and Colorado resident, Garrison Kinsel. In Garrison's words, he's married to the whitetail game with a love affair with Colorado mule deer. But what he doesn't also mention is that he's been on multiple successful opportunity elk hunts and recently took a great old Colorado bull elk by pounding the timber on a late-season rifle hunt. 

Hope you enjoy this episode and get some ideas for approaching your next Colorado mule deer or elk hunt in 2025. 

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In this episode of the HuntWest podcast, Jaden dives into the upcoming changes to Colorado’s deer and elk hunting seasons for 2025. He talks about the elimination of the non-resident over-the-counter archery season and explains how to navigate these shifts, offering strategies to maximize your hunting opportunities, from understanding application processes to selecting optimal tags. Jaden also discusses season structures for both deer and elk, providing key dates and ways to think about various seasons, terrain types, and hunting methods for hunting rocky mountain high.   Tune in for a data-nerd's take on how to use the resources at your finger tip...

Welcome to another episode of the Hunt West Podcast! This one with Bo DePeña kicks off a series of Colorado conversations to help you know what you're getting into when you hunt this popular elk and mule deer destination state. Bo and Jaden start by talking about how fatherhood has changed how he hunts, and what he learned from guiding hunters in Colorado. Then, they dive into some stories of Bo's elk and mule deer hunts in 2024. 

This one is a good conversation with friends with good nuggets to get better as a western hunter baked in...

In this solo episode, Jaden repurposed a video recording to help you learn what to look for on your spot and stalk spring bear hunts. It's a shorter podcast that is just chalk full of meat and potatoes information to help you plan spring bear hunts. It's a great opportunity to get out, especially with multiple states still offering great spring bear hunting over the counter. Plus, it's an incredible way to test gear, hone skills, and bring home some tasty meat for the freezer. 

We hope you enjoy this quick hitting spot and stalk spring bear h...

Today on the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden brings on Tyler Bales, an off-roading and at-home vehicle project guru who has a wealth of information to bring to the table. From always working on multiple of his hunting-offroad vehicles to his time spent upgrading tires and suspensions at a tire store, he's amassed some great technical information for hunters to know about their rigs.

But first, don't forget to get ahead of the game by planning your western hunts with Hunt West services, which will be largely offline for the month of March. The website is revamped, so...

On this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden Bales tackles the big question: 'Did I shoot a baby giant in 2024?' Jaden dives deep into various studies and personal anecdotes to bust myths about deer ages and antler sizes. He discusses data from the Utah long-term study on mule deer and an interesting Texas Apache Ranch study, sharing insights on how environmental factors affect antler growth. Tune in for a detailed analysis of mule deer data, hunting strategies, and the significance of understanding deer aging in the quest for that big buck.   Check out these studies and resources to c...

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, we introduce Jeff Lund, an experienced hunter and writer based in Alaska. Lund discusses his history in the hunting space, his experiences hunting blacktail deer, and the challenges posed by the local terrain and weather conditions. The conversation delves into the detailed planning required for a successful blacktail deer hunt, including the importance of scouting, understanding predator impacts, managing habitat for deer populations, and the gear necessary for navigating the rugged Alaskan landscape. Jeff also shares specific stories about his hunting adventures and provides practical advice for listeners planning their own trips.    Ch...

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden and Hunter McWaters talk about the whole gambit of western hunting adventure and the mule deer bug. Hunter shares his personal journey from a tumultuous past to finding redemption and purpose in hunting. Hunter recounts his hunting experiences in states like Colorado and Montana, as well as overseas in Spain. He also shares insights on choosing hunting spots in Wyoming and the value of seeking adventure over trophy goals. The episode highlights Hunter's evolution as a hunter, including his use of different weapons and bullet types, and his perspective on the...

In this episode, Jaden catches up with New Mexican friend Jordan Staley. He doesn't look much like Dorothy (he's @therealbeardedhunter on IG) but the two discuss tactics for drawing and hunting elk, pronghorn, and coues deer in Jordan's backyard of New Mexico as well as out-of-state hunts like Arizona, Wyoming, and others. They also get into the nitty-gritty of getting into elk close to roads and the importance of understanding local wildlife behavior, usually by hunting the same place as much as possible or by learning your backyard. 

Jordan also shares his experiences participating in NRL Hunter c...

In this Hunt West Podcast episode, Chad Lubinski shares his experiences of transitioning from hunting Midwest whitetails to digging into filling the freezer out west. The conversation covers a broad range of topics including Chad's adventures with pronghorn and cow elk hunts in Wyoming and the different types of cow elk hunts you can look for in the Cowboy State. The boys also discuss timber hunting versus open country glassing, differences between endurance sports and hunting, the importance of good gear, and the mindset required to be successful in different hunting terrains.  

Whether you are a seasoned hu...

In this episode, Jaden shares a podcast with the Out of State Hunter Podcast host, Chad Ryker. The guys cover the Wyoming elk applications, Arizona elk applications, and how to structure applications and strategies in conjunction with other states. They also talk about their favorite pieces of gear from 2024 (hint: one of these pieces was just released to the public) as well as new items in their backpacks for 2025. 

This is a hodgepodge of information in a conversational style with Chad. We hope you enjoy this old school style interview podcast. 

🎧 Tune in to sharpen your...

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, host Jaden Bales helps you decide whether to wait to apply for a limited quota license or put in for a general license to elk hunt in Wyoming. Jaden shares personal experiences and advises hunters on making decisions with 4-10 preference points. The episode also features a guest, Logan Dix, who discusses his grandpa's limited quota hunt, as they compare various hunting situations and expectations.

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In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, we explore the ins and outs of Wyoming's general elk hunting opportunities. From the rugged mountains of the West to the open landscapes of the East and the thick forests of the South, we break down each region's unique challenges and advantages.

Learn how to align your hunting goals with your skills and experience and pick the right region and areas within the region for you. We also discuss the dynamics of Wyoming's general tag system and how to make the most of this hunting opportunity.

Whether...