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© 2025 The Blacktail Coach Podcast
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We're here to share tips, strategies, and stories of hunting the Pacific Northwest.
Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, we'll help you turn preparation into achievement and passion into results.
So gear up and get ready, because SUCCESS IS NO ACCIDENT!
66 Episodes
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Send us a text When the sky flips, deer and elk rewrite their script—and we show you how to read it. From August scorchers to winter squalls, we map out what animals actually do in heat, wind, rain, snow, and sudden barometric swings so you can plan smarter sits and stay safe doing it. We start with early season strategy: water and wallows for elk, shady alder–conifer drainages for blacktail, and the way thermals carry cool air and scent through the places bucks already prefer. You’ll hear wh...
Send us a text Shopping for a hunter can feel like trying to read a gear catalog in another language. We make it simple with a clear map of what actually gets used, what’s worth upgrading, and how to time big purchases so you don’t overspend. From arrows, ammo, and batteries to heated vests, merino layers, and trail camera essentials, we share the real-world picks that carry a season—not just a single trip. We also dig into the details that matter: why a better headlamp changes dark hikes, h...
Send us a text Ever feel that nagging urge to change everything mid‑sit? We’ve been there. This week, we dig into why second guessing wrecks hunts and how a simple, structured plan—paired with honest data—keeps you on track to tag mature blacktails. We lay out the season framework we teach our coaching groups: a calendar you actually follow, the intel you record each day, and the small, repeatable actions that compound into results. No fluff, no hype, just practical steps that build confidenc...
Send us a text Some hunts hinge on perfect gear. Most hinge on better judgment. We sit down with Smokey Crews to unpack the quiet moves that turn a fleeting chance into a clean kill—why he swears by a Chuck Adams side quiver through thick coastal brush, how a “60-yard” caribou needed a lower hold despite a correct range, and what really happens when a big Roosevelt bull makes that straight-line “death run” into huckleberries. It’s part campfire, part masterclass, and full of the hard-earned n...
Send us a text A record is a number; a trophy is a feeling. That line sets the pace as we sit down with Smokey Crews to unpack the mindset, effort, and odd twists of fate behind a lifetime of tags—from a rare, double-shovel caribou taken on the first morning to a hilariously gnarly velvet bull chosen for pure character the next day. We explore how to decide what you’re hunting for, how to hold out when it matters, and when to shoot the one that makes your heart jump. Smokey breaks down the m...
Send us a text Meet Smokey Crews, a living legend in the bowhunting world whose journey from self-taught hunter to record book champion offers profound lessons for archers of all skill levels. Known as "Mr. Roosevelt" for his exceptional success with trophy elk, Smokey's story begins with a seven-year-old boy hunting squirrels alone with a .22 rifle, never having a mentor to guide him. Smokey takes us back to the early 1960s, when he hunted the boundaries of Olympic National Park with his fi...
Send us a text Venturing into the wilderness alone creates a unique set of challenges that even experienced hunters must carefully navigate. In this practical episode, Aaron and Dave tackle listener Brian's questions about solo hunting strategies and venison preparation techniques that can transform how your family enjoys wild game. The hosts share a counterintuitive secret that completely eliminated gaminess from their venison - leaving the hide on for several days after field dressing. Tho...
Send us a text Decoys have long been a staple in whitetail and turkey hunting, but their potential for blacktail hunting remains largely untapped. Why leave such an effective tool out of your hunting arsenal? Aaron and Dave break down everything you need to know to successfully deploy decoys for blacktail deer this season. The positioning of your decoy isn't just important—it's absolutely critical. Dave shares his hard-earned knowledge on strategic placement, explaining how bucks and does ap...
Send us a text The dream of hunting your own land captivates many outdoorsmen, but what happens when your property is only 22 acres? Can you truly create a thriving deer habitat that supports quality hunting opportunities? Responding to an email from Keith in Northern California, we dive deep into the science of deer behavior and habitat management for small properties. The secret lies in understanding the three critical components that make any deer habitat viable: food, cover, and br...
Send us a text The silent language of the forest speaks volumes to those who understand it. Join Aaron and Dave as they decode the secret messages left behind by blacktail deer and reveal how these subtle signs can transform your hunting strategy. The hosts dive deep into track identification, explaining how to distinguish between doe and buck prints based on subtle differences in shape and size. A mature buck's track isn't just larger—it splays outward in ways that tell experienced hunters ...
Send us a text What happens when your meticulously planned hunting season suddenly falls apart? When that trophy buck you've been patterning all summer becomes inaccessible because someone dumped garbage on the access road? Or when predators take over your carefully cultivated mineral site? Dave shares his fresh wound—losing access to "The Locker Room," a honey hole with three Pope and Young qualifiers, including two that would have been his biggest bucks ever. After months of trail ca...
Send us a text The difference between consistently successful hunters and those who struggle isn't luck – it's preparation. In this detailed conversation, we break down our proven pre-season routine that consistently puts us in position for trophy blacktails. The journey begins with strategic planning. We discuss the critical importance of understanding "Red Moon" phases – periods when the moon's magnetic pull is strongest, triggering increased deer movement. This astronomical phenomenon, fa...
Send us a text The hunting season approaches, and the Blacktail Coach team is back with essential preparation guidance. This episode addresses the questions hunters are asking right now – from gear priorities on limited budgets to the effectiveness of their system for rifle hunters. The answers reveal a practical approach focused on what genuinely improves success rates rather than marketing hype. Dave and Aaron share exciting news about their expanding team, welcoming Mark Boone and Dan Bon...
Send us a text What sets apart a dedicated bear hunter from someone just hoping to get lucky? The answer lies in understanding the intricate chess match between predator and prey. Diving into part four of our bear hunting series with expert Heather Aldrich, we unpack the strategic mindset required for consistent success. Heather shares her preference for being an "ambush predator," carefully selecting locations based on thorough scouting rather than random "hope hunting." She explains how di...
Send us a text The secret to successful bear hunting isn't just understanding where bears live—it's knowing how they move through their habitat as seasons change. In this revealing conversation with experienced bear hunter Heather Aldrich, we dive deep into how black bears shift their patterns throughout the year and how savvy hunters can capitalize on these predictable changes. Aldrich shares her hard-earned knowledge about spring versus fall bear behavior, explaining how boars transition f...
Send us a text Unlocking the secrets of successful bear hunting requires more than just good gear and patience – it demands a deep understanding of black bear behavior, particularly their feeding patterns. In this illuminating conversation with bear hunting expert Heather Aldrich, we dive into the core principles that transform occasional luck into consistent success. The foundation of Heather's approach centers on a simple yet profound truth: "No food, no bear." Bears are opportunistic omni...
Send us a text The North American black bear remains one of our continent's most fascinating and misunderstood predators. In this revealing conversation with expert bear hunter Heather Aldrich, we explore the complex world of bear hunting, conservation ethics, and the science behind sustainable wildlife management. Heather shares her remarkable journey from hesitant hunting companion to passionate predator specialist, describing the moment she realized bears would become her lifelong fascina...
Send us a text The adventure of hunting new terrain in unfamiliar states offers a special kind of challenge and reward that many hunters find irresistible. In this episode, Aaron and Dave break down the essential components of planning a successful DIY out-of-state hunt, drawing from years of personal experience across multiple species and states. Planning emerges as the cornerstone of a successful DIY venture, with both hosts recommending at least a year of preparation for best results. Thi...
Send us a text The legends of blacktail hunting have left an indelible mark on how we pursue these elusive deer, yet many hunters remain unfamiliar with the masters who developed the techniques we use today. From deep in the high Cascades to the dense coastal forests, these pioneering hunters have unlocked secrets that transformed blacktail success rates for those willing to learn. Steve Isdahl's relentless 365-day approach to understanding deer patterns. Cameron Haynes's revolutionary insig...
Send us a text Discovering why seemingly perfect deer habitat sometimes holds no deer is the mystery every serious blacktail hunter eventually confronts. This episode dives deep into the subtle factors that make or break prime buck territory beyond the obvious "thick cover" most hunters seek. Dave and Aaron explore how darkness might be even more important than thickness alone, with bucks gravitating to areas so dark that hunters need headlamps while legal shooting light still remains outsid...
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