The Western Rookie - Hunting Podcast

If you care about Western hunting, public-land strategy, or want to understand what makes mule deer so different from whitetails, this conversation is packed with insights.Dan J. talks with Trevor Hubbs, editor-in-chief of Mule Deer magazine for the Mule Deer and Blacktail Deer Foundation. They discuss deer genetics and hybrid zones, and the challenges of hunting animals that can migrate hundreds of miles and rely on suitable habitat to survive. Trevor explains why mule deer are sensitive to environmental change, why they can’t simply be managed like whitetails, and why their numbers are lower today than decades ago.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Where mule deer and whitetails overlap—and how to spot hybrids in the fieldHow antlers, gait, and behavior can help identify different deerHow fire, drought, agriculture, and human expansion affect mule deer countryWhy mule deer need native vegetationHunting seasons, migration, draw strategy, and the realities of pursuing mature bucks in the WestTrevor also shares stories from his work as an editor and his experiences hunting in Montana and Wyoming, including a hunt affected by wildfire. Along the way, he and Dan discuss public-land access, muzzleloader opportunities, decoy tactics, and why longer hunts can help when you’re looking for a mature buck.The conversation also explores the bigger conservation picture: why some wildlife adapts to human-shaped landscapes while other species struggle, and how habitat changes can reshape mule deer populations and hunting opportunities.If you love Western hunting, want to learn more about mule deer, or are interested in the challenges facing this iconic species, add this episode to your queue. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dan and Ken sit down to tackle the nuances of Alberta antelope hunting, from pre-hunt prep to field execution. After tagging out early this season, Ken shifts his focus to helping his niece harvest a buck. He shares insights from his trip—including setting up his SUV as a mobile base camp, using the iHunter app to scout and secure land permissions, and adjusting his size expectations on the ground. The pair also explore critical hunting tactics, including navigating the rut, understanding antelope vision, practicing long-range shooting, and building meaningful relationships with private landowners. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Elk hunting is not about luck—it is about putting yourself in the right 200-yard bubble at the right time, with enough days left to make the moment count. Tim Kent breaks down nearly two decades of hard-earned lessons chasing elk from the East, including the mistakes that cost him bulls, the calling mistake that instantly blew up a setup, and why his biggest breakthrough came from learning where elk actually live instead of where he hoped they would.Dan Johnson and Tim dig into the obsession that keeps eastern hunters driving west every year: the mountains, the pressure, the gear, the archery challenge, and the brutal reality that elk hunting is often more bowhiking than bowhunting. Tim shares how his approach evolved from flying out with a one-man tent and too much optimism to building hunts around mobility, terrain, thermals, and the kind of pre-hunt scouting that narrows a giant unit down to a few high-percentage pockets.You’ll discover:Why Tim now avoids bugling directly below a bullHow one wrong call can shut down an entire herd in secondsWhy two weeks is the sweet spot for serious DIY elk huntsThe biggest difference between early elk hunting and learning through modern online educationHow to use your own past encounters to identify elevation bands and likely elk zonesTim also opens up about the emotional side of elk hunting—the frustration of close calls, the adrenaline spike when a bull is coming, and the strange addiction of coming home empty-handed but fired up for next year. If you are an eastern hunter chasing western elk, or you are planning your first serious DIY hunt, this episode is packed with practical insight and a realistic look at what actually moves the needle.Perfect for anyone preparing for elk season who wants fewer theory-based tips and more field-tested truth from a hunter who has lived the grind, learned the hard way, and is still out there doing it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Colorado just changed the elk hunting game—and the next round of regulations could reshape how residents and non-residents chase tags, points, and opportunity. If you hunt the West, this is the kind of episode that can save you years of confusion and help you make smarter decisions before the 2028 changes take effect.Dan Johnson sits down with Colorado hunter Adam Parr to break down what is really happening with the state’s draw system, why archery tags went from over-the-counter to draw for non-residents, and how point creep has exploded in some units. Adam explains the new system’s biggest shifts, including the move toward a 50/50 split between preference-point tags and weighted lottery tags, plus the simplified point-buying process that could make Colorado easier to navigate and more fair.You’ll discover:What Colorado’s current over-the-counter options actually are for non-residentsWhy some archery units jumped from a few points to double-digit point totalsHow the new draw rules may change your odds and planning strategyWhy the state’s regulation updates could reduce complexity instead of adding to itHow residents and non-residents should think differently about long-term tag planningAdam also shares how he approaches his own season as a resident hunter—from deciding when to burn points versus hunt over the counter, to scouting, glassing, trail cameras, and why he targets unpressured elk early in the season. He talks through the realities of hunting at 9,000 to 10,000 feet, how dry years push elk higher into timber, and the small details that separate a filled freezer from a long, exhausting grind.Then the conversation turns tactical. Adam explains the strategies he uses to find elk, including location bugles in the dark, reading fresh sign, hunting natural pinch points, and using terrain and wind to his advantage. He also makes a strong case for hybrid broadheads on elk, especially when blood trailing and recovery matter most.If you are applying in Colorado, planning a Western hunt, or trying to stretch your points without wasting years, this episode gives you a real-world look at what is changing and how to adapt. It’s essential listening for Western hunters who want more than hype and fewer expensive mistakes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mule deer are still the vanishing icon of the West, and if you care about public land hunting, this conversation explains exactly why. Greg Sheehan, CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation, lays out the hard truth behind the decline, what changed after the mule deer heyday, and what hunters and conservation groups are doing right now to turn it around. Greg brings a rare perspective to the problem. He’s spent decades on both sides of wildlife management, from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and now he’s focused on one species and one mission - restoring mule deer and their habitat. We break down the forces reshaping mule deer numbers across the West, including habitat loss, winter severity, drought, wildfire, migration barriers, invasive grasses, disease, and competition from other deer species. Greg also explains why modern mule deer management is so different from the 1960s boom years, why the old “good old days” are gone, and why today’s hunters are seeing fewer mature bucks on the landscape. You’ll discover: Why mule deer populations surged in the early 1900s and peaked mid-century How severe winters in the early 1990s reshaped deer herds across the West The “menacing seven” threats hurting mule deer today Why fence removal, sagebrush planting, guzzlers, and habitat work matter so much How access on National Wildlife Refuges expanded and why that was a major win for hunters We also get into the bigger conservation picture - how state agencies, federal land managers, and groups like the Mule Deer Foundation fund real on-the-ground projects, why membership matters, and what it takes to keep mule deer from becoming a rare opportunity instead of a mainstream hunt.Essential listening if you hunt mule deer, care about western habitat, or want to understand what’s really happening behind the numbers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.