Jess Laughter joins Brady and Trail on this week's Big Hunt Guys Podcast. Jess grew up hunting, and her passion for the outdoors and archery has only deepened over the years. We talk about her journey into bowhunting, the challenges she’s faced as a woman in the sport, and the unforgettable moments she’s experienced. We discuss her journey into target archery and her experience at the recent Super Bowl of archery, The Vegas Shoot. She also recaps her Utah archery elk hunt from this past September, where she tagged out on her biggest bull yet.

In this episode of the Big Hunt Guys podcast, we sit down with Drew Miles from Tricer to discuss the evolution of ultralight, high-performance glassing setups. Drew shares insights into Tricer’s innovative designs, why a quality tripod can make or break a hunt, and what sets their gear apart. Plus, a discussion on Tricer’s new hunting bipod. We also dive into hunting stories, gear tips, and the future of backcountry optics.

Within the last few days we became aware that new Utah legislation will increase the cost of hunting licenses and tags for nonresidents by 100%. The odds of drawing tags in Utah are already tough for nonresidents. Will a drastic increase in costs be too much for most nonresidents to continue? In this bonus episode Brady and Trail dive into Utah SB 008 and outline the potential new costs for nonresidents to apply and hunt in Utah. They speculate about the reasoning behind price increases, the potential fallout, and what this means for hunting as a whole.

Check out GOHUNT's article to learn more: https://gohunt.com/browse/news-and-updates/hunting-news/alert-utah-to-increase-nonresident-hunting-fees-100-percent-across-the-board

Mark Livesay joins the podcast to talk Insider tips and tricks for mapping and e-scouting. Mark continues to pursue elk in multiple states every year, spending 75+ days each fall in the backcountry and he’s almost always in elk due to the fact he has mastered the process of e-scouting. The guys discuss elk habitat, recognizing and identifying hunting spots, and how to create a plan. He also talks about data organization and how to get the most out of your maps in the field. The guys discuss mapping options, and Mark lays out several tips that will make a tremendous difference in the field. Mark is truly a wizard, a master at using maps to find elk. This is a must-listen for western big game hunters.

Check out Mark Livesay's Courses: https://www.treelineacademy.net/

On this bonus episode of the Big Hunt Guys, Brady and Trail sit down with Nate Bare. Nate is a research specialist here at GOHUNT and is managing our new membership, Insider +. The Insider + is a new membership for GOHUNT. Just tell us what you want to hunt, and we’ll take it from there. Nate details the service, offering a full application service for every state we cover, one-on-one e-scouting and mapping walk-throughs, and curated gear lists. The guys also get to know Nate, and talk some hunting as well. If you are short on time, regularly missing the draw deadlines, or the Western Hunt application process seems overwhelming, this is a great service and a must-listen!

Reach out to Nate with any questions: [email protected]

Join Insider+ here: https://www.gohunt.com/learn/insider-plus

On this week’s episode of The Big Hunt Guys, Brady and Trail are joined by Nevada Department of Wildlife Deputy Director Mike Scott, Game Division Administrator Shawn Espinosa, and Wildlife Staff Biologist Joe Bennett. The guys discuss the current drought and what it means for some of Nevada’s most prolific desert bighorn sheep herds. They later discuss mule deer populations, buck-to-doe ratios, and habitat concerns. Before diving into other topics like feral horse expansion and what can be done, the guys also talk about elk, pronghorn, the Nevada draw system, and whether it’s worth applying in Nevada as a nonresident. With Nevada’s 2025 application guidebook recently being released, this is a must-listen for anyone planning to apply in Nevada!

Craig Francis joins Brady and Trail on this week's episode of the Big Hunt Guys. Craig grew up hunting the woods of South Carolina but has found opportunities to explore and hunt many of the West's most magnificent landscapes. He is a talented photographer and visionary, capturing images and creating stories that invoke emotions and remind us all why we hunt. Craig talks about his upbringing, the influence of his grandpa on his life, and how his love of wild places developed. He also shares experiences from the field and recounts a memorable archery elk hunt from this past fall. The guys wrap up with a discussion on having confidence in your craft. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just starting, this episode is packed with stories, tips, and wisdom from a true expert.

Brian Barney and Scott Reekers of Eastman’s Hunting and Bowhunting Journal join the Big Hunt Guys on this week’s episode. Brian Barney is a hardcore bowhunter; he shares his insights on mental toughness, extreme backcountry hunts, and the dedication it takes to consistently find success on public land. He talks through his bow and arrow setup for Western big game. Scott Reekers, gear expert and seasoned hunter, offers tips and tactics for rifle hunters as well as discussing current conditions and hunting opportunities in states throughout the West. The guys swap stories, discuss challenges, and break down the mindset it takes to push past limits. If you’re passionate about hunting and looking to sharpen your skills, this episode is packed with knowledge, experience, and straight-up hunting passion.

In this week’s Big Hunt Guys episode, we had the pleasure of being joined by Sidney Smith. Sidney is the true embodiment of grit, growth, gratitude and has a pure passion for hunting Sidney continues to overcome incredible challenges to pursue his passion for hunting and the outdoors. He shares his journey, mindset, and lessons learned along the way. This was one of our favorite episodes yet. Listen in for inspiring conversation filled with wisdom, perseverance, and motivation to be a better hunter and human.

The Big Hunt Guys have a conversation about the current snowpack and drought conditions across the west and what that will mean for antler growth and herd health. The guys also talk about GOHUNT’s new predictive draw odds that will help subscribers to predict their odds of drawing tags this year. They discuss the Super Bowl, performance psychology, and how it relates to making a shot in the field.

Link to snowpack map article mentioned: https://www.gohunt.com/browse/tips-and-tricks/insider/why-drought-snowpack-maps-are-important-for-hunters