One tag, one week, one lucky listener taking home two Reveal Ultras. In this episode, I walk through the full breakdown of our biggest giveaway yet — how the entry system worked, why we built a custom bonus-entry tracker, and how over 1,900 of you helped blow the doors off our sign-up goals. From Instagram follows to podcast subscriptions to the four code-word episodes (“Ultra,” “Mule Deer,” “Colorado,” and “Roam”), I recap how all the entries stacked, why we cap points the way we do, and how the whole goal is making these prizes land in the hands of people who genuinely need them.

We also talk about the new giveaway software we built for this one — how it solved the nightmare of 10,000+ summer bow-giveaway emails, why we built live entry totals, and what I want your feedback on for our next giveaway. And of course… we draw the winner. Huge congrats to Jordan Davis for taking home the two-pack of Reveal Ultras.

Thank you all for showing up. These giveaways help us grow Drawn West and keep teaching people how to hunt the West — even when you’ve only got a week to make it happen.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.

If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb

In this episode of the Drawn West podcast, we nerd out on one very specific problem a lot of us have: how do you turn a stump-infested woods into an actual huntable food plot without hiring a dozer crew? I bring on my buddy Jake Polk of Polk Whitetail Management and walk through exactly how we used the Woodland Mills PTO stump grinder to turn a nasty oak-wilt jungle into a clean, plantable half-acre kill plot right off the house.

We talk compact tractor setups, how fast you can realistically grind stumps, getting below grade so you’re not destroying implements, and why grinding instead of pushing stumps is a game changer for small landowners. From there we get into how that new “blank canvas” lets you stack food diversity, add crabapple rows, and actually hunt the wind and access instead of just surviving deadfall.

If you’ve ever stared at a beautiful patch of woods and thought, “I could kill a giant here if I could just get the stumps out,” this one’s for you.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.

If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb

Hang and Hunt that doesn’t suck!

I walk through my exact whitetail tree setup that also works when you’re in a tree out West—stand choice (XOP Roam), the quiet-mod with blaze-orange paracord, Shelf-Lock, and how I carry it all with the XOP Gamma so weight rides on the hip belt. Then we get into the two-stick method with 3-step aiders (why two is enough for ~15–16 feet), my one-trip-up routine with the saddle, bow rope and DIY public-land bow hanger, and how to hang the Roam fast with C3 micros and a hard cam to bite the tree. I finish with the pack-down order so the next tree goes even faster (what lives in which pocket, how I “bear-hug” strap the pack + sticks + stand). If you’ve ever wanted a faster, quieter climb with less gear, this is the blueprint.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.

Sign up for the Reveal Ultra 2-Pack Giveaway!

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaway

________________________________________

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts

Connect with Brian Krebs

https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!

Sponsors and Discounts:

GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST

https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4

GOHUNT Gear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWN WEST

https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u

RTIC Coolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!

https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers

Okuma Fishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!

https://alnk.to/31sVDzF

First Month FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE

Save $150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q

Save10% on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u

Save 10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS

https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb

Stephen Walker’s back on the podcast, and this time we’re breaking down our upcoming Colorado third-season mule deer hunt. We talk about how migration units really work, why Stephen switched from fourth season to third, and how to find those hidden pockets that most hunters walk right past. From dealing with pressure and road hunters to planning for realistic shot distances, this episode’s full of insight for anyone heading west for mule deer.

We’re also running a Reveal Cell Cam Giveaway — two brand-new Reveal Ultras to one winner.

Hit the giveaway link in the show notes to get entered, and listen for the code word later in the episode for bonus entries.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.

If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.

Sign up for the Reveal Giveaway:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaway

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts

Connect with Brian Krebs

https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!

Sponsors and Discounts:

GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST

https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4

GOHUNT Gear Shop – 10% off most items with code WESTERN

https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u

RTIC Coolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!

https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers

Okuma Fishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!

https://alnk.to/31sVDzF

First Month FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE

Save $150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE

https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q

Save10% on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST

https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u

Save 10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS

https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb

We’re out chasing mule deer, but I’ve got a quick bonus episode to hook you up: we’re giving away two REVEAL Ultra cell cams to one winner and rolling out the Mid-Season Archery Whitetail Checklist. The checklist’s free (mobile or print), brand-agnostic, and built to reuse your Western system for whitetails: base → mid → windproof shell, then add thermal as temps drop. I break down tops, bottoms, and accessories (why windproof beats bulky, when to switch to late-season bibs/jacket, and a few saddle-hunter hacks like built-in kneepads). We also cover the hunting-gear must-haves you’ll forget if it’s not on the list (license, release, headlamp, bow hoist, emergency kit) and the deer-camp stack (sleep, cook, process, coolers, meat lugs, knives, sharpeners).

Giveaway dates: Last bonus pod with a code word drops Nov 13; giveaway ends Nov 15! Enter at getdrawnwest.com/giveaway for instant, trackable points.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.

If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.

Sign up for the Reveal Giveaway:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaway

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code WESTERN
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code WESTERN https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb

Early antlerless in Minnesota finally clicked. Abby and I walk through a week where we tagged two clean, quick does and—maybe more importantly—felt in control of the process. We cover why the backyard “test plot” worked, slug choice and hold (hug the shoulder), and how Abby’s doe cartwheeled and dropped while mine sprinted 100 yards before a solid blood trail told the truth. We break down the hitch-carrier + RTIC 145 cooler system, then make the case for the gutless method when temps are 65–70° and the shop would turn into a mess.

From there, we pivot to public-land run-and-gun: first hangs with the XOP Roam setup, the shelf-lock backpack carry, and partner safety (bring the extra lineman’s rope). We wrap with a much-needed range day—good bags, good bench—and Abby’s best groups yet at 100/200, plus why we ditched the lead sled. Colorado rifle mule deer is next, camper in tow, and we’re feeling ready.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.

Sign Up for the Reveal Ultra 2-Pack Giveaway!

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaway

Make sure you enter this episode’s code word for an extra 20 BONUS entries!

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code WESTERN
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code WESTERN https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb

In this episode of Drawn West, Brian catches up with returning guest Dan Matthews to finally tell the full story of his wild first archery elk hunt — a hunt that went from no tag, to a perfect bull, to floating a 700-pound elk down a river with the help of an excavator.

Dan shares how a “poorly timed pregnancy” changed his Colorado rifle plans and pushed him into archery season, how he taught himself to bugle on the drive out, and how one perfect morning turned into an elk-hunting roller coaster. The guys also swap stories about calling strategies, blood-trailing logic, elk language, and why hunting styles — from process-driven engineers to pure chaos improvisers — both somehow get the job done.

This one’s packed with laughs, elk talk, and plenty of chaos that only makes sense if you’ve ever tried to call in a screaming bull at daylight.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• How Dan’s first archery elk hunt turned into a wild success

• Learning to elk call on the drive out — and somehow making it work

• What happens when your bull dies in a river (and an excavator saves the day)

• The difference between “Team Chaos” vs “Team Structure” hunting styles

• Breaking down elk language — chuckles, glunks, nervous grunts, and what they really mean

🎧 Listen anywhere you get podcasts, and make sure to follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram for new episodes and elk gear drops.

Free resource: Grab the Drawn West Gear Checklist — my complete elk and mule deer packing guide (link in description).

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb

Dial in your western-hunt clothing the smart way. Brian breaks down a brand-agnostic layering system that actually works together: lightweight base, a true mid, a windproof shell, and a compressible thermal (puffy) you can mix-and-match from August heat to November glassing temps. He covers why “systems > single pieces,” how to stretch a few core layers across elk, mule deer, and antelope, and when to add vests, rain plans (hello, tarp/rain fly), and Blaze for rifle seasons. Bottoms get the same treatment—light/med pants, merino or heavyweight base bottoms when you’re stationary, plus the forever MVPs: Kenetrek boots, good socks, and gaiters to keep water out. Lots of real-world tips (glove hacks, do-more-with-less gear choices) and where to save vs. spend.

Subscribe wherever you get podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.

Want the free, mobile-friendly Pack Lists? Grab them at GetDrawnWest.com and never forget a critical piece again.

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNT GearShop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
RTIC Coolers– Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
Okuma Fishing– Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
First MonthFREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save $150 onSteelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb

FREE Elk Hunt Gear Checklist

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear#rifle-elk-gear-list

Nine years of hunts, hundreds of lessons learned, and now it’s all in one place — the brand-new Drawn West Pack List. In this episode, Brian breaks down the launch of his free digital and printable gear checklists for every major western hunt — starting with Rifle Elk, and soon expanding to Whitetail, Mule Deer, and Antelope.

He shares how years of forgotten gear, trial-and-error, and long drives back to town inspired him to finally create an all-in-one tool for hunters to pack smarter, travel lighter, and never forget a tag again. From building lists on Google Drive in his early elk-hunting days to crafting a mobile, interactive PDF you can save and check off from your phone — this project has been years in the making.

Brian also walks through the must-have gear categories — clothing systems, hunting tools, and camp essentials — while explaining how each piece fits into a real-world hunt. Whether you’re a new hunter prepping for your first trip or a veteran who still forgets a knife every season, this episode gives you everything you need to stay organized and ready when the mountains call.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram for more western hunting tools, stories, and free resources to help you stay drawn west.

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code WESTERN
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code WESTERN https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb

This episode dives into the highs, lows, and lessons of chasing an early-season giant. From scouting new ground in North Dakota to taking a chance on a fresh stand, the story unfolds with all the emotion and intensity that comes when everything has to come together in a single moment. You’ll hear how mobile gear choices, reading trail cam data, and a split-second shot window shaped the hunt, plus the perspective shifts that come from balancing life, faith, and the realities of chasing mature whitetails. This isn’t just another deer story — it’s a look into why we hunt and the mindset behind making it count.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram for more.

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code WESTERN
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code WESTERN https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb