What nearly wiped out the American elk — and how did we bring them back? In this episode of the Eastmans' Journal Podcast, Ike Eastman sits down with Eastmans' own Brandon Mason to pull back the curtain on their new documentary, American Elk: A Comeback Story. From 10 million elk across nearly every state, to just 42,000 at the turn of the 20th century — including only 500 in all of Colorado — the near-extinction of the American elk is one of the most dramatic wildlife stories on the continent. Ike and Brandon walk through what the film uncovered: the science-based relocation efforts, the role of Yellowstone as the last stronghold, how Kentucky became a seed population for the entire eastern U.S., and the unsung pioneers who made it all possible. They also get into the bigger picture — predator management, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, Pittman-Robertson funding, and why hunters foot the bill for far more than just the species they pursue. The film premieres July 17th at the Wilma Theater in Missoula at the RMEF Big Game Days event, and drops on YouTube that Saturday morning.

Learn more about our new film here - https://eastmans.com/thecomeback/

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Ike sits down with Steve Decker, Chief Revenue Officer of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, for a wide-ranging conversation about conservation, hunting heritage, and the future of one of America's most impactful wildlife organizations. Steve grew up in Libby, Montana — son of RMEF founding member Charlie Decker — and has spent his life woven into the fabric of elk conservation, from working in the visitor center as a college student to leading the organization's outward-facing operations today. They cover the RMEF's evolving mission to serve all of America's big game, the fight to protect public land access (including a 26-point ballot swing in Colorado), the launch of Outdoor Class as a next-level online hunting education platform, and what's ahead with Big Game Days in Missoula. If you care about keeping wild places wild and elk in the hills, this one's for you.

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What does it mean to win a hunt of a lifetime — and walk away with a friendship you didn't expect? In this special episode of the Eastman's Journals Podcast, guest host Brandon Mason sits down with 2025 Eastman's Mule Deer Hunt winner Randy Bianchi, a retired Air Force veteran and 15-year Eastman's member from Utah, along with his son-in-law Zach Vigil — a former NFL linebacker who played for the Dolphins and Redskins — to relive their Montana mule deer adventure. From the suspense of Ike's voicemail to the chaos of getting to camp, battling wind and tough conditions for five days straight, to the last-minute, bonus-morning shot that brought it all together — this one has it all. But what really shines through is the brotherhood that formed between hunters who were strangers just days before. The conversation goes deep on reading deer country, the mental parallels between football and hunting, the power of time spent with good people in wild places, and why some of the most meaningful conversations men will ever have happen tailgate-side in the middle of nowhere.

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Your money, your rights, your data — are they really safe? In this episode of the Eastman's Journals Podcast, Ike Eastman sits down with Ronnie Brown, CFO and lead investor at Precision Pay, a payment platform built specifically for the firearms, hunting, and outdoor industry. Ronnie shares the origin story of Precision Pay — sparked when a veteran-owned tripod company had a six-figure balance seized by PayPal simply for having a firearm mounted in a product photo — and explains why the 2A community needs its own financial ecosystem. The conversation covers the real dangers of debanking, how your purchase data is being harvested and sold by major platforms, and how Precision Pay is building a secure, values-aligned alternative for hunters, manufacturers, and guides alike. Ronnie also shares his passion project, the Alabama Veterans Resource Center, a first-of-its-kind public-private initiative connecting veterans with the services they've earned. This one hits on freedom, finances, and what it really means to protect your rights from every angle.

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What does it take to truly be ready when the moment counts? In this episode of the Eastmans Journals Podcast, guest host Dan Pickar sits down with Angelo DiCicco of Mayhem Hunt — a fitness-first platform built specifically for hunters — to break down the physical and mental demands of hunting the West. Angelo shares how he went from Tennessee whitetail hunter to full-time fitness coach for Western hunters, working alongside Rich Froning (10-time CrossFit Games champion) to build programs that translate directly to the mountains. The conversation covers everything from functional fitness and injury prevention to the mental game of close encounters, knowing your limits in the backcountry, and why the pack-out is where the real hunt begins. Whether you're a seasoned elk hunter or just getting started, this episode will challenge you to think about how you're preparing your body and mind long before you ever set foot in the field.

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Ike Eastman sits down with Mark Drury for a deep dive into a lifetime in the hunting industry—where it started, how it evolved, and what still drives the fire today. From growing up in the timber along the Mississippi River to building one of the most recognized brands in hunting media, Mark shares the real story behind the success, the struggles, and the relentless pursuit of getting better.

This episode goes beyond tactics. It's about family, mentorship, and the responsibility of passing hunting on to the next generation. Mark breaks down the mindset behind DEERCAST, how they built it, and why understanding "why animals move" matters more than ever. They also get into turkey season grind, evolving with media, and what it means to live a life in the outdoors. If you care about hunting, legacy, and doing it the right way—this one hits.

(And yeah… those three questions get answered.)

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Ike Eastman sits down with Dirk Durham of Phelps Game Calls for a deep dive into elk calling, hunting strategy, and what it really takes to get close to bulls in the West.

Dirk breaks down real-world calling scenarios, common mistakes hunters make, and how to think like an elk when the pressure is on. From early season setups to high-intensity rut encounters, this conversation is packed with practical insight you can take straight to the mountain.

If you want to become more confident with a call in your mouth and more lethal when it matters, this one's worth your time.

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At the Western Hunt Expo, host Ike Eastman sits down with Rafe Nielsen for a conversation that goes far beyond gear. With over two decades at Browning, Rafe shares his journey from a small-town kid touring the Browning offices at 12 years old… to leading marketing for one of the most iconic brands in hunting. The two dive into the legendary history of John Moses Browning, the innovation that shaped modern firearms, and why Browning continues to set the standard instead of chasing trends. But this episode isn't just about rifles and legacy. Rafe opens up about what hunting really means—from world-class adventures across Alaska and Africa to the quiet, simple mornings sitting alone in a duck blind. He shares powerful thoughts on family, purpose, and why being a contributor—not a bystander—is what truly matters in life. This is one of those real conversations—about hunting, legacy, and living a life that actually means something.

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If you've ever looked at Montana and thought, "Man… where do I even start?" — this episode is for you.

Ike sits down with Dan Pickar to break down one of the most confusing tag systems in the West. From combo licenses and preference points to bonus points and outfitter strategies, this is a no fluff conversation on how to actually build a plan that gets you in the field.

They dive into:

• The reality of Montana's two-draw system
• How preference vs. bonus points actually work
• Why nonresident strategy is getting tougher
• When to hunt general vs. limited entry
• How to line up your years so you don't waste points
• And what it really takes to prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime tag

This isn't theory — it's real-world strategy from guys who've lived it. When you're talking 10, 15, even 20+ years of points… you don't want to screw it up.

If you want to hunt Montana smarter, avoid costly mistakes, and maximize your odds — this is one you don't skip.

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In this episode of the Eastmans' Journal Podcast, host Ike Eastman sits down with four-time CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning at the Western Hunt Expo to talk about the crossover between elite fitness and Western hunting.

Rich shares how his competitive CrossFit background eventually led him deeper into hunting and how that journey inspired the creation of Mayhem Hunt, a fitness program designed specifically for hunters who want to be physically prepared for the mountains. The conversation dives into training for backcountry hunts, why hunters should treat the mountains like competition, and how simple workouts can make packing an animal out far more manageable.

Beyond fitness, Ike and Rich swap hunting stories from recent seasons, including elk hunts across Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado, lessons learned from tough archery encounters, and the brotherhood that comes from time spent in hunting camp. Rich also opens up about faith, family, and raising kids in the hunting lifestyle—from cooking a fresh heart after a harvest to getting children comfortable behind the trigger.

This episode is a mix of mountain hunting, mindset, fatherhood, and the drive to keep pursuing hard things—whether that's chasing elk in September or training for the next challenge ahead.

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