In this episode, I’m joined by Trapper Trussell, a seasoned elk hunter and rising star in the world of competitive elk calling. Trapper’s journey into elk hunting started at a young age, but it’s his path to mastering elk calling that has really taken off. From his early days of calling in elk with his dad to competing at the highest levels, we dive deep into his evolution as a caller, including his breakout performance at the World Elk Calling Competition. Trapper shares the nerves of stepping onto the competition stage for the first time, his strategies for calling, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. We also talk about how he balances hunting with family life, what makes a great elk hunting spot, and why elk calling competitions can teach you just as much about hunting as they do about the art of calling. Plus, we get into some memorable elk hunting stories, including his first bull and his favorite spots for late-season cow hunts. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable tips, real-life experience, and some seriously entertaining stories. Tune in for an epic conversation on elk hunting, calling, and all things in between!

This episode is brought to you by Stone Glacier, the leader in high-performance hunting gear. Whether you're hunting deep in the backcountry or tackling a local adventure, Stone Glacier has the gear to keep you moving efficiently and comfortably. Their lightweight and durable packs, sleeping bags, and layering systems are designed with the serious hunter in mind.

Stone Glacier products are engineered for ultimate performance, helping you stay out longer, carry more, and feel better doing it. If you’re looking for the best in outdoor gear, visit Stone Glacier's website and see what makes them a favorite of hunters and adventurers everywhere.

When you’re out in the field, the last thing you want to worry about is your map letting you down. That’s where OnX Maps comes in. Whether you’re scouting for elk, navigating unfamiliar terrain, or hunting in remote areas, OnX Maps gives you the most accurate, reliable, and detailed maps to help you stay on track.

With features like offline maps, public and private land boundaries, and waypoints that work even when you're out of cell service, OnX ensures you have everything you need to make smart decisions and stay confident in your journey.

Don’t let anything hold you back from your next big adventure. With OnX Maps, you’ve got the tools you need to succeed—no matter where you are.

Explore smarter. Hunt with confidence. OnX Maps.

In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody sits down with Jeffery Row, a seasoned hunter and former guide, to dive into his experience hunting big bulls, tracking trophy deer, and navigating life as a new father. Jeffery shares the story of his epic 2023 elk hunt, his approach to scouting, and the lessons he’s learned from years of fieldwork. From managing the red zone during a stock to the challenges of hunting on the strip, Jeffery talks through his hunting tactics, the importance of persistence, and how he balances his professional and personal life. Whether you're looking for tactical advice or just want to hear an epic hunting story, this episode is packed with valuable insights for any hunter.

This episode is brought to you by Stone Glacier, the leader in high-performance hunting gear. Whether you're hunting deep in the backcountry or tackling a local adventure, Stone Glacier has the gear to keep you moving efficiently and comfortably. Their lightweight and durable packs, sleeping bags, and layering systems are designed with the serious hunter in mind.

Stone Glacier products are engineered for ultimate performance, helping you stay out longer, carry more, and feel better doing it. If you’re looking for the best in outdoor gear, visit Stone Glacier's website and see what makes them a favorite of hunters and adventurers everywhere.

When you’re out in the field, the last thing you want to worry about is your map letting you down. That’s where OnX Maps comes in. Whether you’re scouting for elk, navigating unfamiliar terrain, or hunting in remote areas, OnX Maps gives you the most accurate, reliable, and detailed maps to help you stay on track.

With features like offline maps, public and private land boundaries, and waypoints that work even when you're out of cell service, OnX ensures you have everything you need to make smart decisions and stay confident in your journey.

Don’t let anything hold you back from your next big adventure. With OnX Maps, you’ve got the tools you need to succeed—no matter where you are.

Explore smarter. Hunt with confidence. OnX Maps.

In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody Rich sits down with a guest from Samong Outdoors to dive into the world of elk hunting. From early hunting days in Washington to navigating the ups and downs of solo hunting, they discuss the importance of perseverance, learning from mistakes, and the thrill of hunting elk in some of the toughest terrain. They also share insights into the Hmong community’s growing presence in elk hunting and the role of passion in turning hunting into a career. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned hunter, this episode offers valuable advice and inspiration for all elk hunters.

Chapters: 00:00 - Intro & Sponsor Message Brief introduction to today’s guest and sponsor, Stone Glacier. How Stone Glacier provides ultralight gear that’s perfect for long-distance elk hunts.
02:10 - The Turkey vs. Bear Debate The guest discusses their excitement for spring turkey hunting vs. spring bear hunting. Differences in turkey and elk hunting, including a playful debate on which is more challenging.
04:30 - Introduction to the Guest & His Background The guest shares his upbringing, including growing up in a large family and his early introduction to hunting. How a love for filming his backyard chickens led to a passion for hunting content.
06:45 - From Hobby to Full-Time Hunting Career How the guest began filming hunts in 2011, starting with an iPod Touch. The challenges of making hunting content when there was no such thing as "influencers" or "monetization" on social media. Transition from hobbyist to professional content creator, even while still in college.
11:20 - The Turning Point: Social Media’s Role in Hunting The guest talks about the impact of social media on hunting and content creation in the mid-2010s. The rise of platforms like YouTube and Instagram in the hunting community. Inspiration from early pioneers like Tim Burnett, Remi Warren, and the Hush crew.
14:50 - Growing the YouTube Channel The guest explains how he started his YouTube channel, Samong Outdoors, and gained his first followers. How financial aid from college was invested into hunting gear, helping to elevate his content production.
19:30 - Learning the Ropes: Struggles and Successes Reflecting on the early years of hunting and the mistakes made while self-filming hunts. The guest shares the value of learning from failure and how it shaped his growth as a hunter. How the guest adapted from timber hunting to glassing for elk.
24:10 - The Hmong Community and Elk Hunting A discussion on the growing presence of the Hmong community in elk hunting. The impact of Pure Trophies and other groups on making elk hunting more accessible for the Hmong community. How the guest’s audience is largely made up of Hmong hunters and why this niche is important.
30:00 - A Pivotal Year: 2019 The guest’s breakthrough year in 2019, where everything clicked, and he harvested multiple animals. How going solo on hunts helped develop independence and confidence as a hunter. The guest talks about the mental game of hunting and staying motivated during challenging years.
35:30 - The Mindset of a Successful Hunter The guest discusses how motivation and passion were key to his success. The importance of perseverance, especially in tough seasons. Balancing social media and hunting to remain true to the craft.
40:00 - Advice for Aspiring Hunters The guest offers advice to new hunters looking to start their elk hunting journey. The role of patience, practice, and persistence in becoming a skilled hunter.
45:00 - The Elk Hunt of a Lifetime: A Family Story The guest tells the story of a significant elk hunt with his uncle, including the process of planning a successful hunt. What it meant to repay his uncle for years of support, making it one of his most rewarding hunts.
48:00 - The Future of Elk Hunting & Social Media What’s next for Samon Outdoors, including plans for upcoming elk hunts. The guest discusses the future of hunting content and his ongoing commitment to high-quality storytelling.
52:30 - Closing Thoughts & Where to Follow the Guest The guest shares how people can follow his journey on YouTube and Instagram. Final thoughts on the importance of passion in hunting and creating meaningful content.
53:30 - Outro & Call to Action Cody thanks the guest and reminds listeners to share the episode with a friend. Mention of the free hunt planner available for download from the show notes.

This might just be my favorite elk hunting story I’ve recorded in the last few years—maybe ever. This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Eric Vanderzanden, and he’s back with an absolute all-timer. After nearly two decades of archery hunting general season in Oregon, Eric finally drew one of the state’s most coveted bull elk tags. But this story goes so far beyond a tag. It’s about obsession, preparation, and an unexpected twist of fate. Eric has spent years guiding in this unit—helping others chase down giants, including Governor’s Tag bulls—and built a reputation as one of the go-to guys in Oregon’s “Big Three” units. When it was finally his turn to hold the tag, it came with a powerful story of friendship, legacy, and helping a man with terminal cancer live out his last hunting dream. This is a true 301-level hunt and one you’ll never forget. Do me a favor—share this one with a hunting buddy. It’s that good.

This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast, I’m joined by Josh Cooper, an Idaho native and one of the most consistent rifle elk killers you'll find. Josh has a track record of putting down big bulls in his home state—something that's far easier said than done. In this episode, Josh shares the wild story of his best bull to date, taken in an area he knows intimately—where he’s tagged three great bulls within a mile of each other. What he stumbled on this year even left him in disbelief.

We dig into:
Why hunting the same area hard can turn up what others miss.
How their group uses boot leather and glass to cover ground instead of camping deep.
Real rifle hunting tactics—from spotting bulls two ranges over to killing two bulls the next day.
And why, after their best season ever, they’re switching back to archery this year.

If you’re a rifle elk hunter looking to level up your consistency, this episode is packed with hard-earned insight and strategy.

This week on the podcast, Young Jaden and I dive deep into Montana elk and deer hunting strategies. Jaden and I recorded this ep for Hunt West, if you haven't yet go check out his podcast and hit the subscribe button. We talked through where Montana fits into your application strategy and how to make the most of your time in the Big Sky state. We discuss: How Montana compares to Colorado for short-term planning Strategies for getting into quality bulls and bucks Where Montana fits into your overall tag application approach Personal stories and insights from years of hunting the West Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned DIYer, this episode is full of practical advice for making Montana part of your western hunting game plan. Hope you enjoy the show!

This week’s episode is a special one—it's actually a guest appearance I did on the Do Not Go Quietly podcast with Eric Wilson. Eric is relatively new to elk hunting but has been hitting it hard, learning a ton along the way. After a tough hunt in Colorado, he had one big question for me: "What would you do differently?" This struck a chord with me because I’ve been there—in fact, it's one of the reasons I started a podcast over 10 years ago. In this conversation, I go deep into the weeds, breaking down real-world strategies instead of the usual high-level fluff. We also tackle a question I get asked all the time: "What does hunting all day actually look like?" Sure, it sounds great in theory, but what do you actually do? Eric did a killer job interviewing me on this one, so be sure to check out his podcast Do Not Go Quietly for more solid hunting conversations. Tune in now—this episode is packed with value!

This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast, we dive into another EH Case Study with Elk Hunt member Josh Liljedahl as we break down a hunt that didn’t go as planned. Josh thought he had this bull in the bag—a thick timber bull that seemed like a sure thing… until he vanished. In this episode, we analyze what went wrong, explore multiple scenarios, and go over real-world strategies for making sure it doesn’t happen again. Cody shares concrete advice from past experiences where hunts have gone both right and wrong, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to sharpen their elk hunting skills in the offseason. Tune in now and get more mental at-bats before next season!

This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast, we dive into an epic Idaho hunting story with Brad Lunde of Lone Bull Archery—one filled with highs, lows, and relentless determination. It all starts with a bad shot on a great bull, leading to one of the toughest challenges a hunter can face: tracking a wounded elk. This is a story of perseverance, where every pin-drop of blood could be the key to recovering the biggest bull of your life. If you’ve never experienced the struggle of tracking a wounded elk, this episode is a must-listen—a wild journey that ends in the best way possible. Tune in now and enjoy the ride!

Shoutout to Our Sponsors:

Huge thanks to Tricer—makers of the fastest, lightest, and simplest backcountry tripods. Whether you need a rock-solid glassing setup or a shooting tripod built for the backcountry, Tricer has you covered. Check them out at Tricer.com and use code TRO for 10% off!

And of course, OnX Hunt, the ultimate mapping tool for serious hunters. If you’re an Elite Member, you get access to the Hunt Research Tool and a free Huntin’ Fool e-Magazine subscription—helping you plan better hunts with insider unit insights. Upgrade to OnX Elite today at OnXMaps.com.

This week, Cliff Gray—badass dad, YouTuber, and former outfitter—joins the podcast to talk about one of the most important questions in elk hunting: "What is your strategic advantage?" In this episode, we dive into: How to separate yourself from the competition in crowded hunting areas, The balance between e-scouting vs. boots-on-the-ground scouting, Major Colorado hunting regulation updates and what they mean for the average hunter, and How to develop a smarter, more effective elk hunting strategy. Cliff is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to elk hunting, and this episode is packed with next-level insights. If you're serious about improving your skills, be sure to check out Cliff’s hunting community for in-depth support: Pursuit with Cliff Tune in now and enjoy!