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FOCUS HUNTING PODCAST
FOCUS HUNTING PODCAST episodes
- Ep. 272 My Late-Season Mule Deer Clothing System
This episode is a full clothing-system gear dump from my latest mule deer hunt in the southern interior of British Columbia. I walk through exactly what I wore in the field, from First Lite and Sitka pieces to Smartwool base layers and budget-friendly Winners finds. You’ll hear honest, no-BS comparisons between high-end technical gear and cheaper options, including what actually kept me warm, dry, and comfortable in real mountain weather. I also break down my layering strategy for conditions ranging from warm hikes to cold glassing sessions, plus socks, boots, and bino harness setup. If you hunt Western Canada or the Northwestern U.S. and want practical, field-tested clothing advice (not influencer fluff), this one’s for you.
www.kevintoye.com
https://www.youtube.com/@kevinltoye
29 min - Ep. 271 Old Mountain Monarch: Solo Mule Deer Hunt Recap
In this solo episode, Kevin recaps a fast, two-day mule deer hunt in BC’s Region 3, explaining how he and a buddy used e-scouting, south-facing slopes, recent burns, and tight sub 500 yard glassing to locate bucks in big sagebrush country. He shares why they passed young four-points, how his partner made a perfect 6.5 Creedmoor shot on a rutty three-point, and gives a candid account of his own bow kill on an ancient buck, including a bad first shot caused by cam contact and the follow up that finished the job. Kevin also touches on declining mule deer numbers, the importance of hunter “citizen science,” practical late-October tactics you can use right now, and details on how to enter the upcoming AKU boot giveaway.
www.kevintoye.comhttps://akuoutdoor.ca/ Use promo code FOCUS
40 min - Ep. 270 The Mystery of a Missing Vermont Deer: An Archery Pro’s Story with Isaac Sullivan
Indoor National Champion and Vermont bowhunter Isaac Sullivan joins host Kevin Toye to talk about the side of archery you rarely see target panic, slumps, missed shots, tough blood trails, and the mystery of a missing Vermont deer. From his beginnings to a national title, Isaac explains how coaching, daily practice, and a one-arrow-at-a-time mindset shape both his tournament performance and his bowhunting decisions, and why ethical hunters should share the lows as honestly as the highlight-reel kills.
Chapters
00:00 Meet Vermont champion Isaac Sullivan
01:20 First deer hunt and early archery beginnings04:05 From JOAD classes to daily practice08:25 The coaches who shaped his competitive game12:12 Troubleshooting slumps, timing, and bow setup18:16 Work ethic, ambition, and representing Vermont23:05 Youth score milestones and the pressure of perfection27:19 Why he wants his bow ready from the first arrow30:18 A tournament loss, inside-out Xs, and small goals35:36 Resetting after setbacks and building a short memory39:26 How overtraining led to target panic42:05 Admitting the problem and rebuilding confidence45:19 Managing target panic through wind and team rounds49:09 The Pan Am bronze and renewed belief53:15 Hunting bow balance and broadhead testing58:03 Broadhead performance, blood trails, and close shots01:01:26 A challenging Kentucky buck shot01:01:54 A missed first shot and the pressure of a mature buck01:04:37 Why hunters should share the imperfect moments01:07:57 Isaac’s dream hunt and the 200-inch whitetail goal01:11:21 A ducked arrow, missed windows, and the grind01:15:23 What makes mature whitetails so challenging01:18:18 Public land, trail cameras, and hunting the sign01:22:25 Baiting routines, scent control, and electronic devices01:25:24 The Vermont eight-pointer and a hard-earned harvest01:33:08 Ethics, memorable hunts, and the doubt after a shot01:39:09 Tracking stories, lost deer, and the uncertainty of recovery01:47:44 A puzzling Vermont recovery and hunting’s hard lessons01:53:43 The legacy Isaac hopes to leave for the next generationhttps://www.instagram.com/isaac.sullivan/
https://www.facebook.com/isaac.sullivan.9883
www.kevintoye.com
1 hr 56 min - Ep. 269 Gear, Grit & Growth: How Hunting Shapes Your Life with Trail Kreitzer
In this episode, Kevin chats with Trail Kreitzer of GoHunt. Trail shares his journey from childhood hunting experiences to becoming a wildlife biologist and hunting expert. He discusses the emotional highs and lows of hunting, gear systems, mindset, and the importance of persistence and patience in the pursuit of big game.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and guest background
01:25 First hunting memories with family04:43 Emotional highs and lows of hunting08:28 Getting started with wildlife biology and hunting11:45 Transitioning to a career with Go Hunt12:20 Reflections on aging and hunting14:58 Love for the outdoors and hunting passion16:51 The thrill of the hunt and persistence20:50 Understanding elk behavior and common mistakes24:43 The importance of patience and perseverance28:51 Unexpected moments and seizing opportunities34:39 Gear systems and clothing for different conditions43:55 The role of gear in success and comfort49:50 Overcoming personal struggles through hunting55:57 The satisfaction of a perfect shot01:00:05 What if hunting disappeared from life01:02:11 The importance of meat in the freezer01:03:55 Connecting with the hunting community01:04:52 Upcoming hunts and future goalshttps://www.gohunt.com/podcast
https://www.instagram.com/trailk11/
www.kevintoye.com
1 hr 7 min - Ep. 268 What the F@cK Friday. Calling in Sick & DumbA$$ comments
**Explicit Content**
In this episode, Kevin and Landen dive into a wide range of topics from personal life choices, military training, to AI technology and social media trends. They share candid insights and humorous takes on everyday issues and current events, making it a must-listen for those interested in honest, unfiltered conversations.Chapters
00:00 Introduction and episode overview
01:59 Discussion on family planning and snipping03:55 Living on the edge and current events10:00 Fishing stories and drinking on boats15:06 Military training, safety, and real risks20:02 War, preparedness, and real-world training25:03 AI technology, videos, and thumbnail strategies30:06 Social media trends and honest opinions35:52 Personal grooming, aging, and humorwww.kevintoye.com
41 min - Ep. 267 Q&A - Where to find deer?
In this episode, Kevin Toye shares expert tips on how to find and hunt deer effectively, emphasizing the importance of e-scouting, understanding habitat, and making the most of on-the-ground observations. Perfect for new hunters and those looking to refine their strategy.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and episode overview
00:37 Listener questions and episode goals02:03 The importance of holding hunting spots close to the chest03:01 Habitat types for mule deer in BC03:31 Using terrain and slopes to find mule deer04:25 Utilizing forestry roads and clear cuts for scouting05:25 The value of on-the-ground notes and map comparison07:12 Approaching deer without spooking them09:23 Observing deer behavior and bedding areas11:13 Hunting strategies for whitetails and mule deer14:34 Changes in deer populations and habitat in BC16:29 Timing and seasonal patterns for deer movement18:21 Vegetation and terrain preferences for mule deer and whitetails20:48 Ethical hunting and using baiting and scrapes22:10 Setting up for successful deer hunting24:31 E-scouting tips and tools for new hunters30:51 Final advice for new hunters and closing remarksKey topics
E-scouting techniques and tools
Habitat preferences of mule deer and whitetailsUsing maps and on-the-ground notes to find deerHabitat features like slopes, clear cuts, and water sourcesTiming and seasonal considerations for deer huntingwww.kevintoye.com
28 min - Ep. 266 From Broken Neck to Bull Elk: Cody Rich's Journey and the Bridger Watch
From a life-changing neck injury to becoming one of the most respected voices in elk hunting and outdoor entrepreneurship, Cody Rich has lived a “war of attrition” mindset in real time.
In this episode, Cody shares how a devastating accident reshaped his life, the mental models that carried him through recovery, and how persistence, both in the mountains and in business, became his superpower. We dive into elk hunting in British Columbia, from tough access and rugged canyons to silent bulls, decommissioned roads, and reading timber and terrain to find elk in big country.
Cody also breaks down the journey from launching The Rich Outdoors podcast to building Bridger, a purpose-built smartwatch designed specifically for hunters. We explore how specialized gear can improve your odds, why redefining what “winning” means matters, and how to turn failures into fuel for long-term success.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Cody Rich's background
00:19 Introduction to elk habitat and access strategies01:53 Cody's injury and recovery story02:32 The importance of canyons and roads in elk hunting05:07 Using timber and terrain features to locate elk06:07 The accident details and initial shock08:05 The role of experience and network in finding elk10:00 The journey of rehabilitation and resilience11:57 Mental models: War of attrition and persistence15:11 Starting the Rich Outdoors podcast15:29 The analogy of steelhead fishing and elk calling20:12 Cody's transition into entrepreneurship20:37 The importance of consistent effort and patience25:04 Getting into elk hunting and early experiences25:30 Building a specialized smartwatch for hunters29:57 Challenges of BC elk hunting terrain and silent bulls30:04 Features and design considerations for hunting gear34:55 Strategies for hunting in BC's rugged landscape35:09 The entrepreneurial journey and overcoming obstacles39:48 Lessons learned and future plans in hunting and gear45:00 The mindset of successful hunters and entrepreneurshttps://www.therichoutdoors.net/
https://www.therichoutdoors.net/the-elk-nut-episode/
https://www.bridgerwatch.com/
www.kevintoye.com
1 hr 10 min - Ep. 266 From Broken Neck to Bull Elk: Cody Rich’s Journey and the Bridger Watch
From a life-changing neck injury to becoming one of the most respected voices in elk hunting and outdoor entrepreneurship, Cody Rich has lived a “war of attrition” mindset in real time.
In this episode, Cody shares how a devastating accident reshaped his life, the mental models that carried him through recovery, and how persistence, both in the mountains and in business, became his superpower. We dive into elk hunting in British Columbia, from tough access and rugged canyons to silent bulls, decommissioned roads, and reading timber and terrain to find elk in big country.
Cody also breaks down the journey from launching The Rich Outdoors podcast to building Bridger, a purpose-built smartwatch designed specifically for hunters. We explore how specialized gear can improve your odds, why redefining what “winning” means matters, and how to turn failures into fuel for long-term success.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Cody Rich's background
00:19 Introduction to elk habitat and access strategies01:53 Cody's injury and recovery story02:32 The importance of canyons and roads in elk hunting05:07 Using timber and terrain features to locate elk06:07 The accident details and initial shock08:05 The role of experience and network in finding elk10:00 The journey of rehabilitation and resilience11:57 Mental models: War of attrition and persistence15:11 Starting the Rich Outdoors podcast15:29 The analogy of steelhead fishing and elk calling20:12 Cody's transition into entrepreneurship20:37 The importance of consistent effort and patience25:04 Getting into elk hunting and early experiences25:30 Building a specialized smartwatch for hunters29:57 Challenges of BC elk hunting terrain and silent bulls30:04 Features and design considerations for hunting gear34:55 Strategies for hunting in BC's rugged landscape35:09 The entrepreneurial journey and overcoming obstacles39:48 Lessons learned and future plans in hunting and gear45:00 The mindset of successful hunters and entrepreneurshttps://www.therichoutdoors.net/
https://www.therichoutdoors.net/the-elk-nut-episode/
https://www.bridgerwatch.com/
www.kevintoye.com
1 hr 14 min - Ep. 265 Late-Season Elk Strategy That Finally Put Us on Big Herds
In this episode, Kevin shares late-season elk hunting strategies, focusing on understanding elk behavior post-rut, effective scouting, and bumping techniques to improve success. Perfect for hunters looking to adapt their approach as the season progresses.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Late Season Elk Hunting Strategies
02:07 Elk Behavior After the Rut03:54 Scouting and Using Maps for Elk Location05:47 Story of a Successful Hunt and Bumping Elk10:03 Reading Sign and Tracking Elk14:56 Dealing with Bumped Elk and Pressure20:12 Timing, Wind, and Location Tips25:07 The Importance of Quiet and Observation30:06 Hunting Strategies for Different Terrain and Herds35:02 Handling Public Land and Other Hunters39:52 Final Tips and Encouragement for Hunterswww.kevintoye.com
47 min - Ep. 264 Unpredictable Bulls W/ Traivs O'shea
In this episode, Kevin Toye and Travis O'Shea discuss the challenges of elk hunting in 2026, including low elk numbers, weather impacts, and hunting strategies. They share insights on how elk behavior has changed and offer tactical advice for hunters facing these conditions. In this episode, Travis and Kevin discuss elk hunting strategies, the impact of weather and predators on elk behavior, and the importance of adaptable calling techniques. They share insights on elk movement, calling tactics, and how to improve success in challenging conditions.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Elk Hunting Challenges in 2023
00:02 Introduction and episode overview02:12 Impact of Weather and Forest Fires on Elk Populations02:22 Elk movement and habitat patterns05:00 Changes in Elk Behavior and Herd Dynamics09:55 Strategies for Hunting Low-Density Elk Areas10:06 Impact of weather, forest fires, and drought14:54 Using Sign and Sign Sign to Find Elk20:00 The Role of Wind, Scent, and Stealth20:44 Predator effects and elk behavior24:57 Observations from Trail Cameras and Sign30:01 Behavior During Rut and Non-Rut Periods30:28 Calling techniques and call selection34:56 Adapting Tactics to Changing Elk Activity39:55 The Importance of Patience and Observation44:57 Reflections on a Difficult Hunting Year45:21 Using trail cameras and maps for scouting55:21 Timing, seasonality, and elk activity01:04:57 Adapting strategies to elk behavior changes01:15:27 The importance of studying sign and behavior01:29:49 Future plans, new calls, and hunting tipswww.wapitiriveroutdoors.com
www.kevintoye.com
1 hr 50 min
About FOCUS HUNTING PODCAST
From the publisher's feed
The FOCUS HUNTING PODCAST delivers real world bowhunting tactics, gear breakdowns, and science based conservation for Western Canada and the Northwest. Hosted by Kevin Toye, it’s built for working‑class hunters chasing elk, deer, bear, and moose in big, wild country.