In this episode, the guys are back from a short break and dive straight into listener questions focused on elk hunting and backcountry performance. They break down practical mid‑season fitness tips to keep you strong and sharp in the field, along with strategies for staying mentally and physically ready when the grind of the season starts to catch up with you. The conversation covers what to do when elk are hard to locate, how to adjust your strategy when pressure moves animals, and how to read sign and terrain to relocate herds. They also share proven late‑season elk hunting tactics that can make all the difference when the weather turns cold, hunting pressure increases, and elk patterns change. Whether you’re in the middle of your elk season or planning your next move, this episode is packed with real‑world advice to help you stay in the game, hunt smarter, and improve your odds of success in the backcountry.

In this episode, we welcome David Houser, innovative engineer and part owner of Beast Broadheads, to talk about the world’s sharpest mechanical broadhead and its revolutionary design. David gives a behind‑the‑scenes look at the intricate challenges and triumphs involved in creating one of the most advanced hunting broadheads on the market. From engineering and design hurdles to manufacturing breakthroughs and field‑testing performance, he provides an insider’s perspective on what it takes to bring cutting‑edge broadhead technology from concept to the quiver of bowhunters around the globe. If you’re interested in archery gear, mechanical vs. fixed blade broadheads, or the future of hunting equipment innovation, this deep dive into Beast Broadheads and their design is a must‑listen.

For more on Beast Broadheads and David, check out Beast Broadheads – World’s Sharpest Mechanical Broadhead and follow David Houser (@davidhouser) on Instagram.

Host Landen Fidek sits down with Alaskan guide and professional hunter Adam Grenda from the popular YouTube channel “Stuck in the Rut” to break down moose hunting in Alaska from the ground up. Adam shares hard-earned insight on effective moose calling techniques, what sounds to make, when to call, and why certain vocalizations work on mature bulls. He dives into Alaska moose hunting strategy for remote, rugged country, explaining how he reads moose behavior, terrain, and conditions to consistently locate and close the distance on big bulls.  

Drawing on years of traplining and backcountry experience, Adam explains how time on the trapline has sharpened his understanding of animal movement and seasonal patterns, and how hunters can apply that knowledge to plan more successful hunts. Whether you’re planning your first DIY Alaska moose hunt or looking to refine your tactics as an experienced hunter, this episode delivers real-world advice on setups, shot opportunities, gear considerations, and how to hunt effectively in challenging northern terrain.

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with legendary mule deer hunter and author Robby Denning to dive deep into advanced mule deer hunting strategies for every season.

Robby Denning is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable mule deer hunters in the West. He breaks down proven tactics for early-season mule deer hunting in September, Pre-rut and rut mule deer behavior and strategies, and late-season mule deer hunts and cold-weather tactics

Whether you’re a seasoned western big game hunter or planning your first DIY public land mule deer hunt, this episode is packed with practical tips on scouting, finding mature bucks, reading country, and increasing your odds of tagging a trophy mule deer buck.

If you want to learn how to consistently locate and harvest big mule deer, don’t miss this in‑depth conversation with Robby Denning.

On this episode, backcountry elk hunting expert and industry personality Brian Barney joins Kevin Toye and Landen Fidek to talk next‑level Western elk hunting mindset and strategy. Brian shares decades of backcountry elk hunting experience, focusing on his core philosophy: adapt or die. He delivers actionable elk hunting tips on reading mountain weather patterns, adjusting failed tactics in real time, and staying mentally tough when steep terrain, pressure, and changing conditions stack up against you. Discover why flexibility and decision‑making beat expensive gear, how his elk hunting strategies have evolved over the years, and which old tactics no longer work in today’s heavily pressured elk country. Whether you’re a new elk hunter or a seasoned Western big game backpack hunter, you’ll learn how top hunters like Brian consistently fill elk tags by embracing change, hunting smarter, and becoming truly adaptable in the modern backcountry.

Kevin Toye and Landen Fidek sit down with author and backcountry hunter Josh Kirchner to talk Western black bear hunting strategies, outdoor writing, and life as a devoted husband and serious backcountry hunter. Josh shares how he got started in hunting and outdoor writing, what life looks like as a devoted husband, writer, and backcountry hunter, and his proven black bear hunting strategies. They dive into how to scout for bears, essential bear hunting gear, shot placement for ethical kills, and how to handle hot temperatures while taking care of bear meat on early‑season hunts.

Kevin Toye and Landen Fidek chat with Joe Kondelis, president of the American Bear Foundation, about grizzly bear hunting, black bear management, and wildlife conservation across the Western United States and Canada. They dig into current legislation proposing grizzly bear reintroduction in California, the science behind black bear and grizzly bear population management, and best practices for avoiding human–bear conflict in backcountry hunting areas. Joe explains how hunters and sportsmen help conserve grizzly bears, black bears, and other wildlife species through science-based bear management, and breaks down the true cause and effect of British Columbia’s grizzly bear hunting ban on bear populations, habitat, local communities, and future bear hunting opportunities.

Kevin Toye

American Bear Foundation

Kevin Toye and Landen Fidek sit down with Kifaru International’s Kenneth Thrall to talk serious backcountry hunting gear for elk and mule deer backpack hunters. Kenneth shares his journey from Oregon to joining Kifaru in Wyoming, what it really takes to design and build a bombproof hunting backpack, and why Kifaru packs have such a strong reputation in the Western big game community. They dive into early‑season and late‑season mule deer tactics, Kifaru’s new hunting clothing lineup, and how Kifaru aims to set new industry standards for backcountry hunting packs, technical apparel, and gear built for Western mountain hunts.

Episode 221 of our hunting podcast breaks down backcountry elk and mule deer hunting gear and clothing from SITKA, KUIU, and First Lite for Western Canadian big game backpack hunters of all experience levels. Kevin, Derek, and Landen compare complete hunting clothing systems layer by layer, sharing real‑world pros and cons from extensive use on elk and mule deer hunts in steep mountain terrain. Learn how their layering systems perform in cold, wet, and windy backcountry conditions, and get practical tips for choosing the best hunting apparel, base layers, insulation, and outerwear for your next Western big game hunt.

On this episode, Kevin, Landen, and Muc chat about their upcoming BC Goat hunt. For Landen, this is his first goat hunt, and for Muc, his first actual backpack-style hunt. The guys recap gear as the hunt date gets closer.