Welcome to another episode of the Hunt West Podcast! This one with Bo DePeña kicks off a series of Colorado conversations to help you know what you're getting into when you hunt this popular elk and mule deer destination state. Bo and Jaden start by talking about how fatherhood has changed how he hunts, and what he learned from guiding hunters in Colorado. Then, they dive into some stories of Bo's elk and mule deer hunts in 2024. 

This one is a good conversation with friends with good nuggets to get better as a western hunter baked into it. We hope you enjoy the show!

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Find Bo DePeña's music here >> 

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Listen to the Elk Hunt Podcast Here >>

Contact Jaden at [email protected]

Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

In this solo episode, Jaden repurposed a video recording to help you learn what to look for on your spot and stalk spring bear hunts. It's a shorter podcast that is just chalk full of meat and potatoes information to help you plan spring bear hunts. It's a great opportunity to get out, especially with multiple states still offering great spring bear hunting over the counter. Plus, it's an incredible way to test gear, hone skills, and bring home some tasty meat for the freezer. 

We hope you enjoy this quick hitting spot and stalk spring bear hunting solo episode. 

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Learn about Hunt West planning services >> 

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Listen to the Elk Hunt Podcast Here >>

Contact Jaden at [email protected]

Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

Today on the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden brings on Tyler Bales, an off-roading and at-home vehicle project guru who has a wealth of information to bring to the table. From always working on multiple of his hunting-offroad vehicles to his time spent upgrading tires and suspensions at a tire store, he's amassed some great technical information for hunters to know about their rigs.

But first, don't forget to get ahead of the game by planning your western hunts with Hunt West services, which will be largely offline for the month of March. The website is revamped, so if you want to learn more about services that can help you make the most of your time, money, and vacation days on your hunts, then check it out at huntwest.net  Once you get through the boring house-cleaning items, Jaden and Tyler nerd out on tire selection for hunters, recovery gear for hunting, and even tell some stories of big "oopsies" while on hunts. It's a great podcast for vets and rookies alike as you think about making upgrades to make your vehicle more western hunting-friendly. We hope you enjoy the show!

Follow Tyler on Instagram @tyler_bales8 if you want to talk with him about vehicle stuff.  

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Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

On this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden Bales tackles the big question: 'Did I shoot a baby giant in 2024?' Jaden dives deep into various studies and personal anecdotes to bust myths about deer ages and antler sizes. He discusses data from the Utah long-term study on mule deer and an interesting Texas Apache Ranch study, sharing insights on how environmental factors affect antler growth. Tune in for a detailed analysis of mule deer data, hunting strategies, and the significance of understanding deer aging in the quest for that big buck.   Check out these studies and resources to come to your own mule deer antler-age conclusions:   The Utah Study: Long-Lasting Effects of Maternal Condition on Free-Ranging Cervids  Antlers by the Numbers: The Apache Ranch Study  Study shows mule deer antlers peak earlier than thought The Wyoming Maternal Effects Study Wyoming Tooth Age Data    ____   01:57 Understanding Deer Aging and Antler Size 02:48 Key Studies on Deer Antler Size 06:59 Texas Apache Ranch Study Insights 10:22 Analyzing Personal Hunting Data 15:35 Wyoming Deer Data Analysis 20:20 Regional Comparisons and Insights 27:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts ____

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Contact Jaden at [email protected]

Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, we introduce Jeff Lund, an experienced hunter and writer based in Alaska. Lund discusses his history in the hunting space, his experiences hunting blacktail deer, and the challenges posed by the local terrain and weather conditions. The conversation delves into the detailed planning required for a successful blacktail deer hunt, including the importance of scouting, understanding predator impacts, managing habitat for deer populations, and the gear necessary for navigating the rugged Alaskan landscape. Jeff also shares specific stories about his hunting adventures and provides practical advice for listeners planning their own trips.    Check out Jeff's website onstepalaska.com or follow him @alaskalund   You can request to follow Tyler Bales on IG @tyler_bales8 ___   01:16 Jeff's Journey to Alaska and Hunting Beginnings 03:50 Challenges and Changes in Blacktail Deer Hunting 09:07 Comparing Blacktail and Mule Deer Hunting 12:23 Preparing for the Hunt: Strategies and Expectations 22:39 Weather Challenges and Hunting in the Rain 36:24 Navigating Steep Timber with Ropes 37:24 Challenges of Hunting in Rocky Terrain 40:08 Strategies for Spotting and Shooting Deer 54:20 Dealing with Predators and Safety Concerns 01:00:01 Managing Hunting Pressure and Remote Locations 01:08:37 Final Thoughts and Reflections   ___

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Contact Jaden at [email protected]

Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden and Hunter McWaters talk about the whole gambit of western hunting adventure and the mule deer bug. Hunter shares his personal journey from a tumultuous past to finding redemption and purpose in hunting. Hunter recounts his hunting experiences in states like Colorado and Montana, as well as overseas in Spain. He also shares insights on choosing hunting spots in Wyoming and the value of seeking adventure over trophy goals. The episode highlights Hunter's evolution as a hunter, including his use of different weapons and bullet types, and his perspective on the hunting culture in the U.S. versus Europe.   There are a ton of gems to pick up from this podcast. We hope you enjoy! _____   02:22 Hunter's Origin Story 09:57 Success in Western Hunts 13:49 Deer vs. Elk Hunting 17:02 Blacktail Deer Hunt 34:06 Hunting in Spain: A Unique Experience 38:50 Mule Deer Hunting in the US 39:03 Comparing Hunting Experiences in Montana and Colorado 45:11 The Progression of a Hunter 51:28 Wyoming Deer Hunting Strategy 01:01:35 The Hunter's Quest: Where to Find More _____

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Contact Jaden at [email protected]

Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

In this episode, Jaden catches up with New Mexican friend Jordan Staley. He doesn't look much like Dorothy (he's @therealbeardedhunter on IG) but the two discuss tactics for drawing and hunting elk, pronghorn, and coues deer in Jordan's backyard of New Mexico as well as out-of-state hunts like Arizona, Wyoming, and others. They also get into the nitty-gritty of getting into elk close to roads and the importance of understanding local wildlife behavior, usually by hunting the same place as much as possible or by learning your backyard. 

Jordan also shares his experiences participating in NRL Hunter competitions to improve his shooting skills and reflects on the balance of hunting for himself versus guiding family and friends. The episode is filled with hunting tips, stories from the field, field judging pronghorn, and much much more.  We hope you enjoy this episode! 

Check out the Pronghorn Guide Service field judging tests here >>

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01:28 Drawing Tags and Hunting Strategies 

11:26 The Importance of Local Knowledge

37:02 Pronghorn Hunting in Wyoming

40:56 Scoring and Judging Pronghorn

51:45 Upcoming Hunts and Plans

59:04 Long Range Shooting and Competitions

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Contact Jaden at [email protected]

Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

In this Hunt West Podcast episode, Chad Lubinski shares his experiences of transitioning from hunting Midwest whitetails to digging into filling the freezer out west. The conversation covers a broad range of topics including Chad's adventures with pronghorn and cow elk hunts in Wyoming and the different types of cow elk hunts you can look for in the Cowboy State. The boys also discuss timber hunting versus open country glassing, differences between endurance sports and hunting, the importance of good gear, and the mindset required to be successful in different hunting terrains.  

Whether you are a seasoned hunter looking for information on cow elk hunts, or someone new who wants to hear about the learning curve of western hunting, you'll find learn something from this one and hopefully enjoy the good conversation between friends. 

Follow Chad on social media @chadahooche_ here >>

Check out Chad's YouTube Channel here >>

Listen to the Peanut Butter Mountains Podcast here >> ______

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Ice Bath Struggles

02:35 From Midwest to Western Hunting

04:45 Challenges of Oregon Hunting

09:01 Glassing Techniques and Strategies

16:07 Pronghorn Hunting Success

23:53 Elk Hunting Trials and Triumphs

36:36 Strategizing Elk Hunts: Immediate vs. Long-Term Goals

49:53 Endurance Sports and Hunting: A Mental Game

01:01:09 Lessons from Tree Stand Hunting

01:08:34 Final Thoughts and Social Media Plugs

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Contact Jaden at [email protected]

Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

In this episode, Jaden shares a podcast with the Out of State Hunter Podcast host, Chad Ryker. The guys cover the Wyoming elk applications, Arizona elk applications, and how to structure applications and strategies in conjunction with other states. They also talk about their favorite pieces of gear from 2024 (hint: one of these pieces was just released to the public) as well as new items in their backpacks for 2025. 

This is a hodgepodge of information in a conversational style with Chad. We hope you enjoy this old school style interview podcast. 

🎧 Tune in to sharpen your knowledge and gear up for the adventure!

Follow Hunt West on Instagram >>

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Listen to the Elk Hunt Podcast Here >>

Contact Jaden at [email protected]

Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, host Jaden Bales helps you decide whether to wait to apply for a limited quota license or put in for a general license to elk hunt in Wyoming. Jaden shares personal experiences and advises hunters on making decisions with 4-10 preference points. The episode also features a guest, Logan Dix, who discusses his grandpa's limited quota hunt, as they compare various hunting situations and expectations.

Follow Hunt West on Instagram >>

Subscribe to the Hunt West Weekly Email Here >>

Listen to the Elk Hunt Podcast Here >>

Contact Jaden at [email protected]

Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.