This week on the Hunt West Podcast, I sit down with Beau Pullin of Cervara Gear to talk about solo elk hunting, brutal packouts, scouting for mule deer, predator encounters, and the ultralight pulley system he created after learning the hard way just how difficult meat care can be deep in the backcountry.

Beau shares the story that sparked the idea for Cervara Gear after killing his first backpack elk solo in Idaho and spending sleepless nights listening to wolves circle his meat pile in the dark. From trying to hang heavy elk quarters with paracord to dealing with heat, bears, and long packouts, this episode dives deep into the reality of what happens after the shot.

We also get into:

• Why meat care is often the most overlooked part of hunt planning
• Solo elk hunting lessons learned the hard way
• Predator encounters around downed game
• Knife injuries and safety while processing game
• Using lightweight pulley systems for hanging meat and handling animals
• Beau's transition from elk addict to serious mule deer hunter

This is a fun one packed with real hunting stories, practical backcountry problem-solving, and a look at a piece of gear that actually solves a legit issue for western hunters.

Check out Beau and Cervara Gear here: Instagram: @cervaragear Website: CervaraGear.com Additional Links:

Eastman's Elite Membership & Reserach Sections >>

Hunt West Digest Sunday Email >>

Hunt West Planning Services >>

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

Most hunters think scouting means hiking around and hoping to stumble into elk. In this episode, Jaden breaks down the actual system I use to scout elk hunts before season ever opens. From e-scouting to boots-on-the-ground work, we talk about the three phases of scouting that help you stay in elk and avoid wasting precious hunting days figuring things out on the fly. The Three Phases Jaden Dives into are:

1. Getting a Lay of the Land
2. Developing an Area
3. Actually Scouting

He also shares real examples from past hunts, including what worked during his 2019 breakthrough archery elk season and what burned him on a more recent limited-entry hunt when he skipped important scouting steps.

If you're staring at a fresh elk tag and wondering where to start, this episode will help you build a better plan before September gets here.

LINKS:

Hunt West Planning Services >>

Hunt West Digest Sunday Email >>

Bridger Reckon Watch >>

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

This week on the Hunt West Podcast, I sit down with guide, archery coach, and all-around bowhunting addict Keifer Rogers to talk about what actually matters when it comes to becoming a better hunter.

We dive deep into shot process, target panic, offseason preparation, and the biggest mistakes most archery hunters make long before the season ever opens. Keifer shares how he went from a Pennsylvania whitetail hunter who barely practiced to killing his first bull elk on opening day of his first-ever elk hunt in Colorado. Along the way, we break down lessons about thermals, patience, drawing early, and why smooth execution matters more than brute force.

And then there's the story of the "Michael Phelps elk"... a giant Wyoming bull that took the crew on a 38-hour rodeo involving multiple stalks, private land, game wardens, and a mile-long swim across a reservoir. One of the wildest elk hunting stories I've ever heard.

If you're serious about becoming a more effective archery hunter this fall, this episode is packed with practical nuggets you can apply right now instead of scrambling in August wondering why your setup and shooting feel shaky.

You can find Keifer at:

• Instagram: @keiferrogers_hunts
• The Hunting Consultant Website

LINKS:

Hunt West Planning Services >>

Bridger Reckon Watch >>

Eastman's Elite Membership >>

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

Using real stories from Wyoming elk camps, OTC mule deer hunts, and Nevada trophy deer tags, Jaden explains how understanding how other hunters move through the landscape can completely change your success. Sometimes the guy "stormtrooper-ing" through the woods isn't hurting your odds at all. Other times, a single serious hunter on the right angle can completely change the game.

This episode dives deep into:

• Why "pressure" and "competition" are not always the same thing
• The importance of hunting angles and visibility
• How arriving early creates options and backup plans
• Why most hunters aren't actually hunting effectively
• When you should pivot to Plan B immediately
• How to structure hunts around weekdays, season timing, and hunting culture
• Why some of the most "crowded" hunts still hold incredible opportunity

Jaden shares detailed stories about doubling on mule deer during a packed general season opener, managing guided-hunt competition on a premium Nevada tag, and learning that elk don't magically disappear just because you see other hunters in the woods.

If you've ever looked at a crowded trailhead and thought, "Well… this hunt's blown," this episode will help you rethink the way you assess pressure and build better hunting strategies moving forward.

LINKS:

Wyoming Mule Deer Webinar >>

Hunt West Planning Services >>

Bridger Reckon Watch >>

Eastman's Elite Membership >>

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

In this episode, I sit down with Lyle Hebel from MTNTOUGH to talk about what it really means to be prepared for a Western hunt. We dive into everything from long-range shooting and gear choices to spring bear hunting tactics and how fitness actually plays into success in the field.

Lyle shares how he went deep down the shooting rabbit hole, and how chasing improvement across different skills has shaped the way he hunts. We also get into bear hunting strategy, including how to approach early vs late season bears, why getting on the same hillside matters, and how consistent effort beats "perfect timing" more often than not.

On the fitness side, we break down how MTNTOUGH has evolved over the last decade from hardcore sheep-hunter prep into something that actually meets hunters where they're at. From beginner programs to full preseason prep, the goal is simple: build hunters who are always ready, not just hoping to survive their hunt.

If you want to hunt harder, shoot better, and stop making excuses… this episode is for you. LINKS: Hunt West Webinars May 7th & 12th >>

Bridger Reckon Watch >>

Hunt West Planning Services >>

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

Fresh off a trip to Argentina, this episode breaks down what happens when you treat a hunt like a training ground instead of a one-shot opportunity.

Jaden spent the week chasing blackbuck with a bow while the rest of the crew hunted red stag, stacking reps in open country that feels a lot like pronghorn or mule deer terrain. The result? A pile of blown stalks, a couple missed opportunities, one clean kill, and a ton of lessons that translate directly to Western hunting.

This episode dives into what actually matters when you're trying to close the distance: using subtle terrain, waiting for high-percentage setups, and not forcing bad opportunities. There's also a deep look at string jumping, including why mid-range shots can be the most dangerous and how alert animals completely change your odds.

If you've ever rushed a stalk, taken a shot you shouldn't have, or felt like you just needed more reps to figure it out, this one will hit home. LINKS:

Randy Ulmer's Multi-Part String Jump Articles >>

Eastmans' Elite Membership >>

Check out Kifaru Gear >>

Learn about Hunt West Planning Services >> Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

In this episode, a friend of the podcast, Rob Minturn, flipped the script. Rob interviews Jaden to deep dive into tactics for sealing the deal after his crew put a full season of elk lessons to the test.

The guys get into the real stuff. Thermals that screw you, bulls that won't commit, when to send it versus when to slow down, and how to actually hunt elk with a group without blowing everything out. A lot of this comes straight from situations they ran into last fall, so it's not theory, it's what actually happens and how to make little adjustments for when it all comes together.

If you've ever been in elk but couldn't quite close the deal, this one will probably hit home.

Show Links:

Rob's Wifi Physio Services >>

Eastmans' Elite Membership >>

Check out the Kifaru Pointe Synthetic Jacket >>

Hunt West Webinar Series >>

Hunt West Planning Company Services >>

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 takes you back through some of his earliest and messiest hunts. From a chaotic first archery mule deer that turned into a full-blown river chase, to grinding through low-success elk and pronghorn units, these stories all point to one core lesson. The unit you draw isn't what determines your success. It's how well you understand and adapt to the hunt in front of you.

Too many hunters spend all their energy trying to pick the perfect unit, thinking that the tag itself will solve their problems. In reality, the best hunters in the West are successful because they adjust. They read terrain, understand animal behavior, and change their approach based on pressure, access, and conditions. Whether it's shifting from timber to ag edges for elk, knocking on doors for private access, or grinding out opportunities in low-point units, success comes from solving the hunt, not drawing it.

If you're tired of overanalyzing units and just want to become a more effective hunter, this episode will help you rethink your entire approach to Western hunting.

Show Links:

Eastmans' Elite Membership >>

Check out the Kifaru Pointe Synthetic Jacket >>

Hunt West Webinar Series >>

Hunt West Planning Company Services >>

Randy Burtis is one of those guys who's done more in the hunting world than most people ever will, and he's still just getting warmed up.

From growing up surrounded by Wyoming bowhunting legends to becoming a Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett scorer, Randy's life has been shaped by being around people who really know what they're doing. And in this episode, you get a front-row seat to what he's learned along the way.

We dive into everything from traditional archery and elk hunting strategy to guiding clients and the reality behind scoring animals. But more than anything, this conversation is about what actually makes someone a better hunter and what most hunters are getting wrong.

Randy doesn't sugarcoat much, and that's not only what I appreciate about him, but what makes this one worth your time.

Show Links:

Find Randy Burtis on Instagram @randy_burtis

Check out Table Mountain Outfitters >>

Eastmans' Elite Membership >>

Check out the Kifaru Pointe Synthetic Jacket >>

Hunt West Planning Company Services >>

Spring bear season is right around the corner, but this year isn't shaping up like a normal one. With historically low snowpack across the West, the typical "hunt the snowline" strategy goes out the window. In this episode, I sit down with my brother Tyler to break down how we're thinking about finding and killing bears when everything is greening up fast and access is wide open.

We dig into how low snow changes bear behavior, where to actually focus your time, and why glassing more country matters this year. We also talk through practical strategies like covering ground on closed roads, using burns and open terrain to your advantage, and how to balance evening glassing with midday scouting. If you've got limited time to hunt, this one will help you make better decisions right away.

We also cover the stuff that doesn't get talked about enough, like judging bears, avoiding sows, shot placement, and what to do after the shot. Whether you're chasing your first bear or just trying to adapt to a weird year, this episode will give you a simple, effective game plan to roll into spring with confidence.

SHOW LINKS:

Learn about the Bridger Watch >>

Check out the Hunt West Services >>

Sign up for the Hunt West Digest >>

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