In this solo field report, Jaden breaks down the final days of September elk hunting and shares the full story from a recent guided hunt. From bumping into bugling bulls right out of the truck to finally calling in a heavy seven-point for his client Steve, this hunt was a crash course in late-rut elk behavior.

You'll hear how two mature bulls in the same unit played completely different games—one running a massive herd like a cage fighter, the other hanging timid on the sidelines after taking his lumps. Jaden walks through how they set up calling sequences, used wind thermals to their advantage, and why patience in the middle of the day can pay off.

This episode also looks ahead to the first rifle seasons of October:

• Why herd bulls and satellites behave differently as September winds down.

• How to adjust calling strategies for pressured, call-shy elk.

• What to expect from October storms for both elk and mule deer.

• Why staying high pays off, even after the first snows.

If you're closing out archery season or gearing up for rifle, this one is packed with real-world lessons to keep you in the game when it matters most.

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Resources & Links

• Hunt planning services & booking for 2026: Hunt West Planning Website >>

• Try the AI Hunt Buddy free this fall—get answers to your hunt questions, even when Jaden's off-grid.

• Want to hunt Red Stags in Argentina with me next year!? Buy a raffle ticket and support Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation while you're at it >>

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