January 31, 2025

Lessons from Wyoming’s Remote Backcountry: Elk, Bears & Business

50 minutes

EP 654: Making a Living as a Guide & Lessons from Wyoming’s Backcountry with Nate Hommerding

This week, I’m joined by Nate Hommerding, a hardworking guide chasing his dream of making a full-time living in the outfitting world. Nate originally reached out looking for advice on how to make extra money as an outfitter, so we jumped on the podcast to talk through it.

Like so many in this industry, Nate fell in love with the guiding lifestyle after working for an outfitter in Wyoming. He’s built a solid career chasing elk deep in the Thorofare, one of the most remote and rugged areas in the Lower 48, and running spring fishing trips in the Midwest. But now, the big question is: What’s next?

In this episode, we dive into:

How Nate can turn his passion into a full-time business,

Ways to create passive income (“mailbox money”) as a guide,

The realities of making a living in seasonal outfitting,

Lessons learned from years of chasing elk in extreme backcountry,

Grizzly bear encounters and hunting in some of the thickest bear country in the U.S., and

Insider tips for hunting Wyoming elk—especially helpful as I’m planning my own Wyoming hunt this year.

This is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a career in the outdoors, or for those gearing up to hunt in deep backcountry.

Tune in now and enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Tricer, makers of the fastest, lightest, and simplest backcountry tripods. Drew and the team have already revolutionized the ultralight tripod market, and now they’re bringing that same innovation to shooting tripods. If you’re in the market for a rock-solid, lightweight tripod, check them out at Tricer.com and use code TRO for 10% off your order!

This episode is brought to you by OnX Hunt, the ultimate tool for serious hunters. As an Elite Member, you get access to the Hunt Research Tool (HRT), making it easy to find draw odds and plan your season. Plus, OnX Elite includes a free subscription to Huntin’ Fool e-Magazine, giving you detailed unit insights to help you pick the best hunts. Upgrade to OnX Elite and start planning your next adventure today!

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