Our friend, Jordan Budd returns to the Rokcast for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from a great 2025 spring bear hunt to big mule deer to building a hunting system you can trust when the pressure is on.

Jordan starts us off by sharing updates on ranch life in Nebraska, elk management, upcoming mule deer and antelope hunts, and the lessons she's learned from years of western hunting. We discuss scouting familiar country versus exploring new ground, gear innovations that have actually impressed her, and why understanding your equipment may be more important than buying something new.

We break down the bear hunt featured on YouTube, including the patience it took to sit for hours before turning up a mature chocolate bear and the rifle system Jordan relied on to make a dang good shot. Along the way, we dive into the idea of "trusting your system," why confidence matters more than constantly changing gear, and how experience helps hunters make better decisions in the field.

Whether you're preparing for fall hunts, dialing in your rifle or bow setup, or simply trying to become a more effective western hunter, this episode is packed with practical insights from one of the most experienced hunters in the game.

Watch the 2025 Spring Bear Hunt here >>

Subscribe to Jordan Budd's personal YouTube channel here >>

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

Sam Weaver delves into Wyoming wildlife conservation at Mule Deer Days. John Eddins discusses successful wildlife crossings that reduce deer-vehicle collisions by 80%, focusing on projects near Kemmer and Pinedale. Macy Jacobson highlights the crucial role of beavers in restoring ecosystems and supporting habitats for big game. Braden Tethal, Aiden Ray, and Luke Schultz share their mission to provide outdoor opportunities for disabled hunters, emphasizing accessibility and community support. Sam encourages listeners to support Mule Deer Fanatics and engage in conservation efforts to preserve hunting rights and wildlife.  

Muley Fanatic

Monteith shop

Beaver Institute

Western Wyoming Disabled Hunters

 

Howl for Wildlife- Take Action

 

Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/

 

Visit Rokslide’s Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to [email protected]

 

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]

Discover Washington State’s hidden hunting gems with Karie Thomas. This episode offers valuable insights into hunting regulations, scouting tactics, and essential gear tips for women. Karie shares transformative stories of mentorship and conservation, highlighting hunting's role in healing and community building. Perfect for hunters eager to explore new terrains and deepen their connection with nature. Then Sam Weaver and Tim Andrews discuss the hunting and archery experiences at Colorado Backcountry Precision, highlighting skill-building opportunities of long-range and archery 3d courses along with suppressor trials to enhance enjoyment of Colorado's outdoors. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news.

Plants Mule Deer love

Montana Grit Outdoors

Gypsum Creek Outfitters

Colorado Backcountry Precision

Cold Bore Challenge 2026

Howl for Wildlife- Take Action

 

Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/

 

Visit Rokslide’s Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to [email protected]

 

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]

Most hunters spend plenty of time thinking about tags, gear, optics, rifles, bows, and where to find animals. Far fewer spend time learning how to take care of themselves when things don't go according to plan.

In this episode, Jaden sits down with retired Navy diver, survival instructor, and Sitka’s big game product development lead, John Barklow to talk about the often-overlooked skills that keep hunters in the game when conditions get tough. We cover everything from water management and fire building to foot care, clothing systems, hypothermia prevention, and the mindset required to endure challenging conditions in the backcountry.

John shares stories from Alaska, military survival training, Africa, and decades spent teaching people how to thrive in harsh environments. We also discuss his upcoming book, Knowledge From Storms, and why the "care and feeding of the hunter" may be one of the biggest factors separating successful hunters from those who head home early.

If you've ever wondered how to stay in the field longer, avoid preventable mistakes, and become a more capable outdoorsman, this episode is packed with practical lessons from one of the best to teach them.

Preorder John's book, "Knowledge From Storms" here >> 

Subscribe to the Rokslide YouTube Channel for more upcoming videos >>

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

Unlock precision shooting secrets to elevate your hunting and competitive game without breaking the bank. Whether you're experienced or new, this episode shows how competitive shooting enhances skills and decision-making. Dan Bertocchini and Justin Crossley explore how match scenarios mimic real hunting challenges, teaching ethical shot placement and gear refinement. Discover how competition boosts confidence and connects you with a passionate community. Tune in to transform your skills and redefine what's possible in the field. Afterwards discover how Kings Camo is revolutionizing hunting gear with modular systems that fit every hunt. Learn about their innovative XKG layering, lightweight packs, and stealth-enhancing technology. Elevate your hunting experience with insights from Andrew Pooch, head of product at Kings Camo. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news.

PRSuit Series

Kings Camo XKG series

Cold Bow Challenge 2026

Howl for Wildlife- Take Action

 

Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/

 

Visit Rokslide’s Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to [email protected]

 

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]

Longtime Rokslide writer, film host, and friend of the show, Tony Trietch, joins the Rokcast to talk about what it really takes to consistently find success out West. From giant mule deer and desert bulls to decoying rut-crazed whitetails, Tony breaks down the lessons he’s learned after decades of hunting the West as a nonresident.

Tony dives into how western hunting has changed over the years, why time in a unit still beats any shortcut, and how he’s adapted his approach as tags get harder to draw and mule deer populations continue to shift. The guys also get into scouting strategies, learning new country, physical preparation, archery gear setups, and the mindset required to stay patient on mature animals.

The conversation also covers hunting more efficiently with limited tags, why repeat experience in a unit matters, rangefinding binoculars vs. handheld rangefinders, and so much more. 

If you’re a DIY western hunter trying to become more efficient, patient, and adaptable in the mountains or plains, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons from one of the most experienced and successful nonresident hunters in the game.

Watch Tony's Rokslide film "Bulls in the Dust" here >>

Subscribe to the Rokslide YouTube Channel for more upcoming videos >>

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

If you want to get your animals aged, consider using new Rokcast sponsor, Matson's Lab. Matson's is the go-to for lab-aging your wild game and used by everyone on this episode. See all they do at https://matsonslab.com/

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

On today's Rokcast, Robby hosts Dan Gates of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (C.R.W.M.)

Dan is a frequent guest on the Rokcast because we believe he's not only fighting for the Right to Hunt & Fish in Colorado, but in all of North America.  C.R.W.M. and it's supporters were crucial in defeating Colorado Ballot Proposition 127 back in 2024.

The fight continues with protecting Colorado hunters by making sure that the Constitutional Amendment for the Right to Hunt & Fish in Colorado passes.  By passing this proposed Amendment in November of 2026, hunters are shoring up the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation as the best way to scientifically manage all wildlife on the continent.

It's a quick listen and Dan explains the ways hunters--both resident and non-resident--can help get the Right to Hunt & Fish codified into Colorado's constitution. This includes the chance to hunt the famed Hill Ranch for bull elk this fall.  This license takes over 30 points to draw in the Ranching for Wildlife program and is only reserved for residents.  But with this Landowner tag opportunity offered up by the Hill Ranch, even a non-resident can participate.  Find more information or purchase tickets here

This opportunity is made possible by Safari Club International Colorado Chapter here https://raffles.scicolorado.org/

the Hill Ranch here https://hillhunting.com/book-a-hunt

and C.R.W.M. here

Mastering New Zealand Mountain Hunts:

Join Joseph Peter from Hard Yards Hunting as he explores the challenges and rewards of navigating steep terrains and diverse wildlife in the Southern Alps. Perfect for hunters and adventure seekers, this episode delves into mastering New Zealand mountain hunts and embracing the journey to deepen your understanding of alpine terrains. Joe Elliston discuss Initial Ascent's durable and versatile pack systems, introducing new products like the Scout bag and Sawtooth duffel bags. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news.

Hard Yards Hunting

Initial Ascent Packs

Cold Bow Challenge 2026

Howl for Wildlife- Take Action

 

Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/

 

Visit Rokslide’s Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to [email protected]

 

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]

Cody Schroeder with a Nevada Mule Deer Buck

Nevada might be one of the most interesting mule deer states in the West, and in this episode, Nevada's Cody Schroeder joins the Rokcast to explain what’s happening on the ground with Silver State mule deer. From drought cycles and winterkill to buck ratios, tag allocations, and feral horses, this conversation digs deep into the trade-offs shaping modern mule deer management.

We break down why Nevada manages for some of the highest buck-to-doe ratios in the West, why hunters continue pushing for even older age class deer, and what that means for opportunity moving forward. Cody also explains Nevada’s unique season structures, bonus point system, mandatory harvest reporting, and why some of the hardest tags in the state can still be brutally difficult hunts despite producing old bucks.

The conversation also dives into the realities of managing mule deer in an arid state. We cover spring and fall fawn surveys, migration corridor work, wildlife crossings, drought concerns heading into 2026, and the massive challenge Nevada faces with feral horse populations on the landscape. If you’ve ever wondered how weather, predators, habitat, and hunting pressure all collide to shape deer hunting in Nevada, this episode gives you a candid look behind the curtain.

Along the way, Cody shares stories from his own Nevada sheep hunt, thoughts on why hunters should still swing for the fences in the draw, and a reminder that hunting memories with family matter a whole lot more than waiting for “perfect” conditions.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

If you want to get your animals aged, consider using new Rokcast sponsor, Matson's Lab. Matson's is the go-to for lab-aging your wild game and used by everyone on this episode. See all they do at https://matsonslab.com/

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

This episode is a deep dive into pronghorn hunting with Chance Marshall of Extreme Outfitters, a Wyoming-based guide who’s spent nearly two decades chasing and helping clients kill big antelope. We cover everything from how his family built their outfitting business to why pronghorn are one of the most misunderstood animals in the West. If you’ve mostly hunted deer or elk, this conversation will open your eyes to how different pronghorn really are, especially when it comes to behavior, visibility, and how they use the landscape. 

A big chunk of this episode focuses on field judging, which is where most hunters get tripped up. Chance breaks down why mass matters more than length, how prong placement affects score, and why so many “good-looking” bucks end up being average once you walk up to them. We also get into practical strategies for actually finding better bucks, whether that’s covering ground early season, glassing large groups later in the year, or learning how certain areas consistently produce mature animals.

We also dig into timing and tactics, including when pronghorn are most predictable, how the rut can actually make big bucks harder to kill, and what approaches work best for both rifle and archery hunters. There’s a lot of real-world insight here on spot-and-stalk versus waterhole setups, how to recover after blowing a stalk, and why pronghorn hunting is one of the best ways to sharpen your overall western hunting skills. 

To wrap it up, Chance shares a few standout stories from the field, including one of the wildest pronghorn ever taken, and we touch on Wyoming draw strategy and what it realistically takes to hunt quality units. Whether you’re planning your first antelope hunt or trying to level up and be more selective, this episode gives you a much clearer picture of how to approach pronghorn hunting the right way.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

If you want to get your animals aged, consider using new Rokcast sponsor, Matson's Lab. Matson's is the go-to for lab-aging your wild game and used by everyone on this episode. See all they do at https://matsonslab.com/

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here