Rokcast

Robby hosts Darby Finley, Wildlife Biologist for Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Darby has served over 20 years in Northwest Colorado, the heart of the Chronic Wasting Disease battle.  From day one on the job, Darby has been immersed in the origin, effects, and ongoing fight against CWD.  If you think CWD is just the boogey-man of wildlife management, you might want to listen to this episode. Darby gives evidence of how CWD has cut mule deer herds to the point that tag numbers have to be reduced (think lost hunter opportunity), but he also shows where the battle has been won and hunter opportunity has increased.

They also discuss why Colorado went with the later season dates for rifle hunts, how this has affected buck numbers and age class, and if these season dates need to continue. This is one of those important episodes that everyone needs to listen to.

Rokslide members can discuss this episode 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

Travis Hobbs and Robby Denning host Dr. Tayler LaSharr of the Monteith Shop.  Tayler studied the mule deer migration in Wyoming in relation to fawn survival. She was looking for a correlation between survival rates of fawns raised in or near agriculture--are mule deer fawns more likely to survive, or are there hazards that actually decrease survival rates?

Tayler also discusses how the condition of the mother and how "site selection" affects a mule deer fawn's survival in its first winter. This stuff will make you a better deer hunter!

Tayler LaSharr is a Post Doctorate Research Associate for the Monteith Shop. This episode was recorded at the recent Mule Deer Days, sponsored by The Muley Fanatic Foundation and Wyoming Game & Fish, in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

The Monteith Shop is one of the leading research organizations on mule deer and other ungulates. Based out of the University of Wyoming, their mission statement is “Advancing Science and Management, One Data Point at a Time.” You can follow the Monteith Shop 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

Kevin Monteith is back, this time busting up the myths surrounding antler size vs age of bucks and bulls. This episode will surprise more than a few hunters. How antlers grow with age has been speculated on for decades, but with more access to accurate lab aging, and researchers like Kevin, a whole body of evidence is showing that what we think isn't always the case. Do antlers peak at five years old, or seven?  Do antlers regress as a buck or bull reaches his later years?  Also, can an elk really have a nine-foot antler spread? Robby and Kevin discuss these questions and more in today's episode on Antler size vs Age.

Image Courtesy of Tayler LaSharr

Kevin Monteith is one of the leading researchers on mule deer and other ungulates. Based out of the University of Wyoming, their mission statement is “Advancing Science and Management, One Data Point at a Time.” You can follow the Monteith Shop here and learn more about antler size vs age and other fascinating topics.

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

#32 This week's Tipsy Tuesday is focused on Purposeful Shooting Techniques.  Chris Cornelius shares his personal journey into the foundational aspect of killing game animals on demand. Purposeful Shooting Techniques is a "whole system" process approach- accounting for the shooter, the complete rifle system, and proper ammunition. These optimized techniques and processes increase speed and consistency when forced to make accurate on demand shots. Afterwards Alps Outdoorz https://alpsoutdoorz.com/extreme-packs.html joins in to discuss their new 5800 pack bag and elite frame. S&S Archery https://sandsarchery.com/ comes in to tell listeners about their business and offer a sweet discount. Bill Vanderhyden from Iron Will https://ironwilloutfitters.com/products/k3-ultralight-boning-knife talks about all Iron Will knife offerings including the new K3. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear reviews [https://www.rokslide.com/category/gear/] and recaps the latest Western news.

223 Rokslide thread-https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-mountain-goat-deer-chupacabra-elk-walrus-and-moose.130488/

Practice Drill- https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/equipment-versus-practice-posts-and-rifle-practice-shooting.165291/

Apls Outdoorz Elite review-https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/alps-outdoors-elite-3800-pack-review-by-torin-miller.319280/

Iron Will Knife K1 review-https://www.rokslide.com/iron-will-k1-ultralight-hunting-knife-review/

Iron Will Knife K2 review-https://www.rokslide.com/iron-will-k2-knife-review/

Discount S&S Archery code- Rokslide for 10% off

Enter the 2024 Cold Bore Challenge- https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/2024-cold-bore-challenge.360756/

Howl for Wildlife https://www.howlforwildlife.org/take_action 

Check out Rokslides 2023 Favorite Gear- Here

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

Photo Courtesy of Ben Regan

Travis and Robby host Rebekah Rafferty of The Monteith Shop. They discuss Rebekah's research into the phenomenon of mule deer abandoning winter range, and how seasons and landscape shape the winter distribution of deer.

Rebekah is the current coordinator of the Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Rokcast on mule deer.

This episode on the dynamics of mule deer winter range was recorded at the recent Mule Deer Days, sponsored by The Muley Fanatic Foundation and Wyoming Game & Fish, in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

The Monteith Shop is one of the leading researcher organiziations on mule deer and other ungulates. Based out of the University of Wyoming, their mission statement is “Advancing Science and Management, One Data Point at a Time.” You can follow the Monteith Shop 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

Robby hosts Idaho Fish and Game Deer & Elk Coordinator, Toby Boudreau, and Justin Binfet, Deputy Chief of Wyoming Game & Fish's Wildlife Division to talk Elk Hunting.

They discuss the recent article by Dac Collins of Outdoor Life: "Elk Hunters had a Phenomenal Season in Wyoming, While Idaho Saw the Worst Harvest in a Decade" here

https://www.outdoorlife.com

They dive deep into what may have caused this harvest difference. Is Wyoming managing their elk herd better than Idaho? Or is Idaho ahead of Wyoming in limiting too much harvest? Or was this article just click-bait? Listen in and become a better elk hunter.

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

#31 Tipsy Tuesday has Blake Brown taking us along on his big bull elk hunt in Fiordland National Park on New Zealand's South Island. Roy Sloan president of the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation https://fwf.net.nz/ walks us though the ballot process on how to draw this amazing big bull elk hunt. Roy shares the foundations successes and describes the legal fight to keep New Zealand's Wapiti/Elk herd in Fiordland National Park. Ryan Sapena joins in to let us know what's new at Seek Outside https://seekoutside.com/. Black Ovis team members Ty Hinds and Jace Johnson roll out the new Plateau tripod https://www.blackovis.com/blackovis-plateau-carbon-fiber-standing-tripod-with-panhead. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear reviews [https://www.rokslide.com/category/gear/] and recaps the latest Western news.

Donate to save the Wapiti-Fiordland Wapiti Foundation - Save the Wapiti (fwf.net.nz)

Discount on all Black Ovis branded gear code- Rokslide for 10% off

Enter the 2024 Cold Bow Challenge- https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/2024-cold-bow-challenge.355440/

Howl for Wildlife https://www.howlforwildlife.org/take_action 

Check out Rokslides 2023 Favorite Gear- Here

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

At the recent Mule Deer Days in Rock Springs, Wyoming, Robby caught up with Cody Robbins of the TV show Live 2 Hunt with Cody & Kelsey.

If giant mule deer are your thing, this is your episode! Cody has taken 11 bucks between 200" all the way up to 288"! He's one of the most successful big buck hunters out there.

In this episode, Cody talks everything about hunting giant mule deer:

His early days of filming with Jim Shockey

How shed hunting helps him locate giant mule deer

Hunting public land

Staying focused on one giant buck

Taking the world record mule deer in 2011

The incredible hunt for a buck named Sleepy

How giant bucks can consistently show up in a given area

Genetics vs. Nutrition for growing giant bucks

Laying it all on the table for the chance at a giant buck

How CWD has affected him

Don't miss this exciting episode. Even if you've watched his TV show, you'll learn more about giant bucks by tuning in to today's Rokcast episode.

Cody Robbins' TV show airs every Sunday evening on the Outdoor Channel!

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

USGS Migration Route Data. Notice Interstate Locations and Migration Barriers.

We hear all the time about urban sprawl affecting mule deer populations. I think the average hunter, (me included) usually only thinks about habitat destruction directly related to communities, homes, and businesses. We don't even consider the road system that link all of these communities together and the impact roadways have on wildlife, especially mule deer.  Of course when we do think about roads and wildlife, the first thing that comes to mind is wildlife-auto collisions, but it is much more complex than that. In fact those collisions we see are a drop in the bucket when we compare it to the loss of historic migration routes, and loss of access to habitat that comes with migration.

Change has been everywhere you look nearly over the past half a century. It wasn't until 1956, that the Interstate Highway System was dreamed up under the Eisenhower administration. The speed limit on the highway during the 70's, 80's, and early 90's was 55 MPH, of course now, we would all lose our minds if we had to drive that slow.

The big question- How has this complex system of multi-lane highways, changes in speed limits, and road noise affected the wildlife in the State of Utah, and around the west, particularly the mule deer herds?

Here to address some of those questions, and many more is Matt Howard, the Utah Department of Transportations Natural Resource Manager. Matt is a biologist by definition, and a guy that studies "Road Ecology", which is a fairly new science. He explains what the State of Utah is doing to help reduce wildlife fatalities, improve migration corridors, and mitigate wildlife and automobile collisions.

Constructing "Main Street of America" Route 66

To learn more on Utah Migrations- www.wildlifemigration.utah.gov

The rest of the United States (besides Montana for some reason) www.westernmigrations.net

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more about different episodes, you can check here for detailed show notes and overviews. Rokcast Podcast

Another great Rokcast on Migration Routes. ROKCAST MIGRATION

Robby reads from Hunting Big Mule Deer: How to Take the Best Buck of Your Life. His chapter on Ambush Hunting is a must if you want to be a complete mule deer hunter.

Before he dives in, he recaps some mule deer news and checks in with The Mule Deer Foundation’s spring edition of their magazine--always a good source for on-the-ground mule deer updates. As Robby always says, this stuff will make you a better deer hunter, and better at Ambush Hunting, too

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