Rokcast

In this episode, Jaden Bales sits down with Luke Schultz to break down elk diets, habitat preferences, and how food availability shapes where elk live, move, and survive. Luke brings a unique perspective as a habitat-focused biologist who also spends plenty of time in the field hunting and scouting.

They cover the difference between elk and deer diets, why elk thrive across the West, and how hunters can use plant knowledge to make better decisions in the field. This isn’t about becoming a botanist, it’s about paying attention and stacking small advantages to put you in elk. 

The guys also hit a quick Wyoming herd update and talk about what current habitat conditions could mean for the next few seasons. If you’ve ever wondered why elk are in one basin and not the next, this one will help connect the dots and hopefully put more of them in your optics next fall. 

If you want to follow along with Luke’s thread about “Plants Elk Hunters Should Know” here on the Rokslide forum.

Learn about the upcoming Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Meeting here.

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

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a growing threat to wildlife in North America. This episode explores the disease's persistence in the environment and its impact on elk and mule deer populations. Jessica Jennings from Wyoming’s Wildlife Health Lab explains how CWD spreads and the challenges in managing it. They discuss new surveillance methods and the role of hunters and landowners in early detection. Advances like the RT-QUIC test offer hope for detecting CWD in live animals, potentially transforming management strategies. Experts Hank Edwards and Justin Binfet highlight the importance of proactive management and ongoing research into vaccines and environmental solutions. This episode is crucial for anyone interested in wildlife conservation. It emphasizes the need for immediate action and community involvement to combat CWD and protect North America's deer and elk populations. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news.

Muley Fanatic Foundation

Monteith shop fund raiser

Luke Schultz's Rokslide article on identifying deer habitat

2026 cold-bow-challenge rules

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]

PC @bbrown

What does 2026 hold for Wyoming's mule deer hunters? Are mule deer populations in Wyoming declining? What environmental factors are influencing their numbers and health? If you're a hunter, wildlife enthusiast, or concerned citizen, understanding the health and trends of mule deer can help you make informed decisions and advocate for conservation. In this episode, we dive into a detailed discussion with biologist Jeff Short, who provides expert insights into mule deer ecology, population trends, threats, and management strategies in Wyoming. Followed by Davis Tent and their latest innovations.  Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news.

Muley Fanatic Foundation

Monteith shop fund raiser

Davis Tent

Luke Schultz's Rokslide article on identifying deer habitat

2026 cold-bow-challenge rules

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]

In this compelling episode, Angi Bruce—Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Director and seasoned conservation biologist—shares the blueprint for a groundbreaking Mule Deer Conservation Strategy. She reveals how decades of efforts have plateaued, despite hundreds of millions already spent on habitat improvement, wildlife crossings, and research. The question is: what’s next when traditional methods hit their limit? Angi introduces a bold playbook that includes securing over $250 million in combined funding annually—targeted investments in habitat, invasive species control, and coordinated land use plans—to truly scale conservation.

Wyoming's Mule Deer Conservation Strategy PDF

Rokslide Mule Deer Forum

Muley Fanatic Foundation

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]

If you’ve been hearing about historically low snowpack maps, hearing doom-and-gloom about drought, or trying to figure out if your hunt is about to get nuked by wildfires… this episode is worth your time.

Today, Jaden sits down with Montana-based hydrologist Josh Boyd to break down what’s actually happening across the West right now. We dig into how this winter shaped up, why snowpack is all over the board depending on elevation, and why a “low snow year” doesn’t automatically mean bad hunting.

One of the biggest takeaways: snowpack is just one piece of the puzzle. Fall moisture, soil saturation, and especially what happens in June and early July matter way more than most hunters realize. In fact, wildfire season in the Northern Rockies is driven far more by early summer heat and lack of precipitation than by how much snow fell in January.

We also walk through what’s happening regionally right now. Montana and parts of Wyoming are hanging in there with decent snowpack, while Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico are staring at historically low levels. Oregon’s in a tough spot too. But even in those places, soil moisture and spring weather could still shift the outlook before fall.

From a hunting standpoint, this conversation really comes down to how animals respond to moisture. In wet years, feed is everywhere and animals scatter. In dry years, they concentrate around limited water and quality forage. Neither is “better,” but they require completely different strategies.

To learn more about west-wide snowpack & precipitation, visit the NRCS website here.

If you want to keep an eye on the drought monitor, check out the U.S. drought monitor map here.

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

Hunting mule deer in the rugged backcountry requires more than just patience and luck — it demands a deep understanding of deer behavior, smart gear choices, and tactical hunting techniques. Whether you're a novice or an experienced hunter looking to sharpen your skills, this comprehensive episode draws from expert insights and real-world experiences to help you succeed in the wilderness. Next is an Angry Pika Food update and new releases.  Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news.

Luke Schultz's Rokslide article on identifying deer habitat

Muley Fanatic Foundation

Angry Pika

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]

High-end hunting optics have changed a lot in the last decade. Better glass is part of the story, but the real shift is happening in how optics connect with the rest of your hunting system. In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Holm from Leica to break down where optics technology is today and how hunters can actually use these tools to become more effective in the field. Ryan brings a unique perspective as both a hunter and someone who has spent his career around high-performance gear.

We dive into what separates top-tier optics companies, why glass quality matters for low-light performance, and how modern optics are starting to integrate with things like ballistic solvers, weather meters, and mapping apps. This conversation is more about understanding what these tools can do and how hunters can take advantage of them than anything. We also talk through practical optics setups for different styles of hunting, from archery elk hunts in tight country to long-range rifle hunts for mule deer in big open terrain.

Ryan also shares some simple but often overlooked tips that can dramatically improve your ability to get accurate ranges in the field. Stabilizing your rangefinder, using tripods, understanding beam divergence settings, and properly calibrating the compass in modern rangefinding binoculars can make the difference between a confident shot and bad data. If you’ve ever struggled to get a clean range in brush, timber, or broken terrain, this episode will help you understand why and how to fix it.

If you want to become a better hunter behind the glass and get more reliable information before the shot, this conversation is worth your time.

To learn more about the technology & optics discussed in the podcast, visit the Leica website here.

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

James Yates and Sam Weaver delve into the Arrow Ballistic study, highlighting arrow drag and lift quantification. Uncover key findings on vein configurations and broadhead dynamics. James then dives into the upcoming 2026 arrow study focusing on FOC. Explore Phone Skope's Mag 360 innovations and Magpie Precision's suppressor seal solutions. Elevate your archery, digiscoping, and shooting skills with practical insights and cutting-edge technology. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news.

Western Hunter article-https://westernhunter.net/information/the-arrow-ballistics-study-results/

Youtube-https://www.youtube.com/@YatesInTheBackcountry

Precision Cut Archery Data-https://www.precisioncutarchery.com/research/arrow-study-2025

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

This week we go full mule deer nerd mode on the Rokcast.

We brought together a room full of big buck hunters with Travis Hobbs, Corey Dixon, Braxton Hamilton, and Robby Denning to talk buck age versus score based on the deer they’ve had aged. These aren’t guesses. Not “he looked mature on the hoof” conversations. 

Everyone lab-aged their deer and the guys dive into that data from over 70 bucks, including 15 that grossed 200 inches or better. What we found might surprise you. Most of the biggest deer weren’t ancient. They were five- and six-year-old bucks. Some giants were only three. And some grandpa bucks at seven- and eight-years-old barely cracked the 160s.

We dive into what tooth aging has taught us about judging bucks on the hoof, the myth of regression, how hard winters really affect antler growth, and why security matters more than limited tags. If you care about big mule deer, management, or just want to know how old your buck really was and some tips to find out, this one’s for you.

To learn more about tooth aging, visit matsonslab.com

To join the Rokslide Forum conversation on lab-aging, click here

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/how-old-was-he-really-big-buck-hunters-talk-age-vs-score.442710/#post-4597670

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

And please welcome 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

Technology in hunting is advancing faster than most of us can keep up with. Thermals. Night vision. Cell trail cameras. Drones. AI filtering game cam photos. The Idaho Hunting and Advanced Technology Working Group (here) spent months wrestling with one big question: at what point does modern advantage overwhelm wildlife and erode fair chase?

In this episode, Idahoans Tal Sampson and Brock Maynard break down what the Hunting and Technology (H.A.T.) Working Group actually did, what proposals are heading to the Idaho Legislature, and why this is not a “ban” but a proposed prohibited timeframe from August 30 through December 31 for certain high-tech tools.

We talk real harvest data, opportunity vs. limited hunting, predator management carve-outs, long-range shooting, and the uncomfortable truth that hunters are the minority voice in today’s culture. Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation matters for the future of hunting across the West. If you care about opportunity, the sustainability of hunting, and fair chase ethics, now is the time to get informed and get involved ahead of the 2026 Idaho Legislative Session. 

Enjoy this episode of the Rokcast! 

You can read other Rokslide articles, see videos, and listent to Rokcast episodes here