Sportsmen's Empire - Western Big Game Hunting

Western Kansas can make you a better hunter - or break your ego fast. Travis Glassman reveals how he consistently patterns mature whitetails and mule deer in one of the toughest, flattest, most overlooked deer countries in the West.

Dan Johnson and Travis catch up after years apart, and the conversation quickly turns into a sharp, practical breakdown of what it really takes to hunt a landscape where deer numbers are down, cover is limited, and every move matters. From chronic wasting disease and drought to shifting deer behavior, Travis explains why success out here depends less on luck and more on reading water, terrain, and pressure with precision.

You'll discover:

Travis also shares how fatherhood has changed his hunting priorities, from chasing antler inches to valuing time, experience, and passing the obsession on to his kids. If you've ever hunted open-country deer, struggled to locate mature bucks, or wondered how to adapt when numbers drop and the conditions get harder, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons you can use right away.

Perfect for deer hunters who love tactics, western ground, and real-world strategy over theory - especially if you're trying to outthink mature bucks in country that gives you very few second chances.

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This episode is a high-energy college football and Cowboys roundtable, with the group arguing through Big 12 and SEC team projections, hot-seat coaches, Heisman/National Championship picks, and the Cowboys’ outlook for the season. The conversation is funny, opinionated, and heavily Texas-focused, with lots of rivalry banter and bold predictions.

(00:00) Hunters Extravaganza recap and the audio meltdown

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How do you know when it’s time to call it a day? After multiple dumps, long hours in the woods, and one blown track after another ending without success, every hound hunter eventually faces that decision.

In this episode, we talk about the reality of tough hunts—the frustration, the exhaustion, and the temptation to keep pushing when the woods just aren’t giving it up. Sometimes the best decision isn’t another drop; it’s loading the dogs, heading home, and living to hunt another night.

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We would like to thank those who support this podcast.  Special thanks to Double U Hunting Supply for sponsoring this episode.  

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Western hunts get a lot easier when your gear, sleep setup, and ammo are dialed in before you leave home. Dan Johnson sits down with Wisconsin hunter Nick Brewer to break down the real-world system he uses to chase mule deer and pronghorn in Montana and Wyoming without wasting time, money, or energy.

Nick has spent roughly 15 years hunting out West, and he shares the hard-earned details that only come from doing it over and over: how he chooses between a lightweight rifle and a heavier custom build, why he handloads his own 7mm-08 ammo, and what actually matters when you're choosing optics for late-season hunts. If you travel east to hunt or you're trying to make your first Western trip less expensive and more efficient, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways.

You’ll discover:

Nick also shares the simple food strategy that keeps him fed on the road, the boot and clothing choices that help him handle cold, mobile hunts, and the one piece of gear he says is a total game changer for staying warm in the truck: an electric blanket powered by a lithium battery and inverter.

This episode is especially useful if you hunt from a vehicle, want to cut down on expensive trip logistics, or are looking for realistic gear advice instead of hype. Dan and Nick keep it practical, honest, and full of ideas you can actually use on your next Western hunt.Perfect for hunters planning a Western trip, gear tinkerers, reloaders, and anyone trying to stay comfortable and effective in tough conditions.

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Antelope and mule deer don’t just test your shooting. They expose every mistake in your glassing, rangefinding, wind reading, patience, and ability to disappear into terrain without blowing the whole stalk.

Dan Johnson and Kurt Belding trade hard-earned stories from the field and break down what actually works when you’re chasing pronghorn and mule deer with a bow. From 80-yard antelope shot windows to the brutal reality of crawling across open country only to watch deer melt into the next drainage, this conversation is packed with the kind of details western hunters usually learn the hard way.

You’ll discover:

Dan and Kurt also compare prairie hunts to mountain hunts, talk water, shade, bedding behavior, and explain why mule deer can seem impossible until everything finally lines up. Kurt shares the mindset that keeps him effective in the bubble, including the value of backing out, relocating, and waiting for the right moment instead of forcing a shot.

If you hunt the West, want to hunt the West, or just love the chess match behind a successful stalk, this one is essential listening. It’s a real-world masterclass in reading animals, reading country, and staying disciplined when the whole hunt is trying to make you panic.

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This episode is all about the reality of trying to balance work, the summer heat, and the hunting season you’ve been looking forward to all year. Sometimes the grind doesn’t just make hunting harder—it takes opportunities completely off the table.

We talk about how work schedules and brutal heat can keep you out of the woods, the frustration that comes with missing opportunities, and why you have to make the most of the time you actually do get.

Then we shift gears to a little dog training. We talk about one of the most important commands you can teach any dog: the recall (“come”) command. Join us every week on Creekside Chronicles and get your weekly dose of hunting with hounds. 

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For the best lights in the business

Check out: Cajunlights.com 

Double U Hunting Supply: Get all your hound hunting gear at Double U. Products every hound hunter trusts to keep up with their pack. Double U Hunting Supply.com

We would like to thank those who support this podcast.  Special thanks to Double U Hunting Supply for sponsoring this episode.  

www.dusupply.com

https://www.youtube.com/@DoubleUHuntingSupply/podcasts

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Most elk hunters make one costly mistake: they move too much, call too much, and blow out the very bulls they’re trying to hunt. Kurt from Western Obsession breaks down the smarter, harder way to hunt elk, and why staying put, reading wind, and letting the glass do the work can change everything.

Returning guest Kurt joins Dan Johnson to unpack the exact mindset and field strategy behind successful western elk hunting, from archery season in the rut to late-season rifle hunts. He explains why the best hunters aren’t the loudest ones, why bugle tubes can do more harm than good, and how to turn elk behavior into a plan instead of a gamble.You’ll discover:

Kurt also shares the mental side of elk hunting that too many people underestimate: frozen boots, soaked gear, brutal elevation, and the pressure of being in the kill bubble when one wrong move can end everything. If you’ve ever wondered why elk hunting feels so humbling, or how to finally stop getting your butt kicked in the mountains, this conversation gives you the framework.

They also get into the evolving debate over bow vs rifle for western species, why archery elk remains the ultimate challenge, and what it really takes to go from "just some idiot walking around the woods with a bow" to feeling truly dangerous in elk country.Perfect for western hunters, DIY elk hunters, and anyone who wants a real-world strategy for hunting elk smarter, staying tougher, and making better decisions when it matters most.

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This week on the podcast, we start with a hunt that manages to hit both a frustrating low and an exciting high in less than 30 minutes. What begins with frustration turns into a breakthrough—and serves as a good reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do in the woods is slow down, pay attention, and be patient.

We also dig into scenting conditions and some of the data I’ve collected over the past two years, looking at temperature, humidity, and how those conditions can influence what’s happening on a track. Rather than simply blaming or praising the dog, the goal is to understand the environment we’re asking them to work in.

We end  by talking about something every hunter eventually has to learn: you’re not hunting the same dog you were last year. Next week opens Pandora's box into how your dog is changing and so are you. Thank you for tuning in to Creekside Chronicles 

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Darkenergy:  best-charging banks on market. Discount code is CODE4

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Frontline Optics- Duty sunglasses

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Frontline-Optics.com use promo code - CODE4

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Subscribe to: 

Full Cry Magazine

Bear Hunting Magazine

American Bear Foundation

Virginia Bear Hunters Association 

For the best lights in the business

Check out: Cajunlights.com 

Double U Hunting Supply: Get all your hound hunting gear at Double U. Products every hound hunter trusts to keep up with their pack. Double U Hunting Supply.com

We would like to thank those who support this podcast.  Special thanks to Double U Hunting Supply for sponsoring this episode.  

www.dusupply.com

https://www.youtube.com/@DoubleUHuntingSupply/podcasts

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The gear you trust in the woods matters more than the latest hype, and Dan Johnson lays out the exact products he actually hunts with, why they earned a permanent spot in his setup, and which upgrades are worth your money before the season opens.

If you want a no-fluff breakdown from someone who beats up his equipment and still expects it to work in mud, cold, heat, and last-minute chaos, this episode gives you the shortlist. Dan explains why he stays loyal to certain brands, how he evaluates gear by durability and real-world performance, and why some products are worth paying more for while others are not.You’ll discover:

Dan also breaks down the thinking behind his gear choices, from total arrow weight and bow setup to rangefinding optics, scent elimination laundry, and the stand and saddle systems he uses now that his hunting style has evolved. If you’ve been wondering what actually survives hard use, what’s marketing noise, and what deserves a real look before opening day, this one is packed with practical answers.

Perfect for bowhunters, whitetail hunters, and anyone trying to build a dependable kit without wasting money on gear that won’t hold up. Dan keeps it blunt, specific, and grounded in what he’s actually carrying into the woods this season.

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Join us for a laid-back yet insightful conversation with Skeeter, Eric Beckman, a passionate

outdoorsman and wild game chef, as he shares his journey into hunting, foraging, and cooking

Michigan's wild bounty. Discover practical tips on field dressing, foraging secrets, and creative

ways to prepare wild protein, all while emphasizing conservation and mindfulness in nature.

● The benefits and techniques of rucking and outdoor training for hunting, including

packing fifty pounds regularly during summer for upcoming hunts.

● How to identify and forage local Michigan edible plants, mushrooms, and wild

game—including tips on spotting white oaks, beech trees, and chaga.

● The process of cleaning and preparing unusual game animals such as snapping turtles

and invasive crayfish, including tasteful tips for cleaning, purge processes, and cooking

methods.

● Creative wild game recipes, like bang bang bluegill and spicy woodchuck tacos, with

emphasis on presentation, flavor, and serving suggestions.

● Strategies for scouting deer and other game with a slow, holistic approach—finding

bedding areas, food sources, and movement corridors instead of rushing through.

● The importance of respecting game animals through proper care, field dressing, and

preparation, transforming nuisance species into table fare.

● Building connections and sharing outdoor passions with family and friends, making every

outdoor adventure an opportunity for learning and bonding.

Listeners are encouraged to explore local wild edibles responsibly, respect game animals, and appreciate

the slow, observant approach to nature and hunting. Skeeter's insights blend practical tips with a passion for

conservation and culinary creativity, inspiring a thoughtful wildlife and outdoor experience.

Attribution Code

"Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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