Sportsmen's Empire - Western Big Game Hunting

Episode DescriptionThe best mobile hunting systems do one thing - they disappear into the hunt. Nested Tree Stand Systems is built around that idea, and Gabe Denzine explains why this brand was designed from the ground up for hunters who pack in, climb once, and want every piece of gear to work together.

Gabe and Dan unpack how Nested grew out of a real problem: the clunky, cobbled-together setup so many hunters have been forced to live with. Instead of making another generic add-on to an existing line, the team built a true system - rails, stand, and pack engineered to nest together, carry weight better, and speed up setup in the field.

You'll discover why Nested uses rails instead of traditional climbing sticks, how the dual-rail design helps prevent kick-out and improves foot placement, and why the pack-and-stand combo is modeled after a Western frame pack to move weight to your hips instead of your shoulders. Gabe also breaks down the 8.6-pound cast aluminum hang-on, the patented Z-shaped profile, the one-strap cam-over design, and the difference between the 15-liter and 35-liter packs.

We also get into the practical details that matter when you're in the dark and under pressure - from rope attachments versus cam straps, to how many rails most hunters really need, to why the system is especially appealing for guys hunting big hill country or anyone trying to cut down on trips up and down the tree. If you've ever wished your mobile setup felt lighter, safer, and more intuitive, this conversation hits all the right notes.

Gabe Denzine is the brand manager behind Nested Tree Stand Systems at Artisam, and he brings a hunter's perspective to product design, with firsthand experience using and refining the system in the field. Dan Johnson keeps the conversation focused on the real-world problems mobile hunters face and whether Nested actually solves them.

Essential listening if you run a mobile tree stand setup, hunt public land, or want a more streamlined way to carry and hang your gear without the usual frustration. Learn more at nestedtreestands.com.

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Nick opens with a personal update on the shift from summer chaos into early fall hunting season, then moves into two connected stories about wild game, generosity, and community. He reflects on being gifted Great Lakes salmon and lake trout, turning part of it into smoked jerky, and how that exchange strengthened a friendship. He also previews an upcoming New Jersey black bear hunt and a new venison donation project that uses hunters’ harvests to help feed others.

Key Topics

Episode Summary

Preparing for Fall Hunting SeasonNick begins by describing the transition into September in Michigan. With school back in session, a nine-to-five job, children, and personal projects all competing for attention, he is learning to manage his time more intentionally.Fall is also the season when outdoor pursuits begin to accelerate. Nick talks about preparing for Michigan’s archery opener and getting his bow back out to start practicing. His equipment has been working well, so he is taking a simple approach: if something is not broken, there is no reason to fix it.One small change he is considering is bringing a paperback book into the tree stand. Rather than spending downtime scrolling on his phone, he wants to use that time to read and gain a different perspective while remaining immersed in the outdoors.A New Jersey Black Bear HuntNick shares exciting news about an upcoming trip to New Jersey to hunt black bear with Mitchell Shirk of the Pennsylvania Woodsman.The trip is already moving forward, with flights and lodging arranged. Mitchell has been handling much of the scouting, baiting, and stand preparation, while Nick plans to bring his saddle because it allows him to sit comfortably for longer periods.The hunt will be a completely new experience for Nick. In addition to pursuing a new species in unfamiliar country, he will also have to think through the logistics of processing, transporting, and preserving a bear while traveling by plane. He hopes to bring the hide home for a rug and expects to rely heavily on Mitchell’s knowledge of local processors and taxidermists.

The Gift of Great Lakes FishThe central story begins with several fillets of Great Lakes king salmon and lake trout sitting in Nick’s freezer.The important part is not simply the fish. It is how the fish came to him.

Nick received the fish from Jason and Britley, friends he met through their sons’ soccer team. Jason is an avid outdoorsman who spends much of his time waterfowl hunting and fishing on the Great Lakes. After Jason and his fishing team won a tournament, he found himself with more fish than his household could use because Britley has a serious fish allergy.Jason reached out to Nick, knowing that Nick enjoys both cooking and processing wild game. Nick offered to take some of the fish, prepare it, and turn part of it into jerky so Jason could continue enjoying the harvest without wasting it.Processing Lake Trout for Smoked Jerky

Nick explains the practical work involved in preparing the fish. The fillets had already been scaled, so he focused on trimming them and removing the pin bones.He used needle-nose pliers to locate and pull the bones from the larger fillets. Some of the bones were substantial, especially in the bigger fish.Nick also discusses the differences between the fish. Lake trout has a richer, oilier character than king salmon, which gives it a stronger and more distinctive flavor. Instead of viewing that as a negative, Nick embraced the uniqueness of the fish and found that its higher fat content worked well for jerky.The Cure and Smoking ProcessFor the first batch, Nick followed a method inspired by Hank Shaw. The cure consisted primarily of brown sugar and salt. Because fish absorbs salt quickly, he allowed the fillets to cure for roughly six to eight hours before rinsing them and preparing them for the smoker.A problem arose when Nick discovered that his smoker had developed a rust issue. Rather than abandoning the project, he adapted by using cooling racks on his charcoal grill.He also used black cherry wood from a storm-damaged tree in his backyard. The combination of charcoal and homemade wood chunks created the smoke needed to transform the fish.Nick describes how the smoke changed the appearance of the bright red fish, giving it a warm, tan color while preserving the visual appeal of the meat. The result was not just flavorful; it was something that looked appetizing before it was even tasted.

Sharing the Finished ProductAfter reducing the moisture and concentrating the flavor, Nick packaged the finished fish and gave it back to Jason.The amount was noticeably smaller than the original fresh fish because of the water loss during smoking, but the value of the gift had increased. Jason could now enjoy his catch in a preserved form, and he had a product that was easier to store and use.This created a meaningful exchange. Jason had gifted Nick the fish, and Nick returned part of that bounty in a new form. The interaction became more than food preservation. It became a way for two outdoorsmen to share skills, effort, and appreciation.The Community Built Through Wild GameNick connects this experience to the broader tradition of sharing wild game.Hunters and anglers often trade venison, duck breasts, fish, and other harvests with one another. Someone may have extra duck but no fish. Another person may have more fish than their family can use but would gladly trade for venison.These exchanges create relationships. They help people use more of the animals they harvest, reduce waste, and give friends an opportunity to experience food they may not otherwise have access to.Nick reflects on the familiar saying:

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“If you give a man a fish, he eats for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.”

For Nick, the saying leaves out something important. When you give someone a fish, you may also create gratitude, conversation, friendship, and a desire to share in return.

Fish as Everyday Meal Preparation Not all of the gifted fish became jerky. Nick also used some of it for family meals and meal preparation.He describes preparing salmon with rice and avocado as a balanced lunch containing protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Having prepared meals available helped him avoid relying on fast food during a busy workday.This connects the gift of fish to another benefit: wild game and locally harvested food can become part of a practical everyday routine, not just a special occasion meal.From Friendship to OutreachThe conversation then expands beyond the exchange between Nick and Jason.

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"Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

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Mule deer are still the vanishing icon of the West, and if you care about public land hunting, this conversation explains exactly why. Greg Sheehan, CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation, lays out the hard truth behind the decline, what changed after the mule deer heyday, and what hunters and conservation groups are doing right now to turn it around.

Greg brings a rare perspective to the problem. He’s spent decades on both sides of wildlife management, from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and now he’s focused on one species and one mission - restoring mule deer and their habitat.

We break down the forces reshaping mule deer numbers across the West, including habitat loss, winter severity, drought, wildfire, migration barriers, invasive grasses, disease, and competition from other deer species. Greg also explains why modern mule deer management is so different from the 1960s boom years, why the old “good old days” are gone, and why today’s hunters are seeing fewer mature bucks on the landscape.

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We also get into the bigger conservation picture - how state agencies, federal land managers, and groups like the Mule Deer Foundation fund real on-the-ground projects, why membership matters, and what it takes to keep mule deer from becoming a rare opportunity instead of a mainstream hunt.Essential listening if you hunt mule deer, care about western habitat, or want to understand what’s really happening behind the numbers.

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Sometimes a race doesn’t go according to plan—and sometimes it's an even bigger surprise at the end.

In this episode, we take a look back on a race when the hounds made a switch in mid-race, something we never knew about until just before dark when we corralled a giant in the rocks. 

It’s the kind of chase that reminds you why these moments stick with you: the chase, the instincts, the adrenaline, and the surprise waiting at the end. What started as one race quickly turned into a story worth telling—and a memory that takes you right back to being there.

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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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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.

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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.

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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.  

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