The Mountain Dude Podcast

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Four years of setbacks. Five elk seasons. Countless lessons learned. And one moment that made it all worth it.

On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, presented by Initial Ascent, we're joined by Nate Illingworth for a conversation filled with hunting stories, humor, faith, perseverance, and the lessons learned through years of chasing elk.

After spending seasons struggling to find elk, missing opportunities, and questioning his approach, Nate finally experienced the moment he'd been working toward: harvesting his first elk with a bow.

But the story didn't end with the shot.

After hours of searching with almost no blood to follow, Nate stopped to pray. What happened next turned an already unforgettable hunt into an emotional experience that brought him to tears.

Nate also shares the story of his first black bear hunt in Washington, an unforgettable backcountry pack out, helping his wife harvest an elk, and why he believes becoming a successful hunter starts long before hunting season.

Along the way, we dive into the importance of preparation, mental toughness, ethical shot placement, and how the challenges of elk hunting can teach us valuable lessons about life.

In this episode:

Nate's four-year journey to his first archery elk

The emotional recovery of his first elk with a bow

How faith and perseverance helped him through difficult moments

Hunting public land elk and learning from failure

Why preseason archery practice matters

Nate's first Washington black bear hunt and brutal pack out

Helping his wife successfully harvest an elk

Aggressive elk hunting tactics and building confidence

Lessons about life, discipline, and never giving up

Whether you're an experienced elk hunter, preparing for your first archery season, or simply someone who believes in the value of doing hard things, this episode is a reminder that success is built through preparation, persistence, and faith.

ABOUT INITIAL ASCENT

The Mountain Dude Podcast is proudly presented by Initial Ascent, makers of innovative hunting pack systems engineered to carry heavy loads more comfortably.

From early-season archery hunts to demanding backcountry pack outs, Initial Ascent pack systems are built around comfort, simplicity, and modularity.

Explore Initial Ascent: https://initialascent.com

Subscribe for more conversations about elk hunting, backcountry adventures, personal growth, faith, and the lessons learned in the mountains.

Carry heavy loads. Keep climbing.

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What changes in your hunting gear when September turns into November? And what happens when you hike six miles into the backcountry with the wrong tent?

On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, presented by Initial Ascent, Chris Young and Dennis Stokes talk through hard-earned archery hunting lessons, their favorite gear, and how they prepare for late season elk hunts.

Chris recaps his September mule deer season, sharing the challenges of stalking bucks in open country, getting an accurate range, and knowing when to pass on a shot. He also reflects on taking his four-year-old son hunting and why those shared experiences matter more than filling a tag.

Then we dive into backcountry hunting gear, comparing early season setups with the clothing, insulation, and shelter systems needed for November. From merino versus synthetic base layers to insulated boots, puffy pants, and choosing between the IA5K and IA8K, this conversation is packed with practical insights from time in the field.

Plus, Chris and Dennis tell the story behind a shelter mix-up that left two hunters at the snow line with a one-person tent and a valuable lesson about checking your gear before heading out.

Topics include:

• Spot and stalk mule deer hunting lessons
• Rangefinding challenges in open country
• Introducing kids to hunting
• Stalking shoes and the Initial Ascent Scout
• Early season versus late season hunting gear
• Base layers, mid layers, boots, and gloves
• Choosing a pack for longer, colder hunts
• Hot tent setups and checking borrowed gear

Explore Initial Ascent pack systems and accessories:
https://initialascent.com

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#MountainDudePodcast #InitialAscent #BackcountryHunting #HuntingGear #ElkHunting #MuleDeerHunting

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Seven years of bowhunting. Countless hard lessons. Then one opportunity that made it all worth it.

On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with two from inside Initial Ascent, Chase and Cody, to relive an unforgettable September that ended with three brothers tagging three big bulls in one week.

Cody shares the story of his first successful archery harvest, a giant 6x7 bull, and the years of frustration, buck fever, and persistence that led to a moment he’ll never forget. Chase follows with his own emotional hunt, breaking down changing weather, close encounters, and the final stalk that brought everything together.

But some of their favorite memories came from helping others. Chase and Cody spent much of their season volunteering at a veterans’ elk camp, calling for hunters and sharing the excitement of first encounters. They explain how those experiences made them better hunters and gave the season a deeper meaning.

From staying calm at full draw to sharing success with your brother, this episode is about the lessons and memories that keep us coming back to the mountains.

Topics include:

• Cody’s seven-year journey to his first archery harvest
• Hunting herd bulls that won’t commit to calls
• Adjusting tactics during a September heat wave
• Managing buck fever and staying present during the shot
• Shot placement, recovery, and knowing when to wait
• Volunteering at a veterans’ elk camp
• Faith, brotherhood, and finding meaning in the hunt
• Why helping other hunters builds valuable experience

Subscribe for more hunting stories and lessons from the mountain, and check out IDAHUNT on YouTube for Chase and Cody’s hunting films.

What’s the biggest lesson elk hunting has taught you? Let us know in the comments.

Presented by Initial Ascent.

#MountainDudePodcast #InitialAscent #ElkHunting #Bowhunting #ArcheryElk

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This episode was so good that we had to run it again. On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Mark Livesay: the E-Scouting Master behind TreeLine Academy and one of the most respected educators in the elk hunting world. Mark has spent decades refining his system for digital scouting elk hunting areas and has taught thousands of hunters how to create detailed hunt plans before they ever set foot in the mountains.

We dive into Mark’s journey from poring over topo maps to becoming one of the leading voices in e-scouting, elk hunting strategy, and hunt planning. He shares how technology like Google Earth, OnX Maps, and his own toolkits can give hunters an edge, but also why mental preparation, grit, and perseverance are just as important as any map or waypoint.

Topics we cover in this episode include:

How to break down new country using e-scouting for elk hunting

The importance of creating Plan A, B, C (and beyond) for every hunt

Why llamas are game-changing pack animals for backcountry hunters

The mental spiral: how mindset often makes or breaks a hunt

Tips for archery elk hunters and rifle hunters alike

Why surrounding yourself with tougher hunting partners leads to growth

Mark’s philosophy on never quitting early and how faith guides his approach to hunting and life

Mark also shares personal stories about 36+ years of elk hunting, running llamas in the backcountry, and how stepping into new terrain every season has sharpened his skills. Whether you’re prepping for archery elk season, looking to up your digital scouting game, or just want to learn from one of the most knowledgeable elk hunters alive, this episode is full of wisdom and practical takeaways.

Learn more at https://www.treelineacademy.net/

Follow Mark on Instagram: @treeline_pursuits

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Chris Young and Roger Holscher continue their early-season hunting recap from the desert in Part 2 of the Mountain Dude Podcast.

After days of difficult conditions and close calls, Chris finally locates a group of mule deer bucks and begins an eight-hour archery stalk through open sagebrush. With shifting wind, passing vehicles, limited cover, and four alert bucks working against him, every decision matters.

Chris breaks down the stalk from beginning to end, including how he used the terrain, managed his approach, selected a buck, and worked within bow range before an uncontrollable moment brought the entire opportunity crashing down.

The conversation then moves beyond hunting tactics. Chris and Roger speak honestly about missed opportunities, self-doubt, the pressure hunters put on themselves, time away from family, and the emotional lows that come when a hunt does not end as planned. Most importantly, they discuss learning to control the controllable, accepting what you cannot change, and finding the motivation to saddle back up and keep hunting.

Topics include:

Spot-and-stalk mule deer hunting
 Closing distance in open sagebrush
 Managing unpredictable wind
 Stalking multiple bedded bucks
 Archery hunting under pressure
 Learning from unsuccessful opportunities
 Handling failure and self-doubt
 Balancing hunting with fatherhood and family
 Controlling the controllable
 Why bowhunters keep coming back

If you have ever spent hours building toward one opportunity only to watch it disappear, this episode will feel familiar.

Watch Part 1 to hear Roger’s complete early-season mule deer story and the beginning of Chris’s desert hunt.

Learn more about Initial Ascent Pack Systems:
 https://initialascent.com/

Thanks for listening to the Mountain Dude Podcast. Subscribe to the channel, leave us a five-star review, and share this episode with another hunter.

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Chris Young and Roger Holscher sit down from hunting camp to recap the highs and lows of early-season desert mule deer hunting.

In Part 1, Roger shares the complete story of his archery mule deer hunt, including two painful misses, lessons learned from hunting unforgiving rimrock country, and the opportunity that finally brought everything together. Roger also explains how he approached hunting water, dealt with extreme heat, managed shifting wind, and stayed confident after things went wrong.

Chris then begins the story of his own seven-day desert hunt, where difficult access, mechanical problems, unpredictable conditions, and elusive mule deer quickly turned the trip into a grind.

This episode is an honest conversation about archery hunting, missed opportunities, persistence, fatherhood, and defining success on your own terms.

Topics include:

Early-season desert mule deer hunting
 Spot-and-stalk bowhunting
 Hunting mule deer over water
 Learning from missed shots
 Reading wind and difficult terrain
 Managing heat in the desert
 Staying confident after failure
 Hunting for experience instead of outside approval
 Balancing hunting, fatherhood, and family

Part 2 continues with Chris’s hunt and one of the longest, most emotionally demanding mule deer stalks of his season.

Learn more about Initial Ascent Pack Systems:
 https://initialascent.com/

Thanks for listening to the Mountain Dude Podcast. Subscribe to the channel, leave us a five-star review, and share this episode with another hunter.

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Brayden Staples joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to share the story behind his incredible 193 inch Utah mule deer and the months of persistence, close encounters and difficult decisions that shaped the experience.

Brayden grew up hunting with his family, but his approach changed when he fell in love with studying mature animals and understanding their behavior. After receiving a Utah Dedicated Hunter tag, he committed his season to one exceptional buck he nicknamed “The Dream.”

Throughout archery, muzzleloader and rifle season, Brayden faced missed opportunities, difficult choices and moments when it would have been easy to give up. He also shares the story of a memorable Utah elk hunt and the lessons he learned about patience, preparation and respecting personal limits in the field.

When exhaustion nearly kept Brayden home during rifle season, he made the decision to get up and try one more time. That decision ultimately led to an unforgettable conclusion to his season.

This episode is about much more than an impressive mule deer. It is a conversation about respecting wildlife, making responsible decisions, learning from setbacks and continuing to show up when it would be easier to quit.

“Get out of bed. You are not going to accomplish it from the couch.”



Follow Brayden Staples on Instagram at @bstaples

Follow Dark Energy for dependable portable power solutions designed for outdoor adventures.

Subscribe for more responsible hunting stories, outdoor experiences, gear conversations and episodes of the Mountain Dude Podcast.

This video documents a legal and regulated hunting experience. It is presented for educational, storytelling and outdoor lifestyle purposes. Always follow local regulations, prioritize safety and make responsible decisions in the field.

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Dirk Durham—better known as “The Bugler” from Phelps Game Calls—joins the Mountain Dude Podcast for a complete breakdown of archery elk calling strategies for every phase of September.

From the quiet opening days of archery elk season to the peak rut and unpredictable final week, Dirk explains how elk behavior changes throughout the month—and how hunters can adjust their calling tactics accordingly.

In this episode, we cover:

• Early-season elk calling strategies
• When to bugle versus when to cow call
• How to locate elk in thick timber and new country
• Reading north-facing slopes, benches and bedding cover
• Matching a bull’s calling intensity
• Why some elk approach without making a sound
• Using raking and subtle calling sequences
• Knowing when to close the distance
• Managing wind, thermals and hunting pressure
• Peak-rut calling tactics
• Late-September strategies for bulls searching for cows
• Why cow calls may be overused in pressured areas
• How to practice with a diaphragm call and bugle tube
• Common elk calling mistakes
• How Dirk identifies the sound of a mature bull

Whether you’re preparing for your first archery elk season or looking to improve your calling setups in pressured public-land country, this conversation is packed with practical elk hunting tips you can apply throughout September.

Dirk also demonstrates several different elk vocalizations and explains why successful calling isn’t always about being louder or more aggressive. The key is listening to the elk, understanding the situation and giving them the type of communication they are responding to.

This podcast is presented for educational and documentary purposes. Always hunt legally, ethically and responsibly, follow all applicable regulations, and prioritize safe shot selection.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN DUDE PODCAST:
https://initialascent.com/pages/mountaindudepodcast

Subscribe for more archery elk hunting tips, backcountry hunting conversations, gear breakdowns and stories from hunters who continue to carry heavy loads and keep climbing.

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Back by popular demand! We are re-airing this episode from Summer 2025 on how to kill elk EVERY YEAR! It's just in time for September!

Zach Bowhay is one of the most consistently successful elk hunters in the West. In this episode, he joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to break down what it really takes to fill tags year after year—without relying on hype, gimmicks, or lucky draws. From generational hunting knowledge to mental toughness, Zach shares the mindset and strategies that have kept him punching tags across multiple states for decades.

Whether you’re chasing your first bull or looking to sharpen your edge in over-the-counter units, this conversation is full of wisdom earned through time in the field.

In this episode:

Zach’s top elk hunting story: solo success with a muzzleloader bull

How to pass on hunting as a lifestyle to your kids

Why mental toughness—not just physical shape—kills elk

How he stays in the mountains 30+ days each fall

Why you don’t need to go 10 miles deep to find elk

His tips for early season meat care, basecamp vs backpack hunting, and closing the distance on bulls

Lessons from 20+ years hunting Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Alaska

The single biggest mistake most new elk hunters make

Read Zach’s articles:
Search Zach Bowhay on HuntStand, Eastmans, Western Hunter, and North American Elk Magazine

Gear up for your own hunt at:
https://initialascent.com

Subscribe for more unfiltered hunting stories and field-proven advice from those who live it.

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In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with mule deer hunter Martin Chag to break down what it takes to consistently find and hunt mature bucks in pressured, general units.

Martin shares how older mule deer behave differently, what their body language can reveal about their next move, and why he often avoids stalking a bedded buck altogether. Instead, he focuses on predicting where the deer is headed and setting up an ambush.

We also dive into scouting strategies, planning access routes before opening day, recovering mentally after a missed shot, overcoming target panic, and the unforgettable story of Martin missing the same mature buck multiple times.

Whether you’re preparing for an early-season archery hunt or trying to become a more effective mule deer hunter, this conversation is packed with practical lessons you can apply in the field.

In this episode:

• Finding mature mule deer in pressured units
• How older bucks behave differently
• Reading a buck’s body language
• Why Martin prefers ambushing over stalking
• Scouting access and exit routes
• Recovering mentally after a missed shot
• Bow preparation and overcoming target panic
• Martin’s pursuit of a 200-inch buck

Learn more about Initial Ascent and explore our backcountry hunting pack systems:
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