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In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we're joined by none other than Dirk Durham, aka The Bugler, a backcountry legend and one of the most respected elk callers in the game.

From his stormy-night birth in rural Idaho to bowhunting elk for over three decades, Dirk walks us through the experiences that shaped him. You’ll hear the story of his first elk, the lessons he learned from his dad, and how a close encounter with a moose hunt led to some wild conversations.

But this episode goes deeper than just stories; it’s packed with practical elk calling strategies, early-season tactics, and Dirk’s philosophy on how to “roleplay” like an elk to provoke aggressive bulls. Whether you're new to archery elk hunting or a seasoned caller, you’ll walk away with tactics you can use this season.

🎯 What to expect:

Why Dirk’s first elk changed everything

Learning to elk call before ever hearing one in real life

Backcountry gear talk, bugle tips, and how not to blow a setup

Strategic early-season calling breakdowns

Charging bulls, bark chuckles, and when to make your move

🙏 The episode opens with a prayer and dives deep into faith, hunting, and fatherhood.

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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

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In this raw and hilarious episode, Nate Illingsworth joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to share his insane journey—from nearly burning down his house mid-romance to losing 80 pounds and tackling backcountry elk hunts head-on. Nate opens up about fitness, faith, mental resilience, and the power of doing hard things—all with a wild twist of humor and honesty.

If you’re into elk hunting, CrossFit-style training, macro tracking, or just hearing gritty stories from the backcountry, this one’s for you.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Nate’s first archery elk hunts and brutal learning curves

How he dropped 80 lbs and transformed his health for mountain hunting

His paranormal backcountry encounter that left him shaken

Nutrition, macros, and how to train for elk season

Lessons in marriage, faith, and personal discipline

What happens when you light a blanket on fire… during a special moment

Whether you’re preparing for September elk season, chasing whitetails, or grinding through your own fitness transformation, Nate’s story proves that grit, humor, and belief can take you anywhere.

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In this episode of Gear Talk, we go deep into clothing systems for backcountry hunting. From the hot debate of Merino wool vs synthetic base layers to how to layer effectively without overpacking, this is your ultimate breakdown of what to wear, when, and why.

Whether you’re prepping for spring bear or late-season elk, this episode is packed with field-tested insight and hard-earned gear wisdom. Be warned, you may walk away adding a few items to your cart.

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In this episode, we dive deep into the backcountry, from the comfort of basecamp hunts to the grind of true backpack-style missions. We swap personal hunting stories, break down gear essentials like backcountry chairs, and talk about how to balance comfort and pack weight when you're miles deep.

We also hit on one of the most underrated challenges: nutrition. What to bring, what to leave, and how to fuel your body without overloading your pack. Plus, we tackle the mental side of fear packing, bringing too much gear just in case, and how to cut weight the smart way.

Whether you're a seasoned mountain hunter or planning your first backcountry trip, there’s something in here for you.

Topics Covered:

Basecamp vs Backpack Hunting

Backcountry Nutrition Tips

Comfort vs Weight Trade-offs

Fear Packing & Where to Cut Weight

These are the conversations we wish we had before our first hunt deep in the hills. Learn from our lessons, laugh at the mistakes, and take away a few tips to make your next trip lighter, smarter, and a little more comfortable.

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In this episode, we sit down with Clint Easley, a former architect to the stars turned full-time filmmaker and mountain hunter. From designing homes for Hollywood elites to filming in the remote wilds of Alaska, Clint’s story is one of bold transitions, relentless creativity, and a calling to something deeper. This conversation is packed with humor, grit, and insight into how passion and purpose can intersect through faith and hard work.

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In this episode, we sit down with legendary hunting guide Dan Whitmus, a man who’s lived over 30 years in the wilderness guiding hunters through Alaska, Africa, New Zealand, and the American West. Dan shares jaw-dropping stories, including surviving a self-inflicted knife wound deep in the bush, 300+ pound solo packouts, close calls with grizzlies, and the spiritual journey of chasing sheep and wolves across some of the most remote country on Earth.

What You'll Learn:

-Alaska float hunting and remote wilderness survival

-Field surgery using dental floss and a sewing needle

-How to train for high-load, high-mileage mountain hunts

-The role of faith, mindset, and physical endurance in extreme environments

-Why Dan trusts his Initial Ascent pack with every ounce of weight

Whether you're a seasoned backcountry hunter, training for your first sheep hunt, or just love authentic wilderness storytelling, this episode delivers on every level.

Have a question for Dan or want to learn more about the gear that makes these hunts possible? You can text us!

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Justin and Kate Small, two of the best predator hunters on the planet, share their expertise on wolf hunting tactics that can make you a more effective hunter.

• Kate's background includes nursing in Tanzania where she spent four months providing healthcare in poverty-stricken areas, including two months living with the Maasai tribe
• Justin grew up hunting out of necessity and credits his Boy Scout experience for teaching him essential outdoor skills
• The couple explains how wolves devastated game populations in Idaho and Oregon, with each wolf consuming approximately 20 big game animals annually
• Wolves reproduce annually with multiple females per pack breeding, allowing populations to grow up to 40% each year if unmanaged
• Winter is identified as the optimal wolf hunting season due to mating behaviors making wolves more territorial and vocal
• Justin and Kate emphasize the importance of learning wolf patterns and behavior through observation rather than immediate pursuit
• The couple shares dramatic success stories, including an instance where a wolf charged them from 2,000 yards away during breeding season
• In one area where they reduced a wolf pack from approximately 8 to 2 members, they witnessed the elk population grow from about 10-15 to 500 over five years
• Their Western Wolf Academy teaches hunters how to drastically reduce the learning curve for successful predator hunting

To learn more about predator hunting or sign up for their courses, follow Kate (@kate_small_outdoors) and Justin (@justin.small.outdoors) on Instagram or email [email protected].

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In this episode, our host Chris Young shares the full story of his 2025 Idaho spring bear hunt. From rivers crossed with pack rafts to glassing for days in high mountain wind, this conversation captures the highs, lows, and lessons of a truly special backcountry experience. Along the way, Chris reflects on the power of sticking it out until the last light—and how faith, friendship, and a relentless drive led to the harvest of a giant boar.

What to expect:

A detailed breakdown of Chris’ 2025 spring bear hunt

Reflections on spiritual solitude and time with God in the mountains

The wild pack-out, taxidermy decisions, and lessons learned

A recap of the 2024 blond-phase bear and what made this year different

Tips for new bear hunters on when to push and when to be patient

Subscribe for more raw, real hunting stories that go beyond the kill.

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 In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, filmmaker and backcountry hunter Martin Chagnovich shares the story behind his film Chasing 200, which documents his years-long pursuit of a 200-inch mule deer buck in the rugged Utah mountains. The conversation explores Martin’s roots in hunting, growing up in a hunting family, and turning his outdoor passion into a full-time career through storytelling and content creation. He discusses the discipline, sacrifice, and emotional weight behind the hunt, emphasizing that true success comes from relentless persistence, self-motivation, and respect for the animal. 

Martin recounts the highs and lows of the hunt featured in Chasing 200, including scouting over 30 locations, enduring harsh weather, and finally harvesting the buck while self-filming the experience. He also touches on earlier films like The Art of the Film, his gear preferences (favoring the IA5K and Cub from Initial Ascent), and the broader life lessons hunting has taught him. More than just a kill story, Martin hopes his work inspires others to deepen their passion for wildlife, appreciate the process, and chase growth both in the field and in life. 

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