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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

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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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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

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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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What does it take to build a premium rifle company from the ground up—and document the failures, risks, and hard-earned wins along the way?

In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Dennis and Chris sit down with the guys behind THEORY1, Jamieson Crast and Austin Miller. They share the story behind THEORY1, their approach to developing precision rifle systems, and why they chose to show the real process instead of presenting a polished highlight reel.

The conversation goes beyond rifles, diving into hunting films, storytelling, business, fatherhood, faith, and the lessons learned from time spent in the mountains. Jamieson and Austin also explain why transparency matters when developing new hunting gear, how failure can build trust, and what outdoor filmmakers can do to tell compelling stories—even when a hunt doesn’t end with a kill.

In this episode:

• The story behind THEORY1
• Building and testing premium hunting rifles
• Why THEORY1 publicly documents its failures
• Authenticity in an age of AI and automation
• Hunting, fatherhood, faith, and gratitude
• How to create a hunting film without a successful harvest
• What cameramen learn from hunting with elite hunters
• Why you shouldn’t give up and leave the mountain early
• Trusting your instincts in hunting, business, and life

Learn more about THEORY1 and explore its rifle systems, suppressors, ammunition, and more:
https://theory-1.com/

Watch and subscribe to THEORY1 on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@theory1official

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to the Mountain Dude Podcast and let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments.

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Backcountry nutrition can make or break your hunt—and expensive gear won’t compensate for poor preparation.

Kyle Kamp of Valley to Peak Nutrition returns to the Mountain Dude Podcast to explain how hunters should fuel before, during, and after demanding days in the mountains. Kyle breaks down hydration, sodium intake, recovery, affordable backcountry meals, food storage, and the common nutrition mistakes that can drain your energy when it matters most.

We also discuss why hunters may benefit more from investing in their health, preparation, and experience instead of continually upgrading equipment.

In this episode:

• Building an effective backcountry nutrition plan
• Staying hydrated and managing sodium
• Fueling throughout long hunting days
• Simple homemade backcountry meals
• Improving recovery between hunts
• Spending money where it actually improves performance
• Why time at home matters more than any accomplishment

Learn more about Kyle Kamp and Valley to Peak Nutrition:
https://www.v2pnutrition.com/

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This episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized medical or nutritional advice.

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UFC legend Chad Mendes joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to talk about the mindset, discipline, and preparation that carried him from a small California farm town to the highest level of mixed martial arts.

Chad opens up about starting wrestling at five years old, becoming a two-time NCAA All-American, fighting for multiple UFC titles, and what it truly feels like when the cage door closes. He also shares stories from his battles with José Aldo, the origins of his “Money” nickname, life inside Team Alpha Male, and why preparation was always the foundation of his success.

Now living in Idaho, Chad has carried that same mentality into hunting, business, fatherhood, and conservation. He explains how preparing for a backcountry hunt compares to preparing for a championship fight, why passing hunting traditions on to the next generation matters, and why becoming a husband and father is the accomplishment he is most proud of.

Chad also talks about Fins and Featherz, his celebrity hunting and fishing guide service, his new energy gummy company Gate Drop, and the packed hunting season ahead.

This episode covers:

• Chad’s wrestling roots and college career
• His transition from wrestling into professional MMA
• Fighting José Aldo and competing for UFC gold
• Life with Team Alpha Male
• The mentality required to fight at the highest level
• How fighting preparation translates into hunting
• Raising kids around hunting and the outdoors
• Conservation and introducing new hunters
• Building Fins and Featherz and Gate Drop
• Why fatherhood means more than any championship

Follow Chad Mendes on Instagram and YouTube, and check out Fins and Featherz and Gate Drop to see what he is building outside the fight game.

Subscribe to the Mountain Dude Podcast for more conversations about hunting, fatherhood, faith, business, discipline, conservation, and life in the outdoors.

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Hunting is about more than filling tags—it’s about the experiences, lessons, and traditions we pass down to the next generation.

In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris records remotely after a 24-hour scouting trip with his four-year-old son, Kai. Together, they talk about searching for mule deer and antelope, learning new country, balancing hunting with family, and making the outdoors enjoyable for young kids.

Chris also shares practical advice for preparing for hunting season, including physical training, shooting consistently, scouting, maintaining your equipment, organizing your gear, and developing the discipline required to succeed when opening day arrives.

This episode is a reminder to chase the hunting experience you truly want, appreciate the time spent with your family, and start doing the work now that will prepare you for the season ahead.

Topics covered:

• Introducing young children to hunting and scouting
• Balancing fatherhood, family, business, and time outdoors
• Scouting desert mule deer and antelope
• Building discipline before hunting season
• Preparing your bow, vehicle, gear, and equipment
• Using visualization and mental preparation
• Why a successful hunt is about more than filling a tag

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a five-star review, subscribe to the channel, and share it with another hunter preparing for the upcoming season.

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Professional hunter, guide, and lifelong outdoorsman Dan Whitmus returns to the Mountain Dude Podcast for one of our favorite conversations yet.

With over 300 days a year spent in the field, Dan shares what it's really like to make a living chasing adventure across Alaska, Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, and beyond. From surviving grizzly bear charges and a bush plane crash to helping first-time hunters experience their very first harvest, this episode is packed with incredible stories and even better life lessons.

But this conversation goes far beyond hunting. We dive into how Dan's perspective has evolved over four decades in the mountains, why too many hunters put unnecessary pressure on themselves, and why the greatest trophy isn't always hanging on the wall.

If you love elk hunting, backcountry adventure, grizzly stories, or simply hearing wisdom from someone who's truly lived it, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In this episode:

Dan's unbelievable 300-day hunting calendar
Surviving multiple grizzly bear encounters
A bush plane crash in remote Alaska
Why experience matters more than trophies
The biggest mistakes hunters make
Lessons learned from 40+ years in the mountains
The evolution of a hunter
What keeps Dan chasing adventure after all these years

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment letting us know your favorite story from Dan.

Follow Dan Whitmus:
Instagram & Facebook: @danwhitmus

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What if taking better care of yourself meant more seasons in the mountains with the people you love?

In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down with Jake Arvold and Kaylee Stevens of First Phorm Outdoors to talk about the deeper purpose behind fitness, faith, hunting, and living a life that allows you to experience more.

Jake shares the incredible story behind the creation of First Phorm Outdoors—from leaving college after hearing a life-changing podcast, to building a movement centered around health, community, and the outdoors. Along the way, the conversation dives into injury, perseverance, mental toughness, and the emotional realization that taking care of ourselves today can mean more years chasing elk, hiking mountains, and creating memories with our families tomorrow.

This isn't just a conversation about supplements or working out. It's about building a life that lets you keep answering the call of the mountains for decades to come.

If you enjoy authentic conversations about hunting, faith, fitness, family, and personal growth, be sure to subscribe and join us every week on the Mountain Dude Podcast.

👇 Learn more about First Phorm Outdoors:
https://1stphorm.com/

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