In todays episode we are chatting with Jay Scott. Jay is a very accomplished guide down in Arizona and has guided hunters to some truly amazing bull elk over the years. Jay and I talk about many of the differences and similarities that hunting elk up here in the north have in comparison to down where he is at in the Southwest.

There’s an old saying that 10% of elk hunters kill 90% of the elk in DIY elk hunting. Well we sit down with Zach Bowhay and chat about what the 10%, like himself, do differently to be successful in elk hunting. I love that Zach is a well rounded hunter and knows how to get it done in different ways and is not afraid to try something new. We talk about his new found success and love for stalking elk, his success with implementing decoys, his favorite gear, and much more.

Show Notes:

* Early years of DIY elk hunting

* The 90/10 of DIY elk hunting

* Selecting an elk hunting area

* Not looking for primo elk areas

* Calling elk vs stalking elk

* When to stalk elk

* One foot in front of the other when DIY elk hunting

* Elk hunting gear suggestions

* Upcoming AK hunt

Zach gives some great advice to all elk hunters on becoming more successful in DIY elk hunting.

I’m super excited about this episode as we are chatting with Trevon Stoltzufs of Outback Outdoors. Trevon and his team are top notch at telling the story with a video camera and really creating something special. Trevon and I chatted a lot about the industry and filming in general. We also cover his thoughts on becoming a better hunter and surrounding yourself with greatness to increase success. Trevon has some great advice and is always more then happy to share with his fellow sportsman.

Show Notes:

* Ibex on the Rock

* Background

* Getting into the industry

* The why

* Hunting shows these days

* Turning a kid on to hunting

* Getting into filming

* Building a team

* How to be successful

* Gear tips

* Outback Outdoors

Links:

Outback Outdoors

 

Jim Burnworth is about as successful as they come in the hunting industry–on all levels. Jim has taken over a thousand big game animals in his career including 71 elk to date. So we chatted about his system and routines that he uses or does to make him the hunter he is. We also talked about western hunting in general and what species of animal will hone a hunter’s skill the most. This turned out to be a killer conversation with a ton of takeaways on how to become better hunters, bowmen, conservationists, and outdoorsmen in general. We also cover some of Jim’s other passions such as hot rods and hunting for old gems while on hunts for big game.

 

 

Show Notes:

* Background

* Early mentors

* Being a shooter vs. a hunter

* Routines and shot sequence

* Knowing your distance and capability

* Preparing for a shot

* Knowing your equipment

* Jim’s technique for becoming the best shooter

* The importance of range finding

* The go/no go gauge

* Being mentally prepared vs. physically prepared

* Most common mistakes

* Being a true outdoorsman

* Dream hunts

* Traveling

* Skills learned abroad

* The one species that teaches us the most

* Mule deer populations, meat value, and how conservation works

* Hot rods and the bigger picture

Links:

JimBurnworth.com

Jim’s Facebook

Today we are sitting down with long-time backcountry mule deer hunter Marc Smith. Marc is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to bowhunting and chasing monster mule deer,  as he has been hunting and teaching backcountry bow hunting for decades. In this episode, we chat about Marc’s learning curve into the sport of bow hunting and how he would go about becoming a top hunter if he had to do it all again. We talk about hunting fitness and how his ideas on that have changed and evolved over the years. We cover a lot of great conversation based around the hunting industry and what it takes these days, as well as gear that Marc couldn’t live without. Marc dives into his bow setup and why he chooses a lot of the things he does and what makes a good product.

Show notes:

* The early years

* First mule deer

* Finding a mentor

* Shooting “little bucks”

* Opportunity harvests

* How to be great

* Fitness

* Clothing & gear

* Bow setups

* Arrows and broadheads

Links: 

Marc’s Facebook

Muleyslayer Facebook

Guy Eastman shares with us what its like growing up in the Eastman family, and how he has seen the industry change over the years. Guy (and really the whole Eastman family) are a huge part of what the hunting industry stands for today, and have really pushed the fair chase and ethical side of what we do as hunters. Guy is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to western hunting, tag draws, and really the future of hunting. We cover tag application strategies and some of the issues that come with a growing population of preference points. Guy also shares his tips for success, as well as what makes a successful hunter.

 

Show Notes:

* Growing up in the Eastman family

* Changes over the years

* Eastman’s hunting journal

* Predator issues

* Tag numbers

* Tag strategies

* 5 year strategy

* Getting started in apply for tags

* What it takes to be a successful hunter

Links:

Eastmans website

Guys Facebook

Wyoming Fish and Game Dept

This is part two of our interview with Marlon Holden of Gray Light Hunter. In this episode, we go over Marlon’s system for scouting, hunting, and getting the job done. Marlon is an absolute machine on the mountain and one of the most helpful guys out there. We break down my upcoming mule deer hunt and Marlon gives concrete advice and tips on how he would approach my hunt. Marlon has taken 40 bucks in the 9 years since first picking up a bow and here is his system for getting it done on the mountain. No dancing around the subject–the gloves are off and Marlon calls it like he sees it.

Show Notes:

* Scouting

* Trail cams

* New areas

* Reading the sign

* Low ground vs. highcountry

* When to stalk

* Thermal wind shifts

* Making your own luck

* Bow setups

* Big eyes

Links: 

Gray Light Hunter 

Today we’re chatting with Marlon Holden of Grey Light Hunter, who is a fascinating story–at least to me. Marlon has only been hunting for 9 years, yet has taken 40 muleys with his bow. I wanted to sit down with Marlon and tap into just exactly how he has been able to have so much success so fast. Turns out Marlon is full of great advice–so full in fact that we had to cut the interview into two parts. In part 1, we’ll cover just how Marlon was able throw the traditional learning curve out the window and expedite his hunting success at an amazing rate. Next week, we’ll break down the tactics and strategies he has developed to get him to where he his. All in all, this is definitely one of my favorite interviews so far and Marlon has some really great advice on hunting and in life.

 

 

 

Show Notes:

* Background

* Attitude and ability

* Failure

* The learning curve

* I can’t

* Mindset

* Tag strategy

* Elk are big, loud, and stinky

* What it takes

Links:

http://www.graylighthunter.com/

Facebook

Being a successful hunter is just a matter of limiting the number of mistakes we make when the opportunity presents itself. In this episode, Jason Phelps of Phelps Game Calls and I break down what we think are the some of the biggest mistakes elk hunters make when elk hunting and calling elk. These are by no means in a particular order, these are mostly some of the more common mistakes we hear the most and the ones we find ourselves constantly making on our own hunts. We would love to hear your feedback and some of the mistakes you guys find yourself making over and over. To become better hunters we must learn from our mistakes, and if we can learn from other’s mistakes as well, all the better.

 

 

Show Notes: 

* Calling your way into an elk

* Reluctancy to change strategy

* Knowledge of elk

* Resistance to do what it takes

* Overthinking your calling

* Calling to quiet or small

* Physical fitness

* Playing the wind

* The shot

* Time

Links:

Phelps Game Calls

Are you ready to get into mountain shape for hunting season? This episode of The Rich Outdoors Podcast we are chatting with Zac Griffith of Summit Productions about how hunting fitness and and training can improve our hunting success. Zac has some great tips on hunting, fitness, and success in general. This episode will leave you ready to get in mountain shape and crush it on the mountain this fall.

 

Show Notes:

* Hunting fitness

* Fitness freaks and haters

* How fitness can improve hunting game

* NM Ibex #kong

* Lessons learned

* Lean muscle vs. mass

* Fitness for mountain hunting

* Why hunting fitness is important

* Diet

* Filming hunts

Links:

http://www.zacgriffith.com/

YouTube

Ibex Hunt

Gear List:

Boots: Salomon Quest GTX 4D

Camo system: First Lite ASAT

Pack: Exo Mountain Gear 5500

Bow: Hoyt Nitrum Turbo

Arrows: Easton FMJ Deep Six Injections

Broadheads: Gravedigger Chisel Tips

Guns/Caliber: Remington Sendero .300 RUM

Optics: Swarovski SLC 15X56 Swarovski HD STS 20-60x 65mm

Tent: Easton Kilo 2P

Sleeping Bag: Big Agnes

Camera make/model:  Canon HF G30

Favorite mountain house: Never tried them!

Favorite Hunting Fitness Quote: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”