Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

In this episode, I sit down with Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore for a wide-ranging, no-filter conversation that goes where most hunting podcasts won’t. We start with elk cartridges and shot placement. Real-world experience killing elk in dark timber, at bad angles, under pressure. We dig into why larger cartridges matter, how bullet construction and penetration actually work, and why “perfect broadsi...

Most hunters train hard. Very few train right. In this episode, Cliff sits down with Scott Johnston, co-author of Training for the Uphill Athlete and founder of Evoke Endurance, to break down why high-intensity training actually works against mountain hunters. They unpack the biggest misconception in hunting fitness: trying to train exhaustion instead of capacity. Scott explains, in plain language...

Most animals aren’t lost because of bad tracking — they’re lost because of bad decisions made in the first few minutes after the shot. In this podcast, Bob Terwilliger and Cliff Gray break down real-world animal recovery, blood trailing, and the ethics of finishing what you start. --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/ Faceboo...

In this episode, I sit down with Eric Wilson to break down one of the most common questions I get within the context of his recent successful hunt. DIY vs guided elk hunting. Eric runs the podcast Do Not Go Quietly - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-not-go-quietly-w-eric-wilson/id1675558101 Eric did a full DIY public land elk hunt last year. This season, he went guided. Same hunter, same m...

Looking for Christmas gifts for the hunter or outdoorsman in your life, or just want an excuse to buy yourself more gear you’ll actually use? In this video I walk through my annual hunting gift list built from a full season of guiding and personal hunts. This is stuff that has been beat up in the field and earned its place.  --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray Instagram...

Most hunters stay white belts forever. In this conversation I break down a simple framework I stole from jiu-jitsu and applied to hunting. The full interview is available from Chad Lubinski here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd2L3PdsGi0 We talk about why “time in the game” is overrated, how to compress your learning with tight reps, and why some hunters with 30 seasons under their belt are stil...

Grinding elk on Colorado’s Flat Tops is expert mode. I sit down with guide Cade Cole to break down exactly why this country punishes hesitation and rewards decisive shooting. We hit pressure dynamics, why elk “live” outside shooting hours, stand-hunt vs still-hunt on plateaus, when to take a marginal window, and the ethics of passing smaller bulls. We also get real on training that actually kills...

Greg Jones has killed over 200 wolves across Idaho and the West. In this episode, he reveals what most people don’t understand about wolves—how they hunt, how they impact elk and livestock, and what’s about to happen in Colorado. From ranch conflicts to wildlife collapse, this is the unfiltered truth about wolf management from a man who lived it. Greg Jones – Retired trapper and aerial gunner with...

In this episode, I sit down in person with James Nash, veteran elk guide and host of the 6 Ranch Podcast. We go deep into elk behavior, calling strategy, and tracking wounded bulls — including what 100 miles of real-world blood trails have taught him. We also talk about gear, generational elk knowledge, and how to adapt your calling to changing elk behavior. If you hunt elk, this one’s worth every...

Hunting can be life-changing. In this episode, Cliff Gray sits down with Dr. Ben Peery – ER physician and Chief Medical Officer of INVI Mind Health – to dive deep into mental health, resilience, and why hunting affects people so profoundly. They discuss HRV (heart rate variability) as a measurable way to track stress, how the backcountry accelerates personal growth, and why camaraderie in hunting...

A full-length hunting Q&A pulled from the livestream I hosted 9/17/2025 alongside a massive elk hunt and gear giveaway. Over the course of nearly two hours, I tackle 20–30 questions from hunters on topics ranging from elk strategy, private vs. public land access, and calling setups, to logistics like processing, packing out meat, and cooler space. 👉 Sign up for the Hunt Squad free tier at htt...

First half: my take on the Ryan Lampers situation—innocent until proven guilty—and the bigger pattern I’ve seen for decades in guiding: economic incentives, ego, and the short-game mindset that pushes people into bad decisions. Play the long game. Be transparent. If you wouldn’t do it with a drone over your shoulder, don’t do it. Second half: Colorado updates from the last 10–12 days. Elk are gene...

Elk hunting isn’t just about gear—it’s about fitness, mental toughness, and knowing when to push. In this episode, I sit down with Jim Bortz, a wildlife artist and lifelong hunter who transitioned from whitetails to chasing bulls in Wyoming. We dig into the realities of elk hunting: fitness that actually matters, the urge to quit (and how to overcome it), solo hunting challenges, and what courses...

In this episode I sit down with Tim Anderson, founder of Invader Concepts, the holster company behind the chest rig I wear. We dig into the real pros and cons of carrying a pistol in the mountains—under your bino harness, attached to the harness, on your pack belt, or on your hip. We also dive deep into the cartridge debate for bear defense: revolvers vs semi-autos, capacity vs stopping power, and...

Most hunters obsess over bugles, cow calls, and making the “perfect sound.” The truth? None of that matters if your setup is wrong. In this episode, I break down the single most overlooked factor in archery elk hunting—the setup.  I cover why setups matter more than calling, how bulls actually “see with their ears,” and why closing the distance before you ever touch a call is what doubles or tripl...

Cliff Gray talks with Aaron Davidson of Gunwerks about the realities of rifles, optics, and hunting culture. They tackle controversial topics like long-range hunting, cartridge choice, and why most hunters fail in the field. Aaron explains how training, rifle setup, and ego all play into success. A must-listen for elk hunters, riflemen, and anyone serious about improving their shooting. Aaron is t...

What really happens when you hit that SOS button in the Colorado backcountry? Cliff sits down with Mike Kuper, Rifle Police Lieutenant and longtime search and rescue member, to uncover the hard truths of SAR operations in elk country. From delayed response times and helicopter limitations to the gear and mindset every hunter needs, this episode pulls back the curtain on survival and rescue. Whethe...

This isn't going over a tactic that sometimes work, this is a complete how-to that will get you calling in bear on the majority of your setups in bear areas. Bear calling is one of the most misunderstood hunting tactics, and most hunters get it wrong. In this episode, Clayton and Ben of share years of field-proven strategies for using predator calls to bring in bears. We cover call choice (in...

In this episode of Pursuit With Cliff, I sit down with Pedro Ampuero — a hunter who’s pursued game in some of the world’s toughest places. We talk about his buffalo hunt in Uganda, where he wounded a bull with his bow and later came back to finish the job on the same animal. Pedro shares how that experience shaped his views on accountability and persistence in hunting. We also dive into hunts in P...

This livestream was packed with answers to real elk hunting questions—especially for those grinding it out on public land. I covered everything from base camp vs. backpack hunting, how to hunt pressured elk, overlooked e-scouting truths, fourth rifle strategy, dealing with private land boundaries, bear recovery tips, and more. You’ll get clear insight into what actually matters in the field: where...

Jay Scott joins me to talk real elk hunting strategy and ideas—from calling mistakes to private land access and the broken public land model. We also dig deep into his new HornScore app, designed for hunters who want to field judge better and track scoring data. Whether you’re chasing 250” bulls or 400” legends, this is a masterclass in elk hunting and scoring.  Blake Cannon, joins to demo the too...

 Cliff sits down with Dr. Ben Peery, emergency physician in Glenwood Springs, CO — smack dab in the middle of elk country — to talk real-world wilderness emergencies hunters face. From penetrating wounds, arterial bleeds, busted ribs, and altitude sickness to how your fancy first aid kit might be dead weight, this is advice that could save a life. Learn what minimalist gear belongs in your pack an...

Think you understand wind and elk hunting? Think again. In this no-BS breakdown, Cliff reveals how elk truly use wind and scent as both a confirmation tool and a tripwire. From ambush tactics to spot-and-stalk strategies, you’ll learn how to think like an elk and flip the script on wind to your advantage. This is the stuff that separates the 5% of hunters who consistently kill elk from the other 9...

I just got back from the Shoot2Hunt course in Montana—six days, over 1,000 rounds fired, and one of the most useful shooting experiences I've ever had. In this video, I break down my full review of the course and give you a framework for evaluating any shooting or hunting course before dropping serious money on it.  --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray Instagram - ht...

SJ from Biltong Depot joins to discuss the art and science of biltong, how it differs from jerky, its nutritional benefits for hunters, and how he brought authentic South African biltong to America. We also cover DIY biltong making, backpacking with biltong, and using it on a carnivore diet. Biltong Depot - https://biltongdepot.com/?ref=CLIFFGRAY - Code CLIFFGRAY for 10% off SJ, Owner of Biltong D...