Elk Hunt

Hey folks, Cody Rich here from The Elk Hunt Podcast. Man, what a killer episode we just dropped with my buddy Eric Chesser from Hush. We dive deep into the mental grind of elk hunting, sharing stories from low-success units, boundary games, and that never-give-up attitude that turns tough hunts into triumphs. Eric's an absolute elk slayer who's all about challenging himself on OTC tags and hard-to...

In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, host Cody Rich sits down with elk hunting expert Aaron to discuss the highs and lows of backpack hunting, animal behavior, and the importance of patience when hunting elk. With years of experience under their belts, Aaron shares his perspective on the intricacies of hunting elk in the backcountry and offers tips on how to approach new areas, how to call elk...

In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, host Cody Rich is joined by the team from PNWild Podcast to dive deep into the mindset and strategies for tackling limited entry elk tags. From discussions about gear, like the mechanical vs. fixed blade broadhead debate—to the mental game of hunting elk in some of the most coveted units, this episode covers a lot of ground. Whether you’re focusing on arche...

In this episode of The Elk Hunt Podcast , Cody Rich sits down with Dan Pickar of Eastmans Journal, an experienced elk hunter who shares an unforgettable hunt in Alaska, strategies for maximizing elk encounters, and his insights into making the most of limited opportunities. From private / public land dynamics, Dan dives into the art of elk hunting—how to stay patient, how to make the most of your...

  In this episode of The Elk Hunt Podcast , we’re joined by Evan, an expert elk guide who’s spent countless hours in the field, guiding hunters and perfecting his craft. Together, we dive into his unique perspective on elk hunting, breaking down the complexity and simplifying it to a core, actionable approach. From trusting your gut to the art of understanding elk behavior, Evan shares a weal...

In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody Rich welcomes back Cliff Gray for a series of scenario-based elk hunting challenges. Listen in as they dissect real-life hunting situations, discussing strategy, decision-making, and the nuances that separate successful hunts from missed opportunities. From working the wind to handling chaotic herd movements, Cliff offers valuable insights on how to ap...

In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast , Cody and Jaden dive deep into the world of elk hunting strategy and preparation. From the latest tech advancements to the realities of scouting, they talk through some of the most common challenges hunters face during the season. They also cover some essential elk hunting tactics, including why staying aggressive is key, the importance of mastering a few r...

In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody Rich talks with Jason, the creator of Wild Meat Gear, about his innovative product, the Meat Locker, designed to keep your harvested elk meat fresh. They dive into how this product solves common challenges hunters face when trying to store and process elk meat, especially when dealing with limited space and time. From there, the conversation shifts to...

In this episode of The Elk Hunt Podcast , Cody Rich sits down with a lifelong Montana hunter Marcus Hockett of Fresh Tracks TV to dive deep into the nuances of elk hunting. From memorable hunts in the Bear Paw unit to the trials of hunting during archery season, the conversation covers everything from hunting tactics to the importance of persistence. The duo discusses how to target herd bulls, tip...

In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody Rich sits down with his good friend Brad to discuss their recent elk hunting experiences and dive into some valuable tips and strategies for hunting elk. From calf calling and its effectiveness in high-pressure public lands to navigating the rut and using different techniques to get into prime elk country, Brad shares years of experience and insights t...

Podcast Description: Join me, Cody Rich, and my good friend, legendary Montana big bull elk hunter, Lucas Zemlicka, as we dive deep into the strategies, stories, and lessons learned from chasing giants in the wilds of Montana. Lucas, with years of experience and a track record of successful hunts, shares his approach to finding and hunting the biggest bulls, his tips for tackling the challenges of...

In this episode, I’m joined by Trapper Trussell, a seasoned elk hunter and rising star in the world of competitive elk calling. Trapper’s journey into elk hunting started at a young age, but it’s his path to mastering elk calling that has really taken off. From his early days of calling in elk with his dad to competing at the highest levels, we dive deep into his evolution as a caller, including h...

In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody sits down with Jeffery Row, a seasoned hunter and former guide, to dive into his experience hunting big bulls, tracking trophy deer, and navigating life as a new father. Jeffery shares the story of his epic 2023 elk hunt, his approach to scouting, and the lessons he’s learned from years of fieldwork. From managing the red zone during a stock to the cha...

In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody Rich sits down with a guest from Samong Outdoors to dive into the world of elk hunting. From early hunting days in Washington to navigating the ups and downs of solo hunting, they discuss the importance of perseverance, learning from mistakes, and the thrill of hunting elk in some of the toughest terrain. They also share insights into the Hmong communi...

This might just be my favorite elk hunting story I’ve recorded in the last few years—maybe ever. This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Eric Vanderzanden, and he’s back with an absolute all-timer. After nearly two decades of archery hunting general season in Oregon, Eric finally drew one of the state’s most coveted bull elk tags. But this story goes so far beyond a tag. It’s about obsession, prep...

This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast , I’m joined by Josh Cooper, an Idaho native and one of the most consistent rifle elk killers you'll find. Josh has a track record of putting down big bulls in his home state—something that's far easier said than done. In this episode, Josh shares the wild story of his best bull to date, taken in an area he knows intimately—where he’s tagged three great bulls with...

This week on the podcast, Young Jaden and I dive deep into Montana elk and deer hunting strategies. Jaden and I recorded this ep for Hunt West, if you haven't yet go check out his podcast and hit the subscribe button. We talked through where Montana fits into your application strategy and how to make the most of your time in the Big Sky state. We discuss: How Montana compares to Colorado for short...

This week’s episode is a special one—it's actually a guest appearance I did on the Do Not Go Quietly podcast with Eric Wilson. Eric is relatively new to elk hunting but has been hitting it hard, learning a ton along the way. After a tough hunt in Colorado, he had one big question for me: "What would you do differently?" This struck a chord with me because I’ve been there—in fact, it's one of the r...

This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast, we dive into another EH Case Study with Elk Hunt member Josh Liljedahl as we break down a hunt that didn’t go as planned. Josh thought he had this bull in the bag—a thick timber bull that seemed like a sure thing… until he vanished. In this episode, we analyze what went wrong, explore multiple scenarios, and go over real-world strategies for making sure it doesn’...

This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast, we dive into an epic Idaho hunting story with Brad Lunde of Lone Bull Archery—one filled with highs, lows, and relentless determination. It all starts with a bad shot on a great bull, leading to one of the toughest challenges a hunter can face: tracking a wounded elk. This is a story of perseverance, where every pin-drop of blood could be the key to recovering th...

This week, Cliff Gray—badass dad, YouTuber, and former outfitter—joins the podcast to talk about one of the most important questions in elk hunting: "What is your strategic advantage?" In this episode, we dive into: How to separate yourself from the competition in crowded hunting areas, The balance between e-scouting vs. boots-on-the-ground scouting, Major Colorado hunting regulation updates and w...

This week, I’m joined by Jaden Bales to break down how we approach elk unit selection—what really matters, what doesn’t, and how to think beyond the usual metrics. In this episode, we dive into: The key factors we prioritize when choosing a unit, Metrics that actually matter vs. those that are overrated, Why focusing only on trophy quality or the top 3 units can be a mistake, and How to think outs...

This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast , I’m joined by Dan Adler , owner of Diamond Outfitters , the largest elk outfitting operation in the country. With over 60 full-time guides and unmatched experience in the field, Dan has had more at-bats than nearly any guest we’ve ever had on the show. In this episode, we dive deep into: The top mistakes elk hunters make and how to avoid them, Dan’s keys to succ...

This week, my good friend Travis Bivins joins the podcast to share his experience on a late-season archery elk hunt in Utah. I had the chance to join Travis for a day of his hunt, giving me a firsthand look at what these late-season opportunities are all about. As someone considering cashing in points for a late-season archery hunt, I’ve always been curious: How tough are these hunts, and is it wo...

This week, I’m joined by Young Jaden as we dive deep into the art and strategy of getting elk tags. Together, we nerd out on how to select the best areas and units, what to prioritize, and some of the key details hunters often overlook. We also tackle the shift in elk hunting strategy and why the "5-year plan" for tags is quickly becoming outdated. With major changes happening in OTC (Over-The-Cou...