ElkShape

What if everything you thought you knew about arrow vanes was due for a rethink? Today, Dan sits down with Steve, founder of 1ArrowArchery.com, to discuss one of the most unique arrow vane designs to hit the archery market. At first glance, these vanes look unlike anything you've ever seen—but once Steve walks through the engineering, testing process, and real-world results, it's hard not to be im...

Today Dan traveled across the country to sit down with Alex Chopp, one of the founders of @latitudeoutdoors to explore how saddle hunting can be a legitimate tool for Western big game hunters. Alex shares the origin story behind the brand, the challenges and lessons learned while building a company from the ground up, and how Latitude has become one of the most recognized names in the saddle hunti...

Today's episode starts a little differently. Before going live on YouTube for an open Q&A, Dan sits down to share a few thoughts from a recent Montana scouting trip and what he learned after putting boots on the ground in elk country. He also discusses why trail cameras can be an incredibly valuable scouting tool—but why they are far from a requirement for consistently finding and harvesting elk....

Today on the ElkShape Podcast, Dan sits down with his good friend Towson Jenkins from Wyoming—a bowhunter who quietly and consistently gets it done year after year on western big game. While his success in the mountains speaks for itself, what stands out even more is who Towson is when the tags are put away: a man of deep faith, a devoted husband, and the proud father of three beautiful daughters....

Today Dan is joined by Dave and Logan from ANKR-POINT to discuss their innovative new product, the challenges of building a brand in today's digital marketplace, and a growing problem that is impacting businesses across countless industries: counterfeit products and online piracy. The guys pull back the curtain on how overseas copycat companies are ripping off ANKR-POINT's products, branding, phot...

Today Dan sits down with Ryan from CallemCloseApp.com — a fellow North Idaho elk hunter who created a FREE online tool designed to help hunters build better elk sounds and gain confidence behind a diaphragm call. Let’s face it… learning to run a mouth call can be downright frustrating. Even seasoned elk hunters struggle with consistency, realistic emotion and creating sounds that actually fool bul...

Today on the ElkShape Podcast, Dan and Tyler are road-tripping home after an unforgettable week hunting black bears in Northern Alberta with Prairie North Outfitters. The fellas break down all the action from camp — close encounters, blown opportunities, successful stalks, camp life, and what makes spring bear hunting such a unique adventure. They also dive into why bear meat has become one of the...

Today on the "Elk Don't Exist" podcast, we’re sitting down with Dylan Deitz to hear the story behind the brand and the road that brought him here. Not long ago, Dylan was battling severe mental health struggles and thoughts of ending it all. Through therapy, purpose, and a complete shift in direction, he’s rebuilt his life through digital content creation, hunting, and introducing new hunters to t...

Today Dan is podcasting live from Marsupial Gear HQ in Phoenix with founder Jim Graham. What started just before Covid as a small operation in Jim’s garage — sewing bino chest packs and selling them out of the back of his car — has evolved into one of the most recognizable made-in-America hunting brands in the industry. Jim shares the behind-the-scenes story of the sacrifices, risks, and relentles...

Today Dan heads down to Wilderness Athlete HQ to hang out with Kevin Guillen and Chris Denham for a conversation centered around western hunting, longevity, and staying sharp as the years stack up. One of the coolest parts about this crew is the family of brands all operating under the same umbrella — including Western Hunter, Outdoorsman, and Wilderness Athlete. The fellas catch up on old stories...

Today Dan is sitting down with Reggie from Vizion Archery USA to talk all things archery elk hunting and innovation in the bowhunting space. Reggie breaks down the story behind their one-of-a-kind peep system designed to gather more light and improve visibility in critical hunting situations. The fellas dive deep into public land elk tactics, specifically how to approach call shy bulls that have a...

Year 9 of the ElkShape Podcast rolls on and today Dan is sitting down with a Midwest whitetail hunter who recently made the move to Idaho with one goal in mind… chasing his first elk. The fellas break down his entire setup from top to bottom — what gear is solid, what needs upgraded, and where he should spend money (and where he shouldn’t) based on a realistic budget. They also dive deep into elk...

ElkShape Podcast — Season 9, Episode 471Dan is back in the lab and in the mountains on this one—breaking down why he’s officially moving away from lighted nocks after battling tuning inconsistencies and what that means for your arrow build heading into season. He dives deep into his current broadhead setup for spring bear, what he trusts when it matters most, and exactly where to place your arrow...

Today we’re covering a little bit of everything from recent spring bear hunting escapades in the mountains to almost ruining another cameraman in the process… again. 😅 We break down hunting rule changes, the sneaky regulations that can absolutely GETCHA if you’re not paying attention, and the small details that could mean the difference between a great season and a bad conversation with a game wa...

Today’s episode is all about fitness for the mountains—and why it’s not optional if you’re serious about chasing elk in the backcountry. Dan breaks down how mountain fitness goes far beyond looking good or lifting heavy… it’s about durability, grit, and showing up when it matters most. From grinding up steep elevations with a pack on your back, to staying sharp when you’re smoked, this is the kind...

Dan sits down with Nathan L. from Montana to talk about how archery elk hunting quite literally changed the trajectory of his life. A combat veteran who struggled after returning home from overseas, Nathan opens up about the mental battles that followed — and how picking up a bow gave him direction, discipline, and a new mission. Over the last five seasons, he’s poured himself into elk country. Le...

Today we sit down with Eddie (@rags.to.ridges) to hear one of the most powerful comeback stories you’ll come across. After serving over 6 years for armed robbery, Eddie found bowhunting through magazines while behind bars—and made a decision to change his life. Since his release, he’s gone all-in on the outdoors, fatherhood, and the pursuit of becoming a bowhunter. This conversation is raw, real,...

Dan sits down with Koda from Out West Archery to talk all things archery elk hunting, mountain practice, and preparing for the real thing. The two break down lessons learned from last elk season and how mountain 3D shooting can sharpen your skills for real elk encounters. Koda also shares the vision behind his archery shoot in Kellogg, Idaho, designed to replicate realistic backcountry shooting sc...

You love elk hunting. You love your wife. But what happens when those two worlds collide? Today Dan sits down with Daniel — a psychotherapist specializing in men’s health and healing — and an avid elk bowhunter himself. Daniel understands both sides of this conversation. He works with men daily on physical recovery, stress, emotional health, and performance… and he also disappears into the mountai...

Today Dan sits down with Cody Sabol — an archery elk hunter and dentist from North Carolina with a relentless passion for public land DIY elk hunting. Living thousands of miles from the mountains elk call home hasn’t stopped Cody from finding consistent, year-over-year success out West. In this episode, Cody breaks down the mindset, preparation, and discipline it takes to chase elk from the East C...

Today Dan Staton sits down with Cody from Dark Owl Archery to break down the brand-new sight he’s bringing to market in Spring 2026 — a true crossover built to bridge the gap between target precision and real-world bowhunting durability. If you’ve ever felt stuck choosing between a tournament-style sight and a rugged hunting setup, this design aims to give you the best of both worlds. Beyond the g...

This bonus ElkShape Podcast was recorded live in Montana during the PEAX Elk Tour, in front of a crowd of passionate archery elk hunters. Dan dives into how he works to balance family life with the obsession of elk hunting, sharing lessons learned from years of chasing bulls across public land. He breaks down his proven solo elk hunting tactics, including mobility, effective elk calling, and sever...

Today, two old elk bums sit down and swap stories from the trenches of public land elk hunting — the highs, the lows, and everything it takes to keep showing up year after year. Dan is joined by Sam Rogers, a proven public-land killer who consistently punches multiple elk tags a season. The two first met at an ElkShape camp years ago and quickly bonded over shared faith, values, and an obsession w...

Today we’re sitting down for an honest conversation about wolf management with Justin Webb, Director of the Foundation for Wildlife Management — a nonprofit that is both pro wolf and pro wolf management. This topic can get emotional and polarizing fast… but we believe it deserves a calm, fact-based discussion. Wolves are here to stay on the landscape. The real question is: how do we manage them re...

Today Dan sits down with longtime friend Dan Watts — the guy who was wrenching on his bows way back in the early 2000s. Watts lives and breathes archery, spending most of his life working in bow shops and constantly tinkering with gear. Now a journeyman electrician by trade, he shares how he scores quality bows on a budget, what to look for when buying used, and why you don’t need the newest flags...