ElkShape

Today we are sitting down with Chairman and CEO of Buck Knives, CJ Buck.  He's the 4th generation to run this family business that started over a hundred years ago.  CJ knows business and drops awesome insight on running his company with over 300 employees.  We talk about how Buck Knives got its start, the vision for years to come, and what he wants his legacy to be. CJ is super down to earth and...

Here's what you need to know on this episode, Josh Boyd resides in Northwest Montana and is in his mid-forties.  He is probably one of the most highly regarded DIY backcountry bowhunters that I know.  He's written hundreds of articles for publications and websites on numerous topics that pertain to hunting out West.  Josh is a super humble dude, but it was very special to talk one-on-one in person...

What started as an idea, quickly escalated to a reality this weekend.  20 humble, hungry and positive elk hunters made their way to Spokane Valley, WA for 3 days for the inaugural ElkShape Camp.  I was joined by some of the most amazing humans as subject matter experts to help this camp knock the socks off of the attendees.  Thank you doesn't quite cut the mustard. This camp was supposed to impact...

Jason Campbel @jason.campbell.bowhunt sent me a dozen or so questions on how to prepare for his inaugural elk hunt out West with 3 buddies.  I thought it would be a cool idea to go over his preliminary questions live on this podcast and coach him through the process of narrowing down a state, narrowing down an area, and all the unseen logistics that he'll need to be aware of.  Jason is a stellar d...

After many years of saving up for a Mountain Lion Hunt and hustling several outfitters to work out some sort of arrangement, I got the call I've been waiting for.  As a resident of Washington State you cannot use dogs to hunt Mountain Lions like you once were able to.  Lion numbers are growing and management is extremely difficult without the use of dogs.  I have been hoping to find an outfitter i...

Adam Grenda is living his dream!  He's a pilot for the US Government in Alaska, and lives in King Salmon.  He moved there from Idaho a few years back with his wife.  Since then he's made a life for himself, including purchasing his own plane and going on some epic Alaskan adventures.  His wife and friends have hunted for wolves, caribou, moose, sheep and bears.   Adam and I met in Arizona a few ye...

Today we're talking hunting and financial fitness.  We sit down and record with Jeff Bynum on best financial practices for hunters who want to hunt without being broke.  We go over the pitfalls of being house poor, credit cards, school loans, retirement planning and discipline.  This topic is extremely important and cannot be overlooked.  Money is just a tool, so you have to treat it just like you...

Travis Scheider of Stuck in the Rut joins us today to talk about his 17 year streak of 6pt bulls and all his hunting he's done in Alaska.  Travis is 100% blue collar... he's a general contractor and solo logger, and also runs one of the best YouTube hunting channels around called Stuck in the Rut.  He's a family man, very driven, and extremely humble.  We're honored to have him on the show, enjoy!...

Brian Rhead is sort of a legend in my mind.  He's a blue collar lineman by day, he hustles on the side as a taxidermist, and he's hunted around the world.  He guides in Alaska and Mexico, and he's the only guy I know that is not a millionaire that has the wild sheep Grand Slam.  He did it in 3 years on a blue collar budget.  He traded his time for guiding, taxidermy, and had some luck, but in 3 ye...

Today we bring on Jason Phelps, owner of Phelps Games Calls and dive deep into his journey of trying to kill the fat kid.  He's the kind of guy that has the discipline to implement Keto/Carnivore principles into his way of life.  We talk about his struggle to lose weight conventional ways, how he researched keto and gave it go.  We also talk how he followed the plan through elk season and where he...

Episdoe 53 is all about testing yourself and seeking out new challenges.  We bring on the perfect guest once again, a guy who is truly blue collar, family man, and gets after it when it comes to public land elk hunting.  Ryan is not a famous hunter, but he's a guy that has a strong work ethic and chases bugles each fall as hunting elk is his number one passion. We talk about his training, home gym...

Great episode today with Ber Yang of Pure Trophies.  This guy and his team have put down a grip of bulls over the last 20 years, many of them over 300" and all on public land.  It's hard to describe their level of consistent success, so I will direct you to their website and their YouTube to see for yourself the caliber of bulls these guys consistently connect on.  I have hunted similar country wh...

Last episode for 2018 is with yet another blue collar family man who loves to elk hunt on public land.  Today we record with Tyson Drevniak (@TDrevniak) from Washington state.  Tyson had a stellar year packing out 4 bulls on public land, 3 in Washington (one of them his) and his Idaho bull.  He works a 9-5 and juggles family, career and hunting just like the rest of us. We talk about his awesome s...

For our 50th episode we brought on a living legend!  I'm honored to have none other than Larry D. Jones on today's show.  Larry is a member of the bowhunting hall of fame, a pioneer when it comes to elk calling and hunting.  He's probably forgot more than I will ever know about hunting elk, so you're in for a great episode. I met Larry in 2008, we hunted two seasons in a row and he taught me a lot...

Today we're joined by Matt Bateman...he's a wealth of knowledge when it comes to closing the deal on any species out West.  Matt is bar far one of the most consistent elk killers you'll ever meet, and he's well versed on mule deer, pronghorn and whitetail.  Matt's freezer is always full! Matt's day job is at Grim Reaper Broadheads, he is married, has kids and hunts on a budget.  We talk Faith, Fam...

Today we're joined by Bucky Shoemaker, Idaho native, elk hunting fanatic, and blue collar family man.  Bucky is the picture perfect guest to have on this show, he represents what this podcast is all about; hard work.  Bucky gets a limited amount of days off from the mill, but he makes the most of them.  We discuss his keys for success when it comes to elk hunting public land over-the-counter elk,...

"4 long years of being obsessed with these incredible animals and I finally connected with my first which happened to be this beautiful herd bull. I found this bull on the 11th and it took till Friday the 14th and 3 different setups solo to get him visible and within range. The moment after I shot was surreal. All the different thoughts left me speechless as I worked through what my next move woul...

Today we bring in another blue collar family man who happens to slay giant bulls on public land with an over-the-counter tag. Tyler is a hard working guy who shares what he's learned hunting solo in the Idaho backcountry for big herd bulls. We also get into how he balances family, young kids, a demanding career, and workouts while on the road for work. This is a great episode that covers a lot of...

Dirk Durham from Orofino, ID joins us today to talk all things elk.  Dirk has hunted multiple states with general elk tags and has had a lot of success, but that wasn't always the case.  We explore his learning curve on elk, what elk tactics he's employed over the years and how he's adjusted his approach over time.  Dirk is an incredible elk caller, in fact he competes in the RMEF Elk Calling Cham...

Finally we get to some listener questions, here are some of the topics covered: ELKSHAPE CAMP 2019 CLOSING THE DISTANCE ON ELK SITKA RAIN GEAR OPTIONS INCREASING STRENGTH' WORKING AROUND INJURY GARAGE GYM EQUIPMENT ARROWS FOR BEST PENETRATION ON ELK   ELKSHAPE PARTNERS: KENETREK EXO HOYT ARCHERY ONXMAPS SITKA GEAR VORTEX OPTICS EASTON ARCHERY ELKSHAPE YOUTUBE EBOOK PHELPS GAME CALLS BOHNING OFF GR...

Today we have an electric conversation with Zack Owens better know as @beyond_the_backcountry on Instagram.  Zack's an Idaho guy who hunts exclusively on public land for elk, but his day job has him guiding hunters on a private ranch.  Zack is authentic, unapologetic and full of insight.  We talk about his archery elk hunt with a recurve, his first wolf harvest, and what it is like guiding rookie...

Today we talk frontal shots on elk.  We get into Justin's 7 year elk hunting learning curve and the story of his first bull on public land with an over-the-counter tag.  Justin has worked behind the counter of an archery pro shop for years and has seen it all.  We go over tried and true equipment for elk including arrow rest selection, string selection, and common pitfalls of archery technique.  L...

Thanks for checking out this podcast designed to get you out of the elk hunting learning curve and help you be more consistent year after year on public land.  That's right, this is for the blue collar crowd that hunts on their own with over-the-counter elk tags. Today I talk about my idea of a ELKSHAPE CAMP 2019.  After listening, if you have ideas send them to me on Instagram or my email address...

This throwback episode is one that didn't get published and I thought it would be a great idea to blast it here on the ELKSHAPE Podcast.  I sit down and record with Mark Huelsing of Exo Mountain Gear.  We basically cover the ElkShape lifestyle and how to best prioritize your family when you're passionate about elk hunting.  We hunters need our time away from civilization and we need a strong famil...

Your succuss will not determine my success.  This episode has it all, we sit down with a great friend, MR. Levi Day.  Levi's blue collar roots have molded him into quite the elk hunter, but even a better man.  Levi lives in Oregon, but has spent many years living and breathing in Idaho and has had lots of success on public land elk with minimal time.  Levi is an educator by day, so his fall hunts...