Hunt West Podcast

In this episode, Jaden sits down to talk the messy Montana deer and elk draw, while giving people a sense of tactics to make sure you draw when you anticipate drawing in Montana. In particular, Montana has a split point system using preference points for general elk and deer combo tags, while maintaining a bonus point system for the permitted tags there. The guys also talk about different approach...

If you've ever wanted to know about the logistics of hunting Argentina, this episode with Terra Pampa's Remi Donnelly is for you! Remi and Jaden talk about what makes a good outfitter in general in South America, the history of Terra Pampa, free-range hunting in Argentina, how to get heads and hides back to the States, and much more. If someone doesn't have international hunting on their bucket li...

In this episode, we have Cody Rich from The Rich Outdoors and Elk Hunt Podcast back on the show to talk Montana deer and elk. The boys discuss where Montana sits in someone's applications and the strategies that are effective for getting a nice bull or buck in the Big Sky state. The guys also compare Montana to Colorado as guys consider which of the two states they should invest in with their shor...

In this episode, Jaden sits down with his good buddy and Colorado resident, Garrison Kinsel. In Garrison's words, he's married to the whitetail game with a love affair with Colorado mule deer. But what he doesn't also mention is that he's been on multiple successful opportunity elk hunts and recently took a great old Colorado bull elk by pounding the timber on a late-season rifle hunt.  Hope you e...

In this episode of the HuntWest podcast, Jaden dives into the upcoming changes to Colorado's deer and elk hunting seasons for 2025. He talks about the elimination of the non-resident over-the-counter archery season and explains how to navigate these shifts, offering strategies to maximize your hunting opportunities, from understanding application processes to selecting optimal tags. Jaden also dis...

Welcome to another episode of the Hunt West Podcast! This one with Bo DePeña kicks off a series of Colorado conversations to help you know what you're getting into when you hunt this popular elk and mule deer destination state. Bo and Jaden start by talking about how fatherhood has changed how he hunts, and what he learned from guiding hunters in Colorado. Then, they dive into some stories of Bo's...

In this solo episode, Jaden repurposed a video recording to help you learn what to look for on your spot and stalk spring bear hunts. It's a shorter podcast that is just chalk full of meat and potatoes information to help you plan spring bear hunts. It's a great opportunity to get out, especially with multiple states still offering great spring bear hunting over the counter. Plus, it's an incredib...

Today on the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden brings on Tyler Bales, an off-roading and at-home vehicle project guru who has a wealth of information to bring to the table. From always working on multiple of his hunting-offroad vehicles to his time spent upgrading tires and suspensions at a tire store, he's amassed some great technical information for hunters to know about their rigs. But first, don't forg...

On this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden Bales tackles the big question: 'Did I shoot a baby giant in 2024?' Jaden dives deep into various studies and personal anecdotes to bust myths about deer ages and antler sizes. He discusses data from the Utah long-term study on mule deer and an interesting Texas Apache Ranch study, sharing insights on how environmental factors affect antler growth. T...

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, we introduce Jeff Lund, an experienced hunter and writer based in Alaska. Lund discusses his history in the hunting space, his experiences hunting blacktail deer, and the challenges posed by the local terrain and weather conditions. The conversation delves into the detailed planning required for a successful blacktail deer hunt, including the importance of...

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden and Hunter McWaters talk about the whole gambit of western hunting adventure and the mule deer bug. Hunter shares his personal journey from a tumultuous past to finding redemption and purpose in hunting. Hunter recounts his hunting experiences in states like Colorado and Montana, as well as overseas in Spain. He also shares insights on choosing hunti...

In this episode, Jaden catches up with New Mexican friend Jordan Staley. He doesn't look much like Dorothy (he's @therealbeardedhunter on IG) but the two discuss tactics for drawing and hunting elk, pronghorn, and coues deer in Jordan's backyard of New Mexico as well as out-of-state hunts like Arizona, Wyoming, and others. They also get into the nitty-gritty of getting into elk close to roads and...

In this Hunt West Podcast episode, Chad Lubinski shares his experiences of transitioning from hunting Midwest whitetails to digging into filling the freezer out west. The conversation covers a broad range of topics including Chad's adventures with pronghorn and cow elk hunts in Wyoming and the different types of cow elk hunts you can look for in the Cowboy State. The boys also discuss timber hunti...

In this episode, Jaden shares a podcast with the Out of State Hunter Podcast host, Chad Ryker. The guys cover the Wyoming elk applications, Arizona elk applications, and how to structure applications and strategies in conjunction with other states. They also talk about their favorite pieces of gear from 2024 (hint: one of these pieces was just released to the public) as well as new items in their...

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, host Jaden Bales helps you decide whether to wait to apply for a limited quota license or put in for a general license to elk hunt in Wyoming. Jaden shares personal experiences and advises hunters on making decisions with 4-10 preference points. The episode also features a guest, Logan Dix, who discusses his grandpa's limited quota hunt, as they compare va...

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast , we explore the ins and outs of Wyoming's general elk hunting opportunities. From the rugged mountains of the West to the open landscapes of the East and the thick forests of the South, we break down each region's unique challenges and advantages. Learn how to align your hunting goals with your skills and experience and pick the right region and areas with...

In this episode of the Hunt West podcast, host Jaden Bales provides a soup-to-nuts overview of mule deer hunting across various Western states, including Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, and Washington. He discusses the current state of mule deer populations, various management strategies, and the best hunting opportunities available. Jaden also covers specific hunting regu...

On this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden breaks down the gist of the Wyoming nonresident elk application process, which are due on January 31st! He also goes into the various point levels, starting at the bottom and discussing how you'd go about building points while still hunting often in Wyoming, all the way to what he would do with 10 or more preference points. Not to mention, he gives a...

In today's episode, Jaden tries to answer the question as to whether you should plan to get on the Idaho First-Come, First-Serve OTC tag system for elk, mule deer, and/or whitetails. Your mileage may vary and the answer as to whether you should spend the $185 to get a license and sit in the queue for a tag is certainly person-dependent.  One way you can increase the opportunities for hunting acros...

In this solo episode of the Hunt West Podcast , host Jaden Bales dives into a packed agenda designed to help you level up your Western hunting game. Jaden kicks off with essential housekeeping for 2025 planning, including key dates for Idaho tag pickups, Alaska draw deadlines, and Wyoming elk applications. He shares insights from his own Idaho mule deer hunt, recounting the challenges of winter ki...

Welcome back to the show! In this solo episode, Jaden gives his take on the main differences between eastern and western hunting as he returns home from his Michigan whitetail hunt. Along the way, he tells the story of his 4-day foray into chasing midwestern whitetails, the set up for his hunt, and ways folks from both styles can learn from each other to become better hunters.  We hope you like th...

This week on the Hunt West Podcast, THE Cody Rich joins the show. For many, he needs no intro, but Cody is the host of the nearly 10-year-old Rich Outdoors Podcast as well as the Elk Hunt Podcast. He's a serial entrepreneur and one of the most influential mentors in my life and hunting. To tell you the truth, the Hunt West Podcast and Services would not be possible without Cody opening a ton of do...

Last week saw October come to a close, ending many deer and elk hunting seasons in Idaho and Wyoming. That said, the kickoff of November means states like Montana and Colorado are just now getting rolling. Plus, most folks with whitetail tags and cow elk hunts across the West are still looking for ways to get afield. If you have tags to hunt, it's an exciting part of the fall with winter weather,...

Welcome to another Hunt West Podcast episode! Today, we're packing for a mule deer migration hunt where temps are forecasted to drop with wind chill in the negatives. This podcast is dedicated to helping you have a more comfortable and safe hunt in the late season when snowy and cold conditions are just what you are looking for to get animals on their feet and visible. Jaden covers ways you can ma...

Welcome to the Hunt West Podcast ! Join your host, Jaden Bales, as he dives into the world of Western hunting. This show is designed for hunters who want to up their game with real-world strategies, planning tips, and hunting stories—whether you're a seasoned non-resident looking for new opportunities or a local just sharpening your skills. Jaden brings years of experience to the mic, from his roo...