In Pursuit

Ever met someone who is so easy to talk to and shares the same passions as you? Someone who you can talk to for hours and it seems like time stands still? Dirk 's longtime friend, Josh Boyd , from north-western Montana is just that kind of guy. Josh has taken many public land bulls and bucks in his life and loves to share his adventures with fellow sportsmen. Josh has written many magazine article...

Turkey season is right around the corner! If I were a betting man, I would place my bet on the fact: "There is nobody that spends more time chasing mountain birds around than John Weik." Jason jumps into conversation with John on the best times of day to be hunting, what calls should be in your kit, and locating birds in the mountains. Jason then sends John some rapid-fire "This or That" questions...

When I hear the phrase "good old days," I want to know exactly how good it was. Dirk sits down with outdoor writer and lifelong Sportsman advocate, George Bettas, to chat about elk hunting in Idaho's famed Clearwater region back in the 70's and 80's. George transports us from back in time to elk hunting massive herds of elk in a place void of hunters, to modern times where elk aren't as plentiful....

We just released a new elk hunting film on the Phelps Game Calls channel titled- "Ghost Bulls of the North" . Dirk and videographer, Dusty Rupe, discuss the challenges of filming elk hunts in the Boreal Forest, and then take a deep dive into elk hunting tactics that were used in the film. If you want a little peak behind the curtains of this film production and the calling strategies used, you're...

With elk season 2024 planning in full effect and state deadlines approaching, Jason brings Dirk on this episode to talk about their strategies when applying for tags. They briefly go over preference points, bonus points, lotteries, and OTC opportunities. Jason also goes on a little rant on a new "US Hunting Pact" that would alleviate the supply and demand issue we are currently facing out west. Co...

With elk season 2023 in the tail lights, Dirk reflects on what his elk hunting report card looks like, and plays listener questions and comments about their season from our Call-In Hot Line as well. Connect with Jason , Dirk ,  and  Phelps Game Calls Phelps on  Instagram ,  Facebook , and  YouTube Shop  Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you been on the fence about jumping in on hunting turkeys? Today it's easier than ever before to pursue turkeys. Jason breaks down what it takes to get started turkey hunting by answering listener questions.  Connect with Jason , Dirk ,  and  Phelps Game Calls Phelps on  Instagram ,  Facebook , and  YouTube Shop  Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No doubt there's a lot of buzz about getting fit to pursue big game in the backcountry. Dirk sits down with good friend Bob Terwilliger. Bob is what some might call an "Aging Hunter", yet he keeps himself fit enough to enjoy one of his favorite past times - backcountry elk hunting. Listen in to hear about Bob's age-defying secrets that keep him young enough to hike the mountains while chasing bugl...

Long Range Shooting has gained a ton of popularity over the last twenty years, but is it for the best? Jon Pynch joins Jason on the show to have a conversation to discuss if long range hunting is effecting seasons and quotas, what it takes to become an efficient shooter, rifle builds, bullets, and more.  Connect with Jason , Dirk ,  and  Phelps Game Calls Phelps on  Instagram ,  Facebook , and  Yo...

With the recent buzz about releasing wolves into the state of Colorado, wolf management is on a lot of people's minds. In this episode, Dirk talks with Justin Webb, Executive Director of the Foundation for Wildlife Management . They discuss the reintroduction of wolves in Idaho and what the landscape looks like for ungulates 28 years later. Justin describes what elements go into trapping wolves an...

Whitetails are the topic of conversation between Jason and Jeff Sturgis . The discussion is rooted in how habitat affects deer movement and how you can capitalize while hunting. They dive deep into bedding and feeding and the relationship between the two as well as what the ideal stand placement is. Jeff also hints on how he can use the understanding of the movement to capitalize on public land tr...

Division in America seems to be everywhere we look, including among hunters. Dirk and Jim discuss common points of division among hunters and why it's so important to lay down our proverbial "swords" and focus on the real issues we're facing.  Connect with Jason , Dirk ,  and  Phelps Game Calls Phelps on  Instagram ,  Facebook , and  YouTube Shop  Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Jason sits down to catch up with Ryan Lampers to go over some listener questions such as; off season preparation, training and nutrition, how he consistently finds success when targeting mature animals, how his elk hunting tactics have changed over the years amongst others. They then turn the discussion to Ryan's 2023 season and what worked and didn't work for him on this years hunts.  Connect wit...

Dirk interviews seasoned outfitter and hunting guide Bradley Dammerman, of Idaho Whitetail Guides. Bradley shares many of the common mistakes that hunters have made that he's guided over the years. Bradley also shares important questions to ask the outfitter before booking a guided hunt.  Connect with Jason , Dirk ,  and  Phelps Game Calls Phelps on  Instagram ,  Facebook , and  YouTube Shop  Phel...

Jason doesn't like a lot of change year to year when it comes to his gear. Once he finds gear that works he tends to stick with it. On this episode Jason answers listener questions on light poundage archery setups for elk and hunting multiple days out of a pack. He then turns to what gear he used on this year hunts and why; Oregon archery elk, Western Washington muzzleloader elk, Montana Rifle Mul...

Kansas is known for it's giant whitetail bucks. Dirk and Jason had the pleasure of archery hunting on their good friend Randy Milligan's farm. They discuss the highs and lows of the hunt. From less than ideal warm temperatures to lower deer numbers, things had changed from their 2022 hunt there.  Connect with Jason , Dirk ,  and  Phelps Game Calls Phelps on  Instagram ,  Facebook , and  YouTube Sh...

Jason and Tyson just returned from their "almost annual" Montana mule deer hunt and discuss what they encountered. They talk about the decline in the deer numbers in the area they hunted and what it could be the cause. They dive into multiple drought years, harsh winters coupled with predator problems, as well as some hunter and management issues that could be effecting the populations. They also...

After being out in the field the last couple months, Dirk and Jason answer listener questions from the "call in hot line". They talk about everything from setting up properly while calling elk in, to finding November bulls in rifle season. Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on  Instagram ,  Facebook , and  YouTube Shop  Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Often times when we see hunter's success, the hard work behind the scenes isn't always apparent. Jon Gabrio talks about the ups, downs and hard work from this last September, and the success that followed. Dirk recaps his 2023 archery elk season and his theory on the "Year of the Huckleberry".  Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on  Instagram ,  Facebook , and  YouTube Shop  Phelps Mer...

Elk season is over and mule deer are almost as awesome! On today's episode Jason dives into mule deer with Duke Wasteney. Duke is one heck of a mule deer hunter and we could all learn a few things from him on finding consistent success. The conversation touches on scouting, patterning, glassing, characteristics of big bucks, what to do when they get pressure amongst a list of other topics.  Connec...

On today’s episode, Jason recaps his recent western Washington muzzleloader elk hunt. After a ten-year hiatus of hunting close to home, he returns to find a surprising lack of elk. He goes over the struggles he faced, what worked, his opinion on the hoof rot issue, and the huge increase in predator numbers. Connect with Jason  and  Phelps Game Calls Phelps on  Instagram ,  Facebook , and  YouTube...

We're back for part two of Dirk 's conversation with "Stuck N the Rut" YouTuber Tom Schneider about Rifle Hunting elk. They dive deep into finding late season bulls and how to hunt them.  Connect with  Dirk  and  Phelps Game Calls Phelps on  Instagram ,  Facebook , and  YouTube Shop  Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, host Jason Phelps sits down at the notorious Pendleton Round-Up with three time world champion saddle bronc rider, Zeke Thurston. Jason and Zeke are able to dive into what it looks like to be a professional rodeo cowboy and how he’s able to fit in his incredible passion for hunting while being on the road for ten months a year. As an added bonus, Jason also sits down with Brian Sa...

Dirk had the great opportunity to sit down with "Stuck N the Rut" YouTuber Tom Schneider and talk about hunting elk with a rifle. This is part one of two episodes. In this episode, they break down how to find elk and how to hunt them during the first part of October. Connect with  Dirk  and  Phelps Game Calls Phelps on  Instagram ,  Facebook , and  YouTube Shop  Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/lis...

On todays episode Jason sits down with his cameraman and good friend David Frame. They answer listener questions about bulls hanging up, how long to hunt an area before moving on, amongst others. They then dive into their past hunts and what made them successful as well as what gave them some difficulty. Connect with Jason Phelps and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on  Instagram ,  Facebook , and  Youtub...