The Blacktail Coach Podcast

Send us Fan Mail What sets apart a dedicated bear hunter from someone just hoping to get lucky? The answer lies in understanding the intricate chess match between predator and prey. Diving into part four of our bear hunting series with expert Heather Aldrich, we unpack the strategic mindset required for consistent success. Heather shares her preference for being an "ambush predator," car...

Send us Fan Mail The secret to successful bear hunting isn't just understanding where bears live—it's knowing how they move through their habitat as seasons change. In this revealing conversation with experienced bear hunter Heather Aldrich, we dive deep into how black bears shift their patterns throughout the year and how savvy hunters can capitalize on these predictable changes. Aldric...

Send us Fan Mail Unlocking the secrets of successful bear hunting requires more than just good gear and patience – it demands a deep understanding of black bear behavior, particularly their feeding patterns. In this illuminating conversation with bear hunting expert Heather Aldrich, we dive into the core principles that transform occasional luck into consistent success. The foundation of Heather&a...

Send us Fan Mail The North American black bear remains one of our continent's most fascinating and misunderstood predators. In this revealing conversation with expert bear hunter Heather Aldrich, we explore the complex world of bear hunting, conservation ethics, and the science behind sustainable wildlife management. Heather shares her remarkable journey from hesitant hunting companion to pas...

Send us Fan Mail The adventure of hunting new terrain in unfamiliar states offers a special kind of challenge and reward that many hunters find irresistible. In this episode, Aaron and Dave break down the essential components of planning a successful DIY out-of-state hunt, drawing from years of personal experience across multiple species and states. Planning emerges as the cornerstone of a success...

Send us Fan Mail The legends of blacktail hunting have left an indelible mark on how we pursue these elusive deer, yet many hunters remain unfamiliar with the masters who developed the techniques we use today. From deep in the high Cascades to the dense coastal forests, these pioneering hunters have unlocked secrets that transformed blacktail success rates for those willing to learn. Steve Isdahl&...

Send us Fan Mail Discovering why seemingly perfect deer habitat sometimes holds no deer is the mystery every serious blacktail hunter eventually confronts. This episode dives deep into the subtle factors that make or break prime buck territory beyond the obvious "thick cover" most hunters seek. Dave and Aaron explore how darkness might be even more important than thickness alone, with bu...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secret advantage that consistently successful hunters rarely talk about – the strategic use of data. Aaron and Dave pull back the curtain on how scientific information, personal observations, and community knowledge can transform your hunting success while most hunters leave these resources completely untapped. The conversation reveals how state wildlife biologists are...

Send us Fan Mail Trophy hunting takes on new meaning when you understand the distinct difference between your personal definition of a trophy and what actually qualifies for record books. This fascinating exploration of blacktail deer hunting breaks down how hunters often misidentify so-called "mature" bucks, revealing the dramatic body size differences between a 3½-year-old and a truly...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what separates consistently successful hunters from those who struggle to fill tags year after year? In this illuminating episode, Aaron and Dave dive into the mindset and systematic approach needed to grow as a hunter throughout your lifetime. The conversation centers around the transformative power of structured goal-setting using the SMART methodology (Sp...

Send us Fan Mail The whitetail deer gets all the glory across most of America, but here in the Pacific Northwest, we're blessed with the chance to pursue a truly special animal - the blacktail deer. Limited to just three states and dwelling in some of the most challenging rainforest terrain imaginable, these beautiful bucks deserve their time in the spotlight. After wrapping up our final boot...

Send us Fan Mail Every hunter faces unseen adversaries more challenging than elusive game—our own mental and physical limitations. What keeps many would-be hunters from success isn't lack of skill but fear of the dark, anxiety about wildlife encounters, or the physical constraints we all eventually face. The darkness of the woods triggers primal fears. "It's either pitch black where...

Send us Fan Mail Defeating a trophy blacktail's senses requires extraordinary dedication and methodical preparation. In this deep-dive conversation, Aaron and Dave explore the critical components of entering a hunting set without alerting deer through their incredibly sensitive ears, eyes, and nose. The hosts begin by shattering a common misconception: "You're never as quiet as you...

Send us Fan Mail Washington's new regulations banning deer baiting and restricting scent attractants have dropped like a bombshell on the blacktail hunting community. As hunters scramble to understand what's legal and what isn't, we break down the official language and unpack what these changes mean for your hunting strategy this season. The science behind these regulations raises s...

Send us Fan Mail The transformative power of connecting veterans with the outdoors forms the beating heart of this conversation with Emile "Mo" Moured, founder of Cross the Divide Ministries. After 28 years as a Navy and Marine Corps chaplain, Emil channeled his passion for serving veterans and love for wilderness experiences into creating a ministry that has explosively grown from two s...

Send us Fan Mail Thinking about making the leap from rifle hunting to bow hunting? This episode is your essential roadmap to getting started on the right foot. Aaron, traditionally a "gun guy," picks Dave's brain about everything a beginning archer needs to know before heading into the field. The conversation begins by demystifying bow selection, with Dave explaining that "it&a...

Send us Fan Mail The invisible element that determines hunting success more than any other factor isn't your gear, your shooting skill, or even your stealth – it's your understanding of the wind. Aaron and Dave dive deep into this critical yet often misunderstood topic, breaking down the science and strategy behind hunting the wind effectively. For hunters transitioning from flat Midwest...

Send us Fan Mail What separates a good hunter from a great one isn't the size of their harvest – it's their commitment to ethical conduct in every aspect of the hunting experience. Aaron and Dave tackle this crucial topic by examining real situations that test hunters' integrity, from respecting private property boundaries to making the hard choice not to take a shot when legal shoo...

Send us Fan Mail We're back! This week we talk about the process of getting new gear. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail This week we're with RJ Marquart from Quicksilver Kennels in Moses Lake Washington. RJ has been training upland bird dogs for 40+ years and we had a chance to sit down with him at the Puyallup Sportsman Show. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail This week we're checking in with Alex, nut not about turkey. This week he shares his success story with the Blacktail Coach system in harvesting his largest buck ever. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail We wrap up our Turkey Series with Alex as he walks up through a season going after the Washington Slam Support the show

Send us Fan Mail This week we're talking calls to locate and bring in the Toms Support the show

Send us Fan Mail WE start our turkey hunting three part series this week with BTC Pro-Staff, Alex Chaney who has completed the Washington Slam 8 times Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to start your big buck work? For those in the know, season starts now! Support the show