The Huntian Podcast

This episode I dive into my personal process for attacking a hunt unit once I draw a permit. I touch on e-scouting, using hunting forums properly, trophy potential assessment and when it's time to return a permit. Before that, I explain how the last couple weeks has gone, inspire people to chase their dreams and wish Russell a happy first birthday! Enjoy. Instagram: @thehuntian @dustinwittwer Emai...

If you followed the question I asked on Instagram, "what is the best bino harness / pistol holster combo?" this is the information I researched from those suggestions. I got a bunch of the same and some unique suggestions. I determined what would be the best style and function for me, then give my personal choice. I also touch on our upcoming Super Championship World Series competition to determin...

On this episode, I continue with another round of questions from Instagram. I start with the official announcement of the 1st Annual 2025 Team Horse vs Team Mule vs Team Llama vs Team Goat (possibly) competition. This is as petty as it sounds but you won't want to miss the results. I also cover everything from optics to big bull elk application strategies and some talk about the forgotten western...

This is one of my favorite episodes in a long time. I came across Branson through his social media page. I knew right off we were kindred spirits. Branson loves to chase big mule deer and hunts with gaited horses. We chat about a three year saga chasing a monster buck in his home state of Colorado. He talks about the moment he decided he needed gaited horses for the backcountry. We also discuss br...

On this episode, I dive into some Instagram follower questions. I cover everything from phone digi-scoping adapters to elk application strategies to scouting for mule deer. There is even a bit of 6.5 creedmoor talk. I go into the "can't eat the antlers" mindset and the eventual consequences. This is a good one! Enjoy. Look for the remaining questions in part 2 coming soon! Email: dustin@thehuntian...

It's not too late! Listen to this before the Utah application deadline. Utah will let you amend or change your application choices right up to the deadline. I give my brother a call to discuss the state of hunting in Utah, especially the southern half where we spend a lot of our time. I also give a quick deep dive into what "points" mean across the west and how to utilize them. I mention The Hunti...

Part two with Robby Denning. We keep on recording after our mule deer discussion and dive into what it takes to be successful on a hunt using horses. Robby has been around and used horses to hunt with most of his life. We dive into advantages and disadvantages of hunting with horses, cost for maintenance, training techniques, and most importantly, how to utilize them to kill big bucks. Enjoy! Inst...

Robby and I share a passionate discussion about mule deer, management strategies, and the what the future might hold. Mule deer was not the specific topic we planned to discuss. After an hour or so we realized this better be its own episode. We still recorded the "hunting with horses" episode as intended and it will be released soon. Enjoy! Instagram: @robbydenning @rokslide @thehuntian @dustinwit...

Marc and I catch up after the Hunt Expo. We recap the event, including the Q&A mule deer seminar Marc hosted with myself, Robby Denning, and Jeremy Dugger. We summarize some of the best questions from the seminar. Then we discuss what our mule deer hunting plans look like going forward and the optimism we have for mule deer. Enjoy! We are just entering the beginning of tag application season h...

Henry and I jump on to discuss all the major changes coming to big game hunting in Colorado, some as early as this year. The three big changes we discuss are the end of over-the-counter archery elk tags for non residents, the addition of some "first rifle" deer permits in a number of units, and the change from a pure preference point system for deer, elk, and antelope to a hybrid 50/50 preference...

I give you all the basic information you need to know before applying in the New Mexico big game draw. I include permit, application, and hunting license fees. I breakdown permit allocation percentages. I briefly explain the youth opportunity. I end with a 30,000 foot view of each species category. This podcast will be followed by a more specific breakdown of each species and unit overviews. Enjoy...

I catch up with Jeremy Dugger to review the current state of mule deer across the west. We present some out-of-the-box ideas to help increase herds and grow bigger deer. Jeremy shares his favorite new mule deer conservation activity to directly impact the mule deer herd in his core hunting areas. Enjoy! Instagram: @thehuntian @dustinwittwer @muleymojo Email: dustin@thehuntian.com Website: www.theh...

I sit down with long time friend Terran Leavitt at the Western Conservation & Hunting Expo. We talk about him getting into archery and helping guide hunts with Deep Creek Outfitters. He tells the story of his 200"++ Nevada public land archery buck from this past season. Enjoy! Email: dustin@thehuntian.com Website: www.thehuntian.com Instagram: @terranleavitt @thehuntian @dustinwittwer @deepcre...

In this episode I discuss the Great American Outdoor Show in Pennsylvania and the upcoming Western Conservation & Hunting Expo in Salt Lake. I breakdown the Nevada Guide Draw, New Mexico, Colorado, and Montana all coming up soon. I finish off with status update on The Huntian and reasons NOT to use the service. Enjoy! Email: dustin@thehuntian.com Instagram: @thehuntian @dustinwittwer Website:...

Everything you need to know before applying for AZ Elk and Antelope. AZ is a "must apply" state for anyone interested in great elk or deer hunting, although it is a more of a long term play state. I also touch on a Wyoming bill proposing transferrable landowner tags. Last, we will be at the Great American Outdoors Show in Harrisburg, PA starting this weekend, February 1-9, 2025. Come find us at bo...

Awesome episode where Corey and I break down the basic thought process of building a new rifle, choosing a cartridge, scope, overall rifle weight, barrel length, bullet performance, etc. We dive into some ballistics, explain the difference between FFP and SFP scopes, the importance of rangefinders, and much more! You cannot miss this episode if you plan to build or buy a new rifle setup this year....

This episode is unique. I do a quick hitting breakdown of my general plans for mule deer applications across the west. Use it to get ideas for your own applications. Feel free to reach out with specific questions about each state. I give what I consider the must-apply-for states for western mule deer hunting.  As always, if you'd like me to manage your western mule deer applications this year, con...

I connect with Jace Guymon, a Utah hunting guide and pure bred killer. We discuss his guiding business, tell hunting stories, and dive into the Utah deer herd management. Enjoy! If you'd like more information or help in your Utah hunt applications this year, contact me! Email: dustin@thehuntian.com Instagram: @thehuntian @dustinwittwer Website: www.thehuntian.com

Attention! The first big application period for the lower 48 is here. Non-resident Wyoming elk applications are open. I break down all the details you need to be successful in the draws. If you want or need help in the western hunt application process, I can help. Enjoy! Instagram: @thehuntian @dustinwittwer Email: dustin@thehuntian.com Website: https://thehuntian.com/2024/12/19/apply/

I kick off the new year with a new business venture offered through The Huntian. Officially launching January 1, 2025, the Apply. Scout. Hunt. service will use our T.A.G. (Tailored Application Gameplan) to custom build your application plan. Thank you for following along and I am beyond excited to start this journey! Instagram: @thehuntian @dustinwittwer Email: dustin@thehuntian.com Website: https...

Dustin jumps on solo to explain what he thinks are the 3 most common mistakes during application season coming up, and how to avoid them. Some of these might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how often they happen...maybe they have happened to you? Enjoy! Instagram: @dustinwittwer @thehuntian Website link: https://thehuntian.com/2024/12/27/3-common-mistakes-when-applying-for-western-hunts/ Emai...

In this episode, my brother Jason and I discuss stories from guiding hunts this past fall. We gives tips on how to have a great guided hunt experience, expectations you should have with your guide, and crucial things to communicate for a great hunt. We end with the story of Jason guiding a 16 yr old client on his first big game kill where they tip over a 350" Utah archery bull. Enjoy! Instagram: @...

The Utah Wildlife Board recently met to approve (or not approve) of the updated deer management plan items for 2025-2030. After virtually attending multiple Utah RAC and Wildlife Board meetings, I breakdown their final votes and process. Some big changes include lowering the buck to doe ratio on certain general units, weapon restrictive hunts on certain units, a change to the general and dedicated...

Must listen before the Idaho non-resident "otc" deer and elk extravaganza tomorrow! I break down all the details you need to have the best chance at grabbing a permit! Enjoy! Instagram: @thehuntian @dustinwittwer Email: dustin@thehuntian.com

Long overdue - I finally recap some of my September hunts, including my old man's NV archery elk hunt and my Wyoming deer hunt. Prioritizing hunts is a challenge each year. Once-in-a-lifetime type hunts rarely come along, so we should help with them every chance we get. My dad's NV archery elk hunt was one of those hunts. Enjoy! Instagram: @thehuntian @dustinwittwer Email: dustin@thehuntian.com