The Western Huntsman Podcast

Luke Washington is a hunter, writer, and director of digital and social media at Eastmans Publishing in Powell, WY.  In this episode, Luke and I discuss everything from his position at Eastmans to his recent success on a Wyoming bighorn hunt. We talk about the impacts, good and bad, that social media has on hunting. Gear, hunting pressure, and cool past hunts are brought up. Then, we get to hear t...

Holy cow! I can't believe it's been 5 stinking years!  This episode is presented ad free and with my friend and presonal favorite, Dirk Durham of Phelps Game Calls. We talk elk, calls, how seasons can differ year to year, bugling bulls, elusive whitetail, and celebrate The Western Huntsman's fifth year on the air!  Dirk was the very first guest on this show, he was kind enough to join me this week...

Dan Pickar is an extreme bowhunter, writer, editor, video producer, and a perfect example of the grittiness of the true American hunter. He is on the full time staff at Eastmans Hunting so his life IS hunting.  In this episode, Dan and I jump into the grizzly decision handed down recently, requiring the Feds to make a formal decision regarding the listing of griz in the lower 48. We discuss the ro...

Jeff Stringer and Ryan Corkwell, founders of Vantage Point Archery, are back again to join me on the show! In this episode we talk about the VPA difference and why these broadheads are the best on the planet. We dig into their commitment to American manufacturing and how that makes the VPA broadhead a no-brainer choice for American hunters. We talk deer and elk hunting, how the recent election res...

Rod Paschke is an outfitter, hunter, rancher, and an engaged outdoorsman in the great State of Montana. He serves on boards and councils for wildlife management, donating time and effort to the future of hunting and the animals we pursue.  In this episode, we discuss topics around the state of mule deer. We talk about some of the challenges of perhaps the most iconic big game species of the Americ...

Return guest Jaden Bales joins me this week and you don't want to miss this one. Jaden is a hunter, writer, guide, and owner of Hunts West, a hunting consulting outfit for the DIY non-resident hunter.  In this episode, we talk about the endless learning and nuances that take place each year in the elk woods. This is probably a huge contributer to why so many of us are so drawn to it. Jaden also br...

My cousin Andrew joins me again this week for an episode recorded in person on my birthday. We talk about fail points in a hunt and making sure we learn something from each season to become better for next. It's a great discussion with whiskey flowing, and as is usual for us, we make fun of Democrats after their crushing defeat on Election Day.  Andrew on Instagram Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls...

To my surprise, there has been a ton of interest in my journey of switching to a left-handed bow. Instead of answering messages, I put this episode together.  After almost 20 years shooting my bow right-handed, I made the call to switch. I'm very much left-eyed dominant, right-handed, and have always lacked confidence in my ability with a bow. Unlike rifle shooting which I still do right-handed, s...

Kevin returns to Montana to join me in Idaho for a bear hunt. This business we left unfinished last June was nagging at both of us, and although we didn't find any bears worth shooting, it was an amazing time.  In this episode, we recap the hunt, talk self reliance and how it ties into hunting, discussed some basic preparedness topics, and tease some courses we have in mind for next year. I always...

Cable Smith, host of the Lone Star Outdoor Show, hunter, family man, and a great mind to have on our side joins me this week from Texas.  Cable and I discuss a few hunting adventures, then dive right into some hot political topics of the day. We talk about how the anti-hunting movement is a product of the political left and why hunters need to be not just aware, but involved in todays political is...

Return guest and friend, Fonzy Haskell, joins me this week to talk October elk hunting! I've been kicking around the idea of doing a School of October to help out our rifle hunters out there. I couldn't think of anyone better to kick this off than Fonzy! He is a guide, lifelong hunter, Wyoming Native, and outfitting manager at one of the premier outfitters in Northeast Wyoming, Four Horse Outfitte...

Well here we are! The final School of September episode of 2024! One of my favorite people, also a listener favorite, we close out this SOS season with none other than Dirk Durham. A man who needs little introduction, a dude that every hunter can learn from, and a guy I'm proud to call a friend.  In this episode, Dirk and I dive into some "out-of-the-box" type calling techniques that can make a bi...

Devan Reilly is a man blazing his own trail. He's a hunter, podcast host (Blazing Trails Podcast and Top Dog Hunt Podcast), and rodeo cowboy with a passion for pursuing elk with a trad bow. In this episode, Devan and I talk a bunch of elk strategy from calling to glassing to the differences between hunting with a compound bow and a trad. Devan is a wildly successful elk slayer and a committed stew...

Return guest, Mike Edgehouse, is a professor of anatomy and biology at Lewis Clark College, hunter, meat expert, mobile butcher, and founder of the Cutrite Mobile App that should live on every hunters phone.  In this episode, Mike and I talk about all the things that happen AFTER you've notched a tag on an elk. You School of September Scholars have a higher chance of putting an elk on the ground,...

Another week, another installment of the School of September! With season only weeks away, this is not one you're going to want to miss. Brian Barney and Dan Pickar, both of Eastmans Hunting Journals and both return guests to the show, join me to have a panel-like discussion and Q&A on September elk season. As two of the best bowhunters on the planet, these guys brought their A-game to the show. W...

As we continue our Summer blitz of School of September episodes, Days in the Wild founder John Stallone joins me this week. John is a lifelong hunter, hunting guide, host of the Days in the Wild Podcast, writer, and strong advocate for the future of hunting with Howl for Wildlife.  In this episode, John details his September elk hunting strategies. We talk locating elk, calling strategies, differe...

Bradley Dammerman is the owner/operator of Idaho Whitetail Guides and one hell of an American hunter.  In this episode, Bradley and I dive into early to late season elk calling. Bradley describes a unique calling technique with an elk shed you have to listen to. We go from week one September into mid-October calling. Elk ebb and flow with the season, Bradley drops some serious take-aways from his...

Dax is a hunting guide and manager for Wagonhound Outfitters in Wyoming. He's a lifelong hunter and great American.  In this episode, we discuss elk hunting strategies through different seasons. He breaks down calling elk in early September versus late. Then we begin covering strategy changes into October rifle seasons and even some late season (November) elk tips. Dax is a wildly successful guide...

Jeff and Ryan, co-founders of Vantage Point Archery, join me this week to discuss broadheads, hunting, and the politics around all of it. It's a great discussion and if you're wanting a little more technical information regarding your broadhead and arrow setup, this is the episode for you! Vantage Point Archery has been a sponsor on this show since this last Spring and I couldn't be more happy wit...

Finally! Kevin Estela and I sit down to recap our bear hunt and fishing trip. Kevin, with Fieldcraft Survival, flew out to Idaho from North Carolina to chase bruins over a bait site. In this episode, we talk about the gear we used, the shared experience, our fishing wins, and our plans for redemption this coming Fall! Kevin on Instagram CRKT Website Check out the Woods Chogan T-Hawk from CRKT!! Sh...

Mike Herne is a career soldier in the U.S. Army, hunter, writer, and hunting gear guru working with Kifaru and Born Primitive Outdoors. He's also a fantastic American and I was super happy to have him on the show.  In this episode, Mike and I discuss his journey as a soldier and Western big-game hunter. We talk about the military, Kifaru packs, Born Primitive gear, elk hunting, whitetail hunting,...

Return Guest Mike Barnes is the former Strength Conditioning Coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, hunter, trainer, and author. He's spent a career out of understanding and teaching strength conditioning to others and let me tell you, he knows what he's talking about.  In this episode, we are excited to talk to Mike about his new book, The Complete Guide to Fitness for Western and Mountain Hunt...

Brandon Maddox is the founder and President of Silencer Central, he's a hunter, family man, and an inspiring business owner.  We had such a great response last time I had him on, I thought it would be a good idea to bring him back! In this episode, we discuss hunting, the silencer line-up, the sped-up ATF application process, building and growing a business, and more. Silencer Central has been an...

An old Marine friend joins me this week, Gabe Castleberry! Gabe and I served in 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines together where we traveled the world in uniform including places like Kosovo, Africa, and Iraq.  As a sort of Memorial Day special, Gabe and I discuss some of our experiences in the Marines, transitioning to the civilian world, masculinity, wokeness and how it applies to everything, veteran s...

Return guest, Mike Herz, is a friend, hunter, hunting advocate in Washington, founding member of the Conservation Coalition of Washington, family man, and entreprenuer. In this episode, we discuss some updates in the ongoing battle in Washington against the anti-hunting industry, we discuss the leftist push to control everyone, and Mike's new venture, SkullCraft Collective. We also touch on some U...