ElkShape

Dan is podcasting from the road, headed straight into his next elk hunt—but first, he’s breaking down a brutal **10-day public-land archery elk hunt in Idaho**. This wasn’t a private-land layup. It was steep, unforgiving country, a general tag, plenty of hunting pressure, and a bull Dan had spent serious time scouting before the season ever started. Dan walks through the hunt day by day: dealing w...

Today we're sitting down with Evan Hunter, better known as The Elk Nerd, to discuss one of the most ambitious elk hunting research projects we've seen. Evan is conducting a free, data-driven study focused on elk shot outcomes, recoveries, and losses, and he's asking hunters across the country to contribute their experiences. His goal isn't to prove anyone right or wrong—it's to analyze thousands o...

Today, Dan sits down with longtime friend **Josh Jones (MFJJ)** for a conversation that's been over 20 years in the making. The two catch up on life, archery, and Josh's brand-new podcast based out of Nashville, Tennessee. They dive into how the show came together, what he's learned behind the microphone, and some of the most memorable guests and conversations from his first year. Of course, it wo...

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the endless opinions, conflicting advice, and internet myths surrounding archery, this episode is for you. Today we're joined by **George Ryals**, one of the most respected archery coaches in the world, along with **Jonathan from Last Chance Archery**, to simplify the sport and break complex concepts into practical, easy-to-understand lessons that will immediatel...

Four elk seasons. Plenty of close calls. More mistakes than successes. And one goal that still burns just as hot: punching that first archery elk tag. Today I'm joined by Nate Illingsworth as we unpack his entire elk hunting journey—the failures that stung, the lessons that changed the way he hunts, and the habits that are finally starting to stack the odds in his favor. We talk about the mental s...

Bonus Episode! Elk season is here, the truck is getting loaded, and it's almost time to point the headlights toward elk camp. After 25 consecutive seasons chasing public land elk with a bow, Dan shares the last-minute checklist and mindset he relies on during the final week before departure. From gear organization and bow confidence to physical preparation, travel logistics, and mental readiness,...

Fresh off the prairie, Dan is back in the studio to recap an unforgettable 5-day pronghorn hunt across two Western states that ended with two punched tags. In this bonus episode, Dan breaks down the tactics that led to success, including how he approached different properties, adapted to changing conditions, and capitalized on pronghorn behavior in the wide-open country. He also shares observation...

Today, Joel Turner is back in the ElkShape studio, and this episode is packed with practical elk hunting knowledge that could change the way you prepare for September. Joel starts by breaking down his exact elk calling script—step by step—explaining not only what sounds to make, but when to make them, why they work, and how this proven sequence evolved over years of calling in mature bulls. Whethe...

What does it really take to go from dreaming about elk hunting to arrowing a 350-inch public land bull? In today's episode, Dan sits down with Noble, a Montana resident and attendee of the 2026 Elk Immersion Experience, to unpack an incredible journey. Noble shares the lessons learned during his first three years of DIY public land elk hunting, the mistakes that accelerated his learning curve, and...

In today's episode, Dan sits down with Scott from Foundation Outdoors to talk about what goes into building high-performance meals for hunters, backpackers, and anyone who spends long days in the backcountry. We dive into how Foundation Outdoors has been producing meals since 2013, who they're making food for behind the scenes, and why quality ingredients and balanced nutrition matter when your bo...

A lot has happened in the hunting world, and this week's episode tackles some of the biggest conversations head-on. Dan breaks down the recent case involving a hunting YouTuber who pleaded guilty to 40 wildlife-related charges, why stories like this damage the reputation of all hunters, and why protecting the future of hunting starts with personal responsibility and ethical decision-making. From t...

In this episode, Dan sits down with longtime friend Will Cooper from GSM Outdoors, HuntStand, and Stealth Cam to have an honest conversation about one of the most debated topics in modern hunting: cellular trail cameras and fair chase ethics. Having shared several whitetail hunts together over the years, Dan and Will bring plenty of firsthand experience to the table as they discuss where trail cam...

Public land belongs to everyone—but that doesn't mean every decision we make out there is ethical or respectful. In today's episode, Dan dives into one of the most debated topics in hunting: public land etiquette. After stumbling across **double-digit permanent tree stands** tucked deep into remote elk country, he asks a series of questions that every hunter should think through. Is it okay to hun...

What if everything you thought you knew about arrow vanes was due for a rethink? Today, Dan sits down with Steve, founder of 1ArrowArchery.com, to discuss one of the most unique arrow vane designs to hit the archery market. At first glance, these vanes look unlike anything you've ever seen—but once Steve walks through the engineering, testing process, and real-world results, it's hard not to be im...

Today Dan traveled across the country to sit down with Alex Chopp, one of the founders of @latitudeoutdoors to explore how saddle hunting can be a legitimate tool for Western big game hunters. Alex shares the origin story behind the brand, the challenges and lessons learned while building a company from the ground up, and how Latitude has become one of the most recognized names in the saddle hunti...

Today's episode starts a little differently. Before going live on YouTube for an open Q&A, Dan sits down to share a few thoughts from a recent Montana scouting trip and what he learned after putting boots on the ground in elk country. He also discusses why trail cameras can be an incredibly valuable scouting tool—but why they are far from a requirement for consistently finding and harvesting elk....

Today on the ElkShape Podcast, Dan sits down with his good friend Towson Jenkins from Wyoming—a bowhunter who quietly and consistently gets it done year after year on western big game. While his success in the mountains speaks for itself, what stands out even more is who Towson is when the tags are put away: a man of deep faith, a devoted husband, and the proud father of three beautiful daughters....

Today Dan is joined by Dave and Logan from ANKR-POINT to discuss their innovative new product, the challenges of building a brand in today's digital marketplace, and a growing problem that is impacting businesses across countless industries: counterfeit products and online piracy. The guys pull back the curtain on how overseas copycat companies are ripping off ANKR-POINT's products, branding, phot...

Today Dan sits down with Ryan from CallemCloseApp.com — a fellow North Idaho elk hunter who created a FREE online tool designed to help hunters build better elk sounds and gain confidence behind a diaphragm call. Let’s face it… learning to run a mouth call can be downright frustrating. Even seasoned elk hunters struggle with consistency, realistic emotion and creating sounds that actually fool bul...

Today on the ElkShape Podcast, Dan and Tyler are road-tripping home after an unforgettable week hunting black bears in Northern Alberta with Prairie North Outfitters. The fellas break down all the action from camp — close encounters, blown opportunities, successful stalks, camp life, and what makes spring bear hunting such a unique adventure. They also dive into why bear meat has become one of the...

Today on the "Elk Don't Exist" podcast, we’re sitting down with Dylan Deitz to hear the story behind the brand and the road that brought him here. Not long ago, Dylan was battling severe mental health struggles and thoughts of ending it all. Through therapy, purpose, and a complete shift in direction, he’s rebuilt his life through digital content creation, hunting, and introducing new hunters to t...

Today Dan is podcasting live from Marsupial Gear HQ in Phoenix with founder Jim Graham. What started just before Covid as a small operation in Jim’s garage — sewing bino chest packs and selling them out of the back of his car — has evolved into one of the most recognizable made-in-America hunting brands in the industry. Jim shares the behind-the-scenes story of the sacrifices, risks, and relentles...

Today Dan heads down to Wilderness Athlete HQ to hang out with Kevin Guillen and Chris Denham for a conversation centered around western hunting, longevity, and staying sharp as the years stack up. One of the coolest parts about this crew is the family of brands all operating under the same umbrella — including Western Hunter, Outdoorsman, and Wilderness Athlete. The fellas catch up on old stories...

Today Dan is sitting down with Reggie from Vizion Archery USA to talk all things archery elk hunting and innovation in the bowhunting space. Reggie breaks down the story behind their one-of-a-kind peep system designed to gather more light and improve visibility in critical hunting situations. The fellas dive deep into public land elk tactics, specifically how to approach call shy bulls that have a...

Year 9 of the ElkShape Podcast rolls on and today Dan is sitting down with a Midwest whitetail hunter who recently made the move to Idaho with one goal in mind… chasing his first elk. The fellas break down his entire setup from top to bottom — what gear is solid, what needs upgraded, and where he should spend money (and where he shouldn’t) based on a realistic budget. They also dive deep into elk...