ElkShape

ElkShape Podcast — Season 9, Episode 471Dan is back in the lab and in the mountains on this one—breaking down why he’s officially moving away from lighted nocks after battling tuning inconsistencies and what that means for your arrow build heading into season. He dives deep into his current broadhead setup for spring bear, what he trusts when it matters most, and exactly where to place your arrow...

Today we’re covering a little bit of everything from recent spring bear hunting escapades in the mountains to almost ruining another cameraman in the process… again. 😅 We break down hunting rule changes, the sneaky regulations that can absolutely GETCHA if you’re not paying attention, and the small details that could mean the difference between a great season and a bad conversation with a game wa...

Today’s episode is all about fitness for the mountains—and why it’s not optional if you’re serious about chasing elk in the backcountry. Dan breaks down how mountain fitness goes far beyond looking good or lifting heavy… it’s about durability, grit, and showing up when it matters most. From grinding up steep elevations with a pack on your back, to staying sharp when you’re smoked, this is the kind...

Dan sits down with Nathan L. from Montana to talk about how archery elk hunting quite literally changed the trajectory of his life. A combat veteran who struggled after returning home from overseas, Nathan opens up about the mental battles that followed — and how picking up a bow gave him direction, discipline, and a new mission. Over the last five seasons, he’s poured himself into elk country. Le...

Today we sit down with Eddie (@rags.to.ridges) to hear one of the most powerful comeback stories you’ll come across. After serving over 6 years for armed robbery, Eddie found bowhunting through magazines while behind bars—and made a decision to change his life. Since his release, he’s gone all-in on the outdoors, fatherhood, and the pursuit of becoming a bowhunter. This conversation is raw, real,...

Dan sits down with Koda from Out West Archery to talk all things archery elk hunting, mountain practice, and preparing for the real thing. The two break down lessons learned from last elk season and how mountain 3D shooting can sharpen your skills for real elk encounters. Koda also shares the vision behind his archery shoot in Kellogg, Idaho, designed to replicate realistic backcountry shooting sc...

You love elk hunting. You love your wife. But what happens when those two worlds collide? Today Dan sits down with Daniel — a psychotherapist specializing in men’s health and healing — and an avid elk bowhunter himself. Daniel understands both sides of this conversation. He works with men daily on physical recovery, stress, emotional health, and performance… and he also disappears into the mountai...

Today Dan sits down with Cody Sabol — an archery elk hunter and dentist from North Carolina with a relentless passion for public land DIY elk hunting. Living thousands of miles from the mountains elk call home hasn’t stopped Cody from finding consistent, year-over-year success out West. In this episode, Cody breaks down the mindset, preparation, and discipline it takes to chase elk from the East C...

Today Dan Staton sits down with Cody from Dark Owl Archery to break down the brand-new sight he’s bringing to market in Spring 2026 — a true crossover built to bridge the gap between target precision and real-world bowhunting durability. If you’ve ever felt stuck choosing between a tournament-style sight and a rugged hunting setup, this design aims to give you the best of both worlds. Beyond the g...

This bonus ElkShape Podcast was recorded live in Montana during the PEAX Elk Tour, in front of a crowd of passionate archery elk hunters. Dan dives into how he works to balance family life with the obsession of elk hunting, sharing lessons learned from years of chasing bulls across public land. He breaks down his proven solo elk hunting tactics, including mobility, effective elk calling, and sever...

Today, two old elk bums sit down and swap stories from the trenches of public land elk hunting — the highs, the lows, and everything it takes to keep showing up year after year. Dan is joined by Sam Rogers, a proven public-land killer who consistently punches multiple elk tags a season. The two first met at an ElkShape camp years ago and quickly bonded over shared faith, values, and an obsession w...

Today we’re sitting down for an honest conversation about wolf management with Justin Webb, Director of the Foundation for Wildlife Management — a nonprofit that is both pro wolf and pro wolf management. This topic can get emotional and polarizing fast… but we believe it deserves a calm, fact-based discussion. Wolves are here to stay on the landscape. The real question is: how do we manage them re...

Today Dan sits down with longtime friend Dan Watts — the guy who was wrenching on his bows way back in the early 2000s. Watts lives and breathes archery, spending most of his life working in bow shops and constantly tinkering with gear. Now a journeyman electrician by trade, he shares how he scores quality bows on a budget, what to look for when buying used, and why you don’t need the newest flags...

Today we’re sitting down with Ty from North Idaho — a framer and carpenter by trade and a full-time wildland firefighter who knows a thing or two about grit, hard work, and showing up when it counts. With several seasons of bowhunting experience under his belt, Ty joins Dan to break down how he can level up his elk hunting through smarter preparation, better systems, and sharper in-the-field tacti...

Today we’re dissecting mountain whitetail bucks on public land with Troy Pottenger—a legendary whitetail subject-matter expert with decades of hard-earned experience. Troy breaks down how he prospects for big, cagey mountain bucks, the role trail cameras actually play in his system, and how he identifies and hunts community scrapes in rugged terrain. We dive deep into the topography he looks for,...

Dan jumps on the mic for a quick bonus episode with a timely reminder you don’t want to miss. Elk draw deadlines are creeping up fast, and if you’re serious about hunting elk every year, you need more than luck — you need a system. Dan breaks down how to track deadlines, plan your states, and stack the odds in your favor so you’re not sitting on the sidelines each fall wondering what went wrong. T...

Live from deer camp in South Texas, the fellas break down real-world observations after putting multiple flagship broadheads through a dozen bucks over the course of the week. What worked, what surprised them, and what matters when it counts. As a bonus, Dan puts his buddy Cody in the hot seat to uncover how a Texas resident somehow manages to have an elk tag in his pocket year after year. 💢 Disc...

Join Dan of ElkShape and MFJJ of Podium Archer as they break down all the details for the 2026 Elk Immersion. This annual event is built for hunters who want to dedicate multiple days to sharpening their archery skills and elevating their elk-hunting craft. The fellas dive into what makes Elk Immersion different—live elk butchering, Joel Turner’s ShotIQ course, and Mark Livesay of Treeline Academy...

Join Dan as he breaks down next-level strategies for planning your first elk hunt. From how to properly vet outfitters—and separate the good ones from the bad—to cutting through the noise and confusion that overwhelms most first-timers, this episode gives you clear, practical guidance so you can plan with confidence and hunt with purpose. 💢 Discount Codes 💢 BORN PRIMITIVE OUTDOOR - 10% Off Code:...

Join Dan on today’s episode as he announces several big updates heading into 2026. This marks Year 9 of the ElkShape Podcast, and Dan dives into what’s next—breaking down his newest project, Legacy Built, outlining plans for the 2026 Elk Immersion, and sharing which Total Archery Challenge (TAC) events he’ll be attending this season. He also announces an exciting new partnership with Ollin and wha...

Today, Dan sits down with fellow passionate bowhunter Zach from western Oregon to break down his pursuit of a high-country public-land blacktail. The conversation goes beyond tactics and terrain, diving into the often unspoken reality of hunting as a selfish pursuit—and how it can evolve into something deeper and more spiritual. Together, they unpack the balance between work, family, and time in t...

Dan sits down with Cody Rich, founder of Bridger Watch, and puts him on the hot seat. They dive straight into the hard questions—when this watch will actually be ready for market, what separates it from every other smartwatch on the shelf, and why it matters for serious backcountry users. Cody breaks down what Bridger Watch can do for fitness, from performance tracking to real-world durability, an...

Today we’re sitting down with Scott Engles, manager of All Sport Powersports and an avid bowhunter. The guys break down the ongoing shenanigans unfolding in Washington State involving Fish and Game and the Wildlife Commission—where state politics collide head-on with wildlife management and hunter access. They then switch gears and talk gear, as Dan explains how he went from hating all SxS and UTV...

Today Dan sits down with Carl Jocumsen—Australia’s most accomplished bass angler and a relentless example of chasing a dream against the odds. Carl grew up in Toowoomba, Queensland, where his passion for fishing took hold early. He entered his first bass tournaments at just 14 and went on to dominate the Australian circuit for more than a decade, earning multiple ABT victories, three Angler of the...

Today’s guest is Dayton from Cranbrook, British Columbia — a law enforcement officer and accomplished bowhunter with firsthand experience in the realities of grizzly country. Dayton has responded to multiple grizzly bear attacks, including one tragically close to home where a hunter later died from his injuries. He’s also been charged by bears while hunting, and in one incident, his colleagues wer...