Elk Hunt

I sat down with Jaden Bales this week for one of those conversations that starts as a catch-up and turns into a full-on masterclass — and I didn't even plan it that way. It's been way too long since Jaden and I recorded together (we live in the same town, so we keep telling ourselves we don't need a podcast to catch up — turns out we do). Jaden's got a trail camera bull he's chasing this fall — a mid-July photo puts him around 340", with room to grow into the 350 range by September — and he wanted to pick my brain on how to actually turn this thing up before archery season opens. So that's exactly what we did. We get into the real difference between hunting a "201-level" six-point and hunting a genuine target bull — because trust me, those are two completely different games. We talk about why elk don't respect your neat little three-mile circle on OnX, why a good bull might blow off his summer ground and go rut ten miles away, and why "air miles" is the only way to actually think about elk movement in big mountain country. We also get into backpack-hunt logistics, meat care in the backcountry, why purple roads and hiking trails matter less than you think (until they don't), and the mental shift it takes to go from "find one bull" to "learn four different herds at once." If you've got a shooter on camera right now and you're trying to figure out your game plan for opening week, this episode is basically a free coaching session. Grab a coffee and get ready to think differently about how elk actually use the mountain. This Episode's Sponsors  Tricer This episode is brought to you by the good folks over at Tricer. I always want to call them Tricer Tripods, but they make a lot more than tripods — the RP Bipod is one of my favorite pieces of gear I own. At 10.5 ounces it's stupid lightweight, it comes with long legs and short legs, and it works on both Picatinny and ARCA. All that for $350 is a no-brainer. I've shot a lot of critters off this thing. Check it out at tricer.com and use code TRO to save 10% off. Maven Optics This episode is also brought to you by Maven Optics — a direct-to-consumer optics company out of Wyoming that I've been running for years. The comment I get every single time someone picks up a pair is, "Oh man, these are actually really good." Yeah — I told you. From binos to rangefinders to rifle scopes, Maven is hands-down the best bang for your buck in the optics world, because cutting out the big box store markup means better glass for less money. Check them out at mavenbuilt.com and use code TRO at checkout for a special gift. Chapters Timestamp Segment 0:00 Intro — Welcome to the Elk Hunt Podcast 1:15 Sponsor: Tricer RP Bipod 2:45 Sponsor: Maven Optics 4:00 Catching up with Jordan Bales — wedding recap 6:30 First elk hunt four weeks out — this year's scouting mission 8:15 The trail camera bull — first photos and initial score estimate 11:00 Piecing together bull location vs. known cow herds 14:30 Why elk wander farther than most hunters assume 18:00 201 vs. 301 hunting: chasing a six-point vs. chasing a target bull 23:00 Why it takes a team to hunt one specific giant bull 27:30 Thinking in "air miles" instead of trail miles 31:00 Bachelor herds, rut timing, and reading bull behavior in late August 35:00 Strategy: kid gloves vs. hard-charging a target bull 39:00 Backcountry logistics — backpack hunting, horses, and pulling meat 43:00 Meat care and temperature management in the backcountry 46:00 Recreational hiker traffic — does it actually affect elk? 48:30 Roly-poly country vs. big mountain drainages — which makes you a better elk hunter 51:30 Hunt West coaching — booking a consult with Jordan 53:00 Outro — free hunt planner and show links (Note: these timestamps are estimated proportionally based on conversation flow within the 50-minute runtime — swap in your actual DAW/editing timestamps before publishing.) Three Key Takeaways Think in air miles, not trail miles. The mental trap most hunters fall into is measuring distance the way a human experiences it — on foot, along trails. Elk cover ground on a completely different scale. A bull that seems "close" to a herd on the map might actually be far enough that he's already moved on to check her and bounce. Recalibrating your sense of distance is one of the biggest jumps from intermediate to advanced elk hunting. Targeting one specific bull requires understanding every herd around him, not just his. The moment you commit to "301-level" hunting — chasing one specific animal instead of just filling a tag — the job changes from finding an elk to mapping an entire drainage system: every bachelor group, every cow herd, every likely wind-and-terrain funnel within a few miles. It's genuinely harder and less fun than general elk hunting, which is exactly why it usually takes a team. Patience beats pressure with a known target bull. The instinct to hike straight into a bull's last known location and start calling is usually the fastest way to lose him for the season. Watching from a distance, learning what the herd is doing morning and evening, and staying in "kid glove" mode until you actually have eyes on him gives you a far better shot than blowing him out of the country on day one.

Alright guys, today's episode is a good one. I'm sitting down with Kevin Gower — a Colorado public land guy who's been in the elk woods since he was 12 years old and has packed out more elk than the years he's been hunting. That's 22 elk in 23 seasons. Not luck. Not private land. Public dirt, over the counter, doing it the hard way. We get into it — why most guys aren't consistent on public land, the "cover ground" era of learning to elk hunt, and why the YouTube backpack-hunting romance can actually work against you when you're trying to learn a mountain. We talk mindset — the "today's the day" mantra, why you can't write the story before the hunt is over, and why the guys who stack hard experiences early end up with the confidence to go get it done later. Kevin also walks through his biggest bull — a solo four-mile pack out in thirteen inches of fresh snow — and why moments like that are what separate hunters who quit from hunters who figure it out. We dig into silent bulls and why they're some of the most killable elk in the woods, calling strategy, reading pressure on the edge of private land, when to leave elk to go find better elk, and why learning to hunt the storm front instead of fighting the wind might be one of the most underrated skills in elk hunting. This one's packed with real public land wisdom from a guy who's put in two decades on the same mountain. Grab a notebook, this is a good one. Sponsors onX Hunt Today's episode is brought to you by onX Hunt. If you haven't checked out our free 4-hour e-scouting course yet, go grab it at elkhunt201.com — it's completely free. Building a color-coded system of waypoints, markups, and tracks for your hunt is one of the most important things you can do before season. Too many guys draw a tag and just show up to figure it out — don't be that guy. If you're not an Elite member yet, Elite unlocks a ton of extra planning tools that'll make your prep this fall way more dialed in.  onxmaps.com Use code TRO when you upgrade to Elite. Bridger Watch This episode is also brought to you by Bridger Watch — a smartwatch built specifically for hunting. All your normal smartwatch features (health tracking, fitness tracking, texts) plus, in my opinion, the best mapping capability of any wearable on the market. You can save offline maps, ship them straight to your watch, and pan around right on your wrist with a screen that's genuinely impressive for its size. Bridger Watch also integrates directly with onX — share a whole hunt folder or a single waypoint from the field straight to your watch, so if your phone dies or you lose it, you've always got a backup.   bridgerwatch.com Timestamped Chapters (Approximate — based on episode flow, total runtime ~1:02:00) 00:00 – Intro / onX Hunt: free e-scouting course & building a hunt plan 02:15 – Bridger Watch: mapping-focused hunting smartwatch & onX integration 04:00 – Welcome Kevin Gower — gearing up for elk season 06:00 – Kevin's background: 22 elk in 23 seasons on public land in Colorado 08:15 – What most hunters get wrong: sitting in the same meadow vs. covering ground 11:30 – The YouTube generation, backpack hunting romanticism, and today's pressure 14:30 – Blocking out other hunters without losing your own game plan 17:15 – Mindset: "today's the day" and staying positive in the field 19:30 – Don't write the story before the hunt is over 22:30 – Early lessons learned solo, the 90/10 rule, and being more aggressive 25:30 – Kevin's biggest bull: solo 4-mile pack out in 13 inches of snow 29:30 – Stacking hard experiences to build confidence over time 33:00 – Pushing limits early — lessons for newer hunters 36:15 – Hunting a brand new unit for the first time this season 39:00 – E-scouting: finding elk vs. figuring out where people will be 43:00 – Staying balanced as a hunter & always having backup plans 46:30 – E-scouting and boots-on-the-ground as separate, underrated skills 49:15 – Recognizing elk in the field — don't walk past what's right in front of you 51:30 – Silent bulls: why quiet elk are often the most killable 55:00 – Calling strategy, patience, and reading stick breaks/non-verbal cues 58:15 – Reading pressure on private edges & when to leave elk to find elk 1:00:30 – Hunting the storm front instead of fighting bad wind 1:02:00 – Wrap-up, why you hunt, and closing advice for the season 3 Key Takeaways Don't write the story before the hunt is over. It's easy to mentally give up on a season five days in when things aren't going your way. Both Kevin and the host agree — stay in the present, trust your prep, and don't decide the outcome before you've actually run out of time. Silent bulls are still killable bulls. Pressured public land elk often won't respond to calls, but that doesn't mean they're unhuntable. Learning to locate, approach, and call elk in silently — without over-relying on a bugle response — opens up way more opportunities than waiting for a screaming match. Sometimes the right move is to leave elk to go find better elk. Whether it's a herd locked up on private land or elk buried in noisy, impossible-to-approach downfall, burning days trying to force a bad setup can cost you more than it gains. Recognizing when a situation is unwinnable — and moving on to find more huntable elk — is a skill in itself.

Dillon Ness is back on the show, and dude, this one's a good one. If you haven't heard our last conversation, go find it — I've always considered Dillon one of the best open country elk killers I know. But what people don't realize is the guy crushes it in the mountains just as hard. Well-rounded doesn't even cover it. In this episode, Dillon walks me through the full story of last year's mountain bull — a hunt that started with him throwing a dart at a map, glassing bulls pouring off the alfalfa at first light, getting boogered by other hunters, losing the herd, and eventually catching them in the dark on their last drink of water before bed. It's one of the best hunt breakdowns we've recorded, emotional gut-punch ending and all. From there we get into the nuts and bolts — how to actually dog a herd in the dark without blowing them up, why satellite bulls are your best friend, what 20 failed days of hunting really look like (because that's 90% of the season, not the highlight reel), midday strategy for guys who don't have 27 days to burn, and the biggest lesson 301-level hunting has taught both of us: elk are never random, and neither should your strategy be. We also get into a mindset shift that I think is worth the price of admission alone — using onX the wrong way is probably costing you elk without you even knowing it. Grab your coffee, settle in, this one's just shy of an hour and fifteen, and it's packed. This Episode's Sponsors 🔭 Maven Optics This episode is brought to you by the good folks over at Maven Optics. Love those guys, love the product, love the team, love everything about it. Maven is a direct-to-consumer optics company right out of Wyoming, and I've personally been running their stuff for years. My favorite comment I get when someone picks up a Maven is, "Man, these are actually really good" — and I just say, "Yeah, I told you." Binos, rangefinders, rifle scopes — Maven is, hands down, the best bang for your buck out there. Because they sell direct-to-consumer, you're not paying the big box store markup for the same glass quality.  Check them out at mavenbuilt.com  ⌚ Bridger Watch This episode is also brought to you by Bridger Watch — a project I've been building for a long time now. Everyone said we couldn't take on Garmin. Here we are anyway, and I think we've built something amazing: a smartwatch built specifically for hunting. The standout feature is the mapping. On top of all your normal smartwatch stuff — health tracking, fitness tracking, texts — Bridger Watch has the best mapping capability of any wearable on the market. Save maps offline, pan around right on your wrist, and the screen clarity is unreal. We've also built a full onX integration, so you can push waypoints, tracks, and markups straight from your onX account to your watch. Set a waypoint at the truck, drop a pin on a bedded bull, and it's on your wrist — even if your phone dies. This isn't about replacing your phone's mapping. It's a redundancy for the woods, and a watch you'll wear every day of the year, hunting season or not. Check it out at bridgerwatch.com Chapters Time Segment 0:00 Sponsor reads — Maven Optics & Bridger Watch 3:15 Welcome back Dillon — new baby, real estate license, fencing life update 6:30 Why "time" is the real secret to killing big bulls 10:15 Setting up the story: last year's mountain bull, throwing a dart at the map 14:45 Glassing bulls off the alfalfa at first light, finding the herd bulls' pattern 19:30 Getting boogered by other hunters, losing the giant at 58 yards 24:00 Relocating, finding the sanctuary drainage where elk funnel every night 29:15 The morning of the kill — dogging the herd in the dark through the willows 35:00 The shot, and the emotional final bugle exchange between the two bulls 40:30 Blending mountain calling with open country tactics after the kill 44:00 The underrated skill of dogging herds in the dark without bumping them 49:30 "Chumming the water" — using satellite bulls to create chaos 55:00 What 20 failed dogging days actually look like (the other 90% of the season) 1:01:15 How long to wait before going back after blowing a bull out 1:05:00 Midday strategy — mountains vs. open country, and what changes with less time 1:10:00 101 vs 201 vs 301 — the biggest lessons each level teaches you 1:12:30 The onX mistake most hunters make (turn off the purple lines) 1:13:30 Two totally different hunts this year — mountains, then prairie, and "upgrading your lens" 1:14:20 Wrap-up and free hunt planner (Approximate timestamps — adjust to final edit.) 3 Key Takeaways It's not skill, it's time in the field. Both Cody and Dillon agree the biggest separator between guys who kill giants and guys who don't isn't calling ability or fitness — it's days. Hunt 27 days instead of 7, and you don't even have to be that good. The years you close it out in a weekend are the rare exception, not the rule — most giants take multiple trips and a lot of grinding to finally connect. Big bulls are hiding in plain sight, not miles from the road. Some of the biggest bulls either guy has ever killed or encountered were within a mile — sometimes a few hundred yards — of a truck or a main road. After the first few days of season, you're not really hunting elk anymore, you're hunting other hunters. Elk find the overlooked pockets fast, and so should you — including turning off the public/private overlay on onX so you're not subconsciously avoiding good country just because of a purple line. Stay mobile instead of committing to one backpack camp. It's tempting to load up 5-6 days of gear and dig into one drainage, but if that spot gets blown out on night one, you're stuck. Both guys recommend "heat checking" a spot with just 1-2 days of light gear, staying ready to bail and relocate, and treating a hunt like a search across the whole unit rather than a siege on one canyon.

What's up everyone! This week I'm sitting down with Lydia Smith, and honestly, I'm blown away by this woman. She's one of the most consistently successful elk hunters I've ever met—killing big bulls year after year like it's no big deal. And here's the kicker: she's completely self-taught. No dad taking her out as a kid, no mentor guiding her through it. Just pure grit, determination, and an obsession with figuring it out. In this episode, Lydia breaks down her 2024 hunt where she spent 16 days solo in the backcountry chasing what she called "the growler bull"—a massive Idaho six-point that she'd been hearing bugle outside her tent for two weeks. We dive deep into her stalking tactics (spoiler: she barely calls at all), how she slow-plays opportunities most hunters would rush, and why she believes elk on public land are getting conditioned to human calling. But this conversation goes way beyond tactics. Lydia opens up about the emotional weight of taking an animal's life, dealing with criticism for showing her emotions on camera, and some seriously intense experiences in the backcountry—including a moose attack at 17 that could've ended very differently. We also talk about what it takes to go solo as a woman in the mountains, building confidence through experience, and why she chooses to live a life centered around hunting even when it means sacrificing the conventional path. If you're someone who's grinding it out on public land, trying to learn this game without a mentor, or just want to hear from someone who's mastered the art of patience and persistence in the elk woods, this episode is for you. Lydia's story is proof that you don't need anyone's permission or guidance to become exceptional—you just need to refuse to quit. OnX Hunt - The ultimate hunting app just keeps getting better. Their new weather feature is a game-changer—tap anywhere on the map and get hyperlocal weather data that actually takes topography into account. No more guessing based on the nearest town. See wind variations across different parts of your hunting area and plan accordingly. Become an Elite member and get all the premium features. Head to onxmaps.com and use code TRO to save 20%. Tricer - Fast, light, and simple gear from tripods to bino mounts, panheads, truck mounts, and now even bipods. If you're looking for a new system for better glassing or a rock-solid shooting platform, Tricer delivers. I've been using the heck out of their bipod this season and killed a lot of critters with it. Check them out at tricer.com and use code TRO to save 10% at checkout. Stone Glacier - Check out their Black Label Program. When you purchase a black label product (like the Grumman Down Hoodie or Hardwall Soft Shell), you get automatic free shipping, early access to exclusive new gear, a dedicated customer service rep, and you're entered into the Back in Black giveaway featuring a Hoyt RX-9 Bow, Sig P320, Sky Archer Pack, and more. Head to stoneglaciergear.com/blacklabel to check it out. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 03:45 - Lydia's background: Self-taught and starting at 18 08:30 - The 2024 hunt setup: 16 days solo in the backcountry 12:15 - "The growler bull" - Two weeks of hearing him bugle 18:20 - The perfect storm and the final stalk 24:40 - The two-hour chase and getting within range 28:50 - The shot and the agonizing overnight wait 32:10 - Finding him 300 yards away 35:45 - Why this bull was so special 38:20 - Solo hunting: The magic and the terror 42:00 - Her second bull story: Watching him take his last breath 46:15 - Dealing with criticism for showing emotions 50:30 - The moose attack at 17 and other backcountry close calls 54:20 - Her stalking philosophy: Why she barely calls anymore 58:40 - Daily tactics and being strategically patient 1:02:15 - Hunting new areas vs. local knowledge 1:04:30 - Outfitting business info and closing thoughts Three Key Takeaways Strategic Patience Beats Aggressive Calling on Pressured Elk - Lydia has found that on heavily hunted public land, elk are becoming conditioned to human calling and often respond negatively. Her approach focuses on silent stalking, using terrain and wind to her advantage, and only calling when she's within 75 yards of a herd bull. She'll pass on opportunities if the wind isn't perfect, understanding that pushing elk prematurely can blow them out of an area entirely. Time is the Ultimate Advantage in Public Land Elk Hunting - Lydia spent 16 days in the backcountry on this hunt, and she emphasizes that consistent success on public land archery elk requires dedicating serious time. She believes out-of-state hunters with only 5 days have less than a 10% success rate. The ability to wait for the perfect conditions, study elk patterns over multiple days, and be in position when everything aligns is what separates consistent success from occasional luck. You Don't Need a Mentor to Become Exceptional - Lydia is completely self-taught, starting elk hunting at 18 with no family background in it. She ate four or five tags before killing her first bull, learning entirely through trial and error, scar tissue, and refusing to quit. Her story proves that while mentorship is valuable, pure determination, willingness to learn from mistakes, and putting in the days can make you just as deadly in the mountains.

In this episode of the Run the Rack Outdoors Podcast, host Weston Homa sits down with elk hunting expert and podcast veteran Cody Rich for an in-depth dive into the highs and lows of September archery elk hunting. Drawing from Weston's recent Idaho hunt and Cody's decades of backcountry experience, they unpack hard-earned lessons on managing hunting pressure, mastering midday strategies, refining calling tactics, and building the mental toughness to turn close calls into success. From choosing your battlefield wisely to embracing the grind of multiple setups, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for aspiring elk hunters. Plus, Cody shares thrilling stories from his epic mountain goat hunt in British Columbia and teases his innovative new hunting smartwatch. Whether you're prepping for your first rut chase or fine-tuning your skills, this episode will leave you motivated to "run the rack" harder than ever. This episode is sponsored by Tricer and Stone Glacier—essential gear for going deeper in the backcountry. Detailed Show Notes with Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome Host Weston Hoa welcomes Cody Rich to the Run the Rack Outdoors Podcast, sharing excitement about Cody's reputation in the hunting podcast world. They kick off with light banter about the bittersweet end of archery season and the shift to late-season pursuits in Montana and Idaho. 01:30 - East vs. West: Whitetail vs. Mule Deer Debate Cody and Weston geek out on their deer preferences—Cody leans whitetail despite being in mule deer country, while Weston declares himself a "mule guy" obsessed with their elusive dance. They touch on blacktail influences and shoutout Braxton Hamilton's Wyoming mule deer insights. 04:45 - Elk Hunting Focus and Goals Shifting to elk, Weston recaps his second year bowhunting: a solo cow success in Colorado last year, and this year's two-week Idaho rut hunt chasing a 4-point bull or better. Cody shares his big-bull aspirations and the universal "aha" moments of adapting plans when reality punches back (à la Mike Tyson). 07:20 - Biggest Lesson: Hunting Pressure Trumps All Weston's top takeaway: No amount of gear, calls, or tactics beats avoiding human pressure. Cody agrees, emphasizing e-scouting and weather planning must prioritize low-pressure zones for peak elk action. 10:15 - Midday Strategies: What to Do with Your Hands The classic backcountry dilemma—morning/evening action spikes, but midday boredom hits. Cody breaks down the pros/cons of deep camping (limited radius vs. solitude), advising patience over forcing setups. He stresses watching bedding areas, scouting for Plan B elk, and avoiding 20-mile death marches; instead, focus on 80/20 opportunities. 18:40 - Choosing Battles: Patience in the Rut Cody recounts a hunt where he resisted chasing a close-but-fading bull, instead waiting for a distant one with cows—resulting in a bow-range approach. Weston shares a similar ridge-top decision, highlighting macro views over impulsive stalks. 23:10 - Calling Tactics: Distance Matters Weston contrasts bugling at range vs. "in the bedroom," sharing two stories: a drawn-out midday ping-pong that fired up but didn't close, and a close-quarters blow-up in thick reprod. Cody advises softer cow/calf calls early, saving challenges for sub-100 yards, and using partners for silent slips. 32:50 - When to Leave Elk to Find Elk Tackling the frustration of tough hunts with few sightings, Cody explains hunting killable setups over obsessing one herd. Emphasize sign-reading, blind calling in sign-rich areas, and accepting silent approaches—expect 10 solid setups for a shot opportunity. 41:20 - Mindset: Focus on Skills, Not Kills Drawing running analogies, they discuss embracing "micro wins" (e.g., finding elk, entering the red zone) to build confidence and gut intuition. Cody's superpower? Carefree execution—treat busts like bad golf shots to stay deadly under pressure. 52:10 - After-Action Reviews and Gut Intuition Cody pushes post-hunt map audits: Review wind, terrain, and timing to sharpen when-to-attack instincts. Trade-offs like deep camping are inevitable—woodsmanship comes from screwing up and learning. 58:30 - Cody's Epic Hunts: Elk with Jayden Bell and BC Goat Adventure Cody recaps a multi-bull Wyoming success with Jayden Bell and dives into his dream BC mountain goat hunt: planes, canoes, glaciers, and a gnarly pack-out after a perfect Billy stalk amid endless rain. He teases stunning footage from the adventure. 1:06:45 - Sneak Peek: Bridger Watch Reveal Cody unveils his 3-year passion project—a hunter-built smartwatch with offline mapping, superior fitness tracking, and backcountry edge over Garmin. Big reveal November 1st at bridgerwatch.com; beta testing underway for 2026 launch. 1:12:20 - Podcast Cross-Promo and Run the Rack Origins Mutual shoutouts: Cody plugs The Elk Hunt Podcast and The Rich Outdoors; Weston shares his one-man passion for backcountry hunting, running ultras, and deep convos. Teases Boston Marathon plans and fitness for hunts. 1:15:40 - Closing: Mental Toughness and Hard Things Wrapping on longevity—Cody eyes 60-year-old grinders like Mark Livesay; Weston stresses evidence-based confidence from consistent hard efforts. Call to action: Embrace the journey, stack skills, and run the rack. Sponsor Copies Tricer Gear up for the backcountry with Tricer—the fast, light, and simple hunting systems designed by hunters, for hunters. From their ultra-light HK tripod kit for precise shots on the move to packs that shave ounces without sacrificing strength, Tricer helps you go deeper and hunt harder. Born from real-field necessities, every product challenges the status quo. Head to tricer.com and elevate your setup today. Use code RUNTHERACK for 10% off your first order. Stone Glacier Stone Glacier crafts ultralight, technical hunting gear built to withstand the mountains' toughest demands. Their modular packs, versatile apparel, and shelters—like the Grumman down system for unbeatable warmth-to-weight—let you transition seamlessly from hunt to pack-out. Engineered for backcountry endurance, it's the system serious hunters trust. Download their app for exclusive deals and free shipping on your first order. Visit stoneglacier.com now and gear up for your next pursuit. 3 Key Takeaways Prioritize Pressure Over Tactics: Hunting pressure overrides gear and calls—e-scout low-traffic drainages first, then adapt everything else. Patience in bedding areas often yields better odds than forcing midday moves. Master the 80/20 Rule: Focus prime-time efforts (morning/evening) on killable setups; use midday for scouting Plan B elk or soft cow calls. Expect 10 solid encounters for a shot—embrace micro wins like red-zone entries to build unbreakable confidence. Softer Hands Win in High-Pressure Rut: Start with calf/cow calls to locate without spooking; save bugle challenges for fired-up bulls under 100 yards. Post-hunt, audit maps and encounters to hone gut intuition for choosing battlefields.

Hey folks, Cody Rich here, and man, buckle up because this episode is a raw, real-time deep dive into a Wyoming rifle elk hunt that's got it all – scouting unknowns, llama-packed backcountry vibes at 10,000 feet, epic pack-outs, and two tags filled in just three days! I'm joined by my buddy Jaden as we break down the grind: e-scouting pockets, dodging thunderstorms that light up the sky like fireworks, outsmarting grizzlies (kinda), and turning plans into pure gold with bulls dropping in cliffy sheep country. We geek out on rifle tactics – walking past elk to find better ones, hunting the inverse Viewshed, and why getting deep isn't always deep enough without the right mindset. From hailstorms mid-pack-out to burgers at the trailhead spotting your next play, this one's packed with lessons on pressure, weather wildcards, and why persistence (and a solid game plan) pays off big. If you're gearing up for rifle season or just love those high-altitude hunt stories that get your blood pumping, hit play and let's roll! Ad Copy Sponsored by OnX Today's episode is brought to you by OnX, and I wanna tell you about a killer feature I absolutely love – pulling up hyper-local weather right in the app for your exact hunt spot. No more guessing with some random town forecast; just select your area and boom, you've got the real deal for planning that perfect glassing session. If you didn't know, now you do! Upgrade to Elite with code TRO and save 20% off. Head to onxmaps.com and level up your maps game. Sponsored by Maven Optics This episode is also brought to you by Maven Optics – no middleman, no markup, just world-class binos, scopes, and spotting scopes shipped straight to you. Wyoming-based crew making killer gear at killer prices; I've been rocking theirs for years and love the quality and the people behind it. If you're in the market for optics that punch above their weight, check 'em out at mavenbuilt.com. Use code TRO at checkout for a special gift – tell 'em Cody sent you! Show Notes 0:00 - Intro and Sponsors Kicking off with shoutouts to OnX and Maven Optics, plus a teaser on the Wyoming backcountry rifle elk adventure. 4:15 - Backcountry Setup and Unknowns Packing in 7.7 miles with llamas at 10,000 feet, checking off uncontrollables like camp spots, terrain, and hunter pressure. 12:30 - Scouting Insights and Elk Pockets Spotting six herds on scout day, debating walking past elk for better odds, and why high basins beat valley pressure. 21:45 - Hunter Pressure and Mindset Dealing with nearby camps, avoiding rushed decisions, and the mental game of not letting competition force sloppy plays. 30:20 - Weather Wildcards and Rifle Tactics Storm forecasts, preferring rut behavior over post-storm chaos, and inverse viewshed for finding hidden pockets. 39:00 - Grizzly Country Logistics Managing meat hangs above 10k feet, bear risks, and pack-out plans in remote terrain. 47:15 - Episode Break: Giveaway Plug Quick shout on the free rifle giveaway – enter via the newsletter for bonus chances with the Elk Course. 48:45 - Hunt Recap: Day One Success Opening morning stalk on the scouted bull, wind shifts, and nailing a 508-yard shot in exposed country. 58:20 - Pack-Out Drama and Bear Shenanigans Boning out, missing a quarter to a sneaky bear, shuttling meat, and dodging lightning storms mid-work. 1:07:10 - Day Three: Plan B Payoff Trailhead spotting leads to a 5-mile stalk, cliffy terrain, triple-shot finish, and another bull down. 1:14:30 - Reflections and Lessons Why elk hide in "moon" country, pressure advantages, and the thrill of plans coming together early. 1:20:45 - Outro and Plugs Hunt planner tool shoutout, share the pod, and teases for more backcountry updates. Key Takeaways Embrace the Unknowns Early: Chip away at uncontrollables like camp spots and access before hunting – a solid e-scout plan turns anxiety into opportunity, but stay flexible for weather or pressure shifts. Hunt the Inverse Viewshed: Skip obvious valleys and meadows; focus on hard-to-see high pockets where elk hide from trails and roads – walking past "easy" elk often leads to higher-odds chaos in remote basins. Pressure Fuels Smart Plays: Nearby hunters aren't the end – use them as a decoy while executing precisely; a mobile mindset (willing to break camp) and patience beat rushing into competition-driven mistakes.