Free Daily Podcast Summary
Elk Hunt: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Cody Rich
Elk Hunting tips, tactics, and stories, from some of the greatest elk hunters out there.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 5 days ago1h 14m
301 Lessons for 201 Elk Hunters with Dillion Ness
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 o
- 1 weeks ago1h 16m
The 90/10/1 Framework: Calling Elk (and Life) Audibles with Darin Hardy
Alright guys, this one's a good one. Darin Hardy's back on the show, and dude, we go everywhere in this conversation — broadheads, blood trails, mountain lions with broadheads stuck in their throat, turkey hunting like you elk hunt, and the mindset work that actually separates the guy who kills every single year from the guy who's still hoping to get lucky. We start off nerding out on pre-season bow prep — what "long distance" actually means, why I want four-inch groups at 80 before I ever worry about a 40-yard shot, and the drills Darin runs to build pressure into his practice instead of just chasing tiny groups. We get into the fixed-blade vs. mechanical broadhead debate (and why I think too many guys aim right behind the shoulder when middle-middle gives you way more margin for error), then Darin tells a wild story about tracking a bull for a mile and a half off almost no blood — and an even wilder story about a mountain lion he shot that had been living for years with a broadhead through her throat. From there we get into the real meat of this episode: what actually makes a 201 hunter. Darin breaks down why the guys who kill consistently aren't the ones who need every condition to line up — they're the ones with an adaptive mindset who can find the shot that's three steps to the left instead of only seeing the one they planned for. We talk about the 90/10/1 framework, calling audibles in the field, why it took Darin 23 years to kill his first bull, and why the "10 straight days in September" rule matters more than almost anything else for a new elk hunter. We close out talking about Darin's new venture, Level Seven High Terrain, where he's using horsemanship and hunting as vehicles for leadership and mindset coaching — and honestly some of what he shares about "demand vs. ask vs. offer" will change how you think about pressure, calling elk, and life in general. If you're gearing up for season, this episode's got tactics, gear talk, and the mental framework to actually go use it. Enjoy, guys. Sponsors onX Hunt — onxmaps.com This episode is brought to you by onX Hunt. Remember the old Garmin Rino days where you could see your buddy on the map? onX basically reinvented that with their new Share feature. Head into the app, go to the new Go Track section, and hit Share Your Location — now you and your hunting buddy can see each other on the map in real time (works while you're in service). It's a small feature but a genuinely useful one for staying connected with your crew in the field. Go check it out at onxmaps.com. Bridger Watch — bridgerwatch.com This episode is also brought to you by Bridger Watch — a smartwatch actually built for hunting. On top of all the usual smartwatch stuff (health tracking, fitness tracking, texts), Bridger Watch has the best mapping capability of any wearable on the market. Save offline maps, pan around right on your wrist, and thanks to the onX integration, you can share waypoints, tracks, and markups straight from your onX account to your watch — so if your phone dies or gets left in the truck, you've always got a backup. It's built to work alongside your phone, not replace it. Use code TRO at checkout at bridgerwatch.com for a discount on your watch. Chapter Timestamps (estimated based on episode flow — adjust to exact audio if needed) Time Chapter 0:00 Intro — Welcome to the Elk Hunt Podcast 1:00 Sponsor: onX Hunt's new Share/Go Track feature 3:00 Sponsor: Bridger Watch — mapping, onX integration, and redundancy in the field 5:30 Pre-season excuses, scouting (or lack thereof), and getting back into bow shape 9:00 Sw
- 3 weeks ago53 min
Building an Elk Hunting System with Tate Bradfield
Alright guys, this week we're kicking it off with Tate Bradfield, founder of Process Based Hunter. Tate's got one of the more interesting backstories I've heard on this show — went from working in a mine, to door-to-door sales, to guiding elk for other outfitters, to eventually running his own semi-guided elk hunting courses where he takes 150-180 people a year and actually teaches them how to hunt instead of just pointing at a bull and telling them to shoot. We riff on a ton of stuff in this one — his "at-bats" philosophy for picking a guided hunt (spoiler: stop asking how big the bulls are and start asking how many encounters per day you'll get), why he thinks cow calling during rifle season is one of the most underused tactics out there, how he snuck within 60 yards of a 200-inch mule deer with a cow elk decoy and no rifle in hand, and why most guys pack way too much gear and focus on the wrong stuff before a hunt. If you've ever thought about leveling up your elk hunting instead of just white-knuckling your way through another season, this episode's for you. Tate's semi-guided archery course still has a few spots open for 2026, and rifle spots are open for 2027 — head to processbasedhunter.com or check him out on Instagram @processbasedhunter. This Episode Is Brought to You By: 🎯 Maven Optics If you're in the market for a new rifle scope, go check out Maven Optics. These scopes are built around world-class Japanese glass and built for hunting — not just for sitting on a shelf. Because Maven sells direct to consumer, you're getting an unmatched value for what you're paying, whether you're just getting into the game or you're dialed in for long-range shooting. Cody's used a lot of them, killed a lot of things with them, and stands behind every one. 👉 Shop now at mavenbuilt.com 💰 Use code TRO at checkout for a special gift 🗺️ onX Hunt onX just rolled out a new Share feature that's basically the modern, better version of the old Garmin Rino days. Head into the app, go to the new Go Track section, and hit Share Your Location With Your Friend — now you and your hunting buddy can see each other on the map in real time. (Heads up: it only works with cell service, so it won't help you deep in the backcountry — but for the hunts where you've got signal, it's a game changer.) 👉 Check it out at onxmaps.com Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Sponsor Shoutouts (Maven Optics & onX Hunt) 02:38 – Welcome Tate Bradfield to the Show 04:10 – Tate's Backstory: From the Mines to Door-to-Door Sales to Guiding Elk 09:15 – The Birth of Process Based Hunter 12:20 – Who's Actually Booking Guided Hunts These Days 16:05 – Inside the Semi-Guided Archery Course 19:30 – The "At-Bats" Mentality for Picking a Hunt 21:45 – Wall Tent Classroom Days & Elk Calling Fundamentals 24:50 – The Hot Take: Cow Calling During Rifle Season <li class
- Jun 5, 20261h 21m
The Wallow Bull, the Grizzly Sow, and the Pack of Wolves — Stories From the Backcountry with Brandon Schmitz
Alright, if you want a raw, unfiltered elk hunting conversation from a guy who is absolutely obsessed with the game — this is your episode. Brandon Schmitz out of North Idaho joins the show for his very first podcast appearance, and let me tell you, this dude brings it. No fluff, no highlight reel — just honest elk hunting from a guy who has spent the last six years grinding through some of the most demanding country in the West. Brandon didn't grow up with a silver spoon handed to him in the elk woods. His dad lost the fire for hunting after wolves moved into North Idaho and wrecked what used to be some of the best big game hunting in the country. So Brandon had to figure it out himself, and that journey is exactly what makes this conversation so good. From his very first elk hunt — where his cousin smoked a bull that basically walked up to a truck parked in the middle of the road — to going toe-to-toe with grizzly bears, packs of wolves, and rutting bull moose in the same drainage, this guy has seen it all. Six-plus years in, Brandon still hasn't notched his tag, but don't let that fool you. This dude is FINDING elk — like, legitimately locating 20-plus bulls in a single season. The problem he keeps running into is the same one that trips up a ton of DIY hunters: closing the deal. We dig deep into that in this episode, and I think a lot of you guys are going to hear yourselves in Brandon's story. We talk about the mental side of solo hunting, what it really means to "be in striking distance," how to work a bull when your setup goes sideways, the art of building a bull's ego so he's absolutely fired up the next morning, and why sometimes the laziest move IS the right move. We also get into the very real challenges of elk hunting in grizzly and wolf country, the predator management problem that nobody in power wants to touch, and what it's like to be solo in the woods surrounded by apex predators that don't have a healthy fear of humans anymore. This is one of those conversations that reminds you why we love this thing so damn much — even when it's hard. Maybe especially when it's hard.This Episode's Sponsors TricerIf you're not running Tricer gear in the field, you're leaving performance on the table. I'm a huge fan of the RP Bipod — at 10.5 ounces, it is flat-out one of the best hunting bipods on the market. It comes with long and short legs, works with Picatinny and ARCA systems, and for $350 you're getting features that compete with bipods that cost twice the price. I've shot a pile of critters off this thing and I wouldn't leave home without it. Tricer makes more than just bipods, too — go check out their full lineup.Shop now: tricer.com | Use code TRO to save 10% off your order.Bridger WatchI built Bridger Watch because I was sick of pulling my phone out 100 times a day to check onX. The idea was simple: put maps on the watch so hunters can keep their phone in their pack and their eyes on the country. We set out to build the best smartwatch ever made for hunters, and I genuinely believe we did just that. If you're a watch guy and a hunter, there is nothing else like this out there.Check it out: bridgerwatch.comTimestamp Chapters0:00 – Intro & Sponsor: Tricer RP Bipod2:15 – Sponsor: Bridger Watch4:00 – Welcome & Brandon's Background | Growing up in North Idaho, impact of wolves on his dad's hunting8:30 – Getting Hooked | Brandon's first-ever elk hunt, cousin CJ kills a bull, truck in the road, borrowed gear, high school kids packing meat17:00 – Six Years Deep | Journey from first hunt to now — tagged out? No. Elk found? Absolutely.21:30 – Finding vs. Killing | Brandon's biggest skill and his biggest challenge; heavy glassing in thick country27:00 – The Mental Game of Solo Hunting | Decision fatigue, second-guessing, the ex-wrestler problem, and why being "lazy" sometimes wins33:30 – Striking Distance Philosophy | Cody breaks down the concept — be close, let things happen, stop trying to kill the elk and start trying to stay near the elk39:00 – Close Call on the Wallow | The mid-September herd bull story — moose sparring, 7 cows, drawn back, two steps short of a shot47:30 – Working a Bull After a Blown Setup | Building a bull's ego, bugling small, raking in the dark, keeping him fired up for first light54:00 – Grizzly Bear Encounter | Sow with three cubs, bear spray + pistol double-fisted, fog rolls in, the Snapchat decision1:02:00 – Getting Back on the Horse | Overcoming the fear, returning to the same hillside, the mental win of facing it1:05:30 – Wolf Country | Multiple wolf encounters — road wolves, pack following them out of the timber, wolves lighting off after a bugle1:13:00 – Predator Management Frustrati
- May 15, 202659 min
Peak Rut Isn't When You Think — And It Might Be Costing You Bulls
What does it actually take to stick it out on a 28-day elk hunt, fail over and over again, and still come home with a bull? This week I sat down with Matt Hartsky of Backbone Unlimited, a Wyoming bowhunter and podcaster who's as honest about his failures as he is addicted to the grind. If you've ever watched elk disappear into thin air, wondered why your calling fell flat, or felt like packing it in on day five — this one's for you. Matt walked me through his entire 2023 archery season in southeast Wyoming: hunting public land over-the-counter tags, chasing one particular herd bull from four cows to nearly three dozen, learning the hard lesson of open-country thermals, and finally closing the distance to four yards on September 28th after 28 days in the field. It's the kind of season most elk hunters dream about — and the kind most would've quit on by day ten. We also get into the fundamentals that separate elk hunters who fill tags from those who go home empty-handed: how to build a real plan in OnX beyond just dropping pins, why transition-area hunting is the most underrated tactic for early season bulls who refuse to bugle, how elk behavior changes day to day and week to week through September, and why the single biggest advantage you can give yourself is just more days in the woods. Matt also pulls back the curtain on what makes a herd bull so uniquely difficult to hunt — and why peak rut may not be when you think it is. And beyond the hunting, Matt shares something personal: why Backbone Unlimited is about more than elk content, and what drives him to keep connecting with hunters across the country. This is exactly the kind of conversation that reminds you why we all love this sport. This Episode's Sponsors Tricer Tripods I've been running Tricer gear hard and I'm not going back. They make everything fast, light, and simple — from their seriously dialed tripods and bino mounts to pan heads, truck mounts, and the bipod I've been killing critters with all season. If your glassing setup feels clunky or your rifle needs a more stable platform in the field, Tricer has the answer. These are awesome dudes making great products, and it shows in every piece of gear they put out. tricer.com Use code TRO — save 10% Stone Glacier My Stone Glacier Sky Archer 6400 has been to Alaska, British Columbia, Wyoming, and Montana this year. Ten-day backpack hunt or a quick day hunt off the side-by-side — this pack handles it all because it's designed to be minimalist and lightweight without sacrificing a thing. Stone Glacier builds an entire lineup of hardcore mountain hunting gear and every piece is built the same way: for hunters who actually go deep. If you're in the market for a pack or any mountain hunting gear, do yourself a favor. stoneglacier.com Use code TRO — save at checkout Episode Chapters 0:00Intro & SponsorsTricer Tripods and Stone Glacier Gear 3:10Meet Matt HartskyBackbone Unlimited, Wyoming public land hunter, and the "everybody's got a plan" mindset 6:45The 28-Day Hunt BeginsSoutheast Wyoming public land, a grueling access hike, and finding the bull for the first time 13:20Four Cows to Three DozenWatching a herd bull accumulate cows through September and what that does to your strategy 19:55The Open-Country Thermal LessonHow a cool finger in 80-degree heat cost Matt a chip-shot opportunity and what it taught him 24:30Why the Bull Wouldn't Come InHerd bulls, satellite bulls, the rut timeline, and understanding why a bull just doesn't need you 30:15Peak Rut Isn't When You ThinkWhat biologists say about when cows are bred and why late September may be your best window 35:40Transition Area Hunting Breakdown<
- May 8, 20261h 11m
The October Advantage: Big Bulls, Empty Mountains, and a 58-Inch Giant, Talking Bulls with Gibson Butler
You already know Montana gets talked about a lot in Western elk hunting circles — but are hunters actually hunting it right? This week, Cody sits down with Gibson Butler, a Montana-bred elk hunter who's put in the time, miles, and boot leather to figure out what it really takes to tag a mature bull on a general tag in the Treasure State. Gibson breaks down his 2024 season in full detail — from the early September frustrations of finding a stud seven by eight and losing him, to going deep into a hard, committing piece of country in October and coming out the other side with a 58-inch main beam giant. This is a real, honest account of what a serious DIY public land elk hunt looks like — the setbacks, the patience, the weather, and the moment it all comes together. Beyond the story, Cody and Gibson get into the strategy that makes or breaks general unit Montana hunts: why most non-resident hunters funnel into the same mountain ranges, how private land dynamics are shifting, why calling with a Hoochie Mama in Eastern Montana might be the worst thing you can do, and the underrated value of hunting October when everybody else has gone home.If you've been thinking about Montana, applying for points, or trying to level up your open-country elk game, this episode is going to hit different. Gibson's a student of the craft, and the insights he drops on big bull behavior, elk density versus hunter density, and hunting elk like mule deer are the kind of stuff you don't find on YouTube.SPONSORS This episode is proudly brought to you by two brands that Cody trusts in the field season after season: Tricer TripodsFast, light, and simple — that's the Tricer way. From top-of-the-line tripods and bino mounts to pan heads, truck mounts, and their new bipod lineup, Tricer makes glass-and-glass accessories for hunters who take their optics seriously. Cody's been running the Tricer bipod hard and putting critters down with it. If you want to upgrade your glassing system, Tricer is the move.Website: tricer.com | Use code TRO at checkout for your discount. Stone GlacierStone Glacier builds hardcore mountain hunting gear for the serious backcountry hunter. Cody's Sky Archer 6400 pack has logged miles in Alaska, British Columbia, Wyoming, and Montana — equally at home on a 10-day alpine backpack hunt as it is on a day hunt off the side-by-side. Minimalist, lightweight, and built to last, Stone Glacier makes an entire suite of gear designed around the demands of mountain hunting. Website: stoneglacier.com | Use code TRO at checkout for your discount.TIMESTAMP CHAPTERS0:00 Intro & Sponsor Read — Tricer and Stone Glacier ads.2:30 The General Tag Situation — Gibson reveals he drew a Montana general tag — and Cody breaks down where general Montana archery fits in the Western draw tag hierarchy.7:00 Public/Private Dynamics in Montana — How ranch ownership changes are shifting elk movement and sanctuary availability across the state.12:00 Non-Residents and the Mountain Range Problem — Why 90% of out-of-state hunters funnel into the same few ranges and how to think differently about unit selection.17:30 Gibson's 2024 Season — September Struggles — Four weekends of finding big bulls and losing them, including a near-miss on a giant symmetrical seven.24:00 Going Deep in October — Gibson commits to a hard-access piece of country with one Peak Refuel and no water — and finds nearly 100 elk.31:00 Watching the Herd for Two Days — Why Gibson didn't attempt a stalk immediately — broken six, a stud seven, swirling winds, and a giant donut of cows.37:00 The Kill Shot — Rain sideways, foggy binos, Pink Panther stalking through satellites, and a 70-yard arrow eight inches back. Still double-lunged.43:00 Big Bull Behavior — When to Strike — October elk movement, the 'cranky grandpa' bull theory, nomadic giants, and why routine bulls get killed.50:00 The Case for October — Why Cody and Gibson love hunting the back half of the archery season — fewer people, cooler temps, and more active bulls.55:00 What Most Hunters Get Wrong — The Hoochie Mama problem in Eastern Montana, elk density vs. hunter density, and why 'going deep' doesn't always mean going alone.1:02:00 Covering Ground — The Eastern Montana Way — Using online research, rapid-fire glassing points, and moving smart to find elk in low-density country.1:07:00 Calling vs. Glassing — An Honest Take — The evolution from stress-bugling everything to hunting elk like deer, and where calling still fits.1:10:00 Wrap-Up & Outro — Links to Gibson's blog on elkhunt201.com, plus the free hunt planner resourc
- Apr 24, 20261h 25m
Glassing as a Skill: What Most Elk Hunters Get Dead Wrong
This week I sat down with Cody Nelson, a man who has spent the better part of 12–13 years in elk and deer camps across Arizona and the West, helping legendary hunters like Jay Scott and Steve Chapa put tags on bulls by doing one thing better than just about anyone alive: finding game before the hunt ever starts.Cody just made a move over to Tricer as their Director of Innovation — and if you've been paying attention to what Drew has been building over there, this hire makes a whole lot of sense. Cody has been quietly consulting and pushing ideas on Drew for years, and now it's official. Big things are coming from that crew.But this episode isn't a gear ad. This is a masterclass. We dig deep into glassing as a genuine hunting skill — not just a tactic, but a discipline that separates average hunters from the ones who consistently find and kill mature animals. Cody breaks down why most hunters are simply in too much of a hurry, what his three pillars of effective glassing actually look like in the field, and why patience behind the glass is the single most underrated skill in the hunting community.We cover the binocular debate that never gets old — 10s vs. 12s vs. 15s — and actually give you a real answer that depends on where you hunt and what you're doing. We get into the stabilized binocular conversation, and Cody shares an honest take that goes beyond the hype. We talk tripods, the micro pan head, the weight-versus-stability trade-off, and why Cody would rather forget his rifle than forget his tripod.And then there's the story. The Unit 23 bull. A bull over 430 inches that Cody found by accident, locked onto for an entire day without breaking, and helped orchestrate one of the most incredible archery kills I've heard in a long time. If that story doesn't make you want to sit behind your glass longer, nothing will.We also talk about hunting for tomorrow — the concept of letting your glass do the work so your boots don't blow up your opportunity — and why the hunters who consistently win are the ones willing to look into the dark, nasty, quiet pockets that everyone else drives past.This one is worth a second listen. Lock it in.SponsorsThis episode is proudly brought to you by three brands that actually make a difference in the backcountry. These are products I use personally and trust — no exceptions.Tricer TripodsFast, light, and simple — Tricer builds the best tripod system in the hunting space. From backcountry-ready tripods and bino mounts to panhead truck mounts and bipods, every piece of Tricer gear is engineered to make you a more effective glasser in the field. If you're serious about finding more game, your glass needs a home. Tricer is that home. Discount Code: TRO — saves you 10% at checkout Stone Glacier GearI've had my Stone Glacier Sky Archer 6,400 in Alaska, British Columbia, Wyoming, and Montana this year alone. Whether you're on a 10-day alpine backpack hunt or running a side-by-side along a canyon edge, Stone Glacier's full suite of mountain hunting gear is built minimalist, built light, and built to last. This is hardcore mountain hunting gear — no fluff, no filler. Discount Code: TRO — saves you 10% at checkout onX MapsI don't go anywhere without onX. From e-scouting potential glassing knobs before the season to navigating unfamiliar units during the hunt, onX is the single most powerful scouting and navigation tool available to DIY hunters today. Hunt smarter. Know where to go. Discount Code: TRO — saves you 10% at checkoutTimestamp Chapters0:00 Intro & Cold Open — Cody Rich welcomes listeners and introduces the episode topic — glassing as a skill.2:15 Sponsor Read — Tricer Tripods — Fast, light, simple. Use code TRO for 10% off at tricer.com.4:30 Sponsor Read — Stone Glacier — The Sky Archer 6,400 and a full suite of mountain hunting gear. Use code TRO at stoneglacier.com.6:00 Welcome Cody Nelson / Two Cody's Walk Into a Podcast — Introductions, backstory on past phone calls, and how Cody Nelson ended up at Tricer.10:30 Cody Nelson's Background — Arizona, Jay Scott & 12 Years in Elk Camp — How glassing shaped Cody's entire hunting philosophy and career.15:00 Why Most Hunters Suck at Glassing — The #1 problem: people are simply in too big of a hurry. The three pillars of effective glassing introduced.20:45 Hunting for Tomorrow — The Philosophy — Find the elk today. Hunt them tomorrow. How patience and obser
- Apr 17, 20261h 0m
The Rookie Season: Taking First-Time Hunters from Zero to Tagged Out
What's up everyone! This week I've got Dillon Deitz back on the podcast—probably for the ninth time, which makes him the most requested guest in the history of Elk Hunt. And by "requested," I mean Dillon requests to be on the podcast. But honestly, I love having this guy on because he's genuinely one of the most passionate people I know about getting new hunters into the game. Dillon just dropped a new film series called "The Rookie Season," and it's honestly one of the coolest projects I've seen in the hunting space in a long time. The premise is simple but powerful: take grown adults with zero hunting background—I'm talking computer geeks, software engineers, people who've never even thought about hunting—and show them that hunting isn't some secret club reserved for people who grew up doing it. The tagline says it all: "Hunting is not for everybody, but it could be for you." Over the course of the series, Dillon takes three complete rookies—people who didn't even know why you have to check the wind—and teaches them everything from hunter safety to field dressing to making ethical long-range shots. And here's the wild part: all three of them filled deer tags within a couple days. We're talking a one-handed Asian kid named Brandon who almost died on a mile packout, a guy named Solomon who made a 600-yard shot on his first hunt and then packed a deer seven miles in five-degree weather (oh, and he forgot his inhaler because he has bad asthma), and a hundred percent disabled veteran named Steven who Dillon rattled in a buck for after scrambling to get him a tag at the last minute. This conversation is part tactics, part philosophy, and part Dillon being sick as a dog but refusing to quit (which is very on-brand). We dive into why deer hunting is the perfect gateway for new hunters, why Dillon is obsessed with mountain whitetails instead of the yard deer everyone else shoots, and his absolute deadly system for rattling in bucks during pre-rut. Spoiler: he's rattled in five or six bucks this year alone, and his method is shockingly simple. We also get into why Dillon believes taking new hunters into the field reminded him of the magic he'd been taking for granted—like watching a moose for the first time through someone else's eyes and realizing how cool this whole thing actually is. It's the same feeling you get when you invite someone to your house for the first time and suddenly notice everything differently. If you're someone who's ever thought about getting into hunting but felt intimidated, or if you've been hunting for years and want to remember why you fell in love with it in the first place, go watch The Rookie Season on Dillon's YouTube channel. And if you're already a hunter, share this episode with someone who's been on the fence about trying it. Dillon's proving that hunting is accessible to anyone willing to put in the work—and that's something we need more of. Sponsors OnX Hunt - If you're not using the new LiDAR feature on OnX yet, you're literally leaving elk on the table. LiDAR cuts through the trees and shows you micro terrain details—benches, contours, hidden pockets—that regular topo maps just can't show. It takes your mapping to the next level and makes you a better hunter. If you're not an Elite member yet, now's the time. Head to onxmaps.com and use code TRO to save 20%. Tricer - Big news from Tricer—they just dropped the updated AD and BC tripods with new TriTech technology. The center post is now a T-post, which makes it smaller diameter, packs down tighter, and a couple inches shorter. Drew is constantly innovating and coming up with new ideas, and this tripod system is cleaner and simpler than ever. If you're on the fence, check out the new setup. Head to tricer.com and use cod
About Elk Hunt
Elk Hunting tips, tactics, and stories, from some of the greatest elk hunters out there.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Elk Hunt in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Elk Hunt daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Elk Hunt as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Elk Hunt podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Elk Hunt product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Cody Rich.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Elk Hunt release new episodes?
Elk Hunt publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Elk Hunt cover?
Elk Hunt covers topics including Education, Sports, Courses, Wilderness. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Elk Hunt summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.