Time spent in the woods each spring is so imortant to resetting our mental state after being cooped up all winter, especially when you share that time with friends or family. Dirk recaps his Oregon turkey hunt with his good friend, Ron Hewitt, and they dive into a couple rabbit holes of Idaho elk hunting and the effect wolves have had on the landscape there.  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See...

Some people may say, "Baiting is the lazy man's way to hunt bears." Dirk dives in deep about the work and details that goes into bear baiting while on a bear hunt last spring in Wyoming with long time friends Cody Wilson and Corey Paulsen. After listening to this, you may walk away with a new found respect for those gritty hunters who take the "lazy man's way" to hunting black bears.  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps...

Hound hunting can stir strong emotions in both hunters and non-hunters. Jason and his good friend and hunting outfitter, Bradley Dammerman, reflect on Jason's recent Mountain Lion hunt and discuss what hound hunting is all about. As any group of people today, a couple bad actors can make the whole group look bad. Bradley explains his take on houndsmen, selective harvest, and what really goes into hunting with dogs. They also recap the hunt that didn't turn out quite how they...

Backpack hunting is becoming more popular as time goes by. People are venturing further and farther from the roads to find game and just get away from it all. Jason and Dirk sit down to talk about the specialty gear required, when they make the decision to backpack hunt, as well as a list of other best practices. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bo Nickal is known by almost every wrestling and UFC fan out there. He is one of the most dominant wrestlers of all time, winning three NCAA championships for Penn State and carrying that success into the octagon where he now has a 5-0 record to start his career. Bo started hunting later in life, once his collegiate career was over. We talk about how the discipline from wrestling and fighting carries over, both physical and mental, how he has handled any negative press from the fans for...

If Phelps "Small Batch" turkey calls are made in Washington, why are they referred to as "small batch" when the guys behind them live in Missouri? Dirk made the trip out to Missouri from Idaho to capture video content around Steve Morgenstern's new pot calls and James Harrison's triple locator. They discuss manufacturing, features, and best practices for calling turkeys. As a bonus, Dirk compares and contrasts calling elk to turkeys!  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps...

Ever met someone who is so easy to talk to and shares the same passions as you? Someone who you can talk to for hours and it seems like time stands still? Dirk's longtime friend, Josh Boyd, from north-western Montana is just that kind of guy. Josh has taken many public land bulls and bucks in his life and loves to share his adventures with fellow sportsmen. Josh has written many magazine articles and web articles over the years about backcountry hunting, tips and tactics, and gear reviews....

Turkey season is right around the corner! If I were a betting man, I would place my bet on the fact: "There is nobody that spends more time chasing mountain birds around than John Weik." Jason jumps into conversation with John on the best times of day to be hunting, what calls should be in your kit, and locating birds in the mountains. Jason then sends John some rapid-fire "This or That" questions with explanations. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps...

When I hear the phrase "good old days," I want to know exactly how good it was. Dirk sits down with outdoor writer and lifelong Sportsman advocate, George Bettas, to chat about elk hunting in Idaho's famed Clearwater region back in the 70's and 80's. George transports us from back in time to elk hunting massive herds of elk in a place void of hunters, to modern times where elk aren't as plentiful.  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps...

We just released a new elk hunting film on the Phelps Game Calls channel titled- "Ghost Bulls of the North". Dirk and videographer, Dusty Rupe, discuss the challenges of filming elk hunts in the Boreal Forest, and then take a deep dive into elk hunting tactics that were used in the film. If you want a little peak behind the curtains of this film production and the calling strategies used, you're not going to want to miss this episode!  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps...

With elk season 2024 planning in full effect and state deadlines approaching, Jason brings Dirk on this episode to talk about their strategies when applying for tags. They briefly go over preference points, bonus points, lotteries, and OTC opportunities. Jason also goes on a little rant on a new "US Hunting Pact" that would alleviate the supply and demand issue we are currently facing out west. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps...

With elk season 2023 in the tail lights, Dirk reflects on what his elk hunting report card looks like, and plays listener questions and comments about their season from our Call-In Hot Line as well. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you been on the fence about jumping in on hunting turkeys? Today it's easier than ever before to pursue turkeys. Jason breaks down what it takes to get started turkey hunting by answering listener questions.  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No doubt there's a lot of buzz about getting fit to pursue big game in the backcountry. Dirk sits down with good friend Bob Terwilliger. Bob is what some might call an "Aging Hunter", yet he keeps himself fit enough to enjoy one of his favorite past times - backcountry elk hunting. Listen in to hear about Bob's age-defying secrets that keep him young enough to hike the mountains while chasing bugles.  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps...

Hi, Cutting the Distance listeners! MeatEater and iHeartPodcasts have teamed up for a riveting new podcast called God’s Country. Hosted by songwriters Dan and Reid Isbell, God’s Country is a rollicking weekly podcast that sits at the intersection of country music and the great outdoors. Don't just take our word for it, though. Check out this trailer and start listening now! Show Description: “God’s Country” with brothers Dan and Reid Isbell is a rollicking weekly podcast that sits at the...

Long Range Shooting has gained a ton of popularity over the last twenty years, but is it for the best? Jon Pynch joins Jason on the show to have a conversation to discuss if long range hunting is effecting seasons and quotas, what it takes to become an efficient shooter, rifle builds, bullets, and more.  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the recent buzz about releasing wolves into the state of Colorado, wolf management is on a lot of people's minds. In this episode, Dirk talks with Justin Webb, Executive Director of the Foundation for Wildlife Management. They discuss the reintroduction of wolves in Idaho and what the landscape looks like for ungulates 28 years later. Justin describes what elements go into trapping wolves and why it's so important to manage predator numbers through hunting and trapping...

Whitetails are the topic of conversation between Jason and Jeff Sturgis. The discussion is rooted in how habitat affects deer movement and how you can capitalize while hunting. They dive deep into bedding and feeding and the relationship between the two as well as what the ideal stand placement is. Jeff also hints on how he can use the understanding of the movement to capitalize on public land tracts to find success.  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps...

Division in America seems to be everywhere we look, including among hunters. Dirk and Jim discuss common points of division among hunters and why it's so important to lay down our proverbial "swords" and focus on the real issues we're facing.  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason sits down to catch up with Ryan Lampers to go over some listener questions such as; off season preparation, training and nutrition, how he consistently finds success when targeting mature animals, how his elk hunting tactics have changed over the years amongst others. They then turn the discussion to Ryan's 2023 season and what worked and didn't work for him on this years hunts.  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps...

Dirk interviews seasoned outfitter and hunting guide Bradley Dammerman, of Idaho Whitetail Guides. Bradley shares many of the common mistakes that hunters have made that he's guided over the years. Bradley also shares important questions to ask the outfitter before booking a guided hunt.  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason doesn't like a lot of change year to year when it comes to his gear. Once he finds gear that works he tends to stick with it. On this episode Jason answers listener questions on light poundage archery setups for elk and hunting multiple days out of a pack. He then turns to what gear he used on this year hunts and why; Oregon archery elk, Western Washington muzzleloader elk, Montana Rifle Mule Deer and Kansas Archery Whitetail. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps...

Kansas is known for it's giant whitetail bucks. Dirk and Jason had the pleasure of archery hunting on their good friend Randy Milligan's farm. They discuss the highs and lows of the hunt. From less than ideal warm temperatures to lower deer numbers, things had changed from their 2022 hunt there.  Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason and Tyson just returned from their "almost annual" Montana mule deer hunt and discuss what they encountered. They talk about the decline in the deer numbers in the area they hunted and what it could be the cause. They dive into multiple drought years, harsh winters coupled with predator problems, as well as some hunter and management issues that could be effecting the populations. They also talk about some proposals that may have a positive effect on numbers.  Connect with...