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...

After being out in the field the last couple months, Dirk and Jason answer listener questions from the "call in hot line". They talk about everything from setting up properly while calling elk in, to finding November bulls in rifle season. Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Often times when we see hunter's success, the hard work behind the scenes isn't always apparent. Jon Gabrio talks about the ups, downs and hard work from this last September, and the success that followed. Dirk recaps his 2023 archery elk season and his theory on the "Year of the Huckleberry".  Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elk season is over and mule deer are almost as awesome! On today's episode Jason dives into mule deer with Duke Wasteney. Duke is one heck of a mule deer hunter and we could all learn a few things from him on finding consistent success. The conversation touches on scouting, patterning, glassing, characteristics of big bucks, what to do when they get pressure amongst a list of other topics.  Connect with Jason and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps...

On today’s episode, Jason recaps his recent western Washington muzzleloader elk hunt. After a ten-year hiatus of hunting close to home, he returns to find a surprising lack of elk. He goes over the struggles he faced, what worked, his opinion on the hoof rot issue, and the huge increase in predator numbers. Connect with Jason and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back for part two of Dirk's conversation with "Stuck N the Rut" YouTuber Tom Schneider about Rifle Hunting elk. They dive deep into finding late season bulls and how to hunt them.  Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, host Jason Phelps sits down at the notorious Pendleton Round-Up with three time world champion saddle bronc rider, Zeke Thurston. Jason and Zeke are able to dive into what it looks like to be a professional rodeo cowboy and how he’s able to fit in his incredible passion for hunting while being on the road for ten months a year. As an added bonus, Jason also sits down with Brian Sanders and David Frame to recap his recent hunt in Oregon. They talk about the state of the unit,...

Dirk had the great opportunity to sit down with "Stuck N the Rut" YouTuber Tom Schneider and talk about hunting elk with a rifle. This is part one of two episodes. In this episode, they break down how to find elk and how to hunt them during the first part of October. Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On todays episode Jason sits down with his cameraman and good friend David Frame. They answer listener questions about bulls hanging up, how long to hunt an area before moving on, amongst others. They then dive into their past hunts and what made them successful as well as what gave them some difficulty. Connect with Jason Phelps and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a trend going on right now to film your hunting adventures. From the outside looking in it looks relatively easy, but there are a lot of steps done right that bring your film to life. Dirk chats with good friend and videographer Dusty Rupe about following the best practices for turning film clips into an unforgettable story. Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch Dusty's website: https://dofproductions.com/ Dusty's...

September is here! Jason sits down with Cory Calkins to talk about what they've seen so far this September. They then dive into Cory's guiding backstory and they talk about the differences in elk in wilderness areas versus private ranches as well as what is required to be successful in both locations. They also touch on the moon phase and the weather changes and how they think it affects how the elk will respond. Connect with Jason Phelps and Phelps Game Calls Phelps...

We’ve often said there are more ways than one to skin a cat when talking about archery elk hunting strategies. This week Dirk Durham sat down with “Alone” Season 8 TV Series winner and long-time traditional bowhunter, Clay Hays, to compare and contrast elk hunting tactics. Being that he is a traditional archer, and Dirk shoots a compound, their approach to bowhunting elk isn't always that different. We cover from pre-rut archery to post-rut traditional flintlock muzzleloader tactics and have...

On this week's episode, Jason takes on a bunch of listener questions on elk hunting. He answers questions on what to do when elk shut down, how to determine what your next move should be, and how to deal with the excitement of a big bull getting within bow range amongst others. He then changes the discussion to other ways to hunt elk aside from calling and what the pros and cons of these options are. He discusses sitting wallows, ambushing, treestanding, baiting, and more. Connect with Jason...

On this week's episode, host Dirk Durham talks about pre-season preparation with the host of the podcast "The Western Huntsman", Jim Huntsman. They discuss everything from making sure your bow and arrows are correct for elk hunting, to not letting the idea that you have to be an elite athlete to enjoy chasing bugles in the elk woods, be a barrier. Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

In this episode, Jason sits down with Jeff Roberts of PNWILD to go over everything fall bear. The bulk of the conversation hinges around the food sources that the bears will be on, but they also dive into e-scouting, watching the receding snow lines, feet on the ground, and even using hiking websites to determine where you should be focusing your time in the fall when trying to turn up bears. Other topics discussed are hot weather field care, how long you should spend in an area, weather...

Ever wondered what it's like to archery elk hunt in New Mexico? Jason introduces new co-host Dirk "The Bugler" Durham on this week's show and the guys talk at length about how quirky the elk rut can really be, even in the famed state of New Mexico. Be sure to follow up and get your eyes on Dirk's "New Mexico Bulls" film, which he discusses in this episode. It's out on the Phelps Game Calls channel of The MeatEater network now. Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps...

Jason sits down with Bill Vanderheyden from Iron Will Outfitters to talk about the sharp end of the stick. They dive into arrows, efficiency, and ethics, discussing single bevel vs. double bevel, the optimum amount of offset and helical, as well as Bill's work on arrow flight with the University of Colorado. Connect with Jason Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the show, Jason is joined by his buddy Brock for part two of their elk biology conversation. This time, they get deep into every elk hunter's favorite topic -- the rut. They talk on everything from elk estrus cycles to the reasons some elk are call shy and others aren't. Connect with Jason and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube Shop Phelps Merch     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show, Jason comes to you from the field with biologist Paul Wik to talk elk mortality and recruitment. They discuss the effects of predation and environmental factors in relation to elk recruitment, and what that means for hunting opportunity.  Connect with Jason and Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the show, Jason is joined by his buddy Brock to talk all things elk biology in part one of this two part series. In this episode they cover everything from moon phase to who really controls the herd -- the herd bull or the lead cow? Connect with Jason and Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube Shop Phelps Merch     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once you have found a spot to hunt, what is next? In this episode Jason covers the technical how to of: breaking down an area quickly to determine if elk are present, how to go about locating them, how to move in, what you should be looking for as you setup, and then how to go about calling. Connect with Jason and Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show, Jason's mixed it up and gone solo as he answers your listener questions and discusses planning your elk hunt. From e-scouting and calling to mountain readiness and boot considerations, if you're considering an elk hunt this year, you won't want to miss this!  Connect with Jason and Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show, Jason is joined in the field by guest John Weik as they discuss their recent turkey hunt. They discuss separating themselves from other hunters in the area, both in terms of distance and strategy.  Connect with Jason and Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, I'm joined by MeatEater's own Tony Peterson to talk turkey. On this episode, we answer a couple listener questions, talk pressured birds, and dive into turkey calling strategy. Tony is a certified turkey killer, and if you're a turkey hunter, you're not going to want to miss this.  Connect with Jason and Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.