This is the second year I’ve joined some buddies for the first week of the year to chase Coues in the backcountry right in the peak of the rut. There were bucks everywhere, stalks every day, arrows flew, and meat came out of the backcountry with us. There was also the accidental shooting of the “wrong” deer who was one of two with a very distinct antler situation. Too many bucks to keep track of is exactly the problem you want to have out there, and it’s what this area seems to deliver every...

This is honestly one of the coolest stories I’ve been able to share on this podcast! Today I’m joined by Caleb Brewer, a double amputee Army Special Forces Vet, who was given an Arizona Bighorn Sheep tag at the last minute. Also on the line are the two Ryans - Ryan Gentry and Ryan Smith - two active duty Air Force guys who jumped in to help with Caleb’s hunt. This tag was in rugged and remote country, so they knew they’d face some challenges getting Caleb around in there. But, the way the...

Today I’m joined by Garrison Sexson who hails from the Bay Area of California. He cut his teeth chasing mulies and blacktail deer in his home state, but an injury forced him to replan his fall and he found himself heading with a buddy to Arizona to chase the legendary and elusive Coues Deer for the first time. They put in the work, got on deer every day, and ultimately found success. In fact, his buddy was able to harvest his first deer ever, and it just happened to be a Coues. It’s a great...

Once again I’m joined by my good friend, Josh Kirchner from Dialed-In-Hunter, as he shares two incredible stories from his fall mule deer adventures. One was an Idaho rifle hunt and the other was high country archery, but the similarities and incredible success in these two hunts is mind-boggling. To see the films of both of these hunts, head over to Josh’s YouTube Channel, and go pick up a copy of his book, Becoming a Backpack Hunter, if you’ve ever considered diving into the backcountry...

This is a very special episode for me because I’m joined by my oldest son to tell the story of his first ever harvest. Hendric finally drew the AZ Youth Rifle Cow Elk tag, and that meant we were heading to my favorite elk spot…the exact area where I harvested my first bull. In just two days we had a several really cool encounters, the bulls were still bugling, and he finally connected on the morning of day 2. I’m still beaming with pride over this one, and it’s a hunting memory I’ll cherish...

This year I didn’t have an archery elk hunt in my fall calendar, and I just couldn’t stand it! So, at the last minute, I decided to make a quick trip up to Utah to try and chase some elk on a quick solo backcountry hunt. From the minute I left the pavement, things started to go wrong, and they only got worse as the trip went on. It definitely became one of the sketchiest solo backcountry experiences I’ve ever had, and at the end of the day I was just thankful to get back home safely. Follow...

This is the story of my first-ever antelope hunt in my home state of Arizona. Lots of bad luck and obstacles to overcome, but finally on day 5 of the hunt, a gorgeous buck came within range. It’s a great story of overcoming adversity, refusing to quit when things aren’t going right, and dealing with the pain of a shot not unfolding the way you want it to. I also got terrific footage of this hunt and the film will be coming out soon, so make sure you’re subscribed to the Late to the Game...

Today was I able to have Bob Baldwin and Jay Ledbetter back on the podcast. They’re the authors of the book Proper Care and Feeding of a Huntin’ Buddy. Bob and Jay are absolute riots, and I was so happy to have them back on the show. What I missed in the first episode was the story that started it all - their mishap-filled Colorado elk hunt that sparked the idea that they should share their hilarious hunting stories with the world by writing this book. Check out their book at the link...

Today I’m joined by Matt Chambers from Mississippi with a CRAZY story about whitetail hunting and his blood trailing dogs! Matt reached out with a quick synopsis of the story and a video clip that I absolutely couldn’t believe…I knew I had to have him on. What follows is one of the most astounding hunting stories I’ve ever heard of. To catch up with Matt and see the clip of the world’s greatest hunting dog, give him a follow on Instagram @mattcham08 goHUNT is the only resource I trust for...

Today I’m joined by Keith Ward from Alberta Canada. Keith is certainly an experienced hunter, but decided to try his hand at hunting mule deer for the first time last year. There were blown stalks, missed shots, and a whole bunch of shenanigans, but he ultimately connected on this massive buck who had given him the slip once before. It’s a great story and a terrific buck that any hunter would be proud to lay his hands on. To connect with Keith, give him a follow on Instagram and keep your...

Today I’m joined by Bob Baldwin and Jay Ledbetter, authors of the book Proper Care and Feeding of a Huntin’ Buddy. Bob and Jay are absolute riots, and it really felt like I was sitting around a campfire listening to two great friends tell stories and joke with each other. I could have talked with them for much longer, but had to keep it short (though we’re already working on a second episode with them). Check out their book at the link above, or go connect with them at bobnjay.com or on...

Today I’m joined by Bailey Williams from Texas who takes us on a wild ride through a few stories of giant bucks and hogs the size of bears on his farmland in Texas. Between Bailey getting his first swamp-donkey, being charged by massive pigs, or his dad accidentally riding a not-quite-dead deer through the woods, it’s going to be a good time. If you want to catch up with Bailey, you can find him on Instagram @farmlandinsanityoutfitters goHUNT PROMOTION - To give the goHUNT Explorer...

Today I’m joined by Perry Snowden from Kentucky, a fellow late to the game / married into hunting guy, who tells the story of his first ever day of hunting that turned out better (and wilder) than he would have ever imagined. This massive buck showed up in the right spot at the right time, but the story surrounding getting him and even getting him out of the woods takes a few crazy turns along the way. If you want to catch up with Perry, you can find him on Instagram or Twitter. As he said...

Today I tell the story of my Idaho Spring Bear hunt from deep in the backcountry of Idaho. We were on the mountain for a full seven days, battled rain/snow/fog every single day, and when an opportunity finally presented itself, I was “indisposed.” But at the end of it all, my buddy, Josh, and I had a terrific hunt through the wet and the cold, saw plenty of bears, and made some great memories on this suffer-fest of a backcountry hunt. The fitness program I mention at the end is called...

Today I get to welcome back to the podcast my good buddy, Josh Kirchner, from Dialed-In-Hunter. Josh tells the story of last Fall’s October bear hunt where he harvested what will possibly always be the biggest bear of his life. Along the way, he encounters attempted poachers, a hunting partner who just barely ran out of shooting light, and a murderous packout that almost took out three experienced hunters. To see the film of this incredible hunt, head over HERE. To catch up with Josh, find...

My guest today is Ryan Smith, owner of the highly popular @hunt_az page on Instagram. Ryan shares an incredible story of a Colorado moose hunt deep in the backcountry with his brothers-in-law. Horses, life-threatening situations, missed shots, and redemption are all a part of the adventure…I know you’re gonna love it. After the story, Ryan and I have a conversation about the recent scare we had in AZ with some groups trying to shut down bear/predator hunting, how Ryan inadvertently found...

In this episode, I talk to Elias Benson about his first archery mule deer buck in Northern California. Elias grew up hunting but recently caught the bowhunting itch. He went through two seasons of grinding it out in the backcountry, and in an amazing story of missed shots and follow-ups, finally made a perfect shot on a really nice muley buck. To keep up with Elias, go give him a follow on Instagram @bent_on_hunting. If you’re a newer hunter (or an experienced one just looking to make sure...

In this episode, I break down the exploits of my January 2022 season chasing both mule deer and javelina in the desert with my bow. It was a crazy month with a ton of opportunities, some massive bucks, stink-pigs protected by a moat like medieval royalty, and one of the best single days of spot-and-stalk deer hunting I’ve ever experienced! If you’re a newer hunter (or an experienced one just looking to make sure there aren’t any gaps in your hunting game), check out my book How to Hunt: A...

In this episode, I’m joined by Mark Huelsing from EXO Mountain Gear and he shares the story of his first ever trip to Alaska to chase caribou with some good buddies. It’s a terrific story of grinding out a hunt that didn’t go as planned, but finding incredible success anyway. After that, we talk about the backcountry in general and a few pack-specific details every hunter should consider. To follow up with Mark, head over to exomountaingear.com or follow them on Instagram @huntbackcountry....

In this episode, I finally tell the story of my epic week-long hunt in Utah during the early archery season this past year. High country backpack hunting for giant velvet bucks in some of the most technical terrain I’ve ever been in. We saw bucks every day, made stalks every day, and even encountered an almost definite serial killer on the way home…it was an amazing hunt! If you’re a newer hunter (or an experienced one just looking to make sure there aren’t any gaps in your hunting game),...

In this episode, I tell the story of the Arizona archery Coues deer hunt I just had the privilege of filming for my buddy Josh [@dialedinhunter]. We worked as a team to guide him into the biggest buck he’s ever seen on the hoof, and the twists and turns the story takes from “buck spotted” to laying hands on his antlers is nearly 24 hours of pure stress and insanity. It’s a killer story I’m proud to have been a part of! If you’re a newer hunter (or an experienced one just looking to make sure...

In this episode, I get real about how sometimes life just gets in the way and utterly destroys what was supposed to be an incredible elk season. The short time I did get in the elk woods was action packed with plenty of close calls, but I think the real life issues that plagued that season from the start will be relatable to just about anyone trying to juggle work, family, and hunting (which is pretty much all of us). If you’re a newer hunter (or an experienced one just looking to make sure...

In this episode, I talk with Jake Bartlett from Pennsylvania about a series of family hunts for deer and turkeys with his family. But, while we’re having that conversation, we also get into some real talk about tragedy, loss, and how we (especially as men) often don’t handle it so well. It’s a heavier episode, but a great conversation that all of us should be open to having. If you want to connect with Jake, shoot him a message on Instagram @jakey_jake6. Also, if you’re dealing with...

In this episode, I talk with Caleb Gotthardt (also on Episode 15) about his first bull elk ever. He was 10, he almost lost hope, and his parents coaxed him into the field with snacks to put him on this giant bull. It’s a terrific story that I know I as a parent really resonated with! To keep up with Caleb and his future hunting adventures, give him a follow on Instagram @_northernadventures_ If you’re a newer hunter (or an experienced one just looking to make sure there aren’t any gaps in...