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Episodes
Monday Aug 29, 2022
Monday Aug 29, 2022
Elk Hunting Storytelling Session with Dirk Durham
Show Notes:
In hunting, when you mix years of practice and experience, you become an expert. Dirk Durham is a world champion elk caller, and he’s here for a storytelling session about his elk hunting journey. He started with a bow when he was 15 and hasn’t missed a season since. This fall will be Dirk’s 33rd year of elk hunting. Outside the hunting season, Dirk is a marketing manager at Phelps, where he wears a ton of different hats from social media and content management to R&D on new products, even customer service.
When Dirk started elk hunting in the 80s, there wasn’t a whole lot of information on how to do it. There were a few VHS videos and books here and there, and Dirk’s dad wasn’t into bow hunting. But he wanted to elk hunt and once his dad saw that he was serious, he told him that if he got an elk with a bow, he would reimburse Dirk for what he spent on his bow and supplies. He put in a ton of time learning calls and how to shoot a bow and even went out hunting in the mornings before school. Dirk eventually came through and his dad made good on his promise.
Dirk shares tips on how to get close to bulls. It takes a lot of practice, time, and patience and we all learn from experiences. He also shares a story about him and his brother hunting in a storm and the challenges of tracking a bull with the blood getting washed away. Taking advantage of the weather and shifting your strategy can be a benefit if you know what you’re doing. The hunting community has come a long way in terms of information out there for new hunters, so it’s always great to hear from people who became successful hunters directly from experience.
What’s Inside:
Stories from Dirk’s elk hunting career.
Tips on how to get close to bulls.
How to make the best of hunting in a storm.
How to locate elk in the dark.
Mentioned in this episode
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
GoHunt: https://www.gohunt.com/
The Bugler on Instagram
The Bugler on Facebook
The Bugler on YouTube
Phelps Game Calls on YouTube
Short Description:.
Dirk Durham, AKA The Bugler, is a world champion elk caller and a marketing manager at Phelps. On the show today, he shares some of the best stories he’s collected since he started his hunting career at 15. We talk about different techniques to get close to bulls, hunting in the rain, how to locate elk in the dark, and much more.
Tags:
big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, big buck hunting, hunting stories, elk calling, elk hunting, bugling, storytelling, dirk durham, days in the wild
Saturday Aug 20, 2022
Saturday Aug 20, 2022
Anthony Stallone AKA "Mr. Phoenix Shooting Bags joins me in my studio for a little chat about antelope. We discuss some tips and trips about antelope hunting with a bow.
Monday Aug 15, 2022
Monday Aug 15, 2022
Elk Season is 30days out what do I do? Joe Giglia and I go over some things you should be doing to maximize your elk hunting this fall. Elk hunting as most hunting is a game of inches, meaning success is found in the details. Joe and I talk about the details you need to pay attention to in order to fortify your chances of tagging out on your elk this season.
Check out elk Bros on IG and online
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
Elk Calling Adventures with Michael Batease
Show Notes:
We are in for a much-needed catch-up storytelling session with the founder of the Elk Calling Academy, Michael Batease. The last time we spoke was back in 2019, and Michael was just starting out with the academy. The Elk Calling Academy has since grown a lot, and he now has a Patreon and does one-on-one sessions. Michael does live Q&As and is currently working on switching over to a true e-course platform, targeted for July. The Elk Calling Academy is great for everyone, especially if you’re new to elk hunting and calling.
Elk calling requires special skills and abilities and not everyone can physically do it. A lot of people use externals when they can’t use diaphragms. It takes time to learn how to master both methods. Michael talks about some of the advancements and improvements companies are coming out with to make things easier. Michael shares a story about when one of his reeds started sticking and made a noise that scared a bull away. He even wound up throwing the call in the fire!
We talk about using lower sounding elk calls and how responsive the cows are in terms of answering. There are times to be loud and times to turn it down. As elk hunting becomes more popular, the more calls there are in the environment. Michael and I also chat about hunting in different kinds of places where you wouldn’t think elk are hanging out. Many people want open country, but they’re in smaller pockets, too. A lot of hunters are afraid to try new stuff and fall in love with one area. Don’t be afraid to use a new technique and head to a new area.
What’s Inside:
Nuances of elk calling and vocalizations.
Challenges of using externals and diaphragms.
Stories from Michael’s adventures in elk hunting.
Volume levels of elk calls.
Elk hunting in different types of land.
Mentioned in this episode:
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
GoHunt: https://www.gohunt.com/
Elk Calling Academy on Facebook
Elk Calling Academy on Instagram
Elk Calling Academy on YouTube
Elk Calling Academy Patreon
Short Description:.
Michael Batease is back for a catch-up storytelling session on all things elk calling. Michael shares some of his best elk hunting stories and we share a laugh or two. We also discuss how to use different calls, the effectiveness of call volumes, and elk hunting in open country vs. smaller pockets.
Tags:
big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, big buck hunting, hunting stories, elk hunting, elk calling, bugling, diaphragm
Monday Aug 01, 2022
Monday Aug 01, 2022
Mule Deer Outlook with Terry Herndon
Show Notes:
Arizona is currently struggling when it comes to mule deer, pertaining especially to encroachment and housing developments. Terry Herndon, CEO of the Arizona Mule Deer Organization, speaks his mind about this issue in the AZ field. Terry was born and raised in Arizona, and he’s hunted throughout his entire life. His organization advocates for wildlife and helps get kids involved in hunting and the great outdoors. The number one thing that’s affected these deer over the last 15 years is drought. Terry shares what’s being done to help these deer and what still needs to happen.
Terry talks about the changing wildlife populations in Arizona. When elk were introduced in the Flagstaff area, it affected the mule deer population as they now had to compete for resources. Predation is also a big factor in why the deer are struggling. Most people don’t think about the cause and effect of their actions, and as a culture we’ve been pretty egocentric. We don’t think about the repercussions, and over time, the little things add up and cause major problems. Conservation should be top of mind.
Terry’s organization helps the mule deer by adding water in certain areas, but Arizona needs regular rain for the situation to turn around. To help, people can work to eliminate predators like coyote. Get involved in the organization of your choice, preferably in your state. Keep your eye on upcoming projects and contribute to whatever interests you, like building fencing and maintenance and repairs on tanks. It feels good to volunteer, and it makes you want to stay involved and pass it to the younger generations.
What’s Inside:
What’s going on with the Arizona mule deer population.
The Arizona drought and contributing factors.
What someone can do to help the mule deer.
Terry’s plans for the upcoming hunting season.
Info on Arizona Mule Deer Organization initiatives and how you can get involved.
Mentioned in this episode:
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
GoHunt: https://www.gohunt.com/
Arizona Mule Deer Organization
Short Description:.
Terry Herndon is the CEO of the Arizona Mule Deer Organization, who runs several conservation initiatives to help the struggling mule deer population. We talk about what’s going on in Arizona and how the deer are being affected by drought, encroaching, and predation. We also talk about how you can get involved if you’re interested in making an impact.
Tags:
big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, big buck hunting, hunting stories, deer, deer herd, Arizona mule deer, mule deer, archery, wildlife conservation
Monday Jul 25, 2022
Monday Jul 25, 2022
Expert Elk Hunting with Casey Brooks
Show Notes:
If you have 78 bulls under your elk hunting belt, there’s no doubting your expertise in the field. Casey Brooks is one of the few people that’s done a Super Slam with a bow, and he knows elk hunting like the back of his hand. He’s been bow hunting for over 40 years and he caught the elk hunting bug at an early age. I’ve spoken to quite a few people about elk, mainly in terms of calling techniques, and Casey does things a bit differently. He shares his unique perspectives on how to become an effective elk caller.
Location is everything and calls are getting more and more advanced. Elk are starting to get a bit smarter, so it’s not as easy as it used to be. Patience is a big deal when you’re hunting in the early season. Casey also believes timing is everything, as is understanding the signs the animal is giving you and acting accordingly.
When you’re trying to pick a spot and are going towards a bull, Casey recommends sitting down and waiting a bit until the bulls come to you. They’ll only come so far away from their cows, as that’s their comfort zone. You likely won’t get a bull away from the cows, so pay attention to where he stops. Casey bow hunts five to six months out of the year and is still learning new things. He shares some great stories and has a ton of great tips for hunters, whether you’re brand new or a seasoned veteran.
What’s Inside:
Key elements of being an effective elk caller.
The best dates of the season for elk hunting.
Why timing is everything.
Elk hunting scenarios and how to handle them.
Mentioned in this episode:
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
GoHunt: https://www.gohunt.com/
Casey Brooks on Instagram
Beau Brooks Power Calls on TikTok
Short Description:.
Casey Brooks has killed 78 bulls and is one of the few people that’s done a Super Slam with a bow. Casey shares some of his top tips for elk calling and stories from several of his hunting trips. We also walk through some elk hunting scenarios so you’re ready for your own trips this coming season.
Tags:
big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, big buck hunting, hunting stories, elk hunting, elk calling, bugling, bow hunting, archery
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
The “Return Act” GUTS Wildlife Conservation and Hunting
A layman’s view of the bill and the implications: Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) has introduced H.R. 8167 a bill that would ultimately be the tumbling pebble that initiated the collapse of the hunting industry. This is a bold and polarizing statement, but unfortunately very true. This bill aims to remove Pittman Robertson (PR) Excise tax. Don’t know what PR is or does? Simply put, PR is an 11% excise tax to the manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. The proceeds of the funding is distributed to state governments for wildlife restoration projects, public shooting ranges, hunter education programs and R3 programs.
How will this destroy hunting?
Anti-wildlife: Removing a key component of wildlife conservation funding will ultimately result in less sustainable populations of wild animals, both game and non-game species. Less game, means less opportunity, less opportunity means less participation, less participation means less funding, and less funding means even more loss of wildlife. The all mighty dollar is always the number one contributing factor on policy creation, especially when it’s on a resource that is determined by perceived value. Deer have value to people who want to see them on the landscape, but how much are they willing to pay to see them there? Deer also have value to those who want to hunt them and consume them. Historically hunters are willing to pay much more 20-30x more than wildlife viewers for animals to be on the landscape. Removing, funding just shrinks the hunters voice and adds more road blocks for sound management practices.
Removes a piece of our armor: One of the most relatable arguments we have as stakeholders in wildlife management and hunting legislation is the funding we bring to the conservation table. It has been very hard for special interest groups and anti-hunting groups to out voice us because we have been protected by the shield of conservation funding. Although PR funds are just a portion of the funding provided by hunters, it is still a very substantial component to wildlife management funding and without question fortifies our right to have a say in what happens in wildlife management. Plus as in the aforementioned example #1, the alternate funding streams would begin to follow suit in a domino effect further stifling the voice of the hunter.
Pitman Robertson protects Hunting: PR funds work on a fund matching base. Many states do not have laws that protect funding from license and tag sales from being used by the state for other projects. The way PR works – To help ensure states use the money for wildlife conservation, habitat, shooting facilities, hunter Ed and R3 programs, each state will receive $3 for every $1 they generate for these programs. This is an incentive for state fish and game agencies to keep and use as much of their license sales and even create other revenue streams IE: raffles and auctions etc. If this mechanism is lost, it is very likely that much of the funding brought in by license and tag sales would be pillaged by the state for projects unrelated to wildlife conservation. I don’t have to state what that would do to our wildlife and hunting opportunity.
Cutting off their noses to spite their face!
It's Likely, This bill is a political stunt to retaliate to the absurd 1000% tax law introduced by Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia and many of the other anti-gun laws surfacing in the current political climate. Many Republicans have supported this bill touting their 2A membership cards and rallying the “troops” not realizing that pushing this bill forward would be detrimental to the gun industry. According to “American gun facts” 81 million Americans own guns; there are 15-17 million hunters in the US alone so roughly 20% of gun owners are hunters. In order to make an example of anti-gun policy supporters of this bill are willing to punish 20% of their constituency. What happens when hunters can’t hunt anymore and don’t have a need for their firearms or more ammo?
The fertilizer that cultivates 2A: What the supporters of this bill fail to recognize is that PR funds are a main driver for the cultivation of shooting sports. A portion of PR funds are ear marked for public shooting facilities, and youth programs. This not only brings new gun owners into the community but it gives gun owners a place to exercise their right of gun ownership. PR funding is directly tied to the hunting community and hunting conservation, the manufactures of firearms and ammunition recognize and support it because they know that hunting provides an avenue to again exercise the right to owning a firearm. Without these avenues those guns become pieces of furniture in one’s home. What good is a gun in my safe that I can’t go use anywhere?
Stop the tyranny “I intend to stop the Left’s tyranny in its tracks by eliminating the federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition” Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) The Pittman Robertson act was initiated by sportsmen and women and more importantly the gun and ammo manufactures to ensure wildlife and the hunting heritage go on for perpetuity. It wasn’t introduced by some leftist tyrant looking to punish gun owners. By undoing this legacy Act those who support it are becoming what they claim to be fighting against. To representative Clyde’s point, his goal to prevent taxing people out of their rights is without question important. However, this bill is not the answer in fact it may have the reverse affect. Without low cost public ranges gun owners would be forced to use private ranges, which cost more. As demand for these facilities go up the cost will increase. Moreover, if hunting goes away or becomes privatize like in other countries, gun manufactures would be losing a large portion of the hunting community as consumers. Causing revenue to go down which ultimately if you have any concept of economics, will cause the price of firearms and ammo to rise. So who is pricing the “average Joe” out of their 2A rights?
Blood in the water: The very same groups that this bill boasts to oppose are the biggest benefactors. Anti-hunting groups have recognized the opportunity to jump on board with this bill knowing the damage it would do to the hunter. What happens when you have 2A advocates and anti-hunting groups fighting for the same thing? You guessed it! The demise of hunting as we know it.
The price won’t change: After speaking with two manufactures of ammunitions and firearms both indicated that pricing to the consumer would likely not be affected. When you purchase a firearm for a $100 at the gun store you do not pay $111 plus sales tax for this firearm you pay $100 plus sales tax. The excise tax was paid for by the manufacture. Yes the cost was passed along to you the consumer because it was built into the cost of the gun. Us gun owners have been paying this additional cost since 1937 it is not a tax we see or even perceive. Based on my interview with the two different manufactures if the tax goes away the cost of guns and ammo mostly like won’t come down 11% you are still going to be paying the same price you have always paid. So who wins here? Guess who loses? Wildlife, hunters and every gun owner in America.
Many have dismissed this bill as something that doesn’t have any political traction and that “It won’t go anywhere”. I have seen other seemingly preposterous bills be taking lightly and the sportsmen have suffered because of it. There are 50+ sponsors of this bill, do not take it lightly...... It’s is my opinion that we the hunting and fishing community need to stomp it out so fiercely and send a message so loud that this is not an option and never to mess with wildlife or our hunting heritage. In conclusion nothing good can come out of this bill it doesn’t teach the Tyrants they can’t mess with our rights, It will do irreparable damage to wildlife, it won’t save anyone money, it gives anti-hunters more power, it will be the demise of hunting and ultimately it will eliminate a large portion of gun owners in America which is precisely the converse of the 2A topic.
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Monday Jul 18, 2022
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Whitetail Deer Hunting Strategies with Jake Bush
Show Notes:
In my circle of hunting friends, there’s no one who knows whitetail deer as well as Jake Bush in my book, specifically in the Midwestern side of the states. Jake is an experienced hunter who lives in Ohio, where he chases big bucks on public land. I see a lot of myself in Jake’s approach to hunting. Neither of us have a lot of time to spend in the field – we hunt on very tight schedules. So, I picked Jake’s brain about Ohio hunting, whitetails, working on tight schedules, and more.
Jake walked us through his scouting and hunting philosophies. He wants to tag out as quickly as possible, so he spends a lot of time scouting. He works with online maps and topography maps, in an effort to “put as many pieces of the puzzle together as possible.” Jake discussed these “puzzle pieces” and what he looks for in his ideal hunting grounds. We also swapped a few tips for maximizing your success in the field. There’s a lot of great info here that any hunters can put into practice.
We also traded stories about our experiences hunting deer in the western states. No two states are the same, so we compared and contrasted some of the Midwestern states with further west areas. Each region calls for its own strategies and techniques.
To round out our podcast, Jake told us a story about one of his hunts. This hunt changed the way Jake looked at the sport, scouting, and more. It was a great, insightful story about understanding your surroundings and waiting for the proper conditions – or not waiting, in this case.
What's Inside:
- Jake’s strategy for scouting whitetail.
- Jake’s in-the-field techniques and tricks.
- The differences between hunting in western vs. Midwestern states.
- When to analyze your surroundings – and when to act.
- Stories about big game hunting across the western states.
Mentioned in this episode:
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
Phoenix Shooting Bags: https://www.phoenixshootingbags.com/
Jake Bush: https://www.instagram.com/thejakebush/?hl=en
Jake Bush on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LegendsOfTheHunt
Short Description:
Whitetail deer expert, Jake Bush, was such a pleasure to have on the show and he’s one of the best to exchange knowledge and swap stories on big buck hunting with. We discussed hunting all over the country, whitetail strategy, and how to maximize your scouting in this episode. This was a fantastic conversation, and Jake dropped a lot of great knowledge here.
Tags:
Whitetail deer, mule deer, big game hunting, western states, Midwest hunting, technique, scouting, days in the wild, Jake Bush, Ohio hunting, whitetail hunting
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Monday Jul 11, 2022
The Wild Game Gourmet with Larry White
Show Notes:
We’re going to switch gears a little bit today and do something different. I have Larry White on with me and we’re going to pick his brain on table fare, caring for meat, and hopefully pull a couple stories out of him as well. Larry’s originally from North Carolina but currently lives in the low country in South Carolina. In 2004, he started his cooking career while he was in California in the Coast Guard. After the Coast Guard, he got his culinary degree and did personal chef and food truck work and is now running a creative venture called The Wild Game Gourmet.
When it comes to wild game, if you’re cooking exotic meals, you’re more likely to cook more often. That’s what ultimately drove me to follow Larry’s work. We talk about the best practices to follow in terms of caring for meat in order to get the best quality. Larry also shares tips on how to handle venison and how to prepare it, the biggest rule being not to overcook it. He also likes to cook it in a cast iron pan and top it off with some butter. Wild game also works well in a Crock Pot, believe it or not!
I’ve gotten into cured meats more over the last several years and it’s one of Larry’s favorite things to do. Larry gives us the rundown on how he likes to cook deer without going too crazy. He loves to braise a shoulder with sauce in a pan and use the meat over the course of a week. Larry says the neck is the most tender part of venison and you can do so many things with it.
If you’re not the best cook or a beginner, you could start by practicing with London broil or an eye of beef. Lamb shanks are also good to cook and a way to practice with braised dishes. Larry has a ton of great recipes on his website. Check them out by following the link below.
What’s Inside:
Meat caring practices to follow to get the best quality possible.
Simple rules of thumb for venison.
What to cook to impress people at a dinner party.
How to cook different parts of venison.
Starting points and ways to practice if you’re a beginner cook.
Mentioned in this episode:
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
GoHunt: https://www.gohunt.com/
The Wildgame Gourmet
Short Description:. Culinary guru Larry White joins me on the show today. He’s a master at cooking wild game and he’s got a ton of great recipes on his website, The Wild Game Gourmet. We chat about everything from how to cook venison, how to care for meat so it winds up tasting the best, and tips for beginner cooks.
Tags:
big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, big buck hunting, hunting stories, gourmet cooking, wild game, venison, cured meat, elk, deer, the wild game gourmet, days in the wild, Larry White
Monday Jul 04, 2022
Monday Jul 04, 2022
Big Game Tactics and Time in the Field with Alex Millward
Show Notes:
Alex Millward is a hunter based in Utah, with a passion for mule deer and elk. We sat down to get into the nitty-gritty and talk about all things tactics. To kick us off, we swapped a couple of stories about recent hunts. Alex told a story about being resourceful on a 4-day mule deer hunt and making things happen despite all odds.
This led us to talking strategy. I picked Alex’s brain on how he picks bucks and how he puts them down. It’s important to understand hunting on a situational basis. Bucks aren’t going to stick around, so when the opportunity comes around – you’ve gotta take it. You’ll only get so many chances on any given hunt.
People often ask me, “What differentiates me from you?” when it comes to hunting. The answer: Time in the field. Having experience and just getting out there is the most important part of growing as a hunter. Sometimes, you’ll have to make some sacrifices to get hunting. We talked about some of the sacrifices we’ve made in the name of the sport.
We also talked about the importance of preparation – both physical and mental. Hunting is tough on the body and the mind. Alex talked about what he’s done in recent years to get in shape for hunting. We also discussed gear, and what the right setup can do for you.
We ended on a great story from Alex about some elk hunting.
What's Inside:
- Tactical discussion with Alex Millward.
- Understanding hunting on a situational basis.
- The importance of time in the field.
- How to mentally and physically prepare for a hunt.
- We swap stories about hunting elk and deer.
Mentioned in this episode:
Howl for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
Phoenix Shooting Bags: https://www.phoenixshootingbags.com/
GoHunt: https://www.gohunt.com/
Short Description:
This one’s a must-hear for big game hunters. Alex Millward joined me on the podcast to talk about elk and deer hunting strategy. We covered tactics, preparation, and a lot more. Nothing beats time in the field, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances of success when you’re out there.
Tags:
Deer hunting, elk hunting, hunting tips, big game hunting, tactics, strategy, utah, days in the wild, Alex Millward, Utah hunting