Days In The Wild - Big game Hunting podcast

Hunters need to be Activists to Save Hunting Bonus episode

This is a bonus episode My good friend Sam Ayers from The Wild Initiative Podcast had me on his show to talk conservation in 2022 and what that looks like. We talk about the AZ bear and lion Ban petition, and we talk about what hunters need to start doing if we want to save hunting 

Robby Denning

Big Game and Big Misses with Robby Denning
 
Show Notes:
I sit down with Robby Denning to talk the ups and downs of big game hunting. After a crazy year (in the field and out of it), we swap stories about big misses — and what we can learn from them. 
 
Robby tells a great story about glassing some good-sized bucks in the cold on a recent trip. After seeing some very promising bucks, Robby was feeling optimistic about his chances. He saw some good sized antlers. After his shot, the bucks ultimately got away, but we’ve all been there. That story just goes to show, you never know what’s gonna happen in the field. Just because you glass the buck of your life, doesn’t mean you’re gonna get him. 
 
We talked a bit about using the right tools for the trade, from what size bullet to picking our favorite rifles. I’ve got another story for Robby, about chasing a big buck on a rough trip of my own. That was a tough trip for a lot of reasons, not just missing that buck. Even in the best positions, with the perfect gear and the perfect buck — it doesn’t always happen. 
 
The truth is, we can’t always win out there. A lot can go wrong when you’re on the hunt, but that’s just part of the deal. Sometimes, you just don’t get the buck you want. That doesn’t mean the day is a waste. Any time we can get out there and get after it is a pretty good time.
 
What’s Inside: 
How Robby glasses for the perfect buck. 
Lessons we learned from spot-and-stalk positions and missing the bucks we glassed.
Robby and I share our choice of hunting tools.
You can’t predict everything in hunting - you don’t always win.  
 
 
Mentioned in this episode:
Phoenix Shooting Bags Save 20% with code: johnstallone
Lacuesa Discount with code: johnstallone
 
Short Description:
Hunting isn’t always predictable. When you make the trip out there, you never know what you’re gonna get. That means sometimes, you don’t get the buck you want. But, you’ll usually walk away with a good story or two. I swapped stories with Robby Denning about big bucks, and big misses. 
 
Tags:
Big game hunting, deer hunting, hunting season stories, glassing, big bucks, missing bucks, lessons learned, hunting tools, days in the wild

Conservation in 2022 and How we Save it- Bonus episode

https://www.howlforwildlife.org/az_bear_lion_bobcat?recruiter_id=13
 

Elk Hunting and the Elk Draw with Steve Chappell

Elk Hunting and the Elk Draw with Steve Chappell
 
Show Notes:
I sat down with Steve Chappell to talk all things elk hunting. Steve’s a veteran elk hunter in Arizona, and he’s got a whole lot of great info to share. The elk draw is coming up, so we basically hit everything we could about elk hunting. 
 
Steve has some thoughts on the elk herd in Arizona – after a concerning 2020, the elk seemed  to make a good comeback in 2021. The herd is now healthy, thanks to a mild winter and the species’ resilience. Steve explains why he thinks the herd should be just fine into early 2022. We also talk about the weight of antlers, and what the animals need to grow them. As far as antler growth goes for 2022, we’re both feeling pretty good. Arizona produces good elk, and we should see more of that this year. 
 
We also talk elk units. Everyone has their own experiences with each unit, but Steve highlights some of his top-tier performing units. There’s a lot of great hunting throughout the state, but not all units offer the same quality of elk. Steve provided some great info on which units are best for a few different types of hunters. 
 
“So many people misunderstand the draw and how it works.” As elk season approaches, Steve has some great insight into how the elk draw works and how you should approach the draw. We went back and forth about the draw, and some common mistakes people make this time of year.  Novice and experienced hunters will both benefit from hearing this info.  
 
What’s Inside:
Elk herds are looking good this year, and we explain why. 
Elk units aren’t created equal. We talk about some of our favorites, and least favorites.
Different units are better for certain types of hunters.
Hunters should approach the elk draw with strategy in mind.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
Howl for Wildlife
Lacuesa Discount with code: johnstallone
Phoenix Shooting Bags
 
Short Description:Steve Chappell and I talked all things elk in Arizona. There’s a lot to talk about, with Arizona’s great elk hunting, and we hit just about everything. From the current elk population, to our favorite (and least favorite) units, before ending on some new changes to the Arizona elk draw. 
 
Tags:Elk hunting, hunting draws, elk draw, arizona, arizona hunting, elk hunting in arizona, big game hunting, days in the wild, elk season, Arizona elk draw

AZ Lion, Bear and Bobcat Ban

Those that would like to see all hunting go away are making another play to push their agenda under the radar by having their followers send comments opposing the legal hunting of Mt Lions, Bears and Bobcats effectively  laying  the foundation during the open comment period for AZGFD rulemaking to get these hunts banned. If gone unchecked they will succeed in not only getting these hunts removed but: 1) Destroying the ungulate population in AZ  2) Setting precedence to have it banned in other states 3)  Removing an important source of revenue for wildlife management. Please don’t allow these organizations to ruin the deer and elk herd and don’t let your fellow hunter stand alone to fight for what they love. Take action and HOWL for wildlife    
Please visit HOWL To Take a stand 
 
 

Bowhunting Around the Country with Bill Vanderheyden aka Ironwill Bill

Bowhunting Around the Country with Bill Vanderheyden
 
Show Notes:
 
Bill Vanderheyden from Iron Will joins me today. He’s the owner, founder, and lead engineer for Iron Will Broadheads. Bill’s been bow hunting for 50 years, a mechanical engineer for 30, and designing broadheads for 17. Bow hunting is his passion – he goes out and tests his products and is always asking how he can apply science to make the best models. His new single bevel is something I’ve been using, and it’s been great.
 
Bill’s had some good hunts this year and went to Hawaii in June. A friend took him out on the Big Island, to hunt some sheep in the mountains. The terrain was mostly lava rocks and thick trees which made things tough, but he wound up getting a good shot on a ram. He also hunted areas off the coast in some hills where he spotted more rams, goats, and pigs. The older sheep were pretty wise and were onto him, but he shot a big wild hog in that spot. 
 
In mid-August, Bill went Caribou hunting in Alaska, going after northwest Arctic herd. They flew out 160 miles from the nearest village, where the true wilderness is. Last year, him and his crew got their bulls early and were pulled out. This year, he took his time so he could spend the whole ten days. Bill also drew a tag in Wyoming. When he went, conditions weren’t great, it was crazy warm. On his seventh day out, he found out where a bunch of elk were and got right in on first light. He wasn’t confident and the herd split, but then he worked his way back around them. He waited until the thermals were right and then a bull walked out about 30 yards in front, and he smoked it. Bill used a broadhead and got a double lung hit in the mid-body. 
 
In North Texas, Bill’s friend has a ranch, and he spent some time elk hunting there. He also shot an 8-point in Indiana in November with his 4 brothers, sister-in-law, and son. They put down 5 bucks in 4 days! He also hunted in his hometown in Wisconsin and shot a nice heavy buck with good antler mass. Finally, he came back to Colorado for a mule deer tag.It’s possible to have great success with bow hunting, but no matter how many times you do it, you never feel like an expert. Sometimes it feels impossible and other times it seems easy. You always get a reality check when you expect to fill all your tags and wind up getting humbled. Make sure to check out Bill’s products on his website below.
What’s Inside:
My experience using Bill’s new single bevel.
Hunting stories from Bill’s trips to Hawaii and Alaska.
Bill’s elk hunt in Wyoming.
Bill’s trips shooting deer in North Texas, Indiana, and Colorado.
How Bill tested some of his products on wild hogs.
Mentioned in this episode:
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Days In The Wild
JohnStallone.meIron Will Outfitters
 
Short Description:.
Bill “Iron Will” Vanderheyden is the founder of Iron Will Broadheads. He makes a great single bevel that I’ve been using. He’s got a ton of stories from hunts this year from Alaska to Hawaii and everywhere in between. He’s had some solid opportunities to test and develop his products and got some decent shots along the way.
 
Tags:
big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, big buck hunting, hunting stories, elk hunting, archery hunting, broadheads, sheep hunting, single bevel

Henry Ferguson

Deer Hunting Today with Henry Ferguson
 
Show Notes:
For a lot of people, deer hunting is just getting tougher, not easier. In this episode, I talk with big buck hunter Henry Ferguson about the challenges of deer hunting today. Henry’s got a great perspective on deer hunting, and we covered the whole gambit.
 
There are a whole lot of things affecting deer herds. Human population, weather, and loss of habitat are changing how we hunt. Even social media is putting its mark on today’s hunters. A lot of these things seem like they’re getting worse, not better. So what do we do?
 
Wildlife management is a good start. Everywhere’s different, but here in Arizona, we deal with a trickle rut, which is influenced by buck to doe ratio. I talk a bit about how that affects our herd numbers. Henry’s in Colorado, and he questions some of the wildlife management practices they’ve got going. The truth is, a lot of deer herds are declining and hunting is the only tool we’ve got to handle that.
 
“Everybody is hunting for different reasons,” says Henry. Every hunter has their own goals. That’s a good thing. It’s important to keep that in mind during the hunt. Henry shared some stories about how keeping that in mind helps us enjoy hunting more. People hunting differently means there’s less competition, and more success for everyone.
 
Henry’s a great hunter, and he knows his stuff. You can hear how much he cares about hunting, wildlife management, and how we can enjoy hunting more.
 
 
 What’s Inside:
Social media and expectations can change how we take down bucks. It shouldn’t.
I talk about the trickle rut, what causes it, and how it impacts the herd.
A lot of deer herds are declining. This isn’t because of hunting, but hunting is the only tool we have to manage the herd.
Everyone hunts differently, but that helps more than it hurts.
 
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
Phoenix Shooting Bags Save 20% with code: johnstallone
Lacuesa Discount with code: johnstallone
 
Short Description:
Things are getting tougher for hunters – not easier. John talks with Henry Ferguson about the new challenges facing deer hunters, and how hunters can keep moving forward and keep enjoying the sport.
 
Tags:
Chronic wasting disease, social media and hunting, population control, changing hunting, mule deer, whitetail deer, deer hunting
 

Arizona OTC Deer Hunt Q&A Mike Costello

This was an impromptu podcast Mike and I did on his drive to AZ. Mike reached out to me with some questions about hunting in arizona during the OTC archery deer hunt so we decided to record the conversation 
 
Mike Costello Hunting Ain't Easy on Apple Podcasts
Spot And Ambush Hunting https://johnstallone.me/spot-and-stalk-hunting-for-the-not-sneaky/
 
 

Llamas, Elk Hunting, and Archery with Omni Warner

Llamas, Elk Hunting, and Archery with Omni Warner
 
Show Notes:
 
After spending most of my day on the computer waiting for a tag, I got to chat with Omni Warner. He shared some great stories from his season so far. During a hunting trip in Colorado, Omni rented llamas to get into a special area. The first day of that hunt was rainy so they didn’t get out until the second day. On that day, his brother wound up killing a good buck. The next day, they found a bigger buck hunting along a ridge line that was about 3 miles long. 
 
Unfortunately, the next day their trailer broke down and they lost a day trying to get it repaired. They then went in on a different trailhead and glassed some bucks. They scouted some over the summer but couldn’t find them. During their last full day of hunting, they glassed up a buck in his morning bed and got him. Hunting in different states is always an adventure. 
 
On a separate Elk hunt, Omni took his sons for their first archery experience. His goal was to see his sons kill a bull and his one son accomplished it on the first day. Their first morning, they got two bulls bugling and his son was able to take a textbook perfect shot at a bull that was about six to eight yards away! Omni’s wife also shoots a bow. Her bow is much lighter, and we get to talking about how you don’t need a heavy bow for a successful kill. 
 
There’s so much diversity in what people shoot and all of them can work under the right setup and circumstances. It’s really all about shot placement. Accuracy, forgiveness, and sharpness of your broadhead are the three main factors. There are also a ton of transferable skills between shooting in a competition and shooting live game. The same confidence is required as well as the same way you calm your nerves, pick a spot to aim at, and set up your shot.
 
What’s Inside:
What it’s like to hunt and camp with llamas.
The advantages of hunting in different states.
Omni’s experience Elk hunting with his sons.
How aging affects your hunting game.
Shooting in competitions vs. shooting game.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Days In The Wild
JohnStallone.me
 
Short Description:. Omni Warner has some great stories about his hunts so far this season. We talk about his experience hunting with llamas and a successful elk hunt with his sons. There are so many different ways to shoot a bow and similarities between shooting in a competition and a live hunt. It’s all in the setup and the circumstances and how much confidence you can bring to your game.
 
Tags:
big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, big buck hunting, hunting stories, elk hunting, archery hunting, llamas, bugling

Paul Medel AZ Elk Lessons Learned

Elk Season Recap with Paul Medel
 
Show Notes:
Elk hunter Paul Medel spent pretty much the entire season hunting elk, and he’s here with us today on the show to talk all about it.
 
We spent the first day of the season together, and Paul saw more elk that day than he’d see in a whole season back on his home turf in Idaho.  The desert terrain threw him for a bit of a loop at first, though. In open areas like that, you might hear an elk bugle that sounds like it’s only 100 yards away, when it’s actually way further out. It took Paul a few days to really learn the rules of the land. “The elk are different in Arizona. The way they live, the way they react to things.”
 
Those bulls can be sneaky too! A big one managed to walk right up behind Paul’s son while he was raking, and he never even heard him. Paul watched without a shot as the bull checked out the noise, and turned and walked right back the way he came.
 
Paul also demonstrates and explains the three calls he used on the hunt. Remember, it’s not just about making good sounds, it’s about making the right sounds in the right situations. He was able to get a lot of responses out of the elk using those calls, and he goes into detail about calling tactics.
 
What’s Inside:
Arizona has a high concentration of elk.
Spend a few days learning the land when you hunt in a new area.
Bulls are sneaky! Keep your eyes peeled.
A demonstration of elk calls.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
Phoenix Shooting Bags save 20% with code johnstallone
Days In The Wild
elknut.com
 
Short Description:Elknut Paul Medel spent the season hunting elk, and he’s here today to recap the season. We talk elk behavior, the unique challenges of the Arizona landscape, how to cover a lot of ground while still having a good time, and more!
 
Tags:
big game hunting, hunting tips, hunting guide, elk, bull elk, big buck hunting, hunting stories,  elk calls, cow calls