I would argue I've learned more from my mistakes than from my successes when it comes to elk hunting. In this episode, Jason gives his opinion on ten common mistakes that may be hindering success for you this fall. He touches on calling your way into elk, unwillingness to change the plan, calling to small as well as not spending enough time in the woods. Jason hopes you can learn from the mistakes he's made to shorten up the learning curve. Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls MeatE...
Aug 08, 2024•45 min
31 days until September! Are you ready? Want to learn how to become a more proficient elk caller? In this episode, Dirk dives deep into making elk vocalizations. He starts with fundamental sounds, then shifts into turning those sounds into cow calls and bugles. Link to see videos of Dirk making these calls: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmts0qLfo7ZzXMW-ssBUr7gful9S6cT1A&si=-Z4Eaf7-cOROFhhI Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , Yo...
Aug 01, 2024•49 min
Jason dives into some of his past archery hunts and talks about what he feels were the key factors that led to success. Successful elk hunters usually don't limit themselves to one tactic or one game plan. They are able to evaluate the elk, the pressure, and the sign to formulate a plan that gives them the best chance for success. Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , Youtube , and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network ...
Jul 25, 2024•45 min
We've all heard that classic three-note bugle, which is typically a go-to for most folks while calling elk. This week, Dirk talks about non-typical elk vocalizations and how he uses them while calling to bull elk each September. Dirk also answers "Pendleton Whisky's Listener Questions" about topics ranging from fall bear hunting tactics while hunting elk, to making a backpacking game plan, to hunting Idaho's remote Frank Church Wilderness. Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls MeatEa...
Jul 18, 2024•54 min
Bill Vanderheyden returns to the podcast to discuss new findings from the University of Colorado study, which looked at accuracy, stability, drag, wind drift, spin up, and sound. He offers tips for improving flight with broadheads. We also talk about the new heads he has coming out at Iron Will . Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , Youtube , and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/list...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Dirk and three other world-champion elk callers, Tony Gilbertson, Jermaine Hodge, and Erik Berglund, discuss the 2024 RMEF World Elk Calling Championships. They also talk about the elk hunt the three guests shared last fall, which is on YouTube now, and the process of designing their new signature elk diaphragms that are included in the new All-American 3-Pack . Watch their hunt film on YouTube now: Band of Brothers Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram , Faceb...
Jul 04, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Sorting through internet jargon and opinions to figure out what's the best arrow set up for hunting elk is a daunting task. In this episode, Dirk sits down with long time friend and arrow expert, Cory Miller of Darton Archery, at Total Archery Challenge in Big Sky, Montana. They talk pros and cons of today's popular arrow setups. Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 27, 2024•52 min
Who wants to be a houndsman? There is a lot that goes into training a pack of hound dogs. Jason and Bradley Dammerman dive deep into what it takes to start your own pack of dogs from scratch in the pursuit of mountain lions. Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 20, 2024•1 hr 7 min
We get a lot of questions every year about what we like to carry in our back packs during the hunt each fall. Dirk and Jason break down their equipment lists of what goes in their packs and why. Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 13, 2024•53 min
Elk season is right around the corner and everyone is starting to think about it. On this episode, Jason fields questions from the Elk Addicts Facebook page. Cold calling, gutless method, what you can get away with when an elk is in range, and how often Jason calls are just some of the topics covered on this episode. Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 06, 2024•40 min
Spring is over and it's time to start getting ready for fall, if you haven't already started! Dirk and Jason go over their exciting hunting plans for 2024 and answer more listener elk hunting 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....
May 30, 2024•1 hr
With turkey season in the tail lights, Jason and Dirk answer listener elk hunting questions. They dive deep into scouting, bow and arrow setups, and shot placement. Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 23, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Some of the best hunters are those you've never heard of. Brock Shelton doesn't have social media, and nobody aside from his close friends has ever seen a deer that he has killed, but his wall is testament to how effective he is in the whitetail stand. Jason and Brock discuss the whitetail deer hunter's calendar and how successful deer hunters are working year round. We talk about setting stands, weather fronts, hunting different periods of the rut, and a bunch of other things. Connect with Jaso...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 1 min
This episode Dirk and Jason play listener questions from the call-in number. Questions about hunting a full moon, hunting elk that move from public to private land, hunting elk in the jungles of North Idaho, and several more. If you have a question that you would like answered on the air, call in and leave a message. Please note, your question can't be longer than 3 minutes or it will get cut off. Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube Shop...
May 09, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Spot and stalk bear hunting can be tough, but also rewarding. Dirk and Josh Boyd share a conversation about spring bear hunting in the backcountry. Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 02, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Turkey season is here! The birds are gobbling, so we wanted to touch on turkey tactics one last time. Jason and Dirk discuss everything that they carry in their vest, their approach on different subspecies, how to call to birds in when henned up, and much more. Jason then throws some real-life hunting scenarios at Dirk that steers the conversations to what their next move will be. Connect with Jason , Dirk , and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min
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 omnystudio.com/listene...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 17 min
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 Merch ...
Apr 11, 2024•35 min
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 anticipated. Watch t...
Apr 04, 2024•52 min
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....
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 10 min
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 hunting,...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr 22 min
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 on I...
Mar 14, 2024•51 min
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. Dir...
Mar 07, 2024•1 hr 16 min
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 on Instagram , Facebook...
Feb 29, 2024•52 min
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 on Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube Shop...
Feb 22, 2024•1 hr 3 min
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 on ...
Feb 15, 2024•1 hr 14 min
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 on Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube Shop Ph...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 3 min
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....
Feb 01, 2024•1 hr 25 min
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....
Jan 25, 2024•36 min
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 on Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube S...
Jan 18, 2024•54 min
