In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody Rich welcomes back Cliff Gray for a series of scenario-based elk hunting challenges. Listen in as they dissect real-life hunting situations, discussing strategy, decision-making, and the nuances that separate successful hunts from missed opportunities. From working the wind to handling chaotic herd movements, Cliff offers valuable insights on how to approach the unpredictability of elk hunting and maximize your chances for success. Whether you're an ...
Jul 10, 2025•56 min
In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast , Cody and Jaden dive deep into the world of elk hunting strategy and preparation. From the latest tech advancements to the realities of scouting, they talk through some of the most common challenges hunters face during the season. They also cover some essential elk hunting tactics, including why staying aggressive is key, the importance of mastering a few reliable techniques, and how to manage information overload during the hunt. If you're gearing up for...
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr 14 min
In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody Rich talks with Jason, the creator of Wild Meat Gear, about his innovative product, the Meat Locker, designed to keep your harvested elk meat fresh. They dive into how this product solves common challenges hunters face when trying to store and process elk meat, especially when dealing with limited space and time. From there, the conversation shifts to elk hunting strategies, as Jason shares his experiences transitioning from rifle hunting to archery ...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min
In this episode of The Elk Hunt Podcast , Cody Rich sits down with a lifelong Montana hunter Marcus Hockett of Fresh Tracks TV to dive deep into the nuances of elk hunting. From memorable hunts in the Bear Paw unit to the trials of hunting during archery season, the conversation covers everything from hunting tactics to the importance of persistence. The duo discusses how to target herd bulls, tips for early and late-season hunts, and how elk hunting evolves with experience. Whether you're a sea...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody Rich sits down with his good friend Brad to discuss their recent elk hunting experiences and dive into some valuable tips and strategies for hunting elk. From calf calling and its effectiveness in high-pressure public lands to navigating the rut and using different techniques to get into prime elk country, Brad shares years of experience and insights that could help any elk hunter elevate their game. They also discuss the importance of terrain, e-sco...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Podcast Description: Join me, Cody Rich, and my good friend, legendary Montana big bull elk hunter, Lucas Zemlicka, as we dive deep into the strategies, stories, and lessons learned from chasing giants in the wilds of Montana. Lucas, with years of experience and a track record of successful hunts, shares his approach to finding and hunting the biggest bulls, his tips for tackling the challenges of the season, and the mindset it takes to make each hunt a success. Whether you're a seasoned elk hun...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, I’m joined by Trapper Trussell, a seasoned elk hunter and rising star in the world of competitive elk calling. Trapper’s journey into elk hunting started at a young age, but it’s his path to mastering elk calling that has really taken off. From his early days of calling in elk with his dad to competing at the highest levels, we dive deep into his evolution as a caller, including his breakout performance at the World Elk Calling Competition. Trapper shares the nerves of stepping ...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 6 min
In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody sits down with Jeffery Row, a seasoned hunter and former guide, to dive into his experience hunting big bulls, tracking trophy deer, and navigating life as a new father. Jeffery shares the story of his epic 2023 elk hunt, his approach to scouting, and the lessons he’s learned from years of fieldwork. From managing the red zone during a stock to the challenges of hunting on the strip, Jeffery talks through his hunting tactics, the importance of persis...
May 21, 2025•50 min
In this episode of the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody Rich sits down with a guest from Samong Outdoors to dive into the world of elk hunting. From early hunting days in Washington to navigating the ups and downs of solo hunting, they discuss the importance of perseverance, learning from mistakes, and the thrill of hunting elk in some of the toughest terrain. They also share insights into the Hmong community’s growing presence in elk hunting and the role of passion in turning hunting into a career. Wheth...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 1 min
This might just be my favorite elk hunting story I’ve recorded in the last few years—maybe ever. This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Eric Vanderzanden, and he’s back with an absolute all-timer. After nearly two decades of archery hunting general season in Oregon, Eric finally drew one of the state’s most coveted bull elk tags. But this story goes so far beyond a tag. It’s about obsession, preparation, and an unexpected twist of fate. Eric has spent years guiding in this unit—helping others c...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 26 min
This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast , I’m joined by Josh Cooper, an Idaho native and one of the most consistent rifle elk killers you'll find. Josh has a track record of putting down big bulls in his home state—something that's far easier said than done. In this episode, Josh shares the wild story of his best bull to date, taken in an area he knows intimately—where he’s tagged three great bulls within a mile of each other. What he stumbled on this year even left him in disbelief. We dig into: Why ...
Apr 04, 2025•59 min
This week on the podcast, Young Jaden and I dive deep into Montana elk and deer hunting strategies. Jaden and I recorded this ep for Hunt West, if you haven't yet go check out his podcast and hit the subscribe button. We talked through where Montana fits into your application strategy and how to make the most of your time in the Big Sky state. We discuss: How Montana compares to Colorado for short-term planning Strategies for getting into quality bulls and bucks Where Montana fits into your over...
Mar 25, 2025•56 min
This week’s episode is a special one—it's actually a guest appearance I did on the Do Not Go Quietly podcast with Eric Wilson. Eric is relatively new to elk hunting but has been hitting it hard, learning a ton along the way. After a tough hunt in Colorado, he had one big question for me: "What would you do differently?" This struck a chord with me because I’ve been there—in fact, it's one of the reasons I started a podcast over 10 years ago. In this conversation, I go deep into the weeds, breaki...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 11 min
This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast, we dive into another EH Case Study with Elk Hunt member Josh Liljedahl as we break down a hunt that didn’t go as planned. Josh thought he had this bull in the bag—a thick timber bull that seemed like a sure thing… until he vanished. In this episode, we analyze what went wrong, explore multiple scenarios, and go over real-world strategies for making sure it doesn’t happen again. Cody shares concrete advice from past experiences where hunts have gone both right a...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 2 min
This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast, we dive into an epic Idaho hunting story with Brad Lunde of Lone Bull Archery—one filled with highs, lows, and relentless determination. It all starts with a bad shot on a great bull, leading to one of the toughest challenges a hunter can face: tracking a wounded elk. This is a story of perseverance, where every pin-drop of blood could be the key to recovering the biggest bull of your life. If you’ve never experienced the struggle of tracking a wounded elk, thi...
Feb 19, 2025•58 min
This week, Cliff Gray—badass dad, YouTuber, and former outfitter—joins the podcast to talk about one of the most important questions in elk hunting: "What is your strategic advantage?" In this episode, we dive into: How to separate yourself from the competition in crowded hunting areas, The balance between e-scouting vs. boots-on-the-ground scouting, Major Colorado hunting regulation updates and what they mean for the average hunter, and How to develop a smarter, more effective elk hunting strat...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 8 min
This week, I’m joined by Jaden Bales to break down how we approach elk unit selection—what really matters, what doesn’t, and how to think beyond the usual metrics. In this episode, we dive into: The key factors we prioritize when choosing a unit, Metrics that actually matter vs. those that are overrated, Why focusing only on trophy quality or the top 3 units can be a mistake, and How to think outside the box to find better opportunities. If you're looking to improve your strategy and maximize yo...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 6 min
This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast , I’m joined by Dan Adler , owner of Diamond Outfitters , the largest elk outfitting operation in the country. With over 60 full-time guides and unmatched experience in the field, Dan has had more at-bats than nearly any guest we’ve ever had on the show. In this episode, we dive deep into: The top mistakes elk hunters make and how to avoid them, Dan’s keys to success for consistently finding and harvesting elk, Practical advice for DIY hunters looking to up thei...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 26 min
This week, my good friend Travis Bivins joins the podcast to share his experience on a late-season archery elk hunt in Utah. I had the chance to join Travis for a day of his hunt, giving me a firsthand look at what these late-season opportunities are all about. As someone considering cashing in points for a late-season archery hunt, I’ve always been curious: How tough are these hunts, and is it worth the points to chase a mature bull? In this episode, we dive into: The challenges and rewards of ...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 3 min
This week, I’m joined by Young Jaden as we dive deep into the art and strategy of getting elk tags. Together, we nerd out on how to select the best areas and units, what to prioritize, and some of the key details hunters often overlook. We also tackle the shift in elk hunting strategy and why the "5-year plan" for tags is quickly becoming outdated. With major changes happening in OTC (Over-The-Counter) states, we explore how these adjustments will impact hunters who want a tag every year. In thi...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 3 min
This weeks episode is from my conversation with Brandon Purcell over on the TRO podcast, but the elk hunting segment from that show was too good not to bring to our archive of best elk hunting podcasts so if you heard the whole ep over there you heard this. If you Want to hear the whole podcast be sure to check that out on The Rich Outdoors. This week I’m joined by Brandon Purcell, one of the most consistent rifle elk hunters in the game. Brandon’s 2023 elk season was nothing short of legendary,...
Dec 14, 2024•1 hr 6 min
This week on the podcast, we’re joined again by Dr. Gabe Krahn, the Canadian elk hunter, for another great conversation about hunting thick timber bulls. Gabe shares his experiences from his past season hunting in a new area of British Columbia, diving into the challenges of chasing these elusive bulls. He and Cody break down the situations, discussing what went well, what didn’t, and what tactics could have been employed for better results. If you’re a Roosevelt hunter, this episode is packed w...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 19 min
This week on the podcast, we’re joined once again by Dillon Dietz, who’s been on a mission to kill his first elk—and he finally did it! Dillon shares the story of his tough elk season, filled with frustrations and challenges. After a long season of setbacks, including trucks blocking his plans at every turn, Dillon made a last-minute decision to try a new spot he marked on OnX. Despite a few mishaps along the way, Dillon didn’t give up and finally found success at the last possible moment. We di...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 8 min
This week on the podcast, Zach Bowhay joins the show to share the rollercoaster ride of his elk season. From one of the toughest Septembers he can remember—calling in and killing the only bull he encountered—to an October full of incredible success stories, Zach's season is a true testament to perseverance. Zach recounts helping his father-in-law, dad, and son each take bulls, all while capping off the season with an epic muzzleloader bull at 30 yards! It’s a season full of highs, lows, and valu...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 6 min
This week on the Elk Hunt podcast, Sean Moody joins us to share an epic tale of success and learning in the elk hunting world. Having drawn a coveted special elk permit in Idaho, Sean was determined to make the most of this incredible opportunity. Although he wouldn’t call himself an expert, Sean approached the hunt with enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and the hope of getting some good at-bats. What unfolded was a whirlwind of excitement as Sean encountered an absolute unit of a bull elk. Howev...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Episode 100 of the ELK HUNT podcast!!! This week on the podcast, we take a deep dive into elk season with one of our most intriguing guests yet—Nick Papsadora. A prior Marine Corps officer, Nick has immersed himself in the world of archery elk hunting, and his after-action review from this season is nothing short of impressive. In our conversation, Nick shares his valuable insights, lessons learned, and candid breakdowns of both his mistakes and successes in the field. His journey provides a uni...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 9 min
This week, young Jaden and I catch up on his epic season of guiding, filled with incredible hunts and a rollercoaster of highs and lows—especially with a commissioner tag holder. We dive into some amazing stories from the field and discuss what’s coming up for rifle season, both as a guide and for his personal hunts. It’s always great to reconnect with good buddies after a long season—this episode is full of laughs, insights, and lessons learned in the mountains.
Oct 18, 2024•1 hr 12 min
This week on the Elk Hunt podcast, we wrap up my thrilling 2024 elk season with an unforgettable weekend that exceeded all expectations. I had the opportunity to take a great bull, while my good buddy Jeff Helm capitalized on a bull he pursued the night before—talk about teamwork! With only three days in the field, it was an epic adventure packed with excitement. In the second half of the episode, Jeff shares his proven system for success in elk hunting. An under-the-radar elk killer with a weal...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr 12 min
This week on the Elk Hunt podcast, Cody welcomes back Mike Mulligan, a professional poker player with a deep passion for elk hunting. In this riveting episode, Mike recounts an epic hunting saga from last season, involving a bull that challenged him from start to finish. This high mountain bull proved to be elusive and demanding, providing Mike with an intense and rewarding hunting experience. Mike dives into the detailed story of his pursuit of this remarkable public land bull, describing the n...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 1 min
This week on the Elk Hunt Podcast, Cody and Jaden catch up after opening weekend to reflect on the lessons learned and mistakes made in the field. Cody explores the concept of "read the room," sharing insights on how a group of young hunters disrupted a quiet drainage filled with satellite bulls. The guys discuss the idea of "when all you have is a hammer, all you see is nails" and offer strategies for approaching early-season elk hunting with a fresh perspective. Tune in for practical advice an...
Sep 15, 2024•51 min
