Robby hosts Sean Clancy & Art Hayes from Citizens for Sustainable Opportunity. These guys are common-sense Montana residents looking for ways to get better Montana mule deer hunting. And no, they don't hate non-residents! The Citizens for Sustainable Opportunity is a group of concerned hunters, landowners and outfitters looking at ways to change the existing season structure in Montana to address problems as seen by hunters and landowners. You can link their website https://mtseasonproposal....
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Tipsy Tuesday #57 is Bear defense with Justin Rasmussen of Razco. Justin discusses firearms vs spray and where each shines in deterring an attack, along with the best practice techniques and along with insight on keying into a bear's body language. We jump into Rokslide's Cold Bore Challenge with Justin Crossley. Travis Hobbs covers drought and fire conditions and how to see if they'll impact your hunting unit. All the details of G5 Outdoors newest release with Caleb Sorrells. Tyler Kath of T&am...
Jun 17, 2025•59 min
On today's episode of the Rokcast, Robby hosts Don Whittaker, Ungulate Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Don is on the forefront of redesigning Oregon's Wildlife Management Units to align with the latest research on Oregon mule deer herds. These new "herd units" will replace the former unit boundaries and allow Oregon's wildlife professionals to better manage mule deer. This is cutting-edge wildlife managament that other western states are likely to adopt as we learn mo...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr
Tipsy Tuesday#56 Pushing Yourself to Do Hard Things with Dustin Diefenderfer. Dustin Diefenderfer creator of MTN TOUGH challenges us to Do Hard Things every day. Dustin goes into the science behind some of MTN TOUGH's workout programs, explains the four pillars of a balanced lifestyle and takes us though last year's epic Ibex hunt. Jordan Budd introduces the Kifaru Hoodlum generation 2 backpack, then compares and contrasts it to the original bag. Then Brigham Crane gives a deep drive into Outdoo...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Today's bonus episode is from the Hunt West Podcast by Jaden Bales Jaden and Robby dive into old school deer hunting tactics that too many hunters might not think about. The West is primed for a big growth in mule deer populations, though mature buck numbers in a lot of places are pretty low right now - let alone big special ones. On the back of this, hunters will need to think outside of the box to find bucks in places other hunters are not able to find them. How does someone do that? Topics di...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Robby hosts this multi-topic episode. Front and center is his review on the 2013 book: "Blood in the Tracks: A Mule Deer Manifesto" by Jim Collyer. Robby shares some of the highlights of this great mule deer book on today's episodes. Jim Collyer spent 40 years hunting mule deer before he penned this book, and it shows. Jim has a deep experience hunting mule deer and this book can help anyone in their pursuit. Most mule deer books focus on high country/spot & stalk, but Jim writes about hunti...
May 26, 2025•45 min
Tipsy Tuesday#55 Hunting New Zealand with Spartan Precision's Rob Gearing. Rob takes us along his latest New Zealand hunting adventure, going though some of the terrain challenges and equipment necessary to be successful. Rob also introduces Spartan Precision Equipment's newest and most affordable offering the Javelin Lite. Then Stephen Follett of LS Wild hunting gear takes a deep drive into all their new and exciting offerings. Barrels, Suppressor covers, Knives and Shooting bags are covered th...
May 20, 2025•46 min
Randy Larsen, Professor of Wildlife Ecology at BYU is today's guest. A frequent contributor to the Rokcast, Randy brings a depth of knowledge to wildlife management, especially when it comes to mule deer. On today's episode, Robby and Randy dive into these topics Buck Survival: what percentage of bucks in the population do hunters really harvest? And are the numbers different in general vs. draw units? Collared Buck Harvest: Are hunters avoiding shooting radio collared bucks? Impact of Buck:Doe ...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Tipsy Tuesday #54 Selecting the right arrow with Jace Johnson. Jace's inside knowledge of arrow manufacturing highlights some of the nuances of carbon arrows. We chase down some rabbit holes and learn what is truly important when picking the right arrow. Then Caleb Sorrels from G5 Outdoors talks broadheads, bows, and Montana Rifle Company. Seek Outside's Ryan Sapena takes us though the 2.0 shelter and more. Justus Nielsen from Kings Camo covers some XKG favorites. Howard Mee walks us though how ...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Brian Wakeling, Game Management Bureau Chief for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is today's guest, hosted by Robby. Montana is in the process of developing a new mule deer plan. This plan brings together biologists and the public to increase mule deer populations using the best science available. The plan will also address the real threat to mule deer from chronic wasting disease, and improving the hunting experience and landowner relations. This is in important episode for hunters who want t...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Whitney Tramel is the host of the Wild Strength Podcast. As a hunter and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, she blends the two worlds of fitness and hunting in a unique way. On today's Rokcast episode, we play her interview with Dan Gates of the Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management here https://savethehuntcolorado.com/ at the recent Mile High Hunt & Fish Expo in Denver. They talk about how our win against the anti-hunters on the defeat of Proposition 127 (see We Won here)...
Apr 25, 2025•58 min
Tipsy Tuesday #53 features bowhunting authorities Tony Trietch and Jared Bloomgren. These bowhunting diehards give us insight into their bow setups, tuning processes, and tips and tricks they use for being so successful. Hear the stories how the 200+ inch Mule Deer and 400+ inch Elk hit the ground. Josh Jensen from SKRE Gear announces the Torrid hoodie and other new releases. Justin Rasmussen joins in and tells what's new over at Razco Gear. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Robby recently interviewed Rebekah Rafferty and Kevin Monteith at the Mule Deer Days in Rock Springs, Wyoming. They talk about what a recovering mule deer herd looks like in the Wyoming Range and beyond. Topics covered: Collaring fawns specifically in recent wildfire burns Determining mortality on adults bucks What reaching carrying capacity really looks like No matter where you hunt, there is something to be learned about recovering mule deer herds in this episode Learn more about Rebekah Raffe...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Tipsy Tuesday#52 Drew Miles of Tricer takes us though some of their newest products. Drew explains the design phase, testing process, and releasing the product. Tricer micro panning, window mount, weighted glassing and shooting tripods, the new bipod and so much more are covered in this episode. Jace Johnson explains Arrow-ID the Black Ovis custom arrow builder. Phil Mendoza takes us though the 2nd annual Mile High Hunt and Fish EXPO on April 11th-13th. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other ...
Apr 08, 2025•50 min
Recorded live at the Muley Fanatics Foundation Mule Deer Days in Rock Springs, Wyoming, Robby hosts author Brian Stephens and Outdoor Channel personality Cody Robbins. They talk about Brian's new book, "Winning with the Wild Life". If you want to be not only a better hunter, but a better human, then this book is for you. Brian explains why he wrote this book and shares some big buck mule deer archery hunts too. Cody pitches in with why Brian is the right guy to write this book. It's a book for t...
Apr 03, 2025•50 min
A different kind of episode today. We all agree breaking 200" of antler for a mule deer is pretty much the pinnacle of western hunting right now, but what if only half your body actually worked? Robby hosts Jason Rindlesbach of Morgan, Utah on today's episode. Jason has taken some great mule deer but the story he tells today is the one of his very best buck--grossing well over 200" and probably netting all-time typical--but it was the physical odds that Jason is overcoming to stay in the game fo...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Tipsy Tuesday#51 Jeremy Dugger on killing coyotes and saving deer. Jeremy explains how a group of friends sharing information on coyote hunting stands has hugely impacted his local deer units. Jeremy takes us though his process of finding, calling, and efficiently killing coyotes. Mike Moore is back with his Argali Alpine sleeping bag review. Phil Mendoza takes us though the 2nd annual Mile High Hunt and Fish EXPO on April 11th-13th. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear re...
Mar 25, 2025•53 min
We're talking Colorado Bucks on today's Rokcast. Robby hosts Brandon Diamond, the Area Wildlife Manager for Colorado’s Gunnison Basin. Like previous episodes he’s been on, Brandon brings a depth of knowledge and experience to managing Colorado’s mule deer. They talk about buck survival after the 5-year plan, and its effect on buck:doe ratios, age class, and more. They also talk the challenges of managing for a variety of users with increased technology, communication among hunters, and why the r...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 38 min
Robby hosts RokStaffer Josh Boyd for a Western States Winter Update. Josh is a professional Hydrologist and keeps a close eye on snowpack across the West. He's a frequent guest on the Rokcast because he is a great resource when determining how the weather affects our big game animals, especially mule deer. Today, Josh will be giving a West-wide Snowpack update and talk about other water issues like Snow Water Equivalent, Soil Moisture vs. the Drought Monitor, a dying La Nina and more. Please wel...
Mar 13, 2025•51 min
Tipsy Tuesday#50 HOWL for Wildlife on the Offensive features strategist Mike Costello. Mike walks us though the current state of affairs and outlines where hunting can be in 5 years. Learn how to help HOWL for Wildlife go on the offensive to give wildlife management back to the professionals in Colorado. The team from Zero Fox Given joins in to tell what they are all about. Luke Schultz takes us though his Pomoly Circle 6 tent, and Rich Cotte from First Hunt Foundation tells us about some opport...
Mar 11, 2025•49 min
With good fawn to doe ratios being reported in multiple western states, Robby talks about how he uses this information to decide where to hunt now and in the future. He also jumps into other topics: The National Deer Association report on shifting hunter harvest to more mature bucks You can read that report here Mature Buck Harvest Rises to Another New U.S. Record https://deerassociation.com/mature-buck-harvest-rises-to-another-new-u-s-record/ Also, Robby shares four gross scores from mule deer ...
Mar 03, 2025•59 min
Tipsy Tuesday #49 Gear Straight from the Expo in Salt Lake City Utah. After roaming every nook and cranny at the Expo here's some gear you might have missed. The newest and best water filtration systems, delicious freeze-dried food, innovative digiscoping setup, micro panning ball head, minimal effort European mounts, supporting veterans in need. All that and more in this Gear Straight from the Expo episode. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and recaps the lates...
Feb 25, 2025•45 min
Bonus episode! Due to Western Hunt Expo, we're a bit late getting this to the Rokcast listeners. Idaho released their Idaho Mule Deer proposals to grow more big mule deer, recently. Problem is, now you only have 4 days to comment on these proposals to grow more big bucks. Robby hosts David Vedder of the Southeast Idaho Mule Deer Advisory Group. David explains the proposals they want to send to the Idaho Fish and Game commission if the public approves them, but the comment period is only open unt...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 2 min
If you've ever wondered what mule deer eat and what it looks like, today's episode is your huckleberry (possible pun intended). Luke Schultz is a Habitat Biologist for the Wyoming Game and Fish and a wealth of knowledge for mule deer hunters (listen to his last visit on the Rokcast here Mule Deer on the Edge). Luke and Robby dive into identifying the major (and some minor) plant types that mule deer in the Intermountain West and beyond eat throughout the year. It's an in-depth discussion that al...
Feb 17, 2025•2 hr
Tipsy Tuesday#48 Everything Argali with Brad Brooks, takes though the origin, and thought process behind Argali Outdoors products. Everything Argali gives Brad's take on best uses of each shelter, gives up the details the new sleeping bag, and even dives into knife design. Brad closes with Argali's vision of the future and ways customers can impact those designs features. Rokslide member Kyle Sandusky reviews the SecureIt Agile Model 52 Pro. Brad Carter joins in to tell us about MTN HNTR out of ...
Feb 11, 2025•48 min
Robby hosts Marc "muleyslayer" Smith on today's Rokcast. They talk about their upcoming QnA session at the 2025 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City February 13-16th Western Hunting & Conservation Expo – This is Conservation! They also get into Marc's evolution as a buck hunter. With the sharp and noticeable decline in mule deer buck numbers in the Colorado units Marc has traditionally hunted, he's changing his mindset on just what he'll pull the trigger on in the near fut...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 43 min
Image Courtesy of Blacktail Deer Foundation Another ADD episode from Robby today. He's all over the place from old mule deer books, to listener feedback on the 2024 mule deer rut, to a brighter future for the Blacktail Deer with the creation of the Blacktail Deer Foundation. Robby also mentions a great mule deer film from a great mule deer hunter that you're gonna wanna watch. Jared Bloomgren just released his short film "Monster Buck with the Mach 30 on Public Land". Besides his Mach 30 PSE bow...
Feb 03, 2025•57 min
Tipsy Tuesday#47 Draw Strategies with Robert Hanneman of Hunting Fool. Find out how to use On X Elite tools to build 5-year, 10-year, and longer-term draw strategies. Robert explains the difference between Hunting fool memberships and OnX Hunt Elite tools and the benefits of each. Robert and Sam dive headfirst into the Wyoming elk application and what you need to know before you apply. Rokslide member Torin Miller reviews the Coros Vertix 2 GPS watch review. Brock Akers is back with a First Lite...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 15 min
A guy meets a lot of people on a hunting forum. While you need a good BS detector on forums, you can meet some very knowledgeable people on the interwebs. Robby hosts Rokslide forum member Aaron Tammi on today's episode. Aaron has years of experience in maximizing bowhunting accuracy, competition shooting, and running arrows through the vitals. Robby's always on a quest to improve his archery skills and after giving "heavy" arrows a try, he's going back to his roots: reasonably lighter arrows wi...
Jan 23, 2025•59 min
Robby hosts Woodrow "Woody" Myers on today's episode. Woody was a wildlife biologist for the state of Washington for 40 years before retiring and joining the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Commission members | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife He's been instrumental in conserving mule deer in Washington and has a deep historical perspective on challenges for mule deer in the Evergreen State. Woody helped pioneer net-gunning for mule deer, helped defeat development that would ...
Jan 20, 2025•2 hr 9 min
