Walt Miller’s Backyard Banter: Brinker’s Elk and Antelope Quest

EP 669 Walt Miller’s Backyard Banter
Join host Cody Rich for a nostalgic and action-packed episode with Brinker, a seasoned elk hunter with one of Oregon’s best public land elk tags. Recorded in Walts back yard, we dive into the chaos of hunt season prep, balancing life, kids, and epic tags. Brinker shares his evolution from a one-trick caller to a versatile hunter, recounting misses, triumphs, and the grind of outsmarting elk and hunters on crowded public land. From Roosevelt tactics to late-season rifle strategies, this episode is loaded with insights on adapting, staying open-minded, and finding elk in tough units. Whether you’re chasing antelope or a trophy bull, Brinker’s stories will get you pumped for the hunt!

Timestamp Chapters

• 00:00 - Intro and Catching Up: Cody and Brinker reminisce about their first podcast seven years ago, joking about seltzer water and Liquid Death’s billion-dollar hustle.

• 03:15 - Antelope Hunt Prep: Brinker talks testing blinds for his upcoming antelope hunt, dealing with wind, and picking the right setup for him and his camera guy.

• 06:30 - Elk Tag Excitement: Brinker shares his Zen approach to a top-tier Oregon elk tag, plus plans for Alaska and a Montana rifle hunt.

• 09:45 - Self-Improvement in Hunting: Brinker reflects on becoming a better hunter by opening his mind to new strategies after humbling experiences in Montana.

• 14:20 - Learning from Mistakes: Stories of missing a giant Roosevelt due to rushed shots and heavy arrows, and tweaking gear for flatter trajectories.

• 20:00 - The One That Got Away: Brinker recounts chasing a legendary Roosevelt up Rick Rail, blowing it with friends, and never seeing it again.

• 25:30 - Adapting to Crowded Units: Navigating Oregon’s high-pressure public land, outsmarting hunters, and finding elk in overlooked, “shitty” pockets.

• 32:00 - Rifle vs. Archery Mindset: Brinker’s love for late-season rifle hunts, chasing lone bulls in rugged country, and why it’s a mental grind.

• 38:45 - Crossbows and Ethics: Debating crossbows, their accuracy, and the “injured card” loophole, while sticking to legal and ethical hunting.

• 44:10 - Helping a Cousin Hunt: Brinker’s stoked to guide his cousin Seth, an elk magnet, to his first bull in a unit known for giants.

• 49:00 - Oregon’s Trophy Units: The rarity of Oregon’s big bull tags, requiring a lifetime of points, and why Brinker’s Wallowa tag is a dream hunt.

• 54:30 - Wrap-Up and Season Hype: Cody and Brinker wish each other luck for antelope, elk, and blacktail, excited for a killer season.

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Three Key Takeaways

1. Stay Open to New Strategies: Brinker’s biggest growth came from ditching a one-dimensional calling approach for a full quiver of tactics—ambushing, spot-and-stalk, or waiting out silent bulls. Embracing flexibility makes you a better hunter in high-pressure units.

2. Outsmart Hunters, Not Just Elk: In crowded OTC units, success hinges on finding overlooked pockets that don’t scream “elk habitat.” Brinker’s tactic of targeting “shitty” areas with low hunter traffic can lead to big bulls where others don’t look.

3. Learn from Every Miss: Bonehead shots, like Brinker’s misses through limbs, teach critical lessons. Tweaking gear (like switching to a heavier bow for flatter arrows) and staying