The Western Huntsman Podcast

One of my favorite hunting buddies, Kevin Estela, has knocked it out of the park again with another book, Beyond the Field. He joins me this week to discuss what people can expect in the book, some hunting adventures from last season, upcoming hunts and wilderness survival courses coming up, and lots more. 

It's always a great chat with Kevin. He is one of the top survival experts in the country and new and old hunters alike will g...

Todd Helmes is the Editor in Chief at Eastmans, host of the Wingmen Podcast, hunter, writer, family man and more!

In this episode, Todd and I jump into Spring turkey hunting out West. We talk some access issues, calling in gobblers, deer hunting, elk hunting, outfitters versus DIY, and much more! Todd is a return guest to the show and just like last time, he doesn't disappoint!

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Guy Duplantier is back! He is the host of the Western Contours Podcast, founder of Western Fly Covers and Western Hunt Fest, coach for ElkBros, and someone I consider a good friend. 

In this School of September installment, we go back to the gear series and discuss everything from bow setups to snacks in our packs. Guy has forgotten more about hunting gear than I'll ever know, so his insight into what gear performs the best is unma...

The March installment of School of September is a must listen. My buddy, Jon Palmquist reached out to me and suggested I get his elk hunting mentor and friend, Rob Gonzales, on. He didn't disappoint. 

In this episode, Rob goes into some calling strategies never discussed before on the show. Things like how to call a bull back in after you maybe buggered him off, how he calls moving through the woods, and some unique calls to help g...

Many of you asked, we listened. 

In this episode, as the first installment of the School of September Gear Series, I open up my daypack and walk you through the contents. I'm very much a minimalist when it comes to what I carry on the mountain, but there may be a few surprises in my pack that will be of interest to you. 

We are looking for more gear ideas to cover, specific to September archery elk. If you have one, send your idea ...

Josh Merschat is an outfitter, hunter, houndsman, husband, father, and former bull rider. He owns Waypoint Outfitters in Northwest Montana. 

In this episode, Josh and I try to make sense of how social media has impacted hunting. We discuss some outfitting and hunting topics. Josh tells some insane stories about how a wolf stole a pistol out of his hands and how he basically wrestled a mountain lion sliding down a hill. The stories ...

Jason Montagna is a hunter, custom rifle builder, and long range shooting instructor for Elk Creek Outfiftting in Northwest Montana. Article 4 Rifleworks is based out of North Idaho, check out the Instagram!

Jason and I dig into what he considers long-range for hunters, where many hunters get it wrong, rifle and ammo types, ethics, and so much more. Jason is super insightful and I really enjoyed his common sense approach to what ca...

Sam Westfall is an Army veteran, serial entrepreneur, and competitive archer with a passion for community building and innovation. Leveraging decades of experience in hunting and shooting sports, Sam uses archery as a tool for therapy, empowerment, and connection, particularly within the military and veteran communities. Sam is also serving as an IVMF Bunker Labs Ambassador for 2025.

Sam joins me this week to talk about Archery in ...

Jim Webley is a husband, dad, hunting guide, and Pastor of Baptist Mountain Church in Noxon, MT. In fact, he's my Pastor!

Jim joins me in The Broken Tines Studio this week for a deep conversation centered around the profound connection to God that hunting offers us. We discuss the state of our modern society, and what leads a man's soul to emptiness in a world full of convenience. We walk down a fairly philisophical path about the ...

Thats right folks, School of September is back to kick the 2025 season off right!

The legendary Joe Giglia joins me in this one. Joe is the foundational member of Elk Bros, hunting guide, educator, husband, father, coach, passionate elk hunter and best of all... A guy who's always willing to step up and share his 40 plus years of elk hunting experience to anyone wise enough to listen! 

We give it the School of September all by cove...

Rob Yoder is a family man, builder, hunter, managing guide and outfitter with Elk Creek Outfitting. He's also one of the most talented all-around hunters I know. 

Tune in to a broad conversation about Rob's journey to mastering the Western hunt, how we maintain hunting for future generations, how hunting ties in to real wildlife management and conservation, and a few things you should know should you choose to hire an outfitter. Do...

Steve Johnson is a return podcast guest and host of the Trapping, Hunting, Fishing (THF) Podcast. He's also a friend and hunting buddy of mine, and one of the better elk callers in September!

In this episode, Steve and I dig deep into hunting strategies for elk, bear, and deer. We cover a ton of ground and even do some elk calling demos! Steve also shares his new venture as a podcast host and some of the content listeners can expec...

Return guest, Adam Grenda, joins me this week in person here at the studio. Adam is a member of the Stuck N The Rut crew, a hunter, a pilot, family man, and spends most of his time cruising the backcountry of Alaska where he calls home. 

In this episode, we talk about all things Alaskan hunting, flying, leftist propaganda, dickbones, marriage, anti-hunters, and how YOU can enter for a chance to win some lifetime hunts through Elite...

Luke Washington is a hunter, writer, and director of digital and social media at Eastmans Publishing in Powell, WY. 

In this episode, Luke and I discuss everything from his position at Eastmans to his recent success on a Wyoming bighorn hunt. We talk about the impacts, good and bad, that social media has on hunting. Gear, hunting pressure, and cool past hunts are brought up. Then, we get to hear the story of his hunt for a bighorn ...

Holy cow! I can't believe it's been 5 stinking years! 

This episode is presented ad free and with my friend and presonal favorite, Dirk Durham of Phelps Game Calls. We talk elk, calls, how seasons can differ year to year, bugling bulls, elusive whitetail, and celebrate The Western Huntsman's fifth year on the air! 

Dirk was the very first guest on this show, he was kind enough to join me this week as a tribute to the anniversary of...

Dan Pickar is an extreme bowhunter, writer, editor, video producer, and a perfect example of the grittiness of the true American hunter. He is on the full time staff at Eastmans Hunting so his life IS hunting. 

In this episode, Dan and I jump into the grizzly decision handed down recently, requiring the Feds to make a formal decision regarding the listing of griz in the lower 48. We discuss the root cause of emotionally charged ani...

Jeff Stringer and Ryan Corkwell, founders of Vantage Point Archery, are back again to join me on the show!

In this episode we talk about the VPA difference and why these broadheads are the best on the planet. We dig into their commitment to American manufacturing and how that makes the VPA broadhead a no-brainer choice for American hunters. We talk deer and elk hunting, how the recent election results may improve their success, and...

Rod Paschke is an outfitter, hunter, rancher, and an engaged outdoorsman in the great State of Montana. He serves on boards and councils for wildlife management, donating time and effort to the future of hunting and the animals we pursue. 

In this episode, we discuss topics around the state of mule deer. We talk about some of the challenges of perhaps the most iconic big game species of the American West. We dig into the details of...

Return guest Jaden Bales joins me this week and you don't want to miss this one. Jaden is a hunter, writer, guide, and owner of Hunts West, a hunting consulting outfit for the DIY non-resident hunter. 

In this episode, we talk about the endless learning and nuances that take place each year in the elk woods. This is probably a huge contributer to why so many of us are so drawn to it. Jaden also brings his experience as a Wyoming gu...