Now that you're on the ground, what should you be looking for? This is what we'll be discussing in episode five of this series. We discuss how to find fresh sign, food sources, and funnels to narrow down your hunting zone. We also touch on key tips for different phases of the season, from the early season to the rut and late season, with strategies to keep you flexible and adaptable.
Read MoreIn the fourth episode of our series, we cover packing.
What do you need to bring to ensure your hunt goes smoothly? From base layers and essential gear to packing for hot and cold weather, we dive into the must-haves and the things we wish we hadn’t forgotten in the past.
Read MoreIn this third episode of our series, we dive into the critical process of scouting. Once you’ve picked your area and a few potential hunting spots, what should you do next? Listen in as we discuss how to scout, whether it be in-person prior to your trip or virtually with tools like OnX.
Read MoreIn this second episode of our whitetail hunting series, we dive deeper into the process of narrowing down your hunting area after you've picked a state. Using examples from hunts in states like Kentucky and Wisconsin, we explore key strategies such as analyzing public land, considering hunting pressure, and utilizing tools like onX maps and forums to make the best decisions. Flexibility and preparation are key, and we share our tips on how to adapt if conditions or locations change.
Read MoreToday, James sits down with Jared to discuss the ins and outs of planning successful out-of-state white-tail deer hunts. Jared shares valuable insights on choosing the right location, considering various factors, and timing your hunt for optimal success.
Read MoreJames: After someone's first elk hunting season, what should they reflect on?
Joe: "Regardless of the season that you took, if it's over-the-counter, limited entry, a turn back tag on a second list, now you actually have boots on the ground experience elk hunting, which is more valuable than anything that you or I can say on a microphone. That's what you need and that's something that you need to compound on year after year. Start planning on things that you want to do differently, whether that's like a tactic that you tried that didn't work out or an area that you tried that was overcrowded."
Read MoreJames: Once you've shot an elk, what's your process for field dressing?
Joe: "I don't gut any elk. I almost always do the gutless method, even if it is an overnight situation. I just open them up. Get that hide off of them as soon as you can. The first thing I would do in any situation is flip it to the opposite side whether there's snow or not. That's just a good practice if you can flip it."
Read MoreJames: How does late season elk hunting differ from hunting during the rut?
Joe: "Rifle, anything post rut is going to be significantly impacted by weather much more than what your rut will. Obviously, if you have nice cool mornings and the pressure is nice, the moon phase is right, like the rut is more amplified, but I've also been out on 90° days where the bulls are freaking going nuts 'cause there's a hot cow in the area. It's more determined by her than it is the weather. Late season, much more the opposite. Weather is king, it determines almost everything. Then you have pressure mixed into that, and then where they're at after the rut as far as how depleted are they."
Read MoreJames: What's your approach when you first arrive in an elk hunting area?
Joe: "The first thing that I do when I walk into an area whether it's one that I know or I don't know is try to remind myself like it's been, it's September 15, I've been thinking about this for nine months, I've been geeked up about it. I try to just calm my craziness down a little bit because my internal gut is just going 'There, find them, kill them.'
But I've kind of learned over the years that if you back off on the gas a little bit, you get up in there and you just kind of watch the world unfold a little bit, you're a lot more deadly on that next morning which you've kind of digested the whole situation."
Read MoreYou’ve bought an elk tag and scouted out the area, now what do you need? How are you going to get there?
Welcome to the 4th of 8 episodes on Western Elk with Joe and James from The Fair Chase.
In this episode, we'll discuss flying vs driving to an elk hunt, what gear is important to take with you, and more importantly what you should leave at home.
Read MoreIf you're reading this blog, you likely don't live close to the elk you pursue. Busy lives, limited vacation time, and hundreds of miles separate you from boots on the ground scouting.
Welcome to the 3rd of 8 episodes on Western Elk with Joe and James from The Fair Chase.
In this episode, you will learn how to do some valuable "e-scouting" from the comfort of your own couch. Mix this with some woodsmanship and hard work and you'll probably find some elk.
Read MoreThis is a continuation of the conversation between James and Joe from The Fair Chase Podcast, focusing on strategies for different types of elk tags.
James: So Joe, what are the different categories of elk tags?
Joe: "Basically there's a few different categories for the types of tags that you can draw and those happen in different points of the year and some cost a lot more than others, some of them cost points some of them don't.
Read MoreThis is a conversation recorded between James and Joe from The Fair Chase Podcast.
It’s Part 1 of an 8 Part Series on Getting Ready for Elk Season.
James: So Joe, why are talking about elk?
Joe: "We decided we'd start with elk. It's coming up soon. We’re in July now, so people are starting to transition from their spring turkey and bear activities to thinking about the fall.
We have guys that live out west and they're out elk hunting anyway. They always want more information. But we also have a lot of guys from the Midwest that will go out west once a year. We wanted to share what we’ve learned so far being those Midwest guys who have to travel out west to hunt elk.”
Read MoreYou've just completed an epic cross-country hunt and shot the bull elk of your dreams. Now comes one of the more important parts of a successful hunt: transporting pounds of precious edible meat from that mature bull back home. This might seem overwhelming, but with the right approach, it's quite manageable.
Read MoreIt's February, which means it's cold and there isn't much hunting to be done. However, now is the time that I begin to dream of hunting bears out west.
Spring is an amazing time to be in bear country. As temperatures start to rise around North America and snow melts, bears begin to emerge, looking for the greenest thing they can find to eat. It's a magical time to be in the mountains and it's one of my favorite hunts of the year.
Read MoreChoosing the Best Stabilizer Setup for Bowhunting
Read MoreCoyotes are a favorite among predator hunters in North America and an important aspect of conservation. Coyote hunting strategies vary across different regions of the country. In the open fields and agricultural areas of the Midwest and Great Plains, hunters often rely on long-range shooting tactics and use high-powered rifles and scopes. Setting up in these wide-open spaces involves finding elevated ground for better visibility and using decoy or electronic calls to attract coyotes from a distance.
Read MoreScouting for deer in the postseason is a crucial activity for any serious deer hunter. While many hunters are ready to hang up their gear after the deer season ends, the importance of post-season scouting cannot be overstated. This time provides some distinct advantages that can greatly increase the chances of a successful hunt in the following season.
Read MoreSmoking venison offers a variety of benefits that enhance the overall flavor and tenderness of this lean meat. One of the primary advantages of smoking is the ability to infuse a rich and smoky flavor into the venison. To achieve this, hardwoods such as oak, maple, and hickory are ideal choices. These woods provide a robust and distinct flavor that complements the taste of venison, creating a truly delicious and satisfying dish.
Read MoreVisually, venison resembles roast beef, with its deep red color and tender texture. However, it is much leaner than beef, which means it has less marbling and fat content. Deer meat's lean nature contributes to its unique flavor profile, which is often described as rich and earthy. This will impact the way you cook your deer roast.
Cooking venison properly is essential to ensuring a tender and juicy result. Due to its low fat content, it is important to avoid overcooking, as this can easily dry out the meat. Keeping a close eye on the internal temperature is crucial. Use a meat thermometer to monitor it the venison's internal temp accurately.
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