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PODCAST

Hunt West Podcast

The Hunt West Podcast is for hunters who"d rather wear out a pair of boots than a YouTube playlist. Most hunting podcasts give you campfire stories, gear hype, or endless tag talk. Hunt West is different. This is applied hunting wisdom — the stuff that actually helps you find critters and fill tags in the wild country west of the 100th meridian. Hosted by Jaden Bales — hunt consultant, mule deer junkie, and professional tag nerd — the show mixes solo riffs, guest conversations, and hard-earned

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All Episodes

01:07:11

Colorado Mule Deer & Their Management: A 2020...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2026/02/13

This week we're doing something a little different. We're rewinding back to a 2020 Muley Monday episode with former Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff member, J.T. Romantzke to talk mule deer management, buck ratios, season structures, crowding, and chronic wasting disease. At the time, Colorado was entering a new five-year season structure and beginning to lean harder into CWD management. A lot of big decisions were being made. A lot of theories were being tested. Fast forward six years. Some things

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59:25

Contingencies: How to Build Backup Plans with Hayden...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2026/02/07

Nothing is a guarantee when you're hunting out west, so this episode is all about building contingencies that keep you in the game no matter what. Jaden and his buddy Hayden Richins break down how they plan archery mule deer seasons when draw odds are shaky, wildfires are a real threat, and Plan A rarely survives first contact. Using their own multi-state strategy as an example, they walk through smart backup planning across Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, and even over-the-counter options, plus how to

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02:11:08

The Craziest Hunting Season You've Ever Heard with...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2026/01/31

What happens when everything goes right… and wrong… in the same hunting season? In this episode, Jaden sits down with Wyoming native Alex Aguirre to unpack what might be the most unhinged fall any hunter has ever lived through. We're talking mountain goat, moose, multiple elk, a giant mule deer, a commissioner's tag, lost horses (plural), grizzly bears on carcasses, night pack-outs, and a season that simply refused to slow down. Alex walks through the full timeline, from tags "falling out of the

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01:34:46

Crushing Easy-Draw Colorado Elk Hunts & the Muley...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2026/01/24

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, I sit down with my buddy Garrison Kinsel for a deep dive into what it actually takes to be successful on low-point and "easy draw" Western hunts. We cover Colorado elk strategy, the realities of the reissue list, OTC pressure, and why point creep is a trap so many hunters fall into. Garrison breaks down how elk behavior changes under pressure, how to find animals living in the cracks, and why hunting the same units repeatedly can teach you more than burning

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59:37

Gear Evolution for Western Hunters: How to Build a...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2026/01/17

In this solo episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden breaks down his real-world gear evolution as a Western big game hunter. This episode walks through how boots, backpacks, optics, and tripods actually fit into a smart hunting strategy over time. From trail shoes and bargain boots to purpose-built mountain footwear, from budget packs to serious load-hauling frames, Jaden shares what worked, what failed, and what he'd do differently if he were starting over today. This episode is built for hunters

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01:02:10

Private Land & Public Hunters with James Nash

Hunt West Podcast ·

2026/01/10

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden sits down with James Nash to tackle one of the most important—and misunderstood—topics in Western hunting today: private land, public hunters, and the relationship between the two. James grew up on a multi-generation Oregon ranch dating back to the late 1800s, and he brings a rare perspective shaped by ranching, guiding, conservation work, and firsthand experience dealing with both great hunters and absolute train wrecks. Together, they unpack why so

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01:00:08

Hunters, Habitat & State Politics: What Wyoming's...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2026/01/03

In this episode, Jaden sits down with Wyoming Wildlife Federation leaders Craig Benjamin, Executive Director, and Jess Johnson, Government Affairs Director, to break down the Wyoming wildlife and hunting issues that actually matter heading into the 2026 legislative session. The conversation starts where it should—hunting stories from the past season—before pulling back the curtain on how wildlife decisions are really made in Wyoming, and why hunters (resident and nonresident alike) have more

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35:55

2025 Wrapped & 2026 Loaded: What Worked, What's...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2026/01/01

In this bonus New Year episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden Bales looks back on an unforgettable 2025—both personally and professionally—and breaks down what actually worked in the field. From helping plan over 50 DIY Western hunts to logging 108 days afield, Jaden shares real numbers, honest success rates, and why a 50% fill rate on mostly opportunity tags is something to be proud of. He dives into the idea of the "snowball effect" in Western hunting—how consistent effort, learning the same

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43:52

No Bugles, No Problem: A Wyoming Cow Elk Story

Hunt West Podcast ·

2025/12/27

Fresh off a late-season Wyoming cow elk hunt, Jaden breaks down one of the most rewarding—and educational—hunts he's guided in years. What started as a freezer-filling family hunt turned into a masterclass on elk behavior, patience, wind discipline, and why cow elk tags deserve more respect in every Western hunter's long-term strategy. Hunting with a family crew of three tag holders and two observers, this episode walks through three days of hard-earned success in wide-open sage flats and steep

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01:08:41

Walking With Your Eyes: Rifle Elk, Old Mule Deer, and...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2025/12/20

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden sits down with Wyoming hunter Derik Henderson—a guy who quietly stacks big elk and old mule deer without chasing trends or spot-burning country. Derik isn't a guide by trade, but for one special hunt, he's stepping into that role to raise money for the family of his late best friend. The conversation covers far more than just antlers. This episode dives deep into what it actually takes to consistently hunt the top percent of animals on the landscape in

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01:10:54

Two Tags, Two Bulls, and Ten Years of Elk Lessons...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2025/12/13

Wisconsin elk nut Bryon Thompson joins Jaden on this episode to break down his back-to-back Wyoming elk hunts — one on a general tag, one on a limited quota — and what a decade of DIY elk hunting has really taught him. From early mistakes in Colorado OTC to learning how to find elk instead of just bumbling around, Bryon shares hard-earned insights, wild stories, and why good partners (like his buddy Benny) matter more than any gear list. If you're planning a Wyoming elk hunt or just trying to level

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01:04:43

Inside Guide Life: Hunting Stories of the Good and...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2025/12/06

In this episode, Jaden pulls the curtain back on the guide life; how he stumbled into guiding, the wild hunts that shaped him, and the extremes of what really happens when you mix hunters, high expectations, and Mother Nature. He shares the story that launched his guiding career, the absolute worst guided hunt he ever had (yes, it involves shooting the wrong bull), and the hunts that remind him why guiding is still one of the most meaningful things he does. If you're considering going guided, Jaden

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40:08

The 2026 Hunt Planning Love/Hate Episode (And Why...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2025/12/03

This week, Jaden breaks down his Western Hunting Love/Hate List—a stolen model from the Fantasy Football world that provides an honest take at which states actually match some common hunter archetypes heading into 2026. Whether you're a burnt-points elk guy trying to stay in the game, a grey-ghost fanatic obsessed with big mule deer, or a brand-new hunter stepping into the arena for the first time, this episode maps out where you should be looking—and where you might want to stay away from. He also

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39:58

Dad Bod Prevention & Post-Season Recovery with Dr. Rob

Hunt West Podcast ·

2025/11/22

https://www.instagram.com/wifiphysio/In this one, I bring on my buddy Dr. Rob Minturn, founder of the Wilderness Fitness Institute, to answer the burning question every hunter has right about now: "How do I recover from hunting season without turning into a busted can of biscuits?" We dig into fixing tight hips, rebuilding strength the right way, why your feet feel like hamburger, when to stretch (and when not to), why foam rolling your IT band is a lie, and how to transition from full-send hunting

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52:56

The November Muley Guide: Glassing, Weather, Rut Timing

Hunt West Podcast ·

2025/11/15

The mule deer rut is rolling, and in this episode Jaden breaks down what he's seeing across Wyoming and Montana—early rutting in the desert, slower action in the mountains, and how weather is dictating daylight movement right now. He walks through a wild multi-mile stalk on a big Wyoming buck, a one-day Montana strike mission, and why the rut is really a bell curve you have to hunt pocket by pocket. If you're chasing November mule deer, this episode gives you the playbook: how to glass smarter, how

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35:32

The 5-Step Playbook for Planning Next Year's Hunts

Hunt West Podcast ·

2025/11/08

Whether you're cleaning up bloody gear or eating tag soup, this is the time of year when every hunter starts thinking ahead. In this solo episode, Jaden breaks down his 5-step system for planning next year's Western hunts — from setting your goals to getting yourself and your gear ready to execute. He covers how to define what kind of hunt you actually want, research tags that fit your goals, truth your ideas on the map, build a realistic game plan, and start prepping now so you're not scrambling

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47:38

How to Hunt Late-Season Elk in a Roaded Unit: Game...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2025/11/01

In this week's episode, I sit down with my brother, Tyler Bales, to talk about his wife's upcoming late-season Oregon elk hunt: a classic roaded-country challenge where finding unpressured elk takes creativity, patience, and a little local knowledge. We dive into how he scouted a heavily roaded unit with a fresh burn, what he's learning about elk using edges between timber, burns, and private land, and how to hunt smart when you've got family (and a baby) along for the ride. You'll hear us talk

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48:29

The Pre-Rut Mule Deer Playbook | Solo Round

Hunt West Podcast ·

2025/10/25

In this solo round, Jaden breaks down one of his favorite times of year—the pre-rut window when mule deer bucks start slipping out of their hidey holes and showing daylight movement, but haven’t gone full rut yet. It’s that sweet spot where weather, timing, and patience make or break a hunt. Jaden shares what he’s learned from hunting and guiding across the West, including: Premium Max-Point Migration Hunts — what true migration behavior looks like and why sitting tight beats hiking miles.

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01:02:53

Beat the Odds, Burn the Gas: Two Successful Pronghorn...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2025/10/18

When you’ve been hunting with someone for over 25 years, you know the laughs, the screwups, and the grind are just part of the deal. In this episode, Jaden recaps a Wyoming pronghorn hunt with his lifelong friend Kain — a trip filled with highs, lows, and the kind of luck that only comes when you beat 7% odds in the tag draw. Kain flew in from Oregon with a freezer to fill, and the duo went to work chasing antelope across windy plains, dealing with wild weather, wardens, and whitetail detours. Jaden

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58:19

From Unfilled Tags to a Giant Bull: The Lessons That...

Hunt West Podcast ·

2025/10/11

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden sits down with Hunt West client and now first-time archery elk killer, Anthony Ortiz, to unpack a four-year journey that went from missed chances and blown stalks to punching tags on a giant Colorado bull AND a Wyoming pronghorn—all this season. Anthony opens up about what it really takes to go from hopeful to lethal: The mistakes that taught him more than success ever could (hint: wind and impatience were his biggest teachers) The shooting

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