Ep. 169: How OnX Changed Hunting Forever with Dylan Dowson

He grew up in the wide-open country of eastern Montana, chasing elk bugles and learning the outdoors with his dad. Today, Dylan Dowson has spent over a decade with OnX Hunt, shaping how hunters connect with the land through technology and storytelling.
In this episode, we dive into Dylan’s journey from small-town Montana to the forefront of digital mapping, the secrets behind OnX’s explosive growth, and the tension between tradition and tech in hunting. Dylan also shares unforgettable hunting stories, from calling in elk to the legendary “Scuba Moose” adventure in British Columbia.
Whether you’re an old-school map-and-compass hunter or a tech-savvy explorer, this conversation is packed with insights, laughs, and stories that remind us why we hunt.

📌 Topics include:
Growing up hunting in Montana
How OnX became an essential hunting tool
Elk hunting strategies during the rut
Balancing technology with tradition
Family hunting and raising kids with a connection to food
The unbelievable “Scuba Moose” recovery story

🎯 Don’t forget: Silvercore Club members get access to exclusive tips from 
Dylan and other industry leaders. Learn more at silvercore.ca.

https://www.instagram.com/dylan.hunter.dowson

https://www.instagram.com/onxhunt/

https://www.onxmaps.com/

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Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W 

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro – Montana roots and OnX beginnings
06:00 OnX growth, marketing, and storytelling
12:00 Rangefinders, tech, and the ethics of hunting technology
17:30 Elk hunting strategies and advice
27:00 Calling elk vs. spot-and-stalk tactics
37:00 Family hunting and raising kids with food awareness
44:00 Axis deer in Hawaii & the “Scuba Moose” story
1:04:00 Final thoughts and advice