Drawn West

Drawn West with Brian Krebs

Drawn West is for the hunters who load the truck each fall — chasing bugles, big country, and something deeper than just filling a tag. Host Brian Krebs dives into tag strategies, gear prep, and real-world advice to help non-resident hunters make the most of limited time out West. Each episode features expert guests and gritty stories from hunters you’ve never heard of — the kind who get it done with one week, one tag, and no excuses.

  1. Nevada Mule Deer: Draw Strategy, Trophy Units, and Draw System Explained

    HACE 8 H

    Nevada Mule Deer: Draw Strategy, Trophy Units, and Draw System Explained

    Is Nevada mule deer even worth putting in for as a non-resident? That depends almost entirely on where you're at in your strategy, and this episode breaks down exactly how to think about Nevada Mule Deer. Nevada doesn't hand out a lot of non-resident tags, but the trophy potential is as high as anywhere in the West. Twenty units with 180-inch-plus potential. A minimum 140-inch floor across the entire state. Tags that cost non-residents $240. And a draw system built around giving every applicant multiple real chances — because Nevada checks all five of your hunt choices before moving on to the next person in line. This episode covers everything you need to make a decision before the May 13th deadline: how the weighted bonus draw works, what the current drought conditions actually mean for antler quality and herd health, why feral horses are a bigger long-term threat than people realize, and how to structure your five choices whether you're applying for the first time or sitting on 20 points. • How the weighted bonus system works — and why it makes Nevada one of the most fair draws in the West • The secondary draw, surrendered tags, and the first-come-first-serve leftover list that flexible hunters should be watching all summer • Why the archery and muzzleloader seasons are underrated entry points for non-residents • Unit breakdown: which units Brian targets at trophy potential, and which ones have real draw odds with zero, five, and ten points • Why the 130s (131 and 132) are the benchmark for best-in-state trophy potential • How drought conditions might actually produce some of the biggest bucks of the decade — and why the next three years may be the window • The case for applying for all five choices every year, and when points-only actually makes sense • The deadline to apply is May 13th at 11pm Pacific. Results drop around May 29th. If you're on the fence, apply — Nevada always gives you a chance, and you never want to sit out a year. Subscribe so you don't miss the rest of the Nevada series — elk, antelope, and once-in-a-lifetime species are all coming. And if you're getting value from the show, a quick rating genuinely helps more hunters find this content. Want more like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the Drawn West newsletter at GetDrawnWest.com and we'll send you application updates, strategy breakdowns, and new content as it drops. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter.Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveawayupdates.Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle![How To GoElk Hunting for $1500]   FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNT GearShop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest 00:00:00 Welcome — Nevada Mule Deer 2026Overview 00:02:15 Deadline, Costs, and Tag Fees 00:04:20 How the Nevada Weighted BonusDraw Works 00:07:50 Five Hunt Choices and Why YouShould Always Use Them 00:10:06 Points-Only vs. Applying: WhenEach Makes Sense 00:10:32 Secondary Draw, SurrenderedTags, and the Leftover List 00:13:45 Nevada Mule Deer Herd: Drought,Feral Horses, and What It Means 00:16:15 Current Herd Status and WhyQuality Is Still High 00:18:45 Unit Breakdown: Best TrophyPotential Units (131, 132, 221, 231+) 00:21:00 Draw Odds at Zero, Five, and TenPoints 00:26:00 Long-Term Play: What 20 PointsGets You 00:28:00 Should You Apply? StrategySummary and Final Advice

    31 min
  2. From Whitetails To Elk w/ Dwayne Jones

    HACE 1 DÍA

    From Whitetails To Elk w/ Dwayne Jones

    How many points do you actually need before you can hunt elk in Colorado? If you've been watching that number climb and telling yourself "maybe in five more years" — you might be sitting on a play you haven't tried yet. Brian sits down with Dwayne Jones — sales manager for Novick's Outdoors, co-founder of Dream Dirt, and the man behind Shed Season — to talk through his journey from lifelong whitetail hunter to first-time Western elk applicant. Dwayne has never been west of Kansas, but thanks to a tip straight from a Colorado Parks and Wildlife employee, he's heading into the backcountry this September with a bow, a solid group of experienced buddies, and months of elk calls already practiced. The conversation covers what Eastern hunters actually need to know before going West — how elk behave differently than whitetails, why calling strategy matters more than calling perfection, what broadhead to run and why, and how fitness changes your mental game in the mountains. They also get into farm habitat, CRP programs, predator control, and turkey hunting with a bow. The kind of wide-open conversation that happens when two guys who genuinely love this stuff sit down without a hard stop. • The Colorado two-choice application strategy that lets you build a point and get drawn in the same year • Why a bull that "chuckles" back at you is telling you something specific — and what to do next • Fixed blade vs. expandable broadheads for elk and why pass-through matters more than you think • What CRP actually does for deer and turkey habitat — and why the critics are comparing it to the wrong thing • How fitness training changes your mental ceiling when things get hard in the mountains • Why Brian, despite a 354 bull in the next room, wouldn't pass a raghorn on a bow hunt Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle![Forging TheFuture: Benchmade’s Newest Hunting Knife]   FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest00:00:00 Introducing Dwayne Jones 00:00:43 The Colorado Two-Choice Application Hack 00:04:01 Archery Elk vs. Whitetail: What Changes 00:07:05 Base Camp, Spike Camp, and First-Timer Advice 00:08:37 Fitness for Elk Hunting — What Actually Matters 00:11:20 Knowing Rich Froning and Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable 00:17:00 Brian's Close Calls: Five Elk at Close Range, No Tags 00:33:21 Reading Elk — When to Call, When to Shoot, When to Wait 00:34:50 Broadheads for Elk: Why Brian Runs Fixed Blades 00:43:10 CRP Programs, Habitat Management, and What's Actually Working 00:53:01 Predator Control and Turkey Hunting with a Bow 01:25:48 Elk Calling Deep Dive and Paul Medel's Playbook

    1 h 47 min
  3. Montana Moose, Sheep, Goat, Bison Application Strategy

    HACE 6 DÍAS

    Montana Moose, Sheep, Goat, Bison Application Strategy

    Did you know there are over-the-counter Bighorn Sheep tags in the lower 48? We dive in to that and more in this episode! Montana runs a squared bonus point system, which means you always have a chance no matter how many points you have — but the odds climb very differently depending on the species. Moose points actually build toward something real. Sheep is closer to a lifetime lottery ticket. Goat and bison sit somewhere in between. Before you decide whether to apply, you need to know which of these is actually worth your time and money. This episode breaks down all four species — what the draw odds look like at every point level for both residents and non-residents, why Montana's tag prices are surprisingly affordable compared to Wyoming, and how to think about whether building points here beats saving up for a guided hunt somewhere else. What we cover: • How Montana's squared bonus point system works — and why you always have a shot even with one point • The only five units offering unlimited bighorn sheep tags, the harvest quota system, and why success rates sit at just 2–7% • Why Montana moose odds actually climb to meaningful percentages — and what that means for your long-term strategy • Rocky Mountain goat draw odds for non-residents vs. residents, and why this is one of the best resident opportunities in any state we've covered • Montana's Yellowstone-corridor bison hunt: no point system, pure lottery, and what a quarter-to-half percent draw odds really means • Why the same bison herd costs $1,250 to apply for in Montana vs. $6,000 in Wyoming Hit subscribe and leave us a five-star review — and get on the Drawn West newsletter at getdrawnwest.com so you never miss another deadline like this one. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle! [HowComedy Can Help Save Hunting]   FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebs https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com! Sponsorsand Discounts: GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4 GOHUNT GearShop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u Save10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest 00:00 Montana Once-in-a-Lifetime Overview& May 1st Deadline 02:08 Tag Costs, Refund Policy & HowMontana's Hybrid System Works 04:13 Squared Bonus Points Explained: WhyYou Always Have a Chance 05:13 When to Apply vs. When to BuyPoints Only 07:26 Montana Bighorn Sheep: Best in theLower 48 — But Declining Tags 10:00 The Over-the-Counter Sheep Hunt:What the Success Rates Actually Say 13:00 Top Trophy Units & Non-ResidentDraw Odds by Point Level 16:35 Resident Bighorn Sheep Odds: ADifferent Story Entirely 18:00 Montana Moose Breakdown:Population, Harvest & Trophy Quality 20:08 Moose Draw Odds: Why This SpeciesIs Worth Playing the Long Game 23:39 Rocky Mountain Goat: Best ResidentOdds We've Seen in This Series 25:40 Resident Goat Odds at Max Points —Legitimately Exciting 26:30 Montana Bison Hunt: YellowstoneMigration, No Points, Pure Lottery 29:00 Should You Apply? Brian's PersonalTake on All Four Species

    33 min
  4. Wyoming Moose, Goat, Sheep & Bison Application Strategy

    28 ABR

    Wyoming Moose, Goat, Sheep & Bison Application Strategy

    Would you pay $6000 to apply for a Bison tag? This episode we dive into the Wyoming Moose, Goat, Sheep & Bison applications for 2026. Moose, bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, and free-range bison are all on the table, but the draw odds, the point system, and the upfront costs are a completely different game than anything else in the West. Before you write that check, you need to know what you're actually getting into. This episode breaks down each species individually — who has a realistic shot, which units non-residents should actually target, and whether buying Wyoming preference points for 30 years makes more sense than putting that money toward a guided hunt somewhere else. What we cover: • The only bighorn sheep unit offering non-residents random draw odds — and what it means if you don't have 26+ points • The three moose units with random odds and why success rates are still near 100% if you pull the tag • Why Rocky Mountain goat is all-random for everyone — and what the odds look like after units 4 and 5 were eliminated • The Yellowstone-corridor bison hunt: best odds of all four species and why success rates have been slipping • The real upfront cost reality and how the May reimbursement timeline works If this helps, subscribe and leave us a five-star review — and get on the Drawn West newsletter at getdrawnwest.com so you never miss a deadline again. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle![HowComedy Can Save Hunting]   FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest

    25 min
  5. Utah Moose, Sheep, Goat & Bison

    22 ABR

    Utah Moose, Sheep, Goat & Bison

    Someone bid $290,000 for a Utah Rocky Mountain bighorn tag at this year's Hunt Expo. You can enter the same draw for $21. That's the whole argument for applying for Utah's once in a lifetime species — and it's a strong one. These aren't tags you build toward with a realistic finish line. The point creep is real, the permits are scarce, and you're probably never going to hit 100% draw odds. But if you're already buying a Utah hunting license to apply for elk, deer, or antelope, adding sheep, moose, or bison to your application is just a lottery ticket on top of a purchase you already made. And the payoff, if you draw, is genuinely life-changing. This is the fourth and final episode in the 2026 Utah application series. I break down every once in a lifetime species Utah offers — Rocky Mountain bighorn, desert bighorn, mountain goat, moose, and bison — covering draw odds, permit numbers, success rates, trophy potential, and which ones are actually worth adding to your application. The April 23rd deadline applies here too, so the timing matters. In this episode: • Why Utah once in a lifetime tags are pure lottery tickets — and exactly what that means for your point strategy • Conservation permit auction prices from the 2026 Western Hunt Expo that show just how valuable these tags really are • Rocky Mountain bighorn breakdown: only 5 non-resident permits, 100% managed success rates, and units producing 175-inch bulls • Desert bighorn vs. Rocky Mountain bighorn — the differences in permit availability, odds, and trophy potential • Mountain goat reality check: declining populations, pulled non-resident permits in some units, and why easier access makes it interesting for certain hunters • Moose in the lower 48: 10 non-resident permits, mostly 100% success rates, and why the point pool makes it a true lottery • The over-the-counter bison warning — why buying the Nine Mile OTC permit forfeits your ability to ever apply for the Henry Mountains or Book Cliffs draw • Which species Brian actually applies for — and the honest framework for deciding which $21 applications are worth it to you If this series helped you get your Utah applications dialed in, take a second to leave a five-star rating and follow the show. It genuinely makes a difference Follow along for more tag breakdowns, application strategy, and behind-the-scenes content: @getdrawnwest Want to stay ahead of every deadline and draw strategy before the season hits? Sign up for the Drawn West Newsletter — practical, no-fluff emails straight to your inbox: Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle![2026Big Game Application Results]   FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNT GearShop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest

    25 min
  6. Utah Antelope

    21 ABR

    Utah Antelope

    Is Utah Antelope worth it? A lot of people skip Utah antelope entirely. That might be exactly why you should be building points right now. If you're already applying for elk or mule deer in Utah, adding an antelope point only costs you $— and some of the best pronghorn tags in the state are starting to come within reach. Utah doesn't carry the same reputation as Wyoming or Nevada, but the herds are recovering, the trophy quality is climbing back, and the hunting pressure on antelope is almost nothing compared to what you see on deer and elk tags. In this episode, we break down the full Utah antelope picture for 2026 — where the herds stand after the tough stretch following the 2023 winter kill, which units give you a real shot at an 80-inch buck, and how to think about Utah as part of a bigger multi-state antelope strategy. The April 23, 2026 application deadline is right around the corner. In this episode: • Utah pronghorn herd recovery after the 2023 winter kill — why trophy quality took a hit and where things stand now • How the Parker Mountain herd has served as a statewide source population, including 317 animals transplanted to new units in 2025 • The four units with the strongest 80-inch-plus potential: San Rafael North, Book Cliffs South, Fillmore, and the Beaver • Draw odds breakdown for residents vs. non-residents — and the weapon-type combos where tags get realistic faster than you'd expect • Why Utah is a long-term state, not a cornerstone antelope state — and where it fits in a smart multi-state plan • The $21 point investment that makes complete sense if you're already buying a Utah hunting license ________________________________________ Follow along for more antelope breakdowns, application tips, and behind-the-scenes content: @getdrawnwest Want to stay ahead of every deadline and draw strategy before the season hits? Sign up for the Drawn West Newsletter — practical, no-fluff emails straight to your inbox: Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletterLooking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article![2026Big Game Application Results]FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNT GearShop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest

    18 min
  7. Utah Elk Application Guide

    17 ABR

    Utah Elk Application Guide

    Want a shot at hunting some of the biggest public land elk in the country? In this episode, we break down what Utah elk tags cost, how the draw works for nonresidents, and where both limited entry and OTC tags fit into a long range elk strategy. We walk through the nonresident math on the 365 day hunting license, general, spike only, any bull, and limited entry tag prices, and why Utah’s cheap bonus points become a bargain once you’re already buying the license. Then I break down Utah’s hybrid bonus point system for limited entry elk, how the resident/nonresident split works, and why Utah’s age class management creates some of the best public land bull potential in the country—up into the 340–380+ range in top units like Beaver, Boulder, and Pahvant. What we cover in this episode: • 365 day license hacks and point stacking • How Utah’s hybrid elk draw works • Best limited entry elk units for nonresidents • When to chase top tier vs “second tier” tags • Using OTC spike and any bull hunts while building points If this episode helps you sort out where Utah elk belongs in your Western plan, subscribe to the podcast and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram so you don’t miss the rest of the Utah application series! Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle![UtahMule Deer Application Guide] FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNT GearShop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest 00:00 – Why Utah elk is so underrated fornonresidents 01:40 – 2026 Utah elk deadlines and basic rules 03:15 – Nonresident license, tag costs, and 365‑daylicense math 06:30 – Limited entry vs general elk, weapon types,and season breakdown 09:00 – How Utah’s hybrid bonus point draw works forelk 13:00 – Why Utah elk quality is so high (age classand herd management) 17:30 – Top‑end limited entry units: Beaver, Boulder,Pahvant, San Juan 23:30 – Draw odds, long‑term odds modeling, andauction tag values 30:30 – How to build a long‑term Utah elk strategy bypoint level 37:30 – OTC spike‑only and any‑bull elk tags andwhere they fit 43:00 – Key 2026 dates and how to stay on top of Utahelk applications

    43 min
  8. Utah Mule Deer Application Strategy

    16 ABR

    Utah Mule Deer Application Strategy

    Want to chase some of the biggest mule deer in the country? In this episode, I break down what Utah really costs, how the draw works, and which units are actually worth your points so you can decide if it belongs in your long range strategy. We walk through the nonresident math on the 365 day license, general and limited entry tag costs, and why Utah’s cheap points become a bargain once you’re already in the system. Then I break down Utah’s bonus point system for limited entry, the true preference points for general season, and real world unit examples from zero points up into the 20 plus range. What we cover in this episode: • How to time the 365 day license so you get two application cycles out of one purchase. • The difference between premium limited entry, standard limited entry, management buck, cactus buck, and HAMS hunts—and what happens to your points when you draw. • High end units like Paunsaugunt, Henry Mountains, Fillmore Creek, and San Juan, plus realistic general units like Pine Valley, Zion, North Slope, Chalk Creek, Bonanza, La Sal, and Monroe from 0–10 points. • Why nonresidents often have more opportunity in Utah than residents when it comes to limited entry applications. • How I think about folding Utah into a bigger Western application plan using GoHunt Filtering 2.0. If this episode helps you sort out Utah, subscribe to the podcast and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram so you don’t miss the rest of the Utah bonus series. Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter.Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveawayupdates.Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article![2026 Utah Elk Application Guide] FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNT GearShop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest   Chapters 00:00:00 – Why Utah MuleDeer Matters in 202600:00:24 – Utah Deadline and How It Fits with MT, WY, CO00:02:36 – Nonresident Costs: License, Tags, and Points00:04:06 – Utah Draw System: Bonus vs Preference Points00:06:48 – Premium, Management, and Cactus Buck Hunts00:10:35 – General Season Deer and Draw Order Rules00:13:05 – Using GoHunt Filtering 2.0 for Utah Units00:16:11 – High‑End Limited Entry Units Worth Waiting For00:19:40 – Shortcut Tags with HAMS and Late Muzzleloader00:20:19 – Zero‑ to Ten‑Point General Units and Long‑Range Strategy

    29 min

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Drawn West is for the hunters who load the truck each fall — chasing bugles, big country, and something deeper than just filling a tag. Host Brian Krebs dives into tag strategies, gear prep, and real-world advice to help non-resident hunters make the most of limited time out West. Each episode features expert guests and gritty stories from hunters you’ve never heard of — the kind who get it done with one week, one tag, and no excuses.

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