FOCUS HUNTING PODCAST

Kevin Toye
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The FOCUS HUNTING PODCAST delivers real world bowhunting tactics, gear breakdowns, and science based conservation for Western Canada and the Northwest. Hosted by Kevin Toye, it’s built for working‑class hunters chasing elk, deer, bear, and moose in big, wild country.

  1. 2d ago

    Ep. 272 My Late-Season Mule Deer Clothing System

    This episode is a full clothing-system gear dump from my latest mule deer hunt in the southern interior of British Columbia. I walk through exactly what I wore in the field, from First Lite and Sitka pieces to Smartwool base layers and budget-friendly Winners finds. You’ll hear honest, no-BS comparisons between high-end technical gear and cheaper options, including what actually kept me warm, dry, and comfortable in real mountain weather. I also break down my layering strategy for conditions ranging from warm hikes to cold glassing sessions, plus socks, boots, and bino harness setup. If you hunt Western Canada or the Northwestern U.S. and want practical, field-tested clothing advice (not influencer fluff), this one’s for you. www.kevintoye.com https://www.youtube.com/@kevinltoye

  2. 3d ago

    Ep. 271 Old Mountain Monarch: Solo Mule Deer Hunt Recap

    In this solo episode, Kevin recaps a fast, two-day mule deer hunt in BC’s Region 3, explaining how he and a buddy used e-scouting, south-facing slopes, recent burns, and tight sub 500 yard glassing to locate bucks in big sagebrush country. He shares why they passed young four-points, how his partner made a perfect 6.5 Creedmoor shot on a rutty three-point, and gives a candid account of his own bow kill on an ancient buck, including a bad first shot caused by cam contact and the follow     up that finished the job. Kevin also touches on declining mule deer numbers, the importance of hunter “citizen science,” practical late-October tactics you can use right now, and details on how to enter the upcoming AKU boot giveaway. www.kevintoye.com https://akuoutdoor.ca/ Use promo code FOCUS

  3. Oct 27

    Ep. 270 The Mystery of a Missing Vermont Deer: An Archery Pro’s Story with Isaac Sullivan

    Indoor National Champion and Vermont bowhunter Isaac Sullivan joins host Kevin Toye to talk about the side of archery you rarely see target panic, slumps, missed shots, tough blood trails, and the mystery of a missing Vermont deer. From his beginnings to a national title, Isaac explains how coaching, daily practice, and a one-arrow-at-a-time mindset shape both his tournament performance and his bowhunting decisions, and why ethical hunters should share the lows as honestly as the highlight-reel kills. Chapters 00:00 Meet Vermont champion Isaac Sullivan 01:20 First deer hunt and early archery beginnings 04:05 From JOAD classes to daily practice 08:25 The coaches who shaped his competitive game 12:12 Troubleshooting slumps, timing, and bow setup 18:16 Work ethic, ambition, and representing Vermont 23:05 Youth score milestones and the pressure of perfection 27:19 Why he wants his bow ready from the first arrow 30:18 A tournament loss, inside-out Xs, and small goals 35:36 Resetting after setbacks and building a short memory 39:26 How overtraining led to target panic 42:05 Admitting the problem and rebuilding confidence 45:19 Managing target panic through wind and team rounds 49:09 The Pan Am bronze and renewed belief 53:15 Hunting bow balance and broadhead testing 58:03 Broadhead performance, blood trails, and close shots 01:01:26 A challenging Kentucky buck shot 01:01:54 A missed first shot and the pressure of a mature buck 01:04:37 Why hunters should share the imperfect moments 01:07:57 Isaac’s dream hunt and the 200-inch whitetail goal 01:11:21 A ducked arrow, missed windows, and the grind 01:15:23 What makes mature whitetails so challenging 01:18:18 Public land, trail cameras, and hunting the sign 01:22:25 Baiting routines, scent control, and electronic devices 01:25:24 The Vermont eight-pointer and a hard-earned harvest 01:33:08 Ethics, memorable hunts, and the doubt after a shot 01:39:09 Tracking stories, lost deer, and the uncertainty of recovery 01:47:44 A puzzling Vermont recovery and hunting’s hard lessons 01:53:43 The legacy Isaac hopes to leave for the next generation https://www.instagram.com/isaac.sullivan/ https://www.facebook.com/isaac.sullivan.9883 www.kevintoye.com

  4. Oct 24

    Ep. 269 Gear, Grit & Growth: How Hunting Shapes Your Life with Trail Kreitzer

    In this episode, Kevin chats with Trail Kreitzer of GoHunt. Trail shares his journey from childhood hunting experiences to becoming a wildlife biologist and hunting expert. He discusses the emotional highs and lows of hunting, gear systems, mindset, and the importance of persistence and patience in the pursuit of big game. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 01:25 First hunting memories with family 04:43 Emotional highs and lows of hunting 08:28 Getting started with wildlife biology and hunting 11:45 Transitioning to a career with Go Hunt 12:20 Reflections on aging and hunting 14:58 Love for the outdoors and hunting passion 16:51 The thrill of the hunt and persistence 20:50 Understanding elk behavior and common mistakes 24:43 The importance of patience and perseverance 28:51 Unexpected moments and seizing opportunities 34:39 Gear systems and clothing for different conditions 43:55 The role of gear in success and comfort 49:50 Overcoming personal struggles through hunting 55:57 The satisfaction of a perfect shot 01:00:05 What if hunting disappeared from life 01:02:11 The importance of meat in the freezer 01:03:55 Connecting with the hunting community 01:04:52 Upcoming hunts and future goals https://www.gohunt.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/trailk11/ www.kevintoye.com

  5. Oct 23

    Ep. 268 What the F@cK Friday. Calling in Sick & DumbA$$ comments

    **Explicit Content** In this episode, Kevin and Landen dive into a wide range of topics from personal life choices, military training, to AI technology and social media trends. They share candid insights and humorous takes on everyday issues and current events, making it a must-listen for those interested in honest, unfiltered conversations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 01:59 Discussion on family planning and snipping 03:55 Living on the edge and current events 10:00 Fishing stories and drinking on boats 15:06 Military training, safety, and real risks 20:02 War, preparedness, and real-world training 25:03 AI technology, videos, and thumbnail strategies 30:06 Social media trends and honest opinions 35:52 Personal grooming, aging, and humor www.kevintoye.com

  6. Oct 22

    Ep. 267 Q&A - Where to find deer?

    In this episode, Kevin Toye shares expert tips on how to find and hunt deer effectively, emphasizing the importance of e-scouting, understanding habitat, and making the most of on-the-ground observations. Perfect for new hunters and those looking to refine their strategy. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 00:37 Listener questions and episode goals 02:03 The importance of holding hunting spots close to the chest 03:01 Habitat types for mule deer in BC 03:31 Using terrain and slopes to find mule deer 04:25 Utilizing forestry roads and clear cuts for scouting 05:25 The value of on-the-ground notes and map comparison 07:12 Approaching deer without spooking them 09:23 Observing deer behavior and bedding areas 11:13 Hunting strategies for whitetails and mule deer 14:34 Changes in deer populations and habitat in BC 16:29 Timing and seasonal patterns for deer movement 18:21 Vegetation and terrain preferences for mule deer and whitetails 20:48 Ethical hunting and using baiting and scrapes 22:10 Setting up for successful deer hunting 24:31 E-scouting tips and tools for new hunters 30:51 Final advice for new hunters and closing remarks Key  topics E-scouting techniques and tools Habitat preferences of mule deer and whitetails Using maps and on-the-ground notes to find deer Habitat features like slopes, clear cuts, and water sources Timing and seasonal considerations for deer hunting www.kevintoye.com

  7. Oct 19

    Ep. 266 From Broken Neck to Bull Elk: Cody Rich's Journey and the Bridger Watch

    From a life-changing neck injury to becoming one of the most respected voices in elk hunting and outdoor entrepreneurship, Cody Rich has lived a “war of attrition” mindset in real time. In this episode, Cody shares how a devastating accident reshaped his life, the mental models that carried him through recovery, and how persistence, both in the mountains and in business, became his superpower. We dive into elk hunting in British Columbia, from tough access and rugged canyons to silent bulls, decommissioned roads, and reading timber and terrain to find elk in big country. Cody also breaks down the journey from launching The Rich Outdoors podcast to building Bridger, a purpose-built smartwatch designed specifically for hunters. We explore how specialized gear can improve your odds, why redefining what “winning” means matters, and how to turn failures into fuel for long-term success. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Cody Rich's background 00:19 Introduction to elk habitat and access strategies 01:53 Cody's injury and recovery story 02:32 The importance of canyons and roads in elk hunting 05:07 Using timber and terrain features to locate elk 06:07 The accident details and initial shock 08:05 The role of experience and network in finding elk 10:00 The journey of rehabilitation and resilience 11:57 Mental models: War of attrition and persistence 15:11 Starting the Rich Outdoors podcast 15:29 The analogy of steelhead fishing and elk calling 20:12 Cody's transition into entrepreneurship 20:37 The importance of consistent effort and patience 25:04 Getting into elk hunting and early experiences 25:30 Building a specialized smartwatch for hunters 29:57 Challenges of BC elk hunting terrain and silent bulls 30:04 Features and design considerations for hunting gear 34:55 Strategies for hunting in BC's rugged landscape 35:09 The entrepreneurial journey and overcoming obstacles 39:48 Lessons learned and future plans in hunting and gear 45:00 The mindset of successful hunters and entrepreneurs https://www.therichoutdoors.net/ https://www.therichoutdoors.net/the-elk-nut-episode/ https://www.bridgerwatch.com/ www.kevintoye.com

  8. Oct 19

    Ep. 265 Late-Season Elk Strategy That Finally Put Us on Big Herds

    In this episode, Kevin shares late-season elk hunting strategies, focusing on understanding elk behavior post-rut, effective scouting, and bumping techniques to improve success. Perfect for hunters looking to adapt their approach as the season progresses. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Late Season Elk Hunting Strategies 02:07 Elk Behavior After the Rut 03:54 Scouting and Using Maps for Elk Location 05:47 Story of a Successful Hunt and Bumping Elk 10:03 Reading Sign and Tracking Elk 14:56 Dealing with Bumped Elk and Pressure 20:12 Timing, Wind, and Location Tips 25:07 The Importance of Quiet and Observation 30:06 Hunting Strategies for Different Terrain and Herds 35:02 Handling Public Land and Other Hunters 39:52 Final Tips and Encouragement for Hunters   www.kevintoye.com

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About

The FOCUS HUNTING PODCAST delivers real world bowhunting tactics, gear breakdowns, and science based conservation for Western Canada and the Northwest. Hosted by Kevin Toye, it’s built for working‑class hunters chasing elk, deer, bear, and moose in big, wild country.

Information

  • Creator
    Kevin Toye
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Kevin Toye inc.
  • Show Website
    FOCUS HUNTING PODCAST

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