Hunt West Podcast

Jaden Bales
  • 4.9 (29)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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 lessons from real hunts. You'll get strategies for e-scouting, application hacks, mindset shifts, and the kind of woodsmanship that still matters when the Wi-Fi goes dark. If you're the kind of hunter who loves general seasons, sharp steel, glassing knobs, and planning three tags ahead — welcome home.

  1. Old School Skills, Big Bulls, and What Matters in Western Hunting with Randy Burtis

    6D AGO

    Old School Skills, Big Bulls, and What Matters in Western Hunting with Randy Burtis

    Randy Burtis is one of those guys who's done more in the hunting world than most people ever will, and he's still just getting warmed up. From growing up surrounded by Wyoming bowhunting legends to becoming a Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett scorer, Randy's life has been shaped by being around people who really know what they're doing. And in this episode, you get a front-row seat to what he's learned along the way. We dive into everything from traditional archery and elk hunting strategy to guiding clients and the reality behind scoring animals. But more than anything, this conversation is about what actually makes someone a better hunter and what most hunters are getting wrong. Randy doesn't sugarcoat much, and that's not only what I appreciate about him, but what makes this one worth your time. Show Links:  Find Randy Burtis on Instagram @randy_burtis Check out Table Mountain Outfitters >>  Eastmans' Elite Membership >> Check out the Kifaru Pointe Synthetic Jacket >> Hunt West Planning Company Services >>

    1h 11m
  2. The Spring Bear Playbook: Finding Bears on a Low-Snow Year with Tyler Bales

    MAR 28

    The Spring Bear Playbook: Finding Bears on a Low-Snow Year with Tyler Bales

    Spring bear season is right around the corner, but this year isn't shaping up like a normal one. With historically low snowpack across the West, the typical "hunt the snowline" strategy goes out the window. In this episode, I sit down with my brother Tyler to break down how we're thinking about finding and killing bears when everything is greening up fast and access is wide open. We dig into how low snow changes bear behavior, where to actually focus your time, and why glassing more country matters this year. We also talk through practical strategies like covering ground on closed roads, using burns and open terrain to your advantage, and how to balance evening glassing with midday scouting. If you've got limited time to hunt, this one will help you make better decisions right away. We also cover the stuff that doesn't get talked about enough, like judging bears, avoiding sows, shot placement, and what to do after the shot. Whether you're chasing your first bear or just trying to adapt to a weird year, this episode will give you a simple, effective game plan to roll into spring with confidence. SHOW LINKS: Learn about the Bridger Watch >> Check out the Hunt West Services >> Sign up for the Hunt West Digest >> Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

    1h 13m
  3. Tips to Staying Legal While Hunting the West

    MAR 21

    Tips to Staying Legal While Hunting the West

    If you're hunting multiple states this fall, this episode is a must-listen. In this solo episode, I break down the most common ways hunters get into trouble across the West and how to avoid them. From access and road navigation issues to hunter orange requirements and post-kill procedures, we cover the real-world mistakes that cost hunters time, money, and sometimes their entire hunt. The big takeaway is simple. Regulations are your bible. If you're relying only on apps or memory, you're taking a risk. We dive into why tools like OnX are helpful but not perfect, and why you still need to verify roads using Forest Service maps, BLM data, and even county records. I also break down hunter orange requirements state by state, including Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming, plus what to do in states that don't require it. We cover what needs to happen immediately after the shot, including tagging, evidence of sex, and transport rules that vary more than most people realize. I also share a personal story from a Wyoming bighorn sheep hunt where I made a mistake on a unit boundary and what happened after I called it in. That experience reinforced one of the most important lessons in this episode. When in doubt, call a game warden. They would rather answer your question than write you a ticket. If you're building a multi-state hunting strategy, this episode will help you stay legal, stay confident, and avoid the kind of mistakes that can ruin a season. Show Links: Sign up for the Weekly Hunt West Digest >> Take the AI Virtual Hunt Buddy For a Spin >> Learn about Hunt West Planning Services >> Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

    52 min
  4. Some Good 'Ol Bowhunting Stories with Josh Jenni

    MAR 14

    Some Good 'Ol Bowhunting Stories with Josh Jenni

    Josh Jenni joins the Hunt West Podcast to swap bowhunting stories from the last few seasons. We dive into encounters with big mule deer during both early and late season archery hunts, including close calls on some stomper bucks, tough stalking conditions, and the lessons that come from opportunities that almost came together. Josh also shares the story of a hard-earned New Mexico archery elk that finally came together after a very good, but tough hunt. This episode is perfect for hunters who enjoy the storytelling side of bowhunting while also picking up practical lessons about patience, stalk decisions, shot distance, and adapting when hunts don't go according to plan. If you like hearing real experiences chasing big game with a bow, this one's for you. Show Links: Learn about Eastman's Elite Membership >> Check out Kifaru Gear >> Sign up for Hunt West Planning Services >> Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

    1h 29m
  5. Public Land, Public Wildlife: Why Hunters Need to Pay Attention with Zach Lentsch & Chris Allen

    MAR 8

    Public Land, Public Wildlife: Why Hunters Need to Pay Attention with Zach Lentsch & Chris Allen

    Western hunting only exists because the land and wildlife exist first. In this episode, I sit down with Zach Lentsch and Chris Allen of Protect Wyoming to talk about why hunters need to start paying attention to the political side of public lands, wildlife policy, and scientific management. We dig into the growing push in Wyoming to transfer federal public lands, the ongoing fight around landowner tags and wildlife privatization, and why organizations like Protect Wyoming are stepping into the political arena to defend the North American model of wildlife conservation. Zach and Chris also explain how Senate Joint Resolution 9 recently passed in Wyoming and why it sends an important message about keeping public lands in public hands.  If you get nothing else from this episode, it should be to get out and vote during the primaries this election season. But for those who love a good conversation about the intersection of politics and what we love to do as hunters, this episode has a whole lot more.  Show Links: Protect Wyoming – protectwyoming.org Instagram & Facebook – @ProtectWyoming Sign up for the Montana Deer & Elk Webinar [March 10, 2026] >> Learn about Eastman's Elite Membership >> Check out Kifaru Gear >> Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

    1h 14m
  6. It's Gonna Be Harder Than You Think | Solo Round

    FEB 28

    It's Gonna Be Harder Than You Think | Solo Round

    Western hunting is harder than you think. Not impossible. Not unattainable. Just harder than most people expect when they're looking at a grip-and-grin photo on Instagram. In this solo episode, I walk back through my first archery elk in 2019 that took seven seasons to seal the deal, nearly 200 mountain miles in one September, blown opportunities on opening morning, and a full send on the final weekend. I also revisit my 2022 180-inch mule deer that required 18 days hunting one basin. The point is simple. You only see the tip of the iceberg. You rarely see what's underwater. We talk about the trade-offs that define Western hunting. Time. Physical effort. Money. Access. Fitness. Gear. Experience. You don't get to skip the cost. You only choose where you pay it. Whether that means grinding miles, investing in scouting trips, paying for trespass access, bringing in help to shorten the learning curve, or even going guided, the effort shows up somewhere. And if your goal is simply to reset, hunt with buddies, and enjoy the mountains, that matters too. Just be honest about your expectations. Western hunting will demand something from you. The question is what you're willing to trade for the level of success you're chasing. ___  LINKS:  LandTrust (Montana Hunting Access) >>  Infinite Outdoors (Colorado & Wyoming Hunting Access) >> Learn about the Bridger Reckon Presale at Bridgerwatch.com >>  Hunt West Webinar Series >> Hunt West Planning Services >>

    49 min
  7. Full Send: Bucks and Bulls with Kenneth Thrall at Kifaru

    FEB 21

    Full Send: Bucks and Bulls with Kenneth Thrall at Kifaru

    Six years ago, Kenneth Thrall cold-emailed me asking what would happen if he moved to Wyoming. Then, he bought a house in Riverton and believed if he went full send, he'd figure it out. Fast forward to today and he's a key part of Kifaru International, grinding behind the scenes and in the mountains. In this episode, we talk about what it really looks like to bet on yourself, start at the bottom, and go all in, whether it's in hunting or life. On the hunting side, we go deep into the chess match with a 9.5-year-old mule deer, the patience it takes to hunt mature bucks under pressure, and why sometimes fewer tags lead to better seasons. On the gear side, we dig into the new clothing launch from Kifaru, including innovative mid-layers, updated late-season systems, and what's coming down the pipeline for packs like the Hoodlum and 44 Mag. If you care about in-depth good hunting stories and a mindset that keep you more successful in the mountains, this one's for you. LINKS:  Follow Kenneth @kenneththrall on IG >> Check Out Kifaru's Gear at Kifaru.net >> Learn about Eastman's Elite at eastmans.com/elite >> Hunt West Webinar Series >>

    1h 8m
  8. Colorado Mule Deer & Their Management: Throwback Episode

    FEB 13

    Colorado Mule Deer & Their Management: Throwback Episode

    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 look similar. Some things look very different.  At the end of the episode, I break down where Colorado stands right now and why it's still one of the most important opportunity states in the West. If you're applying for mule deer or elk this year, this episode will help you understand what's changed, what hasn't, and how to think more critically about where you burn your points. Did this age well? I'll let you decide. In the end, I hope you gain valuable information about how mule deer are managed in Colorado and across the West with this throwback episode. LINKS:  Check Out Kifaru's Gear at Kifaru.net >> Learn about the Bridger Reckon Presale at Bridgerwatch.com >>  Hunt West Webinar Series >>

    1h 7m
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4.9
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

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 lessons from real hunts. You'll get strategies for e-scouting, application hacks, mindset shifts, and the kind of woodsmanship that still matters when the Wi-Fi goes dark. If you're the kind of hunter who loves general seasons, sharp steel, glassing knobs, and planning three tags ahead — welcome home.

Information

  • Creator
    Jaden Bales
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Hunt West Podcast

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