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. How To Manage Hunting Pressure | Solo Round

    1D AGO

    How To Manage Hunting Pressure | Solo Round

    Using real stories from Wyoming elk camps, OTC mule deer hunts, and Nevada trophy deer tags, Jaden explains how understanding how other hunters move through the landscape can completely change your success. Sometimes the guy "stormtrooper-ing" through the woods isn't hurting your odds at all. Other times, a single serious hunter on the right angle can completely change the game. This episode dives deep into: Why "pressure" and "competition" are not always the same thing The importance of hunting angles and visibility How arriving early creates options and backup plans Why most hunters aren't actually hunting effectively When you should pivot to Plan B immediately How to structure hunts around weekdays, season timing, and hunting culture Why some of the most "crowded" hunts still hold incredible opportunity Jaden shares detailed stories about doubling on mule deer during a packed general season opener, managing guided-hunt competition on a premium Nevada tag, and learning that elk don't magically disappear just because you see other hunters in the woods. If you've ever looked at a crowded trailhead and thought, "Well… this hunt's blown," this episode will help you rethink the way you assess pressure and build better hunting strategies moving forward. LINKS: Wyoming Mule Deer Webinar >> Hunt West Planning Services >> Bridger Reckon Watch >>  Eastman's Elite Membership >>  Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

    57 min
  2. Chubby Athletic & Dangerous: Always Hunt Ready with Lyle Hebel of MTNTOUGH

    MAY 2

    Chubby Athletic & Dangerous: Always Hunt Ready with Lyle Hebel of MTNTOUGH

    In this episode, I sit down with Lyle Hebel from MTNTOUGH to talk about what it really means to be prepared for a Western hunt. We dive into everything from long-range shooting and gear choices to spring bear hunting tactics and how fitness actually plays into success in the field. Lyle shares how he went deep down the shooting rabbit hole, and how chasing improvement across different skills has shaped the way he hunts. We also get into bear hunting strategy, including how to approach early vs late season bears, why getting on the same hillside matters, and how consistent effort beats "perfect timing" more often than not. On the fitness side, we break down how MTNTOUGH has evolved over the last decade from hardcore sheep-hunter prep into something that actually meets hunters where they're at. From beginner programs to full preseason prep, the goal is simple: build hunters who are always ready, not just hoping to survive their hunt. If you want to hunt harder, shoot better, and stop making excuses… this episode is for you. LINKS:  Hunt West Webinars May 7th & 12th >> Bridger Reckon Watch >> 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 7m
  3. Spot & Stalk Lessons You Can Use This Fall: Stories from Argentina

    APR 27

    Spot & Stalk Lessons You Can Use This Fall: Stories from Argentina

    Fresh off a trip to Argentina, this episode breaks down what happens when you treat a hunt like a training ground instead of a one-shot opportunity. Jaden spent the week chasing blackbuck with a bow while the rest of the crew hunted red stag, stacking reps in open country that feels a lot like pronghorn or mule deer terrain. The result? A pile of blown stalks, a couple missed opportunities, one clean kill, and a ton of lessons that translate directly to Western hunting. This episode dives into what actually matters when you're trying to close the distance: using subtle terrain, waiting for high-percentage setups, and not forcing bad opportunities. There's also a deep look at string jumping, including why mid-range shots can be the most dangerous and how alert animals completely change your odds. If you've ever rushed a stalk, taken a shot you shouldn't have, or felt like you just needed more reps to figure it out, this one will hit home. LINKS: Randy Ulmer's Multi-Part String Jump Articles >> Eastmans' Elite Membership >>  Check out Kifaru Gear >>  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.

    51 min
  4. We Were In Elk… Now What? Archery Tactics for Sealing the Deal

    APR 18

    We Were In Elk… Now What? Archery Tactics for Sealing the Deal

    In this episode, a friend of the podcast, Rob Minturn, flipped the script. Rob interviews Jaden to deep dive into tactics for sealing the deal after his crew put a full season of elk lessons to the test. The guys get into the real stuff. Thermals that screw you, bulls that won't commit, when to send it versus when to slow down, and how to actually hunt elk with a group without blowing everything out. A lot of this comes straight from situations they ran into last fall, so it's not theory, it's what actually happens and how to make little adjustments for when it all comes together. If you've ever been in elk but couldn't quite close the deal, this one will probably hit home. Show Links:  Rob's Wifi Physio Services  >> Eastmans' Elite Membership >> Check out the Kifaru Pointe Synthetic Jacket >> Hunt West Webinar Series >>  Hunt West Planning Company Services >>  Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.

    1h 9m
  5. What the Crappiest Tags Teach You | Solo Round

    APR 11

    What the Crappiest Tags Teach You | Solo Round

    In this solo episode, Jaden takes you back through some of his earliest and messiest hunts. From a chaotic first archery mule deer that turned into a full-blown river chase, to grinding through low-success elk and pronghorn units, these stories all point to one core lesson. The unit you draw isn't what determines your success. It's how well you understand and adapt to the hunt in front of you. Too many hunters spend all their energy trying to pick the perfect unit, thinking that the tag itself will solve their problems. In reality, the best hunters in the West are successful because they adjust. They read terrain, understand animal behavior, and change their approach based on pressure, access, and conditions. Whether it's shifting from timber to ag edges for elk, knocking on doors for private access, or grinding out opportunities in low-point units, success comes from solving the hunt, not drawing it. If you're tired of overanalyzing units and just want to become a more effective hunter, this episode will help you rethink your entire approach to Western hunting. Show Links:  Eastmans' Elite Membership >> Check out the Kifaru Pointe Synthetic Jacket >> Hunt West Webinar Series >>  Hunt West Planning Company Services >>

    1h 15m
  6. Old School Skills, Big Bulls, and What Matters in Western Hunting with Randy Burtis

    APR 4

    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
  7. 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
  8. 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
See All (91)

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
    91
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Hunt West Podcast

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