Drawn West

Drawn West with Brian Krebs
  • 5.0 (270)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

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. 1d ago

    Mathews ARC vs Lift X: My Honest Review + the $4,000 ARC Giveaway

    Want to know if the new Mathews ARC is actually worth the upgrade over the Lift X? I shot both, carried both in the field, and I'm breaking down exactly what changed — the good, the small, and the stuff that probably isn't worth buying a new bow for. Plus, I'm giving away a fully custom Mathews ARC and over $4,000 in accessories in the biggest giveaway Drawn West has ever run. I walk through my full 2026 bow build on the ARC 34, from the SWX Z comfort mods and integrated Silent Connect System to my stabilizer setup. Then I get into the arrow change I've been avoiding for a decade — moving off my trusty Black Eagle Deep Impacts to the X Impacts in a 200 spine, switching from right-hand to left-hand helical fletching, and dropping my broadhead weight from 200 grains to 125. There's a bonus code word in this episode worth 50 giveaway entries, so listen for it. What we cover in this episode: Mathews ARC vs Lift X vs my old Halon — what actually feels different at full draw and on the shot break. The ARC features worth caring about: past-parallel cams, integrated SCS bow hoist, 7-degree angled stabilizer mount, and SWX Z comfort mods at 82 pounds. Why I went with the 34" axle-to-axle and whether the longer bow is a problem in ground blinds, treestands, and saddles. The full giveaway prize list: Dialed Proof slider sight, QAD IMX2 rest, Black Eagle arrows, custom wraps, VPA broadheads, Mod Saw cutter, Big Shot 24" target, Anchor Point bow holder, Conquest 3K carbon stabilizers, and a bonus Matthews Low Pro quiver. How the new app-based giveaway works — email and phone entry, live winner announcement, ~6-week run, bonus entries for follows, ratings, and referrals. My arrow overhaul: Black Eagle X Impacts in 200 spine, Bitzenburger jig, DCA Super Sabre fletchings at 2-degree left-hand helical, and left-hand bevel VPA Omega broadheads. Why I'm dropping to 125-grain broadheads this year and targeting a ~525-grain finished arrow for whitetails and black bear. This episode's bonus code word for 50 giveaway entries. If this breakdown helps you decide on your bow or arrow setup this year, subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating and review, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram so you don't miss the rest of the build series. And go enter the ARC giveaway at getdrawnwest.com/giveaway 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   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/e75Pm4uSave 10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwestSave 20% OnReveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20https://www.tactacam.com/Best Prices on Trauma Kits & First Aid at Jase.comhttps://rstr.co/jasemedical/getdrawnwest

    Mathews ARC vs Lift X: My Honest Review + the $4,000 ARC Giveaway

  2. Aug 6

    First Time Bear Baiting: The Strategy We're Running This Fall

    Ever wonder what it actually takes to pull a big bear into bow range, or how a guy with an old TV and a pull-up bar racked up 17 million views? This episode answers both. I sit down with Jared Lewis, the archer behind that viral saddle-hunting stunt, to break down his content approach and then dig deep into real bear baiting tactics ahead of fall season. We cover how Jared built a following posting hilarious, high-risk archery content, then shift into the meat of the episode: scent strategy for pulling bears into a bait site, barrel setup, bullet and broadhead selection, and where to actually aim on a bear so you don't lose a blood trail in the swamp. If you're weighing whether to run a bait station this season, or just want to laugh at a guy shooting a TV while hanging from a saddle, this one delivers both. What we cover in this episode: • The real story behind Jared's viral 17-million-view "shoot the TV" archery video and why the stunt worked • How Jared went from zero to over 30 million monthly views across Instagram and Facebook in just a few months of intentional posting • Why scent, not bait itself, is what actually draws bears in from a distance, and how raccoons and squirrels help spread it • Bait barrel setup: plastic vs. metal, hole placement, vertical vs. horizontal mounting, and what holds up to a determined bear • Rifle bullet selection (45-70 with a 300-grain Barnes copper bullet) versus bow broadheads (expandable hybrids and VPA single-bevels) for bear • Why bear shot placement is different from deer, and how to avoid a lost blood trail when their wound channels clog with fat • Balancing a bear bait station with whitetail season on the same property If this one gets you fired up for bear season, subscribe to the podcast and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram so you don't miss part two, the bear season recap. Check out more of Jared’s Content at:https://www.instagram.com/thejaredlewis_/Sign Up for the Monthly Reveal Giveaway & Claim Bonus points: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/reveal 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!https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/best-elk-calls-for-beginners   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/e75Pm4uSave 10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwestSave 20% OnReveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20https://www.tactacam.com/Get the BESTPRICES on your next firearm at Guns.com!https://alnk.to/3yfWc6R Best Prices on Trauma Kits & FirstAid at Jase.comhttps://rstr.co/jasemedical/getdrawnwest 00:00:00 – Intro and welcome to Jared Lewis 00:01:04 – Behind the viral TV-shooting archery stunt 00:09:37 – How Jared started making viral hunting content 00:12:36 – Bear sightings and population talk on Brian's farm 00:16:16 – New Hampshire vs. Minnesota bear seasons and baiting laws 00:20:18 – The real secret to attracting bears: scent over bait 00:24:43 – Picking the best location for a bait site 00:30:58 – Jared's bear bait recipe and barrel setup 00:41:07 – Rifle bullet selection for bear hunting 00:43:17 – Broadheads and bow setup for bear 00:52:30 – Bear anatomy and shot placement 00:56:04 – Running a bear bait alongside deer season 00:59:24 – Cooking and eating bear meat 01:03:41 – Wrap up and where to follow Jared

    First Time Bear Baiting: The Strategy We're Running This Fall

  3. Jul 30

    How To Pick the Right Ammo For Your Rifle

    You've bought the ammo everyone swears are "the best," and they still didn't work in your gun. Ryan Burnett from Pattern Pro USA joins me to break down why that keeps happening, and why his company's brand new rifle ammunition variety packs are about to save western hunters a lot of money and a lot of frustration this season. Ryan and I go all the way back to the origin story: how patterning a shotgun shell actually works, why his company started with a simple variety pack of shells, and how that idea is now expanding into rifle ammo. We get into the real differences between cup and core, bonded, partition, and monolithic bullets, and why the "best" bullet completely depends on your hunting scenario, not just what's sitting on the shelf. We also cover why trigger time matters just as much as a good zero, and Pattern Pro's brand new upland bird boxes and choke tube rental program. What we cover in this episode: • Why patterning your shotgun (not just sighting in a rifle) can save you hundreds of dollars a season and dramatically cut down on crippled birds • The origin story behind Pattern Pro USA, and how a buddy's bad box of shells turned into a business • Pattern Pro's brand new rifle ammunition variety packs: five calibers, four manufacturers, 20 rounds a box so you can find your best five-shot group • The real differences between cup and core, bonded, partition, and monolithic bullets, and which one actually fits your hunting scenario • Why a hunter shooting 500 yards on a CRP farm needs a completely different bullet than one shooting 75 yards in a Wisconsin food plot • New upland bird boxes and a first-of-its-kind choke tube rental program for waterfowl hunters If this gets you thinking about what's actually sitting in your ammo box, go follow Pattern Pro USA on Instagram and Facebook, and check back for more gear breakdowns like this one. 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!https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/best-elk-calls-for-beginners 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/e75Pm4uSave 10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwestSave 20% OnReveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20https://www.tactacam.com/Get the BESTPRICES on your next firearm at Guns.com!https://alnk.to/3yfWc6R Best Prices on Trauma Kits & First Aidat Jase.comhttps://rstr.co/jasemedical/getdrawnwest 00:00:00 – Studio Renovation Update and Episode Kickoff00:01:14 – Introducing Ryan Burnett and Pattern Pro USA00:03:03 – Why Most Hunters Don't Just Do One Thing00:09:08 – Ryan's Marine Corps Days and How He Met His Wife00:15:47 – How the Shotgun Shell Variety Pack Idea Was Born00:19:12 – Why Patterning Your Gun Actually Matters00:26:46 – Ear Protection, Recoil, and a Pivot to Rifles00:30:09 – Pattern Pro's New Rifle Ammunition Variety Packs00:35:34 – Building a Bullet Toolbox for Every Hunting Scenario00:41:57 – Why Trigger Time Matters More Than a Good Zero00:44:50 – Cup and Core vs Bonded vs Monolithic Bullets Explained00:54:41 – Why Hunters Wish Pattern Pro Existed Sooner00:59:49 – New Upland Bird Boxes and a Choke Tube Rental Program01:03:32 – What's Next and Where to Follow Pattern Pro USA

    How To Pick the Right Ammo For Your Rifle

  4. Jul 23

    Best Over-the-Counter Tags Left This Season

    It's July, your buddy's been talking points for years, and you still don't have a fall tag. Before you write off the season, there's a real list of over-the-counter and leftover tag options still on the table — and some of them are better hunts than people give them credit for. Brian sits down with GoHunt's Dave Barnett to break down exactly where OTC opportunity still exists this late in the year, from Colorado's second and third rifle elk to Utah's OTC spike bull tags, plus Idaho's return tag sale and Nevada's first-come-first-served leftover tags. They also dig into GoHunt Insider Plus as a mid-season option for hunters who need a fast plan, and close out with an overrated/underrated tag debate covering Montana mule deer, Nevada return tags, and Utah spike elk. Highlights: • Where OTC elk tags still exist in Colorado, Utah, and Idaho after July 4th • How Nevada's first-come-first-served return tag system actually works • Why the Idaho OTC "DMV line" tag sale rewards solo hunters over groups • What GoHunt Insider Plus actually includes and when it makes sense to sign up mid-season • A strategy breakdown for hunting Utah's OTC spike bull tag • Brian and Dave's overrated and underrated picks for backup tags, including Montana mule deer and Nevada return tags • A caliber debate on sunsetting 30-06, 308, and 270 Win in favor of newer 7mm and 6.5 options If this helped you find a plan for fall, subscribe to the show and check out GoHunt Insider Plus using code Drawn West for $50 gear shop credit! Enter the Reveal Giveaway! One winner every month for therest of the year! https://www.getdrawnwest.com/revealStay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn WestNewsletter.Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveawayupdates.Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletterLooking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/best-elk-calls-for-beginners 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/e75Pm4uSave 10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwestSave 20% OnReveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20https://www.tactacam.com/Get the BESTPRICES on your next firearm at Guns.com!https://alnk.to/3yfWc6R 00:00:00 — Intro and catching up with Dave Barnett 00:01:16 — Inside GoHunt's research content role and predictive draw odds accuracy 00:08:38 — Why state application systems feel outdated, and a dream fix 00:14:37 — What GoHunt Insider Plus actually includes 00:19:38 — Is Insider Plus worth it mid-season if you're scrambling for a tag 00:26:46 — Where the real OTC opportunity is right now (Nevada, Idaho) 00:32:00 — Colorado OTC elk, expectations vs reality 00:34:00 — Utah OTC spike elk strategy breakdown 00:37:33 — OTC options for mule deer and antelope 00:44:47 — Overrated vs underrated backup tags segment 00:53:33 — Rifle and caliber talk, sunsetting old cartridges 01:02:31 — Where to find Dave and closing GoHunt discount info

    Best Over-the-Counter Tags Left This Season

  5. Jul 16

    Best Way to Transport Your Bow w/ ANKR Point

    Ever thrown your bow in the backseat only to find your fletchings crushed, your sight bumped, or fresh scratches on your door frame? That annoying, expensive problem is exactly what pushed two Utah hunting buddies to design one of the coolest truck bow mounts on the market. In this episode, Logan Cornwall and Dave Hansen of Anchor Point break down how a bumpy elk hunt turned into a universal bow-storage system that sold out its first batch overnight. They cover the messy prototyping process, why grabbing the bow by the grip (upside down) solved the fit problem across different bow models, and how they're bootstrapping production with a basement full of 3D printers while gearing up to scale into injection molding. The conversation also drifts into classic Western hunting talk — road hunting strategy, Utah's weapon-and-season draw restrictions, elk calling stories, and trail camera setups for summer scouting. Highlights: • The bumpy elk hunt that sparked the idea for a truck-mounted bow holder • Why flipping the design upside down solved compatibility across bow brands and models • How Anchor Point sold out 20 units overnight on launch night, before HuntExpo • The tradeoffs between 3D printing and injection molding for a scaling hunting brand • How to spot (and avoid) scam websites copying small outdoor brands' products • Logan's solo, limited-entry Utah bull elk story and Dave's plans for next season • Trail camera picks and cellular coverage tips for summer e-scouting Check Out ANKR Point: https://www.getankrpoint.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ankr.point/ If you enjoyed this one, subscribe to the podcast and follow along for more gear breakdowns and Western hunting strategy talk every week. Enter our Reveal Cell Cam giveaway — sign up at https://www.getdrawnwest.com/revealto be entered to win. And stick around for the whole episode: there's a secretcode word in this conversation you'll need to get 20 extra entries, so don'tskip ahead. 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!https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/best-elk-calls-for-beginners 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=getdrawnwestSave20% On Reveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20https://www.tactacam.com/00:00:00 – Intro:welcoming Logan and Dave from Anchor Point00:01:13 – Guest backgrounds: growing up hunting in Utah00:03:16 – What is Anchor Point? The elevator pitch00:04:05 – The bumpy elk hunt that sparked the idea00:06:21 – The "flip it upside down" design breakthrough00:08:04 – Launch story: sold out overnight before HuntExpo00:12:26 – 3D printing now vs. injection molding for scale00:15:29 – SLS printing and modern manufacturing options00:19:45 – Why road hunting is underrated in the West00:24:38 – Trail camera picks and cellular coverage for scouting00:27:00 – Protecting your bow: dinged doors and busted sights00:36:05 – Left vs. right handed setups and backseat fit00:42:20 – Upcoming Utah tags and elk hunting plans00:47:36 – Logan's solo limited-entry bull elk story00:53:04 – Watch out for scam Anchor Point websites00:56:19 – Where to buy and follow Anchor Point

    Best Way to Transport Your Bow w/ ANKR Point

  6. Jul 8

    Gain 300fps In Your 6.5 Creedmoor with Federal’s +Peak Alloy

    The 6.5 Creedmoor has always taken heat for being underpowered on elk — until now. Federal's engineers sit down to explain how their new Peak Alloy case technology closes that gap by packing 300 extra feet per second into the exact same cartridge millions of hunters already own. Federal design engineers Ben Carlson and Brad Abramowski, along with product line manager Josh Vickers, break down how a U.S. Army next-generation weapons program in 2018 led directly to Peak Alloy, a case material designed to beat the pressure limits of brass. From there, the conversation covers why they picked the 6.5 Creedmoor for this upgrade over more exotic calibers, how modern bullet technology like Terminal Ascent changes the terminal-performance math on smaller cartridges, and where the industry is headed with older rounds like the 30-06. • How Peak Alloy case technology started inside the Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon program back in 2018 • Why Federal picked the 6.5 Creedmoor, not a magnum, as the first commercial cartridge to get the Peak Alloy treatment • How Peak Alloy pushes 155-156 grain bullets in a 6.5 Creedmoor faster than stock 6.5 PRC velocities • An engineer's honest take on whether 6.5 Creedmoor Plus Peak replaces a 300 Win Mag for elk • Why bullet design (Terminal Ascent, bonded bullets) matters as much as raw velocity for clean, ethical kills • Real hunting stories, including a mule deer taken at 15 feet, an elk shot with a 6mm Creedmoor at 700 yards, and doubling on whitetail does in the same food plot • Whether classic cartridges like the 30-06 and 270 Winchester are ever likely to disappear If you're rethinking your next big-game rifle setup, hit follow and share this one with your hunting crew — it might change what's in your safe this fall. Check out more from Brad, Josh, and Ben on Instagram: Ben: https://www.instagram.com/ben_carlson_/ Brad: https://www.instagram.com/real_gunnerdog/ Josh: https://www.instagram.com/vickers.josh/ 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! https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/best-elk-calls-for-beginners 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/g3aa8L4 GOHUNT GearShop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest Save 20% On Reveal Cell Cams & Accessories with codeDRAWNWEST20https://www.tactacam.com/ 00:00:00— Meet the Federal team: Ben, Josh, and Brad 00:04:36— Backstory: the 7mm Backcountry launch 00:06:55— Why brass limits cartridge performance 00:09:15— Origin of Peak Alloy: the Army's next-gen weapon program 00:11:33— Beating the 7mm PRC: designing a better big-game cartridge 00:13:55— How the "Backcountry" name came to be 00:16:19— Announcing 6.5 Creedmoor Plus Peak 00:18:35— Making the 6.5 Creedmoor more versatile 00:20:53— Is 6.5 Creedmoor really an elk cartridge? 00:23:17— Terminal Ascent and choosing the right bullet 00:25:43— Ben's honest take: 6.5 Creedmoor vs 300 Win Mag for elk 00:32:41— Should older calibers get Peak Alloy too? 00:35:06— Will classics like the 30-06 ever sunset? 00:39:47— Choosing a first rifle for mule deer hunting 00:42:07— Suppressed rifles and the Peak Alloy advantage 00:44:26— Draw results and fall hunting plans 00:48:53— Minnesota whitetail stories and early doe season 00:53:34— Bear baiting tips and strategy00:55:56 — Elk hunting stories and hunting withfamily

    Gain 300fps In Your 6.5 Creedmoor with Federal’s +Peak Alloy

  7. Jun 30

    Mobile Whitetail Hunting w/ Tom Lalond

    If you've been daydreaming about real deer camp adventure but feel stuck by time, money, or gear, this conversation will feel relevant. Tom LaLond from XOP joins me to break down attainable whitetail trips on realistic budgets, the culture behind XOP's gear labs, and how building one dialed-in kit frees up money to hunt more states. We walk through what attainable adventure actually looks like in states like Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, and the Appalachians — where a $2,500 trip is the real constraint, not a marketing line. Then we get into mobile stand setups, packing systems, and why smarter clothing choices matter more than adding another layer to the pile. 00:00:00 – Introducing Tom LaLond and the XOP deer camp world 00:01:30 – How deer camp culture and camaraderie became the core of XOP gear labs 00:03:20 – Attainable adventure: $2,500 trip budgets and hunting everyday states 00:07:20 – Nebraska gear lab: cheap tents, shared gear, and what made it memorable 00:35:40 – Packing a mobile whitetail kit: skinny packs, layer order, and tree efficiency 00:37:50 – One kit, more tags: spending less on gear to hunt more states 00:39:45 – Bluff country clothing: hiking cold, managing sweat, and building a puffy system Topics Covered: • What XOP's deer camp gear labs are and why serious hunters keep choosing them • How to frame and plan a $2,500 attainable adventure trip in almost any state • Packing a mobile whitetail kit efficiently from bag to tree • Why one complete setup beats five halfway-finished ones — and frees up tag money • Puffy vs bib layering systems for cold, steep, sweat-inducing terrain If this episode sparks a few ideas for your own deer camps or mobile setups, share it with someone you'd want in camp and hit follow so you don't miss the next one. 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!https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/best-elk-calls-for-beginners 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

    Mobile Whitetail Hunting w/ Tom Lalond

  8. Jun 24

    Bighorn Sheep Populations w/ Cody Hinkley

    You've probably looked at sheep tag odds and thought — that's never happening. The numbers are brutal. Most states are handing out a handful of tags to thousands of applicants, and the herds aren't exactly booming. But there's a population in the Black Canyon of Colorado that just got its first hunt tag in over 80 years, and a wildlife researcher who's been tracking every sheep in that canyon for the last two years using 71 trail cameras. The results are pretty interesting. Cody Hinkley is wrapping up his master's research at Western Colorado University, and his thesis asks a simple but important question: can trail cameras replace expensive, dangerous helicopter surveys to monitor bighorn sheep populations? If the answer is yes, it changes how wildlife managers across the West track herds — and potentially how tags get allocated. In this episode, we break down how the mark-resight method works, what the population data actually shows for this herd, and what the disease threatening sheep herds nationwide would take to solve. We also get into the honest reality of what it would take — population-wise — for a non-resident to have a realistic shot at drawing a tag in their lifetime. Highlights: • How trail cameras can be used to estimate wildlife population size and sex ratios — and why it matters for tag allocation • Why this Colorado Black Canyon herd is an anomaly — growing when most sheep herds are struggling • The preliminary data: ~80 sheep, and more rams than ewes, with implications for future tag numbers • Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (MOVI) — the disease from domestic sheep that is the #1 management threat to bighorn herds nationwide • What "full curl" means, when rams reach maturity, and how wildlife managers think about harvestable surplus • Realistic advice for hunters who want a sheep tag someday — including which states to watch and why Colorado is worth a closer look • Why whitetail hunters can actually run a mini population survey on their own property using the same science If you want to follow Cody's research when it's published, keep an eye on his work coming out of Western Colorado University — he's planning to make it publicly accessible. And if you haven't already, subscribe to the Drawn West podcast so you don't miss episodes like this one. https://www.instagram.com/codymhinkley/ 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!https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/best-elk-calls-for-beginners     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

    Bighorn Sheep Populations w/ Cody Hinkley
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Drawn West with Brian Krebs
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Drawn West with Brian Krebs
  • Show Website
    Drawn West

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