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. 5h ago

    Ep. 276 Hunting Pressure vs. Barometric Pressure: Western Canada Whitetail Hunting Tactics

    Host Kevin Toye talks with Alberta bowhunter Kyle Sinclair-Smith about changing deer populations, CWD, and the realities of hunting mature whitetails on private land. Kyle shares his scouting and stand strategies, how he balances hunting with family life, and practical lessons on permission, trespassing, and recovering animals across property lines.   Chapters 00:00 Alberta deer numbers and changing whitetail-mule deer balance 06:06 CWD testing and protecting the family 11:14 Hunting private ranchland as access shrinks 13:03 July camera inventory and September patterns 15:00 The buck that became a multi-year pursuit 22:26 Balancing big-buck goals, meat hunting, and family 25:15 Pressure, wind, and timing a productive sit 28:23 Natural blinds, field edges, and travel routes 32:25 Scrapes, pre-rut movement, and all-day sits 40:33 Rattling, decisive shots, and unpredictable rut bucks 49:23 Late-season gear and staying quiet 54:08 Trespassing, wounded game, and permission etiquette 01:06:23 How to respectfully ask for hunting access 01:12:08 Bowhunting gear and closing conversation https://www.instagram.com/kssbowhunter/ Be sure to visit www.kevintoye.com https://www.youtube.com/@kevinltoye

  2. 2d ago

    Ep. 275 **RUT REPORT** November 9th -14th

    Kevin shares a Western Canada deer-rut report based on his own scouting, trail-camera activity, and conversations with hunters in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. He outlines when and where to look for mule deer and whitetails, how to read rut signs, and how to hunt without pressuring deer or compromising safety and legality. Chapters 00:00 Kevin’s weekend hunt and changing Western weather 04:09 Rut report sources and the AKU boot giveaway 06:05 Mule deer timing and daylight movement in BC and Alberta 08:46 Where to focus as bucks search for does 12:12 Post-rut recovery and recognizing fresh rut sign 13:56 Mule deer terrain, regulations, and late-season transition 15:52 Whitetail rut timing across Alberta and BC 17:47 Saskatchewan outlook and avoiding hunting pressure 20:11 Snow, travel corridors, and bucks moving for breeding 22:06 Making scrapes and focusing on does and pinch points 24:02 Hunting safety, listener questions, and closing giveaway reminder Please check out the YouTube Channel  https://www.youtube.com/@kevinltoye   www.kevintoye.com

  3. 5d ago

    Ep. 274 What the F@cK FriDaY: Hold my BEER while I wreck this.

    ** Warning: some listeners might find this content offensive** Kevin Toye and Landen Fidek trade candid, comic complaints in a Friday conversation ranging from BC politics and grizzly-bear hunting to YouTube DIY advice, pointless questions, and the frustrations of shopping at Costco. They also swap hunting stories and movie references, offering an unfiltered snapshot of their friendship and ongoing projects. Chapters 00:00 Landen's back, and the week has been a grind 01:25 BC politics and whether the grizzly hunt could return 04:38 The YouTube repair that turns into a tradesperson's problem 07:25 Why call someone when you can Google the answer? 11:41 Disneyland, questionable vacations, and hunting abroad 17:08 Costco's slow walkers, blocked aisles, and card checks 22:12 Rusty's youthful looks and the original Road House 26:27 Turkey-hunt outtakes and the upcoming goat-hunt film 33:37 Mule deer fat, hunting regulations, and proof of sex 35:23 Deer harvest proof: antlers, tails, and species checks 39:06 Why elk hunting wears Kevin down mentally 42:24 Coffee, caffeine, and giving up alcohol 45:31 Old drinking stories and family-party chaos 50:13 Dream African hunts: kudu, buffalo, and zebra 53:44 Cougars, mountain lions, and a terminology mix-up 57:39 Favorite comedy scenes and classic SNL sketches 59:15 Whitetail season plans and giant typical bucks 01:03:08 A hunting spot, a landowner, and shifting locations 01:05:25 Why mineral sites need time to establish 01:06:16 Burying minerals and keeping animals working for bait 01:08:15 Moose and bears taking over bait sites https://www.youtube.com/@kevinltoye Please sign up for my weekly news letter. www.kevintoye.com

  4. 6d ago

    Ep. 273 Public Land Mule Deer: Locating Bucks, Reading Country & Rut Hunts

    Kevin talks with Western big-game hunter Rusty Smith about pursuing archery elk and mature mule deer, including scouting, reading terrain, and adapting to weather and rut activity. Rusty also shares family hunting memories, the realities of balancing a demanding hunting life with work and marriage, and why difficult pursuits can be more fulfilling than easy wins.   Chapters 00:00 Meet Rusty Smith: a lifetime of western big-game hunting 01:57 Why September archery elk is Rusty’s sacred season 03:56 Two Idaho elk tags and a pair of successful hunts 05:52 A wheelchair hunt, a 330-inch bull, and family memories 08:47 Grandpa’s .30-30 and the hunts Rusty still cherishes 13:53 Summer scouting and finding bucks that stay close 17:11 Read bedding cover, feed, and terrain before water 19:58 Glass timber edges and capitalize on the rut 26:04 How a missed buck led to a 30-inch-wide deer 28:58 Cold mornings, storms, and locating does 34:14 Change your glassing angle without blowing deer out 37:03 Tracking big buck sign through snow 39:49 Why mature mule deer punish small mistakes 43:12 Spotting antlers, ears, and white faces in dark timber 46:04 Making room for hunting while showing up at home 55:12 A supportive marriage and the commitment behind hunting 59:01 Happiness versus fulfillment in hunting and life 01:00:55 Rusty’s work, businesses, and where to follow him https://babybooners.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rts_proverbs21v19/ www.kevintoye.com

  5. Nov 2

    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

  6. Nov 1

    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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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
    263
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Kevin Toye inc.
  • Show Website
    FOCUS HUNTING PODCAST

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