Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Cliff Gray
  • 4.9 (100)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Hunt. Fish. Spear. Get Better at It. Interviews with those that have done it.

  1. 1D AGO

    Tahr or Elk? - Hunting NZ vs. Hunting The West

    In this episode, Jurgen Schwanecke and Cliff break down how hunting in New Zealand actually works, from public land access to species like tahr and chamois, and what makes it so different from hunting in the U.S. We also get into the realities—terrain, weather, physical demands, and why success isn’t guaranteed just because opportunity exists. Jurgen also talks about culling work and the skills that come from shooting a high volume of animals in real-world conditions. 00:00 — Why New Zealand Might Be the Best Hunting Country 01:24 — How New Zealand Got Its Game Animals (1850s Origins) 11:30 — Jurgen's Background Guiding the Flat Tops in Colorado 13:25 — Conservation Culture Clash: Anti-Hunters in NZ vs. the US 16:37 — How New Zealand's Hunting System Actually Works (Tags, Seasons, Land) 21:05 — Bringing Firearms In: NZ Gun Laws After the 2019 Shooting 23:56 — DIY in NZ vs. Over-the-Counter Elk in Colorado: Which Is Harder? 27:25 — Fitness, Terrain, and Why NZ Rewards Going Deep 30:03 — If You Only Hunt Once: Why Tahr Should Be the Trip 32:35 — Red Stag vs. Elk: Calls, Behavior, and Tactics 34:17 — Bowhunting Culture in New Zealand 36:14 — Using NZ as an Off-Season Practice Ground for American Hunters 39:43 — Bringing Trophies and Meat Home 41:03 — Cultural Norms Americans Should Know Before Hunting NZ 47:25 — Jurgen's Culling Work: Goats, Deer, and Night Shooting 50:29 — Lessons From Killing Thousands: Shooting Positions and Setups 55:25 — The .223 as a Serious Hunting Cartridge 58:26 — Terminal Performance: .223 vs .308 vs .270 1:01:31 — Shoulder vs. Crease: The Big American/Kiwi Shot Placement Debate 1:10:18 — Why Jurgen Hunts With a .270 Winchester 1:12:05 — Gear Differences: What Kiwis Carry vs. What Americans Pack 1:15:44 — Jurgen's Guiding Operation: Public Land Wilderness Hunts 1:18:34 — Planning Your NZ Trip: Trip Length and Helicopter Access 1:22:42 — Where to Find Jurgen Online & Sign-Off Jurgen Schwanecke’s youtube and instagram https://www.youtube.com/@strider_media https://www.instagram.com/strider_media/ --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/PursuitWithCliff Pursuit With Cliff Podcast https://pursuitwithcliff.com/interviews-and-podcasts/ Cliff's Hunt Planning and Strategy Membership  https://pursuitwithcliff.com/membership/ Hunt. Fish. Spear.  (Experiences, Courses and Seminars) https://pursuitwithcliff.com/Experiences Merch https://pursuitwithcliff.com/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO CLIFF'S NEWSLETTER: https://PursuitWithCliff.com/#Newsletter

    1h 25m

  2. APR 13

    Designs For REAL HUNTING - Reticles and Cold Weather Gear - THLR Thomas

    Most reticles are built for perfect conditions… but hunting rarely gives you that. In this episode, I sit down with Thomas to break down what actually matters when it’s time to shoot. We get into reticle design, wind brackets, and why simplicity often beats complexity when things happen fast. We talk about real-world scenarios—multiple animals, movement, communication breakdowns, and the kind of pressure that forces you to make decisions in seconds. That’s where most systems fall apart. We also get into shooting moving animals, and even cold weather hunting—where your gear, your body, and your decision-making all get tested. Follow Thomas on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCmKvQfvjqbUakUotekAyxew  --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/PursuitWithCliff Pursuit With Cliff Podcast https://pursuitwithcliff.com/interviews-and-podcasts/ Cliff's Hunt Planning and Strategy Membership  https://pursuitwithcliff.com/membership/ Hunt. Fish. Spear.  (Experiences, Courses and Seminars) https://pursuitwithcliff.com/Experiences Merch https://pursuitwithcliff.com/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO CLIFF'S NEWSLETTER: https://PursuitWithCliff.com/#Newsletter

    1h 48m

  3. APR 6

    1,000+ Big Game Animals Later - Bullet Construction and Placement Realities - Dr. Ashby

    Most hunters think they understand shot placement and bullet performance—but the reality is very different. In this episode, we break down what actually kills animals, from bullet construction to impact velocity to shot placement. This isn’t theory—it’s based on thousands of animals, real-world testing, and hard lessons learned in the field with Dr. Ashby. Chapter 1 – Bullet Myths vs Reality (00:00) Chapter 2 – Why Faster Bullets Don’t Penetrate (12:00) Chapter 3 – Real-World Bullet Testing Results (25:00) Chapter 4 – What Actually Kills Animals (30:00) Chapter 5 – Bullet Construction vs Caliber (49:00) Chapter 6 – The Shot Placement Problem (1:39:30) Chapter 7 – Why Hunters Aim Too Far Back (1:40:00) Chapter 8 – Training vs Reality (Why Guys Miss It) (1:48:00) --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/PursuitWithCliff Pursuit With Cliff Podcast https://pursuitwithcliff.com/interviews-and-podcasts/ Cliff's Hunt Planning and Strategy Membership  https://pursuitwithcliff.com/membership/ Hunt. Fish. Spear.  (Experiences, Courses and Seminars) https://pursuitwithcliff.com/Experiences Merch https://pursuitwithcliff.com/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO CLIFF'S NEWSLETTER: https://PursuitWithCliff.com/#Newsletter

    2h 2m

  4. MAR 25

    The Magic of Cape Buffalo Hunting - Cliff, Tim Sundles, and Chris Jonker Get Into It

    Cape Buffalo hunting is nothing like elk or deer hunting—In this episode, we break down a real hunt where we tracked multiple Cape Buffalo through thick bush, lost them, picked them back up, and ended up surrounded.  We also cover gear setups, shot placement, what happens when a buffalo decides to charge, and the reality of planning an African hunt—from rifles to cost to what to expect. If you’ve ever thought about hunting Africa, this is the unfiltered version of what it’s actually like. --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/PursuitWithCliff Pursuit With Cliff Podcast https://pursuitwithcliff.com/interviews-and-podcasts/ Cliff's Hunt Planning and Strategy Membership  https://pursuitwithcliff.com/membership/ Hunt. Fish. Spear.  (Experiences, Courses and Seminars) https://pursuitwithcliff.com/Experiences Merch https://pursuitwithcliff.com/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO CLIFF'S NEWSLETTER: https://PursuitWithCliff.com/#Newsletter

    1h 7m

  5. MAR 20

    Hunting Colorado in 2026 - Draw Details and Current Winter Conditions

    Colorado’s draw system is changing, point creep is accelerating, and hunters need to rethink their strategy for elk, sheep, goat, and moose in the coming years. In this episode, Cliff sits down with Jimmy Oswald to break down the current outlook for Colorado hunting ahead of the upcoming draw. They start by discussing Colorado’s unusually dry winter and what historically low snowpack could mean for wildlife, habitat conditions, and the upcoming hunting season. While winter conditions matter, they explain why summer moisture and fire season will ultimately have a bigger impact on elk behavior and hunting success. The conversation then shifts to major changes coming to Colorado’s draw system. Beginning in 2028, half of the available tags will move from a pure preference point system to a weighted lottery. Jimmy explains why this change is already affecting hunter behavior and why point creep could spike in the next few draws as high-point holders rush to use their points. Toward the end of the episode, Jimmy shares insights on sheep, goat, and moose draw strategy, including which units he currently likes and how herd dynamics and tag allocations affect trophy potential. Follow Jimmy at https://www.lksoutfitters.com/.  --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/PursuitWithCliff Pursuit With Cliff Podcast https://pursuitwithcliff.com/interviews-and-podcasts/ Cliff's Hunt Planning and Strategy Membership  https://pursuitwithcliff.com/membership/ Hunt. Fish. Spear.  (Experiences, Courses and Seminars) https://pursuitwithcliff.com/Experiences Merch https://pursuitwithcliff.com/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO CLIFF'S NEWSLETTER: https://PursuitWithCliff.com/#Newsletter

    1h 47m

  6. FEB 28

    Why Tikkas are SO Reliable In The Backcountry - EXPLAINED

    Why do Tikka rifles keep working when others choke in snow, dirt, and real hunting conditions? In this episode, I sit down with Jared Smethurst from Beretta to break down the mechanical and manufacturing reasons behind Tikka and Sako reliability. We cover action design, bolt tolerances, primary extraction, magazine systems, safety design, cold hammer forged barrels, and why some modern cartridges—especially PRCs—can introduce feeding issues. --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/PursuitWithCliff Pursuit With Cliff Podcast https://pursuitwithcliff.com/interviews-and-podcasts/ Cliff's Hunt Planning and Strategy Membership  https://pursuitwithcliff.com/membership/ Hunt. Fish. Spear.  (Experiences, Courses and Seminars) https://pursuitwithcliff.com/Experiences Merch https://pursuitwithcliff.com/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO CLIFF'S NEWSLETTER: https://PursuitWithCliff.com/#Newsletter

    1h 26m

  7. FEB 16

    Get Good at Elk Hunting Colorado Wilderness FAST - Briggs Pittman

    This conversation with Briggs Pittman breaks down what actually kills elk on hard, public land hunts. Not theory, not gear hype, but decision-making, preparation, and execution. Briggs and Cliff cover why smelling elk is a non-negotiable stop, how elite hunters manage time in the woods, why mindset mathematically affects success, and how rifle hunters should think more like bow hunters. They dive deep into rifle setup, bipod selection, shooting positions, dry fire training, backpack weight discipline, food strategy, and why most hunters quietly sabotage themselves long before they miss a shot. Briggs on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/briggs_pittman/ --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/PursuitWithCliff Pursuit With Cliff Podcast https://pursuitwithcliff.com/interviews-and-podcasts/ Cliff's Hunt Planning and Strategy Membership  https://pursuitwithcliff.com/membership/ Hunt. Fish. Spear.  (Experiences, Courses and Seminars) https://pursuitwithcliff.com/Experiences Merch https://pursuitwithcliff.com/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO CLIFF'S NEWSLETTER: https://PursuitWithCliff.com/#Newsletter

    2h 4m

  8. FEB 9

    Consistently Finding Elk with Wildman Dan Vinson

    This episode breaks down how elk actually respond to hunting pressure and why most hunters misunderstand where mature bulls survive once seasons open. Cliff talks with a self-taught elk hunter, Dan Vinson, who learned the hard way, without mentors or shortcuts. The conversation centers on pressure, access, and human behavior, not elevation gain or how far someone is willing to hike. Elk do not disappear when pressure increases. They compress into small, unattractive pockets where hunters walk through but never slow down enough to hunt. The episode also covers bivy hunting, decision-making under uncertainty, and the cost of overcommitting to camps or rigid plans. A detailed solo bull encounter highlights how quickly things unravel after the shot, why blood trails are not guaranteed, and how emotional load compounds when hunting alone. This is a realistic look at elk hunting as it actually happens for most do-it-yourself hunters. Resources from Dan Vinson Wild Gym | All Things Rucking: https://www.wildgym.com/ Dan's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wilddanvinson --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/PursuitWithCliff Pursuit With Cliff Podcast https://pursuitwithcliff.com/interviews-and-podcasts/ Cliff's Hunt Planning and Strategy Membership  https://pursuitwithcliff.com/membership/ Hunt. Fish. Spear.  (Experiences, Courses and Seminars) https://pursuitwithcliff.com/Experiences Merch https://pursuitwithcliff.com/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO CLIFF'S NEWSLETTER: https://PursuitWithCliff.com/#Newsletter

    1h 11m
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4.9
out of 5
100 Ratings

About

Hunt. Fish. Spear. Get Better at It. Interviews with those that have done it.

Information

  • Creator
    Cliff Gray
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    102
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray
  • Show Website
    Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

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