The Rich Outdoors

Hunt Elk Like it’s a Once in a Lifetime Tag with Justin Helvik

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If you want a hunting story that is going to fire you up for season, listen to this podcast! Justin is a beast, he has DIY’d all of his trophy game tags, he’s killed some absolute monster bucks, not to mention his canyoneering, and mountaineering feats. Last year he set a goal to put that same effort into killing a good bull and boy did he accomplish that goal. 
The best part about this elk hunting story is that Justin didn’t spend weeks, or even pay some trespass fee. Justin is a weekend warrior on public ground who just worked his butt off and found a giant in that one place his gut always told him there would be one. This is an EPIC hunting story.
Show Notes:
Start – Justin’s Tags & 2021 Season – 0m 37s
Justin’s 2020 Bull Story – 46s
Down to the Wire – 45m 7s
An Anxious Morning – 54m 15s
Looking Back – 60m 50s
Closing Thoughts – 66m 45s

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EP 502: Mountain Discipline with Justin Shaffer **RE-POST Full Episode

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One of the most successful and hardest working hunters I know is Justin Shaffer. Retired army ranger and now full time director at Kuiu Justin has worked extremely hard to get where he is and really to have the success in the field that he has.

In this podcast we talk about what sets him apart from everyone else, (though he’s too humble to admit that he is in a league of his own). Years of discipline and honing his craft have allowed him to set very big personal goals and then crush those goals year after year. I love that Justin came from nothing and did this all on military salary. Justin is such a great example of how you can craft your life to be what you want it to be. Since the first time I ever met Justin he has been someone I would consider a friend and someone I want to emulate. Hope you guys enjoy this conversation with a solid human being.

Show Notes: 
Intro – Justin Schafer – 03:06
Self Discipline, Goals, & Regrets – 13:03
Justin Talks How to Plan a CO Hunt – 19:55
Justin’s Bighorn Hunt & Cancelation Hunts – 23:29
Where to Start for a Sheep Slam – 38:53
Justin’s Progression as a Hunter – 41:36
Justin’s Advice to Achieve Your Goals – 46:28
Justin’s Job at Kuiu & Promotions – 51:21

This podcast is brought to you by Backcountry Fuel Box Hunting season fast approaching and now is the time to get signed up and start trying new snacks, or even stashing them. Each month we send you 8-12 different products with discount codes for the brands you like. You are going to love the surprise of getting the box and checking out new brands. I don’t know how many people have said “its like Christmas morning every month”. Try it now 100% risk free, if you don’t like your first box I will refund you 100% and you can keep the dang box. Use the code TRO and its gonna knock 10% off for every month you are subscribed. Also you can get the box through are Patreon page and that automatically gives you the discounted price + free access to all of the Wapiti Wednesday and Muley Monday episodes. Check it out and if you like it give it a try.

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EP 499: Shawn Melland – What I can be, I must be.

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What I can be, I must be.

My man Shawn Melland joins be for a killer podcast about operating in life and in hunting at that next level. Shawn is by far one of the best elk hunters I know. He is the person I surround myself with to push me to be better. His mindset drives him to be such a great elk hunter but honestly that is just one aspect of it. As we recorded this podcast I couldn’t help but think that it is very much like the old adage “which came first the chicken or the egg?” For Shawn he just knows he is going to get it done, he knows what it takes to go through the process at the highest level. When I talk about my drive for hunting pushing me to be better in business and in life, this is what I am talking about. Such a great show! Next week we are going to record a Q&A with Shawn and dive into elk tactics over on our Patreon page for all you Patreon supports.

Hunting season fast approaching and now is the time to get signed up and start trying new snacks, or even stashing them. Each month we send you 8-12 different products with discount codes for the brands you like. You are going to love the surprise of getting the box and checking out new brands. I don’t know how many people have said “its like Christmas morning every month”. Try it now 100% risk free, if you don’t like your first box I will refund you 100% and you can keep the dang box. Use the code TRO and its gonna knock 10% off for every month you are subscribed. Also you can get the box through are Patreon page and that automatically gives you the discounted price + free access to all of the Wapiti Wednesday and Muley Monday episodes. Check it out and if you like it give it a try.

This podcast brought to you by our good friends at On X Maps. Not only is On X a must have for western big game hunting and a must have for me when it comes to scouting, but On X has launched some really cool features this year that are going to help you out tremendously. On X is my go-to fore e-scouting I love the fact that I can go through my e-scout routine on my computer finding primary areas, secondary areas, routes, and mark everything from glassing locations to feed areas, water, you name it. The best part is that all of that homework I do this time of year is automatically in my phone when I start scouting or even hunting. On X recently launched 3d which gives you the ability to really look at your are without so much bouncing back and forth with google earth. This gives me the ability to more accurately determine glassing points travel routes, and so many terrain features you just can’t see in topo. Check out some of these cool new features from On X and give them a try, it just might make you a more successful hunter. Use the TRO code when you renew your membership and save 20%.

Show Notes: 
Intro – Shawn Returns – 04:42
Preparing for the 2021 Season – 08:45
Shawn’s Journey – 17:04
Shawn Gives Some Advice – 24:44
Sahwn’s 2020 Struggles – 33:21
Leveling Up – 50:47
Shawn’s Unlimited Sheep Story – 59:33
Plans for the 2021 Season – 1:03:22
Shawn’s Closing Advice & Request – 1:12:28

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EP 473: Tracking Elk and Late Season Gear with Josh Boyd

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This week I’m joined on the podcast by fellow Montanan Josh Boyd. Josh consistently gets it done year in and year out. Josh also is a big contributor to the Rokslide forum and is constantly testing new gear. In this podcast we end up talking a lot about rifle hunting elk and the challenges that come with a tough hunt. We also dive into gear recommendations for that mid season October time frame and many of the things Josh has found to make him a successful hunter.

Show Notes: 
Intro – Josh Boyd, Overview – 03:35
Tracking Tactics & Scenarios – 13:03
When to Glass vs Tracking – 26:29
Mid & Late Season Shelters – 32:24
Gear Priorities & Options – 38:16
Josh’s Upcoming Season – 49:23

This podcast also brought to you by goHUNT.com and their insider membership. Not only have goHUNT’s Insider helped me get more tags than I have time to hunt, but when you become a goHUNT Insider you get access to the gear shop which is thee best place to buy backcountry hunting gear. The goHUNT gear shop has put together the best of the best when it comes to western big game hunting equipment. On top of having the best gear and the best prices when you shop at the goHUNT Gear Shop you receive points back with every purchase. Lets say you need a new pair of boots. If you buy them from the Gear Shop you not only get them at the same price but you also get anywhere from 25-50 points, aka dollars credited toward your account for more stuff. Its a sweet deal and all in all I think goHUNT’s insider program is well worth the $150 membership. Not to mention when you sign up with the TRO code you get 50 points automatically credited to your account to use at the gear shop.
Todays podcast is brought to you by On X maps. On X is a big supporter of the podcast which is good because I us my On X app constantly. Today I want to share a quick pro tip with you on how I use the app in the field. When I am hunting a new area one thing I like to do is track out elk trails using the tracker feature. The tracker basically creates a line wherever you walk. Now I don’t use this all the time because it burns to much battery but say I am working through a timber patch and come across a heavily used elk trail. If it is going the direction I want to go I may follow that elk trail or at least off to the side of it to map out the elk travel corridor. Often times this gives me a big picture view of elk behavior. This coupled with dropping way points every time I see or hear elk gives me a great overview of what the elk are doing in that area. Hope this helps this season and be sure to download your maps with all your layers before heading to the field.

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EP 432: Tyson Olson – Adventurer & Ice-Capades Extraordinaire

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In today’s episode of the podcast, I sit down with a fellow hardcore hunter and someone who has done very well for himself throughout the years. Tyson has an interesting story and a great outlook on life, him and routinely chat about business and hunting and in this podcast Tyson shares some valuable insights into decision making and risk.

Tyson recently had quite the scare when he and his boy ended up putting his Razor UTV through the ice while ice fishing on Fort Peck. Tyson shares that experience and the crazy story of the panic to get his boy out of his seatbelt as than were sinking into the darkness. Crazy story!

This episode is brought to you by On X maps and gohunt.com. my two favorite tools for planning hunts and this time of year I spend a lot of nights scouring these two services to plan all of my epic adventures. If you want to start doing epic trips and hunts. Maybe you have never hunted outside of your home state before. Get yourself a goHUNT and an ON X accounts and just spend one hour a night checking things out. That’s how it all starts, pretty soon you will be planning epic hunts and having too many more hunts that you don’t even have time for. Again, if you want to do epic trips, push yourself out of your comfort level, and become to the type of person you hunts new areas, sign up for goHUNT Insider and get yourself an On X Hunt account. Use the code TRO and you will save 20% off On X and you will get $50 to the gear shop on GoHunt.

Show Notes: 
Intro – Tyson’s Background – 0:03:28
Let’s Talk About Risk – 0:14:18
Saying Yes and No to Opportunity – 0:33:58
Tyson’s Intense Ice Fishing Incident – 0:39:57
Tysons App – The Ultimate Hunter – 1:04:37
App Release Teaser – 1:07:53

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