Dogs running deer, a 200-yard muzzleloader shot, a misfire on the follow up, and an 8-point that somehow stood there forever… this one was chaos in the best (and worst) way.
Brian kicks off with two quick updates: the 2025 Colorado mule deer full film is live on YouTube, and a listener question from Joe that turns into a solid breakdown on picking your anchor elk state as a solo hunter. He talks rifle vs archery realities, why repetition matters more than “perfect” tags, and how he’d rotate Montana/Colorado (and maybe Idaho) to stack reps without waiting 10–15 years.
Then we get into Minnesota muzzleloader season: a herd gets pushed by two pet dogs, a big buck pauses at 200, the shot breaks, and the follow-up turns into click… click… click. Next morning: blood, pines, and a fast recovery—plus what this long-range muzzleloader setup has changed for his CRP farm hunts.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
Watch the full Colorado Mule Deer Film:
https://youtu.be/sIqJk35O7Bs
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GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST
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Save10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest
RTIC Coolers– Keep Your Meat Cold!
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Okuma Fishing– Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
First MonthFREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save $150 onSteelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save 10% onOllin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
00:00 Colorado mule deer full filmannouncement
02:08 Listener question: solo elkstruggles + point situation
04:35 What makes an “anchor elk state”
06:00 Rifle vs archery elk when you huntsolo
08:04 Why Wyoming general isn’t a truecornerstone state
10:24 Colorado as a cornerstone (pressure+ future changes)
12:43 Montana general strategy and the“point weirdness”
14:30 A practical rotation plan for elkhunting more often
16:49 Minnesota muzzleloader: whylong-range matters
23:08 Dogs push deer + the 200-yard shot+ misfire chaos
34:17 Blood trail, fast recovery, andseason wrap
An 11-day winter road trip, four Airbnbs, overloaded trucks, and some of the most remote ice fishing in the Lower 48.
In this episode of the Drawn West Podcast, Brian sits down with Matt Waldron to break down an 11-day western ice fishing road trip across Montana and Wyoming—what went right, what went sideways, and why destination ice fishing deserves way more attention from hunters and anglers alike.
Matt walks through the logistics of hauling machines, gear overload, rotating Airbnbs, and filming a full multi-episode series for Crappie Chronicles. They dig into the mental shift between hunting and fishing trips, why ice fishing feels more relaxed, and how preparation, flexibility, and experience keep trips like this from falling apart.
The conversation covers everything from remote lake trout fishing on Fort Peck Reservoir, destination walleye fisheries like Devils Lake, and why western fisheries offer a completely different experience than pressured Midwest lakes. Along the way, they get into gear systems, truck builds, safety in remote country, filming realities, and why nothing ever goes exactly as planned on long trips.
This episode is part trip recap, part strategy session, and part encouragement to think bigger—whether that’s ice fishing out west, planning destination trips, or simply getting more intentional about how you travel and prepare.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, leave a 5-star rating, and share the show on social media to help Drawn West keep growing.
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www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://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/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
Brian and Abby are rolling home from Colorado (in the truck, somewhere around Iowa) wrapping Part 3 of their Colorado mule deer trip—and how the last stretch of the hunt actually played out. They break down a “mid-hunt sanity hack” (a rec center day pass for a legit shower), why they stayed committed to the same productive spot instead of gambling on new ground, and the one mistake that made the day feel way harder than it needed to be: forgetting the bino harness with all the critical little stuff in it.
The back half is the real meat—spotting two shooter bucks transitioning near private, making a 400-yard play on a solid public-land 3x3, and what happened after the first miss: follow-up shots, closing distance, and making sure the finish was quick and ethical. They wrap with pack-out lessons, why good packs matter, and the bigger takeaway: sometimes whitetail patience is the best mule deer strategy when deer are filtering off private.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
FREE Gear Checklist:
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www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://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/e75Pm4u
Save10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest
RTIC Coolers– Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
Okuma Fishing– Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
First MonthFREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save $150 onSteelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save 10% onOllin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
00:00 Drawn West intro + headed home
00:41 Part 3 context + Minnesota season overlap
01:50 Day 5 reset + the rec center shower hack
03:12 Staying with the same spot vs gambling new ground|
04:38 Forgot bino harness + why it mattered
08:21 Spotting shooters + the public-land 3x3 appears
12:04 Decision time: shoot now or wait for bigger
13:23 Shot sequence, follow-ups, and ethics
19:26 Pack-out realities + why good packs matter
23:55 Biggest takeaways: whitetail patience + tripod shift
33:22 Final wrap: heading home + “stay drawn”
Abbey's Tagged Out!
This episode picks up on Day 2 of our Colorado mule deer trip, where the pressure ramps up fast. We roll into our “close to private” ridge in the dark and find trucks, four-wheelers, and guys stacked on every knob. Instead of joining the circus, we bail back to our opening-morning spot, watch a solid three-by-three feed at 325–250 yards, and talk through why Abby decides to pass and keep building confidence.
Sunday turns into a bonus scouting day on the far side of the unit, where we find almost no people, a pile of deer sign, and even glass a mega three-by-three in somebody’s backyard—then decide to ride or die on our original ridge. By Day 4 the nerves are real, a buck walks past at 20 yards, Abby’s rifle misfires, and we have to troubleshoot sand in the bolt before the next chance.
When a big fork steps out on the pipeline at 325 yards, Abby settles in, holds high, and absolutely drills her biggest buck yet, followed by her first real pack-out.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
FREE Gear Checklist:
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Connect with Brian Krebs
https://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/e75Pm4u
Save10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest
RTIC Coolers– Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
Okuma Fishing– Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
First MonthFREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save $150 onSteelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save 10% onOllin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
0:00– One Tag, One Week: Part Two Setup
0:42 – Day 2: Weekend Pressure and a Crowded Ridge
2:16 – Passing the First Real 3x3 Buck at 325 Yards
5:05 – Saddles, Private Fields, and Realizing He Was Bigger
7:10 – Sunday Scouting: New Country and a Backyard Giant
9:30 – Ride-or-Die on the Favorite Spot for Day 3
11:50 – Camp Routine, Hiking Faster, and Meeting Jake from Arizona
14:40 – Day 4 Mindset: “Any Buck I Can Make Happen”
16:20 – Misfire at 20 Yards and Fixing the Rifle
18:50 – Pipeline Fork at 325 Yards: Abby’s Shot
25:20 – Heart Shot, Photos, and Abby’s First Pack-Out
28:35 – Abby Tagged Out, Weather Worries, and Brian’s Turn
In this GOHUNT Bonus Episode of the Drawn West Podcast, Brian breaks down Idaho’s big move for 2026 as one of the last “over-the-counter” western states shifts non-resident general deer and elk tags to a full draw system. He walks through what’s actually changing, key deadlines (applications due December 15 at 11:59 p.m. MT), the new five-choice application rules, and how group applications work so your whole crew can still hunt together.
Brian also explains why this isn’t the end of the world for traveling hunters, why Idaho’s early-January results are still clutch for multi-state strategies, and how to think about your first and second choices under a random draw with no points. Then he dives into GoHunt’s Insider tools — Filtering 2.0, unit profiles, and trophy/harvest stats — and shows how to sort Idaho elk and mule deer units by success rate, public land, and trophy potential so you’re swinging for the fences smartly.
If you’re eyeing Idaho for 2026, this episode is your blueprint — plus a reminder that code DRAWNWEST gets you $50 in gear credit and 10% off most full-price gear in the GOHUNT Gear Shop when you join Insider.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWESThttps://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
FREE Gear Checklist:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://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/e75Pm4u
Save10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest
RTIC Coolers– Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
Okuma Fishing– Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
First MonthFREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save $150 onSteelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save 10% onOllin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
0:00 – Idaho Apps Season Kickoff with GOHUNT
1:05 – Idaho OTC “Over the Counter” Myth
3:10 – 2026 Change: General Deer & Elk Goto Draw
5:20 – Deadlines, Time Zones, and LicenseRequirements
7:10 – Why Early January Results Matter forMulti-State Plans
9:30 – Non-Resident Caps, Quotas, andResident Priority
12:00 – Group Applications: Keeping YourHunting Crew Together
15:30 – How the Random Draw & FiveChoices Really Work
19:30 – Building Your Idaho Strategy: DreamUnits vs Realistic Picks
23:50 – Using GOHUNT Insider & Filtering2.0 for Idaho Elk
27:10 – Idaho Mule Deer Potential and SuccessRates
30:30 – Tag Prices, Travel Reality, and WhereIdaho Fits in Your Season
33:30 – Final Thoughts: Swing Big, Do theResearch, Stay Drawn
Abbey and I are recording this one straight from Colorado deer camp at the end of day one, and it already feels like we’ve been here a week. We walk through the whole road trip out from home, grabbing a Cruise America camper in Denver, rolling into camp at 11 p.m., then scouting all day Friday and hunting hard today.
We break down what we’re seeing so far: ridiculous deer numbers, a crazy buck-to-doe ratio, and more 4x4s and “shooter” bucks than I’ve seen on all my other mule deer hunts combined—just not quite on the public line… yet. We talk through the game plan for hunting public on the edge of big ag, waiting for the rut to really crack open and pull those giants up into the hills.
There’s plenty of campfire story stuff too: Abbey almost getting “eaten” by a fox she never saw, punching a tarantula-sized spider off her hand on a steep ridge, and why renting a cheap little camper might be the ultimate mid-November deer camp hack.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
FREE Gear Checklist:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://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/e75Pm4u
Save10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest
RTIC Coolers– Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
Okuma Fishing– Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
First MonthFREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save $150 onSteelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save 10% onOllin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
0:00 – Live from Colorado Deer Camp
2:10 – Scouting Friday and Opening Day Expectations
3:30 – 500–1,000 Deer and a Ton of Bucks|
5:05 – Public vs Private and Rut Game Plan
7:40 – Low Hunting Pressure and Camp Neighbors
9:20 – Fox at 10 Feet and Midday Doe Action
11:30 – Bear Sign, Elk Tracks and Friendly Hunters
14:30 – Camper Setup, Heat, and Better Sleep
17:00 – Cold Mornings, Layers and Comfort Over Suffering
18:30 – Why This Might Be Brian’s Favorite Mule Deer Hunt Yet
20:20 – Mini-Series Plan and Day One Sign-Off
Is the new Mathews ARC actually a game-changer, or just another flagship with fresh paint? In this episode of the Drawn West Podcast, I sit down with Daniel Parker from Mathews to dig into what’s really different about the ARC 30 and ARC 34. We break down the new limb geometry, the updated SWX2 cam with that perimeter-weight “flywheel” feel, and why this bow stays faster and quieter once you bolt real hunting gear to the string. Daniel brings the behind-the-scenes engineering insight, and I bring the “600-grain elk arrow that once welded itself into a steel plate” perspective. We also nerd out on hinge and resistance releases, target-archery lessons you can steal for hunting season, Kodiak Brown vs Green Ambush, and how to actually choose between the 30" and 34" ARC based on how and where you hunt.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
Check out the all new Mathews ARChttps://mathewsinc.com/pages/arc
FREE Gear Checklist:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://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/e75Pm4u
Save10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest
RTIC Coolers– Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
Okuma Fishing– Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
First MonthFREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save $150 onSteelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save 10% onOllin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
00:00 – 06:32 Intro, Mathews Partnership& New Bow Day Surprise
06:32 – 14:58 Lift vs ARC: Noise, Speed,Energy, and Why It Matters
14:58 – 22:24 Parallel vs Vertical LimbTravel & The New SWX2 Cam
22:24 – 33:01 Riser Updates, IntegratedAccessories & Real-World Setup Talk
33:01 – 44:32 Axle-to-Axle Choices: 30 vs34, Who Should Shoot What
44:32 – 58:03 Releases: Hinge,Resistance, Thumb, and the Shot Execution Conversation
58:03 – 1:10:06 Arrow Builds, FletchingSetups & String Customization
1:10:06 – Color Options, Kodiak Brown,Closing Thoughts & Season Plans
In this episode of the Drawn West podcast, I’m joined by Kurt Belding of Western Obsessions TV — and we dive into a story that honestly feels too wild to be real. Kurt just got back from a spring grizzly hunt deep in Alaska’s Chugach Range, and the trip had everything you’d expect from interior bear country: endless daylight, brutal weather swings, days and days behind the glass, bush planes, moose paddles, and country so vast it makes Colorado feel like a county park.
But the part that’ll stick with you long after this episode?
Kurt and his team get charged by not one, but TWO interior grizzlies at the same time.
Not a bluff. Not a slow trot.
A full-on brush-breaking sprint from 30 yards that comes down to 17 chaotic, heart-stopping seconds.
We break down the whole sequence — from spotting bears after 70+ hours of glassing, to the debate over bow vs. rifle, to the exact moment his guide handed Kurt the .338 because the bow setup had gotten way too dangerous. Kurt walks through the shots, the confusion, the adrenaline, and the moment he locked eyes with the sow at 15 yards while she decided whether to kill them or keep running.
We also go deep on mental toughness, the Misogi mindset, how to prepare for true backcountry suffering, and what Alaska teaches you about yourself the moment your comfort zone disappears.
Plus:
• how shed hunting for moose paddles became the “victory lap” after the shot
• how guides actually think about bears in coastal vs interior country
• why most lower-48 hunters have no idea how big, wild, or remote Alaska truly is
• what it takes to afford bucket-list hunts without being wealthy
• and why your first Western hunt probably shouldn't be a 14-day solo OTC elk mission from YouTube University
This is easily one of the most intense and entertaining conversations we’ve had on Drawn West, and it’s packed with wisdom for anyone dreaming of Alaska or trying to level up their Western hunts.
If you want to actually see the moment those two grizzlies break through the brush and come straight at Kurt’s crew, go watch the full film on Kurt’s channel, Western Obsessions TV. The footage is raw, real, and absolutely insane — and hearing the story here is one thing, but seeing the chaos unfold on camera is on a different level.
Watch the Full Film on Western Obsessions YouTube
Or Search “Alaska and Grizzly – Western Obsessions TV” on YouTube
and give it a watch. It deserves every view it gets.
And as always, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram so you don’t miss the next adventure.
FREE Gear Checklist:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest
Have Questions orComments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNT Gear Shop –10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
Save10% on MaverickHunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest
RTIC Coolers – KeepYour Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
Okuma Fishing – Rodsand Reels for Serious Anglers!
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First Month FREE atMTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save $150 onSteelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save 10% on OllinDigiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
00:00 – Intro + Kurt’s Background
09:45 – Mental Toughness & The Misogi Mindset
18:55 – Alaska Grizzly Hunt Setup
32:00 – The 17-Second Double Grizzly Charge
47:25 – Bears, Danger, and Lessons Learned
01:02:50 – Alaska’s Wild Scale & Moose Shed Story
01:13:20 – How to Start Hunting Alaska
01:24:50 – Building a Hunting Life & Outro
In this episode, we switch gears from tags to tackle and break down my Drawn West Christmas List for Fishermen—with a heavy emphasis on ice fishing. I walk through stocking stuffers, dice-game / white elephant picks, medium gifts, big upgrades, and a few “treat yourself” splurges. We cover proven gear like ice lures (Clam Rattlin’ PT Spoon, Tikka Flash, Pinhead Pro), safety must-haves (ice picks, Yaktrax, Cold Snap auger guards), smart upgrades (inline reels, bait feeders, Vexilar glow rings), and bigger-ticket items like Striker Predator bibs, Otter sonar sleds, Vexilar FLX series, and forward-facing sonar setups.
Also, GoHunt just dropped their biggest sale of the year, and it’s a huge win if you’re planning any Western hunts next season. For Thanksgiving / Black Friday week only, when you sign up for GoHunt Insider with code DRAWNWEST, you’ll get $100 in Gear Shop credit instead of the usual $50. Insider gives you 3D maps, Filtering 2.0, application strategy articles, unit breakdowns, and the most accurate draw odds in the game—all for $150 a year, plus a hundred bucks back in gear!
All the gear I mention in the episode is linked below so you can build your own list or just send this to your family and say, “Here you go.”
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
GoHunt Black Friday / Cyber Monday Deals
GoHunt Insider (use code DRAWNWEST for $100 Gear Shopcredit) – https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GoHunt Gear Shop (Use code DRAWNWEST for 10% off) – https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
Stocking Stuffers, White Elephant Gifts & Christmas GiftsUnder $50
ClamRattlin PT Spoon $8 https://lcshop.co/i5En61
Clam Platsics $6 https://lcshop.co/HIjmof
Clam Dropkick $6 https://lcshop.co/GlXOTh
Clam Grab Bags $30 https://lcshop.co/3bgYTE
Clam Pinhead Pro $8 https://lcshop.co/yACIFe
Buddy Heater Self Powered Fan $40 https://lcshop.co/IprZfw
Ice Picks $12 https://lcshop.co/G8ApFw
Clam Tikka Flash Kit $20 https://lcshop.co/9uAc4P
Vexilar Glow Ring $45 https://lcshop.co/E81p11
Vexilar Snow Shield $20 https://lcshop.co/u3N1Yo
Cold Snap Auger Cover $40 https://lcshop.co/Nndoc8
Cold Snap Reel Wrap Kit $10 https://lcshop.co/dVPfsC
Christmas Gifts Under $100
ClamSpooler Elite $60 https://lcshop.co/SfWlO0
Okuma Ceymar Baitfeeder $75 https://lcshop.co/K7gvLA
YakTrak Ice Cleats $60 https://lcshop.co/MyB4X2
Bait Cooler $80 (On sale right now) https://lcshop.co/xo2vJt
Christmas Gifts Under $250
Otter Sonar Sled $250 https://lcshop.co/pQM7Mf
HD Innovations Ice Shuttle $240 https://lcshop.co/FLK1Bc
Bubba Fillet Knife $250 (on sale for $200) https://lcshop.co/6ehxPC
Scheels Ultimate Ice Case $170 https://lcshop.co/j3Tdtg
Tuned Up Custom Bull Whip $160 https://lcshop.co/mKa2fa
Tuned Up Custom Precision Noodle $140 https://lcshop.co/njHCZ7
Exciting Upgrades & Christmas Bonus Ideas
StrikerIce Predator Jacket $300 https://lcshop.co/sqeaKA
Striker Ice Predator Bibs $300 https://lcshop.co/rBaPez
Otter Pro Resort Hub $650 https://lcshop.co/2wZIT0
Vexilar FLX-38 BB $700 https://lcshop.co/jAamgi
Lowrance Eagle Eye 9 $1450 https://lcshop.co/V4eoF9
Garmin LVS34 Livescope Ice Bundle $3300 (On sale) https://lcshop.co/NUj90t
In this Christmas Edition of the Drawn West Podcast, I’m running through the biggest gift guide I’ve ever put together — from legit $8 stocking stuffers to the XL gear you pick up when you crushed it at work and feel like treating yourself. Whether you’re shopping for a whitetail hunter, a Western hunter, an ice fisherman, or the family member who already owns everything, this episode is loaded with real gear I use, trust, or genuinely want in my own kit.
I’m breaking it all down into simple buckets — stocking stuffers, medium gifts, large gifts, and the splurge-worthy upgrades that can completely change someone’s next hunt. If you hear something you like or want to check out the exact item I’m talking about, every product is linked in the show notes below. It makes knocking out your list stupid easy — just scroll, tap, and you’re done.
Merry Christmas, happy BFCM shopping, and good luck picking out the perfect gear for the hunters in your life.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.
Links for the Ideas in this Episode:
Stocking Stuffers / White Elephant ( Under $50)
TopHat Field Points $25 - https://bit.ly/4ieVWsm
GoHunt Gear Bags $8-$40- https://alnk.to/31ueWpx- Save 10% w/ code DRAWNWEST
Hawke Bino Adapter $26 - https://alnk.to/eDTY5mf
Glassing Pad $25 - https://alnk.to/cb5lJ90- Save 10% w/ code DRAWNWEST
Lightweight Gloves $45 - https://alnk.to/gp3syZO
Uncharted Supply First Aid Core $39 - https://alnk.to/e79YJXs
Worksharp Guided Field Sharpener $40 - https://alnk.to/9Ih2dA5
Gear Straps - $8 - https://bit.ly/4igOSvn
Aiders - $20 - https://xopoutdoors.com/collections/accessories/products/reactor
Mystery Ranch Pack Fly $40 https://alnk.to/90C0iu7
My Heater Buddy Power Fan $40 https://lcshop.co/IprZfw
Medium Gift Ideas ($50-100)
Rifle Carrier $75 https://alnk.to/apW4kZ0- Save 10% w/ code DRAWNWEST
Rifle Saddle $99 https://bit.ly/4o9w8zrUse- Save 15% w/ code DRAWNWEST
Tree Stand Carrier $89 - https://bit.ly/3XadwUS
EBS Knife $73 https://alnk.to/7BhDY10- Save 10% w/ code DRAWNWEST
Headlamp $82 (On Sale) https://alnk.to/3yedF9o-Save 10% w/ code DRAWNWEST
Reveal Solar Panels $60 https://lcshop.co/XQLSE5
Large Gift Ideas ($100-$250)
Sitka Drifter Duffle $200-$250 https://alnk.to/3U422RA
Sitka Heavyweight Hoodie $169 https://alnk.to/8tRJy6i
Sitka Dakota Pants $260 https://alnk.to/1N4WhgJ
Reveal Cell Cams $120-200 https://lcshop.co/3TyMiI
Jetboil MiniMo Stove $169 https://alnk.to/b7ANQtG
Saddle Setup $250 https://xopoutdoors.com/collections/kits-and-combos/products/invader-mutant
Climbing Sticks $200 https://xopoutdoors.com/collections/climbing-sticks/products/x2
Browning McKinley $180 https://lcshop.co/gbVeke
Ollin Digiscope Adapter system $160 https://alnk.to/1XZozmy & https://alnk.to/fSjjBlY - Save 10% w/ codeDRAWNWEST
XL Gift Ideas ($250+)
Sitka Jetstream $375 https://alnk.to/9Ih2q0B
Sitka Timberline $300 https://alnk.to/5jo5TBC
Mystery Ranch 75L $589 https://alnk.to/7X7sBSdUse code DRAWNWEST save 10%
RTIC 72 Wheeled $330 https://rticoutdoors.pxf.io/vPdzmA
RTIC 145 $550 https://rticoutdoors.pxf.io/kOdgPM
Carbon Fiber Tripod $400 https://muleymaniacs.com/collections/complete-hunting-tripods-combo/products/canati-pro-backpacker
Use code DRAWNWEST save 15%
XOP Treestand $500 https://xopoutdoors.com/collections/hang-on-treestands/products/fly
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
00:00 – Stocking Stuffers for Hunters
10:27 – Medium Gift Ideas
22:41 – Large Gift Ideas
37:36 – XL Gift Ideas and Splurge Gear
One tag, one week, one lucky listener taking home two Reveal Ultras. In this episode, I walk through the full breakdown of our biggest giveaway yet — how the entry system worked, why we built a custom bonus-entry tracker, and how over 1,900 of you helped blow the doors off our sign-up goals. From Instagram follows to podcast subscriptions to the four code-word episodes (“Ultra,” “Mule Deer,” “Colorado,” and “Roam”), I recap how all the entries stacked, why we cap points the way we do, and how the whole goal is making these prizes land in the hands of people who genuinely need them.
We also talk about the new giveaway software we built for this one — how it solved the nightmare of 10,000+ summer bow-giveaway emails, why we built live entry totals, and what I want your feedback on for our next giveaway. And of course… we draw the winner. Huge congrats to Jordan Davis for taking home the two-pack of Reveal Ultras.
Thank you all for showing up. These giveaways help us grow Drawn West and keep teaching people how to hunt the West — even when you’ve only got a week to make it happen.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.
If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
FREE Gear Checklist:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://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/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
In this episode of the Drawn West podcast, we nerd out on one very specific problem a lot of us have: how do you turn a stump-infested woods into an actual huntable food plot without hiring a dozer crew? I bring on my buddy Jake Polk of Polk Whitetail Management and walk through exactly how we used the Woodland Mills PTO stump grinder to turn a nasty oak-wilt jungle into a clean, plantable half-acre kill plot right off the house.
We talk compact tractor setups, how fast you can realistically grind stumps, getting below grade so you’re not destroying implements, and why grinding instead of pushing stumps is a game changer for small landowners. From there we get into how that new “blank canvas” lets you stack food diversity, add crabapple rows, and actually hunt the wind and access instead of just surviving deadfall.
If you’ve ever stared at a beautiful patch of woods and thought, “I could kill a giant here if I could just get the stumps out,” this one’s for you.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.
If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
FREE Gear Checklist:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://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/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
Hang and Hunt that doesn’t suck!
I walk through my exact whitetail tree setup that also works when you’re in a tree out West—stand choice (XOP Roam), the quiet-mod with blaze-orange paracord, Shelf-Lock, and how I carry it all with the XOP Gamma so weight rides on the hip belt. Then we get into the two-stick method with 3-step aiders (why two is enough for ~15–16 feet), my one-trip-up routine with the saddle, bow rope and DIY public-land bow hanger, and how to hang the Roam fast with C3 micros and a hard cam to bite the tree. I finish with the pack-down order so the next tree goes even faster (what lives in which pocket, how I “bear-hug” strap the pack + sticks + stand). If you’ve ever wanted a faster, quieter climb with less gear, this is the blueprint.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
Sign up for the Reveal Ultra 2-Pack Giveaway!
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaway
________________________________________
FREE Gear Checklist:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
Sponsors and Discounts:
GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST
GOHUNT Gear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWN WEST
RTIC Coolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
Okuma Fishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
First Month FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save $150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10% on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save 10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
Stephen Walker’s back on the podcast, and this time we’re breaking down our upcoming Colorado third-season mule deer hunt. We talk about how migration units really work, why Stephen switched from fourth season to third, and how to find those hidden pockets that most hunters walk right past. From dealing with pressure and road hunters to planning for realistic shot distances, this episode’s full of insight for anyone heading west for mule deer.
We’re also running a Reveal Cell Cam Giveaway — two brand-new Reveal Ultras to one winner.
Hit the giveaway link in the show notes to get entered, and listen for the code word later in the episode for bonus entries.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.
If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
Sign up for the Reveal Giveaway:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaway
FREE Gear Checklist:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest
Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
Sponsors and Discounts:
GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST
GOHUNT Gear Shop – 10% off most items with code WESTERN
RTIC Coolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
Okuma Fishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
First Month FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save $150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE
Save10% on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST
Save 10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
We’re out chasing mule deer, but I’ve got a quick bonus episode to hook you up: we’re giving away two REVEAL Ultra cell cams to one winner and rolling out the Mid-Season Archery Whitetail Checklist. The checklist’s free (mobile or print), brand-agnostic, and built to reuse your Western system for whitetails: base → mid → windproof shell, then add thermal as temps drop. I break down tops, bottoms, and accessories (why windproof beats bulky, when to switch to late-season bibs/jacket, and a few saddle-hunter hacks like built-in kneepads). We also cover the hunting-gear must-haves you’ll forget if it’s not on the list (license, release, headlamp, bow hoist, emergency kit) and the deer-camp stack (sleep, cook, process, coolers, meat lugs, knives, sharpeners).
Giveaway dates: Last bonus pod with a code word drops Nov 13; giveaway ends Nov 15! Enter at getdrawnwest.com/giveaway for instant, trackable points.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.
If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
Sign up for the Reveal Giveaway:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaway
FREE Gear Checklist:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code WESTERN
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code WESTERN https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
Early antlerless in Minnesota finally clicked. Abby and I walk through a week where we tagged two clean, quick does and—maybe more importantly—felt in control of the process. We cover why the backyard “test plot” worked, slug choice and hold (hug the shoulder), and how Abby’s doe cartwheeled and dropped while mine sprinted 100 yards before a solid blood trail told the truth. We break down the hitch-carrier + RTIC 145 cooler system, then make the case for the gutless method when temps are 65–70° and the shop would turn into a mess.
From there, we pivot to public-land run-and-gun: first hangs with the XOP Roam setup, the shelf-lock backpack carry, and partner safety (bring the extra lineman’s rope). We wrap with a much-needed range day—good bags, good bench—and Abby’s best groups yet at 100/200, plus why we ditched the lead sled. Colorado rifle mule deer is next, camper in tow, and we’re feeling ready.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.
Sign Up for the Reveal Ultra 2-Pack Giveaway!
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaway
Make sure you enter this episode’s code word for an extra 20 BONUS entries!
FREE Gear Checklist:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code WESTERN
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code WESTERN https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
In this episode of Drawn West, Brian catches up with returning guest Dan Matthews to finally tell the full story of his wild first archery elk hunt — a hunt that went from no tag, to a perfect bull, to floating a 700-pound elk down a river with the help of an excavator.
Dan shares how a “poorly timed pregnancy” changed his Colorado rifle plans and pushed him into archery season, how he taught himself to bugle on the drive out, and how one perfect morning turned into an elk-hunting roller coaster. The guys also swap stories about calling strategies, blood-trailing logic, elk language, and why hunting styles — from process-driven engineers to pure chaos improvisers — both somehow get the job done.
This one’s packed with laughs, elk talk, and plenty of chaos that only makes sense if you’ve ever tried to call in a screaming bull at daylight.
🔑 Key Takeaways
• How Dan’s first archery elk hunt turned into a wild success
• Learning to elk call on the drive out — and somehow making it work
• What happens when your bull dies in a river (and an excavator saves the day)
• The difference between “Team Chaos” vs “Team Structure” hunting styles
• Breaking down elk language — chuckles, glunks, nervous grunts, and what they really mean
🎧 Listen anywhere you get podcasts, and make sure to follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram for new episodes and elk gear drops.
Free resource: Grab the Drawn West Gear Checklist — my complete elk and mule deer packing guide (link in description).
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.
FREE Gear Checklist:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://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/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
Dial in your western-hunt clothing the smart way. Brian breaks down a brand-agnostic layering system that actually works together: lightweight base, a true mid, a windproof shell, and a compressible thermal (puffy) you can mix-and-match from August heat to November glassing temps. He covers why “systems > single pieces,” how to stretch a few core layers across elk, mule deer, and antelope, and when to add vests, rain plans (hello, tarp/rain fly), and Blaze for rifle seasons. Bottoms get the same treatment—light/med pants, merino or heavyweight base bottoms when you’re stationary, plus the forever MVPs: Kenetrek boots, good socks, and gaiters to keep water out. Lots of real-world tips (glove hacks, do-more-with-less gear choices) and where to save vs. spend.
Subscribe wherever you get podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.
Want the free, mobile-friendly Pack Lists? Grab them at GetDrawnWest.com and never forget a critical piece again.
FREE Gear Checklist:
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://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/e75Pm4u
RTIC Coolers– Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
Okuma Fishing– Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
First MonthFREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save $150 onSteelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
FREE Elk Hunt Gear Checklist
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear#rifle-elk-gear-list
Nine years of hunts, hundreds of lessons learned, and now it’s all in one place — the brand-new Drawn West Pack List. In this episode, Brian breaks down the launch of his free digital and printable gear checklists for every major western hunt — starting with Rifle Elk, and soon expanding to Whitetail, Mule Deer, and Antelope.
He shares how years of forgotten gear, trial-and-error, and long drives back to town inspired him to finally create an all-in-one tool for hunters to pack smarter, travel lighter, and never forget a tag again. From building lists on Google Drive in his early elk-hunting days to crafting a mobile, interactive PDF you can save and check off from your phone — this project has been years in the making.
Brian also walks through the must-have gear categories — clothing systems, hunting tools, and camp essentials — while explaining how each piece fits into a real-world hunt. Whether you’re a new hunter prepping for your first trip or a veteran who still forgets a knife every season, this episode gives you everything you need to stay organized and ready when the mountains call.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram for more western hunting tools, stories, and free resources to help you stay drawn west.
https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code WESTERN
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code WESTERN https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb
This episode dives into the highs, lows, and lessons of chasing an early-season giant. From scouting new ground in North Dakota to taking a chance on a fresh stand, the story unfolds with all the emotion and intensity that comes when everything has to come together in a single moment. You’ll hear how mobile gear choices, reading trail cam data, and a split-second shot window shaped the hunt, plus the perspective shifts that come from balancing life, faith, and the realities of chasing mature whitetails. This isn’t just another deer story — it’s a look into why we hunt and the mindset behind making it count.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram for more.
FREE Drawn West Application Calendar
www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest
HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
Sponsorsand Discounts:
GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code WESTERN
https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4
GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code WESTERN https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u
RTICCoolers – Keep Your Meat Cold!
https://bit.ly/RTICCoolers
OkumaFishing – Rods and Reels for Serious Anglers!
https://alnk.to/31sVDzF
FirstMonth FREE at MTNTOUGH Fitness with code ROOKIE https://bit.ly/MTNTOUGH_ROOKIE
Save$150 on Steelhead Outdoors Gun Safes with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/fbNvbFXX6Q
Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code WESTERNROOKIE https://tr.ee/vWHcxHKo4u
Save10% on Ollin Digiscoping Adapters with code TWOBUCKS
https://tr.ee/ZE1XcQ-fbb