Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Tim Tucker — a young hunter, creative, and man of faith — to talk about perseverance, target panic, and finding redemption through archery and family. From missed opportunities in the elk woods to finally sealing his first bow kill on an Idaho antelope with his dad by his side, Tim’s story is one of grit, grace, and growth. We dive into how he rebuilt his confidence, the mental side of archery, and ...
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Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Tim Tucker — a young hunter, creative, and man of faith — to talk about perseverance, target panic, and finding redemption through archery and family. From missed opportunities in the elk woods to finally sealing his first bow kill on an Idaho antelope with his dad by his side, Tim’s story is one of grit, grace, and growth. We dive into how he rebuilt his confidence, the mental side of archery, and ...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Tim Tucker — a young hunter, creative, and man of faith — to talk about perseverance, target panic, and finding redemption through archery and family. From missed opportunities in the elk woods to finally sealing his first bow kill on an Idaho antelope with his dad by his side, Tim’s story is one of grit, grace, and growth. We dive into how he rebuilt his confidence, the mental side of archery, and ...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Joe Elliston, Co-Founder of Initial Ascent, for a deep dive into the man behind the brand. From his childhood adventures and early hunting roots to the lessons learned through leadership, loss, and faith—Joe opens up in a raw, heartfelt conversation that goes far beyond gear talk. He shares stories of family, resilience, and how carrying heavy loads—both in the backcountry and in life—shaped who he ...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brad Brooks, CEO and Founder of Argali Outdoors, to talk about building one of the most trusted backcountry hunting brands in the West. Brad shares the story behind Argali’s mission to create lightweight, durable gear for serious hunters, his roots in the mountains of Idaho, and the lessons learned balancing business, conservation, and the pursuit of wild places. From entrepreneurship and gear desig...
Got questions? Send us a text! This episode pulls back the curtain on Dennis Stokes, co-founder of Initial Ascent, in a way you’ve never heard before. It’s not about how the company started (you can find that story elsewhere). This is about Dennis, himself, his upbringing, battles with pride, lessons learned through failure, and the relentless mindset that shaped him. From dirt roads in rural Florida to Division I football fields and faith-fueled business ventures in Idaho, Dennis shares how...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down to recap his 2025 early season — chasing antelope across Idaho’s high desert, learning through missed shots, and staying grounded through it all. From spot-and-stalk bowhunting challenges to lessons in faith, family, and perseverance, Chris dives deep into what hunting really teaches you when things don’t go as planned. This one’s packed with real, raw insight every hunter can relate to — the h...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this powerful episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Chris Young to hear the full story behind his new elk hunting film Late Season Legacy, filmed by Clint Easley of Revol Entertainment and premiering on the Vortex Nation YouTube Channel. What started as a dream tag for a once-in-a-lifetime Idaho elk hunt turned into something far deeper — a story of faith, family, and purpose. From glassing over 200 bulls and naming giants like “Swoop,” “Wid...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Richard Bettencourt and his dad Dick Bettencourt of Steep Kuntry Outdoors — a father-and-son elk hunting duo who represent what hunting is really about: grit, family, and perseverance. From their first archery bull to building Steep Kuntry into a respected western hunting brand, the Bettencourts share the highs, lows, and lessons learned chasing elk deep in Idaho’s backcountry. They talk about minds...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of The Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Jim Naccarato, founder of Iron Mountain Skull Hangers. From backcountry elk hunts to building some of the most trusted European mount hangers in the industry, Jim shares his story of grit, determination, and craftsmanship. We dive into unforgettable elk hunting encounters, lessons from years of chasing bugles in rugged country, and the work ethic that turned welding skills into a thriving business f...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with Clint Easley, filmmaker, hunter, and founder of Revol Entertainment, to uncover what really goes into crafting powerful hunting films in the backcountry. From wedding shoots to wild terrain, Clint shares the highs, lows, and behind-the-scenes chaos of filming in unforgiving environments. Whether you're chasing bulls with a bow or chasing stories through a lens, this episode is packed with real talk, laughs, and lessons from the...
Got questions? Send us a text! Last week's episode's audio was the story part, btw. We apologize. In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Rodger Holscher—law enforcement officer, lifelong hunter, and one of the most dialed riflemen you'll ever meet. From growing up on a California cattle ranch to navigating high-stakes situations as a game warden and cop, Rodger shares raw, hilarious, and hard-earned wisdom from both the field and the force. We talk: Backcountry balli...
Got questions? Send us a text! Rodger Holscher is back in the studio—and this time, it’s not just tactics and gear talk. This is full-on story mode. From nearly bonking out after three days without a spoon to punching his tag on a bull at 12 yards, Rodger walks us through some of his most unforgettable backcountry hunts with Chris and the crew. Whether it’s calling in elk from the side of the road, recovering bears in thick timber, or dropping a running bruin in Crocs (yep, that happened)—th...
Got questions? Send us a text! Welcome back to the Mountain Dude Podcast by Initial Ascent. In this solo episode, host Chris Young dives deep into the one factor that separates successful hunters from those who come home empty-handed: mental toughness. From chasing bugles deep in September elk country to grinding through long solo hunts, Chris shares personal stories of struggle, failure, and breakthrough moments that transformed his mindset and elevated his success in the backcountry. You’l...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with “Hollywood” Dave Beronio, elite athlete, guide, packout machine, and wedding officiant with over 1,500 ceremonies under his belt. From the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe to hauling 50 animals a year off Utah’s peaks, Dave’s story is one of relentless drive and intentional living. He opens up about the training and nutrition that keep him going year-round, the spiritual mindset that guides his every step, and the iconic "Beronio Packou...
Got questions? Send us a text! On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Mark Livesay—the E-Scouting Master behind TreeLine Academy and one of the most respected educators in the elk hunting world. Mark has spent decades refining his system for digital scouting elk hunting areas and has taught thousands of hunters how to create detailed hunt plans before they ever set foot in the mountains. We dive into Mark’s journey from pouring over topo maps to becoming...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of The Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Cody McCarthy—elk caller, Slayer Calls pro, and man of faith—to hear his incredible journey from killing his first bull at 12 years old to becoming one of the most respected voices in the elk hunting world. Cody shares raw, emotional stories from his early hunts with family, lessons learned from football and overcoming major health challenges, and how faith has shaped every step of his life. We dive ...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we're joined by none other than Dirk Durham, aka The Bugler, a backcountry legend and one of the most respected elk callers in the game. From his stormy-night birth in rural Idaho to bowhunting elk for over three decades, Dirk walks us through the experiences that shaped him. You’ll hear the story of his first elk, the lessons he learned from his dad, and how a close encounter with a moose hunt led to some wild conv...
Got questions? Send us a text! Zach Bowhay is one of the most consistently successful elk hunters in the West. In this episode, he joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to break down what it really takes to fill tags year after year—without relying on hype, gimmicks, or lucky draws. From generational hunting knowledge to mental toughness, Zach shares the mindset and strategies that have kept him punching tags across multiple states for decades. Whether you’re chasing your first bull or looking to ...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this raw and hilarious episode, Nate Illingsworth joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to share his insane journey—from nearly burning down his house mid-romance to losing 80 pounds and tackling backcountry elk hunts head-on. Nate opens up about fitness, faith, mental resilience, and the power of doing hard things—all with a wild twist of humor and honesty. If you’re into elk hunting, CrossFit-style training, macro tracking, or just hearing gritty stories from th...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of Gear Talk, we go deep into clothing systems for backcountry hunting. From the hot debate of Merino wool vs synthetic base layers to how to layer effectively without overpacking, this is your ultimate breakdown of what to wear, when, and why. Whether you’re prepping for spring bear or late-season elk, this episode is packed with field-tested insight and hard-earned gear wisdom. Be warned, you may walk away adding a few items to your cart. ...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we dive deep into the backcountry, from the comfort of basecamp hunts to the grind of true backpack-style missions. We swap personal hunting stories, break down gear essentials like backcountry chairs, and talk about how to balance comfort and pack weight when you're miles deep. We also hit on one of the most underrated challenges: nutrition. What to bring, what to leave, and how to fuel your body without overloading your pack. Plus, we tackle ...
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Tim Tucker — a young hunter, creative, and man of faith — to talk about perseverance, target panic, and finding redemption through archery and family. From missed opportunities in the elk woods to finally sealing his first bow kill on an Idaho antelope with his dad by his side, Tim’s story is one of grit, grace, and growth. We dive into how he rebuilt his confidence, the mental side of archery, and ...
