In Pursuit
Episodes
Ep. 92: Four World-Champ Elk Callers: Team America
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dirk and three other world-champion elk callers, Tony Gilbertson, Jermaine Hodge, and Erik Berglund, discuss the 2024 RMEF World Elk Calling Champions...
Ep. 91: Building the Perfect Elk Arrow
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sorting through internet jargon and opinions to figure out what's the best arrow set up for hunting elk is a daunting task. In this episode, Dirk sits...
Ep. 90: You Want to be a Hound Hunter?
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who wants to be a houndsman? There is a lot that goes into training a pack of hound dogs. Jason and Bradley Dammerman dive deep into what it takes to ...
Ep. 89: Pack Dump
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We get a lot of questions every year about what we like to carry in our back packs during the hunt each fall. Dirk and Jason break down their equipmen...
Ep. 88: Elk Addicts Q&A
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Elk season is right around the corner and everyone is starting to think about it. On this episode, Jason fields questions from the Elk Addicts Faceboo...
Ep. 87: 2024 Hunting Season Plans and Elk Hunting Q&A
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Spring is over and it's time to start getting ready for fall, if you haven't already started! Dirk and Jason go over their exciting hunting plans for ...
Ep. 86: Elk Scouting, Bow Setups, and Shot Placement with Jason and Dirk
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With turkey season in the tail lights, Jason and Dirk answer listener elk hunting questions. They dive deep into scouting, bow and arrow setups, and s...
Ep. 85: Whitetail Strategy and Tactics with Brock Shelton
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Some of the best hunters are those you've never heard of. Brock Shelton doesn't have social media, and nobody aside from his close friends has ever se...
Ep. 84: Dirk and Jason Answer Listener Elk Hunting Questions
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Dirk and Jason play listener questions from the call-in number. Questions about hunting a full moon, hunting elk that move from public to...
Ep. 83: Spring Bear Hunting in the Backcountry with Josh Boyd
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Spot and stalk bear hunting can be tough, but also rewarding. Dirk and Josh Boyd share a conversation about spring bear hunting in the backcountry. Co...
Ep. 82: Turkeys, Ticks and Tactics
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Turkey season is here! The birds are gobbling, so we wanted to touch on turkey tactics one last time. Jason and Dirk discuss everything that they carr...
Ep. 81: Bulls, Gobblers, and Wolves with Ron Hewitt
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Time spent in the woods each spring is so imortant to resetting our mental state after being cooped up all winter, especially when you share that time...
Ep. 80: Baiting Spring Black Bears with Cody Wilson and Corey Paulsen
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Some people may say, "Baiting is the lazy man's way to hunt bears." Dirk dives in deep about the work and details that goes into bear baiting while on...
Ep. 79: Mountain Lion Hunting with Hound Dogs
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hound hunting can stir strong emotions in both hunters and non-hunters. Jason and his good friend and hunting outfitter, Bradley Dammerman, reflect on...
Ep. 78: So You Want to Backpack Hunt?
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Backpack hunting is becoming more popular as time goes by. People are venturing further and farther from the roads to find game and just get away from...
Ep. 77: Bo Nickal - The Wrestler, The Fighter, The Hunter
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bo Nickal is known by almost every wrestling and UFC fan out there. He is one of the most dominant wrestlers of all time, winning three NCAA champions...
Ep. 76: Small Batch Turkey Calls
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If Phelps "Small Batch" turkey calls are made in Washington, why are they referred to as "small batch" when the guys behind them live in Missouri? Dir...
Ep. 75: The ElkMaster, Josh Boyd
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever met someone who is so easy to talk to and shares the same passions as you? Someone who you can talk to for hours and it seems like time stands st...
Ep. 74: Rapid-Fire Turkey with John Weik
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Turkey season is right around the corner! If I were a betting man, I would place my bet on the fact: "There is nobody that spends more time chasing mo...
Ep. 73: Idaho's "Good Old Days" of Elk Hunting
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When I hear the phrase "good old days," I want to know exactly how good it was. Dirk sits down with outdoor writer and lifelong Sportsman advocate, Ge...
Ep. 72: North Country Ghost Bulls
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We just released a new elk hunting film on the Phelps Game Calls channel titled- "Ghost Bulls of the North". Dirk and videographer, Dusty Rupe, discus...
Ep. 71: Make Sure You Have a Tag in Your Pocket
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With elk season 2024 planning in full effect and state deadlines approaching, Jason brings Dirk on this episode to talk about their strategies when ap...
Ep. 70: Report Card Time! Listener Call-Ins with Dirk
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With elk season 2023 in the tail lights, Dirk reflects on what his elk hunting report card looks like, and plays listener questions and comments about...
Ep. 69: Just Go Turkey Hunting - Listener Q&A
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you been on the fence about jumping in on hunting turkeys? Today it's easier than ever before to pursue turkeys. Jason breaks down what it takes ...
Ep. 68: Hunting Fitness from the Aging Hunter, Bob Terwilliger
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
No doubt there's a lot of buzz about getting fit to pursue big game in the backcountry. Dirk sits down with good friend Bob Terwilliger. Bob is what s...
Ep. 67: Long Range Hunting with Jon Pynch
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Long Range Shooting has gained a ton of popularity over the last twenty years, but is it for the best? Jon Pynch joins Jason on the show to have a con...
Ep. 66: Trapping Wolves with Justin Webb
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the recent buzz about releasing wolves into the state of Colorado, wolf management is on a lot of people's minds. In this episode, Dirk talks wit...
Ep. 65: Whitetail Habitat and Hunting with Jeff Sturgis
28 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whitetails are the topic of conversation between Jason and Jeff Sturgis. The discussion is rooted in how habitat affects deer movement and how you can...
Ep. 64: United We Stand, Divided We Fall with Jim Huntsman
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Division in America seems to be everywhere we look, including among hunters. Dirk and Jim discuss common points of division among hunters and why it's...
Ep. 63: Ryan Lampers Q&A and 2023 Season Recap of What Worked
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jason sits down to catch up with Ryan Lampers to go over some listener questions such as; off season preparation, training and nutrition, how he consi...
Ep. 62: An Outfitter's Take on Common Hunter Mistakes
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dirk interviews seasoned outfitter and hunting guide Bradley Dammerman, of Idaho Whitetail Guides. Bradley shares many of the common mistakes that hun...
Ep. 61: Jason's Gear in 2023
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jason doesn't like a lot of change year to year when it comes to his gear. Once he finds gear that works he tends to stick with it. On this episode Ja...
Ep. 60: Kansas Archery Whitetails with Dirk and Jason
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kansas is known for it's giant whitetail bucks. Dirk and Jason had the pleasure of archery hunting on their good friend Randy Milligan's farm. They di...
Ep. 59: State of Montana Mule Deer and Hunt Recap with Tyson Drevniak
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jason and Tyson just returned from their "almost annual" Montana mule deer hunt and discuss what they encountered. They talk about the decline in the ...
Ep 58: Listener Q & A with Dirk and Jason
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After being out in the field the last couple months, Dirk and Jason answer listener questions from the "call in hot line". They talk about everything ...
Ep 57: 2023 Archery Elk Season Recap with Jon Gabrio
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Often times when we see hunter's success, the hard work behind the scenes isn't always apparent. Jon Gabrio talks about the ups, downs and hard work f...
Ep. 56: Jason and Duke Discuss Steve's Epic Mule Deer Hunt
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Elk season is over and mule deer are almost as awesome! On today's episode Jason dives into mule deer with Duke Wasteney. Duke is one heck of a mule d...
Ep. 55: Muzzleloader Hunt Recap and Hoof Rot
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, Jason recaps his recent western Washington muzzleloader elk hunt. After a ten-year hiatus of hunting close to home, he returns t...
Ep. 54: DIY Elk Hunting Series: Rifle Elk Hunting PT2
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We're back for part two of Dirk's conversation with "Stuck N the Rut" YouTuber Tom Schneider about Rifle Hunting elk. They dive deep into finding late...
Ep. 53: Jason and Zeke Thurston
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, host Jason Phelps sits down at the notorious Pendleton Round-Up with three time world champion saddle bronc rider, Zeke Thurston. Jas...
Ep. 52: DIY Elk Hunting Series: Rifle Elk Hunting PT1
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dirk had the great opportunity to sit down with "Stuck N the Rut" YouTuber Tom Schneider and talk about hunting elk with a rifle. This is part one of ...
Ep. 51: Jason and David Frame
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On todays episode Jason sits down with his cameraman and good friend David Frame. They answer listener questions about bulls hanging up, how long to h...
Ep. 50: DIY Hunting Series: Filming Your Hunt
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There's a trend going on right now to film your hunting adventures. From the outside looking in it looks relatively easy, but there are a lot of steps...
Ep. 49: Jason and Cory Calkins
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
September is here! Jason sits down with Cory Calkins to talk about what they've seen so far this September. They then dive into Cory's guiding backsto...
Ep. 48: Dirk and Clay Hays
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve often said there are more ways than one to skin a cat when talking about archery elk hunting strategies. This week Dirk Durham sat down with “...
Ep. 47: ARCHERY ELK!!! Listener Questions and Hunting Elk Without Calling
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, Jason takes on a bunch of listener questions on elk hunting. He answers questions on what to do when elk shut down, how to det...
Ep. 46: Dirk and Jim Huntsman
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, host Dirk Durham talks about pre-season preparation with the host of the podcast "The Western Huntsman", Jim Huntsman. They di...
Ep. 45: Fall Bear with Jeff Roberts
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jason sits down with Jeff Roberts of PNWILD to go over everything fall bear. The bulk of the conversation hinges around the food sour...
Ep. 44: New Host and New Mexico Bulls with Dirk Durham
03 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered what it's like to archery elk hunt in New Mexico? Jason introduces new co-host Dirk "The Bugler" Durham on this week's show and the ...
Ep. 43: Broadheads and Arrows with Bill Vanderheyden
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jason sits down with Bill Vanderheyden from Iron Will Outfitters to talk about the sharp end of the stick. They dive into arrows, efficiency, and ethi...
Ep. 42: Elk Biology with Brock McMillan, Part 2
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, Jason is joined by his buddy Brock for part two of their elk biology conversation. This time, they get deep into every elk hunter'...
Ep. 41: Elk Predation Blues with Paul Wik
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the show, Jason comes to you from the field with biologist Paul Wik to talk elk mortality and recruitment. They discuss the effects of pr...
Ep. 40: Elk Biology with Brock McMillan, Part 1
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, Jason is joined by his buddy Brock to talk all things elk biology in part one of this two part series. In this episode they cover e...
Ep. 39: Elk Hunting Part 2 - Locating, Approaching, Setting Up, and Calling
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Once you have found a spot to hunt, what is next? In this episode Jason covers the technical how to of: breaking down an area quickly to determine if ...
Ep. 38: How to Plan Your Elk Hunt
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the show, Jason's mixed it up and gone solo as he answers your listener questions and discusses planning your elk hunt. From e-scouting a...
Ep. 37: Mountain Gobblers with John Weik
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the show, Jason is joined in the field by guest John Weik as they discuss their recent turkey hunt. They discuss separating themselves fr...
Ep. 36: Calling and Killing Turkeys with Tony Peterson
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I'm joined by MeatEater's own Tony Peterson to talk turkey. On this episode, we answer a couple listener questions, talk pressured birds, a...
Ep. 35: Spot and Stalk Spring Bear with Ryan Lampers
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan Lampers has spring bear dialed!!! Year after year he finds success in multiple states and these aren’t just run of the mill bears, Ryan targets...
Ep. 34: Talking Turkey with Jordan Budd
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jordan Budd grew up as a ranch kid taking advantage of all the great outdoors had to offer. Now, she has her own guiding service and a podcast you mig...
Ep. 33: A Deep Dive Into Turkey Calls and Strategy with Eric Braaten
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Eric Braaten is a great turkey caller, great turkey hunter, and has done a lot for turkeys here in Washington. On today’s episode Jason and Eric tak...
Ep. 32: Locating Gobblers and Turkey Strategies with James Harrison
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is part human and part owl. James Harrison has been designing and building calls for 14 years and winning calling contests for just as l...
Ep. 31: Run and Gun Turkeys with Samong Yang
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Samong Yang cut his teeth chasing turkeys in the NE corner of Washington. These high pressured merriams that call the mountains home, provide turkey...
Ep. 30: Colorado Elk and Calling Tactics with Jermaine Hodge
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the show, guest host Dirk Durham chats with champion elk caller Jermaine Hodge about Colorado elk hunting and calling tactics for pressur...
Ep. 29: Whitetail Science with Dr. Bronson Strickland, Part 2
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the show, Jason continues his conversation with Dr. Bronson Strickland as they discuss the ins and outs of hunting big whitetails, no mat...
Ep. 28: Whitetail Science with Dr. Bronson Strickland
29 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the show, Jason's joined by Dr. Bronson Strickland to discuss the ins and outs of hunting big whitetails, no matter where you're getting ...
Ep. 27: Simple Rules to Kill More Whitetail with Don Higgins
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the show, Jason sits down with whitetail legend Don Higgins, as they discuss the major do's and don'ts for success in the whitetail woods...
Ep. 26: Duck Calls and Duck Hunting Strategies with Alex Yerges
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the show, Jason Phelps is joined by Alex Yerges of Pacific Calls. They dive deep into duck calls, duck call history, and duck hunting str...
Ep. 25: The Whitetail Rut and Calling Strategies with Chris Parish
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, I'm joined by master whitetail hunter Chris Parish. Currently, we're sharing a camp in Kansas trying to make the most of November. ...
Ep. 24: Hunting Wolves with Tom Schneider
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the show, guest host Dirk Durham talks with Tom Schneider about everything wolf hunting. Wolf hunting -- even to experienced backcountry ...
Ep. 23: The Rut In Review
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're looking back at the 2022 elk rut. I hunted elk all over the US this season with good friends, had a bunch of highs, and a bunch of lo...
Ep. 22: The Phelps Field Report - Idaho Bulls with Garrett Bowen
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this solo edition of the Phelps Field Report, Jason Phelps details his September Idaho trip with Garrett Bowen of Top Priority Hunting, as well as ...
Ep. 21: Mountain Whitetails and How to Hunt Them with Jon Gabrio
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When people think about hunting rutting whitetails, they typically think of ag land in the midwest. In this episode of Cutting the Distance, Jon Gabri...
Ep. 20: The Phelps Field Report - 9/28/2022
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus episode of Cutting The Distance, Jason Phelps talks with Charlie Smith, as they recount some tough hunting and a deviation from the plan...
Ep.19: You’re Ready To Call, Get Your Setup Right!
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Every year we get to hear hundreds, maybe thousands of stories that go like this: I was calling in a bull, he was all fired up and got to 80 yards, I ...
Ep. 18: The Phelps Field Report - 9/15/2022
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus episode of Cutting The Distance, Jason Phelps talks with MeatEater's very own Ryan Callaghan. They discuss the highs and lows of their r...
Ep. 17: So You Want To Talk Elk with Dirk Durham
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode Jason is joined by Dirk Durham. Dirk Durham is a world champion elk caller but more importantly has a ton of experience out in ...
Ep. 16: Decisions That Lead To Success with Trent Williams
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Trent Williams is one of those guys that finds consistent success and he’s able to do it on general units. In this episode Jason picks his brain on ...
Ep. 15: Mistakes We Made When Learning To Elk Hunt with Tony Gilbertson
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Unfortunately, the best way to learn is by making mistakes. In today’s episode Jason talks with a RMEF Elk Calling world champion Tony Gilbertson. T...
Ep. 14: Shotguns with Luke Thorkildsen
04 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After getting a chance to chase turkeys and ducks with my Weatherby Element over the last year, I decided to sit down with Luke Thorkildsen from Weath...
Ep. 13: 20 Years of Elk Hunting Experience with Cody Rich
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Some things I wish I knew about elk hunting 20 years ago? One of the best ways to learn is through failure, but what if you had the opportunity to g...
Ep. 12: Backcountry Elk Hunting with Nate Simmons
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Nate Simmons is one of those guys that gets it done year in and year out on backcountry bulls. Nate is one of those guys I’ve always had a ton of re...
Ep. 11: Mental and Physical Toughness, Attitude, and Expecting Success with Ryan Lampers
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan Lampers is one of those guys -- when he heads out on a hunt, you know he is going to be successful. The only question is: how epic was the advent...
Ep. 10: Finding Elk Through E-Scouting with Mark Livesay
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It seems easy enough, but in order to kill an elk you must first find elk. With today’s technology it is easier to find elk than ever before. Ja...
Ep. 9: More On Calling Black Bears with Fred Eichler
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest may be best known for being the first to take all 29 North American big game animals with a recurve bow and complete the Super Slam, but...
Ep. 8: Calling All Black Bear with Douglas Boze
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is the author of “The ultimate guide to black bear hunting”, “No Bait, Just Bears” and the creator of the ultima...
Ep. 7: Elk Hunting and Turkey Hunting Are Damn Near the Same Thing
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Out west it's a contentious topic: turkey hunting. Some love it and feel it’s the same as hunting elk during the rut, while others seem to be in...
Ep. 6: Shotgunning Turkeys
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once the trigger is pulled on a turkey shotgun the result should be as quick and humane of a kill as possible. In this episode Jason...
Ep. 5: Understanding the Turkey Nest
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Chamberlain has forgotten more about wild turkeys than many will ever know. Chamberlain leads the University of Georgia’s Wild Turkey...
Ep. 4: Why Turkey Habitat Matters with Randy Milligan
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m chatting about turkey habitat with my good buddy, Randy Milligan. Randy owns a little over 800 acres in Eastern Kansas. He ...
Ep. 3: Calling and Killing Turkeys with Chris Parrish
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m talking about turkeys with not only one of the best turkey callers of all time, but one of the best turkey hunters of all t...
Ep. 2: Turkey Hunting 101 - Being Aggressive vs. Being Patient
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jason Phelps sits down with Janis Putelis to go over his turkey hunting philosophy. They talk about the run-n-gun approach, as well as being patient a...
Ep. 1: Starting Fresh - Where Does Your Turkey Call Come From?
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jason Phelps kicks off as the new host of Cutting the Distance alongside Steven Rinella to discuss the future of the podcast, as well as Steve’s bes...
Ep. 126: Remi's Final Transmission
30 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's the end of an era. This week on Cutting the Distance, Remi looks back on his tenure as host of Cutting The Distance as he shares 21 essential tip...
Ep. 125: Remi's Favorite Holiday Recipes
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Cutting the Distance, Remi shares his favorite wild game holiday recipes.Connect with Remi and MeatEaterRemi on Instagram and Twitter M...
Ep. 124: Guiding
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Cutting the Distance, Remi gives his insight into the best path to becoming a guide.Connect with Remi and MeatEaterRemi on Instagram and...
Ep. 123: Remi's Late Season Tips and Holiday Gift Guide
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Cutting the Distance, Remi offers his best late season tips as well on his thoughts on what to get the outdoors enthusiast in your life.C...
Ep. 122: Answering Your Questions, Part 24
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Cutting the Distance, Remi answers your questions, including: how to avoid cold feet, how often he shoots his bow, best ways to courteous...
Ep. 121: No, Turkey Hunting and Elk Hunting Are NOT the Same
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Cutting the Distance, Remi explains exactly why turkey hunting and elk hunting aren't as similar as some folks like to make them out to b...
Ep. 120: Making a Play
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Cutting the Distance, Remi gives his thoughts on how -- and when -- to make a play on an animal.Connect with Remi and MeatEaterRemi on In...
Ep. 119: Calling All Whitetails
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Cutting the Distance, Remi teaches us his strategies for calling in whitetails. Connect with Remi and MeatEaterRemi on Instagram and Twi...