Rokcast

Art “the Shedaholic” Hayes joins Jaden & Robby today for a deep, story-driven dive into shed hunting that goes way beyond picking up bone. Art shares the unforgettable moment that started it all, finding a massive whitetail deadhead as a 12-year-old in Montana, and how that single day launched a lifetime obsession.

From the wild early days when antlers piled up untouched on public land, to today’s reality of pressure, boot tracks, and competition, Art walks listeners through how shed hunting has changed over the last four decades. Along the way, he tells incredible stories of giant mule deer and whitetails, tracking individual bucks through years of shed finds, and what those antlers taught him about home ranges, migration, genetics, and age.

The conversation digs into high-level shed hunting strategy and ethics: glassing before walking, grid patterns, working areas “backwards,” human funnels, and why low-impact shed hunting matters more now than ever. He also breaks down locating new shed areas, why big deer concentrate in surprisingly small pockets, and why chasing sheds for money doesn’t pencil out.

This episode is packed with hard-earned insight from someone who’s found and documented more giant antlers than most of us will ever see, with a clear message at the end: respect wintering deer, move thoughtfully, and let shed hunting make you a better woodsman, not just a better bone collector.

You can reach out to Art on Rokslide at AHayes111 at https://rokslide.com/forums/members/ahayes111.90118/

or discuss this episode here

https://rokslide.com/forums/forums/rokcast.129/

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here



or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

In this episode of Tipsy Tuesday, host Sam Weaver interviews hardcore hunter Mike Kentner, who shares his journey towards completing the Super 10 hunting challenge. Mike discusses the various species he has hunted, the challenges he faced, and the importance of preparation, equipment, and mental fortitude in hunting. He emphasizes the value of experiences over trophies and encourages listeners to pursue their hunting goals, regardless of their background or resources. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including hunting techniques, equipment choices, and the emotional highs and lows of the hunting experience. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news. Bow Spider-https://bowspider.com/ Kentner Taxidermy-Pavillion Wy
 




Howl for Wildlife- Take Action
 


Check out Rokslide’s 2024 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2024-rokslide-edition/
 


Visit Rokslide’s Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to [email protected]



 
[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

Spring black bear hunting is one of the most misunderstood and hardest hunts in the West. In this episode of the Rokcast, Jaden sits down with Joe Kondelis, founder of the American Bear Foundation, to break down what it actually takes to find and hunt black bears in the spring. From early failures and lost bears to dialing in habitat, green-up, and timing, Joe shares the hard lessons that turned frustration into long-term success in the bear woods. They dig into what makes good black bear country and how spot-and-stalk and still-hunting strategies change as spring progresses.

The conversation also dives deep into black bear conservation and why hunter advocacy matters now more than ever. Joe explains Wyoming’s bear quota system, groundbreaking research on bear movement and harvest vulnerability, and why mature boars are harder to kill than most hunters realize. They wrap up by talking utilizing bear meat, bear fat, and how bear hunters can use a ton of the animal. Plus, they talk about how organizations like the American Bear Foundation help protect future bear hunting opportunities. This is a practical conversation for anyone planning a spring bear hunt this winter, or wanting to better understand bears on the landscape.



Links:


American Bear Foundation Brown Bear Hunt Raffle >>
The 6th Annual Bear Banquet in Cody, WY >>
Emily Davis' Bear Research (Mentioned in the Podcast) >>

You can discuss this episode with Jaden here

TT#71 kicks off with Luke Pearsall from Trail Goods Company, who shares insights into the challenges and successes of producing freeze-dried meals for hunters. Luke discusses the importance of creating meals that are both delicious and practical for backcountry adventures, bringing the comfort of home-cooked food to the wilderness, enhancing the overall experience for hunters. Next, Brad Brooks from Argali Clothing Project talks about the launch of their new technical clothing line, designed specifically for Western hunters. Brad emphasizes the need for high-quality, functional clothing that meets the demands of serious outdoor activities and shares the meticulous process behind developing their products. Finally, Dioni Amuchasti from Deadfall Designs introduces the Guardian chest plate, an innovative product designed to enhance the functionality of binocular harnesses by allowing users to mount a holster for easy access to their firearm. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news.
Trail Goods Company-https://trailgoods.co/
Build a Freeze-dried meal- Rokslide thread
Argali Clothing Project-https://argalioutdoors.com/pages/argali-clothing-project
Join in the discussion-https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/the-argali-clothing-project.418073/
Deadfall Designs Guardian chest plate-https://sandsarchery.com/products/guardian-chest-plate
 




Howl for Wildlife- Take Action
 


Check out Rokslide’s 2024 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2024-rokslide-edition/
 


Visit Rokslide’s Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to [email protected]



 
[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

In this episode, Jaden Bales dives into Wyoming’s elk program with one of the most knowledgeable (and hardest-hunting) biologists in the state: Lee Knox of Wyoming Game & Fish.

With Wyoming’s elk application deadline coming up fast, we wanted to give listeners a deeper look at how the Cowboy State actually manages its elk herds — from general tags to limited quota seasons to the bull ratios that drive opportunity across the board. If you’ve ever wondered why Wyoming’s elk hunting is so consistently good, this conversation breaks it down.

Lee and Jaden talk through Wyoming’s entire elk framework:
• What “general” vs. “limited quota” really means in practice
• How bull:cow ratios influence special-management units
• Why Wyoming posts some of the highest elk success rates in the West
• How burns, drought, weather, and access shape elk behavior year-to-year
• Why mature bulls can actually be easier to kill in November
• What hunters get wrong about elk distribution, pressure, and “trophy” expectations
• How to think about realistic goals when burning points or drawing a once-in-a-decade tag
• Plus plenty of nerdy habitat, calf-ratio, and season-setting discussion you won’t hear anywhere else

They also dig into one of the biggest issues facing elk management moving forward: access — and why social dynamics, not biology, often drive changes to season structure. Lee closes by explaining how hunters can meaningfully influence season setting (hint: social media posts don’t count).

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt: https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

If you want to understand Wyoming elk, set smart expectations for your hunt, or simply learn how biologists think about creating opportunity across wildly different landscapes, this episode is packed with insight.

If you'd like to ask Jaden questions about this episode, click on this link

to our Rokcast discussion forum