Sportsmen's Empire - Western Big Game Hunting

Most elk hunters make one costly mistake: they move too much, call too much, and blow out the very bulls they’re trying to hunt. Kurt from Western Obsession breaks down the smarter, harder way to hunt elk, and why staying put, reading wind, and letting the glass do the work can change everything.

Returning guest Kurt joins Dan Johnson to unpack the exact mindset and field strategy behind successful western elk hunting, from archery season in the rut to late-season rifle hunts. He explains why the best hunters aren’t the loudest ones, why bugle tubes can do more harm than good, and how to turn elk behavior into a plan instead of a gamble.You’ll discover:

How Kurt scouts elk country by focusing on non-motorized access, north-facing bedding slopes, south-facing feed zones, and water

Why mornings and evenings matter most, and when midday "trolling" through timber can actually help locate bulls

The difference between trying to call elk in and simply getting ahead of them for a spot-and-stalk setup

Why late-season elk hunting is a glassing game, not a calling game

The gear that actually keeps you on the mountain longer, including rain gear, boots, merino layers, a zero-degree bag, electrolytes, chapstick, and even a bow hitch

Kurt also shares the mental side of elk hunting that too many people underestimate: frozen boots, soaked gear, brutal elevation, and the pressure of being in the kill bubble when one wrong move can end everything. If you’ve ever wondered why elk hunting feels so humbling, or how to finally stop getting your butt kicked in the mountains, this conversation gives you the framework.

They also get into the evolving debate over bow vs rifle for western species, why archery elk remains the ultimate challenge, and what it really takes to go from "just some idiot walking around the woods with a bow" to feeling truly dangerous in elk country.Perfect for western hunters, DIY elk hunters, and anyone who wants a real-world strategy for hunting elk smarter, staying tougher, and making better decisions when it matters most.

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This week on the podcast, we start with a hunt that manages to hit both a frustrating low and an exciting high in less than 30 minutes. What begins with frustration turns into a breakthrough—and serves as a good reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do in the woods is slow down, pay attention, and be patient.

We also dig into scenting conditions and some of the data I’ve collected over the past two years, looking at temperature, humidity, and how those conditions can influence what’s happening on a track. Rather than simply blaming or praising the dog, the goal is to understand the environment we’re asking them to work in.

We end  by talking about something every hunter eventually has to learn: you’re not hunting the same dog you were last year. Next week opens Pandora's box into how your dog is changing and so are you. Thank you for tuning in to Creekside Chronicles 

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We would like to thank those who support this podcast.  Special thanks to Double U Hunting Supply for sponsoring this episode.  

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The gear you trust in the woods matters more than the latest hype, and Dan Johnson lays out the exact products he actually hunts with, why they earned a permanent spot in his setup, and which upgrades are worth your money before the season opens.

If you want a no-fluff breakdown from someone who beats up his equipment and still expects it to work in mud, cold, heat, and last-minute chaos, this episode gives you the shortlist. Dan explains why he stays loyal to certain brands, how he evaluates gear by durability and real-world performance, and why some products are worth paying more for while others are not.You’ll discover:

Why a limb-driven Vapor Trail arrow rest earned five years of brutal field use

What makes Reveal cellular trail cameras so easy to set up that they feel automatic

Why Wasp broadheads stay in his quiver year after year

How Day Six arrows, Bowtech bows, and Ozonics scent control fit into a serious hunting system

The boots, socks, optics, and mock scrape products he trusts when the season is on the line

Dan also breaks down the thinking behind his gear choices, from total arrow weight and bow setup to rangefinding optics, scent elimination laundry, and the stand and saddle systems he uses now that his hunting style has evolved. If you’ve been wondering what actually survives hard use, what’s marketing noise, and what deserves a real look before opening day, this one is packed with practical answers.

Perfect for bowhunters, whitetail hunters, and anyone trying to build a dependable kit without wasting money on gear that won’t hold up. Dan keeps it blunt, specific, and grounded in what he’s actually carrying into the woods this season.

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Join us for a laid-back yet insightful conversation with Skeeter, Eric Beckman, a passionate

outdoorsman and wild game chef, as he shares his journey into hunting, foraging, and cooking

Michigan's wild bounty. Discover practical tips on field dressing, foraging secrets, and creative

ways to prepare wild protein, all while emphasizing conservation and mindfulness in nature.

● The benefits and techniques of rucking and outdoor training for hunting, including

packing fifty pounds regularly during summer for upcoming hunts.

● How to identify and forage local Michigan edible plants, mushrooms, and wild

game—including tips on spotting white oaks, beech trees, and chaga.

● The process of cleaning and preparing unusual game animals such as snapping turtles

and invasive crayfish, including tasteful tips for cleaning, purge processes, and cooking

methods.

● Creative wild game recipes, like bang bang bluegill and spicy woodchuck tacos, with

emphasis on presentation, flavor, and serving suggestions.

● Strategies for scouting deer and other game with a slow, holistic approach—finding

bedding areas, food sources, and movement corridors instead of rushing through.

● The importance of respecting game animals through proper care, field dressing, and

preparation, transforming nuisance species into table fare.

● Building connections and sharing outdoor passions with family and friends, making every

outdoor adventure an opportunity for learning and bonding.

Listeners are encouraged to explore local wild edibles responsibly, respect game animals, and appreciate

the slow, observant approach to nature and hunting. Skeeter's insights blend practical tips with a passion for

conservation and culinary creativity, inspiring a thoughtful wildlife and outdoor experience.

Attribution Code

"Slow Burn" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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The first day of training sets the tone for everything that follows—and this episode is all about testing your patience. How we used other podcast to see the early warning signs of heat stress and the things you can do when in the field to help. Don't waste a precious time when you have limited days. Have a great season. 

 

IG - heathhyatt147

FB Heath Hyatt

Youtube - Heath Hyatt 

Send your stories or questions to: 

creeksidechroniclespodcast@gmail.com

Follow our Sponsors:

Inukshuk 

Double U Hunting Supply

Muddy River Transport 

Darkenergy

OnX 

Inukshuk:

Inukshukpro.com

Corey.ca

Darkenergy:  best-charging banks on market. Discount code is CODE4

darkenergy.com

Frontline Optics- Duty sunglasses

Polarized

No questions asked replacement

Charitable Donation with every pair

Free shipping

Frontline-Optics.com use promo code - CODE4

https://frontline-optics.com?sca_ref=5672409.03I05MEwyy

Subscribe to: 

Full Cry Magazine

Bear Hunting Magazine

American Bear Foundation

Virginia Bear Hunters Association 

For the best lights in the business

Check out: Cajunlights.com 

Double U Hunting Supply: Get all your hound hunting gear at Double U. Products every hound hunter trusts to keep up with their pack. Double U Hunting Supply.com

We would like to thank those who support this podcast.  Special thanks to Double U Hunting Supply for sponsoring this episode.  

www.dusupply.com

https://www.youtube.com/@DoubleUHuntingSupply/podcasts

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.