Stay Western, and I'll see ya on the Mountain!

The Western Huntsman Podcast

Welcome to The Western Huntsman. This weekly podcast is hosted by lifelong hunter, Jim Huntsman. Find out why we are a top rated hunting show by listening in, or send us a message via voicemail or email.

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Recent Episodes

Hunt & Tag Planner with Jordan Christensen
264
June 24, 2026

Hunt & Tag Planner with Jordan Christensen

The new Hunt & Tag Planner Series with Jordan Christensen is designed to keep listeners up with the latest news, deadlines, and information to increase your odds at drawing a great tag! We always focus on protecting the future of hunting or shortening the learning curve for your next hunt, but why not how to actually get tags?? It’s a component that too many hunters struggle with, but not anymore. Jordan Christensen from The Draw is teaming up with The Western Huntsman and Eastmans to bring you
Within Striking Distance with Matt Schoeller
263
June 11, 2026

Within Striking Distance with Matt Schoeller

Matt Schoeller returns to the show to talk bowhunting! As a return guest, I wanted to get Matt back on to tell us about his recent trip to New Zealand to hunt Tahr and Fallow Deer. We covered a lot about scouting for deer and elk, some key bowhunting strategies, getting within striking distance with a bow, taking your hunting adventure to far away lands, and much more! Matt is an awesome guy the type of bowhunter we can all aspire to be. Check him out on Instagram! Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Cal
School of September with Dirk Durham
262
June 2, 2026

School of September with Dirk Durham

The legend himself is back! School of September for your June installment features the most requested guest, Dirk Durham, AKA The Bugler! In this episode, we go a little deeper than past episodes with reading terrain features likely to hold elk, calling sequences that work, what to do once a bull responds to you, some cow call strategies, and much more. Dirk is the most seasoned guest on School of September and is someone that consistently kills elk each year. Meaning, you’ll want to make sure y
School of September with Jaden Bales
May 26, 2026

School of September with Jaden Bales

Jaden Bales returns to the show, and this time, for a School of September! Jaden always packs a punch when coming on the show, and he brings some fresh ideas for this one. In this episode, Jaden and I discuss an often overlooked topic; how to scout for your upcoming elk season. He breaks down how he approaches his scouting opportunities into a three part process that pays dividends once elk season starts. We discuss scouting some high country, low country, and safety spots, of which all three po
Kevin Estela on Hunting, Bushcraft, and Tipping Culture
261
May 19, 2026

Kevin Estela on Hunting, Bushcraft, and Tipping Culture

Kevin Estela returns! It’s always a great time getting Kevin on the show to discuss a wide berth of topics. We talk bear hunting, aoudad hunting, deer hunting, fishing trips, tipping culture, government overreach, and much more. Kevin discusses some pistol and bear defense stuff and his involvement with Jason the Butcher TV. Kevin is a good friend so having him on the show is always a solid, authentic conversation. Don’t miss this one… Kevin on Instagram Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The ga
Calling Bulls with Different Personalities with Ryan Gascon
260
May 12, 2026

Calling Bulls with Different Personalities with Ryan Gascon

Ryan Gascon is the founder of High Timber Dreams, a non-profit organization that helps disabled vets, first responders, and youth hunters realize their elk hunting dreams out of Elgin, Oregon. In this episode, Ryan and I discuss a ton of elk strategies. From early archery season to late November bulls, he offers up some calling tips and shares tons of experiences to help sharpen the iron for any elk hunter! Don’t miss it! Ryan on Instagram Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company
The Complete Guide to Understanding Mountain Thermals
259
May 5, 2026

The Complete Guide to Understanding Mountain Thermals

In this solo episode, I dig into mountain thermals and everything hunters should know about them. Too many times I’ve seen hunters blow a stalk or bust a herd of elk out unknowingly because of assumptions of what thermals are. Here, I break down what creates thermals, how elk and other animals use them, what to be mindful of, and how to use thermals to your advantage on the mountain! Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! Whether looking for bugle tubes
Ep. 258 | Michael Batease and Elk Calling Academy
258
April 21, 2026

Ep. 258 | Michael Batease and Elk Calling Academy

It’s been a while since I’ve had on the show! Michael was a fan favorite in the first couple years of this podcast and the way this episode went, he will be again! We discuss everything from what’s going on at Elk Calling Academy to...
School of September with Matt Hartsky
April 14, 2026

School of September with Matt Hartsky

Matt Hartsky is the man behind Backbone Unlimited, an elk hunting platform that provides training and elk education. He’s a hunter, strength and conditioning coach, and nutrition expert and he brings all that value and knowledge to this installment of School of September! In this episode, we really hammer some physical fitness concepts and how they apply to hunting elk in the mountains of the West. Then we switch into talking strategy; locating elk, closing in on elk, and getting a shot. We wrap
Ep. 257 | Spring Bear and Fall Elk Hunting with Chris Cabral
257
April 7, 2026

Ep. 257 | Spring Bear and Fall Elk Hunting with Chris Cabral

Chris Cabral is an outfitter out of St. Maries, ID. He owns Russell Pond Outfitters, it’s a great operation focusing on bear hunting, elk hunting, and lions in the Winter months. Chris joins me for a discussion offering up some bear hunting tips, we get into some elk hunting stuff as usual! Check out Chris’s website below, you’re going to like this one! Russell Pond Outfitters Chris on Instagram Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! Whether looking for
Ep. 256 | The Harlow Bison Ranch with Melinda Anakalea
256
March 31, 2026

Ep. 256 | The Harlow Bison Ranch with Melinda Anakalea

Melinda Anakalea and her husband, Adam, own and operate The Harlow Bison Ranch in Thompson Falls, MT. The Harlow is a special place in which I’ve had the opportunity to spend some time on over the last few years, and getting to know Adam and Melinda has been such a pleasure. Especially because these are people who truly care about the land they manage, the animals that live there, and how it all works in conjunction with nature. Melinda joins me to discuss their ranch operation, the regenerative
Quick Shots with Jim: Consistently Successful Elk Hunter Commonalities
March 26, 2026

Quick Shots with Jim: Consistently Successful Elk Hunter Commonalities

Quick Shots with Jim this week is my list of twelve things that consistently successful elk hunters have in common, and why they matter to you! jim.huntsman@eastmans.com Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! Whether looking for bugle tubes, deer calls, predator calls, reeds, anything, Phelps Game Calls is a one stop shop of quality, American made game calls. Use promo code Huntsman10 for 10% off at checkout. Visit Phelpsgamecalls.com Leupold Optics- Ov