Episodes

Dan Pickar is back and brings the thunder again! In this episode, we discuss the ludicrous IP 28 proposal that came out of Oregon, we talk about how animal activists are the symptom, but liberalism is the disease. We go back and forth on the decay that is eating our American society and offer up some insights and ideas as to how we rectify the broken path we are on. Listeners beware, soft feelings won’t jive well with this episode. Dan doesn’t scare easy when it comes to sharing his thoughts, s...

Return guest Steve Johnson joins me this week for a wild conversation. Steve is one of the top elk callers and bear hunters that I know of, and as usual, he doesn’t disappoint with his authentic and fearless honesty. In this episode, we go deep into bear baiting, scent control, elk calls, and even some culture stuff that’s always fun to cover on the show. We talk about how technology has this tipping point when it comes to fair chase hunting, and the conundrum of who decides what that tipping p...

It’s that time of year!!! The official School of September has launched for 2026 and we couldn’t be more excited. In this episode, I start us out with some basic behavior and fundamental gear stuff to get us rolling as we inch closer to archery elk season. We have some fantastic guests lined up for this years SOS, the top names and some people you haven’t heard of… Don’t discount them! Submit your School of September questions to jim.huntsman@eastmans.com Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - T...

Dakota Johnson is a hunter, contractor, and family man in North Idaho. In this episode, Dakota and I discuss what connections exist between hunting media and crowded hunt units. We also get into hunting technology and how it affects the fair chase doctrine. It’s a great conversation and I really enjoyed having Dakota on the show! Follow the show on Instagram Email: jim.huntsman@eastmans.com Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! Whether looking for ...

Timber Cleghorn is a survivalist, family man, hunter, Christian, humanitarian aid worker, and the runner up contestant on the hit television series Alone, season 11. In this episode, Timber shares the process of being selected for the show, he talks about his childhood and what motivated him to apply. We discuss the hardships of his time spent alone in the Arctic Circle, what he did to survive for 83 days, and some of the behind the scenes details that typical viewership never gets to hear. I’m...

If you love calling elk, don't miss this episode. I share the four unique calling techniques I use when traditional calling isn't working. We've all been there, the standard bugle or cow calls are just not working that day. Maybe it's the weather or whatever various factor has changed, but the elk that were bugling here yesterday are not bugling today. Try these calls, they have all worked for me in some way either for myself or while guiding. Practice these techniques before season so they are...

In this episode, I break down the difference between etiquette and ethics and why they're equally as important as each other. jim.huntsman@eastmans.com Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://bit.ly/PhelpsGameCalls-Eastmans -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off! Leupold Optics- Over 100 years of American-made optics such as scopes, binos, spotters, range finders and more. Leupold sets the standard for innovation and quality without selling ...

Jordan Sillars is a writer and journalist, he also hosts the Blood Trails Podcast. Blood Trails is a sort of true crime, investigative show with a focus on mysteries that happen in the outdoors. Jordan returns to the show to talk about his podcast and the work that goes into it. His show is wildly popular and Jordan does a fantastic job hosting it. We discuss some of the cases, the relevance they have to hunting, the difference between these stories leaving us without answers versus the ones wi...

Nate Davenport is a well-known tattoo artist, archery expert, and a solid hunter. I’m proud to call him a friend! In his third appearance on the show, Nate comes all the way to my place in Montana to do some tattoo work for me, and it just made sense to jump on and record an episode! We talk about archery stuff, bowhunting, his work with Backwoods Composites, the Bison Shoot event coming up, and hostile vegans mistaking themselves as morally superior humans. As always with Nate, it’s a great co...

My new friend, Pat Kelly, is a Hollywood screenwriter, family man, fisherman, hunter, Colorado land owner, and now, a novelist. In this episode, Pat joins me to discuss his new book, Rifle Season. I just finished reading it and it's the kind of thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, especially if you love to hunt like I do! We talk about the book, the characters, his experience in the mountains of Colorado, the debate between hunters and anti-hunters, and lots more! Pat does a great ...

Do you have sharp instincts as a hunter? Nobody starts out with them. In this Quick Shot episode, we discuss what hunting instincts are and how to develop them. Have a Quick Shot topic idea? email jim.huntsman@eastmans.com Jim on Instagram Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://bit.ly/PhelpsGameCalls-Eastmans -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off! Leupold Optics- Over 100 years of American-made optics such as scopes, binos, spotters, range...

Aron Snyder of Born Primitive Outdoors returns to the show this week for a great conversation. Aron needs no introduction, he’s been a leader in the hunting community for many years and I’ve always respected his fearless authenticity. In this episode, we not only touch on topics from gear to developing hunting skills to wilderness survival, we also find out on the internet that Aron supposedly died a few months ago, which was a shocking revelation for both of us. Clearly, if it says it online, ...

In this Quick Shots episode, we're talking about mountain lions. What do they eat, how many ungulates do they kill, what kills the most, and where fatal attacks take place. Just the facts in this one, good information for all outdoorsmen! jim.huntsman@eastmans.com Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://bit.ly/PhelpsGameCalls-Eastmans -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off! Leupold Optics- Over 100 years of American-made optics such as scope...

Jake Anderson and Trevor Anderson are the founders of TouLou Broadheads, an American sourced and made single bevel broadhead that packs a punch. In this episode, we talk about mechanicals versus fixed, bowhunting elk and deer, the three critical factors that make their broadhead as lethal as it is, and why manufacturing in America is important. I really enjoyed having Jake and Trevor on the show, this is what American ingenuity looks like! TouLou Broadheads Website TouLou on Instagram Show S...

I wanted to share with you guys how I have killed some great whitetail bucks, consistently, many years running. Not only have I done this, but my daughters kill great bucks every year and so do my hunting clients. The reason a whitetail mock scrape is so effective out West is because not many people bother to take the time to do it. However, since you're reading this and listening to the show, you're clearly interested in above average hunting results! Whitetail mock scrapes are the way. Listen...

Meet Matt Schoeller, a Colorado bowhunter, business owner, Dad, Husband, and Caribou guide in Greenland! I came across a post of Matt’s on Instagram and couldn’t figure out how I didn’t know him, and knew he would be a great fit on the show. In this episode, Matt talks to us about bowhunting as a lifestyle, getting permission to hunt from landowners, bowhunting antelope, a life altering hunt for caribou with his Dad and brother in Greenland, and how that materialized to him becoming a guide for...

In Quick Shots with Jim, episode 2, I break down my strategy to utilize the crowds in high pressure units to my advantage. Due to where I guide, if the unit gets overly crowded, I don't have the luxery of taking my hunters to other units where we are not licensed to guide in. We have to work around the crowds, and thats exactly what we do. Learn how to get away from the vast numbers of weekend warrior hunters and thrive in even the most crowded units. Its not rocket science, but there are a few...

Jordan Breshears returns to The Western Huntsman to talk elk, muleys, and even Pennsylvania whitetail! Jordan is a staffer at Eastmans and one heck of a bowhunter. He has a unique job in which he is able to travel and hunt all across the lower 48. After a fantastic mule deer hunt in Wyoming, Jordan heads to Pennsylvania for work and gets himself a whitetail tag. We talk about how he went into an unknown area, built some relationships with landowners, and proved his keyed in Western hunting skil...

Welcome to the new Quick Shots with Jim series! These new bonus episodes are in addition to our regular long form interviews. All about hunting, whether tactics or politics, this series will be adding an episode each week that is short and to the point. This week, we kick it off with understanding that what you may have learned as a kid, may not necessarily be true and could even be holding you back as a hunter. Break that cycle TODAY! I spent years pursuing animals based on bad information I w...

Tyler Johnson grew up on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. He’s no stranger to brown bears and wild places. A little over a year ago, however, on a backcountry black bear hunt with his Dad, they surprised a bedded brown bear and she predictably came at them. In this episode, you’re going to hear the full story of survival and ways you can prevent this from happening to you. I always find these kinds of stories to be super important for all of us. Tyler is an experienced outdoorsman, and his Dad a ...

Stuck N The Rut’s Tom Schneider returns to the show this week and as always, it’s a solid episode! Tom is a master mule deer, elk, and wolf hunter who always brings his A-Game to any hunt, and every podcast he does with me. In this episode, Tom and I recap an exceptional hunting season he had. We discuss some wildlife management issues. I hammer the road hunters again and Tom shares some perspective on hunter involvement in management decisions. We cap the episode with Tom sharing some tips and...

Corey Groff is the new host of Eastman Hunting Journal’s “Predator Pros” podcast, where they discuss the critical importance of predator management through hunting. Corey shares his extensive background in predator hunting and we discuss his evolved motivation toward conservation, the substantial impact of predation on wildlife, and the importance of hunter involvement in managing predators like wolves and coyotes. Enjoy this great conversation with Corey and I, and make sure to like and subscri...

This week, I jump on and record a solo episode, a sort of recap on this season since the beginning of September. I haven’t spent much time in civilization the last few months so I’m able to share some good stories and lessons learned between hunting and guiding. It’s been one heck of a year! Also, I finish the episode with a little gear talk and stuff that really excelled this season for me. Maybe some Christmas ideas for the hunters in your life. Jim@thewesternhuntsman.com The Western Huntsma...

Dirk Durham is the Marketing Manager for Phelps Game Calls, Elk Hunting YouTube sensation, and someone I consider a close friend! Dirk joins me this week to tell the wild story of his Yukon moose hunt with Jason Phelps. We do a little season recaps, elk hunting, bad etiquette on the mountain from other hunters, running into Doug Fluty on in the elk woods, and getting older as we both are. As usual, Dirk was awesome, full of wisdom and humor, and we had a great chat. Check it out anywhere podcas...