Episodes

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...

This week, meet Jordan Christensen from The Draw. We discuss the complexities of western tag applications, noting the constantly evolving process with year-round deadlines and various state changes, which necessitates services like "the draw" to help manage applications and prevent costly mistakes. Jordan detailed the draw's mission to help people hunt out west as often as they desire by leveraging application processes and offering two plan options: the non-floated plan with a service fee per a...

Jason Wilson is a hunter with insane amounts of bowhunting experience for rutting whitetail. He's a business guy, political influencer, and all around big personality, I really liked getting to know him! In this episode, we dive into rutted whitetail and bowhunting. Jason drops some fantastic hunting tips and shooting techniques to help us all do better in the field. He brings his Georgia whitetail and international bowhunting experience to the table, it makes for a great episode. Can't wait to...

I just got home from hunting mule deer in Wyoming with Fonzy Haskell of Four Horse Outfitters and Brandon Mason of Eastmans. What a heck of a hunt! We sat down to record a great episode, it’s a good one… In this episode, we discuss Fonzy’s appointment to the Wyoming Fish & Game Commission, and what he hopes to achieve. We talk mule deer management. Brandon, as always, brings his A-game and perspective to some tougher topics. We share some laughs about our recent hunt together and have an all ar...

Kurt Stick and I have been buddies for a while, mostly on the dot coms. I’ve always known he was a solid hunter, and this year he proved it again with an over 320” solo bull! In this episode, Kurt tells the story of how he worked his way into archery range on a great bull this season. There are plenty of lessons to be had in this one, Kurt is a one of kind personality and I know you guys are going to like him as much as I do! Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Wes...

Return guest, Tyler Oaks from Timber Cruisers Outdoors joins me to share his successful hunt this September on a 300” plus bull! Tyler shares the calling strategy that worked in this bull on September 3rd, how he moved in closer to get the bull within range, and the final steps to sending his arrow 35 yards into the bull for a lethal shot. We also discuss some rifle elk hunting tips for the upcoming October hunts. Locating bulls, some calling, and even a bit of wallow hunting strategy. Don’t mi...

Return guest, Zach Hanson, has a new book out, The Trade Gap. His new book covers a topic that I’m super passionate about, and it’s a page turner! In The Trade Gap, Zach stresses the importance of getting people involved in the trades. He learned this lesson well when he lost his white collar job and had to depend on taxidermy and welding to make ends meet. A perfect fallback! Zach is an excellent writer, hunter, trapper, and impressively smart guy. I’m super happy he’s a friend, you guys are g...

Blake and Justin are with HornScore, an app that estimates scores on antlers from images or video you take in the field. In this episode, they tell us about the app and how it works. It’s a sweet product, I’ve been taking trail camera images and scoring them in the app. This is not only useful information for me to know, but it’s incredibly entertaining! Justin and Blake share the details and the why behind the app and go into everything the app can do. Definitely be sure to check it out, every...