Episodes

Jordan Breshears is a hunter, writer and content creator for Eastmans, and a nuclear electrical wizard of great proportion. He’s a fantastic archery elk hunter, and joins me this week to kick us off into the first episode released during season! Jordan and I discuss some last minute gear and preparation stuff. He brings up some great strategies for locating lone bulls and quiet elk. We discuss some major mistakes that cost hunters notched tags, it’s a great School of September! Don’t miss it! ...

In this episode, there is no guest… It’s just me bringing in a last minute episode as a bonus for this month. I break down mountain thermals, answer some various gear questions, and share some stories from past hunts that highlight the exact “failure point” that cost me a notched tag. It’s my hope that those tough lessons I learned will prevent you from having to learn the same one. Let me know what you think of this episode at jim.huntsman@eastmans.com Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The ...

Rod Paschke is a rancher, outfitter, hunter, and conservationist. He owns Sizzlin’ S Outfitters in Montana and is part of an advisory group for mule deer management changes. In this episode, Rod and I discuss the challenges with mule deer management, specifically in Montana. The advisory group has developed some key changes to help improve muley numbers throughout the state. Rod walks us through the whats and the whys. We also talk about mule hunting strategy. Rod offers up some important tips...

Return guest, Dan Pickar, joins me for a short but action packed School of September! Dan is a writer, editor, and video producer at Eastmans as well as a co-host of the Life of a Bowhunter Podcast. In this episode, Dan and I key in on some elk locating tactics, stalking techniques, calling, killing pressured bulls, and tons more. Dan is the perfect guy for the School of September! I always leave with a ton of new knowledge after recording with him and you guys are going to love this one! Dan ...

Josh Caple is a friend, hunter, and member of the Conservation Coalition of Washington. He’s also a return guest and we dive into some of the latest happenings of the Washington fish and game commission. We talk about bear hunting, issues facing hunters, challenges with some of the language being used coming into the next legislative sessions, and the attempt to do a nationwide ban on bear baiting. Josh and I have a great conversation, it’s important to keep our eyes on the animal activists even...

James Nash is a return guest on the show. He’s the host of the 6 Ranch Podcast, an outfitter, a Marine veteran, generational rancher, writer, and without a doubt, one of the most intellectually well-rounded humans I’ve ever met. I knew James would be a great School of September guest, but I didn’t know how great until I hit the record button. In this episode, James discusses some deeper elk behavioral and biological topics that blow my dang mind! We talk some strategy as well, and pick on hunte...

I promised you guys I would find some unique School of September guests that offer some fresh perspective… Meet my buddy, Bob Capka, AKA Bugling Bob! Bob is one of the longest serving guides at Elk Creek Outfitters, and without question, the most successful guide in the history of the outfitter for archery elk hunting. He is an archery expert at Archers Afield in Tigard, OR when he’s not guiding. Bugling Bob isn’t just a wildly talented elk caller, he also slays the guitar as an international to...

Tamie Fitchett is one of the owners of Elk Creek Outfitting, she runs the Big Sky Packer and Guide School where her passion is. She's a former game warden, hunter, and competes as a Mounted Shooter throughout the Northwest. In short, she's one helluva great person! Tamie and I get into details about the Big Sky Packer and Guide School. Anyone interested in getting into making a living in the hunting space, this is the fastest and most consistent way to earn a living in it. We talk about what th...

This installment of the School of September features Rob Yoder. Join us for a conversation that will have you counting the days to September 1.

As luck would have it, I met Bobby Collins on a plane ride to Maui. I was on a family vacation, Bobby was heading home. I'm so glad we crossed trails! Bobby shares his background as firefighter, growing up in Oregon, moving to Maui over a decade ago, and the hunt life he lives within the Hawaiian Islands. He is a survivor of the Lahaina wildfire, the most devastating wildfire in Maui history. He shares the story, and it's a heartbreaker, about how he and his friends narrowly escaped the fast-mov...

This installment of the School of September features Jon Gabrio. Jon is someone I knew several years ago was going to make a huge impact on the hunting space, and he definetely has! In this episode, Jon and I dicsuss his process for locating elk. From eScouting to boots on the ground, you can't kill what you can't find. We also dive into different strategies for different types of terrain; hunting elk in arid desert country to high-mountain stuff. This is a must-listen episode! I can always coun...

Editor in Chief at Eastmans, Todd Helms, joins me this week to offer some insight as to what's at stake in this recent public land disposal bill. This is basically something being added to the so-called "Big, Beautiful Bill" by Utah Senator Mike Lee, a familiar proponent of public land thievery and in my book, someone who needs to be removed from public office because of it. Todd and I delve into the recent article on the Eastmans Blog, written by David Willms. David saves us the drama and offe...

Thank you all for bearing with me the last few weeks. I haven't put out an episode due to a health issue that popped up out of the blue and almost took my life. This episode tells the story, and I hope it provides some insight as to how you can avoid the same issue. I should be back to 100% soon, and I'm officially back in the saddle as of now. I am blessed, and very thankful to all of you who tune in and tolerate me every week. Let's get back to talking hunting! Show Sponsors! Phelps Game C...

We’ve got another special episode of the Western Huntsman podcast this week! Guest hosts Todd Helms and Scott Reekers from Eastmans’ sit down to tackle some of the hottest current topics impacting hunters today while Jim is out. From grizzly bear management to potential public land sell-offs, they dive into the issues that matter. Tune in and stay informed—this is one you won’t want to miss! Show Sponsors Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://bit.ly/Ph...

Today’s episode of The Western Huntsman is a special one! In a unique twist, the tables are turned as Ike Eastman, host of the Eastmans' Journal Podcast Edition , takes over the mic to interview our very own Jim Huntsman. Recently, Jim faced some unexpected health challenges — but the great news is, he’s on the mend and doing well. This heartfelt conversation dives into the origin of the podcast, what inspired Jim to start it, and what keeps him going. From his personal passions to his dai...

Dirk returns as requested for an in-depth discussion on September archery elk! We talk about some new calling strategies, lessons learned from last season, we cover early, mid, and late September elk sounds/strategies. As always, nobody delivers like Dirk Durham of Phelps Game Calls!!! Phelps Game Calls - Use promo code Huntsman10 Dirk on Instagram Show Sponsors Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://bit.ly/PhelpsGameCalls-Eastmans -Use Promo Code “Hun...

Kevin Hardman is the Treasurer of the Idaho Panhandle Chapter for NWTF, a new chapter for the renowned National Wild Turkey Federation. He brings a lot to the table as we have a great conversation about his goal to hunt and kill something all twelve...

One of my favorite hunting buddies, Kevin Estela, has knocked it out of the park again with another book, Beyond the Field. He joins me this week to discuss what people can expect in the book, some hunting adventures from last season, upcoming hunts...

Todd Helmes is the Editor in Chief at Eastmans, host of the Wingmen Podcast, hunter, writer, family man and more! In this episode, Todd and I jump into Spring turkey hunting out West. We talk some access issues, calling in gobblers, deer hunting, elk...

Guy Duplantier is back! He is the host of the Western Contours Podcast, founder of Western Fly Covers and Western Hunt Fest, coach for ElkBros, and someone I consider a good friend.  In this School of September installment, we go back to the gear...

The March installment of School of September is a must listen. My buddy, Jon Palmquist reached out to me and suggested I get his elk hunting mentor and friend, Rob Gonzales, on. He didn't disappoint.  In this episode, Rob goes into some calling...

Many of you asked, we listened.  In this episode, as the first installment of the School of September Gear Series, I open up my daypack and walk you through the contents. I'm very much a minimalist when it comes to what I carry on the mountain,...

Josh Merschat is an outfitter, hunter, houndsman, husband, father, and former bull rider. He owns in Northwest Montana.  In this episode, Josh and I try to make sense of how social media has impacted hunting. We discuss some outfitting and...

Jason Montagna is a hunter, custom rifle builder, and long range shooting instructor for Elk Creek Outfiftting in Northwest Montana. Article 4 Rifleworks is based out of North Idaho, check out the ! Jason and I dig into what he considers long-range...