Elk Talk

In this episode of the Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey take a deep dive into the confusing, and often frustrating, world of western hunting applications. This podcast looks at why hunting systems have become so complex, specifically how state legislatures (rather than biologists) often create "harebrained" rules like Montana’s "one-point sandwich" and New Mexico’s 0.75 rounding rule. Other key highlights include: Why applying as a party in New Mexico can actually hurt your odds. Explaining how you can be "unsuccessful" and "successful" at the same time in the Montana draw cycle. A candid look at how Montanan legislative "handouts" and carve-outs have pushed nonresident numbers far beyond the original 17,000 non-resident tag caps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Randy and Corey dive deep into the "ditch" of the hunting world, working through rabbit holes that range from the current state of tag applications to the gritty reality of physical fitness as we age. Randy talks up about the "Always Ready 50+" grind, sharing his struggles with a new 12-week fitness course at 61 years old. Then they move onto the "Point Trap," providing a deep dive into the complex math of tag applications across the West. The conversation shifts to a "State of the Union" for elk, then they discuss the critical need for advocacy, specifically discussing the threat of Oregon's "IP 28" initiative. Finally, Randy shares a touching story about connecting with a young fan battling Perthes disease. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Elk Talk Podcast, Randy asks Marcus Hockett to fill in while Corey is on the road. Topics covered include the Raghorn Express, where elk hunting passion comes from, benefits of kids in elk camp, Cow Party, offseason is elk season, overcoming health issues, a broken leg mountain goat hunt, and a lot of other perspectives from a guy who grew up living the life of an elk hunter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Elk Talk Podcast Corey and Randy wrap up their thoughts on the 2025 season and start planning ahead for the new opportunities that might come in 2026. Topics covered include the Wyoming and Arizona non-resident elk draws, Randy's archery elk debacle, post-shot recovering challenges, shot angles, when things seem perfect but they aren't, and many other side channels that may or may not have anything to do with elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Elk Talk, Corey Jacobsen and Randy Newberg dive deep into Idaho's brand-new nonresident draw system for general deer and elk tags. They break down the critical December 5th-15th application window, explain the new party application rules, and walk through the confusing but crucial deadlines you can't afford to miss. But they also swap stories from the season, from tough late-October hunts to helping Ted Roosevelt IV fill his elk tag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey take a practical deep dive into late-season elk hunting. They break down why November and December can be one of the most effective times to fill a tag, shifting the focus from the post-rut to the predictable patterns of bachelor groups and food sources. They cover essential strategies, from understanding elk dispersal based on forage and sanctuary to leveraging migration maps and identifying landscapes untouched by cattle. Randy and Corey also discuss how to stay warm and glass all day, turning the harsh conditions of late fall into your greatest advantage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Elk Talk Podcast, Randy Newberg and Corey Jacobsen dive deep into one of the most challenging phases of the season: the post-rut rifle hunt. They break down exactly how mature bull behavior changes after the peak rut, explaining why these smart, pressured animals become solitary and retreat to secure "sanctuaries" other hunters avoid. If you're struggling to find bulls after the rut shuts off, this episode is your essential guide to hunting smarter in the post-rut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Elk Talk Podcast, Randy interviews Corey to cover the most effective tactics for the 2025 archery season. This podcast covers September 22-30, what we define as the Peak Estrus Season that is a continuation of the Peak Rut. We account for the moon phase (new moon to half moon), the influence fall equinox has on rutting activity, difficulty of pulling herd bulls from their cows, best tactics for bulls at this time of the season, the opportunity at mature satellite bulls, and many other ideas to consider at you hunt bulls during this Peak Estrus period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Elk Talk Podcast, Randy interviews Corey to cover the most effective tactics for the 2025 archery season. This podcast covers September 15-21, what we define as the start of the Peak Rut Season, accounting for moon phase (new moon), even more hunting pressure, location of bulls in relation to cows with older bulls now controlling the herds, best calling tactics for bulls at this time of the season, how to use water as a tool, and many other ideas to consider at you hunt bulls during this Peak Rut Season period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Elk Talk Podcast, Randy interviews Corey to cover the most effective tactics for the 2025 archery season. This podcast covers September 8-14, what we define as the Pre-rut period, accounting for moon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Elk Talk Podcast, Randy interviews Corey to cover the most effective tactics for the 2025 archery season. This podcast covers September 1-7, what we define as the Early Season, accounting for moon phase (full moon), hunting pressure, location of bulls in relation to cows, best calling tactics for bulls at this time of the season, how to use water as a tool, and many other ideas to consider at you hunt bulls during this Early Season period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy take a few listener questions and talk about what they are doing to get ready for the upcoming elk season. Archery practice, broadhead selection, equipment tuning, scouting with maps and boots on the ground, getting things taken care of for extended times from home, and a few tangents about Randy's summer projects as a handyman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy are joined by Steve Decker, Chief Revenue Officer at RMEF. Topics covered include the mission priorities of RMEF, how such mission work is accomplished on the ground, and how it is funded. Insight to the expectations members, volunteers, donors, and other supporters have of RMEF. And a lot of other discussion as to how RMEF is the effective advocate for elk and elk hunters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy go through the latest updates on the public land sales proposed by Senator Mike Lee. Midway through they are joined by Congressman Mike Simpson of Idaho, a person known for taking strong stances in favor of public lands. The topics covered are all public land and access topics that are currently being determined in Congress. We are asking you to stand up, speak up, and make your voice heard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy go into a deep dive of how Legislative and Congressional actions impact elk hunting and public access. Corey cues up questions for Randy related to recent budget amendments to sell public land and other efforts to make elk hunting access harder. At the time of publication, many of you took action and have defeated the most pressing amendments, showing how Elk Hunter Civics can provide more opportunity for all of us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (#146) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy are joined by Brice Bishop and David Brinker of PEAX Equipment. A lengthy discussion covers how technology has impacted elk hunting, elk seasons, elk distribution, and the manners in which we hunt. Does technology improve success rates or just make us more comfortable and comforted? What impact does technology have the future of elk hunting and how opportunity must be managed? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy are joined by Dustin Diefenderfer of MTN TOUGH. Three elk hunters tell some stories, give some ideas of their physical and mental challenges with elk hunting, and offer ideas of how to excel in the mountains, even if you are not a gym rat. And even if you're an older elk hunter, like Randy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy cover the many issues related to deadlines and applications in Utah and Nevada. Corey also asks Randy for an update from a week in DC lobbying on public land issues. Other topics (stories) Randy and Forrest Gump, Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday, Montana draw correction, Utah fee increases, Wyoming tag allocation changes, Nevada's new elk plan, RMEF putting more elk on the ground, Congressional delisting under the ESA, wolf intro history, negotiating for state management, and many other topics related to policy that affects elk hunters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy are looking forward to spring and the final half of application season. Topics covered include huge fee increases in Utah, pushing market pricing of non-residents, pressing for resident fee increases, the point system fallacy, RMEF's advocacy for all elk hunters, supply-side tag-enomics, Colorado and Montana deadlines, and fewer rabbit holes than normal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy talk about upcoming applications in Montana and Colorado, complexity of regulations, grizzly bear delisting possible, history of wolf delisting, Great American Outdoor Act, Congress shirking their duties, funding new access, access via permanent easements, list of access projects currently hung up in Congress, how public land policy gets established by Congress, creating access, and a rabbit hole about how your kids are influenced by what they see on a screen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey catch up to discuss their application strategies, Arizona draw results, the current winter conditions in elk country, problems of thawing and freezing snow, some viewer questions, Corey's strategy for drawing tags in years/seasons with optimal conditions, allocating your hunting time, and some diversions out into the weeds on topics barely related to elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy talk about changes to elk hunting seasons in 2025, deadlines for tags drawings, Colorado changing their draw in 2028, moisture patterns and antler growth in arid states, moon phases, burning points in years with the best conditions, harmful legislation across the west, and the normal string of rabbit holes and anecdotes related to elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (#139) of Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy welcome in the new year with a discussion about migration hunts, putting more elk on the mountain, what do we mean when we say "access to elk" and how can we do that, better habitat on public lands, and the threats of elected officials proposing to dispose of the Federal lands so many of us use for our elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy happen to be recording a few hours after the Idaho non-resident tag circus. Topics covered include the Idaho non-resident tag purchase system, the effectiveness of "scarcity marketing," the benefits of resident OTC opportunities, more elk means more opportunity for all, focus putting elk on the mountain, Randy's MT elk season finale, AZ tentative elk tag numbers, Commission action or Legislative action, value of keeping a journal, and other viewer questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy talk about the complications of inaccessible elk, for whatever reasons it happens. What makes elk less accessible, or more accessible? Complications of public hunting pressure and elk displacement to private land, too many cow tags result in a lower harvest, too many elk as a "neighbor problem," why hunting access to private land is so important, working landowners versus amenity ranch collectors, what options exist for game managers, is the public hunter's role limited, ideas to disperse congregated elk, and a discussion of may tangents combined with a few elk hunting stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (#136) of the Elk Talk Podcast Corey and Randy are talking about plans for 2025, some stories of Corey's Idaho rifle hunting, some tidbits on Randy's trip to help with a Nevada elk hunt, and a lot of talk about habitat, conservation, and examples of states that have put more elk on the landscape with the benefit of volunteers, advocates, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Also a few sidebars about Randy turning 60 and the benefits/detriments of an aging elk hunter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randy and Corey talk through the struggles of post rut hunts. Randy recaps his most recent trip in Idaho with the RMEF sweepstakes "win a hunt" winner and a string of llamas. Randy and Corey discuss the tradeoffs between managing for opportunity and managing for trophy potential, and appreciate the opportunity to have over the counter public land tags. Corey talks about opening day in Idaho. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (#134) Randy sits down with Kyle Weaver, President and CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. In addition to a call to action on Colorado's I-127 ballot initiative, topics are many, covering how RMEF does it's work, priorities for RMEF, hunting advocacy, how land gets conserved, efficiency with each dollar, volunteerism, reputation as capital, and many other discussions explaining how RMEF has accomplished so much in just 40 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (#133) of Elk Talk Podcast Corey and Randy overcome some scheduling difficulties to share each other's stories of the season, including some new lessons learned, some mistakes made, some big surprises, overcoming hot temps and full moons, the difficulty of patterning an old bull, and enough successful hunts to make the season a big win. Also a call to action for the Colorado ballot initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy sort through the many listener emails that relate to early season elk hunting. Topics covered include an update on the season so far, balancing age/health/conditions/desires, gutless method questions, tactic changes due to rain, fire displacement of elk, why we want more elk on the mountain, archer questions about basic rifle setup, shooter error or equipment problem, when water is too abundant, forage concentrations with non-migratory elk, bedded bugling bulls, and a lot of other topics to get excited about elk season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy are getting ready for elk season. A variety of listener questions are discussed, including elk walking through your camp, calling in a grizzly bear, invisible and abundant mountain lions, Colorado ballot initiative, every hunter should vote, hunter dating app, Dave Ramsey's hunting advice, how to identify a bedded bull, and a ton of other colorful sidebars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (#130) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy are together in Bozeman and talking about the upcoming elk season, and few legislative proposals that might impact elk hunting. Topics include making Idaho general tags a draw for non-residents, non-resident application fee increase for Wyoming, workout updates, breaking in your feet, hunting cow elk by finding forage, non-resident tag allocations on public land, 10th Amendment and state-based wildlife models, private land v. public wildlife, Randy's list of hunting storylines, and a lot of other topics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (#129) of Elk Talk Podcast Randy and Corey are taking a lot of viewer questions. Topics covered include their season plans for 2024, solo elk calling challenge, set-up mistakes, Randy's elk hunting E-Guide, two basics of elk calling, why elk bed where they do, elk depend on their nose, elk do nothing randomly, find elk where they are thermoregulating, not all ridges are equal, black bear predation on elk calves, quality habitat reduces predation impacts, and other audience questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy are at the Total Archery Challenge in Big Sky Montana. Corey and the best elk callers in the world are there for RMEF's world elk calling championship. Topics covered include elk calling, Colorado change to OTC archery elk tags, Colorado elk advocates, taking action, what advocacy looks like, state-based wildlife models in America, holding Trustees accountable, how to fund revenue lost from non-residents, balancing science and social demands, and many other tangents semi-related to elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy host Dustin Diefenderfer of MTN TOUGH. Topics covered include Dustin's hunting passions, archery elk hunting, the "packout from hell," cardio versus strength, and the obvious benefits of physical preparation for elk hunting, yet goes far deeper into the mental aspects of hunting and health. Randy explains being an adult-onset fitness adopter, fitness for the busy traveler, and a mix of hunting issues through the lens of age, hunting, and mental challenges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (#126) of Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy are taking up the discussion after a weekend with 600 of RMEF's volunteers. Topics include shed antler seasons and issues, winter ranges off-limits, access to elk, growing private land elk populations, shrinking public land elk numbers, one-size-fits-all really fits none, Wyoming and Nevada elk management examples, elk advocates where there are no elk, new age of fire cycles, and a ton of other topics related to putting more elk in the hills and creating more access to elk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy share the mic with Charlie Decker, one of four co-founders of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Recorded at the 40th Anniversary of RMEF, the topics covered include how it all started, the early failures, rough times, near bankruptcy, strain on marriages, perseverance, doing what you say you'll do, amazing volunteers, seeing a dream come to fruition, all told in Charlie's hilarious manner and sense of humor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy explore many off-season topics related to elk hunting information, various state deadlines, money generated by point schemes, deflating your points, the future of OTC tags, changes to point systems and point creep, slanting the table to well-heeled hunters, Wyoming setting the bar for non-resident elk fees, population explosion in Rocky Mountain states, the folly of point systems, correlation between technology and success rates and opportunity, and many other tangents important to elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randy and Corey follow up on a listener email where a Colorado Wildlife Commissioner claimed that State Trusteeship of Wildlife is legal fiction. In addition to updates on the deadlines for MT, CO, and UT, topics covered include qualification to be a wildlife trustee, do we want a Federal wildlife system, the laws/cases/Constitutional basis for our current state-based wildlife systems, Trustees ignoring their duties, how we got the the current systems we have, and many other topics that impact how wildlife gets managed and how opportunity gets allocated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey and Randy discuss a variety of topics to include Randy's Top Five Elk Hunting Mistakes, scientific selection of a hunting unit versus choosing an area that fits your hunting style, what criteria to use for selecting a unit, hunter density, success rates can be deceiving, Montana's crazy draw structure, is everything the Game & Fish agency's fault, some examples of successful advocacy, Corey's wolf hunting update, and the usual string of distractions and tangents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (#121) of Elk Talk Podcast, Corey has recovered from his trade show virus and joins Randy to solve a lot of elk hunting issues. Topics covered include upcoming draws in New Mexico, Montana, and Colorado, updates on some legislation proposals in Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming, more animals equal opportunity, potential loss of OTC in Colorado impacts every state, Randy's fitness update, mental fortitude, and a lot of other banter, most of which relates to elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (#120) of Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey take a lot of listener questions and try to answer them by category. Also touched is a reminder of the Arizona draw deadline. Other topics are western state population increases, Randy's Arizona choices, non-resident fee increases, Washington wildlife commission craziness, Colorado ballot initiative, Randy's Marriage 101 seminar, fitness for aging hunters, No Plan B, and a ton of other rabbit holes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (#119) Corey and Randy come back from the Holiday break to discuss big changes to the elk application process, specifically big changes in Wyoming. Also covered is the huge threat to hunting from a Colorado Ballot Initiative, how to increase tag numbers, a technology hiccup by Corey's computer, and the normal banter that any good episode deserves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy cover the transition from hunting season to planning season. Topics covered include draw seasons, Alaska elk, Wyoming fee increases, Randy's problem with floor jacks, trends in Idaho elk applications, hunting tactics for late season elk, Randy's hope that Arizona elk cooperate, and the normal host of tangents and other obscure stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode of the "Reaching Your Peak" mini-series, (Episode #10), we have another story/lesson from Corey Jacobsen. Randy joins Corey once again in this episode, as Corey shares the story of an tough archery elk hunt in Oregon from 2014. The hunt itself was tough, but getting the elk back out to the road proved to push Corey’s limits. There may be been more extreme packouts, but none with as heavy of a pack for as long of a distance as Corey experienced on this hunt. “Reaching Your Peak” will be published every other week, to fill in the gap between regular ElkTalk Podcast episodes. In this new mini-series, Corey will be sharing stories from his past elk hunts, and then detailing a strategy or tactic that was instrumental in the success of that hunt – or a lesson learned that has helped shape the way he hunts elk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (#117) of Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy talk about their post-rut rifle hunts and the common observations. Topics covered include why the post-rut is so difficult, the many forms of sanctuary, technology and success rates, non-resident elk tags in Idaho, making your dream hunts reality, increasing your draw odds, who gets first shot, and a lot of other tangents stemming from listener emails. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (#116) of Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy finally match calendars and give updates about Kentucky, Idaho, and some other trips. Topics focus on the transition to rifle seasons of the post-rut and late season. A few tangents get drawn out concerning motorcycle wrecks in the mountains, marital and premarital advice for elk hunters, and the principles of elk hunting applied to coaching basketball. Fun stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices