Elk Talk

In this podcast, Corey and Randy take the stage at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Mountain Summit, where the audience receives a new Gerber knife for having the courage to ask a question that Corey and Randy try to answer. Questions asked include conservation opportunities, adult onset hunting, getting young hunters involved, too many hunters, the need to continue improving access, calling setups for archery elk, and a host of other sidebars the audience was not expecting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (73) of Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy are taking listener questions and reciting some experiences of recent elk seminars. Topics covered include Alaska elk hunting, smoke and elk, hunting new areas, food scarcity, what is the best elk forage, elk dispersal, calling for elk is not for turkeys, making elk hunting simple, eliminating where elk "ain't", most archery seasons are a food pattern, every elk movement is with intention and purpose, same elk on different landscape, thermo-regulation, and many other tangents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (72) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey dive into the topic of drought impacts on elk. This takes them into migratory v. non-migratory elk, how to E-scout for each, dispersal v. density, selecting the best sanctuaries based on weather and moisture, priority on highest quality food in drought years, data used for selecting OTC and general units, your archery setup, remaining tag options, and many other tangents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (71) of Elk Talk Podcast, Corey interrupts Randy's Montana drawing results and with Randy's serious sinus infection they to try carry on a podcast about planning elk hunts now that tags are being issued. Topics covered include E-scouting differences for archery seasons compared to rifle seasons, eliminating where elk aren't, fall back options in Idaho and Colorado, cow elk hunting, how to pick up returned tags, no plan means paralysis, executing a plan and modifying your plan, World Elk Calling Championship, and a few reader questions mixed in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (70), Corey and Randy are answering listener questions and focusing on planning season. Now that tags are being drawn, we take questions that give our approach to planning a hunt. Topics covered include early archery season, how an E-scouting plan is developed, using rafts to escape the crowds, Corey's shed antler report, risk analysis while in the woods, selecting a general unit, what information is used to plan a hunt, and at listener request, a bit of marital advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (69) of The Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy are again scanning listener questions and explaining their approach to many of the topics facing elk hunters. Tangents explored are public land etiquette for hunters and antler nuts, how to improve habitat for drought, drought impacts on hunting strategy, Randy's Five Periods of the Elk Calendar, some people need a wedgie, technology at our finger tips, remaining elk drawing deadlines, elk near roads, hackers took Randy's Facebook Page, and a host of other listener questions to round out the week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (68) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy talk about the upcoming Colorado elk deadline and a host of other listener questions. Topics covered include, if Corey was King for a Day, R3 or access, selecting season dates, solo set-ups, nuances of thermals, barometric changes, elk and grizzlies, antler hunting, why some rules exist, elk/deer combo ideas, hunt a week straight or split your time, and a host of other random elk ramblings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (67) of Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey talk about the upcoming New Mexico deadline, along with a host of listener Q&As. Topic covered include the basics of New Mexico elk apps, Idaho rule change to lower DIY tag allocations, trail cams on winterkills, wolves impacting how elk behave, wolves less vocal, adaptive elk hunters, calling in November, what are edges, high elevation elk, growing the pie bigger, antler drop dates, and more listener question. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (66) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy start taking viewer questions related to the recent flurry of legislation in western states that will impact hunting opportunity and elk. Before long Corey has point Randy down the legislative rabbit hole and they do and in depth discussion of where these bills are coming from, what hunters can do to improve the situation, and why the future likely has more legislative policy rather than less. Elk advocacy requires elk hunters speaking up for wild thing and wild places. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (65) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy pay tribute to the amazing folks who consistently fill elk tags with only weekends to hunt. We admirably refer to them as Weekend Warriors. Topics covered include hunting on a budget, knowledge trumps gear, making due with what you have, making the most of a limited schedule, meat care concerns determine where/how you hunt, backpacks as an elk hunting tool, a primer for upcoming political podcasts, you can only buy a politician if he is for sale, and a host of other fun topics about elk and conservation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (64) Corey and Randy go over all the details of applying for elk in Arizona. A complete discussion of the Arizona draw system is provided, along with some things to think about in a drought year such as 2021. Topics include draw system, points, strategy to increase your odds, mistakes to avoid, season dates, deadlines, setting realistic expectations, baking a bigger elk pie, starting young, allocating budgets, and a host of questions from listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (63) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy discuss details of drawing elk tags in Wyoming and Corey gives the details of his Idaho wolf hunt. Topics covered include deadlines, point systems, point creep, general tags, non-resident tag allocation, costs, strategy for low point holders, wolf habits, managing predators, hunters' role in conservation, and other topics about hunting elk and wolves in Wyoming and Idaho. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (62) Corey and Randy take listener questions and dive deep into the topic of shrinking herds and less opportunity, which leads to a discussion of non-resident allocation, crowding by residents, western tradition of blaming non-residents, why can states discriminate against non-residents, growing a bigger pie or fight over a smaller pie, putting more elk on the mountain, and issues we all consider when another hunter is at our favorite trailhead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (61) of the Elk Talk Podcast Corey and Randy discuss an overview of the 2020 elk season and answer audience questions. Topics covered include muted rut, base your hunt dates on moon phase, tactics for silent elk, overthinking your situation, 2021 planning and changes to season dates, hunting for your own reasons, hunting new burns, and more topics that try to explain why 2020 was such a strange elk season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (60) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey catch up to discuss recent elk hunts during that transition from peak rut to post-rut. Topics covered include calling in October, second cycle rut, 2020 is a weird elk season, archery tactics for early rifle seasons, value of scouting, opening day strategy, elk change when the shooting starts, and other topics relevant to October elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (59) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy answer listener questions about what has been a strange year for elk vocalization and rut intensity. Topics covered include reports from Corey and Randy’s hunts so far, challenge versus locating bugles, where are the elk if I am seeing fresh sign, hunting pressure, transition from peak rut to post-rut, testing new equipment, second cycle cows, late season calling, did COVID cause crowding, where to camp in relation to elk, competition from cattle and sheep, and other questions that listeners are submitting this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (58) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Randy is in the Idaho backcountry with Kurt Howard, GM of Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls, while Corey is off chasing Oregon elk. Topics covered include an autopsy of what can go wrong and what must go right on a high pressure public land archery elk hunt, moon phases, weather impacts, what causes peaks in bugling activity, risky plans can go south, weather extremes, pardoning grouse, building animals calls, and a lot of other topics that recap a difficult archery elk hunt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (57) of The Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey take on many listener questions that are focused on hunting elk in the pre-rut period; early September. Topics covered include calling techniques, solo set up, dispersal after velvet rub, drought impacts, when the rut gets rolling, when to cow call, water attracts, variable moisture patterns, dry year post-rut patterns, knowing your plants, elk are picky eaters, where to find elk feed preferences, and a host of other topics that will help you find elk in a drought year across all seasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 56 of Elk Talk, Corey and Randy talk about some equipment specialized for elk hunting. Corey talks about his history designing elk calls, and Randy talks about his recent collaboration with Gerber. Corey goes into tactics of calling elk and setups in archery elk of late August and early September. Finally, they discuss using 3D maps for E-scouting elk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (55) of The Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy take on the many questions listeners have about hunting elk in grizzly bear country. Some of the best elk hunting in the west is occupied by grizzlies, yet many avoid these areas. Topics covered include avoidance, clean camps, field dressing among bears, hanging quarters in camp, bear spray or sidearm, risky behaviors, bear densities, bear distribution, defense if attacked, and other topics that hopefully get you more comfortable hunting in grizzly country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (54) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy talk llamas and elk hunting with Beau Baty of Wilderness Ridge Trail Llamas. Topics covered include the history of llamas, maintenance in the backcountry, max loads, what they eat, how to rent them, conflicts with bears and wolves, where they can go, temperament, comparison to horses and goats, durability, longevity, trailering and transporting, and a ton of other questions that relate to renting high quality pack llamas for your elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (53) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy are again taking listener questions. Topics covered include which season dates to hunt, OTC every year or glory tags every ten years, llamas are your friend, learning your area, using OTC asyour fall back, too much pressure in Wilderness, low-point tags, how to get multiple tags each year, 350# of meat from a spike bull, heaviest loads, archers and muzzleloaders at the same time, glory tags, and many other questions listeners have submitted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (52) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy discuss elk hunting in Idaho and a summary of the tag application season. Topics covered include Idaho drawing systems, using ID as a safety net, deadlines, strategy to get the most value, long-term trends from preference point systems, point creep, reasonable expectations, new RMEF membership, and other topics that will make sure you go elk hunting in 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (51) of the Elk Talk Podcast Randy and Corey talk about ticks, disease, social distancing, new RMEF Sportsman Membership, Oregon elk applications and elk hunting, point systems a benefit or detriment, hunting multiple states, changing apps based on current info, predictive or historical strategies, over the counter ideas, point creep is expected, point buyers, getting your money's worth, we're all non-residents somewhere, a resident hunting perspective, and man other tangents having little to do with elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (50) of the Elk Talk Podcast Corey and Randy address some of the many questions they receive from listeners. Topics covered include limited-entry once a decade or OTC every year, no substitute for time in the woods, amazing weekend warriors, consistently successful elk hunters, tricks learned, know your landscape to know your elk, factors when choosing OTC units, what information matters, choosing places that fit your hunting style, move or stay, how long to wait, practice v. training, prepare for field situations, intuitive or purposeful, mental focus, thick brush, open country calling, let the elk determine the setup, and other listener questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (49) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey start talking about maps and other tools and end up covering more topics than imagined; what drives elk locations, topography, terrain, needs, time of year, investing in your knowledge, gear purchasing is a crutch, nothing beats experience, to kill and elk you have to find an elk, 90% of the elk are in 10% of the terrain, using maps to eliminate where elk aren't, and many other topics that will help you find elk at all times of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (48) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy talk about elk hunting in Colorado. Topics covered include how to get a limited entry tag, deadlines, how the draw works, preference points, over the counter options, building points, point creep, season types and dates, long and short-term plans, costs, elk hunting access, and changes to the Colorado elk hunting regulations for 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (47) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey solve their technology struggles to record a discussion about Montana elk hunting. Topics include, deadlines, how to get a tag, how the draw works, season lengths, general v. limited entry tags, areas to consider, grizzly bears, prices, why so complicated, why you should apply in MT, and lots of other ideas to consider before the April 1, 2020 deadline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (46) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy give an overview of drawing your elk tag in New Mexico. New Mexico a great elk state, made better by not having a point system for non-resident applicants. Topics discussed are non-resident quotas, how the draw works, using all three choices, season dates, deadlines, strategies to improve your chances, and the quick overview that gets you started if New Mexico is on your list of elk states to hunt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 45 of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy cover all the details of applying for elk tags in Utah and Nevada. Topics covered include long-term strategies, realistic expectations, difficult draw odds, how the draw systems work, how the point systems work, general overview of season dates, budget allocations and priority, and other ideas new applicants should consider when adding Utah and Nevada to their application states. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (44) of The Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy pick listener questions. Topics covered include wind, thermals, scent management, difference between wind and thermals, fooling an elk's nose, reading thermals, why the winds change, investment in your knowledge, no short cuts, gadgets as a substitute for experience, spend money on hunts first and gear later, and other topics from listeners who have sent comments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (43) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy cover all aspects of getting an Arizona elk tag. And, if you don't get a tag at least how to build points for future years. Topics covered include how the draw works, short-term and long-term ideas, units that avoid the 10% non-resident cap, big tag reductions for 2020, build points for youth inexpensively, what season type gives you the best odds, why waiting may cost you, use both of your choices, how to get permanent bonus points, and a pile of other topics to help you hunt elk in Arizona. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (42) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey give an overview the Wyoming non-resident elk drawing for 2020. Big changes in draw dates, when refunds will be issued, all of which force hunters to make adjustments to how they apply in Wyoming for 2020. Also discussed are other Wyoming-centric topics such as grizzly bears, wilderness areas, archery seasons, General tags, archery seasons, and all things related to elk hunting in Wyoming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (41) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy take questions that have been submitted by listeners. Topics covered include elk hunting budgets, how to apply in multiple states with a $1,000 budget, money-saving tips, prioritizing, analyzing ROI for each state applied for, top priority to find elk in each of the seasons of elk, how late do elk bugle, calling in October and November, and other tangents to topics submitted by listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (40) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy talk about wolves, wolf hunting, wolf management, wolf politics, some recent wolf hunts they have been on, wolf reintroduction, Colorado wolf issues, and more stuff about wolves. Yeah, a bit of elk hunting makes it into the conversation also. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (39) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey give an elk season update of where they have been and what has transpired. Topics covered include reports from public land elk hunts in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, New Mexico, both archery and rifle, ranging from early season hunts in late August to late season hunts in November. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (38) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy discuss non-resident hunters/hunting and how non-residents are often consider the problem of all things hunting related. Topics covered include, what NR hunters contribute, hunting as a non-resident, pricing disparity, allocation of opportunity, do we need someone to blame, vocal minority, want to pay more, and other topics that arise when talk trends toward sharing the hills with non-residents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Corey is out in the field, Randy sits down with Karrson Koivisto (Product Manager of Knives and Cutting Tools) and Andrew Gritzbaugh (GM and head of marketing) from Gerber Gear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (36) of The Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey talk about the important issues of meat care in hot temps. Many people are rightfully concerned about caring for an elk during hot spells. Topics covered include having a plan, fast and furious to start, get the hide off, getting it cooled down, heat ruins meat, mass and heat transfer, wind and shade, teamwork, once it is cooled, hanging meat in warm temps, bone on or bone off, transporting it home, and many other topics that will make sure you meat gets out of the field and into your freezer in fine table condition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (35) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy are doing another live audience Q&A session from the Total Archery Challenge in Big Sky, MT. Topics covered include lots of elk calling questions, archery elk set up ideas and mistakes, transition ranges, cow elk hunting, importance of water compared to food, what makes a sanctuary, late season tactics, glassing when and where, RMEF public access initiatives, and many other audience questions related to elk and elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode of the Elk Talk Podcast (Episode 34), Corey and Randy have the incredible honor of sitting down with Elk Calling pioneer, Larry D. Jones. Joining Larry, Corey, and Randy is legendary film-maker, Ben Potter, of Cana Outdoors, who had the vision to bring one last installment of the Elk Fever video series to life. Topics Covered: -The original Elk Fever video series (1986) -How Elk Fever 3 came to be -Elk hunting in the 1980's -Filming equipment in the 1980's -How to capture the heart of a story through film -Behind the scenes of Elk Fever 3 -Life lessons learned from elk hunting -Overcoming adversity - in elk hunting and in life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (33) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy are with Kurt Howard, co-owner of Rocky Mountain Hunting calls. Topics covered include elk calling, making elk calls, R&D on hunting calls, owning a hunting-based business, supporting conservation, calling contests, expanding to other hunting calls, knowing what works and when to use it, helping make better elk callers, practice when you can, the language of elk, and many topics related to owning a premium elk and hunting call business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (32) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy finally get to this long-promised episode about hunting cow/antlerless elk. Ideas covered include hunting for meat, excitement about taking any elk, raghorn or cow, lead cows are smart, hunting over water, calling for cows, archery season cow elk, late season cows, food is cow's year-round need, find the food and find the cows, winter range, transition range, weather-related movements, all food is not created equal, did we mention food sources, use water when it's scarce, hunt for your own reasons, and a long list of questions from listeners about cow elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (31) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy are attending the RMEF Elk Camp in Park City, Utah where they are hosting their second live Q&A session. In this last of two live Q&A sessions, topics covered include aggressive calling strategies, calling in open terrain, spot and stalk, setting up on water, think about your set-up, dark timber elk densities, post-rut rifle tactics, what does a sanctuary look like, scout for cows to find the bulls, disappearing elk, scouting for rut areas, pack contents, magic circle of the rut, patience or aggression, hot weather tactics, and many other audience questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode (30) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy have rejoined from a short summer respite and are attending the RMEF Elk Camp in Park City, Utah where they are hosting a live Q&A session with the audience. In this first of two live Q&A sessions, topics covered include calling strategies, set-up, disturbed elk, high pressured over-the-counter units, ideas for new elk hunters, resources for elk behavior, elk needs, advocating for elk, filming your hunts for memories, elk dispersal in wet years, early season elk tactics, cow elk ideas, and many more elk questions from the audience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (29) of The Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy share the mics with Ryan and Hillary Lampers of the Hunt, Harvest, Health podcast. Topics covered include healthy hunting, elk ninjas, spot and stalk, slow is still too fast, archery in October, post-rut archery, locating bugles, anti-cow calling, Roosevelt bulls, Washington elk, benefit of mentors, mistakes lead to success, mouth calling, be one to arrow one, sixth senses, right day right time right bull, locating at night, you are your competition, when it becomes stressful, fun is success, how confident are you, when you know it's perfect, and a lot of other topics about spot and stalk elk hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (28) of The Elk Talk Podcast, Randy talks to Jason Loftus, Utah elk fanatic and amazing wildlife photographer. Topics covered include Utah elk hunting, waiting lists, photography improving hunting skills, rifle hunting in the rut, hunting with family, kids are most fun, cow elk hunting, glory tag pressures, managing for harvested age class, photography at close range, learning animal behaviors to capture the images, better field photos, camera gear, video or still images, "one size doesn't fit all," cameras are like bows or rifles, getting super close, long arming, shadows, light, sun angles, images respect the hunt/animal, images convey hunting for food, and many other lessons a hunter learns from photography. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (27) of the Elk Talk Podcast, Randy and Corey are at the annual Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Rendezvous taking live questions from the audience. Audience questions include proper boot fit, blisters, socks, first or last week of season, private land refugees, late season cow elk, first elk hunt, favorite elk hunt experience, hunting with your kids, calling wolf-conditioned elk, hunting the equinox period, can you bugling too much, whitetail skills for elk, sticking to your plan, short day hunts, calling to fight, sticking with a spot, dissing Utah, solo setups, late season cow elk, slowing down to hunt with elderly hunters, and a host of other ideas from the audience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Episode (026) of the Elk Talk Podcast, John Barklow discusses outer layers, including science and how that drives technology. Hunting elk brings all sorts of bad weather conditions. John explains how the proper outer layer is your protection against those elements. Topics covered include membranes, evaporation rates, humidity equilibrium, heat loss from wind and evaporation, DWR surfaces, weight from moisture absorption, seams and leakage, breathable rain gear, and a lot of shop talk about designing and building high performance outer layers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Bonus Episode of The Elk Talk Podcast, Corey and Randy cover Corey's home state of Idaho. Topics covered include deadlines, how the Idaho draw works, a tangent against point systems, ID OTC Heaven, choose your weapon, hunting among wolves and grizzlies, archery or rifle, license requirements, fees, maximizing your investment, two bull elk tags, youth options, RMEF Idaho projects, Elk Camp, and many other topics that will get you hunting Idaho elk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices