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Articles by Jason Phelps
The 10 Biggest Mistakes Elk Hunters Make Every Year
Few things humble a man like public land elk hunting. You can spend all year shooting your bow, studying maps, watching videos, and convincing yourself you've got elk figured out. Then opening morning rolls around, and they make you look completely incompetent. The mountains are steep. Deadfall sucks. The weather changes by the hour, and elk are good at avoiding things that want to kill them. If you look at harvest statistics across the West, the story is pretty clear.
Ep. 151: Cutting the Distance - Leupold Optics BX-6 and More
Subscribe In this episode Transcript In this episode of Cutting the Distance, Jason and Dirk sit down with Bruce Pettet, CEO of Leupold, and Tim Lesser, VP of Product & Marketing, for an in-depth conversation around Leupold’s new BX-6 rangefinding binocular. They dig into what makes the BX-6 stand out, from elite optical quality to the power of the 4DOF and PCA ballistic solutions, pinning features, and real-world shooting applications.
Subscribe In this episode Transcript In this episode, Jason sits down with CrossFit legend, Rich Froning, to dive deep into the mental and physical toughness it takes to succeed, not just in the gym, but in the mountains. Rich opens up about his passion for hunting, what drew him to it, and how it’s challenged him in ways he didn’t expect.
Ep. 148: The What and Why of Elk Calling
Subscribe In this episode Transcript In this episode of Cutting the Distance, we dive into a Pendleton Whisky Q&A session that tackles some of the most common—and most critical—questions elk hunters have heading into the season. Jason Phelps shares what to do when your cameras are lighting up with elk but not many bulls, how often you can realistically expect a bull to respond to your calling, and his personal breakdown process when it comes time to put meat on the ground.
Ep. 145: The Kyven Bugle Tube with Kyle and Steven Bradshaw
Subscribe In this episode In this episode, Jason sits down with Kyle and Steven Bradshaw, the innovators behind the Kyven Bugle Tube, the first truly collapsible, full-size bugle. They dive into the origins of the idea and the long road from prototype to full-scale production. Jason shares his perspective on recognizing a great idea when he sees one, and the humility it takes to partner with someone else and bring their vision to life.
Ep. 144: Jason's Better Half, aka The Boss, Sondi Phelps
Subscribe In this episode After many attempts, Jason was finally able to convince his wife, Sondi Phelps, to come on to the podcast and talk about her upbringing, the struggle growing the business with two small kids and full time jobs, as well as her journey to becoming a hunter, and a few stories from the hunts. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Presented By
Ep. 142: Spring Bear and BS
Subscribe In this episode Jason and Dirk get back together again after a busy spring and shoot the breeze about their bear hunts. Jason and close friend Tyson, hunt bears in Idaho. Dirk hunted black bears in the great state of Alaska on an invite from Christensen Arms. They discuss the highs and lows of bear hunting and throw in a few bear hunting tips. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Presented By
Ep. 141: My Dad is Tougher than YOUR DAD!
Subscribe In this episode In the spirit of Father's Day, Jason and Dirk enjoy comparing their Father's personalities and atributes. They discuss their dad's backgrounds, and reminicing about their first times hunting with them. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Presented By
Subscribe In this episode In this episode, Jason Phelps takes on 10 of the toughest elk hunting questions every serious hunter should ask. From calling strategies and terrain tactics to handling hung-up bulls and the mental grind, Jason breaks down exactly how he approaches each scenario in the elk woods. With decades of experience and countless bulls called in, he shares hard-earned insight into what works, what doesn’t, and why.
Ep. 136: Turkey Talk in the PNW with Chuck Carpenter
Subscribe In this episode In this episode, I sit down with NWTF biologist Chuck Carpenter to talk turkeys in the Pacific Northwest. From tough mountain hunts to population trends and harvest models, we cover what it takes to sustain healthy turkey numbers—and how understanding their biology can make you a better hunter. We also dive into hunting during the “henned up” phase, calling strategies, and how pressure affects gobbling and decoy effectiveness.
Ep. 135: Beyond the Bugle with Jason Phelps
Subscribe In this episode In this episode, Jason steps away from just talking calls and hunting tactics to share a more personal side of the journey. Building Phelps Game Calls, chasing bulls every fall, being a dad and husband, and trying to juggle it all—it’s not always as clean or easy as it might look from the outside. He talks about burnout, learning lessons the hard way, what success really means to him now, and how his priorities have shifted over time.
Ep. 134: Initial Ascent with Joe Elliston and Dennis Stokes
Subscribe In this episode Jason sits down with Joe Elliston and Dennis Stokes of Initial Ascent to dive into the story behind their hunting pack company. They talk about what inspired them to start the brand, the hands-on prototyping process, and the rigorous testing their packs endured before ever hitting the market. The conversation highlights the innovation that sets their pack system apart, as well as where they're headed next in the world of high-performance backcountry gear.
Ep. 131: Purpose Built Bullets with Madi Woodward
Subscribe In this episode I'm back in nerd mode looking into bullet construction—how they perform at different distances, their accuracy, consistency, and what happens on impact. Instead of going down the rabbit hole alone, I’m joined by Madi Woodward from Nosler to break down “purpose-built” bullets and what to consider when selecting the right one. Plus, we’ll discuss Nosler’s line of suppressors and their impact on hunting and shooting performance.
Ep. 128: Tall Timber Elk Obsession
Subscribe In this episode Jason sits down with Bryant Sentman and Cory Toombs of Tall Timber productions. They talk about their most memorable day in the field, who they would hunt with if they had a chance, amongst a bunch of others. They then dive into the elk obsession project , how it originated and where it's going from here. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Presented By
Ep. 126: High BC Ashley Stuckless
Subscribe In this episode Jason sits down with Ashley Stuckless to discuss his journey. Ashley is an aspiring film producer and recently caught Jason's eye with a pair of stone sheep hunting films. The series of films takes you from the Lows to the Highs of sheep hunting. They discuss getting into backpack hunting, the approach you should take, Ashley's favorite adventures and the future of High BC.
Ep. 124: Drawing a Line on Technology
Subscribe In this episode Jason and Dirk discuss how the advancements in technology may push the boundaries of ethics, fair chase, and how it is shaping the future of hunting. They tackle subjects like thermal, smart scopes/sights, cell cams, drones and AI. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Presented By
Ep. 122: Chasing Dreams with Tucker Stanley
Subscribe In this episode Just a normal guy doing everything he can to chase his dreams. Tucker Stanley got a late start on hunting after playing college football as well as in europe but he's dead set on making up for lost time. In the last 6 years Tucker has killed a 200" muley, 170" mountain whitetail, some great bulls and we wanted to jump into the stories and how he has made it happen.
Ep. 120: World Record Elk
Subscribe In this episode So you may have heard about the potential world record elk that recently was killed in Washington? It was everywhere on social media!!! You may have also saw others try to discredit the accomplishment. Jason and Dirk sit down to discuss the topic through their point of view. They discuss the legality, circumstances, finances required as well as public perception and give their opinion on what may have eased the negative attention the hunter received.
Ep. 114: Unpacking the Trophy vs. Meat Hunting Controversy
Subscribe In this episode Jason and Dirk sit down to discuss trophy hunting. The conversation starts with the two struggling even to define what it is. They then make a strong case for what people consider trophy hunting. They discuss the value that hunting brings to the animals, they talk about the selective management taking place because of self-imposed maturity, as well as the amount of meat you "put in the freezer" because of harvesting more mature animals.
Ep. 112: Whitetail Rut with Randy Milligan and Brock Shelton
Subscribe In this episode The crew is back in Kansas hunting whitetails during the peak of the rut. Jason sits down with Randy and Brock to recap the hunt and talk about the state of whitetails in the midwest. They dive into topics like "the first good moisture year after the drought", the unseasonably warm weather, and south winds as well as setting and hunting stands specific to the rut.
Ep. 110: High Performance Muzzleloaders with Arrowhead Rifles
Subscribe In this episode Jason sits down with Luke Horak, the owner of Arrowhead Rifles. They discuss the recent advancements in muzzleloaders and what’s required to get them to shoot and perform. They go over everything from ignition systems, bullet selection, powders, performance and what one should expect from their modern day muzzleloader. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Presented By
Ep. 106: Luke Combs' New Mexico Elk Hunt
Subscribe In this episode This week, we're coming to you live from Elk Camp in New Mexico's Gila Forrest with none other than country artist Luke Combs, Jeremy Romero, and Tyler Carlson. We break down the hunt so far with one day to go. This episode is available to watch on YouTube and, be on the lookout for this hunt film on MeatEater in 2025! Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Presented By
Ep. 105: Monster Mountain Whitetail
Subscribe In this episode It's Whitetail Week! Who better to have on the show than North Idaho resident and accomplished whitetail hunter, Troy Pottenger. Jason and Troy dive into some listener questions and then discuss the importance of licking branches and scrapes to scouting, finding, and hunting mountain bucks. They also touch on being mobile versus having some annual stands, giving the bucks almost too much wind, as well as how his strategies stay the same and differ as the rut is on.
Ep. 103: Mid-September Checkup
Subscribe In this episode 2024 archery elk season update! Jason and Dirk catch up on how the season has gone so far this September, Pendleton Whisky Q&A, and then go on a little tangent about product development. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Presented By
Ep. 101: Alaska Sheep Adventure
Subscribe In this episode Jason sits down and talks with Matt Snyder in Alaska. Matt has been in the Tok area hunting sheep for most of his life. They dive into the history of Matt's time in the surrounding mountains and his successes. They also talk about the current state of Dall Sheep and what may be causing the decline; from predators to harsh winters to disease. They wrap up the conversation with a recap of Jason's Dall Sheep hunt and what went into it.
Ep. 99: Elk Hunting with a Purpose
Subscribe In this episode Every hunter should define a goal or have a purpose on every elk hunt. For Jason, the goal on every hunt varies depending on the tag, who he's hunting with, etc. On some hunts he may be after a certain bull, while others may be to kill any legal elk, and sometimes it's just to make sure his family and friends have a great time. Regardless of the goal, he talks about planning and executing throughout the hunt and maintaining focus.
Ep. 97: Ten Common Mistakes Made by Archery Elk Hunters
Subscribe In this episode I would argue I've learned more from my mistakes than from my successes when it comes to elk hunting. In this episode, Jason gives his opinion on ten common mistakes that may be hindering success for you this fall. He touches on calling your way into elk, unwillingness to change the plan, calling to small as well as not spending enough time in the woods. Jason hopes you can learn from the mistakes he's made to shorten up the learning curve.
Ep. 95: Success in the Elk Woods
Subscribe In this episode Jason dives into some of his past archery hunts and talks about what he feels were the key factors that led to success. Successful elk hunters usually don't limit themselves to one tactic or one game plan. They are able to evaluate the elk, the pressure, and the sign to formulate a plan that gives them the best chance for success. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Presented By
Ep. 93: The Killing End of the Stick!
Subscribe In this episode Bill Vanderheyden returns to the podcast to discuss new findings from the University of Colorado study, which looked at accuracy, stability, drag, wind drift, spin up, and sound. He offers tips for improving flight with broadheads. We also talk about the new heads he has coming out at Iron Will. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Presented By
Ep. 92: Four World-Champ Elk Callers: Team America
Subscribe In this episode Dirk and three other world-champion elk callers, Tony Gilbertson, Jermaine Hodge, and Erik Berglund, discuss the 2024 RMEF World Elk Calling Championships. They also talk about the elk hunt the three guests shared last fall, which is on YouTube now, and the process of designing their new signature elk diaphragms that are included in the new All-American 3-Pack.
Ep. 91: Building the Perfect Elk Arrow
Subscribe In this episode Sorting through internet jargon and opinions to figure out what's the best arrow set up for hunting elk is a daunting task. In this episode, Dirk sits down with long time friend and arrow expert, Cory Miller of Darton Archery, at Total Archery Challenge in Big Sky, Montana. They talk pros and cons of today's popular arrow setups. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Presented By
Ep. 89: Pack Dump
We get a lot of questions every year about what we like to carry in our back packs during the hunt each fall. Dirk and Jason break down their equipment lists of what goes in their packs and why.
Ep. 88: Elk Addicts Q&A
Subscribe In this episode Elk season is right around the corner and everyone is starting to think about it. On this episode, Jason fields questions from the Elk Addicts Facebook page. Cold calling, gutless method, what you can get away with when an elk is in range, and how often Jason calls are just some of the topics covered on this episode. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Presented By
Ep. 87: 2024 Hunting Season Plans and Elk Hunting Q&A
Spring is over and it's time to start getting ready for fall, if you haven't already started! Dirk and Jason go over their exciting hunting plans for 2024 and answer more listener elk hunting questions.
Ep. 86: Elk Scouting, Bow Setups, and Shot Placement with Jason and Dirk
With turkey season in the tail lights, Jason and Dirk answer listener elk hunting questions. They dive deep into scouting, bow and arrow setups, and shot placement.
Ep. 85: Kansas Whitetail with Brock Shelton
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Ep. 84: Dirk and Jason Answer Listener Elk Hunting Questions
Subscribe In this episode This episode Dirk and Jason play listener questions from the call-in number. Questions about hunting a full moon, hunting elk that move from public to private land, hunting elk in the jungles of North Idaho, and several more. If you have a question that you would like answered on the air, call in and leave a message. Please note, your question can't be longer than 3 minutes or it will get cut off.
Ep. 83: Spring Bear Hunting in the Backcountry with Josh Boyd
Spot and stalk bear hunting can be tough, but also rewarding. Dirk and Josh Boyd share a conversation about spring bear hunting in the backcountry.
Ep. 82: Turkeys, Ticks and Tactics
Subscribe In this episode Turkey season is here! The birds are gobbling, so we wanted to touch on turkey tactics one last time. Jason and Dirk discuss everything that they carry in their vest, their approach on different subspecies, how to call to birds in when henned up, and much more. Jason then throws some real-life hunting scenarios at Dirk that steers the conversations to what their next move will be.
Ep. 81: Bulls, Gobblers, and Wolves with Ron Hewitt
Subscribe In this episode Time spent in the woods each spring is so imortant to resetting our mental state after being cooped up all winter, especially when you share that time with friends or family. Dirk recaps his Oregon turkey hunt with his good friend, Ron Hewitt, and they dive into a couple rabbit holes of Idaho elk hunting and the effect wolves have had on the landscape there. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Presented By
Ep. 80: Baiting Spring Black Bears with Cody Wilson and Corey Paulsen
Subscribe In this episode Some people may say, "Baiting is the lazy man's way to hunt bears." Dirk dives in deep about the work and details that goes into bear baiting while on a bear hunt last spring in Wyoming with long time friends Cody Wilson and Corey Paulsen. After listening to this, you may walk away with a new found respect for those gritty hunters who take the "lazy man's way" to hunting black bears.
Ep. 79: Mountain Lion Hunting with Hound Dogs
Subscribe In this episode Hound hunting can stir strong emotions in both hunters and non-hunters. Jason and his good friend and hunting outfitter, Bradley Dammerman, reflect on Jason's recent Mountain Lion hunt and discuss what hound hunting is all about. As any group of people today, a couple bad actors can make the whole group look bad. Bradley explains his take on houndsmen, selective harvest, and what really goes into hunting with dogs.
“Revolutionary”: The World’s First Sasquatch Call from Phelps Game Calls
You asked, and we answered. Phelps Game Calls is proud to introduce the world’s first external Sasquatch call: The ‘Squatchinator. This handcrafted call built from genuine sequoia wood replicates the sound of Bigfoot having fun at a party. Sasquatch are social creatures (contrary to popular belief), and when they hear the sound of other ‘Squatch letting their hair down, they can’t help but investigate. And, unlike other so-called Sasquatch callers, we’re not just making this up.
Ep. 78: So You Want to Backpack Hunt?
Subscribe In this episode Backpack hunting is becoming more popular as time goes by. People are venturing further and farther from the roads to find game and just get away from it all. Jason and Dirk sit down to talk about the specialty gear required, when they make the decision to backpack hunt, as well as a list of other best practices. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Presented By
Ep. 77: Bo Nickal - The Wrestler, The Fighter, The Hunter
Subscribe In this episode Bo Nickal is known by almost every wrestling and UFC fan out there. He is one of the most dominant wrestlers of all time, winning three NCAA championships for Penn State and carrying that success into the octagon where he now has a 5-0 record to start his career. Bo started hunting later in life, once his collegiate career was over.
Ep. 76: Small Batch Turkey Calls
Subscribe In this episode If Phelps "Small Batch" turkey calls are made in Washington, why are they referred to as "small batch" when the guys behind them live in Missouri? Dirk made the trip out to Missouri from Idaho to capture video content around Steve Morgenstern's new pot calls and James Harrison's triple locator. They discuss manufacturing, features, and best practices for calling turkeys.
Ep. 75: The ElkMaster, Josh Boyd
Subscribe In this episode Ever met someone who is so easy to talk to and shares the same passions as you? Someone who you can talk to for hours and it seems like time stands still? Dirk's longtime friend, Josh Boyd, from north-western Montana is just that kind of guy. Josh has taken many public land bulls and bucks in his life and loves to share his adventures with fellow sportsmen.
Ep. 74: Rapid-Fire Turkey with John Weik
Subscribe In this episode Turkey season is right around the corner! If I were a betting man, I would place my bet on the fact: "There is nobody that spends more time chasing mountain birds around than John Weik." Jason jumps into conversation with John on the best times of day to be hunting, what calls should be in your kit, and locating birds in the mountains. Jason then sends John some rapid-fire "This or That" questions with explanations.
Ep. 72: North Country Ghost Bulls
Subscribe In this episode We just released a new elk hunting film on the Phelps Game Calls channel titled- "Ghost Bulls of the North". Dirk and videographer, Dusty Rupe, discuss the challenges of filming elk hunts in the Boreal Forest, and then take a deep dive into elk hunting tactics that were used in the film.
Ep. 71: Make Sure You Have a Tag in Your Pocket
Subscribe In this episode With elk season 2024 planning in full effect and state deadlines approaching, Jason brings Dirk on this episode to talk about their strategies when applying for tags. They briefly go over preference points, bonus points, lotteries, and OTC opportunities. Jason also goes on a little rant on a new "US Hunting Pact" that would alleviate the supply and demand issue we are currently facing out west.
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