Elkshape

This bonus ElkShape Podcast was recorded live in Montana during the PEAX Elk Tour, in front of a crowd of passionate archery elk hunters. Dan dives into how he works to balance family life with the obsession of elk hunting, sharing lessons learned from years of chasing bulls across public land. He breaks down his proven solo elk hunting tactics, including mobility, effective elk calling, and several lesser-known strategies he uses to consistently get into elk day after day. If you're serious about public land archery elk hunting, this live presentation is packed with insights that will help you hunt smarter, stay motivated, and be more effective in the mountains.

Today, two old elk bums sit down and swap stories from the trenches of public land elk hunting — the highs, the lows, and everything it takes to keep showing up year after year. Dan is joined by Sam Rogers, a proven public-land killer who consistently punches multiple elk tags a season. The two first met at an ElkShape camp years ago and quickly bonded over shared faith, values, and an obsession with chasing elk the hard way. This conversation goes deep — training, recovery, TRT, sauna, cold plunge, diet, discipline, and the mindset it takes for guys in their 40s and 50s to stay dangerous in the mountains. It’s about more than hunting… it’s about longevity, legacy, and becoming harder to kill every single year. If you want to hunt elk for life — not just a season — this one’s for you.

Today we’re sitting down for an honest conversation about wolf management with Justin Webb, Director of the Foundation for Wildlife Management — a nonprofit that is both pro wolf and pro wolf management. This topic can get emotional and polarizing fast… but we believe it deserves a calm, fact-based discussion. Wolves are here to stay on the landscape.The real question is: how do we manage them responsibly? We dig into how science-based management helps reduce conflict with ranchers, protects elk and deer herds, respects carrying capacity, and balances wildlife with increasing human and urban development. Because ignoring the issue isn’t a plan — stewardship is. This is a complex situation with real consequences, and we break down the approach many sportsmen believe is the most practical, ethical, and sustainable path forward. https://f4wm.org/ https://360sportsman.org/home?am_id=f4wm

Today Dan sits down with longtime friend Dan Watts — the guy who was wrenching on his bows way back in the early 2000s. Watts lives and breathes archery, spending most of his life working in bow shops and constantly tinkering with gear.Now a journeyman electrician by trade, he shares how he scores quality bows on a budget, what to look for when buying used, and why you don’t need the newest flagship to shoot lights out. Along the way, the guys dive into real life, dad life, hard work, and the brotherhood that keeps them grounded.Just two bowhunters talking shop, saving money, and chasing a better life.

Today we’re sitting down with Ty from North Idaho — a framer and carpenter by trade and a full-time wildland firefighter who knows a thing or two about grit, hard work, and showing up when it counts. With several seasons of bowhunting experience under his belt, Ty joins Dan to break down how he can level up his elk hunting through smarter preparation, better systems, and sharper in-the-field tactics.Beyond the hunt, the conversation digs deeper into faith, family, fitness, and the mindset it takes to build strength that lasts both in the mountains and at home. Real talk, real strategy, and real ElkShape growth.

Today we’re dissecting mountain whitetail bucks on public land with Troy Pottenger—a legendary whitetail subject-matter expert with decades of hard-earned experience. Troy breaks down how he prospects for big, cagey mountain bucks, the role trail cameras actually play in his system, and how he identifies and hunts community scrapes in rugged terrain.We dive deep into the topography he looks for, how mature bucks travel through mountainous country, and how to read the landscape to stay one step ahead. Troy also shares an incredible story that highlights just how tough whitetails truly are, along with practical shot-placement advice—how to avoid deflection, where to aim based on stand height, and why he chooses not to use a rangefinder.This episode is packed with real-world mountain whitetail tactics you won’t hear anywhere else.

Dan jumps on the mic for a quick bonus episode with a timely reminder you don’t want to miss.Elk draw deadlines are creeping up fast, and if you’re serious about hunting elk every year, you need more than luck — you need a system.Dan breaks down how to track deadlines, plan your states, and stack the odds in your favor so you’re not sitting on the sidelines each fall wondering what went wrong.Then the conversation shifts.He dives into the world of “influencing”… how ElkShape got started, what this platform has grown into, and what he actually hopes to influence people to do with their lives.Spoiler:It’s not buying gear.It’s becoming stronger men.Better dads.More prepared hunters.Living with intention and building a legacy that lasts.

Live from deer camp in South Texas, the fellas break down real-world observations after putting multiple flagship broadheads through a dozen bucks over the course of the week. What worked, what surprised them, and what matters when it counts. As a bonus, Dan puts his buddy Cody in the hot seat to uncover how a Texas resident somehow manages to have an elk tag in his pocket year after year.

Join Dan of ElkShape and MFJJ of Podium Archer as they break down all the details for the 2026 Elk Immersion.This annual event is built for hunters who want to dedicate multiple days to sharpening their archery skills and elevating their elk-hunting craft. The fellas dive into what makes Elk Immersion different—live elk butchering, Joel Turner’s ShotIQ course, and Mark Livesay of Treeline Academy teaching the skills and art of e-scouting—plus much more. ELK IMMERSION REGISTRATION:https://elkshape.com/products/elk-immersion-2025?_pos=1&_psq=elk+imme&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Join Dan as he breaks down next-level strategies for planning your first elk hunt. From how to properly vet outfitters—and separate the good ones from the bad—to cutting through the noise and confusion that overwhelms most first-timers, this episode gives you clear, practical guidance so you can plan with confidence and hunt with purpose.

Join Dan on today’s episode as he announces several big updates heading into 2026. This marks Year 9 of the ElkShape Podcast, and Dan dives into what’s next—breaking down his newest project, Legacy Built, outlining plans for the 2026 Elk Immersion, and sharing which Total Archery Challenge (TAC) events he’ll be attending this season. He also announces an exciting new partnership with Ollin and what it means moving forward. If you’ve been following the journey or just tuning in, this episode sets the tone for what’s ahead and where ElkShape is headed next.

Today, Dan sits down with fellow passionate bowhunter Zach from western Oregon to break down his pursuit of a high-country public-land blacktail. The conversation goes beyond tactics and terrain, diving into the often unspoken reality of hunting as a selfish pursuit—and how it can evolve into something deeper and more spiritual. Together, they unpack the balance between work, family, and time in the mountains, and challenge listeners to examine the why behind their hunt. This episode is an honest reflection on purpose, discipline, and what the pursuit truly gives back. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-crimson-way/id1864973650

Dan sits down with Cody Rich, founder of Bridger Watch, and puts him on the hot seat. They dive straight into the hard questions—when this watch will actually be ready for market, what separates it from every other smartwatch on the shelf, and why it matters for serious backcountry users.Cody breaks down what Bridger Watch can do for fitness, from performance tracking to real-world durability, and how it’s being built with hunters and mountain athletes in mind—not office desks. They also get into mapping and navigation in the backcountry, including how the watch is designed to function when you’re off-grid and miles from help.A no-fluff conversation about timelines, technology, and whether Bridger Watch can live up to the expectations of people who depend on their gear when failure isn’t an option.

Today we’re sitting down with Scott Engles, manager of All Sport Powersports and an avid bowhunter. The guys break down the ongoing shenanigans unfolding in Washington State involving Fish and Game and the Wildlife Commission—where state politics collide head-on with wildlife management and hunter access. They then switch gears and talk gear, as Dan explains how he went from hating all SxS and UTVs to now relying almost exclusively on his Polaris Ranger 1500 for out-west DIY elk hunts in 2025. This episode blends policy, perspective, and practical hunting logistics from the field.

Today Dan sits down with Carl Jocumsen—Australia’s most accomplished bass angler and a relentless example of chasing a dream against the odds. Carl grew up in Toowoomba, Queensland, where his passion for fishing took hold early. He entered his first bass tournaments at just 14 and went on to dominate the Australian circuit for more than a decade, earning multiple ABT victories, three Angler of the Year titles, a televised AFC Series win, and the prestigious Grand Final Championship. In 2010, Carl made the bold decision to leave Australia and pursue the Bassmaster Elite Series in the United States. After four grinding years of learning a completely new fishery system, he made history as the first Australian to qualify among the world’s top 100 Elite Series anglers. He has since earned multiple top-10 finishes, appeared on Bassmaster Live, and qualified for his second Bassmaster Classic in 2024. In 2019, Carl captured his first Elite Series win on Lake Tenkiller, taking home the coveted Blue Trophy.With unsh

Today’s guest is Dayton from Cranbrook, British Columbia — a law enforcement officer and accomplished bowhunter with firsthand experience in the realities of grizzly country. Dayton has responded to multiple grizzly bear attacks, including one tragically close to home where a hunter later died from his injuries. He’s also been charged by bears while hunting, and in one incident, his colleagues were forced to shoot a grizzly that was actively attacking them. In this episode, we dive into why the grizzly bear hunting ban was enacted, the consequences of nearly a decade without a hunt, and the hard truth about why hunters struggle to stay unified on critical wildlife issues. This is an eye-opening conversation every outdoorsman needs to hear. https://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/grizzly-mauled-schoolchildren-still-missing-21208080.php https://bcwf.bc.ca/our-history/

Dan breaks down his Top Five Elk Hunting Zones in Idaho for archery season! With Idaho rolling out a brand-new application system for nonresident archery elk tags, things are changing fast. Gone are the days of swinging by the gas station to grab a tag on your way to camp — this new process is designed to be fairer and more structured, especially for those wanting to hunt as a group. In this video, Dan covers:

Today, Dan sits down with Nick James — a new bowhunter and team member at Montana Knife Company. Nick got his start in archery after attending a Total Archery Challenge event with MKC, which quickly led him down the path of archery elk hunting. Dan and Nick dive into his first-season learning curve, the mistakes he made, and the lessons he’s already picked up along the way. This episode is packed with insights for both beginners and seasoned elk hunters alike.

Today, Dan sits down with Ryan Fritz — personal trainer and strength coach. Dan and Ryan go way back, having met 20 years ago during their internship at Athletes’ Performance in Tempe, AZ. In this episode, they break down the blueprint for any flatlander looking to hunt out West — covering how to get physically and mentally ready for the grind of mountain hunting and the challenge of altitude acclimation.

In this episode, Dan sits down with Steven Laughter, a former 9-to-5 corporate employee who took a massive leap to become a full-time freelance photographer and videographer. Steven shares how he turned his passion for the outdoors into a career, his experience running his first 100-mile ultra-marathon, and the mindset that helped him crush gym PRs like a 450 lb deadlift and 300 lb bench. We also dive into his time in Northern British Columbia, where he spent the fall capturing epic content and living out his dream behind the camera.  ⁨@way-up-west-outdoors⁩