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This was a very popular episode we decided to re-run this week. If you're a hunter trying to juggle work, family, and the pursuit of the mountains — or just someone looking to live with more intention — this episode hits home.

In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Dennis and Chris sit down for a real, candid conversation about balancing hunting, family, faith, and the demanding pace of everyday life. After two back-to-back episodes with Kyle Kamp of Valley 2 Peak Nutrition, the guys shift gears and recap their own hunting seasons — the highs, the lessons learned, and the encounters that shaped them this fall.

Dennis walks through a jam-packed few months that included an unforgettable elk rut experience, a Wyoming antelope tag on sprawling private ground, and a successful trip to Missouri chasing whitetails from the stand. Chris shares why this year looked a little different for him, how buying a home and running a business forced him to reprioritize, and what he learned about being intentional with the time he does have.

The heart of this episode centers on priorities — how to hunt hard without letting life at home fall apart, how to be present instead of simply being physically there, and why both men have learned (sometimes the hard way) that faith and family have to come before tags and timelines. They talk schedules, boundaries, burnout, and the simple habits that keep them grounded during the busiest seasons of the year.

As the podcast moves into winter, Dennis and Chris lay out their vision for helping listeners prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually for next season. They also share updates on upcoming guests, including Dan Staton of ElkShape, and remind listeners about the ongoing giveaway for a Pyro Putty Kit for those who leave a five-star review.

Sign up for a chance to win $9,000 of premium backcountry hunting gear at www.initialascent.com. Giveaway ends November 14th!

Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly.
#MountainDudePodcast #FaithGritGear #BackcountryLife #ChristianOutdoorsmen #HuntingPodcast
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One bad shot nearly made Matt Clark walk away from bowhunting forever. A year later, he found himself back in the elk woods with an opportunity to rewrite the story.

On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, presented by Initial Ascent, Chris Young and Dennis Stokes sit down with Matt Clark to talk about the highs and lows of archery elk hunting, overcoming failure, and finding strength through faith, family, and perseverance.

After a heartbreaking encounter with a big bull elk the previous season, Matt questioned whether he wanted to pick up his bow again. The experience weighed heavily on him, but with encouragement from his wife, prayer, and a renewed commitment to becoming a better hunter, he decided to keep going.

Fast forward to September 2026. Hunting unfamiliar Idaho terrain, battling intense thunderstorms, and navigating the challenges of public land elk hunting, Matt found himself face-to-face with another bull. This time, everything came together.

Beyond the hunt, Matt shares his experience as a competitive precision rifle shooter, the importance of knowing your equipment, and how discipline and mental toughness translate into hunting, fatherhood, business, and everyday life.

**In this episode:**
- The elk encounter that almost ended Matt's bowhunting journey
- Overcoming the emotional weight of losing an animal
- Finding redemption during the 2026 Idaho archery elk season
- Public land elk hunting tactics and calling strategies
- Hunting through severe weather and challenging conditions
- Building confidence through archery practice and preparation
- Lessons from competitive precision rifle shooting
- The importance of faith, family, friendship, and perseverance
- Why failure can become one of life's greatest teachers



At Initial Ascent, we believe the mountains demand a lot from us, and your equipment should help you rise to the challenge. Our modular hunting pack systems are designed to carry heavy loads more comfortably, with simplicity, durability, and performance at the forefront.

Explore Initial Ascent Pack Systems:
https://initialascent.com

Subscribe to the Mountain Dude Podcast for conversations about western hunting, faith, family, personal growth, and the lessons learned along the way.

#MountainDudePodcast #ElkHunting #Bowhunting #ArcheryElkHunting #PublicLandHunting #InitialAscent #IdahoElkHunting

Sign up for a chance to win $9,000 of premium backcountry hunting gear at www.initialascent.com. Giveaway ends November 14th!

Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly.
#MountainDudePodcast #FaithGritGear #BackcountryLife #ChristianOutdoorsmen #HuntingPodcast
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What would you do if you stopped waiting for the perfect moment and finally chased your dream?

On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, presented by Initial Ascent, we sit down with western hunter, ultramarathon runner, and Run the Rack Outdoors Podcast host Weston Homa to talk about faith, discipline, mental toughness, and what it takes to build a life around the things you love.

Weston grew up hunting whitetails, turkeys, and bears in Pennsylvania, but his passion for western hunting eventually led him to make a life-changing decision. He sold his house, packed up everything he owned, and moved across the country to Idaho without family or much of a support system waiting for him.

What started as a dream of chasing elk in the mountains became a lifestyle built around hunting, personal growth, and pushing his physical and mental limits.

Weston shares how he went from struggling to run a single mile to completing ultramarathons, including a 100-mile race, and running the Boston Marathon. He explains why embracing discomfort, building daily discipline, and learning from failure have helped him find success both in the mountains and in life.

We also dive into his approach to western hunting, backpacking preparation, nutrition, endurance training, and an unforgettable Idaho mule deer hunt with his father.

And before the episode ends, Weston inspires Initial Ascent co-founder Dennis Stokes to make a commitment of his own: run a marathon by May 31, 2027.

In this episode:

Why Weston left Pennsylvania to pursue western hunting in Idaho

Overcoming fear and taking the leap to chase your dreams

How to shorten the learning curve in western big game hunting

Building mental toughness through running and endurance training

Going from running one mile to completing a 100-mile ultramarathon

Daily discipline, faith, and creating productive habits

Nutrition, recovery, and physical preparation for backcountry hunting

An unforgettable Idaho mule deer hunt with his father

Why failure and discomfort are necessary for personal growth

Dennis commits to running his first marathon

Whether you're preparing for your first western elk hunt, training for a physical challenge, or trying to find the courage to pursue something bigger, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to have everything figured out to get started.

FOLLOW WESTON HOMA

YouTube: Search Weston Homa

Podcast: Run the Rack Outdoors Podcast, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

Instagram: Search Weston Homa

ABOUT INITIAL ASCENT

The Mountain Dude Podcast is presented by Initial Ascent, a hunting pack company focused on helping hunters carry heavy loads more comfortably.

Whether you're headed deep into the backcountry for an extended elk hunt or packing out your hard-earned harvest, Initial Ascent pack systems are built around comfort, simplicity, and modularity.

Explore Initial Ascent packs and gear:
https://initialascent.com

Subscribe to the Mountain Dude Podcast for conversations about western hunting, backcountry adventures, faith, fitness, personal growth, and the lessons learned through doing hard things.

Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly.
#MountainDudePodcast #FaithGritGear #BackcountryLife #ChristianOutdoorsmen #HuntingPodcast
https://initialascent.com/

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Four years of setbacks. Five elk seasons. Countless lessons learned. And one moment that made it all worth it.

On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, presented by Initial Ascent, we're joined by Nate Illingworth for a conversation filled with hunting stories, humor, faith, perseverance, and the lessons learned through years of chasing elk.

After spending seasons struggling to find elk, missing opportunities, and questioning his approach, Nate finally experienced the moment he'd been working toward: harvesting his first elk with a bow.

But the story didn't end with the shot.

After hours of searching with almost no blood to follow, Nate stopped to pray. What happened next turned an already unforgettable hunt into an emotional experience that brought him to tears.

Nate also shares the story of his first black bear hunt in Washington, an unforgettable backcountry pack out, helping his wife harvest an elk, and why he believes becoming a successful hunter starts long before hunting season.

Along the way, we dive into the importance of preparation, mental toughness, ethical shot placement, and how the challenges of elk hunting can teach us valuable lessons about life.

In this episode:

Nate's four-year journey to his first archery elk

The emotional recovery of his first elk with a bow

How faith and perseverance helped him through difficult moments

Hunting public land elk and learning from failure

Why preseason archery practice matters

Nate's first Washington black bear hunt and brutal pack out

Helping his wife successfully harvest an elk

Aggressive elk hunting tactics and building confidence

Lessons about life, discipline, and never giving up

Whether you're an experienced elk hunter, preparing for your first archery season, or simply someone who believes in the value of doing hard things, this episode is a reminder that success is built through preparation, persistence, and faith.

ABOUT INITIAL ASCENT

The Mountain Dude Podcast is proudly presented by Initial Ascent, makers of innovative hunting pack systems engineered to carry heavy loads more comfortably.

From early-season archery hunts to demanding backcountry pack outs, Initial Ascent pack systems are built around comfort, simplicity, and modularity.

Explore Initial Ascent: https://initialascent.com

Subscribe for more conversations about elk hunting, backcountry adventures, personal growth, faith, and the lessons learned in the mountains.

Carry heavy loads. Keep climbing.

Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly.
#MountainDudePodcast #FaithGritGear #BackcountryLife #ChristianOutdoorsmen #HuntingPodcast
https://initialascent.com/

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What changes in your hunting gear when September turns into November? And what happens when you hike six miles into the backcountry with the wrong tent?

On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, presented by Initial Ascent, Chris Young and Dennis Stokes talk through hard-earned archery hunting lessons, their favorite gear, and how they prepare for late season elk hunts.

Chris recaps his September mule deer season, sharing the challenges of stalking bucks in open country, getting an accurate range, and knowing when to pass on a shot. He also reflects on taking his four-year-old son hunting and why those shared experiences matter more than filling a tag.

Then we dive into backcountry hunting gear, comparing early season setups with the clothing, insulation, and shelter systems needed for November. From merino versus synthetic base layers to insulated boots, puffy pants, and choosing between the IA5K and IA8K, this conversation is packed with practical insights from time in the field.

Plus, Chris and Dennis tell the story behind a shelter mix-up that left two hunters at the snow line with a one-person tent and a valuable lesson about checking your gear before heading out.

Topics include:

• Spot and stalk mule deer hunting lessons
• Rangefinding challenges in open country
• Introducing kids to hunting
• Stalking shoes and the Initial Ascent Scout
• Early season versus late season hunting gear
• Base layers, mid layers, boots, and gloves
• Choosing a pack for longer, colder hunts
• Hot tent setups and checking borrowed gear

Explore Initial Ascent pack systems and accessories:
https://initialascent.com

Subscribe for more hunting stories, backcountry gear discussions, and conversations about carrying heavy loads on the mountain and in life.

#MountainDudePodcast #InitialAscent #BackcountryHunting #HuntingGear #ElkHunting #MuleDeerHunting

Sign up for a chance to win $9,000 of premium backcountry hunting gear at www.initialascent.com. Giveaway ends November 14th!

Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly.
#MountainDudePodcast #FaithGritGear #BackcountryLife #ChristianOutdoorsmen #HuntingPodcast
https://initialascent.com/

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Seven years of bowhunting. Countless hard lessons. Then one opportunity that made it all worth it.

On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with two from inside Initial Ascent, Chase and Cody, to relive an unforgettable September that ended with three brothers tagging three big bulls in one week.

Cody shares the story of his first successful archery harvest, a giant 6x7 bull, and the years of frustration, buck fever, and persistence that led to a moment he’ll never forget. Chase follows with his own emotional hunt, breaking down changing weather, close encounters, and the final stalk that brought everything together.

But some of their favorite memories came from helping others. Chase and Cody spent much of their season volunteering at a veterans’ elk camp, calling for hunters and sharing the excitement of first encounters. They explain how those experiences made them better hunters and gave the season a deeper meaning.

From staying calm at full draw to sharing success with your brother, this episode is about the lessons and memories that keep us coming back to the mountains.

Topics include:

• Cody’s seven-year journey to his first archery harvest
• Hunting herd bulls that won’t commit to calls
• Adjusting tactics during a September heat wave
• Managing buck fever and staying present during the shot
• Shot placement, recovery, and knowing when to wait
• Volunteering at a veterans’ elk camp
• Faith, brotherhood, and finding meaning in the hunt
• Why helping other hunters builds valuable experience

Subscribe for more hunting stories and lessons from the mountain, and check out IDAHUNT on YouTube for Chase and Cody’s hunting films.

What’s the biggest lesson elk hunting has taught you? Let us know in the comments.

Presented by Initial Ascent.

#MountainDudePodcast #InitialAscent #ElkHunting #Bowhunting #ArcheryElk

Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly.
#MountainDudePodcast #FaithGritGear #BackcountryLife #ChristianOutdoorsmen #HuntingPodcast
https://initialascent.com/

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This episode was so good that we had to run it again. On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Mark Livesay: the E-Scouting Master behind TreeLine Academy and one of the most respected educators in the elk hunting world. Mark has spent decades refining his system for digital scouting elk hunting areas and has taught thousands of hunters how to create detailed hunt plans before they ever set foot in the mountains.

We dive into Mark’s journey from poring over topo maps to becoming one of the leading voices in e-scouting, elk hunting strategy, and hunt planning. He shares how technology like Google Earth, OnX Maps, and his own toolkits can give hunters an edge, but also why mental preparation, grit, and perseverance are just as important as any map or waypoint.

Topics we cover in this episode include:

How to break down new country using e-scouting for elk hunting

The importance of creating Plan A, B, C (and beyond) for every hunt

Why llamas are game-changing pack animals for backcountry hunters

The mental spiral: how mindset often makes or breaks a hunt

Tips for archery elk hunters and rifle hunters alike

Why surrounding yourself with tougher hunting partners leads to growth

Mark’s philosophy on never quitting early and how faith guides his approach to hunting and life

Mark also shares personal stories about 36+ years of elk hunting, running llamas in the backcountry, and how stepping into new terrain every season has sharpened his skills. Whether you’re prepping for archery elk season, looking to up your digital scouting game, or just want to learn from one of the most knowledgeable elk hunters alive, this episode is full of wisdom and practical takeaways.

Learn more at https://www.treelineacademy.net/

Follow Mark on Instagram: @treeline_pursuits

Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly.
#MountainDudePodcast #FaithGritGear #BackcountryLife #ChristianOutdoorsmen #HuntingPodcast
https://initialascent.com/

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Chris Young and Roger Holscher continue their early-season hunting recap from the desert in Part 2 of the Mountain Dude Podcast.

After days of difficult conditions and close calls, Chris finally locates a group of mule deer bucks and begins an eight-hour archery stalk through open sagebrush. With shifting wind, passing vehicles, limited cover, and four alert bucks working against him, every decision matters.

Chris breaks down the stalk from beginning to end, including how he used the terrain, managed his approach, selected a buck, and worked within bow range before an uncontrollable moment brought the entire opportunity crashing down.

The conversation then moves beyond hunting tactics. Chris and Roger speak honestly about missed opportunities, self-doubt, the pressure hunters put on themselves, time away from family, and the emotional lows that come when a hunt does not end as planned. Most importantly, they discuss learning to control the controllable, accepting what you cannot change, and finding the motivation to saddle back up and keep hunting.

Topics include:

Spot-and-stalk mule deer hunting
Closing distance in open sagebrush
Managing unpredictable wind
Stalking multiple bedded bucks
Archery hunting under pressure
Learning from unsuccessful opportunities
Handling failure and self-doubt
Balancing hunting with fatherhood and family
Controlling the controllable
Why bowhunters keep coming back

If you have ever spent hours building toward one opportunity only to watch it disappear, this episode will feel familiar.

Watch Part 1 to hear Roger’s complete early-season mule deer story and the beginning of Chris’s desert hunt.

Learn more about Initial Ascent Pack Systems:
https://initialascent.com/

Thanks for listening to the Mountain Dude Podcast. Subscribe to the channel, leave us a five-star review, and share this episode with another hunter.

Sign up for a chance to win $9,000 of premium backcountry hunting gear at www.initialascent.com. Giveaway ends November 14th!

Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly.
#MountainDudePodcast #FaithGritGear #BackcountryLife #ChristianOutdoorsmen #HuntingPodcast
https://initialascent.com/

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