Hunters, Habitat & State Politics: What Wyoming’s 2026 Legislative Session Means for You
Release Date: 01/03/2026
The Craziest Hunting Season You've Ever Heard with Alex Aguirre
Hunt West Podcast
What happens when everything goes right… and wrong… in the same hunting season? In this episode, Jaden sits down with Wyoming native Alex Aguirre to unpack what might be the most unhinged fall any hunter has ever lived through. We’re talking mountain goat, moose, multiple elk, a giant mule deer, a commissioner’s tag, lost horses (plural), grizzly bears on carcasses, night pack-outs, and a season that simply refused to slow down. Alex walks through the full timeline, from tags “falling out of the sky” to grinding through early mornings, brutal weather, and back-to-back...
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Crushing Easy-Draw Colorado Elk Hunts & the Muley Obsession with Garrison Kinsel
Hunt West Podcast
In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, I sit down with my buddy Garrison Kinsel for a deep dive into what it actually takes to be successful on low-point and “easy draw” Western hunts. We cover Colorado elk strategy, the realities of the reissue list, OTC pressure, and why point creep is a trap so many hunters fall into. Garrison breaks down how elk behavior changes under pressure, how to find animals living in the cracks, and why hunting the same units repeatedly can teach you more than burning points on a so-called premium tag. We also get into mule deer obsession in a big way. Summer...
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Gear Evolution for Western Hunters: How to Build a Smart Kit Without Wasting Money
Hunt West Podcast
In this solo episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden breaks down his real-world gear evolution as a Western big game hunter. This episode walks through how boots, backpacks, optics, and tripods actually fit into a smart hunting strategy over time. From trail shoes and bargain boots to purpose-built mountain footwear, from budget packs to serious load-hauling frames, Jaden shares what worked, what failed, and what he’d do differently if he were starting over today. This episode is built for hunters on a budget who want better hunts, not just better-looking gear. You’ll hear practical...
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Private Land & Public Hunters with James Nash
Hunt West Podcast
In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden sits down with James Nash to tackle one of the most important—and misunderstood—topics in Western hunting today: private land, public hunters, and the relationship between the two. James grew up on a multi-generation Oregon ranch dating back to the late 1800s, and he brings a rare perspective shaped by ranching, guiding, conservation work, and firsthand experience dealing with both great hunters and absolute train wrecks. Together, they unpack why so much of the West’s best wildlife habitat sits on private land, how history like the...
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Hunters, Habitat & State Politics: What Wyoming’s 2026 Legislative Session Means for You
Hunt West Podcast
In this episode, Jaden sits down with Wyoming Wildlife Federation leaders Craig Benjamin, Executive Director, and Jess Johnson, Government Affairs Director, to break down the Wyoming wildlife and hunting issues that actually matter heading into the 2026 legislative session. The conversation starts where it should—hunting stories from the past season—before pulling back the curtain on how wildlife decisions are really made in Wyoming, and why hunters (resident and nonresident alike) have more influence than they think. From landowner tag proposals and invasive grass mitigation to wildlife...
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2025 Wrapped & 2026 Loaded: What Worked, What’s Changing, and Where Hunt West Is Headed
Hunt West Podcast
In this bonus New Year episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden Bales looks back on an unforgettable 2025—both personally and professionally—and breaks down what actually worked in the field. From helping plan over 50 DIY Western hunts to logging 108 days afield, Jaden shares real numbers, honest success rates, and why a 50% fill rate on mostly opportunity tags is something to be proud of. He dives into the idea of the “snowball effect” in Western hunting—how consistent effort, learning the same places, and stacking skills year after year leads to more opportunity, better animals,...
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No Bugles, No Problem: A Wyoming Cow Elk Story
Hunt West Podcast
Fresh off a late-season Wyoming cow elk hunt, Jaden breaks down one of the most rewarding—and educational—hunts he’s guided in years. What started as a freezer-filling family hunt turned into a masterclass on elk behavior, patience, wind discipline, and why cow elk tags deserve more respect in every Western hunter’s long-term strategy. Hunting with a family crew of three tag holders and two observers, this episode walks through three days of hard-earned success in wide-open sage flats and steep mountain terrain. From glassing massive winter herds miles away, navigating public-private...
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Walking With Your Eyes: Rifle Elk, Old Mule Deer, and Hunting With Purpose with Derik Henderson
Hunt West Podcast
In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden sits down with Wyoming hunter Derik Henderson—a guy who quietly stacks big elk and old mule deer without chasing trends or spot-burning country. Derik isn’t a guide by trade, but for one special hunt, he’s stepping into that role to raise money for the family of his late best friend. The conversation covers far more than just antlers. This episode dives deep into what it actually takes to consistently hunt the top percent of animals on the landscape in a time when elk pressure is heavy and mule deer hunting feels harder than ever. Derik...
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Two Tags, Two Bulls, and Ten Years of Elk Lessons with Bryon Thompson
Hunt West Podcast
Wisconsin elk nut Bryon Thompson joins Jaden on this episode to break down his back-to-back Wyoming elk hunts — one on a general tag, one on a limited quota — and what a decade of DIY elk hunting has really taught him. From early mistakes in Colorado OTC to learning how to find elk instead of just bumbling around, Bryon shares hard-earned insights, wild stories, and why good partners (like his buddy Benny) matter more than any gear list. If you’re planning a Wyoming elk hunt or just trying to level up as an elk hunter, this episode is pure gold. Hunt West Resources: Thanks to...
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Inside Guide Life: Hunting Stories of the Good and the Bad
Hunt West Podcast
In this episode, Jaden pulls the curtain back on the guide life; how he stumbled into guiding, the wild hunts that shaped him, and the extremes of what really happens when you mix hunters, high expectations, and Mother Nature. He shares the story that launched his guiding career, the absolute worst guided hunt he ever had (yes, it involves shooting the wrong bull), and the hunts that remind him why guiding is still one of the most meaningful things he does. If you’re considering going guided, Jaden also breaks down the questions you should be asking, how to set realistic expectations, how...
info_outlineIn this episode, Jaden sits down with Wyoming Wildlife Federation leaders Craig Benjamin, Executive Director, and Jess Johnson, Government Affairs Director, to break down the Wyoming wildlife and hunting issues that actually matter heading into the 2026 legislative session. The conversation starts where it should—hunting stories from the past season—before pulling back the curtain on how wildlife decisions are really made in Wyoming, and why hunters (resident and nonresident alike) have more influence than they think.
From landowner tag proposals and invasive grass mitigation to wildlife funding, Game & Fish resources, and the dangers of politicizing science-based wildlife management, this episode connects the dots between policy decisions and real-world hunting opportunity. The group also dives deep into Camo at the Capitol, Wyoming Wildlife Federation’s flagship event that teaches hunters how to engage effectively with legislators—without the politics or pressure. Whether you hunt Wyoming every year or just hope to someday, this episode is a reminder that tags, habitat, and opportunity don’t protect themselves—and that showing up is how wildlife wins.
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Links:
Wyoming Wildlife Federation's Camo at the Capitol Event >>
About the Wyoming Wildlife Federation >>
Hunt West Tag Application Webinar Series >>