Addicted Hunting Podcast

Is baiting really unfair chase? In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we dive into one of the most controversial topics in hunting: baiting. With Washington banning baiting for deer and elk, we discuss where we think the line should be drawn, whether baiting actually makes hunting less fair, and how baiting compares to trail cameras, food plots, calling, scouting, and other modern hunting tactics.

We also debate high-fence hunting, expensive gear, hunting technology, mature bucks and luck vs. skill, and whether modern hunting is becoming too easy. Plus, we tackle some “legal but weird” hunting tactics and rapid-fire which hunting practices we would keep or ban. Where do you draw the line? Let us know your opinion in the comments!

Topics Covered:

• Baiting and fair chase

• Washington's baiting ban

• Deer and elk baiting

• Salt licks, minerals, and food plots

• Trail cameras and scouting

• High-fence hunting

• Hunting ethics

• Hunting technology

• Legal but weird hunting tactics

• Luck vs. skill

• Expensive hunting gear

• Is modern hunting getting too easy?

• Hunting tactics we would keep or ban

Turkey hunting looks simple… until you’re actually in the woods. In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we break down a turkey season filled with smart gobblers, unpredictable weather, missed opportunities, close calls, and plenty of mistakes. From Washington to Eastern Oregon, we learned just how good turkeys are at spotting movement, reacting to calls, and making hunters work for every opportunity.

We talk about what went right, what went wrong, and the lessons that came from both. We cover hunting in wind and snow, choosing the right calls, dealing with tricky terrain, staying perfectly still when a gobbler is closing in, learning from misses, and why sometimes you simply have to take the opportunity when it presents itself. If you’ve ever hunted turkeys, you know they have a way of humbling you—and this season gave us plenty of reminders.

Topics Covered:

• Washington turkey hunting
• Eastern Oregon turkey hunting
• Merriam’s and hybrid turkeys
• Hunting in wind and snow
• Calling turkeys in difficult terrain
• Diaphragm, slate, and box calls
• How turkeys detect movement
• Missed opportunities and mistakes
• Learning from missed shots
• Staying patient in the turkey woods
• When to take the shot
• What makes turkey hunting so addicting
• Lessons learned from a challenging season

What separates a good hunter from everyone else? Is it luck, skill, experience—or something else? In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we break down the 10 things that separate good hunters from everyone else. From consistency and adaptability to work ethic, mental toughness, patience, decision-making under pressure, and understanding animals, these are the traits that can make a difference when the pressure is on.

We also talk about being willing to fail, learning from your mistakes, and taking ownership instead of making excuses. Becoming a better hunter isn't about finding one magic skill or getting lucky—it’s about stacking these habits and traits together over years of experience. Whether you're chasing deer, elk, or other game, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before your next hunt.

Washington hunters are watching their hunting opportunities change—and the guys on this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast have a lot to say about it. From the push toward draw systems and the potential loss of over-the-counter opportunities to point creep and what these changes could mean for new and young hunters, this conversation digs into some of the biggest issues facing hunting in Washington right now.

The conversation also takes a hard look at Washington's Fish & Wildlife Commission, predator management, wolves, cougars, bears, deer and elk populations, and the broader future of hunting across the West Coast. Is limiting hunters while predator populations increase really the best way to manage wildlife? And what can hunters actually do to have a voice in these decisions? If you're a Washington hunter—or simply care about the future of hunting—this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Topics Covered:

• Washington's hunting draw system
• Over-the-counter (OTC) hunting opportunities
• Point creep and preference points
• The future of Washington hunting
• Washington Fish & Wildlife Commission
• Predator management
• Wolves, cougars and bears
• Deer and elk populations
• Hunter participation
• Young and new hunters
• Hunting policy across the West Coast
• Oregon's IP 28

Modern hunting technology has changed the way we hunt, from OnX and trail cameras to rangefinders, ballistic apps, thermals, and high-end optics. But are modern hunting gadgets cheating, or are they simply tools that make us more efficient and successful hunters?

In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we take a hard look at how technology has changed hunting and where we think the line might be. We talk about the benefits of modern hunting gadgets, how technology has increased hunting pressure, whether cell cameras and thermals have gone too far, and whether relying on technology can actually keep us from learning the skills that make us better hunters.

Topics Covered:

• Modern hunting technology and gadgets
• OnX and digital mapping
• Trail cameras and cell cameras
• Rangefinders and ballistic apps
• Thermal optics and thermal drones
• How technology has increased hunting pressure
• YouTube and the accessibility of hunting information
• The difference between being a better hunter and a better killer
• Fair chase and where technology crosses the line
• Whether hunters have become too dependent on technology
• The future of hunting technology

Why can you see elk everywhere before hunting season, but suddenly can’t find them when it actually matters? In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we dig into what it really takes to find elk before and during hunting season. From putting in the miles and using trail cameras to understanding habitat, water sources, bedding areas, travel routes, and the terrain elk actually want to use, we break down the scouting strategies that can help you stop hunting empty country.

We also share some real-world scouting stories, including the process of finally figuring out where a group of elk was hiding after years of hunting the same area. We talk about north-facing slopes, south-facing feed areas, saddles, benches, drainage heads, changing conditions, and why animals can seem to disappear once opening day arrives. If you're getting ready for elk season or trying to become a better scout, this episode is packed with things you can put to work in the field.

Topics Covered:

• How to find elk before hunting season
• Why elk seem to disappear on opening day
• Using trail cameras for scouting
• Reading maps and understanding terrain
• North-facing slopes and bedding areas
• South-facing slopes and feed
• Finding water sources
• Saddles, benches, ridges, and travel routes
• Hunting the head of drainages
• How changing habitat affects animal movement
• Scouting public land
• Learning from sign and animal patterns
• Real-world elk scouting stories
• Why putting in extra effort can make the difference

Fall bear hunting is all about finding the right food, putting in the time, and being patient—and this bear hunt tested all three. After spotting a bear on opening day, the first opportunity ended with a miss at 556 yards. Then, after finding the bear again, another long-range opportunity didn't work out. Instead of giving up, the guys kept coming back day after day, studying the bear's movements, looking for a better approach, and figuring out exactly where they needed to be.

In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we talk about what makes fall such a great time to hunt bears, how to find bears around ripe berries and clear cuts, why glassing and patience are so important, how trail cameras can help—and the lessons learned from those missed shots. We also tell the rest of the story and how the bear was finally taken at a much closer distance after nearly a week of chasing him.

Topics Covered:

• Fall bear hunting
• Finding bears around food sources
• Huckleberries and blackberries
• Glassing clear cuts
• Trail cameras and bear movement
• Hunting pressure and how it affects bears
• Patience while glassing
• Long-range shooting and wind
• Learning from a missed shot
• Finding a better shooting position
• The story of finally killing the bear

Think wild game tastes bad? You might not have a wild game problem—you might have a cooking problem. In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we dive into what actually makes deer, elk, turkey, and other wild game taste great. From proper preparation and cooking temperatures to adding fat, seasoning, and finding the right way to cook different cuts, we break down some of our favorite ways to turn the animals we hunt into incredible meals.

We also talk favorite cuts, ground game, steak bites, crock-pot recipes, elk Alfredo, stuffed peppers, Mississippi roast, jerky, pepperoni, and some of the more overlooked parts of the animal. Plus, we get into the eternal hunter debate: how done is too done when you're cooking wild game? If you've ever cooked a deer or elk and wondered why it came out tough, dry, or “gamey,” this episode is for you.

Topics Covered

• Why some people think wild game tastes “gamey”
• How processing and preparation affect flavor
• The dangers of overcooking wild game
• Cooking deer and elk steaks
• Adding fat to lean wild game
• Garlic butter steak bites
• Elk tenderloin and backstrap
• Cooking elk in a crock pot
• Shredded elk tacos
• Ground elk recipes
• Elk burgers, tacos, meatloaf & spaghetti
• Elk Alfredo
• Mississippi roast
• Stuffed peppers
• Favorite wild game recipes
• Jerky vs. pepperoni
• Cooking and eating less traditional cuts

The shot is only the beginning. In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we’re talking about one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of hunting: what happens after you harvest an animal. From making an ethical recovery to getting the meat cooled down, there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with successfully filling a tag.

We talk through what to do after the shot, tracking and recovering an animal, gutting vs. the gutless method, keeping meat clean and cool in the field, transporting your harvest, and the pros and cons of processing your own game versus taking it to a butcher. We also share some hard-earned lessons, butcher horror stories, and why properly caring for the animal is such an important part of honoring the harvest.

 

Topics Covered:

• Ethical recovery after the shot
• Knowing when to wait and when to track
• Keeping harvested game cool
• Field dressing and skinning
• Gutless vs. traditional processing
• Transporting and tagging your harvest
• Processing your own game vs. using a butcher
• Avoiding wasted meat
• Honoring the animal and the harvest
• Passing hunting and processing knowledge on to the next generation

There are a lot of rules in hunting that you’ll find in a regulation book—but what about the rules nobody actually writes down? In Episode 19 of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we’re talking about the unwritten rules of hunting and what it really means to respect other hunters, the animals we pursue, and the places we’re blessed to hunt. From how close is too close to another hunter to whether you should hunt someone else’s spot, we’re getting into the situations that can make or break a hunt.

We also dive into public land etiquette, trail cameras and cellular cameras, ethical shots, respecting another hunter’s success, gun safety, helping other hunters pack out an animal, and taking care of the resource. Some of these topics get pretty heated, and there are definitely some areas where we don’t all agree—but that’s what makes the conversation worth having. What unwritten hunting rule would you add to the list?

Topics Covered:

• The unwritten rules every hunter should know
• How close is too close to another hunter?
• Public land hunting etiquette
• First come, first serve hunting spots
• Hunting near another hunter’s spot
• Sharing hunting spots and hunting information
• Trail camera and cellular trail camera etiquette
• Should cellular trail cameras be banned?
• Ethical shots and long-range hunting
• How far is too far for a bow shot?
• Respecting your harvest
• Respecting other hunters’ success
• Hunting and social media etiquette
• Gun and weapon safety
• Helping other hunters recover and pack out animals
• Respecting the hunting resource
• Why hunters need to protect public access
• The importance of leaving the woods better than you found them