The Mountain Dude Podcast
Welcome to the Mountain Dude Podcast, brought to you by Initial Ascent – where we share stories of grit, determination, and the relentless pursuit of growth. This is a space where backcountry hunting meets the deeper lessons of life – success born from struggle, and the art of carrying heavy loads more comfortably, both physically and metaphorically, through faith and perseverance.
Episodes
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Dirk Durham—better known as “The Bugler” from Phelps Game Calls—joins the Mountain Dude Podcast for a complete breakdown of archery elk calling strategies for every phase of September.
From the quiet opening days of archery elk season to the peak rut and unpredictable final week, Dirk explains how elk behavior changes throughout the month—and how hunters can adjust ...
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Back by popular demand! We are re-airing this episode from Summer 2025 on how to kill elk EVERY YEAR! It's just in time for September!
Zach Bowhay is one of the most consistently successful elk hunters in the West. In this episode, he joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to break down what it really takes to fill tags year after year—without relying on hype, gimmicks, or lucky draws. From generational ...
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In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with mule deer hunter Martin Chag to break down what it takes to consistently find and hunt mature bucks in pressured, general units.
Martin shares how older mule deer behave differently, what their body language can reveal about their next move, and why he often avoids stalking a bedded buck altogether. Instead, he focuses on predicting ...
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What does it take to build a premium rifle company from the ground up—and document the failures, risks, and hard-earned wins along the way?
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Dennis and Chris sit down with the guys behind THEORY1, Jamieson Crast and Austin Miller. They share the story behind THEORY1, their approach to developing precision rifle systems, and why they chose to sho...
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Backcountry nutrition can make or break your hunt—and expensive gear won’t compensate for poor preparation.
Kyle Kamp of Valley to Peak Nutrition returns to the Mountain Dude Podcast to explain how hunters should fuel before, during, and after demanding days in the mountains. Kyle breaks down hydration, sodium intake, recovery, affordable backcountry meals, food storage, and the comm...
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UFC legend Chad Mendes joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to talk about the mindset, discipline, and preparation that carried him from a small California farm town to the highest level of mixed martial arts.
Chad opens up about starting wrestling at five years old, becoming a two-time NCAA All-American, fighting for multiple UFC titles, and what it truly feels like when the cage door closes. He als...
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Hunting is about more than filling tags—it’s about the experiences, lessons, and traditions we pass down to the next generation.
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris records remotely after a 24-hour scouting trip with his four-year-old son, Kai. Together, they talk about searching for mule deer and antelope, learning new country, balancing hunting with family, and maki...
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Professional hunter, guide, and lifelong outdoorsman Dan Whitmus returns to the Mountain Dude Podcast for one of our favorite conversations yet.
With over 300 days a year spent in the field, Dan shares what it's really like to make a living chasing adventure across Alaska, Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, and beyond. From surviving grizzly bear charges and a bush plane crash to help...
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What if taking better care of yourself meant more seasons in the mountains with the people you love?
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down with Jake Arvold and Kaylee Stevens of First Phorm Outdoors to talk about the deeper purpose behind fitness, faith, hunting, and living a life that allows you to experience more.
Jake shares the incredible story behind the...
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What happens when a man refuses to settle for a life of comfort, routine, and simply going through the motions?
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down with Jonathan McCormick of Red Beard Outdoors to discuss faith, family, fitness, hunting, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. Jonathan shares the incredible story of overcoming a life-threatening condition at birth, ...
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What separates hunters who occasionally get lucky from hunters who consistently find and kill mature mule deer year after year?
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young and Dennis sit down with Idaho bowhunter Travis Nowotny to dive deep into the mindset, scouting strategies, and stalking tactics that have helped him become one of the most respected mule deer hunters in the West...
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If you've watched hunting films featuring Brady Miller, Brian Call, Nate Simmons, John Gabrio, or projects produced alongside some of the biggest names in western hunting, there's a good chance you've already seen Luke Dusenbury's work.
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast presented by Initial Ascent, Chris Young and Dennis Stokes sit down with one of the most respected storytellers behi...
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On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with the crew behind Mtn2Mtn Media to talk about the passion, purpose, and chaos behind documenting life in the backcountry. From filming hunts with family and friends to building a growing llama packing operation, this episode dives deep into what it really means to pursue adventure while staying grounded in the things that matter most.
...
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What happens when fatherhood, business, fitness, and western hunting all collide?
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down with Kevin Guillen from Wilderness Athlete to talk about the deeper side of hunting, balancing family and ambition, and why the wilderness still calls men to do hard things.
Kevin shares his journey from growing up hunting ducks in Californi...
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On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast presented by Initial Ascent, Chris sits down with Sean Curtis for one of the most honest and grounded conversations we’ve had on the show yet.
Sean shares his journey from growing up in Wyoming and teaching himself how to hunt, to playing college baseball, competing on American Idol, and touring as a country musician for nearly a decade before u...
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On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast presented by Initial Ascent, we sit down with firefighter, bowhunter, father, and fitness coach Jared Thomas for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on the show.
Jared shares his journey growing up hunting in Oregon, learning discipline from his father, balancing life as a first responder, and why being a present husband and dad matte...
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On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast presented by Initial Ascent, we sit down with Cody Rich, founder of Bridger Watch Company, to talk entrepreneurship, elk hunting, building a company from the ground up, and the journey behind creating a smartwatch designed specifically for hunters.
Cody shares the full backstory behind Bridger Watch, from the original idea while turkey hunting in the ...
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Brady Miller from GOHUNT breaks down what it really takes to become a consistently successful western hunter—and it’s not what most people think.
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with GOHUNT’s Brady Miller to talk mule deer obsession, backcountry suffering, and the mindset required to keep showing up when success doesn’t come easy.
From gro...
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What does it take to spend 24 years chasing one opportunity and be ready when it finally comes?
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Mikus—a backcountry hunter and SEC college football official—to break down the mindset required to perform at the highest level.
From grinding through decades of officiating to stepping onto the field in front of 10...
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Backcountry hunters know the struggle… piecing together a cook system that actually works when it matters most.
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Chris Neville, co-founder of Roughridge Stove Co., to break down how years of frustration in the backcountry turned into one of the most innovative cook systems built specifically for hunters.
Chris dives into...
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