Drawn West

If you’ve ever daydreamed about drawing a Maine moose tag, chasing bugling bulls in Colorado, or finally taking turkey season seriously, this episode is for you!Brian sits down with Maine-based hunter and filmmaker Jacob Haskell to talk about what it actually takes to draw these tags, how the odds and bonus points really play out, and why these hunts are more realistic than most people assume. Along the way they break down real pack-outs, close calls, missed opportunities, and the kind of strategy that turns “someday” hunts into actual dates on the calendar.Jacob walks through the Maine moose lottery from his own experience—what the nonresident odds look like, how Maine’s bonus point system behaves more like a raffle than a true preference system, and why he still calls it a once-in-a-lifetime hunt. He explains how the hunt actually feels in northern Maine: logging roads, clearcuts, bogs, calling bulls into bow range, and why success is still high if you do things right, even with tick issues and shifting populations.From there, Brian and Jacob compare Maine moose to Western elk, including Colorado’s brutal moose odds, over-the-counter elk experiences, and what realistic expectations look like when you’re playing long odds across multiple states. The back half of the episode dives into turkey hunting—reaping tactics, using full-fan decoys, bow vs shotgun setups, and why turkey season might be the best way to get new hunters hooked on calling, movement, and decision-making in the field.Highlights• How Maine’s bonus point system and extra entries actually work for nonresidents, and why long-time applicants can still get leapfrogged by newer hunters.• What a modern Maine moose hunt looks like on the ground—pressure from roads, using calls in September vs October, and how to make the most of a one-week season.• Real-world pack-out stories comparing a Maine bull moose to a giant North Dakota elk, including meat yields, quarter weights, and the mental side of multiple trips.• Why Maine moose success can still be high despite tick issues, and how biologists and outfitters are adapting to keep the hunt meaningful.• How Jacob’s first Colorado archery elk hunt went down—close encounters, setup mistakes, and the decision to pass a risky shot at less than 20 yards.• Practical turkey tactics: full-fan Tom decoys with real fans, using reaping safely, roost scouting, and calling sequences that pull gobblers off the limb.• How Jacob built his “The Pursuit Hunt” brand, films hunts across the Northeast and West, and uses YouTube to share these stories.If this episode helps you see Maine moose, Colorado elk, or serious turkey hunts as actually possible, subscribe to the Drawn West podcast and drop a rating or review so more hunters can find it. Then go check out Jacob’s “The Pursuit Hunt” on YouTube and thepursuithunt.com—his Maine moose film alone is worth the watch!https://www.instagram.com/thepursuithunt/https://www.youtube.com/@thepursuithunt  Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter.Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveawayupdates.Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletterFREE Gear Checklist:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gearConnect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest

Want to find more sheds each season? This is the episode for you!I sat down with Alex Kunkel from Minnesota Shed Hunters, one of the most active shed hunting community pages in the Midwest. Alex has been doing this long enough to figure out what actually works — and a lot of what he shared challenged some of the "common wisdom" you hear thrown around, like walking fence lines (spoiler: neither of us has ever found a shed on one).We cover the full strategy side of shed hunting — from how winter severity changes where deer concentrate, to why timing is probably more important than location, to how to use apps like Scout to Hunt and GoHunt Maps to stop re-walking ground you've already covered. If you've ever spent a whole Saturday shed hunting and come home with nothing, this one's for you.Episode Highlights:• How to identify the "limiting factor" in your area — food or cover — and why the answer changes depending on where you live• The exact window Alex targets every year: why late February to early March is his peak and how he thinks about going too early vs. too late• Why public land shed hunting has gotten harder and what private access actually looks like in the Midwest• The Scout to Hunt app breakdown — what it does, how the analytics work, and why the track-width gridding feature alone is worth the $30/year• Why rivers and creek crossings knock sheds loose (and why fence lines are mostly a myth)• How to use snowshoes to access areas that eliminate almost all competition on big public tracts• Habitat projects that actually move the needle for your shed season, not just your hunting seasonIf this episode helped you think differently about where you spend your time this spring, it'd mean a lot if you left a rating or review — it helps more hunters find the show.Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter.Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveawayupdates.Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletterLooking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/how-comedy-can-help-save-hunting  FREE Gear Checklist:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gearConnect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest

2026 Wyoming Mule Deer Application GuideTired of how confusing Wyoming's mule deer draw is? We cover how it works and the best mule deer units in the state!Wyoming's application system is one of the most complicated in the West, the June 1st deadline is coming fast, and 2026 is the last year to buy preference points at the current price before they jump to $75 across the board. If you've been putting Wyoming off, this is the episode that changes that.I break down the full Wyoming mule deer draw — how the splits work, what all those tag types actually mean, what the 2026 weather and snowpack means for your hunt, and which units are worth your points from zero all the way to 10+.What we cover:• Why 2026 is the last year to buy Wyoming points at the current price — and why that matters• How the Wyoming draw actually works: resident/non-resident splits, regular vs. special, 75/25 point draw, and what the random draw means for you• Every tag type (Type 1 through Type 0) explained in plain language so you know exactly what to apply for• The 2026 snowpack situation and what low moisture years mean for antler growth and herd health• Wilderness area restrictions for non-residents — the unit research step most hunters skip• The second-choice trick: how to draw a tag and keep building points in the same year• Unit recommendations at zero, five, and ten points for non-resident regular and special applicantsIf this helped, subscribe so you don't miss the Wyoming Antelope episode dropping right after this one. And if you've got a hunting partner who's been on the fence about Wyoming, send this their way — it'll save them hours of digging.Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter.Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveawayupdates.Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletterLooking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/master-your-application-strategyFREE Gear Checklist:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gearConnect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest00:00:00 — Wyoming Mule Deer 2026: Why This State Belongs in Your Core Strategy00:03:03 — Deadlines, Tag Fees, and the 2027 Preference Point Price Increase00:05:12 — Tag Cost Breakdown: Regular, Special, Reduced, and Youth00:07:31 — 2026 Weather and Snowpack — What Low Moisture Means for Your Hunt00:08:30 — How Wyoming's Draw System Actually Works00:11:00 — Hunt Choices, Second-Choice Strategy, and Retaining Your Points00:11:45 — Every Tag Type Explained (Type 1 Through Type 0)00:15:30 — Group Applications — How Averaging Works and Why Wyoming Over-Allocates00:17:50 — Wyoming Mule Deer Herd Overview: Where It Stands in 202600:22:38 — Zero-Point Options: Regular and Special Draw Breakdown00:27:30 — Ten-Point Range: Units Worth Targeting as Non-Resident Regular00:29:05 — The Second-Choice Trick and Unit 1500:31:17 — Five-Point Range: Units to Look At Right Now00:34:42 — How to Use GoHunt Insider to Research Units Yourself

Want to go Antelope hunting this year? THIS is the episode for you!Wyoming is coming out of one of the worst winters in recent memory, and the antelope herd has responded. Tag allocations are going up almost across the board, units that were off-limits without 15+ points are becoming more accessible, and there's never been a better time to get serious about your Wyoming antelope application.The problem most hunters run into isn't a lack of options — it's knowing where to start. Wyoming has more units than almost any other state, and the draw system is complicated enough to make even experienced applicants second-guess themselves.In this episode, I break down the Wyoming antelope application from top to bottom — what the herd looks like right now, why 2026 is an exciting year to be in the draw, and which units you should actually be targeting based on your point level. Whether you're sitting on zero points or burning 15, there's something worth applying for.What we cover:• Why Wyoming is still the top non-resident antelope state and what makes 2026 especially promising• The difference between regular and special tags — and when paying the extra $800 actually makes sense• Which units consistently produce 80-inch bucks and what it costs in points to draw them• Unit recommendations at every major point level, from zero all the way to 12+• The public land and access reality in Wyoming — corner crossing, private land, and how to scout before you apply• How to keep building points while still drawing a tag and hunting every yearIf this episode helped, subscribe on your platform of choice so you don't miss the rest of the Wyoming series. And if you've got a buddy trying to figure out antelope points, share this one — it'll save them a lot of time.Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter.Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates.Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletterLooking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article![Master Your Big Game Application Strategy] FREE Gear Checklist:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gearConnect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest00:00:00 — Wyoming Antelope: Why This Is the Best Non-Resident State00:01:17 — Deadline, Tag Fees, and How the Draw System Works00:03:26 — Where the Herd Stands in 2026 and Why Tags Are Going Up00:06:19 — Where the Giants Live — Best Regions and Units for Trophy Bucks00:07:27 — The Special Tag Advantage — Second Choice Units and Hunting While You Build Points00:09:13 — Top-Tier Units at 12–20 Points (58, 60, 61, 90, 91)00:12:32 — Options at Every Point Level — Zero Through Five00:18:04 — Eight to Ten Point Units Worth Targeting (48, 79, 46)00:20:08 — Non-Resident Special Breakdown — Zero Points to Five Points00:25:04 — If You Have 10+ Points, It's Time to Pull the Trigger

Already applying in Oregon wondering if you should add antelope, sheep, or goats to your application? We breakdown everything you need to know to decide!Oregon isn't known for massive antelope numbers, but what it does have is consistent trophy quality, high harvest success rates, and one of the most cost-efficient point systems in the West. For sheep and goats, it's a fully random draw — no points, no guarantees — but if you're already buying the license, $10 is a pretty cheap lottery ticket.We break down exactly when it makes financial sense to add these species, what point levels unlock for antelope, and what the current tag counts and population data look like for bighorn sheep and mountain goats in 2026.In this episode:• Why Oregon antelope is more consistent than other states — and what that means for trophy hunters• The point level breakdown for non-resident antelope draw odds (0, 5, and 15 points)• How sheep and goats use a completely different, fully random draw system in Oregon• Current non-resident tag allocations for California bighorn, Rocky Mountain bighorn, and mountain goat• Why Oregon mountain goat populations are concerning — and what it means for draw oddsIf this helped, subscribe and leave a rating — it makes a real difference. Follow along on Instagram @getdrawnwest.Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter.Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveawayupdates.Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletterLooking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/how-comedy-can-help-save-hunting FREE Gear Checklist:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gearConnect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest00:00:03 – Oregon's Bonus Species:Antelope, Sheep & Goats Overview00:02:02 – Why Oregon Antelope IsDifferent From Other States00:03:15 – Draw Odds, Trophy Potential& What It Takes to Draw00:04:41 – Application Deadline, Costs& Tag Prices00:06:21 – Zero-Point Antelope Strategyfor Non-Residents00:08:21 – Five-Point Antelope Options:Archery & Rifle00:10:42 – Fifteen-Point AntelopeBreakdown & Best Units00:13:45 – Resident Antelope StrategyNotes00:16:30 – Sheep & Goat Costs, TagPrices & Draw System00:18:25 – Oregon Bighorn Sheep: Residentvs. Non-Resident Allocations00:19:19 – California Bighorn & RockyMountain Bighorn Tag Breakdown00:21:48 – Mountain Goat Trophy Potential& Population Decline00:23:26 – Should You Apply for Sheep& Goats? The Decision Framework