Drawn West

Drawn West with Brian Krebs

Details

Drawn West is for the hunters who load the truck each fall — chasing bugles, big country, and something deeper than just filling a tag. Host Brian Krebs dives into tag strategies, gear prep, and real-world advice to help non-resident hunters make the most of limited time out West. Each episode features expert guests and gritty stories from hunters you’ve never heard of — the kind who get it done with one week, one tag, and no excuses.

Recent Episodes

SEP 24, 2026
Drawn West Apparel Is Here: 8 Hunting Shirts and Hoodies With a Story Behind Them
Most hunting merch is a logo slapped on a shirt nobody actually wants to wear. I didn't want to do that. After months of sketching, the first Drawn West apparel line is live: eight shirts and hoodies built around real hunting stories, inside jokes, and a few statement pieces meant to start a conversation at the airport, at deer camp, or at the trailhead. I go piece by piece through the launch lineup. That includes the OG Hoodie and OG Tee, the Classic Hoodie, the One Country topo shirt with a bugling bull set into the map where I shot my first elk, the Speed Goat pronghorn on a Drawn West chopper, the Spoon & Crockpot Buck, and the 98% Non-Res Plate. I also get into why resident vs non-resident tension out West matters to me, why hunting is more than a score, and how we chose blanks, fit, and halftone DTF printing so the shirts feel good to wear. Then I explain exactly how apparel entries work in the Mathews ARC giveaway, and why it's statistically impossible to buy your way to the bow. No purchase is necessary to enter or win the Mathews ARC giveaway. If you like what we're building, subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating and review, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. You can check out the apparel at getdrawnwest.com/shop, and you can enter the giveaway at getdrawnwest.com/giveaway and enter this episode’s code word for 50 bonus entries! 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/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article! Check out Drawn West Apparel: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/shop FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebs https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]! Sponsors and Discounts: GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4 GOHUNT Gear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u Save 10% on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest Save 20% On Reveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20 https://www.tactacam.com/ Best Prices on Trauma Kits & First Aid at Jase.com https://rstr.co/jasemedical/getdrawnwest 00:00:00 Drawn West apparel is here + Mathews ARC giveaway update 00:02:20 Why we didn't make logo-slapped creator merch 00:03:10 OG Hoodie and OG Tee: colors, fit, and sizing 00:08:14 Classic Hoodie: lighter athletic fit vs heavyweight 00:10:35 One Country: USA topo design and where I shot my first elk 00:13:40 Speed Goat and halftone DTF printing 00:16:05 Spoon & Crockpot Buck: deer hunting is more than a score 00:19:00 98% Non-Res Plate: resident vs non-resident tension 00:24:04 Pricing, 10 entries per dollar, and why you can't buy the giveaway 00:27:52 Why launch apparel now + send in your shirt ideas 00:31:02 Where to shop, new giveaway dashboard, and October 7 live drawing
25 MIN
SEP 17, 2026
Best Deer Blind Yet? Maverick's New XLV Blind Reviewed Live from the Blind
Shopping for a new box blind and wondering if the upgrades are worth it? I sat down with Kile from Maverick Hunting Blinds inside their brand-new XLV to get an unfiltered first look at what changed this year — nearly double-sized windows, fully pre-assembled panels, and a patent-pending 7-bolt system that builds the whole blind in about 20 minutes. What we cover in this episode: · What's new on the XLV: bigger windows, pre-assembled panels, and a redesigned insulated door with full overlap. · The patent-pending 7-bolt assembly system and how it locks together in about 20 minutes. · How scent-tight the blind really is, including where the sweet spot for deer downwind seems to land. · Maverick's new adjustable platform — 5 to 10 feet in six-inch increments, including leveling on a hillside. · Hunting with a newborn and young kids, plus a shotgun-to-rifle debate on deer herd quality. Subscribe to the podcast and follow along on YouTube for the full walkthrough video, and head to drawnwest.com/giveaway to enter the Mathews Arc giveaway with this episode's code word. Save 10% on the new XLV blind with code DRAWNWEST! https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest 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/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebs https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]! Sponsors and Discounts: GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4 GOHUNT Gear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u Save 10% on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest Save 20% On Reveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20 https://www.tactacam.com/ Best Prices on Trauma Kits & First Aid at Jase.com https://rstr.co/jasemedical/getdrawnwest 00:00:00 Rolling for the first in-person episode & meeting Kyle 00:01:19 First podcast ever recorded inside a hunting blind 00:02:06 First impressions of the XLV: bigger windows, better visibility 00:03:40 Scent containment test: guests have no idea we're in here 00:04:20 Pre-assembled panels and the new insulated door 00:05:24 The patent-pending 7-bolt assembly system explained 00:07:09 Just how airtight is this blind? Scent control breakdown 00:10:13 Hunting with kids and a newborn this season 00:14:17 XLV dimensions vs. the all-new XLTM blind 00:15:29 New adjustable platform system: 5 to 10 feet 00:20:06 Bear hunting plans and a close call while turkey hunting 00:26:26 Shotgun vs. rifle: will it improve deer herds?
33 MIN
SEP 10, 2026
Why Bare Shaft Tuning Matters the Most, Yet Nobody Does It
GIVEAWAY: $4000 Mathews Arc Pacakge! Enter Now: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaways Ever wonder why almost nobody in bowhunting content talks about bare shaft tuning — even though it might matter more than any broadhead you'll ever buy? I sat down with Troy Fowler, better known as Ranch Fairy, who's been in on hundreds of archery kills on hogs and whitetail and has helped test broadhead terminal ballistics on Cape Buffalo. We get into why bare shaft tuning gets skipped by almost everyone, why mechanical broadheads lose their cutting edge on impact, and why mass — not speed — is what actually breaks bone. We walk through the real difference between single bevel and mechanical broadheads, how much arrow weight you need before a broadhead can call itself a "bone breaker," and why blood trail distance comes down to shot placement more than broadhead choice. Troy also breaks down lessons from Ed Ashby's terminal ballistics research, including why a blunter, single-bevel design outperformed sharper designs on Cape Buffalo. There's a bonus code word in this episode worth 50 giveaway entries for the Mathews ARC giveaway. What we cover in this episode: · Why bare shaft tuning is the one step nobody talks about, and why Troy himself still avoids it on his own arrows. · Single bevel vs. mechanical broadheads — why mechanical blades take on damage the instant they deploy into hide, hair, and bone. · Why you need 600+ grains of arrow mass before a "bone breaking" broadhead actually breaks bone · The vital V approach for shortening blood trails in thick cover, and why aiming close to the crease matters more than broadhead choice · What Ed Ashby's Cape Buffalo terminal ballistics testing revealed about broadhead shape, penetration, and pass-through rates. · Why time-of-flight at 60 yards is roughly equivalent to a 600-yard rifle shot, and why that changes ethical shot distance. If this helps you rethink your arrow setup, subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating and review, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. And go enter the Mathews ARC giveaway at getdrawnwest.com/giveaway — the code word from this episode is worth 50 entries! 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/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebs https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]! Sponsors and Discounts: GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4 GOHUNT Gear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u Save 10% on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest Save 20% On Reveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20 https://www.tactacam.com/ Best Prices on Trauma Kits & First Aid at Jase.com https://rstr.co/jasemedical/getdrawnwest
90 MIN
SEP 3, 2026
The Year of Suppressors: Buying, Trusts, and Hunting With Brandon Maddox of Silencer Central
Win our $4000 Mathews ARC Package: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaways In this episode, Brian sits down with Brandon Maddox, founder of Silencer Central and creator of the Banish suppressor line, to unpack why 2026 is being called "the year of suppressors." Brandon has been in the industry since 2005 and breaks down what's actually driving the surge, how to judge suppressor quality when brands are popping up overnight, and why trusts still matter even after the tax stamp changed. He also gets into the real differences between titanium and aluminum cans, and what changes for hunters once they take the earplugs out in the field. Highlights: · Why 2026 is being called "the year of suppressors" · How to judge whether a suppressor is actually good quality, regardless of brand · What an NFA gun trust does, and whether you even need one · The real history of why trusts became popular (it's not what you'd guess) · Titanium vs. aluminum: what actually matters long term · What getting a barrel threaded for a suppressor looks like, start to finish · The real hunting benefits: sound, recoil, and tracking your shot placement If you've ever wondered why suppressors are suddenly everywhere, or you're weighing whether one is worth the paperwork, hit play. And don't forget — our Mathews ARC bow giveaway is live at drawnwest.com/giveaway, with a bonus code word dropped later in this episode for 50 extra entries. 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/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article! https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebs https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]! Sponsors and Discounts: GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4 GOHUNT Gear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u Save 10% on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest Save 20% On Reveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20 https://www.tactacam.com/ Best Prices on Trauma Kits & First Aid at Jase.com https://rstr.co/jasemedical/getdrawnwest 00:48 Introduction to Suppressors and the Podcast 02:20 The Evolution of Suppressor Legislation 05:12 Understanding Suppressor Mechanics and Performance 08:02 Choosing the Right Suppressor 11:18 The Importance of Trusts in Suppressor Ownership 14:15 Navigating the Trust Setup Process 17:08 Benefits of Trusts for Suppressor Ownership 20:14 Final Thoughts on Suppressors and Trusts 28:46 Navigating Suppressor Ownership 29:53 Trusts and Inheritance Planning 31:48 Efficiency in ATF Processing 34:58 Simplifying the Suppressor Purchase Process 37:03 Fingerprinting and Trust Creation 39:01 The Role of Experts in Firearm Transfers 40:55 Understanding Firearm Trusts 42:48 Threading Firearms for Suppressors 46:00 Hunting with Suppressors: Expectations and Benefits 52:28 The Chaos of Shotgun Shooting 53:21 Benefits of Suppressors in Hunting 55:15 Tracking Shots and Confidence in Hunting 56:57 The Impact of Suppressors on Shot Visibility 57:45 Modular Suppressors and Recoil Management 01:00:58 Choosing the Right Silencer for Your Rifle 01:02:23 The Rise of Rimfire Silencers 01:04:29 The Importance of Silencers for Farm Life
72 MIN
AUG 27, 2026
The Maven Built Difference: Why These Optics Feel Better Than the Rest
Ever pick up a pair of binoculars and feel like you're fighting it — a focus dial that's stuck or floppy, glass that gives you a headache after an hour? That's the opposite of what I noticed the first time I looked through a pair of Mavens. Everything just feels like it's in the right spot doing the job it was meant to do. So I got Craig and Jordan from Maven Built Optics on the podcast to explain why. We get into the engineering and the "secret sauce" — the magnesium chassis, the knurling, why the focus dial is smooth but not loose, and how every optic that leaves Lander, Wyoming has been inspected by a real set of human hands. Plus how to pick between 8x, 10x, 12x, and 15x binos; why Maven's B2 is 11x45 instead of 10x42; and how the S3 spotting scope's interchangeable reticle eyepiece can tell you if a moose is legal before you pull the trigger. Then the origin story, the demo program, the new RS6 LPVO, and a code word worth 50 giveaway entries. What we cover in this episode: • Why Maven optics feel different — materials, tolerances, and edge-to-edge clarity • How to choose 8x, 10x, 12x, or 15x binos for treestand, timber, or western glassing • Why the B2 is 11x45 instead of the standard 10x42 (abakonic prism, light gathering) • The S3 spotting scope and its interchangeable reticle eyepieces (MOA and MIL) • How to measure a legal 50-inch moose at distance with a reticle and rangefinder • Maven's direct-to-consumer origin story and the try-before-you-buy demo program • The new RS6 1–10x LPVO: locking turret, toolless zero, 34mm tube • What's next from Maven — plus this episode's code word for 50 giveaway entries If this helps you sort your next optics purchase, subscribe, leave a rating and review, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. And enter the Mathews ARC giveaway at getdrawnwest.com/giveaway — secret code word for 50 extra entries in this episode! Enter the Mathews ARC Giveaway: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/giveaways 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/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle! FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebs https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]! Sponsorsand Discounts: GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4 GOHUNT GearShop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u Save 10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest Save 20% OnReveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20 https://www.tactacam.com/ Best Prices on Trauma Kits & First Aid at Jase.com https://rstr.co/jasemedical/getdrawnwest
70 MIN