Drawn West

Trucker hats are live! Shop the most comfortable blaze orange hats and build some extra entries for the ARC! https://www.getdrawnwest.com/shop First focal plane vs. second focal plane scopes does not need to be complicated. The right choice comes down to how you hunt, how far you shoot, and whether you want a simple point-and-shoot setup or more options for dialing and precision. I break down how FFP and SFP reticles work, what changes as you adjust magnification, and how that affects holdovers, wind holds, and elevation adjustments. I also cover the scope features that actually matter when you are buying one: magnification, objective size, turrets, parallax, throw levers, and more. Whether you are setting up a rifle for Minnesota whitetails, Western mule deer and elk, deer drives, an AR, or a farm rifle, this will help you choose an optic that fits the way you actually hunt. What we cover in this episode: · FFP vs. SFP reticles and what changes when you zoom · When a simple SFP scope makes the most sense for whitetails and known-distance hunting · Why I prefer FFP for dialing, wind holds, long-range practice, and Western hunting · 200-yard zeros, MOA, holdovers, and when dialing is the better move · Choosing the right magnification range, from 3–12x hunting scopes to 1–10x LPVOs · Objective lens size, low-light performance, and the scope features worth paying for · When an LPVO makes sense for deer drives, ARs, close-range hunting, and varmint rifles I use Maven scopes as examples because they are what I have in the studio, but these same FFP vs. SFP principles apply across almost every optics brand. If this helps you choose your next rifle scope, subscribe to the Drawn West Podcast, leave a rating and review, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. Don’t forget to claim your 50 bonus entries for the ARC and if you’re looking for even more entries, check out the Drawn West Apparel for even more entries! https://www.getdrawnwest.com/shop 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

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

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?

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

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