Cat Road Shuffle: Trent Fisher’s OTC Elk Hunting Blueprint

Join host Cody Rich for an action-packed episode with Trent Fisher, a seasoned elk hunter known for crushing it on over-the-counter (OTC) units across multiple states. Trent shares his approach to finding elk in Oregon’s tight Roosevelt country, his excitement for a first-time Utah hunt, and the joy of taking his kids into the backcountry. We dive into tactics like the cat road shuffle, reading sign, and adapting to high-pressure units with better callers and smarter hunters. From navigating micro pockets to sharing meat with buddies, this episode is loaded with practical tips and stories to fuel your elk season. Don’t miss Trent’s take on woodsmanship, hunting ethics, and why finding elk is the real superpower. Grab your gear and get ready to hunt smarter! Timestamp Chapters 00:00 - Intro and Season Hype: Cody kicks things off, checking the record button and getting stoked for elk season with Trent Fisher in the studio. 02:15 - Balancing Business and Hunting: Discussing the chaos of July and August in the hunting industry, cashing in family bonus points, and gearing up for multiple hunts. 05:30 - Why Utah for OTC?: Trent explains his plan to hunt Utah’s OTC units for more elk encounters, comparing it to Colorado’s tougher odds and the value of “at bats.” 09:45 - Trent’s YouTube Mission: Breaking down barriers for new hunters, showing anyone can elk hunt with modern tools like OnX, and why Oregon’s OTC is a go-to. 14:20 - Best OTC States and Strategies: Trent ranks Wyoming and Colorado as top OTC states, sharing how he targets new units and avoids over-hunted spots. 19:00 - The Cat Road Shuffle Evolved: How Trent’s run-and-gun calling has slowed down for precision, focusing on benches, bedding areas, and reading elk behavior. 25:30 - Roosevelt Elk Challenges: Navigating Oregon’s tight pockets, dealing with silent bulls, and using night bugling to pinpoint elk in low-visibility terrain. 32:45 - Finding Elk Without Bugles: Trent’s woodsmanship approach—checking bottoms, water holes, and micro benches when bugling and glassing aren’t options. 39:10 - Adapting to Pressure and Change: Discussing how better hunters and OnX have changed the game, and why finding unpressured pockets is key. 45:25 - Hunting with Kids: Trent shares lessons from taking his daughter caribou hunting and prepping his son for a Colorado backcountry hunt, emphasizing slowing down. 52:00 - Hunting Ethics and Meat Sharing: Trent’s code for splitting meat with buddies—front quarters, backstraps, or 50/50 for tough pack-outs. 58:15 - Moose and Elk Meat Talk: Stories of donating moose meat in Alaska, comparing elk to ribeyes, and why one old bull was inedible. 1:04:30 - Gear Favorites and Elk Week: Trent’s take on Born Primitive, First Lite, and Stone Glacier gear, plus a plug for their Elk Week video series. 1:09:00 - Wrap-Up and Season Wishes: Cody and Trent look forward to the Utah film, kid adventures, and crushing it in multiple states. Sponsor Copy Brought to You by OnX HuntPlan smarter, hunt harder with OnX Hunt, the ultimate tool for elk hunters. With Elite Membership, you get nationwide land ownership maps, Huntin’ Fool’s e-Magazine, Terrain X, and research tools to find those hidden pockets Trent talks about. OnX helps you scout micro benches and navigate high-pressure units like a pro. Head to www.onxmaps.com and use code TRO to save 20% on your Elite Membership. Get out there and find your elk! Powered by Maven OpticsSpot that bull before he spots you with Maven Optics, a Wyoming-based, direct-to-consumer brand delivering top-tier clarity without the markup. Cody relies on Maven’s B Series binoculars and S3 Spotting scope to find more elk. No middleman, just premium optics built for hunters. Check out the B Series at www.mavenbuilt.com and use code TRO for a bonus gift. See the difference with Maven! Three Key Takeaways Finding Elk is the Superpower: Trent emphasizes that locating elk is the hardest part of hunting, especially in high-pressure OTC units. Mastering woodsmanship—reading tracks, rubs, and micro benches—lets you zero in on elk where others give up, turning tough units into opportunities. Adapt to Pressure with Micro Pockets: With better hunters and tools like OnX, success comes from finding overlooked pockets just beyond the crowd. Trent’s cat road shuffle and willingness to drive hours to new spots show how mobility and persistence beat pressure. Slow Down for Kids, Speed Up for Elk: Taking kids hunting requires patience and relearning basics, but it reignites your own passion. Meanwhile, covering ground fast to find elk, then slowing for the kill, is key—especially when balancing family and hunting.