What A Colorado Elk Hunt Really Teaches You | Episode 6

Ryan Rendon and Steven Butcher sit down with Tom Gromus and Brock Carroll to relive their 2025 Colorado elk hunt, from the planning and gear prep to the long hikes, cold mornings, and lessons learned in the mountains.What starts as a hunting story turns into a conversation about family, friendship, public land ethics, mental toughness, faith, and why the right crew matters when the trip gets hard.Spotify Link:https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KjDSzkGhnTwRwPHaaZ9XB?si=K9WckeRPRUi-xGtwVVppJAApple Music Link:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/texas-hill-country-insider/id1890186700Chapters00:00 Welcome to Episode 600:52 Meet Tom Gromus and Brock Carroll04:24 Brock's move from Michigan to Texas08:59 Kids, family, and changing priorities10:17 First hunting memories16:46 Tom's hunting background22:07 Getting back into hunting26:12 Planning the Colorado elk hunt28:05 Rifles, gear, and long-range prep31:17 Setting camp in Colorado38:02 First day in the mountains39:06 Hunting, solitude, and self-reflection42:48 Opening day and public land pressure54:58 Camp life, cold nights, and gear lessons57:15 Day two on the mountain01:07:12 Pushing into a new spot01:22:42 Ryan's elk01:25:08 Steven's rifle misfire moment01:27:17 Finding and packing out the elk01:37:48 Hard pack-outs and hunting toughness01:44:44 Day six and the mule deer01:52:09 Learning from gear mistakes01:58:25 The rifle under the tire story02:00:04 Final takeaways from the hunt02:03:41 Camaraderie, mindset, and closing thoughtsResources and links:Support us at : https://linktr.ee/texashillcountryinsiderSteven ButcherWebsite: https://www.butcherbehrens.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/butcher_behren_signature_homes/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-butcher-8678841b5/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ButcherBehrensTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@butcherbehrensighomesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ButcherBehrensSignatureHomes/shortsPhone: +1 210-636-5387Ryan RendonWebsite: https://www.ryanrendon.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan_rendon_realtorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanRendonRealtorYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ryanrendon-RealEstatePhone: +1 830-890-1943MentionsTom GromusBrock CarrollColorado elk huntWestern huntingPublic land huntingMeeker, ColoradoKerrvilleFredericksburgRocky Mountain Elk FoundationRokslideElkShapeNew MexicoWyomingMontanaFollow Texas Hill Country Insider for more conversations on local business, real estate, growth, and life across the Texas Hill Country.