Episodes
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Meet the Fittest 67-Year-Old FEMALE Elk Hunter - Mary Walker
Dan met today's guest in one of the last places he expected. Miles deep in the Montana backcountry, Dan crossed paths with Mary Walker as she casually strolled by with a Mathews LIFT X on her back—67 years old and deep in elk country chasing bulls with a bow. Needless to say, she got his…
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His FIRST Elk Hunt… And I Nearly Broke My Cameraman
Dan sits down with his videographer Brycen to recap their public-land archery elk hunts in New Mexico and Montana—and this one comes from two completely different perspectives. Dan has spent years chasing elk. Brycen had never elk hunted a day in his life before picking up a camera and following...
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10 Brutal Days of Public Land Elk Hunting - ELKSHAPE PODCAST
Dan is podcasting from the road, headed straight into his next elk hunt—but first, he’s breaking down a brutal **10-day public-land archery elk hunt in Idaho**. This wasn’t a private-land layup. It was steep, unforgiving country, a general tag, plenty of hunting pressure, and a bull Dan had spent...
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The Data Behind Lost Elk: Broadheads, Shot Placement, Arrow Weight & More
Today we're sitting down with Evan Hunter, better known as The Elk Nerd, to discuss one of the most ambitious elk hunting research projects we've seen. Evan is conducting a free, data-driven study focused on elk shot outcomes, recoveries, and losses, and he's asking hunters across the country to...
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MFJJ Is Back! Archery Rabbit Holes, New Podcast & a BIG 2027 Camp Announcement
Today, Dan sits down with longtime friend **Josh Jones (MFJJ)** for a conversation that's been over 20 years in the making. The two catch up on life, archery, and Josh's brand-new podcast based out of Nashville, Tennessee. They dive into how the show came together, what he's learned behind the...
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The Archery Myths That Are Holding You Back... George Ryals Sets the Record Straight
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the endless opinions, conflicting advice, and internet myths surrounding archery, this episode is for you. Today we're joined by **George Ryals**, one of the most respected archery coaches in the world, along with **Jonathan from Last Chance Archery**, to…
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4 Years... Still No Archery Elk. Here's What He's Learned.
Four elk seasons. Plenty of close calls. More mistakes than successes. And one goal that still burns just as hot: punching that first archery elk tag. Today I'm joined by Nate Illingsworth as we unpack his entire elk hunting journey—the failures that stung, the lessons that changed the way he...
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The Week Before Elk Season: My Complete Last-Minute Checklist
Bonus Episode! Elk season is here, the truck is getting loaded, and it's almost time to point the headlights toward elk camp. After 25 consecutive seasons chasing public land elk with a bow, Dan shares the last-minute checklist and mindset he relies on during the final week before departure. From...
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What I Learned After Hunting Pronghorn in 2 States in 5 Days
Fresh off the prairie, Dan is back in the studio to recap an unforgettable 5-day pronghorn hunt across two Western states that ended with two punched tags. In this bonus episode, Dan breaks down the tactics that led to success, including how he approached different properties, adapted to changing...
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Call More Bulls, Shoot Better Under Pressure | Joel Turner's Complete Elk System
Today, Joel Turner is back in the ElkShape studio, and this episode is packed with practical elk hunting knowledge that could change the way you prepare for September. Joel starts by breaking down his exact elk calling script—step by step—explaining not only what sounds to make, but when to make...
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He Moved to Montana... Then Killed a 345" Public Land Bull
What does it really take to go from dreaming about elk hunting to arrowing a 350-inch public land bull? In today's episode, Dan sits down with Noble, a Montana resident and attendee of the 2026 Elk Immersion Experience, to unpack an incredible journey. Noble shares the lessons learned during his...
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FOUNDATION OUTDOORS: Not all freeze-dried meals are created equal.
In today's episode, Dan sits down with Scott from Foundation Outdoors to talk about what goes into building high-performance meals for hunters, backpackers, and anyone who spends long days in the backcountry. We dive into how Foundation Outdoors has been producing meals since 2013, who they're...
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40 GUILTY PLEAS, ONE YOUTUBE CHANNEL...
A lot has happened in the hunting world, and this week's episode tackles some of the biggest conversations head-on. Dan breaks down the recent case involving a hunting YouTuber who pleaded guilty to 40 wildlife-related charges, why stories like this damage the reputation of all hunters, and why...
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Ethics and Cellular Trail Cameras... A Discussion.
In this episode, Dan sits down with longtime friend Will Cooper from GSM Outdoors, HuntStand, and Stealth Cam to have an honest conversation about one of the most debated topics in modern hunting: cellular trail cameras and fair chase ethics. Having shared several whitetail hunts together over…
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I HATE TREE STANDS LEFT ON PUBLIC LAND...
Public land belongs to everyone—but that doesn't mean every decision we make out there is ethical or respectful. In today's episode, Dan dives into one of the most debated topics in hunting: public land etiquette. After stumbling across **double-digit permanent tree stands** tucked deep into…
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The Weirdest Arrow Vanes Ever Made // And They Work Unbelievably Well!
What if everything you thought you knew about arrow vanes was due for a rethink? Today, Dan sits down with Steve, founder of 1ArrowArchery.com, to discuss one of the most unique arrow vane designs to hit the archery market. At first glance, these vanes look unlike anything you've ever seen—but…
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RUNNING & GUNNING SADDLE HUNTING: Latitude Outdoors
Today Dan traveled across the country to sit down with Alex Chopp, one of the founders of @latitudeoutdoors to explore how saddle hunting can be a legitimate tool for Western big game hunters. Alex shares the origin story behind the brand, the challenges and lessons learned while building a…
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PICK UP THE STONE! ELKSHAPE PODCAST LIVE Q & A
Today's episode starts a little differently. Before going live on YouTube for an open Q&A, Dan sits down to share a few thoughts from a recent Montana scouting trip and what he learned after putting boots on the ground in elk country. He also discusses why trail cameras can be an incredibly...
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ELKSHAPE PODCAST - TOWSON JENKINS
Today on the ElkShape Podcast, Dan sits down with his good friend Towson Jenkins from Wyoming—a bowhunter who quietly and consistently gets it done year after year on western big game. While his success in the mountains speaks for itself, what stands out even more is who Towson is when the tags…
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Getting Ripped Off By CHINA... ANKR-POINT
Today Dan is joined by Dave and Logan from ANKR-POINT to discuss their innovative new product, the challenges of building a brand in today's digital marketplace, and a growing problem that is impacting businesses across countless industries: counterfeit products and online piracy. The guys pull...
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This TECH Will Improve Your Elk Calling and it's FREE
Today Dan sits down with Ryan from CallemCloseApp.com — a fellow North Idaho elk hunter who created a FREE online tool designed to help hunters build better elk sounds and gain confidence behind a diaphragm call. Let’s face it… learning to run a mouth call can be downright frustrating. Even...
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NORTHERN ALBERTA SPRING BEAR HUNT RECAP
Today on the ElkShape Podcast, Dan and Tyler are road-tripping home after an unforgettable week hunting black bears in Northern Alberta with Prairie North Outfitters. The fellas break down all the action from camp — close encounters, blown opportunities, successful stalks, camp life, and what…
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Elk Don't EXIST with Dillon Deitz
Today on the "Elk Don't Exist" podcast, we’re sitting down with Dylan Deitz to hear the story behind the brand and the road that brought him here. Not long ago, Dylan was battling severe mental health struggles and thoughts of ending it all. Through therapy, purpose, and a complete shift in...
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From Garage Startup to Industry GIANT | Marsupial Gear’s Story
Today Dan is podcasting live from Marsupial Gear HQ in Phoenix with founder Jim Graham. What started just before Covid as a small operation in Jim’s garage — sewing bino chest packs and selling them out of the back of his car — has evolved into one of the most recognizable made-in-America hunting...
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AGING WESTERN HUNTERS: Supplements We Actually TRUST
Today Dan heads down to Wilderness Athlete HQ to hang out with Kevin Guillen and Chris Denham for a conversation centered around western hunting, longevity, and staying sharp as the years stack up. One of the coolest parts about this crew is the family of brands all operating under the same...
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Elk are TOUGH + Plus Backcountry Bear Defense
Today Dan is sitting down with Reggie from Vizion Archery USA to talk all things archery elk hunting and innovation in the bowhunting space. Reggie breaks down the story behind their one-of-a-kind peep system designed to gather more light and improve visibility in critical hunting situations. The...
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WE are turning this Midwest Whitetail Hunter into a WESTIE Elk Killer
Year 9 of the ElkShape Podcast rolls on and today Dan is sitting down with a Midwest whitetail hunter who recently made the move to Idaho with one goal in mind… chasing his first elk. The fellas break down his entire setup from top to bottom — what gear is solid, what needs upgraded, and where he...
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STOP Missing Bears: Shot Placement, Broadheads & My 16-Week ElkShape Plan
ElkShape Podcast — Season 9, Episode 471Dan is back in the lab and in the mountains on this one—breaking down why he’s officially moving away from lighted nocks after battling tuning inconsistencies and what that means for your arrow build heading into season. He dives deep into his current...
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HUNTING RULES That’ll GETCHA!!! + EBIKES vs E-MOTO — Only One Wins!
Today we’re covering a little bit of everything from recent spring bear hunting escapades in the mountains to almost ruining another cameraman in the process… again. 😅 We break down hunting rule changes, the sneaky regulations that can absolutely GETCHA if you’re not paying attention, and the...
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Discussing HIGH INTENSITY vs. LOW INTENSITY for the Mountains
Today’s episode is all about fitness for the mountains—and why it’s not optional if you’re serious about chasing elk in the backcountry.Dan breaks down how mountain fitness goes far beyond looking good or lifting heavy… it’s about durability, grit, and showing up when it matters most. From…
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How Archery Elk Hunting Saved This Combat Veteran
Dan sits down with Nathan L. from Montana to talk about how archery elk hunting quite literally changed the trajectory of his life. A combat veteran who struggled after returning home from overseas, Nathan opens up about the mental battles that followed — and how picking up a bow gave him...
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CORRUPTION Exposed WA Fish & Game Commission
Today we sit down with Eddie (@rags.to.ridges) to hear one of the most powerful comeback stories you’ll come across. After serving over 6 years for armed robbery, Eddie found bowhunting through magazines while behind bars—and made a decision to change his life. Since his release, he’s gone all-in...
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OUT WEST ARCHERY - Mountain Practice for Mountain Elk
Dan sits down with Koda from Out West Archery to talk all things archery elk hunting, mountain practice, and preparing for the real thing. The two break down lessons learned from last elk season and how mountain 3D shooting can sharpen your skills for real elk encounters. Koda also shares the...
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How to Hunt Hard Without Losing Your Marriage
You love elk hunting. You love your wife. But what happens when those two worlds collide? Today Dan sits down with Daniel — a psychotherapist specializing in men’s health and healing — and an avid elk bowhunter himself. Daniel understands both sides of this conversation. He works with men daily…
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Killing Elk from the East Coast | Cody Sabol’s DIY Blueprint
Today Dan sits down with Cody Sabol — an archery elk hunter and dentist from North Carolina with a relentless passion for public land DIY elk hunting. Living thousands of miles from the mountains elk call home hasn’t stopped Cody from finding consistent, year-over-year success out West. In this...
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The Sight That Does BOTH? Target Precision Meets Bowhunting Tough
Today Dan Staton sits down with Cody from Dark Owl Archery to break down the brand-new sight he’s bringing to market in Spring 2026 — a true crossover built to bridge the gap between target precision and real-world bowhunting durability. If you’ve ever felt stuck choosing between a…
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My LIVE Elk Hunting Lecture from Montana
This bonus ElkShape Podcast was recorded live in Montana during the PEAX Elk Tour, in front of a crowd of passionate archery elk hunters. Dan dives into how he works to balance family life with the obsession of elk hunting, sharing lessons learned from years of chasing bulls across public land.…
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Only LOSERS bowhunt elk...
Today, two old elk bums sit down and swap stories from the trenches of public land elk hunting — the highs, the lows, and everything it takes to keep showing up year after year. Dan is joined by Sam Rogers, a proven public-land killer who consistently punches multiple elk tags a season. The two...
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Pro Wolf, Pro Wolf Mangement...Both?
Today we’re sitting down for an honest conversation about wolf management with Justin Webb, Director of the Foundation for Wildlife Management — a nonprofit that is both pro wolf and pro wolf management. This topic can get emotional and polarizing fast… but we believe it deserves a calm…
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Finding Sweet Deals on USED bows
Today Dan sits down with longtime friend Dan Watts — the guy who was wrenching on his bows way back in the early 2000s. Watts lives and breathes archery, spending most of his life working in bow shops and constantly tinkering with gear.Now a journeyman electrician by trade, he shares how he…
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LIVE Elk Hunting Consultation: To call or not to call
Today we’re sitting down with Ty from North Idaho — a framer and carpenter by trade and a full-time wildland firefighter who knows a thing or two about grit, hard work, and showing up when it counts. With several seasons of bowhunting experience under his belt, Ty joins Dan to break down how he…
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Northwest Whitetails - Mountain Bucks with Troy Pottenger
Today we’re dissecting mountain whitetail bucks on public land with Troy Pottenger—a legendary whitetail subject-matter expert with decades of hard-earned experience. Troy breaks down how he prospects for big, cagey mountain bucks, the role trail cameras actually play in his system, and how he...
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ELK DRAW DEADLINES & WOULD BE INFLUENCERS
Dan jumps on the mic for a quick bonus episode with a timely reminder you don’t want to miss.Elk draw deadlines are creeping up fast, and if you’re serious about hunting elk every year, you need more than luck — you need a system.Dan breaks down how to track deadlines, plan your states, and stack...
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12 Bucks a Week: Testing Flagship Mechanical Broadheads
Live from deer camp in South Texas, the fellas break down real-world observations after putting multiple flagship broadheads through a dozen bucks over the course of the week. What worked, what surprised them, and what matters when it counts. As a bonus, Dan puts his buddy Cody in the hot seat to...
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ANNOUNCING OUR TAC & ELK IMMERSION SCHEDULE FOR 2026
Join Dan of ElkShape and MFJJ of Podium Archer as they break down all the details for the 2026 Elk Immersion.This annual event is built for hunters who want to dedicate multiple days to sharpening their archery skills and elevating their elk-hunting craft. The fellas dive into what makes Elk...
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Your 2026 Elk Plans Start Today - Lock In 🔒
Join Dan as he breaks down next-level strategies for planning your first elk hunt. From how to properly vet outfitters—and separate the good ones from the bad—to cutting through the noise and confusion that overwhelms most first-timers, this episode gives you clear, practical guidance so you can...
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You Heard it HERE first!
Join Dan on today’s episode as he announces several big updates heading into 2026. This marks Year 9 of the ElkShape Podcast, and Dan dives into what’s next—breaking down his newest project, Legacy Built, outlining plans for the 2026 Elk Immersion, and sharing which Total Archery Challenge (TAC)...
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Hunting is a Selfish Pursuit - A High Country Blacktail Story // ElkShape Podcast
Today, Dan sits down with fellow passionate bowhunter Zach from western Oregon to break down his pursuit of a high-country public-land blacktail. The conversation goes beyond tactics and terrain, diving into the often unspoken reality of hunting as a selfish pursuit—and how it can evolve into...
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BRIDGER WATCH UPDATE BONUS POD
Dan sits down with Cody Rich, founder of Bridger Watch, and puts him on the hot seat. They dive straight into the hard questions—when this watch will actually be ready for market, what separates it from every other smartwatch on the shelf, and why it matters for serious backcountry users.Cody...
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This Thing Kinda Changed How I Hunt... ELKSHAPE PODCAST
Today we’re sitting down with Scott Engles, manager of All Sport Powersports and an avid bowhunter. The guys break down the ongoing shenanigans unfolding in Washington State involving Fish and Game and the Wildlife Commission—where state politics collide head-on with wildlife management and…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Elk Hunting, Fitness, & Discipline
HOSTED BY
Dan Staton
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does ElkShape have?
ElkShape currently has 502 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is ElkShape about?
Elk Hunting, Fitness, & Discipline
How often does ElkShape release new episodes?
ElkShape releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 502 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to ElkShape?
You can listen to ElkShape on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts ElkShape?
ElkShape is created and hosted by Dan Staton.
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