Peax Thrive Vodcast

On the morning of May 3rd, a 33-year-old man named Anthony Pollio left his father a voicemail from a trail in Glacier National Park. He told his dad he was hiking up a mountain. He told him about his day. He said he loved him. He hung up the phone and kept walking up that trail. He never came back down. A search team found his body three days later, fifty feet off the Mount Brown Trail. His injuries were consistent with a bear attack.  The first fatal grizzly attack inside Glacier National Park in twenty-eight years. The day before they pulled Anthony off that mountain, four hundred miles south, in Yellowstone Park, two brothers — fifteen and twenty-eight years old — were ripped open by a sow with cubs on the Mystic Falls Trail. Airlifted out. Critical condition. Two parks. Two attacks. Forty-eight hours. I want to be very clear before we go any further. This was not bad luck. This was not a freak event. This was a predictable reckoning of a system that has been failing and intentionally putting people at risk for more than a decade. The people responsible have names, offices, and budgets, and we're going to talk about every single one of them. _________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE For A Great Peax Discount.  Treeline Academy. – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any course) https://www.treelineacademy.net Treeline Podcast Archive https://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive https://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive

In this Thrive Vodcast episode, I'm in the kitchen dialing in two custom freeze-dried meals that are going with me on the mountain on my upcoming spring bear hunts.  A Deluxe Mexican Style Scramble and Carnivore Ice Cream. Yes. I did say Ice cream. My goal with this episode is to parts.  One – Maybe it will get you thinking about how you can take control of your food and fuel your performance on the mountain.  Two – If you already have a Harvest Right freeze dryer, it will give you two new meal options to add to your arsenal.   Building your own freeze-dried meals at home costs a fraction of retail meals, and it lets you control every aspect and every ingredient. It gives you the ability to control quantity and quality.  It gives you meals you actually look forward to eating on the last day of a hard mountain hunt. In this episode, we walk through both recipes, start to finish.  — ingredients, prep, and freeze drying.  If you're tired of mediocre store-bought backcountry meals, this episode is for you. _________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE For A Great Peax Discount.  Treeline Academy. – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any course) https://www.treelineacademy.net Treeline Podcast Archive https://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive https://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive Get A Harvest Right Freeze Dryer https://affiliates.harvestright.com/2013.html AmeriHome 6-Quart Old Fashion Ice Cream Maker https://amzn.to/4w2vvN2

Spring bear season is here, and if your gear isn't dialed right now, you're already behind the curve. Today, I'm not going to waste your time. I've got 10 pieces of gear sitting here that have earned a spot in my pack this year for spring bears. We're gonna rip through these and do a quick breakdown on all of them. Rounding out the gear selection is a brand-new gear item just hitting the spring bear scene, and will definitely be a new addition to my pack. Trust me, you want, no, you NEED, to know about these. No long-winded reviews, no sponsor pitches, just what works and why! ________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE For A Great Peax Discount. Treeline Academy. – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any course)https://www.treelineacademy.net Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive Countdown To Spring Bear Webinar - $9 standalone or bundled with Unlocking Spring Bearhttps://www.treelineacademy.net/next-level-bear-course Spring Bear Gear Loadout 1. SIG Sauer ZULU6 HDX 12x42 Image-Stabilized Binoculars → https://www.sigsauer.com 2. FHF Gear FOB Bino Pouch → https://fhfgear.com 3. Tricer AD Carbon Tripod– Use Discount Code: TREELINE → https://tricergear.com 4. Tricer LP & DZ Tripod Heads – Use Discount Code: TREELINE → https://tricergear.com 5. Peax Solitude Tipi + Torid Stove– Use Discount Code: TREELINE → https://peaxequipment.com 6. Leupold RX-5000 TBR/W Rangefinder → https://www.leupold.com 7. Peax Duo Headlamp– Use Discount Code: TREELINE → https://peaxequipment.com 8. Grakksaw Ultralight Game Bags - – Use Discount Code: TREELINE→ https://grakksaw.com  9. Kahtoola MICROspikes → https://kahtoola.com Amazon Microspike Version→ https://amzn.to/4mYazmq 10. Wild Tech Streamlite Packable Waders – Use Discount Code: TREELINE→ https://wildtechgear.com/

So many elk hunters fail for one simple reason…They can't find elk! But when you really dig into it—that's not the only real problem. They never built a strategic hunt plan with multiple fully vetted Hunt Areas More importantly, they did not build a plan that could adapt to a changing hunt situation. There is one thing you can count on in elk hunting It's that everything is going to change! The old adage "no plan survives first contact" is so true when it comes to elk hunting.  Most hunters have an area or a spot that they are far too emotionally tied to. Maybe one or two half-baked backup ideas, and a handful of pins that are difficult to decipher. What they don't have is a fully developed, strategic hunt plan.  One that includes multiple, fully vetted hunt areas that are ready to implement at a moment's notice. In today's episode, we are going to break down hunt plans, hunt areas, and a structured approach that may completely change the way you approach your elk hunts. __________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources  Use My Code TREELINE For Peax Discount and to show support for the Vodcast. Treeline Academy Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net  Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive  

So much of today's hunting tech is overhyped… or flat-out useless. But every once in a while, something shows up that actually moves the needle. This new Bridger Watch might be one of those tools. We're talking best-in-class topography maps, extreme battery life, fast ballistics, and incredible durability. Watch it go into a blender!   This watch could legitimately change how you operate in the backcountry! The question is… is this the next-gen hunting tool—or just more hype? Let's get into it. ________________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE For Peax Discount and to show support for the Vodcast.  Treeline Academy Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive The Bridger Watch https://www.bridgerwatch.com/

We talk about public land like it's permanent. Like it will always be there. Like nothing can really change it.  But what if the real shift isn't happening through legislation? What if it's happening quietly… through purchase? What happens when the winter range, the migration corridor, the valley floor, and the only access road all sit behind one locked gate?  The West isn't disappearing. But it might be consolidating.  And if that's true, DIY Western hunting could look very different 10- 20 years from now.  _____________________ Additional Resources Use code TREELINE for a Peax discount and to support the Vodcast. Treeline Academy Courses (code THRIVE saves 20%):https://www.treelineacademy.net Treeline Podcast Archive:https://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Thrive Vodcast Archive:https://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive The Land Report 100:https://landreport.com/land-report-100/ Montana Free Press:https://montanafreepress.org/  Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership:https://www.trcp.org/landlocked-public-lands/  Bureau of Land Management:https://www.blm.gov/about/what-we-manage USDA Economic Research Service:https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/land-use-land-value-tenure/ U.S. Census Bureau — State Population Estimates:https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-state-total.html

On today's Thrive Vodcast show, Mark is joined by Jeff Helm, they are fresh off the Peax Elk and Bear Tour events, and they break down the latest Western hunting news. In this episode, they dive into Montana's new license changes, including mule deer B tag restrictions, elk, deer, and antelope regulation updates, and a 233% increase to the nonresident base hunting license. We also cover the brand new nonresident shed hunting rules on Montana WMAs, upcoming tag deadlines for New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, and Utah, and the growing resident vs. nonresident divide across the West. If you're applying for tags this year—or trying to understand where Western hunting is headed, this episode is for you. __________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE For Peax Discount.  Treeline Academy Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course) https://www.treelineacademy.net  Treeline Podcast Archive https://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Peax Elk & Bear Tour https://www.treelineacademy.net/peax-tour

In this special edition of The Thrive Vodcast, No Middle Ground Mark and Chiam cut through the noise of modern Western hunting with zero fluff and zero filter. Has Western hunting peaked, or has the rising costs and demand finally broken the system? Do you run a 0° or 15° sleeping bag, and what are the real-world tradeoffs, and does it actually matter in the backcountry? UV pens vs water filters, what does the science really say, and do we even trust "the science" anymore? Solo hunting vs group hunting! Do you prefer soul-searching solitude or shared adventures? Llamas vs pack goats: the capability, cost, and the reality!  No scripted takes. Just opinions, hard lines, and real conversations. Let's get to it. __________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE For Peax Discount.  Treeline Academy Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net  Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Peax Elk & Bear Tourhttps://www.treelineacademy.net/peax-tour Elk 101 Destination Elk Eighthttps://youtu.be/f8U7GW2L3go?si=N7f93gpuq2VtGt7h Lark Bottle https://amzn.to/4aCubGK= Ringconn https://amzn.to/46OjKib Grakksaw (Use Code Treeline For Discount) https://www.grakksaw.com/

Today's Thrive episode is a little different. No hunt tactics. No gear talk. No strategy.  We will get back to that, but today I want to explore a topic that's been on my mind.  It's about us! More specifically, the disconnect of the modern man. You don't need a PhD to see it, men are drifting and some are completely off course. Society is conditioning our boys to be soft, disconnected, and addicted to comfort. They're not being built to lead, to endure, or even to rise to the challenges of life.  Instead, we've got men in their prime, avoiding discomfort, addicted to dopamine, and wandering further from who they were meant to be. The modern man has become disconnected from adventure, and ultimately, from who he was designed to be. __________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE For Peax Discount.  Treeline Academy Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Peax Elk & Bear Tourhttps://www.treelineacademy.net/peax-tour Elk 101 Destination Elk Eighthttps://youtu.be/f8U7GW2L3go?si=N7f93gpuq2VtGt7h

Spring bear season doesn't start when the tag hits your pocket, it should start right now!  This year, the snow isn't normal; the prime bear elevation zones they may not line up like they have historically.  Spring bear hunting is snowline game. An elevation game and a timing game. The bear hunters who are guessing are about to get exposed. 2026? It's going to punish the unprepared.   In this Thrive episode, I'm breaking down what you need to be doing right now to get ahead of the season. __________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE For a Peax Discount.  Treeline Academy Courses – (Code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive Peax Elk & Bear Tour Eventshttps://www.treelineacademy.net/peax-tour Gritty Movie Night Tickets & Trailerhttps://staygritty.com/pages/movie_night Backpacking Grizzly Bear Hunt – Gritty Filmshttps://youtu.be/CzV_ihfnElk?si=n-4hcgpfQ9NxFCEE

Remember when elk hunting out West meant hitting the mountains, not crunching numbers, gaming odds, or dodging fine print and deception? Is the elk tag game rigged, and are the rules changing while you're still in line? What's happening in the Western elk tag system isn't just frustrating, it's broken. The states know it. The math proves it. Application season is here, our annual collision of hope and reality. It's when we obsess over draw odds, dissect point strategies, and hustle every angle to and elk tag for next season. Today, elk hunting has become a two-tiered game: those with points… and those without. The hard truth? Both camps are in trouble. In this week's Thrive episode, we're pulling back the curtain, digging into the trends, the tag systems, and the truth about what it really takes to hunt elk in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Colorado. It's not just about tag costs, its exposing a system that's quietly become a lottery that you pay to lose.  Do these systems still work… or are we all stuck in an expensive spin cycle?   Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE for a discount on your Peax Equipment gear!  Treeline Academy Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive Points, Odds & Reality: Our 2026 Hunt Application Strategy – GOHUNT Big Hunt Guys Podcast – Episode 207https://youtu.be/Q7l6mnD-ol8?si=AsGEIL3OWZnSQqHQ On X Hunt – Elk Draw Trends: Study Of Western US Data 2018-2022https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/blog/elk-draw-trends?  

Most Western hunters don't fall short because of bad luck—or bad gear. And no one sets out with the goal to be average. But somewhere along the way, comfort and familiar creep in and take over. This is how the cycle begins, and you need to be intentional to break it.  ·      Same familiar spots ·      Same excuses ·      Same half-ass preparations ·      Expecting different results ·      Doing the same things, in the same places, in the same way, yet still expecting different results The Truth: The surefire way to stay an average Western hunter is to keep acting like one. Today, we're talking about why average hunters stay average and breaking down four common pitfalls that keep hunters stuck year after year.   Hope is not a strategy. _________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE at Peax Equipment for a discount.  Treeline Academy Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive

In the last Thrive episode, I laid out some hard truths. Montana's deer herds are in trouble. The response to that episode was immediate, emotional, and a bit overwhelming.  Hundreds of comments, strong opinions, and a lot of understandable frustration from people who care deeply about Montana's deer herd. But here's the thing, pointing out the problems was only step one. Today's episode isn't about outrage; it's about your comments, ideas, and potential solutions. I'm going to address the biggest questions you asked, and then I'm going to lay out several ideas for your consideration. Doing nothing is no longer an option; we've been wearing that option out. _____________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE For A Discount and to show support for the Vodcast.  Treeline Academy Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive Understanding Mule Deer & Antler Point Restrictions: The Mule Deer Working Grouphttps://wildlife.utah.gov/pdf/mule_deer/mdwg-6_point_restrictions.pdf    

Have you ever seen something coming from a mile away? Yet, nobody does anything about it? Montana's deer herds didn't just disappear overnight. It wasn't random. This was a slow-motion train wreck, and the people in charge of the tracks, well, they stood there and watched it happen. That's Montana's mule deer story. From over 386,000 animals to under 250,000 in just seven years.  While other states pulled back and course-corrected, Montana kept feeding the tag machine.  Now they want a pat on the back for finally cutting a few nonresident deer tags? I mean seriously….. In this episode of the Thrive Vodcast, we will work through the numbers, policies, and patterns, and let you judge for yourself.  __________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE For A Discount and to show support for the Vodcast.  Treeline Academy Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive Fish and Wildlife Commission Votes Ro Reduce Nonresident Deer Licenseshttps://montanafreepress.org/2025/12/05/fish-and-wildlife-commission-votes-to-reduce-nonresident-deer-licenses/

There's one thing that will end a hunt faster than a blown stalk or busted gear—and that's getting cold and wet. Once extreme cold sets in and your feet start to go numb, your hunt is headed downhill fast. Yes, you can tough it out for a little while, but the truth is, you're on borrowed time and your hunt might already be over! I've been on enough late-season hunts to know this all too well.  Getting chilled to the bone doesn't happen by accident. Avoiding it requires intention and a systematic approach.   If you get it wrong, you're likely to end your hunt early.  In this Thrive episode, I'm breaking down five tactics that can help keep you warmer, drier, and more prepared for the cold days ahead on late-season backcountry hunts. __________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Code TREELINE For A Discount and to show support for the Vodcast.  Treeline Academy Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive Grakksaw – Use Discount Code Treeline https://www.grakksaw.com/ Peax Christmas Giveaway Video – Dumb & Dumberhttps://youtu.be/CNYo1hcFhAw?si=wJuwNJwyaiT8Rz6M        

Today's show is going to be a bit different, OK, a lot different. This Thrive episode isn't about hunt planning, elk strategy, or bear tactics. It's about something that comes up more than just almost anything else: Merging Western hunting & successful marriages, and what it looks like when one of you disappears into the wilderness for long periods of time.  I've been on over 100 podcasts, and I rarely get through one without being asked: "How does your wife handle the 100+ days your in the backcountry each year? "How do you keep your family on the right path when you're hunting that much?"  We are going to dive into that topic head-on. I invited the expert, my wife Amy, onto the show—she's lived it all with me. And today, we're going to sit down and talk honestly about what works, what's hard, and what we've learned navigating over two decades of adventure seeking, sometimes the hard way. We've had this conversation before, but never quite like this. I'll be honest, I might end up under the bus a few times. But if I do… It's probably because I earned it, and maybe you will benefit from it. I've broken the show into nine segments so we can work through this together—openly, truthfully, and hopefully in a way that helps you navigate life with your partner.  This is another one's real one. And I think it's going to hit home with a lot of Western hunters. Let's get to it. __________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources Use My Discount Code TREELINE at Peax Equipment. https://www.peaxequipment.com/ Treeline Academy Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net/ Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive  Hunting Marriage & Redemption – Mark & Amy Livesay – The Gritty Podcasthttps://youtu.be/IS5ni0xB7so?si=2nMfR5zYvu7fMJIy The Best Kept Secret In Elk Hunting? - Elk Shape Podcasthttps://youtu.be/jOFPGO9cPE8?si=_qNLnK2e76ys0dHD

In this special Live From the Hunt edition of the Thrive Vodcast, I sit down with my good friend Chiam — cameraman, hunter, freeze-dry fanatic, and world-class skinny-jean-wearing tech gear junkie. Warm weather has delayed the elk migration, the elk aren't cooperating, and we were grinding through long days deep in the backcountry. This was the perfect chance to dive deep into some "new" gear that truly performs in real backcountry conditions. From power bank myths, solar panel failures, daily food bag disasters, freeze-dried McGriddle experiments, and new tech that is changing how hunters film, glass, and stay powered — this is a full gear breakdown straight from the mountain. If you're a Western hunt gear guru, this Thrive Episode is for you! Let's get to it. __________________________________________________   Additional Thrive Resources   Use My Discount Code TREELINE at Peax Equipment. https://www.peaxequipment.com/   Treeline Academy Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline coursehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/treeline-map-toolkit-description   Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4   Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive   Harvest Right Freeze Dryershttps://affiliates.harvestright.com/2013.html   Renogy Backcountry Solar Panel 30Whttps://amzn.to/48ctUJF   Renogy 72000mAh High-Capacity Power Bankhttps://amzn.to/43IoMeM   Nitecore NB10000 Gen III Ultra-Slim Power Bankhttps://amzn.to/4ptikko   Hollyland Lark M2 Wireless Microphonehttps://amzn.to/4pp6mbe   DJI Osmo Namo Standard Combohttps://amzn.to/43EQg56   Flextail Zero Pump – 1.2 Ounceshttps://amzn.to/4ob2PMU   Flextail Portable Air Pump 2X – 3.3 Ounceshttps://amzn.to/43LMxTg   Aero Gogo Giga Pump Airhttps://www.aerogogo.com/   Epoch Outdoors Digiscope Mountain Maghttps://epochoutdoors.com/  

What happens when you give me the keys to the bus and let me run wild? I've been sitting on this pre-recorded episode for a while now. We are now  40 shows deep into this Thrive journey, so I figured it's the perfect time to drop it.   Brice Bishop, a good friend and the founder of Peax Equipment, and I sit down to talk about what he was thinking when he gave me the green light on this Thrive concept.    I think you will enjoy our fun conversation. We're on location, middle of the night, Red Lodge, Montana, and we're getting real about how Thrive started, where it's headed, and what this whole ride has really been about. _______________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive

If you hunt long enough, unfortunately, wounding an animal is going to happen. It's not a matter of if, it's when! It sucks. It's heartbreaking. It's real, and it just happened to me! What you choose to do next is where the story can take a sharp turn—for better or worse. In this Thrive episode, I take you deep into the thick—where hope fades and second chances are rare. A blood tracking dog named Maggie changed everything… and rewrote the ending of my Missouri whitetail hunt. This is the Thrive Vodcast, and this one's personal. ________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive⁠ United Blood Trackers TRAKR Application  The Hunting Public Podcast – New App To Help Find Deer A Million Bucks – Peax Exclusive Film Gritty Films  

Five years. Four hunters. One millionaire ranch owner. In the end, the Supreme Court said… "We're not taking the case."  In today's Thrive Vodcast, we're breaking down what this decision really means for Western hunters — and what you might need to know before stepping over that corner. Then, we switch gears to the most badass backcountry rifle I've ever carried — the Weatherby Model 307 Alpine Carbon. This show revolves around freedom, access, and true backcountry performance in the West. ______________________________  Additional Thrive Resources  Treeline Academy Google Earth Pro Toolkits – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net/treeline-map-toolkit-description Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4 Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive Weatherby Model 307 Alpine Carbonhttps://weatherby.com/store/model-307-alpine-mdt-carbon/ Shoot2Hunt Podcasthttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoUY--w-O03BY-P_ioBrpSQ          

This is part two of my conversation with the legendary Bearded Butcher Brothers. Scott and Seth take us from our elk hunt together back to the butcher shop and into one of the craziest chaos stories. A bison breaks loose from their White Feather Butcher shop and goes on a rampage through town! The whole family joined in the chase down, it is real, and it's hilarious. The storytelling is classic Bearded Butchers, raw, real, and 100% authentic. From hunting and meat processing to small-town mayhem, this Thrive Vodcast episode has it all. __________________________________________________  Additional Thrive Resources Treeline Academy Google Earth Pro Toolkits – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course) https://www.treelineacademy.net/treeline-map-toolkit-description Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4  Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive Bearded Butchers YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@TheBeardedButchers  Bearded Butchers Websitehttps://beardedbutchers.com/ Elk Hunting in Montana With The Bearded Butchers Part Onehttps://youtu.be/6XjIqq8wwZo?si=bPiPOjWRoDewMuSv Elk Hunting in Montana With The Bearded Butchers Part Twohttps://youtu.be/r7I5MibV3w0?si=YDJbv0OrG7aA-t6X

In this special edition episode of the Thrive Vodcast, I sit down with the legendary Bearded Butcher Brothers. Scott and Seth are the two men behind YouTube's most popular carnivore and butchering channels.  I'm blessed to call these two guys friends. They are not only masters in the butcher shop, they're passionate hunters, family men, and fantastic storytellers. We dive into our elk hunt together, DIY meat processing, and a few moments of chaos. It's raw, real, hilarious, and 100% authentic Bearded Butchers! You're going to love this one! __________________________________________________  Additional Thrive Resources Treeline Academy Google Earth Pro Toolkits – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)https://www.treelineacademy.net/treeline-map-toolkit-description Treeline Podcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/podcast-main--b42b4  Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archivehttps://www.treelineacademy.net/thrive Bearded Butchers YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@TheBeardedButchers  Bearded Butchers Websitehttps://beardedbutchers.com/ Elk Hunting in Montana With The Bearded Butchers Part Onehttps://youtu.be/6XjIqq8wwZo?si=bPiPOjWRoDewMuSv Elk Hunting in Montana With The Bearded Butchers Part Twohttps://youtu.be/r7I5MibV3w0?si=YDJbv0OrG7aA-t6X

That's a wrap for most of the western archery seasons. The bows are cased, the bugles have gone quiet, the bulls are becoming more reclusive, and now it's time to switch gears. We're headed into those late rifle elk seasons, and your entire approach needs to shift. Here's the thing! The elk have changed, and so should you! They're no longer rut-raging love machines; they've changed priorities, they're in winter preparation survival mode. To see success, we need to adapt and flow with those priority changes.  I'm making my final preparations for my late-season elk tags, and in today's vodcast, I'm breaking down four late-season focus principles that I use to help me find elk when the mountains turn quiet, cold, and cruel. ________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive⁠  ⁠Randy Newberg – How to Find Late Season Elk On Public Land⁠ ⁠Randy Newberg Fresh Tracks Channel

There's something about the magic of September! The elk bugles, the crisp mornings, the miles we grind, it's sacred ground for archery elk hunters.   In this Live From The Hunt Thrive Vodcast, I take you beyond the adrenaline and intense obsession of September. Yes, it's magic, it's important, but it's not "THE" important.  We dive into the obsession, the pressure, the expectations, and how to keep it all in perspective. This one's for the diehards, the dreamers, and the ones who live for the chase.  Just don't forget what really matters along the way! Let's get to it. __________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive

This episode is the first live from the hunt series! I'm on an archery elk hunt with Jeff Helm, Josh Smunk, and Brian Andrews.  Jeff is packing elk out, so Josh and I set down to record this live from the hunt episode.  Hope you enjoy it. ___________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠InitialAscent

The season is finally here, and I couldn't be more fired up. It's going to be a real test for me, but I would not want it any other way.  Before I head out into the Wilderness, I wanted to release a Live On Location episode I did with Corey Jacobson.  I was honored to sit down with Corey, he is one of the best elk hunters and arguably the world's best elk caller. Corey has forgotten more about elk hunting than I will ever know.  Every time I get to chat with him, I walk away with some fantastic elk nuggets, and this conversation was no exception. This episode is full of practical insight, honest perspective, some killer takeaways, and what really matters during an elk hunt.  Good luck with your season. ___________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive

In today's episode, we're cutting through the pack animal noise and answering one of the most common questions I get: What's the deal with pack llamas? What's all the hype? Are they really worth it? How do they stack up against horses, goats, or mules? Should you buy them? Can you rent them? Why llamas? I've spent the last decade building one of the most capable Western pack llama teams out there! I'm all in on llamas, and now nearly 40 llamas deep—and today, I'm going to show you exactly why these animals are true needle movers for serious backcountry hunters. Plus, I'll break down a new Grakksaw gear item that has solved one of the nastiest hunt-ending problems in backcountry hunting.  ___________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive Harvest Right Freeze Dryers Treeline Llama Operations Montana Llama Company Grakksaw – Use The Discount Code: Treeline

The Western seasons are firing up, and if you're not already prepping, you're behind the curve.  On this episode of the Thrive Vodcast, I'm diving into how I'm prepping for back-to-back steep terrain, high-stakes hunts, while rehabbing from torn quad surgery and turning 60 along the way. We review some killer gear upgrades, share a few strategy shifts, and review another juicy plot twist in Colorado's wolf reintroduction fairy tale drama.  Strategy, gear, and the truth behind the headlines ⁠______________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠(Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive⁠  Tricer RP Bipod – Use Code Treeline To Save  Initial Ascent GSI Microlite 1000  

Five Rules To Save Your Elk Season If you chase elk in the West long enough, you're going to face Hunt Area Paralysis. It happens when you pour all your effort and mental collateral into one so-called quote "money spot", only to pack in and find it stone cold. No fresh sign. No bugles. No Nothing. But you end up staying anyway, because you can't walk away from the mental investment you've made. That's the trap so many Western elk hunters find themselves in. They are anchored to a hunt area by emotion, not reality. And while you're stuck, the elk season clock is bleeding out. The fix? Five Hunt Paralysis Rules that give you options, and options can quickly turn pending failure into success. When plan A blows up, and it will! It's not about where you want the elk to be, it's where they actually are. ___________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠(Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive  Tricer Tripod – Use Code Treeline To Save GOHUNT – Use Code Treeline To Save On Insider Membership

After every season, I hear the same thing: 'Man, I wish I had prepared better.' Lack of preparation probably leaves more tags unfilled than poor shooting ever will. Today we're fixing that. We're diving into three elk-season preparations that can make or break your hunt, from mapping tech failures to motor-vehicle nightmares. This isn't the glamorous stuff people brag about on Instagram — but it's the work that decides whether you notch a tag or go home empty. These are the details that separate the 6% who punch tags from the 94% who don't. ___________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠(Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive

Welcome to Peax Thrive Vodcast Episode 26! This is another Live On Location episode, and I'm joined by one of the most intensely dedicated elk hunters I know—Dan Staten, the founder of ElkShape. Over the years, Dan and I have had some epic podcast conversations—and this one's no different.  If you know Dan, you know he is intense and doesn't cut corners. He's hands down one of the most disciplined and committed elk hunters out there. In this episode, we get into boots-on-the-ground scouting, elk nurseries, hidden water sources, rub lines, gear testing, and the evolving strategy behind early-season logistics. This isn't just another elk hunting episode—it's packed with real-world takeaways you can apply this season. __________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses⁠ - ⁠(Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠ ⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠ ⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive Elk Shape Podcast – The Best Kept Secret In Elk Hunting

Bear Spray "versus" firearm is the question we are going to tackle on today's Thrive Vodcast. It's a question of survival. If you spend time in grizzly country, you might only get one chance to get it right. We're not talking barstool debates or Instagram flexing. We're talking about what works when the chips are down and a grizzly bear is closing the gap at 30 miles an hour. When it comes to stopping a charging grizzly! Very few folks have done it, but plenty think they can and that they understand how extreme the situation will be! From what I have seen, the truth is that almost none actually do!    In this episode, we're unpacking and evaluating it all—real-world experience, real stats, real solutions. I've reached out to some experts for input, and this show might generate a few wake-up calls for backcountry hunters who might think they're ready when the nightmare comes calling. _______________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive⁠ Essential Wilderness – Is Bear Spray Better Than Gun Bear Spray vs Bullets: Which Offers Better Protection? by the US Fish and Wildlife Service Bear Spray or Bullets, by Lynn Dickerson Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, by Smith et al. BioOne Digital Library - Grizzly bear and American black bear interactions with people in Yellowstone National Park Montana Grizzly Bear Mortalities Report Razco Holsters – Bozeman, Montana Episode 514 – The Rich Outdoors Podcast - Hunting in Bear Country

Do you ever wonder why elk aren't where they're "supposed" to be? Everything looks perfect, but the elk are not there! This is part two of my Live On Location Thrive Vodcast with Cody Rich from the Rich Outdoors.  Everyone has opinions, and you have heard them before: go high, go deep, go remote.  While those are generally solid suggestions, they only work with the right features and, more importantly, the right conditions! In this Thrive episode, Cody and I continue our Live On Location conversation about high country pursuits and how to break down and understand moisture data in your hunt areas. This might be the elk locator you've been missing.  This episode is directly from the elk finding trenches.  _______________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive⁠ Episode 563: How to Take September Off with Mark Livesay – Rich Outdoors Podcast

This episode kicks off a brand-new format of the Peax Thrive Vodcast: Thrive Live On Location, and we're coming to you straight from the Total Archery Challenge in Red Lodge, Montana. Fair warning: this episode hits a little differently. I'm joined by Cody Rich — one of the prolific and sharpest E-Scouting minds in the elk finding game.   When we sat down, we swore we would not talk E-scouting… and then we couldn't help ourselves, and it didn't take long! This is Part One of a two-part conversation packed with real-world elk hunting insight, hard-earned lessons, and serious backcountry tactics we have never talked about before.  Cody and I tend to give away too much, and this time is no exception. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to succeed on public land, or what the future of elk hunting in the West is shaping up to be, you're in the right place.  _______________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses – (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive⁠ Bearded Butchers Montana Hunt Film Part One & Two Part One: https://youtu.be/6XjIqq8wwZo?si=NK8foBSxoQA23KIW Part Two: https://youtu.be/r7I5MibV3w0?si=MX3lbes8FTTY1RQM

Welcome to the Peaks THRIVE Vodcast! Join Mark Livesay as he redefines hunting podcasts for Western hunters. This unique show dives deep into essential strategies, tools, and tactics to elevate your hunting game. Expect insights on advanced e-scouting, hunt planning, DIY backcountry meals, gear reviews, and tech training—all tailored for success in the field. Each episode features two formats: in-studio discussions on Western news and hands-on demonstrations, plus real-time field recordings during hunts, sharing what works and what doesn't. With segments dedicated to pressing Western topics, this show is driven by your feedback and questions. Tune in for actionable advice and elevate your Western hunting experience! _______________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠⁠Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses (Use code THRIVE to save 20% on any Treeline course)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Treeline Podcast Archive⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Treeline Thrive Vodcast Archive⁠ Get The GAIA GPS Application Get On X Elite Membership