Sports

Drawn West

Drawn West is for the hunters who load the truck each fall — chasing bugles, big country, and something deeper than just filling a tag.
Host Brian Krebs dives into tag strategies, gear prep, and real-world advice to help non-resident hunters make the most of limited time out West. Each episode features expert guests and gritty stories from hunters you’ve never heard of — the kind who get it done with one week, one tag, and no excuses.

Latest Episodes:

Wyoming Elk Applications 2026 Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Apply, skip, or just buy a point — this is how to make the right Wyoming elk decision in 2026.

In this GOHUNT Bonus Episode of the Drawn West Podcast, Brian breaks down everything non-resident hunters need to know before applying for a Wyoming elk tag in 2026 — including deadlines, costs, point strategy, and when it isn’t worth applying.

This episode covers how Wyoming’s elk system really works, from the confusing regular vs. special draw and preference vs. random pools, to tag types, regions, group applications, and realistic draw odds at every point level. Brian also explains why Wyoming’s early deadline and full upfront payment change the math for many hunters — especially those with low point totals — and offers honest guidance on when to apply, when to skip, and when to simply buy a point later in the year.

If you’re trying to decide whether Wyoming fits into your 2026 elk plan, this episode gives you the clarity to make a smart call instead of guessing.

Key Takeaways:

• Non-resident Wyoming elk deadline: February 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM MT

• Upfront cost required: Full tag + fees charged at application

• Draw results: Tentatively May 21, 2026

• Preference points: No longer automatic — must be purchased separately July 1–Nov 2

• Regular vs. Special draw: ~4-year point reduction for ~$1,250 more

• General tag reality: Now takes ~3–6 points depending on region

• When NOT to apply: Low-point hunters in South & West regions

• When to apply: Borderline odds (30%+) or high-point limited entry plays

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.

If this helped, leave a 5-star rating and share it with a buddy stressing over applications.

GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWESThttps://alnk.to/g3aa8L4

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
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00:00 – Wyoming Elk Deadline & Fees
02:35 – Preference Points Are No Longer Automatic
03:48 – How the Wyoming Elk Draw Works
07:25 – Wyoming Elk Tag Types Explained
09:45 – General License & Regions
12:15 – Group Applications & Point Averaging
13:54 – General Tag Draw Odds by Region
16:18 – Regular vs Special: Is It Worth It?
18:40 – Limited Entry Options by Point Level
21:03 – When You Should Skip Applying
23:25 – Elk Herd Health & 2026 Outlook
25:57 – Final Recommendation & Wrap-Up

Best of SHOT Show 2026 Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Inside SHOT Show 2026: the biggest hunting and shooting industry trends, gear, and surprises from the show floor.

SHOT Show 2026 just wrapped, and this was my first-ever SHOT Show experience—so I went in expecting a hunting trade show and walked into one of the biggest shooting sports and firearms industry events in the world.

In this episode, I break down what SHOT Show is really like, how it compares to other outdoor expos, and the new hunting gear, firearms technology, and outdoor products that stood out most this year. From suppressor-ready rifles and long-range cartridges to innovative hunting packs, coolers, blinds, and knives, this episode covers the products and trends that matter most to serious hunters.

I also share my Top 3 things from SHOT Show 2026, including:

• The new 7mm Backcountry cartridge designed for 20” suppressor-ready rifles

• Why Beretta’s 500-year history might be the most impressive story in the firearms industry

• Benchmade’s brand-new bi-metal blade patent that could change how hunting knives are built

If you’re curious about SHOT Show, the future of hunting gear, or what new products are actually worth paying attention to in 2026, this episode gives you a ground-level look from the show floor.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If this episode helped you, leave a 5-star rating and share it with a buddy heading west this fall.

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

Rifle Gear 101 Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

SHOT Show week in Vegas, so we’re doing something a little different: a throwback “Rifle Gear 101” episode from the Western Rookie days, republished here on Drawn West. It’s a full, practical walkthrough of what actually matters for a western rifle hunt: layering for chaotic October/November weather, keeping feet dry with gaiters, and building a clothing system you can mix and match instead of buying one “mega jacket.”

From there we get into camp comfort (truck-seat mattress vs. tent, propane vs. wood heat, and why warm food matters more the colder it gets), then the unsexy-but-critical stuff: tools, tow straps, shovels, chains, and spare tires so a broken rig doesn’t end your hunt.

We wrap with the “gear brain” section: kill kit + game bags, pack setup, glassing systems, and then a straight-shooting breakdown of calibers, bullet types, and rifle optics so you can keep it simple and still be effective.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

00:33 — Shot Show Week + Throwback Episode Plan

03:15 — Rifle Season Weather + Layering Strategy

12:59 — GOHUNT Draw Odds + Insider Plug

14:15 — Gloves + Cold-Hand System

16:23 — Camp Styles + Heaters (Propane vs Wood)

25:17 — Truck Tools, Straps, Chains, Spares

31:14 — Kill Kit + Game Bags + Pack Setup

41:26 — Glassing System: Binos, Tripod, Spotter

48:37 — Calibers, Bullets, and Rifle Optics Wrap-Up

How To Plan Your First Western Hunt Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Never hunted the West before? This episode is where you start.

This is a full, start-to-finish breakdown of how to plan your first Western hunt without wasting time, money, or an entire season learning the hard way. We walk through every major decision — species, weapon choice, tag systems, budget, gear, scouting, and expectations — so you can stop overthinking and start taking action.

This episode is designed to meet you where you are. Whether you’ve never stepped foot out West or you’ve gone once and want a cleaner, smarter process, this framework gives you clarity on what to do next — and how to build hunts that fit your life, not your ego.

This is the foundation everything else at Drawn West builds on.

If this episode helped you, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a 5-star rating — it helps more hunters find the show. And if you know someone who’s always said “someday I want to hunt out West,” send them this episode. Follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram for more Western hunting strategy, planning, and real-world hunt breakdowns.

Up Next:
Watch our full Colorado Mule Deer Hunt where we TAGGED OUT on public land!

https://youtu.be/sIqJk35O7Bs

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

00:00 – Why This Is the Start Here Episode

05:00 – Choosing the Right First Western Hunt

08:00 – Species & Weapon Reality Check

20:00 – Understanding Tags, Points & Draw Systems

30:00 – How to Pick a Unit Without Internet Noise

38:00 – Realistic Budget & Hidden Costs

48:00 – E-Scouting: Access, Habitat & Pressure

55:00 – Timeline: When to Apply, Scout & Prep

01:02:00 – Expectations, Mindset & Final Advice

Long Range Muzzleloaders Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Dogs running deer, a 200-yard muzzleloader shot, a misfire on the follow up, and an 8-point that somehow stood there forever… this one was chaos in the best (and worst) way.

Brian kicks off with two quick updates: the 2025 Colorado mule deer full film is live on YouTube, and a listener question from Joe that turns into a solid breakdown on picking your anchor elk state as a solo hunter. He talks rifle vs archery realities, why repetition matters more than “perfect” tags, and how he’d rotate Montana/Colorado (and maybe Idaho) to stack reps without waiting 10–15 years.

Then we get into Minnesota muzzleloader season: a herd gets pushed by two pet dogs, a big buck pauses at 200, the shot breaks, and the follow-up turns into click… click… click. Next morning: blood, pines, and a fast recovery—plus what this long-range muzzleloader setup has changed for his CRP farm hunts.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.

Watch the full Colorado Mule Deer Film:
https://youtu.be/sIqJk35O7Bs

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

00:00 Colorado mule deer full filmannouncement

02:08 Listener question: solo elkstruggles + point situation

04:35 What makes an “anchor elk state”

06:00 Rifle vs archery elk when you huntsolo

08:04 Why Wyoming general isn’t a truecornerstone state

10:24 Colorado as a cornerstone (pressure+ future changes)

12:43 Montana general strategy and the“point weirdness”

14:30 A practical rotation plan for elkhunting more often

16:49 Minnesota muzzleloader: whylong-range matters

23:08 Dogs push deer + the 200-yard shot+ misfire chaos

34:17 Blood trail, fast recovery, andseason wrap

11-Day Montana Ice Fishing Trip Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

An 11-day winter road trip, four Airbnbs, overloaded trucks, and some of the most remote ice fishing in the Lower 48.

In this episode of the Drawn West Podcast, Brian sits down with Matt Waldron to break down an 11-day western ice fishing road trip across Montana and Wyoming—what went right, what went sideways, and why destination ice fishing deserves way more attention from hunters and anglers alike.

Matt walks through the logistics of hauling machines, gear overload, rotating Airbnbs, and filming a full multi-episode series for Crappie Chronicles. They dig into the mental shift between hunting and fishing trips, why ice fishing feels more relaxed, and how preparation, flexibility, and experience keep trips like this from falling apart.

The conversation covers everything from remote lake trout fishing on Fort Peck Reservoir, destination walleye fisheries like Devils Lake, and why western fisheries offer a completely different experience than pressured Midwest lakes. Along the way, they get into gear systems, truck builds, safety in remote country, filming realities, and why nothing ever goes exactly as planned on long trips.

This episode is part trip recap, part strategy session, and part encouragement to think bigger—whether that’s ice fishing out west, planning destination trips, or simply getting more intentional about how you travel and prepare.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, leave a 5-star rating, and share the show on social media to help Drawn West keep growing.

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

Colorado Mule Deer Camp Part 3 Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

Brian and Abby are rolling home from Colorado (in the truck, somewhere around Iowa) wrapping Part 3 of their Colorado mule deer trip—and how the last stretch of the hunt actually played out. They break down a “mid-hunt sanity hack” (a rec center day pass for a legit shower), why they stayed committed to the same productive spot instead of gambling on new ground, and the one mistake that made the day feel way harder than it needed to be: forgetting the bino harness with all the critical little stuff in it.

The back half is the real meat—spotting two shooter bucks transitioning near private, making a 400-yard play on a solid public-land 3x3, and what happened after the first miss: follow-up shots, closing distance, and making sure the finish was quick and ethical. They wrap with pack-out lessons, why good packs matter, and the bigger takeaway: sometimes whitetail patience is the best mule deer strategy when deer are filtering off private.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

00:41 Part 3 context + Minnesota season overlap

01:50 Day 5 reset + the rec center shower hack

03:12 Staying with the same spot vs gambling new ground|

04:38 Forgot bino harness + why it mattered

08:21 Spotting shooters + the public-land 3x3 appears

12:04 Decision time: shoot now or wait for bigger

13:23 Shot sequence, follow-ups, and ethics

19:26 Pack-out realities + why good packs matter

23:55 Biggest takeaways: whitetail patience + tripod shift

33:22 Final wrap: heading home + “stay drawn”

Colorado Mule Deer Camp Part 2 Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Abbey's Tagged Out!

This episode picks up on Day 2 of our Colorado mule deer trip, where the pressure ramps up fast. We roll into our “close to private” ridge in the dark and find trucks, four-wheelers, and guys stacked on every knob. Instead of joining the circus, we bail back to our opening-morning spot, watch a solid three-by-three feed at 325–250 yards, and talk through why Abby decides to pass and keep building confidence.

Sunday turns into a bonus scouting day on the far side of the unit, where we find almost no people, a pile of deer sign, and even glass a mega three-by-three in somebody’s backyard—then decide to ride or die on our original ridge. By Day 4 the nerves are real, a buck walks past at 20 yards, Abby’s rifle misfires, and we have to troubleshoot sand in the bolt before the next chance.

When a big fork steps out on the pipeline at 325 yards, Abby settles in, holds high, and absolutely drills her biggest buck yet, followed by her first real pack-out.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

0:00– One Tag, One Week: Part Two Setup
0:42 – Day 2: Weekend Pressure and a Crowded Ridge
2:16 – Passing the First Real 3x3 Buck at 325 Yards
5:05 – Saddles, Private Fields, and Realizing He Was Bigger
7:10 – Sunday Scouting: New Country and a Backyard Giant
9:30 – Ride-or-Die on the Favorite Spot for Day 3
11:50 – Camp Routine, Hiking Faster, and Meeting Jake from Arizona
14:40 – Day 4 Mindset: “Any Buck I Can Make Happen”
16:20 – Misfire at 20 Yards and Fixing the Rifle
18:50 – Pipeline Fork at 325 Yards: Abby’s Shot
25:20 – Heart Shot, Photos, and Abby’s First Pack-Out
28:35 – Abby Tagged Out, Weather Worries, and Brian’s Turn

Idaho’s New Deer & Elk Draw Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

In this GOHUNT Bonus Episode of the Drawn West Podcast, Brian breaks down Idaho’s big move for 2026 as one of the last “over-the-counter” western states shifts non-resident general deer and elk tags to a full draw system. He walks through what’s actually changing, key deadlines (applications due December 15 at 11:59 p.m. MT), the new five-choice application rules, and how group applications work so your whole crew can still hunt together.

Brian also explains why this isn’t the end of the world for traveling hunters, why Idaho’s early-January results are still clutch for multi-state strategies, and how to think about your first and second choices under a random draw with no points. Then he dives into GoHunt’s Insider tools — Filtering 2.0, unit profiles, and trophy/harvest stats — and shows how to sort Idaho elk and mule deer units by success rate, public land, and trophy potential so you’re swinging for the fences smartly.

If you’re eyeing Idaho for 2026, this episode is your blueprint — plus a reminder that code DRAWNWEST gets you $50 in gear credit and 10% off most full-price gear in the GOHUNT Gear Shop when you join Insider.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.

GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWESThttps://alnk.to/g3aa8L4

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

0:00 – Idaho Apps Season Kickoff with GOHUNT

1:05 – Idaho OTC “Over the Counter” Myth

3:10 – 2026 Change: General Deer & Elk Goto Draw

5:20 – Deadlines, Time Zones, and LicenseRequirements

7:10 – Why Early January Results Matter forMulti-State Plans

9:30 – Non-Resident Caps, Quotas, andResident Priority

12:00 – Group Applications: Keeping YourHunting Crew Together

15:30 – How the Random Draw & FiveChoices Really Work

19:30 – Building Your Idaho Strategy: DreamUnits vs Realistic Picks

23:50 – Using GOHUNT Insider & Filtering2.0 for Idaho Elk

27:10 – Idaho Mule Deer Potential and SuccessRates

30:30 – Tag Prices, Travel Reality, and WhereIdaho Fits in Your Season

33:30 – Final Thoughts: Swing Big, Do theResearch, Stay Drawn

Colorado Mule Deer Part 1 Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

Abbey and I are recording this one straight from Colorado deer camp at the end of day one, and it already feels like we’ve been here a week. We walk through the whole road trip out from home, grabbing a Cruise America camper in Denver, rolling into camp at 11 p.m., then scouting all day Friday and hunting hard today.

We break down what we’re seeing so far: ridiculous deer numbers, a crazy buck-to-doe ratio, and more 4x4s and “shooter” bucks than I’ve seen on all my other mule deer hunts combined—just not quite on the public line… yet. We talk through the game plan for hunting public on the edge of big ag, waiting for the rut to really crack open and pull those giants up into the hills.

There’s plenty of campfire story stuff too: Abbey almost getting “eaten” by a fox she never saw, punching a tarantula-sized spider off her hand on a steep ridge, and why renting a cheap little camper might be the ultimate mid-November deer camp hack.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

FREE Drawn West Application Calendar

www.getdrawnwest.com/freeproducts
Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

0:00 – Live from Colorado Deer Camp
2:10 – Scouting Friday and Opening Day Expectations
3:30 – 500–1,000 Deer and a Ton of Bucks|
5:05 – Public vs Private and Rut Game Plan
7:40 – Low Hunting Pressure and Camp Neighbors
9:20 – Fox at 10 Feet and Midday Doe Action
11:30 – Bear Sign, Elk Tracks and Friendly Hunters
14:30 – Camper Setup, Heat, and Better Sleep
17:00 – Cold Mornings, Layers and Comfort Over Suffering
18:30 – Why This Might Be Brian’s Favorite Mule Deer Hunt Yet
20:20 – Mini-Series Plan and Day One Sign-Off

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