In Pursuit

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 140: Elk Tactics: 10 Questions to Be Better Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Jason Phelps takes on 10 of the toughest elk hunting questions every serious hunter should ask. From calling strategies and terrain tactics to handling hung-up bulls and the mental grind, Jason breaks down exactly how he approaches each scenario in the elk woods. With decades of experience and countless bulls called in, he shares hard-earned insight into what works, what doesn’t, and why. Whether you're a new hunter or a seasoned vet, this episode delivers real-world advice without the fluff. Tune in for a no-nonsense look at the mindset, methods, and moments that define elk hunting at the highest level.

Learn more at https://www.treelineacademy.net/

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Ep. 139: Bear Baiting with Mark Livesay May 29, 2025

Show notes

With a few minutes left on the time clock in some states this spring to bear hunt, Dirks talks baiting statagies with Mark Livesay from Treeline Academy. They touch on escouting and dig in deep on Mark's favorite baiting tricks. If you have a little time left to hunt and were pondering if it's worth setting up a bait this late in the game, give this a listen and head out with bait in hand!

Learn more at https://www.treelineacademy.net/

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Ep. 138: Backcountry Safety with Jimmy Kits May 22, 2025

Show notes

This week's guest, Jimmy Gruenwald, aka Jimmy Kits, talks about getting the right items in your backpack's first aid kit. We talk tourniquets, quick clot, and more. Don't skip this episode - your life may depend on it!

Lean more at https://www.instagram.com/orionmedconsulting

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Ep. 137: A Tribute to My Mom May 15, 2025

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Inspired by Mother's Day, Dirk reflects on how his mom was there to support his elk hunting and deer hunting endeavors from the beginning.

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Ep. 136: Turkey Talk in the PNW with Chuck Carpenter May 08, 2025

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In this episode, I sit down with NWTF biologist Chuck Carpenter to talk turkeys in the Pacific Northwest. From tough mountain hunts to population trends and harvest models, we cover what it takes to sustain healthy turkey numbers—and how understanding their biology can make you a better hunter. We also dive into hunting during the “henned up” phase, calling strategies, and how pressure affects gobbling and decoy effectiveness. If you like mixing science with strategy, you’ll enjoy this one.

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Ep. 135: Beyond the Bugle with Jason Phelps May 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Jason steps away from just talking calls and hunting tactics to share a more personal side of the journey. Building Phelps Game Calls, chasing bulls every fall, being a dad and husband, and trying to juggle it all—it’s not always as clean or easy as it might look from the outside. He talks about burnout, learning lessons the hard way, what success really means to him now, and how his priorities have shifted over time. It’s a real conversation about the pressure, the passion, and trying to build something that lasts beyond the next bugle.

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Ep. 134: Initial Ascent with Joe Elliston and Dennis Stokes Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Jason sits down with Joe Elliston and Dennis Stokes of Initial Ascent to dive into the story behind their hunting pack company. They talk about what inspired them to start the brand, the hands-on prototyping process, and the rigorous testing their packs endured before ever hitting the market. The conversation highlights the innovation that sets their pack system apart, as well as where they're headed next in the world of high-performance backcountry gear.

Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls

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Ep. 133: Gear Reviews with Gabe Gerrish Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

Gear reviews and elk hunting go hand in hand. This week Dirk and Gabe Gerrish of Backwoods Pursuit talk about behind the scenes of his recent elk hunting film, "Chasing Tradition," and also the ins and outs of reviewing hunting gear.

Link to Gabe's website: https://backwoodspursuit.com/

Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls

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Ep. 132: Homesteading with Mark Bonnalie Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Everyday, hunters and sportsmen look at moving to the country and building a sustainable simple life. Dirk talks with long time friend Mark Bonnalie, aka "Modern Rural Civilian," about his origin story and the inspiration to sell everything and move to rural acreage and begin building their homestead.

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Ep. 131: Purpose Built Bullets with Madi Woodward Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

I'm back in nerd mode looking into bullet construction—how they perform at different distances, their accuracy, consistency, and what happens on impact. Instead of going down the rabbit hole alone, I’m joined by Madi Woodward from Nosler to break down “purpose-built” bullets and what to consider when selecting the right one. Plus, we’ll discuss Nosler’s line of suppressors and their impact on hunting and shooting performance. Tune in for an insightful conversation!

Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

Shop Phelps Merch

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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