The Mountain Dude Podcast
Welcome to the Mountain Dude Podcast, brought to you by Initial Ascent – where we share stories of grit, determination, and the relentless pursuit of growth. This is a space where backcountry hunting meets the deeper lessons of life – success born from struggle, and the art of carrying heavy loads more comfortably, both physically and metaphorically, through faith and perseverance.
The Mountain Dude Podcast
The E-scouting Guru and the Secrets to Elk Hunting Success: Mark Livesay
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On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Mark Livesay—the E-Scouting Master behind TreeLine Academy and one of the most respected educators in the elk hunting world. Mark has spent decades refining his system for digital scouting elk hunting areas and has taught thousands of hunters how to create detailed hunt plans before they ever set foot in the mountains.
We dive into Mark’s journey from pouring over topo maps to becoming one of the leading voices in e-scouting, elk hunting strategy, and hunt planning. He shares how technology like Google Earth, OnX Maps, and his own toolkits can give hunters an edge, but also why mental preparation, grit, and perseverance are just as important as any map or waypoint.
Topics we cover in this episode include:
● How to break down new country using e-scouting for elk hunting
● The importance of creating Plan A, B, C (and beyond) for every hunt
● Why llamas are game-changing pack animals for backcountry hunters
● The mental spiral: how mindset often makes or breaks a hunt
● Tips for rifle and archery elk hunters
● Why surrounding yourself with tougher hunting partners leads to growth
● Mark’s philosophy on never quitting early and how faith guides his approach to hunting and life
Mark also shares personal stories about 36+ years of elk hunting, running llamas in the backcountry, and how stepping into new terrain every season has sharpened his skills. Whether you’re prepping for archery elk season, looking to up your digital scouting game, or just want to learn from one of the most knowledgeable elk hunters alive, this episode is full of wisdom and practical takeaways.
Learn more at TreeLine Academy
Follow Mark on Instagram: @treeline_pursuits
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