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.
Episodes
71 episodes
7 Years of Bowhunting Led to THIS Bull | IDAHUNT
Seven years of bowhunting. Countless hard lessons. Then one opportunity that made it all worth it.On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with two from inside Initial Ascent, Chase and Cody, to relive an unforgettable S...
The E-Scouting Guru and Secrets to Elk Hunting Success: Mark Livesay
This episode was so good that we had to run it again. 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 h...
Eight Hours of Stalking a Mule Deer… Then Everything Fell Apart: Chris and Rodger Pt 2
Chris Young and Roger Holscher continue their early-season hunting recap from the desert in Part 2 of the Mountain Dude Podcast.After days of difficult conditions and close calls, Chris finally locates a group of mule deer bucks and begi...
Two Misses, One Buck and a Brutal Start: Part 1- Chris and Rodger
Chris Young and Roger Holscher sit down from hunting camp to recap the highs and lows of early-season desert mule deer hunting.In Part 1, Roger shares the complete story of his archery mule deer hunt, including two painful misses, lesson...
He Chased This 193 Inch Mule Deer for Two Months: Brayden Staples
Brayden Staples joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to share the story behind his incredible 193 inch Utah mule deer and the months of persistence, close encounters and difficult decisions that shaped the experience.Brayden grew up hunting ...
Elk Calling Tactics for Every Phase of the Rut | Dirk Durham
Dirk Durham—better known as “The Bugler” from Phelps Game Calls—joins the Mountain Dude Podcast for a complete breakdown of archery elk calling strategies for every phase of September.From the quiet opening days of archery elk season to...
Elk Every Year- Secrets to Long-Term Success in the West: Zach Bowhay
Back by popular demand! We are re-airing this episode from Summer 2025 on how to kill elk EVERY YEAR! It's just in time for September!Zach Bowhay is one of the most consistently successful elk hunters in the West. In this...
How to Hunt Mature Mule Deer in Pressured Units | Martin Chag
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with mule deer hunter Martin Chag to break down what it takes to consistently find and hunt mature bucks in pressured, general units.Martin shares how older mule deer behave diff...
Building of THEORY1 with Jamieson Crast & Austin Miller
What does it take to build a premium rifle company from the ground up—and document the failures, risks, and hard-earned wins along the way?In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Dennis and Chris sit down with the guys behind THEO...
What Should You Actually Eat in the Backcountry? Kyle Camp
Backcountry nutrition can make or break your hunt—and expensive gear won’t compensate for poor preparation.Kyle Kamp of Valley to Peak Nutrition returns to the Mountain Dude Podcast to explain how hunters should fuel before, during, and...
Chad Mendes: The Preparation Behind Greatness
UFC legend Chad Mendes joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to talk about the mindset, discipline, and preparation that carried him from a small California farm town to the highest level of mixed martial arts.Chad opens up about starting wre...
How to Balance Hunting, Fatherhood, and Family: Chris Young
Hunting is about more than filling tags—it’s about the experiences, lessons, and traditions we pass down to the next generation.In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris records remotely after a 24-hour scouting trip with his ...
Grizzly Charges, Plane Crashes & 300 Days in the Field: Dan Whitmus
Professional hunter, guide, and lifelong outdoorsman Dan Whitmus returns to the Mountain Dude Podcast for one of our favorite conversations yet.With over 300 days a year spent in the field, Dan shares what it's really like to make a liv...
Don't Leave Dad at the Trailhead | Jake Arvold & Kaylee Stevens | First Phorm Outdoors
What if taking better care of yourself meant more seasons in the mountains with the people you love?In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down with Jake Arvold and Kaylee Stevens of First Phorm Outdoors to talk ...
Most Men Stop Living Before They Die: Red Beard Outdoors
What happens when a man refuses to settle for a life of comfort, routine, and simply going through the motions?In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down with Jonathan McCormick of Red Beard Outdoors to discuss ...
How to Actually Kill Big Mule Deer: Travis Nowotny
What separates hunters who occasionally get lucky from hunters who consistently find and kill mature mule deer year after year?In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young and Dennis sit down with Idaho bowhunter Travis Now...
The Man Behind Hunting's Best Stories: Luke Dusenbury
If you've watched hunting films featuring Brady Miller, Brian Call, Nate Simmons, John Gabrio, or projects produced alongside some of the biggest names in western hunting, there's a good chance you've already seen Luke Dusenbury's work....
Why They Started Filming Their Hunts and Never Stopped: Mtn2Mtn Media
On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with the crew behind Mtn2Mtn Media to talk about the passion, purpose, and chaos behind documenting life in the backcountry. From filming hunts with family and friends to building a grow...
The Battle Every Hunting Father Understands | Kevin Guillen
What happens when fatherhood, business, fitness, and western hunting all collide?In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down with Kevin Guillen from Wilderness Athlete to talk about the deeper side of hunting, ba...
From American Idol to Backcountry Elk Hunting | Sean Curtis
On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast presented by Initial Ascent, Chris sits down with Sean Curtis for one of the most honest and grounded conversations we’ve had on the show yet.Sean shares his journey from growing up in Wyomin...
How Faith, Fatherhood & Discipline Saved a Firefighter | Jared Thomas
On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast presented by Initial Ascent, we sit down with firefighter, bowhunter, father, and fitness coach Jared Thomas for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on the show.Jared shares his jo...
How to Build a Life Around Freedom and TIME | Cody Rich Of Bridger Watch Co.
On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast presented by Initial Ascent, we sit down with Cody Rich, founder of Bridger Watch Company, to talk entrepreneurship, elk hunting, building a company from the ground up, and the journey behind creatin...
How to Actually Find Big Mule Deer: Brady Miller
Brady Miller from GOHUNT breaks down what it really takes to become a consistently successful western hunter—and it’s not what most people think.In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with GOHUNT’s Brady Miller to tal...
24 Years of Work for One Phone Call: SEC Official Jeff Mikus
What does it take to spend 24 years chasing one opportunity and be ready when it finally comes?In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Mikus—a backcountry hunter and SEC college football official—to break dow...
Why Your Backcountry Cook System SUCKS (And How to Fix It): Chris Neville of Roughridge Stove Co.
Backcountry hunters know the struggle… piecing together a cook system that actually works when it matters most.In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Chris Neville, co-founder of Roughridge Stove Co., to break do...
