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.

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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.

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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.

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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