Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

EXPLORE

Society & Culture

© 2024 PodJoint

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts211/v4/4c/59/e3/4c59e348-3603-48fc-236d-6941490bfc27/mza_17626743087450705070.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Cliff Gray

83 episodes

6 days ago

Grinding elk on Colorado’s Flat Tops is expert mode. I sit down with guide Cade Cole to break down exactly why this country punishes hesitation and rewards decisive shooting. We hit pressure dynamics, why elk “live” outside shooting hours, stand-hunt vs still-hunt on plateaus, when to take a marginal window, and the ethics of passing smaller bulls. We also get real on training that actually kills elk here: snapshooting, offhand reps, backpack or tree support, and separating when to use bipod...

Show more...

All content for Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray is the property of Cliff Gray and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Grinding elk on Colorado’s Flat Tops is expert mode. I sit down with guide Cade Cole to break down exactly why this country punishes hesitation and rewards decisive shooting. We hit pressure dynamics, why elk “live” outside shooting hours, stand-hunt vs still-hunt on plateaus, when to take a marginal window, and the ethics of passing smaller bulls. We also get real on training that actually kills elk here: snapshooting, offhand reps, backpack or tree support, and separating when to use bipod...

Show more...

Episodes (20/83)

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Hunting The HARDEST ELK TO KILL - Lessons from the Flat Tops

Grinding elk on Colorado’s Flat Tops is expert mode. I sit down with guide Cade Cole to break down exactly why this country punishes hesitation and rewards decisive shooting. We hit pressure dynamics, why elk “live” outside shooting hours, stand-hunt vs still-hunt on plateaus, when to take a marginal window, and the ethics of passing smaller bulls. We also get real on training that actually kills elk here: snapshooting, offhand reps, backpack or tree support, and separating when to use bipod...

1 week ago

33 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Lessons From Hunting 200+ Conflict Wolves with Greg Jones, Aerial Gunner

Greg Jones has killed over 200 wolves across Idaho and the West. In this episode, he reveals what most people don’t understand about wolves—how they hunt, how they impact elk and livestock, and what’s about to happen in Colorado. From ranch conflicts to wildlife collapse, this is the unfiltered truth about wolf management from a man who lived it. Greg Jones – Retired trapper and aerial gunner with over 200 wolf kills across Idaho and the West. Expert in predator management and livestock conf...

3 weeks ago

1 hour 16 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

How to Track, Call, Shoot and Kill More Elk — Field Lessons from Guide James Nash

In this episode, I sit down in person with James Nash, veteran elk guide and host of the 6 Ranch Podcast. We go deep into elk behavior, calling strategy, and tracking wounded bulls — including what 100 miles of real-world blood trails have taught him. We also talk about gear, generational elk knowledge, and how to adapt your calling to changing elk behavior. If you hunt elk, this one’s worth every minute. James Nash — veteran elk guide, lifelong outdoorsman, and host of the Six Ranch Podcast...

1 month ago

1 hour 7 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Hunting to Rebuild Your Mental Health – Dr. Ben Peery

Hunting can be life-changing. In this episode, Cliff Gray sits down with Dr. Ben Peery – ER physician and Chief Medical Officer of INVI Mind Health – to dive deep into mental health, resilience, and why hunting affects people so profoundly. They discuss HRV (heart rate variability) as a measurable way to track stress, how the backcountry accelerates personal growth, and why camaraderie in hunting camps creates unmatched bonds. The INVI app mentioned - https://invimh.com/ --- FOLLOW CLIFF You...

1 month ago

1 hour 6 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Q&A With Elk Hunting Guide – 30+ Questions on Gear, Access, and Strategy

A full-length hunting Q&A pulled from the livestream I hosted 9/17/2025 alongside a massive elk hunt and gear giveaway. Over the course of nearly two hours, I tackle 20–30 questions from hunters on topics ranging from elk strategy, private vs. public land access, and calling setups, to logistics like processing, packing out meat, and cooler space. 👉 Sign up for the Hunt Squad free tier at https://pwchuntsquad.com/ to join future livestreams and submit your questions. You’ll hear i...

1 month ago

2 hours 6 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Lampers Poaching Charges + Mid-September Colorado Elk & Bear Update

First half: my take on the Ryan Lampers situation—innocent until proven guilty—and the bigger pattern I’ve seen for decades in guiding: economic incentives, ego, and the short-game mindset that pushes people into bad decisions. Play the long game. Be transparent. If you wouldn’t do it with a drone over your shoulder, don’t do it. Second half: Colorado updates from the last 10–12 days. Elk are generally lower and around water; bugling where densities are decent. Archery conditions look good ...

1 month ago

16 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

What Actually Helps? - Elk Hunting Seminars, Online Courses and DIY Hunt Experience with Jim Bortz

Elk hunting isn’t just about gear—it’s about fitness, mental toughness, and knowing when to push. In this episode, I sit down with Jim Bortz, a wildlife artist and lifelong hunter who transitioned from whitetails to chasing bulls in Wyoming. We dig into the realities of elk hunting: fitness that actually matters, the urge to quit (and how to overcome it), solo hunting challenges, and what courses really move the needle. Jim has participated in my courses, courses with Ryan Lampers, Elk 101, t...

2 months ago

1 hour 24 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Bear Defense Holsters And Pistols - Chest Harness vs Belt vs Bino Harness

In this episode I sit down with Tim Anderson, founder of Invader Concepts, the holster company behind the chest rig I wear. We dig into the real pros and cons of carrying a pistol in the mountains—under your bino harness, attached to the harness, on your pack belt, or on your hip. We also dive deep into the cartridge debate for bear defense: revolvers vs semi-autos, capacity vs stopping power, and why 10mm has become the dominant choice. Tim shares insights from thousands of customers and hi...

2 months ago

1 hour 14 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Calling Doesn't Kill Bulls - Calling Setups Do!

Most hunters obsess over bugles, cow calls, and making the “perfect sound.” The truth? None of that matters if your setup is wrong. In this episode, I break down the single most overlooked factor in archery elk hunting—the setup. I cover why setups matter more than calling, how bulls actually “see with their ears,” and why closing the distance before you ever touch a call is what doubles or triples your odds of success. You’ll hear about the mistakes I see over and over again in the elk...

2 months ago

59 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Rifle Design, Drop Tests & Shooting Better with Aaron Davidson of GunWerks

Cliff Gray talks with Aaron Davidson of Gunwerks about the realities of rifles, optics, and hunting culture. They tackle controversial topics like long-range hunting, cartridge choice, and why most hunters fail in the field. Aaron explains how training, rifle setup, and ego all play into success. A must-listen for elk hunters, riflemen, and anyone serious about improving their shooting. Aaron is the Owner and Founder of GunWerks - https://www.gunwerks.com/ --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - htt...

2 months ago

2 hours 11 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Search & Rescue Reality of Elk Country – SAR Veteran Mike Kuper

What really happens when you hit that SOS button in the Colorado backcountry? Cliff sits down with Mike Kuper, Rifle Police Lieutenant and longtime search and rescue member, to uncover the hard truths of SAR operations in elk country. From delayed response times and helicopter limitations to the gear and mindset every hunter needs, this episode pulls back the curtain on survival and rescue. Whether you’re elk hunting, backpacking, or just pushing deep into public land, these lessons could sav...

2 months ago

1 hour

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

How ANY HUNTER Can Call In Bears - Complete How-To

This isn't going over a tactic that sometimes work, this is a complete how-to that will get you calling in bear on the majority of your setups in bear areas. Bear calling is one of the most misunderstood hunting tactics, and most hunters get it wrong. In this episode, Clayton and Ben of share years of field-proven strategies for using predator calls to bring in bears. We cover call choice (including the fawn-in-distress), optimal duration and volume, how wind and terrain affect bear response...

2 months ago

1 hour 9 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Risk, Failure, and Real Adventure — Cliff and Pedro Ampuero Talk Extreme Hunts

In this episode of Pursuit With Cliff, I sit down with Pedro Ampuero — a hunter who’s pursued game in some of the world’s toughest places. We talk about his buffalo hunt in Uganda, where he wounded a bull with his bow and later came back to finish the job on the same animal. Pedro shares how that experience shaped his views on accountability and persistence in hunting. We also dive into hunts in Pakistan, life balance, failure, gear, and the challenges of depicting hunting to the non-hunter v...

3 months ago

1 hour 15 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Q&A With Cliff - Public Land Elk, Gear, Solo Archery Setups, E-Scouting Traps and More...

This livestream was packed with answers to real elk hunting questions—especially for those grinding it out on public land. I covered everything from base camp vs. backpack hunting, how to hunt pressured elk, overlooked e-scouting truths, fourth rifle strategy, dealing with private land boundaries, bear recovery tips, and more. You’ll get clear insight into what actually matters in the field: where elk go when pressured, how long to wait after sheep grazing, when to use the gutless method, and...

3 months ago

1 hour 41 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

The Art of Hunting Giant Bulls and The HornScore App - Jay Scott and Blake Cannon

Jay Scott joins me to talk real elk hunting strategy and ideas—from calling mistakes to private land access and the broken public land model. We also dig deep into his new HornScore app, designed for hunters who want to field judge better and track scoring data. Whether you’re chasing 250” bulls or 400” legends, this is a masterclass in elk hunting and scoring. Blake Cannon, joins to demo the tool and explain why it’s more than a scoring app—it’s a data platform for smart hunters. Th...

3 months ago

2 hours 7 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

How To NOT DIE While Elk Hunting — Real-World Tips from Mountain ER Doc Dr. Ben Peery

Cliff sits down with Dr. Ben Peery, emergency physician in Glenwood Springs, CO — smack dab in the middle of elk country — to talk real-world wilderness emergencies hunters face. From penetrating wounds, arterial bleeds, busted ribs, and altitude sickness to how your fancy first aid kit might be dead weight, this is advice that could save a life. Learn what minimalist gear belongs in your pack and how to actually use it when it matters. Plus, hear true rescue stories from Colorado’s ba...

4 months ago

1 hour 25 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

How Elk Use The Wind - And How You Can Use It To Kill Them

Think you understand wind and elk hunting? Think again. In this no-BS breakdown, Cliff reveals how elk truly use wind and scent as both a confirmation tool and a tripwire. From ambush tactics to spot-and-stalk strategies, you’ll learn how to think like an elk and flip the script on wind to your advantage. This is the stuff that separates the 5% of hunters who consistently kill elk from the other 95%. 👉 Check out Cliff’s online elk hunting course at https://pursuitwithcliff.com/elk --- FOLLO...

4 months ago

30 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Pick A Shooting Course and The Shoot2Hunt Review

I just got back from the Shoot2Hunt course in Montana—six days, over 1,000 rounds fired, and one of the most useful shooting experiences I've ever had. In this video, I break down my full review of the course and give you a framework for evaluating any shooting or hunting course before dropping serious money on it. --- FOLLOW CLIFF YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/PursuitWithCliff Pursuit With ...

4 months ago

41 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

What is Biltong? Making it At Home and Why It Isn't Jerky - with SJ

SJ from Biltong Depot joins to discuss the art and science of biltong, how it differs from jerky, its nutritional benefits for hunters, and how he brought authentic South African biltong to America. We also cover DIY biltong making, backpacking with biltong, and using it on a carnivore diet. Biltong Depot - https://biltongdepot.com/?ref=CLIFFGRAY - Code CLIFFGRAY for 10% off SJ, Owner of Biltong Depot. South African native bringing authentic biltong to the U.S. (biltongdepot.com) --- ...

4 months ago

1 hour 11 minutes

Pursuit With Cliff - Cliff Gray

Becoming a Back Country Hunter at 65 - Tim's Journey

In this episode, I sit down with Tim McDonald—who started hunting at 64 and killed his first bear at 65 on a backcountry hunt in Idaho’s Selway Wilderness. We talk about what triggered his late start into hunting, his year-long preparation process, the physical training and gear purchases, how he overcame “first shot” nerves, and why hunting has completely transformed his life. If you’re an adult-onset hunter, especially over 40 or 50, this episode has real-world advice you can apply immedia...

4 months ago

53 minutes