Robby recently interviewed Rebekah Rafferty and Kevin Monteith at the Mule Deer Days in Rock Springs, Wyoming.  They talk about what a recovering mule deer herd looks like in the Wyoming Range and beyond.

Topics covered:

Collaring fawns specifically in recent wildfire burns
Determining mortality on adults bucks
What reaching carrying capacity really looks like

No matter where you hunt, there is something to be learned about recovering mule deer herds in this episode

Learn more about Rebekah Rafferty and her Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project

here

See all that the Monteith Shop does here

Monteith Shop – Advancing science and management, one data point at a time.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

    

Tipsy Tuesday#52 Drew Miles of Tricer takes us though some of their newest products. Drew explains the design phase, testing process, and releasing the product. Tricer micro panning, window mount, weighted glassing and shooting tripods, the new bipod and so much more are covered in this episode. Jace Johnson explains Arrow-ID the Black Ovis custom arrow builder. Phil Mendoza takes us though the 2nd annual Mile High Hunt and Fish EXPO on April 11th-13th. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and recaps the latest Western news.

Black Ovis Custom Arrow Builder-https://www.blackovis.com/arrow-id

Arrow ID Review-https://youtu.be/SKPPiFifs_0

Mile High Hunt and Fish EXPO- https://milehighhuntexpo.com/

 

Howl for Wildlife- Take Action

Check out Rokslides 2024 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2024-rokslide-edition/

Visit Rokslide's Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to Sam@Rokslide.com

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Recorded live at the Muley Fanatics Foundation Mule Deer Days in Rock Springs, Wyoming, Robby hosts author Brian Stephens and Outdoor Channel personality Cody Robbins. They talk about Brian's new book, "Winning with the Wild Life".  If you want to be not only a better hunter, but a better human, then this book is for you.

Brian explains why he wrote this book and shares some big buck mule deer archery hunts too. Cody pitches in with why Brian is the right guy to write this book. It's a book for the ages and will help hunters not only be more successful, but help us portray hunting in a positive light among the 75% of non-hunting Americans.

Winning with the Wild Life is an enjoyable read that sportsmen and women will enjoy.  Find you copy on Amazon here

Amazon.com: Books

Cody visited the Rokcast in 2024 with one of our top 5 downloaded episodes of the year: Hunting the Biggest Mule Deer on the Continent here

Hunting the Biggest Mule Deer on the Continent with Cody Robbins - Rokslide

https://www.rokslide.com/hunting-giant-mule-deer-with-cody-robbins/

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A different kind of episode today. We all agree breaking 200" of antler for a mule deer is pretty much the pinnacle of western hunting right now, but what if only half your body actually worked?  Robby hosts Jason Rindlesbach of Morgan, Utah on today's episode.

Jason has taken some great mule deer but the story he tells today is the one of his very best buck--grossing well over 200" and probably netting all-time typical--but it was the physical odds that Jason is overcoming to stay in the game for as long as God gives him that is inspiring. This episode will make us all think about our finite life on this planet.

So listen in to a great story about breaking 200.

You can follow Jason's instagram here Instagram

See his November 4th, 2024 post on this buck for more information.

 

Tipsy Tuesday#51 Jeremy Dugger on killing coyotes and saving deer. Jeremy explains how a group of friends sharing information on coyote hunting stands has hugely impacted his local deer units. Jeremy takes us though his process of finding, calling, and efficiently killing coyotes. Mike Moore is back with his Argali Alpine sleeping bag review. Phil Mendoza takes us though the 2nd annual Mile High Hunt and Fish EXPO on April 11th-13th. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and recaps the latest Western news.

Argali Alpine sleeping bag review-https://www.rokslide.com/argali-alpine-sleeping-bags-review/

Mile High Hunt and Fish EXPO- https://milehighhuntexpo.com/

 

Howl for Wildlife- Take Action

Check out Rokslides 2024 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2024-rokslide-edition/

Visit Rokslide's Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to Sam@Rokslide.com

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here.

We're talking Colorado Bucks on today's Rokcast.  Robby hosts Brandon Diamond, the Area Wildlife Manager for Colorado’s Gunnison Basin. Like previous episodes he’s been on, Brandon brings a depth of knowledge and experience to managing Colorado’s mule deer. They talk about buck survival after the 5-year plan, and its effect on buck:doe ratios, age class, and more.

They also talk the challenges of managing for a variety of users with increased technology, communication among hunters, and why the rifle seasons in the next 5-year plan didn't move much earlier, even though there was support from the CPW for this change.

They also talk about the number of Gunnison Mule Deer deer licenses issued under the current limited quota management verses the OTC management this system replaced in the late 1990s, including buck to doe ratios.  You might be surprised at this data! It's all about Colorado Bucks on today's episode.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app+

You can listen to previous episodes with Brandon Diamond here

Gunnison Mule Deer and Beyond with Brandon Diamond - Rokslide

and here

Colorado Buck Hunting in 2023 - Rokslide

 

Robby hosts RokStaffer Josh Boyd for a Western States Winter Update.  Josh is a professional Hydrologist and keeps a close eye on snowpack across the West. He's a frequent guest on the Rokcast because he is a great resource when determining how the weather affects our big game animals, especially mule deer.

Today, Josh will be giving a West-wide Snowpack update and talk about other water issues like Snow Water Equivalent, Soil Moisture vs. the Drought Monitor, a dying La Nina and more.

Please welcome Josh back to the Rokcast for your Western States Winter Update

See snowpack map here:

Snowpack and Precipitation Index Maps | Natural Resources Conservation Service

Snowpack Maps (usda.gov)

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

    

Tipsy Tuesday#50 HOWL for Wildlife on the Offensive features strategist Mike Costello. Mike walks us though the current state of affairs and outlines where hunting can be in 5 years. Learn how to help HOWL for Wildlife go on the offensive to give wildlife management back to the professionals in Colorado. The team from Zero Fox Given joins in to tell what they are all about. Luke Schultz takes us though his Pomoly Circle 6 tent, and Rich Cotte from First Hunt Foundation tells us about some opportunities to give back. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and recaps the latest Western news.

Zero Fox Given LLC- https://zerofoxgivenllc.com/

POMOLY CIRCLE 6 Review- https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/pomoly-circle-6-review.385914/

First Hunt Foundation- https://www.firsthuntfoundation.org/

Howl for Wildlife- Take Action

Check out Rokslides 2024 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2024-rokslide-edition/

Visit Rokslide's Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to Sam@Rokslide.com

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here.

With good fawn to doe ratios being reported in multiple western states, Robby talks about how he uses this information to decide where to hunt now and in the future.

He also jumps into other topics:

The National Deer Association report on shifting hunter harvest to more mature bucks

You can read that report here

Mature Buck Harvest Rises to Another New U.S. Record

https://deerassociation.com/mature-buck-harvest-rises-to-another-new-u-s-record/

Also, Robby shares four gross scores from mule deer vs. their lab age results, sent in from a listener. The bucks ranged from four to seven years old. The size of their antlers vs. their age might surprise you.
Robby also talks about the slider feature on the National Drought Monitor in anticipation of his upcoming episode with Josh Boyd, Hydrologist for U.S.F.S, on the water season update for 2025 in the next few weeks

You can link to the Drought Monitor here

Comparison Slider | U.S. Drought Monitor

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/ComparisonSlider.aspx

Learn about fawn to doe ratios and a lot more in this latest episode.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

    

Tipsy Tuesday #49 Gear Straight from the Expo in Salt Lake City Utah. After roaming every nook and cranny at the Expo here's some gear you might have missed. The newest and best water filtration systems, delicious freeze-dried food, innovative digiscoping setup, micro panning ball head, minimal effort European mounts, supporting veterans in need. All that and more in this Gear Straight from the Expo episode. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and recaps the latest Western news.

Hardside Hydration-https://www.hardsidehydration.com/

Grakksaw- https://www.grakksaw.com/

Kapture Gear- https://kapturegear.com/

Trail Goods Co- https://trailgoods.co/

Wiser Precision- https://www.wiserprecision.com/

Grayl-https://grayl.com/

SGT. Daniel Gurr Foundation-https://www.danielgurrfoundation.org/

 

Howl for Wildlife-https://www.howlforwildlife.org/take_action

Check out Rokslides 2024 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2024-rokslide-edition/

Visit Rokslide's Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to Sam@Rokslide.com

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here.

 

Bonus episode! Due to Western Hunt Expo, we're a bit late getting this to the Rokcast listeners. Idaho released their Idaho Mule Deer proposals to grow more big mule deer, recently. Problem is, now you only have 4 days to comment on these proposals to grow more big bucks. Robby hosts David Vedder of the Southeast Idaho Mule Deer Advisory Group. David explains the proposals they want to send to the Idaho Fish and Game commission if the public approves them, but the comment period is only open until Sunday 2/23/25. This is your chance to have a say in your mule deer hunting future. The Idaho Mule Deer proposals are some of the most aggressive ever to come out of Idaho to help grow more big bucks. So listen to the episode and then head over to

Southeast Region Deer Proposals | Idaho Fish and Game

here

https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/big-game/seasons/southeast/deer

to leave your comment.

There are also proposals for all of the 7 regions in Idaho that you can comment on.  Both residents and non-residents can have their voice heard.

The episode with Idaho Biologist Eric Freeman mentioned in this episode can be found here

Idaho Mule Deer Management with Eric Freeman - Rokslide

https://rokslide.com/idaho-mule-deer-management-with-eric-freeman/

If you've ever wondered what mule deer eat and what it looks like, today's episode is your huckleberry (possible pun intended).

Luke Schultz is a Habitat Biologist for the Wyoming Game and Fish and a wealth of knowledge for mule deer hunters (listen to his last visit on the Rokcast here Mule Deer on the Edge).

Luke and Robby dive into identifying the major (and some minor) plant types that mule deer in the Intermountain West and beyond eat throughout the year.  It's an in-depth discussion that also includes a visual aid: A complete thread on Rokslide.com's mule deer subforum. You can see many of the plants they discuss in this episode here

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/plants-every-mule-deer-hunter-should-know.395040/
Plants every mule deer hunter should know:


Big Sage Brush
Bitterbrush
Oak Brush
Aspen
Serviceberry
Mountain Mahogany
Sticky Geranium
Willow

and more.

Learning what mule deer eat is one of the top questions Luke Schultz and Robby get from mule deer hunters and this episode aims to answer that question.

There is also a sweet app available that can help you identify plants. Check it out here. Wyoming Wildflowers on the App Store

Also, if you're an iPhone user, your camera app has a plant identifying feature. Just snap a photo of any plant, and look for a button to auto-populate at the bottom of the image.  It's an " i " inside a circle.  Press that and it should link you to a suggested plant species/genus.  It's not perfect, but a great way to start learning about what mule deer eat.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

    

Tipsy Tuesday#48 Everything Argali with Brad Brooks, takes though the origin, and thought process behind Argali Outdoors products. Everything Argali gives Brad's take on best uses of each shelter, gives up the details the new sleeping bag, and even dives into knife design. Brad closes with Argali's vision of the future and ways customers can impact those designs features. Rokslide member Kyle Sandusky reviews the SecureIt Agile Model 52 Pro. Brad Carter joins in to tell us about MTN HNTR out of Afton Wyoming. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and recaps the latest Western news.

Lea's Bighorn Sheep

Ultralight Tripod Review

Selway 6P Review

Yukon 8P Review

Alpine Sleeping Bag Review

Carbon X Trekking Pole Review

Howl for Wildlife

Check out Rokslides 2024 Best Gear- Here

Visit Rokslide's Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to Sam@Rokslide.com

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here.

Robby hosts Marc "muleyslayer" Smith on today's Rokcast.  They talk about their upcoming QnA session at the 2025 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City February 13-16th Western Hunting & Conservation Expo – This is Conservation!

They also get into Marc's evolution as a buck hunter.  With the sharp and noticeable decline in mule deer buck numbers in the Colorado units Marc has traditionally hunted, he's changing his mindset on just what he'll pull the trigger on in the near future.

Most hunters come to this crossroads in their lifetime and it's a good listen to hear Marc talk about his journey and his future.  This mindset could be good for conserving mature mule deer bucks for the future.

We'd love to see you at the Expo Salt Lake City. Our seminars are scheduled for Friday 2/14 at 5:30 PM and Saturday 2/15 at 4:15 PM in room 150G. All seminars are free. You can download the Hunt Expo app here for full seminar schedules and so much more: Free Seminars – Western Hunting & Conservation Expo

Hope to see you there.

Correction to note: The QnA Seminar on Saturday not the final Seminar. Remi Warren comes on at 5:30 PM so be sure and stick around for that. 

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

    

 

Image Courtesy of Blacktail Deer Foundation

Another ADD episode from Robby today. He's all over the place from old mule deer books, to listener feedback on the 2024 mule deer rut, to a brighter future for the Blacktail Deer with the creation of the Blacktail Deer Foundation.

Robby also mentions a great mule deer film from a great mule deer hunter that you're gonna wanna watch.  Jared Bloomgren just released his short film "Monster Buck with the Mach 30 on Public Land".  Besides his Mach 30 PSE bow, he walks us through a recent hunt where he took a good mature mule deer in coulee country here Video Link - Mule Deer Archery Hunt | Rokslide Forum

From the moon's effect on the mule deer rut to getting better venison through dry-aging, to making venison jerky to supporting the Blacktail Foundation, you'll be a better deer hunter for listening in to today's Rokcast.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

    

 

Tipsy Tuesday#47 Draw Strategies with Robert Hanneman of Hunting Fool. Find out how to use On X Elite tools to build 5-year, 10-year, and longer-term draw strategies. Robert explains the difference between Hunting fool memberships and OnX Hunt Elite tools and the benefits of each. Robert and Sam dive headfirst into the Wyoming elk application and what you need to know before you apply. Rokslide member Torin Miller reviews the Coros Vertix 2 GPS watch review. Brock Akers is back with a First Lite 308 pant review. Initial Ascent co-founder Dennis Stokes talks packs and new products Rokslide review here. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and recaps the latest Western news.

Tipsy Tuesday #37 Youth Hunting Opportunities

Hunting Fool Draw Deadlines

Complete Grand Slam Raffle

Initial Ascent Cliff Test

Howl for Wildlife

Check out Rokslides 2024 Best Gear- Here

Visit Rokslide's Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to Sam@Rokslide.com

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here.

A guy meets a lot of people on a hunting forum.  While you need a good BS detector on forums, you can meet some very knowledgeable people on the interwebs.  Robby hosts Rokslide forum member Aaron Tammi on today's episode.  Aaron has years of experience in maximizing bowhunting accuracy, competition shooting, and running arrows through the vitals. Robby's always on a quest to improve his archery skills and after giving "heavy" arrows a try, he's going back to his roots: reasonably lighter arrows with more speed. So far he's liking what he's experiencing, including a noticeable increase in accuracy at his Maximum Effective Range.  Listen in as Aaron and Robby break down why--all other things being equal--a faster arrow can mean better bowhunting accuracy.

It does no good to hunt your guts out and then blow the shot, and Robby knows the pain of the miss on big mule deer.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

    

 

Robby hosts Woodrow "Woody" Myers on today's episode. Woody was a wildlife biologist for the state of Washington for 40 years before retiring and joining the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Commission members | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife He's been instrumental in conserving mule deer in Washington and has a deep historical perspective on challenges for mule deer in the Evergreen State. Woody helped pioneer net-gunning for mule deer, helped defeat development that would have killed critical winter range and migration corridors, and accomplished much more for mule deer. His latest battle is winning for hunters at the Washington Commission level. He explains the challenges he's up against and how hunters can help him help not only help mule deer in Washington, but all big game species.

Also joining the episode is Daniel Russell, Target Shooting Program Manager for Washington Department of Natural Resources Recreational Target Shooting | WA - DNR

Daniel brings a hunter's perspective to the episode concerning growing big mule deer and recruiting hunters to fight the challenges mounting against Washington hunters.

Listen in for some good perspective on managing wildlife in the Evergreen State of Washington. The net-gunning stories alone are worth the listen.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

    

The Best Gear of 2024.

Today's Rokcast features all the Rokslide Staff and their Best Gear of 2024 recommendations. Take a listen and see if your favorites made the list. You might just hear about something new that will make your 2025 season that much better.

Read the Best of 2024 Review here- Best Gear of 2024 Rokslide Edition - Rokslide

Visit Rokslide's Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to Sam@Rokslide.com

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here.

 

Tipsy Tuesday#46 NRL Hunter with President Travis Ishida along with top contenders Justin Crossley and Travis Bertrand. Find out what exactly NRL Hunter is, why it benefits hunters, how to get started, the basic required equipment, finally the tips and tricks to make you successful. Kyle Sandusky is back with a Seek Outside Twilight tent review. Matt Cashell pulls all the stops with his Kifaru KU4300 bag and ARK frame cliff test review. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and recaps the latest Western news.

NRL Hunter

Howl for Wildlife

Vote on the Rokslide best Hunting Photo contest below-

Whitetail Deer-2024 Best Whitetail Photo Contest, sponsored by First Lite

Check out Rokslides 2023 Favorite Gear- Here

Visit Rokslide's Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.

To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to Sam@Rokslide.com

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here.