What's up, elk hunters! This week I'm sitting down with Jacob Winn, and let me tell you—this guy had an absolutely banner year. We're talking about a double bull season: a great six-point with his bow AND another six-point during rifle season.
Jacob takes us through his entire 2024 elk hunting journey, from chasing big bulls in Idaho's rugged backcountry to navigating the ups and downs that come with archery season. We dive deep into his strategies, the mistakes he made (and learned from), and how persistence and putting in the days is what really separates successful elk hunters from everyone else.
What's up, elk hunters! This week I'm sitting down with Jacob Winn, and let me tell you—this guy had an absolutely banner year. We're talking about a double bull season: a great six-point with his bow AND another six-point during rifle season.
Jacob takes us through his entire 2024 elk hunting journey, from chasing big bulls in Idaho's rugged backcountry to navigating the ups and downs that come with archery season. We dive deep into his strategies, the mistakes he made (and learned from), and how persistence and putting in the days is what really separates successful elk hunters from everyone else.
This episode is packed with action—we're talking multiple close encounters, blown opportunities, and some absolutely clutch moments that'll get you fired up for next season. Jacob breaks down everything from scouting tactics to reading bull behavior, hunting with buddies, and knowing when to leave elk to find better elk.
Whether you're a DIY archery hunter grinding it out or a rifle hunter trying to find bulls in nasty late-season country, there's something in this episode for you. Let's get into it!
OnX Hunt - If you're not using the new LiDAR feature on OnX yet, you're leaving elk on the mountain. LiDAR gives you the ability to see micro-terrain in your topo maps—those hidden benches and terrain features that make all the difference in finding elk. Upgrade to OnX Elite and take your mapping to the next level. Better maps make you a better hunter. Head to onxmaps.com and use code TRO to save 20% off your membership.
Stone Glacier - Jacob and I both run Stone Glacier packs, and for good reason. The new Sky Archer 6400 is versatile enough to handle an 8-day backpack hunt or work as a lightweight day pack for bow hunting. These packs are built tough but weigh almost nothing. Check out the full line of Stone Glacier packs at stoneglacier.com—they've got something for every style of hunter.
Tricer - Fast, light, and simple—that's what Tricer is all about. From amazing tripods to bino mounts and their new bipods, Tricer makes gear that just works. I've been using the heck out of their bipod and it's helped me kill a lot of critters. Head over to tricer.com and use code TRO to save 10% at checkout.
Chapter Timestamps
- 0:00 - Intro & Meat Processing Talk
- 2:45 - Jacob's Epic Double Bull Season
- 5:30 - Getting Started: Jacob's Elk Hunting Background
- 8:15 - First Archery Season (2021) - 25 Days of Learning
- 12:00 - Adapting Tactics: From Calling to Open Country
- 16:30 - The Banner 2023 Season & Double Bull Success
- 20:45 - Learning from Failure: The Tough 2024 Archery Season
- 24:00 - Planning for 2024: Scouting & Drawing the Control Hunt Tag
- 28:15 - Opening Day Drama: The 348" Bull
- 32:00 - Noah Tags Out in 30 Minutes
- 35:30 - September Gets Tough: Reading Bull Behavior
- 39:00 - The Move to New Country
- 42:15 - Discovering the Mother Lode Basin
- 46:30 - Ten At-Bats in One Evening
- 50:00 - The Final Morning: Persistence Pays Off
- 54:00 - The Perfect Shot at 43 Yards
- 56:30 - Rifle Season: Finding Elk After the Storm
- 1:00:00 - Last Evening Magic: Double Bulls Again
- 1:03:30 - Advice for Becoming a Better Elk Hunter
- 1:05:15 - Wrap Up & Where to Follow Jacob
Three Key Takeaways
- Volume of Opportunities Matters More Than Perfect Execution - Jacob's success came from getting 10+ close encounters with bulls rather than making every shot count. The more you can put yourself in position with elk, the higher your odds of success. Hunt as many days as possible and stay persistent.
- Don't Be Afraid to Leave Elk to Find Better Elk - Especially in archery season, pressured or difficult-to-hunt elk aren't worth grinding on forever. Jacob's best success came when he was willing to move to new basins and find unpressured bulls that were actually killable. Combat hunting changes the game.
- Bulls Have Different Personalities and Situations Change Daily - Not every rutting bull acts the same way. Some go crazy on opening day, others stay cautious all season. Wind, cow cycles, pressure from other bulls, and even individual personality all factor in. Stay adaptable and don't expect bulls to behave like they do in hunting videos.
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