How To Plan Your First Western Hunt

2026-01-13

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Never hunted the West before? This episode is where you start.This is a full, start-to-finish breakdown of how to plan your first Western hunt without wasting time, money, or an entire season learning the hard way. We walk through every major decision — species, weapon choice, tag systems, budget, gear, scouting, and expectations — so you can stop overthinking and start taking action.This episode is designed to meet you where you are. Whether you’ve never stepped foot out West or you’ve gone once and want a cleaner, smarter process, this fr...

Never hunted the West before? This episode is where you start.

This is a full, start-to-finish breakdown of how to plan your first Western hunt without wasting time, money, or an entire season learning the hard way. We walk through every major decision — species, weapon choice, tag systems, budget, gear, scouting, and expectations — so you can stop overthinking and start taking action.

This episode is designed to meet you where you are. Whether you’ve never stepped foot out West or you’ve gone once and want a cleaner, smarter process, this framework gives you clarity on what to do next — and how to build hunts that fit your life, not your ego.

This is the foundation everything else at Drawn West builds on.

If this episode helped you, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a 5-star rating — it helps more hunters find the show. And if you know someone who’s always said “someday I want to hunt out West,” send them this episode. Follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram for more Western hunting strategy, planning, and real-world hunt breakdowns.

Up Next:
Watch our full Colorado Mule Deer Hunt where we TAGGED OUT on public land!

https://youtu.be/sIqJk35O7Bs

FREE Gear Checklist:

https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear

Connect with Brian Krebs
https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest

HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!
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00:00 – Why This Is the Start Here Episode

05:00 – Choosing the Right First Western Hunt

08:00 – Species & Weapon Reality Check

20:00 – Understanding Tags, Points & Draw Systems

30:00 – How to Pick a Unit Without Internet Noise

38:00 – Realistic Budget & Hidden Costs

48:00 – E-Scouting: Access, Habitat & Pressure

55:00 – Timeline: When to Apply, Scout & Prep

01:02:00 – Expectations, Mindset & Final Advice

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