Bill Vanderheyden Debunks Myths About Long-Distance Accuracy

This episode is a deep dive into pronghorn hunting with Chance Marshall of Extreme Outfitters, a Wyoming-based guide who’s spent nearly two decades chasing and helping clients kill big antelope. We cover everything from how his family built their outfitting business to why pronghorn are one of the most misunderstood animals in the West. If you’ve mostly hunted deer or elk, this conversation will open your eyes to how different pronghorn really are, especially when it comes to behavior, visibility, and how they use the landscape.  A big chunk of this episode focuses on field judging, which is where most hunters get tripped up. Chance breaks down why mass matters more than length, how prong placement affects score, and why so many “good-looking” bucks end up being average once you walk up to them. We also get into practical strategies for actually finding better bucks, whether that’s covering ground early season, glassing large groups later in the year, or learning how certain areas consistently produce mature animals. We also dig into timing and tactics, including when pronghorn are most predictable, how the rut can actually make big bucks harder to kill, and what approaches work best for both rifle and archery hunters. There’s a lot of real-world insight here on spot-and-stalk versus waterhole setups, how to recover after blowing a stalk, and why pronghorn hunting is one of the best ways to sharpen your overall western hunting skills.  To wrap it up, Chance shares a few standout stories from the field, including one of the wildest pronghorn ever taken, and we touch on Wyoming draw strategy and what it realistically takes to hunt quality units. Whether you’re planning your first antelope hunt or trying to level up and be more selective, this episode gives you a much clearer picture of how to approach pronghorn hunting the right way. Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app If you want to get your animals aged, consider using new Rokcast sponsor, Matson's Lab. Matson's is the go-to for lab-aging your wild game and used by everyone on this episode. See all they do at https://matsonslab.com/ You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

Discover how Bill Vanderheyden debunks myths about long-distance accuracy with science-backed insights. Learn how intelligent design and aerodynamic research can transform your bowhunting precision. This episode covers key factors like vein size, arrow spine, and airflow to optimize your gear for consistent, lethal results. Perfect for bowhunters ready to unlock their setup's true potential and hunt with confidence. Phil Francone with Meindl USA jumps on to talk boots. Followed by Cervara Gear new innovative ultra lite pulley setup. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news. Iron Will Outfitters Iron Will YouTube Meindl USA Cervara Gear Cold Bow Challenge 2026 Howl for Wildlife- Take Action   Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/   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 [email protected]   [ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]

In this episode, Jaden Bales sits down with Luke Schultz to break down elk diets, habitat preferences, and how food availability shapes where elk live, move, and survive. Luke brings a unique perspective as a habitat-focused biologist who also spends plenty of time in the field hunting and scouting. They cover the difference between elk and deer diets, why elk thrive across the West, and how hunters can use plant knowledge to make better decisions in the field. This isn’t about becoming a botanist, it’s about paying attention and stacking small advantages to put you in elk.  The guys also hit a quick Wyoming herd update and talk about what current habitat conditions could mean for the next few seasons. If you’ve ever wondered why elk are in one basin and not the next, this one will help connect the dots and hopefully put more of them in your optics next fall.  If you want to follow along with Luke’s thread about “Plants Elk Hunters Should Know” here on the Rokslide forum. Learn about the upcoming Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Meeting here. Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app If you want to get your animals aged, consider using new Rokcast sponsor, Matson's Lab. Matson's is the go-to for lab-aging your wild game and used by everyone on this episode. See all they do at https://matsonslab.com/ You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a growing threat to wildlife in North America. This episode explores the disease's persistence in the environment and its impact on elk and mule deer populations. Jessica Jennings from Wyoming’s Wildlife Health Lab explains how CWD spreads and the challenges in managing it. They discuss new surveillance methods and the role of hunters and landowners in early detection. Advances like the RT-QUIC test offer hope for detecting CWD in live animals, potentially transforming management strategies. Experts Hank Edwards and Justin Binfet highlight the importance of proactive management and ongoing research into vaccines and environmental solutions. This episode is crucial for anyone interested in wildlife conservation. It emphasizes the need for immediate action and community involvement to combat CWD and protect North America's deer and elk populations. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news. Muley Fanatic Foundation Monteith shop fund raiser Luke Schultz's Rokslide article on identifying deer habitat 2026 cold-bow-challenge rules Howl for Wildlife- Take Action   Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/   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 [email protected]   [ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]

PC @bbrown What does 2026 hold for Wyoming's mule deer hunters? Are mule deer populations in Wyoming declining? What environmental factors are influencing their numbers and health? If you're a hunter, wildlife enthusiast, or concerned citizen, understanding the health and trends of mule deer can help you make informed decisions and advocate for conservation. In this episode, we dive into a detailed discussion with biologist Jeff Short, who provides expert insights into mule deer ecology, population trends, threats, and management strategies in Wyoming. Followed by Davis Tent and their latest innovations.  Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news. Muley Fanatic Foundation Monteith shop fund raiser Davis Tent Luke Schultz's Rokslide article on identifying deer habitat 2026 cold-bow-challenge rules Howl for Wildlife- Take Action   Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/   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 [email protected]   [ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]

In this compelling episode, Angi Bruce—Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Director and seasoned conservation biologist—shares the blueprint for a groundbreaking Mule Deer Conservation Strategy. She reveals how decades of efforts have plateaued, despite hundreds of millions already spent on habitat improvement, wildlife crossings, and research. The question is: what’s next when traditional methods hit their limit? Angi introduces a bold playbook that includes securing over $250 million in combined funding annually—targeted investments in habitat, invasive species control, and coordinated land use plans—to truly scale conservation. Wyoming's Mule Deer Conservation Strategy PDF Rokslide Mule Deer Forum Muley Fanatic Foundation Howl for Wildlife- Take Action   Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/   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 [email protected]   [ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]

If you’ve been hearing about historically low snowpack maps, hearing doom-and-gloom about drought, or trying to figure out if your hunt is about to get nuked by wildfires… this episode is worth your time. Today, Jaden sits down with Montana-based hydrologist Josh Boyd to break down what’s actually happening across the West right now. We dig into how this winter shaped up, why snowpack is all over the board depending on elevation, and why a “low snow year” doesn’t automatically mean bad hunting. One of the biggest takeaways: snowpack is just one piece of the puzzle. Fall moisture, soil saturation, and especially what happens in June and early July matter way more than most hunters realize. In fact, wildfire season in the Northern Rockies is driven far more by early summer heat and lack of precipitation than by how much snow fell in January. We also walk through what’s happening regionally right now. Montana and parts of Wyoming are hanging in there with decent snowpack, while Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico are staring at historically low levels. Oregon’s in a tough spot too. But even in those places, soil moisture and spring weather could still shift the outlook before fall. From a hunting standpoint, this conversation really comes down to how animals respond to moisture. In wet years, feed is everywhere and animals scatter. In dry years, they concentrate around limited water and quality forage. Neither is “better,” but they require completely different strategies. To learn more about west-wide snowpack & precipitation, visit the NRCS website here. If you want to keep an eye on the drought monitor, check out the U.S. drought monitor map here. Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app If you want to get your animals aged, consider using new Rokcast sponsor, Matson's Lab. Matson's is the go-to for lab-aging your wild game and used by everyone on this episode. See all they do at https://matsonslab.com/ You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

Hunting mule deer in the rugged backcountry requires more than just patience and luck — it demands a deep understanding of deer behavior, smart gear choices, and tactical hunting techniques. Whether you're a novice or an experienced hunter looking to sharpen your skills, this comprehensive episode draws from expert insights and real-world experiences to help you succeed in the wilderness. Next is an Angry Pika Food update and new releases.  Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news. Luke Schultz's Rokslide article on identifying deer habitat Muley Fanatic Foundation Angry Pika Howl for Wildlife- Take Action   Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/   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 [email protected]   [ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]

High-end hunting optics have changed a lot in the last decade. Better glass is part of the story, but the real shift is happening in how optics connect with the rest of your hunting system. In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Holm from Leica to break down where optics technology is today and how hunters can actually use these tools to become more effective in the field. Ryan brings a unique perspective as both a hunter and someone who has spent his career around high-performance gear. We dive into what separates top-tier optics companies, why glass quality matters for low-light performance, and how modern optics are starting to integrate with things like ballistic solvers, weather meters, and mapping apps. This conversation is more about understanding what these tools can do and how hunters can take advantage of them than anything. We also talk through practical optics setups for different styles of hunting, from archery elk hunts in tight country to long-range rifle hunts for mule deer in big open terrain. Ryan also shares some simple but often overlooked tips that can dramatically improve your ability to get accurate ranges in the field. Stabilizing your rangefinder, using tripods, understanding beam divergence settings, and properly calibrating the compass in modern rangefinding binoculars can make the difference between a confident shot and bad data. If you’ve ever struggled to get a clean range in brush, timber, or broken terrain, this episode will help you understand why and how to fix it. If you want to become a better hunter behind the glass and get more reliable information before the shot, this conversation is worth your time. To learn more about the technology & optics discussed in the podcast, visit the Leica website here. Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app If you want to get your animals aged, consider using new Rokcast sponsor, Matson's Lab. Matson's is the go-to for lab-aging your wild game and used by everyone on this episode. See all they do at https://matsonslab.com/ You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

James Yates and Sam Weaver delve into the Arrow Ballistic study, highlighting arrow drag and lift quantification. Uncover key findings on vein configurations and broadhead dynamics. James then dives into the upcoming 2026 arrow study focusing on FOC. Explore Phone Skope's Mag 360 innovations and Magpie Precision's suppressor seal solutions. Elevate your archery, digiscoping, and shooting skills with practical insights and cutting-edge technology. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news. Western Hunter article-https://westernhunter.net/information/the-arrow-ballistics-study-results/ Youtube-https://www.youtube.com/@YatesInTheBackcountry Precision Cut Archery Data-https://www.precisioncutarchery.com/research/arrow-study-2025 Howl for Wildlife- Take Action   Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/   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 [email protected]   [ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app