The Blacktail Coach Podcast
We're here to share tips, strategies, and stories of hunting the Pacific Northwest.
Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, we'll help you turn preparation into achievement and passion into results.
So gear up and get ready, because SUCCESS IS NO ACCIDENT!
Episodes
70 episodes
How Deer Talk With Their Nose, Eyes, And Ears To Rank, Breed, And Survive
Bucks broadcast more than tracks. They paint the woods with scent from orbital, forehead, tarsal, metatarsal, and interdigital glands—messages about identity, rank, breeding readiness, danger, and direction of travel. We break down how to read ...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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38:00
Year Two, Bigger Buck: Mark Boon's Success Story
Big blacktail aren’t a mystery when you respect their routine. We sit down with Mark Boon to unpack how a hunter who once struggled close to home stacked two strong seasons back-to-back and sealed a Pope & Young buck in September. The shift...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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37:56
From Clear Cuts To Confidence: Cully Scroggins Success Story
A chocolate-antler blacktail at 20 yards on opening morning isn’t a fluke—it’s the outcome of a system built on habitat, scent discipline, and patient stand time. We sit down with Cully Scroggins to unpack how a summer-long pattern, a tight ent...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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56:02
Blacktail Coach 2026
Ready to stop throwing Hail Mary hunts and start building a plan that works? We open the playbook for 2026 and share every path you can take to become your own guide, from the Trophy Tactics course to small-group coaching and immersive field da...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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43:16
How Extreme Weather Changes Deer And Elk Behavior
When the sky flips, deer and elk rewrite their script—and we show you how to read it. From August scorchers to winter squalls, we map out what animals actually do in heat, wind, rain, snow, and sudden barometric swings so you can plan smarter s...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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35:25
Stop Guessing: How To Choose Christmas Gifts Your Hunter Will Actually Use
Shopping for a hunter can feel like trying to read a gear catalog in another language. We make it simple with a clear map of what actually gets used, what’s worth upgrading, and how to time big purchases so you don’t overspend. From arrows, amm...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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39:15
Stop Second Guessing Your Hunt
Ever feel that nagging urge to change everything mid‑sit? We’ve been there. This week, we dig into why second guessing wrecks hunts and how a simple, structured plan—paired with honest data—keeps you on track to tag mature blacktails. We lay ou...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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35:17
Smokey Crews Lessons from a Lifetime of Bowhunting: Bulls, Bears, and Hard-Won Wisdom
Some hunts hinge on perfect gear. Most hinge on better judgment. We sit down with Smokey Crews to unpack the quiet moves that turn a fleeting chance into a clean kill—why he swears by a Chuck Adams side quiver through thick coastal brush, how a...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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39:24
From Double Shovels to Do-It-Right: Smokey Crews on Records, Dedication, and the Hunt That Never Stops
A record is a number; a trophy is a feeling. That line sets the pace as we sit down with Smokey Crews to unpack the mindset, effort, and odd twists of fate behind a lifetime of tags—from a rare, double-shovel caribou taken on the first morning ...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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38:49
Form Follows Function: Lessons From Mr. Roosevelt, Smokey Crews
Meet Smokey Crews, a living legend in the bowhunting world whose journey from self-taught hunter to record book champion offers profound lessons for archers of all skill levels. Known as "Mr. Roosevelt" for his exceptional success with trophy e...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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47:20
From Field to Fork: Mastering Venison and Solo Hunts
Venturing into the wilderness alone creates a unique set of challenges that even experienced hunters must carefully navigate. In this practical episode, Aaron and Dave tackle listener Brian's questions about solo hunting strategies and venison ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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31:58
Decoy Dynamics: Adding a New Dimension to Blacktail Hunting
Decoys have long been a staple in whitetail and turkey hunting, but their potential for blacktail hunting remains largely untapped. Why leave such an effective tool out of your hunting arsenal? Aaron and Dave break down everything you need to k...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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27:39
Transforming 22 Acres: Building Your Dream Deer Habitat
The dream of hunting your own land captivates many outdoorsmen, but what happens when your property is only 22 acres? Can you truly create a thriving deer habitat that supports quality hunting opportunities? Responding to an email ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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29:47
Reading the Woods: What Buck Sign Really Tells You
The silent language of the forest speaks volumes to those who understand it. Join Aaron and Dave as they decode the secret messages left behind by blacktail deer and reveal how these subtle signs can transform your hunting strategy.The ...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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34:41
Adapting to Hunting Season Setbacks: Strategies for When Your Plans Fall Apart
What happens when your meticulously planned hunting season suddenly falls apart? When that trophy buck you've been patterning all summer becomes inaccessible because someone dumped garbage on the access road? Or when predators take over your ca...
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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36:06
Your Blacktail Success Depends on Understanding What That Nose Knows
The whitetail hunting industry has conditioned us to believe that spraying a little doe estrus will magically bring in monster bucks within 30 minutes. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially when hunting the elusive blacktail deer....
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39:03
The Hunter's Perfect Storm: Combining 5 Natural Factors for Trophy Success
We break down the five key factors that significantly increase your chances of a successful hunt when combined. These natural indicators compound to create optimal hunting conditions when your target buck is most likely to be on its feet during...
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32:52
Season Prep Countdown
The difference between consistently successful hunters and those who struggle isn't luck – it's preparation. In this detailed conversation, we break down our proven pre-season routine that consistently puts us in position for trophy blacktails....
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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36:02
A Hodgepodge of an Episode
The hunting season approaches, and the Blacktail Coach team is back with essential preparation guidance. This episode addresses the questions hunters are asking right now – from gear priorities on limited budgets to the effectiveness of their s...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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47:13
Bear Hunting Part 4 with Heather Aldrich
What sets apart a dedicated bear hunter from someone just hoping to get lucky? The answer lies in understanding the intricate chess match between predator and prey.Diving into part four of our bear hunting series with expert Heather Ald...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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54:57
Bear Hunting Part 3 with Heather Aldrich
The secret to successful bear hunting isn't just understanding where bears live—it's knowing how they move through their habitat as seasons change. In this revealing conversation with experienced bear hunter Heather Aldrich, we dive deep into h...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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37:48
Bear Hunting Part 2 with Heather Aldrich
Unlocking the secrets of successful bear hunting requires more than just good gear and patience – it demands a deep understanding of black bear behavior, particularly their feeding patterns. In this illuminating conversation with bear hunting e...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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43:23
Bear Hunting with Special Guest Heather Aldrich
The North American black bear remains one of our continent's most fascinating and misunderstood predators. In this revealing conversation with expert bear hunter Heather Aldrich, we explore the complex world of bear hunting, conservation ethics...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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47:32
Beyond Your Backyard: DIY Out-of-State Hunting
The adventure of hunting new terrain in unfamiliar states offers a special kind of challenge and reward that many hunters find irresistible. In this episode, Aaron and Dave break down the essential components of planning a successful DIY out-of...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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42:09
The Blacktail Hunting Names to Know
The legends of blacktail hunting have left an indelible mark on how we pursue these elusive deer, yet many hunters remain unfamiliar with the masters who developed the techniques we use today. From deep in the high Cascades to the dense coastal...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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39:03