Drawn West

Want to find more sheds each season? This is the episode for you!
I sat down with Alex Kunkel from Minnesota Shed Hunters, one of the most active shed hunting community pages in the Midwest. Alex has been doing this long enough to figure out what actually works — and a lot of what he shared challenged some of the "common wisdom" you hear thrown around, like walking fence lines (spoiler: neither of us has ever found a shed on one).

We cover the full strategy side of shed hunting — from how winter severity changes where deer concentrate, to why timing is probably more important than location, to how to use apps like Scout to Hunt and GoHunt Maps to stop re-walking ground you've already covered. If you've ever spent a whole Saturday shed hunting and come home with nothing, this one's for you.
Episode Highlights:
• How to identify the "limiting factor" in your area — food or cover — and why the answer changes depending on where you live
• The exact window Alex targets every year: why late February to early March is his peak and how he thinks about going too early vs. too late
• Why public land shed hunting has gotten harder and what private access actually looks like in the Midwest
• The Scout to Hunt app breakdown — what it does, how the analytics work, and why the track-width gridding feature alone is worth the $30/year
• Why rivers and creek crossings knock sheds loose (and why fence lines are mostly a myth)
• How to use snowshoes to access areas that eliminate almost all competition on big public tracts
• Habitat projects that actually move the needle for your shed season, not just your hunting season
If this episode helped you think differently about where you spend your time this spring, it'd mean a lot if you left a rating or review — it helps more hunters find the show.

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2026 Wyoming Mule Deer Application Guide
Tired of how confusing Wyoming's mule deer draw is? We cover how it works and the best mule deer units in the state!
Wyoming's application system is one of the most complicated in the West, the June 1st deadline is coming fast, and 2026 is the last year to buy preference points at the current price before they jump to $75 across the board. If you've been putting Wyoming off, this is the episode that changes that.
I break down the full Wyoming mule deer draw — how the splits work, what all those tag types actually mean, what the 2026 weather and snowpack means for your hunt, and which units are worth your points from zero all the way to 10+.
What we cover:
• Why 2026 is the last year to buy Wyoming points at the current price — and why that matters
• How the Wyoming draw actually works: resident/non-resident splits, regular vs. special, 75/25 point draw, and what the random draw means for you
• Every tag type (Type 1 through Type 0) explained in plain language so you know exactly what to apply for
• The 2026 snowpack situation and what low moisture years mean for antler growth and herd health
• Wilderness area restrictions for non-residents — the unit research step most hunters skip
• The second-choice trick: how to draw a tag and keep building points in the same year
• Unit recommendations at zero, five, and ten points for non-resident regular and special applicants
If this helped, subscribe so you don't miss the Wyoming Antelope episode dropping right after this one. And if you've got a hunting partner who's been on the fence about Wyoming, send this their way — it'll save them hours of digging.

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Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest00:00:00 — Wyoming Mule Deer 2026: Why This State Belongs in Your Core Strategy
00:03:03 — Deadlines, Tag Fees, and the 2027 Preference Point Price Increase
00:05:12 — Tag Cost Breakdown: Regular, Special, Reduced, and Youth
00:07:31 — 2026 Weather and Snowpack — What Low Moisture Means for Your Hunt
00:08:30 — How Wyoming's Draw System Actually Works
00:11:00 — Hunt Choices, Second-Choice Strategy, and Retaining Your Points
00:11:45 — Every Tag Type Explained (Type 1 Through Type 0)
00:15:30 — Group Applications — How Averaging Works and Why Wyoming Over-Allocates
00:17:50 — Wyoming Mule Deer Herd Overview: Where It Stands in 2026
00:22:38 — Zero-Point Options: Regular and Special Draw Breakdown
00:27:30 — Ten-Point Range: Units Worth Targeting as Non-Resident Regular
00:29:05 — The Second-Choice Trick and Unit 15
00:31:17 — Five-Point Range: Units to Look At Right Now
00:34:42 — How to Use GoHunt Insider to Research Units Yourself

Want to go Antelope hunting this year? THIS is the episode for you!

Wyoming is coming out of one of the worst winters in recent memory, and the antelope herd has responded. Tag allocations are going up almost across the board, units that were off-limits without 15+ points are becoming more accessible, and there's never been a better time to get serious about your Wyoming antelope application.
The problem most hunters run into isn't a lack of options — it's knowing where to start. Wyoming has more units than almost any other state, and the draw system is complicated enough to make even experienced applicants second-guess themselves.
In this episode, I break down the Wyoming antelope application from top to bottom — what the herd looks like right now, why 2026 is an exciting year to be in the draw, and which units you should actually be targeting based on your point level. Whether you're sitting on zero points or burning 15, there's something worth applying for.
What we cover:
• Why Wyoming is still the top non-resident antelope state and what makes 2026 especially promising
• The difference between regular and special tags — and when paying the extra $800 actually makes sense
• Which units consistently produce 80-inch bucks and what it costs in points to draw them
• Unit recommendations at every major point level, from zero all the way to 12+
• The public land and access reality in Wyoming — corner crossing, private land, and how to scout before you apply
• How to keep building points while still drawing a tag and hunting every year
If this episode helped, subscribe on your platform of choice so you don't miss the rest of the Wyoming series. And if you've got a buddy trying to figure out antelope points, share this one — it'll save them a lot of time.

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[Master Your Big Game Application Strategy]
 
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Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest00:00:00 — Wyoming Antelope: Why This Is the Best Non-Resident State
00:01:17 — Deadline, Tag Fees, and How the Draw System Works
00:03:26 — Where the Herd Stands in 2026 and Why Tags Are Going Up
00:06:19 — Where the Giants Live — Best Regions and Units for Trophy Bucks
00:07:27 — The Special Tag Advantage — Second Choice Units and Hunting While You Build Points
00:09:13 — Top-Tier Units at 12–20 Points (58, 60, 61, 90, 91)
00:12:32 — Options at Every Point Level — Zero Through Five
00:18:04 — Eight to Ten Point Units Worth Targeting (48, 79, 46)
00:20:08 — Non-Resident Special Breakdown — Zero Points to Five Points
00:25:04 — If You Have 10+ Points, It's Time to Pull the Trigger

Already applying in Oregon wondering if you should add antelope, sheep, or goats to your application? We breakdown everything you need to know to decide!

Oregon isn't known for massive antelope numbers, but what it does have is consistent trophy quality, high harvest success rates, and one of the most cost-efficient point systems in the West. For sheep and goats, it's a fully random draw — no points, no guarantees — but if you're already buying the license, $10 is a pretty cheap lottery ticket.
We break down exactly when it makes financial sense to add these species, what point levels unlock for antelope, and what the current tag counts and population data look like for bighorn sheep and mountain goats in 2026.
In this episode:
• Why Oregon antelope is more consistent than other states — and what that means for trophy hunters
• The point level breakdown for non-resident antelope draw odds (0, 5, and 15 points)
• How sheep and goats use a completely different, fully random draw system in Oregon
• Current non-resident tag allocations for California bighorn, Rocky Mountain bighorn, and mountain goat
• Why Oregon mountain goat populations are concerning — and what it means for draw odds
If this helped, subscribe and leave a rating — it makes a real difference. Follow along on Instagram @getdrawnwest.

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https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/how-comedy-can-help-save-hunting
 
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00:00:03 – Oregon's Bonus Species:Antelope, Sheep & Goats Overview
00:02:02 – Why Oregon Antelope IsDifferent From Other States
00:03:15 – Draw Odds, Trophy Potential& What It Takes to Draw
00:04:41 – Application Deadline, Costs& Tag Prices
00:06:21 – Zero-Point Antelope Strategyfor Non-Residents
00:08:21 – Five-Point Antelope Options:Archery & Rifle
00:10:42 – Fifteen-Point AntelopeBreakdown & Best Units
00:13:45 – Resident Antelope StrategyNotes
00:16:30 – Sheep & Goat Costs, TagPrices & Draw System
00:18:25 – Oregon Bighorn Sheep: Residentvs. Non-Resident Allocations
00:19:19 – California Bighorn & RockyMountain Bighorn Tag Breakdown
00:21:48 – Mountain Goat Trophy Potential& Population Decline
00:23:26 – Should You Apply for Sheep& Goats? The Decision Framework

Oregon has 130,000 elk. That's not a rumor — it's one of the largest herds in the country. But most non-residents either overlook it or misunderstand what it actually offers. If you're building a Western elk strategy, this is the episode that puts Oregon in the right place.
We break down both sides of the state — Roosevelt elk on the west side of the Cascades, Rocky Mountain elk to the east — and walk through exactly what the draw looks like depending on how many points you're carrying. From zero-point opportunities all the way into the 20-plus-point elite units, Oregon has more range than most people realize. The deadline to apply is May 15, so if this is on your radar, the window is closing fast.
What we get into:
• Why Oregon is built for opportunity — and what that means for trophy expectations
• The Rocky Mountain units pushing 320, 350, and even 360 inches of antler (and what it takes to draw them)
• Why unit 58 might be the best mid-range value in the whole state for non-residents
• Roosevelt elk 101 — why they hunt differently, where the public land actually is, and which units are worth your time
• A full breakdown of what's realistic with zero, four, and ten-plus points for both species and both weapon types
• The non-resident cost breakdown — and why Oregon's 10-to-1 resident/non-resident split is actually one of the fairer ones in the West
If you're serious about applying, subscribe so you don't miss the over-the-counter breakdown coming later this summer.

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[BigGame Draw Results]
 
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HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]!
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Save10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest00:00:01 Oregon Elk — Why It Belongs in Your Application Stack
00:02:28 Roosevelt vs. Rocky Mountain: How Oregon's Herd Is Split
00:04:06 Is Oregon a Trophy State? Setting the Right Expectations
00:06:47 The Elite Rocky Mountain Units — 320 Inches and Up
00:08:48 Roosevelt Elk Units — What to Expect and Where to Start
00:11:03 Zero-Point Options for Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt Elk
00:11:26 Four-Point Strategy — Archery and Rifle Breakdowns
00:15:00 Four-Point Roosevelt Elk Units — What's Actually Worth It
00:19:46 Ten-Plus Points — Where the Draw Really Opens Up
00:20:57 Final Thoughts and Application Deadline Reminder