About this episode
Hey folks, Cody Rich here from The Elk Hunt Podcast. Man, what a killer episode we just dropped with my buddy Eric Chesser from Hush. We dive deep into the mental grind of elk hunting, sharing stories from low-success units, boundary games, and that never-give-up attitude that turns tough hunts into triumphs. Eric's an absolute elk slayer who's all about challenging himself on OTC tags and hard-to-draw spots, and we break down tactics like ambushing herds, tree saddles, and willing success into existence. If you're gearing up for elk season, this one's packed with real talk to get you fired up and focused. Timestamp Chapters 00:00 - Intro and Sponsors: Shoutouts to OnX Hunt and Maven Optics, plus a quick plug for elite memberships and killer gear. 02:45 - Welcoming Eric Chesser: Catching up on why we've never podcasted before and diving into Eric's elk hunting journey. 05:30 - The Mental Battle of Elk Hunting: Discussing persistence, positive mindset, and why time in the field beats talent every time. 12:15 - Prepping for Tough Units: How Eric scouts low-success areas, focuses on high vantage points, and commits to a spot once he finds elk. 18:40 - Visioning Success and Overcoming Lows: Talking about willing kills into existence, handling hunt valleys, and the power of a competitive mindset against the mountain. 25:20 - Solo vs. Group Hunting: Why Eric prefers going solo for decision-making and building intuition, plus reflecting on 25+ years of elk knowledge. 31:50 - Finding and Honing In on Elk: What makes Eric lock onto an area, combining sign, low pressure, and personal vision. 37:10 - Tree Saddles and Early Season Tactics: Eric's challenge-driven approach to water holes, wallows, and why saddles are a game-changer for mobile setups. 43:25 - Boundary Games and Private Edges: Patience, persistence, and aggressive moves when elk finally cross onto public. 49:00 - Ambushing Herds and Reading Elk: Quick decisions, cutting off moving groups, and analyzing body language to get in tight. 55:30 - Huntability and Big Bull Habits: Choosing terrain for stocks, predicting pressured elk, and what makes a spot "huntable." 1:01:45 - Dream Bulls and Genetics: Defining big bulls (320+ as solid, 340+ as giants), unit-specific expectations, and personal favorites like whale tails and triple brows. 1:07:20 - Upcoming Hunts and Films: Eric's 2023 plans, redemption tags, and must-watch Hush elk films for inspiration. 1:12:00 - Wrap-Up and Outro: Best of luck for the season, plus a tease for a mid-season check-in. Brought to You by OnX Hunt Don’t just hunt—hunt smarter with OnX Hunt. More than a mapping app, OnX is your ultimate hunt planning system. With Elite Membership, you get access to nationwide land ownership maps, Huntin’ Fool’s e-Magazine, Terrain X, and research tools to plan better hunts and find more elk. Cody and Eric rely on OnX to scout high vantage points and navigate tough units. Head to www.onxmaps.com and use code TRO to save 20% on your Elite Membership. Elevate your elk game today! Powered by Maven Optics When it’s time to glass that dream bull, trust Maven Optics, a Wyoming-based, direct-to-consumer brand delivering unmatched clarity and durability. Eric swears by the B6 binoculars and RS.3.2 rifle scope for spotting giants in the high country. No middleman, no markups—just premium optics at the best value. Check out the B Series at www.mavenbuilt.com and use code TRO for exclusive savings. Spot what others miss with Maven. Three Key Takeaways Persistence Trumps Skill : Elk hunting isn't about being the best caller or mapper—it's about outlasting the lows. Eric and I both hammer home that success comes from grinding longer than most, blocking out doubts, and turning every day (even the elk-less ones) into valuable intel for future wins. Commit to Your Vision : Go into hunts with a clear mental picture of success—whether it's killing in a specific canyon or on a tough unit. This "willing it into existence" mindset helps push through mental battles and turns challenges into obsessions that pay off. Read the Room and Act Fast : When closing in on elk, analyze herd dynamics like cow body language, bull position, and movement patterns. Be aggressive in decisions—cut off herds for ambushes—but know when to slow down. It's all about building that gut intuition through real field time.