About this episode
Hey everyone, Cody Rich here from The Rich Outdoors, and man, do I have a banger of an episode for you today! I sat down with my buddy Dillon Dietz, the mastermind behind "Elk Don't Exist," and we dove deep into his epic Montana archery bull story after 12 years of grinding. We're talking solo pack-outs in hailstorms, finally tagging out early, and how ditching the over-calling game changed everything. Dillon shares the highs and lows – from freezing in thunderstorms to that heart-pounding 30-yard shot on a funky five-by-clubby freak. We geek out on early-season tactics, why getting into the "nucleus" of elk chaos is key, and lessons from my own tough private land hunt where blind calling saved the day. If you're chasing your first bull or just love those raw, real hunting yarns that fire you up for September, this one's packed with tips, laughs, and motivation to keep pushing. Let's dive in! Sponsored by Stone Glacier Today's episode is brought to you by Stone Glacier. I've been hauling with their packs for years, and this season I'm running the new Avro 6400 – big enough for a 10-day backcountry grind but streamlined for day hunts too. Love the minimalist, lightweight design; I pack enough gear without the bag adding extra weight. From day packs to expedition beasts, they've got you covered. Head over to stoneglacier.com and gear up. Sponsored by Treer Tripods This episode is also brought to you by Treer Tripods. You need something solid for those fancy Maven optics – grab a Treer tripod and one of their panheads. My buddy Drew started this company, and his innovations are killer, with tons of new products dropping soon. My setup: Treer AD with the LP panhead – super lightweight, smooth, and handles big optics no problem. Add the bino clamp adapter for the full kit. Check 'em out at treer.com and use code TRO to save 10% off, plus snag a sweet setup. Great option if you're in the market for a lightweight elk hunting tripod! Show Notes 0:00 - Intro and Sponsors Kicking off with shoutouts to Stone Glacier and Treer Tripods, plus a quick hype on the episode's elk hunting vibes. 3:20 - Dillon's Early Tag-Out Blues Dillon shares the mixed feelings of tagging out after just six days, compared to last year's 35-day grind, and how he's itching to get back out. 9:45 - Hunting Mindset Shifts Discussing patience, ditching over-calling, and how focusing on glassing and finding elk first led to Dillon's success this season. 17:30 - The Hunt Breakdown: Day-by-Day Chaos Dillon recounts spotting elk, multiple close calls with a five-by-five, getting soaked in storms, and epic calf encounters that pulled bulls in. 26:15 - Early-Season Bull Dynamics Exploring why big bulls tolerate satellites early on, elk psychology, and how a giant 320-class bull judged reactions without spotting Dillon. 33:50 - The Kill Shot and Solo Pack-Out Dillon details the perfect blind setup, holding at full draw for a minute, nailing the bull at 30 yards, and shuttling meat in 80-degree heat amid a hailstorm. 41:20 - Cody's Private Land Lessons Cody shares his tough hunt on a ranch, emphasizing getting into the "nucleus" of elk activity, blind calling tactics, and why solo setups work. 48:40 - Blind Calling Strategies and Buglefests Breaking down setups for blind calling, firing up reluctant bulls, and how decoys and patience turn quiet mornings into action. 55:10 - Reflections and Future Hunts Wrapping up with takeaways on persistence, enjoying the process, and plans for rifle tags, backcountry trips, and more elk grinding. 1:02:00 - Outro and Plugs Dillon promotes his brand and podcast; final thoughts on believing in the hunt and tuning in next time. Key Takeaways Patience Over Pressure : Ditch over-calling and focus on glassing first – waiting for the right setup and going back to basics like soft cow-calf sequences can turn quiet elk into responsive ones, especially early season. Hunt the Nucleus : Get into the chaos of a herd or active group where satellites are easier to call in; chasing lone bulls is way harder than staying in the "party" where elk behavior creates opportunities. Learn from the Grind : It might take years (like Dillon's 12), but sticking to spots with consistent sign, adapting tactics mid-hunt, and enjoying the process without overthinking builds the skills for success – persistence pays off.