593 | Long Drives, Lessons Learned, and Packing Elk with the Family

In this episode of The Hunt Backcountry Podcast, we hear from Chad—a full-time Vermont ski patroller and long-time podcast listener who got a late start to hunting in his 30s. Chad shares his journey of transitioning from Eastern woods to Western big game, including the extreme logistics of driving 40 hours cross-country to hunt elk on public land solo.

Chad is also joined by his 10-year-old son, Eli, to share the story of a memorable, multi-generational family road trip out West that ended in an unforgettable evening elk harvest surrounded by bugling bulls in the sagebrush.

Key Talking Points & Takeaways

Late-Start Advantage: How starting hunting in his mid-30s shaped Chad’s perspective and growth as an archer and Western hunter.

Cross-Country Logistics: Practical strategies for executing solo, long-distance hunts, including managing drive times, gear setups, chest freezers, and local meat processing.

Sticking to an Area: The long-term benefits of learning a single unit year after year, understanding pressure patterns, and adapting tactics accordingly.

Family Western Trips: How to balance solo hunting passions with family travel, seamlessly blending family vacations with scouting and hunting.

Eli’s First Elk Encounter: A firsthand account of an incredible close-quarters hunt, complete with heavy pack-outs, field lessons, and favorite hunting gear and books for young outdoorsmen.

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