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This is Part 2 of our conversation with Dan Staton, and this episode is where things get tactical, practical, and deeply personal.

If you haven’t listened to Part 1, go start there. This episode builds directly on Dan’s origin story and takes it forward into how YOU get better—right now.

In this conversation, Dan breaks down exactly what hunters should be doing in the offseason to fill more tags in 2026. From draw strategies and tag planning, to daily discipline, fitness, faith, and mindset—this episode is a masterclass in preparation.

We dive deep into:
• How to build a realistic multi-state elk tag strategy
• Why most hunters blame pressure instead of fixing preparation
• The one-hour-a-day rule that changes everything
• Dan’s real daily routine (training, faith, family, work)
• How mental toughness is built long before September
• Why elk hunting is just the proving ground for life

This episode also marks a major turning point.

Dan openly shares why his focus is shifting beyond elk hunting—and introduces Legacy Built, a new movement centered on building stronger men, fathers, husbands, and leaders through short, intense training, accountability, faith, and community.

This isn’t about chasing animals anymore.
It’s about chasing purpose.
It’s about legacy.

If you’re a hunter who wants to perform better in the mountains—or a man who wants to show up better at home—this episode will challenge you in the best way possible.

👉 This is Part 2 of a 2-part series
🎧 Listen to Part 1 before this episode for full context
📩 Share this with a friend who needs a push this offseason
👍 Like, subscribe, and leave a comment to support the show

This is the Mountain Dude Podcast—where backcountry hunting meets the deeper lessons of life.

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#MountainDudePodcast #FaithGritGear #BackcountryLife #ChristianOutdoorsmen #HuntingPodcast
https://initialascent.com/

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In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we sit down with Dan Staton, the man behind ElkShape, to unpack the raw, unfiltered story that shaped one of the most respected voices in elk hunting today.

Before ElkShape was a brand, before the films, before the training programs, Dan was just a kid growing up in Washington—hunting with his dad, learning lessons the hard way, and slowly becoming obsessed with elk, the mountains, and the discipline it takes to succeed in both. This episode dives deep into the moments that forged Dan’s mindset: his first elk, years of failure with a bow, brutal learning curves on public land, and the relentless work ethic that eventually changed everything.

This isn’t a “tips and tactics” episode—this is the foundation.
The why behind ElkShape.
The struggles before the success.
The mindset that separates guys who quit from guys who keep punching tags year after year.

Dan also opens up about faith, fatherhood, mental toughness, and how elk hunting became the proving ground for everything he believes about life. If you’ve ever felt stuck, discouraged, or like you’re grinding with nothing to show for it—this episode will hit home.

And while this conversation focuses on the past, pay attention—there are subtle hints about what’s next for Dan and the evolution of what he’s building beyond ElkShape.

👉 This is Part 1 of a 2-part series.
Part 2 goes even deeper into strategy, mindset, and how to apply these lessons to kill more elk—and live better—heading into the 2026 season.

🎧 Subscribe to the Mountain Dude Podcast
👍 Like the episode
💬 Drop a comment
📤 Share this with a hunting buddy who needs to hear it

Part 2 coming soon.

Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly.
#MountainDudePodcast #FaithGritGear #BackcountryLife #ChristianOutdoorsmen #HuntingPodcast
https://initialascent.com/

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In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Dennis and Chris sit down for a real, candid conversation about balancing hunting, family, faith, and the demanding pace of everyday life. After two back-to-back episodes with Kyle Kamp of Valley 2 Peak Nutrition, the guys shift gears and recap their own hunting seasons — the highs, the lessons learned, and the encounters that shaped them this fall.

Dennis walks through a jam-packed few months that included an unforgettable elk rut experience, a Wyoming antelope tag on sprawling private ground, and a successful trip to Missouri chasing whitetails from the stand. Chris shares why this year looked a little different for him, how buying a home and running a business forced him to reprioritize, and what he learned about being intentional with the time he does have.

The heart of this episode centers on priorities — how to hunt hard without letting life at home fall apart, how to be present instead of simply being physically there, and why both men have learned (sometimes the hard way) that faith and family have to come before tags and timelines. They talk schedules, boundaries, burnout, and the simple habits that keep them grounded during the busiest seasons of the year.

As the podcast moves into winter, Dennis and Chris lay out their vision for helping listeners prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually for next season. They also share updates on upcoming guests, including Dan Staton of ElkShape, and remind listeners about the ongoing giveaway for a Pyro Putty Kit for those who leave a five-star review.

If you're a hunter trying to juggle work, family, and the pursuit of the mountains — or just someone looking to live with more intention — this episode hits home.

Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly.
#MountainDudePodcast #FaithGritGear #BackcountryLife #ChristianOutdoorsmen #HuntingPodcast
https://initialascent.com/

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Click here.

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