Podcast
FOCUS HUNTING PODCAST
Hosted by Kevin Toye · EN
FHP is where lessons from the mountains meet the challenges of everyday life. Host Kevin Toye talks with backcountry hunters, elite athletes, coaches, and high performers who’ve overcome adversity to share real, actionable tools you can use to improve any area of your life.
Born from Western big game and backcountry hunting, this show goes beyond tags, tactics, and gear. Each episode dives into mindset, discipline, and resilienceshowing how the focus and grit built in the mountains can transform your mental toughness, health, relationships, career, and personal growth.
We explore mental toughness, grit, resilience, goal setting, focus, high performance, overcoming fear, failure, and hardship, along with physical fitness, backcountry preparation, confidence, character, leadership, and living with purpose. Whether you’re a hunter, outdoorsman, athlete, or just hungry for growth, FOCUS HUNTING PODCAST helps you sharpen your focus, embrace discomfort, and live a more intentional life—on and off the mountain.
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep. 240 Successful Early Season Elk Tactics. Gear & Calling
6d ago01:18:26Tap to summarizeKevin Toye and Landen break down how they’re preparing for elk season while balancing real life, heavy workloads, and limited training time. They cover the practical side of elk hunting from fitness and calling to bedding areas, thermals, and gear choices that actually matter in the field.
Transcribe →Ep. 239 Waves of Life: Balancing Family, Training and the Mountain Grind
1w ago01:05:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Kevin is joined by Adam Janke, host of the Beyond the Kill podcast. They dive into the intersection of hunting, parenting, and personal growth. They get real about balancing family life and fatherhood with bowhunting, rifle hunting, and backcountry hunting, and how year-round fitness, scouting, and time in the mountains shape them as hunters and as men. They explore how struggle, failure, injuries, and setbacks in training and in the field build mental toughness, discipline, and resilience traits that carry directly into parenting and leading at home. From dialing in shooting and fitness to learning animal behavior and woodsmanship, Kevin and Adam show how the relentless pursuit of becoming a better hunter fuels growth in every area of life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and catching up 02:01 Parenting, family, and life in waves 03:50 Kids' sports and supporting their goals 06:56 Balancing help and struggle in kids' development 10:07 The importance of struggle in life and training 15:12 Discipline, firmness, and context in parenting 19:55 Training routines, injuries, and lessons learned 24:59 Maintaining motivation and avoiding boredom in training 30:02 Balancing training, recovery, and life demands 34:58 Opportunities in US hunting and building points 40:05 Elk hunting strategies and timing in Wyoming 45:07 The thrill of hunting and trophy considerations 49:52 US vs. Canadian hunting management and opportunities 55:08 The value of reps and experience in hunting 01:00:09 Archery practice, skill development, and quality reps 01:03:27 Preparing for high-altitude hunts and physical readiness https://journalofmountainhunting.com Please head over to the YT channel and subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@kevinltoye
Transcribe →Ep. 238 Aiming for Greatness: Mathias Fullerton’s Journey to #1
2w ago01:03:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Kevin sits down with World number one archer Mathias Fullerton. Mathias reveals what it really takes to reach and stay at the top of elite archery. From his early days training in Denmark to competing on the world stage, Mathias shares how discipline, resilience, and sports psychology shaped his journey. He explains his mental training and visualization techniques, how he handles pressure as a top‑ranked archer, and the physical preparation and injury prevention that keep him performing at his best. Mathias also talks about setbacks and failure, and how he turns tough moments into fuel for his Olympic dreams. If you’re interested in archery, Olympic sports, athlete mindset, or the mental side of high. performance, this episode offers practical insights you can apply to your own goals. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Mathias Fullerton's Rise in Archery 01:58 The Journey to World Number One 04:01 Learning New Disciplines and Overcoming Challenges 05:01 Sharing the Number One Spot with Mike 06:03 Dealing with Pressure as the Top Ranked Archer 07:07 Training Regimen and Physical Fitness 08:54 Handling Failure and Setbacks 11:00 Preparation for Major Tournaments and the Olympics 12:58 Mental Strategies: Visualization and Focus 14:50 The Role of Support Teams and Funding 16:53 Balancing Personal Life and Elite Training 18:48 The Importance of Consistency and Routine 21:06 The Future of Archery and Olympic Goals 23:02 Legacy and What It Means to Be a Champion Resources https://www.instagram.com/mathiasfullerton/ https://www.youtube.com/@MathiasFullerton Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@kevinltoye
Transcribe →Ep. 237 FHP 2.0
2w ago00:39:17Tap to summarizeIn this solo episode, Kevin addresses all the changes with himself, FOCUS HUNTING, HUNT SOURCE, and the crew. He talks about where it all started, the journey and struggles along the way, and where he, along with friends Landen, Derek, Pete & Mike, and the podcast, are headed. Please LIKE | FOLLOW | SUBSCRIBE on all platforms.
Transcribe →Ep. 236 John Barklow: Mountain Survival, Fieldcraft, and Building a Bulletproof Gear System
3w ago01:14:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Kevin sits down with John Barklow, one of the most highly respected and knowledgeable experts in the outdoor industry. With decades of experience in backcountry hunting, mountain survival, gear design, and technical layering systems, John has helped shape how serious outdoorsmen and women prepare for harsh environments. We dive deep into: How to build a reliable outdoor gear system for any weather Backcountry hunting strategies and mindset The fundamentals of mountain safety, survival, and decision-making Common mistakes people make in the backcountry—and how to avoid them John’s upcoming book on outdoor skills, preparation, and fieldcraft Whether you’re into backpacking, hunting, mountaineering, overlanding, or backcountry skiing, this conversation is packed with practical, real‑world knowledge you can apply immediately. If you want to become more prepared, more capable, and more confident outside, John Barklow is one of the best teachers you can learn from.
Transcribe →Ep. 235 BLOODTRAILS: A true crime podcast born in the outdoors.
3w ago01:07:34Tap to summarizeKevin and Landen sit down with Jordan Sillars, host of the Blood Trails podcast, to talk about the intersection of hunting, the outdoors, and true-crime storytelling. Blood Trails blends real‑life outdoor mysteries, hunting‑related crimes, and backcountry investigations into gripping narrative episodes—and in this conversation, Jordan pulls back the curtain on how it all comes together. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How Blood Trails is made: from the first idea to the final episode, including story selection, scripting, and production Outdoor & hunting true crime cases: missing hunters, backcountry disappearances, poaching cases, and wilderness investigations Research and investigation techniques: how Jordan digs into public records, news archives, interviews, and case files to build accurate stories Ethical true crime storytelling: balancing respect for victims and families with telling a compelling, honest story Depicting hunters and outdoorsmen fairly: avoiding stereotypes while highlighting real risks and realities in the field Blending adventure and crime: how survival, wilderness skills, and backcountry knowledge shape these narratives Why hunters and outdoorsmen connect with true crime: what makes these stories resonate with people who live for the woods and mountains If you love hunting podcasts, true crime podcasts, or outdoor adventure stories—or you’ve ever wondered how a show like Blood Trails is researched and produced—this episode offers a unique look behind the scenes.
Transcribe →Ep. 234 Innovation & Accuracy with Adam Weatherby
3w ago00:58:45Tap to summarizeKevin and Landen sit down with Adam from Weatherby, Inc. for an inside look at how one of the most respected rifle brands in the world designs and builds premium hunting rifles and high‑performance cartridges. Adam walks through the full process from initial concept to the finished rifle in the field sharing how legacy, innovation, and real‑world hunting experience shape every Weatherby product. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Firearm innovation at Weatherby: how new rifle platforms and cartridges are developed and tested Rifle accuracy & reliability: what Weatherby does in design, materials, and quality control to build dependable hunting rifles Caliber and cartridge development: the thinking behind popular Weatherby magnums and modern hunting loads Backcountry hunting rifles: lightweight mountain rifles, stock design, recoil management, and real‑world field performance Manufacturing and craftsmanship: how machining, hand‑fitting, and modern technology come together in a production environment Hunting stories & field testing: how Adam and the team use real hunts to validate new rifles and features Legacy & culture: Weatherby’s history, move to Wyoming, and how they stay connected to hunters and conservation If you’re a big‑game hunter, rifle enthusiast, or looking to buy your next deer, elk, or western hunting rifle, this conversation will help you understand what sets Weatherby apart and what to look for in a truly field‑ready rifle.
Transcribe →Ep. 233 Dr. Mike Chamberlain on Conservation, Habitat & Modern Hunting Strategy
3w ago01:03:17Tap to summarizeJoin Kevin and Landen as they sit down with Dr. Mike Chamberlain, “The Wild Turkey Doc” for a deep dive into wild turkey behavior, biology, and hunting strategy. Dr. Chamberlain is one of North America’s leading wild turkey researchers and a passionate turkey hunter, and he breaks down what his latest science means for turkey hunters in the field. In this episode, you’ll learn about: Wild turkey behavior: daily patterns, travel routes, roosting habits, and how gobblers use terrain and habitat Turkey vocalizations: how gobblers and hens communicate, and what that means for your calling tactics Breeding and genetics: what the Wild Turkey DNA Project is revealing about wild turkey populations and subspecies Pressure and hunting tactics: how hunting pressure changes gobbler behavior, and how to adjust your strategy on public and private land Habitat and conservation: how habitat quality, predators, and management practices are impacting turkey numbers across North America Season timing and regulations: how season dates and bag limits affect breeding success and long‑term turkey populations Whether you hunt Easterns, Osceolas, Rio Grandes, Merriam’s, or hybrids, this conversation will help you find more birds, call smarter, and hunt more effectively—all while understanding the conservation work that keeps wild turkeys on the landscape. Resources Mentioned Wild Turkey Lab – https://wildturkeylab.com Wild Turkey DNA Project – https://wildturkeydna.com National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) – https://www.nwtf.org Connect with Dr. Mike Chamberlain (The Wild Turkey Doc): Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wildturkeydoc X (Twitter) – https://twitter.com/wildturkeydoc Website – https://wildturkeylab.com
Transcribe →Ep 232 Elk Hunting 101 with Rusty Smith: Proven Tactics for Consistent Success
3w ago01:25:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with seasoned elk hunter and outdoorsman Rusty Smith to break down what it really takes to find consistent success in the elk woods. Elk hunting is not for the faint-hearted, and tagging bulls year after year is one of the toughest challenges in all of western big game hunting. Rusty shares the meticulous preparation he puts in before season, how he approaches scouting for elk, and how he reads terrain, sign, and seasonal patterns to stay on elk from opening day to the late season. We dig into the art of perfecting your elk calling techniques, from location bugles to close-range setups, and talk about the patience and mental toughness required to execute when it matters most. Rusty also discusses how he optimizes his elk hunting gear, chooses setups based on conditions, and adapts his strategy when hunting pressure and weather change elk behavior. If you’re serious about improving your odds and becoming a more consistent elk hunter, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the strategies, mindset, and systems that lead to success in the elk mountains.
Transcribe →Ep 231 How to Stay in the Game: Elk Hunting Fitness and Late‑Season Tactics
3w ago02:01:46Tap to summarizeIn this episode, the guys are back from a short break and dive straight into listener questions focused on elk hunting and backcountry performance. They break down practical mid‑season fitness tips to keep you strong and sharp in the field, along with strategies for staying mentally and physically ready when the grind of the season starts to catch up with you. The conversation covers what to do when elk are hard to locate, how to adjust your strategy when pressure moves animals, and how to read sign and terrain to relocate herds. They also share proven late‑season elk hunting tactics that can make all the difference when the weather turns cold, hunting pressure increases, and elk patterns change. Whether you’re in the middle of your elk season or planning your next move, this episode is packed with real‑world advice to help you stay in the game, hunt smarter, and improve your odds of success in the backcountry.
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