Ep. 69: HIGH COUNTRY: Elk Scouting Recap & Lightweight Pack Dump

LIVE on the mountain, host Weston Homa shares his experience of summer scouting in Idaho for elk and mule deer.Weston also breaks down his lightweight gear setup, showing how pack, clothing, and gear choices kept him mobile, comfortable, and effective in high-alpine terrain. You'll learn concrete tips for high-country scouting, like reading burn areas for elk activity, understanding terrain folds preferred by mule deer, and finding water sources that can make or break a hunt.Dive into the real highs and lows of mountain hunting, and get inspired to hit your next trip with renewed purpose and smarter strategies.00:00 — Welcome + Solo scouting recapWeston opens the episode, sets the scene, and previews the lessons learned.00:29 — Lightweight backpacking setupHe explains his ultra-light gear approach and how he’s fitting multiple days into a 2200-cubic-inch pack.02:24 — Scouting mindset: high country, no motorized accessWeston shares how he chooses hunting areas and why he prefers remote, hard-to-reach terrain.04:22 — Getting into camp and glassing the high countryHe describes the approach hike, setting camp, and moving into alpine terrain to start glassing.05:19 — Elk found in every basinWeston talks about seeing elk throughout the high country and why the area looked so productive.06:16 — Dangerous fall on loose screeHe recounts a scary slip on steep alpine terrain and the lesson to be more careful in exposed country.08:40 — Why the elk are up highWeston explains the food, water, and safety factors that keep elk in the high basins right now.11:02 — Lower country scouting + rut signHe shifts into a different area to look for more sign, including trails, rubs, and timbered bedding areas.14:22 — Mule deer terrain and accessWeston breaks down what mule deer want, including terrain folds, micro-drainages6:49 — Evening glassing and deer movementHe shares how deer started moving late and how the terrain produced multiple good sightings.18:18 — Burn areas and fresh growthWeston highlights old burns as excellent feed sources for deer and elk and a key e-scouting tip.20:15 — Reflection on progress and effectivenessHe reflects on how far he’s come and how good it feels to be finding animals consistently.21:13 — Gear dump: optics and digiscoping setupWeston starts breaking down his optics, tripod, and digiscoping gear.24:06 — On Glass system + bino adapterHe explains the setup he uses for filming and how the adapter system makes field use easier.25:04 — Stove and cooking systemWeston shows his tiny stove setup and compares it to his old, louder stove.27:26 — Sleep system: puffy, pad, and quiltHe walks through his insulation, sleeping pad, and quilt choices for summer scouting.31:17 — Tent and pack setupPartners:Oryx Outdoors - Fitness apparel for those who are driven to push boundaries—whether that means improving their gains at the gym or filling their freezers. Use code WESTON for 10% off your next order! -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://tinyurl.com/yeay296d⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Glass Adapters - The best digiscoping products on the market. Founded by hunters for hunters, use code WESTON for 15% off your next order! - ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/47bmm9ab⁠⁠Website/Blog:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runtherackoutdoors.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/runtherackoutdoors/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/westonhoma/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/wes.homa/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGX3Lj3pEbXQNd1T-eYo9xAWebsite:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠