Western Hunter Magazine

11/11/2025

“The Element Optics Nexus Gen II feels like a well-designed rifle scope; whether you’re looking for an NRL hunter-style competition, strictly hunting, or long-distance rifle scope, or you’re like me and need one rifle scope to be capable of all things, I wouldn’t hesitate to call the Nexus Gen II a smart purchase.

It’s waterproof, fogproof, shockproof, and comes with a “Platinum Lifetime Warranty” that covers any rifle scopes damaged through normal use and requires no registration, proof of purchase, or transfer. Basically, if you have a problem, Element will fix it…”

You can read the full Nexus Gen II review below:

Explore the features of Element Nexus Gen II rifle scopes designed by experts for superior performance in the field.

11/06/2025

is one of the most prolific knifemakers in the world. From becoming the youngest Master Bladesmith ever in the US to creating one of the fastest-growing, greatest-impact companies in the hunting industry, it seems everything he touches keeps an edge on the competition.

In Issue 6, we were fortunate enough to interview Josh, hear his story, and ask some burning questions about his career as both a bladesmith and a hunter.

You do not want to miss it.

PLUS everyone who is currently subscribed by 11/10 is entered to win a knife from MKC! Link to become a subscriber is in our BIO.

11/04/2025

In this episode, Levi and Brody discuss a project they've been working on that they call "The Workin' Man's Custom Rifle." Their idea is to see just how good you can make a "cheap" rifle with modifications and how the result would compare to a fully custom rifle that could cost more than five times as much. They also discuss the current trend toward lightweight, low-recoiling rifles and how the 6mm Creedmoor is becoming a standout caliber for hunters.

Listen to the full podcast episode in the link below:

Discover the Ruger American Gen 2 and learn how modified rifles can compete with high-end custom options in this review.

11/01/2025

“I’m a Utah resident. But with a smaller black bear population and slightly more complicated hunting opportunities, it’s easier for me to head north to Idaho in pursuit of bear. I’ve been packing my horses into Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains. Getting as remote as I can, leaving people and civilization far behind. It’s a good feeling, signing the wilderness ledger, letting the world know you’re headed off-grid.

I still consider myself a novice bear hunter, even though at this point in my bear hunting career, I’ve successfully harvested one black bear with an over-the-counter tag. For me, it’s a mixture of guesswork, research, and intuition. Half-blindly stumbling through country that doesn’t forgive the green or the cocky. I’m learning it slowly, methodically. One ridge at a time, one creek at a time, and one avalanche chute at a time...”

You can read the full story by Anthony Dorsey in Issue 6. Still time to get this issue (it’s worth it) - link in BIO.

10/30/2025

The biggest Gear Guide we have ever made…

We reviewed some of our favorite gear in the industry, and you can see which ones made the cut this year in Issue 6.

For those that need a Christmas wish list - this is it. There’s still time to get this one, and the link is in our BIO.

10/27/2025

Brody just got back from Alaska, where he spent a bunch of time testing the Argali Outdoors Rincon 2P Pro Dyneema Tent on a Dall Sheep hunt. He goes over all the features, what he was skeptical about, how it performed, and more. Watch the video below to learn all about it!

Find out how the Argali Rincon 2P Pro Dyneema Tent held up during Brody's Dall Sheep hunt in Alaska. Watch the full review.

10/25/2025

“I took off through the snow, following both the Garmin and the tracks of an epic chase. The Garmin showed the dogs about 4000 yards away, so I was hustling. It was also about 9 degrees out, so I was motoring to stay warm. Following the tracks was like living the ultimate CSI investigation. There were many places where the cat had climbed boulders and jumped 20-foot-wide creeks. The dogs’ tracks went through the water. The cat tracks did not….”

Don’t miss this whirlwind of an adventure by our own team, and the story behind our cover photo in Issue 6. There’s still time to get on the gap list to receive this jam-packed issue. The link to subscribe is in our BIO.

10/20/2025

This episode features Brody Layher and Tom Hinski. Brody is a die-hard hunter who moved to Arizona after experiencing the mountain West for the first time. Tom Hinski is one of our in-house videographers, a total Coues deer fanatic, and a hunter who is wise beyond his years at just 24.

Brody recently embarked on his first trip to Alaska to pack for a Dall sheep outfitter, and Tom sat down with him for a recap. We hope you enjoy!

Explore the North to Alaska podcast as we discuss hunting experiences and insider stories from Western Hunter Magazine.

10/13/2025

“Prior to the bow business acquisition, I’d been happily hunting with a compound bow. I’m not going to lie, I knew how much more challenging hunting with a traditional bow was going to be. My biggest concern was I was going to have to go back to eating tofu. I’d been fortunate in my former woodworking career, getting to work on a lot of high-end houses and having an outlet to express my creativity through my work. Building bows became a new canvas for me to express my creativity in both design and utilizing a wide range of woods from most continents on the planet. The longer I’ve been a bowyer, the deeper my passion for it has grown. The opportunity to blend my two greatest passions has been one of the biggest gifts I’ve been blessed with…”

You can read the full article on South Cox below:

Join South Cox as he shares his experiences of growing up in a creative family and developing his love for woodworking.

10/08/2025

“Her name was One Pump Sally. She had a cream-colored topper and a faded metallic rust body. Fabric-torn bucket seats and dents across the hood told you she’d seen a thing or two. But for the $850 it cost my father to make her ours–and the minimal attention she required–there couldn’t have been a finer rig.

He hauled her out to Colorado, where she patiently awaited our annual return each fall. Sharp winds, blustery winters, and repeated exposure to summer heat waves shaped her worn physique. Despite nature’s attempt to sully her internal beauty, a flush of the gas filter, a twist of the key, and a single pump of the pedal were all it took to get her started. TrailDuster was stamped on her side, and no other word could’ve described her with more clarity….”

Today is the last day to subscribe to get Issue 6 where you can read “TrailDuster” in its entirety. Link in BIO.

10/08/2025

“I have seen high-end binoculars in every kind of shape imaginable. I loved cutting open a box to see a dusty pair of Swarovskis that had turned a whole new shade of green from some dude’s hand grease. I always knew those binos had some soul, they had probably seen some cool stuff, and there was plenty of life left in them…”

Read the full article below:

Discover effective optics cleaning methods to rejuvenate high-end binoculars and enhance their performance and appearance.