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Mile High Conversations: Colorado Changes, Tag Strategy & Why It’s Not Always About Bigger

After a bit of a break, we’re back — recording live from the Mile High Hunt Expo in Denver.

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Kyle Lopez to talk about what’s happening right now in the hunting world — from major changes to Colorado’s draw system to the reality of chasing points, expectations, and what actually matters as a hunter.

We dive into strategy, mindset, and something that doesn’t get talked about enough… when is enough, enough?

And of course, we get into the stuff that really matters — hunting with your kids, passing it on, and why those moments mean more than anything hanging on the wall.

If you’ve been playing the points game, planning your next hunt, or just trying to figure out what your goals are as a hunter… this one hits.

• Live from the Mile High Hunt Expo

• Conservation efforts and donated hunts

• Major changes coming to Colorado’s draw system (2028)

• Hybrid draw system breakdown (points vs random draw)

• Why hunters are dumping points right now

• Arizona vs Colorado draw strategies

• Late season vs early season opportunities

• The reality of “top tier” hunts vs second tier hunts

• When to burn your points (and when not to)

• Elk vs deer — how your priorities change over time

• The trap of chasing bigger and bigger animals

• Why some hunters stop pulling the trigger

• Hunting with your kids and passing it on

• The new Colorado system is moving toward a 50/50 split between point holders and random draw, giving everyone a chance.

• Point creep is real — but the system may actually normalize over time.

• You don’t need a “top tier tag” to have a great hunt experience.

• At some point, hunting becomes less about size and more about experience and meaning.

• Hunting with your kids will change your perspective completely.

• “I’ve probably got five elk hunts left in me… after that, I’m good.”

• The reality of sitting on points for years and never “catching” the tag you want

• A powerful story of a father hunting with his daughters — and his daughter finding his buck

• The shift from chasing trophies to chasing experiences

There’s a point in every hunter’s journey where things change.

You start asking different questions:

• Why am I doing this?

• What am I really chasing?

• And who do I want to share this with?

This episode is about that shift.

Recorded live at the Mile High Hunt Expo in Denver — one of the premier hunting expos bringing together conservation groups, outfitters, and hunters from across the country.

If this podcast has ever brought you value — whether it’s knowledge, perspective, or just something to think about — make sure you’re subscribed.

Episodes won’t always be weekly… but when they drop, they’ll be worth your time.

Colorado draw changes, hunting points system, elk hunting strategy, mule deer hunting, Arizona elk tags, hunting with kids, hunting podcast, Days in the Wild, Mile High Hunt Expo, hunting conservation

Welcome back to Days in the Wild Big Game Hunting Podcast, brought to you by Phoenix Shooting Bags.

In this episode, recorded live from the Mile High Expo, I sit down with Jason Phelps to talk all things turkey hunting. We dive into late-season turkey behavior, why older toms can actually become more killable in mid-May, and how subtle calling can make all the difference when birds start hanging up.

If you’ve ever struggled with late-season gobblers, wondered when to call and when to shut up, or tried to figure out Merriam’s birds in the West, this episode is full of practical insight you can take straight into the field.

Jason breaks down how he approaches a brand-new area, how he likes to roost birds, where he sets up in relation to the tree, and why turkey hunting in the mountains often feels a whole lot like elk hunting.

We also get into subspecies differences, decoy use for archery, late-season patterns, and why some birds seem easy while others humble you quick.

• Why late-season turkey hunting can be deadly on older toms

• How the breeding cycle changes gobbler behavior

• Why mid-May can be a prime time to target mature birds

• The mistake of overcalling once a bird answers on the roost

• Why subtle calling — or silence — often works better

• How to think about a gobbler’s visual expectations when he pitches down

• Merriam’s vs Rio’s vs Easterns and how their behavior differs

• Why archery turkey hunting often benefits from a decoy setup

• How Jason scouts and roosts birds in unfamiliar country

• Why turkey hunting in the West feels a lot like elk hunting

• The challenge and reward of aggressive run-and-gun turkey tactics

• Stories from Arizona, Florida, Long Island, Nebraska, California, and Mexico

Late season can be the best time to kill older birds. Once hens begin laying and spending more time on the nest, gobblers often become easier to work because they suddenly find themselves alone and looking.

Once a bird answers from the roost, less is often more. One of the biggest mistakes hunters make is continuing to call too much. Once he knows where you are, silence can be your best move.

Setups matter as much as calling. A gobbler expects to see the hen where he heard her. If your setup doesn’t account for that, you can get hung up birds no matter how well you call.

Merriam’s birds are different. They roam more, change roost trees more often, and can require a more aggressive, mobile style of hunting.

Turkey hunting in the mountains has a lot in common with elk hunting. Covering country, using terrain, cutting distance, locating vocal birds, and making smart moves all carry over.

• Why Jason likes to hunt that May 5 to May 15 window for mature gobblers

• The importance of knowing when a hen should be visible to a bird

• How bobcats and predators can affect when birds come off the roost in certain areas

• Why decoys may matter more in late-season archery setups

• The difference between hunting a bird’s routine and hunting a bird that has become more erratic

• Why running ridges for gobbles in Merriam’s country feels just like chasing elk

“As soon as I know that my tree yelp got that gobble, do not call again until that bird pitches out of the roost. All you can do is screw it up from there.”

Turkey hunting can seem simple until you start trying to consistently kill mature birds. Then you realize it’s a game of timing, setup, patience, and reading behavior.

This episode is a great reminder that success often comes from doing less, paying attention, and understanding where the bird is in the season — not just how good you are on a call.

If you’ve been getting value from the show, make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss upcoming episodes.

turkey hunting tactics, late season turkey hunting, Jason Phelps turkey hunting, Merriams turkey hunting, archery turkey hunting, turkey calling tips, roosted gobbler tactics, western turkey hunting, Days in the Wild podcast, Phoenix Shooting Bags

Guest: Scott Leysath — The Sporting Chef Episode: Field-to-Table Made Simple

What’s inside (quick hits):

• The three biggest mistakes that make wild game “gamey”—and how to fix them

• Field care that actually matters (cooling, cleanliness, trim)

• Cut-to-method pairings for deer, elk, upland, and waterfowl

• Weeknight formulas: fast marinades, hot-and-fast sears, smart sides

• Gateway dishes that win over non-hunters (and why they work)

Takeaway: Respect the animal, manage heat and fat, add acid and texture—great wild game is technique, not luck.

Follow Scott: @thesportingchef Follow John: @johnstallone