Thrive Episode 49 - Spring Bear Success Starts Now
Spring bear season doesn’t start when the tag hits your pocket, it should start right now!
Spring bear hunting is snowline game. An elevation game and a timing game. The bear hunters who are guessing are about to get exposed.
2026? It’s going to punish the unprepared.
Thrive Episode 48 - The Truth About Elk Tags: Is The System Rigged
Remember when elk hunting out West meant hitting the mountains, not crunching numbers, gaming odds, or dodging fine print and deception?
What’s happening in the Western elk tag system isn’t just frustrating, it’s broken. The states know it. The math proves it.
Thrive Episode 47 - Why Average Western Hunters Stay Average: Four Pitfalls To Avoid
Most Western hunters don’t fall short because of bad luck—or bad gear. No one sets out with the goal to be average.
But somewhere along the way, comfort and familiar creep in and take over. This is how the cycle begins, and you need to be intentional to break it.
Thrive Episode 46 - The Numbers Don't Lie: Montana Mule Deer Collapse
In this Thrive episode, we continue the conversation from the hard truths we laid out in Thrive 45.
I’m going to address the biggest questions you asked, and then I’m going to lay out several ideas for your consideration.
Doing nothing is no longer an option; we’ve been wearing that option out.
Thrive Episode 45 - Death By A Thousand Tags: The Mule Deer Freefall
Montana’s deer herds didn’t just disappear overnight. It wasn’t random. This was a slow-motion train wreck, and the people in charge of the tracks, well, they stood there and watched it happen.
That’s Montana’s mule deer story. From over 386,000 animals to under 250,000 in just seven years.
While other states pulled back and course-corrected, Montana kept feeding the tag machine.
Thrive Episode 44 - Late-Season Hunts Are Brutal: Five Tips To Keep You In The Game
There’s one thing that will end a hunt faster than a blown stalk or busted gear—and that’s getting cold and wet.
I’ve been on enough late-season hunts to know this all too well.
In this Thrive episode, I’m breaking down five tactics that can help keep you warmer, drier, and more prepared for the cold days ahead on late-season backcountry hunts.
Thrive Episode 43 - Western Hunting & Marriage: Curbing The Chaos
This Thrive episode isn’t about hunt planning, elk strategy, or bear tactics. It’s about something that comes up more than just almost anything else:
Merging Western hunting & successful marriages, and what it looks like when one of you disappears into the wilderness for long periods of time.
This is another real one. And I think it’s going to hit home with a lot of Western hunters.
Thrive Episode 42 - Backcountry Gear Youi Didn't Know You Needed: Live From The Hunt
In this special Live From the Hunt edition of the Thrive Vodcast, Mark sits down with his good friend Chiam.
From power bank myths, solar panel failures, daily food bag disasters, freeze-dried McGriddle experiments, and new tech that is changing how hunters film, glass, and stay powered — this is a full gear breakdown straight from the mountain.
Thrive Episode 41 - How Thrive Startedf & Where We Are Going
What happens when you give me the keys to the bus and let me run wild?
Brice Bishop, a good friend and the founder of Peax Equipment, and I sit down to talk about what he was thinking when he gave me the green light on this Thrive concept.
Thrive Episode 40 - Blood Tracking - A Not So New Approach
If you hunt long enough, unfortunately, wounding an animal is going to happen. It’s not a matter of if, it’s when!
It sucks. It’s heartbreaking. It’s real, and it just happened to me!
What you choose to do next is where the story can take a sharp turn—for better or worse.
Thrive Episode 39 - Public Land Hunting Just Changed Forever
The anti-american YouTube police banned this Episode becase I talked about a badass backcountry rifle.
The Weatherby Alpine Carbon
Thrive Episode 37 - The Bearded Butchers Unleashed
This is part two of my conversation with the legendary Bearded Butcher Brothers. Scott and Seth take us from our elk hunt together back to the butcher shop and into one of the craziest chaos stories.
A bison breaks loose from their White Feather Butcher shop and goes on a rampage through town!
The whole family joined in the chase down, it is real, and it’s hilarious. The storytelling is classic Bearded Butchers, raw, real, and 100% authentic.
Thrive Episode 37 - The Bearded Butchers Unleashed
In this special edition episode of the Thrive Vodcast, I sit down with the legendary Bearded Butcher Brothers. Scott and Seth are the two men behind YouTube’s most popular carnivore and butchering channels.
I’m blessed to call these two guys friends. They are not only masters in the butcher shop, they’re passionate hunters, family men, and fantastic storytellers.
It’s raw, real, hilarious, and 100% authentic Bearded Butchers!
Thrive Episode 36 - The Transition To Late-Season Elk Hunting
That’s a wrap for most of the western archery seasons. The bows are cased, the bugles have gone quiet, the bulls are becoming more reclusive, and now it’s time to switch gears.
We’re headed into those late rifle elk seasons, and your entire approach needs to shift.
Here’s the thing! The elk have changed, and so should you!
I’m breaking down four late-season focus principles that I use to help me find elk when the mountains turn quiet, cold, and cruel.
Thrive Episode 35 - The September Obsession: What It Gives. What It Takes...
There’s something about the magic of September! The elk bugles, the crisp mornings, the miles we grind, it’s sacred ground for archery elk hunters.
In this Live From The Hunt Thrive Vodcast, I take you beyond the adrenaline and intense obsession of September. Yes, it’s magic, it’s important, but it’s not “THE” important.
We dive into the obsession, the pressure, the expectations, and how to keep it all in perspective. This one’s for the diehards, the dreamers, and the ones who live for the chase.
Thrive Episode 34 - How To Make Your Own Elk Brats- Part Two
In this Live After The Hunt episode, I work through Phase Two of DIY Meat Processing.
I’ll show you how I process and prepare hamburger grind, and two versions of our favorite bratwurst.
This is part two of this Live After The Hunt Thrive Vodcast series dedicated to helping hunters take full control of their wild game harvest.
From field to freezer, nothing connects you to your hunt like processing your own meat.
Thrive Episode 33 - DIY Elk Processing - Skip The Butcher
In this Live After The Hunt episode, I work through Phase One of DIY Meat Processing. I’ll show you how I break down and prepare bulk elk meat to get it ready for the hamburger grind, sausage, and bratwurst.
Whether you’re brand new to processing or looking to sharpen your techniques, this episode will give you the foundational help you need to turn your elk into prime, ready-to-use cuts.
Thrive Episode 32 - My Toughest Elk Hunt Yet
This episode is my first live from the hunt series! I’m on an archery elk hunt with Jeff Helm, Josh Smunk and Brian Andrews.
Jeff is packing elk out, so Josh and I set down to record this live from the hunt episode.
Thrive Episode 31 - Keys To Elk Success With Corey Jacobsen
The season is finally here, and I couldn’t be more fired up. It going to be a real test for me, but I would not want it any other way. Before I head out into the Wilderness, I wanted to release a Live On Location episode I did with Corey Jacobson.
I was an honor to sit down with Corey, he is one of the best elk hunters and arguably the world’s best elk caller. Corey has forgotten more about elk hunting than I will ever know.
Thrive Episode 30 - Why Llamas Crush The Backcountry
What’s the deal with pack llamas?
What’s all the hype? Are they really worth it? How do they stack up against horses, goats, or mules? Should you buy them? Can you rent them? Why llamas?
I’ve spent the last decade building one of the most capable Western pack llama teams out there! I’m all in on llamas, and now nearly 40 llamas deep—and today, I’m going to show you exactly why these animals are true needle movers for serious backcountry hunters.
Thrive Episode 29 - Turning 60, Torn Quad - Planning My Toughest Season Yet!
The Western seasons are firing up, and if you’re not already prepping, you’re behind the curve.
On this episode of the Thrive Vodcast, I’m diving into how I’m prepping for back-to-back steep terrain, high-stakes hunts, while rehabbing from torn quad surgery and turning 60 along the way.
We review some killer gear upgrades, share a few strategy shifts, and review another juicy plot twist in Colorado’s wolf reintroduction fairy tale drama.
Thrive Episode 28 - Five Rules To Save Your Elk Season
If you chase elk in the West long enough, you’re going to face Hunt Area Paralysis.
It happens when you pour all your effort and mental collateral into one so-called quote ‘money spot,’ only to pack in and find it stone cold. No fresh sign. No bugles. No Nothing.
Thrive Episode 27 - Why 94% Don't Punch Elk Tags
After every season, I hear the same thing: ‘Man, I wish I had prepared better. Lack of preparation probably leaves more tags unfilled than poor shooting ever will.
These are the details that separate the 6% who punch tags from the 94% who don’t.
Thrive Episode 26 - Early Season Elk Mastery With Dan Staton From Elk Shape
I’m joined by one of the most intensely dedicated elk hunters I know—Dan Staten, the founder of ElkShape.
If you know Dan, you know he is intense and doesn’t cut corners. He’s hands down one of the most disciplined and committed elk hunters out there.
Thrive Episode 25 - Surviving A Grizzly Attack - Bear Spray vs Firearm
It’s a question of survival. If you spend time in grizzly country, you might only get one chance to get it right.
We’re talking about what works when the chips are down and a grizzly bear is closing the gap at 30 miles an hour.
Thrive Episode 24 - The Elk Locator You've Been Missing
Do you ever wonder why elk aren't where they're “supposed” to be? Everything looks perfect, but the elk are not there!
This is part two of my Live On Location Thrive Vodcast with Cody Rich from the Rich Outdoors.
This episode is directly from the elk finding trenches.
Thrive Episode 23 - Killer Public Land Elk Nuggets With Cody Rich
This episode kicks off a brand-new format of the Peax Thrive Vodcast: Thrive Live On Location, and we’re coming to you straight from the Total Archery Challenge in Red Lodge, Montana.
I’m joined by Cody Rich — one of the prolific and sharpest E-Scouting minds in the elk finding game.
Thrive Episode 22 - The Digital Leash • A Hidden Cost of Tech In The Backcountry
Today’s Western hunters are inherently connected to their digital devices. The digital world isn’t coming to hunting—it’s already here.
From mapping apps to satellite messengers, rechargeable headlamps to Starlink Minis—we’re more connected and more power-dependent in the backcountry than ever before.
Thrive Episode 21 - Thrive Live Premier Event • June 24, 2025
My first Peax Thrive Live event was a lot of fun!
I’m sorry YouTube left the building on us at the 33-minute mark. The live event recording is now available on the Peax YouTube Channel.
These Live YouTube events will be raw, unfiltered, and 100% focused on your questions.
Thrive Episode 20 - Is This The End Of Over The Counter Elk Hunting
There was a time—not that long ago—when getting a Western elk tag was almost the easiest part of the hunt.
No spreadsheets. No point creep. No application strategy. Just pick a state, grab a tag, and go hunting!
Well, those days? They’re basically over!
Thrive Episode 19 - Joe Rogan Drops Wolf Bomb & DIY Meals To Fuel Your Hunts
The Colorado wolf carnage is back in the spotlight, this time in Aspen.
Joe Rogan just posted about wolves obliterating calves on a friend’s ranch.
Since then, the blood trail’s only gotten longer.
Thrive Episode 18 - One Hunting App Is Not Enough
Stacking Odds: One Hunting App Is Not Enough!
If you’re still using just one hunting app to plan your Western hunts, you're already behind the curve.
No single tool does it all. Not OnX. Not GOHUNT. Not even Gaia. But when you combine them—and build out a robust hunt planning toolbox—you begin to stack the odds in your favor.
Thrive Episode 17 - What Killed Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness
Grizzlies, Wolves & Politics: The Sterilization of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The elk numbers have dropped to less than 300 in the 50-mile corridor. Wolves and grizzlies now own the place.
In this episode, we are going to explore what happened to the once great Bob Marshall Wilderness Area.
Thrive Episode 16 - 12 Core Elk Finding Commandments
Elk hunting success usually starts—and ends—with one thing: finding elk!
You can have the best gear, be the best caller, and you could even have the best legs in the unit… but if you're not where the elk want to be, none of that matters much.
Thrive Episode 15 - Bears Denied, Wolves Dead & Deer Declining
Another dead reintroduced wolf in Colorado.
Montana’s mule deer herd? Is it falling off a cliff, who is responsible?
Idaho, potential good news for big game hunters.
In the Technology segment, we evaluate the CalTopo platform and how it might be one of the most underused, yet overpowered, mapping platforms in Western hunting.
Thrive Episode 14 - Lines We Can’t Cross & Spring Bear Gold
Public land access is back under the microscope—corner crossing is back in the headlines, and Western hunters are once again caught in the legal gray zone.
While lawmakers and judges argue over public/private property lines and airspace rights, the bears? They don’t care.
Thrive Episode 13
It’s that time again—spring bear season is officially here!
These adrenaline-filled hunts mark the first real backcountry test of the year. A chance to shake off the winter gloom, chase the spring green-up, and reconnect with the mountains we love.
In today’s Thrive Episode, I’m going to walk you through what’s inside this new Phase One course, why it matters, and how it might just change the way you chase spring bears.
Thrive Episode 12
In this episode, we’re digging into some of the toughest, rawest parts of the game: solo hunting, conquering fear—and resisting the quiet urge to quit when things get tough.
It’s not glamorous, and it sure as hell isn’t easy. But it just might be the single biggest needle-mover in your journey as a Western hunter.
Thrive Episode 11
Chasing wolves in the far northern reaches of Canada...
Getting run over by your hunt partners on a snowmobile...
Recording a podcast from the truck while nursing a torn quad injury...
Launching an epic spring bear hunt giveaway
And dialing in the perfect elevation zone for spring bears
From chasing wolves in the snow to spring bears in the Western backcountry, this episode is packed with the tools, stories, and strategies to level up your next hunt.
Thrive Episode 10
This episode of the Peax Thrive Vodcast is coming to you from the road—recorded inside the Peax Cybertruck at the Utah Hunt Expo.
Brady Miller, Brad Hunt, and I dive into the latest gear innovations, break down some upcoming hunts, and relive a few epic spring bear encounters, featuring never-before-seen footage.
From new tech to next-level e-scouting and pushing hard into the backcountry—this is exactly why we do what we do.
Thrive Episode 9
Consistent elk hunting success comes down to stacking the odds in your favor.
Most public land DIY hunters take the good enough approach and then wonder why they fall into the average 6% success rate.
The Reality: If you can’t find elk, you can’t hunt elk!
In this Thrive episode, we dive into expanding your elk hunting toolbox—showing you how to go beyond the basics, integrate multiple tools, and the importance and value in developing a Strategic Hunt Plan.
Thrive Episode 8
Today’s episode is coming to you from Las Vegas! I made the trip to the GOHUNT offices and warehouse to record the “Greatest E-Scouting Podcast Ever Part Two” with Brady Miller and Trail Kreitzer. This podcast did not disappoint, I love sitting down with these two guys, they geek out on hunt planning as I do.
Thrive Episode 7
In today’s episode, I’m tackling a common question I seem to be getting all the time—how to optimize and tweak Google Earth Pro for peak performance.
Have you had random crashing or performance issues with Google Earth Pro, I’m going to kick off this show by helping to steer you in the right direction. I’m going to run through some steps and adjustments that will improve the performance and capability of Google Earth Pro.
What Do The Western Hunting Experts Say
Cody Rich
The Rich Outdoors Podcast | Backcountry Fuel Box
"I have interviewed hundreds of hunters and most of the best big game hunters in the world. The one thing they all have in common is their ability to plan a hunt and their efficiency in the hills. Mark Livesay is hands down the best E-scouting guru I have ever met, and this course will help you layout a game plan that will absolutely take your hunting to the next level. His course is underpriced and quite possibly the best information ever put together on the topic."
Ryan Lampers
Western Hunting Summit | Sthealthy Products
"Time is of utmost importance when taking on big hunts each and every season. A detailed Hunt Plan combined with a E-Scouting system is a game changer. Consistent success just doesn’t happen, which is why the Treeline Academy E-Scouting MasterClass is so incredibly helpful when planning an elk hunt. September is short. Prepare, know before you go and eliminate wasting that precious mountain time."
Brian Barney
Eastmans Elevated Podcast
"Mark Livesay has developed the best comprehensive resource to build a successful hunt plan. He has broken down how to dissect a unit and find productive elk habitat. E-scouting is one of the most crucial skills to learning new spots and this program will take it to a higher level."
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