Planning Hunts 101: A Simple 5-Step System for Western Hunts

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If you’re staring at your wall of empty tags and thinking about what next year will look like, you’re not alone. This is the time of year when Western hunters start setting budgets, marking deadlines, and building next year’s application strategy.

The truth is, your 2026 hunt (or whatever’s next) will be won or lost by how you plan it now.

In this episode of the Hunt West Podcast, Jaden walks through his five-step system for planning a Western big-game hunt — a process he uses for both clients and his own hunts every single year.

Step 1: Define What You Want and Why

Start with clarity. What kind of hunt do you want — and why?
Whether your goal is your first elk with a bow or a mature muley in the velvet, defining your “what and why” is the foundation. Forget the vague “I just want a big one” mindset. Instead, align your goals with the type of country and experience you actually want.

Step 2: Research What Fits

Once your goals are clear, find out where they fit.
If you’re chasing velvet mule deer, an early-season state like Wyoming or Utah might make more sense than Montana. If you’re after open-country elk, maybe look at Colorado or Utah OTC tags. Hard-to-draw tags don’t always mean better hunting — talk to people who’ve been there, not just spreadsheets.

Step 3: Narrow Down the Where

Fire up OnX or Google Earth and start truthing your plan.
Check access, terrain, road density, vegetation, and the type of country that matches your hunting style. If you love glassing, don’t pick a thick timber unit. If you prefer easy access, make sure there are roads you can actually drive your rig on.

Step 4: Build Your Game Plan

Turn ideas into action.
That means finalizing your applications, syncing with your buddies, or locking down a trespass fee or outfitter before spots fill up. The more details you handle now, the less chaos you’ll face later.

Step 5: Get Ready to Execute

Once your plan’s set, it’s time to get yourself ready — physically, mentally, and logistically.
Tune your bow, fix your trailer, buy late-season boots, or get some saddle time before a horse-packed elk hunt. Don’t wait until July to find out your gear (or your legs) aren’t ready.

Whether you’re a new hunter or a veteran chasing new challenges, this five-step process works. As Jaden puts it, “This isn’t just for nonresidents — it’s for anyone who wants to level up their Western hunts.”

Now’s the time to build your next adventure, one step at a time.