🏹 Western Vantage – August 4, 2025
Welcome to Western Vantage
Hunting the West isn’t easy. Staying informed just got a whole lot easier.
Intro
Happy Monday! You've got coffee in one hand and curiosity in the other. August is officially here: draw deadlines are looming, fire season is reshaping the backcountry, and elk are still in velvet but getting restless. Let’s break it all down.
Tag Tracker
Idaho Hunt Outlook – Idaho Fish & Game updated the statewide deer and elk predictions for 2025. Calf survival’s strong, fawn survival on the uptick—herd outlook is positive. But don’t get complacent—draws are still competitive.
👉 Read the 2025 Idaho outlook
Utah Permit Alert & Fire Updates – The Monroe Canyon Fire is still burning, and Utah wildlife officials are offering permit surrender and transfer options. If you’ve drawn tags in that unit, check your eligibility.
👉 Permit surrender details
Predator Watch
Montana Wolf Quotas
Montana’s Fish & Wildlife Commission just approved a new statewide wolf quota of 452, with Region 3 (near Yellowstone) capped at 60. Hunters can now take up to 15 wolves via hunting and trapping, and infrared/thermal scopes are legal on private land.
👉 Details from Montana Free Press
Coyote Calling Tips
Best practice: Use an e-call like FoxPro to move the sound away from your setup.
Switch up sounds: Rabbit distress is old hat—try puppy-in-distress for better results.
👉 Western Hunter tipsSummer setups: Pair pup howls with fawn distress near den areas. Light camo is key for August heat.
👉 Code Blue summer tactics
Predator Gear Picks
FoxPro Shockwave – reliable, premium e-call.
Thermal optics (Pulsar, FLIR) – huge advantage at dawn/dusk.
Light early-season camo – stay cool, stay hidden.
Rut Watch
Still velvet, still distant—but bull activity is ramping up in shaded basins. Watch wallows and springs, especially midday. The peak rut window? September 17–27 is your sweet spot this year.
👉 Elk101’s 2025 rut timing guide
The Chuckle Ridge (Funny/Offbeat)
Hunter texted a photo of what looked like a massive doe—arched back and thick neck—only for a buddy to point out: “Dude, that’s just your friend’s Labrador. Calm down.” Always zoom before you brag.
Western Wisdom
“Good calling is half patience, half preparation—don’t bluff either half.”