Winning the 2025 Eastmans Montana Mule Deer Hunt | Jake Pashuta | EPJ #89

What happens when a lifelong whitetail hunter from Pennsylvania finally gets his first crack at the West?

In this episode of the Eastmans’ Journal Podcast, Ike Eastman sits down with Jake Pashuta, the 2025 Eastmans mule deer hunt winner, alongside Eastmans own Brandon Mason, who was there to film and experience the hunt firsthand. From the moment Jake gets “the call” to the long drive across eastern Montana—and even a close encounter with a rattlesnake before he ever reaches camp—this conversation captures the nerves, humor, and raw excitement of a first-ever Western hunt.

Jake shares his journey from growing up in a blue-collar Pennsylvania deer camp to dreaming about wide-open country, learning how to glass big country, and adapting to a completely different style of hunting in the Missouri Breaks of Montana. The guys break down camp life, the realities of wind-blown days, missed opportunities, and the steep learning curve that comes with chasing mule deer in open terrain.

They also dive into the moment everything finally comes together—when preparation, patience, and a little luck collide—and Jake capitalizes on his opportunity to take a great Montana mule deer. Along the way, there’s plenty of laughter, camp stories, gear talk, and perspective on what makes these Eastmans hunt winner experiences so special.

If you’ve ever dreamed about hunting out West, wondered what it’s really like for a first-timer, or just enjoy honest hunting stories told around a virtual campfire, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Watch all of the EHJ Podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3oV1kEbu74HrR_GEK5VL9pCc6dME5py_

#podcast #JakePashuta #eastmansjournalpodcast
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