STEVEN DRAKE: HUNTING INFLUENCER, SHED HUNTING BLOGGER & BACKCOUNTRY PHOTOGRAPHER
Introduction to Steven Drake: Influencer and Outdoor Content Creator
Steven Drake is a prominent hunting influencer and outdoor blogger renowned for his visually compelling storytelling and authentic documentation of North American backcountry hunting. Based in Montana, Drake has cultivated a niche at the intersection of extreme terrain exploration, shed hunting, and high-level hunting photography. With an extensive portfolio and collaborations with major industry brands like Sitka Gear, Mathews Archery, OnX Maps, YETI, and Leupold, he is widely recognized as a trusted voice and visual chronicler in the outdoor influencer ecosystem.
Hunting Style: A Strategic and Ethical Approach
As an experienced blogger and influencer, Steven Drake emphasizes a highly strategic, research-driven approach to hunting. His methods include detailed winter scouting of animal migration routes followed by intensive spring shed hunting—a process that involves locating cast antlers left behind by elk and deer. This methodology not only sharpens his understanding of animal behavior but also allows for ethical, well-informed hunting during the season. Drake is particularly known for his minimalist, leave-no-trace ethic, often trekking into remote, physically demanding locations to pursue his quarry.
Preferred Types of Hunting: Elk, Mule Deer & Backcountry Pursuits
Steven Drake focuses predominantly on elk and mule deer hunting across rugged public lands in the Western United States. These include high-altitude basins, deep canyons, and densely timbered wilderness regions. As an outdoor blogger, he often shares tactical insights about archery seasons, rut patterns, and terrain-specific challenges. His audience appreciates the depth of his field-tested strategies, which blend traditional Western big-game hunting practices with modern mapping and navigation tools.
Signature Locations: Montana and the Western United States
Drake's hunting expeditions are primarily rooted in Montana, but his reach as a blogger and influencer extends to neighboring states including Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. His Instagram content (@stevendrakephoto) features frequent visual dispatches from these rugged environments—documenting the breathtaking landscapes, wildlife encounters, and physical endurance required for success in the backcountry.
Trophy Collection and Field Achievements
As a result of his intensive shed hunting expeditions, Steven Drake has built an impressive collection of mature elk and mule deer antlers. These trophies, often found miles deep into untracked terrain, serve both as personal milestones and as valuable educational tools in his content. More than just static displays, these antlers are integrated into his digital storytelling, offering tangible proof of the efficacy of his scouting and hunting methods.
Equipment and Weaponry: Precision and Durability
Although Steven Drake does not publicly list specific weapon models, his brand partnerships suggest the use of elite-level gear. This includes:
Archery Equipment: Mathews compound bows, favored for accuracy and reliability.
Optics: Leupold spotting scopes and binoculars for glassing distant ridgelines.
Backpacks and Apparel: Mystery Ranch packs and Sitka Gear clothing tailored for durability in high-altitude conditions.
Photography: Sony A7R III and professional-grade lenses, enabling premium visual content production even in low-light, high-contrast mountain environments.
Educational Contributions and Mentorship
Drake has parlayed his influence as a hunting blogger into educational initiatives, offering digital courses on hunting photography and shed hunting through platforms like The Hunting Photographer and Anchored Outdoors. These programs include hours of instructional footage, live Q&A sessions, and downloadable resources—providing aspiring hunters and photographers with practical, real-world knowledge directly from the field.
Brand Collaborations and Industry Influence
As an influencer with strong credibility, Steven Drake is a frequent collaborator with top-tier outdoor brands. His ability to produce organic, field-validated content makes him an asset in campaign development, ambassador programs, and branded storytelling. His role as a thought leader is underscored by his consistent appearance in industry publications and hunting media platforms, reinforcing his authority in the outdoor influencer space.
Conclusion: A Trusted Voice in the Modern Hunting Landscape
Steven Drake exemplifies the modern hunting influencer—equal parts storyteller, strategist, educator, and conservationist. His work as a blogger goes beyond the surface, delivering data-driven tactics, real-life challenges, and visually powerful narratives from some of the most remote terrains in North America. For audiences seeking substance, authenticity, and professional-grade insights into shed hunting, ethical pursuit, and backcountry photography, Steven Drake remains a benchmark within the outdoor content creator community.
TOP HUNTING BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS
