A lifelong fitness enthusiast and elk hunter, Dan Staton combined both his passions to found ElkShape, a strength and conditioning service for outdoor enthusiasts. We’re proud to have Dan as a Montana Knife Company ambassador who shares our mission: helping others succeed in the field.
From Childhood Hunts to Lifetime Passion
Dan started hunting at age six, joining his father on overnight grouse and deer hunts. These early trips laid the foundation for what would become a central part of his life.
“My dad mainly hunted for subsistence. One of our main staples was deer meat,” Dan says.
By age 10, Dan had his hunting license and was ready to venture out on his own. These early experiences taught him patience, observation skills, and respect for wildlife, lessons he still carries today.
Strength in Body and Purpose
As a teenager, Dan became interested in fitness. When he wasn’t playing sports, he was in the gym. He noticed that physical training improved his performance and confidence in other areas of life, especially athletics and hunting.
This dual interest shaped his career path. He earned a master’s degree in exercise physiology with a focus on human performance and completed an internship working with NFL Combine athletes.
Dan faced a turning point when he realized his dream of becoming an NFL strength coach would conflict with his love for bowhunting elk. “You’re going to spend every Sunday on the sidelines at every game all fall long,” he says of that role’s responsibilities. “You will never have time to bow hunt elk.”
He chose a path that combined both passions: For 11 years, he ran his own gym while making time for hunting seasons. “I have never regretted that decision,” he says.
Today, Dan runs ElkShape, a company that reflects his values: Faith, Family, Fitness, Hunting, and Career, in that order. Dan admits he once placed hunting above all else, but has since learned a more balanced approach that keeps his priorities in check.
His fitness philosophy is practical: physical conditioning enables better hunting experiences. By staying in shape year-round, he’s ready for mountain hunting’s challenges and can hunt in areas other hunters may not be able to reach.
Why MKC?
Mutual values and an appreciation for high-quality craftsmanship drew Dan to MKC. He admires our independent spirit and the fact that we’re hunters creating tools for fellow hunters.
“When I got to know Josh Smith and understood that he wasn’t a sellout, I was all in,” Dan says. He respected that MKC was founded by a hunter and family man from northwest Montana, just two hours from Dan's home, who built the company through hard work without outside investment.
Dan's preferred MKC blade is the ultralight Speedgoat 2.0. He appreciates its lightweight design and edge retention.
Protecting What Matters
Looking ahead, Dan sees challenges for the hunting community, including declining hunter numbers as older generations age out and younger people face more distractions.
He’s also concerned about discord among hunters themselves.
“We have to navigate the infighting and the egos and the comparison,” he says. “If you’re a hunter and you buy a license and tag and you follow the rules and regulations, I’m getting behind you regardless of the weapon you choose or the style of hunt.”
Dan is particularly passionate about conservation, seeing hunters as having a direct stake in wildlife protection. He believes hunting creates a connection to food sources, heritage, and natural history that’s worth preserving for future generations.
“Hunting was probably not invented. Hunting was not just something that came to be; it has always been and it should always be,” he states. “I think we need to look at the greater, bigger picture and put our money and time where our mouth is.”
To follow Dan’s outdoor adventures, visit:
Instagram: @ElkShape
