Adam is one of those legit BC killers that quietly gets it done every year on great animals. Last time he was on the podcast we discussed his phenomenal blacktail record and this time we chatted about his similar streak with Stone’s Sheep. Adam Sarich https://www.instagram.com/4pointoutdoors/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-rev…

Start of a new live series with the crew. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https:…

After the frustrations I experienced during my recent Mountain Goat hunt, I decided on my way home that I needed to completely overhaul my long-range hunting system. I reached out to Caylen from Modern Day Sniper and we agreed to collaborate together on some content detailing my journey. Here is part 1 with much more on the way Caylen Wojcik https:…

Welcome to Mindful Hunter Outfitting, where we bring you the ultimate Canadian hunting experience! Whether you're an aspiring hunter looking to sharpen your skills or a seasoned veteran in search of trophy game, we've got something for you. Our Alberta Archery Mule Deer hunts and BC Spring Bear hunts offer a unique blend of adventure, challenge, an…

Well folks here is the second and possibly last part of my 2024 goat hunt. There are many lessons learned on this one and much room for improvement. I hope you enjoy. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfu…

Well folks I am back from my goat hunt, and this is the first episode in a two-part series detail the adventure we had. I am joined on part 1 by Vance Johnson as we recount the first half of our hunt. Stay tuned for more Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https:…

I have spent a lifetime hiking in the mountains, and I also have Morton’s Neuroma which has led me to be very particular about both my boot choice and the insoles I use inside them. I have tried multiple custom orthotics and was always intrigued but skeptical about Sheepfeet. I have now run my custom insoles from Sheepfeet for the last two years an…

I love doing head-to-head product reviews but sometimes it’s hard to capture all the nuance of the underlying technologies or materials. So, I wanted to take a first principles approach to gear reviews in this new series and start to look at individual variables separate from the products themselves. I have wanted to do a backcountry stove review f…

I only met Tyler a few months ago when he invited me on his podcast, but I instantly knew he was my people. He is an ex-cop turned private physical performance coach with a deep passion for hunting and the outdoors. We had a great chat, and I hope you enjoy it. Tyler Geiger http://www.nockperformance.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nockperformance/ …

Over the last three years, I have slowly become obsessed with late-season whitetail hunting. The one difficulty is staying warm for 10 hour sits in -20 degree weather! I have experimented with multiple different heating strategies and think I have finally found the best one for my hunting style. Last year I ran The IconX Heated Core Long Sleeve and…

The crew over at Stuck N The Rut have one of the best hunting YouTube channels going right now. I got eh chance to sit down with Tom Schneider and have a great chat. We touched on a bunch of topics including hunting tactics, the history of North Idaho hunting and some of the courses and events that SNTR are offering now for up-and-coming hunters. T…

To celebrate Cody’s successful hunt all Forged apparel will be 20% off for the next week until July 9th and any purchases made will be entered into the next giveaway! Just use code Cody20 at https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ When I launched Forged In The Backcountry I gave away a guided bear hunt with Primitive Outfitting. Part of the prize was t…

Technically, this is the longest amount of time I have ever spent researching and testing for a review. I got my first pair of Outdoor Research gaiters 23 years ago. Since that time, I have been on the quest to find the perfect pair of gaiters. In this review I compare 4 different options and share why I think I have found my new perfect system. Li…

We’re back for another episode of Guns & Stuff. This week Colton and I sat down with Matt from AG composite stocks. AG Composite https://www.agcomposites.com/ https://www.instagram.com/agcomposites/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcount…

Get 15% off with code fathersday2024 at https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ until June 16th. You can also enter for your chance to win a prize pack valued at over $1000 by visiting this Instagram post. https://bit.ly/3VjR7Ty If you’re looking to go deep on orthotics, inserts and assistive devices to improve foot function than this is the podcast fo…

Well, it was time to interview the host. I’ve known Mark Huelsing, the number 2 at Exo and host of the Hunt Backcountry Podcast, for a few years now and we text quite regularly, but I wanted to get him on the podcast to pick his brain about his history and the role hunting plays in his life. They also have a super cool project coming up at Exo this…

Jake puts more animals on the ground with a stickbow every year than most guys can with a compound or rifle. On top of that, he runs his own electrical contracting business and has a young family to take care of. Jake and I spent most of our time discussing mindset, discipline and why it’s important to do hard shit every day. Jake Downs https://www…

In less than 3 months Vance and I are headed into the alpine for our early season rifle goat hunt. We sat down to go over the general game plan and our gear lists. Vance’s Gear List https://www.mindfulhunter.com/s/Vances-Goat-Gear-List-2024.jpeg Jay’s Gear List https://www.mindfulhunter.com/s/2024-Early-Season-Goat-Hunt.xlsx Vance Johnson https://w…

On the most recent episode of Guns & Stuff, Colton and I sat down with Bryan and Eric from Hammer Bullets to discuss their unique approach to bullet design. Hammer Bullets https://hammerbullets.com/ https://www.instagram.com/hammerbulletsco/ Eric Hoover https://www.instagram.com/hooverprecisionrifles/ Colton https://www.instagram.com/papwinkle/ Jay…

Bryan is not only the founder of Day Six Gear, but he is also a very successful businessman who's driving motivations are his family and faith. I love talking to guys like Bryan because I get the chance to learn from someone who is tackling similar problems to myself but is a little closer to finding the best solutions. We talked a lot about busine…

Okay we’re gonna kick it old school with the podcast for a new series where I’ll do deep dive q&a’s on gear categories. Up first is Sleep Systems. Let me know what you want to see next! Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch…

Less than one week left for your chance to enter the BC Guided Bear Hunt Giveaway. Every $5 you spend at https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ will get you one entry! This week I sat down with my good friend Jeff Lander who owns Primitive Outfitting and guides Mule Deer in Alberta and Moose and Bear in BC. Jeff is also the one who is hosting the give…

This week on Guns & Stuff, Colton and I sit down with Zac Waterman from Nosler to go deep on their product offerings. We had a bunch of great questions from listeners and I learned a ton on this episode. Less than two weeks left for your chance to enter the BC Guided Bear Hunt Giveaway. Every $5 you spend at https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ will…

It’s been a while since I did an old-fashioned Q&A episode so figured it was time to bang one out. Lots of great questions in this one! Drop me a note if you want to see more of these episodes. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.co…

EP 169 – Culture, Conservation, and Hunting Rights with Mike Duplan Mike is known for killing big mule deer but more importantly, Mike also has a very strong voice for conservation and hunting rights. Given the climate we are in right now and all the battles we are facing for our hunting rights across North America I wanted to have Mike on to get h…

Alright folks, it’s rare but it does happen. Every now and then I use a product so bad that I can say with complete confidence you do not need this in your arsenal. This tripod definitely fits into this category. I hope you guys find this useful and I give some other recommendations at the end of the video for products that will perform significant…

Chill episode this week as I sit down with my buddy Leighton who gave me a hand at the booth during the WSSBC Mountain Hunting Expo this year. We go over the show and just have a general catchup about gear and hunting. Leighton is one of those super solid quiet dudes I’ve got to know through hunting and gear reviews and I hope to get him on more ep…

One of the first podcasts I discovered when I was getting into backcountry hunting was Gritty Bowmen. It was a brand-new podcast hosted by Brian Call. It was one of the most impactful shows on both my development as a hunter and the type of hunting I ended up pursuing. Brian played a large role in my fascination with bow-hunting elk in the rut and …

On this episode of Guns & Stuff, Colton and I sat down with Seth from Hornady to do a deep dive on the different families of bullets offered by Hornady, their 4DOF solution, when you should choose a monolithic, and much more. Seth From Hornady https://www.hornady.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-hornady-podcast/id1603633739 Jay Nichol…

I have wanted to sit down with Steve since I started this podcast. His app was one of the main sources of information that helped me kill my first solo blacktail in the mountains. We covered a ton of ground on this one and Steve held nothing back. It was a privilege and an honour and I know you will find some value in this episode. Steve Isdahl htt…

Steve is someone I have followed on IG for a while not only because he’s a badass mule deer hunter but because he buys and tests a lot of his own gear. We had a great chat about deer hunting and some of the standout pieces of hear he ran this last year and also some duds he came across. Steve Evans https://www.instagram.com/__steve__evans__/ Jay Ni…

Travis Bader is a local entrepreneur who founded Silvercore Outdoors and hosts the Silvercore Podcast. I’ve been social media acquaintances with Travis, but this is the first chance I had to sit down with him for a good chat. Travis is one of those salt-of-the-earth guys who puts family first and is strongly dedicated to being a contributing member…

After months of work behind the scenes I am proud to announce that Forged In The Backcountry - A Lifestyle Apparel Brand For Backcountry Hunters is now live! In this video, I go over the story of how I came up with the brand, the design aesthetic, and all the products included in the initial launch. To celebrate the launch I am giving away a guided…

There have been some great strides of innovation in the ultralight tripod industry over the last few years and Aziak and Tricer are two of the best examples of this. Both these companies have taken different approaches to solving the problem of creating the lightest weight backcountry tripod while still offering a stable platform for glassing. I’ve…

I have been asked many times to do a range-finding binocular review so when I was finally able to do one, I wanted to do it right. In this review, I compare the Vortex Fury 500AB, Sig Kilo 3K, Leica Geovid 3200.com, Revic Acura, Sig Kilo 10K ABS, and Zeiss Victory RF. This was hands down the most complicated review I have ever done, and I have been…

I’d like to welcome you to a new series on the podcast. I’ve teamed up with Pap Van Winkle to bring you a regular podcast focused on hunting gun-related topics. I think one of the reasons for my success over the years has been the self-awareness to stay in my own lane. I am not a gun expert and a lot of you out there have a ton of gun-related quest…

I have looked up to James for quite some time. I heard him talk about a dual broadhead setup he was running years ago on another podcast and the depth of analysis and preparation he displayed really resonated with me. In addition to that James is one of the most legit killers out there today when it comes to bid mature mule deer. James Yates https:…

Jill is a dedicated BC hunter who grew up in a hunting family and has come back to finding her peace in the mountains. I think she is a great example for all hunters and especially young women coming up in the discipline. She has integrity, hunts for the right reasons and loves to push herself in the mountains. We dove into her background growing u…

Mark has been hunting in the backcountry a long time and originally made a name for himself with his obsessive approach towards escouting. Mark has also long been a proponent of making your own meals for the backcountry. First with a dehydrator and now with a freeze drier. We had a great chat about out application strategies this year given all the…

I just got back from 10 days of archery hunting mule deer in the desert of southern New Mexico. I did not kill a deer but I learned a ton. In this podcast, I go over what worked, and what didn't, and I answer listeners' questions. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Merch https://www.mind…

Well after several months of testing I am finally able to share the results of my bino harness battle where I pit the Catamount and Kuiu harnesses head to head. As usual I dove into a ton of detail and did my best to give you an unbiased appraisal of the highlights and lowlights of each product. Catamount discount code Mindful10 0:00 – Intro 0:26 –…

I have had a ton of requests to review the Zeiss SFL 10x40 binoculars as they sit in a very interesting place in the market. Price-wise they sit right in-between most company’s alpha and mid-range options. That made me very curious to see how they stacked up regarding performance. As usual, I tried to offer a good blend of technical data and my unb…

Well folks it’s time to swing for the fences. After building Mindful Hunter and Mindful Reviews off the side of my desk for over 7 years it’s time to give it all my attention. In this podcast I dive into all the details about what it took to get to this point and what my plans are moving forward. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful…

Ryan Lampers is a hunter that you just can’t help but look up to. His success in killing mature examples across a variety of species speaks for itself but more impressive than that is the quiet demeanour with which he holds himself. I think there is a lot more to learn from Ryan than just how to kill big animals. Ryan Lampers https://www.instagram.…

Ever since I stumbled across Adam on Instagram, I’ve wanted to have a conversation with him. He is truly a fascinating guy. Bush pilot, father to a schwack of kids, hilarious and an absolute killer in the mountains. This was a great conversation, and I am already looking forward to round 2. Adam Grenda https://www.instagram.com/grenda89/ Jay Nichol…

EP 147 – Hunting and Outfitting with Cliff Gray Cliff is a very well-known outfitter who made a name for himself in The Flat Tops of Colorado and has now transitioned into a content creator with a thriving YouTube channel. Cliff is one of those guys with a very analytical mind and it was a pleasure to get into the details of his outfitting backgrou…

Alright folks, I had the pleasure of hunting whitetails in Saskatchewan with my bow, and as usual, it was an eventful experience. I seem to be incapable of having a regular old boring hunt. I go over my thoughts on guided hunts, how my bow blew up in a ground blind, blood trailing a deer for almost a mile, the new raffle that just went live where y…

After many requests, I figured it was time for a trekking pole head-to-head review. In this video, I compared the Argali Guide X against the Black Diamond Alpine Ero Cork. Both of these poles have some great features but they also have some stark differences worth discussing. Let me know in the comments section below which poles you’d like to see n…

Both the Sitka Ascent Pants and the Stone Glacier De Havilland Lite pants are great products that provide an excellent option for early-season pants. However, while they both do a good job they do so in different ways. During this field-tested review, I do my best to highlight what those differences are and share what circumstances I think each of …

During my drive home from Colorado, I told the story of my successful hunt and also answered a bunch of questions off of IG. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_h…