Shows
The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 283 - Scientifically Dissecting Blk Flg's New Supplement RevengeRevenge by BLK FLG claims to deliver energy, focus, mood, and pumps—but does it actually hit the clinical doses that research shows are effective? In this no-BS deep dive, I break down every key ingredient—L-citrulline, caffeine, alpha-GPC, Dynamine™, TeaCrine®, huperzine A, and more—against real peer-reviewed science.
🎁 Gear Giveaway:
Win a SIG Oscar6 Image Stabilized Spotting Scope by supporting at https://www.mindfulreviews.com
🦉 Hunt with Me:
Interested in booking a 2026 hunt?
📧 Email me at: jay@mindfulhunter.com
💥 December Booking Discount Ends Jan 2!
✅ Support Indepe...
2025-12-3017 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 280 – Coues Deer Hunting Masterclass with Jay ScottI leave in just under a month for a two-week Coues hunting trip that will see me bow hunting in Arizona and rifle hunting in Mexico. That means there was no better time to sit down with the Coues legend himself, Jay Scott.
Jay Scott
https://www.instagram.com/jayscottoutdoors/
http://jayscottoutdoorspodcast.com/
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Forged In The Backcountry
https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/
2025-12-191h 28The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 272 – After-Action Hunt Report: Jay & Ben Debrief Montana Archery ElkIn this new series, I am going to focus on walking through a single hunt from this past season with a hunter and breaking down their success, lessons learned, gear failures and much more. On this episode, I sit down with my friend Ben, and we break down our archery elk hunt in Montana this year.
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Forged In The Backcountry
https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/
Merch
htt...
2025-11-211h 54The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 260 – The Full Circle Story: My Hunting Partner Bailed, and I Got Charged By A GrizzlyIn this episode of the Mindful Hunter Podcast, I break down the full story behind “Full Circle” — my year-long mountain goat saga filmed over six separate hunts in British Columbia. I share the raw behind-the-scenes truth of the final hunt: when my hunting partner bailed mid-trip and a grizzly charged me as I tried to recover my goat. From the emotional highs of the Full Circle premiere to the reality of solo backcountry hunting, this is one of the most intense stories I have ever told.
🎥 Watch the film: https://youtu.be/WoDa9wpmQgc
👕 Limited Edition Shir...
2025-10-101h 01The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 258 – Sig Sauer Zulu6 HDX PRO – Complete Guide to the Third Gen Image Stabilizing BinocularsLast minute hunt opportunities:
Archery mule deer in AB Oct 12th
Late season goat in BC Oct 20
Any weapon mule deer in BC Nov 23
email - jay@mindfulhunter.com
Curious about the Sig Zulu 6 HDX PRO Binoculars and their performance in the field? In this video, I share my experience after months of extensive use, including multiple hunts. Are these image stabilizing binoculars truly a game-changer for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts?
🔍 Key Points Covered:
Image stabilization technology
Performance during hunts
Comparison to 15x binoculars
How...
2025-10-0344 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 257 – Leather Hiking Boot Care: Clean, Waterproof, and Store for the OffseasonLast minute hunt opportunities:
Archery mule deer in AB Oct 12th
Late season goat in BC Oct 20
Any weapon mule deer in BC Nov 23
email - jay@mindfulhunter.com
Don’t let your leather hunting boots suffer in the offseason! With hunting season coming to a close, it’s the perfect time to clean, condition, waterproof, and properly store your boots to keep them in top condition for next year.
In this video, I share my step-by-step guide to:
✅ Cleaning leather hiking boots
✅...
2025-09-3036 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 256 – Best 15x Binoculars for Hunting: Sig Zulu 10 vs. Maven B.5 vs. Swarovski SLCLast minute hunt opportunities:
Archery mule deer in AB Oct 12th
Late season goat in BC Oct 20
Any weapon mule deer in BC Nov 23
email - jay@mindfulhunter.com
Are 15x binoculars worth adding to your hunting gear? After years of debating their value, I’ve spent the last 8 months rigorously testing the Sig Zulu 10, Maven B.5, and Swarovski SLC 15x56 binoculars to find out. These powerful optics are game-changers for spotting animals across vast landscapes, but which one is the best for your needs?
2025-09-2643 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 255 – Can You Survive Freezing Temps in a 50° Quilt? Enlightened Equipment Enigma ReviewLast minute hunt opportunities:
Archery mule deer in AB Oct 12th
Late season goat in BC Oct 20
Any weapon mule deer in BC Nov 23
email - jay@mindfulhunter.com
How light is too light when it comes to backcountry gear? Many adventurers push their limits to save weight, but at what cost? In this video, I put the Enlightened Equipment Enigma 50° quilt to the ultimate test: sleeping in sub-freezing temperatures. Using an integrated systems approach, I evaluated how different pieces of gear work together to han...
2025-09-2321 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 254 - Kuiu Tiburon Hybrid Hoodie Review: Did Kuiu Make the Perfect Early-Season Base Layer?!?Last minute hunt opportunities:
Archery mule deer in AB OCt 12th
Late season goat in BC Oct 20
Any weapon mule deer in BC Nov 23
email - jay@mindfulhunter.com
Finding the perfect early-season base layer has always been a challenge—too thick, too thin, too stiff, or not stretchy enough. But could the Kuiu Tiburon Hybrid Hoodie finally be the answer? In this video, I put Kuiu’s innovative design to the test during real-world field use. Discover why this hoodie stands out, how it performs in varyi...
2025-09-1917 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 249 – Field Judging Mastery: Inside the Horn Score App with Jay Scott & Blake CannonThis episode is a deep dive into field judging, DIY hunting adventures in Mexico, and the development of the Horn Score app with veteran outfitter Jay Scott and Blake Cannon.
We cover:
What makes Coues deer hunting in Mexico such a unique adventure
The logistics of crossing the border and hunting DIY ranches
Why field judging is such a challenge for both new and experienced hunters
The evolution of the Horn Score app: from proven scoring methods to building a massive public database of measurements, photos, and scores
How the app helps hunters sharpen t...
2025-08-291h 13
Jay NicholRiot Face #02https://youtu.be/KJthgwXjkEE
Immerse yourself in a full-on festival-style 1-hour DJ mix where Techno meets Trance and Turntablism! Curated by Jay Nichol for his residency on Toxic Sickness Radio. This March 2025 session features tracks from artists like Jauf(Fr)ey, Marie Vaunt, Scot Project, and Hardwell.
Tracklist:
Jauf(Fr)ey - Electric Fear (Kurai Records) [2025]--. Jay Nichol - North East Nostalgia (Intro)
Samdma - Connection (Marie Vaunt Edit) (Kurai Records) [2025]
Kohey - Rising Rhythm (Revealed Recordings) [2025]--. Jay Nichol - Standby To Launch (Scratch)
SMACK, Sarah DeWarren - C'est La Vie (Smash The House) [2024]
Scot Project - Y2...
2025-03-1400 min
Jay NicholRiot Face #01https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_H5iyirCyU
Jay Nichol's Toxic Sickness Radio debut delivers an hour of techno and tech-trance bangers, marking a start to his bi-monthly residency. Packed with peak-time dancefloor fillers, Jay showcases his scratching and cutting skills, adding a dynamic edge to the mix. Featuring tracks from heavyweights like Adam Beyer, A*S*Y*S, Push, Bart Skils, Greg Downey, UMEK, and Hi-Lo, this sets the bar high as his first Techno mix of 2025. Tracklist:
01. ANG, Cuebrick, Charles B, MSPUIYI - Aliens On Acid (Purple Fly Records) [2024] 02. A*S*Y*S, Marie Vaunt - Give...
2025-01-1700 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 192 - The Mindful Hunter Podcast Live with Jay, Leighton, Vance and AnthonyStart 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://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast
Free Backcou...
2024-09-021h 25The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 180 – Guns & Stuff 05: Stock Talk with Jay, Colton and Matt from AG Composite StocksWe’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://forgedinthebackcountry.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Newsletter
https://ww...
2024-06-211h 08The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 176 – Early Season Goat Hunt Pack List with Vance JohhnsonIn 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://www.instagram.com/vance_johnsons_hunting_alberta/
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindf...
2024-05-241h 36The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 175 – Guns & Stuff 04: A Fresh Perspective on Bullet Design with Hammer Bullets, Colton and JayOn 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 Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Forged In Th...
2024-05-171h 13The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 172 – Deer, Bears and Life with Jeff Lander from Primitive OutfittingLess 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 giveaway hunt for Forged. We had a great chat about all kinds of different hunting and Jeff may have told the best bear story ever told on this podcast!
...
2024-04-121h 52The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 171 – Guns & Stuff 03 with Colton, Jay and Zach from NoslerThis 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 get you one entry!
Nosler
https://www.instagram.com/noslerinc/
Colton
https://www.instagram.com/papwinkle/
Jay...
2024-04-051h 07The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 170 – Solocast Q&AIt’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.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Newsletter
https://www.mindfu...
2024-03-291h 00The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 169 – Culture, Conservation, and Hunting Rights with Mike DuplanEP 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 his thoughts and advice.
Mike Duplan
https://www.instagram.com/mikeduplan/
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https...
2024-03-221h 35The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 168 - The Worst Tripod I Have Ever Used!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 significantly better for you!
Enter the bear hunt giveaway by going to
https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/
Every $5 you spend gets you one entry to win a guided, fil...
2024-03-1526 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 167 – Trade Show Wrap Up with Leighton Garfield @glass_half_full_outdoorsChill 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 episodes. He’s one of the only dudes I know who runs as much different gear as I do.
Leighton Garfield
https...
2024-03-121h 15The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 166 – The Challenges of Growth with Brian CallOne 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 self-filming. I was not expecting this conversation to get as deep as it did, but I personally took a lot away from it that is very applicable to where I am at in my...
2024-03-051h 37The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 165 – Guns & Stuff 02 with Seth from Hornady, Colton and Jay: 4DOF, Proper range for ELDX, Benefits of a monolithic and more!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
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Forged In The Backcountry
http...
2024-03-011h 26The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 164 – Coastal Ghosts with Steve Isdahl @proguide66I 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
https://www.howtohunt.com/
https://www.instagram.com/proguide66/
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
2024-02-282h 05The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 163 – Hunting Mule Deer and Testing Gear with Steve EvansSteve 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 Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.mi...
2024-02-231h 52The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 162 – Family, Business & Hunting with Travis Bader from SilvercoreTravis 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 of his community.
Travis Bader
https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav/
https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors/
https://www.silvercore.ca/
Jay Nichol...
2024-02-201h 19The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 160 - Ultralight Tripod Comparison – Aziak vs. TricerThere 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 been running these tripods for the last 6 months and in this video I break down the pros and cons of each and give my recommendation as to which one you should buy.
0:00 – Intro
2:00 – Buyer’s...
2024-02-1328 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 159 - Range Finding Bino Review and RaffleI 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 working on it for the last two months. If you have any additional questions please drop them in the comments section below.
I am raffling off a brand-new pair...
2024-02-091h 09The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 158 – Guns & Stuff with Pap Van Winkle and Mindful Hunter 01I’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 questions, so I teamed up with one of the only other unbiased non-sponsored guys I know of who also happens to be an absolute genius when it come...
2024-02-062h 00The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 157 – Desert Mule Deer and Archery Setups with James YatesI 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://www.instagram.com/yates_in_the_backcountry/
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
h...
2024-02-022h 25The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 156 – Jill’s Big Solo BC Muley Buck @nomadlifebcJill 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 up hunting in BC and then she told the story of how she took her best deer yet which she also did while solo.
Jill
https://www.instagram.c...
2024-01-301h 08The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 155 – Tag Application Strategy and Backcountry Nutrition with Mark Livesay @treelinepursuitsMark 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 changes that the western states have gone through and some healthy strategies for nutrition in the backcountry.
Mark Livesay
https://www.instagram.com/treeline_pursuits/
https://www.treelineacademy.net/
2024-01-261h 41The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 154 - New Mexico Archery Mule Deer Hunt Breakdown and Q&AI 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.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact
IG
https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/
Podcast
https://www.mi...
2024-01-191h 05The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 153 - Bino Harness Battle – Catamount vs KuiuWell 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 – Win These Bino Harnesses
2:53 – Context
6:03 – Catamount Discount Code
7:11 – Scoring System
7:34 – Pricing
8:04 – Weight
8:18 – Colours
8:34 – Sizing
10:45 – Harness System
13:11 – Accessories
25:06 – Noise
25:35 – Access/Lids
30:37 – Hardware
32:48 – Storage...
2024-01-1242 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 152 - Zeiss SFL 10x40 vs Zeiss SF 10x42 – Field Tested Binocular ReviewI 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 unbiased subjective perspective. I hope this review is helpful.
0:00 – Intro
2:12 – Mindful Reviews
4:26 – Context
5:56 – Price
6:51 – Weight
7:34 – Length
8:02 – Origin
9:22 – FOV
10:31 – Glass Quality
12:35 – Light Transmission
14:11 – Breakdown
20:37 – Recommendati...
2024-01-0530 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 151 – I Quit My Job to Pursue Mindful Hunter Full-TimeWell 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-reviews.com/
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Ne...
2023-12-291h 18The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 150 – Relentless Pursuit of Success with Ryan LampersRyan 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.com/sthealthyhunter/
https://westernhuntingsummit.com/
https://www.treelineacademy.net/western-bear-tour-page
https://sthealthyhunter.com/podcast/
Jay Nicho...
2023-12-221h 16The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 149 – Alaskan Bush Pilot and Entrepreneur Adam GrendaEver 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
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfu...
2023-12-151h 20The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 148 – Hunting and Outfitting with Cliff GrayEP 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 background and get some of his insights on the challenges of hunting.
Cliff Gray
https://www.youtube.com/@CliffGray
https://www.instagram.com/cliffgry/
ht...
2023-12-081h 13The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 147 –Guided Archery Whitetail Hunt Wrap-Up: My Bow Blew Up and New Raffle is Live!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 you can win the bow of your dreams, and much more!
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.m...
2023-12-0150 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 146 Trekking Pole Review 2023 – Argali Guide X vs. Black Diamond Alpine Ergo CorkAfter 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 next.
0:00 – Intro
4:23 – Pricing
4:58 – Weight
5:10 – Materials
11:00 – Grips
16:00 – Adjustability
17:13 – Vibration
18:58 – Weight Capacity
21:28 – Build Quality
22:03 – Locking Mechanisms
27:11 – Extras
29:40 – Packabilit...
2023-11-2534 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 145 - Sitka Ascent Pants vs. Stone Glacier De Havilland Lite – Field Tested ReviewBoth 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 these pieces would thrive in.
Part 1 – Core Lightweight vs Avro Synthetic https://youtu.be/VRmLGj4WR9Y
Part 2 – Cirque Lite vs. Ambient Hoody https://youtu.be/QDeBKNA4HBo
0:00 – Intro
3:25 – Pricing
3:27 – Weight
4:09 – Materials
2023-11-1727 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 144 – Colorado Second Rifle Mule Deer Hunt Wrap-Up Q&ADuring 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_hunter/
Podcast
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast
Free...
2023-11-101h 44The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 143 - Sitka Ascent Pants vs. Stone Glacier De Havilland Lite – Field Tested ReviewBoth 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 these pieces would thrive in.
Part 1 – Core Lightweight vs Avro Synthetic https://youtu.be/VRmLGj4WR9Y
Part 2 – Cirque Lite vs. Ambient Hoody https://youtu.be/QDeBKNA4HBo
Raffle is sold out.
2023-10-3125 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 142 - 65mm Spotting Scope Review 2023After multiple requests, I decided it was time for a 65mm spotting scope review. 65mm spotting scopes are arguably the most versatile size of spotter available. They are big enough to reach out a fair distance while still being light enough for most people's backcountry kit. In this review, I looked at the Maven CS.1A, Swarovski ATS, Leica Televid, Kowa Prominar, and Tract Toric. I analyzed all 5 spotting scopes across 25 different categories to do my best to derive a quantifiable winner based on as much evidence and as little opinion as possible. As always, this review is not...
2023-10-2756 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 140 - Stone Glacier Cirque Lite vs. Sitka Ambient - Field Tested ReviewThis review marks the second of four videos in my Sitka vs. Stone Glacier apparel series. Both the Sitka Ambient Hoody and the Stone Glacier Cirque Lite Jacket are great products that provide excellent dynamic insulation. 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 these pieces would thrive in.
Part 1 – Core Lightweight vs Avro Synthetic https://youtu.be/VRmLGj4WR9Y
Raffle is still live: Please go to...
2023-10-1730 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 139 – How To Take the Best Buck of Your Life with Robby DenningRobby Denning is an absolute legend in the hunting world for his tenacity and focus when it comes to hunting big, mature, mule deer bucks. On top of that, Robby is probably one of the nicest guys you are ever going to meet. His values are grounded in his faith and his family, and it shows in his character. We had a great conversation and he was extremely generous with his knowledge and wisdom.
Robby Denning
https://www.instagram.com/robbydenning/
https://www.rokslide.com/
Join The Mu...
2023-10-131h 21The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 75 - Final Results of The Most Comprehensive Expedition Hunting Pack Review Ever DoneHere are the final results for the most ambitious review I’ve ever attempted. In addition to multiple smaller elements, I looked at load shelf capability and tested 80lbs and 120lbs loads. The results surprised even me. I’d love to hear your comments and feedback and requests for future comparative reviews you’d like to see. I hope you enjoy it.
I reviewed the
Kifaru Fulcrum with Duplex Lite Frame
Stone Glacier Sky Guide 7900 with X-Curve Frame
Mystery Ranch Marshall
Exo K3 6400
Kuiu 780...
2022-06-0358 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 74 – Solocast Q&AThis week I sat down and answered questions off IG. I covered things like tips for new bowhunters, my favourite kind of bear hunting, the software I use to edit videos, how I prefer to butcher meat, and a whole lot more.
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/conta...
2022-05-2756 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastThe MH Podcast EP 73: Part 1 Of The Most Comprehensive Expedition Hunting Backpack Review Ever DoneWell, here it is! Part 1 of my attempt at the most comprehensive 10-day + hunting backpack review ever done. In this first part, I do an overview of each bag, test out 40lbs loads and look at 14 different individual characteristics of the bags. In part 2 I will continue to add more elements and run 80lbs and 120lbs tests. The results surprised even me. I’d love to hear your comments and feedback and requests for other elements you’d like to see in part 2. I hope you enjoy it.
I reviewed the
Kifaru...
2022-05-201h 06The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 72 – Creating Content In The Backcountry with Nick MarchiandoNick Marchiando is one of my favourite backcountry filmmakers right now. I wanted to sit down with him and pick his brain and hear his story. Nick has a very unique perspective on production and storytelling and we had a great chat.
Nick Marchiando
https://www.instagram.com/nmarchiando/
https://www.instagram.com/backcountrybcandbeyond/
https://www.nickmarchiando.com/
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
2022-05-131h 35The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 71 – How to Best Prepare Your Trophies for the Taxidermist with Ray WiensRay is one of the best Taxidermists I know. I have been taking him my bears for the last 5 years. After getting a ton of questions on how to properly prepare trophies in the field for taxidermy I thought I should just have him on so he could share some of his knowledge and wisdom. I hope we all get a chance this season to utilize some of the techniques Ray shared in this episode. If you like looking at beautiful mounts, I highly recommend following Ray on IG.
Ray Wiens Taxidermy
https://r...
2022-05-0649 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 70 – Back to My Roots: 2022 Solo Sheep Hunt Gear ListI’ve recently re-prioritized what I want to do with the podcast and what type of content I want to create. One of the things that I have always loved and drove the creation of the podcast in the first place was nerding out on gear. With that in mind here’s my gear list for my 2022 solo Stone’s Sheep hunt. You can download it at the link below.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/elijr79tko7krcx/2022%20Sheep%20Hunt_Upload.xlsx?dl=0
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https...
2022-04-2953 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 69 – Documentary Filmmakers Jesse Bone and Tash Baycroft Discuss New Film; TransmissionI had the boys behind Filter Studios over to discuss the release of a very important documentary titled Transmission. There is a pandemic happening amongst wild sheep. The infectious bacteria known as mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (movi) is a deadly bacteria that is passed from domestic sheep to wild sheep. Enter Dr. Helen Schwantje, the lead wildlife veterinarian for the Government of BC and a sheep farmer. Helen is at the forefront of the battle against Movi. Working with a handful of other passionate scientists and volunteers they’re doing what they can to try and stop the spread of this ki...
2022-04-1547 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastMonday Night Live Q&A EP 10 with Simon Friesen @backcountrybloodlineSimon and I shoot the shit and answer some questions on this week’s live stream.
Simon Friesen
https://www.instagram.com/backcountrybloodline/
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact
IG
https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/
2022-04-121h 26The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 68 – Podcast from The Bow Rack with Kellen from @inside_out_precisionI was lucky enough to drive down to The Bow Rack this week to buy myself a new bow and before I headed down, I hit up Kellen from @inside_out_precision to see if he’d be down for a podcast. We talked about his background in hunting, his history in competitive and scholastic archery and then we nerded out on archery in general. This is a great podcast for anyone looking to dive a little deeper into this sport we love.
Kellen
https://www.instagram.com/inside_out_precision/
htt...
2022-04-081h 41The Mindful Hunter PodcastMonday Night Live Q&A EP 09 with Greg Johnston @johnston_outdoorsGreg and I shoot the shit and answer some questions on this week’s live stream.
Greg Johnston
https://www.instagram.com/johnston_outdoors/
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact
IG
https://www.instagram.com/mindful_h...
2022-04-051h 25The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 67 – Hunting and Entrepreneurship with Cody Rich @therichoutdoorsCody Rich started one of the original hunting podcasts @therichoutdoors 7 years ago. Since then, the podcast has grown and evolved, and he also started up a second outdoors-based business – @backcountryfuelbox I wanted to talk with Cody to see what his original motivations were with entrepreneurship and how he was able to craft a lifestyle that let him hunt as much as possible. The conversation did not disappoint. Cody has now started a new project – The Rich Ideas Lab, to help other outdoors enthusiasts start their own entrepreneurial journeys and you can find out more at the links below.
2022-04-011h 39The Mindful Hunter PodcastVirtual Route Planning Webinar - Google Earth, Fat Maps, ONX etc. The MH Podcast MNL Ep 08I spend some time sharing how I use various applications to plan backcountry routes when there are no trails available. This episode is best viewed on YouTube https://youtu.be/sxmKrW5LGW0
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact
IG
https://www.instagram.com/mindf...
2022-03-291h 16The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 66 – Family First with Greg Rensmaag @grensmaagThis week I had the opportunity to sit down with Greg Rensmaag. Greg is a true BC hunter in the best way possible. He grew up hunting with his dad and now spends most of his time in the outdoors raising his kids the same way. In the age of social media and technology, it was refreshing to talk with a man whose primary motivations when hunting are stronger connections with his family.
Greg Rensmaag
https://www.instagram.com/grensmaag/?hl=en
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com...
2022-03-251h 20The Mindful Hunter PodcastMonday Night Live Q&A EP 07I’m solo for this week’s live stream so I hit up a bunch of Q&A.
Wild Sheep Society Act Now!
https://www.wildsheepsociety.com/actnow/
Howl Campaign
https://www.howlforwildlife.org/bcpeace
BC Gov’t Site
https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ahte/content/close-peace-caribou-hunts-and-reduce-peace-moose-hunts-region-wide
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Ba...
2022-03-221h 10The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 65 – The SuperCast: BC podcasters against proposed Region 7B changes, Beyond the Kill, Come Out Heavy, Silvercore, Talk is Sheep, Eat Wild, Focus Hunting, Wilderness Locals, Hunt Hard Talk FreeDue to our opposition of the proposed changes to regulations in region 7B we all decided to get together and do one massive podcast. It was my first time meeting some of these guys. It was great to get together with like-minded individuals and discuss things that matter to us all. See the links below to take action!
Wild Sheep Society Act Now!
https://www.wildsheepsociety.com/actnow/
Howl Campaign
https://www.howlforwildlife.org/bcpeace
BC Gov’t Site
https://apps.nrs.g...
2022-03-181h 18The Mindful Hunter PodcastMonday Night Live Q&A EP 06 with Dylan Drego @dylan.dregoOn this week’s live podcast, I sat down with my buddy Dylan and we had a great chat. Got a little philosophical on this one.
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact
IG
https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/
Podcast
2022-03-151h 16The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 64 – Alaskan Moose, Axis Bucks and Aoudad with Sean Curran @missions_hawaiiSean lives on Maui but makes travelling on adventure hunts a priority. I’ve been wanting to have this conversation for a while. I love following along on Sean’s IG stories when he goes on hunts. We had a great chat where we covered some technical archery info and Sean told a couple badass hunting stories as well.
Sean Curran
https://www.instagram.com/missions_hawaii/
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindful...
2022-03-111h 16The Mindful Hunter PodcastMonday Night Live Q&A EP 05Monday Night Live Q&A EP 05
On this week’s live podcast, I discussed a warranty issue I’m going through with Zeiss, my thoughts on the latest goat hunting film from Kifaru, an update detailing progress towards my bodybuilding show, quilts vs. sleeping bags, and a whole lot more! Tune into YouTube every Monday at 8:30 pm PST for the live show.
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Bac...
2022-03-081h 06The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 63 – Black Bear Masterclass with Jeff Lander @primitiveJeff is one of my best friends and likely the most impactful mentor I have had during my hunting journey. It all started with my first archery hunt for black bear up at his camp. So, I could not think of a better topic to invite Jeff on to talk about than how to kill big, mature boars. He certainly did not disappoint.
Jeff Lander
http://www.primitive-outfitting.com/
https://www.instagram.com/primitve/
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.min...
2022-03-041h 21The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 62 Achieving Your Potential with Dan Staton @elkshapeThis week Dan Staton aka @elkshape joins us on the podcast. Dan is someone I have followed for a long time and one of the things that I respect about him is the consistency of his message. He has been saying the same things for years and with good reason. They’re true. I also admire that Dan doesn’t offer to sell a quick fix. In his own words – Dan sells hard work. We had a great chat covering things like exercise physiology, the mental challenges of solo hunting, and how to have a long career in the mounta...
2022-02-251h 19The Mindful Hunter PodcastMonday Night Live Q&A EP 03On this week’s live podcast, I give some updates about changes in my diet and the results you can get when you’re extremely disciplined. After that, I dove straight into the Q&A addressing the following questions. Why did I enter a bodybuilding show? What to do when you’re hunting in Grizzly bear country? Do I use zip-off base layers? How should I stalk Black Bears? Do I wear ear pro when hunting with my rifle? What battery packs am I going to use on my sheep hunt? Tune into YouTube every Monday at 8:30 pm PST for th...
2022-02-221h 03The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 61 – Simon’s First Archery Buck @backcountrybloodlineSimon joins us for his second appearance on the podcast. We get into the story of how Simon shot his first archery buck this fall. In addition to that, we cover a variety of topics including why we love the backcountry, is a nose button worth it and what Simon’s archery practice regime is.
Simon
https://www.instagram.com/backcountrybloodline/
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free...
2022-02-181h 08The Mindful Hunter PodcastMonday Night Live Q&A EP 02On this week’s live podcast, I cover the potentially controversial changes to the moose and caribou regulations in the northeast. I also answer some listener questions including, best beginner bow, tips on archery practice, which scope I’m putting on my 300 PRC, and some bino and shelter recommendations. Tune into YouTube every Monday at 8:30 pm PST for the live show.
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https...
2022-02-1558 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 60 – A Life of Adventure with Greg McHale @gregmchaleswildyukonGreg is well known for both his illustrious career in adventure racing and his popular hunting show Greg McHale’s Wild Yukon. Greg has a wealth of experience in the backcountry and has really dedicated himself to achieving excellence for not only himself but for everyone around him. I really enjoyed this conversation and found Greg to be a smart, self-aware, and humble guy.
Greg McHale
https://www.instagram.com/gregmchaleswildyukon/
https://www.gregmchaleswildyukon.com/
Greg’s DIY Sncaks
https://www.kuiu.com/blogs/hunting-tips/nutrit...
2022-02-111h 27The Mindful Hunter PodcastMonday Night Live Q&A EP 01Weekly Q&A focused on hunting, fitness, videography, cooking, and a variety of other topics.
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact
IG
https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/
Podcast
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast
2022-02-0853 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 59 – Deep Timber Mule Deer with Jordan from @bcbackcountryThe last time Jordan was on we focused the discussion solely on elk. This time we flipped the focus to mule deer. Jordan has taken some very impressive bucks out of some very challenging country, and he shared a wealth of his experience and favourite tactics. If you are even remotely interested in hunting mule deer then I highly recommend you give this episode a listen.
Jordan
https://www.instagram.com/bcbackcountry
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Mer...
2022-02-041h 53The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 58 – Deep Dive on Sharpening with Hap from @nanohoneThis week I sat down with Hap from Nano Hone to really nerd out on sharpening and the science of abrasive surfaces. Hap is deeply passionate about his work and has built a business specializing in innovative abrasive surfaces used to sharpen various types of steel. Not only was Hap full of knowledge but he was able to communicate it in a very digestible way. I highly recommend taking a look at some of his products the next time you’re in need of some sharpening tools.
Hap Stanley
https://www.instagram.com/nan...
2022-01-2858 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 57 – Bladesmith And Entrepreneur Tanner Dannish @frontiersmangearThis week I sat down with Tanner Dannish, the founder of Frontiersman gear which is a local BC custom knife and leather goods shop. Tanner is not only a skilled craftsman but an accomplished hunter as well. His unique take on custom knives was quite refreshing to hear in an era when we are surrounded by disposable products. We covered a variety of topics including blade selection, aspects of different metals, sharpening techniques, and much more.
Tanner Dannish
https://www.instagram.com/frontiersmengear/
https://frontiersmengear.ca/
Jay Ni...
2022-01-211h 19The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 56 – Live from Sheep Week with Rachel Ahtila @rachelahtilaI had the opportunity to sit down with Rachel Ahtila this week. Rachel has been guiding mountain hunting for over 10 years and has a wealth of experience across all areas of hunting. She has recently taken joint management of a fantastic bear area in Saskatchewan and was down in Reno when we spoke to help support conservation efforts and set up a booth for Bear Pro Safaris. It was a pleasure to talk with Rachel, I highly recommend giving her a follow if you don’t already and if a giant Saskatchewan bear is on your hit list shoot he...
2022-01-141h 07The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 55 – Solocast: My Hunt Plans for 2022 And Why I am Cancelling My Goat HuntWell, it’s that time of year again to layout the calendar and start booking some time off work. In this podcast, I go over my hunt plans for 2022 and get into why I decided to cancel my goat hunt for this winter.
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/con...
2022-01-0742 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 54 – Hunting, Guiding and Life with Nolan Osborne @nmoI’ve been wanting to have Nolan on the podcast for a while and the conversation we had didn’t disappoint. Nolan was the first guy I called when I first started planning my winter goat hunt and considering we had never met he was extremely generous with his time and experience. Nolan is also the co-host of the Beyond The Kill podcast and is a sound voice for hunters across BC. I’m grateful for the insights he shared on this episode and I think there is something in here for everyone.
Nolan Osborne
h...
2021-12-311h 33The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 53 – Solocast From Mexico: My First Whitetail HuntI’m down in Mexico with the family on vacation so I snuck away for an hour and recorded a solocast breaking down my recent whitetail hunt. I go over the gear I used, the lessons I learned, and the outcome of the hunt. I hope everyone is having a great holiday season.
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
...
2021-12-2443 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 52 – First Backcountry Adventures and Big Whitetails with Bob Stecher @hankmoody5I just got back from my late-season archery whitetail hunt and while I was in camp I had the good fortune to sit down with my buddy Bob Stecher. Bob is a hockey coach who dove back into hunting about 5 years ago and is about as obsessed as I am. We had a great chat and Bob shared an awesome story about recently getting his first whitetail.
Bob Stecher
https://www.instagram.com/hankmoody5
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
2021-12-171h 12The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 51 – The Backcountry And The Digital Frontier with Jeff Agostinho @jeffagostinhoThis week I had the opportunity to sit down with Jeff Agostinho. Jeff has made a name for himself in B.C. for being not only a legitimate backcountry hunter but also a stalwart conservationist. We got into Jeff’s background, some gear recommendations, and a deep dive on social media and the role it plays in our hunting culture. Jeff is an intelligent guy with some very interesting perspectives, if you don’t follow him already I highly recommend it.
Jeff Agostinho
https://www.instagram.com/jeffagostinho/
Jay Nichol...
2021-12-101h 19The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 50 – Traeger Guru Garth Tolmie @garthsoutdoorsCooking was a big reason why I started Mindful Hunter. I love cooking for my friends and family and there’s no better way to expose people to wild game than a phenomenally cooked creative dish. My friend Garth epitomizes this value and is an absolute master with the Traeger pellet grill. Even if you don’t consider yourself a serious cook, you’re going to get something from this episode. Go give Garth a follow, he’s always posting great ideas and recipes.
Black Friday sale is on. Use code BLACK20 for 20% off all merch...
2021-12-031h 11The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 49 – Solocast: Sleep Systems 101, sleeping bags, pads, treated down, synthetic etc.I’m back with another solocast this week. This one was a quickie but a goodie. I give my thoughts on sleep systems and what choices I’d make under a variety of different conditions.
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact
IG
https://www.insta...
2021-11-2639 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 48 – Solocast: Shelters 101 Tarps, Tipis, Tents, Stoves, Hammocks and Bivy’sI’m back with another solocast this week. As always, I touch on diet, training, and some cool gear info but the big topic this week is shelters. I get into all the details about what types of factors affect which shelter you should use and give you some recommendations around which shelters I would start with and then how I approach adding to the collection.
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free...
2021-11-191h 12The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 47 – Risk Mitigation and Winter Goat Hunting with John Barklow @jbarklowThis week I got to sit down with John Barklow. John is well known in the hunting industry for his vast knowledge of technical apparel, alpinism, and the time he spent in the Navy at the Special Warfare Center teaching Navy Seals how to survive in the cold. While the two main topics we dove into were risk mitigation and winter mountain goat hunting the conversation diverged across several interesting subjects. You might need to listen to this one twice to catch all the info. If you don’t already follow John on IG I highly recommend you start im...
2021-11-121h 37The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 46 – An Epic Northern BC Goat Hunt with @tannisraeThis week I got to sit down with Tannis and discuss her successful 2021 BC Goat hunt. We also discussed how she hiked in 50kms with her husband for her ram and how having brothers focused on hockey she was able to nudge her Dad to first get her into hunting. Tannis is a great example of a thoughtful, driven hunter and I had a great time talking with her.
Tannis
IG
https://www.instagram.com/tannisrae
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
http...
2021-11-051h 05The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 45 – Spencer’s Back! Sheep Hunting, Wrangling and Heading Out on A Mule Deer HuntSpencer is back from wrangling for the season, and I got him down to the studio for a catch-up. We go over our last sheep hunt, his experiences up north this year, and the mule deer hunt that we’re heading out on.
Spencer Miller
IG
https://www.instagram.com/spencergordonmiller
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https...
2021-10-291h 15The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 44 – Solocast: Late Season Alpine Mule Deer Gear List Deep-DiveI’m heading out on Sunday morning with Spencer to chase Mule Deer for a week in the alpine. It’s a new area for both of us and the weather is looking terrible. The perfect recipe for a great hunt. In this episode, I go through my entire gear list and get into the rationale for most of my decisions. I’m going to be trying out the new Aerolite sleep system from Sitka on this hunt along with some other new gear so it should make for some good reviews when I get back.
...
2021-10-2252 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 43 – Preparedness And A Warrior Mindset For Hunters With Mike Glover @mike.a.gloverMike Glover is the founder and CEO of Fieldcraft Survival. He spent 18 years in the military and served as a SGM in the special forces and worked for an OGA. I have wanted to get Mike on since I started this podcast as I believe his philosophies on mindset and preparedness can be extremely useful for hunters. It was a pleasure and an honour to have this conversation.
Mike Glover
https://www.instagram.com/mike.a.glover/
https://www.instagram.com/fieldcraftsurvival/
https://fieldcraftsurvival.com/
Ti...
2021-10-151h 21The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 42 – Solocast: WTF Does Crypto Have to Do with Hunting?Well, I decided to take a hard left turn this week and discuss crypto currencies. If you’re curious how I tie this back into hunting then have a listen.
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact
IG
https://www.instagram.com/mindful_h...
2021-10-0845 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 41 – Guiding, Ego Awareness and How to Kill the Right Sheep with Nathan French @nathanfrench7I had the pleasure to sit down with Nathan and really dig into his background, how his outlook on hunting has changed over the years, his deep technical knowledge of aging sheep and a variety of other topics. Nathan has a great ability to be objective about his own development over the years and I learned a lot from this conversation.
Nathan French
IG
https://www.instagram.com/nathanfrench7/
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
2021-10-011h 31The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 40 – Everything You Need to Know about Steroids, TRT and Human Growth HormoneThis has been one of the most widely requested topics to date. I get into a deep dive focused primarily on TRT but also giving some context by discussing other compounds in the steroid family tree and the role HGH plays in longevity and physical performance. I am not a doctor, and this is not medical advice. I am not giving recommendations of any kind and I am only sharing my own experience and research. Always consult a medical doctor before considering any of the therapies discussed on this podcast.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro
2...
2021-09-241h 00The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 39 - How to Consistently Kill Elk in BC with Jordan and Ryan from @bcbackcountryThis was one of my favourite podcasts to date. I’ve been wanting to chat with these guys ever since I started following them on IG over 5 years ago. To me, Jordan and Ryan epitomize what it means to be a true BC hunter. They go into some of the toughest spots in BC and regularly come out with respectable elk. That is one of my own goals that I have yet to achieve so I was personally very interested in this conversation. If you ever have plans of elk hunting in BC then this podcast is a must li...
2021-09-171h 21The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 38 – Solocast: Q&ABack with another bi-weekly solocast. This week I dive into the difference between Myofibrillar and Sarcoplasmic Hypertrophy and get into a handful of listener questions.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro
0:22 – Sheep Hunt film update
3:06 – Myofibrillar vs Sarcoplasmic Hypertrophy
11:07 – My current training split
19:32 – My current diet
21:25 – New gear highlight: MSR Dromlite 6L
23:25 – Cost of a sheep hunt
30:28 – My thoughts on trail cameras
35:02 – Vitamin suggestions
42:25 – Biggest challenge when hunting solo
45:17 – Limited to bodyweight training
48:49 – Kelvin active jacket vs Kelvin active ho...
2021-09-1055 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 37 – The Founder of the Journal of Mountain Hunting and Beyond the Kill Adam Janke @journal_mtn_huntingThis week I got to sit down with my good friend Adam Janke. Adam is not only a dedicated life-long hunter, but he also founded the Journal of Mountain Hunting online magazine and the Beyond the Kill podcast. Both of which are staples of the BC hunting community. We had a great chat about how he got both those projects off the ground, some of the challenges he faced, and we even dove into his most recent sheep hunt. If you don’t follow the Journal or BTK already I highly recommend both.
Timestamps:
0:00...
2021-09-021h 14The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 36 – The return of the solocast: Sheep Hunt debrief and plans for the channelIt’s time to get back to my roots. Just me, a mic, and you folks. After the sheep hunt, I wanted to take the time to share my plans for the channel and where I see things going from here. I also get into my own fitness and nutrition plans and give a high-level breakdown of how the sheep hunt went.
Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
Free Backcountry Nutriti...
2021-08-2750 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 35 – Q&A with the Sheep Hunting Crew Tristan & SpencerIn this episode, I sit down with my sheep hunting partners Tristan and Spencer. With only 48 hours until we leave on our Stone’s hunt in the Northern Rockies, we thought it would be fun to answer some questions and talk about our final preparations. Podcast will be taking a two-week break following this episode while I’m in the mountains.
Tristan Bucchiotti
@tristan_bucchiotti
Spencer Miller
@spencergordonmiller
Jay Nichol
@mindful_hunter
jay@mindfulhunter.com
www.mindfulhunter.com
2021-08-0654 minThe Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 34 – The Vegetarian Wife of a Hunter with Noa Nichol @vitadaily.caIn this episode, I sit down with my vegetarian wife Noa, @vitadaily.ca Over the years I’ve been asked what it’s like to be a hunter who is married to a vegetarian. I figured it would be more interesting to ask the vegetarian what it’s like to be married to a hunter. My wife is a very intelligent, thoughtful woman and we had a great conversation.
Noa Nichol
@vitadaily.ca
Jay Nichol
@mindful_hunter
jay@mindfulhunter.com
www.mindfulhunter.com
...
2021-07-301h 08The Mindful Hunter PodcastEP 33 – Rebuilding Arcadia with Ben Stourac @arcadiaoutfittingIn this episode, I sit down with the owner of Arcadia Outfitting Ben Stourac. Ben’s entire base camo was recently destroyed in the McKay fire that swept through a large section of country north of Lillooet. We had a great chat about Ben’s history, what it took to build Arcadia in the first place and what Ben’s plans are to rebuild after the devastation of the fire. If you’d like to support you can go to Arcadia’s IG page and hit the GoFundMe link in the bio.
Ben Stourac
@arcadiaout...
2021-07-231h 14