Alright folks, elk season is just around the corner, and to help us all get ready, I am reposting some of the best elk hunting episodes I have done in the past. If you have never listened to these episodes, they are full of great tips, and if you have, it never hurts to get a refresher right before the season.   This originally aired as episode 131 This week, I had the opportunity to sit down with a man I have admired for many years. Dirk Durham, also known as The Bigler, has established a reputation not just as a competitive elk caller but also as an exceptional elk hunter. We discussed his upbringing as a hunter and then focused on various tactics, particularly covering some useful techniques for navigating thick brush and dealing with low elk densities typical of the Pacific Northwest. Dirk Durham https://www.instagram.com/thebugler/ https://www.youtube.com/@THEBUGLERBRAND https://www.phelpsgamecalls.com/ 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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

This week we’re going deep on PEDs. I opened up a Q&A on IG and got a ton of great questions about TRT, Peptides and PEDs. I start by sharing my personal experience with these compounds over the last 10 years, then do my best to answer as many questions as possible. I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice.   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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

Not a lot needs to be said about this one. Buckle up for the story of how we got Vance his first Billy in the mountains of BC after a year of struggle and failure.   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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

In this special on-the-road episode, Vance and I hit record while driving deep into goat country. With the truck packed and tags in our pockets, we tackle a pile of listener questions ranging from ethical shot distances and when to use a tripod, to the age-old debate of who gets first shot. We also break down whether a 6mm Creedmoor has any business being pointed at a moose.   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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

The My First Elk Series is focused on conversations with elk hunters who have killed their first elk in the last couple of years. The goal is to break down their experience and see what changed that allowed them to end their losing streak and finally put an elk on the ground. This second episode features my buddy Tim and dropped a ton of useful insights that will come in handy this September.   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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools    

The My First Elk Series is focused on conversations with elk hunters who have killed their first elk in the last couple of years. The goal is to break down their experience and see what changed that allowed them to end their losing streak and finally put an elk on the ground. Up first we’ve got my buddy Bo Scott Campbell and this episode is full of helpful insights for the up and coming elk slayer. Bo Scott Campbell https://www.instagram.com/boscottcampbell/   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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools    

While I’m out in the mountains scouting for an upcoming mountain goat hunt, I didn’t want to leave you hanging. So in this episode, I’m sharing the audio from two recent YouTube gear reviews: the Argali Absaroka Tent and the Prime RVX 34 Bow. 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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

I sit down with the boys this week to discuss our upcoming archery elk hunt in Montana. We go over how we drew the tags, what our strategy is, how that’s changed along the way and what gear we are planning to bring.   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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

I just got back from the intro 600 yard course from Shoot2Hunt and it absolutely blew my mind. In this episode I go over the entire experience, provide my critique and then I answer listener questions. Shoot2Hunt https://www.instagram.com/shoot2hunt/ https://shoot2hunt.com/     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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools    

I just wrapped up six intense weeks of guiding and outfitting bear hunts here in British Columbia. It was my first season running a full-time outfit in this new territory, and it delivered everything I hoped for—hard lessons, great people, and unforgettable adventures. A lot of you had questions, so I dropped a Q&A post on Instagram and used this episode to dive into your biggest asks. I break down what I learned, what surprised me, and how I’m already planning to level things up for next year.   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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools    

This week I’ve got my hunting partner Vance on the show, and we’re digging into last year’s goat hunt that didn’t go as planned. We talk about what went wrong, the key lessons we took away from the experience, and how we’re changing things up for this season. We also walk through our updated gear lists — what worked, what didn’t, and what’s getting replaced. From layering systems to optics and boots, we break down what we’re packing and why. It’s a raw, honest chat about failure in the mountains, learning the hard way, and dialing things in for a better shot at success this year. Vance Johnson https://www.instagram.com/aim_for_the_alpine/ https://www.youtube.com/@aimforthealpine   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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

In this episode, I sit down with Ben and Anthony, two recent clients of Mindful Hunter Outfitting, to walk through their successful spring bear hunt in the mountains of British Columbia. We talk about how the hunt played out — covering the tough terrain, the glassing strategy, some key decision points, and what it took to get it done in rugged country. It was a classic mountain hunt with a good mix of hard work, quiet moments, and a few unexpected twists along the way. If you’re interested in the realities of guided hunts, hunting BC’s backcountry, or just want to hear a couple of guys share their experience without the fluff, this one’s worth a listen. No fluff. No hype. Just an honest conversation about what matters in the mountains.   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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

In this episode, I sit down with Blake, who succeeded on his bear hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting this week.  We dive deep into the full story—how we planned the hunt, the gear we relied on, and the moment it all came together with a mature black bear. This isn’t just a hunt recap. It’s a candid conversation about mindset, learning curves, and what it’s like to put trust in a guide for the first time. We also break down the specific strategies we used to locate bears in remote country, the calling setup that brought him in, and how the whole experience shaped both of us. If you’re into raw, real hunting stories with a focus on skill, ethics, and challenge—this one’s for you.     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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

In this no-holds-barred Q&A episode, I dive into your hunting-related questions straight from Instagram. I give my unfiltered take on the worst supplement brand in the hunting industry and why I think it’s time we stop falling for influencer-driven hype. I also share an update on my latest tattoo—what it means and why I got it. And yes, we get into the weeds on the always controversial topic of shot placement on black bears, especially under real-world hunting conditions. No fluff, no BS—just honest answers, thoughtful critique, and a mindful perspective on all things hunting. 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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Avery — founder of Rokslide and Shoot2Hunt — for a candid conversation about the evolution of hunting media, rifle culture, and how gear reviews have changed over the past decade. Ryan shares his journey from building one of the most trusted backcountry hunting forums on the internet to launching Shoot2Hunt, a platform built to cut through marketing noise and focus on real-world rifle performance. We dig into the rise of gear-centric hunting content, the pitfalls of influencer hype, and why community trust still matters. If you’re into precision shooting, backcountry gear, or just want to hear how one hunter built two of the most respected platforms in the space — this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Ryan Avery https://www.instagram.com/avery_adventures/ https://shoot2hunt.com/ https://www.rokslide.com/     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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools    

In this episode, we sit down with Tanner Danish, founder of Frontiersmen Gear, to talk about what it really takes to build a hunting business with integrity. From navigating the hype-driven world of outdoor marketing to staying grounded in craftsmanship and customer trust, Tanner shares hard-won insights from his journey creating gear that stands up to real backcountry use. We dig into the early challenges of launching a brand, the importance of saying “no” to shortcuts, and how staying true to your values can actually be a competitive edge. If you’re someone who’s tired of the gimmicks and wants to hear what building something real in the hunting space looks like—this one’s for you. Topics Covered: – The origin story of Frontiersmen Gear – Lessons learned from bootstrapping a brand – How to earn trust in a skeptical market – Avoiding the BS in gear design and marketing – Advice for aspiring creators and entrepreneurs in the hunting industry Tanner Danish https://frontiersmengear.ca/ https://www.instagram.com/frontiersmengear/     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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

In this episode, we sit down with Monte Clarke for a raw and reflective conversation on the deep self-awareness forged through solo hunting, the quiet rhythm of fly fishing, and the ongoing challenge of fatherhood. Monte shares stories from the backcountry and the riverbank, weaving in lessons learned from time spent in solitude and the parallels between being a mindful hunter and a present father. It’s a grounded, no-BS look at how nature sharpens not just our skills, but our character. Monte Clarke https://www.instagram.com/monteclarke/   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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

My good buddy Brandon had the opportunity to go down to Argentina and hunt Red Stag, so I had him on the podcast to share the story of his trip.   Brandon Roth https://www.instagram.com/brandon.roth.hnh.bc/   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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

I met Sean 15 years ago when I was the sales manager for a high-end health club, and he was a full-time MMA fighter. It’s safe to say we have both lived a lot of life since then. We went deep on this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation, and I hope you do too. Sean Zubor https://www.instagram.com/seanzubor/   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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

This week, I sat down with the founders of Oryx Outdoors, a new apparel company focused on designing durable, technical training gear for hunters. We dive into their personal hunting stories, what pushed them to start an apparel company in a saturated market, and the real challenges of designing clothing that works when it matters most. Oryx Outdoors https://oryx-outdoors.com/ https://www.instagram.com/oryxoutdoors_official/     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 Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools