This week on the Mindful Hunter Podcast, I dive into the controversy surrounding hunting influencer Ryan Lampers and the recent wildlife violation charges filed against him. We’ll break down: - The details of the allegations (mule deer, mountain lion, wolf)  - What this means for hunters, conservation, and the companies who partnered with him  - Why integrity, responsibility, and transparency matter in the hunting community    ⚠️ Important: These are only allegations — Ryan has not been convicted of anything. This discussion is about principles, ethics, and the bigger picture of hunting culture.    I also cover your Q&A questions on gear, elk hunting strategy, backpacks, bullet choice, and more.    👉 If you value authentic conversations about hunting — not hype — hit subscribe and join the community.    0:00 – Intro: Mountain goat hunt recap & upcoming film 1:16 – Why I’m doing a Q&A episode 1:52 – The Ryan Lammers controversy & wildlife charges 3:24 – Breaking down the charges: deer, lion & wolf 7:08 – Does Ryan owe hunters an explanation? 11:02 – What this means for hunting companies & sponsors 15:23 – Incentives, social media & the pressure on hunters 18:36 – Do past accomplishments get tainted? 22:14 – Public figures, accountability & second chances 25:11 – My personal reflections on integrity & content creation 27:15 – Transition into Q&A 28:19 – Glassing tarps: waste or worth it? 34:01 – Best states to build elk points affordably 35:26 – Training & rehab after a torn meniscus 39:08 – Crossbows: ethical or unfair advantage? 41:51 – Best backcountry solar panels 43:42 – My elk hunting & calling strategies 48:09 – Prairie mule deer tactics in featureless country 52:01 – My current weight & fitness goals 52:30 – Storm-worthy backcountry tents 55:09 – Local vs overseas gear manufacturing 59:40 – Why my goat hunt partner bailed (coming in Full Circle film) 1:00:23 – Top gear surprises of 2025 so far 1:01:27 – Backcountry bathroom etiquette 1:03:07 – How the “Shoot to Hunt” course changed my shooting confidence 1:03:58 – Mental toughness vs physical fitness in mountain hunts 1:06:15 – Why I prefer highly fragmenting bullets 1:09:17 – Updated tent vs tent thoughts     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