Backcountry Hunting Podcast

This episode takes a deep dive into the world of current monometal bullets. We explore driving trends, performance characteristics, and differences between monometal and lead-core bullets.  Next, we dig into specific bullet designs by the great makers:  Barnes TSX, TTSX, and LRX Hornady CX & MonoFlex Nosler E-Tip Federal Trophy Copper Winchester Copper Extreme Badlands Bulldozer II Hammer Hunter C...

Sometimes things don't go as anticipated when shooting at a big buck or bull. This is when the moment of truth becomes The Moment Of Truth, and the ability to make clean, fast follow-up shots and bring the hunt to a rapid, ethical finish is of vital importance.  This episode digs deep into the fundamentals and the finer points of making fast, accurate follow-up shots in the field. We address:  Sho...

Recorded live in deep backcountry Alaska, this episode is the second half and the wrap on our DIY, public-land, drop-camp Alaska moose hunt for 2022.  Hunting partner Joe Kennedy and host Joseph von Benedikt continue to hunt without contact with the pilot or family for days, due to a communications/emergency device failure. Caribou herds move into the area. Big grayling fish hit dry flies hard. Ra...

I'm joined this episode by Camp Chef's Brooks Hansen, a northern Utah local who's spent much of his life hunting the backcountry and grilling, Barbequing, and smoking the wild game he brings home. We talk about the rewards of introducing friends and family to wild game meat, the evolution of charcoal and gas and pellet grills, and the genesis and foundation of Camp Chef as an outdoor company.  Bro...

Recorded audio-journal style in the field, this episode is brought to you raw and unedited and contains the account of a great bull moose hunt. Pals Joseph von Benedikt and Joe Kennedy are dropped via bush plane in the vast Alaska interior, and hunt DIY for 12 days for moose, caribou, black bear, and wolf. Against the odds of hot weather, no rutting action, and a moose population made sparse by se...

Recorded live on the road across Alaska, this episode is a raw, unedited discussion as my hunting partner Joe and I head for our DIY, drop-camp moose hunt (with caribou, black bear, and wolf tags in our pockets too). Prep, gear, planning, expectations and hopes are all part of this fun on-the-fly conversation as we embark on an adventure that's been three years in the planning.  ENJOY!    FRIENDS,...

This episode is all about keeping your backcountry hunting rifle running through adverse conditions. Whether you're in shocking cold and the oil on your firing pin assembly gels, or you jam the muzzle into a mud bank and have to clear an obstruction, or it rains so much that rust prevention is challenging, there are tips and tricks that help you stay in the game and keep hunting effectively. ENJOY...

Here's the nitty-gritty on all JvB's gear assembled for an upcoming DIY, drop-camp hunt in Alaska for moose, caribou, black bear, and wolf. Hunt gear, sleep systems, shelters, fire-starting tools, optics, medical prep, everything. We detail each item, including why it's necessary and why we chose that specific version, and provide weight when applicable. Food type, quantity, and prep is also outli...

This episode is about keeping sharp in the backcountry... literally. Special segments cover nutrition, endurance, the mental game, sleep habits, and more, but the primary topic is how to properly sharpen a hunting knife.  We discuss types of steel, types of sharpening stone, edge angles and retention, sharpening processes, and edge and blade maintenance.  ENJOY!    FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODC...

This episode we're joined by a group of hard-hunting ladies about to head to the far north for a DIY, drop-camp caribou hunt. Shaundi Campbell is Browning's senior marketing manager and a western hunter from childhood. Kali Parmley is editor-in-chief of Backcountry Hunter magazine.  We talk through planning and hunt prep; rifles, optics, cartridges and other gear; expectations and fears; traveling...

Inspired by a listener's question, this episode is all about the fundamentals of extended-range shooting in the field.  We start with gear, particularly addressing vital scope features and setup for long-range success. Dial-up turrets, custom dials, parallax focus, reticle types, zero distance, anti-cant levels, and so forth are detailed and discussed.  Next we dive into concepts. Angled shots, ef...

Are classic cartridge suitable for backcountry hunting? You bet they are—and some are particularly good at it. This episode takes a detailed look at several of the best. We list top bullet choices and favorite rifles, and discuss what each cartridge is really good at.  Criteria for inclusion:  Must be old (youngest cartridge discussed is 97 years old) Must be capable on deer-size game and up Must...

Want to stay backcountry-fit into your older years? Or just shake off the cobwebs and get mountain-hunting shape? We recorded this episode with John Zombro, a professional trainer and physical therapist who specializes in hunt-prep training. A passionate backcountry hunter with more than 50 years in the field, Zombro lives in southwestern Montana and hosts The Lifetime Athlete podcast.  John is a...

Why does America love .30-caliber cartridges so much? BECAUSE THEY WORK! Here's a little history on when the great .30's won our hearts, and a deep dive into how to get the best out of your .30-caliber cartridge.  We touch on most of the popular .30-caliber rounds, but focus primarily on bullet types, intended uses, rifling twist rates, cartridge case capacity, and so forth. The discussion spans t...

This episode takes a deep dive into the realm of brush-country rifles, cartridges, and bullets. Inspired by a listeners question, we explore the concept of a "bush gun," and define rifle characteristics that fit. Rifle responsiveness, balance, fast function, accuracy, reach, and authority, along with appropriate scopes are addressed.  Next, species and habitat types likely to fit the deep-thicket...

This episode we're joined by Shane Porter, Gunwerks' No. 1 dealer and owner of Porter's Pawn in Arkansas. Shane shares what makes his business tick, why he loves and specializes in high-end backcountry hunting rifles, and what drives his own passion for hunting remote areas. Plus of course we swap hunting stories, and Shane tells about his spring 2022 brown bear hunt on the Alaska Peninsula with A...

This around-the-campfire episode details three proper backcountry hunts for big Kudu bulls, and two nail-biting hunts in Namibia's historic Caprivi region along the Okavango River for massive, ancient Cape buffalo bulls.  Adam Weatherby, Rob Gearing, Austin Brown, host Joseph von Benedikt, and PH Jacques Strauss dig deep into what worked, what didn't, and how to re-group and sort out a problem whe...

Deep in the heart of Africa, Rob Gearing, Adam Weatherby, and Austin Brown join Joseph von Benedikt for a proper safari in Namibia. Hunting more than 400,000 acres of free-range thornbush country on the edge of the Kalahari, we pursue giant kudu bulls, oryx, springbuck, zebra, and more.  For the gearheads amongst us, we're using some very cool cutting-edge rifles from Weatherby, Gunwerks, and Dako...

Getting down and dirty with handloading, von Benedikt details the exact process he uses for building an awesome hunting handload.  How to choose the right bullet for the task Gunpowder, and why it's not all equal Cartridge cases and case prep Primers, and the best of the best Charge weights, and where to start Seating depth for various bullet types Testing handload batches Using ladder tests to re...

Spomer is back! My good friend Ron shares solo-hunting experiences, tips for pre-hunt fitness and conditioning, and how to build your mental toughness so you don't give up when tested by harsh country and conditions.  Additionally, we dig deep into:  Hydration (and debilitation when lacking) Lightweight rifles & gear Going just one ridge farther to achieve success Being prepared to sleep anywhere...

By popular demand, here's a deep dive into the new Nexus rifle by Gunwerks. It's a switch-barrel design with an aluminum action, a built-in ARCA rail under the forend, a fast-moving 3-lug bolt, and a superb carbon fiber stock that really minimizes felt recoil.  Features of the Nexus are unpacked and detailed, and practical, tested, field performance to 1,400 yards is discussed. Cartridge options (...

Recorded in the backcountry, this episode is the story of an epic bear hunt. Custom knife maker Evan Siembida came West to hunt Idaho's vast remote country with host Joseph von Benedikt, and after a series of setbacks and challenges, took a magnificent color-phase boar with his new Browning X-Bolt in 6.8 Western.  We discuss black bear baiting, glassing, rifles, optics, cartridges, bullets, shot p...

Featuring guest Tim Lesser of Leupold, this episode takes us backstage with America's favorite riflescope company. Tim guides us through the fascinating origin story of Leupold, reveals the driving passion behind the R&D team, and details the rigorous testing the engineering team puts every new optic through. Ever wonder exactly what's inside a scope? Tim provides the clearest description of the v...

This episode takes a deep dive into how to learn and practice shooting skills that will make you a backcountry deal-closer at the moment of truth.  With the objective defined as the ability to place a bullet precisely into the vitals under challenging conditions, we address:  Reading the lay of the land as you set up to shoot Building a stable shooting position Mastering your breathing Achieving a...

This episode, we're joined by gunwriting legend Ron Spomer. A mountain-country hunter by choice, Ron shares his favorite shooting equipment for hunting gnarly, steep backcountry settings. We talk ultralight rifles, cartridges that suit them, and bullets that are versatile across a spectrum of western big game. Ron hosts a very successful YouTube channel, Ron Spomer Outdoors, and has a podcast as w...