The Mindful Hunter Podcast

In this in-depth, no-BS comparison, I break down two of the most powerful ballistic rangefinders on the market: the SIG KILO8K-ABS and the Revic BR4. After 6 months of field use and real hunting conditions, I compare every relevant feature—from ranging speed and ballistic solver accuracy to weather resistance, UI design, and integration with onX. Whether you’re planning a high-stakes mountain hunt...

I finally had a chance to sit down with my buddy Bo and do a debrief of our Mexican Coues hunting adventure.   Bo 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.min...

After breaking down 11 animals this year, including two bears and a deer, I’ve spent serious time with the Benchmade Raghorn in the field. In this no-nonsense review, I’ll walk you through what this knife does right — and where it falls short. If you’re wondering whether the carbon fiber CPM-CruWear version is worth $420, or if the blade shape holds up under real-world use, this review is for you....

In this episode of the Mindful Hunter Podcast, I sit down with a good friend who spends just as many days in the field as I do. What starts as a conversation about hunting quickly turns into a deeper discussion about parenting, mindset, and the realities of modern hunting. We dive into the importance of getting kids outside, why making the outdoors fun is the key to raising lifelong hunters, and h...

The #1 question I get after reviewing both the HDX and HDX Pro versions of the Sig Sauer Zulu 6 binoculars is: “Which pair should I actually buy?” In this video, I break down all 7 models in the Zulu 6 lineup — both HDX and HDX Pro — and help you decide which model fits your hunting needs. I’ve spent months using these optics in real-world hunts. No fluff, no paid endorsements — just hard-earned i...

In this episode of the Mindful Hunter Podcast, I sit down with outdoor photographer Sam Averett to talk about hunting, storytelling, and the strange intersection between the two. Sam and I first met on a mountain goat hunt in British Columbia — the kind of hunt that makes you feel like you’re standing on the moon. But beyond the mountains, Sam has quietly built one of the most respected careers in...

Is an ultralight backpacking stove really lighter when you factor in the extra fuel it burns? In this video, I put the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 head-to-head against the MSR WindBurner to find out. I ran extensive lab tests, measured fuel efficiency, compared total system weights, and looked at real-world packability to help you decide which stove is best for your backcountry hunts and backpacking trips...

In this episode, I sit down with Robby Denning for a raw and honest conversation about storytelling, hunting, and what really matters.   We dive deep into how hunting stories shaped us growing up — from books and campfire tales to modern films and YouTube. Are we telling better stories today? Or have we lost something in the shift toward short-form content and constant cameras?   We talk about: Wh...

Is King’s Camo the best bang for your buck in hunting apparel right now? In this video, I put the Elevation Quarter Zip Hoodie and Ridge Pants through real backcountry testing—scouting trips, goat hunts, and long training hikes. I break down the fit, function, and feel of each piece, compare them directly to Sitka and Stone Glacier, and share whether these budget-friendly options can truly hang wi...

Adam Grenda is known for killing giant moose and flying Super Cubs into wild places — but that’s only half the story. In this episode, we go deep. We talk about: Calling in a 71” bull moose to 12 yards with a bow The intensity of Alaskan moose hunting (and why it hits different) The reality of internet hate and how to not let it own your headspace Building a dream hangar house in remote Alaska fro...

I've got three spots left open for spring black bear hunts in BC and two spots left for archery mule deer in Alberta. For any outfitting info, email me jay@mindfulhunter.com I avoided the Mountain Stick 4.1 from MTN Gear for years because I assumed it was just a trekking pole with an ice axe head. I was wrong. After putting it through the ultimate test on a mountain goat hunt in brutal terrain, I...

Four months ago, I gave my first impressions of the new GoHunt apparel lineup. Now, after a full season of guiding black bear hunts in British Columbia, attending a shooting course, and weeks of scouting, I’ve put these pieces through serious abuse. In this video, I give you my honest, unsponsored, and unfiltered feedback on four key pieces: • Atmosphere Jacket • Blackrock Hoodie • Basin Hoodie  •...

Looking for the best digiscoping adapter for your spotting scope? In this video, I put the Kapture Digiscoping Adapter head-to-head against the industry leader, the Ollin adapter. After six weeks of guiding bear hunts in British Columbia, I tested both products in real hunting conditions to see which one holds up when it matters most. We compare:  • Price  • Build quality & installation  • Mag...

In this in-depth review of the 2025 Durston X-Mid 2 Solid, I take this ultralight trekking pole shelter into true mountain hunting terrain to find out whether it can handle real-world backcountry abuse. Wind, rain, poor ground conditions—you name it. No sponsor bias, no marketing fluff—just hard-earned experience and honest feedback. We cover everything from specs, setup, and weather resistance to...

Are you a bigger guy looking for the best ultralight sleeping pad that won’t bottom out on rocky ground or cold nights? In this in-depth comparison, I put the Thermarest NeoAir Xlite NXT and the Big Agnes Zoom UL head-to-head to find out which one truly delivers for tall and heavy hunters and backpackers. This review goes beyond marketing fluff. I field-tested both pads in real backcountry conditi...

Is the Sig Sauer Oscar 6 HDX Pro worth the hype? In this no-nonsense review, I take a deep dive into Sig’s latest image-stabilized spotting scope and stack it up against the competition in real-world hunting and glassing conditions. 📌 Chapters: 0:00 – Intro 3:09 – Limitations of digiscope footage for competitive reviews 4:45 – Mindful Hunter Outfitting updates 5:38 – 3-way Digiscope Analysis 12:2...

I sat down this week with my good friend Colton Bagnoli to discuss his personal experience with the recent trend of smaller cartridges for use on big game. We closed out with a good chat on some reloading basics as well.   Colton Bagnoli https://www.instagram.com/papwinkle/   Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/   Forged In The Backcountr...

Revenge 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 supportin...

When I saw Aquila's giant muley show up on my IG feed, I knew I had to sit down with him and hear the story of how he killed this buck. As usual, there were no secrets or gimmicks just a whiole lot of persistence and hard work. Aquila Broewn https://www.instagram.com/kootenaybackwoods/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/   Forged In The...

I’ve been running the new Teratorn Backpack from Shoot2Hunt and Exo for over two months—and I’ve put it through hell. From six weeks of hardcore bear guiding to a full week at a precision rifle course where I fired 1,200+ rounds, this pack wasn’t babied. I used it as my primary shooting support, my daily hauler, and my backcountry workhorse. This isn’t just a first impressions video—this is a real...

I 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.mindf...

I have a lot of friends in Australia, and I lived there for two years, so when my good buddy reached out to see if we could do a quick update on how people could fight back against Australia's knee-jerk reaction to stricter gun reform in light of the recent terrorist attack, of course, I agreed. Remember they;re not just coming after our guns they're coming afetr our freedom so even if you are not...

This week I sat down with Tanner from Frontiermen to discuss reinstating the Ram awards at the BC sheep show in 2026. We also had a good chat about several other hunting topics.   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 htt...

In this episode, I sit down with Jake from Unknown Munitions for a deep dive into the origins, growth, and ethos of one of the most respected names in precision ammunition. We explore Jake’s unexpected shift from a safe corporate job into launching a reloading empire, what it takes to build a scalable business without selling out, and the real-world implications of trying to balance quality, growt...

Sale on hunts with Mindful Hunter Outfitting. Get up to $750 off per person. Email https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ and get automatically entered to win a Sig Oscar 6 Image-Stabilising Spotting Scope!   In this deep dive, we put the Kite Optics APC 60 through a rigorous field test to see if it lives up to the hype. With built-in image stabilization, compact form factor, and claims of premium optic...