The Mindful Hunter Podcast

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 insights from the field. If you want the clearest, most honest buyer’s guide on these binos anywhere online, you’re in the right place.

👉 Support more videos like this and access my full gear database at:
🔗 https://www.mindful-reviews.com

📧 Book a hunt with me or ask a gear question:
[email protected]

⸻

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Why this video matters
00:26 – 3-month real-world testing
00:44 – HDX vs. HDX Pro: Key differences
02:00 – Objective sizes, magnification & pricing
02:33 – Light transmission + warranty
03:08 – Ergonomics & hand-feel
04:18 – Field use: 10x30 model
05:06 – Exit pupil explained
06:16 – Light transmission trade-offs
07:17 – Why Pro coatings matter
08:00 – Image stabilization: Scan vs. OmniScan
09:22 – Exit pupil comparison (graph)
10:12 – Bigger objective = better image
11:15 – Top picks: 10x30, 12x42, 16x50
12:09 – Raghorn hunt spot announcement
13:23 – My 4-variable framework: How to choose
15:39 – Final recommendations by user type
17:19 – Bino harness talk: AGC vs Stone Glacier
18:54 – Why this channel exists
19:13 – Support Mindful Reviews
19:32 – Join the discussion in the comments

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 hunting media, working behind the camera with some of the biggest brands and personalities in the outdoor space.

We dive into how Sam went from growing up hunting out the back door in eastern Oregon to working for the Forest Service and eventually making the leap into full-time photography. Along the way we talk about mentorship, breaking into the outdoor industry, and why relationships matter more than talent early in your career.

The conversation also explores something that doesn’t get talked about enough: the tension between documenting the hunt and actually experiencing it. In a world full of influencers and constant content, Sam made a deliberate choice to stay behind the camera and focus on the craft rather than building a personal brand around dead animals and social media validation.

We also get into the art of capturing real moments in the mountains, the difference between filming your own hunts versus having someone document them, and why some of the most powerful stories in hunting might still be told through writing and print rather than short digital films.

This is a thoughtful conversation about creativity, authenticity, and staying grounded in an industry that’s changing fast.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the lens of the best hunt films and photos in the industry — this episode is for you.

 

Sam Averett

https://www.instagram.com/samaverett/

https://www.samaverett.com/

 

Jay Nichol

[email protected]

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

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.

Whether you’re a hunter shaving ounces for a goat hunt, or a backpacker planning a 10-day alpine trip, this review gives you the data and context you need to make the right call.

If you enjoy in-depth, no-nonsense gear breakdowns, subscribe for more content like this.
 
Chapters / Timestamps

0:00 – Is ultralight really lighter?
0:18 – The contenders: Pocket Rocket 2 vs WindBurner
0:37 – My experience with both systems
1:12 – Stove & pot weight breakdown
2:05 – Why I chose the Oli Camp XT pot
2:32 – Total system weight comparison
2:43 – Testing setup & protocols
3:29 – Fuel burn results (Pocket Rocket vs WindBurner)
4:22 – Realities of flame control in the field
5:23 – What the data means for hunters
5:42 – Packability & wind performance
6:56 – System weight vs fuel weight trade-off
8:19 – My go-to stove for most hunts
9:23 – When the Pocket Rocket makes sense
10:14 – Why the WindBurner stands out in the field
11:20 – Final thoughts & viewer Q&A
 
Jay Nichol
[email protected]
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 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:

Why written stories hit differently than video

The evolution of hunting content over the last 15 years

Ego, burnout, and the pressure to always create

Finding balance between documenting the hunt and being present

Mentorship, community, and the mistake of going it alone

Recovery, masculinity, and how the outdoors can reshape a man

 

This isn’t a gear episode. It’s a conversation about identity, legacy, and why storytelling might be the most important thing hunters can do right now — especially as ballot initiatives and public perception continue to shape the future of our lifestyle.

 

Robbie Denning

https://www.instagram.com/robbydenning/

 

Jay Nichol

[email protected]

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

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 with the premium brands.

🔍 What you’ll learn in this review:
 • Price breakdown & comparisons (up to 50% cheaper than Sitka/Stone Glacier)
 • Features & materials explained (breathability, stretch, odor control, durability)
 • Real-world performance on tough hunts
 • Final verdict: Are they worth your money?

If you’re a value-minded hunter, new to backcountry hunting, or just tired of paying top-dollar for gear, this review will help you decide if King’s Camo deserves a place in your kit.

👉 Drop your questions or budget gear recommendations in the comments below—I’m working on a budget backcountry gear list and your input will help shape it.

Please like, comment, share, and subscribe if you find this review helpful. It really helps push this content further in the algorithm. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for more gear deep dives. 

Chapters:
00:00 – Is King’s Camo the best bang for your buck?
00:12 – Introducing the Elevation Hoodie & Ridge Pants
00:33 – Best season and layering use cases
01:00 – Field testing & hunts
01:21 – How I evaluate gear (Fit, Function, Feel)
02:05 – Review framework (Price, Features, Fit/Feel/Function)
02:17 – Hoodie price & comparisons (Sitka, Stone Glacier)
03:00 – Pants price & comparisons
03:34 – Hoodie features breakdown
04:41 – Ridge Pants features breakdown
07:00 – Fit & sizing overview
08:10 – Hoodie fit & hood performance
10:19 – Ridge Pants fit & mobility
12:12 – Hoodie field performance (drying, odor, durability)
15:02 – Pants field performance (fit, durability, crampon test)
18:17 – Final thoughts & value verdict
19:41 – Kings Camo stamp of approval
20:00 – Future reviews, budget gear list, and sign-off
 
Jay Nichol
[email protected]
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