The Mindful Hunter Podcast

🎁 WIN A KOWA 88 SPOTTING SCOPE: Mindful Munitions is officially open. Every $5 spent at Forged in the Backcountry or Mindful Munitions earns one entry to win a Kowa 88 spotting scope. The giveaway ends October 30 at midnight Pacific Time.

 

👉 Forged in the Backcountry: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/

👉 Mindful Munitions: https://mindfulmunitions.com/

 

Jay is back to finish the unanswered questions from the last Mindful Hunter Q&A, and this one gets blunt. From Kifaru’s overly complicated meat shelf system to the hard truth about showing up six weeks before a sheep hunt looking for a miracle training plan, this episode is about separating what actually matters from the stuff hunters tell themselves matters.

Jay covers late-season muzzleloader mule deer tactics in old burns, calling black bears back after a miss, his favorite hunting-gear organization setup, and when Mindful Munitions will begin offering gunsmithing, Cerakote, Tikka pre-fit barrels, and Raven-action builds. He also covers early-season sleep systems, wide-foot hunting boots, the Aziak Vantage pan head, 6.5 Creedmoor Peak Alloy cartridges, the future of Forged Base Socks, tripod binoculars, and his first impressions of the Kifaru Arc.

The second half gets into ELD-X versus ELD-M hunting bullets, why switching gear does not mean the old product failed, real prep for a Yukon Dall sheep hunt, hot-weather hunting pants, peptides and mountain performance, boot fitting, and the one thing that actually makes hunters consistently successful in a given area: spending consistent time there.

Chapters
0:00:00 Intro, Kowa 88 Giveaway & Mindful Munitions Update

0:02:07 Late-September Muzzleloader Mule Deer: Stalking an Old Burn

0:05:21 Using a Predator Call to Stop or Bring Back a Spring Bear

0:07:42 The Best Hunting Gear Storage System for Home and Travel

0:10:32 When Will Mindful Munitions Offer Gunsmithing, Cerakote & Raven Builds?

0:15:23 My Go-To Early-Season Sleep System for Deer and Elk

0:16:30 The Best Morning Routine for Productivity and Deep Work

0:25:00 The Best Hunting Boots for Wide Feet

0:27:55 Aziak Vantage Pan Head & 6.5 Creedmoor Peak Alloy Cartridge Thoughts

0:30:53 Are Forged Base Socks Lightweight or Midweight? Future Sock Plans

0:36:58 14x52 NL Pure Binos vs. Maven B.5 15x56s for Tripod Glassing

0:37:54 Kifaru Arc First Impressions: Great Suspension, Bad Bags & Meat Shelf

0:40:36 ELD-X vs. ELD-M: Which Bullet Am I Hunting With?

0:46:37 Why I Keep Changing Rifle Stocks

0:48:31 Long vs. Regular Quilts for a 6'1" Hunter

0:49:26 Last-Minute Yukon Dall Sheep Hunt Prep: The Brutal Truth

0:55:37 Rough Ridge Stove Review Update

0:56:02 The Only Two Hot-Weather Hunting Pants I Recommend

0:56:20 Why I Am Not Elk Hunting This Season

0:56:56 Zeiss Conquest Gavia 65, Manners Stocks & MOA Rifles

0:57:23 Do Peptides Help Mountain Endurance?

0:58:41 The Key to Consistently Killing Bears in the Same Area

0:59:44 How to Research and Fit Hunting Boots Before Buying

1:01:50 Building a Budget Backcountry Hunting Gear System That Doesn’t Suck

1:02:13 Outro & Kowa 88 Giveaway Reminder

 

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

Free Training Guide For Mountain Hunting

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

 

Kowa TSN-88A Sweepstakes

No purchase required.  Contest begins on August 18, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on October 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST.  There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) A previously owned Kowa TSN-88A Spotting Scope Body with Eyepiece (APR) $5,500.00 CAD; Skill testing question required.  Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland, France and Switzerland. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before contest closes.  No limit on entries. For full rules and entry details visit: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/blogs/resources/kowa-tsn-88a-sweepstakes

🎁 WIN A KOWA 88 SPOTTING SCOPE: Mindful Munitions is officially open. Every $5 spent at Forged in the Backcountry or Mindful Munitions earns one entry to win a Kowa 88 spotting scope. The giveaway ends October 30 at midnight Pacific Time.

 

👉 Forged in the Backcountry: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/

👉 Mindful Munitions: https://mindfulmunitions.com/

Are you looking to take your wild game processing to the next level? In this ultimate masterclass, we break down exactly how to turn your deer, elk, and bear meat into mouth-watering, shelf-stable provisions. Whether you want to make honey garlic bear snack sticks, cheesy elk summer sausage, classic Italian dinner brats, or incredibly versatile canned deer meat, we cover it all!

We start by discussing the best ways to prep your meat before grinding, the crucial "20% Rule" for adding pork back fat, and why you should never let your butcher pre-grind your sausage meat. Then, we dive step-by-step into four different preservation methods, including the easiest way to pressure can wild game for quick, shelf-stable weeknight dinners. We also share our exact process for mixing spices, stuffing casings, and smoking summer sausage and snack sticks to perfection on a Traeger grill. Finally, we cover the best practices for linking, vacuum sealing, and storing your hard-earned harvest so it lasts all year long.

If you're tired of dry, gamey sausage or just want to learn how to process your own meat like a pro, this video is for you. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment letting us know your favorite way to prepare wild game!

Spice Blends Mentioned:
Stuffer's Game Summer Sausage Mix
PS Seasonings Italian Sausage & Philly Cheesesteak Mix

Equipment Used:
Heavy-Duty Meat Grinder & Sausage Stuffer
Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker (10 PSI for 75 mins at sea level)
Traeger Grill (Smoked at 165°F)
Weston Pro 3000 Vacuum Sealer

Timed Chapters (Max 15)

00:00 - The Ultimate Wild Game Processing Guide
01:07 - How to Prep Meat for Sausage (Don't Pre-Grind!)
02:19 - Essential Ingredients & The 20% Pork Fat Rule
03:55 - How to Calculate the Perfect Fat-to-Meat Ratio
04:58 - The Easiest Preservation Method: Canning Wild Game
07:04 - Packing Jars & Adding Spices for Canning
08:00 - How to Pressure Can Meat Step-by-Step
09:25 - Pressure Cooker Temperature & Cooldown Tips
11:15 - Prepping Fat & Meat for Bear Summer Sausage
13:23 - Mixing Spices, Cure & High-Temp Cheese
15:37 - Stuffing Summer Sausage Casings
17:17 - Smoking Summer Sausage on a Traeger Grill
18:50 - Why We Use Bear Meat for Smoked Sausages
19:32 - Making Elk & Deer Italian Dinner Sausages
22:02 - How to Link & Vacuum Seal Your Sausage

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

 

Kowa TSN-88A Sweepstakes

No purchase required.  Contest begins on August 18, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on October 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST.  There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) A previously owned Kowa TSN-88A Spotting Scope Body with Eyepiece (APR) $5,500.00 CAD; Skill testing question required.  Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland, France and Switzerland. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before contest closes.  No limit on entries. For full rules and entry details visit: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/blogs/resources/kowa-tsn-88a-sweepstakes

We are back after a month and a half hiatus! In this solo Q&A episode, Jay tackles some of the most controversial and highly requested topics from the Mindful Hunter audience.
First up, Jay breaks down the new arrow ballistics study and explains why 90% of hunters are wasting their time agonizing over FOC and vane configuration instead of just practicing under pressure. Then, he dives into a highly debated topic: why bear hunters need to stop avoiding sows if they actually care about predator control.

We also cover the reality of E-Scouting (and why it might be a massive waste of your time if you aren't doing boots-on-the-ground validation), the exact paperwork you need to bring wild game meat across the US/Canada border, and why the Outdoor Vitals box-baffle down jacket failed the wash test. Finally, Jay drops a huge announcement about the official launch of Mindful Munitions and the final open spot for the 2027 Mexico Coues deer hunt.

🇲🇽 MEXICO COUES DEER: One spot left for a guided Coues deer hunt in Mexico in Jan/Feb 2027. All-inclusive, fully guided. Email jay@mindfulhunter.com to claim it.

🇨🇦 MINDFUL MUNITIONS: Launching next week! Rok Stocks, EXO packs, Wiser Precision, ASC, Full Frame Outdoors, and more — all shipping within Canada with no duties. Stay tuned for the massive launch giveaway.

Timed Chapters
0:00:00 Intro: Where I've Been & The "Feel It To Make It" Rule
0:01:10 Mexico Coues Deer Hunt Update (1 Spot Left)
0:02:06 BC Bear Outfitting & Mindful Munitions Launch Announcement
0:05:12 The New Arrow Ballistics Study: Does It Actually Matter?
0:09:05 Fall Bear vs. Spring Bear: Which is Better?
0:10:22 The Best Spotting Scope for High Country Mule Deer (Kowa 88 vs. Swarovski)
0:13:18 How to Tell a Boar from a Sow (The Ankle Test)
0:14:42 The Controversy: Why Bear Hunters SHOULD Be Shooting Sows
0:18:20 The Best BC Towns for Raising a Hunting Family
0:19:46 Why Every BC Hunter Needs Top Notch Navigator
0:21:50 Mule Deer vs. Whitetail: Which Would You Choose?
0:22:36 The Best "Stupid" Gear: Flextail Pump & Yates Jack Pad
0:26:28 Tricer Bipod: Why I Switched Back to the Short Legs
0:28:33 The Outdoor Vitals Down Jacket Wash Failure Explained
0:31:11 How to Legally Bring Meat and Skulls Across the US/Canada Border
0:34:58 Bullet Velocity vs. Weight: 130gr TMK vs. 250gr SPT
0:36:09 Why E-Scouting is Overrated (And What You Should Do Instead)
0:40:09 Do You Actually Need Cushion in Your Hunting Socks?
0:44:11 Solo Shelter Recommendations for Alaska Moose/Caribou
0:46:36 Spring Bear Elevation Strategy: Chasing the Snow Line
0:53:01 Looking for Aoudad Leases in Texas & Mexico
0:53:53 Will I Keep Using the MDT Carbon Stock?
0:54:59 How to Shoot RAW Video for Digiscoping
0:56:08 My Favorite Sleeper Gear: The Zpacks 7x9 Tarp
0:57:59 Will I Ever Design a Hunting Boot?
0:58:39 Best 65mm Spotting Scope Recommendation
0:59:09 Outro & Upcoming Content

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
Free Training Guide For Mountain Hunting
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

DOWNLOAD THE FREE 4-MONTH TRAINING PLAN PDF:

👉 https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

🎁 THE ULTIMATE GUIDED HUNT GIVEAWAY: Every $5 spent at Forged in the Backcountry (including the new camo Forged Base Boxers) earns one entry to win an all-expenses-paid custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting. You pick the hunt: BC Black Bear or Mule Deer, Alberta Archery Mule Deer, or Rifle Coues Deer in Mexico. 👉 https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/

The truth about backcountry hunting fitness. If you are doing CrossFit, high-intensity intervals, or heavy lifting to get ready for the mountains, you might actually be hurting your performance. In this video, I break down the 10 core principles of mountain endurance, heavily inspired by the groundbreaking book Training for the Uphill Athlete.

 

Learn why cardiovascular capacity isn't the real goal, why you need to build a fat-burning aerobic engine, and why "Zone 2" is the secret to endless energy in the backcountry. Whether you're training for an elk hunt, a sheep hunt, or just want to carry a heavy pack without gassing out, this is the exact system I use to spend 140 days a year in the field at 47 years old.

What we cover in this video:

 

Why "Metcon" workouts create Aerobic Deficiency Syndrome

The 80/20 rule for Zone 2 training

How to build Muscular Endurance (ME) with heavy rucking

Why having too much muscle mass hurts mountain performance

A complete 16-week periodized training plan

The best cardio machines if you live in a flat or urban area

If you want to arrive at the trailhead fresh, durable, and capable without paying for a monthly fitness subscription—this video is for you.

 

Chapters:

 

00:00 - Why Most Hunting Fitness Programs Are Flawed

01:01 - The Book That Changed My Endurance Training

02:40 - Principle 1: Endurance is a Metabolic Problem

06:50 - Principle 2: Zone 2 is the Foundation

09:01 - Principle 3: Specificity is King (The SAID Principle)

10:25 - Principle 4: Muscular Endurance is the Secret Weapon

11:44 - Principle 5: Continuity and Gradualness

12:33 - Principle 6: Periodize Your Training Year

13:30 - Principle 7: Separate Aerobic and Anaerobic Work

16:01 - Principle 8: Respect Global Fatigue Cost

17:25 - Principle 9: Avoid the Gym Bro Trap

19:11 - Principle 10: Train to Hunt, Don't Hunt to Train

21:15 - How Fatigue Destroys Your Marksmanship Accuracy

23:15 - Free 4-Month Backcountry Training Plan Breakdown

26:33 - No Mountains? The Best Cardio Machines for Hunters

 

Reels

5:00 – condense video and frustrated with other programs

 

Jake Downs

https://www.instagram.com/jake_d_downs/

 

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

 

No purchase required.  Contest begins on May 17, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on July 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST.  There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) A custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting including travel and tip (APR) $$10,000.00 CAD); Skill testing question required.  Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland, France and Switzerland. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before contest closes.  No limit on entries. For full rules and entry details visit: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/blogs/resources/the-ultimate-custom-guided-hunt-giveaway-open-until-july-17-2026

This week Jay sits down with Jaden from West Elk Precision to nerd out on all things custom rifles, precision shooting, and long-range hunting. Jaden shares his journey from a Colorado kid hunting with a factory Remington 700 to attending gunsmithing school and launching his own custom rifle shop focused on the rapidly growing pre-fit barrel market.
They dive deep into the philosophy of building the perfect hybrid hunting/competition rifle, the rise of the 25 Creedmoor, and why negative comb stocks are going to change the way hunters shoot. Jay also shares his controversial take on why you should never buy a mid-tier spotting scope, and they discuss how shooting NRL Hunter matches with heavy gear can actually make you more lethal in the backcountry.
Whether you're looking to upgrade your factory Tikka with a pre-fit barrel, trying to figure out barrel break-in procedures, or just want to know how to build a better shooting position using a tripod as a rear rest, this episode is packed with actionable advice for the precision-minded hunter.
🎁 THE GIVEAWAY: Only three weeks left! Every $5 spent at Forged in the Backcountry earns you one entry to win a fully custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting — BC Black Bear or Mule Deer, Alberta Archery Mule Deer, or Rifle Coues Deer in Mexico.
🏕️ OUTFITTING: Mindful Hunter Outfitting South is now live — fully guided rifle Coues deer hunts on private ranches in Old Mexico during the rut. Just get yourself to Tucson and we handle everything else. Email jay@mindfulhunter.com for details.

🏕️ 2026 BC OPENINGS: Jay just opened four new spots — Archery Mule Deer, Early Season Alpine Mule Deer, Alpine Black Bear, and a late September Float Bear hunt. Email j@mindfulhunter.com to book.

Timed Chapters
0:00:00 Intro & The Final Week of the Giveaway
0:01:11 Meet Jaden: Colorado Mule Deer & Gunsmithing School
0:15:21 What Does "Blueprinting an Action" Actually Mean?
0:23:28 Launching West Elk Precision & The Pre-Fit Barrel Market
0:30:29 The New "Hybrid" Guided Hunter
0:33:29 Why You Should Never Buy a Mid-Tier Spotting Scope
0:40:15 Top Scope Recommendations for 600-Yard Hunting
0:47:44 Rifle Barrels: Contours, Carbon Fiber vs. Steel, and Weight
0:55:07 Why You Need to Spot Your Own Shots (Recoil Management)
0:58:11 The Future of Rifle Stocks: Negative Comb Explained
1:00:52 Building a Hybrid Rifle for NRL Hunter Matches
1:11:00 Using a Tripod as a Rear Rest (Modified Prone)
1:12:42 Why You Should Carry a 1-Pound Shooting Bag on a Hunt
1:16:08 How to Build a Shooting Position Correctly
1:20:06 Caliber Talk: Is the 25 Creedmoor the Sweet Spot?
1:31:20 Barrel Break-In & Cleaning Philosophy
1:34:25 Outro & Where to Find West Elk PrecisionJay Nichol

Jaden Miller
https://www.instagram.com/west_elk_precision/
https://westelkprecision.com/

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
Free Training Guide For Mountain Hunting
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

Forged Ultimate Guided Hunt Sweepstakes
No purchase required.  Contest begins on May 17, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on July 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST.  There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) A custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting including travel and tip (APR) $$10,000.00 CAD); Skill testing question required.  Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland, France and Switzerland. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before contest closes.  No limit on entries. For full rules and entry details visit: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/blogs/resources/the-ultimate-custom-guided-hunt-giveaway-open-until-july-17-2026