Backcountry Hunting Podcast

Recorded live and raw in the field, this episode takes us to Africa. In addition to lots of great hunting stories, we address safari research, logistics, planning, and prep with the help of my long-time hunting partner and world traveler Austin Brown. Plus, Namibian Professional Hunter Jacques Strauss of Kowas Hunting Safaris talks us through pre-hunt practice and skills crucial to success in the African bush. My kids Audrey (age 15) and William (age 13, our very own Backcountry Apprentice) get to experience the Dark Continent and hunt plains game for the first time. Plus my hunting pardner Austin Brown and I hunt leopard and for an elusive giant kudu bull. This is an account of the first half of our safari... including a once-in-many-lifetimes close daylight encounter with a big male leopard. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

How do we overcome our human (read "weak") eyesight? With good optics! Spotlighted here are the three primary glassing tools every backcountry hunter should have, along with tips and tricks on how to pick the right one and how to use it. This is the fifth of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're filming these brief episodes and posting them on Patreon, so if you'd like to put eyes on the products and methods showcased, please sign up at www.patreon.com/backcountry for a membership! Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY!

Your hunting rifle can be a truckbox tool, or a refined instrument. Either way, you should trust it completely, and it should provide characteristics that help you—the soft tissue behind the system—close the deal at the moment of truth. This episode discusses essential features of a great hunting rifle: Accuracy Reliablity Ergonomics Action type, feel, & function Trigger Scope features Backup sighting systems Life is too short to hunt with ugly rifles, folks! (Or innaccurate, unreliable, awkward rifles...) This discussion was inspired by several failures and near-failures in the field, and we tell those stories to support our points. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.timneytriggers.com www.onxmaps.com www.siembidacustomknives.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.gunwerks.com www.silencercentral.com https://javelinbipod.com

Interested in a sleek, lightweight rangefinding binocular? Spotlighted here are the only three available. Thankfully, they're all great. Each provides excellent optical quality, a powerful, reliable laser ranging engine, and cutting-edge technology. This is the fourth of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're filming these brief episodes and posting them on Patreon, so if you'd like to put eyes on the products and methods showcased, please sign up at www.patreon.com/backcountry for a membership! Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY!

After a wildly successful evening of hunting mule deer with Audrey and Sophie von Benedikt, we sit down with friend Rob Gearing, who is a certain contender for Most Interesting Man in the World. We talk through the girls' hunt, detail the cutting-edge family of shooting support systems at Spartan Precision Equipment, and get Rob's perspective on how mountain climbing and some near-death survival adventures influence his design ethos. The second half of the podcast our conversation gets pithy and very real, as we discuss the primal drive to hunt and eat wild meat and the psychological and health benefits of doing so. We even discuss the need to maintain our heritage and hunting rights and manage to avoid getting political! This was a tremendous discussion, folks. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

Success! You've just shot a buck or bull. But should the fun really stop there? Not really. You'll shift gears, sure, but the process of getting great photos in the field, then field processing and breaking down your animal and packing it out can be very rewarding. This episode, we take an in-depth look at three steps: PHOTOGRAPHY Positioning your animal Using the light Positioning the hunter Setting up the camera Framing the photo LOOKING and SEEING what's in the viewfinder Snapping the shot Field Dressing & the Gutless Method Traditional gutting: Pros, Cons, & How-to Gutless Method: skinning, quartering, & lifting off backstraps Removing bones Packing Out Cooling meat Meat sacks & flies Loading your backpack Working without injury Aging meat on ice FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.timneytriggers.com https://javelinbipod.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com

This is the third of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're calling them the "Top 3 In 5" bonus episodes. Spotlighted here are three of our all-time favorite classic elk cartridges. They all provide adequate bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and frontal diameter and are proven, authoritative killers on even big-bodied, mature bulls. We're filming these brief episodes and posting them on Patreon, so if you'd like to put eyes on the products and methods showcased, please sign up at www.patreon.com/backcountry for a membership! Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk cartridges, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY!

A good rangefinder is a crucial tool for hunting big country... Leupold's expert Eric Overstreet takes us on a deep dive into how they work, and what makes a really effective rangefinder—Laser shapes and divergence, pulse rate, display types, ballistic calculators and ranging speed and more. On a very practical note, we talk through the pros and cons of rangefinding binoculars vs. monocular rangefinders, how quickly technology goes out of date, and how to plan for best-possible performance. This one's a can't miss, folks... ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.timneytriggers.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

This is the second of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're calling them the "Top 3 In 5" bonus episodes. Spotlighted here are three of our all-time favorite lightweight hunting scopes. They span a price range of $500 to $1,650, and all are light enough to pack up mountains, are feature-filled so they'll hunt as hard and as far as you can, and are of premium quality, so they provide great durability, light transmission, image clarity, color purity, and so on. Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk cartridges, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY! www.patreon.com/backcountry

When you hunt a wide spectrum of big game—ranging from little deer to big elk—with just one type of bullet, your average whitetail bullet may not cut the mustard. You need a premium bullet that will capable kill anything you shoot it at—and from less than ideal shot angles. This episode details five of top choices for crossover work on big game from whitetails to elk. First we set the stage by defining the desirable characteristics of a capable big game bullet, then we discuss the specific characteristics of several premium options, including favorite calibers and weights. Barnes LRX Federal Terminal Ascent Hornady CX Nosler AccuBond Swift Scirocco II Honorable mention: Swift A-Frame and Nosler Partition Finally, we wrap up with a quick list of great cartridges for shooting these bullets. This was a fun one, folks. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.timneytriggers.com www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.silencercentral.com www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

This is the first of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're calling them the "Top 3 In 5" bonus episodes. Spotlighted here are three of our all-time favorite backcountry hunting rifles. These are top-end production rifles; we'll do similar episodes on entry-level rifles and full custom rifles soon. Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk cartridges, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY! www.patreon.com/backcountry

If you dream about big bull moose drifting through the alders, this episode is for you. Guest Adam Grenda, Alaska bush pilot and co-host of Stuck N The Rut on YouTube, hunter extraordinaire of giant moose, tells his story. How the passion to hunt was instilled in him at the ripe old age of three, how he found a bride with a drive to hunt and fish that equals his own, and how they moved to Alaska and found a home there. Adam and Tana's daughter Julia (age 15) just shot her first moose—a whopping 254-inch monster bull with antlers that weighed 103 pounds and stretch the tape 73 inches wide. This podcast tells her hunt story, and Adam digs deep into the gear that has proven crucial for moose-hunting success. Boots, packs, rifles, cartridges, and more. Folks, this was one of my all-time favorite conversations recorded for the podcast. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com https://javelinbipod.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com www.siembidacustomknives.com

Alaska, solo, on a drop-camp caribou hunt in wild country. Scott Hamby recently returned from Alaska, where he adapted and overcame issues with wildfire, fog, and most of all, plans that fell through one after another. Plan C came together, and Scott came home with a mature caribou bull. This episode tells his story, with deep dives into his planning and logistics; his packing, camping, and hunting gear; rifle, cartridge, ammo, optics, and hunting knives, and more. Alone in the Arctic, Scott had a great hunt and closed the deal with a single perfectly placed bullet at the moment of truth. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://javelinbipod.com

True backcountry hunting can be dangerous and challenging. Packing the right gear optimizes success, and may ensure survival. Choose wisely. This list is a comprehensive selection of gear that will cover nearly any backcountry hunting adventure, compiled after 35 years of experience in the West and the far North's wilderness. But gear lists are boring, right? Not this time. We don't just itemize, we explain why—and that's where the fun begins. The entire list can be found in document form on our Backcountry membership site: www.patreon.com/backcountry . Please join use there to support the podcast and to access all our exclusive content! VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

Ever dreamed about hunting Red Stags? One of the most coveted, magical, historic Red Stag destinations in the world is the highlands of Scotland. This episode was recorded in the field, in a stone hunting lodge built during the Victorian era, and we tell the story of our good fortune and successful hunt for a big, old royal stag. Head gamekeeper Sam Thompson and Spartan Precision's Rob Gearing sit down with host Joseph von Benedikt and share insights on how to plan and book such a hunt, detail the surprisingly affordable costs, discuss appropriate gear and travel, and most of all, dig deep into hunting methods and stories. Folks, this one was a ton of fun. ENJOY! Contact @realsamthompson on Instagram. FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.silencercentral.com www.gunwerks.com

Ever wonder how to fine-tune your scope for best results? This episode addresses the ABC's of sighting in, as well as advanced tuning, field shooting positions for maximum consistency, trajectory validation, and practice techniques to master long shots in the West's wide-open country. Plus, we myth-bust the old maximum-point-blank-range concept, discuss minimizing complexity when shooting extended distances, and outline how to increase your personal ethical maximum range. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.timneytriggers.com www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.siembidacustomknives.com www.silencercentral.com www.leupold.com www.gunwerks.com https://javelinbipod.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com

Recorded live in the field from an ancient hunting lodge in Scotland's far northern Highlands, this episode brings listeners a look into the grand tradition of stalking red stags in The Olde Countrie--as well as current opportunities. If you're a serious elk hunter, you've likely dreamed of hunting red stags. New Zealand, Argentina, and the European continent all have allure, but the most exciting and historic of all red stag hunting is in Scotland, where Victorian nobles built castle-like stone lodges and climbed the gnarly highland mountains in pursuit of old stags. Spartan's Rob Gearing, host Joseph von Benedikt, and estate manager Sam Thompson sit down by the crackling fireplace and talk through modern-day stag stalking in the highlands. What to expect, appropriate rifles and cartridges, conservation and estate management, and actual shooting and stalking scenarios. Plus, we bring you the first word of a terrific new flexible bipod—the Spartan Springbuck. It's arguably the most versitile all-purpose shooting rest for lowland and mild backcountry hunting made. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://javelinbipod.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com

Dog trainer and breeder extraordinair and passionate backcountry hunter Tyce Erickson joins us to discuss dog breeds that excel in the backcountry. We talk through the advantages of companionship, protection, blood trailing, shed antler hunting, packing, and more... Tyce defines the various charateristics of several breeds, including retrievers and pointers, and offers guidance on how to pick one that best fits your needs, personality, and capabilities. Plus, Tyce liberally sprinkles the conversation with training tips. We also get to hear the stories of Tyce's big spot-and-stalk, DIY, public-land spring bear, and the big public-land DIY mule deer buck that he arrowed after a long and painstaking stalk last fall. Tyce is a top-notch shooter and fellow gearhead, and walks us through the rifle, cartridge and bullet used on the bear, and his new state-of-the-art bow, arrow, and broadhead setup he shot the buck with. Spoiler alert: He doesn't like new-fangled bow sights. This was a terrific conversation... ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.silencercentral.com www.gunwerks.com www.onxmaps.com www.timneytriggers.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

When hunting something that can kill you, what's the ultimate rifle? And cartridge? Veteran dangerous-game hunter Ron Spomer and host Joseph von Benedikt continue our discussion of bolt-actions vs. double rifles and ideal cartridges. Plus, we throw lever-actions and single-shots into the mix, along with top-performing cartridges for those. Ron shares his mixed results using the .375 H&H—lots of hair-raising hunt stories here, folks—and explains why it still ranks number 1 most versatile in his book. We swap upcoming hunt plans, and mull over African vs. Alaskan rifle and cartridge needs. What a tremendous conversation... ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.timneytriggers.com www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.siembidacustomknives.com www.leupold.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.silencercentral.com www.gunwerks.com https://javelinbipod.com

Having the right tools to pursue dangerous game can literally mean the difference between living and dying. This episode, I'm joined by friend, mentor, and veteran dangerous game hunter Ron Spomer, of Ron Spomer Outdoors. We explore just what dangerous game is, the difference between a dangerous game hunting cartridge and a stopping cartridge, and various types of dangerous game rifles. Plus, of course, there's a copious amount of story-swapping and tale-telling. Cape buffalo, hippo, lion, leopard, rhinos, and elephants... This was a really fun one, folks. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.silencercentral.com www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.timneytriggers.com www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

Archery and bowhunting holds a mistique unmatched by any other predatorial pursuit we humans take part in. The arching flight of a well-made arrow toward the center of a distant target is a joy known to all who draw a bowstring... this episode is all about how to choose and set up exactly the right arrow and broadhead. We're joined by 30-year Easton veteran and head marketing director Gary Cornum, who shares his experience and insights on the evolution of arrow shafts, fletching, broadheads, and more. Gary leads us through the concepts of small-diameter arrows, the FOC (forward-of-center) weight trend, arrow spine strength and how it's measured, and the always-controversial topic of fixed-blade vs. mechanical broadheads. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

Is America's trendiest, most controversial cartridge adequate for hunting America's most dangerous game? Most would say no. Tyler Freel, an Alaskan wild man who's taken many grizzlies with recurve bows, blackpowder rifles, and even stone arrowheads, recently killed a big griz with a 6.5 Creedmoor. This episode details his story. Freel, an accomplished backcountry hunter and Outdoor Life field editor, tells why he shot the bear with a 6.5 Creedmoor, goes into the specific rifle, ammo, and shot conditions, and shares his views on why it worked. He also outlines grizzly hunting situations in which he'd NOT want to be equipped with a 6.5 Creedmoor. This is a practical look at what can be done with the cartridge, free of any hype, paranoia, or verbal lather. To Freel, the 6.5 Creedmoor is just a cartridge that pushes a 140-grain bullet at 2,700 fps, not the "6.5 Needmoor," not the "6.5 Wasting Disease," and not history's greatest gift to hunters. In fact, Freel has the audacity to compare the 6.5 Creedmoor to the legendary .30-06. This was a fun one, folks. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.siembidacustomknives.com www.timneytriggers.com www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.silencercentral.com www.gunwerks.com https://javelinbipod.com

This campfire episode we're in west central Idaho, in bear camp. Mike Painter and host Joseph von Benedikt headed afield with Barnes's new Pioneer line of lever-action and revolver ammo. Mike's rifle is a yet-to-be-announced new model in .44 Magnum, and Joseph's is Marlin's terrific new Model 1895 Guide Gun in .45-70. Both, as it turned out, are particularly good at taking bears. There are many methods of hunting black bears—spot and stalk, over bait, calling with predator calls, and hunting with hounds. Most of this incredible adventure we spent hunting behind Table Mountain Outfitter's outstanding bear dogs. The bond between a hound man and his dogs is an unanticipated, beautiful thing to most folks, and should be experienced by anyone that loves dogs. We discuss the pros and cons of hunting with hounds, and address the ethics and the many misconceptions centered on the activity. Before wrapping up, outfitters Scott and Angie Denny touch on recommended bear guns and cartridges, and offer advice for first-time bear hunters and first-time western hunters. This, my friends, was an awesome discussion. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.barnesbullets.com https://javelinbipod.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.browning.com www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com

Your rifle's stock is your primary contact point with the launch platform that kills your quarry. Choose wisely. Here's how. Wood & Laminate wood stocks Proven, aesthetic, easy to work with & accurize Susceptible to changes in moisture Injection-molded composites Cheap plastic Better quality "glass-filled nylon" Overly flexible Hard to glass bed & accurize Susceptible to extremes in temperature High-end carbon-fiber stocks Carbon fiber lightest & most rigid Easy to glass bed & accurize Extremely strong Lightest material available Impervious to both moisture and temperature shifts Expensive Chassis-type stocks Ultimately configurable Many can be folded for easy packing Heavy, cold to the touch Snaggy in brush Noisy when bumped Best for hunting are new magnesium/carbon fiber Keep screws tight Expensive PLUS: Stock shapes for ergonomics & performance How to get the best from your stock in real-world use How to pick a replacement stock for a production rifle How to select a stock for a custom rifle build ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.gunwerks.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com www.timneytriggers.com

Want a career in the hunting and shooting industry? It's tough to break into, but if you've got the desire, the passion, the knowledge, and the stubborness, it's possible. Here, von Benedikt goes through the skills, talents, and experience vital to being a successful writer, outlines how to get started, and tells his back story to highlight one path to success. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.timneytriggers.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.siembidacustomknives.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.gunwerks.com https://javelinbipod.com

"Only accurate rifles are interesting." Said the legendary Col. Townsend Whelen. In the realm of backcountry hunting rifles, he's right. It takes an accurate barrel to make an accurate rifle. This episode, we take a deep dive into the characteristics of great barrels—both production and custom—and how to choose just the right one for your tasks. Manufacturing methods Rifling techniques Types of steel Carbon fiber wrapping Profiles and weights The affect of barrel length on velocity Rifling twist rates Great production rifle barrels Top custom barrel makers Picking the right barrel Preserving barrel life Optimizing barrel performance ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.siembidacustomknives.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com www.timneytriggers.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com https://javelinbipod.com

This episode, I'm back on the line with Brandon Maddox, the world's smartest suppressor man, to swap hunting stories. Brandon recently returned from Africa, where an unprovoked dagga bull Cape buffalo mauled three of Brandon's friends—on two consecutive days! Needless to say, in the end the bull lost. Brandon relates that story, plus we tell tales about hunting wildcats at night, stalking the secretive bushbuck, stopping buffalo charges with lever guns, and of course nerd out on gear. Before closing out we get Brandon's take on selecting and setting up a suppressor for success. Spoiler alert: Brandon used a .338 Lapua on his Cape buffalo (not the one that charged). Naturally, we discuss Cape buffalo minimum cartridges and talk through how the .338 worked. Folks, this was one fun conversation. ENJOY! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.timneytriggers.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ https://javelinbipod.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com

Controversial, capable, unpredictable... The 6.5 Creedmoor is one of those cartridges that generates a lot of love and hate. Even though we usually recommend bigger cartridges for elk, there are times and situations where the 6.5 Creedmoor is the best choice. In this episode, we take a candid look at the 6.5 Creedmoor's capability, consider ballistic data, and compare it to legendary cartridges such as the .270 Win. and .30-06 Springfield, and establish where we believe the "Creed's" comfort zone is for use on elk. As bullet choice is more crucial than cartridge choice, we also detail optimal 6.5 projectiles for use on elk, and discuss shot distance, shot angle, and shot placement. Anchoring the discussion, we detail several different solid reasons to choose the 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting elk. ENJOY! FRIENDS, join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material at www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

Ever had your hunting rifle malfunction at the moment of truth? It's a confidence-shaking thing, and can lose you an opportunity at a buck or bull of a lifetime. On dangerous game? Possibly your life. This episode digs into the pros and cons of various types of bolt-action designs. We dissect the mechanics of push-feed actions compared to controlled-feed actions, and evaluate their various advantages for mountain rifles, dangerous game rifles, super accurate rifles, and so on. Just as importantly, we discuss which action types are easiest to malfunction, and which actions tend to reduce our human ability to screw them up. Naturally, the discussion is sprinkled with real-life hunting stories and experiences that support the various points--and of course add some adventure and fun to the topic. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.timneytriggers.com www.siembidacustomknives.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.gunwerks.com https://javelinbipod.com

This episode details the second half of an incredible hunt in Spain. von Benedikt and hunting partner Austin Brown drive halfway across the country, visiting castle ruins and ancient churches and cathedrals and staying in half-millennium-old inns, to hunt giant roebucks. From botched shots and success on a world-class roebuck, to exploring 2,000-year-old Roman aqueducts and Moorish architecture and gold-encrusted Royal armor, this was an adventure. Wrapping up, we talk through the process of booking and planning a hunt to Spain, including scheduling travel, sorting out paperwork, and getting your Spanish hunting license and firearm permit. On a worldwide spectrum, Spain is surprisingly easy and very accommodating. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

Raw from the field, this episode details the first half of a hunting adventure high in Spain's remote, extremely rugged Pyrenees Mountains. My long-time hunting partner Austin Brown was intent on taking an indigenous, free-range chamois the hard way—by climbing above timberline, glassing up an old male, and climbing within range. In a surprise bonus, we got to visit a 1,000-year-old church unfathomably deep in the mountains, where an 11th-century Crusader's skeleton is buried—but visible beneath glass. Guide Juan Pedro "Juan-P" and cigarette-rolling, chain-smoking, mountain-scaling game keeper Oscar took us high above timberline, where we found bands of chamois feeding beneath the snowline. Big old males tend to be loners, but we eventually found just the right one. This is his story, and Austin's. And it's a must-listen for anyone that's ever dreamed about hunting Europe's high country. After this experience, it's impossible to recommend it highly enough. Enjoy! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com

Leupold's long-awaited ranging bino is about to hit your local dealers! It's an awesome optic called the BX-4HD Range, and is initially available in 10x42 for $1,600. In this episode, I'm joined by friends and hunting partners Skipper and Colton, who both have experience with the new BX-4HD Range, and we hash out the advantages of a combined binocular and rangefinder. Why deal with 2 items, extra weight, extra movement, and the more time needed when using separate optics? Skipper gives us the tech skinny on the BX-4HD Range, plus a look at the new hunting-appropriate, highly advanced 2-10x Leupold Mark 5 riflescope. We also talk through spotting scope selection; using a spotter with a reticle to calculate antler width on moose in Alaska when a bull must be 50 inches wider to be legal; adequate magnification for long-range shooting, and more. This is just an awesome discussion on all things optical. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com https://javelinbipod.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com www.timneytriggers.com

In this episode, we pit the legendary .30-06 against the cutting-edge new 7mm PRC. This may seem like an odd pairing, but considering the fact that one is the all-American standard by which all others are measured, and the other is the hunting world's most popular up-and-comer, it makes good sense. Plus, there's a surprising amount of give and take in advantages. Even just outlining this episode was a ton of fun. We address: History Practicality Authority Long-range capability Inherent accuracy Firepower Recoil level Versatility Availability And a whole bunch more. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.timneytriggers.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

Extraordinary elk hunts provide extraordinary memories—and provide valuable lessons. In this episode, Joseph von Benedikt tells the stories of his 5 top elk hunts, and unpacks the seasonal conditions, hunt methods, gear (rifle, optic, cartridge, & bullet), and other dynamics that led to success. Deep analysis after each tale provides insight into make-or-break tactics and techniques, as well as gear adaptability, hunter/shooter skills, weather influences, and more. We talk the importance of local knowledge, a well-tuned shooting setup, persistence and stubbornness, the ability to glass effectively, stalking skills, big-timber woodsman ship, and how to hold it together at the moment of truth. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.siembidacustomknives.com www.timneytriggers.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com https://javelinbipod.com

Tipi-type shelters are both ancient and modern; traditional and trendy. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the pros and cons of flourless, tipi-type modern tents for backcountry hunting. Ryan Sapena of Seek Outside details how they're superior in high winds, lighter and faster to set up, and offer stove-compatibility and all the benefits that accompany that. (Dry your clothes, stay warm, cook without canister fuels, etc.) Naturally, we talk about bug and moisture control, venomous critters, and "embracing the dirt." ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://javelinbipod.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com

This episode takes a deep dive into the mechanics of various types of hunting bullets. We define: On-impact performance characteristics Shot angles, and what it takes to successfully destroy vitals Broadside Quartering to Quartering away Facing straight on "Texas heart shots" (facing away) Bullet types Cup-and-lead-core Bonded-lead core, partition, and hybrid Monometal Big game sizes and bullet requirements: Deer & pronghorn Mid-size game such as caribou and elk Big-bodied game such as moose and bison African game Types of wound channels, and which most bullets most effectively create: Hydrodynamic affect Temporary wound cavities Permanent wound channels Frontal diameter and cavitation Weight retention and penetration How to pick the most versatile bullet type for your purposes Game size considerations Caliber and acceptable shot angles ENJOY! FRIENDS, SUPPORT THE PODCAST AND GAIN ACCESS TO OUR BONUS CONTENT! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

Straight from the experts... Mark and Steve of EXO MTN Gear detail how to pick, fit, and load a backpack. Whether you're a fast-and-light overnight solo hunter or heading out on an expedition-level hunt, these tips will make your pack in and load out easier. Also, we get a first look at EXO's terrific new K4 pack system. I used a final-stage prototype on my DIY, drop-camp Alaska moose hunt last fall and was super impressed. Because we can, we also talk mountain rifles and cartridges, scope failures and solutions, and how to comfortably and protectively strap your rifle to your pack or carry it in your hands. We also touch on archery, and how to properly strap a compound bow to a backpack. This episode's got a bit of something awesome for everybody. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.siembidacustomknives.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com https://javelinbipod.com www.timneytriggers.com

This episode I'm joined by engineer Mike Ballard and long-time hunting partner Chris Ellis to talk Timney Triggers, and how to pick the right trigger and get the best out of it. We discuss: Trigger terminology How triggers are designed Choosing the right trigger Single-stage vs. two-stage triggers Trigger pull weights appropriate for hunting The refined aspects: Trigger shoe shape & width, competition weights & designs vs. hunting, etc. Trigger reliability The future of triggers ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com https://javelinbipod.com

Some of the most adventurous DIY backcountry hunts out West are spring bear hunts. This episode digs deep into planning and executing a fun, safe, successful hunt for black bears in big public-land country. We discuss: Destination States Necessary gear E-Scouting and actual scouting Hunting methods How to recognize a bear hotspot Bear rifles, cartridges, and bullets How to shoot and kill a bear cleanly How to field dress, break down, and pack out a bear Safety considerations ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com https://javelinbipod.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com

This episode we're joined by Stone Glacier founder and lead product designer Kurt Racicot, who's a passionate backcountry hunter. A past Alaska resident for a dozen years, Kurt hunted and shot several mountain goats and dall sheep on solo adventures, as well as moose and bear and caribou, before moving home to Montana and launching Stone Glacier. Here, Kurt shares stories and lessons learned during his gnarliest hunts, and gives us an inside look at Stone Glacier, a company that's become synonymous with ultra-light, mountaineering-quality hunting packs, sleeping bags, tents, and apparel. A fellow eccentric cartridge enthusiast, Kurt also tells us about his two go-to cartridges and the rifle setups he currently uses for backcountry sheep and goat hunting and for Montana elk. We also talk through functional optics, glassing techniques, and how to cover country with boots and optics. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.timneytriggers.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.leupold.com www.gunwerks.com

What's all the froth and fervor over modern cartridges? Should we really discard the old tried-and-true classics? Sometimes, perhaps. Often, absolutely not. This episode takes a deep dive into the pros & cons of modern, cutting-edge cartridges versus classic, proven cartridges. We discuss: Cutting-edge bullets Ammo availability Proven terminal performance vs. prototype projectiles What happens if the airline loses your ammo Modern chamber & cartridge case design Ballistic advantages Efficiency & accuracy Recoil, barrel life, & downrange authority Wide-open country vs. big timber hunting Rifle availability & selection Survivor mentality & appropriate cartridges Handloading components & resources Turn-key solutions to cutting-edge performance This was a fun one... ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.gunwerks.com https://www.youtube.com/user/Gunwerks www.leupold.com www.timneytriggers.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

Ever hunted in negative 25 degree (C) temps, on 11-foot cross-country skis? Rob Gearing, founder of Spartan Precision Equipment has, and in this episode he shares his most recent adventures. Frostbitten fingertips were the least of the damage; Rob actually experienced frostbite in his shooting eye. Several times he had to personally re-insert a troublesome hernia that popped out while straining to recover and get back upright after a crash in deep, deep powder snow. Yes, Rob's an animal and thrives on type-2 fun. In this episode, Rob shares survival tips, cold-weather hunting methods, advice for staying mentally focused and having fun even against astronomical odds, and more. Before closing, we discuss Spartan's new partnership with Primos, and Spartan's new line of precision-shooting products ideal for NRL Hunter competition and front-country hunting, which live under the new Spartan Defense branch of the company. One other cool thing about this episode: I'm tremendously excited to introduce—in partnership with John Zombro, aka "The Lifetime Athlete" —a brand-new segment titled Backcountry Fitness & Nutrition. Check it out. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.siembidacustomknives.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com https://javelinbipod.com www.gunwerks.com

This episode dives into the often-daunting task of preparing to hunt Out West. For folks coming from low-elevation flatland, here's a guide on the whole shootin' match: Mental prep Physical prep Handling high altitudes Differences from hunting whitetails How to handle hunter pressure How to find and hunt wary, pressured game How to hunt overwhelmingly big country How to stay safe in dangerous terrain Are bears, mountain lions, and wolves a concern? Crossing rivers and climbing mountains The importance of staying hydrated Staying focused when against challenging odds Packing meat Gear selection: Camping gear, hunting gear, and killing gear How to become a minimalist (mountain hunter) Binocular, rangefinder, and spotting scope selection Crucial characteristics of a western hunting rifle Selecting ammo Choosing and buying a backpack How to dress for (backcountry hunting) success Species to start with, and states to hunt Maximizing e-scouting Western DIY hunting is a campaign, not a battle This was a fun one... ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

This episode dives into the cutting-edge 7mm PRC and the legendary .280 Ackley Improved. We compare accuracy potential, long-range capability, recoil levels, efficiency and barrel life, versatility with various bullets, downrange potency, appropriate rifle actions, magazine capacity and follow-up shots, ammunition and rifle availability, and more. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.siembidacustomknives.com www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.gunwerks.com https://javelinbipod.com

What does it take to cleanly kill an elk? This episode, we sit down with professional western guide Colton Heward, who has seen hundreds of elk shot. Colton shares his opinion on the useful minimum energy required to kill big bulls quickly, and details the cartridges and bullets that work best. We also swap stories about hunting anomalies; experiences that just shouldn't happen—but did. Antelope that shrug off perfect shots, giant bull elk that drop stone dead when shot with tiny bullets, and other true but disconcerting tales. ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.browning.com www.barnesbullets.com www.timneytriggers.com www.leupold.com www.onxmaps.com www.silencercentral.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

Browning knocked my socks off with two surprise introductions at SHOT 2023! First is an X-Bolt chambered in .270 Winchester—with a fast rifling twist rate in the barrel! You can shoot all traditional .270 ammo in it, plus handloaders can use all the modern, heavy-for-caliber, high-BC bullets. It's terrific. Second is a whole line of X-Bolt rifles chambered in 7mm PRC. I thought Browning wouldn't come to market with a 7mm PRC until 2024. I was wrong—and how! Long barrels, medium barrels, short suppressor-ready barrels, various stocks and finishes... pick your poison. This 5-minute episode with Rifle Product Manager Aaron Cummins details the new lines. Check it out!

This brief new-product segment is a first look at Remington's new Premier Long Range ammo. This ammo is loaded with heavy-for-caliber, high-BC bullets, built by Speer, using the same molecular plating/bonding construction used in Federal's excellent Fusion bullets. As a result, it's a tough, deep-penetrating bullet that will open reliably at distance, and if it's anything like the Fusion bullet, will be very accurate. A composite "Slip-stream" tip and boat tail help aerodynamics. Please excuse the background noise and the hum of energy... It's the electrifying hum of a SHOT Show in full swing! Enjoy.