The Mindful Hunter Podcast

In this episode, Jay spends the entire episode digging into audience questions. We’re going to make this a regular occurrence so feel free to email questions for future episodes anytime. @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com

In this episode, Jay hangs out with Simon aka @backcountrybloodline and they talk about Simon’s background then get into some great bear hunting stories. @backcountrybloodline @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 3:23 – Simon’s background 6:17 – Archery community in BC 10:55 – Simon’s first bear hunt 22:54 – Hunting with your kids 26:40 – Simon’s second bear hunt 36:18 – Simon’s third bear: shit gets western 49:06 – Spring bear hunting tips

In this episode, Jay dives into the second half of his thorough post-hunt review of the gear he used on his recent solo mountain goat hunt in northern B.C. Gear Covered: Sitka Blizzard GTX Gloves Sitka Stormfront GTX Gloves Zeiss Optics AGC Bino Harness La Sportiva Nepal GTX Boots WHOOP Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles Kifaru Gunbearer Thermarest z-lite foam pad MSR Reactor Black Diamond Revolt and New Revolt 350 Dyneema Cord MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 01:26 – Training and diet update: discussion on periodization 11:08 – Sitka down clarification 12:08 – Sitka Blizzard GTX and Stormfront GTX 19:04 – Optics and AGC Bino Harness 23:10 – La Sportiva Nepal GTX Boots 24:39 – WHOOP 26:28 – Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles 28:46 – Kifaru Gunbearer 30:27 – Thermarest z-lite foam pad 34:00 – MSR Reactor 35:23 – Black Diamond Revolt and New Revolt 350 37:37 – Dyneema Cord 40:20 – MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes 43:37 - Food

In this episode, Jay dives into a thorough post-hunt review of the gear he used on his recent solo mountain goat hunt in northern B.C. In part 1 Jay goes over his pack, shelter, sleep system and all the clothes he took. @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 08:20 – Training and diet update 16:43 – Content creator of the week Connor Gabbot – IG: taluscreative 20:00 – Kifaru Fulcrum 22:51 – Rain cover 24:00 – Shelter and sleep system 41:06 – Clothing system

In this episode, Jay experiments with a new kind of podcast. He took a field recorder with him on his latest adventure and tried to record a live hunt podcast as best he could. Tune in to hear the results. Whoop code https://join.whoop.com/#/2B3CD1 https://ogfoods.ca/ code Mindful15 @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com

In this episode, Jay shares his opinion on what the best rifle for under $1000 is. He also dives into his strategy for prepping the last week before the hunt and gives some tips on how to load a backpack for an extended backcountry trip. Whoop code https://join.whoop.com/#/2B3CD1 https://ogfoods.ca/ code Mindful15 @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 1:09 – Training & diet 5:02 – Gear corner: Blue kitchen sponge 7:03 – Prep tips the last week before a hunt 17:18 – Backpack loading tips 22:31 – Best rifle under $1000

In this episode, Jay discusses the importance of safety while solo hunting. Some of the topics covered include bear safety, water purification, land nav, and communication tips. Creator of the week IG: @stevendrakephoto Whoop code https://join.whoop.com/#/2B3CD1 https://ogfoods.ca/ code Mindful15 @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 1:03 – Training & diet – send in your goals! 2:39 – Gear corner: Cotton carrier camera mount 5:48 – Meateater purchases yet another company 10:15 – Creator of the week: Steven Drake 12:33 – Safety while solo hunting 12:56 – Why would anyone go hunting by themselves? 15:48 – Bear safety 26:38 – Sow and cubs story 33:53 – First-aid kits 37:25 – Communication 39:14 – Apps to have on your phone 44:45 – Mapping and land nav 47:10 – Walking in the woods 52:26 – Clothes and gear 56:06 – Water purification 57:01 – Planning your first trip and safety plans 1:05:06 – Game processing solo 1:07:48 – Sleeping solo in the mountains 1:09:10 – The solo hunting mindset

In this episode, Jay discusses why the little things matter too. Most pack dump videos focus on the big-ticket items; shelters, clothing, boots etc. Jay wanted to take some time and discuss all the little things you take on a hunt as well. In addition, he covers his camera accessory bag and few other items of note. @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 1:37 – Update on the last podcast 9:38 – Training and diet update 15:57 – Possibles and accessories discussion 18:45 – OR insulated Nalgene holster 21:05 – Backpack rain fly 23:04 – Kill kit 29:27 – Camera accessories 42:24 – Possibles pouch

In this episode, Jay dives into a boot review comparing the Schnee's Baertooh versus the Lathrop & Sons Mountain Hunter. Having logged well over 200 miles in each of these boots across several different mountain hunts Jay is able to dig into the details that separate these two footwear options. In addition, this week Jay discusses how he has adapted his diet and training protocols now that the goat hunt is less than a month away. In this week's gear corner Jay gives his thoughts on an innovative new lav mic from Tentacle, the Track E. @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 1:08 – New training protocol for the goat hunt 3:21 – Supplements and diet update 10:46 – Diet and training recap 12:17 – Gear Corner: Tentacle Track E Lav Mic 18:51 – My history with boots 21:27 – Morton’s Neuroma 25:50 – Boot sizing 29:53 – Boots I’ve owned 30:48 – Why I prefer leather boots 33:31 – Boots 101 42:45 – After market insoles 44:31 – Waterproofing leather boots 45:35 – Lathrop & Sons Mountain Hunter 55:26 – Schnee’s Beartooth 0g’s

In this episode, Jay compares the Hilleberg Akto and Soulto tents. In less than 4 weeks Jay leaves on a solo backcountry hung and both these tents provide a different value proposition. While the akto is lighter the soulo has more headroom. After countless hours reading online reviews Jay decided the only sensible option was to buy both, set them up, and decide for himself. @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 6:29 – Thoughts after setting up both tents 10:29 – Inside the akto 15:37 – Inside the soulo 21:23 – Final decision

In this episode, Jay discusses how to successfully design and build your own custom arrows. He lists all the necessary tools and equipment and also lays out a clear design strategy followed up with simple construction instructions. Jay also dives into his use of the peptide BPC-157 to try and solve a nagging pinched nerve issue and gives a brief update on his draw application strategy for AZ, WY, and MT @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 1:11 – Pinched nerve and the use of BPC-157 10:03 – Diet update and carb manipulation for mass gain 13:06 – New A-CPAP purchase 19:10 – Draw application updates for AZ, WY and MT 23:18 – Arrow building 101 24:15 – Best archery supply store 27:43 – Tools and equipment required 42:29 – Custom arrow design 49:08 – Building your arrow 58:28 – Q&A

In this episode, Jay spends the entire episode digging into audience questions. We’re going to make this a regular occurrence and likely every 8th episode will be Q&A. Feel free to email questions for future episodes anytime. @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 2:10 – Budget rain gear or premium jacket and save for pants 3:00 – How to wash technical gear 4:00 – Quietest rain gear 6:00 – Clothing layering strategy when wearing rain gear 9:21 – Most waterproof jacket 10:31 – Realistic poncho option – Hilleberg Bivanorak 12:41 – Tactics for different species 28:57 – Can Americans hunt DIY in Canada 30:35 – Arrow setup, spine, weight, components 41:31 – E-scouting 47:00 – Bodybuilding and hiking 50:04 – Choosing an elk hunting area in BC 54:10 – If you could only bring one lens for your camera what would it be 55:44 – Workout supplements 60:00 – Stalking tips 62:03 – Wall tents 63:24 – Meat care while solo hunting 68:44 – Premium unit mule deer hunting

EP 07 – The rain gear episode In this episode, Jay does his best to present a technical dissection of rain gear. Instead of just making brand related recommendations, Jay tries to break down the actual elements of construction in various pieces with the goal of educating the audience so they are more capable of making appropriate gear selection decisions. As usual, Jay digs into some training and diet tips and goes over his new purchase of a whoop and how he plans to use it on an upcoming hunt. @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 0:55 – Deloading and recovery 8:08 – Diet and new weight PR’s 13:05 – Gear update: Whoop 19:18 – Early sheep draw 20:20 – Thoughts on the Olympia 22:08 – Rain gear 24:44 – Limitations of rain gear 28:11 – Technical construction details 37:41 – Styles of garments currently available 43:14 – The three different rain situations

EP 06 – Gear breakdown: Solo backcountry goat hunt February 2021 In this episode, Jay gives a complete breakdown of all the gear he is taking with him on his late-season solo backcountry goat hunt in February 2021. @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 2:34 – Training mindset 8:12 – Diet over the holidays 9:53 – The Tim Tam (percussive massagers) 11:34 – Solo hunting mindset 20:48 – Gear list start 23:27 – Kifaru fulcrum with tactical frame 27:19 – Sleep system 36:14 – Clothing worn 42:00 – Clothing packed 46:05 – Snowshoes 47:00 – Crampons 47:50 – Booties 49:12 – Optics 52:56 – Weapon 56:00 – Camera gear 57:56 – Misc gear 61:01 – Cook kit 64:00 – Food 70:47 – Q&A

EP 05 – A deep dive into optics: Swarovski, Zeiss, Outdoorsmans In this episode, Jay explores the complicated topic of optics. After giving a breakdown of what he has owned, sold, and continues to use. Jay then provides several recommendations for a variety of budgets. @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 3:17 – High volume for legs 9:06 – Why I need a coach 14:01 – MSR Reactor 18:41 – Optics 22:41 – What I have owned, sold, and still use 24:13 – Alaska Guide Creations bino harness 26:03 – Cost vs. Quality 27:54 – Edge to edge clarity 31:57 – Chromatic aberration 33:51 – Light transmission 36:50 – Tripods 38:11 - Outdoorsmans system 43:15 – Different recommendations for different budgets 55:24 – 42mm vs. 50mm objective 57:21 - Cost vs. Quality 58:09 – Do you need a spotting scope 59:18 – 65mm vs. 85mm spotting scope 59:47 – Rifle scope questions 62:03 – Key features to look for when buying optics 63:36 – Budget-friendly spotting scope

EP 04 – How to build points and hunt in the US for Canadians: Part 2 In this episode, Jay completes a multi-part series diving into the complexities of building points for big game hunting in the western United States. Topics covered in this episode include the individual differences between the states as well as comprehensive overall application strategies. @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 1:30 – Why I no longer publish on the Beyond The Kill Podcast stream 5:49 – Spartan precision javelin pro hunt bipod 10:50 – The myth of the perfect piece of gear 12:26 – Buy super high quality gear 13:16 – How to build points and hung in the US for Canadians: part 2 16:00 – Premium units vs. shit units 18:12 – Wyoming 36:16 – Montana 44:45 – Utah 50:03 – Arizona 57:46 – Nevada 62:27 – Honourable mentions: Colorado, Idaho, Texas, Hawaii and New Mexico 67:03 – Overall application strategies

EP03 – How to build points and hunt in the US for Canadians: Part 1 In this episode, Jay begins a multi-part series diving into the complexities of building points for big game hunting in the western United States. Topics covered in this episode include how to get your gun over the border, the differences between how each state handles bonus points, and an overall approach to developing a successful application strategy. Next week, Jay will do a detailed breakdown state by state and species by species, highlighting recommended opportunities and application strategies that have been successful for him in the past. @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com 0:00 – Intro 2:30 – What to do when you bump a buck 4:44 – Bear hunting story 13:25 – Training around injuries 16:45 – Why bodybuilders eat the same foods every day 18:48 – Outdoor research crocodile gaiters 20:50 – How small is too small? 23:05 – What does trophy hunting mean to you? 26:08 – How to build points and hunt in the US for Canadians 28:02 – My experience hunting in the US 30:09 – The states where I build points 32:14 – Definition of a non-resident 33:42 – How to get your rifle into the states ATF 6NIA 39:26 – How to get your meat home 40:12 – Important info about skulls and antlers 42:09 – What about your bow? 42:20 – Why I fly after I cross the border 43:31 – gohunt and onx 45:40 – State details and overall plan 57:51 – Tag management consultants

In this episode, Jay does a deep dive into the training principles of progressive overload and time under tension and how these principles can be applied to make you a more effective hunter. This week we feature a new section called the Gear Shootout Series. This series will pit two pieces of similar gear head to head in an in-depth field-tested review. Up first we compare the First Lite Obsidian pants against Sitka’s Apex pants. Closing out, Jay gets into his hunt plans for 2021 and shares some tips on how you can get away for more hunts and spend more time in the outdoors pursuing your passion. @mindful_hunter [email protected] www.mindfulhunter.com