Backcountry Hunting Podcast

Alaska DIY Moose, Part 1 Sep 23, 2022

Show notes

Recorded audio-journal style in the field, this episode is brought to you raw and unedited and contains the account of a great bull moose hunt. Pals Joseph von Benedikt and Joe Kennedy are dropped via bush plane in the vast Alaska interior, and hunt DIY for 12 days for moose, caribou, black bear, and wolf. Against the odds of hot weather, no rutting action, and a moose population made sparse by severe winter kill, they find and take a fantastic bull during this first half of the hunt. ENJOY!

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Inbound for Alaska Moose Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

Recorded live on the road across Alaska, this episode is a raw, unedited discussion as my hunting partner Joe and I head for our DIY, drop-camp moose hunt (with caribou, black bear, and wolf tags in our pockets too). Prep, gear, planning, expectations and hopes are all part of this fun on-the-fly conversation as we embark on an adventure that's been three years in the planning.

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Backcountry Rifle Maintenance Sep 09, 2022

Show notes

This episode is all about keeping your backcountry hunting rifle running through adverse conditions. Whether you're in shocking cold and the oil on your firing pin assembly gels, or you jam the muzzle into a mud bank and have to clear an obstruction, or it rains so much that rust prevention is challenging, there are tips and tricks that help you stay in the game and keep hunting effectively. ENJOY!

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DIY Alaska Gear List Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

Here's the nitty-gritty on all JvB's gear assembled for an upcoming DIY, drop-camp hunt in Alaska for moose, caribou, black bear, and wolf. Hunt gear, sleep systems, shelters, fire-starting tools, optics, medical prep, everything. We detail each item, including why it's necessary and why we chose that specific version, and provide weight when applicable. Food type, quantity, and prep is also outlined. Full list below.

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GEAR LIST

Alaska 2022 Moose Hunt

License, locking tags, & harvest tickets
Browning X-Bolt Speed SR, w/scope, bipod, suppressor, cover: 10.25 lbs
Leupold VX-6HD scope, 2-12x40 with WindPlex reticle and CDS ZL turret
Spartan Precision Equipment Javelin Pro Hunt Tac bipod
Silencer Central Banish 30 suppressor in 7-inch configuration
Red Kettle M19 sling
See-through bikini-type scope cover
Neoprene protective scope cover
Browning thin rifle cover
Browning raingear .75 lbs
Federal ammo w/180-grain Barnes TSX bullets, 30 rounds 1.5 lbs
.44 Magnum S&W M69 Combat Magnum 2.5 lbs
.44 Magnum ammo, 11 rounds 2.5 lbs
Hunting knives, Siembida Custom Shrike & Kestrel, .75 lbs
Gransfors Bruk hatchet 1.5 lbs
Swarovski EL Range 10x42 Binocular 3.25 lbs
Swarovski ATS 65HD Spotting scope 3.25 lbs
Spartan Ascent tripod 3.25 lbs
Water filter, Katadyn Pro .75 lbs
Filter bottle by Sawyer .5 lbs
Life Straw water filter .12 lbs
Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400 boots 5.25 lbs
Stone Glacier gaiters .75 lbs
Browning clothing, Ovix line 5.0 lbs
Argali Kodiak Belt N/A
Big Agnes Tent, Copper Spur UL3 5.5 lbs
Pitchable A-Frame tarp by SaphiRose 2.5 lbs
ExPed Synmat UL 7 M sleeping pad 1 lb
Stone Glacier Chilcoot 0 sleeping bag 2.75 lbs
Stone Glacier packable down Grumman puffy pants .75 lbs
Stone Glacier packable down Grumman Puffy coat .75 lbs
Stone Glacier packable down Grumman Puffy vest .5 lbs
Extra Long Johns, socks, neck gaiter, gloves, etc: 2.0 lbs
Game bags by Caribou Gear 2.25 lbs
Battery banks 1.75 lbs
Folding solar panel, Big Blue 28 W 1.5 lbs
Backpack, EXO MTN Gear expedition-grade 6.5 lbs
EXO meat webbing mesh .25 lbs
EXO internal drybag .25 lbs
Pack cover .25 lbs
Meals: 36, Mountain House & Peak Refuel, plus snacks 15 lbs
Ultralight mountaineering stove, 1 lb
Fishing rod: Redington 7'6" 3-weight Classic Trout .12 lbs
Fishing reel: Lamson Liquid 3-4
Fishing kit: flies in box, spare leader, 5x tippet 1.0 lb
Crocs, All Terrain w/4-wheel-drive 1.0 lb
Hat: Stetson Cross Creek N/A
Cap: Browning mesh-back ball cap N/A

Bag No. 1:

Scent Killer field wipes
100 feet of 550 paracord
Two contractor-grade trash bags
Spare glasses
Spare lifestraw
Bug repellant
Scent-free deodorant

Bag No. 2: Health and sick care

Cold medicine
Ibuprofen and vitamins
Advil PM
Rolaids or Tums
Emergency water tablets
Leuko tape
MTN OPS ignite and enduro packets
Montreal Steak seasoning
Head net
Latex gloves
Leaf tea
Titanium spork
Spare lithium batteries

Bag No. 3: Gun care

Bore snake
Gun oil
Birchwood Casey rust-preventive wipes
Silver, metallic, permanent Sharpie marker
Scope adjustment tool
Compact sharpening stone

Bag No. 4:

Three lighters
Stormproof matches
Pyro Putty, winter blend
Two headlamps
Havalon knife

Keeping Sharp in the Backcountry Aug 26, 2022

Show notes

This episode is about keeping sharp in the backcountry... literally. Special segments cover nutrition, endurance, the mental game, sleep habits, and more, but the primary topic is how to properly sharpen a hunting knife.

We discuss types of steel, types of sharpening stone, edge angles and retention, sharpening processes, and edge and blade maintenance.

ENJOY!

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Caribou DIY Drop-Camp Hunt Prep with Shaundi Campbell & Kali Parmley Aug 19, 2022

Show notes

This episode we're joined by a group of hard-hunting ladies about to head to the far north for a DIY, drop-camp caribou hunt. Shaundi Campbell is Browning's senior marketing manager and a western hunter from childhood. Kali Parmley is editor-in-chief of Backcountry Hunter magazine.

We talk through planning and hunt prep; rifles, optics, cartridges and other gear; expectations and fears; traveling in via bush plane; terrain challenges, and much more.

ENJOY!

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www.portersfirearms.com

ABC's of Shooting Long Distance Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

Inspired by a listener's question, this episode is all about the fundamentals of extended-range shooting in the field.

We start with gear, particularly addressing vital scope features and setup for long-range success. Dial-up turrets, custom dials, parallax focus, reticle types, zero distance, anti-cant levels, and so forth are detailed and discussed.

Next we dive into concepts. Angled shots, effect of altitude and temperature on trajectory, out-of-plumb crosshairs and erratic hits, how aerodynamic bullets minimize error, training the puppy in the back of the brain to drive when we experience a high-speed come-apart, and more.

Finally, appropriate cartridges and effective bullets are addressed and detailed. Suitable bore diameters, efficient magnums, and critical bullet characteristics such as accuracy, aerodynamics, and terminal performance are all dissected.

Finally, the most important of all characteristics needed for effective, ethical killing capability at extended distances is hashed out.

ENJOY!

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www.onxmaps.com

Classic Cartridges for Backcountry Hunting Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

Are classic cartridge suitable for backcountry hunting? You bet they are—and some are particularly good at it. This episode takes a detailed look at several of the best. We list top bullet choices and favorite rifles, and discuss what each cartridge is really good at.

Criteria for inclusion:

Must be old (youngest cartridge discussed is 97 years old)
Must be capable on deer-size game and up
Must be dominantly popular in at least one significant region (such as the far north or Scandinavia)
Must be useful for backcountry hunting in mountain country

Cartridges included:

6.5-55
.270 Winchester
7x57 Mauser
.30-06 Springfield
.300 H&H
.375 H&H
Bonus: One world-class dangerous-game stopping cartridge

Downsides of classic cartridges

Low-performance factory loads
Out-of-date reloading data
Tolerances in vintage rifles
Few high-performance modern hunting projectiles
Have to be careful hunting with valuable vintage firearms

ENJOY!

FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST!

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https://www.portersfirearms.com

The Lifetime Athlete with John Zombro Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

Want to stay backcountry-fit into your older years? Or just shake off the cobwebs and get mountain-hunting shape? We recorded this episode with John Zombro, a professional trainer and physical therapist who specializes in hunt-prep training. A passionate backcountry hunter with more than 50 years in the field, Zombro lives in southwestern Montana and hosts The Lifetime Athlete podcast.

John is a down-to-earth, relatable guy with great real-life hunting stories that have shaped his approach to life and fitness. In this episode, he shares tips and tricks for building the right training program, sticking with it, being mentally strong, and taking the confidence and lessons learned while training into the field to help close the deal at the moment of truth. ENJOY!

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https://www.instagram.com/siembida_custom_knives/