The Mindful Hunter Podcast

Latest Episodes:

EP 32 – Faith, Family and Hunting with Dylan Drego @dylan.drego Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with my good buddy Dylan Drego. We’ve known each other for a few years now and have been fortunate to chase some elk together. We got into a great chat about what hunting means to us and even share a couple good stories.

Dylan Drego

@dylan.drego

@mindful_hunter

jay@mindfulhunter.com

www.mindfulhunter.com

2:00 – Intro

2:53 – Common connection – Joel Turner

9:13 – Dylan’s hunting history

15:40 – Practical steps to start hunting

22:47 – New game cam laws in AZ

30:25 – More practical insights

51:14 – The role hunting plays in Dylan’s life now

1:03:49 – Our elk hunt together

1:26:11 – Dylan’s hunt plans this year

EP 31 – Texan Hunter Lyndsey Kotrla @lyndseykotrla Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Lyndsey Kotrla. I have followed Lyndsey on social media for quite a while and I have always been impressed with her work ethic and the way she carries herself as a woman in the hunting space. We get into her family’s background in farming and hunting, her views on women and hunting on social media, and a variety of other interesting topics. If you do not already follow her, I highly recommend it.

Lyndsey Kotrla

@lyndseykotrla

@mindful_hunter

jay@mindfulhunter.com

www.mindfulhunter.com

0:00 – Intro

0:42 – Jay's Texas story

6:20 – Lyndsey’s background and the importance of work ethic

14:34 – History of hunting in the Kotrla family

25:10 – Whitetail and yearly hunting plans

32:00 – Hunting on Molokai

41:45 – Discussing women in hunting

EP 30 – Semi-Live Spring Bear Hunt Doubleheader Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

Welcome back to another semi-live hunt podcast. For those unfamiliar with this style of podcast, I bring an audio recorder with me on my hunt and do my best to break it out a few times a day and tell the story of the hunt in audio format as things unfold in real-time. On this particular episode I find myself up north in the Prince George region hunting bears and I can say I definitely saw my fair share of action.

@mindful_hunter

jay@mindfulhunter.com

www.mindfulhunter.com

0:00 – Intro day 1

2:28 – I love the drive

6:31 – The impact of language in hunting

28:40 – Wrap up of day 1

37:20 – Day 2

42:28 – Thoughts on logging roads

48:07 – Wrap up of day 2

59:30 – Day 3

1:03:50 – Wrap up day 3

1:09:06 – Day 4

1:15:01 – Day 5 telling the story of the doubleheader

1:26:26 – Thoughts on the drive home

EP 29 – The Woman who Brought Hilleberg Tents to North America with Petra Hilleberg Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I sat down with Petra Hilleberg, the CEO and daughter of the founders of Hilleberg Tents. We had a great discussion covering topics like what it was like to grow up a Hilleberg, how Petra brought Hilleberg tents to North America and the technical differences between their product offerings. Petra is an incredibly intelligent and thoughtful leader, and it was a pleasure to talk with her.

@mindful_hunter

jay@mindfulhunter.com

www.mindfulhunter.com

@hilleberg_hunting

https://hilleberg.com/

0:00 – Intro

2:14 – What it was like growing up a Hilleberg

5:15 – Petra’s passion for the outdoors

7:18 – The growth of Hilleberg

9:00 – The importance of quality

14:50 – Petra’s career path

16:25 – Bringing Hilleberg to North America

21:45 – Problems with Canadian distribution

25:00 – Petra’s transition to CEO and thoughts on leadership

28:30 – Goals for the next 10 years

31:20 – Covid’s impact on the outdoors industry

34:20 – Hilleberg supporting hunting

37:20 – The 4 different tent labels: Blue, Black, Red, Yellow

49:20 – Pick a tent game

56:00 – Repair times

58:43 – Surprises

EP 28 – Sheep Hunt Gear Chat with Hunting Partners Tristan and Spencer Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I sat down with my hunting partners for my upcoming sheep hunt Tristan and Spencer. We did a deep dive into our gear lists and figured out what we’re still missing and what we may leave behind.

@mindful_hunter

jay@mindfulhunter.com

www.mindfulhunter.com

0:00 – Intro

2:50 – Packs

8:57 – Camp and sleeping gear

13:30 – Worn clothing and gear

23:16 – Packed clothing and gear

31:50 – Optics

39:10 – Weapon and camera gear

45:42 – Miscellaneous gear

53:37 – Cook kit

58:26 – Safety gear

1:03:00 – Food

1:15:00 – Training updates

EP 27 – Backcountry Nutrition and Supplementation with Kevin Guillen from Wilderness Athlete Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I sat down with Kevin Guillen from Wilderness Athlete, and we had a great conversation about nutrition and supplementation for the hunting athlete. Regardless of what products you choose to use there are tons of nuggets in this podcast highlighting ways you can increase your performance and recovery for both training and backcountry hunting.

Kevin Guillen

@wildathlete

@wildernessathlete

www.wildernessathlete.com

@mindful_hunter

jay@mindfulhunter.com

www.mindfulhunter.com

0:00 – Intro

1:54 – Kevin’s introduction to the outdoors

4:50 – The evolution of Wilderness Athlete

7:11 – WA’s approach to marketing and brand identity

17:10 – The importance of the non-hunting outdoor enthusiast

27:56 – Training protocols

35:20 – Training supplementation

43:10 – The importance of hydration

51:50 – Backcountry supplementation

1:03:05 – New products and nootropics

EP 26 – Staying Focused on What Really Matters with Nick Trehearne @nicktrehearne Jun 06, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I sat down with Nick Trehearne. Nick is a very intelligent guy with some unique perspectives on hunting and photography. I was really impressed with his focus and clarity of vision for what he creates and how he builds relationships. If you don’t already follow Nick his info is listed down below.

Nick Trehearne

@nicktrehearne

www.nicktrehearne.com

@mindful_hunter

jay@mindfulhunter.com

www.mindfulhunter.com

0:00 – Intro

3:00 – Nick’s background

9:58 – The resources to follow your passion

12:50 – Nick’s start in photography

15:45 – Nick’s philosophy on photography

19:30 – Nick’s camera setup

20:30 – Advice on gear for a beginner

23:50 – Why Nick shoots Nikon

27:20 – Nick’s workflow

31:20 – Recommendations on how to build a reputation

39:04 – Gear chat

46:35 – IG Q&A

EP 25 – Drive and discipline with Aron Snyder @aron_snyder May 27, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I sat down with Aron Snyder from Kifaru International. In addition to being an absolute killer, Aron does a lot for the hunting community through his Q&A’s, the Kifarucast, and general availability and engagement. We covered a wide range of topics including Aron’s upbringing and how that shaped him into the man he is today, a deep dive into some sheep hunting gear and a sneak peek at some products Kifaru will be releasing shortly.

Aron Snyder

@aron_snyder

www.kifaru.net

@mindful_hunter

jay@mindfulhunter.com

www.mindfulhunter.com

0:00 – Intro

0:48 – New Kifaru dealer in Canada

4:15 – Aron’s upbringing and how it molded him

8:42 – How Aron become confident

15:02 – It’s important to be a dick sometimes

17:19 – Mental toughness

19:13 – Aron’s unintentional path to where he is now

21:57 – Why Kifaru felt right

24:10 – Aron’s insane availability as a marketing tool

29:21 – Reasonable expectations of customer service

37:00 – Goals for Aron and Kifaru

39:26 – Feedback on some sheep gear

53:00 – Zoleo review

55:49 – Hiking in the dark

58:15 – How quick bears show up at kill sites

59:00 – Favourite animal to hunt in BC

59:20 – Favourite game meat

1:02:15 – 2021 hunt plans

EP 24 – A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words with Adam Foss @fossman8 May 20, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I sat down with renowned outdoors photographer and bowhunter Adam Foss. I have wanted to chat with Adam for some time because he embodies the intriguing combination of a hardcore back hunter and the sensitive aesthetic of an artist. This is one of my favourite chats I’ve had the opportunity to have on this podcast. We got a little deep and talked philosophy, gave some technical gear tips, and lots in between. If you do not already, go give Adam a follow.

Adam Foss

@fossman8

@mindful_hunter

jay@mindfulhunter.com

www.mindfulhunter.com

0:00 – Intro

2:00 – How Adam grew up hunting

7:40 – Where Adam’s drive and discipline came from

11:17 – Reflections in the mountains

14:31 – How Adam thinks about photography

22:06 – Approach to storytelling on different hunts

26:07 – Adam’s current photography setup

34:32 – Adam’s preferred lenses

42:33 – Principles of gear prep

52:03 – Testing the Sitka Dewpoint rain system

EP 23 – AZ bucks and AK rams with Tim Winslow aka @aztrophyoutfitters_dch May 13, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I sat down with my buddy Tim Winslow who is an Alaskan hunting guide and outfitter. He is also the owner of Arizona Trophy Outfitters where they specialize in archery Mule Deer and Coues hunting in Southern AZ. We had a great chat covering topics from OTC deer opportunities in AZ to a deep dive on gear selection for sheep hunting in AK.

Tim Winslow

@aztrophyoutfitters_dch

@mindful_hunter

jay@mindfulhunter.com

www.mindfulhunter.com

0:00 – Intro

3:40 – Guiding system in AZ

5:25 – How I met Tim and what an ATO hunt camp is like

14:51 – OTC opportunities in AZ

21:45 – Drop camp hunting service

23:20 – Guiding in Alaska

26:34 – Tim’s advice for Jay’s sheep hunt