The Mindful Hunter Podcast

Merch

Newsletter

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact

Podcast

Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide

EP 253 – My Honest Take on Ryan Lampers Poaching Charges, Charlie Kirk Shooting + More: Q&A Episode The MH Podcast Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

This week on the Mindful Hunter Podcast, I dive into the controversy surrounding hunting influencer Ryan Lampers and the recent wildlife violation charges filed against him.

We’ll break down:

- The details of the allegations (mule deer, mountain lion, wolf)

- What this means for hunters, conservation, and the companies who partnered with him

- Why integrity, responsibility, and transparency matter in the hunting community

⚠️ Important: These are only allegations — Ryan has not been convicted of anything. This discussion is about principles, ethics, and the bigger picture of hunting culture.

I also cover your Q&A questions on gear, elk hunting strategy, backpacks, bullet choice, and more.

👉 If you value authentic conversations about hunting — not hype — hit subscribe and join the community.

0:00 – Intro: Mountain goat hunt recap & upcoming film

1:16 – Why I’m doing a Q&A episode

1:52 – The Ryan Lammers controversy & wildlife charges

3:24 – Breaking down the charges: deer, lion & wolf

7:08 – Does Ryan owe hunters an explanation?

11:02 – What this means for hunting companies & sponsors

15:23 – Incentives, social media & the pressure on hunters

18:36 – Do past accomplishments get tainted?

22:14 – Public figures, accountability & second chances

25:11 – My personal reflections on integrity & content creation

27:15 – Transition into Q&A

28:19 – Glassing tarps: waste or worth it?

34:01 – Best states to build elk points affordably

35:26 – Training & rehab after a torn meniscus

39:08 – Crossbows: ethical or unfair advantage?

41:51 – Best backcountry solar panels

43:42 – My elk hunting & calling strategies

48:09 – Prairie mule deer tactics in featureless country

52:01 – My current weight & fitness goals

52:30 – Storm-worthy backcountry tents

55:09 – Local vs overseas gear manufacturing

59:40 – Why my goat hunt partner bailed (coming in Full Circle film)

1:00:23 – Top gear surprises of 2025 so far

1:01:27 – Backcountry bathroom etiquette

1:03:07 – How the “Shoot to Hunt” course changed my shooting confidence

1:03:58 – Mental toughness vs physical fitness in mountain hunts

1:06:15 – Why I prefer highly fragmenting bullets

1:09:17 – Updated tent vs tent thoughts

Jay Nichol

jay@mindfulhunter.com

Forged In The Backcountry

Merch

Newsletter

Podcast

Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide

EP 252 - Mindful Reviews Mondays: Stone Glacier M5 Rain Jacket Review: 2 Years of Real-World Testing Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Rain gear is one of the most crucial and expensive investments for hunters, and finding reliable testing methods can be a challenge. After 2 years of field testing, I’m excited to share my comprehensive review of the Stone Glacier M5 Rain Jacket. This video dives deep into how it performs in real-world conditions, covering water resistance, breathability, durability, and more. I wanted this review to be as accurate and reliable as possible, and I’m pleased to finally share the results.

📌 Chapters:

0:00 – Intro

1:57 – Testing Protocol

3:15 – Bow Giveaway and Mindful Hunter Outfitting

4:29 – Comparative Review

4:49 – Price

5:24 – Material

7:32 – Fit

12:31 – Water Resistance & Breathability Ratings

15:45 – Durability

16:59 – Wind Protection

18:39 – Final Thoughts & Conclusions

Join me as I break down why the Stone Glacier M5 might be the rain gear you need for your next hunt. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment with your thoughts!

Jay Nichol

jay@mindfulhunter.com

Forged In The Backcountry

Merch

Newsletter

Podcast

Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide

https://www.instagram.com/durstongear/

EP 251 – Ultralight Innovation & The Future of Gear – with Dan Durston Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Dan Durston, founder and lead designer of Durston Gear, to dive deep into the world of ultralight shelters, backcountry design, and the future of small gear companies taking on the giants.

We talk about Dan’s journey from long-distance thru-hikes like the Pacific Crest Trail and Great Divide Trail, to daydreaming gear ideas in the wilderness, to accidentally founding one of the most respected ultralight gear brands today.

This conversation goes beyond shelters—it’s about innovation, passion-driven design, and how democratized manufacturing has opened the door for boutique companies to challenge industry leaders. If you’re into hunting, backpacking, or just geeking out on gear design, this one’s for you.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & guest background

02:00 – Discovering ultralight backpacking

05:00 – Pacific Crest Trail planning, logistics & lessons learned

08:00 – Gear philosophy: weight efficiency vs. pure ultralight

12:00 – “Death of the Giants” & rise of boutique gear brands

16:00 – Daydreaming gear ideas on long hikes

20:00 – The birth of Durston shelters

25:00 – Fly-first pitch design & real-world use

28:00 – Business journey: partnerships, contracts & independence

32:00 – Why SilPoly changed the shelter game

36:00 – Material battles: SilNylon vs. SilPoly

40:00 – The evolution of Dyneema and shelter construction

45:00 – Ultra fabrics, durability, and real-world tradeoffs

50:00 – Lessons from building a grassroots gear company

55:00 – The future of ultralight innovation

Durston Gear

https://durstongear.com/

Jay Nichol

jay@mindfulhunter.com

Forged In The Backcountry

Merch

Newsletter

Podcast

Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide

https://www.motionheat.ca/

EP 250 - Mindful Reviews Mondays: The Best Solution to Keep Your Feet Warm Late Season Whitetail Hunting! Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

Late season whitetail hunting in sub-zero temperatures can be tough, especially when it comes to keeping your feet warm. After testing multiple solutions, I found these heated insoles to be the best option for staying comfortable during long hunts. In this video, I break down the benefits of these insoles, how they compare to other market options, and why they’re my go-to for late-season hunting.

0:00 – Intro

1:39 – Other Options Available

4:24 – Testing Protocol

5:57 – Bow Giveaway

6:21 – Benefits Of Heated Insoles

8:33 – How The System Works

11:51 – Pros & Cons

Jay Nichol

jay@mindfulhunter.com

Forged In The Backcountry

Merch

Newsletter

Podcast

Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide

EP 249 – Field Judging Mastery: Inside the Horn Score App with Jay Scott & Blake Cannon Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

This episode is a deep dive into field judging, DIY hunting adventures in Mexico, and the development of the Horn Score app with veteran outfitter Jay Scott and Blake Cannon.

We cover:

What makes Coues deer hunting in Mexico such a unique adventure
The logistics of crossing the border and hunting DIY ranches
Why field judging is such a challenge for both new and experienced hunters
The evolution of the Horn Score app: from proven scoring methods to building a massive public database of measurements, photos, and scores
How the app helps hunters sharpen their skills, make quick shoot/no-shoot decisions, and set realistic expectations in any unit
The future of field judging and the role of AI in hunting technology

Whether you’re a seasoned guide, a DIY backcountry hunter, or just getting started, this conversation is packed with insight on how to hunt smarter, field judge more accurately, and enjoy the process along the way.

👉 Learn more about the Horn Score app: https://hornscore.com/

Jay Scott Outdoors

https://jayscottoutdoorspodcast.com/

Jay Nichol

jay@mindfulhunter.com

Forged In The Backcountry

Merch

Newsletter

Podcast

Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide

EP 248 - Mindful Reviews Mondays: Compact Spotting Scope Review: Swarovski vs. Kowa vs. Vortex Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Looking for the best compact spotting scope? This comprehensive comparison of the Swarovski, Kowa, and Vortex compact spotters will help you make the smartest purchase decision. Over the last month, I’ve rigorously tested all three models to assess their performance, build quality, and value for money. From price and brand reputation to weight, glass quality, and weather resistance, I provide detailed, unbiased insights and my personal opinion to help you choose the right scope for your hunting needs and budget.

📌 Chapters for Easy Navigation:

0:00 – Intro

1:38 – Scoring System

2:57 – Giveaways

5:01 – Price

5:23 – Resale/Brand Power

6:40 – Weight

8:17 – Size

9:29 – Descriptive Totals

9:47 – Origin

10:42 – Warranty

11:50 – Weather Resistance

13:37 – Frame Material

13:43 – Rubber Coating

14:17 – Mounting

14:45 – Ergonomics

17:26 – Construction Totals

17:40 – Field of View

19:39 – Eye Relief

21:39 – Exit Pupil

22:42 – Glass Quality

28:16 – Viewing Performance

30:37 – Focusing Ability

32:58 – Eye Box

33:50 – Final Score & Conclusions

Jay Nichol

jay@mindfulhunter.com

Merch

Newsletter

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact

Podcast

Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide

https://knowledgefromstorms.com/

EP 247: Elk Bootcamp Re-Share: Student of The Elk Woods with John Barklow (133) Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

Alright folks, elk season is just around the corner, and to help us all get ready, I am reposting some of the best elk hunting episodes I have done in the past. If you have never listened to these episodes, they are full of great tips, and if you have, it never hurts to get a refresher right before the season.

This originally aired as episode 132

Typically, I have John on to do deep dives on gear setup and discuss backcountry mission planning. This week, however, we focused intensely on the elk talk. John is a very blue-collar elk hunter, and sometimes I think those are the best guys to learn from. Plenty of useful info in this week’s episode.

John Barklow

https://www.instagram.com/jbarklow/

Jay Nichol

jay@mindfulhunter.com

Forged In The Backcountry

Merch

Newsletter

Podcast

Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide

https://www.shotiq.com/home

EP 246: Elk Bootcamp Re-Share - Instinctive Elk Calling with Joel Turner (132) Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

This originally aired as episode 132

Joel has been a good friend ever since I took his Shot IQ controlled process online program 4-5 years ago. I have always been intrigued by Joel’s somewhat unconventional approach to elk calling and finally sat down with him to pick his brain about it. As a previous world champion caller and absolute killer in the elk woods, Joel brought a ton of experience and unique opinions on strategy to this conversation.

Joel Turner

https://www.instagram.com/joelturner_shotiq/

Jay Nichol

jay@mindfulhunter.com

Forged In The Backcountry

Merch

Newsletter

Podcast

Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide

https://www.phelpsgamecalls.com/

EP 245: Elk Bootcamp Re-Share - Elk Hunting Strategies with Dirk Durham (131) Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

This originally aired as episode 131

This week, I had the opportunity to sit down with a man I have admired for many years. Dirk Durham, also known as The Bigler, has established a reputation not just as a competitive elk caller but also as an exceptional elk hunter. We discussed his upbringing as a hunter and then focused on various tactics, particularly covering some useful techniques for navigating thick brush and dealing with low elk densities typical of the Pacific Northwest.

Dirk Durham

https://www.instagram.com/thebugler/

https://www.youtube.com/@THEBUGLERBRAND

Jay Nichol

jay@mindfulhunter.com

Forged In The Backcountry

Merch