Vortex Nation Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 15 | What is the Vortex Extreme? Sep 12, 2018

Show notes

Slightly delirious from days of preparing the Vortex Extreme competition in the Wyoming elevation and heat, the Vortex crew sits down in the Wyoming State Police Academy to explain just what the Vortex Extreme is. An event 8 years in the running, the Extreme made the move to Wyoming this year for the first time to be held on the historic Wagonhound Ranch outside of Douglas, WY. Combining the endurance of hiking your rifle and gear nearly 9 miles through the mountains with the accuracy needed to engage targets from 100 to over 1200 yards, the Extreme is a true test for any long range shooter. All are welcome to compete and we encourage beginners or first time competitors to join us for good fun and one heck of a butt-kicking to get in shape right before hunting season begins. If you’ve thought about joining us in years past but haven’t yet made it out, what’s holding you back? We’d love to know so we can continue to grow the match in future years!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Ep. 14 | Semi-Live: Scope Mounting – It’s Easy! Sep 10, 2018

Show notes

Jimmy, Mark and Erik gather round the gun bench as Ryan Muckenhirn mounts up a brand new Diamondback Tactical FFP on Erik’s rifle to compete in the Vortex Extreme 2018. Follow along in your own gun room as Ryan actually does the entire mounting procedure and explains all the steps in detail while podcasting real-time. Even though we’re mounting up one scope on one gun with one type of ring, the crew discusses the many different varieties of rings, mounts, scopes and rifles on the market and how their differences may or may not factor into the process. From bolt guns to AR’s, many shooters would be surprised how a relatively simple set of tools can get the perfect mount every time and avoid the hassle of having to take everything to the store or a gun smith. Heck – you’ll probably even be able to do it better and more accurately yourself, too!
Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Ep. 13 | Man Behind the Mic - Dave Hartman’s 3 Gun Show  Sep 04, 2018

Show notes

Dave Hartman, host of the 3 Gun Show, joined us as we asked him a little about his past and how he got started in the world of 3 gunning and podcasting. From shooting guns without instagram to engine swapping rockets and even sleeping through a nearby tornado in his mobile trailer, we got all kinds of crazy awesome stories from this incredibly interesting dude. If you frequent his podcast, which now features a library of over 200 episodes, you know he doesn't often talk about himself so this opportunity was unique and exciting! If you 3 Gun or are interested in the sport and haven't checked out his podcast yet, you should do so as soon as you get done listening to this one for tons more info on the competitions and the community.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Ep. 12 | The Hunting Public - Aggressive Whitetail Tactics Aug 27, 2018

Show notes

Aggressive whitetail tactics can arguably yield more mature buck sightings than any other method used for hunting these elusive critters. Aaron Warbritton, Greg Clements and Jake Huebschman from The Hunting Public join Mark and Erik on an in-depth discussion that dives into tactics that can pay off for heavily pressured whitetails on public land, and even small acreage private properties when implemented at the proper time. You’ll learn about:

Hunting specific buck beds – how to identify them and why setting up in close proximity to these “bedrooms” yields encounters during shooting hours, even during timeframes like the October lull when bucks traditionally display nocturnal tendencies.
Using observation sits to identify bedding locations from afar, and then moving in for a close-quarters ambush when similar conditions present an ideal opportunity.
The “bump and dump” strategy, which involves spooking a buck from a bed and then hunting it again at a later date. Even if the buck ran off scared and alerted to your presence, he’ll be back to his core area. When he returns, you’ll be waiting.
Unconventional tactics, like still hunting and using ghillie suits to ambush whitetails in areas void of trees.
When you should make an aggressive move and dive into a sanctuary.
Mobile hunting tactics and why being able to adapt on the fly can be the difference when hunting over fresh, hot sign or sitting on the sidelines, unlikely to cross paths with your target animal.

Want to see these tactics in action? Head over to The Hunting Public’s YouTube Channel and see how hunting aggressively helped them tag several mature bucks on public land. You can also follow along this year’s Deer Tour where the crew will hunt public land in states all across the country. Find that right here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzlnaIrdxwJITyrESOReqxg

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Ep. 11 | Long Range Shooting 1002 Aug 20, 2018

Show notes

Jimmy, Ryan Muckenhirn, Paul Ness and Scott Parks further expand upon the topic of long range shooting from our first "Long Range Shooting 1001" podcast. If you've overheard the pro's talk about BC's, G1 vs. G7, wind, mirage, the importance of leveling your riflescope or density altitude before and wondered "What the h%ll are they talking about?" - This "1002" level discussion might just answer that question. Most importantly, we can't stress enough that arguably the most important thing you can know and do to become a better long range shooter is gain more experience... That means SHOOT MORE! There are a million and one variables that go into each and every shot. The only real difference between an "OK" shooter and a great shooter is the great shooter has thousands of rounds worth of previously gained knowledge to base their estimation upon, making them more likely to be more accurate. No one will ever truly master long range shooting to the point of perfection, but with enough trigger time, you can gain a level of intuitiveness that will greatly help your long distance accuracy. Listen here and get shooting, Vortex Nation!

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Ep. 10 | Gould Brothers - Pursuing the Exhibition Shooting Dream Aug 13, 2018

Show notes

Maybe you’ve seen them throw and shoot a fistful of clays at one of their live exhibitions, or maybe you’ve watched them snipe a balloon with a crossbow at 680 yards on Youtube, but have you ever wondered who the Gould Brothers are and where they came from? Steve and Aaron Gould came up for a visit to the Vortex HQ and after putting on an impressive and… explosive exhibition in the parking lot, jumped on for a podcast about what it took to get where they are today, and some of the behind the scenes of their live shows and trick shots. These two brothers are as real as it gets and have proven that with enough time, practice, dedication and stubbornness, anyone can make a living doing something they love, and can use their talents to make other people’s lives better.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Ep. 09 | FFP vs SFP Aug 07, 2018

Show notes

From HQ - Jimmy Hamilton, Mark Boardman, Paul Ness and Ryan Muckenhirn talk First Focal Plane (FFP) Vs. Second Focal Plane (SFP) - A hot topic in riflescopes that has left many shooters, both new and experienced, wondering "What's right for me?" Tune in while we talk about what these two styles actually are, how they work, why you might want to use one or the other, and some applications in which each have come in handy in our experience - from long range hunting to target shooting at the range. If you stick around 'till the end, you might even catch an audio-glimpse at a new product from Vortex for 2018.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Ep. 08 | One Giant Leap in Wisconsin CWD Research Jul 31, 2018

Show notes

If you've ever hunted deer, enjoyed a fresh venison backstrap or have an appreciation for nature and its natural order, then CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) should be a topic on your radar. That topic is certainly on the Wisconsin DNR's radar as the state is plagued by the largest concentration in the country of the always-fatal disease. To combat this, WDNR has started a five-year initiative called the Southwest Wisconsin CWD, Deer and Predator Study. It is the most comprehensive deer research project ever undertaken in Wisconsin to understand mortality rates and ensure the long-term health of the state’s deer herd, which has been affected since the early 2000s. Jimmy, Mark, Erik and even MC Ryan had the unique opportunity of joining special guest, Dan Storm, and other WDNR researchers in spring while they searched, chased, captured, tagged and released newborn fawns. Dan, Research Scientist and Wildlife Biologist for the WDNR, explains CWD in depth, what the DNR is doing to control the disease and how the public can join the efforts of wildlife agencies nationwide to do their part to ensure the health of our deer and maintain the lifestyle we all love for many generations to come.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Ep. 07 | Hunt Year 'Round - June Spring Bear Jul 24, 2018

Show notes

Think you can only hunt in the fall? Think again! We have a little thing around here we like to call "Hunt Year 'Round" where we search near and far for opportunities to get out and go hunting every month. This June, Mark went on a later-season Spring Black Bear Hunt in Idaho and hops on the podcast with Jimmy to give you the lowdown on how he got the tag (Surprisingly easy and affordable), the tactics used on this type of hunt, and the type of country one has to work with in Western Idaho. Tune in, and as always, let us know what you think! If you have an awesome hunting opportunity near you or idea for Hunt Year Round, let us know - we'd love to hear it!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Ep. 06 | Long Range Shooting 1001 - The Foundation Jul 18, 2018

Show notes

Shooting a tiny bullet at a small piece of steel 1000 yards away might look easy when the pro's do it, but there's a lot that goes into each shot before the shooter even pulls the trigger. Fortunately, none of it is overly complicated. It just takes a little time, skill, patience and the right equipment for the job. Jimmy, Mark, Ryan Muckenhirn and Paul Neess dive into a "1001" level explanation of getting yourself outside the 100-yard-sight-in range and into some long range scenarios. From terminology to equipment, and the precision art of dialing your shots, this should get you on the right path to maxing out your range's linear capability. Listen in and let us know what you'd like to hear for our next, "1002" level course - where we go into a deeper dive relating to how our environment can affect our shots and how we can compensate to remain on target.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

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