The Mindful Hunter Podcast
Jay Nichol
Jay Nichol
A deep dive into a mindful perspective on the discipline of hunting.
20h ago
I leave in just under a month for a two-week Coues hunting trip that will see me bow hunting in Arizona and rifle hunting in Mexico. That means there was no better time to sit down with the Coues legend himself, Jay Scott. Jay Scott https://www.instagram.com/jayscottoutdoors/ http://jayscottoutdoorspodcast.com/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
2d ago
I have a lot of friends in Australia, and I lived there for two years, so when my good buddy reached out to see if we could do a quick update on how people could fight back against Australia's knee-jerk reaction to stricter gun reform in light of the recent terrorist attack, of course, I agreed. Remember they;re not just coming after our guns they're coming afetr our freedom so even if you are not a gun ownewr it behooves you to help porotect civil libeerty. This link, cr9pyf61nzf3bsxc ( https://filebin.net/cr9pyf61nzf3bsxc ), provides an email template/message points to use when contacting state MLCs and MLAs. Also includes the list of emails for every politician, along with step by step guide. Americans, Canadians, Kiwis, and friends, please help us spread this message. Remember, be polite, dont swear and remove emotion, otherwise you will do more harm than good. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
4d ago
This week I sat down with Tanner from Frontiermen to discuss reinstating the Ram awards at the BC sheep show in 2026. We also had a good chat about several other hunting topics. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Dec 12
In this episode, I sit down with Jake from Unknown Munitions for a deep dive into the origins, growth, and ethos of one of the most respected names in precision ammunition. We explore Jake’s unexpected shift from a safe corporate job into launching a reloading empire, what it takes to build a scalable business without selling out, and the real-world implications of trying to balance quality, growth, and authenticity in the hunting and shooting space. We also get into the nuts and bolts of reloading, discuss rifle upgrades, and troubleshoot real-world load development issues. If you’re passionate about rifles, gear, and building something from the ground up—this one’s for you. Chapters 00:00 – How Unknown Munitions Came to Be 09:00 – Scope Trends, Maven RS.1.2, and Market Gaps 18:30 – Taking the Leap: Leaving the Corporate World 26:00 – Navigating Growth Without Sacrificing Quality 34:30 – Building Custom Ammunition: Customer Lifecycle 41:00 – The Hybrid Hunter and the Rise of DIY Precision 48:00 – How Not to Scale: Lessons from Sitka & First Lite 59:00 – Gear Talk: Barrel Coatings, Bottom Metal & Mags 1:13:00 – Reloading Deep Dive: Load Development and Data 1:31:00 – Cross-Border Gear, Legal Loopholes & Upcoming Events Jake Mushaney / Unknown Munitions https://www.unknownmunitions.com/ https://www.instagram.com/unknownmunitions/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Dec 9
Sale on hunts with Mindful Hunter Outfitting. Get up to $750 off per person. Email https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ and get automatically entered to win a Sig Oscar 6 Image-Stabilising Spotting Scope! In this deep dive, we put the Kite Optics APC 60 through a rigorous field test to see if it lives up to the hype. With built-in image stabilization, compact form factor, and claims of premium optics, this scope targets serious backcountry hunters and wildlife spotters looking for performance without the bulk. But does it deliver? We break down real-world performance across vibration control, handheld use, optical clarity, and mirage resistance—plus we’ve got TWO gear giveaways including a Swaro ATX and the Sig Sauer Zulu 10 15x binoculars! 📌 Chapters 0:00 – Intro: What is the Kite APC 60 & why it matters 2:10 – Caveats: Honest thoughts before you buy 4:31 – Vibration Test: Does the stabilization actually work? 6:35 – Handheld Test: Can you glass steady without a tripod? 8:02 – Optical Quality Test: Contrast, color, edge-to-edge sharpness 8:58 – Mirage Test: Can the APC 60 cut through atmospheric distortion? 10:58 – Recap: What stood out and what didn’t 12:29 – Swaro ATX Giveaway: How to enter 13:16 – Conclusion & Recommendations: Who is this scope for? 14:59 – Sig Sauer Zulu 10 15x Binocular Giveaway: Second prize details 🔥 Whether you’re hunting high-alpine mule deer or scouting elk from windy ridgelines, this review will help you decide if the APC 60 belongs in your pack—or if you’re better off saving your cash. 📢 LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for more honest, no-BS reviews of the best optics and gear in the hunting world. #KiteOptics #APC60 #SpottingScopeReview #BackcountryHunting #ImageStabilizedOptics #HuntingGearReview #LongRangeGlass #SwarovskiATX #SigSauerZulu #OpticsShootout #MindfulHunter 🎯 GIVEAWAY ALERT! Every $5 you spend on merch at https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ gets you 1 entry to win a Swarovski 85mm Spotting Scope. 0:00 – Intro 2:10 – Caveats 4:31 – Vibration Test 6:35 – Handheld Test 8:02 – Optical Quality Test 8:58 – Mirage Test 10:58 – Recap 12:29 – Swaro ATX Giveaway 13:16 – Conclusion & Recommendations 14:59 – Sig Sauer Zule 10 15x Binocular Giveaway Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools No purchase required. Contest begins on February 1, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on April 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PST. There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) 1 previously owned Swarovski ATX 85mm Spotting Scope (approximate retail value $5,900.00 CAD). Skill testing question required. This Contest is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland, France and Switzerland, who are legal age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence (19 in AL and NE, 21 in MS, and 18 in all remaining U.S. states, The District of Columbia and Canada, 16 in United Kingdom, 20 in New Zealand, 16 in Finland, 15 in France, and 18 in Switzerland), who are age of majority in their province or territory of residence at time of entry. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before contest closes. No entry limit. For full rules and entry details visit: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/blogs/resources/swarovski-atx-85mm-spotting-scope-giveaway💥 Plus, I’m giving away a Swarovski TAX 85mm! Stay tuned for details!
Dec 5
This week, I sit down with Chris Neville, one of the cofounders of Roughridge Stove Co. He is also a stud of an elk hunter. Chris Neville https://roughridgestove.com/ https://www.instagram.com/roughridgestove/ https://www.instagram.com/cjneville23/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Nov 28
Time for another Q&A episode! Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
Nov 25
If you’re looking to film high-quality, cinematic content deep in the backcountry without lugging around a heavy camera rig — this iPhone setup is for you. In this video, I walk through my ultralight iPhone 15 Pro Max filmmaking rig, designed for shooting Apple ProRAW / ProRes, capturing clean wireless audio, and storing footage directly to an external SSD. This setup is perfect for backcountry hunters, adventure filmmakers, mobile content creators, or anyone trying to travel light without compromising on quality. Let’s break it down! 🎥 Gear I Use: iPhone 15 Pro Max (or newer) Samsung T7 SSD (external storage for ProRes/RAW footage) SmallRig SSD Mount (keeps SSD secure + compact) Newer Cold Shoe Mount (modular & lightweight) Rode Magnetic Smartphone Mount (quick attachment on the go) 40Gbps Flexible USB-C Cable (no dropouts, high-speed transfers) DJI Mic 2 (Bluetooth audio, no receiver needed) 💡 What You’ll Learn: How to shoot RAW video on iPhone using an SSD Lightweight audio setup with DJI Mic 2 via Bluetooth Best gear for filming in remote or rugged locations Color grading workflow using LUTs in post-production How to keep your pack light without sacrificing image quality 0:00 – Intro 3:00 – Mindful Hunter Outfitting 3:52 – Gear Required 8:59 – Swarovski ATX 85mm Giveaway 9:58 – Apps Required 12:48 – Digiscoping Mode 14:22 – Storage and Access Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
