<a aria-current="page" href="/" class="router-link-active router-link-exact-active"> The Mindful Hunter Podcast

Forged In The Backcountry

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7 days ago

EP 300 - Sig Kilo8K vs Revic BR4 Review – The Truth After 6 Months Hunting

7 days ago

In this in-depth, no-BS comparison, I break down two of the most powerful ballistic rangefinders on the market: the SIG KILO8K-ABS and the Revic BR4. After 6 months of field use and real hunting conditions, I compare every relevant feature—from ranging speed and ballistic solver accuracy to weather resistance, UI design, and integration with onX.

Whether you’re planning a high-stakes mountain hunt or precision long-range shooting, this video dives deep into what matters most: reliability, functionality, and field-tested performance.

⏬ Topics Covered:
• SIG vs Revic: What’s discontinued, and what still holds up
• Ballistic engine showdown: Applied Ballistics vs Revic’s custom solver
• Real-world wind hold, truing, and environmental sensor integration
• Archery mode, tripod mounting, app integration, and UI design
• Final verdict: Which one would I take on a once-in-a-lifetime hunt?

🧠 No sponsors. No fluff. Just honest gear reviews from the field.

➡️ Want unbiased hunting gear reviews? Join the community: https://mindful-reviews.com
📩 Contact me for guided hunts: jay@mindfulhunter.com
🧢 Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting – it really helps push hunting content through the algorithm.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 – Intro & Discontinued Status
01:00 – Test Methodology & Review Categories
02:15 – Magnification: 7x vs 10x
03:05 – Ranging Speed & Accuracy
04:30 – Ranging Distance Limitations
05:30 – Ballistic Solver Breakdown
08:10 – Hornady Data Issues in Applied Ballistics
10:22 – Truing: SIG vs Revic
12:05 – User Interface & Display Comparison
14:00 – Button Layout & Learning Curve
15:00 – Size, Weight, and Pouch Fit
16:00 – Weather Resistance: IPX4 vs IP67
17:10 – Tripod Mount & Real-World Use
17:55 – Archery Mode Breakdown
20:00 – App Integration & onX GPS Functionality
25:00 – Environmental Sensors: Do They Matter?
25:30 – Price & Battery Life
27:00 – BC Guided Hunt Openings
27:40 – Final Pros & Cons Recap
30:00 – My Verdict: Which One I’d Use
32:00 – How to Support the Channel

#BallisticRangefinder #SIGKILO8K #RevicBR4 #MindfulHunter #LongRangeHunting #MountainHunting #RangefinderComparison #GearReview

Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/

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Thursday Mar 19, 2026

EP 299 – The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly About Mexico Coues Deer Hunting with Bo Campbell

Thursday Mar 19, 2026

I finally had a chance to sit down with my buddy Bo and do a debrief of our Mexican Coues hunting adventure.

Bo Campbell

Jay Nichol

Forged In The Backcountry

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Monday Mar 16, 2026

EP 298 - Benchmade Raghorn Review: Exceptional Build Quality, But One Major Flaw

Monday Mar 16, 2026

After breaking down 11 animals this year, including two bears and a deer, I’ve spent serious time with the Benchmade Raghorn in the field. In this no-nonsense review, I’ll walk you through what this knife does right — and where it falls short. If you’re wondering whether the carbon fiber CPM-CruWear version is worth $420, or if the blade shape holds up under real-world use, this review is for you.

🧠 No hype. No sponsorships. Just hard-earned field experience.

🗂️ Chapters below — or jump into the comments if you’ve used the Raghorn or have other blades you want tested.

📍 Support the channel, join the private gear forum & access my exclusive gear database:

🔗 https://www.mindful-reviews.com
📧 Questions or booking inquiries:
jay@mindfulhunter.com

⸻
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – 11 animals, multiple knives
00:12 – 3 animals with the Raghorn
00:22 – What this review will cover
00:42 – Knife evolution: from ultralight to full-size
01:02 – Raghorn overview: full-size without the weight
01:14 – CPM-CruWear model vs. S30V version
01:29 – Specs & price breakdown
02:02 – CruWear vs. MagnaCut comparison
03:11 – Why corrosion resistance matters
03:54 – Crew wear vs. MagnaCut: final verdict
04:05 – Outfitting update: Mule deer & bear hunts
05:06 – Real-world use on bear & deer
05:35 – No sharpening needed — field edge retention
06:12 – Handle grip, jimping & ergonomics
06:35 – Blade geometry: where the knife falls short
07:26 – Why belly placement matters
08:13 – Final thoughts: who this knife is for
08:56 – Is $420 a fair price?
09:17 – Designed for elk-sized game?
09:26 – Not an all-purpose knife — but a valuable tool
09:41 – Benchmade warranty + lifetime sharpening
10:05 – Why unbiased reviews matter
10:29 – Join the community at Mindful Reviews
10:50 – Feedback request: what knife content do you want?
11:33 – Like, comment, subscribe — it all helps

⸻

Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/

Friday Mar 13, 2026

EP 297 – The Truth About Guided Hunts, Tag Systems, and What Actually Helps You Kill Animals with Jake Downs

Friday Mar 13, 2026

In this episode of the Mindful Hunter Podcast, I sit down with a good friend who spends just as many days in the field as I do. What starts as a conversation about hunting quickly turns into a deeper discussion about parenting, mindset, and the realities of modern hunting.

We dive into the importance of getting kids outside, why making the outdoors fun is the key to raising lifelong hunters, and how time in the field forces you to slow down and be present.

From there we get into Arizona hunts, changing draw systems, and why the traditional “save points forever for one dream tag” strategy may not make sense anymore. We talk about alternatives like landowner tags, outfitted hunts, and finding creative ways to keep hunting more often instead of waiting decades for a tag.

We also break down the biggest misconceptions people have about guided hunts, the psychology of managing clients during a hunt, and why mindset matters more than grinding miles when it comes to actually killing animals.

We wrap things up talking about discipline, the 75 Hard challenge, and why stacking small wins every day might be the real key to success—both in hunting and in life.

This episode is a wide-ranging conversation about hunting culture, experience, and the mindset required to stay in the game for the long haul.

Jake Downs

Jay Nichol

Forged In The Backcountry

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Monday Mar 09, 2026

EP 296 - Don’t Buy the Wrong Sig Zulu 6 Binoculars: HDX vs. HDX Pro Buyer's Guide

Monday Mar 09, 2026

The #1 question I get after reviewing both the HDX and HDX Pro versions of the Sig Sauer Zulu 6 binoculars is:
“Which pair should I actually buy?”
In this video, I break down all 7 models in the Zulu 6 lineup — both HDX and HDX Pro — and help you decide which model fits your hunting needs.

I’ve spent months using these optics in real-world hunts. No fluff, no paid endorsements — just hard-earned insights from the field. If you want the clearest, most honest buyer’s guide on these binos anywhere online, you’re in the right place.

👉 Support more videos like this and access my full gear database at:
🔗 https://www.mindful-reviews.com

📧 Book a hunt with me or ask a gear question:
jay@mindfulhunter.com

⸻

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Why this video matters
00:26 – 3-month real-world testing
00:44 – HDX vs. HDX Pro: Key differences
02:00 – Objective sizes, magnification & pricing
02:33 – Light transmission + warranty
03:08 – Ergonomics & hand-feel
04:18 – Field use: 10x30 model
05:06 – Exit pupil explained
06:16 – Light transmission trade-offs
07:17 – Why Pro coatings matter
08:00 – Image stabilization: Scan vs. OmniScan
09:22 – Exit pupil comparison (graph)
10:12 – Bigger objective = better image
11:15 – Top picks: 10x30, 12x42, 16x50
12:09 – Raghorn hunt spot announcement
13:23 – My 4-variable framework: How to choose
15:39 – Final recommendations by user type
17:19 – Bino harness talk: AGC vs Stone Glacier
18:54 – Why this channel exists
19:13 – Support Mindful Reviews
19:32 – Join the discussion in the comments

Saturday Mar 07, 2026

EP 295 – A True Killer Who Chose To Stay Behind The Camera: Sam Averett

Saturday Mar 07, 2026

In this episode of the Mindful Hunter Podcast, I sit down with outdoor photographer Sam Averett to talk about hunting, storytelling, and the strange intersection between the two.

Sam and I first met on a mountain goat hunt in British Columbia — the kind of hunt that makes you feel like you’re standing on the moon. But beyond the mountains, Sam has quietly built one of the most respected careers in hunting media, working behind the camera with some of the biggest brands and personalities in the outdoor space.

We dive into how Sam went from growing up hunting out the back door in eastern Oregon to working for the Forest Service and eventually making the leap into full-time photography. Along the way we talk about mentorship, breaking into the outdoor industry, and why relationships matter more than talent early in your career.

The conversation also explores something that doesn’t get talked about enough: the tension between documenting the hunt and actually experiencing it. In a world full of influencers and constant content, Sam made a deliberate choice to stay behind the camera and focus on the craft rather than building a personal brand around dead animals and social media validation.

We also get into the art of capturing real moments in the mountains, the difference between filming your own hunts versus having someone document them, and why some of the most powerful stories in hunting might still be told through writing and print rather than short digital films.

This is a thoughtful conversation about creativity, authenticity, and staying grounded in an industry that’s changing fast.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the lens of the best hunt films and photos in the industry — this episode is for you.

Sam Averett

https://www.samaverett.com/

Jay Nichol

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Monday Mar 02, 2026

EP 294 - MSR Pocket Rocket vs MSR WindBurner | Ultralight vs Efficiency – Which Stove Wins?

Monday Mar 02, 2026

Is an ultralight backpacking stove really lighter when you factor in the extra fuel it burns? In this video, I put the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 head-to-head against the MSR WindBurner to find out. I ran extensive lab tests, measured fuel efficiency, compared total system weights, and looked at real-world packability to help you decide which stove is best for your backcountry hunts and backpacking trips.

Whether you’re a hunter shaving ounces for a goat hunt, or a backpacker planning a 10-day alpine trip, this review gives you the data and context you need to make the right call.

If you enjoy in-depth, no-nonsense gear breakdowns, subscribe for more content like this.

Chapters / Timestamps

0:00 – Is ultralight really lighter?
0:18 – The contenders: Pocket Rocket 2 vs WindBurner
0:37 – My experience with both systems
1:12 – Stove & pot weight breakdown
2:05 – Why I chose the Oli Camp XT pot
2:32 – Total system weight comparison
2:43 – Testing setup & protocols
3:29 – Fuel burn results (Pocket Rocket vs WindBurner)
4:22 – Realities of flame control in the field
5:23 – What the data means for hunters
5:42 – Packability & wind performance
6:56 – System weight vs fuel weight trade-off
8:19 – My go-to stove for most hunts
9:23 – When the Pocket Rocket makes sense
10:14 – Why the WindBurner stands out in the field
11:20 – Final thoughts & viewer Q&A

Jay Nichol
jay@mindfulhunter.com
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/

Thursday Feb 26, 2026

EP 293 – The Importance of Storytelling in Modern Hunting with Robby Denning

Thursday Feb 26, 2026

In this episode, I sit down with Robby Denning for a raw and honest conversation about storytelling, hunting, and what really matters.

We dive deep into how hunting stories shaped us growing up — from books and campfire tales to modern films and YouTube. Are we telling better stories today? Or have we lost something in the shift toward short-form content and constant cameras?

We talk about:

Why written stories hit differently than video
The evolution of hunting content over the last 15 years
Ego, burnout, and the pressure to always create
Finding balance between documenting the hunt and being present
Mentorship, community, and the mistake of going it alone
Recovery, masculinity, and how the outdoors can reshape a man

This isn’t a gear episode. It’s a conversation about identity, legacy, and why storytelling might be the most important thing hunters can do right now — especially as ballot initiatives and public perception continue to shape the future of our lifestyle.

Robbie Denning

Jay Nichol

Forged In The Backcountry

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