Episodes

5 hours ago
5 hours ago
In this episode, I sit down with Ben and Anthony, two recent clients of Mindful Hunter Outfitting, to walk through their successful spring bear hunt in the mountains of British Columbia.
We talk about how the hunt played out — covering the tough terrain, the glassing strategy, some key decision points, and what it took to get it done in rugged country. It was a classic mountain hunt with a good mix of hard work, quiet moments, and a few unexpected twists along the way.
If you’re interested in the realities of guided hunts, hunting BC’s backcountry, or just want to hear a couple of guys share their experience without the fluff, this one’s worth a listen.
No fluff. No hype. Just an honest conversation about what matters in the mountains.
Jay Nichol
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

Friday May 23, 2025
Friday May 23, 2025
In this episode, I sit down with Blake, who succeeded on his bear hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting this week. We dive deep into the full story—how we planned the hunt, the gear we relied on, and the moment it all came together with a mature black bear.
This isn’t just a hunt recap. It’s a candid conversation about mindset, learning curves, and what it’s like to put trust in a guide for the first time. We also break down the specific strategies we used to locate bears in remote country, the calling setup that brought him in, and how the whole experience shaped both of us.
If you’re into raw, real hunting stories with a focus on skill, ethics, and challenge—this one’s for you.
Jay Nichol
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

Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
In this no-holds-barred Q&A episode, I dive into your hunting-related questions straight from Instagram. I give my unfiltered take on the worst supplement brand in the hunting industry and why I think it’s time we stop falling for influencer-driven hype. I also share an update on my latest tattoo—what it means and why I got it. And yes, we get into the weeds on the always controversial topic of shot placement on black bears, especially under real-world hunting conditions. No fluff, no BS—just honest answers, thoughtful critique, and a mindful perspective on all things hunting.
Jay Nichol
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

Thursday May 01, 2025
Thursday May 01, 2025
In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Avery — founder of Rokslide and Shoot2Hunt — for a candid conversation about the evolution of hunting media, rifle culture, and how gear reviews have changed over the past decade. Ryan shares his journey from building one of the most trusted backcountry hunting forums on the internet to launching Shoot2Hunt, a platform built to cut through marketing noise and focus on real-world rifle performance.
We dig into the rise of gear-centric hunting content, the pitfalls of influencer hype, and why community trust still matters. If you’re into precision shooting, backcountry gear, or just want to hear how one hunter built two of the most respected platforms in the space — this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Ryan Avery
https://www.instagram.com/avery_adventures/
Jay Nichol
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

Friday Apr 25, 2025
Friday Apr 25, 2025
In this episode, we sit down with Tanner Danish, founder of Frontiersmen Gear, to talk about what it really takes to build a hunting business with integrity. From navigating the hype-driven world of outdoor marketing to staying grounded in craftsmanship and customer trust, Tanner shares hard-won insights from his journey creating gear that stands up to real backcountry use.
We dig into the early challenges of launching a brand, the importance of saying “no” to shortcuts, and how staying true to your values can actually be a competitive edge. If you’re someone who’s tired of the gimmicks and wants to hear what building something real in the hunting space looks like—this one’s for you.
Topics Covered:
– The origin story of Frontiersmen Gear
– Lessons learned from bootstrapping a brand
– How to earn trust in a skeptical market
– Avoiding the BS in gear design and marketing
– Advice for aspiring creators and entrepreneurs in the hunting industry
Tanner Danish
https://www.instagram.com/frontiersmengear/
Jay Nichol
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

Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
In this episode, we sit down with Monte Clarke for a raw and reflective conversation on the deep self-awareness forged through solo hunting, the quiet rhythm of fly fishing, and the ongoing challenge of fatherhood. Monte shares stories from the backcountry and the riverbank, weaving in lessons learned from time spent in solitude and the parallels between being a mindful hunter and a present father. It’s a grounded, no-BS look at how nature sharpens not just our skills, but our character.
Monte Clarke
https://www.instagram.com/monteclarke/
Jay Nichol
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

Wednesday Apr 09, 2025
EP 228 – Red Stag in Argentina with Brandon Roth
Wednesday Apr 09, 2025
Wednesday Apr 09, 2025
My good buddy Brandon had the opportunity to go down to Argentina and hunt Red Stag, so I had him on the podcast to share the story of his trip.
Brandon Roth
https://www.instagram.com/brandon.roth.hnh.bc/
Jay Nichol
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

Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
I met Sean 15 years ago when I was the sales manager for a high-end health club, and he was a full-time MMA fighter. It’s safe to say we have both lived a lot of life since then. We went deep on this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation, and I hope you do too.
Sean Zubor
https://www.instagram.com/seanzubor/
Jay Nichol
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

Thursday Mar 27, 2025
EP 226 – Catching up with the lads from Oryx Outdoors
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
This week, I sat down with the founders of Oryx Outdoors, a new apparel company focused on designing durable, technical training gear for hunters.
We dive into their personal hunting stories, what pushed them to start an apparel company in a saturated market, and the real challenges of designing clothing that works when it matters most.
Oryx Outdoors
https://www.instagram.com/oryxoutdoors_official/
Jay Nichol
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

Friday Mar 21, 2025
EP 225 – Solocast Q&A: My Complete Archery and Rifle Setups for 2025
Friday Mar 21, 2025
Friday Mar 21, 2025
Time for another Q&A episode. This week I answer questions about both my archery and rifle setups for 2025.
🎯 GIVEAWAY ALERT! Every $5 you spend on merch at https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ gets you 1 entry to win a Swarovski 85mm Spotting Scope.
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
Jay Nichol
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