The Mindful Hunter Podcast

A deep dive into a mindful perspective on the discipline of hunting.

The Mindful Hunter Podcast is a sports podcast hosted by Jay Nichol, with 333 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Jay Nichol hosts The Mindful Hunter Podcast, a sports show with 333 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #334

  EP 327 – Are You Wasting Your Time E-Scouting? The Truth About Hunting Sows & More: Solocast Q&A

  Aug 10, 20261h 1m

  We are back after a month and a half hiatus! In this solo Q&A episode, Jay tackles some of the most controversial and highly requested topics from the Mindful Hunter audience. First up, Jay breaks down the new arrow ballistics study and explains why 90% of hunters are wasting their time agonizing over FOC and vane configuration instead of just practicing under pressure. Then, he dives into a highly debated topic: why bear hunters need to stop avoiding sows if they actually care about predator control. We also cover the reality of E-Scouting (and why it might be a massive waste of your time if you aren't doing boots-on-the-ground validation), the exact paperwork you need to bring wild game meat across the US/Canada border, and why the Outdoor Vitals box-baffle down jacket failed the wash test. Finally, Jay drops a huge announcement about the official launch of Mindful Munitions and the final open spot for the 2027 Mexico Coues deer hunt. MEXICO COUES DEER: One spot left for a guided Coues deer hunt in Mexico in Jan/Feb 2027. All-inclusive, fully guided. Email jay@mindfulhunter.com to claim it. MINDFUL MUNITIONS: Launching next week! Rok Stocks, EXO packs, Wiser Precision, ASC, Full Frame Outdoors, and more — all shipping within Canada with no duties. Stay tuned for the massive launch giveaway. Timed Chapters 0:00:00 Intro: Where I've Been & The "Feel It To Make It" Rule 0:01:10 Mexico Coues Deer Hunt Update (1 Spot Left) 0:02:06 BC Bear Outfitting & Mindful Munitions Launch Announcement 0:05:12 The New Arrow Ballistics Study: Does It Actually Matter? 0:09:05 Fall Bear vs. Spring Bear: Which is Better? 0:10:22 The Best Spotting Scope for High Country Mule Deer (Kowa 88 vs. Swarovski) 0:13:18 How to Tell a Boar from a Sow (The Ankle Test) 0:14:42 The Controversy: Why Bear Hunters SHOULD Be Shooting Sows 0:18:20 The Best BC Towns for Raising a Hunting Family 0:19:46 Why Every BC Hunter Needs Top Notch Navigator 0:21:50 Mule Deer vs. Whitetail: Which Would You Choose? 0:22:36 The Best "Stupid" Gear: Flextail Pump & Yates Jack Pad 0:26:28 Tricer Bipod: Why I Switched Back to the Short Legs 0:28:33 The Outdoor Vitals Down Jacket Wash Failure Explained 0:31:11 How to Legally Bring Meat and Skulls Across the US/Canada Border 0:34:58 Bullet Velocity vs. Weight: 130gr TMK vs. 250gr SPT 0:36:09 Why E-Scouting is Overrated (And What You Should Do Instead) 0:40:09 Do You Actually Need Cushion in Your Hunting Socks? 0:44:11 Solo Shelter Recommendations for Alaska Moose/Caribou 0:46:36 Spring Bear Elevation Strategy: Chasing the Snow Line 0:53:01 Looking for Aoudad Leases in Texas & Mexico 0:53:53 Will I Keep Using the MDT Carbon Stock? 0:54:59 How to Shoot RAW Video for Digiscoping 0:56:08 My Favorite Sleeper Gear: The Zpacks 7x9 Tarp 0:57:59 Will I Ever Design a Hunting Boot? 0:58:39 Best 65mm Spotting Scope Recommendation 0:59:09 Outro & Upcoming Content 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 Free Training Guide For Mountain Hunting https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

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  Episode #333

  EP 326 - The Truth About Training for Mountain Hunting

  Jul 17, 202634 min

  DOWNLOAD THE FREE 4-MONTH TRAINING PLAN PDF: 👉 https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools 🎁 THE ULTIMATE GUIDED HUNT GIVEAWAY: Every $5 spent at Forged in the Backcountry (including the new camo Forged Base Boxers) earns one entry to win an all-expenses-paid custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting. You pick the hunt: BC Black Bear or Mule Deer, Alberta Archery Mule Deer, or Rifle Coues Deer in Mexico. 👉 https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ The truth about backcountry hunting fitness. If you are doing CrossFit, high-intensity intervals, or heavy lifting to get ready for the mountains, you might actually be hurting your performance. In this video, I break down the 10 core principles of mountain endurance, heavily inspired by the groundbreaking book Training for the Uphill Athlete. Learn why cardiovascular capacity isn't the real goal, why you need to build a fat-burning aerobic engine, and why "Zone 2" is the secret to endless energy in the backcountry. Whether you're training for an elk hunt, a sheep hunt, or just want to carry a heavy pack without gassing out, this is the exact system I use to spend 140 days a year in the field at 47 years old. What we cover in this video: Why "Metcon" workouts create Aerobic Deficiency Syndrome The 80/20 rule for Zone 2 training How to build Muscular Endurance (ME) with heavy rucking Why having too much muscle mass hurts mountain performance A complete 16-week periodized training plan The best cardio machines if you live in a flat or urban area If you want to arrive at the trailhead fresh, durable, and capable without paying for a monthly fitness subscription—this video is for you. Chapters: 00:00 - Why Most Hunting Fitness Programs Are Flawed 01:01 - The Book That Changed My Endurance Training 02:40 - Principle 1: Endurance is a Metabolic Problem 06:50 - Principle 2: Zone 2 is the Foundation 09:01 - Principle 3: Specificity is King (The SAID Principle) 10:25 - Principle 4: Muscular Endurance is the Secret Weapon 11:44 - Principle 5: Continuity and Gradualness 12:33 - Principle 6: Periodize Your Training Year 13:30 - Principle 7: Separate Aerobic and Anaerobic Work 16:01 - Principle 8: Respect Global Fatigue Cost 17:25 - Principle 9: Avoid the Gym Bro Trap 19:11 - Principle 10: Train to Hunt, Don't Hunt to Train 21:15 - How Fatigue Destroys Your Marksmanship Accuracy 23:15 - Free 4-Month Backcountry Training Plan Breakdown 26:33 - No Mountains? The Best Cardio Machines for Hunters Reels 5:00 – condense video and frustrated with other programs Jake Downs https://www.instagram.com/jake_d_downs/ 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 May 17, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on July 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST. There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) A custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting including travel and tip (APR) $$10,000.00 CAD); Skill testing question required. 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. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before contest closes. No limit on entries. For full rules and entry details visit: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/blogs/resources/the-ultimate-custom-guided-hunt-giveaway-open-until-july-17-2026

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  Episode #332

  EP 325 – 25 Creedmoor, Negative Comb Stocks & The Future of Precision Hunting Rifles with Jaden from West Elk Precision

  Jul 9, 20261h 35m

  This week Jay sits down with Jaden from West Elk Precision to nerd out on all things custom rifles, precision shooting, and long-range hunting. Jaden shares his journey from a Colorado kid hunting with a factory Remington 700 to attending gunsmithing school and launching his own custom rifle shop focused on the rapidly growing pre-fit barrel market. They dive deep into the philosophy of building the perfect hybrid hunting/competition rifle, the rise of the 25 Creedmoor, and why negative comb stocks are going to change the way hunters shoot. Jay also shares his controversial take on why you should never buy a mid-tier spotting scope, and they discuss how shooting NRL Hunter matches with heavy gear can actually make you more lethal in the backcountry. Whether you're looking to upgrade your factory Tikka with a pre-fit barrel, trying to figure out barrel break-in procedures, or just want to know how to build a better shooting position using a tripod as a rear rest, this episode is packed with actionable advice for the precision-minded hunter. 🎁 THE GIVEAWAY: Only three weeks left! Every $5 spent at Forged in the Backcountry earns you one entry to win a fully custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting — BC Black Bear or Mule Deer, Alberta Archery Mule Deer, or Rifle Coues Deer in Mexico. 🏕️ OUTFITTING: Mindful Hunter Outfitting South is now live — fully guided rifle Coues deer hunts on private ranches in Old Mexico during the rut. Just get yourself to Tucson and we handle everything else. Email jay@mindfulhunter.com for details. 🏕️ 2026 BC OPENINGS: Jay just opened four new spots — Archery Mule Deer, Early Season Alpine Mule Deer, Alpine Black Bear, and a late September Float Bear hunt. Email j@mindfulhunter.com to book. Timed Chapters 0:00:00 Intro & The Final Week of the Giveaway 0:01:11 Meet Jaden: Colorado Mule Deer & Gunsmithing School 0:15:21 What Does "Blueprinting an Action" Actually Mean? 0:23:28 Launching West Elk Precision & The Pre-Fit Barrel Market 0:30:29 The New "Hybrid" Guided Hunter 0:33:29 Why You Should Never Buy a Mid-Tier Spotting Scope 0:40:15 Top Scope Recommendations for 600-Yard Hunting 0:47:44 Rifle Barrels: Contours, Carbon Fiber vs. Steel, and Weight 0:55:07 Why You Need to Spot Your Own Shots (Recoil Management) 0:58:11 The Future of Rifle Stocks: Negative Comb Explained 1:00:52 Building a Hybrid Rifle for NRL Hunter Matches 1:11:00 Using a Tripod as a Rear Rest (Modified Prone) 1:12:42 Why You Should Carry a 1-Pound Shooting Bag on a Hunt 1:16:08 How to Build a Shooting Position Correctly 1:20:06 Caliber Talk: Is the 25 Creedmoor the Sweet Spot? 1:31:20 Barrel Break-In & Cleaning Philosophy 1:34:25 Outro & Where to Find West Elk PrecisionJay Nichol Jaden Miller https://www.instagram.com/west_elk_precision/ https://westelkprecision.com/ 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 Free Training Guide For Mountain Hunting https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools Forged Ultimate Guided Hunt Sweepstakes No purchase required. Contest begins on May 17, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on July 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST. There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) A custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting including travel and tip (APR) $$10,000.00 CAD); Skill testing question required. 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. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before contest closes. No limit on entries. For full rules and entry details visit: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/blogs/resources/the-ultimate-custom-guided-hunt-giveaway-open-until-july-17-2026

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #331

  EP 324 - Outdoor Vitals Hybrid Pursuit Fleece vs. Sitka Ambient: Field Tested Review

  Jul 6, 202613 min

  There is only two weeks left in The Ultimate Custom Guided Hunt giveaway from Forged In The Backcountry. Head on over to https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ and for every $5 you spend, you will get one entry to win an all-expenses-paid custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting In this final instalment of the Outdoor Vitals Mountain Pursuit series, I review the Hybrid Pursuit Fleece, a dynamic insulation piece designed for all-season use. How does it stack up against the Sitka Ambient—my long-time favourite? I dig deep into warmth, layering performance, sizing tips, and long-term durability. If you’re serious about technical layering for backcountry hunts, you won’t want to miss this. 🧠 Honest. Unbiased. Field-tested. 🧢 Visit: https://mindful-reviews.com for in-depth gear analysis & support the channel. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 - Intro & Review Series Recap 00:20 - Hybrid Pursuit vs Sitka Ambient 00:45 - Specs & Materials Breakdown 01:49 - Price & Athletic Fit Overview 02:04 - Body-Mapped Fabric Design 03:21 - Real-World Performance 04:13 - Moisture Management & Layering 05:04 - Warmth Comparison to Sitka Ambient 06:00 - Durability & Early Signs of Pilling 06:45 - Fit Tips & Sizing Walkthrough 09:01 - Why Fit Impacts Performance 10:15 - Final Thoughts & Long-Term Use 11:06 - Support & Outro 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

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #330

  EP 323 – The Brutal Reality of Hunter Marksmanship These Days: Bear Guiding Season Wrap-Up with Jay & Dimitri

  Jul 2, 20261h 36m

  After seven straight weeks of guiding spring black bears in British Columbia, Jay sits down with Mindful Hunter Outfitting guide Dimitri to wrap up the season. It was a grind of a year — 18 clients, endless rain, and some truly brutal pack-outs — but the final tally tells the story: 11 bears killed, 3 wounded, and 6 missed. In this episode, Jay and Dimitri break down the week-by-week action, from tracking down a 20-year-old toothless boar to packing out triple-digit loads in the dark. But the most important takeaway from the season is a harsh reality check on hunter marksmanship. They discuss why a 50% hit rate is probably the industry average, the importance of practicing off-hand and uncomfortable shots, and the controversial fact that every single miss in camp this year came from a hunter using a chassis rifle. The bottom line? Stop worrying about upgrading your gear and start putting in the reps. 🎁 THE GIVEAWAY: Only three weeks left! Every $5 spent at Forged in the Backcountry earns you one entry to win a fully custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting — BC Black Bear or Mule Deer, Alberta Archery Mule Deer, or Rifle Coues Deer in Mexico. 🏕️ OUTFITTING: Mindful Hunter Outfitting South is now live — fully guided rifle Coues deer hunts on private ranches in Old Mexico during the rut. Just get yourself to Tucson and we handle everything else. Email jay@mindfulhunter.com for details. 🏕️ 2026 BC OPENINGS: Jay just opened four new spots — Archery Mule Deer, Early Season Alpine Mule Deer, Alpine Black Bear, and a late September Float Bear hunt. Email j@mindfulhunter.com to book. 0:00:00 Intro, Mexico Coues Hunts & Giveaway Updates 0:01:23 Meet Dimitri: From Fish Guiding to Bear Camp 0:03:29 Growing Up Hunting the Traditional BC Way 0:12:00 The Transition to Hunting Guide & The Client Experience 0:44:51 The Reality of Wounded Bears & Missed Shots 0:47:12 Spiking Out & Daryl's Monster Cutblock Bear 0:52:32 Tom's Bear & The Brutal Midnight Pack-Out 1:01:35 Week 5: Freezing Rain, Slide Alder & Peter's Heart Shot 1:07:31 Quinlan's Close Calls & The 115-Yard Miss 1:12:47 Week 6: Why Unprepared Hunters Miss Easy Shots 1:15:49 Week 7: Bo's 20-Year-Old Toothless Bear 1:20:24 Scott's First Bear & Why Trophy Size Doesn't Matter 1:23:37 The Final Stats: 11 Dead, 9 Missed or Wounded 1:25:14 Why Every Single Miss Came From a Chassis Rifle 1:28:13 The Mental Grind of Guiding 7 Weeks Straight 1:32:24 Stop Buying New Gear & Learn to Shoot 1:34:08 Outro & Final Hunt Openings 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 Free Training Guide For Mountain Hunting https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools Forged Ultimate Guided Hunt Sweepstakes No purchase required. Contest begins on May 17, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on July 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST. There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) A custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting including travel and tip (APR) $$10,000.00 CAD); Skill testing question required. 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. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before contest closes. No limit on entries. For full rules and entry details visit: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/blogs/resources/the-ultimate-custom-guided-hunt-giveaway-open-until-july-17-2026

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