In May 2024 I was able to spend an incredible 3 weeks hunting in New Zealand. For the second part of my trip I decided not to take any recording gear and just concentrate on hunting. I made a number of notes along the way so this is the recap from those. I hope my learnings help with anyone considering doing a hunt in NZ

On my trip to NZ I used products from my podcast partners and highly recommend these;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.skeletonoptics.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ontrackmeals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

Insta: @australian_hunting_backcountry

E: [email protected]

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

In May 2024 I was able to spend an incredible 3 weeks hunting in New Zealand and in between hunts, I was very fortunate to be able to meet up with the two young lads from @theweekendmish. Raz and Gabe are absolutely knocking it out of the park with their hunting and success in this world. We had a really fun chat and I would loved to have stayed longer but their schedule was tight so I slipped in for as long as I could and then moved on to my next hunting location. I'm really looking forward to seeing what these young men are up to next. They have some amazing videos on YouTube so be sure to check them all out (if you haven't already).

My 'friend of the podcast' in this episode is Shaun from Alpine Beards (@alpine_beards_australia). This small business based in Albury, NSW, and is making some really interesting mens products - aimed at those of us with facial hair in need of some TLC. I am all for treating my beard and smelling nice so as a special treat, podcast listeners can get 20% off using the code "AHB20" for a limited time. With a money back guarantee - what have you got to lose. https://alpinebeardsaustralia.com.au

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast partners;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au

⁠⁠⁠⁠www.skeletonoptics.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ontrackmeals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

Insta: @australian_hunting_backcountry

E: [email protected]

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

In May 2024 I was able to spend nearly 3 weeks in New Zealand chasing Tahr and Chamois on my own. This is from my first hunt which was up the Copland River on the west coast. The recordings are done in the field and after the hunt so the audio is reflective of my surroundings. Spoiler alert - I didn't get any animals on the ground but I did see a couple of beautiful Tahr bulls.

I wanted to be able to pass on my learnings along the way to help you get over to NZ for a backcountry hunt as this was an absolutely amazing experience. Feel free to ask me any questions you want.

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast partners;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au

⁠⁠⁠www.skeletonoptics.com.au⁠⁠⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ontrackmeals.com⁠⁠⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

Insta: @australian_hunting_backcountry

E: [email protected]

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

With the potential ban on lead core projectiles being a hot topic at the moment, I speak with Nathan & Steph Morris from 'Terminal Ballistics Research' and pick his bran stemming from their extensive research. Nathan is considered a world leading expert in ballistics and published an article on his website titled "Homogenous copper bullets can be inhumane".

Nathan and Steph have an extensive knowledge base on their website and I'd strongly encourage you to visit it for for this topic and many others; www.ballisticstudies.com

On the 'Friend of the Podcast' segment I have been chatting with Mick from 'The Deer School' about the upcoming course running in September to be offered a special discount for listeners who mention the podcast - $150 off the cost of the course. Anyone interested in learning about more successful deer hunting should contact them or check them out @deerschool_melbourne and on Facebook

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast partners;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au

⁠⁠www.skeletonoptics.com.au⁠⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ontrackmeals.com⁠⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

@australian_hunting_backcountry

[email protected]

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

Mental health and firearm ownership is a complex topic to navigate and on this episode I chat with Glen who went through a mental health issue and lost his access to firearms. As a result, Glen made it a personal mission to change how the government treated people in this situation. I'm thankful for people like Glen and his team from Mental Hunts for bringing the focus on this topic in such a measured approach. While they are based in NZ it's still inspiring to hear what they are achieving in changing the mindset of those put in charge to police our weapon ownership. It gives hope that change can be effected in Australia so firearm owners are not faced with similar issues. @mentalhunts or find them on YouTube.

On the 'Friend of the Podcast' segment I travel up the road to the Sunshine Coast and meet up with Matt from RMK Leatherworks. Matt has a hunting background and he and his team make some damn fine leather products - some for shooting/hunting and many other needs outside of this. @rmkleatherworks https://rmkleatherworks.com

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast partners;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au

⁠www.skeletonoptics.com.au⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠⁠www.ontrackmeals.com⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

@australian_hunting_backcountry

[email protected]

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

The topic for this episode is backcountry communication and safety. I talk with Reiny from the Satphone Shop about all things to do with remote communication devices and options. What Reiny doesn't know I'm sure isn't worth knowing and we dive deep into satellite comms. The Satphone shop in Mulgrave, Victoria has a great range of products and supports our hunting community so reach out to them if you're needing something or want to upgrade. @satphoneshop

https://satphoneshop.com

This episode is released in June which is Men's Mental Health month and instead of a 'Friend of the Podcast' segment I want to check in with you all.

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast partners;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au

www.skeletonoptics.com.au

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠www.ontrackmeals.com

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

@australian_hunting_backcountry

[email protected]

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

A Dall's sheep is a dream pinnacle hunt for many hunters. Well, Cait and Tonia from Alaska made it happen. Being residents of Alaska has advantages and in this case Cait drew a coveted tag and Tonia volunteered to go along and help out. The video is available on the YouTube channel of 'Semi Wild Alaska' and I strongly suggest you watch that after listening to the podcast - as well as some of the other amazing hunting and Alaskan adventures they get up to. Follow along with @semiwildalaska @cskcline @tonia_s1

Also on this episode is a great little Aussie business - Aussie Skull Mounts and Designs. Brad and Carlie, along with their metal art, have just released some new products aimed at helping hunters proudly display their trophies without breaking the bank. See for yourselves; https://www.aussieskullmountsanddesigns.com.au

@aussieskullmountsanddesigns

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast partners;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au ⁠⁠https://www.skeletonoptics.com.au/⁠⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠https://ontrackmeals.com/⁠⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

@australian_hunting_backcountry

[email protected]

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

Rick is a NSW based Sambar hunter but had not undertaken a multi-day backpack hunt - until now. Rick and I chatted about gear and prep before the hunt and then caught up after the hunt to break down what worked and what he might change for the next one. Rick is also prepping for a NZ trip later this year.

Rick is also heavily involved in mental health first aid in his workplace and we chat a bit about the benefits of hunting and 'greenspace' to our mental health.

Rick also runs a Facebook group 'NSW Sambar Hunters' that has over 3500 members and growing. They have some merch and run education and hunt events.

Reach out to Rick if you're interested; @tailsntrails8 or via FB.

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast partners;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au ⁠⁠https://www.skeletonoptics.com.au/⁠⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠https://ontrackmeals.com/⁠⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

@australian_hunting_backcountry

[email protected]

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

Lucy and Ben are a unique backcountry hunting duo being father and daughter hunters. Based in New Zealand, they go on some amazing hunting adventures together and Lucy captures a lot of this for her YouTube channel.

Lucy and Ben were in the planning for a Fiordland trip when we recorded this and they would have just returned at the time this episode was released. Follow along at Instagram @lucynilson or YouTube @lucynilson

In the Friends of the Podcast segment, I speak with Lawson from @up_north_adventures_fnq and @wild_game_on_open_flame about the new guided hunts he is offering and their new website www.wgof.com.au

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast partners;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au ⁠⁠https://www.skeletonoptics.com.au/⁠⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠https://ontrackmeals.com/⁠⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

@australian_hunting_backcountry

[email protected]

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

I talk with Josh from Alpine Accuracy around long range shooting and shooting deer from distance - specifically Sambar deer in Vic Alpine Park. Josh is a keen backpack hunter but also produces some lightweight products for the long range hunters.

Contact him via Instagram if you're interested in knowing more or getting hold of some gear; @alpine_accuracy

In the Friends of the Podcast segment, I meet Nick from Bigham Forge. Nick is a firefighter, power lifter and finds times to make custom knives. See some of his handiwork on Instagram @bigham_forge and reach out to him if you're after something special.

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast partners;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au ⁠⁠https://www.skeletonoptics.com.au/⁠⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠https://ontrackmeals.com/⁠⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

@australian_hunting_backcountry

[email protected]

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.