This episode features Hamilton Boykin, the Product and Training Manager for Leica, with seventeen years of experience at the company.

With his wealth of experience in the optics industry, not just with Leica, Hamilton lays out the key points of differentiation between Leica and the vast number of options on the market today. Hamilton brings a measured, honest approach to the show and takes us inside the optics industry so you can make the best decision possible when it comes time to invest in whatever optics you need for whatever species you hunt.

NOTABLE QUOTES:

"Don't trust the specs, trust your eyes."

@leicahuntingusa

---------------------------

DEALS & PARTNERS:

For over 100 years Leica has set the standard for premium optics. From spotting scopes to binoculars, rifle scopes and the new CRF MAX rangefinders, Leica is the choice for those who accept no compromises.

Don't miss out on Canada's best mountain hunting and conservation expo! The 2026 Wild Sheep Society of BC's Salute to Conservation Mountain Hunting Expo will sell out fast. Get your tickets now!

onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters. Get your FREE trial today. If you're already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.

Tired of gut rotting instant coffee? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for when you're in the backcountry or on the road.

---------------------------

SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:

Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.

Go to Wild Sheep Society of BC to become a member, enter raffles, buy merch and support BC's wild sheep populations.

SUPPORT MOUNTAIN GOATS:

Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.

For the first show of 2026, the focus is on current conversation trends and the ongoing fight to preserve the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

John has been on the podcast before, and as a key leader at HOWL, he brings a ton of experience to the show, both in the field and in fighting conservation battles across North America.

A crucial and timely topic he covers is the current opportunity to have wolves de-listed federally (in the U.S.) so that states and regional wildlife managers can do what's right for their jurisdictions and the wildlife and people in those jurisdictions.

NOTABLE QUOTES:

"You can spend $2,000 on a bow each year, you can buy a $7,000 long range rifle, but you can't spend $30 a year to protect what it is that you spent all this money to do in the first place?"

@howl_org

@johnstallone

SUPPORT DE-LISTING WOLVES

JOIN HOWL FOR WILDLIFE

---------------------------

DEALS & PARTNERS:

For over 100 years Leica has set the standard for premium optics. From spotting scopes to binoculars, rifle scopes and the new CRF MAX rangefinders, Leica is the choice for those who accept no compromises.

Don't miss out on Canada's best mountain hunting and conservation expo! The 2026 Wild Sheep Society of BC's Salute to Conservation Mountain Hunting Expo will sell out fast. Get your tickets now!

onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters. Get your FREE trial today. If you're already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.

Tired of gut rotting instant coffee? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for when you're in the backcountry or on the road.

---------------------------

SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:

Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.

Go to Wild Sheep Society of BC to become a member, enter raffles, buy merch and support BC's wild sheep populations.

SUPPORT MOUNTAIN GOATS:

Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.

Tanner Dannish, a regular on BTK and the owner and founder of Frontiersmen Gear, returns for a breakdown of the Ram Awards that will be part of the Wild Sheep Society of BC's convention schedule for 2026.

With an eye towards hunting heritage and a clear conservation ethos behind the awards being presented, Tanner unpacks why he felt it was important to bring these awards back to the BC mountain hunting community and how they're different from many of the awards given out at other conventions.

Later in the show, the topic of failure and what makes a hunt a truly successful hunt is debated.

NOTABLE QUOTES:

"When you look at the quality of animals that we have and the amount of hunting you can do here in BC, it's a very special place, so we're trying to honour that."

@wildsheepsocietybc

@frontiersmengear

LINK TO AWARDS SUBMISSIONS AND NOMINATIONS

REGISTER FOR THE 2026 MOUNTAIN HUNTING EXPO

REGISTER FOR THE 2026 NORTHERN FUNDRAISER

---------------------------

DEALS & PARTNERS:

For over 100 years Leica has set the standard for premium optics. From spotting scopes to binoculars, rifle scopes and the new CRF MAX rangefinders, Leica is the choice for those who accept no compromises.

Don't miss out on Canada's best mountain hunting and conservation expo! The 2026 Wild Sheep Society of BC's Salute to Conservation Mountain Hunting Expo will sell out fast. Get your tickets now!

onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters. Get your FREE trial today. If you're already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.

Tired of gut rotting instant coffee? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for when you're in the backcountry or on the road.

---------------------------

SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:

Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.

Go to Wild Sheep Society of BC to become a member, enter raffles, buy merch and support BC's wild sheep populations.

SUPPORT MOUNTAIN GOATS:

Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.

In the early months of 2026, the Wild Sheep Society of BC will yet again be hosting two of the best events in the mountain and backcountry hunting and conservation space: their Northern Fundraiser and Mountain Hunting Expo & Salute to Conservation.

Kyle Stelter, CEO of the WSSBC, hopped on the mics to chat about these incredible events and all the reasons to attend. Whether you're new to the mountain hunting space or a seasoned backpack hunter, there is simply no question that these shows are more than worth the price of admission. If you live in an adjacent province or state and love mountain and backcountry hunting, these events are not to be missed.

NOTABLE QUOTES:

"There are ton of great shows out there, but we really wanted to focus on that mountain hunting community, and we've been true to that."

@wildsheepsocietybc

REGISTER FOR THE 2026 MOUNTAIN HUNTING EXPO

REGISTER FOR THE 2026 NORTHERN FUNDRAISER

---------------------------

DEALS & PARTNERS:

For over 100 years Leica has set the standard for premium optics. From spotting scopes to binoculars, rifle scopes and the new CRF MAX rangefinders, Leica is the choice for those who accept no compromises.

Don't miss out on Canada's best mountain hunting and conservation expo! The 2026 Wild Sheep Society of BC's Salute to Conservation Mountain Hunting Expo will sell out fast. Get your tickets now!

onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters. Get your FREE trial today. If you're already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.

Tired of gut rotting instant coffee? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for when you're in the backcountry or on the road.

---------------------------

SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:

Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.

Go to Wild Sheep Society of BC to become a member, enter raffles, buy merch and support BC's wild sheep populations.

SUPPORT MOUNTAIN GOATS:

Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.

After ruffling more than a few feathers a couple episodes back, Nolan Osborne returns to expand on the pointed opinions voiced as it relates to rifles, shooting, ethics, tech, and gear.

NOTABLE QUOTES:

"At what point do we actually just advance so far with technology that regulations are going to be altered to decrease our opportunities?"

@nmo

Terminus Mountain Outfitters

Alpine Riflecraft

---------------------------

DEALS & PARTNERS:

For over 100 years Leica has set the standard for premium optics. From spotting scopes to binoculars, rifle scopes and the new CRF MAX rangefinders, Leica is the choice for those who accept no compromises.

Don't miss out on Canada's best mountain hunting and conservation expo! The 2026 Wild Sheep Society of BC's Salute to Conservation Mountain Hunting Expo will sell out fast. Get your tickets now!

onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters. Get your FREE trial today. If you're already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.

Tired of gut rotting instant coffee? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for when you're in the backcountry or on the road.

---------------------------

SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:

Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.

Go to Wild Sheep Society of BC to become a member, enter raffles, buy merch and support BC's wild sheep populations.

SUPPORT MOUNTAIN GOATS:

Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.

On this episode, Sam Hodson, President of BC's LandQuest® Realty Corporation, unpacks how to achieve the dream of owning a rural or recreational property and why, in most cases, land is an investment you won't ever regret.

Sam is also an avid hunter and outdoorsman and shares a great Roosevelt elk hunting story to kick off the episode.

From recreational hunting and fishing properties to leaving the city to live on that rural property you've always dreamed of, Sam covers the ins and outs of how to make owning a piece of land in BC, regardless of where you live, a reality.

NOTABLE QUOTES:

"The best time to buy something is right now."

@landquestrealty

LANDQUEST.COM

---------------------------

DEALS & PARTNERS:

For over 100 years Leica has set the standard for premium optics. From spotting scopes to binoculars, rifle scopes and the new CRF MAX rangefinders, Leica is the choice for those who accept no compromises.

Don't miss out on Canada's best mountain hunting and conservation expo! The 2026 Wild Sheep Society of BC's Salute to Conservation Mountain Hunting Expo will sell out fast. Get your tickets now!

onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters. Get your FREE trial today. If you're already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.

Tired of gut rotting instant coffee? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for when you're in the backcountry or on the road.

---------------------------

SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:

Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.

Go to Wild Sheep Society of BC to become a member, enter raffles, buy merch and support BC's wild sheep populations.

SUPPORT MOUNTAIN GOATS:

Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.

On this episode, the enigmatic Nolan Osborne is back. Fresh off his guiding season in Northern BC, we get some stories but, more than anything else, a salty guide rant about what makes a truly versatile hunting rifle and why he thinks the community may be losing the plot when it comes to choosing what to take afield.

NOTABLE QUOTES:

"Whatever happened to being comfortable shooting a rifle that didn't have a 17-ounce trigger, that didn't weigh f&#king ten pounds, didn't have a muzzle brake on it, and actually having some fundamentals with something that's not basically a cheat code."

@nmo

Terminus Mountain Outfitters

Alpine Riflecraft

---------------------------

DEALS & PARTNERS:

For over 100 years Leica has set the standard for premium optics. From spotting scopes to binoculars, rifle scopes and the new CRF MAX rangefinders, Leica is the choice for those who accept no compromises.

Don't miss out on Canada's best mountain hunting and conservation expo! The 2026 Wild Sheep Society of BC's Salute to Conservation Mountain Hunting Expo will sell out fast. Get your tickets now!

onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters. Get your FREE trial today. If you're already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.

Tired of gut rotting instant coffee? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for when you're in the backcountry or on the road.

---------------------------

SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:

Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.

Go to Wild Sheep Society of BC to become a member, enter raffles, buy merch and support BC's wild sheep populations.

SUPPORT MOUNTAIN GOATS:

Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.

On this episode, Dagan Van Oosten, one of the co-founders of Nomadic Research shares the story behind the brand and their incredibly well-priced and well-built products.

There is no shortage of options in today's outdoor gear market. But, how do you really know whether you're buying something that will live up to the marketing hype and promises? Are you really getting what you paid for or being duped by buzzwords and slick content?

If you've never heard of Nomadic Research, it's a brand that's worth a hard look, especially if your lifestyle spans a variety of outdoor pursuits and adventures. Dagan and his co-founder are proof that when you put the end-user first, good things happen.

NOTABLE QUOTES:

"What Matt and I are trying to do is build a brand but moreover trust, and gain trust in our followers, in our customers and build that community through that trust."

@nomadic_research

@realhubb_mccann

---------------------------

DEALS & PARTNERS:

For over 100 years Leica has set the standard for premium optics. From spotting scopes to binoculars, rifle scopes and the new CRF MAX rangefinders, Leica is the choice for those who accept no compromises.

Don't miss out on Canada's best mountain hunting and conservation expo! The 2026 Wild Sheep Society of BC's Salute to Conservation Mountain Hunting Expo will sell out fast. Get your tickets now!

onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters. Get your FREE trial today. If you're already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.

Tired of gut rotting instant coffee? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for when you're in the backcountry or on the road.

---------------------------

SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:

Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.

Go to Wild Sheep Society of BC to become a member, enter raffles, buy merch and support BC's wild sheep populations.

SUPPORT MOUNTAIN GOATS:

Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.

On this episode, Alaska resident and avid backcountry hunter, Paul Forward, shares some of the concerning conservation issues occurring in his home state, in particular in and around the world-famous Brooks Range.

The tension between economic development and opportunity and protecting the wild places and species that inhabit those wild places isn't new. The North American Model of Conservation proves we can find a compromise. But, as populations grow and resource independence becomes more and more important for both the US and Canada, what legacy will our generation of hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts leave for our children and grandchildren?

LEARN MORE & TAKE ACTION

NOTABLE QUOTES:

"There needs to be some limitation and pushback and protection in place, and that was the message that hunters brought to the world from North America. It started here and spread out to the rest of the planet."

@paulforward

---------------------------

DEALS & PARTNERS:

For over 100 years Leica has set the standard for premium optics. From spotting scopes to binoculars, rifle scopes and the new CRF MAX rangefinders, Leica is the choice for those who accept no compromises.

Don't miss out on Canada's best mountain hunting and conservation expo! The 2026 Wild Sheep Society of BC's Salute to Conservation Mountain Hunting Expo will sell out fast. Get your tickets now!

onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters. Get your FREE trial today. If you're already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.

Tired of gut rotting instant coffee? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for when you're in the backcountry or on the road.

---------------------------

SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:

Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.

Go to Wild Sheep Society of BC to become a member, enter raffles, buy merch and support BC's wild sheep populations.

SUPPORT MOUNTAIN GOATS:

Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.

On this episode, founder and owner of Frontiersmen Gear, Tanner Dannish is back to talk about some of his Northern BC adventures from the 2025 hunting season, including a boat-based moose and goat hunt story that is especially entertaining.

Big T also covers some of the gear that impressed him over this season's hunts, how he approaches gear decisions, and more importantly how he chooses what companies to support when it's time to upgrade or replace something in your kit.

NOTABLE QUOTES:

"I'm not a boat guy, but I've come to know that there are certain lakes in the north that just get windy, especially late in the season, and they blow up."

@frontiersmengear

---------------------------

DEALS & PARTNERS:

For over 100 years Leica has set the standard for premium optics. From spotting scopes to binoculars, rifle scopes and the new CRF MAX rangefinders, Leica is the choice for those who accept no compromises.

Don't miss out on Canada's best mountain hunting and conservation expo! The 2026 Wild Sheep Society of BC's Salute to Conservation Mountain Hunting Expo will sell out fast. Get your tickets now!

onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters. Get your FREE trial today. If you're already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.

Tired of gut rotting instant coffee? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for when you're in the backcountry or on the road.

---------------------------

SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:

Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.

Go to Wild Sheep Society of BC to become a member, enter raffles, buy merch and support BC's wild sheep populations.

SUPPORT MOUNTAIN GOATS:

Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.