I am joined by Tanis Barkman, a mountain hunting guide and enthusiast for all things adventures. In addition to sharing the most epic story of a shattered foot on a hunt, Tanis shares her passion for guiding in the mountains and the expectations and challenges of achieving success as a guide. Tanis shares their personal journey of becoming a hunter. Tanis discusses the pressure of once-in-a-lifetime hunts and the types of hunting clients. The conversation touches on the drive for bigger and better animals, filling the freezer, and transitioning from hunting to guiding. 

The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. The app is an essential tool to make you more comfortable in the woods. The mapping layers, navigation tools and hunting regulations are all packed into the app to give you the info you need on your next adventure. 

This episode is supported by BC Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BCBHA). The BCBHA is a young conservation organization dedicated to protecting wild places and critters that live in these wild places. Come out to a local event and get to know the BCBHA community. 

As always, Seek Outside brought this podcast to you. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase.

We also get support from our friends at West Coast Kitchen Canada. So stock up for the adventure season and use the discount code EATWILD.

You can stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on the purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase.  Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.

Podcast Takeaways:

• Guides have off-season activities and participate in other hunts during the year.

• Desert sheep hunts in Baja offer a unique and exciting experience.

• Tanis desires to guide in new locations and is open to any kind of adventure.

• The accident during the hunt for the mega ram was a traumatic experience for Tanis.

• Seek Outside's Courthouse tent is a game-changing gear for backcountry hunting.

• Sheep ribs are Tanis' most memorable backcountry meal. The rib roll is a unique method of preparing rib meat that involves cutting the rib roll into small squares and boiling them in soup broth for several hours.

• Celebratory beers are a common tradition among hunters to mark accomplishments and enjoy the moment.

• Coastal goat hunting in the BC West Coast offers a dream hunt experience with untouched wilderness and challenging terrain.

• The drive to hunt and pursue animals is a powerful force that motivates hunters to endure challenging conditions and push their limits.

Podcast Chapters:

00:00 The Bro Mentality and Hunting in Small Towns
03:23 The Vulnerability of Humans in the Wilderness
06:10 Discovering a Passion for Hunting
09:59 The Emotions of Hunting and Guiding
14:23 Different Types of Hunting Clients
17:34 Guiding Clients with Different Goals
19:17 The Pressure of Once-in-a-Lifetime Hunts
22:08 The Drive for Bigger and Better Animals
25:00 Hunting for Experience and Selectivity
28:20 The Importance of Filling the Freezer
33:31 Transitioning from Hunting to Guiding
34:00 The Year of a Hunting Guide
34:57 Off-season activities and other hunts
37:16 Desert sheep hunts in Baja
38:29 Desire to guide in new locations
38:45 The accident and the hunt for the mega ram
46:45 The accident and its aftermath
54:25 The game-changing gear: Seek Outside's Courthouse tent
01:05:46 Most memorable backcountry meal: Sheep ribs
01:06:44 Rib Roll and Asados
01:08:05 Celebratory Beers
01:09:17 Dream Hunt: Coastal Goats
01:12:04 Challenging Hunts and the Hunter's Drive