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.

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 [email protected] 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.

Jay Nichol

Forged In The Backcountry

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:

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

[email protected]

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

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.

🏕️ 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 [email protected] to book.

Timed Chapters

Jaden Miller

Forged In The Backcountry

Forged Ultimate Guided Hunt Sweepstakes

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.

⏱️ Chapters

Forged In The Backcountry

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.

🏕️ 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 [email protected] to book.

0:00:00 Intro, Mexico Coues Hunts & Giveaway Updates

Forged In The Backcountry

Forged Ultimate Guided Hunt Sweepstakes

The Outdoor Vitals Vantage Puffy Jacket steps into the ring against the well-established Stone Glacier Grumman. In this in-depth review, I compare warmth, weight, durability, and overall field performance after over 40 days of real-world use across a full hunting season. Whether you’re building a lightweight system or looking for a late-season insulation upgrade, this video breaks down which jacket makes sense — and when.

🧠 Mindful Reviews are always unsponsored and field-tested. For more, visit mindful-reviews.com 

🎁 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/

📌 Chapters

🦉 Hunt with Me:

Forged In The Backcountry

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

Welcome back to the Mindful Hunter Podcast! In this episode, Jay sits down with Zach from Montana Wild — a guy who has been a fixture in hunting media for over a decade and played a massive role in the early creative direction of Stone Glacier.

0:00:00 Intro, Mexico Coues Hunts & Giveaway Updates

Zack Boughton

Jay Nichol

Forged In The Backcountry

Forged Ultimate Guided Hunt Sweepstakes

Are the Outdoor Vitals Altura Pants the ultimate lightweight hunting pants — or do they fall short in critical areas? After 40+ days of hunting and guiding in a range of conditions, I put these pants through a brutal real-world test. In this review, I cover fit, durability, field performance, and how they stack up against industry staples like the Sitka Ascent and Stone Glacier De Havilland Lite.

This is part 1 of a 3-part series covering the new Outdoor Vitals Mountain Pursuit apparel line.

👀 What you’ll get in this video:

📦 Product Info:

Forged In The Backcountry

In this video, I break down the most important lessons I learned during my first full year as an outfitter across Alberta and British Columbia. From scaling my business to guiding 12 clients across three different territories, this year taught me more than I ever expected—about hunting, decision-making, pressure, and staying focused under stress.

Whether you’re a new guide, an aspiring outfitter, or just a dedicated hunter looking to level up, this video offers real-world insight, hard-earned advice, and a deep dive into the psychology behind better hunting decisions.

🎁 GIVEAWAY: Every $5 spent at Forged in the Backcountry earns one entry to win an all-expenses-paid custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting (valued at $10,000).

Forged In The Backcountry

Forged Ultimate Guided Hunt Sweepstakes

Welcome back to the Mindful Hunter Podcast! In this episode, Jay is in the basement with returning guest Bo Campbell, fresh off his first-ever bear hunt in British Columbia with Mindful Hunter Outfitting. They debrief the trip, talk through the realities of a 49-day guiding season, and make a big announcement: the launch of Mindful Hunter Outfitting South — guided Coues deer hunts in Mexico.

Jay gets radically honest about the 2026 spring bear season. While the season was a massive success overall (11 bears across 18 clients), he breaks down the frustrating reality of a 55% lethality rate on shot opportunities — and explains why he's implementing mandatory pre-hunt shooting drills and what he expects from clients moving forward. They also get into the fascinating "heart shot phenomenon" where perfectly shot bears take off on a mindless, adrenaline-fueled dead sprint.

In the second half, Jay and Bo officially announce their new guided Mexico Coues deer hunts. Jay explains exactly why the DIY Mexico hunting model is flawed, why it often costs just as much as a guided hunt for a subpar experience, and how they've secured three premier ranches for the 2027 season. If you want to hunt the rut in January/February with incredible food, dialed logistics, and giant deer — this is the hunt for you.

🎁 GIVEAWAY: Every $5 spent at Forged in the Backcountry earns one entry to win an all-expenses-paid custom guided hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting (valued at $10,000).

🏕️ 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 [email protected] to book.

0:00:00 Intro & Catching Up with Bo Campbell

0:02:28 Bo's First BC Bear Hunt: Expectations vs. Reality

0:05:55 The 49-Day Bear Season Wrap-Up

0:08:44 Why Jay is Implementing Mandatory Pre-Hunt Shooting Drills

0:13:36 Bo's Bear Hunt Story: Spotting from Camp

0:16:43 Sizing Up Bears & The 20-Year-Old Toothless Sow

0:19:52 The Brutal Pack Out & Why Bear Hunting is So Physical

0:26:00 Jay's Client Hunt: The Bear Spotted from the Road

0:28:47 The Heart Shot Phenomenon: Why Dead Bears Sprint

0:32:48 The Brutal Truth About Client Marksmanship & Missed Shots

0:38:23 How to Build a Better Shooting Position Under Pressure

0:44:46 Why You Need to Stay in the Scope After the Shot

0:48:46 The Big Announcement: Mindful Hunter Outfitting South (Mexico)

0:51:09 Why DIY Mexico Hunts Are Overrated & Overpriced

0:54:55 The Details: What a Guided Mexico Coues Hunt Looks Like

0:56:46 The Reality of Glassing for Coues Deer (The Hardest Animal in North America)

1:02:38 Giveaway Details & 2026 BC Hunt Openings

Jay Nichol

[email protected]

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