In this episode of the Mindful Hunter podcast, we sit down with Kevin Toy from Hunt Source to dive deep into the realities of hunting, parenting, and building a meaningful community. We kick things off by discussing what it takes to instill grit and determination in the next generation, sharing personal stories about raising young athletes and hunters who aren't afraid of hard work. From there, we explore the evolution of Hunt Source and its mission to create a true community hub for Canadian hunters, connecting outdoorsmen with unique opportunities across the country.

We also get real about the mindset required for consistent success in the backcountry. We talk about how true confidence is only built through undeniable evidence, the importance of taking extreme ownership of your failures, and why adapting to changing environmental conditions—like unseasonably warm weather during the elk rut or spring bear season—is the only way to consistently notch tags. Whether you are a die-hard archery elk hunter or just looking for a solid dose of motivation for life and parenting, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom.

Kevin Toye

https://www.instagram.com/kevinltoye/

Hunt Source

https://www.instagram.com/hunt.source/

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

In this in-depth, no-BS comparison, I break down two of the most powerful ballistic rangefinders on the market: the SIG KILO8K-ABS and the Revic BR4. After 6 months of field use and real hunting conditions, I compare every relevant feature—from ranging speed and ballistic solver accuracy to weather resistance, UI design, and integration with onX.

Whether you’re planning a high-stakes mountain hunt or precision long-range shooting, this video dives deep into what matters most: reliability, functionality, and field-tested performance.

⏬ Topics Covered:

🧠 No sponsors. No fluff. Just honest gear reviews from the field.

➡️ Want unbiased hunting gear reviews? Join the community: https://mindful-reviews.com

⏱️ CHAPTERS

Jay Nichol

Forged In The Backcountry

I finally had a chance to sit down with my buddy Bo and do a debrief of our Mexican Coues hunting adventure.

Bo Campbell

https://www.instagram.com/boscottcampbell/

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

After breaking down 11 animals this year, including two bears and a deer, I’ve spent serious time with the Benchmade Raghorn in the field. In this no-nonsense review, I’ll walk you through what this knife does right — and where it falls short. If you’re wondering whether the carbon fiber CPM-CruWear version is worth $420, or if the blade shape holds up under real-world use, this review is for you.

🧠 No hype. No sponsorships. Just hard-earned field experience.

🗂️ Chapters below — or jump into the comments if you’ve used the Raghorn or have other blades you want tested.

📍 Support the channel, join the private gear forum & access my exclusive gear database:

🔗 https://www.mindful-reviews.com

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Forged In The Backcountry

In this episode of the Mindful Hunter Podcast, I sit down with a good friend who spends just as many days in the field as I do. What starts as a conversation about hunting quickly turns into a deeper discussion about parenting, mindset, and the realities of modern hunting.

We dive into the importance of getting kids outside, why making the outdoors fun is the key to raising lifelong hunters, and how time in the field forces you to slow down and be present.

From there we get into Arizona hunts, changing draw systems, and why the traditional “save points forever for one dream tag” strategy may not make sense anymore. We talk about alternatives like landowner tags, outfitted hunts, and finding creative ways to keep hunting more often instead of waiting decades for a tag.

We also break down the biggest misconceptions people have about guided hunts, the psychology of managing clients during a hunt, and why mindset matters more than grinding miles when it comes to actually killing animals.

We wrap things up talking about discipline, the 75 Hard challenge, and why stacking small wins every day might be the real key to success—both in hunting and in life.

This episode is a wide-ranging conversation about hunting culture, experience, and the mindset required to stay in the game for the long haul.

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

The #1 question I get after reviewing both the HDX and HDX Pro versions of the Sig Sauer Zulu 6 binoculars is:

I’ve spent months using these optics in real-world hunts. No fluff, no paid endorsements — just hard-earned insights from the field. If you want the clearest, most honest buyer’s guide on these binos anywhere online, you’re in the right place.

👉 Support more videos like this and access my full gear database at:

📧 Book a hunt with me or ask a gear question:

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⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Why this video matters

In this episode of the Mindful Hunter Podcast, I sit down with outdoor photographer Sam Averett to talk about hunting, storytelling, and the strange intersection between the two.

Sam and I first met on a mountain goat hunt in British Columbia — the kind of hunt that makes you feel like you’re standing on the moon. But beyond the mountains, Sam has quietly built one of the most respected careers in hunting media, working behind the camera with some of the biggest brands and personalities in the outdoor space.

We dive into how Sam went from growing up hunting out the back door in eastern Oregon to working for the Forest Service and eventually making the leap into full-time photography. Along the way we talk about mentorship, breaking into the outdoor industry, and why relationships matter more than talent early in your career.

The conversation also explores something that doesn’t get talked about enough: the tension between documenting the hunt and actually experiencing it. In a world full of influencers and constant content, Sam made a deliberate choice to stay behind the camera and focus on the craft rather than building a personal brand around dead animals and social media validation.

We also get into the art of capturing real moments in the mountains, the difference between filming your own hunts versus having someone document them, and why some of the most powerful stories in hunting might still be told through writing and print rather than short digital films.

This is a thoughtful conversation about creativity, authenticity, and staying grounded in an industry that’s changing fast.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the lens of the best hunt films and photos in the industry — this episode is for you.

Sam Averett

https://www.instagram.com/samaverett/

https://www.samaverett.com/

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

Is an ultralight backpacking stove really lighter when you factor in the extra fuel it burns? In this video, I put the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 head-to-head against the MSR WindBurner to find out. I ran extensive lab tests, measured fuel efficiency, compared total system weights, and looked at real-world packability to help you decide which stove is best for your backcountry hunts and backpacking trips.

Whether you’re a hunter shaving ounces for a goat hunt, or a backpacker planning a 10-day alpine trip, this review gives you the data and context you need to make the right call.

If you enjoy in-depth, no-nonsense gear breakdowns, subscribe for more content like this.

0:00 – Is ultralight really lighter?

Forged In The Backcountry

In this episode, I sit down with Robby Denning for a raw and honest conversation about storytelling, hunting, and what really matters.

We dive deep into how hunting stories shaped us growing up — from books and campfire tales to modern films and YouTube. Are we telling better stories today? Or have we lost something in the shift toward short-form content and constant cameras?

We talk about:

This isn’t a gear episode. It’s a conversation about identity, legacy, and why storytelling might be the most important thing hunters can do right now — especially as ballot initiatives and public perception continue to shape the future of our lifestyle.

Robbie Denning

https://www.instagram.com/robbydenning/

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

Is King’s Camo the best bang for your buck in hunting apparel right now? In this video, I put the Elevation Quarter Zip Hoodie and Ridge Pants through real backcountry testing—scouting trips, goat hunts, and long training hikes.

🔍 What you’ll learn in this review:

If you’re a value-minded hunter, new to backcountry hunting, or just tired of paying top-dollar for gear, this review will help you decide if King’s Camo deserves a place in your kit.

👉 Drop your questions or budget gear recommendations in the comments below—I’m working on a budget backcountry gear list and your input will help shape it.

Please like, comment, share, and subscribe if you find this review helpful. It really helps push this content further in the algorithm. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for more gear deep dives. 

Chapters:

Forged In The Backcountry