Coming to you from just beside stage 10 of the Vortex Extreme 2019 on the Wagonhound Ranch in Wyoming, Mark, Jimmy and Nick Laufenberg take a moment to discuss changing ballistics with changing locations. Us flatlanders in Wisconsin came from around just shy of 900 feet of elevation at sight-in prior to heading out for the Extreme long range shooting competition in Wyoming, which is at an elevation of about 6,000 feet. Despite using the same guns and the same ammo controlled by the same shooters, the new location and different atmospherics gave us a significantly different ballistic solution to shoot with. Without updating, we’d have been shooting over the top of nearly every target! This is important information for every shooter, whether a competitive shooter or a hunter traveling away from home.

OK, so bow hunting has loosely been a part of some of our podcasts in the past, but never the sole focus of an entire episode. In this one, Jimmy, Mark and Erik go right at the subject, explaining the advantages, disadvantages, gear and strategies behind bow hunting and why, if you haven’t tried this form of hunting yet, you’re missing out on a HUGE portion of your potential hunting season.

As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

A few weeks back, Jimmy discussed the basic differences between MOA and MRAD, and what these two units of measure actually represent. In this episode, Jimmy is reunited with Mark to talk to another Jimmy (Stick with us here on the names…) from Vortex all about using MOA and MRAD for more than just holdovers and wind calls, but actually estimating the range and sometimes size of a target through your reticle as well.

Episode 88 of the Vortex Nation Podcast goes against the grain – rather than explaining the challenges hunters face when heading west for the first time, we dive into the intricacies western hunters encounter when coming to the Midwest for the first time. Small properties with limited space to roam, lots of hunters, and vastly different tactics can make bagging Midwestern critters a daunting task. Mark and Erik join Jimmy to explain some of these tactics, the gear you need, and proven tactics that’ll stack the odds in your favor.

As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

Jimmy and Mark join Ryan Muckenhirn for 10 minutes to talk about his ultra-mini camp stove, the Optimus Crux. When hunting in the backcountry, one needs a way to boil water, cook food and even warm a blind or a tent at times. Ryan, always a fan of tiny little tools, carries this incredibly small kit including his stove, fuel, cup and lighter with him on all his adventures. Hear how he chose this one, how he uses it, how quickly it can boil water and some of the other options out there that may be of interest to you!

If the idea of stocking your freezer full of free-range wild game and trying hunting for yourself is something you’ve been debating, a Learn to Hunt event is a great place to start! Emily Ihel, R3 Coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources joins us on episode 87 to explain what a Learn to Hunt event is and why they’re a great resource to try hunting for first time hunters, especially those without prior experience or gear. Since we’re losing hunters faster than we can recruit them, these unconventional educational opportunities are shaping the future of introducing newcomers to the hunting lifestyle. In a matter of weeks, these hybrid courses combine classroom and field work to take newbies throughout the entire process, concluding with a hunt accompanied by a mentor.

As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

You’ve seen it discussed in marketing material, forum conversations and asked about in comments sections all over social media but it’s still kinda confusing. What is “Parallax Free” when it comes to red dots and holographic sights, why is it important, how does it work and is it truly actually “Parallax Free”? Rob Morell, director of Vortex product development, joins Jimmy and Mark to discuss the engineering and physics behind that phrase and even some of the common misconceptions revolving around it.

You’ll never forget your first. BB guns to shotguns – we dive into a quintet of first guns and the stories behind them. From sentimental to downright silly – every gun has a tale worth telling. What’s yours?

As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Wild game is a prized commodity for hunters, which creates anxiety for many over simply not screwing it up when it comes time to cooking for yourself and the family. Rest assured, we’ve all made mistakes in the kitchen when it comes to our quarry. Mark, Jimmy and Erik discuss some of their biggest fails in the kitchen in 10 minutes to hopefully relieve some of the pressure you’re putting on yourself to always be a perfect chef, and perhaps, to help you avoid the same mistakes they made in these stories as well. What’s your biggest wild game cooking fail if you care to share?

It’s grilling season and that means time to break out those packs of frozen grind, thaw them up and pound out some patties for family and friends. Mark, Erik and new guest Colin, armed with ground moose, whitetail and elk, respectively, entered into a burger battle to see who had the best recipe, grilling skills and overall execution with yet another new guest, Rebecca, judging their creations to some pretty high standards. Jimmy begs the question – is it sacrilege to make venison in any way other than salt, pepper and fire? The three competitors breakdown their full recipes and cooking methods, and Rebecca takes us through the evaluation of foods through culinary and sensory methods she learned over her professional food packaging career. Tune in to find out who won this epic cook-off and why! Have your own amazing burger recipes with wild game? We’d love to hear them.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.