Target Panic – 3 Ways to Beat It – BTB E1

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May 21, 2024
A coues buck Josh Kirchner harvested during the 2024 archery season in Arizona

This is the first post in a new series I’ll be doing called “Behind the Bow.” My goal with this series is to take one thing per episode that I have personally overcome or an AHA moment in my bowhunting/archery journey and break it down for you. All of this with the hope to provide you with real-world perspective and experience to help you along your own journey behind the bow. Be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel to stay up to date with all future episodes!

Let’s Talk Target Panic

It’s like a disease. Target panic is something that infiltrates the minds of bowhunters worldwide. Whether it’s not being able to hold the pin on target, nervously punching the trigger, feeling like you have no choice but to shoot, or aggressively anticipating the shot. This is nasty business and it takes more than a good sleep to overcome it.

Archery Spring Bear Backcountry Prep – Part 3

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Apr 20, 2024
Bowhunting

What is an archery spring bear hunt without the bow and arrow part right? Shot opportunities in bowhunting don’t grow on trees. Each one is earned and the earning part is gonna be on the healthy side for the backcountry bear hunt I have planned. In light of that, confidence in my setup, and confidence in my shooting needs to be absolutely dialed. I may only get one shot, so I’ll need to make damn sure it counts.

NEW FILM: Fourteen – An Archery Coues Deer Story

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Apr 17, 2024
Josh Kirchner packing out his 2024 archery coues deer in Arizona

This past January 2024, I spent 14 days bowhunting one of my favorite animals on the planet, the coues deer. It’s a spot and stalk hunt that I look forward to every single year and this past January was no exception to that. The exception was the number of days I stayed in the field though. The hunt was rough with lots of ups and downs. In the end, I was able to come out with a great buck, and now a great film that I’m super proud of.

The film is called Fourteen – An Archery Coues Deer Story. It follows me throughout my January 2024 season from the backcountry to living out of my truck. It explores the deep connection I have to my brother that was made through hunting long ago. And then there is the overall message to NEVER GIVE UP. There are snowstorms, failed stalks, laughs, frustrations, and all. Looking back it was perfect and I really hope you enjoy this film. If you do, please subscribe to the channel and share it with your friends. Thanks!

Backpack Hunting in Dry Conditions – How to Do It

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Feb 23, 2024
Arizona desert on a backpack hunt for coues deer

Water is life. For a backpack hunter, there are few things as exciting as finding a reliable water source from which you can nourish yourself off the beaten path. Without water, we simply cannot survive out there. This poses a problem for those of us who live/hunt in dry climates. What do you do when backpack hunting in dry conditions? How do you do it?

After Season Arrow Setup Report 2023/2024

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Feb 11, 2024
Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter's arrow and broadhead choice for 2024

2023 had no shortage of gear changes for me. I’m always looking for ways to solidify my system even more. The only way to do that is to try out new things. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. During the 2023 season, I was reminded of the phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” My arrow setup is now what it once was instead of something totally new.

The Secret to Bowhunting Coues Deer – Rutting Bucks

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Dec 23, 2023
Coues Buck that Josh Kirchner got with his bow spot and stalk in Arizona

Right now, I’m sitting under a blanket downstairs in front of a Christmas tree. It’s my favorite time of year. Not only do I cherish these times spent at home with family, but right after the fact, I’ll be heading into the field with my bow. Bowhunting coues deer during the month of January is like a second Christmas to me.

Bowhunting Mindset – 2023 Takeaways

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Dec 12, 2023
Bowhunting mule deer in the high country of Colorado

If I’ve learned one thing about bowhunting, it’s that mindset is huge. The technical aspects of it all are important, but if your mental game is off, none of that matters.

The 2023 archery season was one of those seasons that served as a reminder of all of this. My backpack may not have been heavy throughout much of it, but my mind sure was. The takeaways were monumental for me and I want to share this shift in my bowhunting mindset with you here.

New Mule Deer Film – Perspective – An Archery Mule Deer Story

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Dec 10, 2023
Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter glassing for mule deer in the backcountry of Colorado

High country mule deer hunting with my bow is something that I have really grown to be passionate about. It always takes me into the gnarliest places both in terms of ruggedness and looks. This past 2023 early season was one for the books. Now, I know that is a cliche way of describing something, but to me, it really was. It served up not only adventure and good hunting, but a healthy amount of perspective that I needed in my life. Hence the title of this film that I am so excited to share with you.

Post Archery Elk Hunt Jibber Jabber

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Dec 5, 2023
Prime RVX bow on an archery elk hunt in Arizona

I had dreamed all year long about my archery elk hunt in Arizona. And now that I sit here, 12 hard days of hunting are behind me. Time feels like it has been swept right from under me. The hunt had it all. Good weather, bad weather, moments where I felt unstoppable, and moments where I felt incapable.

Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter at the end of his archery elk hunt in Arizona

Right here, I’m going to just say, I didn’t get an elk. I did shoot one though. More on that later. What I wanted to do here is lay out my thoughts after the hunt and some major takeaways after spending so many days in the field. All of those days gave me a lot to think about. Most are hunting-related, but I even was put at peace with something I struggle with in life.

My Early Season Backcountry Sleep System – Backcountry Cribs

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Oct 7, 2023
Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter packing in the backcountry on an early season mule deer hunt

Gear for backpack hunting is something that gets no shortage of attention. It’s for good reason too. What we bring with us into the backcountry are items that we need to have full trust in. Finding one system is time-consuming enough. The different seasons though, being early, mid, and late pose different conditions, which can call for different choices in gear. This is especially true with sleep systems. This past early season I found what I believe is my best early season sleep system yet.