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!
Something else I’m really trying to focus on for this upcoming backcountry archery spring bear hunt is strength training. I will admit, that this is something that I have lacked over the past few years. My primary way of training for hunts has been trail running and weighted pack hikes. This has gotten the job done but with a caveat. I’ve noticed that I’ve been more prone to injury. Which is where strength training comes in.
Back in March of 2020 I released my very first book Becoming a Backpack Hunter: A Beginner’s Guide to Hunting the Backcountry. The positive response was overwhelming and it continues even to this day as I sit here now in 2024. Shortly after writing that book, I started another. I’ve kept this as hush as I could over the years of writing it, but it’s time to get the word out.
A quality layering system for western hunting is absolutely non-negotiable in my eyes, especially when it comes to backpack hunting. This is something that is going to keep you warm when it’s cold, dry when it’s raining, and cool when it’s warm out. Versatility is key and this year Sitka Gear hit the nail on the head for me.
This coming spring I’ll be heading into the Idaho backcountry for a spot and stalk archery spring bear hunt. The past few years I’ve done this hunt with a rifle and been successful doing so. It’s always brutal and I always look forward to it. With this being an archery hunt, the physical demands will be even greater and I’ve been chipping away on backcountry prep little by little to prepare myself.
Going on 4 years now, I have gone to Idaho during the spring to hunt black bears. Since my first trip, which was actually solo for 8 days, I have looked forward to this hunt every year. The first year I missed several bears. The second year I made a bad shot and couldn’t recover a bear. And the third I finally laid my hands on my first Idaho black bear. These were all backpack hunts with my rifle. There was one thing on my mind the whole time. A dream.
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?
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.
It’s that time of year. When people are making New Year’s Resolutions and building their aspirations for the coming 12 months. Right after hunting season and the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it feels like the right time for a fresh start. I get it, and I’m no exception. I’ve got aspirations of my own, and because this is my blog, I’m going to share some thoughts I’ve had on the New Year and the goals I have in my sights.
Arizona bear hunting is something that I fell in love with many years ago. From the beginning I was hooked. I remember sitting at a water hole, not knowing what I was doing in the least, and having a bear stroll by me. A few years later I’d get my first Arizona bear and the fire inside would burn even brighter. This past October I returned back to the area I got my first bear in and was greeted with a flood of emotions, as well as made new memories. The film of this hunt is called Imprinted, and I am so thrilled to share it with you below.
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