Alright! Hope you all liked the first chapter of Dialed in Diaries “Bear.” I had such a blast filming and putting all of that together. The fact that it all came together in the end after a slow hunt was icing on the cake for me. While I wish all of the great friends that were in camp were by my side helping me pack out that bear, it was still a hunt I’ll cherish. Plus, you all know how much I love bear hunting. I’ve got a big year planned for the bruins for 2021, hint hint…
At the close of one chapter there is an opening of the next. This next chapter is called “High Country Mule Deer.” I drew a tag in Colorado and was joined by my brother on the first half of the trip. High Country Mule Deer will be a 2 episode chapter and finds me in two different backcountry camps throughout it. Colorado is an incredible place, and while this hunt was a struggle, I had a blast.
I hope you enjoy the episode above as well as the ones to come. If you have not yet, please SUBSCRIBE to the Youtube Channel and blog to stay up to date with future posts! Thanks again and good luck out there!
Another year, another gear list! I was lucky enough to draw another high country mule deer tag in Colorado this year. This will be a backcountry archery hunt for 10 days above treeline! Last year was the first year that I had ever done a high country mule deer hunt and I got absolutely hooked on it. So, the fact that I get to return this year is causing anticipation to shoot through the roof.
Backcountry shelters always bring up great conversation. Everyone has their own do’s and don’ts surrounding the topic. These are really a reflection of that hunter’s personal style, where they hunt, and what they’re willing to deal with. Some are minimalists and some want more comfort and livability. No matter where you might fall in the equation, backcountry shelters is what we’re going to be chatting about today!
You’ve done your research, planned a trip, and are about to embark on your first ever backpack hunt. First off, let me say CONGRATS! You are in for a real treat. Backpack hunting truly is the whole package. It’s beyond hunting and a great opportunity to cut the cord of city life and embrace some adventure. These hunts are learning experiences, as you’ll find out. Each time we go out, we learn a little more about what to bring and what not to bring. These items will vary of course from person to person, but I promise you, you’ll be making modifications to your gear list sooner or later. It’s inevitable. Down below, I’ve listed 3 items that I’ve found incredibly valuable on backpack hunts. They are simple, cheap, and very useful both physically and mentally. These items are of course aside from stuff like boots, backpack, weapon, etc. I could add much more to this list, but these seemed to reach across the board in terms of general items you really want to consider checking out.
Spring Hunting Season is finally here and it’s for BEAR! This is a hunt that I look forward to each and every year. A time where the weather is fantastic, water is usually plentiful, and backpack hunting is on the agenda. I first ventured into this area about 4 years ago. Back then, I packed into this spot without ever stepping foot in it and was lucky enough to find bears! Since then, I’ve come in every year and look forward to it more and more. This would mark the first trip of the year for me, and I couldn’t wait to hit the trail.
On this hunt, I was solo, which is always interesting on the mental front. I enjoy hunting solo immensely, but there is always a tad bit of anxiety in the back of my head when doing so. Once out there though, I’m fine and generally end up having an amazing time. This was no different. After a few hours of hiking and gaining elevation, I arrived at camp. What a great feeling it was to sit down in the shade and relax for a bit. To see how the rest of the hunt unfolds, you can watch the video down below!
As I was hiking back to the truck, it was comforting to know that this was just the beginning and there was a lot of hunting to be had. What a great way to get out and stretch the legs though. Not to mention, get away from the chaos of the world right now. We are definitely living in some crazy times and I hope this whole pandemic hasn’t put too much of a damper on you or your families. Let’s not forget to get outside and enjoy Mother Nature when we can. It’s therapeutic to say the least and a break from the noise is much needed.
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Youtube Channel and blog to stay up to date on Spring Hunting Season episodes and much more. This is all just getting started, and I’m so pumped to share the adventure with you all! Good luck out there and stay safe!
Knowing what to pack, as far as food goes, for a backpack hunt is a common question among those looking to get into this. The immediate apprehension is fear of getting hungry. Folks are worried about not having enough. Then there is the what behind all of this. What kind of foods should you bring out? So, in this post, I’m going to dive right into my food bag for an upcoming backcountry hunt I have planned. While getting my stuff ready for this trip, I thought it might be beneficial to do a backcountry food bag dump. I’ll walk you through a whole day of food and also give examples of other options you might be able to take advantage of.
Who loves coffee?! I sure do and missing out on my morning, and sometimes afternoon, coffee is not something I am a fan of, haha. In light of that, one of the questions that I get asked a lot is what I do on backpack hunts for coffee. Am I bringing some cheap instant with me? Am I pre-grinding and bringing my own with a press? I’ve done all of the above. You gotta do what you gotta do in the name of coffee on hunting trips. Nowadays, things are a bit different on the coffee front for me. So, I’m going to walk you through my backcountry coffee set up!
In the video below, I take you through my stove, and how it works. I also lay out the kind of coffee I’m bringing with me. Dark Timber Coffee has been a huge improvement in my coffee game in the field! Not only is it super easy, it is DELICIOUS! You’d be doing yourself a disservice by not trying this stuff out. That is of course if you’re a coffee lover like me.
I hope that this video helps elevate your coffee game on your hunts! If you have any questions about any of this stuff, please feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help and explain anything more that needs explaining. To learn more about backcountry hunting, check out the recent book I wrote called “Becoming a Backpack Hunter: A Beginner’s Guide to Hunting the Backcountry.” And if you dig the videos, I’d super appreciate if you hit SUBSCRIBE on the Youtube Channel to stay up to date with future videos. Thanks for watching and until next time, good hunting!
Backpack Hunting is filled with rich experience and the origin of many potent memories, no matter who you are. It’s a kind of hunting that isn’t for everyone, but the one’s that do cherish it, seem to live it. They thrive on the unknown and beauty that falls before them on their trips. Landscapes that are more unseen than seen. Then there are the challenges that come along with hunting the backcountry. These are things like rough country, carrying everything you need on your back, and just the general practice of living in the dirt. Another challenge though is just finding somewhere to hunt. This is especially true when coming from out of state and heading into a spot that you’ve never been before. One of the ways that I “E-Scout” is by utilizing maps to my advantage, and more specifically, topographic maps.
So, I wrote a book! This has been a project I’ve been working on for the past year and a half and I’m so excited that it’s finally ready to be seen. The book is called “Becoming a Backpack Hunter: A Beginner’s Guide to Hunting the Backcountry.” From the title, I’m sure you can gather what it’s about, but let me give you the skinny on it and why I decided to write this in the first place.
Got another gear video from the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah! Late last year, Exo Mountain Gear came out with their new 1800 day pack. I’ve really enjoyed this minimalist backpack in the few months I’ve used it. Recently, I had it out on a javelina hunt, and I’ve been using it for short day scouting trips. It really does hold everything you need and nothing that you don’t. You can check out a video of how I personally pack this backpack for the javelina hunt I linked above. You’ll see a layout of the pack and exactly what I am putting and where. Of course I had to stop by the Exo booth at the show to get a rundown from the company. Jake from Exo Mountain Gear runs through their whole new 1800 pack and gives insight into pricing and other options with the K3 pack system. This isn’t a piece of gear you should sleep on!
I really hope you’ve been enjoying these gear videos I grabbed from the Expo! I sure did enjoy chatting with everyone. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Youtube channel and blog to stay up to date with all of my future posts! Thanks for watching and good hunting out there. I’ve been currently out scouting for a spring bear hunt coming up here shortly in Arizona. Tick tock! Before we know it, hunting season is going to be here and this whole thing is going to start over again.
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