Dialed in Diaries: A New Video Series for 2020

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Jun 12, 2020
Josh from Dialed in Hunter glassing for bears with is brother Jake during Dialed in Diaries

It’s June, it’s hot, and the Fall Hunting Seasons are coming in fast! Before we know it, we’re all going to be chasing our dreams in the mountains and making some incredible memories in the process. In light of the new season approaching, I wanted to introduce a new video series I’ve been working on. The series is going to be called Dialed in Diaries, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. A video diary of my entire hunting season, along with the folks that I have the pleasure of sharing camp with. From failures to triumphs and everything in between.

How to Glass Country Efficiently(Video)

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Apr 28, 2020
Josh from Dialed in Hunter glassing for spring bears in Arizona

Glassing has become such a huge part of my hunting, not just here in Arizona, but in the West as a whole. Sitting down behind a quality set of optics and watching animals act like animals from a distance is incredibly valuable to a hunter. It gives us the chance to really hone our stalking game and make a quality play at the critter. There’s some flat out big country out there though. Sometimes, so much that it’s intimidating to glass all together.

Josh from Dialed in Hunter behind the glass for spring bears in Arizona
Vortex 22-48×65 Razor Spotting Scope

So, what do you do when there’s “too much” to look at? Down below, I break down my process for doing just that. Now, keep in mind, there is more than one way to skin a cat of course. These things are just what has worked for me personally behind the glass. If you’ve got some tips to add, feel free to drop them in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Until then though, I hope you enjoy the video!

As always, if you enjoyed the video, I’d super appreciate if you SUBSCRIBED to the Youtube and blog to stay up to date with future posts. Also, if you haven’t yet, check out my new book Becoming a Backpack Hunter. It’s a from start to finish beginner’s guide to backpack hunting, and I think you’ll really enjoy it.

We are right at the cusp of spring bear really getting good here in Arizona! I’m so pumped to get out there and put in the work. With any luck, I’ll be bringing an Arizona Spring Black Bear home with me!

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Spring Hunting Season 2020 – Episode 3

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Mar 13, 2020
boot, coffee, and backpack on the tailgate and ready to scout

Here’s another spring hunting season video to keep the train rolling! I’m so stoked that I drew this tag. It’s bringing me into some areas that I haven’t stepped foot into for years. Last time I had the tag though, my strategy was mostly spot and stalk. This time, I’m mainly focusing on water sources. So my scouting throughout the pre-season is really just going to be about finding somewhat remote water sources that I can potentially ambush hunt a bear on. I’m not used to this, but trail cameras will be super helpful for this hunt. Not only do I just have to find a water source, but the water needs to be huntable. Meaning that there needs to be a spot for me to set up and wait for a thirsty bruin to come in.

First Lite 2020: Western Hunt Expo

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Feb 19, 2020
First Lite Booth at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah
First Lite Gear at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah

First Lite is a brand that I’ve followed for years. I remember when they only had 3 things. That’s quite funny to think about nowadays as they’ve grown so much through the years and evolved into a powerhouse of high quality, technologically advanced hunting clothing. They were absolutely at the top of my mind when it came to booths to visit at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo for 2020. After hearing everything that they had to offer, I am pretty dang stoked for this year! A few key items that stuck out to me were the new and improved Uncompahgre Puffy jacket and Brooks Down vest. The original Uncompahgre is one of my all time favorite First Lite pieces and has stood the test of time. The Brooks Down Sweater from last year was so crazy light it was frightening. With that being said the warmth to weight ratio was off extremely impressive. Losing even more weight with the vest version, is gonna be next level. Check out the video below!

First Lite 2020 Lineup

Boom! There ya have it! Another video from the Hunt Expo. I’m really enjoying putting these out for everyone to see. It was so cool getting check out all of the new gear coming out as well as getting first hand knowledge about it from the company. You can expect more videos coming down the road! Keep your eyes out! Thanks for watching and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Youtube and Blog to stay up to date with future posts!

Fall Hunting Season: A New Video Series

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Nov 6, 2019
Josh's brother Jake and their Dad with Jake's first deer on a hunt in Arizona

Hey, everyone! I hope all of your fall hunting seasons have been treating you well! It has been a busy one for me, but definitely have made some incredible memories along the way. The best part is, it’s not over yet! I just got back from helping my Dad and Brother on a rifle coues deer hunt a few weeks back and my Dad also has a late rifle bull tag. Definitely excited to help out on that. Before then, I’ll be joining a good buddy for a few days on a late archery bull hunt. After those are all said and done, it will be time for me to start scouting for our late archery deer seasons here in Arizona. Rutting bucks, bowhunting, and good times!

5 Tips for Choosing a Hunting Boot

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Aug 11, 2018
Crispi Wyoming on a scouting trip for elk in Arizona

We are currently coming up on the middle of August as I sit here and write this.  If you are anything like me, you have been salivating for months anticipating what is to come.  I’ve been shooting my bow all year long, dialing in gear, and making sure that I stay in the best shape that I can.  Preparation is key.  One of those gear items that I think is beyond important to get squared away is your boots.  Our boots are our wheels essentially on our trips through the mountains.  If you don’t spend the proper amount of time and take the necessary precautions with boots, you might be in for a world of hurt come your hunt.  If you feet go out, your hunt might follow.  Nobody wants that.  Let’s take a look at 5 tips for choosing a hunting boot.

3 Bowhunting Books that you NEED to Read!

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Aug 5, 2018
Books about bowhunting

As a person goes through the learning process of anything, I think it is only natural to want to soak up as much info as possible.  Be it through the internet, magazines, books, or just having a chat with someone that is more experienced than you on the matter.  I turned to all of these outlets when I first started bowhunting.  We live in a day and age where we have an endless amount of information at our fingertips.  Anything that we want to know is just a few clicks and swipes away.    Aside from the intel I gained through the internet, there were a few books that stood out to me though.  Books that I continue to read over and over again.  They are timeless.

First Lite Sawtooth Hybrid Jacket Review

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Sep 30, 2017
Sawtooth Hybrid Jacket

Something that I have grown to look forward to every year is the coming of new products from various companies in the hunting industry.  I am always so eager to see what these folks have been cooking up and how the new additions might fit into my gear list.  Our gear has come a long way in the last 10 years and somehow it just keeps progressing.  Look at bows 5 years ago, or technical clothing.  We have come leaps and bounds in that time.  Just when I think that nothing else can be improved, a company like First Lite crushes my assumptions with their 2017 line of clothing.  One of the products that I am especially jacked up on is their new Sawtooth Hybrid Jacket and that is what we will be diving into today.

The Disconnect: A Necessary Evil

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Sep 17, 2017

Fall is Here

Fall hunting seasons are just getting kicked off and it is an exciting time of year, to say the least.  The very moments we have been dreaming about and training for all year are about to present themselves.  Maybe, we will capitalize on them and maybe we won’t.  Time will deliver us that truth when it sees fit.  That time I spend away from home usually wears me down pretty good mentally.  While I do enjoy the disconnect of TV, social media, cell phones, and just people, I can’t help but get struck with a bit of homesick.  I think it is necessary to feel this though.

Why OTC Tags Are “Where It’s At”

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Jul 31, 2017
Bowhunting

The term “OTC Tags” is one that is growing more popular everyday in the hunting community.  For those of you that don’t know what that stands for, it means “over the counter.”  It is getting increasingly harder to draw tags through lottery systems.  I don’t think it is going to start heading in the other direction anytime soon.  We spend a ton of money every year on bows, clothing, optics, you name it.  Hours and hours are spent at the range shooting our rifles and sighting in our archery equipment.  For a lot of folks, myself included, it is disheartening when you invest so much time and money into something, only to be told you can’t go hunting this season.  Not going hunting is just not an option on the table in my house.  This is why I focus most of my attention on OTC tags.