2024 Arizona Bear Season – A Look Back on 21 Days in the Field

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Nov 6, 2024
Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter on a Black bear hunt in Arizona

Fall bear season in Arizona is a hunt that I hold more dear than most. I cherish both the August and October seasons and 2024 was a year where I devoted more time than ever to them. 21 days were spent in the field hunting. That doesn’t include any scouting trips I made, which add up to an additional 5 days.

Mountain Lion Film Teaser!

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Nov 3, 2024

New film is in the works and COMING SOON. Hope you enjoy the teaser below! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Youtube Channel to stay up to date on when the full film comes out. Thanks so much for the support!

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How to Use a Hinge Release – My 3 Favorite Methods

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Oct 31, 2024
Evolution Outdoors Ibex Hinge Release for Bowhunting

It is undeniable that hinge releases have grown in popularity for bowhunting. What is also undeniable, though, is that many of us thrive on the DIY mentality. So, when it comes to buying your first hinge release, this often translates into not properly learning how to use the release from the get go and trying to figure things out on our own. In light of that, I’m going to lay out my 3 favorite methods to using a hinge release. These are all what I believe to translate the best to hunting and what have given me the most in terms of accuracy and feel.

I Need a Favor

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Oct 27, 2024
Coues deer taken with a bow by Josh Kirchner

Hey, everyone! Man, I can’t believe it’s already almost November. Time has been flying by this season. I hope you’ve been out there crushing your goals in the field and living it up. Hunting season only comes around one time a year, so make the most of it. With that said, I need a favor from you.

Evolution Outdoors Ibex – Did I Just Switch to a Hinge Release?

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Oct 5, 2024
Josh Kirchner using the Evolution Outdoors Ibex hinge release

My history of using hinge releases to shoot a bow has been somewhat brief. It is that way, not because I didn’t like using a hinge. I actually really enjoyed shooting them. It was brief because I’m primarily a bowhunter and I didn’t believe that hinge releases were practical for bowhunting. So, I have shot an index-style release and thumb button release for that application the past 10 years or so. My original opinion of hinge releases has been influenced to shift in a different direction and it’s all because of the Evolution Outdoors Ibex. A hinge made for bowhunters by bowhunters.

My Whitetail Deer Clothing System 2024

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Sep 27, 2024
Josh Kirchner unboxing his 2024 whitetail deer clothing system from sitka gear

So, I’m going whitetail deer hunting. This may not sound like a big deal to many of you, but I’ve honestly never done a legit whitetail hunt. This November, though, I’m heading to CO to hunt with a buddy on some ground that he’s got a ton of experience on and manages. This will be a treestand hunt and I’m thrilled about it. With that said, this all called for a different clothing system than I’m used to.

Now, keep in mind, I’m mainly a western hunter. I do mostly backpack hunts, so my normal clothing system reflects that. Everything is based on effectiveness and efficiency with weight and packability in mind. The system I’ve picked down below for my whitetail deer hunt is more about staying warm and quiet. Here goes nothing. A whitetail deer clothing system through the eyes of a western hunter.

Everything mentioned here is made by Sitka Gear. I’ll be doing a full review on BlackOvis.com about my experience with everything after the fact as well as a follow-up video. If you want to save money over there use the code DIALED10 and you’ll save 10% off sitewide.

Sitka Gear Whitetail Clothing System

I’m not going to get much in the weeds at all here with this stuff, because I don’t have an honest opinion about it yet, aside from just first impressions. And first impressions across the board are THIS STUFF IS COMFORTABLE. I love my western system, but everything here is so warm and soft. Of course the packability is extremely limited, but that’s not the point or goal of this system based on the style of hunting.

I’m new to this whitetail deer thing. So, if you think I missed anything here that would be of value, please let me know! I’ve got my western system pretty dialed, but this is a new world to me and I’m stoked to dive in.

Let’s Go November!

There it is! Everything fits great and feels great. My bow is shooting absolutely awesome too. Now, all there is to do is wait for November to come. Thankfully, I’ve got a fall bear hunt here in AZ coming to help pass my time until I head to CO for whitetails. Can’t wait to share everything with you all. Thanks for tuning in.

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Sleeping Bag or Quilt for Backcountry Hunting?

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Sep 23, 2024
Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter holding up a quilt and sleeping bag for backpack hunting

There is a whole lot of gear involved with backpack hunting. One of the most important pieces to the system is our insulation for sleeping. I’m talking about your sleeping bag or your quilt. Which brings me to the topic of this here piece. I’ve used both extensively and am going to break down the pros and cons of each. So, here we go. Sleeping bags or quilts for backcountry hunting?

Start of the Fall Hunting Season Update

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Sep 16, 2024
Josh Kirchner backpack hunting in Colorado for elk

Sheesh, I can’t believe I’m already writing a start of the Fall hunting season update. Feels like spring was just here a few weeks ago, but here we are. At this point in the season, I’ve had two hunts. A black bear hunt in Arizona and an elk hunt in Colorado. Both landed on the rough side, but both held their own lessons.

How to Sight in a Multi-Pin Slider Bow Sight – Spot Hogg Fast Eddie 5-Pin

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Sep 10, 2024
sighting in a bow sight

If there is one thing true about sighting in a bow sight, it’s that there is more than one way to skin a cat. I recently acquired the Spot Hogg Fast Eddie 5-Pin and had to of course get it all sighted in and ready for season. While I was doing this, my buddy was also tackling the same task with the same sight and had some questions. So, I figured if he had questions, there are others that do too. Naturally, I decided to make a video of the process, as I think this is way easier to digest visually than through reading.

My Backcountry Sleep System 2024

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Sep 3, 2024
Backpack hunting tents set up on a spring bear hunt in Idaho

There are no shortage of questions that come with being a new backpack hunter. Many of them revolve around the gear side of things, and rightfully so. There is SO MUCH out there and knowing what to bring and what not to bring can seem confusing. Within that gear the Backcountry Sleep System gets a ton of attention. I’m referring to shelters, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags/quilts. It is your home away from home essentially.

In order to help paint a more clear picture, for new backpack hunters especially, I’m going to lay out my own backcountry sleep system. This is not only what I’ve used for years, but what I’ll be using for the 2024 hunting season.