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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 […]

Personal Hunts, Tips

March 28, 2024

Archery Spring Bear Backcountry Prep – Part 1

Josh Kirchner spring bear hunting in the Idaho backcountry
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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 […]

Personal Hunts

March 21, 2024

Archery Spring Bear in the Backcountry – I’ve Been Dreaming About This For YEARS

Hunter holding a compound bow
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There are a ton of different archery release aids floating around out there. Index style releases, hinges, thumb buttons, and resistance releases. And there are a bunch of options for each of those categories. I am a strong believer in an index-style release for bowhunting especially. My two go-to index-style releases are the Carter Like […]

Gear Reviews

March 13, 2024

Index Style Releases – Carter Like Mike II vs Stan SoleX

Two index style releases Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter uses
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Almost 4 years ago now my life changed for the better. Not that the life I was living was bad at all. I loved my life. But, now I love it more than I could imagine at the time. On June 15th, 2020 my wife and I had our first child, Juniper Rain Kirchner. Things […]

Motivational

March 2, 2024

Dad Life Check In – 2024

Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter shooting his bow with his daughter
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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 […]

Hunting, Tips

February 23, 2024

Backpack Hunting in Dry Conditions – How to Do It

Arizona desert on a backpack hunt for coues deer
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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 […]

Gear Reviews, Hunting

February 11, 2024

After Season Arrow Setup Report 2023/2024

Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter's arrow and broadhead choice for 2024
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Back before I ever had my very first rangefinder, my perception of them was always that they existed for one to range an animal to get an accurate distance to aim for the shot. And while they absolutely own that space in terms of use, there are other ways that I have found to effectively […]

Tips

January 28, 2024

Rangefinder Tips – Alternative Uses Besides Ranging Animals

Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB Rangefinder on a spring bear hunt in Idaho
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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 […]

Hunting Philosophy

January 21, 2024

Goals for the New Year – 2024 Edition

Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter on a late archery elk hunt in Arizona
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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 […]

Personal Hunts

January 12, 2024

Arizona Bear Hunting – IMPRINTED – New Film

Josh Kirchner and Brian Straub on a fall bear hunting in Arizona
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At each start of a new year, I always feel like I am rich with time. A whole 365 days is ahead with a long list of adventure hunts planned. And each year it blows my mind how fast those 365 days fly by. So quick that sometimes it’s hard to appreciate things in the […]

Personal Hunts

December 30, 2023

2023 Hunting Season – A Look Back

Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter on a coues deer hunt in Arizona

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