Thankful for 2025

by , on
Dec 2, 2025
Josh Kirchner mule deer hunting in Idaho

Another year has just about come and gone, but I wanted to drop a note here about gratitude, before the end of the year.

Right off the rip, I want to express my gratitude for my family and my health. My family has always shown me an uncanny level of support no matter what endeavor I take on. It’s important to slow down and realize these things. Life is fast. In all of that chaos, seeing what’s truly important, I will admit, can be difficult at times. As for health, the older I get the more value I seem to put on health. When I was younger it wasn’t a thing in my mind. Now? I think about it everyday and am beyond grateful to have the physical and mental ability to do the things I love. This is a constant chase for me now.

Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter antelope hunting in Idaho

Speaking of chase, we often, myself included, tend to focus on chasing to better our current situation. Maybe it’s buying a new house or striving for a new job? Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for progress. However, there are times when we focus so much on said progress in the future, that we fail to appreciate the current. You’re likely much luckier than you think and there are probably quite a few folks who would love to be in your shoes. So, don’t lose sight of growth, but never forget where your roots are planted right now.

I spent a load of time in the mountains this year. From January and clear through most of November I got to chase my dreams. A huge reason I get to do this is because of YOU. Your support through the years has grown Dialed in Hunter into something I only imagined when I started this thing. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. It means the world to me that you all take the time to read my writing and watch my videos.

Eyes are on 2026. Here’s to a prosperous year, and fruitful hunting season!

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How to Make a Hunting Film – Image Composition

by , on
Aug 18, 2025
Josh Kirchner on a bear hunt during the hunting film Heart

Filming a hunting adventure is not just about pointing the camera at a subject and hitting record. Well, it isn’t if you’re going for that more “film feel” rather than a video. In order to tap into the more artistic side of things, you’re going to want to know how to compose an image. This involves utilizing your eye, gear, and environment to create compelling footage that folks are drawn to look at.

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In the video below, I run through a few tricks and rules in regards to image composition. I use these often in the field and don’t think they are too hard to digest for someone new behind a camera.

How to Make a Hunting Film

by , on
Jul 15, 2025
Josh Kirchner hunting for bears in Arizona during the making of the hunting film Imprinted.

There are more and more people each year who are trying to film their hunts and preserve memories from the field. I think it’s awesome. With that said, I also know there are more than a few folks who have always thought about filming their hunts, and even wanted to film, but have never pulled the trigger. If that’s you, or you are just starting out with a camera, keep reading.

Usually, it’s just so overwhelming, right? That’s really the thing that holds people back. From all of the camera gear to all of the extra work it takes to film their hunt. It’s just too much and easier to purely focus on hunting. I get it. I was like that. Nowadays, though, most of my hunts are filmed, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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With all of that said, I wanted to put together a sort of beginner’s guide for those interested in filming their hunts. A high-level jumping off point, if you would. And so I don’t write what would likely be similar to a novel in length, here’s an easy-to-digest video going over this!

Enjoy the Video on How to Make a Hunting Film!

I know, I know. There is a lot to dive into here after watching this. So, you can plan on more videos coming down the pipeline on the specifics. Remember, this is a marathon, not a race. Enjoy the process and learn every step of the way.

Support the Dialed in Hunter!

Check out my books:

Merch – Grab a Shirt!

Discount Codes!

Black Ovis Discount Code for Josh Kirchner
Ollin Discount Code for Josh Kirchner
Vortex Apparel Discount Code for Josh Kirchner

Bowhunting Tips – 5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started

by , on
Jun 20, 2025
Coues buck that Josh Kirchner harvested in Arizona

If there is one thing true about bowhunting, it’s that there’s no shortage of difficulty, and the learning curve is about as sharp as they get. In my first years of bowhunting, I encountered obstacle after obstacle, and there were many times when I thought, “What the heck am I doing out here?” If that’s you, keep reading for some real-world bowhunting tips that will help your game as a beginner.

NEW FILM! HEART – BEAR HUNTING IN THE BACKCOUNTRY

by , on
Jun 18, 2025
The paw of a black bear in the backcountry of Idaho

Guys! I’m back from bear hunting, for the most part at least. I might get out for one more evening and morning, but that’s all she wrote for spring. My spring has been absolutely epic and I hope you’ve been out there enjoying yours as well. I had 2 backcountry bear hunting trips and a super fun turkey hunt with my daughter that I’ll never forget.

Josh Kirchner processing a black bear in the field

In the spirit of spring, I wanted to let you all know about a new film I just recently released. It documents one of my backcountry spring bear hunts from this year and I absolutely love how it turned out. The film is called Heart and it not only tells the story of my hunt, but gives you a glimpse into the balancing act between love and passion. Check it out below and I really hope you enjoy it.

Spot Hogg Boonie Bow Sight – DIALED at 100 yards!

by , on
May 23, 2025
Josh Kirchner shooting his bow at 100 yards with his new spot hogg boonie bow sight

Hey, guys! Hope you all have had a great spring so far. Maybe you’ve been out chasing turkeys, maybe bear, or maybe both! Even better. Along with turkey and bear hunting, I look at spring time as the start of gear testing. I recently got a new bow sight and I am pretty excited about it so far. I went with the Spot Hogg Boonie 5-pin and have some pretty high hopes for it this season.

All bow sights need to be sighted in and there are a few common mistakes I see newbies make on a regular basis. They are as follows:

NEW FILM *TEASER* | HEART – BACKPACK HUNTING FOR BLACK BEARS

by , on
May 15, 2025
Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter backpack hunting for black bears

Hey, everyone! Hope you all are having a phenomenal spring season. I just got back from two spring bear hunts across two states. It has been AWESOME to say the least and I’m about to head back out in a few days for turkey here in Arizona. On that note, I wanted to drop a new film teaser your way!

I’m Back from Spring Bear Hunting and it was EPIC – 2025

by , on
May 10, 2025
The paw of a black bear in the backcountry of Idaho

If you have followed this blog for any amount of time, you may have noticed that I am a fan of black bear hunting. They are the reason I dove as deep as I did into hunting. The black bear has kept me in the field more than any other animal out there. And each spring that comes by my mind starts to get overloaded with thoughts of traveling deep into the backcountry in search of black bears.

THE ULTIMATE BOWHUNTING GIVEAWAY! – WANNA WIN MY 2025 BOW RIG?

by , on
Apr 8, 2025
Ultimate Bowhunting Giveaway

Today starts the Ultimate Bowhunting Giveaway! I recently teamed up with Black Ovis to create a stellar gear package for 1 LUCKY PERSON.

Ultimate Bowhunting Giveaway Grand Prize:

  • Hoyt Alpha AX2 32
  • Argali Owyhee 1p Tent
  • Argali Owyhee 1p Insert
  • $500 in BlackOvis Gear
  • Choice of CRISPI Boots
  • Spot Hogg Boonie Sight
  • Hamskea Epsilon Arrow Rest
  • Hamskea Raptor Peep Sight
  • Victory VAP TKO arrows with ARROW ID build
  • Evolution Outdoors Hyde Broadheads
  • Josh Kirchner Signed Books

GET ENTERED HERE

The giveaway will run from 4/8 – 4/30 when ONE PERSON WILL TAKE IT ALL!

GOOD LUCK! I’M SO STOKED FOR WHOEVER WINS THIS!

Bowhunting Prep – 3 Exercises You NEED to Try

by , on
Apr 4, 2025
Josh Kirchner at full draw practicing shooting his bow

While anytime outside of hunting season is what I’d consider pre-season, sitting here now in the month of April we are just 4 months away from the start of Fall. There is much to do with scouting, training, and dialing in gear to get ready for the main event come August. All that to say, bowhunting prep is very clear in my mind right now, so I wanted to share a few exercises I’ve been doing behind the bow to hone my accuracy for the season.