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Learning how to backpack hunt can seem like a tall order that forces you to drink from a fire hose. It can even feel overwhelming and leaves many folks right at the trailhead or setting up a truck camp instead of heading down the trail. After a decade of backcountry hunting, I’m going to try […]

Hunting, Tips

December 21, 2024

Backpack Hunting – 4 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Starting Out

Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter on a backpack hunt in Arizona for black bears
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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 […]

Hunting, Tips

October 31, 2024

How to Use a Hinge Release – My 3 Favorite Methods

Evolution Outdoors Ibex Hinge Release for Bowhunting
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It’s hotter than heck out, tags are arriving in the mail, and I’ve been shooting my bow as often as I can. We are knee-deep in the pre-season of hunting, otherwise known as, at least to me, the refining season. Along with shooting my bow, I’ve been trying to refine not only my shooting skills […]

Tips

July 9, 2024

Custom Arrow Build 101

Custom arrow build from Evolution Outdoors
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This is the first post in a new series I’ll be doing called “Behind the Bow.” My goal with this series is to take one thing per episode that I have personally overcome or an AHA moment in my bowhunting/archery journey and break it down for you. All of this with the hope to provide […]

Hunting, Tips

May 21, 2024

Target Panic – 3 Ways to Beat It – BTB E1

A coues buck Josh Kirchner harvested during the 2024 archery season in Arizona
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Something else I’m really trying to focus on for this upcoming backcountry archery spring bear hunt is strength training. I will admit, that this is something that I have lacked over the past few years. My primary way of training for hunts has been trail running and weighted pack hikes. This has gotten the job […]

Tips

April 16, 2024

Archery Spring Bear Backcountry Prep – Part 2

picking up dumbbells for a workout in preparation for a backcountry spring bear hunt in Idaho
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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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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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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 getting close now. I’ve been waiting all year for this and it’s about to be go time. Since I drew my elk tag back in February I’ve been daydreaming about hitting the hills with my bow. Getting another opportunity at an Arizona bull of my own and immersing myself in the whole experience. There […]

Hunting Philosophy, Tips

November 10, 2023

Hunting Preparation – Checking Boxes

An Arizona sunset on a Fall bear hunt
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It’s the end of September as I’m writing this. I’ve been seeing tons of success photos scrolling my social media feed and I love it. Big bulls and high country bucks are getting backpack rides and filling the hearts and freezers across the West. While that warms my heart, I can’t stop thinking about the […]

Tips

September 30, 2023

Arizona Fall Bear Hunting 101 – Octo”bear”

Josh Kirchner packing out one of his Fall bears in Arizona

@dialedinhunter