Beyond The Kill

This episode originally went live a little over a year ago and it’s one that could make the difference between an animal recovered and a hunt you’ll relive for years and wonder what you could have done differently.  As hunters, we do our best to make a clean kill, but if you spend enough time chasing critters in the mountains and backcountry, it’s inevitable that one day you’ll end up with a tracking scenario that tests every bit of fieldcraft you’ve earned. Enter blood tracking dogs.  Maybe you skipped this episode in the past. Maybe you’re headed out on a hunt and needed a reminder about the resources available for a scenario no hunter wants to deal with...an animal you’re struggling to recover. Either way, this is a really interesting episode with a deeply passionate dog owner that might just come in handy this fall. In the event you need to make a call you hoped you never would this season, links and resources are below.  @mattgagnonphoto  @rockymountainbiggamerec  www.rockymountainbiggamerecov

Although it’s prime time elk season for many of you, we know the muley fanatics have been getting after it as well.    If you haven’t shifted focus to big mule deer bucks yet, that point in the season is fast approaching, and with that in mind, we’re reposting a great discussion with a very successful BC-based mule deer hunter from roughly two years back.  If you haven’t listened to this one, it’ definitely worth it, and even if you did, it’s probably worth listening to again as Jordan’s tips, strategies and insights are timeless.  @bcbackcountry   ---------------------------  DEALS & PARTNERS:  For over 100 years Leica has set the standard for premium optics. From spotting scopes to binoculars, rifle scopes and the new CRF MAX rangefinders, Leica is the choice for those who accept no compromises.  Get FREE SHIPPING from Spartan Precision Equipment with code BTK25 and be sure to check out their new Springbok line of products.  onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters.

For 100 years Leica has been synonymous with premium glass. From sporting optics to cameras and camera lenses, the most discerning customers and end users have relied on Leica for a very, very long time.  On this episode, Ryan Holm, Leica’s Director of Marketing for Sport Optics, covers the deep and rich history of Leica as a brand and the company’s many innovations in the optics space.   He also shares the full details of the new Rangemaster CRF MAX rangefinder along with some of the other new and exciting products Leica is bringing to market, like their Calonox 2 clip-on thermal, and new Televid spotting scopes. Put simply, as impressive as their legacy is, as good as their glass is, they’re just getting started.   CHECK OUT THE NEW RANGEMASTER CRF MAX  NOTABLE QUOTES:  “We know about stabilization. We invented auto-focus. We understand how optics work. Stabilization has been in our cameras forever.”   @leicahunting  @leicahuntingusa  @ryan_holm  ---------------------------  DEALS &

On this episode, Travis Bader of Silvercore Outdoors shares his insights on the state of Canadian gun culture based on his many years of experience navigating all aspects of the Canadian firearms regulatory system.   From media to politics and the importance of process and procedure in leveraging misunderstood opportunities in the Canadian system, there’s a ton of great info in this podcast if you care about the future of gun ownership. Travis also unpacks the way to lawfully carry a handgun in Canada, even after the recent handgun freeze legislation was passed.   Travis brings a wealth of knowledge to a topic that is at the heart of firearms rights in this country.  Wilderness Authorization to Carry (ATC) Guide  NOTABLE QUOTES:  “If we have conversation and that resonates with even just one other person, but they actually take that step forward and take action, I think that is where we start moving the needle.”  @silvercoreoutdoors  ---------------------------  DEALS & PARTNERS:  For

Mike Drury was originally on the show roughly 18 months ago, shortly after he founded Alpine Riflecraft and began building the kind of rifles he wanted to take into the mountains but couldn’t find in any of the production models currently available.  Starting at just 4.5 pounds, these rifles are truly a mountain hunter’s dream. They combine excellent balance and ergonomics in a package that seamlessly blends both modern and traditional features. If Jack O’Connor were to take a rifle into the mountains in 2025, he’d probably be carrying a Zenith.  Since his original appearance on BTK, he’s expanded the available calibers, navigated cross border sales and shipping, and has numerous field reports from successful customers. There is no question that if you’re a serious mountain hunter, these rifles should be on your radar.  NOTABLE QUOTES:  “Once you pick it up, you’ll know.”  @alpineriflecraft  ---------------------------  DEALS & PARTNERS:  For over 100 years Leica has been the optics choic

Dylan is a lifelong hunter and has been with onX for 10 years. He has seen the evolution of mapping and hunting software evolve from cards that had to be plugged into a handheld GPS device to the full featured apps we all know and use on our smart phones today.   To say things have changed would be an understatement.  On this episode, Dylan covers some of the new features within the onX platform and, just as importantly, how he and the team at onX approach the introduction of new features and technologies and how that’s balanced against maintaining the soul and purity of the hunt itself.   NOTABLE QUOTES:   “There’s probably some trackable public data somewhere of an elk herd migration that we could put into onX, but we’re not going to. That’s an example of just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should, and we have actively had that conversation year in and year out.”  @onxhunt  ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  For over 100 years Leica has been the optics choice for t

Trail Kreitzer is one of those guys in the community that’s absolutely worth listening to.   No posturing, no fluff, no hyperbole. Just measured, field-based experience and advice from years and years of Western big game hunting. As a consistently successful bowhunter season after season, he's the embodiment of commitment to his craft.  On this episode, Trail shares his thoughts on the intricacies of modern archery equipment, finding reliable sources of information online, understanding where and what you should put your time and energy into in terms of hunting prep, how he approaches gear selection and gear development, and the importance of being adaptable with your hunting techniques.  NOTABLE QUOTES:   “I don’t think that you need to be a world-class elk caller to call in and kill elk. I think it’s way more important to understand elk behavior.”  @trailk11   ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  Get FREE SHIPPING from Spartan Precision Equipment with code BTK25 and be sure

A consistently successful hunter is almost always a very committed hunter. Being and staying committed solo or with your core hunting partners is one thing. Doing that with two very young kids in tow is a whole other matter.    On this episode, “Big Joe” shares the story of the truly monstrous bear his wife took this past spring bear season and how through dedication, commitment, planning, and a little luck, they managed to make it happen with the whole family along for the adventure.   NOTABLE QUOTES:  “I had the cape, the skull, and the meat with me when I took it into the butcher and all of that was 440 pounds. But that’s field dressed, so imagine what the bear would have weighed on the hoof.”   @joe_eppele   ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  Get FREE SHIPPING from Spartan Precision Equipment with code BTK25 and be sure to check out their new Springbok line of products.  onX Hunt is the most powerful 3D mapping solution for hunters. Get your FREE trial today. If you’re

There is no shortage of options in the digital watch world today.  From watches loaded with more technological features than most people could ever hope to use to models and brands with basic weather and navigational capabilities included, there’s a digital option to suit most budgets.  But where do we draw the line on tech reliance in the field? Especially when our phones and satellite messaging devices can already do so much? Enter traditional tool watches.   Simple. Practical. Rugged. Dependable. Do we really need more from our timepieces?   There seems to be more and more interest in classic or traditional watches today, but a lot of that content focuses on fairly high-end brands that many of you will recognize and maybe can’t afford.    But for 80+ years, a Canadian company, leveraging Swiss manufacturing has been quietly but confidently building watches for the most demanding and extreme use cases and customers. And they come at a price that most people can manage, especially when compared t

There are few people in this business more honest and respected than John Barklow.    From his ongoing efforts to educate hunters and mountain athletes on modern fieldcraft and survival skills, gear and techniques, to his decade long tenure with Sitka, John is leaving a mark on this community that will be felt for a very long time.   This conversation covers John’s opinions on what fieldcraft means in the context of all the gear, tools and technologies now available and then moves into the launch of Sitka’s single most ambitious lineup to date, including full details on many of the new products and key product updates.   NOTABLE QUOTES:   “Fall 25, which for us starts on the seventh of July, is the single biggest season we’ve ever had at Sitka, as far as number of new products and updates to some of our heavy hitters.”   @jbarklow  @sitkagear   ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  Get FREE SHIPPING from Spartan Precision Equipment with code BTK25 and be sure to check out

  Whether you’re a seasoned backcountry hunter or someone looking to plan your first multi-day backpack hunting trip this upcoming season, Steve and his crew at EXO MTN GEAR have put together one of, if not the, best educational content libraries available today.  Steve was on the show almost exactly one year ago when they first began releasing material associated with what they called The Experience Project. After multiple highly successful trips to Alaska and hundreds of hours of content released, Steve’s back to share some of the key insights and controversial conclusions they’ve drawn over the course of the past year.   And, if you like bear stories, there are more than a few of those included in this episode as well  NOTABLE QUOTES:  “I wake up at some point with the bear’s nose just rubbing on the tent fly, so I grab my 9mm, rest it on my chest, and just lay there thinking...OK....”  @huntbackcountry  EXO MTN GEAR YOUTUBE   ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  Get FREE

If you’re a regular listener of this show, there’s a strong chance you’ve come across The Code of the West on social media. It is one of the rare accounts that somehow manages to use the dopamine slot machine that is online media to tell stories, share lessons and ask questions that are sorely needed in today’s day and age.  The founder, Chris Hunt, takes us deep inside the inspiration behind what he’s doing with COTW, his background as a storyteller, marketer, and brand builder with some very well-known companies in our space, and how he hopes to inspire people to live a life of honesty and earnestness while remembering that some of the best life lessons come from getting your hands dirty.   NOTABLE QUOTES:  “I’m basically hijacking the weapon (Instagram) that I’m trying to fight most of the time.”  @thecodeofthewest  ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  Get FREE SHIPPING from Spartan Precision Equipment with code BTK25 and be sure to check out their new Springbok line of products

Now in their 50th year, Crispi has a long history of crafting mountain boots with cutting edge technology and time-tested craftsmanship. No matter where you hunt or what you hunt, there’s a Crispi hunting boot designed to serve your needs.    In this episode, Matt Ericksen of Crispi USA, takes us through all the new and updated models for the 2025 season, the balancing act between tradition and innovation, and shares some insights on how Crispi - and many other boot brands - design the key components that allow a boot to perform in mountainous terrain and conditions.  NOTABLE QUOTES:  “Crispi’s ownership in Italy is seated deep in tradition but also keep their eyes forward to innovation and staying ahead of the curve.”  @crispihunting  ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  Get FREE SHIPPING from Spartan Precision Equipment with code BTK25 and be sure to check out their new Springbok line of products.  OnX Maps is now available in Canada! Get your FREE trial today. And if you’re a

On this episode, Christian Schauf, the founder of Uncharted Supply Co, takes us inside the growth of his uniquely focused and positioned company, and the mission and ethos that has been at the core of their success.   Unlike a lot of the First Aid or preparedness products available today, Christian isn’t just throwing a bunch of shit in a pouch and calling it a survival kit. He takes a very intentional approach to how he designs and sources all the products under the Uncharted Supply umbrella, and with a distinct focus on the hunting and outdoor community, he’s helping all of us be better prepared and capable when things don’t go as planned.  NOTABLE QUOTES:   “A hundred band-aids never saved a life.”  @unchartedsupplyco  @christianschauf  ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  Get FREE SHIPPING from Spartan Precision Equipment with code BTK25 and be sure to check out their new Springbok line of products.  OnX Maps is now available in Canada! Get your FREE trial today. And if you’

It has been far too long since Caylen has been on the show. If you have even the slightest interest in precision shooting, you won’t want to miss this episode.  Caylen is the founder of Modern Day Sniper and Modern Day Rifleman. He is a leading authority on developing one’s skills with a rifle and the equipment needed to achieve the highest levels of precision, be that on game or in a competition context. More importantly, he brings a true philosopher’s approach to the thinking, mindset and skill progressions required to get the most out of your shooting system.  NOTABLE QUOTES:  “If you’ve built a solid enough position, and that’s the wobble zone, or the margin of aiming error that you have to deal with, and that’s all you’re gonna get for that particular position, we need to shift. We need to stop focusing on what the reticle is doing, ignore what it’s doing, and get one action completed, which is proper trigger control.”  @moderndaysniper  ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  Ge

This is a repost of an incredibly important episode we released more than a year ago. If you missed it, or are new to the show, it is worth checking out.  So much time and attention are devoted to the “cool” aspects of backcountry hunting prep. Shooting, gear, physical training, nutrition...the list could go on. But what happens when everything goes sideways, and you’re faced with a no BS trauma situation or medical emergency? This episode will help you be prepared in those rare but critical moments.   NOTABLE QUOTES:   “Knowledge is weightless man, and you can take it with you wherever you go.”  @ctomsinc  ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  OnX Maps is now available in Canada! Get your FREE trial today. And if you’re already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.   Tired of garbage instant coffee when you’re in the backcountry? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for whenever you’re in

Chris is one of those rare people in the industry that has truly seen it all.   After over thirty years spanning hunting retail, optics, TV, magazines, digital media, supplements and more hunts and species than most can dream of, Chris brings a perspective and breadth of experience to the podcast that is truly rare.   NOTABLE QUOTES:  “If you miss a long-ish range shot on animal and you don’t know why, what business do you have sending another round and potentially wounding that animal?”  @westernhuntermagazine  ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  OnX Maps is now available in Canada! Get your FREE trial today. And if you’re already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.   Tired of garbage instant coffee when you’re in the backcountry? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for whenever you’re in the backcountry or on the road.  ---------------------------  SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:  Go to Wi

Adam’s joined by Nolan to debrief on a recent Coastal bear hunt where the opportunities were many, the fishing was solid, and the coolers came home full.  NOTABLE QUOTES:  “There’s a picture of me where the look on my face is like I’d seen a ghost. That’s how big this bear was. Biggest I’ve seen in my life.”  @nmo  ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  OnX Maps is now available in Canada! Get your FREE trial today. And if you’re already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.   Tired of garbage instant coffee when you’re in the backcountry? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for whenever you’re in the backcountry or on the road.  ---------------------------  SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:  Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.  SUPPORT MOUNTAIN GOATS:  Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits y

This episode features Aron Snyder of Born Primitive Outdoor and an in-depth look at the new Born Primitive Academy and their upcoming courses.   There’s only so much you can learn online, and these courses will be indispensable for those looking to increase their skills, efficiency and effectiveness in the mountains.   NOTABLE GUEST QUOTES:  “I’m not gonna show people how to flip tires. What I am good at is surviving and killing, and that’s what I really I want to focus in our courses.”  @bornprimitive  @bornprimitiveoutdoor  @aron_snyder  ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  OnX Maps is now available in Canada! Get your FREE trial today. And if you’re already a member, check out the exclusive offers and perks available when you upgrade to an Elite Member.   Tired of garbage instant coffee when you’re in the backcountry? Check out This Is Coffee and get yourself some great instant coffee for whenever you’re in the backcountry or on the road.  --------------------------- 

This episode features Brad Brooks, the founder of Argali Outdoors, one hell of a mountain/backcountry hunter, and an all around great dude.   We touch on the value of finding bite sized adventures when life demands more of our time, the long list of new gear Argali has launched since Brad was last on the show, and what it’s like navigating an increasingly chaotic world and how that impacts business decisions and ultimately the customer.   And yes, we touch on tariffs and current US-Canada relations. In a world that is so easily swayed by headlines and the whims of social media, Brad offers a nuanced and honest perspective on how the current economic climate will impact the entire outdoor industry.   NOTABLE GUEST QUOTES:   “I’ll offer an open invite to any Canadians that come to Boise, reach out if you’re in town and beers are on me.”  @argali_official  ---------------------------  DEALS & OFFERS:  OnX Maps is now available in Canada! Get your FREE trial today. And if you’re already a