Australian Hunting Backcountry – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode I connect with Fergus Bailey @rifletuner a competitive long range shooter and hunter, and we talk around what he feels is actually needed for reloading and load testing at a competitive level in 'long range' distances and the transition of that to hunting.

I did have some minor technical issues to overcome in this episode so bear with me on the audio...

I will invite Fergus back for another one or two recordings (if he'll have me) so feel free to shoot questions through after listening to this one.

I also chat with Lawson from @natures_perks_aus around what these guys are now doing and they evolved from their previous endeavours into Natures Perks. Their subscription giveaways are definitely worth looking at for some great hunting/fishing opportunities.

Don't forget that in 2025 I am proud to partner with;

Natures Perks -⁠naturesperks.com.au⁠

@natures_perks_aus

Gun Traders Australia -⁠guntraders.com.au⁠

@guntradersaustralia

Please also continue to support the 2024 partners;

Skeleton Optics Australia

On Track Meals

Feel free to reach out for a chat or with any podcast ideas;

@australian_hunting_backcountry

australian.hunting.backcountry@outlook.com.au

Look after yourself and your mates - Tobias.

In September 2024 I travel to Victoria highcountry with Jason from @liquidantler and Blake from @the_venture_folk for a multi-day backpack hunt. We packraft, avoid snakes, try to find water and have an amazing adventure.

Check out the video of the hunt on Liquid Antler YouTube channel.

For 2025 I am proud to partner with;

Natures Perks -naturesperks.com.au

@natures_perks_aus

Gun Traders Australia -guntraders.com.au

@guntradersaustralia

Please also continue to support the 2024 partners;

Skeleton Optics Australia

On Track Meals

Feel free to reach out for a chat or with any podcast ideas;

@australian_hunting_backcountry

australian.hunting.backcountry@outlook.com.au

Look after yourself and your mates - Tobias.

Rick is a NSW based Sambar hunter but had not undertaken a multi-day backpack hunt - until now. Rick and I chatted about gear and prep before the hunt and then caught up after the hunt to break down what worked and what he might change for the next one. Rick is also prepping for a NZ trip later this year.

Rick is also heavily involved in mental health first aid in his workplace and we chat a bit about the benefits of hunting and 'greenspace' to our mental health.

Rick also runs a Facebook group 'NSW Sambar Hunters' that has over 3500 members and growing. They have some merch and run education and hunt events.

Reach out to Rick if you're interested; @tailsntrails8 or via FB.

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast partners;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au ⁠⁠https://www.skeletonoptics.com.au/⁠⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠https://ontrackmeals.com/⁠⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

@australian_hunting_backcountry

australian.hunting.backcountry@outlook.com.au

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

Lucy and Ben are a unique backcountry hunting duo being father and daughter hunters. Based in New Zealand, they go on some amazing hunting adventures together and Lucy captures a lot of this for her YouTube channel.

Lucy and Ben were in the planning for a Fiordland trip when we recorded this and they would have just returned at the time this episode was released. Follow along at Instagram @lucynilson or YouTube @lucynilson

In the Friends of the Podcast segment, I speak with Lawson from @up_north_adventures_fnq and @wild_game_on_open_flame about the new guided hunts he is offering and their new website www.wgof.com.au

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast partners;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au ⁠⁠https://www.skeletonoptics.com.au/⁠⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠https://ontrackmeals.com/⁠⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

@australian_hunting_backcountry

australian.hunting.backcountry@outlook.com.au

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

I talk with Josh from Alpine Accuracy around long range shooting and shooting deer from distance - specifically Sambar deer in Vic Alpine Park. Josh is a keen backpack hunter but also produces some lightweight products for the long range hunters.

Contact him via Instagram if you're interested in knowing more or getting hold of some gear; @alpine_accuracy

In the Friends of the Podcast segment, I meet Nick from Bigham Forge. Nick is a firefighter, power lifter and finds times to make custom knives. See some of his handiwork on Instagram @bigham_forge and reach out to him if you're after something special.

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast partners;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au ⁠⁠https://www.skeletonoptics.com.au/⁠⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠https://ontrackmeals.com/⁠⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

@australian_hunting_backcountry

australian.hunting.backcountry@outlook.com.au

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

This episode is a chat with James Lathrop around the services that Lathrop and Sons offer to customise your hunting boots. If you suffer pain with your feet, boot related problems, not sure what boots to get or want something more suited to your hunting then this may be of interest to you. Lathrop and Sons have their own range of boots but also access to many other reliable brands.

Check them out on Instagram @lathropandsonsboots

or https://lathropandsons.com/

In the Friends of the Podcast segment, I chat with Corey from 'Rugged Outdoor Canvas' about the custom made products he offers for firearms, bows, ammo and just about anything you can think of. Some products are on his Instagram @ruggedoutdoorcanvas and on his Facebook.

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast sponsors;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au ⁠⁠https://www.skeletonoptics.com.au/⁠⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠⁠https://ontrackmeals.com/⁠⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. 

@australian_hunting_backcountry

australian.hunting.backcountry@outlook.com.au

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

Backcountry fitness and food tips with Ben from 'The Game Dietitian'. Ben is a hunter, fisher and academic with a keen interest in seeing people achieve their best in the backcountry.

Check out his programmes on offer; ⁠https://www.thegamedietitian.com.au/

or on Instagram; @thegamedietitian

In the Friends of the Podcast segment, I chat with Mick from 'The Deer School' about the courses he runs to assist anyone in successful deer hunting. Check them out @deerschool_melbourne and on Facebook

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast sponsors;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au ⁠https://www.skeletonoptics.com.au/⁠

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

⁠https://ontrackmeals.com/⁠

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out.

@australian_hunting_backcountry

australian.hunting.backcountry@outlook.com.au

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

On this episode I speak with Luke, dedicated bow hunter, firefighter and part-owner of Braken Wear about the business and the clothing that had been designed and adapted for hunting conditions.

Check out what they have to offer; https://brakenwear.com/

or on Instagram; @brakenwear

In the Friends of the Podcast segment, I answer some questions about On Track Meals products and break down some of the weights in comparison to popular freeze-dried meals.

I would also ask you to support the 2024 podcast sponsors;

Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au https://www.skeletonoptics.com.au/

On Track Meals - @on_track_meals

https://ontrackmeals.com/

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. I still have some stickers left too.

@australian_hunting_backcountry

australian.hunting.backcountry@outlook.com.au

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

Chris Boon has been backpack hunting for many years and details his learnings, experiences and some personal challenges that he overcame to get back into the Vic high country in 2023. For those of you old enough to remember having to read hunting magazines to get your content fix, Chris wrote a number of articles and is probably best remembered for hunts with his infant son in his backpack. Chris has successfully hunted all 6 species of deer in Australia but, like alot of us, is addicted to Sambar. I felt honoured to be able to chat with Chris and actually meet someone I held in such high regard from reading his articles all those years ago. Make sure to check out highlights from his trip @chrisboon2014.

I'm also joined in my Friend of the Podcast segment by Josh from Alpine Accuracy to discuss his lightweight shooting bags. A great idea for anyone looking for some lightweight shooting accessories - or sneaky Xmas present @alpine_accuracy 

Please continue to support my past 'Friends of the Podcast' and brand guests as they continue to support us;

• Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au https://www.skeletonoptics.com.au/
• Austealth clothing - @Austealth https://austealth.com/
• Down Under Outdoors  https://www.downunderoutdoors.net/ or check them out on Amazon.Au by searching 'Down Under Outdoors'.
• MTNgear NZ -  www.mtngear.nz or on his socials @mtngear.nz
• On Track Meals @on_track_meals and use the code BACKCOUNTRY at www.ontrackmeal.com  for 10% off online orders until December 2023
• The Game Dietitian @thegamedietitian and access the special price for the Fallow Deer challenge - 6 week training course ; www.thegamedietitian.com.au
• High Caliber Cleaning Supplies www.highcaliber.com.au @highcalibercleaningsupplies
• Tatonka packs @tatonkahunting
• HydraPak @hydrapakaunz
• To find out more about hunting with Zeb or education courses he can be found at; www.zebrashunting.com and @zebraj82 or YouTube - Zebra's Sambar Hunting Adventures.
• Thane from @rogee.productions or YouTube as Rogee Productions
• Jason from LiquidAntler @liquidantler or YouTube as Liquid Antler

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. I still have some stickers left too.

@australian_hunting_backcountry

australian.hunting.backcountry@outlook.com.au

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.

Jason @liquidantler and I sit down and run through our gear from our backpack hunt to Victoria in May 2023. As it does, life got in the way of recording this episode and that's why it's taken this long to get it published. We break down everything we took with weights and discuss what may not be coming on the next one and what new gear we are considering.

Please continue to support my past 'Friends of the Podcast' and brand guests as they continue to support us;

• Skeleton Optics - @skeletonoptics_au https://www.skeletonoptics.com.au/
• Austealth clothing - @Austealth https://austealth.com/
• Down Under Outdoors  https://www.downunderoutdoors.net/ or check them out on Amazon.Au by searching 'Down Under Outdoors'.
• MTNgear NZ -  www.mtngear.nz or on his socials @mtngear.nz
• On Track Meals @on_track_meals and use the code BACKCOUNTRY at www.ontrackmeal.com  for 10% off online orders until December 2023
• The Game Dietitian @thegamedietitian and access the special price for the Fallow Deer challenge - 6 week training course ; www.thegamedietitian.com.au
• High Caliber Cleaning Supplies www.highcaliber.com.au @highcalibercleaningsupplies
• Tatonka packs @tatonkahunting
• HydraPak @hydrapakaunz
• To find out more about hunting with Zeb or education courses he can be found at; www.zebrashunting.com and @zebraj82 or YouTube - Zebra's Sambar Hunting Adventures.
• Thane from @rogee.productions or YouTube as Rogee Productions
• Jason from LiquidAntler @liquidantler or YouTube as Liquid Antler

Anyone with ideas for future episodes, or just a chat around backcountry/backpack hunting  - please feel free to reach out. I still have some stickers left too.

@australian_hunting_backcountry

australian.hunting.backcountry@outlook.com.au

Thanks for listening - look after yourselves and your mates.