Explore every episode of the podcast Backcountry Hunting Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q&A: Grizzly Guns, Elk Bullets, Straight Wall Cartridges, 7PRC in Africa, & More | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:55:40 | |
Hunting season is in full swing, and the stories, questions, and reports are pouring in! This episode we dive deep into concerns and questions from our loyal listeners, addressing everything from how to set up a guide rifle for grizzlies to picking a whitetail cartridge to choosing a bullet for Africa. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry Check out our new "recommended outfitters" hunt booking agency! We're super excited about this venture that allows us to share our favorite destinations around the world with our loyal listeners. We'll also be doing hosted hunts each year, which will be available first to our loyal listeners on Patreon. We have a new advertising partner! Check out Swift Bullets, known and trusted as the best of the best by most African Dangerous Game specialists.
VISIT ALL OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| Ruger's New M77 Alaskan Bush Rifle in .35 Whelen and 9.3x62 | 07 Nov 2025 | 01:05:00 | |
This just might be the coolest new rifle introduction of the year! Lipsey's and Ruger have teamed up to create this quick-handling, hard-hitting bush rifle chambered in two of history's coolest powerhouse cartridges. These rifles are available now, through your Lipsey's-associated local dealer. Links are below. ENJOY! Ruger M77 Alaskan Bush Rifle in .35 Whelen Ruger M77 Alaskan Bush Rifle in 9.3x62
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry Check out our new "recommended outfitters" hunt booking agency! We're super excited about this venture that allows us to share our favorite destinations around the world with our loyal listeners. We'll also be doing hosted hunts each year, which will be available first to our loyal listeners on Patreon. We have a new advertising partner! Check out Swift Bullets, known and trusted as the best of the best by most African Dangerous Game specialists.
VISIT ALL OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| .280 Ackley Improved: All-Time Favorite Big Game Cartridge | 05 Sep 2025 | 01:05:31 | |
Could the grand old .280 Ackley Improved cartridge still be one of the best all-purpose big game cartridges ever designed? We think so, and this podcast is dedicated to explaining why. We address:
Plus .280 Ackley hunting stories are generously sprinkled throughout. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus content on www.patreon.com/backcountry Check out our new "recommended outfitters" hunt booking agency! We're super excited about this venture that allows us to share our favorite destinations around the world with our loyal listeners. We'll also be doing hosted hunts each year, which will be available first to our loyal listeners on Patreon. We have a new advertising partner! Check out Swift Bullets, known and trusted as the best of the best by most African Dangerous Game specialists. It's Porter's Firearms' 30-year anniversary! They're offering some incredible deals specifically to podcast listeners. Call Shane Porter at 870-701-0504 for details.
VISIT ALL OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/
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| Best Scopes for Close Range Hunting | 09 Feb 2024 | 00:54:18 | |
What sort of scope (or sights) will help you shoot most effectively when hunting big timber or brush country? This episode explores the characteristics of an optic that's ideal for fast, effective shooting inside 200 yards, and details several different scope, red dot, and iron sight models that work particularly well. ENJOY!
FRIENDS: We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need all the support we can get to take it to the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars. VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| Best Lever Actions for Big Game | 07 Feb 2024 | 00:10:05 | |
This episode showcases three terrific lever-action big game rifles. All are classic historic designs that were carried by frontiersmen; all are also still being produced! These three are big-bore versions suitable for hunting anything from deer to grizzlies. We'll follow up soon with an episode on top-notch .30-30 models ideal for deer and hog hunting. In order of appearance, here are links to the specific rifle models showcased here: Winchester Model 1886 Short Rifle in .45-90 Win. Marlin Model 1895 SBL in .45-70 Gov't. Winchester Model 95 in .405 Win. If you'd like to see the rifles, join us on www.patreon.com/backcountry, where you can see the film of this episode plus all our other bonus content. ENJOY! | |||
| Best Rifles, Cartridges, & Bullets for Close-Range Hunting | 02 Feb 2024 | 01:02:36 | |
What makes a capable rifle/cartridge/bullet setup for close-range hunting? This episode takes a deep dive into the best of the type, including lever-actions, pump-actions, bolt-actions, semiautos, and even single shots, along with ideal cartridges and top-performing bullet types. We address whether brush-busting bullets are actually a thing, and the visible on-impact effect of blunt-nose bullets up close versus pointed bullets. From shot angles to blood trails to fast follow-up shots, this episode has it all... ENJOY!
FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need all the support we can get to take it to the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars. VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/
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| Leupold's New Mark 4HD (and another Northern Shrike) | 30 Jan 2024 | 00:36:35 | |
After four decades of U.S. sniper history Leupold's legendary Mark 4 scope has been completely overhauled. The new Mark 4HD has state-of-the-art glass and cutting-edge features, and is undoubtedly the best crossover precision/tactical/hunting scope now on the market. Weight is reasonable, as is cost: $999 to $1,599. This episode takes a deep dive into the new Mark 4HD line with optical experts John Snodgrass and Shawn Skipper. ENJOY!
FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need all the support we can get to take it to the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars. VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com | |||
| Coolest New Gear at SHOT Show 2024, with Ron Spomer and Colton Heward | 26 Jan 2024 | 00:59:40 | |
This episode I sat down with Ron Spomer and Colton Heward and swapped stories and opinions on the flood of innovative new shooting and hunting products introduced at SHOT Show 2024. We talk about awesome new rifle designs, from Winchester's new $400 .22 rimfire lever gun to Beretta's startling new straight-pull bolt-action hunting rifle. New riflescopes and rangefinding binoculars and premium optics of every sort abound. New cartridge introductions are few but new loads for trendy cartridges are everywhere—there are no less than seven new 7mm PRC loads from Federal, Remington, and Fusion alone. We're also planning a meet-and-greet at the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City on Friday, February 16th at around 2pm. Hope to see you there!
FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need all the support we can get to take it to the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars. VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com
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| 22 Creedmoor: The Ultimate Predator Cartridge? | 19 Jan 2024 | 01:01:26 | |
Is there a predator-hunting cartridge that outperforms all others? There is, and it's called the 22 Creedmoor. It's designed for maximum performance with modern, high-BC .22-caliber centerfire bullets, and as a result is much more effective than classic favorites such as the .22-250. Skeptical? I admit I sure was. Research showed me that the 22 Creedmoor doesn't just outperform the .22-250 and other popular predator rounds, it eclipses them. Want some numbers? The 22 Creedmoor is more effective at 800 yards than the .22-250 is at 500 yards. It has less than half the wind drift. It impacts with more than double the energy and a whole lot more velocity downrange. Wildcatted and promoted by serious coyote competition callers in Texas, the 22 Creedmoor has just been legitimized by Hornady and is now a proper factory-loaded cartridge. Horizon Firearms has exclusive marketing priveledges for Hornady ammo, and makes the finest 22 Creedmoor factory-ready rifles I've seen anywhere—for half the cost you'd expect. This was a unique project with a result that really surprised me. Candidly, I had no idea just how good the 22 Creedmoor would prove to be. ENJOY!
FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need all the support we can get to take it to the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars. VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/
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| Gear Prep & Hunting for Coues Deer | 12 Jan 2024 | 01:28:21 | |
This episode takes us to Old Mexico in pursuit of coues deer, the Gray Ghost of the Southwest. These tiny desert mountain-dwellering whitetails are incredibly challenging—and fun—to hunt. Guides and hunters with 40 years of experience talk us through how, where and when to hunt coues deer. We take a deep dive into rifles, cartridges, and bullets for coues deer, and discuss the vital importance of a good binocular and high-powered, tripod-mounted binocular. The second half of the podcast is story time. Fellow writer Jeff Johnston tells the tale of his near-Boone & Crockett buck, and I share the story of my massive-antlered, battle-scarred old buck. This was a fun one, folks, recorded in the field hunkered around a cast-iron wood stove on a historic ranch once frequented by Pancho Villa. ENJOY!
FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need your support to take it to the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars. VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com | |||
| How To Use a Custom Scope Dial | 05 Jan 2024 | 01:02:05 | |
Custom scope dials are the fastest, simplest way to make precise shots inside 600 yards. Just range, dial, hold center and shoot. However, ordering a dial with the correct parameters and setting it up on your rifle can feel intimidating. It shouldn't be. The process is a detailed one, but isn't hard. This episode outlines several steps on how to get it right, and then how to use your custom dial most effectively. Common questions and misconceptions about custom dials are answered and mythbusted, too. ENJOY!
FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need all the support we can get to take it to the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars. VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| Top 3 Movies for Hunters | 02 Jan 2024 | 00:04:01 | |
Few great hunting films exist... But the great ones are really spectacular. This brief episode details three of the best ever made. ENJOY! | |||
| 7mm PRC vs .300 Win. Mag: Which Is Best? | 29 Dec 2023 | 00:49:30 | |
In this episode we pit the legendary .300 Win. Mag. against the trendy 7mm PRC. One is the magnum by which all others are measured; the other is the fastest-growing magnum in the industry. Which one is best? ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| Family, Hunting Heritage, & the World's Best Hunting Club with Rob McCanna | 29 Aug 2025 | 00:44:28 | |
Safari hunting, conservation, and family hunting traditions from squirrels to elk are key topics of this wonderful interview with Dallas Safari Club CEO Rob McCanna. We recorded this live at the recent inaugural summer DSC convention, and it was one of the most enjoyable conversations I've ever had with a top-end industry leader. Rob is a down-to-earth guy that hunts hard and appreciates time afield as much or more than most—and is dedicating years to preserving, protecting, and promoting our way of life. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry
Check out our new "recommended outfitters" hunt booking agency! We're super excited about this venture that allows us to share our favorite destinations around the world with our loyal listeners. We'll also be doing hosted hunts each year, which will be available first to our loyal listeners on Patreon. We have a new advertising partner! Check out Swift Bullets, known and trusted as the best of the best by most African Dangerous Game specialists. It's Porter's Firearms' 30-year anniversary this month! They're offering some incredible deals specifically to podcast listeners. Call Shane Porter at 870-701-0504 for details.
VISIT ALL OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| Rifle vs Cartridge: Which to pick first? | 26 Dec 2023 | 00:03:30 | |
When you need a new hunting rifle, should you first pick a cartridge, and then find a rifle you like that's chambered for it? Or should you first choose a rifle type and model, and then shop for one chambered for a cartridge that suits your needs? This brief bonus episode explores a couple of examples showcasing the advantages of each approach... ENJOY! | |||
| Backcountry Q&A: Elk guns, bear spray, kid rifles, cartridge wars, & more! | 22 Dec 2023 | 00:55:18 | |
| Top Three Backcountry Backpacks | 19 Dec 2023 | 00:05:22 | |
Shopping for a serious backpack for backcountry hunting? This rapid-fire 5-minute bonus episode details three top picks. These packs are versitile, capable, comfortable, and of premium quality. Compressed, they'll serve as a daypack ready to morph into a meat-hauling machine. Weight ratings are all north of 150 pounds, and capacity is plenty for expedition-level hunts. ENJOY! | |||
| onX Navigation and Elk Hunting | 15 Dec 2023 | 01:21:22 | |
Effective scouting, mapping, and navigating backcountry areas is crucial to hunting success. The onX Hunt app is an incredible tool and resource for doing so—so much so that it's become indespensible. This episode, onX's Dylan Dowson joins us to walk listeners through several of the newest, coolest features included with the onX app, and shares the story of his giant 2023 public-land, solo DIY archery bull elk. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| Best Bear-Stopping Guns | 12 Dec 2023 | 00:05:42 | |
Folks, I think we often miss the mark when we talk about guns for defense against trouble bears. It's crucial to keep in mind that although a handgun or a deer rifle is far better than nothing and is sometimes the only option, they're still a distant second-best to powerful big-bore guns. This 5-minute episode details three top choices for actually STOPPING a charging bear. Not just killing it, but preventing it from killing you. We're filming these brief bonus episodes, so if you'd like to put eyes on the rifles showcased in this episode, please join us on www.patreon.com/backcountry . ENJOY! | |||
| 243 Winchester vs 6mm Creedmoor: Best crossover deer/predator cartridge? | 08 Dec 2023 | 01:01:36 | |
In the world of light, zippy cartridges that serve double duty on deer and varmints, what's best? Two of our most popular crossover cartridges are the classic .243 Winchester, and the cutting-edge6mm Creedmoor. This episode takes a deep dive into the pros and cons of each, pitting the two against each other in terminal performance, inherrent accuracy, ballistics, barrel life, practical versatility, and more. Take a listen to hear which emerges the winner. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/
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| Modern Cartridges Most Likely To Survive | 05 Dec 2023 | 00:06:39 | |
"Do you think the 6.8 Western is here to stay?" We field a lot of this type of question. Survival rate of modern cartridges is a valid concern, especially for hunters that don't handload. So we've featured three really new cutting-edge rifle cartridges that we're pretty sure are here for the long haul. My criteria was that each had to be from a different designer, each had to be introduced very recently, and each had to be a capable, versatile cartridge for western big game. This is one of a new weekly podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're filming these brief episodes and posting them on Patreon, so if you'd like to put eyes on the products and methods showcased, please sign up at www.patreon.com/backcountry for a membership! Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY! | |||
| Riflestock accuracy & consistency | 01 Dec 2023 | 01:21:34 | |
Few things are worse than an equipment failure when you're about to take a shot at a buck, bull, ram, or boar of a lifetime. One of the least suspected but frequent culprits of shots going astray in the field are inconsistent riflestocks. This episode with accuracy nut Austin Brown digs deep on how to maximize the accuracy potential and consistency of your rifle's stock—and is generously supported with hunting stories to make our points. Ok, ok: This episode is mostly hunting stories with a few good pointers. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com | |||
| Handgun Cartridges for Bear Defense | 28 Nov 2023 | 00:04:38 | |
What handgun cartridge should you carry in bear country? That depends on the local species and your personal shooting ability. Spotlighted here are three of the most practical options available. This is the eighth of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're filming these brief episodes and posting them on Patreon, so if you'd like to put eyes on the products and methods showcased, please sign up at www.patreon.com/backcountry for a membership! Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY! | |||
| Lever Actions for Hardcore Hunting | 24 Nov 2023 | 00:55:59 | |
Want a quick-handling, hard-hitting lever-action hunting rifle? Here's an in-depth look at the three primary types, with notes on cartridges and configurations. Traditional lever actions:
Advanced traditional lever actions:
Modern lever actions:
Here's a look at the historic developement of each type, the uses each is best suited for, and how to pick one that fits a shooters desire for his or her individual desire for lever-action performance combined with historic lever-gun panache. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com | |||
| Origins of Spot & Stalk Hunting | 22 Aug 2025 | 01:28:23 | |
Spot-and-stalk hunting—the lifeblood of open-country hunters around the world—may have it's roots in a very special place in the Scottish Highlands. This episode, we visit with Sam Thompson, Head Game Keeper of Kildermorie Estate, during a red stag hunt. Sam shares the story of Great Britain's movement from coursing big game with hounds to spotting and stalking, DIY, putting in the hard yards to earn one's success. We also dig deep into the cartridges and bullets best-suited for hunting red stag. ENJOY!
Check out our new "recommended outfitters" hunt booking agency! We're super excited about this venture that allows us to share our favorite destinations around the world with our loyal listeners. We'll also be doing hosted hunts each year, which will be available first to our loyal listeners on Patreon. We have a new advertising partner! Check out Swift Bullets, known and trusted as the best of the best by most African Dangerous Game specialists. It's Porter's Firearms' 30-year anniversary this month! They're offering some incredible deals specifically to podcast listeners. Call Shane Porter at 870-701-0504 for details.
VISIT ALL OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/
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| Emergency Fire Starters | 21 Nov 2023 | 00:05:05 | |
What fire starting aids should you carry in dangerous country? Spotlighted here are three of the best: Products proven to work in harsh conditions. This is the seventh of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're filming these brief episodes and posting them on Patreon, so if you'd like to put eyes on the products and methods showcased, please sign up at www.patreon.com/backcountry for a membership! Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY! | |||
| Hunting Kudu & Cape Buffalo | 17 Nov 2023 | 01:37:08 | |
Back to the Dark Continent... This episode is raw and unedited, just as we recorded it beside a campfire along the Okavango river late one night, with lions roaring and elephants trumpeting in the background. On the second half of our fall 2023 safari with Kowas Adventure Safaris in Namibia, my daughter Audrey shot a wonderful old kudu bull and a gnarly-horned impala. Then Austin Brown and I broke out the big-bore dangerous game rifles to hunt cape buffalo. We tracked old bachelor bull groups through the days in heat up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit, in ankle-deep sand, and shot three massive old bulls. This episode is all about the stories, folks! The episode wraps up with a discussion of African conservation challenges and the future, including a hard, honest look at the cow elephant herds moving into the historic Caprivi Strip region and decimating the habitat. Experiences like this only happen once in a lifetime, and we hope you enjoy the stories...
If you're interested in following in our tracks and going on safari with a truely exceptional operator in Namibia—family owned, operated, and oriented—check out Kowas Adventure Safaris.
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com | |||
| Cartridges for Africa: Top 3 In 5 | 14 Nov 2023 | 00:07:13 | |
What cartridge should you take on an African plains game safari? Spotlighted here are three outstanding, versatile cartridges, recommended by our guest Jacques Strauss, my favorite African PH. This is the sixth of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're filming these brief episodes and posting them on Patreon, so if you'd like to put eyes on the products and methods showcased, please sign up at www.patreon.com/backcountry for a membership! Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY! | |||
| Planning a Safari: Logistics, Preparation, and Crucial Skills | 10 Nov 2023 | 01:34:27 | |
Recorded live and raw in the field, this episode takes us to Africa. In addition to lots of great hunting stories, we address safari research, logistics, planning, and prep with the help of my long-time hunting partner and world traveler Austin Brown. Plus, Namibian Professional Hunter Jacques Strauss of Kowas Hunting Safaris talks us through pre-hunt practice and skills crucial to success in the African bush. My kids Audrey (age 15) and William (age 13, our very own Backcountry Apprentice) get to experience the Dark Continent and hunt plains game for the first time. Plus my hunting pardner Austin Brown and I hunt leopard and for an elusive giant kudu bull. This is an account of the first half of our safari... including a once-in-many-lifetimes close daylight encounter with a big male leopard. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| Best 6.5mm Cartridge Of Them All | 03 Nov 2023 | 01:12:41 | |
| Glassing Gear & Methods: Top 3 in 5 | 31 Oct 2023 | 00:06:57 | |
How do we overcome our human (read "weak") eyesight? With good optics! Spotlighted here are the three primary glassing tools every backcountry hunter should have, along with tips and tricks on how to pick the right one and how to use it. This is the fifth of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're filming these brief episodes and posting them on Patreon, so if you'd like to put eyes on the products and methods showcased, please sign up at www.patreon.com/backcountry for a membership! Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY! | |||
| Characteristics Every Hunting Rifle Should Possess | 27 Oct 2023 | 01:05:04 | |
Your hunting rifle can be a truckbox tool, or a refined instrument. Either way, you should trust it completely, and it should provide characteristics that help you—the soft tissue behind the system—close the deal at the moment of truth. This episode discusses essential features of a great hunting rifle:
Life is too short to hunt with ugly rifles, folks! (Or innaccurate, unreliable, awkward rifles...) This discussion was inspired by several failures and near-failures in the field, and we tell those stories to support our points. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| Best Compact Ranging Binoculars: Top 3 In 5 Minutes | 24 Oct 2023 | 00:06:03 | |
Interested in a sleek, lightweight rangefinding binocular? Spotlighted here are the only three available. Thankfully, they're all great. Each provides excellent optical quality, a powerful, reliable laser ranging engine, and cutting-edge technology. This is the fourth of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're filming these brief episodes and posting them on Patreon, so if you'd like to put eyes on the products and methods showcased, please sign up at www.patreon.com/backcountry for a membership! Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY! | |||
| Spartan | 20 Oct 2023 | 01:07:11 | |
After a wildly successful evening of hunting mule deer with Audrey and Sophie von Benedikt, we sit down with friend Rob Gearing, who is a certain contender for Most Interesting Man in the World. We talk through the girls' hunt, detail the cutting-edge family of shooting support systems at Spartan Precision Equipment, and get Rob's perspective on how mountain climbing and some near-death survival adventures influence his design ethos. The second half of the podcast our conversation gets pithy and very real, as we discuss the primal drive to hunt and eat wild meat and the psychological and health benefits of doing so. We even discuss the need to maintain our heritage and hunting rights and manage to avoid getting political! This was a tremendous discussion, folks. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| After The Kill: Photography, Field Processing, & Packing Meat | 13 Oct 2023 | 00:54:43 | |
Success! You've just shot a buck or bull. But should the fun really stop there? Not really. You'll shift gears, sure, but the process of getting great photos in the field, then field processing and breaking down your animal and packing it out can be very rewarding. This episode, we take an in-depth look at three steps: PHOTOGRAPHY
Field Dressing & the Gutless Method
Packing Out
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/
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| Long-Range Hunting, Small Calibers for Big Game, & the 7mm Backcountry, with Matt Bettersworth | 15 Aug 2025 | 01:38:59 | |
Buckle up, folks! Our guest on this episode is not one to mince words—he has strong opinions forged from decades of experience building custom rifles and using them on hunts around the world. Meet Matt Bettersworth, co-owner of Hill Country Rifles. Matt breaks down what he believes it takes to cleanly kill a big game animal out at 1,000 yards, gets real in his opinion about using small cartridges on big game animals, and shares a ton of experience-based insight on Federal's new 7mm Backcountry cartridge. Is it accurate? Is it safe? Will it survive? Will it kill the .280 Ackley? Listen in, folks! This was a terrific conversation. ENJOY!
Check out our new "recommended outfitters" hunt booking agency! We're super excited about this venture that allows us to share our favorite destinations around the world with our loyal listeners. We'll also be doing hosted hunts each year, which will be available first to our loyal listeners on Patreon. We have a new advertising partner! Check out Swift Bullets, known and trusted as the best of the best by most African Dangerous Game specialists. It's Porter's Firearms' 30-year anniversary this month! They're offering some incredible deals specifically to podcast listeners. Call Shane Porter at 870-701-0504 for details.
VISIT ALL OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/
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| Top 3 In 5 Classic Elk Cartridges | 11 Oct 2023 | 00:05:19 | |
This is the third of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're calling them the "Top 3 In 5" bonus episodes. Spotlighted here are three of our all-time favorite classic elk cartridges. They all provide adequate bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and frontal diameter and are proven, authoritative killers on even big-bodied, mature bulls. We're filming these brief episodes and posting them on Patreon, so if you'd like to put eyes on the products and methods showcased, please sign up at www.patreon.com/backcountry for a membership! Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk cartridges, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY!
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| Components of a Great Rangefinder with Eric Overstreet | 06 Oct 2023 | 01:11:40 | |
A good rangefinder is a crucial tool for hunting big country... Leupold's expert Eric Overstreet takes us on a deep dive into how they work, and what makes a really effective rangefinder—Laser shapes and divergence, pulse rate, display types, ballistic calculators and ranging speed and more. On a very practical note, we talk through the pros and cons of rangefinding binoculars vs. monocular rangefinders, how quickly technology goes out of date, and how to plan for best-possible performance. This one's a can't miss, folks... ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| "Top 3 In 5" Favorite Riflescopes | 03 Oct 2023 | 00:05:02 | |
This is the second of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're calling them the "Top 3 In 5" bonus episodes. Spotlighted here are three of our all-time favorite lightweight hunting scopes. They span a price range of $500 to $1,650, and all are light enough to pack up mountains, are feature-filled so they'll hunt as hard and as far as you can, and are of premium quality, so they provide great durability, light transmission, image clarity, color purity, and so on. Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk cartridges, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY!
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| 5 Top Elk & Deer Bullets | 29 Sep 2023 | 01:01:38 | |
When you hunt a wide spectrum of big game—ranging from little deer to big elk—with just one type of bullet, your average whitetail bullet may not cut the mustard. You need a premium bullet that will capable kill anything you shoot it at—and from less than ideal shot angles. This episode details five of top choices for crossover work on big game from whitetails to elk. First we set the stage by defining the desirable characteristics of a capable big game bullet, then we discuss the specific characteristics of several premium options, including favorite calibers and weights.
Finally, we wrap up with a quick list of great cartridges for shooting these bullets. This was a fun one, folks. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| 3 favorite hunting rifles showcased in just 5 minutes | 26 Sep 2023 | 00:06:45 | |
This is the first of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniques. We're calling them the "Top 3 In 5" bonus episodes. Spotlighted here are three of our all-time favorite backcountry hunting rifles. These are top-end production rifles; we'll do similar episodes on entry-level rifles and full custom rifles soon. Also soon to come: Boots, packs, knives, elk cartridges, elk calls, multitools, tents, bear guns, movies, and more! These "Top 3 In 5" minute episodes will drop as frequently as we have time during this busy hunting season, and by Christmas will be a weekly Tuesday-morning addition to the podcast's regular schedule. ENJOY!
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| Hunting the Most Dangerous Game with Ron Spomer | 22 Sep 2023 | 01:24:06 | |
| Hunting Giant Moose in Alaska with Adam Grenda | 15 Sep 2023 | 01:09:20 | |
If you dream about big bull moose drifting through the alders, this episode is for you. Guest Adam Grenda, Alaska bush pilot and co-host of Stuck N The Rut on YouTube, hunter extraordinaire of giant moose, tells his story. How the passion to hunt was instilled in him at the ripe old age of three, how he found a bride with a drive to hunt and fish that equals his own, and how they moved to Alaska and found a home there. Adam and Tana's daughter Julia (age 15) just shot her first moose—a whopping 254-inch monster bull with antlers that weighed 103 pounds and stretch the tape 73 inches wide. This podcast tells her hunt story, and Adam digs deep into the gear that has proven crucial for moose-hunting success. Boots, packs, rifles, cartridges, and more. Folks, this was one of my all-time favorite conversations recorded for the podcast. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/
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| DIY Caribou: Solo in Alaska with Scott Hamby | 08 Sep 2023 | 01:02:06 | |
Alaska, solo, on a drop-camp caribou hunt in wild country. Scott Hamby recently returned from Alaska, where he adapted and overcame issues with wildfire, fog, and most of all, plans that fell through one after another. Plan C came together, and Scott came home with a mature caribou bull. This episode tells his story, with deep dives into his planning and logistics; his packing, camping, and hunting gear; rifle, cartridge, ammo, optics, and hunting knives, and more. Alone in the Arctic, Scott had a great hunt and closed the deal with a single perfectly placed bullet at the moment of truth. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| Backcountry Gear List | 01 Sep 2023 | 01:20:13 | |
True backcountry hunting can be dangerous and challenging. Packing the right gear optimizes success, and may ensure survival. Choose wisely. This list is a comprehensive selection of gear that will cover nearly any backcountry hunting adventure, compiled after 35 years of experience in the West and the far North's wilderness. But gear lists are boring, right? Not this time. We don't just itemize, we explain why—and that's where the fun begins. The entire list can be found in document form on our Backcountry membership site: www.patreon.com/backcountry . Please join use there to support the podcast and to access all our exclusive content!
VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com | |||
| Hunting Red Stags | 25 Aug 2023 | 01:31:23 | |
Ever dreamed about hunting Red Stags? One of the most coveted, magical, historic Red Stag destinations in the world is the highlands of Scotland. This episode was recorded in the field, in a stone hunting lodge built during the Victorian era, and we tell the story of our good fortune and successful hunt for a big, old royal stag. Head gamekeeper Sam Thompson and Spartan Precision's Rob Gearing sit down with host Joseph von Benedikt and share insights on how to plan and book such a hunt, detail the surprisingly affordable costs, discuss appropriate gear and travel, and most of all, dig deep into hunting methods and stories. Folks, this one was a ton of fun. ENJOY! Contact @realsamthompson on Instagram. FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/
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| Best Deer Calibers: Whitetail vs. Mule Deer | 08 Aug 2025 | 01:20:18 | |
If you got to pick just one ultimate cartridge for hunting deer, what would it be? Would it be the same for whitetails versus mule deer? Or would you choose a specialized cartridge for each? This episode we're joined by Colton Heward, managing editor of Petersen's Hunting magazine, and Scott Ergas, digital editor of Petersen's Hunting and RifleShooter magazines. And although some might say "You can kill a deer with anything," we don't take that cop-out route. We dig deep and discuss what makes a truly great deer cartridge. ENJOY!
Check out our new "recommended outfitters" hunt booking agency! We're super excited about this venture that allows us to share our favorite destinations around the world with our loyal listeners. We'll also be doing hosted hunts each year, which will be available first to our loyal listeners on Patreon. We have a new advertising partner! Check out Swift Bullets, known and trusted as the best of the best by most African Dangerous Game specialists. It's Porter's Firearms' 30-year anniversary this month! They're offering some incredible deals specifically to podcast listeners. Call Shane Porter at 870-701-0504 for details.
VISIT ALL OUR SPONSORS HERE: https://www.portersfirearms.com/
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| How To Hunt Elk in the Early Season | 18 Aug 2023 | 01:16:44 | |
| How To Sight In A Rifle and Practice | 11 Aug 2023 | 01:08:18 | |
Ever wonder how to fine-tune your scope for best results? This episode addresses the ABC's of sighting in, as well as advanced tuning, field shooting positions for maximum consistency, trajectory validation, and practice techniques to master long shots in the West's wide-open country. Plus, we myth-bust the old maximum-point-blank-range concept, discuss minimizing complexity when shooting extended distances, and outline how to increase your personal ethical maximum range. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: | |||
| Hunting Scotland's Rugged Highlands | 04 Aug 2023 | 01:07:44 | |
Recorded live in the field from an ancient hunting lodge in Scotland's far northern Highlands, this episode brings listeners a look into the grand tradition of stalking red stags in The Olde Countrie--as well as current opportunities. If you're a serious elk hunter, you've likely dreamed of hunting red stags. New Zealand, Argentina, and the European continent all have allure, but the most exciting and historic of all red stag hunting is in Scotland, where Victorian nobles built castle-like stone lodges and climbed the gnarly highland mountains in pursuit of old stags. Spartan's Rob Gearing, host Joseph von Benedikt, and estate manager Sam Thompson sit down by the crackling fireplace and talk through modern-day stag stalking in the highlands. What to expect, appropriate rifles and cartridges, conservation and estate management, and actual shooting and stalking scenarios. Plus, we bring you the first word of a terrific new flexible bipod—the Spartan Springbuck. It's arguably the most versitile all-purpose shooting rest for lowland and mild backcountry hunting made. ENJOY!
FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: www.onxmaps.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.gunwerks.com
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