The Mindful Hunter Podcast

Jay Nichol

A deep dive into a mindful perspective on the discipline of hunting.

  1. OCT 31

    EP 266 - The Truth About the MSR Access 1 for The Late-Season Backcountry

    Is the MSR Access 1 really a 4-season tent worthy of your late-season hunts? In this in-depth field review, I take the Access 1 into real winter conditions to see how it performs under snow, wind, and solo backcountry use. From packability and setup to structural stability and breathability, this review breaks down what works—and what doesn’t—for hunters who demand reliable gear in unforgiving terrain. Along the way, I cover the full spec sheet (weight, materials, cost), test it in true mountain conditions, and offer insight on whether this tent belongs in your winter hunting kit. Plus, I announce two gear giveaways—the Swarovski ATX 85mm and Sig Sauer Zulu 10 15x binos—so stick around for details on how to enter. 🎯 GIVEAWAY ALERT! Every $5 you spend on merch at https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ gets you 1 entry to win a Swarovski 85mm Spotting Scope. No purchase required. Contest begins on February 1, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on April 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PST. There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) 1 previously owned Swarovski ATX 85mm Spotting Scope (approximate retail value $5,900.00 CAD). Skill testing question required. This Contest is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland, France and Switzerland, who are legal age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence (19 in AL and NE, 21 in MS, and 18 in all remaining U.S. states, The District of Columbia and Canada, 16 in United Kingdom, 20 in New Zealand, 16 in Finland, 15 in France, and 18 in Switzerland), who are age of majority in their province or territory of residence at time of entry.  Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before contest closes. No entry limit. For full rules and entry details visit: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/blogs/resources/swarovski-atx-85mm-spotting-scope-giveaway💥 Plus, I’m giving away a Swarovski TAX 85mm!  0:00 – Intro 1:27 – In-Field Review 8:28 – Mindful Hunter Outfitting 9:03 – Price 9:42 – Weight 10:01 – Materials 12:57 – Setup 13:15 – Packability 14:49 – Structural Stability 16:55 – Swarovski ATX 85mm Giveaway 18:06 – Breathability & Condensation 20:53 – Livability 23:57 – Sig Sauer Zulu 10 15x Bino Giveaway 25:02 – Conclusion   Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/   Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop   Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact   IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/   Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast   Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

    27 min
  2. OCT 24

    EP 264 - Meindl Air Revolution Alpine Pro 200 Review – A Real-World Test

    Boot reviews suck—and I’ve said it before. But that doesn’t mean I won’t do my best to give you the most honest, no-BS breakdown of the Meindl Air Revolution Alpine Pro 200 after 5 months of real-world testing. I put these boots through 25-30 training hikes (each 90 minutes with a 50lb pack) and a late-season mule deer hunt in freezing temps with deep snow. My goal? Find a late-season boot that’s not as stiff as my La Sportiva Nepal GTX but still tough enough for serious mountain hunting. Do they live up to the hype? Are they worth your money? And most importantly—should you trust another boot review? Let’s find out. 🎯 GIVEAWAY ALERT! Every $5 you spend on merch at https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ gets you 1 entry to win a Swarovski 85mm Spotting Scope. No purchase required. Contest begins on February 1, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on April 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PST. There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) 1 previously owned Swarovski ATX 85mm Spotting Scope (approximate retail value $5,900.00 CAD). Skill testing question required. This Contest is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland, France and Switzerland, who are legal age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence (19 in AL and NE, 21 in MS, and 18 in all remaining U.S. states, The District of Columbia and Canada, 16 in United Kingdom, 20 in New Zealand, 16 in Finland, 15 in France, and 18 in Switzerland), who are age of majority in their province or territory of residence at time of entry.  Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before contest closes. No entry limit. For full rules and entry details visit: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/blogs/resources/swarovski-atx-85mm-spotting-scope-giveaway Chapters: 0:00 – Intro 1:16 – Testing Protocol 2:30 – Spring Bear Discount! 3:32 – Tech Specs 6:17 – Swarovski ATX 85mm Giveaway 7:41 – What I like about the boots 10:43 – What I don’t like about the boots 14:54 – Sig Sauer Zulu 10 15x Bino Giveaway 15:44 – Final Thoughts Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop   Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast   Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

    17 min
  3. OCT 17

    EP 262 - Best Phone Scope Adapter 2025

    A reliable phone scope adapter is essential for capturing high-quality footage of your hunting adventures. With so many new options on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. In this video, I put 5 of the top adapters—Full Frame, MagView, Mountain Mag, Ollin, and On Glass—through rigorous testing to see which one truly stands out. 🔎 What You’ll Learn: ✔️ Price & Compatibility Breakdown ✔️ Optic & Phone Installation Process ✔️ MagSafe & Multi-Lens Support ✔️ Ease of Use & Overall Performance ✔️ My #1 Recommendation for 2025 💥 PLUS: SIG SAUER Zulu 10 15x Bino Giveaway! Stay tuned for details. 📌 Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro 0:33 – Brands Tested 0:54 – Scoring System 1:59 – Mindful Hunter Outfitting 2:48 – Price 3:27 – Adapter Compatibility 6:33 – Optic Installation 9:41 – Leave On Adapter 12:39 – Phone Installation 15:51 – Magsafe Compatibility 19:38 – Ease of Use 22:21 – Portrait/Landscape Use 31:19 – Final Scores & Best Pick 🔔 Subscribe for More In-Depth Gear Reviews Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ 📩 Join My Newsletter: https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact 👕 Get Mindful Hunter Merch: https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop 🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools 👉 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/

    38 min
4.9
out of 5
92 Ratings

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A deep dive into a mindful perspective on the discipline of hunting.

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