EP 563: Proving Grounds of Guiding & Conservation

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.  ---------------------------  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 your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat. 

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 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 your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat. 

  This episode features a guy in contention for the most interesting man in the world. He’s one of the most traveled, humble and eclectic men to have been on the podcast. As a regular guest, he never disappoints.   “Mr. G” as he’s most commonly known has built Spartan Precision from an upstart bipod manufacturer to a company with global reach, designing products to solve real problems for all manner of hunters, from the mountains to the valleys and the plains, and with their more recent foray into defense/military applications they are now also serving the hunters of men.  As usual, Rob has just returned from yet another adventure and shares his insights and tips from his trip and then dives into the expanding line of Spartan Precision products.  NOTABLE GUEST QUOTES:  “Pulling the trigger is just the excuse to be out there.”  @spartan_mrg  @spartanprecision  @spartan_operations  ---------------------------  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 your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.   

This episode features the one and only Wardo and covers everything from embracing the mountain hunting lifestyle, to the story of Wardo’s first ram, and of course, training methods, the importance of strength, and how to prioritize vitality as the years tick by.   NOTABLE GUEST QUOTES:  “You can probably train less than I previously thought and still have a massive impact if done well and done consistently.”  @drmattwarddc  @thisiscoffee.ca  ---------------------------  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 your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat. 

There are some brands that represent more than the products they manufacture and sell. Schnee’s is without a doubt one of those brands in the mountain and western hunting space.  Not only do they produce some of the best and most durable boots for the mountain hunting community, they have also acted as an incubator and key partner in the development of many of the brands that have become household names amongst hunters.  On this episode, Michael Edwards of Schnee’s shares the truly unique history of Schnee’s and how the company has always been more than a just a boot manufacturer. He also covers their full boot line-up and explains how to find the best boots for your needs.  NOTABLE GUEST QUOTES:  “We’re very loyal to the guides and outfitters that use our products and we continue to build boots that meet the needs of that community.”  @schnee_hunt  @bigmle  ---------------------------  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 your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat. 

Trevor’s background and list of pursuits and passions is varied to say the least. Former SEAL, BASE jumper, bowhunter, artist, photographer, and an assistant hunting guide in Alaksa. There’s even more to this dude, but we’ll leave it at that.   The topics covered in this episode cover just about everything that’s at the core of why this podcast exists. Hunting, training, nutrition, learning, habits, mindset...and some good old fashioned stories mixed in.  NOTABLE GUEST QUOTES:  “I think a lot of people prioritize the ability to say they’ve done a thing instead of doing the thing well.”  @trevor.p.thompson  @protektproducts  ---------------------------  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 your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat. 

On this episode, longstanding friend of the show and committed conservationist, Peter Gutsche, shares the unique ideas being applied to bighorn sheep conservation in the Okanagan Valley of BC and some experiences, stories, and insights from his foray into guiding at Arctic Red River Outfitters.  NOTABLE GUEST QUOTES:  “I knew my clients didn’t have their guns handy so, this is on me.”  @petergutsche  @wildsheepsocietybc  @okanaganbighorns  @arcticredriveroutfitters  ---------------------------  SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:  Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.  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 MOUNTAIN GOATS:  Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat. 

On this episode, we’ve got a reposted interview from last year that dives into planning and goal setting. This is the time of year when the upcoming season’s hunting plans are being solidified and/or planned with more and more enthusiasm so, this is a worthwhile listen, regardless of whether you caught it last year or not.   How do you navigate the demands of work, family, and hunting when trying to make the best decision possible?  How do you plan and prepare for tags that may yet be drawn?  How do you decide between investing in your skills or spending money on new gear?   How do you use the next six-plus months to get the most out of whatever trip or trips you’re planning for 2025?  And finally, how do you make sure you’re actually following your own personal goals and aspirations and not just drifting around at the mercy of whatever is being hyped on the socials?  All this and more is covered in this episode.  NOTABLE GUEST QUOTES:  “If I put a gun to your head and you can only pick one, what is it?”  @mindful_hunter   ---------------------------  SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:  Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.  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 MOUNTAIN GOATS:  Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat. 

On this episode, Nolan Osborne, aka NMO, is back to cover his evolving thoughts on guns and gear. These subjects were meant to be covered in his previous episode but time ran short so, he’s back to dig into these ever popular topics.   NOTABLE GUEST QUOTES:   “Your group size is too small.”   @nmo  HORNADY PODCAST REFERENCED BY NMO  ---------------------------  SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:  Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.  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 MOUNTAIN GOATS:  Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.   

  On this episode, Zack Boughton of the recently reinvigorated Montana Wild sits down for some serious hot takes on the hunting and shooting industry and the inspiration behind re-launching Montana Wild.    He shares his thoughts on working for some of the biggest brands in the space, inspiring more hunters and anglers to get out and enjoy wild places, the good, bad, and ugly of hunting media over the past few years, and his unfiltered opinions on a slew of topics.  NOTABLE GUEST QUOTES:  “There is so much bad information and a ton of people that don’t know how to shoot rifles in the firearms and hunting space.”  “The SIG stabilized binos are amazing. That said, I almost feel like you need to make that technology illegal.”  @zackboughton  @montanawild  MONTANA WILD - WE.ARE.BACK.   ---------------------------  SUPPORT WILD SHEEP:  Go to Wild Sheep Foundation to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to wild sheep.  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 MOUNTAIN GOATS:  Go to Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance to find a membership option that suits your budget and commitment to conserving mountain goats and their habitat.