Vortex Nation Podcast

Remi Warren - Part man, part beast and all balls. Mark, Jimmy, and Paul sit down with the one and only Remi Warren to chat about the life of guide. We cover sleep deprivation, hallucination, Remi’s first guiding job and how he got it, untimely heart attacks, making a-dollar-an-hour and loving it - and a heck of a lot more. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a guide, Remi breaks down the three ways you can go about it, what he loves about it - including completely transforming people’s lives where they become a better version of themselves - all with some great stories along the way! One of the true greats and a genuine inspiration. Turn your ears on for an audio experience you won’t soon forget.

What happens when you get the crew together on a Friday afternoon with buffalo fried squirrel and an off the wall question to kick off some conversation? A whole bunch of rabbit trails about hunting and fishing. Jimmy, Mark, Ryan and Erik talk about the difference between baiting deer and fishing with bait, sturgeon spearing, smoke pole (muzzleloader) fishing, different styles of fishing, GMO corn, GMO dogs and the Chronicles of Narnia even popped up once, too. As random as this podcast was, it brought about some enlightening conversations that one could only appreciate by listening in!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Jimmy got the chance to sit down with DJ Struntz, former world traveler and surf photographer, and now Minister of Propaganda at North American Rescue - A business dedicated to developing and distributing life saving tools to our nation's warfighters as well as the every day citizen. While no one likes to live their lives in a constant state of fear for the worst, DJ explains some of the reasons hunters, shooters, concealed carriers and just plain Janes and Joes should consider at least carrying the bare essentials when it comes to emergency trauma care gear. What training is necessary to learn the necessary skills to potentially save yours or someone else's life? Can someone who gets queasy around blood do this? What are some of the wildest stories a man in charge of the social media for a company dedicated to emergency trauma care gear has seen or heard? We talk about all this and more in this episode. Stay safe out there, Vortex Nation, and if you have any questions about emergency gear, how to use it or what you need, hit up North American Rescue and keep your eyes peeled for learning opportunities in your area during Stop The Bleed Month in May.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

What started as a hobby to blow off some steam after his night shifts as a law enforcement officer turned into a full kydex holster business operation for Adam Weber in a fairly short period of time. Jimmy and Reuben sat down with Adam at SHOT show this year to talk about his story - From attempting to make his first holster using boat foam and an upside down bench grinder from a salvage store to his newest holsters employing science-backed design and manufacture for ultimate reliability and functionality in competitive shooting as well as duty use for our LEO’s. If you’ve been kicking around the idea of starting your own business venture or are just curious how much blood, sweat and tears it takes to get into making kydex holsters on a large scale, tune into this episode and you won’t be disappointed!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

In this episode we sit down with the cool dudes from 60th Parallel (@60thparallel - If you're not following them on IG right now, you're missing out!) to talk about hunting the last frontier for the first time. According to John and Casey there's two kinds of people out there considering their first hunt to Alaska - Those who are completely overwhelmed by which quarry to chase, where to go and how to get there and those who are entirely too confident and in for a world of hurt once arguably one of the nation's harshest states finds every way to kick their butt. Hopefully listening to this episode can help you be somewhere more in the middle. Alaska isn't for the faint of heart, but it's absolutely doable for any avid outdoorsman/woman with the appropriate amount of time and resources dedicated well in advance. Being that there's so much to talk about like quarry, locations, logistics, gear and much more that is specific to this state, we're hoping to get these guys on for a part 2 based on the same subject. If you have ideas of more questions we should ask these two Alaskan residents and hardcore hunters, please shout them out in the comments so we can address them on our follow up in the future.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Ever wonder what things looked like at Vortex back in 2002 or maybe what some of the biggest hits and misses have been over the years when it comes to product? Mark and Jimmy join Paul Neess, frequent guest to the podcast and Vortex employee since darn near day one, and Joe Hamilton, new guest and one of the very first members of our sales team. We chat business and marketing from the perspective of an emerging small family business and what the relationship between product development and those pesky sales guys is really like. You'll hear some of our most notorious screw-ups as well as some of the biggest bright spots that ultimately led to the Vortex you know today. With only an "About You" section to read on our website and little information about our history elsewhere, many of you have asked for an episode just like this. In the end, the reason we're still around to this day and able to have this conversation is thanks to you, Vortex Nation, so the biggest shoutout and thanks goes to you!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Buckle those brains up, folks. Jeff Sturgis is about to drop more knowledge on whitetail habitat in an hour and a half than you ever thought possible. In addition to understanding the premiere habitat that whitetails prefer, we’ll dive into daytime locations vs nocturnal areas, what these areas are comprised of and how you can create them on the property you hunt if they don’t already exist. Most hunters who manage land for deer hunting tactfully plant food plots to attract deer to strategic ambush locations, but you’ll learn why sometimes doing so can actually have a negative impact on your property. Instead, there’s plenty of other tactics that can be used to create your own deer mecca – including waterholes, hinge-cutting, and more. Jeff has dedicated his entire career to understanding whitetails while hunting them on small properties and public land all across the country, so settle in and sink your teeth into this ultra-dense dish of deer hunting know-how.  

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Mark and Jimmy join Ryan Muckenhirn, Ian Klemm and Adam Maxwell for some good old fashioned American show and tell. This time to the tune of WW2(ish) era rifles. This era in firearms has to be one of the most exciting, as powers from across the world called on their most intelligent minds to create better weaponry in order to outgun their opponents. Firearms we discuss in this podcast include Ian's "Cigarette rifle" - a sporterized Mauser 98 chambered in a cartridge you wouldn't expect, Adam's Springfield 1903 bolt action rifle, Mark's single shot US Army .45-70 1873, Jimmy's Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk 1*, Ryan's M1 Garand and the backup gun, a .22 LR replica of an STG 44. As we've said many times, if you like hunting, shooting, competing in shooting sports, or anything else involving guns, we'd have a hard time believing you don't think these things and their history are cool. Check this out and by all means - if you hear anything we missed or have any interesting pieces to add about any of these firearms or firearms of your own, shout them out!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast..

Mark, Jimmy and Erik join Brian Austin, a local fitness instructor and big partner of Train to Hunt, to talk functional fitness for backcountry western hunting along with some of the awesome and intense archery challenges they put on throughout the year to get hunters in shape to enjoy their time more in the wilderness during hunting season. Jimmy draws on some of his experience as a former track & field athlete to point out the differences he's seen transitioning to the fitness necessary for hunting and Brian breaks out his pack, sandbags, wooden box and his bow to do some semi-live exercises and instructions for those of you looking to get off the couch this winter in preparation for next fall. We talk where to start, avoiding injury, exercises you can do at home with relatively minimal equipment and how you can even put your work into a competitive outlet with Train to Hunt's archery challenges all over the country. We do our best to explain the exercises Brian is doing verbally, but if you get the chance to watch this one on Youtube, you'll see exactly what he's doing while we record. 

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

"As deer hunters, are we doing more harm than good in the way we talk about our sport?" If you've ever said this yourself or heard others say it and got to wondering - "What really made that a nice buck?" This is the podcast for you. Mark, Jimmy and Erik dive in on the tricky topics of trophy hunting, naming deer, scoring bucks, the context (or lack thereof) that we put on social media as hunters, an interesting letter we received from an anti-hunting 3rd grader, killing a buck that someone else had history with and a ton more. The point of this episode is not to say that our opinion is 100% correct or that we hold all the answers by any means, but rather to shed light on a great deal of the behind-the-scenes work and respect for wildlife that goes into each and every hunt for those who are not as familiar with our sport. As hunters, we can always work to improve our messaging to the public, especially in this day and age of social media, to properly give our highly complex and incredibly vital pastime and role in conservation its full justice. What are your thoughts on the matter? We'd love to hear from you after listening to this episode!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

There could be infinitely many more podcasts dedicated to reloading and its seemingly countless talking points, but we did our best to cram some more advanced reloading knowledge into this 201 level reloading podcast with Mark, Jimmy, Paul Ness and in-house reloading guru Scott Parks. Ever wonder how ambient temperature can effect your load and its accuracy? Can having the highest possible BC bullet actually cause problems with your accuracy and consistency? Should reloaders choose a rifle first, then develop a cartridge around it, or is the opposite order of operations the best course of action? One of the most asked for episodes is finally here. If you haven't listened to our first episode as part of this "Mini series" yet, check out Reloading 101 for a basic introduction to the topic before Scott Parks infiltrates your brain with some serious knowledge in 201.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Our favorite hobbies tend to have two things in common - They're tremendously addictive and often times expensive. To many, a great way to ease this burden would be becoming sponsored by one or more companies in the industry or joining them as a brand ambassador to aid in some of the gear and financial aspects of our addiction - er - "Hobby". Mark, Jimmy, Adam Maxwell and Reuben Aleckson sit down with Josh Tarrant, competitive shooter and Vortex brand ambassador, to talk about what it's really like being in his position as an extension of the brand. It may come as a surprise to a great deal of people to learn that the life of a brand ambassador isn't all free products and casual Instagram posts. Josh explains it as an additional part time job to his regular full time employment and Adam Maxwell says "The cheapest piece of equipment you'll ever buy is the one you went to the store and paid full retail for." eluding to the large amount of sweat equity and work one would need to do in order to receive that product for "Free" as part of a brand ambassador program. If this line of work is something that's peaked your interest, we also talk about dealing with controversies on social media, choosing the company you wish to represent and some of the ways you can catch their attention in your field. 

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Ball on a budget – The cost/perceived cost of gear, can be a barrier for those new to hunting. It doesn’t’ have to be! Jim, Mark, Erik and Ryan scour the web for 20 minutes and give 4 comprehensive, incredibly inexpensive, gear breakdowns to get you fully outfitted for a field foray you’ll never forget. We also cover gear buying tactics geared toward minimal impact on your budget and maximum impact on your freezer, offsetting gear costs with meat procurement, a $15 treestand, and more. If you’re new to hunting or just love a hell-of-a-bargain, listen up. This one's for you!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

How do you make a riflescope? The idea, optical design, mechanical design, machining, finishing, tolerancing, metrology, assembly, testing and ultimately producing an optic in a commercial setting - Have you ever wondered just what it takes to make this a reality? Sam Hamilton, chief engineer of a special military-focused division within Vortex joins Mark and Jimmy to recollect the entire process of developing the AMG 6-24x50 riflescope from beginning to end. Many of you have asked how this process works, so we went to the source of what is now, to our knowledge, the most American made riflescope on the market today. Not only do we get an in-depth idea of what goes into the development of any riflescope, but also the daunting task of actually manufacturing that product from scratch to be a top-tier, ultra-precision optic. We discuss how your eye is actually a critical part to the optical system, misconceptions about "Glass" in optics, machining processes and incredibly tight tolerances, tough lessons learned by engineers that can only be learned through experience, how riflescopes work and so much more. If you've ever wanted to dive deeper into how your riflescope works and what it took to ultimately put that piece of equipment atop your riflescope, you won't want to miss this episode!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

After battling some stomach issues, Jimmy, Mark and Ryan hammer out another HYR episode on late season Nebraska muzzleloader season. Commonly thought of as an “Old school” means of hunting big game, these guys brought out the technical gear from apparel to even the firearms themselves, rocking some very special, high precision, long range capable muzzleloaders. We also discuss buffalo, hunting in groups, learning experiences behind an unfortunate but clean miss and why you should never leave your ribs in the field! Check it out and maybe next December you, too, can add a special late season muzzleloader hunt to your schedule.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Jimmy, Mark and Nick Laufenberg join Chris Andrews of Best Targets and Kristina Pugh from Grunt Style to discuss one of the most grueling and challenging shooting matches ever spawned – The Mammoth Sniper Challenge. This 3-day event takes place in early January and tests shooters’ endurance, skill and willpower as they ruck nearly 10 miles every day with precision long range shooting stations dispersed amongst their route. In the evening, those who opt for the tough-guy challenge are also required to camp out overnight, carrying all their gear on their backs throughout the entire challenge. Chris and Kristina have played an integral role in developing this year’s match which will be the first sniper match that is both open to civilians and takes place on an active duty military installation. Check it out and if you’re thinking this sounds like the match for you, start preparing for next year’s event right now!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Land Tawney, President/CEO of Back Country Hunters & Anglers (BHA), and Jason Meekhof, BHA Great Lakes Chapter Coordinator, sit down with Mark and Jimmy to talk BHA’s history and mission, as well as breaking down the huge variety of state, local and federal public lands at your disposal and their different attributes. We discuss BHA’s current main objectives, the differences between state and federal public lands, the politics and behind-the-scenes action behind each type of public land and what you can do to protect and serve the public lands in your area and around the country. BHA is an organization committed to ensuring there’s ample access to public land and waters in the U.S. and healthy fish and wildlife habitat when you get there. Land and Jason were kind enough to join us for a morning of rabbit and squirrel hunting, followed by a podcast and one heck of a pint night locally in the Madison, WI area. If you’re not part of BHA, listen in to this podcast to hear what they’re all about and decide if joining is right for you. If your state has a local chapter, keep an eye out for their own pint nights to get together with fellow outdoors men and women for good times and great conversation. Your state doesn’t have a local chapter? Grab some like-minded buddies and contact BHA to see what it takes to get one started!

Ever listened to a podcast where the hosts are also shooting while talking? Continuing with our semi-live series on setting up your rifle, we’ve gone from mounting the optic to getting things zeroed in and ready to go at your first trip to the range. Proper equipment, bore sighting, 3-round groups, making adjustments and troubleshooting potential road bumps are just a few of the things we discuss in this podcast at the range. Sighting in a riflescope can be intimidating to newer shooters venturing out on their own, and can even bring unnecessary stress or frustration to seasoned shooters who dread this crucial step in assuring your rifle’s longevity and reliability. It may come as no surprise that we’ve sighted in a riflescope or two in our time here at Vortex, and with all those scopes have come a host of tips and tricks that can make your zero-in process a snap and set you up for ultimately accuracy and a long time of success with your rifle and optic combination. Listen on your commute, or tune in on YouTube to see the video recording of this very podcast!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

Judson Jennings and Kendall Card from Camofire, Blackovis, Crispi Boots USA and a host of other outdoors and hunting related entities sit down with Mark, Jimmy and Paul to discuss their history in the outdoor hunting gear and apparel business and the ever-evolving world of hunting from tactics to the gear we wear in the field. Not only do these guys get out and use the very products they sell to the max, but so do their employees, who are always ready to answer calls and e-mails to help fellow hunters and outdoorsmen conquer the backcountry. It can be difficult to get to know the behind-the-scenes workings of any business so customer-focused, so we took this opportunity to get to know two of the very important people behind their operation and their history with the company from the very beginning. On top of that we learn a little about goats and pack llamas, elk hunting from a tree stand and mentoring new western hunters. As always, let us know what you think of the podcast and if you have any ideas for future topics or guests to join us, let us know!

Ultralight hunters make up a strange mix of total nerds and freak athletes – almost all bound to conquer some of the roughest terrain on the planet in search of rare and unique game. If you’ve ever been forced to listen to their endless stressing over ounces or studied their kit and all its strange gadgets and wondered to yourself – “Why don’t you just do more pushups and carry normal stuff?” – Perhaps this podcast will change your tune. International man of mystery and ultralight hunter extraordinaire Dave Hamilton joins Jimmy, Mark, Erik Barber (Not known for his ultralight-ness), Ryan Muckenhirn and long-time western guide Paul Neess to discuss this highly technical, nerdy and awesome topic. From tips to keep your pack contents to a minimum and extreme ultralight gear that gets the job done – all the way to dehydrated water - we cover some serious ground here.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexnation.wordpress.com/vortex-nation-podcast/

"Sit day one, drive day two." What more could there be to gun season deer tactics? Amidst all the chaos in some states, how can you still manage to set yourself up for a successful hunt? Is it even worth it to go out after opening day/weekend? What exactly is a deer drive anyway and is there really a "right" way to do it? These are just a few of the topics discussed in this episode dedicated to gun deer season primarily in the midwest with our special guest, Jake Huebschman, from the Hunting Public. A lot of what we focus on here is Wisconsin's iconic gun deer season, being ours and Jake's home state, but we'd love to hear about gun season in your neck of the woods, too! Drop us a comment on IG @vortexnationpodcast after you listen!

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

Full disclosure – this can be a touchy subject for a lot of hunters. The topic of public disclosure of hunting “spots” came up after a past episode and Jimmy, Mark, Ryan and Erik all have some varying thoughts on the matter. Do hunters of public land gain too much of a sense of ownership over certain hunting areas? Hunter recruitment is lower than ever, but are some hunters actually happy about it? Is this more an issue of opposing sides simply not wanting their counterparts to have “Too easy of a hunt”? Are we helping state and local wildlife agencies and management if we’re keeping our stories and locations “Hush hush” from the outside world? These are just a few of the topics discussed in this podcast. We completely understand that there are a variety of opinions on the topic and fully respect everyone’s thoughts on the matter. In fact – we’d love to hear what you think about this very topic, too. As always, let’s work to keep the discussion positive for everyone and respectful because in the end, we’re all on the same team.

*Edit: Hey, we wanted to try and clarify a point/information we interpreted incorrectly or was originally communicated to us incorrectly. Either way, here we go. Big game tag number allotment in Wyoming isn’t dictated by state or federal funding opportunities….First and foremost, the status and health of game populations and the predicted harvest they can support while maintaining the management objectives of each population are. Determining the number of licenses to issue for a given species and area is a very complex process that involves analysis of a lot of biological information and social factors.  Since most of the Wyoming agency funding comes from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, they are often accused of being all about money.  However, the biologists and game wardens aren't looking at revenue projections when they make season recommendations.  There is enough demand for hunting licenses in Wyoming that they could actually sell a lot more of them, but would they be providing quality hunting opportunities and doing what is best for wildlife?  The answer is most assuredly no. As a service to hunters, access or a lack of access can be taken into consideration when determining the number of available tags. In areas where access is limited, in an effort to not mislead hunters there may be more opportunity than what is realistic, tag allotment may fall at a number under what a game population in a specific region could sustain while maintaining optimal health.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

For nearly all of us (With the exception of Mark) firearms are more than just tools - They’re engineering marvels with interesting origins and stories associated with their creation and applications throughout history. Jimmy and Mark sit down with firearms enthusiasts Ryan Muckenhirn, Jimmy Jordan, Adam Maxwell and new guest Ian Klemm to talk about a whole host of obscure, interesting, historical and downright awesome firearms from their collections and the numerous rabbit trails that inevitably follow when you get a bunch of gun nerds in one room with visual aids. Everything from unique cartridges, oddball designs, requirements of end users in different times than our own and much more are discussed in this special “Show-and-tell” episode. Let us know what you think and if you’d like to hear more in the future. Also, if you have any suggestions of interesting firearms to discuss, we’d love to hear them so we can maybe add more to our next special!

Adam and Reub get back from UML (United Multigun League) Traditional Nationals Match and sit down with Jimmy and Mark to discuss all manner of things 3 Gun. First off – we’ve never really talked about where the sport of 3 Gun even came from! What’s the deal with these different divisions of 3 Gun and what is this relatively new and quickly growing division called UML? What was it about this UML Traditional Nationals match that made Reuben say it was his “Favorite match of the season”? And why the hell hasn’t Mark finished his AR yet?? So many questions, so many answers and it’s all packed in less than an hour.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

With so much focus on the hunting strategies and tactics that lead up to the shot, it’s easy to overlook the most important events that follow – picking up the blood trail. The sound of the hit, animal’s body language, and sign left behind like hair and color/texture of blood all dictate your next move to recover the animal. Jimmy, Mark, Paul, Ryan, and Erik all sit down to discuss some of the craziest blood trails and the wild-goose chases they were led on and what they learned from the experience on this episode. Spoiler alert: stick around to the very end to hear Paul explain a tracking job that ended in the most unpredictable way imaginable.
 
You’ve probably had some interesting takeaways from blood trails of your own, and we want to hear all about it! If this is a topic you want us to dive further into – let us know! We could certainly dive into a second part of this one. As always, if there’s anything else you want to hear about, just hit us up on one of our many social media platforms using #VortexNationPodcast.

Days are getting shorter, snow is starting to fall, old man winter is making it harder to get to the range to hone our skills and practice our favorite pastime of shooting... If you're in the North that is... Jimmy and Mark chat with Reuben Aleckson and Adam Maxwell, two top-level shooters who manage to shoot and practice year round despite living in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin, about methods for honing one's shooting skills during the winter months indoors. Dry firing, practicing motor skills, joining indoor pistol leagues, performing maintenance on critical pieces of equipment and mental/physical preparation for competition if applicable are all things that could even take your game to the next level despite limited access to shooting ranges and minimal rounds down range. So get that fire roaring, pour up a cup of hot chocolate and take some notes. Even if you live in the southern states and have more range time during the winter, these tips and tricks are things you can do in your basement and will almost surely make you a better shooter.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

After hitting a local piece of public land in search of squirrels (Much to no avail) Mark, Jimmy and Pat Durkin, a man of many talents, loads of hunting knowledge and a slew of cool life experiences sit down for a good, classic huntin' talk. From the rise of big game hunting and the related fall in small game hunting licenses sold to first time hunters, cross-cultural differences in food norms and changes in common hunting practices from the 70's to current times, if you make hunting a part of your lifestyle, chances are there's a lot in this podcast you're going to relate to. Pat is an outdoor columnist, former magazine editor for several publications and currently does some writing for the MeatEater crew as well, so if you like what you hear, give him a quick Google search and you're sure to find plenty more interesting and thought-provoking pieces to distract yourself from work with. 

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Let’s face it – without reticles, riflescopes would just be gun-mounted spotting scopes. Reticles are supremely important to shooters and hunters by delivering critical data from 100 yard zeroes to bullet drop, range estimation to improved speed and accuracy up close. They’re also one of the biggest question marks when it comes to purchasing a new riflescope or learning how to use one you already have. Jimmy, Mark, Jimmy (Not a typo) and Nick do a deep dive on reticles from traditional and simple duplex-style reticles to the most complex “Christmas Tree” First Focal Plane precision reticles and everything in between. We also touch on caliber-specific BDC’s, MOA vs MRAD and clever tricks for using some of the Vortex reticle offerings in different scopes. If you’ve ever wanted to get the maximum potential from your scope’s reticle, check out this episode, read up on the reticle manual for your scope if you haven’t already and get to the range to get shooting!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

In the Backcountry Hunting 101 podcast we eluded to Erik going on his first western hunts this year. This episode recaps his opening weekend South Dakota mule deer hunt from September. If you think you need to block off a ton of time from your work calendar or honey-do list, think again - this entire out of state hunt took only 3 days!

In addition to Erik’s biggest takeaways from the hunt, we’ll also dive into some tips that you might find helpful while planning your own hunt outside of your home state. We’ll discuss several mapping software that are incredibly useful for e-scouting your next honeyhole, even though it might be several states away.

Hopefully you’re making some hunting stories of your own, and if you are - we want to hear them! Let us know what you’ve been chasing and any interesting tips you’ve got, and we just might share them on an upcoming episode of the Vortex Nation Podcast!

Jim, Erik and Mark sit down with cool-ass-dude and Wisconsin DNR big game ecologist Kevin Wallenfang, to chat about an elk hunt 23 years in the making, bull on bull crime, submarine communication, and 17000 (give or take) amazingly interesting facts about Wisconsin’s elk herd. Kevin’s been at the heart of this wildlife success story from the start. And when we say heart – we mean it. Kevin loves these elk and all the folks who’s hard work has paid off in such a big way – giving Wisconsin a sustainable elk herd. Hang on tight. This is a good one.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Snow Goose often gets a bad rap for its gamey and greasy flavor. We beg to differ, and with a little forethought in your in-the-field game prep and a handy dandy recipe like this one, maybe you’ll find yourself saying otherwise, too. This recipe takes a suggestion we received from a customer for a venison roast brine and applies it to 30+ birds-worth of snow goose breasts from South Dakota. After 24 hours of sitting in the delicious solution, we seasoned them up and tossed them on the Traeger smoker-grill to get a good medium finish. Ordinarily, our very own Ken Calhoun turns these into Jalapeño poppers, but when you need to feed an army at work, it’s easiest to just turn it all into a self-serve line of taco’s.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Getting tired of the same old range day – setting up at the bench and lobbing a few rounds down range at targets really, really far away? It’s great therapy, but why not add a little adrenaline and even further skill to your repertoire by entering into PRS competition? It’s not as tough as you think. Scott Parks, Reuben Aleckson and a new guest for the podcast – Nick Laufenberg join the crew to talk what PRS is, how one can join, what equipment you need to compete and the mental hurdles to clear to be successful. Scott also goes in-depth on proper shooting form, “Driving the gun”, follow-through, loading the bipod and much more. All key elements to make you a better precision rifle shooter, a better carbine shooter and even a better pistol shooter, too. We had a ton of fun with this episode and hope to have maybe inspired some of you to try out a PRS, NRL or other “PRS-Style” match one of these days!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Some do it for therapy, some for precision and others for mass quantity. Reloading or just regular loading ammunition is nothing new to the industry, but looking from the outside in, it can seem like an intimidating task to take on. Our two newest guests, Jimmy Jordan and Tom Leatherberry, as well as Ryan Muckenhirn have all been reloading for years and all for different reasons. We chat with them about what it is, why someone would want to do it, how you can get started and why "Saving money" is probably the worst reason you could ever get into the hobby.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

From HQ, Mark and Jimmy are joined live via Skype by Ryan Muckenhirn at the tail end of his September archery hunt and "Scout Hunt" in pursuit of mule deer. The Slim Butte region of South Dakota is a difficult tag to draw for rifle and Ryan has been accumulating points for the last 7 years. Thinking he's surely due to draw any year now, he decided to get the far easier to draw September archery tag for the unit to scout things out and possibly arrow a deer while he's at it. We talk terrain, deer behavior this time of year and the sheer difficulty of trying to sneak up on one of these suckers pre-rut.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Gathering upon… “Lots” of experience (Math is hard) combined between Mark, Ryan Muckenhirn and Paul Neess, Erik asks his last-minute questions before heading out to South Dakota and Montana in search of mule deer. Hitting the backcountry can be a daunting task. In a mess of seemingly endless gear optiions, preparation and in-the-field tactics, how can one be sure they know what they’re doing? Well, first thing’s first, it’s not like assembling an Ikea table – You probably shouldn’t just grab a bunch of random pieces and “figure it out along the way”. From clothing to temperature regulation, or communication with the outside world and game care/storage in the field, the crew discusses proven practices that can help ensure success, survival, minimal frustration and maximum enjoyment of the overall adventure. Have any other questions you didn’t hear asked in this podcast? We’d love to hear them and maybe we’ll answer those in our next podcast about backcountry hunting. Stay safe out there, Vortex Nation.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

What do you do after raiding a crockpot full of delicious braised turkey leg meat for turkey leg street taco’s? Podcast about it so the whole world can know how good it is. Turkey legs don’t get a lot of love thanks to the myriad of ultra-tough tendons running throughout their meat, often making cooking and eating a complete nightmare. Erik and Mark braised up a few legs from their spring turkeys while Jimmy whipped up some fresh-made salsa to top it all off and gosh darnit if it didn’t turn out amazing. We’ve got the recipe for those looking to recreate this masterpiece, and discuss the process here in this food special of the Vortex Nation Podcast.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

The crew sits down with Josh Froelich, Open Division competitive shooter and 2018 IPSC Shotgun World Champion, to talk open division shooting, why he runs so many red dots on his guns (Yes – more than one on each gun!) and the overall experience competing in the IPSC Shotgun World Championships in France. We learned even more about his reasoning for switching from fighting MMA for years to transitioning into the 3 Gun arena and also how his new eating habits have helped take his shooting game to the next level. Josh also explained the awkward high-school-prom-like tradition of World IPSC Shotgun shooters trading jerseys at the big match!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Some hunters spend summer months yearning for the crisp crunch of fall leaves and a brisk northerly breeze. Rather than counting down the days to hunting season, why not get started in August? In this month’s rendition of Hunt Year 'Round, we’re joined by Jesse Knock to get the scoop on hunting Sitka blacktail deer in Alaska’s Alpine. Chasing blacktails in arguably the most unforgiving terrain on the planet will test you mentally and physically, and will certainly reward you with an incredible experience regardless if you fill your tag. Better yet – it’s an over-the-counter tag available to anyone! Tune in to get the full scoop, and as always, let us know what you think! If you have an awesome hunting opportunity near you or idea for Hunt Year 'Round, let us know - we'd love to hear it! 

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

After listening to Long Range 1001 and 1002, Erik decided it was time to really give long range a try at the Vortex Extreme 2018 in Wyoming. He sat down with Mark and Jimmy to discuss the practical application of his “Lessons” in going from a regular Wisconsin whitetail hunter to a full-blown long range precision competitor in just one weekend. If you’ve listened to our long range podcasts, but are still nervous to actually put it into action, perhaps Erik’s story will help get you ready for what to expect when you actually get behind the trigger.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Nephi Cole, Policy adviser for Wyoming Gov. Mead and Doug Miyamoto, Director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture join Jimmy and Mark at the Vortex Extreme 2018 as they discuss the decision to make shooting sports a larger focus of their Wyoming State Fair. It seems rare these days to hear public officials voicing their support for firearms and the shooting sports industry, so to hear from these two about Wyoming’s dedication to preserving and even further igniting their state’s firearm culture was refreshing. They also talk to the interactions they’ve had with other elected officials across the nation regarding firearms and the second amendment. It was truly an honor to be a part of the WY state fair with the Vortex Extreme and if this discussion is any indication of the future of the event, we hope to see many more of you in Wyoming at the Wagonhound Ranch for years to come!
 
As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Slightly delirious from days of preparing the Vortex Extreme competition in the Wyoming elevation and heat, the Vortex crew sits down in the Wyoming State Police Academy to explain just what the Vortex Extreme is. An event 8 years in the running, the Extreme made the move to Wyoming this year for the first time to be held on the historic Wagonhound Ranch outside of Douglas, WY. Combining the endurance of hiking your rifle and gear nearly 9 miles through the mountains with the accuracy needed to engage targets from 100 to over 1200 yards, the Extreme is a true test for any long range shooter. All are welcome to compete and we encourage beginners or first time competitors to join us for good fun and one heck of a butt-kicking to get in shape right before hunting season begins. If you’ve thought about joining us in years past but haven’t yet made it out, what’s holding you back? We’d love to know so we can continue to grow the match in future years!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Jimmy, Mark and Erik gather round the gun bench as Ryan Muckenhirn mounts up a brand new Diamondback Tactical FFP on Erik’s rifle to compete in the Vortex Extreme 2018. Follow along in your own gun room as Ryan actually does the entire mounting procedure and explains all the steps in detail while podcasting real-time. Even though we’re mounting up one scope on one gun with one type of ring, the crew discusses the many different varieties of rings, mounts, scopes and rifles on the market and how their differences may or may not factor into the process. From bolt guns to AR’s, many shooters would be surprised how a relatively simple set of tools can get the perfect mount every time and avoid the hassle of having to take everything to the store or a gun smith. Heck – you’ll probably even be able to do it better and more accurately yourself, too!
 
Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Dave Hartman, host of the 3 Gun Show, joined us as we asked him a little about his past and how he got started in the world of 3 gunning and podcasting. From shooting guns without instagram to engine swapping rockets and even sleeping through a nearby tornado in his mobile trailer, we got all kinds of crazy awesome stories from this incredibly interesting dude. If you frequent his podcast, which now features a library of over 200 episodes, you know he doesn't often talk about himself so this opportunity was unique and exciting! If you 3 Gun or are interested in the sport and haven't checked out his podcast yet, you should do so as soon as you get done listening to this one for tons more info on the competitions and the community.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.
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Aggressive whitetail tactics can arguably yield more mature buck sightings than any other method used for hunting these elusive critters. Aaron Warbritton, Greg Clements and Jake Huebschman from The Hunting Public join Mark and Erik on an in-depth discussion that dives into tactics that can pay off for heavily pressured whitetails on public land, and even small acreage private properties when implemented at the proper time. You’ll learn about:

• Hunting specific buck beds – how to identify them and why setting up in close proximity to these “bedrooms” yields encounters during shooting hours, even during timeframes like the October lull when bucks traditionally display nocturnal tendencies.
• Using observation sits to identify bedding locations from afar, and then moving in for a close-quarters ambush when similar conditions present an ideal opportunity.
• The “bump and dump” strategy, which involves spooking a buck from a bed and then hunting it again at a later date. Even if the buck ran off scared and alerted to your presence, he’ll be back to his core area. When he returns, you’ll be waiting.
• Unconventional tactics, like still hunting and using ghillie suits to ambush whitetails in areas void of trees.
• When you should make an aggressive move and dive into a sanctuary.
• Mobile hunting tactics and why being able to adapt on the fly can be the difference when hunting over fresh, hot sign or sitting on the sidelines, unlikely to cross paths with your target animal.

Want to see these tactics in action? Head over to The Hunting Public’s YouTube Channel and see how hunting aggressively helped them tag several mature bucks on public land. You can also follow along this year’s Deer Tour where the crew will hunt public land in states all across the country. Find that right here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzlnaIrdxwJITyrESOReqxg

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Jimmy, Ryan Muckenhirn, Paul Ness and Scott Parks further expand upon the topic of long range shooting from our first "Long Range Shooting 1001" podcast. If you've overheard the pro's talk about BC's, G1 vs. G7, wind, mirage, the importance of leveling your riflescope or density altitude before and wondered "What the h%ll are they talking about?" - This "1002" level discussion might just answer that question. Most importantly, we can't stress enough that arguably the most important thing you can know and do to become a better long range shooter is gain more experience... That means SHOOT MORE! There are a million and one variables that go into each and every shot. The only real difference between an "OK" shooter and a great shooter is the great shooter has thousands of rounds worth of previously gained knowledge to base their estimation upon, making them more likely to be more accurate. No one will ever truly master long range shooting to the point of perfection, but with enough trigger time, you can gain a level of intuitiveness that will greatly help your long distance accuracy. Listen here and get shooting, Vortex Nation!

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Maybe you’ve seen them throw and shoot a fistful of clays at one of their live exhibitions, or maybe you’ve watched them snipe a balloon with a crossbow at 680 yards on Youtube, but have you ever wondered who the Gould Brothers are and where they came from? Steve and Aaron Gould came up for a visit to the Vortex HQ and after putting on an impressive and… explosive exhibition in the parking lot, jumped on for a podcast about what it took to get where they are today, and some of the behind the scenes of their live shows and trick shots. These two brothers are as real as it gets and have proven that with enough time, practice, dedication and stubbornness, anyone can make a living doing something they love, and can use their talents to make other people’s lives better.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

From HQ - Jimmy Hamilton, Mark Boardman, Paul Ness and Ryan Muckenhirn talk First Focal Plane (FFP) Vs. Second Focal Plane (SFP) - A hot topic in riflescopes that has left many shooters, both new and experienced, wondering "What's right for me?" Tune in while we talk about what these two styles actually are, how they work, why you might want to use one or the other, and some applications in which each have come in handy in our experience - from long range hunting to target shooting at the range. If you stick around 'till the end, you might even catch an audio-glimpse at a new product from Vortex for 2018.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

If you've ever hunted deer, enjoyed a fresh venison backstrap or have an appreciation for nature and its natural order, then CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) should be a topic on your radar. That topic is certainly on the Wisconsin DNR's radar as the state is plagued by the largest concentration in the country of the always-fatal disease. To combat this, WDNR has started a five-year initiative called the Southwest Wisconsin CWD, Deer and Predator Study. It is the most comprehensive deer research project ever undertaken in Wisconsin to understand mortality rates and ensure the long-term health of the state’s deer herd, which has been affected since the early 2000s. Jimmy, Mark, Erik and even MC Ryan had the unique opportunity of joining special guest, Dan Storm, and other WDNR researchers in spring while they searched, chased, captured, tagged and released newborn fawns. Dan, Research Scientist and Wildlife Biologist for the WDNR, explains CWD in depth, what the DNR is doing to control the disease and how the public can join the efforts of wildlife agencies nationwide to do their part to ensure the health of our deer and maintain the lifestyle we all love for many generations to come.

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Think you can only hunt in the fall? Think again! We have a little thing around here we like to call "Hunt Year 'Round" where we search near and far for opportunities to get out and go hunting every month. This June, Mark went on a later-season Spring Black Bear Hunt in Idaho and hops on the podcast with Jimmy to give you the lowdown on how he got the tag (Surprisingly easy and affordable), the tactics used on this type of hunt, and the type of country one has to work with in Western Idaho. Tune in, and as always, let us know what you think! If you have an awesome hunting opportunity near you or idea for Hunt Year Round, let us know - we'd love to hear it!

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

Shooting a tiny bullet at a small piece of steel 1000 yards away might look easy when the pro's do it, but there's a lot that goes into each shot before the shooter even pulls the trigger. Fortunately, none of it is overly complicated. It just takes a little time, skill, patience and the right equipment for the job. Jimmy, Mark, Ryan Muckenhirn and Paul Neess dive into a "1001" level explanation of getting yourself outside the 100-yard-sight-in range and into some long range scenarios. From terminology to equipment, and the precision art of dialing your shots, this should get you on the right path to maxing out your range's linear capability. Listen in and let us know what you'd like to hear for our next, "1002" level course - where we go into a deeper dive relating to how our environment can affect our shots and how we can compensate to remain on target.

Already listened, but want the show notes for reference afterwards? You can find them here: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast

As always - let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.