The Rich Outdoors

EP 471: Ara Megerdichian on Mental Toughness & Enduring a Tough Hunt

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Ara Megerdichian is one of the instructors at MTN Tough here in Bozeman. He happens to be one of the best motivational speakers I know, namely because he has a unique history that has molded him into a very mentally tough individual. Ara is a retired army ranger officer who has lead many soldiers and has also taught at West Point. In this podcast Ara and I talk about grinding through when the going gets tough. We also talk about decision fatigue how how to train yourself to avoid burnout. There comes a time both in hunting and in entrepreneurship where burnout  can effect our judgement calls. As someone who has been there on more than one occasion Ara has some guidance on the matter.

Show Notes: 
Intro – Overview – 0:02:37
Advice Balancing Family, Life, & Hunting – 0:12:38
Tightening the Shot Group & Self – 0:21:09
Decision Fatigue & Mind Training – 0:30:45
Advice on Mental Toughness – 1:00:48
Stillness & Time Management – 1:11:10
Inspiration, Creativity, & Burnout – 1:19:07
Final Advice – 1:25:51
Ara’s Book – 1:39:42
Todays podcast is made possible by ON X. I am a huge supporter of On X and use their mapping system constantly whether it is hunting season or not. Today I want to a quick pro tip for using your On X map in the field. Personally I use the On X app on my phone as my navigation, reference, hunt planner you name it. Obviously this is situation dependent and I want to be very clear about this I would only use only my phone in situations I am VERY confident in and feel that land navigation will be a zero issue if my phone mysteriously dies completely.
 One way I reduce decision fatigue on a hunt is by using the line distance tool in On X to plan out routes or hunts I want to check out. In the same way I may use the Area Shape tool to highlight zones or timber patches I want to check out. This may seem simple but on day 6 or 7 of a tough hunt I have often been able to look back at my maps and quickly come up with a game plan that I forgot about.
Just a quick pro tip and again if you don’t have On X I highly recommend giving it a download. Use code TRO and save yourself 20%.

 

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EP 470: Heading to Alaska with Tyson Olson

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My good buddy Tyson Olson just got back from another Alaskan adventure. This week Tyson joins me in studio to break down his recent adventure and discuss how to do a DIY caribou hunt. For anyone worried about traveling to Alaska with COVID Tyson has some good tips and some tips as he just jumped through all the hoops. More than just a caribou hunt I really appreciate Tyson’s approach as an adventure hunter and we talk about all the things that went right, wrong, or just not as planned on this last hunt and just Alaska hunting in general.

Last time Tyson was on we mentioned his app that he has been working on for a while. We dive into where he is at with it now and how it has really morphed in the last 6 months to be a voice for hunting from those who seek the adventure of hunting. Tyson is still looking for volunteers to test out the app, if you are interested in being a beta tester email Tyson at: Tyson@UHFLeague.com

Show Notes: 
Intro – Tyson’s Alaska Trip – 0:03:49
Covid In Alaska – 0:17:25
Story Continuation – 0:24:53
The Native Culture & the Predicament – 0:31:37
Fishing – 0:46:21
Grizzlies – 0:50:41
Planning a Caribou Hunt & Logistics – 0:53:08
Tyson’s New App – 1:16:36
App Testers & Release Date – 1:32:54

Real quick before we get started if you are an avid elk and mule deer hunter like me you are going to want to check out our Patreon feed. Patreon is a platform that allows creators like me to add extra content for the diehard fans. Join our Patreon feed and get access to hundreds of bonus episodes specifically deep diving into elk and mule deer hunting. Our Wapiti Wednesday and Mule Monday episodes are packed with a lifetime of knowledge that will shave years off your learning curve. We dive deep into some very high level hunting conversations focused on the tactics of how to be successful. For just  $5 a month you not only get access to an exclusive elk and mule deer podcast every week but you also get access to every Wapiti Wednesday and Mule Monday we have recorded in the last two years. Head over to Patreon.com/therichoutdoors and if you aren’t 100% satisfied with our exclusive content I will even refund you your $5 back.
This podcast is brought to you by ON X Maps. ON X maps is not only the number one mapping system for public private boundaries, but for me is my go to Navigation, E-Scouting, and all purpose GPS. With the ability to save maps on my phone before I head out On X has become  my go-to system for every hunt. On X is constantly pushing the limits of what a mobile app can do and has launched a ton of great features that make me a  more successful hunter. A couple of my favorite features right now are the ability to share waypoints and routes. Whether with my wife before I head out or with hunting buddies sharing waypoints for various pins, I use this constantly. With the ability to now uses tons of different icons and colors my mapping system is more organized and easier to read than ever. These are just a fraction of the new features and why I choose On X maps over anyone else. Be sure to use the code TRO when you sign up or renew and you will save 20% off.

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EP 469: Sam Averett

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This week I sit down with Sam Averett. Sam and I met a couple years ago through mutual friends and finally got our schedules aligned enough to do a podcast together. Sam’s background is in wildland fire fighting but growing up obsessed with hunting he knew he had to figure out a way to make a living and be doing what he loves. I appreciate that sam is one of the few people I know who would consider themselves a rifle hunter first and a bow hunter second. We dive into learning new country as a rifle hunter in a new state, and Sam shares some great stories. We also talk about chasing your dreams and some of the decisions along the way. There are a lot of things they don’t teach you in school when you grow up in a small town, but there are a lot of things that growing up in a small town teach you about being a good person.

Show Notes: 
Intro – Hometown, School, & Photography – 0:03:59
Fire Fighting: Hot Shots & Smoke Jumpers – 0:17:10
Inferiority, Weaknesses, & Comfort Zones – 0:25:17
Archery & Rifle Elk: Oregon & Montana – 0:29:30
Sam’s Story: Elk Hunt Coyote Camping – 0:40:54
Favorite Authors, Books & Audiobooks – 0:51:09
Hunting Partners: Styles & Systems – 0:59:09
Freelancing: Free Work & Charging – 1:09:12
Photography Advice & Sam Online – 1:16:50

This Podcast is brought to you by Maven Optics. If you haven’t heard of Maven Optics yet you might be living under a rock. Maven is a direct to consumer company that is flipping the optics world upside-down. As a direct to consumer brand they can offer top tier glass at extremely affordable rates. Maven has really upgraded their line of optics in the last year and thats one cool thing about a direct to consumer brand is that they can launch new products in half the time that a traditional brand can.
Maven now has a full line of rifle scopes. From your entry level hunting rifle all the way up to the newest RS.4 ready for the highest level of competition shooting. The Maven Rifle Scopes are amazing, I have multiple rifle scopes from the RS.1 to the RS.3 and can’t speak highly enough about them, they are rock solid scopes.
One cool new thing Maven just kicked off is that now you can fully customize your RS.3 and RS.4 scopes. Outside of being an insane bang for your buck, the great thing about Maven is that you can custom order your Maven optics in a million variations of color options. Now you can trick out your rifle scope to match. Check out the New RS.3 and RS.4 rifles scopes and use custom builder to design a scope that is uniquely yours. Use the code “TRO-GIFT” when you place your order and you will get a free gift with your order.
This podcast is brought to you by ON X Maps. ON X maps is not only the number one mapping system for public private boundaries, but for me is my go to Navigation, E-Scouting, and all purpose GPS. With the ability to save maps on my phone before I head out On X has become  my go-to system for every hunt. On X is constantly pushing the limits of what a mobile app can do and has launched a ton of great features that make me a  more successful hunter. A couple of my favorite features right now are the ability to share waypoints and routes. Whether with my wife before I head out or with hunting buddies sharing waypoints for various pins, I use this constantly. With the ability to now uses tons of different icons and colors my mapping system is more organized and easier to read than ever. These are just a fraction of the new features and why I choose On X maps over anyone else. Be sure to use the code TRO when you sign up or renew and you will save 20% off.

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Ep 468: Gear Dump with Trail Kreitzer

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Welcome to the Rich Outdoors podcast. This week we wanted to feature some of the gear we are excited about, testing, and just how we think about what to bring from hunt to hunt. What better than the guy who tests gear constantly for the goHUNT.com Gear Shop Trail Kreitzer. Trail and I have pretty similar opinions on gear but there are definitely differences.

This is a great conversation around what things to spend money on and maybe what things could wait until next year. I tend to be more minimalist and embark the theory that if I probably won’t die without it, it doesn’t get put in the pack. We also spend some time walking through how we each prioritize what new gear to spend money on each year. Hopefully you get some ideas for last minute things in this episode. I will say the goHUNT.com gear shop has an amazing selection of western hunting gear if you are in need of some items. There are some things I buy from goHUNT and some things I just order on Amazon, and I think both are great places to look for gear.

Trail’s Gear List 

GoHUNT Gear Shop 

Show Notes: 
Intro – Gear Overview – 0:03:11
Balancing Quality & Cost – 0:09:30
Quality Gear Essentials – 0:17:24
Gear Lists, Systems, & Trip Load – 0:23:46
Food Prep – 0:31:49
Tents & Shelters, Charging Systems – 0:40:55
New Gear – 0:54:04
Archery Setups – 0:58:43
GoHunt Online & Closing Thoughts – 1:16:33
This podcast is brought to you by Maven Optics. In my opinion Maven is the absolute best bang for your buck when it comes to buying quality glass for hunting. I have been running Maven’s for year and have been nothing but impressed with them. I love that Maven is small Wyoming based company, and love supporting what those guys are building. Maven is a direct to consumer optics company and because they take the middleman out of optics they can offer an absolutely amazing product at an insane value. If you are in the market for some new bino’s or a spotting scope I highly recommend considering Maven  Built.
 I run the B.2 11×45 and on any hunt that I am glassing a lot I will have my b.5 18×56’s as well. Let me tell you 18’s are a game changer. If you are considering getting a set of 15’s, I would highly highly recommend looking at the 18’s, its one of my favorite pieces of gear these days. The B.5’s are just amazing, and actually really soon they are supposed to launching a 10x and 12x in the B.5 as well which is cool.
Go check them out at MavenBuilt.com. Use the Code TRO-GIFT at check to get a free gift with your purchase of any Maven Optics product.
This episode of the podcast is made possible by Backcountry Fuel. Backcountry Fuel box is the one subscription box you are actually going to love getting. Whether you are a hard-core backcountry hunter or a mom who doesn’t like to go to the store. Having snacks delivered to your door is great for hunting, or just taking the kids on a bike ride. It simple, always have great snacks, you get to try out new things, and you never have to leave the house, its a win win win really.
If you want the box, and you want access to our exclusive Patreon Content, you can get the a monthly box with essentially free Patreon by going directly to Patreon.com/therichoutdoors and signing up for the Fuel Box tier. It is literally the cheapest option for the box and you get access to ad free listening, plus the extensive elk and mule deer podcasts only available through Patreon. Feel free to change tiers and cancel at anytime no questions asked.  Check it out at patron.com/therichoutdoors, or sing up for the box directly at Backcountryfuelbox.com

 

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EP 467: Jonathan Roundy on Big Bucks and Big Buck Behavior

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Welcome to another Rich Outdoors podcast. Today I am joined by Jonathan Roundy aka @bonejunkie on Insta. The Roundy family is well known for being big buck killers and have a lifetime of experience when it comes to finding and killing absolute giant bucks. Last year Jonathan drew the tag you might wait a lifetime for, and there are very few people who know that unit better than the Roundy’s. It was really cool to hear how Jonathan went about that hunt when it was his own tag in his pocket and not a clients. Let’s just say if your significant other ever complains that you hunt too much point them toward this podcast. Jonathan put in the time and the bucks he was hunting are beyond what I can even comprehend.

I always enjoy chatting with humble folks who are at the top of their game with as much experience as this. There are so many great little tidbits of information in here that only years of experience would teach you. I hope you guys enjoy this podcast and good luck to all the Utah hunters this weekend.

Show Notes: 
Intro – About Jonathan – 0:03:53
The Good Ole Days & Line Drives – 0:08:14
Learn from your Attempts & Youth Hunting – 0:19:45
Scouting: Learn the Country & Animal Behavior – 0:25:29
Strategies in New Areas & Rut Hunt Tactics – 0:32:07
Balancing Mobility & Remote Areas – 0:38:59
He Said She Said & Common Mistakes – 0:43:13
Glassing Gear & Routine – 0:48:18
Motivation to Grind & Adapting to Behavior – 0:57:26
Dealing with Pressure & Closing Advice – 1:13:22
Jonathan’s SM & Online Content – 1:20:01
This Podcast is brought to you by Maven Optics. If you haven’t heard of Maven Optics yet you might be living under a rock. Maven is a direct to consumer company that is flipping the optics world upside-down. As a direct to consumer brand they can offer top tier glass at extremely affordable rates. Maven has really upgraded their line of optics in the last year and thats one cool thing about a direct to consumer brand is that they can launch new products in half the time that a traditional brand can.
Maven now has a full line of rifle scopes. From your entry level hunting rifle all the way up to the newest RS.4 ready for the highest level of competition shooting. The Maven Rifle Scopes are amazing, I have multiple rifle scopes from the RS.1 to the RS.3 and can’t speak highly enough about them, they are rock solid scopes.
One cool new thing Maven just kicked off is that now you can fully customize your RS.3 and RS.4 scopes. Outside of being an insane bang for your buck, the great thing about Maven is that you can custom order your Maven optics in a million variations of color options. Now you can trick out your rifle scope to match. Check out the New RS.3 and RS.4 rifles scopes and use custom builder to design a scope that is uniquely yours. Use the code “TRO-GIFT” when you place your order and you will get a free gift with your order.
This podcast is brought to you by ON X Maps. ON X maps is not only the number one mapping system for public private boundaries, but for be is my go to Navigation, E-Scouting, and all purpose GPS. With the ability to save maps on my phone before I head out On X has been my go-to system for every hunt. On X is constantly pushing the limits of what a mobile app can do and has launched a ton of great features that make me a more successful hunter. A couple of my favorite features right now are the ability to share waypoints and routes. Whether with my wife before I head out or with hunting buddies sharing waypoints for various pins, I use this constantly. With the ability to now uses tons of different icons and colors my mapping system is more organized and easier to read than ever. These are just a fraction of the new features and why I choose On X maps over anyone else. Be sure to use the code TRO when you sign up or renew and you will save 20% off.

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Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS