The Rich Outdoors

EP 481: Laura Zerra, Survivalist, Hunter, and Badass

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This week I am joined by Laura Zerra who atop being a complete badass, is more at home lost in the mountains than most any of the guest that have been on my show. Since childhood Laura has longed to be in the woods exploring the mountains and far before it was cool or popular, living off the land.

I really enjoyed this conversation with Laura and find anyone who can travel to the beat of their own drum fascinating and inspiring. Laura shares some stories of her wilderness adventures and insights into living your best life.

Laura is also obsessed with shed hunting and we talk about her upcoming plans to go off the grid for the entire month of April in search antlers and how antlers have almost become just an excuse to be in the wilderness. Enjoy!

Show Notes: 
Intro – About Laura Zerra – 3m 49s
Career Advice Looking Back – 13m 11s
Learning to Handle Survival Situations – 18m 45s
Perspective on Careers & Income – 30m 52s
Becoming Self Reliant – 35m 33s
Laura’s Podcast & Effects of Isolation – 44m 45s
Laura Talks Shed Hunting – 57m 28s
Laura’s Content & Social Media – 1h 3m 20s
This podcast brought to you by Maven Optics. I keep getting ton of questions from folk asking how much I like my Maven Binoculars, and let just tell you I love my Mavens. I am not just saying this on the podcast I freaking love these optics and the company. The Holidays are just around the corner and a pair of Maven’s is a perfect gift. Maven Optics is direct to consumer optics company based out of Wyoming. Maven has taken out the middle man and are shipping you an amazing product right to your door. A lot of people are temped to compare Maven to similar price point optics but let me just say stop doing that. Maven will blow the price point away. They don’t have the middle man mark up and therefore have a superior product at a great price. The other incredible thing about maven is that you can custom design your optics with thousands of different options. Just log onto Mavenbuilt.com and start playing with custom builder to design a pair of bino’s that are uniquely yours. Use the Code TRO-GIFT to claim your free bonus gift at purchase.
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 480: How to hunt 100 days a year, Bitcoin, and Big Bucks with Craig Van Arsdale

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Welcome to the show! Today I am joined by a good buddy Craig Van Arsdale. Craigs been on the podcast before and in fact we did an audio experience together last fall in Colorado. Craig and I have had some deep conversations over beers or just out hunting but I never knew how to bring them into the podcast for you guys. Today we managed to cover some interesting topics, to include how to hunt 100 days a year, how we would choose carriers if we were starting over, investments and much more. Craig is very much into the Bitcoin world and we go pretty deep down the rabbit-whole of bitcoin and what it could mean for the next 20 years. There is also no shortage of hunting talk as Craig just got out of the woods after killing a stud Montana buck. I also just got an inReach message saying he shot a bull so as you hear this we will be packing out meat and I will be looking to fill the freezer with my own elk tag. Tune into the Patreon feed next week for a Wapiti Wednesday elk season update from the field.

Show Notes: 
Intro – Overview – 06:03
Looking Back on Career Choices – 11:43
100 Days Hunting the Last 2 Years – 23:17
Common Mistakes & Pre-Rut – 27:47
Craigs Recent Buck – 31:49
Upcoming Hunts – 39:12
Bitcoin & Block Chain Currency – 42:36
How to Get Started in Cryptocurrency – 57:51
Are Big Hunts Worth It – 1:08:01
This podcast is brought to your by On X Maps. The number one mapping system for hunters. I use On X maps both in the field and at my laptop constantly. Whether I am scouting new locations or in the field On X is my go-to. I just got off a hunt that was filled with audibles, we changed plans constantly as we tried to find elk. I was with my good buddy and e-scouting legend Mark Livesay and over that week of hunting we continuously went back to the maps looking at options trying to dig up more elk. You have probably heard mention his e-scouting course Treeline Academy which I highly highly recommend. Marks system put us on literally hundreds of elk. Needless to say, we were in elk all week and were able to even find new elk because of On X and the tools available to hunters right on our phone. In fact I played with the new 3D feature right on my phone and that is way cool. ON X now has a 3D feature in the app that allows you to see your way points in a google earth type 3D view. Really cool feature.
When it comes to e-scouting Marks course Treeline Academy is the gold standard and for me goHUNT, On X maps,  and Google earth are my go to tools. If you want to up your hunting game these tools are a must have in my opinion. goHUNT is a big supporter of the podcast and over the next 6 months I will be on goHUNT religiously, planning and scheming all of my next years hunts. Don’t waste money and more importantly years of struggling to figure out big game hunting. Go sign up for marks course. Then get yourself an On X membership and a goHUNT membership and take years off the learning curve. Use the TRO code for all three to save yourself some money.  

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EP 479: Ryan Bassham, Hunting, Building Brands, and Maral Stag

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Today I am joined in studio by Mr. Ryan Bassham. Ryan is an interesting guy to say the least and I really really enjoyed our wide ranging conversation. A brand consultant by trade, and hunting consultant by night Ryan has quite literally been around the world. In this episode we talk about work life balance, chasing your dreams, and doing what it takes to actually achieve those ambitions. We talk Montana Whitetail and the value of nostalgia when you simultaneously seek greater and greater adventure.

With Ryans extensive brand experience I really enjoyed talking to him about the state of outdoor industry things and we dive into some of the struggles I have with growing Backcountry Fuel. Like I said overall a great conversation with a very knowledgeable individual. Please enjoy.

Show Notes: 
Intro – Ryan’s Lifestyle & Hunting – 03:22
The Family Business & Hunting Goals – 21:11
Working with Big & Small Brands – 31:10
Talkin’ Whitetail & Waterfowl – 39:23
Maral Stag & Eastern Europe – 52:44

Today’s podcast is brought to you by Treeline Academy and the E-Scouting MasterClass. If you have listened to the podcast very long at all you have likely heard Mark Livesay and I talking E-Scouting. Those podcasts barely scratch the surface of what is in this masterclass. I am a huge fan of this, E-scouting is probably the single most important skill in my opinion to being a successful hunter. If you aren’t in elk you can’t hunt elk and if you can’t get away people you aren’t going to have much fun. Tags are getting harder and hard to get invest the knowledge to capitalize on those hunts. I can’t say it enough this masterclass will blow your mind and put you at a different level. If you weren’t into elk this year do yourself a favor and start planning now, this masterclass will take you weeks if not months to get through and that much time again to put into practice, it is just that comprehensive. Put in the work now and make yourself a better hunter. This class will 100% make you a 201 hunter if you put it to practice I whole heartedly believe that. Use code TRO and save yourself $20 which gives you access to the course for two full years. If you sign up now you will also get a couple extra month free because your clock won’t start until Jan 1. Head over to TreelineAcademy.com and sign up for the E-Scouting masterclass, its going to blow your mind.
Hunting Season is here and you don’t have On X downloaded on your phone you are living under a rock. On X Maps is the number one hunt mapping system out there. One of the cool features I use constantly throughout season is sharing waypoints and areas with hunting buddies. From glassing locations to camp pins this feature gets used often. I will even use the area shape tool to highlight areas then send that to say hey this hillside should have a good buck or bull on it. On X recently launched their new 3D mapping which is still in beta and only on the desktop but this allows you to really see glassing points hillsides and overall terrain features in an area. Good luck out there this year and remember to download any maps you may need before hitting the hills and you will have access to all of your saved e-scouting plans.

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Ep 478: Late Season Backcountry, Alaska, and Entrepreneur Life with Brad Brooks

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Today I am joined on the podcast by my buddy Brad Brooks, fellow entrepreneur and backcountry hunter. Brad is the founder of Argali a company that specializes in lightweight backcountry equipment. The thing I appreciate about Brad is that he is truly a backcountry hunter you eat sleeps and breaths this stuff. I wanted to have brad on to talk about Argali but also to talk about backcountry gear for later season stuff. The last couple years brad has been pushing into some serious remote country to look for rutting bucks and living deep in the backcountry for extended periods. Like myself it is easy to stack on “just in case” gear when you are dealing with winter type conditions. In this episode we talk about what things we remind ourselves to cut and what things we just suck up the weight for. This might actually surprise you!

For those who have been enjoying the entrepreneur conversations Brad and I talk about his struggle and success with launch multiple new products in 2020 and have a great conversation around balancing getting a minimum viable product to market vs making sure you your idea is perfect. I know this is a very real juggle for anyone designing or creating something new.

Show Notes: 
Intro – Backcountry Fallacies – 0:03:51
Planning an Alaska Trip – 0:15:53
Late Season Backpacking Gear & Food Tips – 0:32:15
Avg Day Overview & Strategies – 0:54:20
About Argali & Product Development – 1:07:00
This podcast is brought to you by Argali. Argali makes lightweight gear that cuts your pack weight without sacrificing function whatsoever. Argali gear is made by backcountry hunters who know what they are talking about. The founder Brad Brooks who has actually been on the podcast multiple times is hardcore backcountry hunter and entrepreneur. I have been running the Argali Game bags for going on 3 years now and love them. Argali game bags are some of the best lightweight reusable bags out there. Like I said I am on my third year and a pile of pack-outs now with zero issues or tears in any of them. Argali also makes an amazing backcountry knife that is ridiculously light at 1.8 ounces and feels like a real knife. The Argali Carbon knife is made of s35VN steel which is considered super steel, this allows you to have a knife that can process an entire animal without having to resharpen your knife in the field.
If you want to cut weight and upgrade your kill kit check out Argali. Use the TRO code and save yourself 10% or entire order. SHOP NOW!
Today’s podcast is brought to you by Treeline Academy and the E-Scouting MasterClass. If you have listened to the podcast very long at all you have likely heard Mark Livesay and I talking E-Scouting. Those podcasts barely scratch the surface of what is in this masterclass. I am a huge fan of this, E-scouting is probably the single most important skill in my opinion to being a successful hunter. If you aren’t in elk you can’t hunt elk and if you can’t get away people you aren’t going to have much fun. Tags are getting harder and hard to get invest the knowledge to capitalize on those hunts. I can’t say it enough this masterclass will blow your mind and put you at a different level. If you weren’t into elk this year do yourself a favor and start planning now, this masterclass will take you weeks if not months to get through and that much time again to put into practice, it is just that comprehensive. Put in the work now and make yourself a better hunter. This class will 100% make you a 201 hunter if you put it to practice I whole heartedly believe that. Use code TRO and save yourself $20 which gives you access to the course for two full years. If you sign up now you will also get a couple extra month free because your clock won’t start until Jan 1. Head over to TreelineAcademy.com and sign up for the E-Scouting masterclass, its going to blow your mind.

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EP 477: Managing Expectation and Making Game Time Audibles

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In today’s podcast young Jaden and I catch up on some recent hunts including my “deer” hunt that yielded one of the better rifle elk trips we have been on in years. We also chat about Jaden letting “The year of the deer” get to his head, and how to manage exceptions better while also keeping the “how its done” at the forefront of mind.

2020 definitely seems to have more hunters in the woods than other years, at least in places Jaden and I have hunted. With this we talk about how to use this to your advantage or at a minimum not let it get your head. Our recent rifle hunt was a great example of using pressure to your advantage. As Jaden preps for Colorado 3rd Deer coming up, this should be a great reminder to stick with your game plan and not get flustered by other hunters.

Show Notes: 
Intro – 03:27
Jaden’s Season So Far – 08:18
Outcomes & Acceptance – 22:25
Cody’s Idaho Elk Hunt – 27:39
Social Media Influencers – 39:47
Lessons Learned from 2020 Season – 51:31
Jaden’s Upcoming CO Hunt – 58:22

Today’s podcast is brought to you by Treeline Academy and the E-Scouting MasterClass. If you have listened to the podcast very long at all you have likely heard Mark Livesay and I talking E-Scouting. Those podcasts barely scratch the surface of what is in this masterclass. I am a huge fan of this, E-scouting is probably the single most important skill in my opinion to being a successful hunter. If you aren’t in elk you can’t hunt elk and if you can’t get away people you aren’t going to have much fun. Tags are getting harder and hard to get invest the knowledge to capitalize on those hunts. I can’t say it enough this masterclass will blow your mind and put you at a different level. If you weren’t into elk this year do yourself a favor and start planning now, this masterclass will take you weeks if not months to get through and that much time again to put into practice, it is just that comprehensive. Put in the work now and make yourself a better hunter. This class will 100% make you a 201 hunter if you put it to practice I whole heartedly believe that. Use code TRO and save yourself $20 which gives you access to the course for two full years. If you sign up now you will also get a couple extra month free because your clock won’t start until Jan 1. Head over to TreelineAcademy.com and sign up for the E-Scouting masterclass, its going to blow your mind.
Hunting Season is here and you don’t have On X downloaded on your phone you are living under a rock. On X Maps is the number one hunt mapping system out there. One of the cool features I use constantly throughout season is sharing waypoints and areas with hunting buddies. From glassing locations to camp pins this feature gets used often. I will even use the area shape tool to highlight areas then send that to say hey this hillside should have a good buck or bull on it. On X recently launched their new 3D mapping which is still in beta and only on the desktop but this allows you to really see glassing points hillsides and overall terrain features in an area. Good luck out there this year and remember to download any maps you may need before hitting the hills and you will have access to all of your saved e-scouting plans.

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