In this episode of The Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan Uffens sits down with bowhunting icon Brian Barney host of Eastmans’ Elevated, writer for Eastmans’ Hunting Journal, and a true backcountry hunting machine. Brian shares his incredible journey from a Pacific Northwest wrestler to one of the most respected DIY public land hunters in the West.

The two dive deep into what it really takes to succeed in the mountains: offseason preparation, high opportunity hunts, mental toughness, and building a life that supports your passion. Brian walks through the mindset shifts that make the difference between tagging out and going home early and recounts the emotional rollercoaster of his high-country mule deer hunt above 12,000 feet.

This is more than just a hunting episode it's a masterclass in grit, passion, and living with purpose, both on and off the mountain.

🏹 7 Key Takeaways:

Winners Are Made in the Offseason - Mental and physical preparation year-round is essential—there is no real offseason if you want to be a next-level bowhunter.

High-Opportunity Hunts Build Skill - Targeting hunts with more reps (like antelope or whitetail does) can accelerate learning and help refine stalking and shooting under pressure.

E-Scouting Isn’t Enough—Get Boots on the Ground - Digital tools can only take you so far. Scouting trips build terrain familiarity, hone instincts, and simulate real hunt scenarios.

Mental Toughness is the #1 Skill - Success often comes to those who don’t quit. Brian’s story of missing a dream buck—then hiking over 50,000 vertical feet to tag another—is a raw lesson in resilience.

Use Pressure to Your Advantage - Brian strategically avoids high-pressure areas, hunts mid-week or second-week seasons, and constantly adapts to stay one step ahead.

Be a Present Father and Hunter - Bowhunting isn’t just about the kill. The lessons from the mountain—discipline, patience, focus—carry over into being a better husband, father, and leader.

Shrink the Mountain Through Preparation - “Shrink the mountain” became a recurring theme. When you're physically and mentally dialed, the terrain feels less intimidating, and success becomes more accessible.

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian__barney/

Podcast: Eastmans Elevated

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In this episode of The Hunt Stealth Podcast, host Ryan Uffens sits down with Troy Gregory CEO of Hunt Electric, devoted father, and passionate outdoorsman. Troy shares his story of growing up in Utah with humble beginnings, the work ethic instilled by his grandfather, and how he built a legacy rooted in family, hunting, and grit.

Troy opens up about raising five kids four sons and a daughter, all of whom are deeply immersed in hunting, fitness, and outdoor adventure. Through personal stories like his daughter’s first deer hunt and his son’s unforgettable bighorn sheep harvest. Troy unpacks the life lessons hunting has taught him and his family: perseverance, patience, calculated risk, and the value of shared struggle.

This conversation is about more than just tags and trophies. It's about fatherhood, mentorship, and using the wilderness as a proving ground for life. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just starting your journey, Troy’s wisdom on raising ethical hunters, creating unforgettable family traditions, and pushing your physical limits will leave you inspired.

Key Takeaways:

1. Start Them Young, Make it Fun – Troy emphasized that the best way to build lifelong hunters is to introduce kids early and ensure the experience is fun, not grueling.
2. Create a Culture of Brotherhood – His four sons treat each other as best friends and lifelong hunting partners, a bond forged through years of shared outdoor adventures.
3. Ethics Over Ego – His kids have learned to value ethical shots and proper meat care over antler size or personal glory.
4. Patience vs. Action – Success in hunting—and in life—often comes from knowing when to wait and when to make a move. Hesitation can cost opportunity, but reckless haste does too.
5. Physical Prep = Mental Toughness – Troy’s family prioritizes fitness year-round, from daily workouts to marathon rucks, as a way to stay mountain-ready and mentally resilient.
6. Turn Every Tag into a Team Effort – Whether one family member draws or not, everyone shows up, supports, and celebrates together.
7. Opportunities Are Earned – From researching tags to grinding on extended seasons, Troy's kids don’t rely on luck—they earn every opportunity through discipline and effort.

Follow Troy Gregory:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highlandscot_troy_gregory/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4brothershunt/

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In this episode of The Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan Uffens sits down with Josh Kirchner The Dialed In Hunter to unpack his journey from roofing to full-time hunting. What began as a personal blog turned into a full-blown career in writing, filmmaking, and inspiring new hunters.

Josh shares insights from solo bear hunts, writing his books (Becoming a Bowhunter, Becoming a Backpack Hunter), and learning to embrace the mental grind of the backcountry. They talk gear, mindset, failure, and why reps in the field matter more than the latest bow tech.

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedinhunter/

Website: https://dialedinhunter.com/

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Key Takeaways:

• Start Before You’re Ready - Josh didn’t plan on becoming a full-time hunter or writer it all started with a simple blog documenting his learning curve. Taking action opened unexpected doors.
• Reps in the Field Matter More Than Gear - The best way to get better at hunting isn’t expensive equipment... it’s time in the field, learning through failure, and stacking real-world experience.
• Mental Toughness is the Real Separator - Hunts are won and lost in the mind. Josh emphasizes that staying mentally strong through discomfort, setbacks, and long dry spells is essential.
• You Can’t Learn Without Taking Risks - Josh admits he used to talk himself out of stalks. Overcoming fear of failure was a game-changer every stalk, even the failed ones, builds experience.
• Trust the Process - Whether you're glassing for bears or chasing elk, patience and consistency pay off. Even when results are slow, stick to your game plan.
• Storytelling Is a Tool for Legacy - From blogging to filmmaking, Josh uses storytelling to inspire and educate new hunters. In a world with short attention spans, good stories still connect.
• The Most Underrated Gear? Socks. - Forget the gear hype, Josh says quality socks and boots are critical. Foot comfort can make or break your hunt.

Special Offers:

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In this episode of The Hunt Stealth Podcast, host Ryan Uffens sits down with Colorado bowhunter and founder of Leaf Hat Co., Austin Bell, to dive deep into a story of grit, growth, and gear. Austin recounts his emotional 7-year pursuit to harvest a bull elk with a bow, culminating in a wild, five-arrow encounter deep in the Colorado backcountry. From the agony of a missed shot in 2021 to the obsessive scouting and preparation that finally paid off in 2022, this episode is packed with raw insights every elk hunter will appreciate.

Austin shares the mistakes that slowed his early progress, especially the struggle to find elk and how diving into Mark Livesay’s Treeline Academy finally helped him connect the dots on e-scouting. He breaks down the power of taking post-hunt notes, the underrated value of a sit pad, and why focusing on gear often overshadows the one thing that really makes the difference: time in the field.

The episode also features the origin story of Leaf Hat Company, a high-performance hat brand built for hunters tired of sweat-soaked cotton lids and uncomfortable brims. Austin walks through how a simple moment on a hiking trail sparked the idea to blend trucker style with technical function—and what’s coming next for the brand.

🔥 Takeaways:

• Austin’s epic 7-year journey to his first archery bull
• Lessons from a heartbreaking miss at 35 yards
• The power of consistent e-scouting & hunt planning
• Why experience trumps gear obsession
• The story behind Leaf Hat Co. and performance headwear

Follow Austin Bell:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abfromco/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leafhatco/

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Special Offers:

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If you’ve ever dreamed of hunting or fishing in Alaska but haven’t made the time this episode is your sign. Ryan Uffens sits down with Hyrum Neilson, the General Manager of King Salmon Lodge, to talk about what it's really like to live the Alaskan wilderness lifestyle full-time. From blacktail deer stalks and brown bear bow hunts to raising a self-reliant family off wild game, Hyrum’s life is what most outdoorsmen talk about over campfires. He breaks down what makes Alaska special, the intensity of surviving in its untamed terrain, and why it's not just a trip it's a transformation.

Whether you're itching to chase giant rainbow trout, view grizzlies up close at Brooks Falls, or just reconnect with the primal edge of adventure, this episode challenges you to stop putting it off and go. Alaska is vast, wild, and unforgiving but as Hyrum says, “Don’t shortchange yourself. If it’s on your list, make it happen.”

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Website: www.kingsalmonlodge.com

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Takeaways

• Early memories of hunting with his father shaped his love for the outdoors.
• Alaska presents unique challenges and experiences for hunters.
• Black-tailed deer hunting is particularly elusive and rewarding.
• Living in Alaska fosters a strong sense of self-sufficiency.
• Hunting and fishing are integral to Hyrum's family lifestyle.
• Bear hunting requires careful preparation and respect for wildlife.
• Fire starting skills are crucial for survival in Alaska's wilderness.
• The King Salmon Lodge offers diverse fishing and bear viewing experiences.

Special Offers:

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In this episode of The Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan Uffens talks with retired U.S. Army Green Beret and adaptive bowhunter Caleb Brewer. A man who stepped on an IED in Afghanistan, lost both legs, and still charges solo into the backcountry in pursuit of bull elk and black bears. Caleb’s story is nothing short of legendary. From learning to shoot a bow in his garage with a 1990s PSE Nova to opening his own archery shop, Stick Sniper Archery, Caleb discusses the healing power of archery, the grit it takes to succeed in the wild, and how hunting gave him purpose beyond the battlefield.

They talk mountain medicine, the physical and mental grind of bowhunting with prosthetics, why failure teaches more than success, and the raw truth about conservation. Caleb also shares a near-death experience that forced him to re-evaluate everything and how he went back, faced his fear, and found redemption through perseverance in the wild.

Whether you're a veteran, a new bowhunter, or someone looking for meaning in the struggle, this episode will fire you up, get you focused, and remind you why we hunt.

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckbrewer/

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Takeaways

• Caleb Brewer's journey into hunting began later in life after a military injury.
• Archery provides a therapeutic escape from daily stresses and challenges.
• Hunting can be a powerful tool for healing and personal growth.
• Community support is vital in the hunting and archery world.
• Hunting deep into the wilderness often leads to better opportunities.
• Experiencing near-death situations can change one's perspective on life.
• It's important to have backup gear when hunting in the backcountry.
• Success in hunting often comes from perseverance and learning from failures.

Special Offers:

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What begins as reluctance becomes revelation as Donnie recounts an epic mountain lion hunt in the snow-laden wilds of British Columbia. With vivid detail and powerful emotion, Donnie takes us step-by-step through the pursuit of a legendary cougar "Blood Paw Tom" a cat so notorious its removal was requested by local biologists to protect the fragile population of California bighorn sheep.

This isn't just a hunting story... it's a journey into the soul of the wilderness, featuring thigh-deep snow, ancient forests, dog-driven chases, and a deep reckoning with the ethics of the hunt. It’s about listening to the land, respecting its balance, and standing face-to-face with a predator that commands awe.

From ice-covered cliffs and breathtaking landscapes to the final moment when Donnie hoists the 185-lb cat over his shoulders in tribute to hunters past, this story is gritty, honest, and unexpectedly moving. And yes... they ate the lion. All of it.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Confront Your Assumptions: Donnie’s reluctance to hunt a lion was overcome by a willingness to understand, experience, and learn. A reminder to challenge the way we think.
• Conservation Is Complex: This hunt wasn’t about ego it was a targeted, informed act supported by wildlife biologists to protect endangered bighorn sheep from an apex predator.
• Hunting Is Physical and Mental Warfare: 20 kilometers of snow-covered tracking, sliding on cliffs, and high-altitude ascents made this not just a hunt, but a test of will and endurance.
• The Power of Reverence: Donnie describes the lion not with bravado, but with admiration and humility a powerful reminder that hunting and respect can coexist.
• Use the Whole Animal: From backstraps to hindquarters, nothing was wasted. The mountain lion was honored, shared, and celebrated as food... so good, it beat out bighorn sheep at dinner table.

Bonus Highlight:
That iconic image of Donnie with the lion draped over his shoulders? It wasn’t just for show—it was a nod to tradition, a spontaneous tribute to the old timers, and a symbol of the respect he developed for the animal and the experience.

Facing the Wild: Donnie Vincent on Risk, Gear, and Going Deep Into the Backcountry

On this gripping episode of The Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan Uffens sits down with legendary filmmaker, biologist, and backcountry hunter Donnie Vincent to unravel the raw reality of what it takes to survive—and thrive—on some of the most remote hunts on the planet.

Donnie recounts harrowing moments from the cliffs of the Chugach Mountains to brutal seas off the Aleutian chain. From lightning strikes at 5,000 feet to navigating canoe-splitting storms in Northern Ontario, this isn’t your average hunting story—it’s a survival manual forged in real danger.

But it’s not just about close calls. Donnie shares a step-by-step breakdown of how to build a backcountry hunting system, from gear to mindset. He reveals the "system of systems" philosophy that every serious hunter must develop—covering clothing, shelters, clean water, food prep, layering, understanding terrain, and navigating grizzly country. Whether you're bowhunting moose or planning your first solo trip into bear country, this episode is packed with life-saving tips, hard-won experience, and mindset shifts to prepare for the wild.

For new hunters and seasoned adventurers alike, Donnie’s words are a mix of grit, wisdom, and reverence for nature. If you’re ready to stop romanticizing the backcountry and start preparing like your life depends on it—because sometimes it does—this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

🔥 7 Key Takeaways from the Episode

• You’re never tougher than the terrain – Whether it’s cliff edges in Alaska or chaos in the Bering Sea, nature doesn’t care how skilled you are. Respect it—or risk everything.
• Build a system of systems – Success in the backcountry comes down to dialing in your gear, food, water, shelter, and mindset into a repeatable, resilient framework.
• Know the laws better than your buddies – Don’t rely on campfire rumors. Study state regs yourself—one missing archery stamp can ruin a season.
• Predators aren’t monsters—but they are wild – Grizzlies, black bears, and mountain lions need to be understood, not feared blindly. Know their behavior and plan accordingly.
• Prepare for the “unkunks” – From volcanic eruptions to flash floods, the unknown unknowns are often the deadliest. Prepare like your life depends on it—because it might.
• Borrow brilliance, don’t reinvent – Study gear lists from guys like Aaron Snyder and adapt what works. Even seasoned hunters are always learning.
• Anyone can do it—but not without grit – Big, small, fit, or scrappy—if you’re willing to plan, adapt, and put in the work, the backcountry is yours to conquer.