Vortex Nation Podcast

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 s

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 cove

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 t

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. ​

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

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 wi

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 pub

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-podca

Jimmy, Mark and Erik join The Hunting Public's, Aaron, Jake and Zach on the tail end of their epic 2018 Spring Turkey Tour. After hunting state to state from the deep south of Mississippi and Alabama to the far North right here in Wisconsin, we got the chance to sit down and talk about the experience, their future plans for "The Hunting Public" channel this fall and the unique aspects of hunting as a group on public land. Spring might be over, but if you've still got the turkey itch, check out their full Turkey Tour on The Hunting Public Youtube channel to see first hand what hunting turkeys across the country looks like: 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 Have other ideas for future Vortex Nation Podcasts or special guests? We want to hear them! Let us know on any of our social platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast! We may just make it h

Dave - Man of mystery and head of product development at Vortex Optics talks the Razor® AMG™ UH-1™ with Jimmy, Mark and Reuben. The crew talks about what makes a holographic sight different from your average, ordinary red dot, and what sets this particular model apart from any other holographic sight ever made. While the UH-1 isn't a brand new product at this point, we understand many of you have had difficulty finding them in stock since their initial release not long ago. Thanks to a continual ramp up in production, we're finally to the point where we feel OK talking about it once again, without risking the angry mob and pitch forks outside our doors who can't seem to find UH-1's in stock anywhere. 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 #VortexNationPo

Anthony Amantine (@a.amantine on Instagram) is a born and raised Texan who might just love predator and hog hunting more than anyone else we know. He joined us at the NRA Annual Meeting 2018 in Dallas, TX to talk pig hunting, firearms, 2nd Amendment and his rise in influence on Instagram. This is one cool dude you're gonna want to follow to see some awesome guns, learn pig hunting tactics, and laugh along with during his usual pranks and other antics. 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. To see some of the products we've talked about on this podcast or learn more, head to our website at www.vortexoptics.com

Cheyenne Dalton (@cheyennedaltonshoots on Instagram) has been competing as a junior competitive shooter for the past 5 years and has risen to win world rimfire high limited lady 2 times as well as numerous other accolades. She joined us at the NRA Annual Meeting 2018 in Dallas, TX to talk about a recent article she was a part of with the New Yorker regarding junior competitive shooters. We also heard a little more about some of her other hobbies, thoughts on the Second Amendment and getting kids into shooting responsibly. Cheyenne is a great influence in the shooting world and an excellent role model for other junior shooters out there. GIve her a follow to see what she's up to! 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. To see some of the products we've talked about on this podcast or learn more, head to our website at www.vortexoptics.com

From Cresson, TX - Reuben Aleckson, Jimmy Hamilton and Jamison Schleicher from Vortex are joined by Long-time 3-Gun competitors, Nick Miller and Ryan Reed at the 2018 Vortex Shooters Source 3 Gun Match in the great state of Texas. Between these 5, we have a wide range of shooting experience, from Jamison, fresh off his first ever shooting competition at this very match, to Reuben, now in his 8th year of 3-Gun competition and with numerous other competitive shooting disciplines under his belt. Get an idea for things these guys wished they would have known going into their very first match, and things that keep them in the sport after competing at a national level for many years. We'll talk different types of matches, mental prep, understanding your gear, and how the experienced guys keep the sport interesting year after year. 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