Hunting is hard. Flat out. It takes patience, courage, and grit. More often than not you are left with an unfilled tag in your pocket and a long walk back to the truck. So why do it? Why put in so much time, money and effort if percentages do not go in your favor? I know why I do it. I do it because the effort it takes to successfully harvest an animal is unlike any other feeling in life. Because with no risk there can be no reward. It is what makes hunting and harvesting your own meat so special.
Being new to hunting, I constantly second guess myself and have doubt about if I am doing the right thing, especially since I never had a mentor to bounce questions off of. It is my weakness. It is the internal battle that I struggle with when hunting. Have you ever had questions about what others would do in certain situations? Maybe you catch yourself not staying in the game mentally. I know I often do. I find myself double guessing a move or a plan of attack when I hunt. Being new to hunting can be frustrating and defeating, so much that it is hard to stay motivated.
This blog series is meant to be a way to inspire and motivate you and others when it comes to hunting your dreams, and at the same time making a difference in recruiting new members and building community in the hunting world. Hopefully the advice and insight shared by our guests can help you feel like you are not alone in your struggle against the wild, as well as build confidence in your chase.
WBC: What is your name?
Josh: Josh Kirchner
WBC: Where are you from and where do you currently live?
Josh: I was born in New Mexico and currently live in Arizona.
WBC: What is your day job?
Josh: I am a Roofer.
WBC: Do you have any family or pets?
Josh: My wife, 2 dogs, and cat. No kids yet.
WBC: How and why did you get started into hunting?
Josh: My father got me into hunting and the outdoors in general when I was younger. I started hunting a ton, so that I could acquire my own meat from the field. Just caring more about my health and the yearning for adventure. Since then, it has evolved into a lifestyle for me.
WBC: Did you have a hunting mentor? What did you learn from them and or what did you want or wished to learn from them?
Josh: Yeah, my Dad has been a hunting mentor to me since I was a kid. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this. He taught me to never think I had it all sewn up. There is always room for improvement. Just when you think you’ve got something figured out, you get your butt handed to you. I also believe he instilled in me a work ethic that cannot falter. I’ve had many influences in my hunting life and all deserve equal recognition.
WBC: What has been your favorite hunt? Why?
Josh: Bear hunting has become my favorite hunt of the year. They are so difficult to find, but when you do, it is that much sweeter. The country they live in is rugged and they just genuinely intrigue me as a species.
WBC: What has been your biggest struggle when it comes to hunting?
Josh: Being indecisive for sure. I have a tendency to think too much, which oftentimes leads to missed opportunities. I have struggled with going with the flow and letting things happen.
WBC: Our strengths can also be our weaknesses. What are your weaknesses that can inhibit you on your hunts?
Josh: I just answered that, haha.
WBC: What piece of gear can you not hunt without?
Josh: There is not one piece of gear, but a whole system that works together for me. What I mean by that is I would not go out on a hunt without my backpack, just like I wouldn’t go out without my binoculars or boots. I wouldn’t go out without my clothing system, just like I wouldn’t go out without my rangefinder. They each have their place and work in unison. That system is paramount for me.
WBC: What is your favorite place to hunt and or species?
Josh: I love hunting in my home state of Arizona. We have such a diverse landscape ranging from low desert to high alpine terrain. My favorite species to hunt is bears.
WBC: What is one piece of advice you would have liked to have or know when you first started hunting?
Josh: Not knowing what you are doing is completely natural. The only way to learn though is to keep going out and putting yourself in those situations. Those are the experiences that shape us and where we learn our biggest lessons.
WBC: What is your social media account handles or website?
Josh: I am on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
www.instagram.com/dialedinhunter
www.facebook.com/dialedinhunter
www.twitter.com/dialedinhunter
I also run a blog where I share my thoughts on gear, hunting, and much more. www.dialedinhunter.com
We want to thank Josh for sharing his insight and thoughts. If you want to know more about Josh and what he does, be sure to check out his Instagram account as well as his blog at www.dialedinhunter.com. He has also been featured on the By Land Podcast in episodes 002 and 045 (LINK to Podcast) and also writes for gohunt.com.
If you enjoyed reading the blog or can think of anyone that could benefit from the insight given, please share it with others. It is “OUR” job to continue the growth of the hunting and outdoor community. Be sure to invite someone to start hunting with you, you never know what type of impact it may have for them and their life. Remember, mentorship is conservation.
If you would like to be featured in the blog series or know someone who should be, let us know by emailing us or direct message on Instagram.
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