What makes someone a good hunting partner?Is it someone who consistently puts animals on the meat pole? Maybe.
In this episode of the EatWild Podcast, I sit down with Joel and Ryan Primus of Finding Nowhere to talk about the often-overlooked human side of hunting: how we learn from each other, how we handle pressure, and what it really means to be a good partner in the field.
Finding Nowhere grew from Ryan’s experience as a hunter, fisherman, gardener, and advocate for a more self-sufficient lifestyle, while Joel entered hunting from a very different place. With little hunting experience and a background largely disconnected from guns and hunting, Joel’s journey gives the series a unique perspective on what it feels like to learn hunting from the ground up.
Our conversation explores the mentor-mentee relationship and the challenges that come with putting an experienced hunter alongside someone who is still developing the mental and physical skills required in the field. We talk openly about missed shots, wounded animals, frustration, the pressure of filming, and the emotional weight of taking an animal’s life.
Ryan and Joel also share some hard lessons from their time together, including a memorable mountain goat hunt that tested both of them.
The conversation also gave me a chance to reflect on my own experiences as a hunting partner, and how being focused on the outcome can unintentionally create pressure for the people we hunt with. We unpack what it means to slow down, communicate, understand different hunting styles, and recognize that being a good hunting partner is about much more than finding animals.
This is a conversation about hunting, but more importantly, it’s about patience, humility, responsibility, friendship, and learning how to share the land with other people.
Key Topics* The mentor-mentee relationship in hunting * Joel’s unconventional journey into hunting * Learning to be comfortable being a beginner * The responsibility of teaching new hunters * Hunting pressure and performance anxiety * Missed and wounded animals * The emotional reality of killing an animal * How frustration can affect hunting partners * Communicating effectively in the field * Matching hunting styles and expectations * The importance of patience when mentoring * Hunting ethics and responsibility in BC * Gear, clothing, and preparation for challenging hunts * Chronic Wasting Disease and hunter responsibility
CWDBC.ca is an initiative by Hunters for BC to help educate Hunters on their role in limiting the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in BC. Visit huntersforbc.ca today to join the conservation circle.
The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for the hunt. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are all packed into it to provide you with the information you need for your next adventure.
Stikine Packrafts are heavy on adventure and light on your back. These versatile rafts are ideal for hunters, foragers and fishers to open up a world of adventures.
Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire. If you need game bags, knives or lightweight gear from a Canadian company, check out HUTO LIFESTYLE – HUTO Lifestyle Clothing & Apparel