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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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.

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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.