Live Wild with Remi Warren

Episode 216 | A Year in Review Pt. 2
Release Date: January 2, 2026
Host: Remi Warren

Overview

In this special New Year's episode, Remi Warren reflects on his adventures, mistakes, and lessons learned from his 2025 hunting season. With characteristic candor and insight, Remi breaks down his five biggest mistakes, ten things he did right, and the ten most valuable lessons from his past year in the wild. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just starting out, this comprehensive review is packed with hard-won wisdom, practical advice, and personal anecdotes that illuminate both the challenges and joys of living wild.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• [01:18] – Year-in-Review Structure & Reflection Approach
• [04:27] – Five Biggest Mistakes of 2025
• [21:44] – Ten Things Done Right
• [34:58] – Ten Lessons Learned in 2025
• [56:28] – Forward-Looking Advice, Fitness, and Event Preview
• [01:03:42] – Closing Thoughts

Remi’s Year-in-Review Structure ([01:18])

• Remi describes his annual process of sitting down to assess the previous year with his wife, charting out successes, failures, and goals for the upcoming season.
• Emphasizes the value of making and analyzing mistakes as a foundation for growth:

  “No matter how much you hunt, how long you’ve been doing it, things are going to happen... Sometimes when those things happen, that’s the fun part but also the learning experience of it.” ([02:59])

Five Biggest Mistakes of 2025 ([04:27])

1. Almost Severing His Bowstring with a Broadhead ([05:12])

• On a mountain caribou hunt in the Northwest Territories, Remi accidentally grazed his bowstring with a broadhead, nearly cutting it through.
• Describes the error as stemming from carelessness while handling gear, “got hasty” and didn’t set the bow down before adjusting:

  “I don't know, I guess I was paying attention. It was just stupid. It was just absolutely stupid. And it bumped that string... I nearly cut through the whole thing. I got super lucky...” ([07:18])

• Stress on always prioritizing gear safety and taking time.

2. Tinkering with Bow Setup Too Close to a Hunt ([10:42])

• Changed critical components (peep sight, draw settings) on a new bow very close to an elk hunt.
• Resulted in loss of shooting confidence and less-than-optimal arrow flight.

  “I just messed around with it too much... I didn't feel as confident with that setup as I normally would have.” ([12:59])

3. Impatience and Rushing a Stalk ([15:03])

• Chose the easy/quick route over the best route during a caribou hunt.
• Ignored his own cardinal advice:

  “Go the best way, not the easy way. That should be the first thing that pops in your head... And I didn’t do that.” ([15:40])

• Resulted in spooked animals and nearly a blown opportunity.

4. Overcommitting to Too Many Hunts/Tags ([18:56])

• Drew a highly coveted Nevada mule deer tag but couldn’t hunt due to an over-packed season.
• Recommends carefully considering time and tag allocation and understanding state return policies.
• Quote:

  “I think it’s just better to have time and commit to a specific tag and not have to rush the process.” ([20:44])

5. Overestimating Group Ability and Underestimating Terrain ([22:11])

• On his wife’s goat hunt, Remi took a group into overly challenging terrain, underestimating both the difficulty and necessary mountaineering experience.
• Ultimately had to call off the plan, but it led to a safer and more successful experience.
• Reflects on adapting plans and considering the group’s true abilities.

Ten Things Done Right ([24:08])

1. Always Carrying Appropriate Tags ([24:20])

• Purchased a wolf tag for the caribou trip and harvested a wolf with his bow—an unlikely but memorable achievement.

  “Buy the wolf tag... If you want to see a wolf, don’t buy a wolf tag. Every time.” ([26:13])

• Encourages others to always be prepared for unexpected opportunities.

2. Mastering Elk Calling & Aggressive Tactics ([27:06])

• Dedicated himself to actively calling and pursuing elk all season, leading to a highly enjoyable and productive season.

  “It was an epic elk season of calling elk, and it was so much fun... Just being super aggressive paid off.” ([27:40])

3. Passing on Animals Until the Right Opportunity ([28:51])

• Focused on hunting and harvesting mature bulls, not just for antler size but for age and experience.
• Quote:

  “Antlers are never really a predictor of the age... You’ve got to go off body size and condition.” ([29:15])

4. Embracing the Unexpected & Right Attitude ([31:05])

• On a late-season mule deer hunt, accidentally shot a different buck than tracked but focused on enjoying the process.
• Encourages staying positive even when things go sideways.

  “Wrong buck, right attitude, and that’s the right way to go about it.” ([32:40])

5. Knowing When to Pull the Plug ([33:02])

• On the goat hunt, made the tough call to abort an unsafe plan, leading to ultimate success elsewhere.

  “Sometimes you’ve just got to do that. Pull the plug, regroup, and sometimes that leads to the success that you ultimately get.” ([33:18])

6. Making Hunting a Family Affair ([34:09])

• Prioritized involving family—wife, kids, siblings, and father-in-law—creating cherished memories.
• Quote:

  “Some of the best memories that I had of the season.”

7. Passing on Questionable Shots ([34:41])

• Used restraint on a late rifle elk hunt, refusing a hasty or risky shot:

  “Sometimes the best shot is the one you don’t take.” ([34:54])

8. Being Physically and Mentally Prepared ([35:22])

• Extra attention to physical and mental readiness paid off in stamina and persistence during tough hunts.

9. Business Risk: Buying Day Six Arrows ([35:55])

• Took over an arrow company, changing his family’s life and business track.
• Honest about the anxieties but optimistic about the decision and future.

10. Equipment Choices: Right Rifle at the Right Time ([36:37])

• Last-minute decision for his wife to use the new Live Wild carbon rifle on her goat hunt resulted in a flawless, ethical shot.

  “She made one of the best shots I’ve seen hunting.” ([37:29])

Ten Lessons Learned in 2025 ([34:58])

1. Always Have Backup Strings and Cables ([38:02])

• Plans to always carry a broken-in backup set for his bow, especially on remote hunts.

2. Be Wary of Air Canada (Travel Lesson) ([40:10])

• Recounts major travel woes flying Air Canada with archery equipment.

  “Sorry... if you work for Air Canada. But dude, it was like the absolute worst customer experience I’ve ever had.” ([40:38])

3. Prioritize Hunts With Family & Friends ([42:55])

• Reiterates importance of sharing hunting time with loved ones to build the best memories.

4. Be Flexible With Elk Hunting Approaches ([44:10])

• Success sometimes comes from switching up between aggressive calling and silent stalking, depending on the conditions.

5. Intentional Nutrition, Not Just Fitness ([45:16])

• Adopted more structured eating habits alongside workouts, dramatically improving field energy and performance.

  “I felt so much better and more sustained energy throughout the day. Not just living off that two pots of coffee.” ([46:27])

6. Persistence Pays—Grind it Out ([47:56])

• Success often comes from the ability to keep after it, day in and day out.

  “If you keep hammering away and hunting hard every day, you’re probably going to find that success... persistence is the sharpest arrow in the quiver.” ([48:17])

7. Equipment Tuning is Key ([49:30])

• A well-tuned bow outweighs any gadget—perfect arrow flight is crucial and should be prioritized.

8. Focus and Recovery After Mistakes ([50:17])

• How you respond after a mistake (not the mistake itself) is often the difference between eventual success and failure.

  “It’s the falling apart from the mistake that [is] the worst thing that can happen. Focus and recover.” ([51:09])

9. Success Can Happen Anytime: Never Let Up ([52:16])

• Always treat every moment in the field as a possible success window—persistence and optimism are key.
• “People that treat the hunt like... We might take it to the bitter end but we’re gonna do it... that’s a good driving factor for success.” ([53:13])

10. Embrace Change; Each ‘Restart’ Is Really a New Level ([54:23])

• Applies to both business and hunting: setbacks aren’t true resets, but opportunities to start again with more knowledge.

  “You aren’t starting over. You’re starting up... What was previously the hardest place to get to is now a plateau, and you’ve got another peak up higher.” ([55:45])

• Emphasizes mental toughness as essential both in hunting and in life transitions.

  “Mental toughness, to me, is... the best arrow in the quiver.” ([56:27])

Memorable Quotes

• On Reflection:

  “Analyzing all those things, I think that just makes us better in the end. And that’s one of the things that I’m a big proponent of, and this podcast is really designed around.” ([03:29])

• On Impulse Mistakes:

  “I got hasty... got lackadaisical in the way that I did something... It was just absolutely stupid.” ([07:25])

• On Choosing the Best Route:

  “Go the best way, not the easy way. That should be the first thing that pops in your head if you’re ever thinking about what to do on a hunt.” ([15:40])

• On Hunt Ethics:

  “Sometimes the best shot is the one you don’t take.” ([34:54])

• On Mindset After Setbacks:

  “You aren’t starting over. You’re starting up... you now have five days of knowledge you didn’t have before.” ([55:25])

Final Thoughts & Looking Forward ([56:28])

• Remi encourages listeners to use the off-season for physical/mental preparation, gear selection, and thoughtful application strategies.
• Highlights upcoming conservation expos, especially the Wild Sheep Show in Reno, NV—sharing advice for networking and checking out gear in person.
• As always, reminds everyone to enjoy the process, treasure time with family, and focus on personal growth—both in and out of the field.

Summary

Remi Warren’s year-in-review provides a masterclass in learning from both victories and mistakes. With refreshing honesty, he details how small errors can have big consequences in high-stakes hunts and why a thoughtful, prepared, and persistent approach is essential. For Remi, success isn’t just about tags filled or animals harvested, but about relentless self-improvement, adaptability, humility, and the joy of sharing adventures with others.

If you’re gearing up for a new season, this episode is a must-listen for those seeking to hone the mental game, make smarter decisions, and, ultimately, "live wild."

Notable Segments for Quick Reference

• Biggest Mistake: Bowstring/Broadhead Incident — [05:12]
• Advice: Application & Tag Planning — [18:56]
• Key Success: Family Involvement — [34:09]
• Reflection on Mental Toughness — [56:27]

For more detailed stories, additional context, and Remi's classic storytelling style, listen to the full episode on your favorite platform.