EP 205: The Jim Bonnano Journey
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In this episode of the Long Range Pursuit Podcast, host Carl sits down with Jim Bonnano, a passionate big game hunter from Westminster, Colorado, to explore his transformative journey from a late-blooming hunter to a Grand Slam achiever. Jim recounts his evolution from early bird hunting in Michigan to tackling challenging sheep hunts across North America, including a life-changing backpacking expedition to the Northwest Territories that culminated in his first stone sheep harvest. He shares candid stories of physical and mental endurance, emotional highs, and the pivotal role of confidence and preparation in overcoming adversity. Central to his growth is his experience at Gunworks' Long Range School, where he gained technical knowledge, built confidence, and connected with a community of like-minded hunters. Jim emphasizes that while gear matters, the human element—mental focus, physical resilience, and trust in one’s system—is the ultimate limiting factor in long-range hunting. His journey underscores the power of perseverance, learning from failure, and embracing discomfort to achieve meaningful success in the field.
Confidence in your gear and abilities is the most critical factor in long-range hunting success.
Physical and mental resilience are essential—challenging hunts build character and deepen the reward.
Gunworks' Long Range School provides transformative training regardless of experience level.
Trust your system: if fundamentals, data, and stance are solid, long shots become achievable.
The human element (focus, composure, self-belief) is often the biggest limiting factor in shooting performance.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction & Jim's Hunting Origins
Jim Bonnano introduces himself as a Colorado-based hunter who began his journey in Michigan, with early experiences in bird hunting and hunting camps. He reflects on the shift from social bird hunting to the solitary, challenging world of big game hunting, which sparked his passion.
The Turning Point: First Elk Hunt & LRU School
Jim recounts his pivotal elk hunt in Walden, Colorado, which ignited his passion for big game hunting. He describes attending Gunworks' Long Range School in Cody (2017), where he gained foundational knowledge in ballistics, rifle handling, and confidence, despite initial self-doubt.
The Stone Sheep Grand Slam: A Transformative Hunt
“I cried for six days when I got back. I mean, I cried a lot. I'm a crier when I get an animal sometimes, but yeah, I was just a mess.”
Overcoming Challenges: Rocky Mountain Sheep & Desert Hunts
Jim recounts his Rocky Mountain sheep hunt in Alberta, where a missed shot on day one led to a 340-yard follow-up shot the next day. He also shares his experience on Tiburon Island, highlighting cultural immersion and the contrast between comfort and hardship in the field.
Mental Toughness, Wind, and the Power of Confidence
“If you're unconfident, you might break that shot, you may lean into a long, it's fundamental shift. Right. And you know like I... I bring these boys to the range or friends and they haven't been to the school. And I, I mean, I'm pretty simple about it. I'll just say it's 700 yards dial in. And next thing you know, they're hitting plates at 700...”
“I cried for six days when I got back. I mean, I cried a lot. I'm a crier when I get an animal sometimes, but yeah, I was just a mess.”
“If you're unconfident, you might break that shot, you may lean into a long, it's fundamental shift. Right. And you know like I... I bring these boys to the range or friends and they haven't been to the school. And I, I mean, I'm pretty simple about it. I'll just say it's 700 yards dial in. And next thing you know, they're hitting plates at 700...”
“The human element—mental focus, composure, self-belief—is the ultimate limiting factor in shooting performance.”
Host
Guest
Jim Bonnano
person
Gunworks
brand
Colorado
other
Long Range Pursuit Podcast
media
Mexico
place
Northwest Territories
place
British Columbia
place
Cody
place
Alberta
place
Michigan
other
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