My Conservation Story: Braden Hourigan of Mountain Minimal

By Braden Hourigan of Mountain Minimal

“It all started when my ol’ man handed me his .243. . .” 

As the founder of Mountain Minimal, a company that serves hunters and backcountry enthusiasts, folks expect my story to start something like this. As romantic as this narrative is, it’s far from my reality.

For most, hunting is a tradition passed down from previous generations. A conservation ethic tends to follow––it’s only natural to defend that which feeds both body and soul. As my daughters grow up, this standard story may ring true. But the origins of my passion for hunting and conservation are far from typical.

I may not have been raised in a hunting family, but I owe it to my parents and “simpler times” for a childhood shaped by open spaces. I grew up exploring the sagebrush sea, where deer beds in Russian olive thickets served as forts and my socks stayed chalked full of cheatgrass. I scavenged unspent shells in duck blinds, and built blinds of my own––BB gun in hand. I marveled at deer mounts hung in friends’ homes, and let my imagination run wild when I’d hear the stories behind them. My interest in hunting was clear, but it wasn’t until decades later that this materialized in a meaningful way. Luckily, my youth was still dotted with family camping trips and hikes. These trips inspired my love for the mountains––places where, today, I feel most at home.

As adolescence set in, my life became increasingly defined by teenage angst, punk rock, and artistic pursuits––early embodiments of a creative spirit that still drives me today. Despite the contrast in interests, my teenage years maintained a strain of outdoor enthusiasm, complete with summer canoe trips and an ever-developing interest in the natural world.

As a young adult, I found myself drawn to the city—scratching an itch many rural kids feel. The pursuit of a degree in sociology led me to the concrete jungle, which offered adventure of its own. Ironically, this was also when I began pushing deeper into the backcountry. My late teens and early 20s were full of backpacking, complete with cotton clothes, heavy gear, and an endless desire for adventure. GPS? Who needs it!? This naïveté once left me lost in the Olympic Mountains—a story for another time.

The secondhand exposure I’d had to hunting as a kid left a lasting impression—yet another itch I needed to scratch. In my mid-20s, I started hunting. In my typical style, I dove in headfirst without a hint of mentorship. Before I knew it, I was completely consumed by the pursuit. Backpacking now had a deeper purpose, I found peace with the meat on my plate, and the challenge I craved had been met. Hunting satisfied my primal instincts while offering solutions to modern problems. I was hooked for life, and my passion for conservation snowballed.

My enthusiasm for the outdoors and conservation soon outgrew my professional path. I had been managing a tattoo parlor—a bit of a wildcard, I know—but before long, I found myself working in conservation. From boots-on-the-ground habitat restoration to philanthropic development, I served the cause in many roles.

Despite having found purpose in my work, my creative spirit and desire to seek new challenges took over. Once again, I was diving head first into something entirely new. I started building Mountain Minimal, a company that designs and markets backcountry tripods. 

As a backpacker turned backpack-hunter, I already had a baseline obsession with minimalist gear. When I started hunting, it was clear how much the added equipment slowed me down. Physical fitness is paramount, but I knew the gear could be lighter and more compact. My tripod was always the bulkiest item in my pack, but steady optics were paramount to success afield––herein lies the inspiration for Mountain Minimal.

With a deep love for the outdoors, I’m driven to help people better enjoy the backcountry. I enjoy helping backcountry enthusiasts reach the next ridge—by both boot and glass. While creating products to support these adventures, conservation remains a core commitment. That’s why Mountain Minimal is certified by Fish and Wildlife Volunteers, showing our dedication to the wild places and wildlife that inspire healthy, adventurous lifestyles.

Above: Braden Hourigan of Mountain Minimal volunteering on wildlife habitat projects