Kayla Bodri

I’m Kayla! I live in Montana and love all things outdoors. When I’m not hunting or fishing, you’ll find me out riding my horses or scaling mountains with my corgi and Australian shepherd.

What’s going through your head as you lay in bed the night before … a hunt, a fishing trip, a ride?:

The night before a hunt, I put myself to sleep by thinking about how to handle different scenarios and dreaming about calling a 380 bull into 40 yards.

What motivates you to do what you do?:

Im motivated by the amazing outdoorsman that I get to call my friends and family. I have many amazing role models in the outdoor community and I hope to inspire others to get into the outdoors.

How do you step your game up year after year?:

Every year I push to be better than I was the year before. I listen to podcasts and read books on hunting and packing livestock, I practice bugling and fly fishing casts, I train my horses for different situations and my body to pack out big game harvests. I’m constantly trying to put in more effort than I did the year before.

What would you identify as a quality you possess that makes you stand out amongst your peers?:

I push my limits - sometimes a little too much. I managed to get a whole bull elk into the bed of my truck last year because I didn't want to wait hours for help. I’ve packed out my body weight in elk meat because someone told me it was too much weight. I packed a string of five mules by myself in Glacier and chased a grizzly bear away from a group of hikers.

If you could improve one aspect of what you do, what would it be and why?:

Slowing down and enjoying the moment. I often find myself so focused on the goal or the destination that I forget to enjoy the journey.

If you could only listen to one music album the rest of your life, what would it be?:

We Were Cowboys - Kameron Marlowe

Past, present, or future: who is one person you would sit down with for a full course meal and why?:

Steven Rinella so I can pick his brain about all things hunting or Clinton Anderson to talk about horse training.

Is a hotdog a sandwich?:

No, be honest with yourself.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life and why?:

My brother, Michael, has cerebral palsy and has never let that slow him down. A degree in mechanical engineering, a huge passion for hunting and fishing, and many years of working in remote Alaska mining gold, he’s never let anything slow him down and I admire that more than he knows.

What is your most favorite smell?:

A clean horse and evergreens, so ideally a horse that just scratched his head on a pine tree.

What is the best book you have read?:

I love informational books but get the most pleasure out of dystopian novels. I’m a big fan of The 5th Wave and The Testing series.

Would you rather be the smartest person or the funniest person?:

The funniest. Intelligence gets you far but humor can get you farther.

Your go to favorite meal?:

Homemade elk steak and broccoli mac & cheese will forever be my guilty pleasure.

How would you explain what Canvas Cutter represents?:

Canvas Cutter is a brand for the outdoor, hunting, and western enthusiasts that enjoy high quality gear.

What is your favorite Canvas Cutter product and why?:

I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about the sleep system, keeping my friends that guide hunts warm and dry while everyone else in camp is cold and miserable.

What is something people would never guess just by looking at you?:

I shot my first elk last year on a solo hunt with my bow after I had called him into 14 yards. I’ve got a lot of determination in this little body.