Mark recently returned from a fall bear hunt, and in this episode, he shares his notes on lessons learned, new gear tested, items that need to be replaced, and more. LINKS, DETAILS, & PHOTOS — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/post-hunt-notes-marks-fall-bear The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast...
Aug 22, 2025•37 min•Ep. 539
Sierra Jepsen is a Meat Scientist and owner of Butcher Solutions, LLC. She returns to the show to take a deeper dive into meat science and also answer your listener-submitted questions that came through after our first episode with Sierra. Additional Information and Resources... Part 1 with Sierra: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/508 Sierra's Website — https://butchersolutionsllc.com/ Sierra's Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/butcher_solutions_llc/ Video: "Everything You Need Know Abou...
Aug 20, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 538
This episode features a listener of the show, Jordan, who killed an elk with his bow for 8 years straight. We discuss what Jordan has learned over years of do-it-yourself elk hunting, the mistakes he has made (and sees others make), and some of the tactics he learned from guests of our podcast, which helped contribute to his success and consistency. 40+ ELK HUNTING EPISODES: https://exomtngear.com/elk-episodes The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com...
Aug 13, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 537
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about backpacking with kids, hunt plans, best week of September for archery mule deer, stalking tips, flying with a hunting rifle, and more... LINKS & RESOURCES NEW Outdoor Vitals Pre-Sale: https://outdoorvitals.com/pages/mp-line-presale Outdoor Vitals Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/530 NEW Airlock Industries Suppressor: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNJSuIDhz3s/ Airlock Industries (Coming Soon): https://airlockindustries...
Aug 11, 2025•50 min•Ep. 278
Most sheep hunt stories either include a guide or the hard-earned experience of a die-hard, do-it-yourself sheep nut. But for Erik and his buddy, Evan, there is no guide and no experience. As a resident of Alaska, Erik drew a limited-entry sheep tag for a trophy hunt. In today's podcast, you will hear how Erik and Evan are planning and preparing for this hunt. Later this fall, they will return to the show to share the story of the hunt, the lessons they learned, the gear that did/didn't work, an...
Aug 06, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 536
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about bow tuning, even if broadheads are hitting with field points, suggestions on base layers for hot-weather hunts, what to do first when you recover an animal, and more... LINKS & RESOURCES Backpack Hunting Basics — When You Shoot: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/what-to-do-when-you-shoot-an-animal Backpack Hunting Basics — When You Recover: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/what-to-do-when-you-recover-an-animal Mark's New ...
Aug 04, 2025•33 min•Ep. 277
For four years straight, Rich Froning was considered "the fittest man on earth" as he dominated the CrossFit Games competition. After retiring from individual competition, Rich has pursued many interests, but none rivaled his passion for elk hunting. We speak with Rich about the humility required to grow as an elk hunter, what he has learned from hunting with more experienced hunters, how CrossFit prepared him for the challenges of elk hunting, and much more. Mayhem Hunt: https://www.mayhemhunt....
Aug 01, 2025•58 min•Ep. 535
Trent Fisher from Born & Raised Outdoors joins us to discuss elk hunting, his experience getting his kids into hunting, and judging big black bears. Be sure to check out ELK WEEK specials from Born & Raised through August 3rd... Elk Week Specials: https://bornandraisedoutdoors.com/ Hunting Clothing Comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4RWlPgqZLg Previous Elk Episodes w/ Trent: Elk Week Podcasts The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com...
Jul 30, 2025•58 min•Ep. 534
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about backcountry hygiene, the Swarovski ATC compact spotter, tire drags with the K4 Frame, gear tape, custom Crocs, their DIY backcountry bar recipes, Mark's garage workout, and more... LINKS & RESOURCES Lathrop & Sons Giveaway: http://lathropandsons.com/pages/giveaway Archery Elk Gear (Exo vs BRO): https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/5-day-archery-elk-gear-list-comparison DIY Backcountry Bar Recipes: https://exomtngear.com/bars...
Jul 28, 2025•41 min•Ep. 276
Former archery engineer, competitive shooter, and accomplished hunter, Darin Cooper ( @darin_cooper ) comes back to The Hunt Backcountry Podcast. We discuss the details of his current bowhunting setup. But more than just a conversation about gear, this is a discussion that goes into the technical aspects of archery and bowhunting. Darin's Previous Podcasts... Critical Factors of Broadhead Flight Frank Church Sheep Success — Times Two! Building, Shooting, and Renting Rifles Expert Roundtable: The...
Jul 23, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 533
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about power banks vs solar panels, how to dry and care for water bladders, and things first-time backpack hunters should consider when looking to hunt in remote country with predators. We also discuss the first things to do when you shoot an animal, why we are grateful as F@#K, trusting the process, if Steve can manifest an elk with his mind, and more... LINKS & RESOURCES Podcast Giveaway + Exo Discount: https://exomtngear.com/podcast...
Jul 21, 2025•51 min•Ep. 275
We launched the very first episode of The Hunt Backcountry podcast exactly 10 years ago, on July 16, 2015. To celebrate 10 years of the podcast, we are offering some great prizes and an exclusive Exo discount. To enter the giveaway and get access to the discount, sign up by email at: https://exomtngear.com/podcast . This promotion is only running for 10 days, from July 16-25th, 2025. THANK YOU for supporting the podcast over these past 10 years! ENTER NOW: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact ...
Jul 16, 2025•12 min•Ep. 532
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about how we sharpen our hunting knives, Mark's lessons from his mountain bike race, why S&S Archery removed their spotting scope comparison video from YouTube, where we carry our water bladders in a K4 Pack, what to avoid when storing a weighted pack for summer training, and more... LINKS & RESOURCES American-Made Gear Giveaway: https://swee.ps/KkZMPBCSH Backpacking Light Course: https://backpackinglight.com/backcountry-hunting-u...
Jul 14, 2025•43 min•Ep. 274
A listener of the show, Nick, joins us to discuss his recent experience at an elk hunting bootcamp, how he is preparing for his first trip to Alaska for a Caribou hunt this September, how his previous experience as an outdoor guide has influenced his early days as a hunter, and much more. We will record a post-hunt podcast with Nick later this fall to hear all about his adventure in Alaska. The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ Email Sign-up: htt...
Jul 09, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 531
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about using base layer bottoms vs puffy pants, eating game meat from CWD areas, the broadhead they're shooting this year, and more... Links & Resources American Made Gear Giveaway: https://swee.ps/KkZMPBCSH Brynje Fishnets: https://www.brynjeusa.com/product-category/wool-thermo/ Steller Down Pants: https://www.stellarequipment.com/product/m-ultralight-down-pants2-blublack/ Western Mountaineering Flight Pants: https://www.blackovis.com...
Jul 07, 2025•37 min•Ep. 273
For the past 2+ years, we have been working on some apparel pieces with the guys at Outdoor Vitals. After extensive testing and refinement of the designs, these clothing items are finally set to be released in the coming months. In this conversation with Brigham Crane, the Product Design Director at Outdoor Vitals, we discuss the background of this unique project, dive deep into the design details of each of the three pieces (puffy jacket, active mid-layer, and pants), and share the timeline for...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 530
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about taking follow-up shots when bowhunting, tips for carrying a rifle (stock or folding chassis) on a pack, a new K4 Bag from Shoot2Hunt, budget-friendly spotting scopes from Athlon Optics, using iPhone satellite messaging in place of an InReach, and more... Links & Resources... Exo Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Mike Lee's Announcement on Public Lands: https://x.com/SenMikeLee/status/1939132778605388207 Shoot2Hunt "T...
Jun 30, 2025•41 min•Ep. 272
John Lusk of Lusk Archery Adventures joins us to discuss priorities for broadhead selection, what he has learned from independently testing and ranking dozens of broadheads, and answers your listener-submitted questions about broadhead selection, budget arrow and broadhead setups, differences in blade and ferrule materials, broadhead vs insert/outsert weight, and MUCH more! LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE... Summary Video & Spreadsheet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPXWWwX3_iA John's YouTube Chann...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 529
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about food for backpack hunts, bear meat recipes, tripod heads for shooting and glassing, boot care, quilts, and more... Links & Resources... Limited $10 Shirts for Women & Kids: https://exomtngear.com/logo (Order deadline is June 25) What we eat on backpack hunts (and how we pack it): https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backpack-hunting-basics-the-food-we-eat Katabatic Quilts: https://katabaticgear.com/collections/quilts Ridge W...
Jun 23, 2025•33 min•Ep. 530
This is a great listener hunt story with Ryan, about his do-it-yourself black bear hunt in Alaska. We discuss how Ryan planned this hunt, the logistics involved, how the hunt went, what he learned from the adventure, and much more. The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtnge...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 528
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions and discuss some timely topics. They cover another attempt to sell public lands, what's going on at Exo behind the scenes, new shirts for women and kids coming later this week, how we filter and carry water in the backcountry, if they practice with their bow on multi-day backpack hunts, why Mark was using a suppressor cover on their recent spring bear hunt, and choosing optics for a Frank Church elk hunt. Links & Resources... Our Wate...
Jun 16, 2025•38 min•Ep. 529
Nate Simmons joins us for a wide-ranging conversation that includes a deep-dive into advanced archery, stalking strategies on mule deer, the key to his longevity and consistency, and several other listener-submitted questions. This is truly a conversation that you don't want to miss! The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/hunt...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 528
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about footwear for training vs hunting, the best way to load weight for rucking, what they carry in their first aid kits on backcountry hunts, and more... Links & Resources Exo Open House & Garage Sale (RSVP!): https://exomtngear.com/pages/exo-garage-sale Outdoor Vitals Clothing & Discount: https://outdoorvitals.com/pages/alpine-line-optin-western-hunt-expo-2025 Video on Loading Weight for Training: https://www.youtube.com/wat...
Jun 09, 2025•33 min•Ep. 527
Jeremy Dugger ( @muleymojo ) returns to answer your questions after he recently joined us to discuss the data he has collected from 500+ bowhunters on broadhead performance, shot distance, arrow weight, and lethality. The listener-submitted questions that we discuss in this episode include: What additional data points does Jeremy wish he had collected in his samples? How does Jeremy think about the physical vs mental aspects of shooting a bow? How do bowhunter decrease their wound rate? What is ...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 526
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about packing sleep systems, shelter choice for backpacking and hunting with kids, training for a mountain goat hunt, how many rifle rounds to pack on a backcountry hunt, and also share some new things coming this summer (and in the extended future)... Links & Resources Exo Open House & Garage Sale (RSVP!): https://exomtngear.com/pages/exo-garage-sale Shoot2Hunt Pack: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/the-teratorn-a-shoot2hunt-x...
Jun 02, 2025•45 min•Ep. 268
How you load your pack matters. The way you load your gear can help or hinder the pack's performance, and it can also make you a more efficient hunter. In this podcast, Steve & Mark discuss the best ways to load a pack for multi-day backpack hunts. This conversation is a deeper dive into a pack loading video that we just published... Pack Loading Video: https://exomtngear.com/packloading Backpacking Gear Lists: https://exomtngear.com/gearlist The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by...
May 28, 2025•56 min•Ep. 525
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about updates on our footwear choices, if gear noise scares animals away, our gear list for the R3 Death Hike, packout discomfort, and more... Links & Resources GoFundMe for Rob's Battle with Cancer: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rob-mcconnell-fight-throat-cancer K4 Multicam Pre-Order: https://exomtngear.com/multicam Exo Garage Sale (RSVP): https://exomtngear.com/pages/exo-garage-sale Mark's Air Pump: https://amzn.to/4kwl3qD Loading...
May 26, 2025•32 min
Steve, Mark, & Justin of Exo Mtn Gear recount their recent backpack bear hunt in Idaho. They share the story, discuss tactics and tips for spring bear (and backpack hunting in general), and touch a bit on gear. Resources mentioned in this episode... Mark's Spring Bear Gear List: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backpack-bear-hunting-gear-list-and-tactics How to Load a Bear on the K4 Frame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM7MhrV0rqA Justin's Previous Elk Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/b...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 524
Steve & Mark go unscripted and answer your listener-submitted questions (without any preparation), covering topics that include: mindset and confidence for low-odds hunts, AI enhancements to hunting and implications on ethics and conservation, if Hornady's new 25 Creedmoor cartridge is worth buying, using the K4 2200 for a backpacking trip, meat care on extended hunts in warmer weather, choosing between a rifle stock or chassis for beginning backpack hunters, and more... Links & Resource...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 36
From the outside, a rifle suppressor seems simple enough. But what is going on inside? Are there notable differences in suppressors that have similar specs of length, diameter, and weight? With so many suppressors on the market, a significant investment of time and money to purchase one, and such limited availability to "try before you buy", what should hunters look for when selecting a suppressor? We dive into these questions, and many more, with Jay from Pew Science. Resources from Pew Science...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 37
