After footwear, which is the most important gear item for the backcountry hunter, the next most important thing to have is a comfortable, strong, and durable pack system. We have spent well over a decade obsessing about pack systems for backcountry hunting. But right now we are not talking specifically about our Exo Mtn Gear pack systems; we want to talk about the essential things to consider when looking at any pack for backcountry or mountain hunting... VIDEO & MORE INFO: https://the-exper...
Jun 16, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Join Steve, Mark, and Jeff as they have a planning call for their upcoming Caribou Hunt in Alaska. This is an unscripted, "behind the scenes" look at how they are planning their hunt, determining a hunting strategy, selecting gear, and more. More Information: https://the-experience-project.com/planning-our-caribou-hunt/ Subscribe by Email to receive future podcasts, videos, articles, and more: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Ask A Question: experience@exomtngear.com
Jun 14, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Having the right footwear is the most important gear decision you can make as a backcountry hunter. And it is also one of the most difficult pieces of gear to get right. In this in-depth conversation, Steve & Mark discuss what they have learned over the past decade+, as they have hiked and hunted in dozens of footwear brands, models, and styles, over thousands of miles, in many states, and through all seasons and conditions. What they have learned is that much of the common wisdom about ‘the...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 53 min
Welcome to The Experience Project. In this episode, Steve & Mark explain the vision for The Experience Project and how it will change the podcast over the next several months. The Hunt Backcountry Podcast isn't changing permanently, and we will continue to include listener stories, industry guests, and more types of episodes in the future, but The Experience Project will take over the podcast as a focused series for the next few months. In addition to the podcast, The Experience Project will...
Jun 05, 2024•34 min
Join Steve and Mark for an unscripted discussion about the Experience of Backpack Hunting. Why they do it. What it means to them. And why it is such a valuable pursuit. Although this conversation isn't filled with tangible takeaways, we hope it inspires you to get out and experience an adventure unlike any other. EMAIL YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Jun 03, 2024•39 min
As a trained engineer and experienced outdoorsman, Rydell Reinbold often modified the gear he used for hunting. Then he started designing and producing his own gear, for his own needs. And, eventually, he founded Aziak Equipment to share his work with other hunters. Today, Rydell is the owner, designer, and sole operator at Aziak. We speak with Rydell about the Aziak backstory, his current products, and the future of Aziak. We discuss his current ultralight tripod and head, the limitations of ul...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss choosing ultralight vs choosing comfort, the best (and worst) ways to save pack weight, how to spend money on gear upgrades, selecting a quilt, and some deeper or more philosophical thoughts on the debatable importance of gear in general. NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter EMAIL YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & ...
May 27, 2024•43 min
We welcome John Barklow back to the Hunt Backcountry Podcast. This is a wide-ranging conversation that answers some of your listener questions and goes into some unexpected topics. We discuss... - Bowhunting Cape Buffalo in Africa. - Recovering from injury and surgery and injury as an aging mountain hunter. - Where has innovation in technical hunting apparel slowed or stalled? And where is it advancing? - How environmental regulation and legislation will change the performance of rain gear. - Ho...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss the upcoming Experience Project, Mark's headlamp, tools to fix issues with a rifle in the backcountry, and using "clean" food to fuel performance on long hikes. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Fenix HM50R v2.0: https://amzn.to/4dJGbag - 16340 USB-C Battery: https://www.fenixlighting.com/products/fenix-arb-l16-800up-built-in-usb-c-rechargeable-battery - Death Hike Food: https://exomtngear....
May 20, 2024•26 min
Ryan Jordan is a backpacker, hunter, engineer, researcher, and the Founder & Owner of Backpacking Light. We speak with Ryan about the benefits of a lighter total pack weight for backcountry hunting, the barriers and misconceptions about "going light", the differences between gear for a lightweight backpacker and the backcountry hunter, and a whole lot more. FREE RESOURCES FROM BACKPACKING LIGHT: https://backpackinglight.com/hunt/ Ryan and his team put together some free resources specificall...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss "when to stay and when to go" on difficult hunts, how to keep your pillow in place when using a quilt instead of a sleeping bag, what is going on with hunting clothing brands changing their gear so often, and which clothing brands would be recommended to try. EMAIL YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Search the Podcast Archive...
May 13, 2024•32 min
Serious mountain pursuits are demanding. Physically, mentally, and even emotionally. And as you gain experience and build confidence, you can push to new levels of adventure. Experienced mountain hunter and all-around adventurer, Ben Reynolds joins us on today's podcast to talk about 5 attributes that he feels are critical for the mountain hunter... - Mental Preparation - Confidence - Optimization - Choices - Decisive Action These are attributes that Ben has developed over a decade of high-level...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Instead of answering listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute, we get a listener of the show on to today's podcast and ask them some questions. Patrick joins us to tell us about his recent experience putting together and completing his own version of a Death Hike. You'll hear about how he made his route, how he trained, how the hike went, what he learned, and what he hopes to accomplish in the future. DIY Electrolyte Mix — https://www.v2pnutrition.com/single-post/diy-electrolyte-mix-fo...
May 06, 2024•30 min
Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss when steep slopes are too steep, how to select a camp location when hunting near the top of the mountain, more follow-up on footwear from the Death Hike (and the use of trail running shoes for hunting), and how bear scouting and hunting is affected by the presence of elk and deer. EMAIL YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Sear...
Apr 29, 2024•37 min
"I won the hunting lottery yesterday and saw I was a sole tag winner for a ram tag in a unit here in Colorado. I never thought it would happen!" That is part of an email that we received from a podcast listener, Joe. Now, after the hunt, Joe joins us on the show to discuss how he prepared for this hunt. What he learned during the hunt. And how the ultimate success of harvesting his ram came to be. This episode is both entertaining, and also informational for anyone who is planning a hunt that is...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Steve, Mark, & Jakey share some exciting announcements on upcoming Exo-related events, and also answer your listener questions about Death Hike gear, in-person events, getting sponsored in the hunting industry, create comfort gear items for the backcountry, and more. Links mentioned in this episode: - Golf Tournament: jake(at)exomtngear.com - Exo Warehouse Sale: https://forms.gle/x35kpJTVnMsmNNdy6 - Voltaren Pain Gel: https://amzn.to/3UoqJst - HydroFlask Trail Series Bottle: https://amzn.to/...
Apr 22, 2024•34 min
Join Mark & Steve as they interview four participants of this year's Death Hike, to find out what each of them took away from the experience. Be sure to also listen to Episode 457 where Steve & Mark recap the plan for the 2024 Death Hike in the Grand Canyon, how they prepared, and ultimately, how the adventure unfolded. Video, Photo, Gear Links, & More: exomtngear.com/2024-death-hike Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Epi...
Apr 17, 2024•2 hr
Join Mark & Steve as they recap their 2024 Death Hike in the Grand Canyon. Hear about the plan for the hike, how they prepared, and ultimately, how the adventure unfolded. Be sure to listen to Episode 458 to hear from 4 other participants of this year's Death Hike, and what they took away from the experience. Video, Photo, Gear Links, & More: https://exomtngear.com/2024-death-hike Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Ar...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Steve & Mark are back from the Death Hike and resume answering your listener questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss the ethics of electronic rangefinder and scope systems, advice on skinning black bears, and how to toughen up your feet for the backcountry. Links mentioned in this episode: - Exo Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter - Bear Skinning Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or0VwjDIr1A - Ethical Dilemma of a Bad Hit: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/art...
Apr 15, 2024•36 min
Can you imagine taking snowmobiles hundreds of miles into the Alaskan wilderness and hunting bison? That would be the adventure of a lifetime! And that's the story that we get to hear about today. Kris and Mark join us to tell the story of their recent do-it-yourself Bison hunt in Alaska, which they completed with their friend Hunter. Mark's Previous Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/335 Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 33 min
John Zombro of The Lifetime Athlete returns to the show, to answer your listener-submitted questions about Hunting with Health for a Lifetime. We discuss building good habits, balancing joint health with training progression, how to develop a strategy to train throughout the year without getting burned out or injured, the best way to train when you only have 30 minutes a day, and more... John's Previous Episode: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/411 Lifetime Athlete: https://thelifetimeathlet...
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Our guest on this episode, Dr. Andy Galpin, is a Human Performance scientist with a PhD in Human Bioenergetics, the Co-Director of the Center for Sport Performance, a tenured full Professor at California State University, and he has worked with elite athletes across the UFC, MLB, NBA, PGA, NFL, Boxing, Olympics, and Military/Special Forces... ...AND HE IS A HUNTER. We speak with Andy to answer listener-submitted questions that combine his professional research with his practical experience as a ...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 19 min
In the final podcast before their annual Death Hike, Steve and Mark chat briefly about the last-minute forecast, the decisions they are making, and how they are feeling. They then answer listener-submitted questions about upcoming spring bear hunts, including game bags for bears, cross-contamination of trichinosis, timing to hunt spring bears for peak activity, and more... SHARE PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Search the Podcast Archi...
Apr 01, 2024•24 min
"What questions do you have about selecting, purchasing, owning, and hunting with a suppressor?" That is what we asked our followers on Instagram. And we answer those listener-submitted questions today with Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. We discuss current ATF wait times, including why some suppressors have been getting approvals in just a few days. We explain the pros and cons of using a Trust to purchase your suppressor. We explore if caliber-specific suppressors perform better than ...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 8 min
If you are interested in hunting big game in Colorado in 2024, or beyond, this episode is for you. We speak with John and Brandon from Colorado Parks & Wildlife. In this conversation, we answer your listener-submitted questions about CO's application season, the future of over-the-counter (OTC) hunting opportunities, the reintroduction of wolves in CO, and more. Helpful CPW Links... - https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/hunt.aspx - https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/BigGame.aspx -...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 27 min
In this Monday Minute episode, Steve & Mark answer listener questions about footwear for the Death Hike, their boot choice for early season archery elk hunting, how to find a quality used bow, and where to spend your budget on a rifle and optic combination... Links for items/resources mentioned in this episode... - Altra Timp: https://www.altrarunning.com/shop/men/mens-timp-5-al0a85pe - Topo Mtn Racer: https://www.topoathletic.com/mens-mtn-racer-3 - SuperFeet Hike Cushion: https://amzn.to/3P...
Mar 25, 2024•29 min
Our friend, Nolan Cook, is a hunting and fishing guide based on Kodiak Island, Alaska. He joins us on the podcast to answer some listener-submitted questions about hunting Kodiak brown bears, but we also chat about other topics in this informal bonus episode. Connect with Nolan: https://www.instagram.com/nolancook13 SHARE A PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Mar 22, 2024•28 min
Will shooting an NRL Hunter match help you become a more effective hunter? Or are these matches all about competition that doesn't replicate hunting? We answer these questions, and many more, with the founder of the NRL Hunter series, Travis Ishida. Travis explains what it is like to attend and participate in an NRL Hunter match, discusses the rules for the competition, and also explains that you don't have to follow all of the regulations if you don't want to shoot competitively at an NRL Hunte...
Mar 20, 2024•55 min
In this Monday Minute episode, Steve & Mark answer listener questions about the warmth and performance of sleeping pads, making your own dehydrated meals for the backcountry, and more... Links mentioned in this episode: - The Experience Project: https://forms.gle/LAGVLqKauPv8hrKz7 - DIY Dehydrated Meals Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/126 - DIY Dehydrated Guide: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/dehydration-guide - Backpacking Chef: https://backpackingchef.com/ - Mark's Chili Mac: h...
Mar 18, 2024•35 min
Any opportunity to hunt mountain goats is unique. They are fascinating animals that live in amazing terrain. For today's guest, Colter, the idea of drawing a mountain goat tag in his home state of Montana was a dream. And that dream came true. Colter joins us to share the story of his hunt, how he prepared for it, what he learned about mountain goats throughout the process, and some of the unique details that made this hunt so special. Whether you are passionate about mountain goats in particula...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr 14 min
