Scott Gillespie of Rocky Mountain Big Game Recovery joins us to discuss the use of tracking dogs to help hunters recover big game animals in the Rocky Mountain West. Although tracking dogs have a long history in some areas of the country, they have not been used significantly in the Mountain West. With recent changes in legislation and growing interest among trackers and hunters, Scott helps us understand how tracking dogs are now a viable option to help hunters recover big game animals in the m...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 6
Steve & Mark are back from SHOT Show. In this episode, they discuss the most exciting products they saw at SHOT and answer your questions about suppressors, rifle scopes, knives, and other products from the show. They also announce a limited run of Exo Pack Holsters and the latest Experience Project HUNT film. Links for this episode... Experience Project Moose Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrRHmkO1ybQ Exo Pack Holster by Ivory Holsters: https://ivoryholsters.com/product/limited-editi...
Jan 27, 2025•42 min•Ep. 5
This is NOT a normal episode. While we normally keep the amount of BS and banter in our podcasts to a minimum, this particular episode is full of both. Without much of a plan, Steve, Mark, Jake & Justin hit record and chatted from their Vegas hotel room after they wrapped up Sheep Show and started their time at SHOT Show. Amidst the jokes and laughs, there are some good insights as they discuss... Golfing 1.3 million dollar tags at Sheep Show Meeting podcast fans at the urinal The Experience...
Jan 20, 2025•44 min•Ep. 4
Our guest for this episode, Brian, started going out west to hunt elk in 2012. In the years since then, he and some friends have continued to make trips to chase elk in the Rockies. As Brain shared, "We are not experts by any means, but we do have a 37% success rate over the years. And we are 100% when it comes to bringing back life-long memories and stories to exaggerate for years to come." Since Brian has many years of do-it-yourself elk hunting experience as a non-resident, and also has a gro...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 3
Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss the future of Exo and selling the company, podcast sponsorships and endorsements, how they stash extra gear in trees, and choosing between 8x32 or 8x42 binoculars. Links for this episode... Wiser Precision Pynch Pulley: https://www.wiserprecision.com/products/pynch-pulley NL Pure Binoculars: https://sandsarchery.com/collections/swarovski-slc-binoculars EMAIL NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.co...
Jan 13, 2025•36 min•Ep. 2
Is there a real danger in eating meat from game that was killed with lead ammunition? And is there a real threat to species that scavenge on the carcasses of big game that were killed with lead bullets? Depending on who you ask, the answers to those questions will vary greatly. In this episode, we speak with Jim Heffelfinger, to help separate fact, fiction, and fairy tales, about the dangers of using lead-based bullets for big game hunting. Jim helps us realize that the conversation on lead-base...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Introducing The First Monday. This new segment of the podcast is an experiment, where Steve & Mark will talk through what's going on for them that month in the categories of The Gear, The Hunt, and the Hunter, as well as what's going on with Exo Mtn Gear. If you want an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at what we are doing, researching, and learning, or just what we are excited about, this is it. We plan to continue this format on the First Monday of each month, and then continue to use al...
Jan 06, 2025•48 min
Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss Steve's experience with the "fad" of ice baths, the pros and cons of attaching your bino harness to your backpack, the 4 Rules of Gun Safety and when they are broken while hunting, and more... Links for this episode... - Podcast Feedback Form (& Givewaway): forms.gle/nHE5o1tkN4agZC4P7 - FHF Gear Pack Suspension Kit: https://www.fhfgear.com/products/FHHS2CBOS.html - Marsupial Gear Pack Str...
Dec 30, 2024•33 min
Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss their experience using snowshoes, if digiscoping through binos can be a viable alternative to a spotting scope, and what's coming in the new year... Links for this episode... - Podcast Feedback Form (& Givewaway): https://forms.gle/nHE5o1tkN4agZC4P7 - MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes: https://amzn.to/405gCvE - 2021 Snowshoe Death Hike: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/2021-death-hike-in...
Dec 23, 2024•21 min
We want to make this show as valuable to YOU, our listeners, as possible. So we just launched a quick survey to gather feedback on what you like, don't like, and want to hear about in 2025 FEEDBACK FORM — https://forms.gle/nHE5o1tkN4agZC4P7 We will pick 3 random responses on January 1, 2025, and those participants will be able to choose a $100 Gift Card from Exo Mtn Gear or S&S Archery. Thank you for your feedback and support! EMAIL NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter ASK YOUR QUE...
Dec 16, 2024•13 min
Trevor Thompson joins us to share his experience getting into hunting and traditional archery, his journey of becoming an assistant guide in Alaska, and how his prior experiences as a SEAL, skydiver, base jumper, and backcountry skier relate to his hunting pursuits. We also discuss why Trevor shares Thanksgiving with vegans. And how each of us, as individual hunters, can be a positive influence on the future of hunting. Connect with Trevor: https://www.instagram.com/trevor.p.thompson/ Protekt Pr...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 30 min
Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss their off-season activity and if they honestly "train" to hunt year-round. Next, they dive into a rebuttal about their prior podcasts on the topic of using small rifle calibers for big game hunting, and what's to come on that topic... Links for this episode: - Alaska Caribou, Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw8_qlQAru4 - Alaska Caribou, Episode 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf...
Dec 09, 2024•24 min
Sneaking in on two bull elk that are fighting, then arrowing one of those bulls on your first-ever bowhunt? That sounds too good to be true, but that is exactly how Stephen Follett's first archery hunt concluded this fall. Stephen joins us to share that story and what he learned about starting as a bowhunter after having extensive experience with precision rifles and long-range shooting. He also shares why, and how, he started making shooting and optics accessories through his company, LSWild. L...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Each year, going back to 2018, Steve and Mark have made a list of their "gear of the year" for that year. The goal is to select items that made a difference for them on their hunts that year. In this episode, they share their selections for 2024 and discuss why each item made the list. FULL LIST & LINKS: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/best-hunting-gear-of-2024 Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/hunt...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Mark is solo today to answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. He answers questions about his archery shot sequence, insulated down booties, reducing rifle recoil to spot impacts, a budget chassis rifle, and tips for packraft hunts. EXO SALE NOTIFICATION — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Items and resources mentioned in this episode: - Outdoor Vitals Down Booties: https://outdoorvitals.com/products/lt-hybrid-booties - Enlightened Equipment Torrid Booties:...
Nov 17, 2024•32 min
Owner and founder of Outdoor Vitals, Tayson Whittaker, joins us on the Hunt Backcountry Podcast to discuss his 100-mile solo hike in the Wind River Range of Wyoming. We discuss what he learned from dealing with injuries, the mistakes he made on this trip and how he overcame them, stories from Tayson's backpack hunts this fall, what sacrifices he makes to be "ultralight" with his gear, what you need to know about changes in the outdoor apparel industry, and much more. This wide-ranging discussion...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 35 min
Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss using covers on spotting scopes, their experience with the Mtn Hntr Tripod, what knives they used on the Moose hunt this fall, and additional topics related to those listener questions. Items mentioned in this episode: - Vet Wrap: https://amzn.to/3CkqCHL - Kapture Gear Digiscoping: https://kapturegear.com/ - Mtn Hntr Tripod: https://mtnhntr.com/ - Aziak Backcountry Lite Tripod: https://sandsa...
Nov 10, 2024•38 min
How far should you be shooting at big game with your hunting rifle? In this conversation with Form, we discuss the answer to that question — not from an ethical perspective, or from a technical perspective of terminal ballistics, but from a practical perspective of what YOU are capable of behind your rifle. Form shares some considerations to think through, and also some specific drills that you can use to assess your capabilities at distance, in variable conditions, and under stress. Resources m...
Nov 04, 2024•43 min
Mark is joined by "Form" to answer your listener-submitted questions on rifles and ballistics. These questions were submitted in response to our previous conversations with Form. If you have not listened to those episodes (linked below), we highly recommend listening to them first. In today's Q&A, we discuss... - What to do if you cannot spot your impacts, even if you aren't shooting a heavy-recoiling magnum rifle? - What cartridge (and bullet) would Form take on a coastal Brown Bear hunt in...
Nov 02, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Jared and Cody join us to share the story of their experience planning, preparing for, and then going on a drop-camp Caribou hunt in the Brooks Range of Alaska. They discuss how the hunt came together, how they dealt with setbacks before the hunt, how they found success in going 4-for-4 on filling their tags, and what lessons they took away from the adventure. Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com...
Oct 27, 2024•1 hr 22 min
Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss tips for comfort in cold-weather hunts, choosing down vs synthetic for a sleeping bag or quilt, how the new iOS satellite messaging features compares to messaging through a Garmin InReach device, why Steve chose the 6mm Creedmoor over other 6mm rifle cartridges, and more... Links mentioned in this episode: - Mountain Goat Hunt Recap: https://the-experience-project.com/alaska-mountain-goat-hun...
Oct 27, 2024•27 min
This podcast was recorded on our Alaska mountain goat hunt, as we sat in the basecamp cabin after the hunt. In addition to hearing the conversation, the video version of this podcast includes footage from the hunt: https://youtu.be/7HVbJuvZiE0 Mark and Jake discuss how they each killed their goats. Joined by their guide, Mark Rowenhorst of Limitless Alaska Guiding, and Justin Nelson, they all discuss the logistical challenges of the hunt, how they handled adverse weather, how they pushed past di...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 44 min
Stephen and James from Lathrop & Sons Boot Co. join us to discuss the anatomy of feet and footwear. With decades of experience in the outdoors, as well as with podiatry, the guys from Lathrop have some unique insights into footwear for hunting. While we have already discussed footwear in depth from our perspective, we wanted to bring in Stephen and James to share their perspective and provide you, the listener, with the most well-rounded information about footwear we could. Resources mention...
Oct 09, 2024•1 hr 51 min
Mark, Jake, & Steve chat about the Alaska Mountain goat hunt they are starting today. You'll hear why Steve couldn't go, how Jake took his place, how Jake prepared on short notice, what they expect from the hunt, and much more... Links mentioned in this episode: - The Self-Control Crisis: https://www.hottakes.space/p/the-self-control-crisis - Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter - Mark's Mountain Goat Hunt Film: https://exomtngear.com/goat ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtn...
Oct 08, 2024•42 min
Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss how to load a cape and antlers when packing out, why they don't add a zipper to their waterproof dry bag liners for Exo packs, what rain gear they have been testing as part of The Experience Project, what to know about sensors in ballistic-solving rangefinders, why Steve chose the ELD-M bullet over other options in his 6mm Creedmoor, and more... Links mentioned in this episode: - Subscribe vi...
Oct 07, 2024•32 min
This unscripted conversation was recorded on our Alaska moose hunt. Steve, Tyler, Dan & Justin passed the time while waiting for their flight from the field and decided to hit record and see where the conversation took them. The wide-ranging conversation covers everything from missing home while on the hunt, lessons and adventures from Death Hikes, terrain challenges on this moose hunt, future hunt plans and dream hunts, and, of course, bears. Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/news...
Oct 07, 2024•52 min
This video podcast was recorded on our Alaska moose hunt, as we spent time waiting for a weather window for our transporter to come fly us out of the field. In addition to hearing the conversation, the video podcast (link below) includes footage from the hunt. Steve, Justin, Tyler & Dan discuss how they each killed their moose, the challenges they faced on this hunt, how they dealt with countless Grizzly bears, the gear that worked well for them, what they would have changed, and more… WATCH...
Oct 03, 2024•2 hr 5 min
Steve returns from his Alaska moose hunt and shares why it was amazing, but why he will "never again" do this specific hunt. Steve & Mark discuss going 4-for-4 with their moose tags, the dozens of close grizzly bear encounters, the performance of Steve's 6mm Creedmoor on two moose, and what is to come from this hunt as part of The Experience Project. They also chat about the new satellite messaging features in iOS 18. Links mentioned in this episode: - Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear...
Sep 30, 2024•41 min
Join Steve, Mark, and Mark (of @limitlessalaskaguiding) as they have a planning call for their upcoming Mountain Goat 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. Additional Information & Resources: https://the-experience-project.com/planning-our-mountain-goat-hunt Subscribe by Email to receive future podcasts, videos, articles, and more: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Questio...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr
How can you help protect the future of wildlife, wild places, and hunting? Can you do anything that actually matters? We discuss these questions, and much more, with John Stallone of Howl for Wildlife. Mark & John discuss the importance of having a positive influence on non-hunters, the current threats and agendas from anti-hunters, how you (yes, YOU) can shape the future of wildlife and hunting, and much more... Resources mentioned in this episode: - Wildlife Deserve Better: https://wildlif...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 5 min
