The Hunt Backcountry Podcast
Backcountry hunters talking backcountry hunting. No advertisers or sponsors, no fluff, no BS. We discuss tactics, strategies, gear, hunt stories, and more — featuring a wide variety of guests, from industry experts to everyday listeners of the show. Your hosts, Steve & Mark, have decades of experience hunting the mountains for elk, deer, bear, antelope, sheep, mountain goats, moose, caribou, and more. While this podcast is 100% independent and free from advertising or sponsorship, it is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear, which we own and operate. Exo’s mission is to build the best backcountry hunting pack systems available, provide the best service possible, and do it all right here in the USA. Learn more at: https://exomtngear.com/ Contact us at any time with your questions or feedback by emailing us: podcast@exomtngear.com. Or visit the searchable archive of all podcast episodes we have published over the past decade at: https://exomtngear.com/podcast. Thanks for listening! —Steve & Mark
Listen on:
Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
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 & Resources
5 Sayings That Will Change How You Hunt: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/5-sayings-that-will-change-how-you-hunt
How To Save Your Meat From The Heat: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/046
A “Meat Scientist” on Wild Game Care & Preparation: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/508
Rifle Chassis Comparison: https://exomtngear.com/chassis
Backpack Hunting Basics — How to Get Started: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/513
Video: Shooting Support with Pack & Trekking Poles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV4Z-R7NNXs
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Friday May 09, 2025
Friday May 09, 2025
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...
Silencer Sound Standard: https://pewscience.com/silencer-sound-standard
Dedicated Suppressor Reviews: https://pewscience.com/sound-signature-reviews
Suppressor Rankings: https://pewscience.com/rankings
Podcast: https://pewscience.com/podcast
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://exomtngear.com/podcast
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Each year, we put together a group of guys and embark upon a hike to challenge our limits. Typically, the hike's location, length, and format change each year. But this year we had redemption in our sights, as we returned to the Grand Canyon for the second year in a row. The goal, at least for most, was to complete a Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim traverse TWICE.
In this podcast, we have segments with several of the participants from the hike, to hear their stories, takeaways, and life-changing lessons learned in the canyon.
SEGMENTS...
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:03:39) Steve & Mark
(00:24:54) Anthony, 100-Mile Finisher
(00:58:05) Gabriel (https://ivoryholsters.com/)
(01:23:56) Jack, 100-Mile Finisher
(02:04:07) Bryan
(02:25:38) Brigham, 100-Mile Finisher
RESOURCES & PAST RECAPS...
https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/life-changing-lessons-from-the-exo-death-hike
2024: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/2024-death-hike
2023: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/409
2022: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/351
2021: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/279
2019: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/178
2018: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/133
2017: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/085
2016: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/044
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://exomtngear.com/podcast
Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
Steve & Mark tackle your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss Death Hike pack weight, velocity gain from rifle suppressors, having a wolf tag while bowhunting for elk, choosing a digiscoping adapter, how to get started with a muzzleloader for big game hunting, and more...
Links & Resources
OBI Link System: https://oldballsinc.com/pages/obi-link-system
La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike: https://www.lasportivausa.com/aequilibrium-hike-gtx.html
Short Barrel Rifle Speeds: https://exomtngear.com/short-barrel
Pre-Fit Rifle Barrel Install: https://exomtngear.com/prefit
Mindful Hunter — Best Phone Scope Adapter 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQmdTKR-jWM
Kapture Gear Magnetic Digiscoping System: https://kapturegear.com/
Muzzleloader Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/258
Why You Should Start Hunting With A Muzzleloader: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/start-hunting-with-a-muzzleloader
How To Start Hunting With A Muzzleloader: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/how-to-start-hunting-with-a-muzzleloader
EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Alaska hunting guide, Hunter Stier, joins us to discuss his experience becoming a hunting guide, guiding vs hunting, expectations vs reality on big hunts, mindset for mountain hunting, sheep vs mountain goat hunts, and the story of guiding a record book ram last season.
Connect with Hunter: https://www.instagram.com/hunterstier/
Connect with Limitless Alaska Guiding: https://www.instagram.com/limitlessalaskaguiding/
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://exomtngear.com/podcast
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Steve & Mark are back from their Death Hike in the Grand Canyon and answer your listener questions on this Monday Minute episode. They share a little bit about the hike, give an update on the apparel they helped design and test with Outdoor Vitals, share their backcountry bar recipes, and more...
Links & Resources mentioned in this episode...
Rokslide Thread on Outdoor Vitals Apparel: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/new-developments-coming-this-summer.403389/
DIY Backcountry Bar Recipes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11CS7dxGUB1nkH2FozQ8KQ3dKXRuz95_iu_j8jlJyZ04/view
Experience Project Caribou Hunt: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxCisjM16JQUuY7xWQLdExN_rAHTxEsvv
EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
Jeff Cayley joins us to share his experience completing America's Toughest Race — a multi-sport adventure race that covered 300+ miles of hiking, mountain biking, climbing, packrafting, and wayfinding.
We discuss Jeff's training, lessons learned, and how his experience applies to us, as backpack hunters.
Connect with Jeff...
https://www.instagram.com/jeffcayley/
https://worldwidecyclery.com/
https://ketlmtn.com/
https://trailone.bike/
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://exomtngear.com/podcast
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Steve & Mark answer your listener questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss targets for shooting practice in the mountains, bug-proof base layers for spring bear hunts, electrolyte supplements for hikes and hunts, compatibility of rifle barrels and stocks/chassis, and more...
Links & Resources mentioned in this episode...
At-cost Exo Logo Gear: https://exomtngear.com/logo
Salt Pills: https://amzn.to/4iGhXzb & https://amzn.to/4iGhXzb
Sitka Equinox: https://www.sitkagear.com/collection/equinox-guard-collection
DIY Permetherin Treatment: https://amzn.to/3YB4Jwa
Insect Shield Commercial Treatment: https://www.insectshield.com/pages/insect-shield-your-clothes
Pre-Fit Barrel Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/517
Steel Target from the Listener Q: https://shootsteel.com/product/1-2-steel-target-12x20-modular-system/
EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Friday Apr 18, 2025
Friday Apr 18, 2025
How short is too short when it comes to choosing a barrel length for hunting?
Whether you are interested in a shorter barrel for your next hunting rifle because you plan to add a suppressor, because you want to save weight, or simply because you want an easy-handling, easy-packing rifle — the fact is that short barrels are viable with today’s highly efficient bullets, laser rangefinders, and scopes that precisely and reliably dial to accommodate for drop at distance.
In this podcast you will learn how to estimate velocity and effective range when considering which barrel length to choose for your next hunting rifle.
The short barrel "formula" and additional information: https://exomtngear.com/short-barrel
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://exomtngear.com/podcast
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
Andrew Skurka is an adventure athlete, guide, and writer. He raised the bar on backpacking as a long-distance thru-hiker, completing (and at times creating) routes that traversed thousands of miles over many months. We interviewed Andrew on our podcast nearly a decade ago, and in the years since then, he has launched a business that provides educational experiences through guided backpacking trips.
We were excited to reconnect with Andrew to discuss backpacking education, how his personal outlook on adventure has changed in recent years, the evolution of backpacking gear, and more...
Connect with Andrew...
https://andrewskurka.com/
https://www.instagram.com/andrewskurka/
Our preview podcast with Andrew: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/053
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://exomtngear.com/podcast