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
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
Jay Nichol of Mindful Hunter joins us to answer your listener-submitted questions. This is a very wide-ranging conversation, as we discuss everything from boxers for the backcountry, how much you should tip a hunting guide, issues with hunting influencers, budget gear recommendations, the best do-it-all spotting scope size, and MUCH more.
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
Resources & Reviews from Jay...
Forged Backcountry Boxers
MindfulHunter.com
Mindful Hunter Youtube
@mindful_munter on Instagram
Jay's Independent Pack Review: Part 1 | Part 2
Jay's Backcountry Breakfast Cereal...
Combine and Vacuum Seal...
2-scoops Vanilla Whey Isolate
1oz Craisins
2oz Oat Crunch Cheerios
665 Calories
5g Fat
97g Carbs
58g Protein
Exo Insider K4 Pack Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
3 days ago
3 days ago
Welcome to The First Monday. In these episodes, Steve & Mark 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.
Links and resources mentioned in this episode...
Submit your Exo Mtn Gear tagline: podcast@exomtngear.com
Exo Email Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Huntin' Fool Draw Deadlines: https://www.huntinfool.com/resources/draw-deadlines
Grand Canyon Death Hike (Last year's recap: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/2024-death-hike)
Determining your effective range with a rifle: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/498
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
If you are new to backpack hunting, you are probably overwhelmed with what you need, where you can go, and how to get started.
In this podcast, we are joined by Josh Kirchner from Dialed-In Hunter to discuss the first steps that beginning backpack hunters need to take to get started backpack hunting.
Free gear lists, training plan, nutrition guide, and more: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backpack-hunting-for-beginners
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 Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Steve & Mark answer your listener questions and share some news and updates on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss...
A limited-run of K4 3600s in Multicam
Why Exo switched from Titanium to Carbon Fiber
Using dirt bikes for hunting and packing out meat
Hunting Alaska solo
Using a poncho as rain gear, a tarp, and a groundsheet
Altitude sickness prevention and treatment
Links for this episode...
Multicam K4: https://exomtngear.com/multicam
Steve's Dirt Bike Elk Hunt Story: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/406
Altitude Sickness Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/140
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 Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Jeremy Dugger (@muleymojo) is the owner of Xpert Archery. After hearing story after story about bowhunters' experiences with broadhead performance on animals, he decided to start formally collecting data on the type of broadhead used, the distance of the shot, the arrow weight, the bow's draw weight, and the lethality or lack of recovery of the animal. Now, with over 500 responses in his data collection, he joins us to share some of the statistics and the takeaways that we, as bowhunters, should consider.
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 Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Steve & Mark answer your listener questions and share some news and updates on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss...
The new "Tallboy" K4 Nalgene Holder
Exo on Joe Rogan
Mark's Midnight "Death Hike"
Follow-up Bivy Questions
Gear Confirmation Bias
Using Pack Space Efficiently
Links for this episode...
Pre-Order the "Tallboy" K4 Nalgene Holder: https://exomtngear.com/tallboy
Exo Email & Pack Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Exo on Joe Rogan: https://www.instagram.com/p/DHJ3_64Sf2g/
Steve's 10-Day Sheep Pack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhGoT3QqmkM
DCF Loop Kit: https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/dcf-loop-superkit/ or https://zpacks.com/products/stick-on-loop-clear-white
DIY Sil Attachment Points: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8zhiup2pVY
Moose Hunt Videos: 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 Mar 12, 2025
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
We have been using a bivy sack on backpack hunts for about a decade now.
Often, we'll use our bivy under the stars. At times, we'll add a tarp or minimal shelter. And in extreme cases, we use a bivy sack inside the shell of a Hilleberg tent.
On this podcast (and in the article below), you can learn how, why, and when we use bivy sacks. We also answer 10+ listener-submitted questions about the use of a bivy for backpack hunting.
BIVY HUNTING ARTICLE — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/bivy-sacks-for-backpack-hunting
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 Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Steve & Mark answer your listener questions and share some news and updates on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss...
Steve's adjustable box for step-up workouts
Flight characteristics and ethical aspects of mechanical vs fixed broadheads (with more to come!)
Better cell service in the backcountry
Overuse of technology
Adding extra down fill to a quilt (or sleeping bag)
Links for this episode...
Exo Email & Pack Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Steve's Step-Up Box: https://amzn.to/4i04MJJ
Starlink Cell Beta: https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/t-mobile-starlink-beta-open-for-all-carriers
ScreenZen App: https://www.screenzen.co/
Katabatic Alsek Quilt: https://katabaticgear.com/products/alsek-ultralight-quilt
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 Mar 05, 2025
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
While we have spoken with numerous wildlife agencies and employees on the Hunt Backcountry Podcast over the years, those conversations have generally focused on game management, policy and regulations, and hunter opportunity.
In this episode, we discuss wildlife law enforcement with Matt — an Exo customer and an employee of Arizona Game & Fish.
Matt shares his insights on mistakes that hunters make, the rules they break, how enforcement officers operate in the field, 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://exomtngear.com/podcast
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Welcome to The First Monday. In these episodes, Steve & Mark 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.
Links for this episode...
Exo Email Notifications: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Pre-Fit Barrel Questions (and/or general Podcast Qs): podcast@exomtngear.com
The NW Hunt Expo: https://nwhuntexpo.com/
Tenacious Tape (Clear Repair Tape): https://amzn.to/43eOUyu or https://amzn.to/41DbijE
Aziak Equipment Ridgeline Tripod: https://sandsarchery.com/products/aziak-ridgeline-tripod
Idaho Bear Identification: https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/bear-identification
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