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
Episodes
4 hours ago
4 hours ago
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 Jeremy’s shot sequence, mantra, or process?
Does a bow or arrow cause “flyers” in a group, or are flyers the shooter’s fault?
Should bowhunters practice most at 30-40 yards, since that was the highest wound rate in Jeremy’s data?
What is Jeremy’s process for bow and broadhead tuning?
How much does arrow tolerance (straightness) matter for bowhunters?
How does arrow diameter affect forgiveness and tuning?
What advice does Jeremy have for bowhunters who want to become self-reliant for bow setup, bow tuning, arrow building, etc?
And more...
Jeremy's First Episode: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/512
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
3 days ago
3 days ago
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-exo-bag-collab.406328/
Outdoor Vitals Clothing: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/new-developments-coming-this-summer.403389/
Steve's Pack Loading Video: https://exomtngear.com/packloading
Marks' At-Home Workout: https://the-experience-project.com/marks-garage-workout-for-mountain-hunting/
Steve's "Epic" Mountain Goat Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pixx_Ny9MeA
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
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
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 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 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
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 a K4 Pack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM7MhrV0rqA, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJZdVAXyHRg
Hunting Footwear Video: https://the-experience-project.com/the-best-hunting-boot-is-wrong/
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
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
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/blogs/podcast/317
Justin's Films & Photography: https://www.instagram.com/themtnexperience
Sony A6700: https://amzn.to/4jgr2yX
Rode Video Mic: https://amzn.to/4jgr2yX
Exo Mtn Gear Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Exo Mtn Gear on YouTube: http://youtube.com/exomountaingear?sub_confirmation=1
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 12, 2025
Monday May 12, 2025
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