The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

573 | Everyday Habits for Hunting Performance with Dr. Andy Galpin

Andy Galpin returns to the show to discuss everyday habits that can help or hinder your performance as a hunter. Topics covered include physical training and injury prevention, the power of sleep, what does and doesn't matter in nutrition, mental skills for high performance, and more...
Physical Preparation & Injury Prevention
Identify Your "Performance Anchors": Prioritize training based on your specific weaknesses—whether it is ankle stability, back strength, or nutritional deficiencies—that are most likely to cause failure during a long hunt.
Develop Tissue Tolerance: The goal is to prepare your body (specifically low back, knees, and ankles) to handle the repetitive stress of a multi-day hunt so you don't "break" on day three.
Use Your Actual Gear: Do not wait until the hunt to wear your boots or pack. Wear them during daily activities or training to let your body adapt to the specific stress loads of that equipment.
The Power of Sleep
The Number One Risk Factor: Poor sleep is a primary driver of injury risk and negatively impacts everything from cognitive focus to food cravings.
Consistency Over Duration: It is better to sleep the same six hours every night than to fluctuate between four and nine hours. Your body optimizes sleep better when it recognizes a consistent pattern.
Perception Matters: A person's perception of how they slept often dictates their performance more than the actual hours of sleep they received.
Nutrition & "Major in the Majors"
Focus on Quality: Avoid getting lost in "minor" details like seed oils if you are still eating inconsistent meals or highly processed gas station food.
The Micronutrient Factor: While calories and macros determine body composition, micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, fiber) determine how you actually feel and perform.
Protein Intentionality: Many people eat less protein than they realize. Reaching high targets (e.g., 1g per pound of body weight) requires specific planning rather than just "eating meat".
Mental Performance Skills
Talk to Yourself, Don't Listen: To build grit, use your own name (or a nickname) when encouraging yourself. This creates a psychological detachment that allows you to view a problem as a "coach" rather than being embedded in the suffering.
Physical Grounding: Use a "reset button," such as touching a specific wristband or looking at a meaningful acronym, to regain focus when you feel overwhelmed or lost.
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...
Vitality Blueprint: https://www.vitalityblueprint.com/exo — Save 10% with code EXO10 through 04/30/26
Andy's Website: https://www.andygalpin.com/
Andy's Podcast: https://performpodcast.com/
Andy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandygalpin/
Episode 454 | Hunting & Human Performance: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/454
Episode 542 | Resilience, Joint Health, & Sleep: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/542
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

MM 302 | Bears, Bivvies, Practice Questions & More...

Steve & Mark answer listener questions about hunting spring bear after a mild winter, nuances of selecting a type of bivy, determining how much shooting practice is enough (or too much), and more...
The Experience Challenge — https://exomtngear.com/challenge
Backpack Hunting With A Bivy Sack — https://exomtngear.com/bivy
How to Hunt Mule Deer Podcast Series — https://exomtngear.com/search?q=how+to+hunt+mule+deer
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

572 | Hunting Dall Sheep in Alaska's Brooks Range

In this episode, we talk about hunting Dall Sheep in the Brooks Range of Alaska. Our guest, Joey Klutsch, is an Alaska Master Guide and Owner of Katmai/Aniakchak Guide Service.
He will be taking the winner of The Experience Challenge on a Dall Sheep hunt this August. We discuss the logistics of the hunt, what makes clients quit on difficult hunts, why mindset is more important than good gear and fitness, what gear is and isn't required, and much more. 
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...
The Experience Challenge: https://exomtngear.com/challenge
Joey's Website: https://katmaiguideservice.com/
Joey's Instagram: https://instagram.com/aniakchakguideservice
Alaska Wildlife Notebook on Dall Sheep: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/education/wns/dall_sheep.pdf
Alaska Guide to Judging Dall Sheep: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/hunting/dallsheephunting/pdfs/dall_sheep_guide_to_judging_sheep_horns_under_full_curl_regulation.pdf
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

MM 301 | Elk Advice, Optics in the USA, Hunting Bans, and More...

Marks goes solo to answer listener questions about hunting elk off-trail and making noise, why we haven't recommended spotting scopes from Leupold, what we should do about a proposed hunting ban in Oregon, and more.
Links mentioned in this episode...
The Experience Challenge — https://exomtngear.com/challenge
Exo Newsletter — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
"Roosevelt vs Rocky Mountain Elk, And How to Hunt Both" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/142
"Changes & Challenges to Hunting & Wildlife with John Stallone" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/491
"Finding & Protecting Alaska with Bjorn Dihle" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/563
Howl for Wildlife — https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership — https://trcp.org
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

571 | New Hip, Late AZ Elk, & More with Josh Kuntz

Return guest, Josh Kuntz, joins us to discuss his recent hip replacement and his late-season elk hunting in Arizona. We explore the mindset needed to push through setbacks, the value of an active lifestyle, elk hunting in Arizona, and more.
"Better Basecamp, Better Hunting" — http://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/329
"Shared Success on Backcountry Bulls" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/390
Josh's Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/josh.kuntz/
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

MM 300 | Register for The Experience Challenge

Steve & Mark discuss the purpose of The Experience Challenge, and how you can join this week. Registration is only open through this Sunday (March 15th)...
https://exomtngear.com/challenge
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

570 | Sheep Hunt Challenge, Show Recap, & Your Questions

"Live" from the road, again, Steve kinda-sorta hosts this podcast. We discuss the pre-Challenge for everyone who wants to win the Sheep hunt as part of The Experience Challenge, we recap our time in BC for the Mountain Hunting Expo, and we dive into listener-submitted questions about hunting elk in fresh burns, archery gear upgrades, and more.
https://exomtngear.com/challenge
CHAPTERS...
00:00 — Road Trip Reflections02:59 — Insights from the Wild Sheep Society Expo06:13 — The Importance of Mental Toughness08:52 — Preparing for the Experience Challenge11:57 — Time Commitment for Hunting Challenges14:55 — Hunting After Wildfires18:00 — Safety in Burned Areas21:05 — Archery Gear Recommendations23:57 — Building Confidence in Archery26:55 — Experiencing the Thrill of the Hunt30:01 — Closing Thoughts and Future Plans
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

569 | ER Visits, Expo Season, & The Experience Challenge

"Live" from the road, Steve takes over to host the podcast with Mark and Justin along. You'll hear about Steve's surprise emergency room visit (last night), their plans for the Mountain Hunting Expo in BC this weekend, what's to come with The Experience Challenge, and more.
https://exomtngear.com/challenge
CHAPTERS...
00:00 — Introduction03:00 — Emergency Room Experience05:59 — Kidney Stone Insights08:56 — Planning for the Mountain Hunting Expo12:00 — Experience Challenge Overview14:59 — Shooting and Hunting Preparation17:57 — Alaska Hunting Plans20:56 — Reflections on Past Hunts24:02 — Community and Engagement27:00 — Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
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

568 | Unscripted with Travis Bader of Silvercore Outdoors

Travis from Silvercore Outdoors joins us for a wide-ranging conversation that covers hunting, firearms training, entrepreneurship, and the importance of disconnecting from technology. We explore the relationship between mindset, instincts, and the art of hunting; the importance of community and collaboration in the hunting world; the value of sharing experiences, and more.
Silvercore Outdoors: http://silvercore.ca/
Silvercore Podcast: https://www.silvercore.ca/podcast
Silvercore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors/
Travis' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav/
CHAPTERS...
00:02:09 — The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Mindset00:08:36 — Understanding Firearm Safety and Training in Canada00:14:01 — The Passion for Hunting and Connection with Nature00:18:48 — Experiences at SHOT Show and the Firearm Industry00:22:30 — Disconnecting from Technology and Finding Balance00:37:11 — Shifts in Training Demographics and Motivations00:40:03 — The Impact of Media on Perception and Fear00:45:11 — Reading Human and Animal Behavior00:46:50 — Heuristics in Reading Animals and People00:49:46 — Trusting Your Instincts in Hunting00:50:51 — The Two-Way Process of Reading00:53:23 — Mindset and Energy in Hunting00:55:32 — The Podcast Journey and Conversations01:01:01 — Success and Mindset in Hunting01:09:32 — Community and Collaboration in Hunting01:12:11 — Navigating Information Overload01:14:09 — Reflections on Hunting Seasons01:20:06 — Sharing Experiences in Hunting01:22:55 — Defining Success Beyond Material Gains
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

MM 299 | This AND That

Steve & Mark discuss upcoming Exo in-person events, the soon-coming Experience Challenge, and answer listener questions about training strength vs endurance, shooting from a tripod vs trekking poles, and more.
Chapters...
00:00 — Introduction to the Monday Minute02:53 — Details of Upcoming Challenges06:50 — Strength Training vs. Endurance Training11:29 — Shooting Techniques: Tripod vs. Quick Sticks23:00 — Creative Shooting Support Techniques
Links for this episode...
The Experience Challenge Waitlist: https://exomtngear.com/challenge
Wild Sheep Society of BC's Mountain Hunting Expo: https://www.wildsheepsociety.com/mhe
Northwest Hunt Expo in OR: https://nwhuntexpo.com/
Dry-Fire Drills at Home: https://exomtngear.com/dryfire
Shoot from Pack & Trekking Poles: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/rifle-shooting-with-hunting-pack
Wiser Precision Quick-StiX: https://sandsarchery.com/products/wiser-precision-quick-stix
Wiser Precision Ridge Warden Ball/Tilt Head: https://sandsarchery.com/products/wiser-precision-bt-20-ridge-warden-ball-tilt-head
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