The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

449 | Sheep Hunting Gear List + Q&A

In this episode, Mark runs solo to answer your questions about gear from his Dall Sheep hunt in Alaska.
In addition to answering those specific listener questions, Mark has also published a "What's In My Pack?" video for all of the gear he took on this hunt. You can find that video, the full gear list spreadsheet, and more at the links below.
QUESTIONS answered on this podcast...
- What did you think of the Sitka Dewpoint rain gear that you used on your sheep hunt, compared to the First Lite Omen rain gear that you used on your mountain goat hunt?
- What spotting scope did you use for the sheep hunt and would you recommend it?
- What were the details of the sleep system used on your sheep hunt?
- I heard you talk about "glacier travel" when I listened to your sheep hunt story. Is that common for sheep hunts? Can you talk more about what that is like?
- Overall, how would you compare your sheep hunt and your mountain goat hunt in terms of terrain, difficulty, etc.
- How were the water sources on your sheep hunt? What filtration system did you use?
- What was your rifle setup? Caliber, scope, etc?
- What model of Hilleberg tent were you using that got taken out by the wind? Looks like maybe the Niak?
RESOURCES mentioned in this episode...
- Sheep Hunting Gear List & Video: https://exomtngear.com/sheep-gear
- Sheep Hunt Story: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/424
- Mark's Rifle Build: https://exomtngear.com/perfect-rifle
- Hilleberg Tips for High Winds: https://youtu.be/3eFAyKMz314
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 212 | Your Qs on Sleep Systems, Drying-Out, & Training

In this Monday Minute episode, Steve & Mark answer listener questions about sleeping yourself dry in a down sleeping bag, thoughts on new center-zip sleeping bag/quilt hybrid designs, a new rifle scope from Maven Optics, how to assess new gear, the value of buying used gear, the intentionality and sacrifices required for training, the value of "mini-events", and much more...
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Maven RS 1.2 Rifle Scope: https://mavenbuilt.com/products/rs1-2-2-5-15x44-ffp
- "Don't Die Cold & Wet" by John Barklow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUjR3VSEFOg
- PEAX Solace Sleeping Bag: https://www.peaxequipment.com/products/solace-15-sleeping-bag
- Exo Mtn Gear YouTube: https://youtube.com/exomountaingear
- Email Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
SHARE PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

448 | After the Hunt — Montana Deer & Elk Combo

We continue the "Before & After the Hunt" podcast series with people just like YOU... listeners of the podcast. Throughout this series, we will be speaking with everyday hunters as they plan and prepare for a specific hunt, and then we will have a follow-up episode after their hunt to hear how the hunt unfolded, the lessons they learned, and more.
Today, we are speaking Zak, who completed a guided elk hunt in Montana, which was a family trip with his father and uncle. As an adult-onset hunter from the east coast, this was Zak's first western hunt — it was a fulfilling experience where he learned a lot and found success. We discuss the story, the lessons, and the takeaways.
Zak's "Before the Hunt" Episode: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/419
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 211 | Choosing Elk vs Deer. Using 6.5 Creedmoor for Elk. And more...

In this Monday Minute episode, Steve & Mark answer listener questions about choosing to prioritize your hunting focus on specific species (in this case, elk vs deer) versus trying to 'do it all' at once. They also answer a listener's question about using the 6.5 Creedmoor for elk hunting. Additionally, they chat about changes to the podcast, updates on this year's Death Hike, and some new things coming from Exo Mtn Gear.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Backwards Thinking & Ballistics: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/393
- Exo Mtn Gear on YouTube: https://youtube.com/exomountaingear
- Email Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
SHARE PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
View & Search the Podcast Archive: exomtngear.com/podcast

447 | Confidence, Consistency, and Choices in Gear with Jay Nichol

Jay Nichol of Mindful Hunter returns to the podcast to discuss his 2023 season, and the lessons he has learned about confidence, consistency, and choices in gear. We also discuss his expanded hunting gear review platform, his new apparel company, and a whole lot more.
- Jay's Prior Podcast Appearance: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/349
- Independent Pack Review, Part 1: https://youtu.be/FdkN_rAeSx0
- Independent Pack Review, Part 2: https://youtu.be/ZuTKzIr8kS0
- Mindful Hunter: https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
- Mindful Reviews: https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
- Forged In The Backcountry: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/
- Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

446 | Frank Church Bighorn Sheep Hunt of a Lifetime

After drawing a once-in-a-lifetime Bighorn Sheep tag in Idaho, and having an amazing experience on the hunt, Jason joins us on the podcast to tell the whole story, the lessons learned, and what this experience meant to him. When you combine a place as epic as the Frank Church Wilderness with an animal as majestic as sheep, and get to experience both of those things with the closest people in your life, you have a recipe for an amazing adventure.
Hunt Photos & Video — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/frank-church-big-horn-sheep-hunt
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 210 | What We Saw (and Heard) at Hunt Expo. Plus thoughts on bow length and stability.

We are back from Hunt Expo and are answering your listener questions, including questions about what we experienced at Hunt Expo, the best new products we saw there, our thoughts on bow length and stability, and more...
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Wiser Precision Bino Clamp: https://www.wiserprecision.com/products/ba-7-sparrow-bino-adapter
- Wiser Precision Ball Head (Sneak Peek): https://www.instagram.com/p/C3a_owRPpVA/
- Rokstok Rifle Stock: https://www.unknownmunitions.com/product-category/rifle-parts/stock-chassis/rokstok/
- Handheld Archery Release Holster: https://ivoryholsters.com/product/robin-hood-release-holster/
- Forged In The Backcountry Apparel: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/
- First Hunt Foundation: https://firsthuntfoundation.org/
SHARE PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

445 | Late-Season Trophy Elk Hunt in MT (A Listener Story)

This is a great conversation on the realities of hunting late-season elk, how dealing with variable weather can change the course of a hunt, the importance of logistics and details, how trophy opportunity can change the pressure of a hunt, and a whole lot more.
Rob joins us to tell the story of his 2023 late-season Montana elk hunt. While the hunt ended with a beautiful 350+ bull, it took a lot more work and persistence than Rob imagined it would.
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 209 | Narrow Your Focus, Choose a Sleeping Bag or Quilt, and Convert Your Lid

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss how to get started hunting, how to choose a sleep bag or quilt (especially for big guys), and why you can convert an Exo Lid into a fanny pack, but they don't recommend it.
Sleeping Bag vs Quilt Podcast — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/130
Come see us at Hunt Expo — https://huntexpo.com/
Get a special show discount at the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show when you visit the Born & Raised Outdoors or PNWild booth — https://thesportshows.com/shows/pacific-northwest/show-information/
SHARE PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

444 | Death Hike Lessons with Kyle Kamp of Valley to Peak Nutrition

Today we are releasing a bonus episode, which we originally recorded with our friend, Kyle Kamp, for his show, the Valley to Peak Nutrition Podcast. Kyle interviewed Mark & Steve about some of the lessons they have learned doing Death Hikes over the years.
This whole conversation was conceived because of a recent comment that Steve made on a Monday Minute episode, when he mentioned something along the lines of...
"I am not sure that we can make a truly hard Death Hike again, because we have learned so many lessons on how to manage mistakes, which makes even hard hikes easier."
Kyle heard that comment and wanted to hear more about what those mistakes and lessons are. And that is what we discuss in this episode.
Links from this episode:
- Life-Changing Lessons from the Exo Death Hike: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/life-changing-lessons-from-the-exo-death-hike
- Mark's 2022 Death Hike Gear & Food List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ktD2BI58oecrtndyijw0J2B1-fMDhTEzvqbzNDuJQ24/edit#gid=448741633
- Kyle's 2022 Death Hike Gear & Food List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WInsPcXXnJfflLVaJfTj0qtW_Cp493FWRi0epeRWe_8/edit#gid=448741633
Connect with Kyle:
- Website: https://www.v2pnutrition.com
- Podcast: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/podcast
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/v2pnutrition
- Email Sign-up: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/prepandrecovery
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast