The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

498 | ”Form” Discusses How Far YOU Should Be Shooting at Big Game

How far should you be shooting at big game with your hunting rifle? In this conversation with Form, we discuss the answer to that question — not from an ethical perspective, or from a technical perspective of terminal ballistics, but from a practical perspective of what YOU are capable of behind your rifle.
Form shares some considerations to think through, and also some specific drills that you can use to assess your capabilities at distance, in variable conditions, and under stress.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Carl Ross Drill (Video & Target): https://shoot2hunt.com/product/s2hu-100-yd-hunting-rifle-drill/
- Form's MOA Target: https://shoot2hunt.com/product/form-moa-target/
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
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Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 239 | ”Form” Answers Your Questions on Rifles & Ballistics

Mark is joined by "Form" to answer your listener-submitted questions on rifles and ballistics. These questions were submitted in response to our previous conversations with Form. If you have not listened to those episodes (linked below), we highly recommend listening to them first.
In today's Q&A, we discuss...
- What to do if you cannot spot your impacts, even if you aren't shooting a heavy-recoiling magnum rifle?
- What cartridge (and bullet) would Form take on a coastal Brown Bear hunt in Alaska?
- What pistol cartridge and bullet would Form recommend for a sidearm carried for self-defense when hunting in Grizzly Bear country?
- Why (and how) does grain weight matter in a given rifle cartridge; specifically in the context of using a 6.5 Creedmoor to hunt elk?
- Is the wind drift of lighter bullets in smaller calibers not a reason to consider shooting bigger cartridges and heavier bullets?
- Why do bullet and ammunition manufacturers continue to make and market more traditional, controlled-expansion and bonded bullets as 'best for big game' if more fragmenting bullets are more terminally effective?
Our previous podcasts with Form:
- https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-part-1/
- https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-part-2/
- https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-qa/
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
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MM 238 | Best 6mm Cartridge, Synthetic Quilts, Satellite Messaging, and More...

Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss tips for comfort in cold-weather hunts, choosing down vs synthetic for a sleeping bag or quilt, how the new iOS satellite messaging features compares to messaging through a Garmin InReach device, why Steve chose the 6mm Creedmoor over other 6mm rifle cartridges, and more...
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Mountain Goat Hunt Recap: https://the-experience-project.com/alaska-mountain-goat-hunt-breakdown/
- Synthetic Quilt from Enlightened Equipment: https://enlightenedequipment.com/revelation-apex/
- Steve's 6mm Creedmoor Rifle: https://the-experience-project.com/small-rifles-for-big-game/
- New Garmin Messanger Plus: https://sandsarchery.com/products/garmin-inreach-messenger-plus
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
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497 | Drop Camp Caribou Hunt in Alaska (A Listener Story)

Jared and Cody join us to share the story of their experience planning, preparing for, and then going on a drop-camp Caribou hunt in the Brooks Range of Alaska. They discuss how the hunt came together, how they dealt with setbacks before the hunt, how they found success in going 4-for-4 on filling their tags, and what lessons they took away from the adventure.
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

496 | How We Killed 2 Mountain Goats in Alaska — The Experience Project

This podcast was recorded on our Alaska mountain goat hunt, as we sat in the basecamp cabin after the hunt. In addition to hearing the conversation, the video version of this podcast includes footage from the hunt: https://youtu.be/7HVbJuvZiE0
Mark and Jake discuss how they each killed their goats. Joined by their guide, Mark Rowenhorst of Limitless Alaska Guiding, and Justin Nelson, they all discuss the logistical challenges of the hunt, how they handled adverse weather, how they pushed past discomfort, how they slipped their way through a snowy and heavy packout, and much more.
WATCH on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7HVbJuvZiE0
PHOTOS: https://the-experience-project.com/alaska-mountain-goat-hunt-breakdown/
Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Questions / Feedback for The Experience Project: experience@exomtngear.com
Questions / Feedback for the podcast in general: podcast@exomtngear.com

495 | Feet & Footwear Anatomy with Lathrop & Sons

Stephen and James from Lathrop & Sons Boot Co. join us to discuss the anatomy of feet and footwear. With decades of experience in the outdoors, as well as with podiatry, the guys from Lathrop have some unique insights into footwear for hunting. While we have already discussed footwear in depth from our perspective, we wanted to bring in Stephen and James to share their perspective and provide you, the listener, with the most well-rounded information about footwear we could.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Lathrop & Sons: https://lathropandsons.com/
- Our Footwear Video & Podcast: https://the-experience-project.com/the-best-hunting-boot-is-wrong/
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
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MM 237 | Last-Minute Mountain Goat (Pre-Hunt Debrief)

Mark, Jake, & Steve chat about the Alaska Mountain goat hunt they are starting today. You'll hear why Steve couldn't go, how Jake took his place, how Jake prepared on short notice, what they expect from the hunt, and much more...
Links mentioned in this episode:
- The Self-Control Crisis: https://www.hottakes.space/p/the-self-control-crisis
- Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
- Mark's Mountain Goat Hunt Film: https://exomtngear.com/goat
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 236 | Your Qs on Rain Gear, Ballistics, Packing Capes, and More...

Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss how to load a cape and antlers when packing out, why they don't add a zipper to their waterproof dry bag liners for Exo packs, what rain gear they have been testing as part of The Experience Project, what to know about sensors in ballistic-solving rangefinders, why Steve chose the ELD-M bullet over other options in his 6mm Creedmoor, and more...
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
- How Rangefinders Work: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/337
- The Right (and Wrong) Way to Load Your Pack with Meat & Antlers: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/how-to-load-your-hunting-pack
- Rab Namche Rain Jacket: https://rab.equipment/us/mens-namche-gore-tex-paclite-jacket
- Exo Dry Bag: https://exomtngear.com/drybag
- Swarovski EL Range T/A: https://sandsarchery.com/products/swarovski-10x42-el-range-ta-binocular
- Share your Field Photos: photos@exomtngear.com
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

494 | Live & Unscripted in Alaska Moose Camp — The Experience Project

This unscripted conversation was recorded on our Alaska moose hunt. Steve, Tyler, Dan & Justin passed the time while waiting for their flight from the field and decided to hit record and see where the conversation took them. The wide-ranging conversation covers everything from missing home while on the hunt, lessons and adventures from Death Hikes, terrain challenges on this moose hunt, future hunt plans and dream hunts, and, of course, bears.
Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Questions / Feedback for the podcast in general: podcast@exomtngear.com
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

493 | How We Killed 4 Moose in Alaska — The Experience Project

This video podcast was recorded on our Alaska moose hunt, as we spent time waiting for a weather window for our transporter to come fly us out of the field. In addition to hearing the conversation, the video podcast (link below) includes footage from the hunt.
Steve, Justin, Tyler & Dan discuss how they each killed their moose, the challenges they faced on this hunt, how they dealt with countless Grizzly bears, the gear that worked well for them, what they would have changed, and more…
WATCH on YouTube: https://youtu.be/x4NoX1Hp0Hg
PHOTOS — https://the-experience-project.com/alaska-moose-hunt-breakdown/
Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Questions / Feedback for The Experience Project: experience@exomtngear.com
Questions / Feedback for the podcast in general: podcast@exomtngear.com