The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

MM 231 | Your Questions on Hammocks, Bows, Trekking Poles, and More...

Steve and Mark answer your listener questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss why they don't use hammocks for backpack hunts, when to use wrist straps with trekking poles, why they aren't talking about bows on The Experience Project, and much more.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Hammock Camping the Right Way (Podcast): https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/168
- Flying With Firearms (Video): https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/how-to-fly-with-a-hunting-rifle
- Travel Tips for Out-of-State Hunts (Podcast): https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/417
THE EXPERIENCE PROJECT — https://the-experience-project.com/
SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

485 | How We Filter & Carry Water on Backpack Hunts — The Experience Project

Few things can affect a backpack hunt more than water. When water is plentiful, it becomes an afterthought. But when it is hard to find good water sources, living in the backcountry requires intentionality and effort.
In this podcast, we discuss how we find, filter, and carry water on extended hunts. And in addition to this podcast, we have shared a video and links to other resources and research, which you can find at...
https://the-experience-project.com/water-filters-for-backpack-hunts/
Subscribe via Email: exomtngear.com/newsletter
Questions / Feedback for The Experience Project: experience@exomtngear.com
Questions / Feedback for the podcast in general: podcast@exomtngear.com

484 | The Clothing Layers You Need for Backpack Hunting — The Experience Project

The hunting market is full of clothing brands — each one offering many types and styles of clothing layers, and often different camouflage patterns. And that is just the hunting market. If you're open to using solid colors for hunting, you can begin to shop for technical apparel from brands outside of the hunting space and have never-ending options on what to buy and wear.
It can be hard to understand how to evaluate the clothing you need or know where to invest your money. We want to help cut through that confusion.
In this podcast, Steve & Mark discuss their approach to clothing layers for backpack hunts, and how different seasons and conditions affect their layering strategies and gear choices.
VIDEO & MORE INFO: https://the-experience-project.com/clothing-layers-for-backpack-hunting/
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:03:20) Socks
(00:15:05) Baselayer Bottoms
(00:20:29) Camouflage vs Solid Colors for Hunting
(00:26:30) Is Budget Clothing Good Enough?
(00:32:03) Hunting Pants
(00:34:35) Our Work on Apparrel Design with Outdoor Vitals
(00:36:58) Belts
(00:38:17) Clothing Weight for Backpack Hunting
(00:40:24) Underwear
(00:44:45) Versatility of a Layering “System”
(00:46:12) Puffy Pants
(00:51:45) Recapping Bottom Layers
(00:52:45) Overview of Top Layers
(00:55:11) Next-to-Skin Top
(01:03:04) Mid-layer Top
(01:06:50) Hike Cool
(01:11:59) Puffy Jackets
(01:18:34) Rain Gear
(01:29:42) Gloves
(01:33:36) Headwear
(01:34:33) Gaiters
(01:37:21) Conclusion
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

483 | Why Backcountry Nutrition Matters (+ Free Resources) — The Experience Project

At what point does nutrition help or hurt you on a backcountry hunt? When, and how, can your food choices make a difference in your performance? What are some of the common nutrition-related mistakes that hunters make when packing food for a trip?
We answer these questions (and many more) with Kyle Kamp of Valley-to-Peak Nutrition. We also share a free nutrition planning spreadsheet, recipes for do-it-yourself backcountry bars, and more...
VIDEO & MORE INFO: https://the-experience-project.com/backcountry-nutrition-spreadsheet-and-recipe/
Valley-to-Peak Nutrition: https://v2pnutrition.com/
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

MM 230 | Your Questions on Bivy & Tarps, 6mm Creedmoor, Binos, Suppressors, and More...

Steve and Mark answer your listener questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss tarp selection, bivy setups, groundsheets, suppressor protection, worn-out boots, factory ammo for 6mm Creedmoor, and more...
THE EXPERIENCE PROJECT — https://the-experience-project.com/
SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL — 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

482 | Shelters for Backpack Hunting (Bivy, Tarps, Tipis & Tents) — The Experience Project

There are countless shelters on the market. Tents, tarps, and tipis. Materials such as silnylon, silpoly, and Dyneema. Ultralight options rated for 3-season use, and heavy-duty options rated for 4-season use. Single-wall and double-wall. Freestanding and non-freestanding. And the options don't end there!
So how do you select the best shelter for your needs? And is there one shelter that can do it all for you?
In this podcast, Steve & Mark discuss the various types of shelters available, the many shelters they have used, and what to consider when selecting a shelter for backpack hunting.
VIDEO & MORE INFO: https://the-experience-project.com/shelters-for-backpack-hunting/
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

481 | Steve’s 6mm Creedmoor Rifle Build — The Experience Project

In this episode, we dive into the rifle that Steve built for all three of his Alaska hunts this fall. We discuss each component of the rifle (chassis, scope, suppressor, etc), why he chose the 6mm Creedmoor cartridge, what he uses for shooting support (tripod, bipod, etc), and how he manages ballistics in the field.
VIDEO & MORE INFO: https://the-experience-project.com/small-rifles-for-big-game/
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

MM 229 | NEW K4 Elk Call Kit, How (and Why) to Rate or Review, and More...

Before Steve and Mark answer your listener questions on this Monday Minute episode, they announce an ALL-NEW accessory for K4 Pack Systems — The Elk Call Kit. This kit includes a simple, fast, and secure bugle tube holder, as well as a shoulder harness-mounted holder for 2 elk reeds.
CHECK IT OUT — https://exomtngear.com/callkit
For listener questions, Steve & Mark discuss how they would plan meat care for an elk hunt in grizzly country (with multiple tags to fill), and talk about the trade-offs between killing quickly and minimizing meat loss. They also answer a listener's question about how (and why) to rate and review the podcast.
ELK CALL KIT — https://exomtngear.com/callkit
NEW EXO NALGENE — https://exomtngear.com/bottle
NALGENE HOLDER & BOTTLE BUNDLE — https://exomtngear.com/nalgene
SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL — 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

480 | Sleep Systems for Backpack Hunting — The Experience Project

Sleep is an important aspect of being able to hunt your best each day on a multiday backpack hunt. But getting quality sleep in the backcountry often doesn't come easy. Not only can your sleeping gear affect your sleep quality, but your gear choices also play a big role in how much weight and bulk is in your pack.
In this podcast, we discuss the gear to consider for your sleep system, how to get the best performance out of that gear, and some tips for improving your sleep quality on your next backpack hunt.
VIDEO & MORE INFO: https://the-experience-project.com/sleep-systems-for-backpack-hunting/
Subscribe via Email: exomtngear.com/newsletter
Questions / Feedback for The Experience Project: experience@exomtngear.com
Questions / Feedback for the podcast in general: podcast@exomtngear.com

479 | Smaller Caliber Listener Q&A with Form — The Experience Project

Form joins us to answer listener questions that were submitted in response to Episodes 469 & 470 on the topic of Why Smaller Calibers May Be Better for Big Game Hunting.
To find the links mentioned in this Q&A, or to hear the previous two-part podcast on this topic, visit: https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-qa/
To jump to specific questions and topics addressed in this conversation, refer to the timestamps below.
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
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:02:22) The most reliable trigger Remington 700 style actions
(00:05:38) Is Extreme Spread is entirely meaningless?
(00:15:47) Is near-max, high-velocity load development worth it?
(00:16:40) Should you carry a pistol with a round in the chamber?
(00:18:46) What is "drop safe" in pistols and rifles?
(00:21:57) Does velocity or energy matter more for terminal performance?
(00:33:10) The psychology and physiology of animals that don't die quickly.
(00:41:11) Why do manufacturers still make traditional, controlled-expansion hunting bullets?
(00:50:24) Why do manufacturers state that bullets are not suitable for hunting, when Form says those same bullets are ideal for terminal effectiveness?
(01:00:41) How do you find verified data and trusted research on terminal ballistics?
(01:03:35) Should smaller calibers be avoided because they have more wind drift?
(01:10:04) The benefits of MIL over MOA and understanding your gun's "wind number".
(01:17:52) What is better? The 6mm Creedmoor or the 22 Creedmoor?
(01:18:51) Should you shoot the fastest cartridge with the most recoil that you can handle accurately?
(01:22:12) Performing terminal ballistics research on live animals.
(01:26:28) What is the most terminally effective non-lead, copper bullet?
(01:32:25) How do all-copper, monolithic bullets expand at different impact velocities?
(01:36:02) What is a good short-barrel rifle setup for someone shooting non-lead bullets?
(01:42:19) What is Form's understanding of the dangers posed by eating game shot with lead bullets?
(02:01:58) Puppies, Rainbows, & Additional Resources