The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

561 | From Cancer to Kodiak: Rob's Inspiring Journey

In this episode, Rob shares his journey from being a customer of S&S Archery to becoming a key player in the company. He discusses his transition from corporate IT to the outdoor industry, highlighting the challenges and rewards of working in a field he is passionate about.
Rob also opens up about his recent battle with throat cancer, detailing the physical and emotional challenges he faced during treatment and how it shaped his perspective on life and hunting. His story is one of resilience, support from friends and family, and the joy of returning to the outdoors after overcoming adversity.
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...
S&S Archery $500 Giveaway: https://sandsarchery.com/pages/newsletter (Winner chosen on February 1, 2026)
Rob's Kodiak Hunt Film: https://youtu.be/_qwgsA37G8s
Mark's Kodiak Gear Lessons: https://exomtngear.com/kodiak-gear
Shop @ S&S Archery: https://sandsarchery.com/
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

560 | A New Hunter Goes to Alaska for Caribou (A Listener Story)

In this episode, we catch up with Nick as he recounts his transformative caribou hunt in Alaska. We discuss his preparation, including physical training and mentorship, and the mental challenges faced in the Alaskan tundra. Nick shares the excitement of spotting caribou bulls and the emotions surrounding his successful first shot. We also explore the instinctive process of harvesting the animal and the camaraderie built throughout the adventure, highlighting the deeper meanings of hunting and connection with nature.
Nick's Before-the-Hunt Episode: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/531
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
CHAPTERS...
1:29 — Catching Up with Nick1:47 — Pre-Hunt Preparations5:20 — Alaska Drop Camp Overview7:33 — Arrival in Alaska11:55 — Traveling to the Hunting Grounds18:27 — First Impressions of the Tundra21:10 — Setting Up Camp22:28 — Navigating the Tundra29:24 — The First Few Days31:48 — Learning to Identify Caribou37:38 — Mental Toughness in the Hunt39:26 — Passing the Time in the Tent39:38 — Weather Changes43:30 — The First Bull Sighting51:18 — The Moment of Truth53:30 — Post-Shot Reflections1:02:53 — Breaking Down the Caribou1:12:01 — The Joy of Packing Out1:16:27 — Final Days and Packing Up1:20:59 — Logistics of Returning Home1:27:15 — Reflection and Conclusion

559 | DIY Mountain Goat Hunt in Montana

Last month, we selected the winner of the "Best Moment" category from the Exo Experience photo contest. That winner, Shane, and his brother, Alec, join us today to share their do-it-yourself Mountain Goat hunt in Montana.
"Pursuing mountain goats in the backcountry is a tough endeavour! After 8 days in the mountains, covering more than 85 miles and gaining over 25,000' of elevation, we were finally able to locate a lone billy in a remote area of the unit. After all the effort we put into finding, shooting, and retrieving the billy, we cherished an incredible night under the stars at camp." —Shane
Shane's Winning Photo — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/exo-experience-best-pack-and-best-moment-photos
Previous Podcasts with Shane — Episode 371 & Episode 372
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

558 | DIY Mountain Goat Hunt in Coastal British Columbia

Last month, we selected the winner of the Best Pack Photo from the Exo Experience photo contest. That winner, Ryan, joins us today to share the full story of his hunt.
"I have been trying to harvest a mature Billy on the south coast of British Columbia for several years now. Although this region offers an over-the-counter opportunity to hunt goats, success rates are incredibly low, with only 1 or 2 goats typically being harvested each year. The area is widely considered some of the toughest, most unforgiving terrain in the province. This type of adventure pushes you past your perceived limits and proves how important it is to have the right partners. Killing this Billy was 100% a team effort. (PS: This was my first packout with the K4, since purchasing it in November of 2024. I am kicking myself for not getting an Exo pack sooner!)" —Ryan
In this episode, Ryan and his friend Regan share their experiences and tell the story of their adventurous do-it-yourself mountain goat hunt.
Ryan's Winning Photo — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/exo-experience-best-pack-and-best-moment-photos
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

557 | DIY Non-Resident Dall Sheep Hunt In Alaska

Last month, we selected the winner of the Best Photo Story from the Exo Experience photo contest. That winner, Kenny, joins us today to share the full story of his hunt.
When we selected Kenny's winning photo story, we had no idea just how unique the hunt was. Kenny, a resident of North Carolina, drew a limited Dall Sheep tag in Alaska.
With Alaska's opportunity for non-residents to hunt Dall Sheep without a guide — if the hunter is accompanied by an Alaska resident who is a second-degree relative — Kenny, his brother-in-law from Alaska, and two others embarked upon a do-it-yourself sheep hunt unlike any other.
This hunt included highs, lows, and unexpected challenges — as any good sheep hunt should.
In this episode, Kenny and his friend Zach share their experience as first-time, do-it-yourself sheep hunters.
LINKS & RESOURCES:
Kenny's Photo Story: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/exo-experience-photo-story-winner
Exo Experience Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience
Example Sheep Hunt Gear List: https://exomtngear.com/sheep-gear
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 294 | Killing, Packing & Eating Game Meat

Steve and Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss your questions about how they utilize the meat they bring home from hunts, the differences in rifle calibers they have used, why Exo doesn't make a fanny pack, and more...
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

556 | Looking Back & Moving Forward

Steve & Mark have a candid conversation about the Hunt Backcountry Podcast and Exo Mtn Gear, discussing their vision, plans, products, and more...
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 293 | Toothbrushes, Training, & Tripods

Steve and Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss training for hiking speed, the purpose of carrying a bipod AND a tripod when rifle hunting, what non-hunting items should be on your Christmas list (a toothbrush?), choosing between Creedmoors, and more...
Links for this episode...
How to Hike Heavy (Podcast): https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/132
Steve's Toothbrush: https://amzn.to/4jbsUKS
Photo Story Winner: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/exo-experience-photo-story-winner
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

555 | Petra Hilleberg on Tents, Tradition, & The Future

Petra Hilleberg joins us to discuss the history and future of Hilleberg, what sets Hilleberg tents apart, and to answer your listener-submitted questions about using Hilleberg tents for backcountry and mountain hunting.
LINKS & RESOURCES:
https://hilleberg.com/eng/discover/choosing-the-right-tent
https://www.youtube.com/@HillebergTentmaker/videos
https://www.instagram.com/hilleberg_hunting/
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

554 | Twelve Days of Elk Hunting, A Lifetime of Memories

A listener of the show, Blake, joins us to share the story of his first elk hunt. Blake spent 12 days in the mountains — learning lessons, gaining experience, and ultimately arrowing a great bull. We discuss how Blake prepared for this hunt, how he immersed himself in elk hunting knowledge while also preventing "information overload", and the chance encounter he had in the elk woods with a previous podcast guest, Ryan (Episode 546).
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