The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

451 | Will Shooting NRL Hunter Matches Help Your Hunting?

Will shooting an NRL Hunter match help you become a more effective hunter? Or are these matches all about competition that doesn't replicate hunting? We answer these questions, and many more, with the founder of the NRL Hunter series, Travis Ishida.
Travis explains what it is like to attend and participate in an NRL Hunter match, discusses the rules for the competition, and also explains that you don't have to follow all of the regulations if you don't want to shoot competitively at an NRL Hunter match.
Whether you want to compete in NRL Hunter, or are interested in using a match as non-competitive practice to learn about yourself as a shooter and hunter, you will hear how participating in an NRL Hunter event can benefit you.
https://nrlhunter.org/
https://www.instagram.com/nrlhunter/
https://www.youtube.com/@NationalRifleLeague
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 214 | Sleeping Pad Warmth, DIY Dehydrated Meals, and More...

In this Monday Minute episode, Steve & Mark answer listener questions about the warmth and performance of sleeping pads, making your own dehydrated meals for the backcountry, and more...
Links mentioned in this episode:
- The Experience Project: https://forms.gle/LAGVLqKauPv8hrKz7
- DIY Dehydrated Meals Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/126
- DIY Dehydrated Guide: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/dehydration-guide
- Backpacking Chef: https://backpackingchef.com/
- Mark's Chili Mac: https://www.southyourmouth.com/2014/08/chili-mac.html
- Sleeping Pad Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/405
- "Behind the Gear" from Therm-a-Rest: https://www.thermarest.com/blog/behind-the-gear-xlite-xtherm-nxt/
- How Thermal Insulation Works: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/stay-warm-with-thermal-insulation/
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450 | Montana Mountain Goat Hunt (A Listener Story)

Any opportunity to hunt mountain goats is unique. They are fascinating animals that live in amazing terrain. For today's guest, Colter, the idea of drawing a mountain goat tag in his home state of Montana was a dream. And that dream came true.
Colter joins us to share the story of his hunt, how he prepared for it, what he learned about mountain goats throughout the process, and some of the unique details that made this hunt so special.
Whether you are passionate about mountain goats in particular, want to hear a cool story about big game conservation, or just take away some knowledge that can help you on any mountain hunt — there is something in this story for you.
Photos from Colter's Hunt: https://www.instagram.com/p/CySLcquMKfQ/
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 213 | The Experience Project (+ 10 Years of Exo)

We are launching something NEW! Tune in to hear Steve and Mark share their vision for The Experience Project.
Help us make The Experience Project the best that it can be. Share your feedback and ideas with us... https://forms.gle/YB6zDTDBKJa3ESwD9
To get more insight into the name for this project, read this article that Mark wrote many years ago, about being an "Experience Hunter"... https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/experience-hunter
Email Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/exomountaingear
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/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
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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
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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