The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

352 | Reverse-Engineering Success with Jeff Bloomquist

The difference between notching your tag or going home empty-handed from a hunt is usually determined by a few decisions or important moments. It is often only with hindsight that the outcome of the hunt can be understood by analyzing the decisive moments that led to the outcome — for good, or for bad.
Reverse-Engineering Hunting Success is a new series on the Hunt Backcountry Podcast for the month of July. Each week we will speak with an experienced hunter and dissect a particular successful hunt, looking back to understand or "reverse engineer" the key decisions or other decisive moments that led to their success.
On this week's episode, we speak with Jeff Bloomquist about a solo elk hunt where Jeff killed a 327" bull with his bow during an epic rut fest. But as you will hear, the hunt wasn't without mistakes or challenges.
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Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 143 | Pack Training, Death Hike Q&A, Understanding Success

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions from their recent Death Hike, talk about using Exo Packs for weighted pack training, and announce an upcoming podcast series on Reverse-Engineering Success.
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Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

351 | 2022 Death Hike Recap

We are back from the 2022 Exo Death Hike — the first-ever Death Hike in Alaska. In this episode, Steve & Mark recap the hike, including what went well and what didn't. And it doesn't take long for things to NOT go according to the plan!
MARK'S DEATH HIKE GEAR LIST & LESSONS LEARNED: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/life-changing-lessons-from-the-exo-death-hike
**NEW** HUNT BACKCOUNTRY HAT: https://exomtngear.com/collections/logo-gear/products/hunt-backcountry-hat-1
LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

350 | Lions, and Trad Bows, and Bears — Oh My!

A new hunter and listener of the show, Patrick, embarks upon a solo backcountry adventure and encounters more than he imagined. From a close encounter with a lion that had a deer in its jaws, to harvesting a black bear with a trad bow, this hunt was certainly one to remember.
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Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 142 | Road Access, Two Tags at Once, Frame Extensions

Steve & Mark answer listener questions, including: When do you use the frame extensions on Exo packs? How do you know if roads are open in your hunting unit and when is it worth it to bring an ATV? What is the best range to zero your hunting rifle? Should I hunt deer and elk at the same time, or just focus on one or the other?
LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- June Giveaway for Exo Insiders: https://exomtngear.com/june-gear
- Frame Extensions: https://bit.ly/K3Extn
- USFS MVUM: https://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/ohv_maps.shtml
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

349 | He Spent $5,000 to Review Hunting Packs?

At Exo Mtn Gear, we are advocates for objectivity and transparency. One of the reasons we don't have podcast advertisers is so that we can share our objective opinions about the gear we use. Our goal is to always share information on gear that is based on experience, not influenced by other motives.
Our guest in this episode, Jay from the Mindful Hunter, spent $5,000 of his own money to purchase, test, and compare high-end hunting packs.
Before his pack review, we weren't familiar with Jay or his work through Mindful Hunter. But after seeing Jay's pack review, and all of the effort he put into the careful analysis of the packs, we wanted to learn more. Jay joins us to talk about the pack review, tribalism in the hunting industry, his plans for future gear review projects, and much more...
Resources mentioned in this episode...
- Pack Review, Part 1: https://youtu.be/FdkN_rAeSx0
- Pack Review, Part 2: https://youtu.be/ZuTKzIr8kS0
- Mindful Hunter Website: https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
- Mindful Hunter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/
LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

348 | Post Hunt: Father-Son Adventure in Alaska

As soon as we got this email, we knew we had to hear the whole story...
"My father and I hunted the Brooks Range and had an unforgettable experience. Miles of hiking, steep climbs, wild weather, and being pinned down by sheep. After passing 18 sub-legal rams, I found mine and was able to sneak into 50 yds and harvest him in his bed. My Dad did not let me show him up and took a cranker of a caribou. The best part of the entire trip was that I was able to experience it with my Dad — the one who introduced me to hunting, and has been my main hunting partner since I tagged along with him at 6 years old. He actually won this sheep hunt and gave it to me! What an example of a loving father who wants his children and grandchildren to experience some of the things he has."
Today, we get to hear the whole story from a listener of the podcast, Brian. As you listen to Brian recap the adventure, we know you will be inspired to pursue that adventure you have been dreaming of, and/or take the next step in sharing a memory-making adventure with those you love.
LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 141 | Wind Switched, Now What? Plus, Pack Fit Assessment and Essential Clothing

Steve & Mark answer listener questions, including: What should you do when you are setup on an elk and the wind switches? How do you properly test and assess pack fit before you commit? What one clothing piece should a new hunter invest in?
LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- June Giveaway for Exo Insiders: https://exomtngear.com/june-gear
- Fix Your Pack Fit: https://exomtngear.com/fitfix
- Budget Grid Fleece: https://amzn.to/3xqhCLl
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

347 | Eat Smarter, Hunt Better. Understanding Food as Fuel.

Your truck won't run with an empty tank. And it also won't run well, or for long, or the wrong type of fuel. The same is true of you.
To perform your best, you need to fuel properly. But what does that mean? With an overwhelming amount of nutrition information on the internet and countless "performance" products being marketed to us, how do you cut through the fluff and get solid nutrition information and recommendations on what really matters?
Kyle Kamp with Valley to Peak Nutrition is the guy we go to for all things nutrition. For years, Kyle has helped us prepare for our annual Death Hikes, our extended backcountry hunts, and even for day-to-day life.
In this episode, Kyle and Mark discuss what's changed in the past several years since they began working together, what changes they have made to the updated (and FREE!) Backcountry Fuel Guide, and more...
FREE Backcountry Fuel Guide: https://exomtngear.com/nutrition
More resources from Kyle and V2P:
- Website: https://v2pnutrition.com
- Podcast: https://v2pnutrition.com/podcast
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/v2pnutrition
LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: exomtngear.com/podcast

346 | Successful Elk Hunters Do This, Not That...

With decades of experience as a hunter, guide, and outfitter, Cliff Gray has hunted more elk than many of us could ever experience in a lifetime. His time as a guide and outfitter has allowed him to see the common mistakes that elk hunters make, and how the consistently-successful hunters make success happen. In this conversation, Cliff shares some of the ways that struggling elk hunters can find more consistent success on public land elk hunts.
Connect with Cliff...
- Website: https://pursuitwithcliff.com/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGray
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/
LEAVE US A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast