The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

Backcountry hunters talking backcountry hunting. No advertisers or sponsors, no fluff, no BS. We discuss tactics, strategies, gear, hunt stories, and more — featuring a wide variety of guests, from industry experts to everyday listeners of the show. Your hosts, Steve & Mark, have decades of experience hunting the mountains for elk, deer, bear, antelope, sheep, mountain goats, moose, caribou, and more. While this podcast is 100% independent and free from advertising or sponsorship, it is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear, which we own and operate. Exo’s mission is to build the best backcountry hunting pack systems available, provide the best service possible, and do it all right here in the USA. Learn more at: https://exomtngear.com/ Contact us at any time with your questions or feedback by emailing us: podcast@exomtngear.com. Or visit the searchable archive of all podcast episodes we have published over the past decade at: https://exomtngear.com/podcast. Thanks for listening! —Steve & Mark

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Episodes

Monday Mar 17, 2025

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions and share some news and updates on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss...
The new "Tallboy" K4 Nalgene Holder
Exo on Joe Rogan
Mark's Midnight "Death Hike"
Follow-up Bivy Questions
Gear Confirmation Bias 
Using Pack Space Efficiently
Links for this episode...
Pre-Order the "Tallboy" K4 Nalgene Holder: https://exomtngear.com/tallboy
Exo Email & Pack Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter 
Exo on Joe Rogan: https://www.instagram.com/p/DHJ3_64Sf2g/
Steve's 10-Day Sheep Pack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhGoT3QqmkM 
DCF Loop Kit: https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/dcf-loop-superkit/ or https://zpacks.com/products/stick-on-loop-clear-white
DIY Sil Attachment Points: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8zhiup2pVY
Moose Hunt Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxCisjM16JQUuY7xWQLdExN_rAHTxEsvv 
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

Wednesday Mar 12, 2025

We have been using a bivy sack on backpack hunts for about a decade now.
Often, we'll use our bivy under the stars. At times, we'll add a tarp or minimal shelter. And in extreme cases, we use a bivy sack inside the shell of a Hilleberg tent.
On this podcast (and in the article below), you can learn how, why, and when we use bivy sacks. We also answer 10+ listener-submitted questions about the use of a bivy for backpack hunting.
BIVY HUNTING ARTICLE — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/bivy-sacks-for-backpack-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

Monday Mar 10, 2025

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions and share some news and updates on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss...
Steve's adjustable box for step-up workouts
Flight characteristics and ethical aspects of mechanical vs fixed broadheads (with more to come!)
Better cell service in the backcountry
Overuse of technology
Adding extra down fill to a quilt (or sleeping bag)
Links for this episode...
Exo Email & Pack Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter 
Steve's Step-Up Box: https://amzn.to/4i04MJJ
Starlink Cell Beta: https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/t-mobile-starlink-beta-open-for-all-carriers
ScreenZen App: https://www.screenzen.co/
Katabatic Alsek Quilt: https://katabaticgear.com/products/alsek-ultralight-quilt 
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

Wednesday Mar 05, 2025

While we have spoken with numerous wildlife agencies and employees on the Hunt Backcountry Podcast over the years, those conversations have generally focused on game management, policy and regulations, and hunter opportunity.
In this episode, we discuss wildlife law enforcement with Matt — an Exo customer and an employee of Arizona Game & Fish.
Matt shares his insights on mistakes that hunters make, the rules they break, how enforcement officers operate in the field, and much more.
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

Monday Mar 03, 2025

Welcome to The First Monday. In these episodes, Steve & Mark talk through what's going on for them that month in the categories of The Gear, The Hunt, and the Hunter, as well as what's going on with Exo Mtn Gear. If you want an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at what we are doing, researching, and learning, or just what we are excited about, this is it.
Links for this episode...
Exo Email Notifications: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter 
Pre-Fit Barrel Questions (and/or general Podcast Qs): podcast@exomtngear.com 
The NW Hunt Expo: https://nwhuntexpo.com/ 
Tenacious Tape (Clear Repair Tape): https://amzn.to/43eOUyu or https://amzn.to/41DbijE 
Aziak Equipment Ridgeline Tripod: https://sandsarchery.com/products/aziak-ridgeline-tripod
 Idaho Bear Identification: https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/bear-identification 
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

Wednesday Feb 26, 2025

Cody joins us to share the story of the Mule Deer hunt that he shared with his brother and father this past fall. They hunted Montana for the first time and were able to go 3-for-3 on filling their tags. We discuss how they planned this hunt, how they scouted for this out-of-state hunt, how they battled the cold conditions, and how the hunt success happened.
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

Monday Feb 24, 2025

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions and share some news and updates on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss...
Takeaways from Hunt Expo and the PNW Sportsmen's Show
Future plans for The Experience Project 
Big discounts on Hanwag Boots
The 5 most-downloaded podcast episodes in 2024
What hunting podcasts and shows Steve & Mark follow 
What they look for in game bags and how they keep blood out of their packs
Links mentioned in this episode...
The Idaho Sportsman Show, Feb 27 - Mar 2: https://www.idahosportsmanshow.com/
NW Hunt Expo, Mar 7-9: https://nwhuntexpo.com/
Hanwag Boot Sale: https://www.hanwag.com/us/en-us/outlet/
Best of 2024, #1 — Why Smaller Calibers May Be Better For Big Game Hunting (Part 1): https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-part-1/ 
Best of 2024, #2 — Why Smaller Calibers May Be Better For Big Game Hunting (Part 2): https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-part-2/ 
Best of 2024, #3 — Smaller Caliber Listener Q&A with Form: https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-qa/ 
Best of 2024, #4 — Hunting & Human Performance with Dr. Andy Galpin: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/454 
Best of 2024, #5 — Colorado Parks & Wildlife (Your Questions, Misconceptions, and More...): https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/452 
Best of 2023: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/best-of-2023 
Recent Podcast with a "Meat Scientist": https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/508 
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 

Wednesday Feb 19, 2025

Sierra Jepsen is a Meat Scientist and owner of Butcher Solutions, LLC. She joins us to discuss how big game hunters can effectively care for and prepare wild game meat. Sierra shares advice for processing big game in the field, caring for big game meat until it is frozen, and preparing big game meat for the best meals possible.
Additional Information and Resources...
Sierra's Website — https://butchersolutionsllc.com/
Sierra's Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/butcher_solutions_llc/ 
Video: "Everything You Need Know About Processing Wild Game" — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVLjN9CoHzI
Video: "In-Depth Butchering Tips From A Meat Scientist" — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVkI46l4g4w 
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

Wednesday Feb 12, 2025

Colt and his 10-year-old daughter, Cedar, join us to share the story of their backpack mule deer hunt from this past fall. This was Cedar's first backpack hunt and it was a joy to hear her share her experience, what she enjoyed about the hunt, what she learned, and more.
After the hunt story, Colt shares some of what he has learned about getting Cedar comfortable shooting and how they prepared for her first backpack hunt. Connect with Colt: https://triplecprecision.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

Monday Feb 10, 2025

Before hitting the road for Hunt Expo, Steve & Mark answer your listener questions (and go on a couple of rants) on this Monday Minute episode.
A warning to the sensitive ears... Yes, there are a few F-words dropped in this one!
They answer...
Where can you see Exo at events? (This week AND next month!)
What does the "K" in K4 stand for?
Compared to a traditional pack frame, how does the K4 frame handle moose quarters?
Why have Mark & Steve contradicted themselves by using all-copper Hammer bullets and cup-and-core ELD bullets? Why jump on and off the "bandwagon"?
What are differences between crampon and microspikes? When do you use each one? And what are some specific models to consider?
Links mentioned in this episode...
Hunt Expo in SLC, Feb 13-16: https://huntexpo.com/
Pacific NW Sportsmen's Show, Feb 12-16: https://www.thesportshows.com/shows/pacific-northwest/show-information/
The Idaho Sportsman Show, Feb 27 - Mar 2: https://www.idahosportsmanshow.com/
NW Hunt Expo, Mar 7-9: https://nwhuntexpo.com/
Subscribe to Exo Mtn Gear on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExoMountainGear?sub_confirmation=1
K4 Strap Extension Set: https://exomtngear.com/extensions
Kahtoola Microspikes: https://kahtoola.com/traction/microspikes-footwear-traction/
Black Diamond Spikes: https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/shop/traction-devices/
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 

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