The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

MM 174 | Exo for Whitetail, Our Favorite Game Meal, Bivy for Condensation Protection

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions about their favorite wild game to eat and how they like to prepare it, how to use an Exo pack for whitetail hunting with a saddle or treestand, if a bivy is worth using inside of a tent, and their comparison of the NXS vs NX8 rifle scopes from Nightforce.
Resources mentioned in this episode...
- Meat Care Podcasts: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/046, https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/341, https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/mm-09
- Saddle Hunting Pack Setup: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/packs-for-saddle-hunting
- Podcast with Nightforce: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/375
- Nightforce NXS Compact: https://www.nightforceoptics.com/riflescopes/nxs/nxs-25-10x42-compact/
Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
K4 PACK SYSTEMS — https://exomtngear.com/K4

396 | A Wild Winter Sheep Hunt

After 15 years, today's guest drew a coveted archery Bighorn Sheep tag in his home province of Alberta, Canada. As an outfitter, guide, and pilot, Nick knew a bit about what he was up against for this unique hunting opportunity. It wasn't going to be easy, but it was guaranteed to be an adventure.
Nick joins us to share the story of the hunt. And as you listen to Nick's experience, you can certainly learn some things to apply to your future adventures in the mountains.
Nick's Outfitting Operation: https://www.mistyriveroutfitters.com/
ASK US A QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 173 | Durable Puffy Jackets, Solids & Safety, Gear Storage in Load Shelf

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions about puffy jackets and durability, solid clothing colors and hunting safety, gaining more storage space in your pack by using the meat shelf for food or gear, and more...
Resources mentioned in this episode...
- Canis Alps Down Jacket: https://www.canisathlete.com/products/alps-hooded-down-jacket
- K4 Nalgene Holder: https://exomtngear.com/nalgene
Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
K4 PACK SYSTEMS — https://exomtngear.com/K4

395 | Going Deep with John Barklow

In this episode, we are "going deep" with John Barklow from Sitka Gear. This conversation will equip you to make better decisions in your selection of clothing (no matter the brand) for backcountry pursuits. We also discuss how to use different types of clothing layers effectively, how to combine layers efficiently, and some of the mistakes to avoid in the field.
If you want to take a deep-dive on the technology and application of apparel for hunting (again, regardless of brand), this is a conversation that you will certainly enjoy and learn from.
Resources mentioned in this episode...
- John's Newsletter: https://knowledgefromstorms.com/
- John's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbarklow/
- The new Sitka Mountain Evo Jacket: https://www.sitkagear.com/collection/mountain-evo
- The Best (and Budget!) Clothes for Backpack Hunting: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/best-budget-hunting-clothes
Mark's 3 Favorite Sitka Pieces
- Ascent Pant: https://www.sitkagear.com/products/ascent-pant/pyrite
- Core Lightweight Hoody: https://www.sitkagear.com/products/core-light-weight-hoody/woodsmoke
- Ambient Hoody: https://www.sitkagear.com/products/ambient-hoody/optifade-open-country
ASK US A QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 172 | Fly or Drive for a Solo Hunt? Shooting with Kids. K4 Order Updates.

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions, including the pros and cons of flying vs driving for a solo out-of-state hunt, how to get started shooting rifles with kids and preparing them to hunt, and why all K4 packs don't include a horseshoe zipper and a bladder tube holder.
Resources mentioned in this episode...
- Rokslide Thread on K4 Packs: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/exo-mountain-k4.279017/
- Bladder Tube Clips: https://amzn.to/3zsTyIV
- Rokslide Thread on .223 for Hunting: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/
K4 PACK SYSTEMS — https://exomtngear.com/K4
Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 171 | Finally, K4 is here! (Plus Spring Hunting Q&A)

We have officially launched our all-new K4 Packs & Accessories: https://exomtngear.com/k4
Thank you to everyone that has followed this journey and shared so many good questions about K4 over the past couple of months.
After chatting about the K4 launch, Steve and Mark dive in to some questions/topics about hunting in the Spring, including: rain gear, puffy jackets, ticks, tripods, scouting, and Steve's 70's Disco thermals.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- https://exomtngear.com/K4
- Disco Tights: https://www.brynjeusa.com/product/unisex-longs-inlay/
- Tickless Ultrasonic Tick Repeller: https://amzn.to/42L7kUL
- Wiser Precision 3rd Leg: https://www.wiserprecision.com/products/third-leg
- Wiser Precision Nighthawk: https://www.wiserprecision.com/products/nighthawk
Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

394 | What Keeps A Ballistics Expert Up At Night? (with Hornady’s Jayden Quinlan)

There is a dizzying amount of information online about rifles, bullets, and ballistics. And while you can find an answer for nearly every question, that doesn't mean we have all of the real and definitive answers. Even a trained, experienced, professional ballistician — such as Hornady's Jayden Quinlan — has questions that keep him up night. Today, we speak with Jayden about those mysteries, and also dive into some practical examples of the things that do and don't matter for your shooting and reloading.
Jayden's Previous Episode: Hunting Lethality — How Do Animals Die? https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/267
Hornady's Podcast: https://www.hornady.com/podcast
LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 170 | Which Tent? Which Unit? Which K4 Frame Size?

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions — discussing how to select the right shelter for your hunt, how to narrow-down areas to hunt, and how to select proper sizing for K4 Pack Systems.
K4 Size Selection: https://exomtngear.com/sizing
K4 Updates & Giveaway: exomtngear.com/K4
Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

393 | Backwards Thinking & Ballistics (with Hornady’s Seth Swerczik)

When it comes to rifles, calibers, and cartridges for hunting, many assume that bigger and faster is always better. After all, you can't "kill something too dead", right?
But where is the point of diminishing returns? If you find what is "enough", then what are the downsides of chasing more than that? Recoil and shootability? Cost of ammunition, components, and barrel life? What else?
Mark & Steve are joined by Seth Swerczek from Hornady to discuss these topics, and more. As you will hear, sometimes the best way to think about ballistics (and caliber/cartridge choice) is to "think backwards".
Hornady's Podcast: https://www.hornady.com/podcast
LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 169 | Spring Bears & Snow, Spotting with Rifle Scope, and More...

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions — discussing snow pack and spring bear hunting, using a rifle scope to spot or check animals, pack frame height and head clearance, and "What's in my pack?" videos.
Resources mentioned in this episode...
- K4 Packs "Behind the Design" —https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/k4-pack-systems-behind-the-design
- Bear Hunting Podcasts — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/334, https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/115
- e-Scouting for Spring Bear — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt38bciCE2s
- Exo Mtn Gear YouTube — https://youtube.com/exomountaingear
- Steve's Sheep Packing Video — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhGoT3QqmkM
Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com
K4 Updates & Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/K4
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast