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
Listen on:
Episodes
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
You've invested plenty of time, energy, and money into elk hunting, but what do you have to show for it? If you're a struggling elk hunter, you're not alone.
On this episode, we're joined by a listener of the podcast that shares his multi-year journey of elk hunting. We discuss what he's learned along the way and what keeps him going in the midst of the struggle and setbacks.
There is a lot to learn and take away from this conversation, including practical tips, a helpful mindset, and some advice for what you should and shouldn't do on your next elk hunt.
Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Become an Exo Insider: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Monday Jul 26, 2021
Monday Jul 26, 2021
Steve & Mark answer listener questions, including... Why did they chose 6.5 Creedmoor over 6.5 PRC? What affects will extreme temperatures have on your bow? How much power is needed to recharge electronics in the backcountry? Do they ever use ice axes instead of trekking poles? And how long could they survive in the wilderness on their own?
Mark's Article on 6.5 Creedmoor vs 6.5 PRC: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/creedmoor-vs-prc
Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Wednesday Jul 21, 2021
Wednesday Jul 21, 2021
In this episode, we are joined by our buddy, JD Ponciano. As a hunter, guide, and experienced professional in the optics industry, JD has a wealth of knowledge on optics. He has both intimate knowledge of glassing gear, as well as extensive first-hand knowledge of putting optics to use in the field. We speak with JD about everything from optics selection, to glassing strategies, to optics support and accessories.
Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Become an Exo Insider: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Wednesday Jul 14, 2021
Wednesday Jul 14, 2021
Six years ago, on Episode 004, Steve and Mark went line-by-line through their gear lists and discussed what they packed for backpack hunts. In this episode, they revisit their gear list and compare it to what they packed back then. They not only discuss the gear that's changed, but also how their mindset has changed in certain ways.
FREE Backpack Hunting Gear List Template (Spreadsheet) — If you want a resource to help you plan easier and pack smarter, get our gear list template...
https://ExoMtnGear.com/GearList
Search the Podcast Archive: exomtngear.com/podcast
Become an Exo Insider: exomtngear.com/newsletter
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Monday Jul 12, 2021
Monday Jul 12, 2021
We answer your listener questions on bow storage and care in the backcountry, dealing with burn-out or stress as hunting season approaches, and what gear shouldn't be in your pack.
What gear did you used to pack that you no longer bring? Let us know... podcast@exomtngear.com
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Wednesday Jul 07, 2021
Wednesday Jul 07, 2021
As a backcountry hunter, it is critical to select a shelter that meets your needs, accommodates your preferences, and is built to withstand what nature may throw at you.
In this episode, we are joined by Henry Shires of TarpTent to discuss shelter design and selection for backpack hunting. We not only cover some of the unique design elements of TarpTent shelters, but we also speak about shelter design and selection in general.
The questions we answer on this episode include...
- What are the differences between a general backpacking tent, and a tent that is suited specifically for backcountry hunting?
- What are the differences between shelter materials, such as the pros and cons of choosing between Sil-Nylon and Dyneema shelters?
- Why does condensation happen? How can you prevent it? And how should you deal with condensation when it does occur?
- How should hunters choose between freestanding and non-freestanding shelters?
- How can you find a shelter that maximizes usable space while also keeping the overall footprint and profile of the shelter to a minimum?
Resources mention in this episode...
- https://www.TarpTent.com/
-[Video] How to Minimize Condensation in Your Tent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCQuY_lAL1Y
Search the Podcast Archive: exomtngear.com/podcast
Become an Exo Insider: exomtngear.com/newsletter
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Monday Jul 05, 2021
Monday Jul 05, 2021
Steve & Mark answer listener questions on this Monday Minute show. Questions on topics covered include a new Nalgene lid option that allows you to run a drinking tube from the bottle, how to be a useful member of a new hunting camp, using a spreadsheet template to manage your gear list, when to upgrade your bow or other gear, and if flagging tape is worth packing.
Resources mentioned in this episode...
- Nalgene Lid: https://www.hardsidehydration.com/
- Lighter Pack: https://lighterpack.com/
- Exo Insider Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
Many experienced and knowledgeable hunters often forget what it is like to be a beginner. A lesson they learned through experience in years past is now something they do by instinct, rather than forethought. Given that their knowledge is now ingrained into their subconscious, they can easily overlook the pieces of wisdom that would benefit newer hunters.
While newer hunters “don’t know what they don’t know”, experienced hunters often know more than they may be able to communicate effectively.
This gap between the experienced and the beginner is something we encouraged listeners of the Hunt Backcountry Podcast to reflect on, and then share their “What I wish I knew when I started” lessons with us. Today, we share those lessons from you, the listeners...
Search the Podcast Archive: exomtngear.com/podcast
Become an Exo Insider: exomtngear.com/newsletter
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Monday Jun 28, 2021
Monday Jun 28, 2021
On this Monday Minute episode, Mark & Steve answer listener questions that include...
- How far away can elk "wind" you?
- How to find and hire a packer to get your meat out of the backcountry?
- What is a good pulley system to use for processing and hanging meat on solo hunts?
- Should you use a rifle sling, and if so, how do you select the best one?
- Do we have any experience with Intermittent Fasting, and do we feel it is a benefit to hunting?
Resources mentioned in this show...
- Exo Insider: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
- The First Shot Counts (Bowhunting Practice Done Right): https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/the-first-shot-counts
- Pack-a-Pull Backcountry Pulley System: https://packapull.com/
- DIY Block and Tackle Setup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSCNfts3wkE
- Figure 9 Carabiners: https://amzn.to/3d7ecUj
- Rifle Sling: https://amzn.to/3zDGqjj
- Podcast with Nick Sabo: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/282
- Rifle Elk Hunt Recap Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/256
- Zero App for Fasting: https://www.zerofasting.com/
- Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide: https://exomtngear.com/nutrition
Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com
View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
As backcountry hunters, we rely upon natural water sources for life-giving hydration on multi-day expeditions into remote locations. We all know we "should" filter these water sources, but sometimes we may drink straight from the source. This brings up some questions... How does water become contaminated in remote locations? What are the risks of drinking untreated water in wilderness locations? What are the different types of water treatment methods (filtration, chemicals, UV, etc), and are they all equally effective?
We answer these questions, and MANY more, in this podcast episode with Dr. Vincent Hill. Vince is the Chief of the Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch for the CDC. In addition to this fantastic conversation, be sure to check out these resources from Dr. Hill...
- https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/preparing-international-travelers/water-disinfection
- https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(19)30116-4/fulltext
Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Become an Exo Insider: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com