The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

MM 276 | Archery Elk Gear, Tire Drags, Swaro ATC, & More...

Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about backcountry hygiene, the Swarovski ATC compact spotter, tire drags with the K4 Frame, gear tape, custom Crocs, their DIY backcountry bar recipes, Mark's garage workout, and more...
LINKS & RESOURCES
Lathrop & Sons Giveaway: http://lathropandsons.com/pages/giveaway
Archery Elk Gear (Exo vs BRO): https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/5-day-archery-elk-gear-list-comparison
DIY Backcountry Bar Recipes: https://exomtngear.com/bars
Mark's Garage Workout: https://the-experience-project.com/marks-garage-workout-for-mountain-hunting/
Swarovski ATC: https://sandsarchery.com/products/swarovski-atc-stc-compact-spotting-scope
Kowa 55: https://sandsarchery.com/products/kowa-tsn-55-compact-spotting-scope
Swarovski ATS 65: https://sandsarchery.com/products/swarovski-ats-25-50wx65-hd-spotting-scope
Vet Wrap: https://amzn.to/4f6AnbW
Camo Gear Tape: https://amzn.to/4lRXNVd & https://amzn.to/46uJy3R
Colgate Wisps: https://amzn.to/40AMFn1
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
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

533 | Technical Bowhunting with Darin Cooper

Former archery engineer, competitive shooter, and accomplished hunter, Darin Cooper (@darin_cooper) comes back to The Hunt Backcountry Podcast. We discuss the details of his current bowhunting setup. But more than just a conversation about gear, this is a discussion that goes into the technical aspects of archery and bowhunting.Darin's Previous Podcasts...
Critical Factors of Broadhead Flight
Frank Church Sheep Success — Times Two!
Building, Shooting, and Renting Rifles
Expert Roundtable: The Final Moment Mindset
Expert Roundtable: Unconventional Wisdom & Tactics
Expert Roundtable: The Key to Consistency
Expert Roundtable: Mistakes That Made Me Better
Expert Roundtable: Game-Changing Gear
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

MM 275 | Manifesting Elk, Beginner Questions, Bow Carry, Battery vs Solar, and More...

Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about power banks vs solar panels, how to dry and care for water bladders, and things first-time backpack hunters should consider when looking to hunt in remote country with predators. We also discuss the first things to do when you shoot an animal, why we are grateful as F@#K, trusting the process, if Steve can manifest an elk with his mind, and more...
LINKS & RESOURCES
Podcast Giveaway + Exo Discount: https://exomtngear.com/podcast (Entry deadline is Midnight on July 25)
First Steps When You Shoot: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/what-to-do-when-you-shoot-an-animal
Mark's Pump for Drying Bladders & Cooling Barrels: https://amzn.to/44Z5L7N
Elk 101 Bow Hook: https://store.elk101.com/products/elk101-bow-hook
OBI Bow/Rifle Carry: https://oldballsinc.com/pages/obi-link-system
Nitecore Power Bank: https://sandsarchery.com/products/nitecore-pocket-10k-power-bank-with-built-in-cable
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
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

532 | CELEBRATING 10 YEARS! (Big Giveaway + Exo Discount)

We launched the very first episode of The Hunt Backcountry podcast exactly 10 years ago, on July 16, 2015.To celebrate 10 years of the podcast, we are offering some great prizes and an exclusive Exo discount. To enter the giveaway and get access to the discount, sign up by email at: https://exomtngear.com/podcast.
This promotion is only running for 10 days, from July 16-25th, 2025.
THANK YOU for supporting the podcast over these past 10 years!
ENTER NOW: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

MM 274 | Knife Sharpening, Backpacking Light, Removing Reviews, and More...

Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about how we sharpen our hunting knives, Mark's lessons from his mountain bike race, why S&S Archery removed their spotting scope comparison video from YouTube, where we carry our water bladders in a K4 Pack, what to avoid when storing a weighted pack for summer training, and more...
LINKS & RESOURCES
American-Made Gear Giveaway: https://swee.ps/KkZMPBCSH
Backpacking Light Course: https://backpackinglight.com/backcountry-hunting-ultralight-gear-strategies/
Our Podcast with Ryan from Backpacking Light: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/462
Knife Sharpening: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backpack-hunting-basics-how-we-sharpen-knives
Experience Project HUNT Films: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxCisjM16JQUuY7xWQLdExN_rAHTxEsvv
Our Water Filtration & Carry System: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backpack-hunting-basics-how-we-filter-carry-water
Load Your Pack for a Day Hunt: https://youtu.be/xEwuuQSMiBo
Load Your Pack for a Backpack Hunt: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/how-to-load-your-pack-for-a-multi-day-backpack-hunt
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
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

531 | Nick, Part 1 (New Hunter, Elk Hunting Bootcamp, Prepping For Alaska)

A listener of the show, Nick, joins us to discuss his recent experience at an elk hunting bootcamp, how he is preparing for his first trip to Alaska for a Caribou hunt this September, how his previous experience as an outdoor guide has influenced his early days as a hunter, and much more. We will record a post-hunt podcast with Nick later this fall to hear all about his adventure in Alaska.
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

MM 273 | Base Bottoms vs Puffy Pants, Meat & CWD, Which Broadhead, and More...

Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about using base layer bottoms vs puffy pants, eating game meat from CWD areas, the broadhead they're shooting this year, and more...
Links & Resources
American Made Gear Giveaway: https://swee.ps/KkZMPBCSH
Brynje Fishnets: https://www.brynjeusa.com/product-category/wool-thermo/
Steller Down Pants: https://www.stellarequipment.com/product/m-ultralight-down-pants2-blublack/
Western Mountaineering Flight Pants: https://www.blackovis.com/western-mountaineering-flight-pants
Ketl Mtn Shorts: https://ketlmtn.com/products/virtue-hybrid-short-9-v-3
Sevr Ti 1.5 Hybrid: https://www.sevrbroadheads.com/product/hybrid15/
Podcast: What You Need To Know About CWD: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/156 
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
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

530 | Hunting Apparel We Designed, Tested, & Refined with Outdoor Vitals

For the past 2+ years, we have been working on some apparel pieces with the guys at Outdoor Vitals. After extensive testing and refinement of the designs, these clothing items are finally set to be released in the coming months.
In this conversation with Brigham Crane, the Product Design Director at Outdoor Vitals, we discuss the background of this unique project, dive deep into the design details of each of the three pieces (puffy jacket, active mid-layer, and pants), and share the timeline for these new items to come to market.
EPISODE SECTIONS
(00:00:00) INTRO
(00:04:00) PROJECT BACKGROUND
(00:22:34) PUFFY JACKET
(00:53:12) ACTIVE MID-LAYER
(01:16:20) PANTS
(01:36:14) WHAT'S NEXT
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...
Product Release Sign-Up: https://outdoorvitals.com/pages/alpine-line-optin-western-hunt-expo-2025 
Rokslide Thread: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/new-developments-coming-this-summer.403389/ 
Experience Project Hunt Films: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxCisjM16JQUuY7xWQLdExN_rAHTxEsvv 
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

MM 272 | Archery Follow-Up Shots, Rifle Carry, Spotting Scopes, and More...

Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about taking follow-up shots when bowhunting, tips for carrying a rifle (stock or folding chassis) on a pack, a new K4 Bag from Shoot2Hunt, budget-friendly spotting scopes from Athlon Optics, using iPhone satellite messaging in place of an InReach, and more...
Links & Resources...
Exo Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter 
Mike Lee's Announcement on Public Lands: https://x.com/SenMikeLee/status/1939132778605388207 
Shoot2Hunt "Teratorn" K4 Bag: https://exomtngear.com/s2h AND https://shoot2hunt.com/teratorn/ 
Rifle Carry Tips & Technique: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/how-to-carry-chassis-hunting-rifle 
Athlon Spotting Scope: https://sandsarchery.com/products/athlon-ares-g2-uhd-15-45x-65mm-spotting-scope 
Rent Outdoor Gear: https://rentoutdoorgear.com/ 
Rex Creations UL Pad Pump: https://rex-creations.com/collections/frontpage 
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
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

529 | What Broadhead Should You Shoot This Season? (No BS Reviews...)

John Lusk of Lusk Archery Adventures joins us to discuss priorities for broadhead selection, what he has learned from independently testing and ranking dozens of broadheads, and answers your listener-submitted questions about broadhead selection, budget arrow and broadhead setups, differences in blade and ferrule materials, broadhead vs insert/outsert weight, and MUCH more!
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...
Summary Video & Spreadsheet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPXWWwX3_iA 
John's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LuskArcheryAdventures
John's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luskarcheryadventures/ 
John's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luskarcheryadventures/ 
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