The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

WARNING — While we normally keep our show family-friendly, there are a few curse words used in this episode. Additional warning (a cheesy one) — This episode should challenge your comfort zone and may inspire you to do something like you've never done before. Mark & Steve are joined by four of the participants of the 2023 Exo Death Hike, to share their stories, experiences, and lessons learned from an adventure that was unlike any other. Two of the guests on this episode, Dan (https://www.instagram.com/dansolsman/) & Justin (https://www.instagram.com/jdk4387/), were the only two finishers of this year's Death Hike. The other two guests, Jory and Jeff, were first-time Death Hike participants. Previous Death Hike content... - Life-Changing Lessons from the Death Hike: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/lif…he-exo-death-hike - 2022 Death Hike Recap: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/351 - 2021 Death Hike Recap: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/279, exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/280 - 2019 Dea

The Backpack Hunt Breakdown is a new series for July of 2023. Each week we will have a new episode in this series, featuring a new guest and a different backpack-style hunt. For each of these conversations, we use the following categories to break down the hunt and understand what led to the eventual success of the hunt... - PLANNING (the tag and hunt opportunity, scouting for animals/country/access, specific gear choices, etc) - MANAGING (your time and energy, when to stay or move, using terrain to your advantage, etc) - LIVING (water, food, clothing, shelter, comfort, and survivability in the backcountry) - HUNTING (locating the game, the stalk/approach, the shot opportunity, post-shot tracking, etc) - PACKING (pack out strategy and capabilities, meat care, etc) For this week's episode, Ben Reynolds joins us to breakdown a solo sheep hunt that he completed in his home state of Alaska. Hunting sheep in Alaska is tough...doing it solo is tougher...dealing with the adversity of hunting in the late sheep seas

Mark & Steve answer listener questions about how they take and use notes after their hunts, what suggestions they have for versatile tarps (glassing, cooking, meat sheet, etc), using the taller Nalgene Silo bottles in the K4 Nalgene Holder, and more. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE... - K4 Nalgene Holder: https://exomtngear.com/nalgene - Hydrapak Seeker: https://amzn.to/3D55X7J - Hydrapak Filter: https://amzn.to/44xeRqZ - Nalgene Silo: https://amzn.to/3rhq2oJ - Z Packs Tarps: https://zpacks.com/collections/tarps ENTER THE JULY GIVEAWAY — https://exomtngear.com/podcast SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark discuss this year's Death Hike just hours before it begins. They cover the plan and route for this year, what training has looked like, what gear is (and isn't!) be used, and much more. We will be back next week with a post-hike recap. Previous Death Hike content... - Life-Changing Lessons from the Death Hike: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/life-changing-lessons-from-the-exo-death-hike - 2022 Death Hike Recap: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/351 - 2021 Death Hike Recap: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/279, https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/280 - 2019 Death Hike Recap: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/178 - 2018 Death Hike Recap: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/133 - 2017 Death Hike Recap: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/085 - 2016 Death Hike Recap: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/044 ENTER THE JULY GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com

The Backpack Hunt Breakdown is a new series for July of 2023. Each week we will have a new episode in this series, featuring a new guest and a different backpack-style hunt. For each of these conversations, we use the following categories to break down the hunt and understand what led to the eventual success of the hunt... - PLANNING (the tag and hunt opportunity, scouting for animals/country/access, specific gear choices, etc) - MANAGING (your time and energy, when to stay or move, using terrain to your advantage, etc) - LIVING (water, food, clothing, shelter, comfort, and survivability in the backcountry) - HUNTING (locating the game, the stalk/approach, the shot opportunity, post-shot tracking, etc) - PACKING (pack out strategy and capabilities, meat care, etc) In this first episode, Mark & Steve breakdown Steve's solo elk hunt from this past fall. There are always challenges on a solo elk hunt, but the conditions that Steve faced on this particular hunt presented even more variables to contend with.

Mark is joined by Dioni Amuchastegui, who is a Mule Deer fanatic and a good friend of Exo. Dioni joins us to answer your listener questions on Mule Deer strategies and how this past winter may impact future hunts. For more in-depth discussions on hunting Mule Deer, check out the previous podcast series, How to Hunt Mule Deer (Episodes 232 through 239), including Dioni's featured episode (234) on Locating Mule Deer. ENTER THE GIVEAWAY — https://exomtngear.com/podcast Outdoor Vitals Ventus: https://outdoorvitals.com/products/ventus-hoodie SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

On this Final Friday episode, Jake sits down with Jeff Bloomquist. Jeff has been on the Hunt Backcountry Podcast a couple of times before and is a long-time friend of Exo. Jeff has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to bowhunting elk and has a lot of information to share on how to be successful and how he got to that point of success. Amongst some off-topic conversations, here are the questions Jake asked Jeff... - 1) How did you get out and hunt as much as you could when you were in your 20's? And now? - 2) How do you manage your time when you are hunting? Now and then? - 3) Did you do much training when you were younger? Has that changed over time? - 4) Being a successful hunter, what would you say your biggest weakness is while out hunting? - 5) What is one piece of advice you could give listeners (younger/older) who are looking to increase success? Resources mentioned in the episode... - Expert Roundtable Series (Episodes 295-299) - Reverse Engineering with Jeff Bloomquist (Episode 352) Share you

Maybe you have been let down by an uncomfortable, cold, or deflated sleeping pad in the backcountry. If you have, you know that you never want to experience that again. Can an inflatable sleeping bag be comfortable, warm, and durable? How do you select the right one? In today's podcast, we have a deep-dive discussion on inflatable sleeping pads with Brandon Bowers, the Product Manager at Therm-a-Rest. This conversation will explain sleeping pad design and materials. A sleeping pad's warmth, as measured in "R-Value", and what that really means. Some misconceptions about sleeping pads, tips and tricks for using inflatable sleeping pads, and more. Therm-a-Rest NXT: https://www.thermarest.com/search?q=nxt SIG GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com

If you have ever wanted a visual, play-by-play breakdown of actual elk calling setups to help you become a more successful elk caller, the new "In the Zone" video series is what you have been looking for! Steve & Mark are joined by 11-time World Elk Calling Champion, Corey Jacobsen, to talk about the new "In The Zone" video series. In this podcast conversation, they break down the hunt that was covered in the latest In The Zone video... "In The Zone" Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyR9lKb3nJs Elk101 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Elk101 SIG ZULU6 BINO GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Although we have years of experience bowhunting, shooting archery events, testing archery products, and tuning our bows, we have been a bit "out of touch" and haven't stayed up to date with everything that has been happening in the archery world for the past handful of years. Realizing this, we wanted to speak with someone who is current on all things archery. In our latest podcast with hunter, shooter, and professional archery tech, Kellen Morgan, we discuss what is new, relevant, exciting, and over-hyped for bowhunters these days. Connect with Kellen... - https://www.youtube.com/@InsideOutPrecision - https://instagram.com/inside_out_precision - https://g4archery.com/ SIG GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com

Mark & Steve answer listener questions about managing electronics and battery power on extended hunts, water storage and filtration, when they use dry bags for their packs, and where to find old podcast episodes that are "missing" in some podcast apps. They also discuss some new K4 products that were just released... RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE... - K4 2200 Pack System: https://exomtngear.com/2200 - K4 Crib Load Panel: https://exomtngear.com/crib - K4 InReach Mini Holder: https://exomtngear.com/inreach - K4 Dry Bag Liner: https://exomtngear.com/drybag - Old Podcast Episodes: https://exomtngear.com/podcast - Moose Hunting Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/009 SIG ZULU6 BINO GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com

There is a lot of elk hunting advice about calling. And even how to effectively setup when there are two guys in a caller-and-shooter scenario. But when you are hunting with someone, how do you effectively work together as a team? How do you communicate? How do you plan, execute, and be able to adapt when the plan changes? How does the caller know if they should keep calling? How does the shooter let the caller know when to stay, move, change their calls, or go silent? Today's podcast with Jake Saenz is all about effective partnerships and communication for elk hunters. ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Free Training Plan: https://exomtngear.com/train Jake's Article — "8 Elk Hunting Lessons Learned the Hard Way" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/8-elk-hunting-lessons-learned-the-hard-way Jake's Previous Podcasts... - https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/106 - https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/137 - https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/mm-25 LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com

Mark from Exo Mtn Gear and the Hunt Backcountry Podcast is joined by his friend and hunting guide, Mark Rowenhorst, of Limitless Alaska Guiding. They talk about their goat hunt from this past fall, the film that was just released of this hunt, and listener questions regarding hunting mountain goats in Alaska. WATCH THE FILM — https://ExoMtnGear.com/Goat Additional Resources... - Post-Hunt Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/373 - Mark Rowenhorst's Guide Story: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/335 - Limitless Alaska Guiding: https://www.instagram.com/limitlessalaskaguiding/ SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

The Final Friday podcast is back! In this episode (and future episodes), Jake interviews individuals who we consider to be very skilled and successful hunters. He will be asking each of the podcast's guests the same 5 questions that will benefit listeners who are in similar shoes as Jake. Jake is joined by Steve Speck and they briefly discuss Steve's background when he was 18 through 25 years old and then dove right into the questions (below) and went down a few "worm-holes"... 1) When you were younger, how did you find the time to hunt as much as you possibly could? 2) Do you find yourself as time efficient in the woods as you are in the Exo office? How did your efficiency change from when you were younger to now? 3) Was training for hunts ever on your radar when you were in your 20's and how has that changed now? 4) What type of advice would you give listeners who are looking to increase their success in the field? 5) Even with being a very successful hunter, what would you say your biggest weakness is

Today's episode is another "After" podcast from the "Before & After the Hunt" podcast series with people just like YOU... listeners of the podcast. Caleb first joined us in Episode 397 (https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/397), to tell us about his plan for going all-in on Western hunting, beginning with a trip to hunt bears this spring in Idaho. Today, he tells us about the success and struggles of the trip, what lessons he learned, what gear did and didn't work well, and how he will adapt his plan for the next bear hunt. ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com

We are giving away the all-new ZULU6 HDX Image-Stabilizing binoculars from Sig Sauer. Tune in to this episode to hear about this giveaway and hear more about the ZULU6 HDX and other new optics coming from Sig Sauer. Enter the Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Explore the ZULU6 HDX: https://www.sigsauer.com/zulu6-hdx.html

After returning from the mountains for a spring bear hunt, Steve & Mark recaps the ups-and-downs of the hunt, and also share their thoughts on some of the new gear they used for this trip. (Be sure to tune-in for a bonus segment on Dinosaur Legos.) Resources mentioned in this episode... - Alpine Ranch Meals: https://alpineranch.net/ - Chili Mac Recipe: https://www.southyourmouth.com/2014/08/chili-mac.html - Half-Gallon Zip-Loc Bags: https://amzn.to/3WEq4T8 - 10 Day Sheep Packing Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhGoT3QqmkM - Jetboil Stash: https://amzn.to/3qlvKpm - Sitting Pad: https://amzn.to/3OFDD2W - Hydrapak Filter: https://amzn.to/3WDfXhC - Revic BR4: https://www.revicoptics.com/br4-rangefinder - Outdoor Vitals Fortius 1P: https://outdoorvitals.com/products/fortius-1p-ultralight-trekking-pole-backpacking-tent SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

As Steve & Mark head into the mountains for a spring bear hunt, they chat about the plan for the hunt and also answer your listener questions on spotting scopes, tripods, dehydrated meals, and more. Resources mentioned in this episode... - Spotting Scope Comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbtGgKQnz0Y - Swarovski ATS 65 25-50: https://sandsarchery.com/products/swarovski-ats-25-50wx65-hd-spotting-scope - Carbon Fiber Center Tube for Slik 624/634: https://amzn.to/3MHUCAa - Carbon Fiber Handle for Sirui VA-5: https://www.aziakequipment.com/product-page/carbonhandle SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Cameron joins us to share the story of his successful backpack deer hunt from this past fall. Hunting his home state of California, Cameron had to overcome low deer density, pressure from hunters and outdoor recreationists, and more. Beyond the story of the hunt itself, Cameron shares some helpful insights from the success and struggles of his hunting journey over the years. ASK US A QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions, including a follow-up about cooking dehydrated for freeze-dried meals in Zip-Loc bags, a free tool to find and compare rifle cartridges for your hunting goals, how to prepare for a sheep hunt, the best shelter choice for Alaska, and insuring your investment hunting gear against theft. Resources mentioned in this episode... - "A Wild Winter Sheep Hunt" Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/396 - Free Training Program: https://exomtngear.com/train - "Backwards Thinking & Ballistics" Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/393 - Cartridge Selection & Comparison Tool: http://www.hagueandsons.com/what-cartridge-should-you-be-shooting/ - Firearm, Optic, & Gear Insurance: https://www.easterninsurance.com/insurance-quotes/personal-insurance/historic-firearms & https://collectinsure.com/guns/ - K4 PACK SYSTEMS: https://exomtngear.com/K4 SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Searc