The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

"During three decades of field studies of North America's large mammals, the environmental and logistical challenges of none — not deer, elk, moose, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, or bears — compared with those I encountered learning about the mountain goat. The chasms and ramparts, the remoteness and weather are both physically and mentally taxing. Other field biologists have discovered the same, some under the harshest of conditions or across expanses of time." This quote comes from the book, "Life on the Rocks: A Portrait of the American Mountain Goat," written by today's podcast guest, Bruce L. Smith. Bruce has spent countless hours, days, weeks, and months studying mountain goats over his decades-long career. In today's episode, we speak with Bruce about the majestic mountain goat, to learn more about their history, habitat, behavior, and future conservation. Read Mark's latest SEAK Adventure article: "On Hunting, Mountain Goats, Comfort & Complacency": https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/on-hunting-m

Steve & Mark recap show season, discuss Exo Mtn Gear's Pro Staff, talk about a new "I remember my first time..." series coming to the podcast, share a listener-submitted tip about water filtration, and answer listener gear questions about tents for Alaska, the best budget tripod head, and more... Resources mentioned in this episode: - Kodiak Video, Part 1: https://youtu.be/PyKOWpAEX3g - Kodiak Video, Part 2: https://youtu.be/ZkFJWVGTdbo (Releasing evening of 02/28/22) - XLR Chassis: https://xlrindustries.com/products/element_4-0_magnesium_chassis - Range Meal Bar: https://rangemealbar.com/ - Katadyn Backpacking Filter: https://amzn.to/35bCPyz - Katadyn Basecamp Filter: https://amzn.to/3M9HNfx - Sirui VA-5 Video Head: https://sandsarchery.com/collections/lightweight-tripods/products/sirui-va-5-video-head - Wiser Precision Nighthawk Pan Head: https://sandsarchery.com/collections/lightweight-tripods/products/wiser-precision-ph-170-nighthawk-ultralight-pan-head - Slik 624 Carbon Fiber Tripod: https://sandsar

Shooter, hunter, entrepreneur, and all-around good dude, Shane Wise, joins us to talk about how he started hunting (it is pretty hilarious), as well as how he started his business, Wiser Precision (https://www.WiserPrecision.com/). Although we have been using Wiser Precision's Quick-StiX system for a couple of years now, we didn't know the man behind the product. In this conversation, we learn more about Shane's background and business. We discuss hunting, shooting, glassing, entrepreneurship, and more... Search the Podcast Archive: exomtngear.com/podcast Contact us to share your question or topic suggestion for the podcast: podcast@exomtngear.com

Steve and Mark answer listener questions as they drive between the Hunt Expo and the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show. Topics include the film of their recent Kodiak hunt, must-have rifle accessories, water filtration for basecamp hunts, holster options for brown bear country, and new insulation jackets that they have tested this past fall. Resources mentioned in this show: - K3 Cartridge Insert: https://exomtngear.com/products/k3-hipbelt-pouch-cartridge-insert - Mark's Shooting Position Video: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/rifle-shooting-with-hunting-pack - Short-Action Precision Two Round Holder: https://www.shortactionprecision.com/products/sap-two-round-holder - Wiser Precision Quick-StiX: wiserprecision.com/collections/quick-stix-system - Ivory Pack Holster: https://exomtngear.com/holster - Razco Gear Holster: https://www.razcogear.com/online-store-1/Bino-Harness-Holster-Gen-2-p303565375 - Platypus GravityWorks: https://amzn.to/36aHG2V - Katadyn Gravity BeFree: https://amzn.to/3JA5ZWB - Outdoor

We are hunters that love to backpack deep into the backcountry, but there are times that a basecamp is an invaluable aspect of our hunts. Most backcountry hunters invest a lot of time and effort to carefully plan every item that goes into their pack for backcountry hunts, but it isn’t as common for hunters to think critically about how they put together their basecamp. This podcast will help you consider how to plan and execute an effective basecamp for your next hunting adventure. Our friend Josh Kuntz joins us to share the best basecamp lessons he has learned in many years of hunting and thoughtful analysis. Basecamp Blog Article: https://exomtngear.com/basecamps Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Steve & Mark are joined by the show's co-co-host, Jakey-poo. They discuss women's pack systems, bivy sacks, softshells, show season, and plenty of reasons that Mark & Steve are getting old. Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

As modern hunters, we have access to all kinds of technology and gear that are beneficial. But what about the knowledge and skills needed to survive and thrive in the backcountry? What skills did our ancestors have that we lack? We explore some of these topics with our guest, Joel van der Loon. Joel is a survival expert that has been featured on History Channel's series, Alone. He also teaches survival, hunting, and outdoor skills courses, which you can learn more about at: https://bushsurvivaltraining.com/ We also talk about the importance of mindset while solo in the wilderness. The best tools and strategies for starting fires in difficult conditions. And much more. Share your question for Joel's follow-up interview with us by emailing: podcast@exomtngear.com Joel's Review of the K3 4800 Pack System: https://youtu.be/dNsKGZdyDx8 Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark think through the listener question: "How much pressure is too much hunting pressure?" They also answer a listener question about do-it-all shelters, and choosing between the K3 3200 and K3 4800 pack systems. In addition to listener questions, they reveal the plans for the 2022 Death Hike in Alaska and where you can visit them and see Exo Mtn Gear this month. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Podcast with Dave: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/268 - Hunt Expo: https://huntexpo.com/ - PNW Sportsmen's Show: https://www.thesportshows.com/shows/pacific-northwest/ Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Dropped-off alone, deep in the remote Alaskan wilderness. A listener of the podcast, Jake, joins us today to share an amazing moose hunting adventure story. We hear about the unexpected way this hunt unfolded, the challenges of killing and caring for a moose while solo, and much more. Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

While on COVID quarantine, Mark chats with Tyler Boschma to answer listener questions about hunting solo in Grizzly country, how to spend your time wisely when you have two different hunting opportunities that occur at the same time, and if September rifle elk hunts are potentially too good to be true. Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Jerrod Lile of the Huntin Fool joins us to outline what’s new for 2022 when it comes to hunting regulations, tag opportunities, and the draw process for western states. We discuss changes in non-resident tag allocations, trail camera bans, and much more. Our previous episode with Jerrod, “Tag Draws, Preference Points, and Hunting Opportunity” can be found here: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/269 Free Resources from the Huntin Fool… - Draw Deadlines: https://www.huntinfool.com/resources/draw-deadlines - Draw Cost Calculator: https://www.huntinfool.com/license-application-service/cost-calculator Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

This story has it all... Challenge & Adventure, the Exploration of Personal Limits, Dealing with the Unexpected, Making Memories with Family & Friends, as well as both Inspirational & Practical Wisdom. Tune in to hear about the Father-Daughter sheep adventure that Steve & Jessica got to share this past fall. Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Exo Mtn Gear Instagram: https://instagram.com/huntbackcountry

Will Exo ever make hunting clothing? How come Exo doesn't offer a bino harness? Does Exo have plans to make a pack rain cover? Can you make a hipbelt-mounted Nalgene holder for my Exo pack? Will Exo make a pack for whitetail hunting in the future? These are common questions. And we love that people want to see more from Exo Mtn Gear. That said, the answer to many of these questions is, "no." That answer often surprises people. After all... Shouldn't Exo want to sell more products? In this episode, Steve & Mark talk about Exo's business model, why they're focused on staying small, and what products you can expect from them in the future. Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Jared set out from Missouri, by himself, to arrow a bull elk in Colorado. He accomplished that mission, and today we discuss how he made it happen, what challenges he faced along the way, and what lessons you can learn from his experience. Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Happy New Year! Join Steve & Mark on this Monday Minute episode as they discuss the "one thing" in 2022 that you should consider (and share!). They also talk about their hunting plans for 2022, where they (Exo Mtn Gear) will be in person soon, how they choose boots for cold weather, and more. Mentioned in this episode... - Share your ONE THING: podcast@exomtngear.com - Get updates from Mark's new article series: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter - Hunt Expo: https://huntexpo.com/ - PNW Sportsmen's Show: https://www.thesportshows.com/shows/pacific-northwest/ Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

How do you store and secure your hunting rifles? Is the "safe" that you're using actually providing the protection that you think it is? Having personally wrestled with these questions, we were interested to explore some ideas and products that offered alternative solutions, and honestly, an entirely different way of thinking about firearm storage and security. We are joined by Tom Kubinec of SecureIt Gun Storage to learn more about the firearm storage industry, common misconceptions about gun safes, and why SecureIt takes a different approach than most companies when it comes to offering solutions for storage and security. Learn more about SecureIt: https://www.secureitgunstorage.com/ Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

A listener of the podcast, Matthew, joins us to share the story of how he turned free work into a free elk hunt. Matthew volunteered his time and energy to an Outfitter in Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness, and when he earned the right to hunt the Wilderness for himself, he killed his first elk. Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Steve & Mark answer listener questions, including: Are our gear reviews sponsored? What is the best rain gear for Kodiak? What do they do at the end of hunting season? What was their best memory and most important lesson learned this past year? And more... Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Like most backcountry hunters, we are passionate about the gear we use. At the end of each year, we like to highlight some of the favorite gear we have used for hunts throughout the year and discuss why those particular items made a difference for us personally. In this episode, Steve & Mark share the best gear they used in 2021... Gear of the Year: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/2021-gear-of-the-year Exo Experience Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/experience Share your question or suggestion for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

We answer YOUR questions about our recent Sitka Blacktail hunt on Kodiak Island. In this episode, Steve, Mark, and Jake chat through a wide variety of questions that were submitted, including: - What time of year to hunt Kodiak. - Going DIY vs Guide. - Hunting with a rifle or a bow. - The best dates to hunt the rut. And many, many more... Listent to Part 1: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/318 Foxtail Lodge: www.kodiakalaskafishinglodge.com/ Share your question or suggestion for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com Search the Podcast Archive: exomtngear.com/podcast