The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

Jeremy Dugger (@muleymojo) returns to answer your questions after he recently joined us to discuss the data he has collected from 500+ bowhunters on broadhead performance, shot distance, arrow weight, and lethality. The listener-submitted questions that we discuss in this episode include: What additional data points does Jeremy wish he had collected in his samples? How does Jeremy think about the physical vs mental aspects of shooting a bow? How do bowhunter decrease their wound rate? What is Jeremy’s shot sequence, mantra, or process? Does a bow or arrow cause “flyers” in a group, or are flyers the shooter’s fault? Should bowhunters practice most at 30-40 yards, since that was the highest wound rate in Jeremy’s data? What is Jeremy’s process for bow and broadhead tuning? How much does arrow tolerance (straightness) matter for bowhunters? How does arrow diameter affect forgiveness and tuning? What advice does Jeremy have for bowhunters who want to become self-reliant for bow setup, bow tuning, arrow building

Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about packing sleep systems, shelter choice for backpacking and hunting with kids, training for a mountain goat hunt, how many rifle rounds to pack on a backcountry hunt, and also share some new things coming this summer (and in the extended future)... Links & Resources Exo Open House & Garage Sale (RSVP!): https://exomtngear.com/pages/exo-garage-sale  Shoot2Hunt Pack: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/the-teratorn-a-shoot2hunt-x-exo-bag-collab.406328/  Outdoor Vitals Clothing: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/new-developments-coming-this-summer.403389/ Steve's Pack Loading Video: https://exomtngear.com/packloading  Marks' At-Home Workout: https://the-experience-project.com/marks-garage-workout-for-mountain-hunting/  Steve's "Epic" Mountain Goat Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pixx_Ny9MeA  The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/  EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newslet

How you load your pack matters. The way you load your gear can help or hinder the pack's performance, and it can also make you a more efficient hunter. In this podcast, Steve & Mark discuss the best ways to load a pack for multi-day backpack hunts. This conversation is a deeper dive into a pack loading video that we just published... Pack Loading Video: https://exomtngear.com/packloading Backpacking Gear Lists: https://exomtngear.com/gearlist  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

Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about updates on our footwear choices, if gear noise scares animals away, our gear list for the R3 Death Hike, packout discomfort, and more... Links & Resources GoFundMe for Rob's Battle with Cancer: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rob-mcconnell-fight-throat-cancer K4 Multicam Pre-Order: https://exomtngear.com/multicam  Exo Garage Sale (RSVP): https://exomtngear.com/pages/exo-garage-sale  Mark's Air Pump: https://amzn.to/4kwl3qD  Loading a K4 Pack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM7MhrV0rqA, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJZdVAXyHRg  Hunting Footwear Video: https://the-experience-project.com/the-best-hunting-boot-is-wrong/  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

Steve, Mark, & Justin of Exo Mtn Gear recount their recent backpack bear hunt in Idaho. They share the story, discuss tactics and tips for spring bear (and backpack hunting in general), and touch a bit on gear. Resources mentioned in this episode... Mark's Spring Bear Gear List: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backpack-bear-hunting-gear-list-and-tactics  How to Load a Bear on the K4 Frame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM7MhrV0rqA Justin's Previous Elk Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/317  Justin's Films & Photography: https://www.instagram.com/themtnexperience  Sony A6700: https://amzn.to/4jgr2yX  Rode Video Mic: https://amzn.to/4jgr2yX  Exo Mtn Gear Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter  Exo Mtn Gear on YouTube: http://youtube.com/exomountaingear?sub_confirmation=1  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.

Steve & Mark go unscripted and answer your listener-submitted questions (without any preparation), covering topics that include: mindset and confidence for low-odds hunts, AI enhancements to hunting and implications on ethics and conservation, if Hornady's new 25 Creedmoor cartridge is worth buying, using the K4 2200 for a backpacking trip, meat care on extended hunts in warmer weather, choosing between a rifle stock or chassis for beginning backpack hunters, and more... Links & Resources 5 Sayings That Will Change How You Hunt: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/5-sayings-that-will-change-how-you-hunt How To Save Your Meat From The Heat: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/046  A “Meat Scientist” on Wild Game Care & Preparation: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/508 Rifle Chassis Comparison: https://exomtngear.com/chassis Backpack Hunting Basics — How to Get Started: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/513  Video: Shooting Support with Pack & Trekking Poles: https://www.youtube.com/wa

From the outside, a rifle suppressor seems simple enough. But what is going on inside? Are there notable differences in suppressors that have similar specs of length, diameter, and weight? With so many suppressors on the market, a significant investment of time and money to purchase one, and such limited availability to "try before you buy", what should hunters look for when selecting a suppressor? We dive into these questions, and many more, with Jay from Pew Science. Resources from Pew Science... Silencer Sound Standard: https://pewscience.com/silencer-sound-standard Dedicated Suppressor Reviews: https://pewscience.com/sound-signature-reviews Suppressor Rankings: https://pewscience.com/rankings  Podcast: https://pewscience.com/podcast  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

Each year, we put together a group of guys and embark upon a hike to challenge our limits. Typically, the hike's location, length, and format change each year. But this year we had redemption in our sights, as we returned to the Grand Canyon for the second year in a row. The goal, at least for most, was to complete a Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim traverse TWICE. In this podcast, we have segments with several of the participants from the hike, to hear their stories, takeaways, and life-changing lessons learned in the canyon. SEGMENTS... (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:39) Steve & Mark (00:24:54) Anthony, 100-Mile Finisher (00:58:05) Gabriel (https://ivoryholsters.com/) (01:23:56) Jack, 100-Mile Finisher (02:04:07) Bryan (02:25:38) Brigham, 100-Mile Finisher RESOURCES & PAST RECAPS... https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/life-changing-lessons-from-the-exo-death-hike 2024: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/2024-death-hike 2023: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/409 2022: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/351 202

Steve & Mark tackle your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss Death Hike pack weight, velocity gain from rifle suppressors, having a wolf tag while bowhunting for elk, choosing a digiscoping adapter, how to get started with a muzzleloader for big game hunting, and more... Links & Resources OBI Link System: https://oldballsinc.com/pages/obi-link-system La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike: https://www.lasportivausa.com/aequilibrium-hike-gtx.html Short Barrel Rifle Speeds: https://exomtngear.com/short-barrel Pre-Fit Rifle Barrel Install: https://exomtngear.com/prefit  Mindful Hunter — Best Phone Scope Adapter 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQmdTKR-jWM Kapture Gear Magnetic Digiscoping System: https://kapturegear.com/ Muzzleloader Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/258 Why You Should Start Hunting With A Muzzleloader: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/start-hunting-with-a-muzzleloader How To Start Hunting With A Muzzleloader: https://exomtngear.com/blogs

Alaska hunting guide, Hunter Stier, joins us to discuss his experience becoming a hunting guide, guiding vs hunting, expectations vs reality on big hunts, mindset for mountain hunting, sheep vs mountain goat hunts, and the story of guiding a record book ram last season. Connect with Hunter: https://www.instagram.com/hunterstier/ Connect with Limitless Alaska Guiding: https://www.instagram.com/limitlessalaskaguiding/  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

Steve & Mark are back from their Death Hike in the Grand Canyon and answer your listener questions on this Monday Minute episode. They share a little bit about the hike, give an update on the apparel they helped design and test with Outdoor Vitals, share their backcountry bar recipes, and more... Links & Resources mentioned in this episode... Rokslide Thread on Outdoor Vitals Apparel: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/new-developments-coming-this-summer.403389/  DIY Backcountry Bar Recipes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11CS7dxGUB1nkH2FozQ8KQ3dKXRuz95_iu_j8jlJyZ04/view  Experience Project Caribou Hunt: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxCisjM16JQUuY7xWQLdExN_rAHTxEsvv  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

Jeff Cayley joins us to share his experience completing America's Toughest Race — a multi-sport adventure race that covered 300+ miles of hiking, mountain biking, climbing, packrafting, and wayfinding. We discuss Jeff's training, lessons learned, and how his experience applies to us, as backpack hunters. Connect with Jeff... https://www.instagram.com/jeffcayley/  https://worldwidecyclery.com/ https://ketlmtn.com/ https://trailone.bike/  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

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss targets for shooting practice in the mountains, bug-proof base layers for spring bear hunts, electrolyte supplements for hikes and hunts, compatibility of rifle barrels and stocks/chassis, and more... Links & Resources mentioned in this episode... At-cost Exo Logo Gear: https://exomtngear.com/logo Salt Pills: https://amzn.to/4iGhXzb & https://amzn.to/4iGhXzb  Sitka Equinox: https://www.sitkagear.com/collection/equinox-guard-collection  DIY Permetherin Treatment: https://amzn.to/3YB4Jwa  Insect Shield Commercial Treatment: https://www.insectshield.com/pages/insect-shield-your-clothes Pre-Fit Barrel Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/517  Steel Target from the Listener Q: https://shootsteel.com/product/1-2-steel-target-12x20-modular-system/  EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry VIE

How short is too short when it comes to choosing a barrel length for hunting? Whether you are interested in a shorter barrel for your next hunting rifle because you plan to add a suppressor, because you want to save weight, or simply because you want an easy-handling, easy-packing rifle — the fact is that short barrels are viable with today’s highly efficient bullets, laser rangefinders, and scopes that precisely and reliably dial to accommodate for drop at distance. In this podcast you will learn how to estimate velocity and effective range when considering which barrel length to choose for your next hunting rifle. The short barrel "formula" and additional information: https://exomtngear.com/short-barrel 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

Andrew Skurka is an adventure athlete, guide, and writer. He raised the bar on backpacking as a long-distance thru-hiker, completing (and at times creating) routes that traversed thousands of miles over many months. We interviewed Andrew on our podcast nearly a decade ago, and in the years since then, he has launched a business that provides educational experiences through guided backpacking trips. We were excited to reconnect with Andrew to discuss backpacking education, how his personal outlook on adventure has changed in recent years, the evolution of backpacking gear, and more... Connect with Andrew... https://andrewskurka.com/  https://www.instagram.com/andrewskurka/ Our preview podcast with Andrew: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/053  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://exomtn

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss... New $10 T-Shirts from Exo Mtn Gear (https://exomtngear.com/logo) Logistics on flying and traveling for hunts, including food for the backcountry, luggage and duffel bags for the travel, and getting meat home Backpack hunting with a non-hunting pack What hunters "need" a spotting scope (and why the optics market is a mess right now) What experiences they have with lightning in the backcountry and how they deal with it Links & resources mentioned in this episode... New Shirts: https://exomtngear.com/logo Backpacking Pack vs Hunting Pack: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backpacking-vs-hunting-packs  Backpack Hunting Nutrition Guide: https://exomtngear.com/nutrition  How to use an Exo pack as a carry-on for flights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Uey9pu49w How to travel with weapons for hunts: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/how-to-fly-with-a-hunting-rifle Duffel bag options to consider: https://amzn

A pre-fit barrel is a ready-to-shoot barrel that can be installed on a rifle action with minimal tools, knowledge, and skills. In this podcast with Jaden Miller of West Elk Precision, we discuss the pros and cons of pre-fit barrels, different types of pre-fit barrels, how to install a pre-fit barrel at home, and answer your listener-submitted questions about the use of pre-fit rifle barrels. PRE-FIT INSTALL VIDEO, LINKS, & MORE — https://exomtngear.com/prefit Connect with Jaden... West Elk Precision @west_elk_precision @jaden_1_2 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

Lily drew a once-in-a-lifetime Mountain Goat tag in her home state of Idaho, then was fortunate enough to kill a record book Billy on that hunt. Lily and her boyfriend, Ben, who previously had the same tag, join us on the podcast to share the hunt story, how they prepared for this hunt, Lily's perspective as a female hunter, and much more. 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

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions and share some news and updates on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss... Your suggestions for the Exo tagline Upcoming Exo events How we train with a Peloton bike Potential for an ultralight frame stay option The importance of simplicity 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

After discussing the theory behind hunting with smaller calibers and then taking a 6mm Creedmoor to Alaska to hunt big-bodied Caribou and Moose, we are recapping our experience and answering your listener-submitted questions. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/using-the-6mm-creedmoor-for-big-game-hunting Exo Insider K4 Pack Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/