The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

This episode is all about tracking deer. Our guest, Hal Blood, is an expert tracker from the "Big Woods" of Maine. If you're not familiar with the hunting culture of Maine's Big Woods, we discuss that, and learn tracking tips from Hal that will help you — no matter what species you are hunting, or where you may be attempting to track them. Most of the tracking discussion is focused on late-season hunts when snow is on the ground, but even if that specific context doesn't apply to your hunts, you will still learn a lot about tracking techniques and animal behavior. Resources from Hal Blood... - Book — Hunting Big Woods Bucks: Secrets of Tracking and Stalking Whitetails — https://amzn.to/3o4otXg - Website — https://www.bigwoodsbucks.com/ - Podcast — https://www.bigwoodsbucks.com/podcast - YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/user/bigwoodsbucks1 EXO EXPERIENCE GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/experience Share your question or suggestion for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com Search the Podcast Archive: https://ex

Starting NOW (11/22/21), and for a limited-time while supplies last, you can save 15% OFF site-wide on all Exo Mtn Gear products for our once-a-year sale: https://ExoMtnGear.com We're back from Kodiak! In this show, Steve, Mark, and Jake recap their recent Sitka Blacktail deer hunt. They share some of the many stories from the trip. All-in-all, 8 guys were on the hunt, 14 bucks were killed, and time was also spent fishing and duck hunting. Foxtail Lodge: https://www.kodiakalaskafishinglodge.com/ Share your question or suggestion for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Justin & Garret of Top Priority Hunting join us to talk about their elk hunt from this fall, the lessons they've learned as archery elk hunters that started pursuing elk with a rifle, the differences and similarities of hunting elk in September vs October, and much more. Whether you hunt elk with a bow, rifle, or both, you'll enjoy this episode. NOTE! — The "Guess the Score" Giveaway mentioned in this episode has been put on hold, due to a last-minute change of plans. We will follow-up with a new giveaway opportunity on the Top Priority Instagram as soon as possible, so please still check out their profile below... Top Priority Instagram: https://instagram.com/toppriorityhunting Top Priority YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TopPriorityHunting 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

Mark answers a bunch of listener questions that have come in on rifles, cartridges, suppressors, and related topics. Topics include: rifle shooting positions, scope selection and comparisons, why he changed from the 30-06, why he built a 7 SAUM, what suppressor length is best, and much more. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Shooting Position Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV4Z-R7NNXs - Mark's 6.5 Creedmoor: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/creedmoor-vs-prc - Mark's Tikka Build: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/diy-custom-tikka-rifle, https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/suppressed-tikka-update - What to know about suppressors for hunting: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/hunting-with-a-suppressor-lessons-learned Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Matt Mullins joins the podcast to talk about the American Gear Guide, his diverse experience in the outdoors and how that relates to hunting, and to share the story of his recent elk hunt where he killed his first archery bull — a non-typical giant in Utah. Whether you want to learn more about supporting American Made gear, some thoughts on the deeper meaning of hunting and connecting with non-hunters, or just hear a great elk hunting story — you'll enjoy this episode. American Gear Guide - https://americangearguide.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/americangearguide/ SHARE YOUR EXO EXPERIENCE: https://exomtngear.com/experience Share your question or suggestion for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve, Mark & Jake are heading to Kodiak, Alaska. In advance of that hunt, they answer some of your questions about hunting Blacktail in Kodiak, dealing with bears, rifle vs bowhunting, optics, and more. We'll recap this hunt in a follow-up podcast, so be sure to let us know if you have questions about this hunt: podcast@exomtngear.com EXO EXPERIENCE CONTEST: https://exomtngear.com/experience Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Mountain Goats are fascinating animals that live in wildly big and adventurous country. The pursuit of a goat will often take you to places you've never been; maybe places you've seen from afar, but never stepped foot in, or found hand-holds in. Lee Ricks joins us to talk about his Mountain Goat hunt from this past fall in Montana. We discuss the story, the uniqueness of the hunt, the lessons learned, and more. We also chat with Lee about his passion for the blued-steel and walnut stocks of rifles from decades past. Learn more about Less, see his goat, and check out his rifle restorations: https://www.instagram.com/mt.stockmaker/ SHARE YOUR EXO EXPERIENCE: https://exomtngear.com/experience Share your question or suggestion for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Joseph von Benedikt joins us to talk about an unforgettable sheep hunt that he experienced this past summer. This was a truly unique hunt, and you'll hear how the opportunity came about, how Joseph prepared on very short notice, how the hunt went down, and much more. If you're familiar with Joseph, you know he is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about rifles, so we had to we had to ask him some rifle-related questions while we were chatting as well. SHARE YOUR EXO EXPERIENCE: https://exomtngear.com/experience Connect with Joseph on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/josephvonbenedikt/) or via Email (joseph@backcountrypodcast.com) Share your question or suggestion for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark just wrapped-up their rifle elk hunt and share the story on today's podcast. They also answer your questions about this hunt, including rifle setups, bullet performance, new packs and gear they tested, and much more. SHARE YOUR EXO EXPERIENCE: https://exomtngear.com/experience Have a question about this hunt? Let us know... podcast@exomtngear.com Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

The guys from Born & Raised Outdoors interview Steve and Mark about their experience hunting elk with bow vs rifles. They discuss the differences, what they've learned chasing elk with both weapons, how both styles of hunting complement one another, and much more. SHARE YOUR EXO EXPERIENCE: https://exomtngear.com/experience Born & Raised Audio Experience Podcast: https://bornandraisedoutdoors.com/pages/podcast Have a question about this hunt? Let us know... podcast@exomtngear.com Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

We're back with a Monday Minute episode to answer your questions and hear a recent hunting story. We cover glove options for cold-weather hunts, what rifle scopes we're running these days, and much more... EXO EXPERIENCE CONTEST: https://ExoMtnGear.com/Experience Items mentioned in this episode... - Katabatic Quilt: https://katabaticgear.com/collections/quilts - Ragg Wool Gloves: https://amzn.to/3veEbRL - SIG KILO8K-ABS Rangefinder: https://www.sigsauer.com/kilo8k-abs.html - WeatherFlow Meter: https://weatherflow.com/weather-meter-for-shooting/ - Quick-StiX Shooting Sticks: https://www.wiserprecision.com/products/quick-stix Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve is back from the Frank Church Wilderness after a successful Bighorn Sheep hunt. On that hunt, Steve was joined by his good friend Tyler Boschma, and together they notched Steve's once-in-a-lifetime Idaho Bighorn tag, then proceeded to complete the 21-mile packout to an airstrip, allowing them to get flown out of the wilderness. Steve and Tyler (now known together as "Aerosmith") share the ups-and-downs of the hunt, discuss the challenges of hunting in "The Frank", provide the play-by-play leading up to the shot opportunity, and much more. Have a question about this hunt? Let us know... podcast@exomtngear.com SHARE YOUR EXO EXPERIENCE: https://exomtngear.com/experience Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Expand your hunting opportunity and head south this winter to hunt javelina (and deer!). If you are looking to expand your hunting horizons, a winter trip to the Southwest could be just what you're looking for. In this conversation we hear about the hunting opportunities for Javelina, how to acquire tags and plan your trip, how to e-scout, and what tactics you should use when hunting Javelina. SHARE YOUR EXO EXPERIENCE: https://exomtngear.com/experience. This month, in September of 2021, the Exo Experience prizes are from Spartan Precision: javelinbipod.com Connect with John McAdams at https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/ Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

She's a wife, mother, and archery elk hunter. Kimber and her husband, Richard, join us to talk about their recent archery elk hunt in Idaho. In addition to hearing the hunting story and what they learned from this hunt, we also speak with Kimber about her perspective as a female that hunts the backcountry. SHARE YOUR EXO EXPERIENCE: https://exomtngear.com/experience. This month, in September of 2021, the Exo Experience prizes are from Spartan Precision: https://javelinbipod.com Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Mark has an unscripted conversation with Josh Kirchner (@dialedinhunter) about Josh's recent weeklong high country archery mule deer hunt in Utah. You'll hear the highs and lows of the story, the lessons learned, the perspective of bringing along someone that is new to high country mule deer hunting, and much more... SHARE YOUR EXO EXPERIENCE: https://exomtngear.com/experience. This month, in September of 2021, the Exo Experience prizes are from Spartan Precision: https://javelinbipod.com Josh's Book, "Becoming A Backpack Hunter": https://amzn.to/2ZIlN5s Josh's Website: http://dialedinhunter.com/ Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

We answer your questions about cooking dehydrated and freeze-dried meals in the backcountry. We hear about Steve's first trip into the Frank for his Bighorn Sheep hunt. And we discuss shelter choices for late-season hunts, including some of the pros/cons of a stove tent. EXO EXPERIENCE CONTEST: https://ExoMtnGear.com/Experience Resourced mentioned in this show: - Ziploc freezer bags: https://amzn.to/3920DTT - Resealable foil pouch food bags: https://amzn.to/3zWZLvq Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

A listener of the podcast, Matt, joins us to share the story of his 2020 elk hunt. Despite many challenges leading up to, and throughout the hunt, Matt persevered on a tough solo hunt and found success. We break down the pre-hunt planning, how Matt adapted through challenges, what the actual hunt taught him, and what he learned after filling his elk tag while solo hunting. SHARE YOUR EXO EXPERIENCE: https://exomtngear.com/experience This month, in September of 2021, the Exo Experience prizes are from Spartan Precision: https://javelinbipod.com Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

For all of us at Exo, the experience is the most important part of the hunt. The experience may be the thrill of an elk bugling, the stalking of an unknowing mule deer, an epic sunrise from a mountain vista, the challenge of pushing through difficult conditions and testing your limits, a heavy pack-out at the end of a successful hunt, and even all of the pre-planning that happens leading up to a backcountry adventure. Join us in the Exo Experience contest by sharing the favorite moments of your hunt... https://ExoMtnGear.com/Experience - - - - - On this episode, Steve & Mark also talk about Steve's upcoming Bighorn Sheep hunt, and answer your listener questions on... - Getting over failure and setbacks. - Dealing with the mental struggle and guilt of leaving family for hunts. - If it's too late to start bowhunting at mid-life. - - - - - Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

We thoroughly enjoyed Rob's previous appearance on the podcast and had to get him back for more. In his first episode with us (https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/177), Rob discussed his history as a mountaineer and how he confronted risk, fear, and discomfort. In this conversation, we learn more about Rob's background as a mountaineer, how that background influenced his product design philosophy, the unique benefits of Spartan's product offerings, and some practical tips for shooting in the mountains. *** EXO EXPERIENCE GIVEAWAY *** Visit https://ExoMtnGear.com/Experience for your chance to win some gear from Spartan Precision in the month of September 2021. Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Steve and Mark answer your listener questions on how to best use and load your pack for upcoming hunts. We talk about techniques to get under a heavy pack and get on your feet, the importance of how you load and organize your pack with gear, and how heavy is too heavy for a multi-day hunt. Resources mentioned in this show: - https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/how-to-load-your-hunting-pack - https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/free-hunting-gear-list-spreadsheet Share your question for the show: podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast