The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

We met our guest, Rafe, on Kodiak Island this past fall. Rafe has extensive experience hunting, guiding, and fishing in Alaska for species that include Sitka Blacktail Deer, Kodiak brown bears, mountain goats, and sheep. In this show, we chat with Rafe about his experience as a guide and what lessons he has learned in the field that can help us as hunters. We cover everything from mindset, to shooting, to gear, and much more. With a tremendous amount of time in the field, Rafe has a lot to share. And he'll also tell you some things he has done that you should never do — such as stealing deer meat away from a brown bear. If you're interested in our experience hunting and fishing on Kodiak Island, check out episodes 201 and 202 of this podcast. And contact Foxtail Lodge about future opportunities: http://FoxtailLodge.com

Steve & Mark answer two important listener questions from new elk hunters... How do I get a tag? And how do I pick a spot and find elk? Elk Tag Strategy — https://exomtngear.com/elktags Online Elk Course (Use "EXO20" to save $20) — https://elk101.com/onlinecourse Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

Steve & Mark answer listener questions on gear and also discuss why gear isn't everything. Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

Steve and Mark answer your questions on their preferred method of bow tuning (paper tuning, french tuning, broadhead tuning, etc), what are the pros/cons of hunting with a handheld release compared to a wrist strap release, how to make the most of limited hunting time, and more... Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

Steve & Mark cover budget backpacking gear recommendations. Answer questions about having fires in the backcountry while bowhunting. And discuss how they track and analyze their hiking performance data. Budget Gear List & Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/budget-backpacking-gear-for-your-next-hunt Live Q&A TONIGHT (4/16/20 @ 7p Mtn) on the Born & Raised YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCubQp7PzYsUKV5K4J-f9mig/ Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

Origins: the point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived. Ethos: the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations. Exo Mtn Gear Co-Founder, Lenny Nelson, joins Steve & Mark to discuss Exo's origins and ethos. At your request, we are diving into the backstory of Exo Mtn Gear and sharing the reason Exo exist today. “For us, it has always been... take care of the product, take care of the customer, and everything else will take care of itself.” —Steve Speck https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark answer your questions on camping with your family, when to use trail cameras, hammocks for the backcountry, tips on using quilts, and more... Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

Steve & Mark answer questions on soreness after packing heavy loads, the best binocular magnification for western hunting, whether to be quiet or loud in the elk woods, and more... Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

Steve & Mark answer listener questions on shed hunting, burning preference points, pack choice and size for elk vs mule deer, floorless shelters vs traditional tents, and quilts vs mummy sleeping bags. Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

Steve & Mark discuss the tips & tricks shared in the Backpacker Magazine Article, "100 Essential Skills Every Backpacker Should Know" https://www.backpacker.com/skills/100-pro-level-hiking-skills-everyone-should-know Have a "pro tip" to share? Email it to us: podcast@exomtngear.com

This episode features a listener story that many of you can relate to, and all of us can learn from. Corey joins us to share his journey of learning to become an elk hunter as an adult from Iowa. Along with his own "hunting renaissance", he also shares some of the stories and lessons from getting his daughter into hunting during her teen years. How are you using your time and knowledge to share what you know as a hunter? https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark answer listener questions about Copper vs Load bullets, Spot-and-Stalk Spring Bear Hunting, the Ideal Pack Weight for Pre-Season Training, and also discuss Steve's latest boot research and theory. Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

What are the best budget clothing options? How do you pick the best spotting scope (balancing weight and magnification) for high country mule deer hunting? Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

We answer listener questions about bow sights, bugling bulls, and bivy selection. Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

Steve & Mark answer pack-related questions... "Will I damage my pack by training with it year-round?" "What is your advice for packing out a whole buck, camp, and weapon in one trip?" "What should I look for when it comes to selecting a pack for a teenager?" Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

Kody & Trent from Born & Raised Outdoors join us to discuss the different styles and approaches of camping for elk hunts. We discuss the pros and cons of hunting from a roadside base camp, packing in for a backcountry spike camp, or hunting with camp on our back for a bivy-style hunt. As we discuss in the show, there is no one "right" way to approach an elk hunt. Rather, you should understand the pros and cons of each style, and understand when and where each approach makes the most sense for your goals. Catch up with Born & Raised at https://BornAndRaisedOutdoors.com/ Connect with us and send us your listener questions or feedback to podcast@exomtngear.com

Co-Founder of Exo Mtn Gear, Lenny Nelson, joins Steve & Mark to talk about parenting during COVID, raising kids in the mountains, and to answer listener questions on elk tag applications and points, power supply in the backcountry, and his take on the topic of boots. Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

Steve & Mark answer listener questions on arrow and broadhead setups for deer vs elk, adapting sleeping gear for warm weather, and answer follow-up questions from topics discussed on previous TSS episodes... Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

Steve & Mark answer listener questions on... Hunting in Kodiak, Late-Season Gear Choices and Pack Weight, and Tripod Selection. (No boots!) Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.

Steve & Mark answer listener questions on... Shelters & Condensation, Camp Site Selection, Bear Prevention, AK Caribou Gear Lists, and yes, they talk about boots... AGAIN. Connect with us and let us know what you want to discuss on future TSS episodes by emailing podcast@exomtngear.com. What does "TSS" stand for? The Supplemental Show? The Shutdown Show? The Stopgap Show? We're not sure, but we will be using the TSS episode name for future episodes are NOT our "normal" episodes that focus 100% on backcountry hunting.