The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

Our guest on this episode, Dr. Andy Galpin, is a Human Performance scientist with a PhD in Human Bioenergetics, the Co-Director of the Center for Sport Performance, a tenured full Professor at California State University, and he has worked with elite athletes across the UFC, MLB, NBA, PGA, NFL, Boxing, Olympics, and Military/Special Forces... ...AND HE IS A HUNTER. We speak with Andy to answer listener-submitted questions that combine his professional research with his practical experience as a hunter. Topics include... - The health benefits of extended trips into the backcountry - Training, nutrition, and supplementation strategies for hunting at higher elevations - The absolute importance of your daily habits - Why increasing your VO2 Max is one of the best things you can do for both performance and longevity - How to know if the metrics from wearable devices (such as smartwatches) are reliable and beneficial - Why exercise science is continually changing - How to prioritize endurance vs strength - And m

In the final podcast before their annual Death Hike, Steve and Mark chat briefly about the last-minute forecast, the decisions they are making, and how they are feeling. They then answer listener-submitted questions about upcoming spring bear hunts, including game bags for bears, cross-contamination of trichinosis, timing to hunt spring bears for peak activity, and more... SHARE PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

"What questions do you have about selecting, purchasing, owning, and hunting with a suppressor?" That is what we asked our followers on Instagram. And we answer those listener-submitted questions today with Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. We discuss current ATF wait times, including why some suppressors have been getting approvals in just a few days. We explain the pros and cons of using a Trust to purchase your suppressor. We explore if caliber-specific suppressors perform better than others, and a whole lot more... Helpful Links... - What Mark Learned About Suppressors for Hunting: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/hunting-with-a-suppressor-lessons-learned - Brandon's Previous Podcast Appearance: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/333 - SilencerCentral: https://www.silencercentral.com/ - ATF Wait Times: https://www.silencercentral.com/nfa-status/ Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

If you are interested in hunting big game in Colorado in 2024, or beyond, this episode is for you. We speak with John and Brandon from Colorado Parks & Wildlife. In this conversation, we answer your listener-submitted questions about CO's application season, the future of over-the-counter (OTC) hunting opportunities, the reintroduction of wolves in CO, and more. Helpful CPW Links... - https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/hunt.aspx - https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/BigGame.aspx - https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/pages/commission.aspx - https://www.youtube.com/@ColoradoParksandWildlife/videos Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

In this Monday Minute episode, Steve & Mark answer listener questions about footwear for the Death Hike, their boot choice for early season archery elk hunting, how to find a quality used bow, and where to spend your budget on a rifle and optic combination... Links for items/resources mentioned in this episode... - Altra Timp: https://www.altrarunning.com/shop/men/mens-timp-5-al0a85pe - Topo Mtn Racer: https://www.topoathletic.com/mens-mtn-racer-3 - SuperFeet Hike Cushion: https://amzn.to/3PDhEt3 - SuperFeet Hike Support: https://amzn.to/4ctqwLI - Injinji Liner Sock: https://www.injinji.com/shop/liner.html - Mark's Tikka Build, Part 1 (2020): https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/diy-custom-tikka-rifle - Mark's Tikka Build, Part 2 (2020): https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/suppressed-tikka-update SHARE PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Our friend, Nolan Cook, is a hunting and fishing guide based on Kodiak Island, Alaska. He joins us on the podcast to answer some listener-submitted questions about hunting Kodiak brown bears, but we also chat about other topics in this informal bonus episode. Connect with Nolan: https://www.instagram.com/nolancook13 SHARE A PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Will shooting an NRL Hunter match help you become a more effective hunter? Or are these matches all about competition that doesn't replicate hunting? We answer these questions, and many more, with the founder of the NRL Hunter series, Travis Ishida. Travis explains what it is like to attend and participate in an NRL Hunter match, discusses the rules for the competition, and also explains that you don't have to follow all of the regulations if you don't want to shoot competitively at an NRL Hunter match. Whether you want to compete in NRL Hunter, or are interested in using a match as non-competitive practice to learn about yourself as a shooter and hunter, you will hear how participating in an NRL Hunter event can benefit you. https://nrlhunter.org/ https://www.instagram.com/nrlhunter/ https://www.youtube.com/@NationalRifleLeague Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

In this Monday Minute episode, Steve & Mark answer listener questions about the warmth and performance of sleeping pads, making your own dehydrated meals for the backcountry, and more... Links mentioned in this episode: - The Experience Project: https://forms.gle/LAGVLqKauPv8hrKz7 - DIY Dehydrated Meals Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/126 - DIY Dehydrated Guide: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/dehydration-guide - Backpacking Chef: https://backpackingchef.com/ - Mark's Chili Mac: https://www.southyourmouth.com/2014/08/chili-mac.html - Sleeping Pad Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/405 - "Behind the Gear" from Therm-a-Rest: https://www.thermarest.com/blog/behind-the-gear-xlite-xtherm-nxt/ - How Thermal Insulation Works: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/stay-warm-with-thermal-insulation/ SHARE PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Any opportunity to hunt mountain goats is unique. They are fascinating animals that live in amazing terrain. For today's guest, Colter, the idea of drawing a mountain goat tag in his home state of Montana was a dream. And that dream came true. Colter joins us to share the story of his hunt, how he prepared for it, what he learned about mountain goats throughout the process, and some of the unique details that made this hunt so special. Whether you are passionate about mountain goats in particular, want to hear a cool story about big game conservation, or just take away some knowledge that can help you on any mountain hunt — there is something in this story for you. Photos from Colter's Hunt: https://www.instagram.com/p/CySLcquMKfQ/ Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

We are launching something NEW! Tune in to hear Steve and Mark share their vision for The Experience Project. Help us make The Experience Project the best that it can be. Share your feedback and ideas with us... https://forms.gle/YB6zDTDBKJa3ESwD9 To get more insight into the name for this project, read this article that Mark wrote many years ago, about being an "Experience Hunter"... https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/experience-hunter Email Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/exomountaingear Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

In this episode, Mark runs solo to answer your questions about gear from his Dall Sheep hunt in Alaska. In addition to answering those specific listener questions, Mark has also published a "What's In My Pack?" video for all of the gear he took on this hunt. You can find that video, the full gear list spreadsheet, and more at the links below. QUESTIONS answered on this podcast... - What did you think of the Sitka Dewpoint rain gear that you used on your sheep hunt, compared to the First Lite Omen rain gear that you used on your mountain goat hunt? - What spotting scope did you use for the sheep hunt and would you recommend it? - What were the details of the sleep system used on your sheep hunt? - I heard you talk about "glacier travel" when I listened to your sheep hunt story. Is that common for sheep hunts? Can you talk more about what that is like? - Overall, how would you compare your sheep hunt and your mountain goat hunt in terms of terrain, difficulty, etc. - How were the water sources on your sheep h

In this Monday Minute episode, Steve & Mark answer listener questions about sleeping yourself dry in a down sleeping bag, thoughts on new center-zip sleeping bag/quilt hybrid designs, a new rifle scope from Maven Optics, how to assess new gear, the value of buying used gear, the intentionality and sacrifices required for training, the value of "mini-events", and much more... Links mentioned in this episode: - Maven RS 1.2 Rifle Scope: https://mavenbuilt.com/products/rs1-2-2-5-15x44-ffp - "Don't Die Cold & Wet" by John Barklow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUjR3VSEFOg - PEAX Solace Sleeping Bag: https://www.peaxequipment.com/products/solace-15-sleeping-bag - Exo Mtn Gear YouTube: https://youtube.com/exomountaingear - Email Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter SHARE PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

We continue the "Before & After the Hunt" podcast series with people just like YOU... listeners of the podcast. Throughout this series, we will be speaking with everyday hunters as they plan and prepare for a specific hunt, and then we will have a follow-up episode after their hunt to hear how the hunt unfolded, the lessons they learned, and more. Today, we are speaking Zak, who completed a guided elk hunt in Montana, which was a family trip with his father and uncle. As an adult-onset hunter from the east coast, this was Zak's first western hunt — it was a fulfilling experience where he learned a lot and found success. We discuss the story, the lessons, and the takeaways. Zak's "Before the Hunt" Episode: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/419 Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

In this Monday Minute episode, Steve & Mark answer listener questions about choosing to prioritize your hunting focus on specific species (in this case, elk vs deer) versus trying to 'do it all' at once. They also answer a listener's question about using the 6.5 Creedmoor for elk hunting. Additionally, they chat about changes to the podcast, updates on this year's Death Hike, and some new things coming from Exo Mtn Gear. Links mentioned in this episode: - Backwards Thinking & Ballistics: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/393 - Exo Mtn Gear on YouTube: https://youtube.com/exomountaingear - Email Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter SHARE PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Search the Podcast Archive: exomtngear.com/podcast

Jay Nichol of Mindful Hunter returns to the podcast to discuss his 2023 season, and the lessons he has learned about confidence, consistency, and choices in gear. We also discuss his expanded hunting gear review platform, his new apparel company, and a whole lot more. - Jay's Prior Podcast Appearance: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/349 - Independent Pack Review, Part 1: https://youtu.be/FdkN_rAeSx0 - Independent Pack Review, Part 2: https://youtu.be/ZuTKzIr8kS0 - Mindful Hunter: https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ - Mindful Reviews: https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ - Forged In The Backcountry: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ - Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

After drawing a once-in-a-lifetime Bighorn Sheep tag in Idaho, and having an amazing experience on the hunt, Jason joins us on the podcast to tell the whole story, the lessons learned, and what this experience meant to him. When you combine a place as epic as the Frank Church Wilderness with an animal as majestic as sheep, and get to experience both of those things with the closest people in your life, you have a recipe for an amazing adventure. Hunt Photos & Video — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/frank-church-big-horn-sheep-hunt Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

We are back from Hunt Expo and are answering your listener questions, including questions about what we experienced at Hunt Expo, the best new products we saw there, our thoughts on bow length and stability, and more... Links mentioned in this episode: - Wiser Precision Bino Clamp: https://www.wiserprecision.com/products/ba-7-sparrow-bino-adapter - Wiser Precision Ball Head (Sneak Peek): https://www.instagram.com/p/C3a_owRPpVA/ - Rokstok Rifle Stock: https://www.unknownmunitions.com/product-category/rifle-parts/stock-chassis/rokstok/ - Handheld Archery Release Holster: https://ivoryholsters.com/product/robin-hood-release-holster/ - Forged In The Backcountry Apparel: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ - First Hunt Foundation: https://firsthuntfoundation.org/ SHARE PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

This is a great conversation on the realities of hunting late-season elk, how dealing with variable weather can change the course of a hunt, the importance of logistics and details, how trophy opportunity can change the pressure of a hunt, and a whole lot more. Rob joins us to tell the story of his 2023 late-season Montana elk hunt. While the hunt ended with a beautiful 350+ bull, it took a lot more work and persistence than Rob imagined it would. 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 podcast episode. They discuss how to get started hunting, how to choose a sleep bag or quilt (especially for big guys), and why you can convert an Exo Lid into a fanny pack, but they don't recommend it. Sleeping Bag vs Quilt Podcast — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/130 Come see us at Hunt Expo — https://huntexpo.com/ Get a special show discount at the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show when you visit the Born & Raised Outdoors or PNWild booth — https://thesportshows.com/shows/pacific-northwest/show-information/ SHARE PODCAST QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com or https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Today we are releasing a bonus episode, which we originally recorded with our friend, Kyle Kamp, for his show, the Valley to Peak Nutrition Podcast. Kyle interviewed Mark & Steve about some of the lessons they have learned doing Death Hikes over the years. This whole conversation was conceived because of a recent comment that Steve made on a Monday Minute episode, when he mentioned something along the lines of... "I am not sure that we can make a truly hard Death Hike again, because we have learned so many lessons on how to manage mistakes, which makes even hard hikes easier." Kyle heard that comment and wanted to hear more about what those mistakes and lessons are. And that is what we discuss in this episode. Links from this episode: - Life-Changing Lessons from the Exo Death Hike: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/life-changing-lessons-from-the-exo-death-hike - Mark's 2022 Death Hike Gear & Food List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ktD2BI58oecrtndyijw0J2B1-fMDhTEzvqbzNDuJQ24/edit#gid