We launched the very first episode of The Hunt Backcountry podcast exactly 10 years ago, on July 16, 2015.To celebrate 10 years of the podcast, we are offering some great prizes and an exclusive Exo discount. To enter the giveaway and get access to the discount, sign up by email at: https://exomtngear.com/podcast. This promotion is only running for 10 days, from July 16-25th, 2025. THANK YOU for supporting the podcast over these past 10 years! ENTER NOW: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about how we sharpen our hunting knives, Mark's lessons from his mountain bike race, why S&S Archery removed their spotting scope comparison video from YouTube, where we carry our water bladders in a K4 Pack, what to avoid when storing a weighted pack for summer training, and more... LINKS & RESOURCES American-Made Gear Giveaway: https://swee.ps/KkZMPBCSH Backpacking Light Course: https://backpackinglight.com/backcountry-hunting-ultralight-gear-strategies/ Our Podcast with Ryan from Backpacking Light: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/462 Knife Sharpening: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backpack-hunting-basics-how-we-sharpen-knives Experience Project HUNT Films: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxCisjM16JQUuY7xWQLdExN_rAHTxEsvv Our Water Filtration & Carry System: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backpack-hunting-basics-how-we-filter-carry-water Load Your Pack for a Day Hunt: https://youtu.be/xEwuuQSMiBo Load Your Pack for a Backpack Hunt: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/how-to-load-your-pack-for-a-multi-day-backpack-hunt 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

A listener of the show, Nick, joins us to discuss his recent experience at an elk hunting bootcamp, how he is preparing for his first trip to Alaska for a Caribou hunt this September, how his previous experience as an outdoor guide has influenced his early days as a hunter, and much more. We will record a post-hunt podcast with Nick later this fall to hear all about his adventure in Alaska. 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 using base layer bottoms vs puffy pants, eating game meat from CWD areas, the broadhead they're shooting this year, and more... Links & Resources American Made Gear Giveaway: https://swee.ps/KkZMPBCSH Brynje Fishnets: https://www.brynjeusa.com/product-category/wool-thermo/ Steller Down Pants: https://www.stellarequipment.com/product/m-ultralight-down-pants2-blublack/ Western Mountaineering Flight Pants: https://www.blackovis.com/western-mountaineering-flight-pants Ketl Mtn Shorts: https://ketlmtn.com/products/virtue-hybrid-short-9-v-3 Sevr Ti 1.5 Hybrid: https://www.sevrbroadheads.com/product/hybrid15/ Podcast: What You Need To Know About CWD: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/156  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

For the past 2+ years, we have been working on some apparel pieces with the guys at Outdoor Vitals. After extensive testing and refinement of the designs, these clothing items are finally set to be released in the coming months. In this conversation with Brigham Crane, the Product Design Director at Outdoor Vitals, we discuss the background of this unique project, dive deep into the design details of each of the three pieces (puffy jacket, active mid-layer, and pants), and share the timeline for these new items to come to market. EPISODE SECTIONS (00:00:00) INTRO (00:04:00) PROJECT BACKGROUND (00:22:34) PUFFY JACKET (00:53:12) ACTIVE MID-LAYER (01:16:20) PANTS (01:36:14) WHAT'S NEXT LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE... Product Release Sign-Up: https://outdoorvitals.com/pages/alpine-line-optin-western-hunt-expo-2025  Rokslide Thread: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/new-developments-coming-this-summer.403389/  Experience Project Hunt Films: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxCisjM16JQUuY7xWQLdExN_rAHTxEsvv  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 taking follow-up shots when bowhunting, tips for carrying a rifle (stock or folding chassis) on a pack, a new K4 Bag from Shoot2Hunt, budget-friendly spotting scopes from Athlon Optics, using iPhone satellite messaging in place of an InReach, and more... Links & Resources... Exo Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter  Mike Lee's Announcement on Public Lands: https://x.com/SenMikeLee/status/1939132778605388207  Shoot2Hunt "Teratorn" K4 Bag: https://exomtngear.com/s2h AND https://shoot2hunt.com/teratorn/  Rifle Carry Tips & Technique: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/how-to-carry-chassis-hunting-rifle  Athlon Spotting Scope: https://sandsarchery.com/products/athlon-ares-g2-uhd-15-45x-65mm-spotting-scope  Rent Outdoor Gear: https://rentoutdoorgear.com/  Rex Creations UL Pad Pump: https://rex-creations.com/collections/frontpage  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

John Lusk of Lusk Archery Adventures joins us to discuss priorities for broadhead selection, what he has learned from independently testing and ranking dozens of broadheads, and answers your listener-submitted questions about broadhead selection, budget arrow and broadhead setups, differences in blade and ferrule materials, broadhead vs insert/outsert weight, and MUCH more! LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE... Summary Video & Spreadsheet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPXWWwX3_iA  John's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LuskArcheryAdventures John's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luskarcheryadventures/  John's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luskarcheryadventures/  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 food for backpack hunts, bear meat recipes, tripod heads for shooting and glassing, boot care, quilts, and more... Links & Resources... Limited $10 Shirts for Women & Kids: https://exomtngear.com/logo (Order deadline is June 25) What we eat on backpack hunts (and how we pack it): https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backpack-hunting-basics-the-food-we-eat Katabatic Quilts: https://katabaticgear.com/collections/quilts Ridge Warden Ball Tilt Head: https://www.wiserprecision.com/products/bt-20-ridge-warden-ball-tilt-head  Obenauf's LP: https://amzn.to/3HSxUWc  Granger Boot Care: https://amzn.to/46apCCV  Nikwax Waterproofing Wax: https://amzn.to/43ZE1Re  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

This is a great listener hunt story with Ryan, about his do-it-yourself black bear hunt in Alaska. We discuss how Ryan planned this hunt, the logistics involved, how the hunt went, what he learned from the adventure, 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-submitted questions and discuss some timely topics. They cover another attempt to sell public lands, what's going on at Exo behind the scenes, new shirts for women and kids coming later this week, how we filter and carry water in the backcountry, if they practice with their bow on multi-day backpack hunts, why Mark was using a suppressor cover on their recent spring bear hunt, and choosing optics for a Frank Church elk hunt. Links & Resources... Our Water Filtration System: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backpack-hunting-basics-how-we-filter-carry-water  Backpack Hunting Basics: https://youtube.com/exomountaingear?sub_confirmation=1  Exo Open House & Garage Sale (RSVP!): https://exomtngear.com/pages/exo-garage-sale  Public Land Sale — Information & Action: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/keepitpublic Get Your Bow Ready for the Backcountry: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/get-your-bow-ready-for-the-backcountry LS Wild Suppressor Cover: https://www.lswild.com/store/p180/Ultralight_Suppressor_Armor_%28Custom_Fit%29.html  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

Nate Simmons joins us for a wide-ranging conversation that includes a deep-dive into advanced archery, stalking strategies on mule deer, the key to his longevity and consistency, and several other listener-submitted questions. This is truly a conversation that you don't want to miss! 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 footwear for training vs hunting, the best way to load weight for rucking, what they carry in their first aid kits on backcountry hunts, and more... Links & Resources Exo Open House & Garage Sale (RSVP!): https://exomtngear.com/pages/exo-garage-sale  Outdoor Vitals Clothing & Discount: https://outdoorvitals.com/pages/alpine-line-optin-western-hunt-expo-2025  Video on Loading Weight for Training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-ol2hnEbXc  Free Training Plan: https://exomtngear.com/training  Mark's At-Home Garage Workout: https://the-experience-project.com/marks-garage-workout-for-mountain-hunting/  Backcountry First-Aid Article & Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backcountry-hunting-first-aid-kit  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

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, etc? And more... Jeremy's First Episode: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/512 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 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/newsletter ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

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.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

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/watch?v=DV4Z-R7NNXs  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

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/podcast

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 2021: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/279 2019: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/178 2018: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/133 2017: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/085 2016: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/044  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