The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

Maybe you have been let down by an uncomfortable, cold, or deflated sleeping pad in the backcountry. If you have, you know that you never want to experience that again. Can an inflatable sleeping bag be comfortable, warm, and durable? How do you select the right one? In today's podcast, we have a deep-dive discussion on inflatable sleeping pads with Brandon Bowers, the Product Manager at Therm-a-Rest. This conversation will explain sleeping pad design and materials. A sleeping pad's warmth, as measured in "R-Value", and what that really means. Some misconceptions about sleeping pads, tips and tricks for using inflatable sleeping pads, and more. Therm-a-Rest NXT: https://www.thermarest.com/search?q=nxt SIG GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com

If you have ever wanted a visual, play-by-play breakdown of actual elk calling setups to help you become a more successful elk caller, the new "In the Zone" video series is what you have been looking for! Steve & Mark are joined by 11-time World Elk Calling Champion, Corey Jacobsen, to talk about the new "In The Zone" video series. In this podcast conversation, they break down the hunt that was covered in the latest In The Zone video... "In The Zone" Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyR9lKb3nJs Elk101 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Elk101 SIG ZULU6 BINO GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Although we have years of experience bowhunting, shooting archery events, testing archery products, and tuning our bows, we have been a bit "out of touch" and haven't stayed up to date with everything that has been happening in the archery world for the past handful of years. Realizing this, we wanted to speak with someone who is current on all things archery. In our latest podcast with hunter, shooter, and professional archery tech, Kellen Morgan, we discuss what is new, relevant, exciting, and over-hyped for bowhunters these days. Connect with Kellen... - https://www.youtube.com/@InsideOutPrecision - https://instagram.com/inside_out_precision - https://g4archery.com/ SIG GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com

Mark & Steve answer listener questions about managing electronics and battery power on extended hunts, water storage and filtration, when they use dry bags for their packs, and where to find old podcast episodes that are "missing" in some podcast apps. They also discuss some new K4 products that were just released... RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE... - K4 2200 Pack System: https://exomtngear.com/2200 - K4 Crib Load Panel: https://exomtngear.com/crib - K4 InReach Mini Holder: https://exomtngear.com/inreach - K4 Dry Bag Liner: https://exomtngear.com/drybag - Old Podcast Episodes: https://exomtngear.com/podcast - Moose Hunting Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/009 SIG ZULU6 BINO GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com

There is a lot of elk hunting advice about calling. And even how to effectively setup when there are two guys in a caller-and-shooter scenario. But when you are hunting with someone, how do you effectively work together as a team? How do you communicate? How do you plan, execute, and be able to adapt when the plan changes? How does the caller know if they should keep calling? How does the shooter let the caller know when to stay, move, change their calls, or go silent? Today's podcast with Jake Saenz is all about effective partnerships and communication for elk hunters. ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Free Training Plan: https://exomtngear.com/train Jake's Article — "8 Elk Hunting Lessons Learned the Hard Way" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/8-elk-hunting-lessons-learned-the-hard-way Jake's Previous Podcasts... - https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/106 - https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/137 - https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/mm-25 LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com

Mark from Exo Mtn Gear and the Hunt Backcountry Podcast is joined by his friend and hunting guide, Mark Rowenhorst, of Limitless Alaska Guiding. They talk about their goat hunt from this past fall, the film that was just released of this hunt, and listener questions regarding hunting mountain goats in Alaska. WATCH THE FILM — https://ExoMtnGear.com/Goat Additional Resources... - Post-Hunt Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/373 - Mark Rowenhorst's Guide Story: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/335 - Limitless Alaska Guiding: https://www.instagram.com/limitlessalaskaguiding/ SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

The Final Friday podcast is back! In this episode (and future episodes), Jake interviews individuals who we consider to be very skilled and successful hunters. He will be asking each of the podcast's guests the same 5 questions that will benefit listeners who are in similar shoes as Jake. Jake is joined by Steve Speck and they briefly discuss Steve's background when he was 18 through 25 years old and then dove right into the questions (below) and went down a few "worm-holes"... 1) When you were younger, how did you find the time to hunt as much as you possibly could? 2) Do you find yourself as time efficient in the woods as you are in the Exo office? How did your efficiency change from when you were younger to now? 3) Was training for hunts ever on your radar when you were in your 20's and how has that changed now? 4) What type of advice would you give listeners who are looking to increase their success in the field? 5) Even with being a very successful hunter, what would you say your biggest weakness is

Today's episode is another "After" podcast from the "Before & After the Hunt" podcast series with people just like YOU... listeners of the podcast. Caleb first joined us in Episode 397 (https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/397), to tell us about his plan for going all-in on Western hunting, beginning with a trip to hunt bears this spring in Idaho. Today, he tells us about the success and struggles of the trip, what lessons he learned, what gear did and didn't work well, and how he will adapt his plan for the next bear hunt. ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/podcast LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com

We are giving away the all-new ZULU6 HDX Image-Stabilizing binoculars from Sig Sauer. Tune in to this episode to hear about this giveaway and hear more about the ZULU6 HDX and other new optics coming from Sig Sauer. Enter the Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/podcast Explore the ZULU6 HDX: https://www.sigsauer.com/zulu6-hdx.html

After returning from the mountains for a spring bear hunt, Steve & Mark recaps the ups-and-downs of the hunt, and also share their thoughts on some of the new gear they used for this trip. (Be sure to tune-in for a bonus segment on Dinosaur Legos.) Resources mentioned in this episode... - Alpine Ranch Meals: https://alpineranch.net/ - Chili Mac Recipe: https://www.southyourmouth.com/2014/08/chili-mac.html - Half-Gallon Zip-Loc Bags: https://amzn.to/3WEq4T8 - 10 Day Sheep Packing Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhGoT3QqmkM - Jetboil Stash: https://amzn.to/3qlvKpm - Sitting Pad: https://amzn.to/3OFDD2W - Hydrapak Filter: https://amzn.to/3WDfXhC - Revic BR4: https://www.revicoptics.com/br4-rangefinder - Outdoor Vitals Fortius 1P: https://outdoorvitals.com/products/fortius-1p-ultralight-trekking-pole-backpacking-tent SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

As Steve & Mark head into the mountains for a spring bear hunt, they chat about the plan for the hunt and also answer your listener questions on spotting scopes, tripods, dehydrated meals, and more. Resources mentioned in this episode... - Spotting Scope Comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbtGgKQnz0Y - Swarovski ATS 65 25-50: https://sandsarchery.com/products/swarovski-ats-25-50wx65-hd-spotting-scope - Carbon Fiber Center Tube for Slik 624/634: https://amzn.to/3MHUCAa - Carbon Fiber Handle for Sirui VA-5: https://www.aziakequipment.com/product-page/carbonhandle SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Cameron joins us to share the story of his successful backpack deer hunt from this past fall. Hunting his home state of California, Cameron had to overcome low deer density, pressure from hunters and outdoor recreationists, and more. Beyond the story of the hunt itself, Cameron shares some helpful insights from the success and struggles of his hunting journey over the years. ASK US A QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions, including a follow-up about cooking dehydrated for freeze-dried meals in Zip-Loc bags, a free tool to find and compare rifle cartridges for your hunting goals, how to prepare for a sheep hunt, the best shelter choice for Alaska, and insuring your investment hunting gear against theft. Resources mentioned in this episode... - "A Wild Winter Sheep Hunt" Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/396 - Free Training Program: https://exomtngear.com/train - "Backwards Thinking & Ballistics" Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/393 - Cartridge Selection & Comparison Tool: http://www.hagueandsons.com/what-cartridge-should-you-be-shooting/ - Firearm, Optic, & Gear Insurance: https://www.easterninsurance.com/insurance-quotes/personal-insurance/historic-firearms & https://collectinsure.com/guns/ - K4 PACK SYSTEMS: https://exomtngear.com/K4 SHARE YOUR QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: h

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 Erik and Jason — two friends that are headed to New Zealand. They will be hunting numerous species in New Zealand, as well as spending some time exploring the country with the families. In this conversation we learn about their planning and preparation for the trip, what they are expecting out of the experience, and much more. LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions about camping styles for elk hunting, if they have found a backpacking stove better than Jetboil, how to backpack and adjust your pack if you have a bad back, and more. Resources mentioned in this episode: - "BASE, SPIKE, OR BIVY?" Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/217 - MTN Gear Bipods: https://www.mtngear.us/product/bipod - Spartan ARCA Adapter: https://javelinbipod.com/products/classic-arca-adapter Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast K4 PACK SYSTEMS — exomtngear.com/K4

Curt joins us to tell the story of his solo buffalo hunt on an Alaskan island, which he completed this past fall. This is obviously a very unique hunting opportunity and experience. The hunt story is not only entertaining, there are also lessons to be learned from Curt's experience. Curt's Previous Episode: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/257 ASK US A QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Jakey is back! We finally had a chance to record the second episode of our new "Final Friday" series. Jake is joined by Mark to recap what they've been up to this past month and chat about the recent trip Jake made out to hang out Mark and his family, Hushin's "Brush for Bucks" event, Jake's rifle build, hunting plans for this 2023 season, future plans for the Final Friday Podcast, and more! Resources mentioned in this episode: - Brush For Bucks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBmqi__0RIU - Savage 110 Ultralight 6.5 PRC: https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=57577 - Berger 140 gr. Elite Hunter: https://bergerbullets.com/product/6-5-mm-140-grain-elite-hunter/ - Patriot Valley Arms Jet Blast: https://patriotvalleyarms.com/jet-blast-muzzle-brake/ - XLR Element 4.0 Magnesium Chassis: https://xlrindustries.com/products/element_4-0_magnesium_chassis - Huntin' Fool: https://www.huntinfool.com/ - Mtn Gear Bipod: https://www.mtngear.us/product/bipod - Podcast of Steve and Mark's 2022 Bea

Tanner joins us to tell the story of his elk hunt from this past fall. For his first elk season, Tanner was able to hunt archery and rifle seasons for elk in Montana. His experience involved a lot of ups and downs, lessons learned, and ultimately some luck that led to his success on his first elk hunt. ASK US A QUESTION: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode 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 with Caleb about his upcoming spring bear hunt in Idaho. As a regular guy from Texas, Caleb got some exposure to western hunting, then made some big life changes to allow him to start hunting the mountains. We discuss that background and then chat about the plan for his first western hunt, the upcoming spring bear adventure in Idaho. Answering Caleb's previous questions on a Monday Minute episode: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/mm-171 LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions about their favorite wild game to eat and how they like to prepare it, how to use an Exo pack for whitetail hunting with a saddle or treestand, if a bivy is worth using inside of a tent, and their comparison of the NXS vs NX8 rifle scopes from Nightforce. Resources mentioned in this episode... - Meat Care Podcasts: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/046, https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/341, https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/mm-09 - Saddle Hunting Pack Setup: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/packs-for-saddle-hunting - Podcast with Nightforce: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/375 - Nightforce NXS Compact: https://www.nightforceoptics.com/riflescopes/nxs/nxs-25-10x42-compact/ Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast K4 PACK SYSTEMS — https://exomtngear.com/K4