The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

After 15 years, today's guest drew a coveted archery Bighorn Sheep tag in his home province of Alberta, Canada. As an outfitter, guide, and pilot, Nick knew a bit about what he was up against for this unique hunting opportunity. It wasn't going to be easy, but it was guaranteed to be an adventure. Nick joins us to share the story of the hunt. And as you listen to Nick's experience, you can certainly learn some things to apply to your future adventures in the mountains. Nick's Outfitting Operation: https://www.mistyriveroutfitters.com/ 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 about puffy jackets and durability, solid clothing colors and hunting safety, gaining more storage space in your pack by using the meat shelf for food or gear, and more... Resources mentioned in this episode... - Canis Alps Down Jacket: https://www.canisathlete.com/products/alps-hooded-down-jacket - K4 Nalgene Holder: https://exomtngear.com/nalgene 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

In this episode, we are "going deep" with John Barklow from Sitka Gear. This conversation will equip you to make better decisions in your selection of clothing (no matter the brand) for backcountry pursuits. We also discuss how to use different types of clothing layers effectively, how to combine layers efficiently, and some of the mistakes to avoid in the field. If you want to take a deep-dive on the technology and application of apparel for hunting (again, regardless of brand), this is a conversation that you will certainly enjoy and learn from. Resources mentioned in this episode... - John's Newsletter: https://knowledgefromstorms.com/ - John's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbarklow/ - The new Sitka Mountain Evo Jacket: https://www.sitkagear.com/collection/mountain-evo - The Best (and Budget!) Clothes for Backpack Hunting: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/best-budget-hunting-clothes Mark's 3 Favorite Sitka Pieces - Ascent Pant: https://www.sitkagear.com/products/ascent-pant/pyrite - Core Ligh

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions, including the pros and cons of flying vs driving for a solo out-of-state hunt, how to get started shooting rifles with kids and preparing them to hunt, and why all K4 packs don't include a horseshoe zipper and a bladder tube holder. Resources mentioned in this episode... - Rokslide Thread on K4 Packs: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/exo-mountain-k4.279017/ - Bladder Tube Clips: https://amzn.to/3zsTyIV - Rokslide Thread on .223 for Hunting: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/ K4 PACK SYSTEMS — https://exomtngear.com/K4 Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

We have officially launched our all-new K4 Packs & Accessories: https://exomtngear.com/k4 Thank you to everyone that has followed this journey and shared so many good questions about K4 over the past couple of months. After chatting about the K4 launch, Steve and Mark dive in to some questions/topics about hunting in the Spring, including: rain gear, puffy jackets, ticks, tripods, scouting, and Steve's 70's Disco thermals. Resources mentioned in this episode: - https://exomtngear.com/K4 - Disco Tights: https://www.brynjeusa.com/product/unisex-longs-inlay/ - Tickless Ultrasonic Tick Repeller: https://amzn.to/42L7kUL - Wiser Precision 3rd Leg: https://www.wiserprecision.com/products/third-leg - Wiser Precision Nighthawk: https://www.wiserprecision.com/products/nighthawk Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

There is a dizzying amount of information online about rifles, bullets, and ballistics. And while you can find an answer for nearly every question, that doesn't mean we have all of the real and definitive answers. Even a trained, experienced, professional ballistician — such as Hornady's Jayden Quinlan — has questions that keep him up night. Today, we speak with Jayden about those mysteries, and also dive into some practical examples of the things that do and don't matter for your shooting and reloading. Jayden's Previous Episode: Hunting Lethality — How Do Animals Die? https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/267 Hornady's Podcast: https://www.hornady.com/podcast LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions — discussing how to select the right shelter for your hunt, how to narrow-down areas to hunt, and how to select proper sizing for K4 Pack Systems. K4 Size Selection: https://exomtngear.com/sizing K4 Updates & Giveaway: exomtngear.com/K4 Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

When it comes to rifles, calibers, and cartridges for hunting, many assume that bigger and faster is always better. After all, you can't "kill something too dead", right? But where is the point of diminishing returns? If you find what is "enough", then what are the downsides of chasing more than that? Recoil and shootability? Cost of ammunition, components, and barrel life? What else? Mark & Steve are joined by Seth Swerczek from Hornady to discuss these topics, and more. As you will hear, sometimes the best way to think about ballistics (and caliber/cartridge choice) is to "think backwards". Hornady's Podcast: https://www.hornady.com/podcast LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions — discussing snow pack and spring bear hunting, using a rifle scope to spot or check animals, pack frame height and head clearance, and "What's in my pack?" videos. Resources mentioned in this episode... - K4 Packs "Behind the Design" —https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/k4-pack-systems-behind-the-design - Bear Hunting Podcasts — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/334, https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/115 - e-Scouting for Spring Bear — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt38bciCE2s - Exo Mtn Gear YouTube — https://youtube.com/exomountaingear - Steve's Sheep Packing Video — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhGoT3QqmkM Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com K4 Updates & Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/K4 View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

At just 60-years-young, Curtis continues to hunt hard. He is normally a listener of the podcast, but today he joins us as the guest — to tell us a story from his muzzleloader elk hunt this past fall. We discuss... - Why he continues to hunt elk solo - How he trains to be able to hunt the backcountry in his 60s - How he stays motivated to hunt when the conditions are tough - Simple ways he tracks and patterns elk when they are tough to find - What led to him making a big mistake with a knife and how he cared for the injury - Why he didn't seek immediate medical attention after a pretty serious wound - How his home and family life contribute to his hunting - And much more! Resources mentioned in this episode... - Error Precursors PDF: https://training.lbl.gov/ehs/training/assets/docs/Error-Precursors.pdf - Mike Prevost Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/230 LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions — discussing the best place to carry your InReach (and why it matters), what body type works best in the K4 Frame, what we are working on for K5, and how material choices affect breathability, sweat, and chafing. Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com K4 Updates & Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/K4 View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Welcome to an all new segment on the Hunt Backcountry Podcast called "Final Friday". This series will be hosted by none other than the infamous Jakey Poo, aka Jake Havlicek. This series will give a look at what's going on behind the scenes at Exo, with the goal of keeping the conversation informal and not having a set goal to accomplish — just a few Exo employees talking into a microphone. In this first episode, Jake and Mark discuss a variety of topics, including: - Show-Season Shenanigans - Fitness challenge among (most of) the Exo employees - Behind the Scenes of the latest K4 updates - The 2023 Death Hike - Continuous growth in all areas of life Share Your Feedback & Questions: podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Who knew that there was so much to know about tripods? In today's podcast with Michael from Really Right Stuff, we talk about tripod selection for the hunter that wants to use a tripod for both glassing and shooting. Although this episode is packed with helpful information, it only scratches the surface of this topic. As you listen to this conversation, think about the questions you have and let us know what you want to hear more about. Michael has graciously agreed to do a follow-up episode with us to answer your questions about tripod selection, tripod setup, tripod techniques, and more... LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com RRS SOAR: https://rrssoar.com/ Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark answer your listener questions. They discuss... - How much did Kyle's helicopter rescue cost? (Kyle SOS and rescue story is in Episode 389) - Does the wider K4 Hipbelt cause any pinching or limit mobility? - Where is the line between staying tough and staying safe when solo hunting in difficult conditions? - How is the K4 Load Shelf accessed, and how does it function compared to K3 Packs? - What are some book recommendations for hunting, training, mindset, and becoming a better man in general? (See the links below for some suggestions from Mark.) - What does the "K" in K4 stand for? - How do you change the frame height on the K4 Frame? K4 Updates & Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/K4 // Mark's Reading Recommendations // There is a lot of variety in this list. Also, there are a lot of good "classics" and currently "popular" books that hunters may like, which Mark did not include, such as those from O'Connor, Rinella, Goggins, Hanes, etc. The goal of this list is to share books that Mark has fou

Our guests, Josh & Dan, tell us a story of shared success on backcountry bull elk. The hunting collaboration between Josh and Dan formed in a unique way (hot yoga?!?!), and although they have different levels of hunting experience, they have forged an effective hunting partnership. In this podcast, we hear about the story of their last elk season, but also about how they have learned to hunt together well. Josh's Previous Episode: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/329 PACK SYSTEM GIVEAWAY: https://exomtngear.com/k4 LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Instead of a Q&A Monday Minute episode, we are sharing an unscripted conversation hunter, guide, and hunting photographer, Luke Carrick (https://www.instagram.com/carrick.luke/). We hear about Luke's adventures — including spending 30+ consecutive days solo in the mountains to scout for sheep, his school that trains hunters for the backcountry, his work documenting sheep hunts on Tiburon Island, and much more. LEAVE A MESSAGE or question for a future Monday Minute episode: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry OR podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Our guest, Kyle, tells his story of falling while solo hunting, hitting SOS on his Garmin InReach, and being rescued by helicopter. As a listener of this podcast, Kyle had heard similar rescue stories before and he knew some of what to expect after hitting SOS. Hear Kyle's whole story, the lessons hear learned, and how he found redemption in the backcountry. LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve & Mark answer your questions about the all-new K4 Pack Systems releasing in March. They discuss: - Why should I switch to Exo and the new K4 Pack System? - Should I pull the trigger on a used K3 to save money, or just go all-out on the new K4? - How large are the full-length side pockets on K4 Bags? What size spotting scope can they fit? - What is the best holster for the K4 Hipbelt? Isn't it bad to have the weight of a pistol hanging on the hipbelt? - How is the stiffness and "feel" of the K4 Frame compared to previous Exo frames? Did the change from Titanium to Carbon Fiber change the stiffness significantly? K4 Updates & Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/K4 Share your question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

When it comes to folding rifle chassis that are purpose-built for the weight-conscious backpack hunter, there are two primary options — The XLR Element 4.0 and the MDT HNT26. In this episode, Mark shares his personal experience with both of these chassis and makes ten comparisons to help you choose between them. MARK'S ARTICLE & PHOTOS: https://exomtngear.com/chassis XLR Element: https://xlrindustries.com/products/element_4-0_magnesium_chassis MDT HNT26: https://mdttac.com/hnt26-chassis-system/ LEAVE A MESSAGE: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

If you are looking for simple, practical, and applicable knowledge on training and nutrition before your next hunting season, this episode is for you. Mark joins Kyle from Valley to Peak Nutrition to talk about off-season training and nutrition strategies. Kyle's Podcast: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/podcast FREE Training & Nutrition Guides: - https://exomtngear.com/nutrition - https://exomtngear.com/train K4 Pack System Giveaway: https://exomtngear.com/K4 Ask Us A Question: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry or podcast@exomtngear.com View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast