The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

by Exo Mtn Gear
  • 4.9 (2.9K)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Backcountry hunters talking backcountry hunting. No advertisers or sponsors, no fluff, no BS. We discuss tactics, strategies, gear, hunt stories, and more — featuring a wide variety of guests, from industry experts to everyday listeners of the show. Your hosts, Steve & Mark, have decades of experience hunting the mountains for elk, deer, bear, antelope, sheep, mountain goats, moose, caribou, and more. While this podcast is 100% independent and free from advertising or sponsorship, it is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear, which we own and operate. Exo’s mission is to build the best backcountry hunting pack systems available, provide the best service possible, and do it all right here in the USA. Learn more at: https://exomtngear.com/ Contact us at any time with your questions or feedback by emailing us: podcast@exomtngear.com. Or visit the searchable archive of all podcast episodes we have published over the past decade at: https://exomtngear.com/podcast. Thanks for listening! —Steve & Mark

  1. The Backcountry Blueprint (Part 3) — Easy & Efficient Mountain Living

    6D AGO

    The Backcountry Blueprint (Part 3) — Easy & Efficient Mountain Living

    In this episode of the Backcountry Blueprint series, we break down real data from 1,500 hunters to uncover the essential skills and knowledge required to make living in the wild feel like second nature. This episode moves beyond the "how-to" of hunting and focuses on the "how-to" of surviving and thriving in the backcountry. The goal is simple: master your environment so you can spend less energy on survival and more on the hunt itself. "Have less, do less, hunt more." By eliminating extras and refining your habits, you free up the mental and physical energy you need to become a more capable hunter. The Backcountry Blueprint: https://exomtngear.com/blueprint Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

    1h 16m
  2. 578 | Hunting Mountain Goats on Kodiak Island

    APR 29

    578 | Hunting Mountain Goats on Kodiak Island

    In this episode, we talk about hunting Mountain Goats on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Our guest, Joey Klutsch, is an Alaska Master Guide and Owner of Katmai/Aniakchak Guide Service. He will be taking the winner of The Experience Challenge on a Kodiak Mountain Goat Hunt. We discuss the logistics of the hunt, what makes this hunt unique, how to identify and judge mountain goats, what gear is and isn't required, and much more.  LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE... The Experience Challenge: https://exomtngear.com/challenge Joey's Website: https://katmaiguideservice.com/ Joey's Instagram: https://instagram.com/aniakchakguideservice Alaska Mountain Goat Identification Guide: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/hunting/goathunting/pdfs/goat_identification_guide_for_web_2014.pdf 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

    56 min
  3. The Backcountry Blueprint (Part 2) — Reasons Your Hunt Might Fail

    APR 26

    The Backcountry Blueprint (Part 2) — Reasons Your Hunt Might Fail

    In this episode of the Backcountry Blueprint series, we break down real data from 1,500 hunters to uncover the most common reasons backcountry hunts fail—and how to fix them. Instead of blaming weather, pressure, or luck, the conversation zeroes in on what’s actually within your control, from quitting early and a poor mindset, to lack of preparation, physical limitations, and bad decision-making in the field. We dig into the critical factors that separate success from failure: persistence, mental toughness, effective scouting, gear management, and shot execution under pressure. Packed with honest reflection and practical takeaways, this episode is all about helping you identify your weak points, take ownership, and become a more consistent and capable backcountry hunter. The Backcountry Blueprint: https://exomtngear.com/blueprint Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

    55 min
  4. 577 | Training Q&A with Evoke Endurance

    APR 24

    577 | Training Q&A with Evoke Endurance

    In this bonus Q&A episode of the Hunt Backcountry Podcast, we’re joined again by John from Evoke Endurance to tackle listener questions on training for backcountry hunts. We dive into the realities of balancing competing priorities, building fitness for multi-day hunts, and why aerobic base—not VO2 max—is the true foundation of performance in the mountains. John breaks down how to structure your training with limited time, how to think about strength vs. endurance, and what really matters when preparing for cumulative fatigue in the backcountry. We also get into practical topics like heart rate-based training, adapting plans around injuries, fueling strategies, and what to do when life inevitably disrupts your schedule. If you’re trying to train smarter—not just harder—for your next hunt, this episode is packed with actionable insight. THE TRAINING PLANS... Use code EXO before 04/30/26 to save on the training plans... 20 Week Training Plan: https://evokeendurance.com/training-plans/backcountry-hunting-20-week-training-plan/ 28 Week Training Plan: https://evokeendurance.com/training-plans/backcountry-hunting-training-plan/ LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE... Episode 574 | "Building the Mountain Hunter: Physiology, Foundations, and the 20-Week Training Plan": https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/574 Episode 475 | "Proven Training Methods for the Mountain Hunter": https://the-experience-project.com/proven-training-for-mountain-hunting/ Understanding V02 Max: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/understanding-max-vo2/ Additional Free Resources from Evoke: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/ 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

    1h 32m
  5. 576 | Backcountry Insights from the Best Ranger

    APR 22

    576 | Backcountry Insights from the Best Ranger

    In this episode of the Hunt Backcountry Podcast, Vince Paikowski, a former Army Ranger and winner of the Best Ranger Competition, joins us to discuss the intersection of elite military conditioning and backcountry hunting. Vince discusses his work as a coach with Evoke Endurance, where he helps develop specialized training plans for rugged mountain environments. We discuss… The Best Ranger Competition: Insights into the grueling 60-hour endurance event that tests the physical and cognitive limits of two-man Ranger teams. Rucking Mechanics: Why walking fast is more efficient than running under load and how to build "ruck economy" through progressive weight increases. Shooting Under Fatigue: A breakdown of military studies showing how high aerobic fitness preserves marksmanship and cognitive decision-making during physical stress. Training Without Mountains: Practical strategies for flat-land athletes, including hill sprints, plyometric complexes, and using "stress inoculation" to prepare for the mental challenges of a hunt. The Evolution of the Ranger: A historical look at how soldier size and training requirements have shifted from WWII to the modern era, and the potential costs of prioritizing muscle mass over aerobic capacity. Whether you are preparing for a 10-day mountain hunt or looking to improve your overall resilience, this conversation will provide insights to help you become a more capable backcountry athlete. THE TRAINING PLANS... Use code EXO before 04/30/26 to save on the training plans... 20 Week Training Plan: https://evokeendurance.com/training-plans/backcountry-hunting-20-week-training-plan/ 28 Week Training Plan: https://evokeendurance.com/training-plans/backcountry-hunting-training-plan/ LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE... Episode 574 | "Building the Mountain Hunter: Physiology, Foundations, and the 20-Week Training Plan": https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/574 Episode 475 | "Proven Training Methods for the Mountain Hunter": https://the-experience-project.com/proven-training-for-mountain-hunting/ Data on Rucking Fitness & Shooting Ability: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/aerobic-training-for-the-military-athlete/ Additional Free Resources from Evoke: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/ 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

    1h 21m
  6. The Backcountry Blueprint (Part 1) — 7 Attributes of a Successful Backcountry Hunt

    APR 19

    The Backcountry Blueprint (Part 1) — 7 Attributes of a Successful Backcountry Hunt

    If you had an opportunity to ask 1,500 hunters to share the most important reasons they have had success in the backcountry, what do you think they would say? If they were to remove any “luck” that helped them find success (and, yes, luck is often a factor), what was in their control that they did right? We asked those hunters, and we have those answers. As part of The Experience Challenge, we had 1,500+ hunters complete a detailed Hunt Reflection. Their answers inspired this new series, The Backcountry Blueprint. In each installment, we distill key takeaways from 1,500+ hunters to help you master the backcountry. Today, we are discussing the attributes of a successful backcountry hunt. Based on detailed reflections from 1,500+ hunters, we identified their 7 most important factors of success. The Backcountry Blueprint: https://exomtngear.com/blueprint Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

    50 min

  7. APR 13

    MM 305 | New Schedule, Plus more on Safety, Shooting, & Scopes

    Steve & Mark announce a new schedule for the Monday Minute episodes and a new series coming to the podcast soon. They also dive into listener questions about their archery shot sequence, use of the K4 Quick-Release Rifle Carrier, choosing between First Focal Plane and Second Focal Plane rifle scopes, and share some helpful advice from a listener about backcountry rescue. 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

    43 min
  8. 575 | Mental Skills to Master the Mountains

    APR 8

    575 | Mental Skills to Master the Mountains

    In this episode, mental performance expert Ben explains how hunters can master their "interior world" to overcome pressure and fatigue on demanding backcountry hunts. By breaking down complex psychological concepts, like the CBT triangle and the ABC model, into actionable tools, he provides a roadmap for building genuine confidence. The conversation emphasizes that mental toughness is a practiced skill, developed through intentional discomfort and disciplined focus rather than grit or genetics. The Two Buckets of Performance: Ben simplifies mental performance into two primary objectives: managing emotions in difficult situations and training attention to be where it needs to be. The WIN Acronym: To stay grounded in the present, Ben suggests using WIN (What’s Important Now). This helps performers move past previous mistakes or future anxieties and focus on the next right decision. The ABCs of Mindset: Behavior is often a result of an Activating Event, a Belief, and a Consequence. By changing the underlying belief (B) about a situation, an individual can radically change their emotional and behavioral response (C) to the same event. Confidence vs. "Faking It": True confidence is not about "faking it until you make it," which Ben argues is unsustainable. Instead, it is built by pairing real-world experience with true, evidence-based self-talk that focuses on things within the individual's control. Physiological Regulation: In high-pressure moments (like "buck fever"), breathing is the most effective tool for regulating the nervous system. Slowing down the exhale helps down-regulate the body, signaling the brain that it is safe and reducing jitters or racing thoughts. Redefining Mental Toughness: Mental toughness isn't just about physical strength; it’s a constellation of skills that allow for peak performance regardless of setbacks. It involves being intentional during training by removing distractions (like music or podcasts) to build a stronger mind-body connection. LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE... 4 Core Mental Skills (PDF): https://exomtngear.com/core-mental-skills Ben's Website: https://theexaminedlifecounseling.com/ Ben's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexaminedlifecounseling/ 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

    1h 24m
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Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
2,923 Ratings

About

Backcountry hunters talking backcountry hunting. No advertisers or sponsors, no fluff, no BS. We discuss tactics, strategies, gear, hunt stories, and more — featuring a wide variety of guests, from industry experts to everyday listeners of the show. Your hosts, Steve & Mark, have decades of experience hunting the mountains for elk, deer, bear, antelope, sheep, mountain goats, moose, caribou, and more. While this podcast is 100% independent and free from advertising or sponsorship, it is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear, which we own and operate. Exo’s mission is to build the best backcountry hunting pack systems available, provide the best service possible, and do it all right here in the USA. Learn more at: https://exomtngear.com/ Contact us at any time with your questions or feedback by emailing us: podcast@exomtngear.com. Or visit the searchable archive of all podcast episodes we have published over the past decade at: https://exomtngear.com/podcast. Thanks for listening! —Steve & Mark

Information

  • Creator
    by Exo Mtn Gear
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    767
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

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