The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

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

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

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 challe

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

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

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 be

Steve & Mark discuss listener questions about a 5-day elk hunt strategy (scouting, hunting, and packing), what they do for rescue plans and logistics on remote adventure hunts, their experience with Spartan Precision bipods, how they think about choosing a rifle cartridge, and more... The "Tallboy" Nalgene Holder — https://exomtngear.com/tallboy Global Rescue — https://www.globalrescue.com/ IMG Rescue — https://www.imglobal.com/assistance-services/global-rescue Garmin Search & Rescue — https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/906397/ Spartan Precision Podcast — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/177 & https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/306 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 Frieh from Evoke Endurance joins us to discuss a new 20-week training plan, developed in collaboration with Scott Johnston, specifically designed for the unique demands of backcountry hunting. The conversation explores the physiological foundations of endurance, the importance of structured programming, and how hunters can transition from being "strong" to being "aerobically fit" for the mountains. Why Fitness is a Specific Task Definition: Fitness is defined as the specific ability to perform a chosen task; being fit for one activity often means being "unfit" for another if the training is too specialized. Safety: In mountain hunting, fitness acts as a safety buffer that determines your ability to handle multi-day efforts and return home safely. The Hunting Demand: Unlike many mountain sports where loads decrease over time, hunting is unique because the physical demand often peaks at the end when packing out an animal. The Power of the Aerobic "Gas Tank" Mitochondria: Endurance is powered by mitochon

Steve & Mark discuss some of their takeaways from the recent, must-listen episode with Andy Galpin. They also answer listener questions about using hot tents and stoves for backpack hunting, what tripod and head they would buy with a $300 budget (for each item), and more... The Experience Challenge — https://exomtngear.com/challenge Andy Galpin Episode — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/573 Kyle Kamp / V2P Nutrition — https://v2pnutrition.com/ Tripod & Heads from S&S Archery — https://sandsarchery.com/collections/lightweight-tripods 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

Andy Galpin returns to the show to discuss everyday habits that can help or hinder your performance as a hunter. Topics covered include physical training and injury prevention, the power of sleep, what does and doesn't matter in nutrition, mental skills for high performance, and more... Physical Preparation & Injury Prevention Identify Your "Performance Anchors": Prioritize training based on your specific weaknesses—whether it is ankle stability, back strength, or nutritional deficiencies—that are most likely to cause failure during a long hunt. Develop Tissue Tolerance: The goal is to prepare your body (specifically low back, knees, and ankles) to handle the repetitive stress of a multi-day hunt so you don't "break" on day three. Use Your Actual Gear: Do not wait until the hunt to wear your boots or pack. Wear them during daily activities or training to let your body adapt to the specific stress loads of that equipment. The Power of Sleep The Number One Risk Factor: Poor sleep is a primary driver of i

Steve & Mark answer listener questions about hunting spring bear after a mild winter, nuances of selecting a type of bivy, determining how much shooting practice is enough (or too much), and more... The Experience Challenge — https://exomtngear.com/challenge Backpack Hunting With A Bivy Sack — https://exomtngear.com/bivy How to Hunt Mule Deer Podcast Series — https://exomtngear.com/search?q=how+to+hunt+mule+deer 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

In this episode, we talk about hunting Dall Sheep in the Brooks Range of 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 Dall Sheep hunt this August. We discuss the logistics of the hunt, what makes clients quit on difficult hunts, why mindset is more important than good gear and fitness, 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 Wildlife Notebook on Dall Sheep: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/education/wns/dall_sheep.pdf Alaska Guide to Judging Dall Sheep: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/hunting/dallsheephunting/pdfs/dall_sheep_guide_to_judging_sheep_horns_under_full_curl_regulation.pdf The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ Email

Marks goes solo to answer listener questions about hunting elk off-trail and making noise, why we haven't recommended spotting scopes from Leupold, what we should do about a proposed hunting ban in Oregon, and more. Links mentioned in this episode... The Experience Challenge — https://exomtngear.com/challenge Exo Newsletter — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter "Roosevelt vs Rocky Mountain Elk, And How to Hunt Both" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/142 "Changes & Challenges to Hunting & Wildlife with John Stallone" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/491 "Finding & Protecting Alaska with Bjorn Dihle" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/563 Howl for Wildlife — https://www.howlforwildlife.org/ Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership — https://trcp.org 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/huntba

Return guest, Josh Kuntz, joins us to discuss his recent hip replacement and his late-season elk hunting in Arizona. We explore the mindset needed to push through setbacks, the value of an active lifestyle, elk hunting in Arizona, and more. "Better Basecamp, Better Hunting" — http://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/329 "Shared Success on Backcountry Bulls" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/390 Josh's Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/josh.kuntz/ 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 discuss the purpose of The Experience Challenge, and how you can join this week. Registration is only open through this Sunday (March 15th)... https://exomtngear.com/challenge 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

"Live" from the road, again, Steve kinda-sorta hosts this podcast. We discuss the pre-Challenge for everyone who wants to win the Sheep hunt as part of The Experience Challenge, we recap our time in BC for the Mountain Hunting Expo, and we dive into listener-submitted questions about hunting elk in fresh burns, archery gear upgrades, and more. https://exomtngear.com/challenge CHAPTERS... 00:00 — Road Trip Reflections 02:59 — Insights from the Wild Sheep Society Expo 06:13 — The Importance of Mental Toughness 08:52 — Preparing for the Experience Challenge 11:57 — Time Commitment for Hunting Challenges 14:55 — Hunting After Wildfires 18:00 — Safety in Burned Areas 21:05 — Archery Gear Recommendations 23:57 — Building Confidence in Archery 26:55 — Experiencing the Thrill of the Hunt 30:01 — Closing Thoughts and Future Plans 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: ht

"Live" from the road, Steve takes over to host the podcast with Mark and Justin along. You'll hear about Steve's surprise emergency room visit (last night), their plans for the Mountain Hunting Expo in BC this weekend, what's to come with The Experience Challenge, and more. https://exomtngear.com/challenge CHAPTERS... 00:00 — Introduction 03:00 — Emergency Room Experience 05:59 — Kidney Stone Insights 08:56 — Planning for the Mountain Hunting Expo 12:00 — Experience Challenge Overview 14:59 — Shooting and Hunting Preparation 17:57 — Alaska Hunting Plans 20:56 — Reflections on Past Hunts 24:02 — Community and Engagement 27:00 — Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up 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

Travis from Silvercore Outdoors joins us for a wide-ranging conversation that covers hunting, firearms training, entrepreneurship, and the importance of disconnecting from technology. We explore the relationship between mindset, instincts, and the art of hunting; the importance of community and collaboration in the hunting world; the value of sharing experiences, and more. Silvercore Outdoors: http://silvercore.ca/ Silvercore Podcast: https://www.silvercore.ca/podcast Silvercore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors/ Travis' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav/ CHAPTERS... 00:02:09 — The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Mindset 00:08:36 — Understanding Firearm Safety and Training in Canada 00:14:01 — The Passion for Hunting and Connection with Nature 00:18:48 — Experiences at SHOT Show and the Firearm Industry 00:22:30 — Disconnecting from Technology and Finding Balance 00:37:11 — Shifts in Training Demographics and Motivations 00:40:03 — The Impact of Media on Perception and Fe

Steve & Mark discuss upcoming Exo in-person events, the soon-coming Experience Challenge, and answer listener questions about training strength vs endurance, shooting from a tripod vs trekking poles, and more. Chapters... 00:00 — Introduction to the Monday Minute 02:53 — Details of Upcoming Challenges 06:50 — Strength Training vs. Endurance Training 11:29 — Shooting Techniques: Tripod vs. Quick Sticks 23:00 — Creative Shooting Support Techniques Links for this episode... The Experience Challenge Waitlist: https://exomtngear.com/challenge Wild Sheep Society of BC's Mountain Hunting Expo: https://www.wildsheepsociety.com/mhe Northwest Hunt Expo in OR: https://nwhuntexpo.com/ Dry-Fire Drills at Home: https://exomtngear.com/dryfire Shoot from Pack & Trekking Poles: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/rifle-shooting-with-hunting-pack Wiser Precision Quick-StiX: https://sandsarchery.com/products/wiser-precision-quick-stix Wiser Precision Ridge Warden Ball/Tilt Head: https://sandsarchery.com/products/wiser

In this episode, a listener of the show, Jim, shares his experience and insights on hunting mountain lions in the Pacific Northwest. He discusses the best times and locations to hunt, calling strategies and hunting techniques, the importance of patience and woodsmanship, and the unique experience of eating mountain lion meat. If you want a better understanding of the challenges and excitement that come with hunting these elusive predators, you will enjoy this episode. "It's high energy and high adrenaline." Jim's Instagram: @pnw_mountain_lion CHAPTERS... 00:02:02 — Jim's Background and Experience 00:05:37 — Historical Figures in Hunting 00:08:14 — Understanding Mountain Lion Hunting Seasons 00:11:19 — Oregon's Mountain Lion Quotas and Regulations 00:15:25 — The Experience of Eating Mountain Lion 00:17:23 — Aging and Sizing Mountain Lions 00:19:49 — Targeting Areas for Mountain Lion Hunting 00:24:47 — Calling Techniques and Setups 00:29:01 — Placement and Visibility in Calling 00:33:16 — Stealth and Approach o