The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

In this Monday Minute, Steve and Mark unpack the realities of water resistance in hunting packs, break down why no modern pack is truly 100% waterproof, and explain how seams, zippers, and DWR breakdown impact performance. They also dive into satellite messaging distractions, the critical trade-offs between pack weight and backcountry performance, and why traditional rain covers do more harm than good.

TOPICS COVERED...

• Satell...

In this episode of The Hunt Backcountry Podcast, we hear from Chad—a full-time Vermont ski patroller and long-time podcast listener who got a late start to hunting in his 30s. Chad shares his journey of transitioning from Eastern woods to Western big game, including the extreme logistics of driving 40 hours cross-country to hunt elk on public land solo.

Chad is also joined by his 10-year-old son, Eli, to share the story of a ...

On this Monday Minute, Mark and Steve answer listener questions to help you prepare for upcoming fall hunts:

• Game Bag Selection for Mixed Species & Applications: Trey asks for game bag recommendations as he prepares to hunt black bear, elk, and deer in Idaho. Mark and Steve discuss how game bag shape, size, fabric weave, and bone-in vs. boned-out strategies impact how you pack and carry meat—along with tips on fly pr...

What happens when you find out you’re heading on a bucket-list Alaskan Dall sheep hunt in just four weeks? In this episode, Mark sits down with Brian, one of the three grand prize winners from The Experience Challenge.

Brian went from juggling a newborn and a busy schedule to packing his bags for the Brooks Range in less than a month. In this pre-hunt conversat...

The hunt doesn't end when the shot is fired—that’s when the real work begins. In this final installment of our expert roundtable series, we assume the tag is filled and focus on what it takes to successfully "complete the mission" in the backcountry.

From tracking and post-shot discipline to field dressing, caping, meat preservation, and high-mileage packout logistics, four seasoned mountain hunters share their distinct...

The Monday Minute is back! After a hiatus since April, the guys return to recap a busy few months, answer listener updates, and share their upcoming fall hunting plans.

• Experience Challenge Recap: A look back at the experience challenge that wrapped up in July, including giving away two sheep hunts and a mountain goat hunt, participant milestones, and plans for the program.
• K4x Pack System: An inside update on the multi-year d...

Finding a high-country animal is tough, but getting into position and actually closing the deal? That’s where the real challenge begins.

In this fourth installment of our expert roundtable, we dive into what it truly takes to capitalize on shot opportunities in the backcountry. We’re joined by four seasoned hunters—Ben Reynolds, Isaac Deuling, Nate Simmons, and Brad Brooks—to break down the critical moments ...

You’ve e-scouted, hiked in, and invested heavily—but there’s no sign, the weather is crashing, and hunting pressure is high. What do you do next?

Today, we continue our expert roundtable series by diving into the practical side of adapting to adversity. We bring together four veteran backcountry hunters to debate one of the hardest questions in the field: When should you stay patient and trust the process, and whe...

Every experienced backcountry hunter knows that it isn’t a question of if you will face an obstacle on your hunt, but when that difficulty is coming. Whether it’s a sudden mountain storm, a blown stalk, unexpected hunting pressure, or a target animal that seemingly disappears into thin air, the true separator between success and failure isn't your gear—it's your mindset.

In this second episode of our 2026 Expert R...

In this kickoff to our brand-new 2026 Expert Roundtable series, we are diving deep into the practical aspects of hunt preparation. When you step into the mountains, you enter a world of endless variables. You can’t control the weather or the wildlife—but you can control many things that will prepare you for the unknown.

To break down exactly what it takes to build unwavering confidence before a hunt, we gather four incr...

What actually happens to our bodies when we sweat? Why do we cramp? And why do you feel hungover at the start of a backcountry hunt at altitude?

In this episode, we dive deep into a scientific look at hydration and electrolytes. Driven by a listener question from Max—a Midwest hunter who struggles with the transition to high-altitude mountain hunts—we bring on Dr. Robert, a leading expert in biomedical and nutritional s...

A listener of the show, Andrew, joins us to share the story about his unguided Dall Sheep hunt in Alaska. Navigating the mountains as a non-resident via the next-of-kin rule, Andrew underwent a massive mental and physical transformation to prepare for one of the most rugged hunts you can imagine.

What we discuss:

• The Prep: Cutting pack weight down and testing the bounds of mental toughness.
• The Crisis: Dealing with back-to-bac...

How can you make the most of every shot opportunity on a backcountry hunt?

In episode seven of our Backcountry Blueprint series, we dive deep into survey data collected from over 1,500 backcountry hunters to discuss how you can prepare to "master the moment" and capitalize on your chances.

Steve and Mark break down the data and share their personal hunting experiences across seven ways to prepare before the hunt:

• Making Practi...

What can a two-time Olympic biathlete teach you about becoming a better backcountry hunter?

A lot more than you think. In this episode, we sit down with elite Team USA biathlete and lifelong hunter Paul Schommer to explore the fascinating intersection of high-level endurance sports and the mental grit required in the field.

Paul breaks down how competing on the world stage—balancing maximum physical output on cross-country sk...

What does it take to find consistent success in the backcountry? In episode six of our Backcountry Blueprint series, we dive deep into survey data collected from over 1,500 backcountry hunters to pinpoint the exact skills and knowledge gaps hunters want to improve.

Steve and Mark break down the data and share their tactics and personal hunting experiences across six critical categories:

• Glassing & Locating Animals: Trainin...

In this episode, we are joined by Chris and Kevin from Wilderness Athlete. Family-owned and operated for over 15 years, WA operates differently from many modern supplement companies, which are fueled by massive venture capital and rely on "white-labeling" pre-made formulas. Chris and Kevin explain why they have always prioritized proprietary, peer-reviewed science and rigorous product testing.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

• The W...

In part five of The Backcountry Blueprint series, host Mark from Exo Mtn Gear dives into the essential physical foundation required for backcountry hunting. Drawing from a comprehensive survey of roughly 1,500 hunters, this episode distills real-world experiences, physical shortcomings, and past hunt failures into the five core physical pillars every mountain athlete needs to master.

To access the resources mentioned in this discus...

"Form" returns to the podcast to answer your questions on a variety of topics, including optimal rifle weight, 22 vs 25 vs 6mm Creedmoor, the best support for various field shooting positions, the downsides of shooting from a tripod, recommendations for "building" a budget-conscious hunting rifle, answers for small caliber skeptics, and much more.

Additional Podcasts & Resources:

• The Original Small Caliber Podcast Series.....

Dr. John Deloney is a mental health expert, bestselling author, comedian — and, yes, passionate backcountry hunter. In this conversation, we explore the intersection of mental health and hunting. This conversation is unlike any other we have had over the 10+ years of The Hunt Backcountry Podcast. We explore...

• Escaping vs. Reconnecting: The fine line between using hunting to avoid real-life responsibilities and using it ...