The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

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 ...

In this fourth installment of the Backcountry Blueprint series, we dive into data from over 1,500 hunters to identify the true gear failures that end hunts early. We aren't just talking about gear that hunters "didn't like," but the specific equipment issues that negatively changed the outcome of a hunt. Steve and Mark break down the five most common failure points reported by hunters and share how you can prevent these issues befo...

Kyle Kamp — Registered Dietitian, mountain athlete, owner of Valley-to-Peak Nutrition, and friend of Exo — returns to the podcast to discuss nutrition strategies for your pre-season goals. Whether you are looking to shed some weight, put on some size, or improve your performance for your training and hunting goals, Kyle discusses straightforward, science-based nutrition strategies to help you meet your goal. We dive int...

In this "on-the-road" episode, Steve, Mark, and Justin recap a successful backpack spring bear hunt. The crew discusses the hunt strategy and story, the tactics that helped them find success, how the 22 Creedmoor performed, and other hunt takeaways.

For photos, gear notes, and other resources from this hunt, visit: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/spring-bear-tactics-and-gear

The Hunt Backcountry ...

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 it...

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 F...

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 int...

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 ...

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...

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 complet...