We are back with a new "Before & After the Hunt" podcast series for 2023, featuring hunters just like YOU... listeners of the podcast. Throughout this series, we will be speaking with everyday hunters as they plan and prepare for a specific hunt this fall, and then we will have a follow-up episode after their hunt to hear about how the hunt unfolded, the lessons they learned, and more.

In today's episode we speak with Josh, who is an Idaho resident that drew a mountain goat tag in his home state. Josh joins us to tell us how he has been preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and to ask us his questions about hunting mountain goats.

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Hunt Backcountry Podcast

421 | Before the Hunt — Idaho Mountain Goat

Jared and Cody join us to share the story of their experience planning, preparing for, and then going on a drop-camp Caribou hunt in the Brooks Range of Alaska. They discuss how the hunt came together, how they dealt with setbacks before the hunt, how they found success in going 4-for-4 on filling their tags, and what lessons they took away from the adventure.

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Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

497 | Drop Camp Caribou Hunt in Alaska (A Listener Story)

Mark is joined by "Form" to answer your listener-submitted questions on rifles and ballistics. These questions were submitted in response to our previous conversations with Form. If you have not listened to those episodes (linked below), we highly recommend listening to them first.

In today's Q&A, we discuss...

- What to do if you cannot spot your impacts, even if you aren't shooting a heavy-recoiling magnum rifle?
- What cartridge (and bullet) would Form take on a coastal Brown Bear hunt in Alaska?
- What pistol cartridge and bullet would Form recommend for a sidearm carried for self-defense when hunting in Grizzly Bear country?
- Why (and how) does grain weight matter in a given rifle cartridge; specifically in the context of using a 6.5 Creedmoor to hunt elk?
- Is the wind drift of lighter bullets in smaller calibers not a reason to consider shooting bigger cartridges and heavier bullets?
- Why do bullet and ammunition manufacturers continue to make and market more traditional, controlled-expansion and bonded bullets as 'best for big game' if more fragmenting bullets are more terminally effective?

Our previous podcasts with Form:
- https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-part-1/
- https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-part-2/
- https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-qa/

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MM 239 | "Form" Answers Your Questions on Rifles & Ballistics

How far should you be shooting at big game with your hunting rifle? In this conversation with Form, we discuss the answer to that question — not from an ethical perspective, or from a technical perspective of terminal ballistics, but from a practical perspective of what YOU are capable of behind your rifle.

Form shares some considerations to think through, and also some specific drills that you can use to assess your capabilities at distance, in variable conditions, and under stress.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Carl Ross Drill (Video & Target): https://shoot2hunt.com/product/s2hu-100-yd-hunting-rifle-drill/
- Form's MOA Target: https://shoot2hunt.com/product/form-moa-target/

Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

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Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

498 | "Form" Discusses How Far YOU Should Be Shooting at Big Game

Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss using covers on spotting scopes, their experience with the Mtn Hntr Tripod, what knives they used on the Moose hunt this fall, and additional topics related to those listener questions.

Items mentioned in this episode:
- Vet Wrap: https://amzn.to/3CkqCHL
- Kapture Gear Digiscoping: https://kapturegear.com/
- Mtn Hntr Tripod: https://mtnhntr.com/
- Aziak Backcountry Lite Tripod: https://sandsarchery.com/products/aziak-backcountry-lite-tripod
- DMT Dia-Folder Sharpener (In The Field): https://amzn.to/40BkPb4
- Work Sharp Precision Elite Sharpener (At Home): https://amzn.to/48MMUOt
- Eagle Hawk Knife: https://eaglehawkknives.com/collections/frontpage/products/handle-hunter
- Argali Sawtooth Knife: https://argalioutdoors.com/products/argali-sawtooth-knife

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MM 240 | Your Qs on Knives, Tripods & More, Plus an Exo Announcement (at the end).

Owner and founder of Outdoor Vitals, Tayson Whittaker, joins us on the Hunt Backcountry Podcast to discuss his 100-mile solo hike in the Wind River Range of Wyoming.

We discuss what he learned from dealing with injuries, the mistakes he made on this trip and how he overcame them, stories from Tayson's backpack hunts this fall, what sacrifices he makes to be "ultralight" with his gear, what you need to know about changes in the outdoor apparel industry, and much more. This wide-ranging discussion truly has something for everyone.

Links mentioned in this episode:
- Tayson's 100-Mile Hike Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aepNiXyNzV8
- Outdoor Vitals: https://outdoorvitals.com/
- Tayson's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taysonwhittaker/
- ExpeDRY Down from Allied Feather: https://alliedfeather.com/info-room/products-innovations/expedry

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Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

499 | 100-Miles Solo in Grizzly Country with Tayson Whittaker of Outdoor Vitals

Mark is solo today to answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. He answers questions about his archery shot sequence, insulated down booties, reducing rifle recoil to spot impacts, a budget chassis rifle, and tips for packraft hunts.

EXO SALE NOTIFICATION — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Items and resources mentioned in this episode:
- Outdoor Vitals Down Booties: https://outdoorvitals.com/products/lt-hybrid-booties
- Enlightened Equipment Torrid Booties: https://enlightenedequipment.com/torrid-booties/
- Exped Down Sock: https://www.expedusa.com/products/down-sock
- Exped Bivy Booty: https://www.expedusa.com/products/bivy-booty
- Exped Camp Booty: https://www.expedusa.com/products/camp-booty
- Recoil Q&A with Form: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/mm-239
- SIG Cross Trax: https://www.sigsauer.com/cross-trax.html
- SIG Cross: https://www.sigsauer.com/sig-cross-rifle.html
- Bergara MgLite: https://www.bergara.online/us/rifles/premier/mglite-rifle/
- Savage 110 Ultralite Elite: https://savagearms.com/firearms/model/110-ultralite-elite
- MDT HNT26 Chassis: https://mdttac.com/hnt26-chassis-system/
- XLR Element Mg Chassis: https://xlrindustries.com/products/element_4-0_magnesium_chassis
- Mark's XLR vs MDT Review & Comparison: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/lightweight-folding-rifle-chassis
- Packrafting Podcast with Thor: https://the-experience-project.com/how-to-use-a-packraft-for-hunting/
- ROK Straps: https://amzn.to/3YQDNrL

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MM 241 | Archery Shot Sequence, Budget Chassis Rifle, Down Booties, and More...

Each year, going back to 2018, Steve and Mark have made a list of their "gear of the year" for that year. The goal is to select items that made a difference for them on their hunts that year. In this episode, they share their selections for 2024 and discuss why each item made the list. 

FULL LIST & LINKS: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/best-hunting-gear-of-2024

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Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

500 | Our "Gear of the Year" for 2024

Sneaking in on two bull elk that are fighting, then arrowing one of those bulls on your first-ever bowhunt? That sounds too good to be true, but that is exactly how Stephen Follett's first archery hunt concluded this fall.

Stephen joins us to share that story and what he learned about starting as a bowhunter after having extensive experience with precision rifles and long-range shooting. He also shares why, and how, he started making shooting and optics accessories through his company, LSWild.

Learn more at:
- LSWild Website: https://lswild.com/
- LSWild Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lswildhuntinggear/
- Scoped Action Cover (Standard): https://www.lswild.com/store/p30/Hunter_Scoped_Action_Armor.html
- Scoped Action Cover (Ultralight): https://www.lswild.com/store/p123/Ultralight_Scoped_Action_Armor.html

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Podcast Episode Archive: exomtngear.com/podcast

501 | Long Range Shooting to Archery Elk with Stephen Follett of LSWild

Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss their off-season activity and if they honestly "train" to hunt year-round. Next, they dive into a rebuttal about their prior podcasts on the topic of using small rifle calibers for big game hunting, and what's to come on that topic...

Links for this episode:
- Alaska Caribou, Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw8_qlQAru4
- Alaska Caribou, Episode 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfPTderAnT4
- Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/exomountaingear?sub_confirmation=1
- Small Caliber Podcast, Part 1: https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-part-1/
- Small Caliber Podcast, Part 2: https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-part-2/
- Small Caliber Podcast, Part 3 (Q&A): https://the-experience-project.com/small-calibers-for-big-game-hunting-qa/

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MM 243 | Small Caliber Debate, Off-Season Training, and More...

Backcountry hunters talking backcountry hunting. Join us for a lively discussion on a variety of topics related to hunting big game in the mountains. We'll be talking tactics, sharing lessons learned, swapping stories, interviewing individuals from the hunting industry, hearing the hunt stories of everyday hunters (including our podcast listeners), and getting into the nitty-gritty of backpacking gear, hunting gear, and bow/rifle setups. Contact us at any time with your questions or feedback by emailing us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Thanks for listening!  — Mark & Steve

421 | Before the Hunt — Idaho Mountain Goat

Hunt Backcountry Podcast

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