If you are interested in hunting big game in Arizona in 2024, or beyond, this episode is for you. We speak directly with the Arizona Game & Fish Department to understand how to hunt in Arizona, and also answer your listener-submitted questions about their point system, that status of their deer herd, how they set quotas and use adaptive management strategies, and more.

Resources for this episode...
- Arizona Game & Fish Department: https://www.azgfd.com/
- How The Draw Works: https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/hunt-draw-and-licenses/big-game-draw/bonus-point-process/
- Hunt Guidelines & Recommendations: https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/regulations/hunt-guidelines-process/
- Mule Deer Working Group: https://wafwa.org/committees-working-groups/mule-deer-working-group/
- Understanding Mule Deer and Antler Point Restrictions: https://wafwa.org/wpdm-package/fact-sheet-6-understanding-mule-deer-and-antler-point-restrictions/
- Managing Hunting for Opportunity or Mature Bucks: https://wafwa.org/wpdm-package/fact-sheet-24-managing-hunting-for-opportunity-or-mature-bucks/

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

Hunt Backcountry Podcast

440 | Arizona Game & Fish (Your Questions, Misconceptions, and More...)

Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss when steep slopes are too steep, how to select a camp location when hunting near the top of the mountain, more follow-up on footwear from the Death Hike (and the use of trail running shoes for hunting), and how bear scouting and hunting is affected by the presence of elk and deer.

EMAIL YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

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View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Monday Minute

MM 220 | How Steep Is Too Steep? Plus bear scouting, footwear choices, and more...

Instead of answering listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute, we get a listener of the show on to today's podcast and ask them some questions. Patrick joins us to tell us about his recent experience putting together and completing his own version of a Death Hike. You'll hear about how he made his route, how he trained, how the hike went, what he learned, and what he hopes to accomplish in the future.

DIY Electrolyte Mix — https://www.v2pnutrition.com/single-post/diy-electrolyte-mix-for-training-in-the-backcountry

EMAIL YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

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MM 221 | A Listener's "Death Hike" Story

Today's episode tells the story of a special father-and-son hunt for Caleb, and his son, Clayten. This past fall, when Clayten was just 12-years-old, he was able to kill his first Dall Sheep in Alaska's Wrangell Mountains.

Not only is this a cool story, it is a great insight into hunting with youth. No matter the age of the hunter, or the species being pursued, there are lessons that can be learned about how to get youth involved in hunting as you listen to Clayten share his unique perspective on hunting in this podcast.

Clayten's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlaskanHooligans
Caleb's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caleb_trailboss

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

460 | A 12-year-old's Alaskan Dall Sheep Hunt

Serious mountain pursuits are demanding. Physically, mentally, and even emotionally. And as you gain experience and build confidence, you can push to new levels of adventure.

Experienced mountain hunter and all-around adventurer, Ben Reynolds joins us on today's podcast to talk about 5 attributes that he feels are critical for the mountain hunter...

- Mental Preparation
- Confidence
- Optimization
- Choices
- Decisive Action

These are attributes that Ben has developed over a decade of high-level activity in the mountains. In this conversation, we discuss each of these attributes, interwoven with examples from Ben's last hunting season, which included successful do-it-yourself solo sheep hunts for both Dall Sheep and Rocky Mountain Bighorn.

Ben's Previous Podcast Episode: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/408

Connect with Ben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b_reynolds_ak/

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

461 | How to Thrive on Mountain Hunts (with Ben Reynolds)

Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss "when to stay and when to go" on difficult hunts, how to keep your pillow in place when using a quilt instead of a sleeping bag, what is going on with hunting clothing brands changing their gear so often, and which clothing brands would be recommended to try.

EMAIL YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

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MM 222 | Sitka vs First Lite vs ???, Glassing vs Moving, & Pillow Hacks

Ryan Jordan is a backpacker, hunter, engineer, researcher, and the Founder & Owner of Backpacking Light.

We speak with Ryan about the benefits of a lighter total pack weight for backcountry hunting, the barriers and misconceptions about "going light", the differences between gear for a lightweight backpacker and the backcountry hunter, and a whole lot more.

FREE RESOURCES FROM BACKPACKING LIGHT: https://backpackinglight.com/hunt/

Ryan and his team put together some free resources specifically for our podcast audience, which you can find at the link above. If you sign up, you will receive those free resources, a discount on BPL membership and courses, and future BPL emails with articles on gear, skills, technology, and more. Of course, you can unsubscribe from BPL at any time if you do not find their information helpful.

Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
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Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

462 | Backpacking Light & Hunting with Ryan Jordan

Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss the upcoming Experience Project, Mark's headlamp, tools to fix issues with a rifle in the backcountry, and using "clean" food to fuel performance on long hikes.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Fenix HM50R v2.0: https://amzn.to/4dJGbag
- 16340 USB-C Battery: https://www.fenixlighting.com/products/fenix-arb-l16-800up-built-in-usb-c-rechargeable-battery 
- Death Hike Food: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/2024-death-hike

EMAIL YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

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View & Search the Podcast Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 223 | Headlamps, Rifle Tools, and "Clean" Food

We welcome John Barklow back to the Hunt Backcountry Podcast. This is a wide-ranging conversation that answers some of your listener questions and goes into some unexpected topics. We discuss...

- Bowhunting Cape Buffalo in Africa.
- Recovering from injury and surgery and injury as an aging mountain hunter.
- Where has innovation in technical hunting apparel slowed or stalled? And where is it advancing?
- How environmental regulation and legislation will change the performance of rain gear.
- How technology is being used to improve the performance of natural down fibers.
- How to prioritize your budget to get the most for your money on high-end hunting clothing.
- Gear vs Capabilities, and knowing how to use gear to its fullest potential.
- Why you shouldn’t believe marketing, or John Barklow, and should test gear for yourself.
- Why asking for the “best” gear recommendation isn’t the most helpful question.
- Embracing what you don’t know and enjoying the process of learning.
- John’s tentless sleep system for archery season.
- John’s upcoming course and eventual book on “Survival for the Modern Hunter”

John's Previous Podcast:  https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/395 

Connect with John:
- https://knowledgefromstorms.com 
- https://www.instagram.com/jbarklow/
- https://sitkagear.com

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

463 | John Barklow on Innovation, Skills, Priorities, 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

440 | Arizona Game & Fish (Your Questions, Misconceptions, and More...)

Hunt Backcountry Podcast

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