Jay Nichol of Mindful Hunter returns to the podcast to discuss his 2023 season, and the lessons he has learned about confidence, consistency, and choices in gear. We also discuss his expanded hunting gear review platform, his new apparel company, and a whole lot more.

- Jay's Prior Podcast Appearance: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/349
- Independent Pack Review, Part 1: https://youtu.be/FdkN_rAeSx0
- Independent Pack Review, Part 2: https://youtu.be/ZuTKzIr8kS0
- Mindful Hunter: https://www.mindfulhunter.com/
- Mindful Reviews: https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
- Forged In The Backcountry: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/
- Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/

Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

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

Hunt Backcountry Podcast

447 | Confidence, Consistency, and Choices in Gear with Jay Nichol

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

Email Sign-up: exomtngear.com/newsletter

Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Leave A Message: speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

Podcast Episode Archive: exomtngear.com/podcast

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

Trevor Thompson joins us to share his experience getting into hunting and traditional archery, his journey of becoming an assistant guide in Alaska, and how his prior experiences as a SEAL, skydiver, base jumper, and backcountry skier relate to his hunting pursuits. We also discuss why Trevor shares Thanksgiving with vegans. And how each of us, as individual hunters, can be a positive influence on the future of hunting.

Connect with Trevor: https://www.instagram.com/trevor.p.thompson/
Protekt Products: https://protekt.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

502 | Hunting Is What You Make It (with Trevor Thompson)

We want to make this show as valuable to YOU, our listeners, as possible. So we just launched a quick survey to gather feedback on what you like, don't like, and want to hear about in 2025

FEEDBACK FORM — https://forms.gle/nHE5o1tkN4agZC4P7

We will pick 3 random responses on January 1, 2025, and those participants will be able to choose a $100 Gift Card from Exo Mtn Gear or S&S Archery.

Thank you for your feedback and support!

EMAIL 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

MM 244 | What do YOU want from us?

Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss Steve's experience with the "fad" of ice baths, the pros and cons of attaching your bino harness to your backpack, the 4 Rules of Gun Safety and when they are broken while hunting, and more...

Links for this episode...
- Podcast Feedback Form (& Givewaway): forms.gle/nHE5o1tkN4agZC4P7
- FHF Gear Pack Suspension Kit: https://www.fhfgear.com/products/FHHS2CBOS.html
- Marsupial Gear Pack Strap Kit: https://www.marsupialgear.com/products/pack-strap-kit
- 4 Rules of Gun Safety: https://www.nssf.org/articles/4-primary-rules-of-firearm-safety/

EMAIL 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

MM 246 | Following Fads, Breaking Gun Safety Rules, & New Year Reflection

Introducing The First Monday. This new segment of the podcast is an experiment, where Steve & Mark will talk through what's going on for them that month in the categories of The Gear, The Hunt, and the Hunter, as well as what's going on with Exo Mtn Gear.

If you want an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at what we are doing, researching, and learning, or just what we are excited about, this is it. We plan to continue this format on the First Monday of each month, and then continue to use all other Monday Minute episodes to answer your listener-submitted questions (send those here: podcast@exomtngear.com).

Links for this episode...
- $10 SHIRT PRE-ORDER: https://exomtngear.com/collections/10-year-logo-gear
- Matthews Lift-X: https://mathewsinc.com/pages/lift-x
- Northwest Mountain Challenge: https://nwmountainchallenge.com/
- Mark's Garage Workout: https://the-experience-project.com/marks-garage-workout-for-mountain-hunting/
- Hunt Application Deadlines by State:  https://www.huntinfool.com/resources/draw-deadlines
- State Fish & Game Podcast Series...
-- Arizona: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/440
-- Colorado: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/452
-- Idaho: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/442
-- Montana: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/443
-- New Mexico: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/441
-- Wyoming: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/438

EMAIL 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

MM 247 | The First Monday — January, 2025

Brian Johnson, the mind behind The Anatomy Hunter, is on a mission to reduce the number of wounded and lost deer, ensuring more ethical kills and meat for families. With a background in taxidermy and sculpture, he’s spent decades studying animal anatomy, inventing better shot-placement techniques, and even helping develop Reinhart archery targets. His Perfect Kill Shot Documentation Project aims to catalog a thousand real-world shots, showing exactly how animals die based on shot placement. Through firsthand experience—including an elk hunt that sparked the idea—he’s developing a new way to teach hunters, using real footage, scientific analysis, and interactive education to improve ethical shot placement. His passion isn’t about trophies—it’s about knowledge, respect, and ensuring every hunter understands the anatomy of their prey.

The Anatomy Hunter

Our guest on this episode is Douglas Boze, author of "The Ultimate Guide to Black Bear Hunting" and "No Bait, Just Bears: Black Bear Hunting Tactics". We speak with Doug about a wide-array of bear hunting topics, including the differences between Fall and Spring hunts, how to identify key habitat and food sources, shot placement and after-shot care, and as the title implies — bear hunting tactics without the use of bait. Learn more and subscribe at http://ExoMountainGear.com/podcast

115 | No Bait, Just Bears. Black Bear Hunting Tactics

It is easy to get overwhelmed with gear choices. In this new "Pack Essentials" series, Steve & Mark discuss the essential gear for backcountry, backpack-style hunting, and how to select the right gear for your needs and budget.

In this second episode of the four-part series, we discuss the topics of Water, Food, and Cooking. We cover everything from how we filter water, to selecting the best stove for the backcountry, to our favorite meals and snacks for extended adventures.

- Backcountry Food Plan: https://exomtngear.com/nutrition
- Stove Review & Comparison: Episode 190
- DIY Dehydrated Meals: Episode 126

- Learn more & subscribe at: exomtngear.com/podcast
- Contact us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Pack Essentials

224 | Pack Essentials: Water, Food, and Cooking

Did you know that the Hunt Backcountry Podcast is now more than 5 years old? To celebrate, Steve & Mark have picked 5 of their favorite episodes from the past 5 years and are replaying them this week. Additionally, we are offering 5 prize packs for you — the listeners.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/06d5759c28/

Today's show is a re-cast of Episodes #162 and #163 with "the Modern Day Mountain Man", Billy Molls. Billy has spent 20+ seasons guiding in Alaska for a variety of species. We speak with Billy about Caribou hunting in Alaska, and why it is the ideal first hunt for those new to Alaska. We also talk about why adventure is so important for us to experience, and why remote places, such as Alaska, are truly special. Connect with Billy at https://BillyMollsAdventures.com/

CONNECT WITH US: podcast@exomtngear.com

246 | 5 Favorites — The Modern Day Mountain Man, Billy Molls

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

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