This podcast was recorded on our Alaska caribou hunt, as we spent a day stuck in camp, waiting for a swollen river to recede to safe levels — allowing us to begin rafting to our pickup point, where we would get flown out of the field a couple of days later.

Steve, Mark, Justin, & Jeff discuss how they each killed a caribou bull in the days before this conversation. They detail how each encounter happened, what they did right, and what they did wrong.

VIDEO & PHOTOS — https://the-experience-project.com/alaska-caribou-hunt-breakdown/

Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Questions / Feedback for The Experience Project: experience@exomtngear.com

Questions / Feedback for the podcast in general: podcast@exomtngear.com

Hunt Backcountry Podcast

488 | How We Killed 4 Big Caribou in Alaska — The Experience Project

Join Steve and Mark as they recap their experience flying for their recent Caribou hunt. They discuss the commercial flights on Alaska Airlines, as well as their air charter flights with Nick from Nick's Air Service. They discuss tips hunters should know for flying into the field, how to pack a weapon and gear, how they flew home with meat and antlers, and much more...

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: https://the-experience-project.com/flying-for-hunts-in-alaska

Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Questions / Feedback for The Experience Project: experience@exomtngear.com

Questions / Feedback for the podcast in general: podcast@exomtngear.com

The Experience Project

489 | Our Experience Flying for Hunts in Alaska — The Experience Project

Join Steve and Mark as they recap their experience using packrafts on their recent Caribou hunt. They discuss their preparation with the rafts, the conditions of the river they floated, how they loaded the rafts with Caribou and gear, how the packrafts handled the swift water, and more...

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: https://the-experience-project.com/packrafting-for-hunts-in-alaska/

Subscribe via Email: exomtngear.com/newsletter

Questions / Feedback for The Experience Project: experience@exomtngear.com

Questions / Feedback for the podcast in general: podcast@exomtngear.com

490 | Our Experience Packrafting for Hunts in Alaska — The Experience Project

Jake joins Mark for an overdue Monday Minute episode. They discuss the recent move of Exo HQ, what's to come on the podcast, and why post-hunt pack care (whether you use an Exo or not) is an underestimated and overlooked danger.

Links mentioned in this episode:
- New Exo HQ: https://exomtngear.com/contact
- Hunt Kodiak with Foxtail Lodge: Contact Jerre at taken_line@comcast.net or learn more at https://www.kodiakalaskafishinglodge.com/
- Pack Damage Example: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb_aTUbpJl9/

ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

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

Monday Minute

MM 233 | New Exo HQ, Jake Returns, Post-Hunt Pack Damage

Join Steve, Mark, and Mark (of @limitlessalaskaguiding) as they have a planning call for their upcoming Mountain Goat Hunt in Alaska. This is an unscripted, "behind the scenes" look at how they are planning their hunt, determining a hunting strategy, selecting gear, and more.

Additional Information & Resources: https://the-experience-project.com/planning-our-mountain-goat-hunt

Subscribe by Email to receive future podcasts, videos, articles, and more: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Questions / Feedback: podcast@exomtngear.com

492 | Planning our Alaska Mountain Goat Hunt — The Experience Project

This video podcast was recorded on our Alaska moose hunt, as we spent time waiting for a weather window for our transporter to come fly us out of the field. In addition to hearing the conversation, the video podcast (link below) includes footage from the hunt.

Steve, Justin, Tyler & Dan discuss how they each killed their moose, the challenges they faced on this hunt, how they dealt with countless Grizzly bears, the gear that worked well for them, what they would have changed, and more…

WATCH on YouTube: https://youtu.be/x4NoX1Hp0Hg

PHOTOS — https://the-experience-project.com/alaska-moose-hunt-breakdown/

Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Questions / Feedback for The Experience Project: experience@exomtngear.com

Questions / Feedback for the podcast in general: podcast@exomtngear.com

493 | How We Killed 4 Moose in Alaska — The Experience Project

Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss how to load a cape and antlers when packing out, why they don't add a zipper to their waterproof dry bag liners for Exo packs, what rain gear they have been testing as part of The Experience Project, what to know about sensors in ballistic-solving rangefinders, why Steve chose the ELD-M bullet over other options in his 6mm Creedmoor, and more...

Links mentioned in this episode:
- Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
- How Rangefinders Work: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/337
- The Right (and Wrong) Way to Load Your Pack with Meat & Antlers: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/how-to-load-your-hunting-pack
- Rab Namche Rain Jacket: https://rab.equipment/us/mens-namche-gore-tex-paclite-jacket
- Exo Dry Bag: https://exomtngear.com/drybag
- Swarovski EL Range T/A: https://sandsarchery.com/products/swarovski-10x42-el-range-ta-binocular
- Share your Field Photos: photos@exomtngear.com

ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

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

MM 236 | Your Qs on Rain Gear, Ballistics, Packing Capes, and More...

This unscripted conversation was recorded on our Alaska moose hunt. Steve, Tyler, Dan & Justin passed the time while waiting for their flight from the field and decided to hit record and see where the conversation took them. The wide-ranging conversation covers everything from missing home while on the hunt, lessons and adventures from Death Hikes, terrain challenges on this moose hunt, future hunt plans and dream hunts, and, of course, bears.

Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Questions / Feedback for the podcast in general: podcast@exomtngear.com

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

494 | Live & Unscripted in Alaska Moose Camp — The Experience Project

Mark, Jake, & Steve chat about the Alaska Mountain goat hunt they are starting today. You'll hear why Steve couldn't go, how Jake took his place, how Jake prepared on short notice, what they expect from the hunt, and much more...

Links mentioned in this episode:
- The Self-Control Crisis: https://www.hottakes.space/p/the-self-control-crisis
- Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
- Mark's Mountain Goat Hunt Film: https://exomtngear.com/goat

ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

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



MM 237 | Last-Minute Mountain Goat (Pre-Hunt Debrief)

Stephen and James from Lathrop & Sons Boot Co. join us to discuss the anatomy of feet and footwear. With decades of experience in the outdoors, as well as with podiatry, the guys from Lathrop have some unique insights into footwear for hunting. While we have already discussed footwear in depth from our perspective, we wanted to bring in Stephen and James to share their perspective and provide you, the listener, with the most well-rounded information about footwear we could.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Lathrop & Sons: https://lathropandsons.com/
- Our Footwear Video & Podcast: https://the-experience-project.com/the-best-hunting-boot-is-wrong/

ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

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

495 | Feet & Footwear Anatomy with Lathrop & Sons

This podcast was recorded on our Alaska mountain goat hunt, as we sat in the basecamp cabin after the hunt. In addition to hearing the conversation, the video version of this podcast includes footage from the hunt: https://youtu.be/7HVbJuvZiE0

Mark and Jake discuss how they each killed their goats. Joined by their guide, Mark Rowenhorst of Limitless Alaska Guiding, and Justin Nelson, they all discuss the logistical challenges of the hunt, how they handled adverse weather, how they pushed past discomfort, how they slipped their way through a snowy and heavy packout, and much more.

WATCH on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7HVbJuvZiE0

PHOTOS: https://the-experience-project.com/alaska-mountain-goat-hunt-breakdown/

Subscribe via Email: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Questions / Feedback for The Experience Project: experience@exomtngear.com

Questions / Feedback for the podcast in general: podcast@exomtngear.com

496 | How We Killed 2 Mountain Goats in Alaska — The Experience Project

Steve & Mark answer listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute podcast episode. They discuss tips for comfort in cold-weather hunts, choosing down vs synthetic for a sleeping bag or quilt, how the new iOS satellite messaging features compares to messaging through a Garmin InReach device, why Steve chose the 6mm Creedmoor over other 6mm rifle cartridges, and more...

Links mentioned in this episode:
- Mountain Goat Hunt Recap: https://the-experience-project.com/alaska-mountain-goat-hunt-breakdown/
- Synthetic Quilt from Enlightened Equipment: https://enlightenedequipment.com/revelation-apex/
- Steve's 6mm Creedmoor Rifle: https://the-experience-project.com/small-rifles-for-big-game/
- New Garmin Messanger Plus: https://sandsarchery.com/products/garmin-inreach-messenger-plus 

ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

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

MM 238 | Best 6mm Cartridge, Synthetic Quilts, Satellite Messaging, and More...

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.

Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

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/

ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

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

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

Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

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

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

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

Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

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

ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

New tracks tagged #exomtngear