Steve and Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss image-stabilized spotting scopes and question their purpose and benefit. And speaking of gear with questionable value, they answer a question about suppressor covers. They also discuss recommendations for people who struggle with knee pain on downhill hikes, the results of the Exo Experience Photo Story contest, what is going on this month, and more... The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ EXO INSIDER 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

Like most backcountry hunters, we are passionate about the gear we use. At the end of each year, we like to highlight some of the favorite gear we have used for hunts throughout that year and discuss why those particular items made a difference for us personally. In this episode, Mark & Steve discuss their "gear of the year" selections for 2025... GEAR LINKS & LISTS — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/best-hunting-gear-of-2025 TIMESTAMPS... 00:00:00 — Intro 00:01:56 — "Gear of the Year" History 00:07:05 — Revisiting 2024 Selections 00:22:35 — Steve's Tripod Setup for Glassing & Shooting 00:34:42 — Airlock Industries Zero Gravity Suppressor 00:44:31 — InReach Messenger Plus 00:50:56 — Nitecore Pocket 10000 USB-C Power Bank 00:53:20 — Thermarest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad 00:58:17 — Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece 01:00:32 — Deadfall Design Chest Plate + Ivory Holster Shell (and "The Bino Bra" ;-) 01:11:03 — Defiance anTi-X Action, Pre-Fit 6mm Creedmoor, & Factory Ammunition 01:18:26 — onX HUNT App 01:22:18 — Mark's Honorable Mentions 01:28:58 — Exo K4x Pack System The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.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

In this episode, we are joined by Tara & Alex from Idaho Fish & Game to discuss the all-new draw process for non-resident general elk and deer tags for Idaho's 2026 big game hunting season. We hear why the process that had been in place needed to change, the alternative solutions considered, how this new draw came to be, what non-residents need to apply for the draw, how they can apply in a group or party, if there are any changes to non-resident tag allocations, and more. LINKS & RESOURCES... What's New Overview — https://idfg.idaho.gov/article/see-whats-available-nonresident-tag-drawing-general-season-deerelk-tags-2026-and-how-apply FAQ — https://idfg.idaho.gov/licenses/tag/quotas/nonresident Big Game Seasons & Rules — https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/big-game Refund Information — https://idfg.idaho.gov/licenses/forms/nonresident-refund Email Contact — licensing@idfg.idaho.gov The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.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

Steve and Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss Idaho's new and upcoming non-resident tag application process, an update on Steve's moose hunt, their experience with meat damage based on shot placement and bullet choice, pack failures they have experienced from testing prototypes, the best way to use Exo packs for lightweight day hunts, and more... LINKS & RESOURCES... Last Call! — Photo Story Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience K4x Updates: https://exomtngear.com/K4x Load A Pack for Day Hunts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEwuuQSMiBo The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ EXO INSIDER 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

Steve and Mark just returned from Kodiak and they answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They also discuss Exo's once-a-year sale, which starts tomorrow (November 18, 2025). If you are hearing this episode as it is released on Monday, November 17, use the code EARLY20 at checkout to get 20% OFF before the public sale goes live. LINKS & RESOURCES... Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ Exo Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Foxtail Lodge: https://www.kodiakalaskafishinglodge.com/ Kahtoola MicroSpikes: https://amzn.to/3K5TOXm New Kahtoola Lightweight Spikes: https://amzn.to/4pgI2bI Black Diamond Spikes: https://amzn.to/4rmGKxN Showa Waterproof Gloves: https://amzn.to/4nWEWZ5 Wiser Precision Quick-StiX: https://sandsarchery.com/products/wiser-precision-quick-stix The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ EXO INSIDER 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

Join us "live" from Foxtail Lodge on Kodiak Island, Alaska. This conversation takes place on the day we arrive, before we begin our weeklong adventure hunting Sitka Blacktail Deer, shooting ducks, and fishing the sea. The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ EXO INSIDER 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

John Jensenius is a former meteorologist and lightning safety expert with the National Weather Service who now works with the National Lightning Safety Council. He joins us to discuss what we, as backcountry and mountain hunters, should know about the risks of lightning exposure, the actions to take when storms occur, and misconceptions about lightning strikes. The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.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

Steve and Mark are back to answer your listener questions on this Monday Minute. They also discuss updates on what is going on at Exo this month — from being out of the office to launching a once-a-year sale... LINKS & RESOURCES... $5,000 Photo Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience Exo Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Packing Without Stuff Sacks: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/how-to-load-your-pack-for-a-multi-day-backpack-hunt Airlock Industries Suppressor Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/549 6mm 108 ELD-M: https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/6mm-.243-108-gr-eld-match#!/ 6mm 96 TMK: https://sierrabullets.com/6mm-95-gr-tipped-matchking-tmk/ Exo Pack Carry On Tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Uey9pu49w Down Glassing Mittens: https://firstlite.com/products/brooks-down-glassing-mitt The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ EXO INSIDER 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

A listener of the show, Klint, joins us to share the story of planning his first mountain hunt, getting diagnosed with aggressive cancer during the process, and battling back to make the hunt still happen after his recovery. We hope you are inspired and challenged by Klint's story. The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.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

If a suppressor was truly designed for backcountry and mountain hunting, how would it be different from other suppressors on the market? We answer that question with Danny from Airlock Industries. We also discuss why (and how) Danny started making suppressors, why he focused on ultralight designs, his design and testing process, what is to come for Airlock in the future, and much more... https://airlockindustries.com/ https://www.instagram.com/airlockindustriesllc/ https://www.youtube.com/@AirlockIndustries The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ Exo Experience Photo Story Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience 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

Jake joins Mark to answer your listener questions on this Monday Minute. They also discuss some updates on Jake's hunting season so far this year, stupid comments on social media, and more... LINKS & RESOURCES... $5,000 Photo Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience K4x Launch Group: https://exomtngear.com/K4x Jake & Mark's Mtn Goat Hunt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwy4H_oPDAU&list=PLxCisjM16JQUuY7xWQLdExN_rAHTxEsvv&index=8 The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ EXO INSIDER 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

A listener of the show, Jim, joins us to share the story of his Dall Sheep hunt in the Northwest Territories. We discuss Jim's experience with travel and logistics, the hunt story itself, how Jim felt about the investment in this experience, the lessons he learned, and much more... Jim's Photos & Story: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/my-august-2024-dall-dream-hunt.371570/ Jim's Gear List: https://lighterpack.com/r/iaoz9l Jim's Instagram: http://instagram.com/chefinthehunt The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ Exo Experience Photo Story Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience 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

Steve is back from his Idaho Moose hunt and joins Mark to discuss takeaways from the hunt. They also dive into listener questions about their use of the Garmin InReach, mapping and hunt planning apps, protecting a rifle on wet hunts, and more... LINKS & RESOURCES... $5,000 Photo Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience Exo Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Exo YouTube: https://exomtngear.com/youtube Exo Dry Bag Liner: https://exomtngear.com/drybag Scoped Action Cover: https://www.lswild.com/store/p30/Hunter_Scoped_Action_Armor.html The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ EXO INSIDER 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

A listener of the show, Jim, joins us to discuss his Dall Sheep hunt in the Northwest Territories. As you will hear, today's conversation was recorded before the hunt, as Jim was planning and preparing for the adventure. In the next episode, Jim joins us after his hunt to share the story, what he learned from the experience, and more... The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ Exo Experience Photo Story Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience 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

Mark goes solo to answer your listener-submitted questions about why time "slows down" during backpack hunts, if he would trade his Swarovski ATS spotter for something smaller, advice for flying with meat and antlers, what headlamp he would recommend, if a lighter puffy jacket is worth it, and how he dealt with the emotions of losing an elk... LINKS & RESOURCES... $5,000 Photo Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience Swarovski ATS: https://sandsarchery.com/products/swarovski-ats-25-50wx65-hd-spotting-scope Swarovski ATC / STC: https://sandsarchery.com/products/swarovski-atc-stc-compact-spotting-scope Alaska Air Cargo: https://www.alaskacargo.com/ Headlamps for Backpack Hunting: https://the-experience-project.com/headlamps-for-backpack-hunting/ Fenix HM50R v2: https://amzn.to/4gUsM0Z Biolite Range Headlamps: https://www.bioliteenergy.com/pages/meet-the-range-series KUIU SuperDown: https://www.kuiu.com/collections/super-down Outdoor Vitals Puffy Jacket: https://outdoorvitals.com/products/vantage-alpine-down-jacket The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ EXO INSIDER 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

"I just got home from my second year in a row of successful backpack solo elk hunting with the bow — last year with a cow, and this year with my first bull. I know that several of my deliberate decisions during the hunt (which are things I learned from listening to your podcast) led to my success. So thank you!" —Ryan We received that email from today's guest, Ryan. But that email is only part of the story. Ryan spent many years hunting elk before becoming successful over the past couple of hunts. In today's podcast with Ryan, we discuss the highs and lows of do-it-yourself solo elk hunting, what Ryan learned over the years, how he changed his hunt strategy, and how his persistence paid off. The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.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

Steve & Mark answer your listener-submitted questions about Exo Mtn Gear discounts, how to pack a head and antlers, training in the gym, how to keep motivation after years of unsuccessful hunts, and more... LINKS & RESOURCES... $5,000 Photo Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience Made in the USA: https://exomtngear.com/usa InReach Mini Holder: https://exomtngear.com/inreach Packout Strap Set: https://exomtngear.com/packout-straps Swarovski ATS: https://sandsarchery.com/products/swarovski-ats-25-50wx65-hd-spotting-scope Kowa 66: https://sandsarchery.com/products/kowa-tsn-66-25-60x-spotting-scope Wiser Ridge Warden: https://sandsarchery.com/products/wiser-precision-bt-20-ridge-warden-ball-tilt-head How to Hike Heavy: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/132 Hunting & Human Performance: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/454 Training Methods for Mountain Hunting: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/475 The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ EXO INSIDER 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

A listener of the show, Roman, discovered that he had drawn a Bighorn Ram tag in his home state of Colorado. As a relatively new hunter and someone who had not been putting in the sheep draws for long, Roman was beyond surprised to find out that he had drawn the tag, and he was excited to spend months planning, preparing, and scouting before opening day. We discuss how Roman spent those pre-season months, then dive into the story of the hunt itself. We conclude the conversation discussing gear takeaways, lessons learned from the hunt experience, and more. The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.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

Steve & Mark go Unscripted and answer your listener-submitted questions. Topics covered include lightning safety, air mattresses and inflators (yes, again), treating Exo packs with Nikwax DWR, the best water filters for backpacking, non-lead bullet recommendations, dealing with wet boots, and more... LINKS & RESOURCES... $5,000 Photo Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience $10 Exo Logo Gear: https://exomtngear.com/logo Flextail Zero Pump: https://amzn.to/46PWwso Our Water Filter Recommendations: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/backpack-hunting-basics-how-we-filter-carry-water Nikwax Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/544 Bullet & Ballistics Podcasts with "Form": Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ EXO INSIDER 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

As serious backcountry hunters, we invest hundreds of dollars... Scratch that. Who are we kidding? Most of us have invested thousands of dollars in our gear. From shelters and sleep systems, to footwear, to technical apparel, there are ways to make this gear last longer and perform better over its lifetime. But far too often, we are guilty of using our gear hard, putting it away dirty, and expecting nothing to degrade. In today's podcast, we speak with Heidi from Nikwax. We hear the backstory of Nikwax, learn about their gear care products, dive into the changing regulations with DWR chemicals, and ultimately discuss a variety of topics that will help us, as backcountry hunters, get the most from our gear. As always, we have not been incentivized by Nikwax and are not endorsing their products. We simply wanted to have them on the podcast to learn about gear care in general, and also understand the differences in their product offerings and how they may benefit us. The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.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