The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

In this kickoff to our brand-new 2026 Expert Roundtable series, we are diving deep into the practical aspects of hunt preparation. When you step into the mountains, you enter a world of endless variables. You can’t control the weather or the wildlife—but you can control many things that will prepare you for the unknown.

To break down exactly what it takes to build unwavering confidence before a hunt, we gather four incredibly experienced and successful backcountry hunters, each bringing a different perspective to the table:

Nate Simmons (Producer & Co-Host of Western Hunter TV) breaks down his meticulous, analytical approach to year-round weapon proficiency, a practical approach to physical fitness, and why a detailed hunt plan is his ultimate anxiety killer.

Brad Brooks (Owner of Argali Outdoors) shares his philosophy on ruthlessly controlling the variables within your power, the mental edge of a "one-arrow-a-day" practice routine, and how to map your scouting and hunting routes to make the most of limited time.

Ben Reynolds (do-it-yourself sheep hunting lunatic) talks about transitioning from basic fitness to structural "durability," including bulletproofing your joints against overuse injuries, and why you must test your gear in difficult conditions before your life depends on it.

Isaac Deuling (mountain hunting guide) weighs in with a guide's perspective, exposing the dangers of a "false sense of security" with satellite messengers and explaining why your minimalist Ziploc first-aid kit leaves you unprepared.

Whether you are gearing up for an archery elk hunt, a high-country mule deer tag, or a remote backpack expedition, this episode is packed with timeless, actionable takeaways to elevate your prep and ensure you have a plan to prepare for opening day.

Links & Resources

Episode Notes: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/expert-lessons-in-hunt-preparation

All Roundtable Podcast Episodes: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/tagged/roundtable 

Previous episodes with these guests:

285 | Unscripted with Brad Brooks of Argali Outdoors

408 | Backpack Hunt Breakdown — Solo Sheep (with Ben Reynolds)

461 | The 5 Attributes You Need for Mountain Hunting (with Ben Reynolds)

477 | How to Thrive on Difficult Hunts(with Ben Reynolds)

527 | Nate Simmons on Advanced Archery, Stalking Strategy, Filming Hunts, 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

What actually happens to our bodies when we sweat? Why do we cramp? And why do you feel hungover at the start of a backcountry hunt at altitude?

In this episode, we dive deep into a scientific look at hydration and electrolytes. Driven by a listener question from Max—a Midwest hunter who struggles with the transition to high-altitude mountain hunts—we bring on Dr. Robert, a leading expert in biomedical and nutritional sciences with decades of experience studying environmental medicine for the U.S. Army. Robert isn't just a lab coat; he’s an avid mountaineer, ice climber, and trail runner who has put this science to the test in the field.

We break down the foundational physiology of how fluid shifts in the body, the truth behind popular electrolyte marketing, and how to build a practical hydration strategy that works for you.

What We Discuss:

The Biology of Sweat: Where your body actually pulls water from when you sweat (hint: it's your bloodstream) and how it affects your cardiovascular system.

The Marketing vs. Science of Electrolytes: Are high-sodium trend drinks a waste of money? We discuss the role of glucose as a carrier and how the World Health Organization (WHO) oral rehydration formula compares to commercial supplements.

Cold & Altitude Hydration: Why you pee more in freezing temperatures (Cold-Induced Diuresis) and how ascending above 8,000 feet actively forces your kidneys to dump fluid.

The Truth About Cramping: Why there is no definitive scientific evidence linking electrolyte deficiencies to muscle cramps—and what is actually happening instead.

Real-World Fueling: The underrated power of salty snacks and freeze-dried meals for fluid retention on multi-day efforts.

Links & Resources:

$10 Podcast Shirts: The Hunt Backcountry Podcast shirts are back! Grab yours for just $10: https://exomtngear.com/logo

Connect with the Show: Have a question, guest suggestion, or topic idea? Email us at podcast@exomtngear.com

Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please pause, leave us a rating or review in your favorite podcast app, and hit subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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

A listener of the show, Andrew, joins us to share the story about his unguided Dall Sheep hunt in Alaska. Navigating the mountains as a non-resident via the next-of-kin rule, Andrew underwent a massive mental and physical transformation to prepare for one of the most rugged hunts you can imagine.

What we discuss:

The Prep: Cutting pack weight down and testing the bounds of mental toughness.

The Crisis: Dealing with back-to-back rifle misfires/primer strikes with a legal ram in his crosshairs.

The Reward: Taking a phenomenal 40-inch, green-scoring Boone & Crockett ram.

The Packout: Navigating endless alders, a 7-hour bushwhack, and getting weathered-in at a remote cabin.

Andrew's Gear List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16qNP8mOJwaxeGeIJrLxJD-ZJV6KHl_TAvOzqjA9ZAuE/view

Housekeeping: Did the last episode (Blueprint 07) sound glitchy or have an echo? We caught a hosting file error early on and fixed it, but some podcast apps did not import the new version. To get the correct version, play the episode at https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/bbp-7.

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

How can you make the most of every shot opportunity on a backcountry hunt?

In episode seven of our Backcountry Blueprint series, we dive deep into survey data collected from over 1,500 backcountry hunters to discuss how you can prepare to "master the moment" and capitalize on your chances.

Steve and Mark break down the data and share their personal hunting experiences across seven ways to prepare before the hunt:

Making Practice More Realistic

Solidifying a Consistent Shot Process

Shooting in Challenging Terrain & Conditions

Utilizing Competition to Increase Stress

Eliminating Weaknesses in the Weapon System

Increasing Accuracy at Extended Ranges

Improving Decision-Making at the "Moment of Truth"

To access the resources mentioned in this discussion, along with all other episodes in this series, visit...


The Backcountry Blueprint: https://exomtngear.com/blueprint


Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

What can a two-time Olympic biathlete teach you about becoming a better backcountry hunter?

A lot more than you think. In this episode, we sit down with elite Team USA biathlete and lifelong hunter Paul Schommer to explore the fascinating intersection of high-level endurance sports and the mental grit required in the field.

Paul breaks down how competing on the world stage—balancing maximum physical output on cross-country skis with the absolute stillness required for precision shooting—perfectly translates to the physiological and psychological stress hunters face when an animal walks into range.

We dive deep into:

The Physiology of Stress: How Paul manages a racing heart rate through a strict breathing cadence and an automated shot sequence.

The Pillars of a Perfect Shot: Why shifting almost all of your active focus to your trigger squeeze and follow-through changes everything.

The Power of Visualization: Replicating high-stress scenarios in your mind so you are emotionally prepared when the big moment finally arrives.

Trusting Your "Normal": Why striving to do something "special" in the field often leads to mistakes, and how to embrace the Norwegian sports philosophy that your baseline preparation is already good enough.

The Cross-Crossover to Archery: How Paul sold off his Team USA Olympic gear to fund a new bow, drew a once-in-a-lifetime North Dakota moose tag, and used archery principles to improve his biathlon career.

Whether you are looking to fine-tune your rifle mechanics, manage "buck fever" under pressure, or structure your physical conditioning for the upcoming season, Paul's process-oriented mindset offers a masterclass in execution.

Connect with Paul:

http://clean-pursuit.com

https://www.instagram.com/cleanpursuit_

https://www.instagram.com/paultschommer

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