The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

In this Monday Minute, Steve and Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on a variety of topics, including...

Hunting Burnout: What to do when you don't enjoy the hunt any longer?

Short Rifles: Do we have any regrets using 16" barrels on our big game hunting rifles?

Tall Packs: How does frame height influence pack comfort and performance for tall people?

Bad Water: What to do if your water tastes like a tire when you drink from your water bladder?

RESOURCES...

Nick Peters Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-nick-peters-memorial-fund

Short Barrel Speeds & Effective Range for Hunting: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/short-barrel-speeds-and-range-for-hunting

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

In Memory of Nicholas "Nick" Peters
June 19th, 1992 - September 15th, 2026

Nick was wholeheartedly devoted to his wife and three children. He loved his family and dedicated his life to mastering skills as a bush pilot, welder, and outdoorsman to selflessly provide for them. He had an admirable work ethic, a wild sense of humor, and an unwavering ability to authentically connect with people. He will be missed across Alaska and beyond.

Support Nick's Family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-nick-peters-memorial-fund

Additionally, donations can be made to Nick's family via check or card by contacting Stoddard's Aircraft Parts at 907-272-2327, or via Venmo to @nickpetersfund.

Our podcast with Nick: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/472

In this Monday Minute, Steve and Mark catch up on what they've been up to over the past few weeks. Before they dive into listener questions, they share the unfortunate news about the death of a friend, former podcast guest, and beloved member of the hunting and flying community in Alaska, Nick Peters.

LISTENER QUESTIONS...

22 Creedmoor: Our experience with it so far. And how we'd compare it to the 6mm Creed?

Ranging Elk: Is the "risk" of ranging worth it for archery encounters?

Boned-Out Meat: Can bone-out when evidence of sex is required?

Gear for Going Solo: What gear changes (additions or subtractions to the pack) on a solo hunt compared to a shared hunt?

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

In this episode, we hear from former Olympic-level rifle athlete and coach Dan Jordan. After a rock climbing accident left him paralyzed at age 19, Dan adapted his mindset and physical approach to continue hunting remote backcountry wilderness, and even hunting solo from his wheelchair. In this inspiring and practical conversation, Dan shares his perspective on overcoming physical barriers, mastering shot execution, and cultivating the mental discipline required for backcountry success.

Key Topics & Takeaways

The Mindset of "Radical Acceptance": Rather than dwelling on limitations, Dan emphasizes identifying reality as it is, eliminating excuses, and immediately focusing on the next actionable step.

Saying "I Can't" is a Choice: How hunters often limit themselves with mental barriers—whether regarding difficult pack-outs or staying present during long sits—and how changing your framing unlocks new opportunities.

Translating Olympic Precision to Big Game: Lessons from high-level competitive shooting, including shot process mechanics, narrowing focus into a "funnel," and managing target panic or "buck fever".

Mastering Recoil & Follow-Through: Why follow-through is critical for spotting impacts, calling shots, and staying focused through the break, alongside the value of using trainer rifles to build proper habits.

Solo Wilderness Hunts from a Wheelchair: Incredible stories of grit, from engineering custom three-wheeled rigs for solo turkey hunts to harvesting bulls deep in non-motorized wilderness areas.

Patience as Mental Toughness: Why sitting motionless in a hot blind or enduring hours in the snow requires the same level of mental endurance as a grueling backcountry pack-out

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 Monday Minute, Steve and Mark unpack the realities of water resistance in hunting packs, break down why no modern pack is truly 100% waterproof, and explain how seams, zippers, and DWR breakdown impact performance. They also dive into satellite messaging distractions, the critical trade-offs between pack weight and backcountry performance, and why traditional rain covers do more harm than good.

TOPICS COVERED...

Satellite Messaging & Focus: Managing off-grid connectivity and keeping your mind on the hunt.

System Trade-offs: Balancing pack weight, comfort, rifle accuracy, and backcountry endurance.

Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant: The truth about technical fabrics, seam failure, DWR degradation, and zipper leaks.

Rain Covers vs. Dry Bags: Why rain covers fall short and how an internal dry bag liner keeps critical gear safe. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED...

Sleep Better in the Backcountry: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/sleep-better-on-backpack-hunts

onX SOS: https://www.onxmaps.com/sos

Roundtable Podcast Series: https://exomtngear.com/roundtable

Exo Dry Bag Liners: https://exomtngear.com/drybag

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