The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

The hunt doesn't end when the shot is fired—that’s when the real work begins. In this final installment of our expert roundtable series, we assume the tag is filled and focus on what it takes to successfully "complete the mission" in the backcountry.

From tracking and post-shot discipline to field dressing, caping, meat preservation, and high-mileage packout logistics, four seasoned mountain hunters share their distinct perspectives on handling the aftermath of a successful hunt:

Nate Simmons breaks down the mental game of blood-trailing, why you need an extraction plan before pulling the trigger, prioritizing meat care over filming, and using tech like temperature sensors to monitor meat during long drives home.

Ben Reynolds discusses post-shot scope discipline, mechanical resets, managing multi-mile solo packouts through strategic load "shuttling," and techniques for keeping meat dry or chilled in extreme environments.

Isaac Deuling brings a guide’s perspective on showing respect to harvested game, caping for the taxidermist, cutting meat by natural muscle sections, and tactics for keeping scavengers away from meat piles.

Brad Brooks emphasizes staying locked in post-shot, knowing your physical limits before taking a shot, mapping terrain bottlenecks for efficient packout stages, and solo field-deboning strategies.

Whether you’re heading out on a solo backcountry elk hunt or guiding in remote terrain, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom to help you protect your harvest, stay safe, and execute a seamless packout.

All Roundtable Episodes: https://exomtngear.com/roundtable

The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/

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The Monday Minute is back! After a hiatus since April, the guys return to recap a busy few months, answer listener updates, and share their upcoming fall hunting plans.

Experience Challenge Recap: A look back at the experience challenge that wrapped up in July, including giving away two sheep hunts and a mountain goat hunt, participant milestones, and plans for the program.

K4x Pack System: An inside update on the multi-year development of the K4x—a lightweight version of the K4 system that retains 100% of the durability, performance, and cross-compatibility.

Upcoming Fall Hunts: Steve and Mark share their fall schedules, including a September Alaska trip for black bear, caribou, and moose, an Afognak Island elk hunt, and a second-rifle mule deer hunt in Colorado.

Podcast Roadmap: Updates on upcoming listener story episodes, guest appearances, and a preview of the final 2026 Roundtable episode on post-shot recovery and meat care.

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Finding a high-country animal is tough, but getting into position and actually closing the deal? That’s where the real challenge begins.

In this fourth installment of our expert roundtable, we dive into what it truly takes to capitalize on shot opportunities in the backcountry. We’re joined by four seasoned hunters—Ben Reynolds, Isaac Deuling, Nate Simmons, and Brad Brooks—to break down the critical moments between spotting an animal and pulling the trigger or releasing an arrow.

Together, the panel covers:

Patience vs. Aggression: How Ben Reynolds balances slow, methodical glassing with a "default aggressive" mindset once a stalk route is set.

The Guide’s Perspective: Isaac Deuling’s non-negotiable rules on hunter safety, reading subtle mountain winds, and setting up rock-solid shot positions.

High-Country Bowhunting Tactics: Nate Simmons on playing the long game, knowing when to pull the plug, and using mental visualization to execute under 60 yards.

Mastering the "Red Zone": Brad Brooks on trusting your instincts, managing risk late in a hunt, and flipping the mental switch from analyzing to executing.

Whether you're chasing rams, high-country mule deer, or mountain elk, this episode is packed with practical strategies, gear considerations, and mental frameworks to help you turn hard-earned opportunities into filled tags.

All Roundtable Episodes: https://exomtngear.com/roundtable

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

You’ve e-scouted, hiked in, and invested heavily—but there’s no sign, the weather is crashing, and hunting pressure is high. What do you do next?

Today, we continue our expert roundtable series by diving into the practical side of adapting to adversity. We bring together four veteran backcountry hunters to debate one of the hardest questions in the field: When should you stay patient and trust the process, and when is it time to abandon your plan and move?

In this episode, you’ll learn from:

Isaac Deuling on why you shouldn't "fall in love with your plan," how he manages patience during remote sheep and moose hunts, and using daily "mindsets" to guide your decisions.

Nate Simmons on balancing spot-and-stalk tactics, knowing when to pull the plug on an area, and why persistence kills more game out west than any single tactic.

Brad Brooks on trusting your gut intuition, avoiding the trap of overanalyzing animal behavior, and the most efficient times of day to relocate camp.

Ben Reynolds on the physical demands of covering high alpine terrain, ensuring you effectively cover an area before moving, and how strategy varies between sheep and elk.

All Roundtable Episodes: https://exomtngear.com/roundtable

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

Every experienced backcountry hunter knows that it isn’t a question of if you will face an obstacle on your hunt, but when that difficulty is coming. Whether it’s a sudden mountain storm, a blown stalk, unexpected hunting pressure, or a target animal that seemingly disappears into thin air, the true separator between success and failure isn't your gear—it's your mindset.

In this second episode of our 2026 Expert Roundtable series, we sit down with veteran hunters Nate Simmons, Brad Brooks, Ben Reynolds, and Isaac Deuling to break down the mental game of backcountry hunting. The guys pull back the curtain to discuss past struggles and the mindset they use to stay in the game when things go wrong.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

Brad Brooks on why tomorrow is always better than today, how to build confidence through experience, and the "hunting superpower" of tuning out digital distractions.

Ben Reynolds on the power of processus desiderus (loving the process), why "hard" is just a mental construct, and why the offseason is the right place to test your mental limits.

Isaac Deuling on a guide’s golden rule: never plant a "seed of negativity," and how to maintain group morale when the elements or the animals refuse to cooperate.

Nate Simmons on recognizing when a devastating situation is actually a "prerequisite to success," and how to force yourself to make the best decision instead of the easiest one.

Whether you are gearing up for a grueling solo backpack hunt or heading into the wilderness with a partner, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom that will reshape how you react when things don't go your way.

All Roundtable Episodes: https://exomtngear.com/roundtable

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