Dr. John Deloney is a mental health expert, bestselling author, comedian — and, yes, passionate backcountry hunter. In this conversation, we explore the intersection of mental health and hunting. This conversation is unlike any other we have had over the 10+ years of The Hunt Backcountry Podcast. We explore...

• Escaping vs. Reconnecting: The fine line between using hunting to avoid real-life responsibilities and using it as an intentional tool to find beauty, slow down, and return home as a better husband and father.
• Bonds Formed In The Backcountry: How modern culture has left us digitally "connected" without authentic human connections, and why hunting serves as a rare forge for authentic adult friendships.
• Dangers of a Hunting Identity: How easily men can get trapped in living for a "dance monkey dance" lifestyle of achievements, and how to tether your identity to something bigger than a trophy scorecard or an Instagram photo.

Connect with John...

• Website: https://johndelony.com/
• Podcast: The Dr. John Deloney Show
• Instagram: @johndelony
• Books: https://amzn.to/4wFig5a

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

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

In this fourth installment of the Backcountry Blueprint series, we dive into data from over 1,500 hunters to identify the true gear failures that end hunts early. We aren't just talking about gear that hunters "didn't like," but the specific equipment issues that negatively changed the outcome of a hunt. Steve and Mark break down the five most common failure points reported by hunters and share how you can prevent these issues before you ever hit the trailhead.

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

Contact Us: [email protected]

Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

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

Kyle Kamp — Registered Dietitian, mountain athlete, owner of Valley-to-Peak Nutrition, and friend of Exo — returns to the podcast to discuss nutrition strategies for your pre-season goals. Whether you are looking to shed some weight, put on some size, or improve your performance for your training and hunting goals, Kyle discusses straightforward, science-based nutrition strategies to help you meet your goal. We dive into...

• Realistic Fat Loss: Why losing 1–2 pounds per week is the "sweet spot" for maintaining muscle mass and training performance.
• The Power of the Audit: Using tracking not as a restriction, but as a data-driven tool to understand what you are actually putting in your body.
• Fueling for Intensity: Understanding why "Team Versatility"—a mix of carbohydrates and fats—outperforms rigid dietary philosophies when the mountain gets steep.
• Protein Realities: How to calculate your protein needs based on your desired weight rather than your current weight.
• The Supplement Myth: Kyle shares why he personally takes zero daily supplements and how he prioritizes whole foods instead.
• Backcountry Preparation: How to adjust your intake as you transition from the training phase to the actual hunt to avoid going into the mountains depleted.

Whether you are looking to drop weight before a September elk hunt or want to ensure you have the energy to stay strong on day seven of a backcountry trip, this episode is packed with free, actionable advice.

More resources from V2P Nutrition:

• Website: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/
• Podcast: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/podcast
• Articles: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/blog
• Backcountry Meat Care: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/backcountry-meat-care
• Do-It-Yourself Dehydrating Guide: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/dehydration-guide
• Backcountry Meal Planner: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/product-page/backcountry-pack-planner
• Backcountry Nutrition Course: https://www.v2pnutrition.com/program-list

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

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Contact Us: [email protected]

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

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

In this "on-the-road" episode, Steve, Mark, and Justin recap a successful backpack spring bear hunt. The crew discusses the hunt strategy and story, the tactics that helped them find success, how the 22 Creedmoor performed, and other hunt takeaways.

For photos, gear notes, and other resources from this hunt, visit: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/spring-bear-tactics-and-gear

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

Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Contact Us: [email protected]

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

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

In this episode of the Backcountry Blueprint series, we break down real data from 1,500 hunters to uncover the essential skills and knowledge required to make living in the wild feel like second nature. This episode moves beyond the "how-to" of hunting and focuses on the "how-to" of surviving and thriving in the backcountry.

The goal is simple: master your environment so you can spend less energy on survival and more on the hunt itself.

"Have less, do less, hunt more." By eliminating extras and refining your habits, you free up the mental and physical energy you need to become a more capable hunter.

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

Contact Us: [email protected]

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

In this episode, we talk about hunting Mountain Goats on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Our guest, Joey Klutsch, is an Alaska Master Guide and Owner of Katmai/Aniakchak Guide Service.

He will be taking the winner of The Experience Challenge on a Kodiak Mountain Goat Hunt. We discuss the logistics of the hunt, what makes this hunt unique, how to identify and judge mountain goats, what gear is and isn't required, and much more. 

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...

• The Experience Challenge: https://exomtngear.com/challenge
• Joey's Website: https://katmaiguideservice.com/
• Joey's Instagram: https://instagram.com/aniakchakguideservice
• Alaska Mountain Goat Identification Guide: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/hunting/goathunting/pdfs/goat_identification_guide_for_web_2014.pdf

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

Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Contact Us: [email protected]

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

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

In this episode of the Backcountry Blueprint series, we break down real data from 1,500 hunters to uncover the most common reasons backcountry hunts fail—and how to fix them. Instead of blaming weather, pressure, or luck, the conversation zeroes in on what’s actually within your control, from quitting early and a poor mindset, to lack of preparation, physical limitations, and bad decision-making in the field.

We dig into the critical factors that separate success from failure: persistence, mental toughness, effective scouting, gear management, and shot execution under pressure. Packed with honest reflection and practical takeaways, this episode is all about helping you identify your weak points, take ownership, and become a more consistent and capable backcountry hunter.

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

Contact Us: [email protected]

Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

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

In this bonus Q&A episode of the Hunt Backcountry Podcast, we’re joined again by John from Evoke Endurance to tackle listener questions on training for backcountry hunts. We dive into the realities of balancing competing priorities, building fitness for multi-day hunts, and why aerobic base—not VO2 max—is the true foundation of performance in the mountains.

John breaks down how to structure your training with limited time, how to think about strength vs. endurance, and what really matters when preparing for cumulative fatigue in the backcountry. We also get into practical topics like heart rate-based training, adapting plans around injuries, fueling strategies, and what to do when life inevitably disrupts your schedule.

If you’re trying to train smarter—not just harder—for your next hunt, this episode is packed with actionable insight.

THE TRAINING PLANS...

• Use code EXO before 04/30/26 to save on the training plans...
• 20 Week Training Plan: https://evokeendurance.com/training-plans/backcountry-hunting-20-week-training-plan/
• 28 Week Training Plan: https://evokeendurance.com/training-plans/backcountry-hunting-training-plan/

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...

• Episode 574 | "Building the Mountain Hunter: Physiology, Foundations, and the 20-Week Training Plan": https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/574
• Episode 475 | "Proven Training Methods for the Mountain Hunter": https://the-experience-project.com/proven-training-for-mountain-hunting/
• Understanding V02 Max: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/understanding-max-vo2/
• Additional Free Resources from Evoke: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/

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

Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Contact Us: [email protected]

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

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

In this episode of the Hunt Backcountry Podcast, Vince Paikowski, a former Army Ranger and winner of the Best Ranger Competition, joins us to discuss the intersection of elite military conditioning and backcountry hunting.

Vince discusses his work as a coach with Evoke Endurance, where he helps develop specialized training plans for rugged mountain environments.

We discuss…

• The Best Ranger Competition: Insights into the grueling 60-hour endurance event that tests the physical and cognitive limits of two-man Ranger teams.
• Rucking Mechanics: Why walking fast is more efficient than running under load and how to build "ruck economy" through progressive weight increases.
• Shooting Under Fatigue: A breakdown of military studies showing how high aerobic fitness preserves marksmanship and cognitive decision-making during physical stress.
• Training Without Mountains: Practical strategies for flat-land athletes, including hill sprints, plyometric complexes, and using "stress inoculation" to prepare for the mental challenges of a hunt.
• The Evolution of the Ranger: A historical look at how soldier size and training requirements have shifted from WWII to the modern era, and the potential costs of prioritizing muscle mass over aerobic capacity.

Whether you are preparing for a 10-day mountain hunt or looking to improve your overall resilience, this conversation will provide insights to help you become a more capable backcountry athlete.

THE TRAINING PLANS...

• Use code EXO before 04/30/26 to save on the training plans...
• 20 Week Training Plan: https://evokeendurance.com/training-plans/backcountry-hunting-20-week-training-plan/
• 28 Week Training Plan: https://evokeendurance.com/training-plans/backcountry-hunting-training-plan/

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...

• Episode 574 | "Building the Mountain Hunter: Physiology, Foundations, and the 20-Week Training Plan": https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/574
• Episode 475 | "Proven Training Methods for the Mountain Hunter": https://the-experience-project.com/proven-training-for-mountain-hunting/
• Data on Rucking Fitness & Shooting Ability: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/aerobic-training-for-the-military-athlete/
• Additional Free Resources from Evoke: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/

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

Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Contact Us: [email protected]

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

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

If you had an opportunity to ask 1,500 hunters to share the most important reasons they have had success in the backcountry, what do you think they would say?

If they were to remove any “luck” that helped them find success (and, yes, luck is often a factor), what was in their control that they did right?

We asked those hunters, and we have those answers.

As part of The Experience Challenge, we had 1,500+ hunters complete a detailed Hunt Reflection. Their answers inspired this new series, The Backcountry Blueprint. In each installment, we distill key takeaways from 1,500+ hunters to help you master the backcountry.

Today, we are discussing the attributes of a successful backcountry hunt. Based on detailed reflections from 1,500+ hunters, we identified their 7 most important factors of success.

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

Contact Us: [email protected]

Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

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

Steve & Mark announce a new schedule for the Monday Minute episodes and a new series coming to the podcast soon. They also dive into listener questions about their archery shot sequence, use of the K4 Quick-Release Rifle Carrier, choosing between First Focal Plane and Second Focal Plane rifle scopes, and share some helpful advice from a listener about backcountry rescue.

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

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VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast