In this episode, a listener of the show, Jim, shares his experience and insights on hunting mountain lions in the Pacific Northwest. He discusses the best times and locations to hunt, calling strategies and hunting techniques, the importance of patience and woodsmanship, and the unique experience of eating mountain lion meat. If you want a better understanding of the challenges and excitement that come with hunting these elusive predators, you will enjoy this episode.

"It's high energy and high adrenaline."

Jim's Instagram: @pnw_mountain_lion

CHAPTERS...

00:02:02 — Jim's Background and Experience 00:05:37 — Historical Figures in Hunting 00:08:14 — Understanding Mountain Lion Hunting Seasons 00:11:19 — Oregon's Mountain Lion Quotas and Regulations 00:15:25 — The Experience of Eating Mountain Lion 00:17:23 — Aging and Sizing Mountain Lions 00:19:49 — Targeting Areas for Mountain Lion Hunting 00:24:47 — Calling Techniques and Setups 00:29:01 — Placement and Visibility in Calling 00:33:16 — Stealth and Approach of Mountain Lions 00:36:38 — Equipment and Safety in Mountain Lion Hunting 00:40:29 — Close Calls and Recovery Experiences 00:42:54 — Vocalizations and Calling Strategies 00:44:41 — Patience and Woodsmanship in Hunting 00:46:29 — State Regulations and Costs for Mountain Lion Hunting 00:50:24 — Overlooked Hunting Adventures

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 are back from Hunt Expo and share some thoughts from the show, and also answer listener-submitted questions about the best K4 Pack Accessory, what is different on the packs that Exo sells to the Military, if they will be shooting a new flagship bow for 2026, and more...

Links for this episode...

• The Experience Challenge Waitlist: https://exomtngear.com/challenge
• Roughridge Stove: https://roughridgestove.com/
• K4 Nalgene Holder: https://exomtngear.com/nalgene
• K4 Pack Materials: https://exomtngear.com/usa
• Wild Sheep Society of BC's Mountain Hunting Expo: https://www.wildsheepsociety.com/mhe
• Northwest Hunt Expo in OR: https://nwhuntexpo.com/

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, a listener of the show, Caleb, shares his journey into sheep hunting in Alaska, detailing his first successful solo hunt. He discusses the challenges he faced, including planning, logistics, and the importance of hydration and nutrition. Caleb reflects on the emotional aspects of the hunt, the thrill of spotting and taking a legal ram, and the physical demands of packing out.

"I was ready to get out."

Caleb's Self-Filmed Hunt Video — https://youtu.be/-pZ3PxHc7iA

The Experience Challenge — https://exomtngear.com/challenge

CHAPTERS...

00:02:19 — Caleb's Background and Move to Alaska 00:07:26 — First Sheep Hunt Experience 00:10:30 — Planning the Successful Sheep Hunt 00:18:40 — The Hunt Begins: Setting Up Camp 00:24:06 — Challenges of Solo Hunting and Water Management 00:32:06 — The Opener: Anticipation and Illness 00:37:51 — Spotting the Legal Ram 00:45:47 — The Moment of Truth: Taking the Shot 00:50:10 — Reflections on the Accomplishment 01:02:21 — Packing Out: The Reality of the Journey 01:08:55 — Final Thoughts and Takeaways

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 questions about The Experience Challenge — discussing the official launch date, participant eligibility, challenge details, required gear, the purpose behind the challenge, and more...

Join the Challenge waitlist: https://exomtngear.com/challenge

Links for this episode...

• The Experience Challenge: https://exomtngear.com/challenge
• Mark's Sheep Gear List (and video): https://exomtngear.com/sheep-gear
• Joey's Sheep Gear List: https://katmaiguideservice.com/dall-sheep-gear-and-equipment/
• Western Hunting & Conservation Expo in SLC: https://huntexpo.com/
• Wild Sheep Society of BC's Mountain Hunting Expo: https://www.wildsheepsociety.com/mhe
• Northwest Hunt Expo in OR: https://nwhuntexpo.com/

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, Russell, joins us to share the story of a do-it-yourself elk and mule deer in Colorado, which he went on with his Dad, brother, and a couple of llamas. As non-residents, we hear how they planned and prepared for this hunt, what Russell learned from pre-season scouting, how the hunt unfolded, what they experienced hunting with llamas for the first time, and much more.

"I just want to go hunt."

CHAPTERS...

00:04:06 — Choosing Colorado: The Hunt's Background 00:09:03 — The Unique Experience of Hunting with Llamas 00:15:00 — Scouting and Preparing for the Hunt 00:26:49 — The First Days of Hunting: Successes and Challenges 00:39:46 — Lessons Learned from the Hunt 00:56:00 — Reflections on the Experience and Future Plans

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 learn from Alaska Master Guide and Owner of Katmai/Aniakchak Guide Service, Joey Klutsch.

We discuss the challenges of mountain hunting, the importance of physical and mental preparation, and the realities of guiding clients through demanding hunts.

Joey shares insights on gear that matters for mountain hunting, the dynamics of client relationships, and the impact of population changes on hunting regulations, and a whole lot more.

"You have to want it to succeed."

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...

• The Experience Challenge: https://exomtngear.com/challenge
• Joey's Website: https://katmaiguideservice.com/
• Joey's Instagram: https://instagram.com/aniakchakguideservice

CHAPTERS...

00:03:01 — Meet Joey Clutch: A Guide's Journey 00:11:01 — The Challenges of Mountain Hunting 00:21:50 — Mental Toughness in Hunting 00:25:22 — The Importance of Preparation 00:31:39 — Understanding Special Use Permits 00:37:15 — Gear Essentials for Successful Hunts 00:44:19 — The Art of Guiding: Client Relationships 00:52:11 — Population Dynamics and Hunting Regulations 00:56:17 — Booking Hunts: Strategies and Considerations 01:09:21 — Tipping Your Guide: Best Practices

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

Announcing The Experience Challenge. A challenge where you could win a Dall Sheep or Mountain Goat hunt in Alaska.

This is not a raffle. This is not a contest. This is a challenge.

You vs you. Do the work, and you're in.

In this episode, Steve & Mark explain the vision behind the Challenge and begin to share some details for how all of this will work. If you are interested... no, not just interested... If you are committed, then sign up to learn more and get the first chance at joining the Challenge:

https://exomtngear.com/challenge

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 dive deep into the vast wilderness of Alaska with Bjorn Dihle, a lifelong Alaska resident and outdoorsman. From the intricacies of bear viewing and the challenges of hunting blacktail deer to the controversial Ambler Road project, Bjorn shares his unique experience and perspectives, emphasizing the importance of staying engaged with conservation efforts, the unique beauty and challenges of Southeast Alaska, and much more.

"This is your land; it matters to you."

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...

• Bjorn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjorndihle/
• Bjorn's Books: https://amzn.to/4a2Z5rs
• https://huntfishbrooksrange.com/
• https://www.northernjournal.com/
• https://www.trcp.org/
• https://salmonstate.org/salmonstate-campaigns/#southeast

CHAPTERS...

00:00:00— Exploring the Wilds of Alaska 00:02:11— Meet Bjorn: A Lifelong Alaskan Adventurer 00:10:17— The Dynamics of Bear Viewing and Conservation 00:15:00— The Ambler Road Project: Controversies and Implications 00:26:17— Southeast Alaska: A Hunter's Paradise 00:32:21 — The Unique Challenges of Hunting Blacktails 00:54:52 — Understanding Bear Behavior and Safety 01:12:32 — Bjorn's Insights on Conservation and Future of Alaska

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