Exo Journal

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...

The food you pack for a multi-day backpack hunt significantly impacts your energy, performance, and overall enjoyment. Putting together your backcountry menu is part science, part preference. You need the right amount of calories, the ratio of macronutrients that fuel you best, and foods that are palatable enough that you don’t have to force yourself to eat something that doesn’t sound good or sit well in your gut. The purpose of this article isn’t to dig into the science behind “food as fuel” or to share a complete example of everything we pack on backpack hunts. While we have covered...

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 asked four incredibly experienced and successful backcountry hunters how they prepare for their personal hunts. The Expert Guests Nate Simmons (Producer & Co-Host of Western Hunter TV) breaks down...

If you asked 1,500 hunters about specific ways to make the most of shot opportunities, and ethically and effectively kill their target animal, what do you think they would say matters most? 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're looking at how to make the most of each shot opportunity, including what hunters have learned from...