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.
The Expert Guests
- Nate Simmons (Producer & Co-Host of Western Hunter TV) breaks down his meticulous, analytical approach to year-round weapon proficiency, a practical approach to physical fitness, and why a detailed hunt plan is his ultimate anxiety killer.
- Brad Brooks (Owner of Argali Outdoors) shares his philosophy on ruthlessly controlling the variables within your power, the mental edge of a "one-arrow-a-day" practice routine, and how to map your scouting and hunting routes to make the most of limited time.
- Ben Reynolds (do-it-yourself sheep hunting lunatic) talks about transitioning from basic fitness to structural "durability," including bulletproofing your joints against overuse injuries, and why you must test your gear in difficult conditions before your life depends on it.
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Isaac Deuling (mountain hunting guide) weighs in with a guide's perspective, exposing the dangers of a "false sense of security" with satellite messengers and explaining why your minimalist Ziploc first-aid kit leaves you unprepared.
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.
Hear the Conversation
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
Key Takeaways
Brad Brooks
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Mindset & Framework: Brad operates from a naturally positive framework, viewing the past as finalized and the future as pure opportunity. He emphasizes that "tomorrow is always better than today" because in backcountry hunting, you never know when success will suddenly strike.
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The Role of Experience: He notes that early in his hunting career, he felt massive pressure to capitalize on a single opportunity, which made blunders devastating. With experience, that pressure lifted, allowing him to stay relaxed, execute better, and remain confident that another opportunity will arise.
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Handling Discomfort: Brad stresses that physical discomfort (being cold, wet, or tired) is entirely temporary. He emphasizes staying in the game rather than leaving early, utilizing good gear (like a tent stove in wet snow) to maintain mental sanity.
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Minimizing Distractions: He strongly advises against using modern satellite/phone technology to text or check the outside world while glassing. Staying completely locked in and avoiding distractions is a "hunting superpower" that prevents mental energy from leaking away.
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Team Dynamics: Brad believes attitudes are highly contagious. He will only hunt with partners who are 100% committed to the team and share his positive mindset, preferring to hunt alone rather than with negative companions.
Ben Reynolds
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Boundary of Mind: Ben explains that the human mind performs within the boundaries it already recognizes. If a hunter faces severe hardship or weather for the first time deep in the mountains, it can easily become overwhelming and end the hunt. Therefore, hunters should intentionally challenge themselves and face adversity during offseason training so that the mind isn't shocked when it encounters adversity on the hunt.
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Process vs. Outcome: He relies on the Latin mantra processus desiderus ("love the process" or "desire the process"). By shifting focus from a strict outcome-based goal to loving every stage of the hunt (including the suffering and the mundane tasks), hunters make better decisions and naturally achieve better outcomes.
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Perceived Difficulty: Ben notes that "hard" is a mental construct. Over time, through training and repeated exposure to difficulty, a hunter expands their physical and mental ceiling—turning tasks that once seemed impossible into something manageable.
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Personal Vulnerability: He shared an instance where a solo sheep hunt broke him down mentally. Raging glacial creeks, poor sleep, and a floorless shelter battered by shifting winds caused him to bail early. Looking back, he realizes he let the elements overwhelm his mental capability and should have adapted by moving his camp lower into the willows to wait out the storm.
Isaac Deuling
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The Guide's Perspective: Isaac prepares his mindset long before the season starts, looking at an 80-day stretch in the bush as exactly what he is built to do so that nothing can ruin the experience.
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Avoiding the "Seed of Negativity": When managing clients or hunting partners, the most crucial rule is to never plant a seed of doubt or negativity. Vocalizing complaints about drop locations or a lack of game quickly cascades into a downward mental slope for the entire group. When others panic or complain, Isaac handles it by remaining calm, deliberate, and sometimes using quiet silence to let them reset emotionally.
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Framing the Hunt: He reminds hunters that setbacks and days without seeing game are required to make the successful days meaningful, comparing it to golf where a bad game inevitably follows a great one.
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Trusting the Land: Isaac relies on the philosophy of "trusting the land" (similar to trusting the process). By continuously stacking smart decisions one after another, hunters can remain confident that the environment will eventually provide. He notes that the moose rut is a prime example of a grueling obstacle where unpredictable weather compresses the action, requiring extreme patience when the animals stop moving.
Nate Simmons
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The "Prerequisite to Success": Hunting alongside his long-time partner Randy Rocky, Nate has learned that when a situation feels entirely devastating and truly impossible, it is often a "prerequisite to success". Recognizing this feeling allows them to realize they are closer to a breakthrough than they think.
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Evolution of "Fuel": In his youth, Nate was fueled by the desire for new milestones (first 6-point, first 300-inch bull), which allowed him to endure insane physical suffering. Older now, with a family at home and a body that cannot take the same physical beatings, his fuel has evolved into seeking specific high-quality experiences, exploring legendary drainages, and targeting older age-class animals.
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Making the Best vs. Easiest Decision: Nate admits he doesn't struggle with quitting, but he does struggle with the temptation to make the easy decision over the best decision when dealt a devastating blow (e.g., finding out plan C is overrun by another camp).
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The Power of Detailed Plans & History: To combat the urge to take the easy way out, Nate relies on a highly detailed hunt plan and recalls past personal history where choosing the brutal route paid off. He shares a pivotal story of turning right back around for a scorching 22-mile round-trip pack hunt in Utah rather than taking an easy road-hunting alternative with fast food nearby, resulting in a 198-inch velvet buck. He reminds hunters that once you commit to the harder, correct choice, the mental burden lifts and the hunt feels entirely rejuvenated.