Exo Journal — Deer Hunting

Finding a high-country animal is tough, but getting into position and actually closing the deal? That’s where the real challenge begins. Whether you're chasing rams, high-country mule deer, or mountain elk, this fourth episode of our 2026 Expert Roundtable series is packed with practical strategies, gear considerations, and mental frameworks to help you turn hard-earned opportunities into filled tags — breaking down the critical moments between spotting an animal and pulling the trigger or releasing an arrow. Topics & Guests Patience vs. Aggression: How Ben Reynolds balances slow, methodical glassing with a "default aggressive" mindset once a stalk route is...

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? In this third installment of our 2026 Expert Roundtable series, we dive 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? The Expert Guests Isaac Deuling (mountain hunting guide) on why you shouldn't "fall in love with your plan," how...

If you asked 1,500 hunters about the specific hunting skills and knowledge that it takes to become more successful in the backcountry, what do you think they would say? 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 the key areas of hunting skills and knowledge that hunters found to be most important to their success,...

Don't let the harsh conditions of Kodiak Island ruin your hunt. Discover the best rifles, glassing tools and packing essentials for a Sitka Blacktail adventure.