Exo Journal — Mindset

Should you sacrifice time where you could be hunting for yourself to go on a friend's hunt with him? I mean, with time being such a valuable commodity for most of us, are there good reasons (other than being a nice guy) to dedicate some of your time in the field to help your buddies? I would argue an emphatic "yes" to that question, and in no particular order, here are some of my reasons for saying so…

Bowhunting is an art. You can't expect to pick up a brush for the first time and paint the Mona Lisa. Stick figures are more like it. As a newer bowhunter, you're going to fail most of the time — and that's ok. After a rough start, you just need a lot of persistence and patience, and you'll make things happen...

Is it possible to maximize every day you have in the backcountry by quickly and confidently making choices without agonizing over the potential pros and cons of each one? I believe it is, but it’s going to take some forethought. Here is how I battle against "paralysis by analysis" during my hunts...

While newer hunters “don’t know what they don’t know”, experienced hunters often know more than they may be able to communicate effectively. This gap between the experienced and the beginner is something we explore in this episode covering “What I wish I knew when I started” lessons.

There are a lot of variables and added layers of difficulty that come with solo hunting in the backcountry. The questions you may consider include — Is solo hunting actually a good idea? Is it worth it? And is it right for you? I believe a strong case can be made that solo hunting is, in fact, a good idea IF you...

The 2021 Death Hike began with a flight into a remote airstrip, deep in Idaho's Frank Church "River of No Return" Wilderness. Two groups landed at two different airstrips, and upon waving goodbye to the Cessna planes, each group had the goal of hiking out of the wilderness over the next 48 hours.

The most important thing I learned when speaking with Dave is that you should always have a pen and paper available when Dave is speaking. Even in a short, casual conversation, Dave is going to drop some wisdom that you’ll want to write down. These notes will be things you want to remember and reflect on in the future. Dave’s perspective is a result of decades spent as a Marine fighter pilot, mountaineer, and backcountry hunter. Dave’s experience is as deep as his curiosity — a combination that has created an intriguing depth of wisdom.

Two widespread categorizations of hunters are that of the "trophy hunter" and the "meat hunter". Some hunters gladly self-identify as one or the other. Many hunters would say that they are both. Some would say they are neither. The idea that you have to be a meat hunter or a trophy hunter is a false dichotomy. Like nearly all this-or-that categorizations, there is little room left for nuance, complexity, and mystery. You don't have to ascribe to any label or be a certain type of hunter. That said, if I were to choose a label for myself, I would ascribe...

Finding success in the backcountry starts by creating success at home. But you need more than a vision for success; you need a system that will get you there. We created a simple Hunting Habit Tracker (PDF) for you to intentionally define your system for success and ensure that you are consistently following the program.

Looking back on my journey, and the journey of fellow hunters, there seems to be a certain path of growth for backpack hunters. Reflecting on this journey reminds you how far you've come and helps you recognize those little victories throughout the years. This journey is the Evolution of a Backpack Hunter.