Exo Journal — Mindset

The mental game of backcountry hunting, and just hunting in general, can really be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. The ability to grind through tough situations is going to be what either sends you back up the mountain after that elk, or sends you back to the truck to head home. Let’s take a look at a few bumps in the road that we all might encounter from time to time.

The thought of hiking into a wilderness area with nothing but a backpack, bow, and a whole lot of hope truly did consume my thoughts for some time.  No vehicles, no people, and a rugged but simple way of hunting was something that I knew I had to experience in the future.  Finally, after much day dreaming and probably annoying my wife with way too many adventure/bowhunting stories, I decided that I NEEDED to try this backpack hunting thing out.  I am so glad that I did and I would like to share with you why I think YOU should...

Spend any amount of time around a long-distance hiker and you’ll likely hear the phrase, “hike your own hike.”  For these extreme individuals who rack up twenty to thirty miles per day for months on end, the idea of “hiking your own hike” serves as a reminder to focus on making their hike uniquely their own, and to not compare themselves to others on the trail.  I can’t help but think how the same mantra can apply to how we approach our hunts.