We are incredibly excited about The Experience Challenge. Not just because we get to give away two amazing hunting experiences — Dall Sheep and Mountain Goat — but also because we know that anyone who commits fully to this challenge will become a more capable and confident hunter. And that the changes made in their personal lives as part of this challenge will also benefit their life well beyond hunting.
Keep in mind, though, that this is not a raffle. You cannot just buy a spot in the challenge and be entered to win a hunt.
Dall Sheep Hunt
Dall Sheep Hunt
Limited to 500 spots, those who enter for the Dall Sheep Hunt Challenge and complete all challenge requirements will have an opportunity to hunt Dall Sheep in the Brooks Range of Alaska this August (2026). The hunt is outfitted by Joey Klutsch of Katmai Guide Service. (Photo: Steve from Exo Mtn Gear, which was not a hunt outfitted by Katmai.)
Mountain Goat Hunt
Mountain Goat Hunt
Those who enter the Mountain Goat Hunt Challenge and complete all challenge requirements will have an opportunity to hunt Mountain Goats on Kodiak Island, Alaska, in the fall of 2027. The hunt is outfitted by Joey Klutsch of Katmai Guide Service. (Photo: Mark from Exo Mtn Gear, which was not a hunt outfitted by Katmai.)
Challenge Only (No Hunt Entry)
If you are not eligible or available for either hunt opportunity, you can register for the Challenge Only option. You will receive all Challenge information, an exclusive Challenge shirt, access to the private Challenge Community, and exclusive discounts and giveaways for Challenge participants. (If you enter either hunt Challenge, you will also receive all of the benefits mentioned above.)
24-in-24 Challenge
Purpose (Why)
Long days covering ground on foot will test your physical readiness, strengthen your mental resolve, and also provide an excellent opportunity to evaluate your gear, nutrition, and hydration strategies, and more.
This Challenge isn’t a workout; it is a comprehensive event that is meant to prepare you for challenging hunts in the mountains.
It is a small representation of the “Death Hikes” that we have been doing for over a decade. These demanding hikes, which change from year-to-year, have been a massive catalyst for our growth as hunters. (Here are some podcasts and articles from some of our hikes, if you want to learn more.)
Objective (What)
At a minimum, this Challenge needs to be a 24+ mile event that is completed in under 24 hours. All of the miles must be completed on foot (hiking, running, etc). You can participate in an organized event that satisfies the 24-in-24 requirement (a marathon, an ultra-distance trail race, etc), or you can put together your own event. The minimum requirements needed to satisfy the challenge will be given to everyone who registers for the Challenge.
Backpacking Challenge
Purpose (Why)
To become a better backpack hunter, you can separate “backpacking” and “hunting”. Hunting seasons only last so long, and there are only so many hunts you can get tags for each year, but you can improve your backcountry skills and abilities in other parts of the year by taking backpacking trips.
The purpose of this Challenge is to get you more comfortable and confident with gear selection, pack loading, navigation, shelter setup, food selection and preparation, and many other aspects of living in the backcountry.
Objective (What)
Take an overnight, fully self-sustained backpack trip. For the entirety of the trip, you can only use items carried in your pack (or natural items found in the wild). You must carry your own food, cook system, water filtration, shelter, etc.
While this trip does not have to be physically strenuous, you do need to hike at least 5 miles before setting up your overnight camp, and also hike at least 5 miles the next day. If needed, you can repeat sections of the trail to reach a total of 5 miles for each day.
You cannot return to your vehicle, utilize man-made structures or facilities, or rely on anything other than what you have carried in your pack or found in nature for the entirety of the trip.
Shooting Challenge
Purpose (Why)
To develop true capability and confidence in your shooting abilities, you need to practice in realistic situations.
The shooting challenge will force you to confront your true capabilities in less-than-perfect situations and shooting positions. This challenge will also help you understand the performance of your weapon setup at distance.
Objective (What)
To satisfy the shooting challenge, you can attend a competition or course that forces you to practice in realistic scenarios, such as an NRL Hunter competition (for rifle) or a Total Archery Challenge event (for Archery).
For those of you who cannot attend such an event, you will be able to create your own shooting challenge, which will include shooting at distances that exceed what you say your “effective range” is on big game, shooting from various field positions, and more. The minimum requirements needed to satisfy the challenge will be given to everyone who registers for the Challenge.
Monthly Challenges
In addition to the Challenges listed above, there will be specific tasks and challenges that must be completed each month in March, April, May, & June.
These challenges will focus on fitness, shooting, and overall readiness to prepare you for your fall hunts.
- March: Hunt Plan & Reflection
- April: 50-Mile Month & Equipment Assessment
- May: Strength Endurance & Shooting Skills
- June: Step-Up Challenge
Challenge Deadlines
The 24-in-24, Backpack, and Shooting Challenges must be completed and submitted before July 17. (Winners of The Experience Challenge will be selected and announced on a live video on July 19 or 20.)
The monthly Challenges must be completed and submitted in the assigned month to remain eligible.
Challenge participants will receive updates and submission instructions for each Challenge (via email and the Challenge Community) throughout the process, but it is the responsibility of each participant to complete and submit each Challenge before all deadlines.
Eligibility
FOR ALL CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS...
- Must be willing to agree to a Liability & Media Release form at the time of registration.
FOR HUNT CHALLENGES...
- Must be a US Citizen in good legal standing. (Non-US Citizens can join the Challenge Only option.)
- Must be 21 Years of age before August 17, 2026 (for the Sheep hunt) or before September 1, 2027 (for the Mountain Goat hunt).
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SHEEP HUNT...
- Must commit to the hunt dates in August 2026. At a minimum, you will need to make yourself fully available to be away from family and work from August 17-31, 2026. There are no exceptions and no opportunities to change the hunt dates or get a “rain check” for another year. We will be announcing the winner on July 19 or 20, so the winner will only have one month to finalize their plans before leaving on the hunt of a lifetime.
- Cannot have killed a wild ram (Dall, Stone, Rocky Mtn Bighorn, or Desert Bighorn). We are focusing this opportunity on hunters who wouldn’t otherwise be able to hunt wild sheep. If you have paid for a guided sheep hunt or can afford to book a sheep hunt, please do not enter this Challenge.
- Cannot be an Alaska resident.
What do I receive when I register for The Experience Challenge?
Everyone who registers will receive a shirt, decals, access to a private Community with other Challenge participants, full details of all Challenge activities, as well as exclusive content, gear giveaways, and discounts from hunting companies that we know and trust.
Those who register for the hunts (Sheep and/or Goat) will be eligible to win the hunt, as long as they complete all Challenges on time.
How are the winners selected?
We will be selecting the hunt winners on a live video, which is to be scheduled for July 19 or 20. For each hunt (sheep and goat), we will select the winner, as well as some alternates. Once selected, we will verify that the winner completed all Challenges fully (and on time), and that they are also eligible and available for the hunt dates. If, for any reason, the first winner does not meet all requirements, we will move on to verify the next alternate as the new winner of that hunt.
Winners will be selected at random, and everyone who completes all Challenges before the deadline(s) will be eligible to be selected.
How do you know if we have completed each Challenge?
For each Challenge, we will have specific instructions for how to track (if needed), complete, and submit the Challenge before the deadline. Those details and instructions will be given to all participants in advance. We will not verify every participant's Challenge as they are submitted, but we will be verifying anyone who is drawn for the hunt or a monthly prize, to ensure that they completed the Challenge fully before the deadline.
How much time will be required to participate and to complete all Challenges?
For a general idea of the time commitment required to complete the entire Experience Challenge, here are minimum time estimates for each challenge.
- 24-in-24: Up to 24 Hours
- Shooting Challenge: Half to Full Day
- Backpacking Challenge: Two Days
- March Challenge: 1-3 Hours (Total)
- April Challenge: 4-5 Hours/Week
- May Challenge: 3-4 Hours/Week
- June Challenge: 15+ Hours (Total)
The non-monthly Challenge events may be combined, as long as you meet the individual requirements of each Challenge. For example, in one weekend, you could complete the 24-in-24 Challenge, the Shooting Challenge, and the Backpacking Challenge.
Finally, each Challenge will only have a minimum requirement. We are not expecting that you only do what we ask. Go beyond the minimum to add additional training, shooting, scouting, research, and other aspects of becoming a well-rounded and capable backcountry hunter.
What do I need to participate and complete the Challenge?
You will be required to have and use...
- An email account that you actively check
- Google Forms (free)
- Strava (free)
- Hunting Pack
- Weight for your pack (sand, salt, weighted blankets, etc)
- Box, Cooler, Bench, or similar item at 16" height for Step-Up exercises. (If you are shorter or taller in height, going slightly shorter or taller than 16" is acceptable.) Options at Amazon
- A Good Attitude
Optional, but highly recommended...
- onX Elite (a free trial will be provided for all Challenge Participants)
- Discord (an invite for the private Challenge Community will be sent to Challenge Participants)
- Some basic weights — dumbbells, kettlebells, gym access, etc. (Not required, but will be helpful.)
REGISTRATION
Now Closed.
Registration for the 2026 Experience Challenge has closed. If you want to get notified about future opportunities, become an Exo Insider...