In this episode, we are joined by Tara & Alex from Idaho Fish & Game to discuss the all-new draw process for non-resident general elk and deer tags for Idaho's 2026 big game hunting season. We hear why the process that had been in place needed to change, the alternative solutions considered, how this new draw came to be, what non-residents need to apply for the draw, how they can apply in a group or party, if there are any changes to non-resident tag allocations, and more.

LINKS & RESOURCES...

• What's New Overview — https://idfg.idaho.gov/article/see-whats-available-nonresident-tag-drawing-general-season-deerelk-tags-2026-and-how-apply
• FAQ — https://idfg.idaho.gov/licenses/tag/quotas/nonresident
• Big Game Seasons & Rules — https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/big-game
• Refund Information — https://idfg.idaho.gov/licenses/forms/nonresident-refund
• Email Contact — licensing@idfg.idaho.gov

The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/

Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve and Mark answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode. They discuss Idaho's new and upcoming non-resident tag application process, an update on Steve's moose hunt, their experience with meat damage based on shot placement and bullet choice, pack failures they have experienced from testing prototypes, the best way to use Exo packs for lightweight day hunts, and more...

LINKS & RESOURCES...

• Last Call! — Photo Story Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience
• K4x Updates: https://exomtngear.com/K4x
• Load A Pack for Day Hunts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEwuuQSMiBo

The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/

EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve and Mark just returned from Kodiak and they answer your listener-submitted questions on this Monday Minute episode.

They also discuss Exo's once-a-year sale, which starts tomorrow (November 18, 2025). If you are hearing this episode as it is released on Monday, November 17, use the code EARLY20 at checkout to get 20% OFF before the public sale goes live.

LINKS & RESOURCES...

• Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
• Exo Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
• Foxtail Lodge: https://www.kodiakalaskafishinglodge.com/
• Kahtoola MicroSpikes: https://amzn.to/3K5TOXm
• New Kahtoola Lightweight Spikes: https://amzn.to/4pgI2bI
• Black Diamond Spikes: https://amzn.to/4rmGKxN
• Showa Waterproof Gloves: https://amzn.to/4nWEWZ5
• Wiser Precision Quick-StiX: https://sandsarchery.com/products/wiser-precision-quick-stix

The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/

EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Join us "live" from Foxtail Lodge on Kodiak Island, Alaska. This conversation takes place on the day we arrive, before we begin our weeklong adventure hunting Sitka Blacktail Deer, shooting ducks, and fishing the sea.

The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/

EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

John Jensenius is a former meteorologist and lightning safety expert with the National Weather Service who now works with the National Lightning Safety Council. He joins us to discuss what we, as backcountry and mountain hunters, should know about the risks of lightning exposure, the actions to take when storms occur, and misconceptions about lightning strikes.

The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/

Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

Steve and Mark are back to answer your listener questions on this Monday Minute. They also discuss updates on what is going on at Exo this month — from being out of the office to launching a once-a-year sale...

LINKS & RESOURCES...

• $5,000 Photo Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience
• Exo Newsletter: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
• Packing Without Stuff Sacks: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/how-to-load-your-pack-for-a-multi-day-backpack-hunt
• Airlock Industries Suppressor Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/549
• 6mm 108 ELD-M: https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/6mm-.243-108-gr-eld-match#!/
• 6mm 96 TMK: https://sierrabullets.com/6mm-95-gr-tipped-matchking-tmk/
• Exo Pack Carry On Tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Uey9pu49w
• Down Glassing Mittens: https://firstlite.com/products/brooks-down-glassing-mitt

The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/

EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com

LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

A listener of the show, Klint, joins us to share the story of planning his first mountain hunt, getting diagnosed with aggressive cancer during the process, and battling back to make the hunt still happen after his recovery. We hope you are inspired and challenged by Klint's story.

The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/

Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

If a suppressor was truly designed for backcountry and mountain hunting, how would it be different from other suppressors on the market? We answer that question with Danny from Airlock Industries. We also discuss why (and how) Danny started making suppressors, why he focused on ultralight designs, his design and testing process, what is to come for Airlock in the future, and much more...

• https://airlockindustries.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/airlockindustriesllc/
• https://www.youtube.com/@AirlockIndustries

The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/

Exo Experience Photo Story Contest: https://exomtngear.com/experience

Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter

Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com

Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry

Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast