January 16, 2026

560 | A New Hunter Goes to Alaska for Caribou (A Listener Story)

In this episode, we catch up with Nick as he recounts his transformative caribou hunt in Alaska. We discuss his preparation, including physical training and mentorship, and the mental challenges faced in the Alaskan tundra. Nick shares the excitement of spotting caribou bulls and the emotions surrounding his successful first shot. We also explore the instinctive process of harvesting the animal and the camaraderie built throughout the adventure, highlighting the deeper meanings of hunting and connection with nature. Nick's Before-the-Hunt Episode: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/531 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 CHAPTERS... 1:29 — Catching Up with Nick1:47 — Pre-Hunt Preparations5:20 — Alaska Drop Camp Overview7:33 — Arrival in Alaska11:55 — Traveling to the Hunting Grounds18:27 — First Impressions of the Tundra21:10 — Setting Up Camp22:28 — Navigating the Tundra29:24 — The First Few Days31:48 — Learning to Identify Caribou37:38 — Mental Toughness in the Hunt39:26 — Passing the Time in the Tent39:38 — Weather Changes43:30 — The First Bull Sighting51:18 — The Moment of Truth53:30 — Post-Shot Reflections1:02:53 — Breaking Down the Caribou1:12:01 — The Joy of Packing Out1:16:27 — Final Days and Packing Up1:20:59 — Logistics of Returning Home1:27:15 — Reflection and Conclusion

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