Show Notes
In this episode of the Hunt Backcountry Podcast, Vince Paikowski, a former Army Ranger and winner of the Best Ranger Competition, joins us to discuss the intersection of elite military conditioning and backcountry hunting. Vince discusses his work as a coach with Evoke Endurance, where he helps develop specialized training plans for rugged mountain environments. We discuss…
The Best Ranger Competition: Insights into the grueling 60-hour endurance event that tests the physical and cognitive limits of two-man Ranger teams. Rucking Mechanics: Why walking fast is more efficient than running under load and how to build "ruck economy" through progressive weight increases. Shooting Under Fatigue: A breakdown of military studies showing how high aerobic fitness preserves marksmanship and cognitive decision-making during physical stress. Training Without Mountains: Practical strategies for flat-land athletes, including hill sprints, plyometric complexes, and using "stress inoculation" to prepare for the mental challenges of a hunt. The Evolution of the Ranger: A historical look at how soldier size and training requirements have shifted from WWII to the modern era, and the potential costs of prioritizing muscle mass over aerobic capacity.
Whether you are preparing for a 10-day mountain hunt or looking to improve your overall resilience, this conversation will provide insights to help you become a more capable backcountry athlete. THE TRAINING PLANS...
Use code EXO before 04/30/26 to save on the training plans... 20 Week Training Plan: https://evokeendurance.com/training-plans/backcountry-hunting-20-week-training-plan/ 28 Week Training Plan: https://evokeendurance.com/training-plans/backcountry-hunting-training-plan/
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...
Episode 574 | "Building the Mountain Hunter: Physiology, Foundations, and the 20-Week Training Plan": https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/574 Episode 475 | "Proven Training Methods for the Mountain Hunter": https://the-experience-project.com/proven-training-for-mountain-hunting/ Data on Rucking Fitness & Shooting Ability: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/aerobic-training-for-the-military-athlete/ Additional Free Resources from Evoke: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/ Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter Contact Us: [email protected] Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast
More from The Hunt Backcountry Podcast
In this episode, Mark catches up with chef, author, and wild game authority Hank Shaw to celebrate the updated and expanded edition of his classic big game cookbook, Buck Buck Moose. Returning to the podcast for the first time since 2017, Hank breaks down how wild game cooking has evolved over the past decade and shares practical advice on field care, butchery, and modern kitchen technology.
In this "Monday Minute" episode of the Hunt Backcountry Podcast, Steve and Mark answer listener questions on pack loading, sleeping pad protection, strategies for wet hunts and water crossings, advice for hunters who struggle to eat enough, and more... PRODUCTS & RESOURCES MENTIONED...
In this episode, Mark is joined by Joshua Brown—an accomplished Alaskan hunter and the only person to complete the historic 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail on foot, bike, and skis. Drawing from his background in extreme winter endurance events and backcountry hunting, Josh breaks down how to survive, perform, and make critical decisions when pushing into remote shoulder-season and sub-zero environments. Key Topics & Takeaways:
In this episode, we hear from Levi Barkas and his 15-year-old son, Wyatt, alongside Wyoming hunter Zimmy. What started as a chance encounter at a trailhead during an elk hunt turned into an incredible story of backcountry camaraderie, a sudden medical emergency, a rescue operation, and key takeaways for hunting public land safely. Key Topics & Takeaways...
In this "Monday Minute" episode of the Hunt Backcountry Podcast, host Mark runs solo while Steve is out, answering gear-focused listener questions. Mark breaks down some of his gear choices and strategy for a recent 10-day interior Alaska packraft hunt, discussing down vs. synthetic insulation, merino base layers, wet-weather moisture management, replacement options for discontinued boots, sharpening knives with angle guides, and his current everyday phone case setup. PRODUCTS & RESOURCES MENTIONED...