The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

576 | Backcountry Insights from the Best Ranger

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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

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        The Hunt Backcountry PodcastBy by Exo Mtn Gear
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