Shoot2Hunt Class: Extreme Hunting Essentials w/ Ben Reynolds

[B_Reynolds_AK]

To All,
I have the privilege of presenting at the 2026 HAHA event in Post Falls for Shoot2Hunt.

The title chosen for this presentation is "Extreme Hunting Essentials- How to get to those remote places and kill"

While Jake has asked me to speak on the gear essentials needed to successfully mountain hunt, I have 2 hours available.
My thought process is to break up the presentation into 3 sections:

Preparation
- Gear selection
- Physical
- Mental

Optimization
- Training
- Optics
- Systems Approach

Execution
- Approach
- Hunting
- The Kill
- Packout

I would like to open this presentation up to audience questions and discussion during each section.
No matter how interesting a subject is, it gets old listening to someone drone on continuously for 2 hours.
I'd like your feedback now on what you'd like to get out of this presentation.
Feel free to let me know in the comments.

Thank you to everyone who has signed up for this class!

I have updated my Light Packs Gear list for 2026.
This is for a 10 day, Unsupported August Sheep Hunt.
Link below:

https://lighterpack.com/r/70gsbt

Sign up for the class:

HAHA 2026 Classes and Hunt Swap - Shoot2Hunt

Hunt Swap tables limited to 50 spots. table included. No power available. Spots are outside, if we have weather issues we can move everything inside....

www.shoot2hunt.com

@Unknown Munitions
@Ryan Avery

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Thank you to everyone that came out to support all of the speakers at the HAHA event. It was packed with value for those that could attend.

Here are the slides from my PowerPoint presentation that formed the basis for my talk.

 

[RockAndSage]

Thank you to everyone that came out to support all of the speakers at the HAHA event. It was packed with value for those that could attend.

Here are the slides from my PowerPoint presentation that formed the basis for my talk.






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Man, that's a great slide deck. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Mangata]

Concur, excellent presentation!
Wish I could have been there!!

 

[Okie_Poke]

I appreciate you sharing the slide deck.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Should throw on you tube so we all can see it if anyone taped it.

 

[stan_wa]

@B_Reynolds_AK
Super cool that you would put this together. I want to hear your take on why you chose an Apex i.e. synthetic insulation it does seem the Apex is kind of one of the best synthetic insulation that in 3-D EXF?
Being a lightweight guy would’ve expected a down solution instead.

I have a kowa 77 and I have never looked into the 1.6 extender because I find it even with the 77 at the top end of the Zoom range. I start to lose resolution before I feel like I need more zoom does the extender somehow mitigate that issue or is the 66 just that much better optically?

I’m surprised that you took the solar charger and a 20,000 mA worth of batteries. Are you doing a lot of digging scoping or something? That’s pretty fun initiative I find I can get by on about 2500 mA a day if I’m not tracking and messaging and doing a bunch of video stuff. And I try to start with my phone fully charged.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I want to hear your take on why you chose an Apex i.e. synthetic insulation it does seem the Apex is kind of one of the best synthetic insulation that in 3-D EXF?
Being a lightweight guy would’ve expected a down solution instead.

You won't find a Synthetic insulated jacket for colder temps lighter than the Nunatak. I don't really care what the insulation is specifically, it comes down to more the design and the other materials being ultralight as well.
A down jacket for 25-40f is really thin and all it takes is a little bit of moisture and its completely flat.
For colder conditions, I take a warmer down jacket, which is overkill for sheep season.

I have a kowa 77 and I have never looked into the 1.6 extender because I find it even with the 77 at the top end of the Zoom range. I start to lose resolution before I feel like I need more zoom does the extender somehow mitigate that issue or is the 66 just that much better optically?

I used the extender on my 77 before and now the 66. The 77 actually performed better due to the larger objective. It definitely is usable in the right conditions and can make the difference when judging something at the outer limits of the scope.

I’m surprised that you took the solar charger and a 20,000 mA worth of batteries. Are you doing a lot of digging scoping or something? That’s pretty fun initiative I find I can get by on about 2500 mA a day if I’m not tracking and messaging and doing a bunch of video stuff. And I try to start with my phone fully charged.

Between using occasional mapping features and taking photos, I always plan on one full charge per day. I'm also out in areas that are actually very remote, not close to trails or roads. Just like I take plenty of ammunition, I always make sure I can use all the features of the phone, inreach etc.