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gear review

Crispi Guide GTX Review

Research and conversations with other mountain hunters led me to the Crispi Guide GTX and after well over one hundred field days and hundreds of miles, I’m happy to report back.

Wader Leaks & How to Repair Them

I recently discussed waders and the many options available for purchasing the right wader.  Once you have a new pair reality sets in that all waders will leak sooner or later.  Aside from warranty to make the repairs, often you are forced to make the repairs yourself after the warranty has expired or to prepare immediately for another hunt.  This is how to make the best effort at repairing those waders. 

Wader Leaks & How to Repair Them

I recently discussed waders and the many options available for purchasing the right wader.  Once you have a new pair reality sets in that all waders will leak sooner or later.  Aside from warranty to make the repairs, often you are forced to make the repairs yourself after the warranty has expired or to prepare immediately for another hunt.  This is how to make the best effort at repairing those waders. 

Darn Tough Socks: Lifetime Means Lifetime

Clay, are you really gonna write a column about socks? Yes. Yes, I am. Socks are an underrated part of your combat chassis unless you happen to be an ex-Grunt. For a Grunt, socks are of the utmost importance. If boots are the equivalent of tires, then socks are the air in those tires. A good sock can make the difference between arriving at your destination ready to fight, and arriving with blisters and boo-boos.

Field Test: Stone Glacier Sky 5900 w/XCurve Frame

I’m a bit of a backpack fanatic and I’ve tested piles of them over the years. One of the things I’ve learned is there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each adventure — from the whitetail woods of the Midwest to the elk-rich Rockies — requires a particular pack.

Thermal Review: Bering Optics R-35 vs Hogster Stimulus

The Bering Optics Hogster Stimulus is no question fantastic for the dollar, if you are on a very limited budget. At $1599, you would be hard pressed to find something that will hang with it as far as capabilities go. But what if you have a little more in the tank? To answer that question, we took a look at the Stimulus side by side with Hogster R-35.

The Classic Jungle Boot

As I have returned to the Malaria swamp we call the Southeastern United States, I have also resurrected a classic boot to fuel adventures. It may be old, it may be far from stylish, but it should be on your radar if you live anywhere water is a way of life. I am talking about the classic green jungle boot. Tried and true, it still can’t be beaten for certain environments.

Hands-On with the Primos Gen 3 Trigger Sticks

I don’t shoot hogs from a blind here in Texas so I often find myself shooting from strange angles or on uneven terrain. Last year I did a review of the BogPod DeathGrip carbon fiber tripod and while it provided excellent stability…. its 7.5 pound weight made it cumbersome to pack up and carry across different pastures thru the night. I wanted to explore how much of a tradeoff I’m willing to make between stability and maneuverability.

Go Bow-Mounted For Turkey

I love a good ground blind set for springtime toms. A semi-brushed-in hub-style blind paired with some realistic turkey fakes will create some solid in-your-face action. However, being cloaked in ninja gear huddled in a blind’s back corner while you work a bird with seductive hen talk isn’t the only way to skewer a spring longbeard.

Waterfowl Waders – Prepare NOW For Fall

It is said a dry duck hunter is a happy duck hunter. For the many that hunt marshes, ponds, lakes, and rivers the need to enter the water is inevitable. Depending on the depth of the water you may opt for knee boots, waist waders, hip waders, or chest waders. 

Hogster Stimulus: Best Value in Thermal Optics Today?

Thermal optics have long been the domain of the, uh, not poor. While some people have a job that can justify the upfront cost, it has not been a realistic option for the masses. Granted, prices have gone down. But not down to the point of accessibility to the masses. Until now.

SIG’s Zulu6 Image-Stabilized Binos Review + Video

Stabilized binoculars are pretty rare on the civilian market, but they have a huge following in military circles. The stabilized part comes from an internal gyroscopic stabilizer, a mechanical device that makes them self steading. It is a weird concept, for sure. But in practice, it is basically magic. It really does work and is a game-changer for binocular work.

Sitka Kelvin Aerolite 30 Sleeping Bag Review

I had packed the Aerolite for this hunt knowing the propensity for moisture where I’d be hunting. I was eager to see how it lived up to the claims of a durable, lightweight mountain hunting bag that retained its insulation value when wet.

Lucky 4 Slot Motion Backpack

Recently at a Midwest waterfowl show, I saw the new Lucky Duck 4 Slot Motion Backpack and I was amazed at the attention it drew.  Hardly a single person walked by without handling, exploring, commenting, and eventually buying one of three versions. 

Combat Grade Flip Flops?

These combat grade flip flops are ones I can highly recommend. If you prefer partial nudity for your toes but don’t wanna be completely lacking, TEVA is the weapon of choice.

Frontier Gear of Alaska Pack Review

If you’ve got a trip of a lifetime planned, are considering trying your hand at mountain hunting for the first time, or just in the market for an expedition-type pack the go check out Barney’s for some outstanding hunting packs.

See in the Dark: Hunt Like a Ninja and Shoot Like a Sniper

No matter what kind of hunting you do, working more effectively in low light can make your hunt better. The more light you use, the more you need. Know the law, some game regulations prohibit night shooting, but you can still get more hunting day by working in reduced light. Optimizing your biology and selecting appropriate technology can make every hunt better.

High and Dry: 5.11 Duty Rain Shell

For less than $100, the 5.11 Duty Rain Shell is everything I was looking for in a jacket to use while enjoying my firearms while also not breaking the bank.

Review: Kenetrek Boots

Your feet matter. There’s no reason to go through a hunt miserable from foot pain or to risk infection or injury. Invest in Kenetreks and you’ll not only be a happier hunter but your feet will thank you.

Knives for the Outdoorsman

Fixed blade or a folding knife? 5 inch blade or a 10 inch blade? When it comes to choosing a knife to venture outdoors with here some things to consider.

Gear: Sitka’s Flash Shelter

Best known for its hunting apparel, Sitka jumps into the emergency shelter market with its new Flash Shelter 8’x10,’ a tarp that packs light but rolls out large enough to provide cover for two people. For the backcountry hunter, the Flash Shelter is made to provide quick concealment, and shelter from rain, wind, and snow.

Assembling an Alaskan Hunting Rifle: Part Two

While I gathered information and advice from different people throughout the last several months, from lifelong Alaskan residents to gun writers, I tried to follow the old adage: Get the best you can afford.

Benchmade 496 Vector – Field Tested

Benchmade does make a great knife. The 496 Vector is no exception. This knife is reliable and dependable each time you reach for it. It is comforting to have something that won’t fail in your pocket in a world full of uncertainty around us.

Danner Thorofare Boot Review

You wouldn’t buy a sports car then outfit it with discount tires, the same should go for your feet; footwear is literally where the rubber meets the rocks. Enter the Danner Thorofare.

Knife From A Champion: The WR Fighter From Wolf River Forge Reviewed

As a gun nut, one of the things I take for granted is the value of a good blade. Because I am also an avid hunter, I am reminded yearly of this very thing. I have spent years of my life testing various blades, and most of them have left me wanting more from a knife. My current opinion is that a person needs many for a variety of applications, outfits, and events. You know, for specific tasks and fashion demands.

Field Test: Badlands Vario System

During my treks across the West, I’ve tested more backpacks than Justin Bieber has hair gels. Why? Simple, a good pack can make the difference between an enjoyable hunt and a miserable one, especially once the game is put down.

Cold Feet in the Field? The Solution: ActionHeat Heated Insoles

After using the ActionHeat Heated Rechargeable Insoles through the summer months as well as the busiest part of winter, I am convinced that this is the solution that I have been looking for. I am able to adjust the heat with a remote fob, which allows me to cater to the situation at hand. There were days while I was out deer hunting off of horseback in sub-zero weather, where I had them turned to max power in order to keep my feet warm in the stirrups, and then turned them off when I transitioned from riding to walking in order to keep my feet comfortable.

Field Test: Mathews VXR

This bow is a win. Period! It’s quiet, hushed, accurate and during two months of testing, never faltered. If you’re in the market for a new-for-2020 vertical bow, this one is worth a test drive.

Morakniv Companion Spark Field Knife

Morakniv has been in the business for almost 130 years producing high-quality knives near the city of Mora, Sweden; in fact, Morakniv means “knives from Mora”.

10 Scent Killers Sure To Boost Your Whitetail Success

Few things foil a good hunt like human stink. The good news: savvy manufacturers work tirelessly each year and come up with new products that will help you fly under the olfactory system of the white-tailed deer. Here are 10 to consider.

Lifesaver Liberty Water Filter

As anyone who has spent much time living out of a pack in the mountains can attest, there are several key items that need to be thought of before one ventures away from the trailhead. Food, water, and shelter can make or break a hunt depending on the level of preparation that was put into each.