|
|
|
|
|
Jesse's Hunting > Hunting Articles > Hunting Gear > JHO ProStaffers Make a Christmas List
JHO ProStaffers Make a Christmas List
Dave Blake and Kirk Edgerton - JHO ProStaff
- L.A. and Sacramento, CA
December 11, 2007
There is only one thing that is almost as fun as hunting and and that's shopping for hunting and gear. Since Thanksgiving is here and Christmas is just around the corner it's time to start thinking about gifts for the hunter, or fisherman in your family. I've been fortunate to have some luck in the woods this season and some of the gear I used was crucial to my success and would make great gifts and stocking stuffers for the hunter close to you.
The G10 Blind
A pop-up blind can make a world of difference, as author Dave Blake found on a recent Utah deer hunt. |
Retract-a-Drag Scent Drag
Leave a scent trail without the muss and fuss of a homemade drag line. |
While hunting in Utah for mule deer I was able to arrow a great buck out of an Ameristep Grizzly G-10 “outhouse” style blind. At about 7 pounds this blind is not too heavy to pack in and is easy to set up with it's spring steel frame. When set up, it stands about 78 inches tall and 60 inches square at the bottom. It has just enough room to draw and shoot a bow through the roomy windows.
The spring steel frame allows for easy take-down by rolling the blind into an 18 inch hoop that fits into it's own carry bag and straps easily to most hunting packs. I took a beautiful buck in Utah which at one point was only about 10 feet from the blind and is my best buck to date. During elk season, I had a young bull walk up to the blind and sniff the side. I was unable to get a shot, but dang was he close! The Ameristep Grizzly G-10 blind just might be your ticket to getting close to some incredible animals next season.
Setting up an area for a ground blind is as crucial as the blind itself. I set up my area with “4X4” mule deer scent by Wildlife Research Centers that I spread around with the “Retract-a-Drag” scent trailer from Cabela's. When the buck came out, it followed the scent trail right in front of the blind presenting a perfect broadside shot.
The beauty of the “Retract-a-Drag” is that it is out of the way until you need it. To drag scent behind you just pull the wick out to it's full length, spray on the scent of your choice and drop it behind you. When you get to your spot, reel in the wick and close the cap. It stays out of the way so well you'll forget it's there. It also fits really well in a stocking.
Silvis Boots
Good boots can make all the difference, no matter else you carry. Blake found the Silvis boots to be a great addition on his Utah hunt. |
The key to getting into good hunting areas are the boots we walk in. When your boots fail, the hunt ends. Last season I bought my first pair of Silvis boots to hunt some pretty steep country in Utah. This year I needed a pair of lighter weight boots for warmer weather and bought a pair of Silvis Chuck Adams “Super Slam” boots. These things are incredible. They feel broken in right out of the box.
Stability and dryness in a pair of boots is a must and the “Super Slams” are as stable and dry as they come. These boots climb steep rocky ridges and wade through streams with no problem. The most comfortable parts of my body after a long day with the bow are my feet. I would expect to pay more than twice as much for boots of this quality.
The key to a great hunting season is to get geared up with practical gear that works. The key to a great holiday season is to cherish every moment with your family and give thanks for all you have been blessed with. May you find many blessings during this holiday season as well as some cool stuff under the tree.
Here are some additional items recommended by ProStaffer Kirk Edgerton
Wilderness Athlete Nutritional Products
WA has launched a great line of nutritional products for the hunter and outdoor enthusiast. These items are great tasting, provide the much needed energy, and help not only hydrate, but repair your damaged muscles after a long day in the field. Their product line is very extensive, but my personal favorites and ones that travel with me on every hunt are the Mountain Berry Granola Energy Bar, Hydro2max drink mix, and the Alert Energy drink mix.
The bars taste great and have the perfect ration of protein and carbs to help keep you moving and hunting hard. The Hydro2max drink mix helps to quickly rehydrate and optimizes oxygen uptake while providing advanced electrolyte replacement for maximum recovery and body repair….it works! The Alert Energy mix gives you a slight mental and even greater energy boost; I use it during mid day to keep fresh and hunting hard.
www.wildernessathlete.org
800-752-0133
Prices vary
Outdoor Research Helium Solo Awning™
This awning is the ideal shelter for moving fast on long trails. The light, compressible silnyl fabric sheds weather and packs small. Cord pockets keep the guylines organized in windy weather. It can be set up to offer different degrees of weather protection, ventilation, and space. It also packs extremely small and is a great compliment to their extensive line of bivy sacs.
Avg. weight: 18.1 oz/513 g
Available Colors: Lichen (olive) & Alpenglow (orange)
MSRP $79.00
Havalon Piranta Pro Trophy Skinner Knife
6 ¾” Overall Length
2 ¾” Blade Length
This small and light weight knife is by far the sharpest knife you’ll ever use and if it ever gets dull, no need to sharpen it, just pop off the dull blade and put on a new one. It’s great for not only gutting and skinning, but does a fantastic job with quartering even the biggest of animals. Made from Stainless steel, its bomber tough and has become my ‘go-to’ knife in the field.
$36.99 at Vandyke’s Taxidermy Supply
Backcountry Bowhunting, a guide to the wild side
By Cameron Hanes
For the backcountry bowhunter, there's never been a quality source for knowledge, advice, and tips...until now! Cameron's book, Backcountry Bowhunting provides an excellent look into the world of hardcore DIY backcountry bowhunting and gives any hunter, the necessary tools and skills to venture in farther and hunt harder. It’s a must read for the guy or gal venturing into the backcountry!
Available at www.Eastmans.com
$24.99 + shipping
|
|
|
|
|
