I’ve used quite a few backcountry shelters and, through those experiences, a few pet peeves have come to light in the name of tents. There is a reason I have landed on the shelters I use, and it’s because they dang near hit all of the marks for me. At least the most important ones. These are my top 5 Biggest Pet peeves of backcountry shelters.
To skimp on hunting boots is to skimp on your hunt. I’ve had quite a few instances where doing so bit me in the rear end and even ended my hunt altogether. Since those days of old, when I was young and knew everything, I’ve changed my ways for the better. Boots are now one of the highest priorities, in terms of gear, for my hunting trips. As of late, I’ve been putting some of my trust into the Crispi Lapponia III. My trust is growing with each outing.
2025 came with no shortage of gear testing. From the mountains to the desert, I got the opportunity to put equipment through the paces. Throughout that time, there were some standouts that I find myself continuously reaching for. This is what I want to share with you today!
These are in no particular order. Some of them are new for 2025, and some of them honestly just even more solidified their place within my system.
Gosh, guys! I can’t believe it’s already gonna turn October here in a few days. Time has flown by so fast, but you know what they say. Time flies when you’re having fun. And I have been having a whole lot of fun the last few months. More fun is on the horizon with October coming up. I have a rifle backcountry mule deer hunt I’m gearing up for. So, I thought I’d share what I’m bringing with on this hunt. See the video below!
If you enjoyed the video, please don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the channel to stay up to date on all future videos. With that said, I hope your season is shaping up the way you want. Don’t take your time for granted. Hunting season only comes around once a year. Make the most out of it!
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If you’re a western hunter and you aren’t running a bino pack, you are not only missing out, but missing the boat.
If there is one thing true about hunting boots, it’s that what works for one person might not work for the other. With that said, I know how valuable opinions can be when searching for a new boot. I recently acquired the Crispi Briksdal EFX Hunting Boot. They’re new for 2025 and I cannot wait to get them dirty. If you want to learn more, keep reading…and watching.
It’s that time of year again. From now until Fall will be filled with scouting, training, and all things gear in the name of hunting season. In light of that, I just got a new bow that I’d like to share with you. The Hoyt Alpha AX2 32 is the new flagship aluminum bow for 2025 and I have been loving it so far. It’s been a long time since I’ve shot a Hoyt and I’m very excited to get this rig dialed and ready for season. If you want to win this setup, scroll down to the bottom of this post to find out how.
I seriously cannot believe that we’re closing in on another year. 2024 was filled with lots of adventures and there was no shortage of nights spent beneath the stars paired with days hiking through the mountains. In light of all of that, I wanted to lay out some of my top 10 favorite hunting gear items I used throughout the year. This is the gear that I was most stoked on in 2024 and will for sure be bringing into the 2025 season. Let’s get into it! These are in no particular order.
So, I’m going whitetail deer hunting. This may not sound like a big deal to many of you, but I’ve honestly never done a legit whitetail hunt. This November, though, I’m heading to CO to hunt with a buddy on some ground that he’s got a ton of experience on and manages. This will be a treestand hunt and I’m thrilled about it. With that said, this all called for a different clothing system than I’m used to.
Now, keep in mind, I’m mainly a western hunter. I do mostly backpack hunts, so my normal clothing system reflects that. Everything is based on effectiveness and efficiency with weight and packability in mind. The system I’ve picked down below for my whitetail deer hunt is more about staying warm and quiet. Here goes nothing. A whitetail deer clothing system through the eyes of a western hunter.
Everything mentioned here is made by Sitka Gear. I’ll be doing a full review on BlackOvis.com about my experience with everything after the fact as well as a follow-up video. If you want to save money over there use the code DIALED10 and you’ll save 10% off sitewide.
I’m not going to get much in the weeds at all here with this stuff, because I don’t have an honest opinion about it yet, aside from just first impressions. And first impressions across the board are THIS STUFF IS COMFORTABLE. I love my western system, but everything here is so warm and soft. Of course the packability is extremely limited, but that’s not the point or goal of this system based on the style of hunting.
I’m new to this whitetail deer thing. So, if you think I missed anything here that would be of value, please let me know! I’ve got my western system pretty dialed, but this is a new world to me and I’m stoked to dive in.
There it is! Everything fits great and feels great. My bow is shooting absolutely awesome too. Now, all there is to do is wait for November to come. Thankfully, I’ve got a fall bear hunt here in AZ coming to help pass my time until I head to CO for whitetails. Can’t wait to share everything with you all. Thanks for tuning in.
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There are no shortage of questions that come with being a new backpack hunter. Many of them revolve around the gear side of things, and rightfully so. There is SO MUCH out there and knowing what to bring and what not to bring can seem confusing. Within that gear the Backcountry Sleep System gets a ton of attention. I’m referring to shelters, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags/quilts. It is your home away from home essentially.
In order to help paint a more clear picture, for new backpack hunters especially, I’m going to lay out my own backcountry sleep system. This is not only what I’ve used for years, but what I’ll be using for the 2024 hunting season.
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