Another year has flown by. It’s crazy how fast the months end up in the rearview mirror sooner than later. You know what they say though. Time flies when you’re having fun, and I’ve had a boat load of it this year. From chasing Arizona coues in January to Idaho elk in September, this year has been jam packed with adventure. Throughout that time, I’ve been fortunate to bring along some remarkable gear. Stuff that has made life easier and some that I just flat out am psyched about. So, in light of that I’m going to run through my top 12 favorite gear items I’ve used throughout 2021. I figure, it’s December, so why not 12 items to reflect the month? Keep in mind most of these did not come out in 2021, but I did in fact use them in 2021. This is going to be a 2 PART series, so stay tuned!
I was probably about 12 years old or so. My Dad and I were getting ready to go on a deer hunt here in Arizona and were sitting in the parking lot of the rifle range until it opened. Not too long before that he bought me my first rifle. A 30-30 lever action. On top was a rifle scope I can’t even recall. That was ok though, because we were going hunting. I just had to get this thing sighted in. What I thought would be a quick process ended up not being quick at all and I even got “scoped” in the process. It was that damn scope. Hard to look through, hard to find the right eye relief, and wasn’t “easy on the eye.” Fast forward 20+ years and things are different. Much different. The new Vortex Razor LHT 4.5-22×50 is on another planet when compared to that first nameless scope. I had a chance to test this beast of a scope recently and have some thoughts. Let’s take a closer look at this new Razor LHT from Vortex.
We are smack dab in the middle of spring bear season right now! I’ve been out a ton having a blast chasing these shadow walkers around some pretty breathtaking country. While I love spring hunting seasons, the time between now and August is essentially our planning and prepping time for fall hunting seasons. So, having all of our ducks in a row in terms of gear is high on the list of importance. A key kit in everyone’s backpack is a good kill kit. The bag of tricks that’s going to allow one to process their harvest right out in the field and get to back to the vehicle. Here, I’m going to show you what I’m carrying in my kill kit for the 2021 hunting season.
Water filters! There are a ton of them on the market and I’ve used all different styles of them. From pumps and UV pens to gravity fed, they’ve been in my backpack for various hunts across the west. I’ve found that picking the best one more comes down to the individual trip itself. Here in Arizona, I prefer to use a pump, just because sometimes I’ve got to filter water out of pretty small seeps and other filters would fall short here.
On a recent Idaho spring bear hunt, I didn’t know what the water situation was going to be like, so I opted to bring my trusty Katadyn Hiker Pro. It’s a pump filter that I’ve really come to love over the years. The Hiker Pro is super easy to use, reliable, and packs away small for future use. On top of that though, there are some attachments that come with the filter that make life so much easier! In the video down below, I go through what those are and how to use them. These things make all the difference in the world and allow one to not have to juggle holding the hose, bottle/bladder, and making sure nothing spills.
Thanks so much for watching! The simple attachments talked about above have truly made things go by much more smoothly for me on my hunts. I’ve been the guy doing the juggling in the field and having to ask someone else to help with filtering. With this system, there’s no help needed. If you’ve got any questions on this filter or anything else backcountry hunting related, feel free to send me an email. I love chatting with likeminded folks.
Also, please be sure to subscribe to the Youtube and blog to stay up to date with all future posts and videos! I’ve got quite a bit of hunting content coming down the pipe later this year, so keep your eyes out for that! Until then though, best of luck in the field, and stay safe out there.
There is nothing quite like spring bear season. The mountains are coming alive with green grass, flowing water, and of course black bears roaming their hillsides. Weather is usually pretty dang nice too with an occasional storm passing through. All in all, it’s an epic time of year to be out, and one of my absolute favorites. I’ve been out quite a bit living in the dirt the past few months in search of spring bears having a blast along the way. In light of that, I thought it’d be cool to run through my backcountry hunting system I’m using for these trips. In the past few months I’ve hunted AZ twice and Idaho once. Both states were backpack hunts and both gear lists are almost identical.
Watch down below as I literally pull everything out of my backpack on a backcountry hunting trips for spring bear in Arizona. I show you what I’m carrying, why I’m carrying it, and also go through why I’m putting it where I am in my backpack.
If you haven’t already, please subscribe to both the Youtube Channel and blog to stay up to date with future posts and videos. As always, thanks so much for watching, and look forward to more videos and articles in the future. Until then though, I’ve got some more spring bear hunting to do here in my home state of Arizona. Just a few weeks ago, I helped my buddy Eric kill his first bear ever here and I ended up seeing the biggest bear I’ve ever seen. My dream bear. Now, it’s my turn and I can’t wait to head back out with my bow in search of him. Good luck out there in bear country!
If you have any questions regarding the gear or spring bear hunting in general, feel free to send me an email. I’m always happy to chat with likeminded folks.
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Early spring is approaching and sooner than later hunting seasons are going to start up again in full force. Like many of you out there, I’ve been trying to dial in my eating and fitness for the coming events. With spring bear hunts in my near future, I want to make sure that I’m feeling my best and performing to my fullest. In the past, this would mean going on a clean eating diet and spending a hefty amount of time in the gym. With the new world we are living in now, the gym isn’t really in the cards for me. So, when I caught word of the 28 day reboot from Wilderness Athlete, my ears perked up. It was a program that laid out diet, grocery lists, and gym/home workouts. Could this be the perfect reboot for hunting season? Time would tell.
Anyone that has followed this blog for any stretch of time probably has picked up on the fact that I dig First Lite Clothing. The stuff has never done me wrong and I’ve been wearing it since they had like 3 things on their website. Since then, they’ve grown into something much bigger, with way more options. Back when there wasn’t a whole lot to choose from, picking what to buy was pretty easy. Now though? Things are different and there is a load of options.
During the 2020 hunting season, I ran a variety of different clothing items from the company First Lite in a variety of different terrain and weather. From scalding hot deserts to blizzard like conditions in the mountains, I put the stuff through its paces. Finding out what pieces to actually purchase though can be tricky. Especially, because this stuff is pricey. You absolutely get what you pay for, but let’s face it, buying the wrong thing and having to go through the whole ordeal of sending it back and waiting even longer for what you hope to work better stinks.
In light of that, I’ve decided to put together somewhat of a guide to what I used last year. With it, hopefully it will give you a better idea of what First Lite items might work best for you and what you might not want to pull the trigger on after all.
I hope that clears up any questions you may have about different options that First Lite offers. If you do have any other questions, feel free to drop them down below or email me. I’d be happy to chat with you.
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If I really had to nail down a favorite time of year, I’d have to say it’s the holidays. The air is cooler, we’re right in the middle of hunting seasons, the food is great, and more quality time is spent with friends and family. We look forward to it every year in my house and I still feel like a kid on Christmas morning at the ripe age of 34. As an avid hunter, I’m often asked by non-hunting significant others what gifts they should get for the hunter in their life. It can be tough not knowing a thing about this hunting stuff. So, I’ve put together a list of 2020 gear items that I think should be on anyone’s radar this holiday season. A 2020 Hunter Holiday Gift Guide!
Argali just recently came out with some killer new gear this past Fall for 2020. The Argali Carbon Knife and their game bags have become favorites among hunters since their release. Now, in addition to those, Argali has released 2 more knives, being the Argali Col Knife and the Argali Serac Knife. Both are made from S35VN steel, meaning that both will hold an edge extremely well. Minimalists will love the Col, as it comes in at 1 ounce. Despite its little to no weight, the Col still has the body to handle any big game out there, while staying razor sharp. It’s big brother, the Serac, will surely win the hearts of hunters across the country. The Serac is comparable to the Carbon Knife, but has a deeper bellied blade. This deeper belly will really shine when one starts skinning big game. In addition to the different blade shape, this knife also comes with a ferro rod striker that rests on the spine. A fantastic and unique feature that will help with lighting stoves and starting fires when the temps drop. The Serac will tip the scales at just 2.1 oz. On top of these new knives Argali also came out with some other new gear. A killer new branded on the Yeti Rambler coffee mug and Icon Nalgene water bottle.
Good arrow flight is paramount in bowhunting. An arrow needs to be straight and true in order to achieve this. Arrow spinners really are a great item for any bowhunter to have, especially if they are building their own arrows. Both an affordable and practical item.
There have certainly been times at the archery range when my hands get raw from pulling arrows out of targets. 3d shoots are especially when this happens and I know I’m not the only one. To squash this issue, consider picking up an arrow puller. You’ll get an even better grip on the arrow and save the meat on your hands in the process.
While we’re on the topic of arrows, here are some that deserve your attention. Day Six Gear has been making some positive noise out there with their HD line of arrow shafts. These aren’t your run of the mill arrows that one can buy at Wally World. These are truly quality arrows built for bowhunters by bowhunters and made to withstand the worst of conditions. They come in a variety of different spines ranging from 250 all the way to 500. Day Six Gear arrows are built to last. Their broadheads are another thing that should be on your radar. Put the arrows and broadheads together and you’ve essentially got a freight train with a knife on the front of it.
Let’s cap off this arrow conversation with an arrow rest built like a tank. The Hamskea Trinity Hunter Pro is tough enough to handle any hunt out there. Being limb driven, it’s easy to adjust, and doesn’t require a bow press. It also offers full containment, so your arrow doesn’t fall out of the rest on your stalk or while sitting in the stand. To make things even more personable for someone, Hamskea can put a custom engraving on the rest. Give the gift of reliability with one of these bad boys.
A few years back, a friend of mine and I were packing into a spot for deer here in Arizona. Along the way, he ended up taking a nasty spill down a rocky drainage. Luckily, he was okay. His bow sight though? That was a different story. That sight actually snapped like a twig and he suffered the consequences of having to head back to town and lose hunting time. Black Gold is what I’ve always shot in terms of bow sights and they’ve never let me down. It’s exceptional quality meets a no fuss warranty. That’s exactly what my buddy picked up and years later, he’s still a happy hunter. The Black Gold Pro Sight is a beast and surely one that will put a smile on the archery hunter’s face in your life.
Super ultralight meets warmth. First lite continues to impress year after year with more and more quality gear items. 2020 was no exception with a slough of new clothing available. One of the items that I’ve been loving is their new Brooks Down Vest. I’m a huge fan of the Brooks Down Sweater, but the vest brings things to a whole different level of ultralight packability. It’s made with 800 Fill 37.5 active down and has really helped my kit this season. This vest packs down so small, I can literally put it in my pocket!
Finding a good pair of boots can sometimes be a hair pulling experience. With all of our feet being different, on top of our particular experiences and needs, it’s just a tall order to recommend a boot. I’m gonna try though, so here it goes. This past season I’ve been running the Non-Insulated Crispi Briksdals. Last season I wore the Crispi Colorado and was super happy. The Briksdal has definitely won my heart though and has become my new favorite boot. Being a stiffer boot, they offer the support you need, especially when hunting in steep terrain. They come packed with everything an avid hunter needs from a boot. Check them out. I’m glad I did.
A backpack can make or break a hunt. So, getting a good one is an absolute must. I’ve been running Exo Mountain Gear backpacks for quite a few years now and don’t plan on switching any time soon. They’re rugged and can handle more weight than you can carry. Their 1800 daypack is a great addition to any hunter’s gear list. Because Exo’s frame works with all of their different bag sizes, you’re getting the same support and dependability no matter if you’re slinging the 4800 or this 1800 daypack. The 1800 carries everything you need and nothing that you don’t.
I’m a coffee drinker and if the hunter in your life is as well, listen up. Dark Timber Coffee has been putting a smile on my face in the backcountry for years and their Gravity Packs have become my favorite. This is a pour over system, so you’ll need to bring an extra cup besides the one with your stove. It’s easy to use, DELICIOUS, and puts the instant coffee in grocery stores to shame. There’s no reason to drink crap coffee on a hunt. Dark Timber has your back.
Sharp knives go a long way and being able to do it efficiently yourself goes even farther. The Worksharp Ken Onion Knife Sharpener has sent me on a knife sharpening mission throughout my house. Everything from my hunting knives to kitchen knives has been sharpened. This thing is so easy to use and it just plain works. Every time after I get home from processing an animal in the field, my knife hits this sharpener and in no time, it’s ready to rock for another adventure. This is another must have for hunters.
Who doesn’t love a new shaker or tumbler? Wilderness Athlete has got you covered with some killer new gear in this department. One of my favorites is the Multican 12 oz tumbler. There is a built in bottle opener on the bottom and it holds both cans and most bottles. These are a far stretch from those koozies of the past that faded and fell apart over time. With these, those days are gone, and looking much better.
When I was a kid, I used to hate getting clothing for Christmas. Nowadays, I quite like it! Vortex Optics has been rolling out with new apparel recently, and I’ve gotta say, this stuff is nice. Some of it is so nice, I joke and call them things like “my dad jacket.” Just because it looks more adult than my plain hoodies, haha. So give the gift of swag and represent a bad ass optics company in the process. You can use the code DIALED20 to save some coin on your order as well!
I know, I know. Shameless plug here though. The response I’ve gotten from my book, Becoming a Backpack Hunter, has been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you so much to anyone that has picked up a copy and it means more than you know that you’d take the time to read my scribblings. If there is someone in your life that’s been knocking around the idea of getting into backpack hunting, give the gift of knowledge. This book is a beginner’s guide to hunting the backcountry and one that will lay a path for any beginner out there. So, not only will you give the gift of knowledge, but also the one of adventure.
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Another year, another gear list! I was lucky enough to draw another high country mule deer tag in Colorado this year. This will be a backcountry archery hunt for 10 days above treeline! Last year was the first year that I had ever done a high country mule deer hunt and I got absolutely hooked on it. So, the fact that I get to return this year is causing anticipation to shoot through the roof.
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