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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Coues deer are a special little deer that have a way of capturing the hearts of hunters. This is the story of how that very thing happened to me years ago. Since I started hunting them on accident as a kid, they’ve ingrained themselves in me for the long haul. From many failed attempts to simply watching them do their thing, they captivated me. Coues Deer are found in Mexico, a little in New Mexico, and my home state of Arizona. It’s a privilege to live in a state where I get to see and hunt them as often as I do.
The full film will be covering how I started hunting coues, my struggles through the years of doing so, the Arizona landscape, and then underneath all of that is an actual archery coues hunt. The hunt took place earlier this year in January. It turned out to be a great time with good friends.
You can look for the full film to be released on my Youtube Channel October 4th! Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE to stay up to date with future posts and videos. I’d also love to know how you got started hunting coues deer! It’s always nice hearing stories from likeminded folks. Drop them below in the comments!
It’s June, it’s hot, and the Fall Hunting Seasons are coming in fast! Before we know it, we’re all going to be chasing our dreams in the mountains and making some incredible memories in the process. In light of the new season approaching, I wanted to introduce a new video series I’ve been working on. The series is going to be called Dialed in Diaries, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. A video diary of my entire hunting season, along with the folks that I have the pleasure of sharing camp with. From failures to triumphs and everything in between.
It’s trail camera day! A few episodes back I set a few trail cameras for my upcoming spring bear tag here in Arizona. These are set on secluded water sources that looked pretty “beary” to me. It’s been over a month since I’ve been there, so my brother and I were pretty stoked to drop down into this country and pull these cards.
My plan with this hunt is to check my trail cameras one more time before the opener. That will be about 2-3 days out from when I’m actually planning to hunt for a few days. If I’ve got bears hitting my cameras regularly, then I’ll backpack down into this area and sit the water. If they aren’t quite hitting the water yet, I’m going to backpack into a different area and put the glass to use for a spot and stalk hunt. Either way, I’m stoked to get out there! You’ll also see me pick out potential camp spots in the video below.
One of the things I’m most excited about with this particular area where my cameras are is that it’s where my spring bear hunting bug started. I knew next to nothing back then. At that point, I had never even seen a spring bear. This was the first spot I had ever hunted spring black bears in Arizona, and one that I’ve thought about since then. Returning is pretty nostalgic for me, which makes the trips all the more better. Harvesting a bear there would be nothing short of epic for me. Another thing I’m excited about is I don’t usually ambush hunt. Spot and stalk hunting is usually my main course of action. Sitting water like this and waiting brings a whole different level of adrenaline. When an animal comes into an area that doesn’t know you’re there, it’s a great way to get the blood pumping. Not to mention, if that animal is a black bear.
As always, if you like the video, I’d super appreciate if you hit the like button and SUBSCRIBE to the Youtube and blog to stay up to date with future posts. This whole video thing I’ve undertaken over the past 6 months has been a learning process for sure. I’ve been enjoying every second of sharing the adventure with you all though. Thanks for watching and until next time, stay safe out there.
Here we are! Winter is finally starting to wave through the rear view mirror and spring is coming in hot. Turkeys are starting to gobble, vegetation is greening up and the bears are coming out to play. It truly is one of my favorite times of the year. In this episode, we continue with the spring bear hunting season 2020. My brother and I head up for a few days to try our hand at finding a lurking spring bear. We head into an area that we’ve never been before and experience all sorts of weather.
Spring Hunting Season is finally here and it’s for BEAR! This is a hunt that I look forward to each and every year. A time where the weather is fantastic, water is usually plentiful, and backpack hunting is on the agenda. I first ventured into this area about 4 years ago. Back then, I packed into this spot without ever stepping foot in it and was lucky enough to find bears! Since then, I’ve come in every year and look forward to it more and more. This would mark the first trip of the year for me, and I couldn’t wait to hit the trail.
On this hunt, I was solo, which is always interesting on the mental front. I enjoy hunting solo immensely, but there is always a tad bit of anxiety in the back of my head when doing so. Once out there though, I’m fine and generally end up having an amazing time. This was no different. After a few hours of hiking and gaining elevation, I arrived at camp. What a great feeling it was to sit down in the shade and relax for a bit. To see how the rest of the hunt unfolds, you can watch the video down below!
As I was hiking back to the truck, it was comforting to know that this was just the beginning and there was a lot of hunting to be had. What a great way to get out and stretch the legs though. Not to mention, get away from the chaos of the world right now. We are definitely living in some crazy times and I hope this whole pandemic hasn’t put too much of a damper on you or your families. Let’s not forget to get outside and enjoy Mother Nature when we can. It’s therapeutic to say the least and a break from the noise is much needed.
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Youtube Channel and blog to stay up to date on Spring Hunting Season episodes and much more. This is all just getting started, and I’m so pumped to share the adventure with you all! Good luck out there and stay safe!
Gosh, I just love getting new bows, hahaha. This year I’m shooting the new Prime Black 5 and I am super psyched about it. Great draw cycle, feels great in the hand, and holds awesome. This bow build is one that I feel extremely confident in for 2020.
Alright! Another spring hunting season is right in front of us and I’m am so excited to share it with you! I drew an archery spring bear tag right here in my home state of Arizona for 2020. If you’ve followed any bit of what I do, you know how much of a bear nerd I am. They are without a doubt my favorite species to hunt. Pair that with another love of mine, bowhunting, and I’m a pretty happy guy. My tag is good for May-July and scouting has already begun!
Being that this hunt takes place during a fairly dry part of the year down here, the plan is to focus on water. Over the next few weeks I’ll be checking out various water sources and placing trail cameras on them to monitor any beary behavior that may or may not occur in the area. Bears just love their water. They’ll swim in it, play in it, sleep in it, and obviously drink it. I’d look at this as sort of an achilles heel of the bear this time of year.
In this episode, I head down into a brand new area to a spring. Right from the get go, I was a little apprehensive of placing a cam here. The spring is fairly close to a trail, but after further investigation, I just couldn’t pass up placing a cam. It offered a great potential setup for an ambush with a hill right above the spring looking down. Would be a nice way to potentially take a bear over that water source.
If you like the video, I encourage you to SUBSCRIBE to the YouTube channel to stay up to date with all future posts and adventures!
At the time of putting the cam up it was late February. Like I say in the video, I really have no urge to check that camera until April most likely. Maybe even May. It needs to get hot and dry for those bears to consistently be smashing the water. Once it does, there can absolutely be multiple bears hitting the same water source throughout the whole day, not just in the morning and evening. So, now we wait. Until then, I’ll be out checking out some new areas and getting excited for the coming spring hunting season!
If you’re anything like me, you spent quite a bit of time as a youngster, and even an adult, consuming hunting media. Watching others embark on adventures around the world, doing something that we love is just downright inspiring. It pushes us to chase our dreams out in the mountains. As I got older, documenting such adventures became more and more appealing to me. Not so that I could be like the TV personalities I’d watched as a kid, but to simply have something to look back on. Something that I could share with my future kids and grand kids. “See? Your Dad used to do some pretty cool stuff.”
Carrying a DSLR or mirrorless camera around is hard work though. It just is. They are cumbersome and can be a distraction from the whole hunt, especially if you’re filming alone. GoPros revolutionized this and made it simple for us to strap a camera on our head or bow and go. All the while, we are capturing quality footage with just a push of a button. What if I told you that there was a camera specifically made for this? A GoPro made for hunting. Something made by folks who are like minded. The company is TACTACAM and their 5.0 camera is built for us hunters.
This story starts a few years back. I never really had the urge to hunt mule deer above timberline. Elk were always the animal that grabbed my attention, and the reason I went on my first out of state hunt to begin with. That hunt brought me to Colorado. A 10 day backpack hunt that was filled with some potent memories. Some of them were pretty hard to swallow. During that hunt we saw multiple big velvet mule deer and I think that’s when they caught my attention. On top of having to backpack for these high country bucks to get above timberline, there was something magical about seeing those velvet antlers float across a bed of wildflowers. It was entrancing and screamed adventure hunting. After a few years drooling over watching others success, I decided 2019 was the year of high country mule deer.
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