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.
A quality layering system for western hunting is absolutely non-negotiable in my eyes, especially when it comes to backpack hunting. This is something that is going to keep you warm when it’s cold, dry when it’s raining, and cool when it’s warm out. Versatility is key and this year Sitka Gear hit the nail on the head for me.
There are a ton of different archery release aids floating around out there. Index style releases, hinges, thumb buttons, and resistance releases. And there are a bunch of options for each of those categories. I am a strong believer in an index-style release for bowhunting especially. My two go-to index-style releases are the Carter Like Mike II and the Stan SoleX. Both are very similar in design, but come in at very different price points. I’m going to break down what I like and what I don’t like about each of these releases. Hopefully, this can help you weigh out which of these awesome index-style releases might be best for you.
2023 had no shortage of gear changes for me. I’m always looking for ways to solidify my system even more. The only way to do that is to try out new things. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. During the 2023 season, I was reminded of the phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” My arrow setup is now what it once was instead of something totally new.
It’s the end of December right now at the time of typing this. We’ve been soaking up the holiday season together in our home and enjoying every second of it with our 3 year old. I love the month of December dearly, but I also lust for January. It’s archery deer season in Arizona at that time. The bucks are rutting and it’s one of my favorite times of year backpack hunting for coues deer.
Given our unique environment, and an odd time of year, knowing what backcountry gear to bring along is a question that I get asked on a regular basis. So, I’m going to break down here what I am bringing along on a 7 day backpack hunt during the month of January for Coues deer in Arizona.
Among all of the gear items in your backpack, there are a few areas where you can save a huge amount of weight. Things like sleeping bags and sleeping pads are a few of them. Another item that can drastically cut weight is your tent/shelter. Generally, the logic behind cutting weight is when you cut weight, you also are cutting comfort. That couldn’t be farther from the truth with the new Owyhee 1p tent from Argali.
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