The west is a diverse place to hunt with varying landscapes. From desert flats to dark timber. So when it comes to binoculars, you need something that can do it all. Down below I’m going to dive into what I believe is the most versatile binocular for western hunting as a whole. I can still hunt with them in the timber as well as glass miles of country from a tripod.
Spring bear seasons are RIGHT around the corner as I’m writing this! I’m so stoked for another year of spring bear hunting. In light of that, each and every year at this time, I start getting a ton of messages about bear hunting. So, in order to provide a bit of help, I made a video dedicated to the topic. Down below I dive into some of the most key things you need to know in order to be successful spring bear hunting. If you’re new to bear hunting, this is going to be extremely helpful to you!
There are a lot of different hunting backpacks out there available to us. Far more quality options than when I was a youngster. Even so, they are not all created equal. And to be fair, I think that’s a good thing. It allows us to find a hunting backpack that works just right for us. Options right?
With that said, I want to lay out a few things that drive me nuts about hunting backpacks. From certain features to lack thereof. Here are some of my top pet peeves with hunting backpacks!
Binoculars are far from a plug-and-play piece of gear. All of our eyes are different, as well as the shape of our faces. Because of this, binoculars need to be adjusted to us and our eyes specifically. By doing this, you will be getting the full potential of performance out of your binoculars. If not, well, you’re really missing out.
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.
Earlier in 2025, I did a video going over my 2025 Arrow Setup. Now that 2025 is nearing its close, I wanted to touch base on how everything worked. In short, things worked out fantastically, but I will be making ONE minor change. Here, I want to tell you why and why this will also be my arrow setup going into 2026.
First and foremost, Merry Christmas! It’s December 23rd as I sit here and write this. My house is decorated, there are presents under the tree, and my 5 year old daughter is doing everything she can to stay on the nice list, haha. Aside from that, I wanted to share my latest hunting film with you. It’s about hunting bull elk in Arizona with a bow and I think you’ll really enjoy it!
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.
Another year has just about come and gone, but I wanted to drop a note here about gratitude, before the end of the year.
Right off the rip, I want to express my gratitude for my family and my health. My family has always shown me an uncanny level of support no matter what endeavor I take on. It’s important to slow down and realize these things. Life is fast. In all of that chaos, seeing what’s truly important, I will admit, can be difficult at times. As for health, the older I get the more value I seem to put on health. When I was younger it wasn’t a thing in my mind. Now? I think about it everyday and am beyond grateful to have the physical and mental ability to do the things I love. This is a constant chase for me now.
Speaking of chase, we often, myself included, tend to focus on chasing to better our current situation. Maybe it’s buying a new house or striving for a new job? Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for progress. However, there are times when we focus so much on said progress in the future, that we fail to appreciate the current. You’re likely much luckier than you think and there are probably quite a few folks who would love to be in your shoes. So, don’t lose sight of growth, but never forget where your roots are planted right now.
I spent a load of time in the mountains this year. From January and clear through most of November I got to chase my dreams. A huge reason I get to do this is because of YOU. Your support through the years has grown Dialed in Hunter into something I only imagined when I started this thing. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. It means the world to me that you all take the time to read my writing and watch my videos.
Eyes are on 2026. Here’s to a prosperous year, and fruitful hunting season!
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