One of the rabbit holes about backpack hunting is far and away all of the gear. The possibilities sometimes seem endless. It’s a neverending chase dialing the best kit for us and our hunts and the journey is fun in doing so. In the name of said chase, I wanted to share my custom backcountry stove kit that I recently put together with you. It’s sub 8 ounces and as capable as anything I’ve used. I combine products from Argali, Jetboil, and MSR.
As I’ve walked the path of a bowhunter gear has always been something I’ve paid close attention to. If I don’t have trust in my tools then my confidence tends to crumble and it’s not a pretty place to be mentally. Release aids are no exception to this and for most of my bowhunting journey, I’ve been a fan of the index-style release. To be fair, I still am. They’re incredibly practical for bowhunting. Both time and experience have a way of changing things though. Sometimes, for the better. Since then I’ve tried thumb buttons and hinge release aids too. All have taught me something.
Right about now, I think it’s safe to say, that we are in a moment of reflection. Hunting seasons have passed and we are left with rich memories to look back on and hopefully bounty a plenty in our freezer. For many, this means that next hunting season won’t matter until…well, next hunting season. Bows get hung up, maps aren’t given any attention, and hunting gear acquires more dust than they do miles. It is officially the “off season.” If you are looking to make the most of next hunting season, it’s better to look at this time of year as the “on season.”
The more lightweight you can be heading into a backcountry camp, the fresher you’ll be for the hunt, as well as the hopeful packout ahead. In a new video I recorded down below, I run through 5 ways that I’ve found to save weight on backpack hunts. If you like the video, don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE! I’d also love to know your thoughts on the matter. Did I miss anything? Add your tips in the comments for ultralight backpack hunting and let’s learn from one another. Enjoy the video!
Now, I know it may sound cheesy, but when a new year starts, it feels like my mind gets a reset. Things seem more attainable and motivation is high for what’s to come. This is how I feel walking into the coues mountains every January. And every January my fingers are crossed that the year will start off with a bang, or I should say an archery coues deer.
My daughter and I are currently vegging out with the flu on the couch together next to the Christmas tree. While I “scribble” down my thoughts here, she’s taking care of some important coloring business and watching one of her favorite shows. In the midst of all of this, my mind is blown at how quickly the end of the year has come. It feels like not long ago I was revved up for 2024, jotting down my thoughts here. And now 2024 is coming to a close.
As I write this, I’m sitting next to our Christmas tree admiring the many ornaments and reflecting on the memories they all hold. This time of year is naturally a time of reflection. We’re about to close the door on one chapter and move on to the next. A year in review is in order.
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.
Not 48 hours ago I arrived home from whitetail camp in Colorado. The hunt was snowy, cold, and offered very little in terms of deer movement. I came home with much more than a hunting story. It was a new addiction I feel coursing through my veins as I type this.
Unlike most kids that watched cartoons on Saturday mornings, mine were a little different. There was a TV involved, but instead of cartoons my Dad and I would watching hunting shows. Most of them revolved all around the whitetail deer. An animal I’ve wanted to hunt for quite some time. And now I’m going to get to do just that.
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