Gear & Optics

The Bilstein 8112 Zone Control CR shocks took my Lexus GX470 from comfortable old luxury SUV to trail-floating hunting rig. After 5,000 miles of rocks, washboards, forest roads, and no-road nonsense, these shocks made a serious case against spending SXS money.

Target panic can wreck confidence fast, but the right archery targets can calm your pin, rebuild your shot, and make practice fun again. These three targets helped me stay out of the target-panic ditch, and they can help you do the same. 

The Backlanz Precision Long Range and Precision Alpine bipods bring titanium, carbon fiber, and real field stability to hunters who count ounces like they owe money. If you have been waiting for a lightweight hunting bipod that does not feel like a compromise, this New Zealand-built setup deserves a hard look.

You can’t predict when a medical emergency will strike. Being prepared in advance by having a trauma kit and knowing how to use it is essential.

The Dark Energy Basecamp Bundle is not some soft-handed campsite gadget pretending to be field gear. It is a serious off-grid power system for hunters, shooters, and backcountry travelers who need real battery capacity, real solar input, and gear that can take a beating.

The DRT Recon Lounger is one of those rare backcountry hunting products that actually does more than the box promises. At 2 lbs 1 oz, it gives western hunters real glassing support, rifle protection, shooting utility, and sleeping-pad backup without wasting precious pack space.

The Tactacam REVEAL Ultra packs 4K image quality, live streaming, Active GPS, and field-proven battery performance into a price point that makes a whole lot of sense. After months of real use, this cellular trail camera proved it is not just loaded with features, it is built to keep working when the season gets serious.

We took Armasight’s Commander 640 thermal weapon sight and Warden 640 thermal monocular into a West Texas night hunt where game cams love to lie. The thermals did not. Here’s what impressed me, what annoyed me, and how the rig performed when hogs finally showed.

In a tribute to handgun hunter Mark Hampton, I use Cutting Edge Bullets to hunt in Mark’s honor.