Gear

With outdoor gear companies churning out excursion-size packs at a fevered pitch, I was anxious to get Sitka’s take on the bread and butter of a backcountry hunter’s gear.

It might seem that hunting season is too far away to start thinking about, but I can tell you that summer can be one of the most critical times to get busy and prepare for the upcoming season. I have three simple summer scouting tips that will help you feel confident and be more successful during your season.

One area of preparation that needs more forethought, but is just as important, is a hunter’s footwear. It can take months to properly break in a pair of quality hunting boots so starting well before you need them is key. Picking a pair of boots that will not only meet but exceed your expectations is vital.

Familiarizing yourself with your weapon system components and personal marksmanship ability is the best investment that you can make to notch that tag during hunting season.

When you’re under attack, the speed it takes to reload can determine whether you live or die. Thankfully, this speedloader is proven to work.

Hunting boots can be a topic of great debate. For warm weather boots, I’ve found a brand that has been impeccable—and made from exotic leather no less.

Staying comfortable while waiting on deer has the fantastic side effect of, well, being able to stick around and wait for deer. Fortunately for me, sitting against trees was cool this year despite my admittedly bad back and it was all thanks to the latest pack from ALPS OutdoorZ: the Enforcer Predator Pack.

The thin and decorative belts in question were rarely much more than an inch wide, while the tunnel loops of the PDQ holster were cut to accommodate a one and three-quarter inch duty-type belt. My pistol pitched and rolled on my belt like a rowboat in a North Atlantic gale.

Predator Combatives is introducing shrouds that encapsulate the muzzle and slide, allowing the guns to function normally if grabbed or manipulated.