John is in Wyoming chasing Elk.  But he thought that his readers might enjoy this new gear from Badlands.

Salt Lake City, Utah –The new Badlands Bino system is in a class of its own. The patent pending ZipNo™ technology uses a system of magnets sewn completely around all openings on the case, eliminating the need for zippers (and we know that zippers can be a hunter’s worse nightmare). Only the ZipNo™ closure, allows you to open and close the case with one hand and protect your glass from the unpredictable elements of the outdoors and the rugged activities of a hunter. The practically water tight seal allows your binos to be fully functional and protected, all without the use of zippers or buckles. Here are some of the other features the new Bino system has to offer.

-Built in 35 oz Hydration System on the harness
-Side straps allowing you to attach Range Finder, GPS, or Two Way Radio.
-Work station with pocks for all your game calls, maps or snacks
-Can be mounted to pack using the sternum strap
-Bow Hook, allowing you to use both hands for your glass and not having to set your bow on the ground
-OUR UNCONDITIONAL LIFETIME WARRANTY

Available from Badlands pack dealers including Sage Creek Outfitters. 

Normally I’m a button down collar kind of guy.  But when I’m out on the weekend I’ll put on a t-shirt.  Now my general theory on T-shirts is that I don’t have to buy them.  I’ve never seen any company that I wanted to support and pay to advertise for them…UNTIL NOW.

Chad Robvold, of Field Dress has put together a line of classy active wear t-shirts that pay homage to the progression of our outdoor heritage since their beginnings.  You can find designs for hunting, with rifle or bow, as well as fishing, big game and upland game t-shirts. 

Field Dressed, a name easily recognized within the outdoor community, creates highly professional designs, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to demonstrate their particular passion for the outdoors in a classier manner. Field Dress focuses on the rich history of gun hunting, archery hunting, and fishing by portraying the trademarked terms “field dress”, “load-up”, “nock-up”, and “hook-up” and established dates of each sport. Founder, Chad Rodvold, has been a member of the hunting and fishing community for over twenty-five years. Originally from North Dakota and raised in the retail clothing environment, he saw a need for more quality designed outdoor apparel after realizing he has never owned casual clothing demonstrating his passion for the outdoors. “In deciding what I really wanted to do with my life, I realized my passion was being in the outdoors hunting and fishing. I took my son to Bass Pro and after noticing all the shirts, I then realized I had never owned a shirt demonstrating how much I love to hunt. I came home and spent the next several weeks coming up with what is now Field Dress.”

 Stop by his Web store and take advantage of his $4 t-shirt sale. The Special Close-Out Pricing will continue as supplies last, but Field Dress promises to continue to put out the very best designs and prices on the web. New designs are being completed and in the coming months, Field Dress hopes to put out hats, long sleeve shirts, and tees for the holiday season so come back often and see what is next for Field Dress.

For Archers who are looking for a drop away rest, I can heartily recommend Ripcord Arrow Rests, of Dillon Montana.  I have used the Ripcord rest since 2004, and it has been reliable.  When I ran into timing issues with my new Martin Slayer X, I was able to talk with Keith and Don Dvoronak personally, and they talked me through setting the rest up on my bow.  They shipped me replacement parts fast, and with no questions asked.  Customer Satisfaction is DEFINATELY a priority withthis family business.

I’m proud that this company, here in the heart of the West is making a quality product that I can recommend to my fellow archers. 

Over the years, I’ve developed a few friendships with people across the West.  Since the advent of the Internet I have been able to extend that circle of friends to include other folks I haven’t had a chance to meet in person.  Chance “Lever” Shelton is one of those people I’m glad I got to know.  Chance is the owner and operator of Levergun Leatherworks in Athol, Idaho.  You may have seen his work on television on Best of the West, or Eastmans’ Hunting Journal.  Or perhaps you have had the chance to peruse his work featured on his website: http://www.levergunleather.com .  Either way, his work stands on its own for quality and workmanship, and I thought our readers would like an opportunity to get to know the man behind the leather. 

  ”Lever”, as he is called by his buddies at Sage Creek, is 46 years old TODAY.  (Happy Birthday!)  Living and working out of the small hamlet of Athol, Idaho he makes his living doing custom leatherwork for outdoors and firearms lovers.  His most requested items he makes are buttstock covers, rifle slings, and knife sheaths.  He craves the challenge of a tricky design or artwork , but enjoys all of his custom pieces he creates.  I was amazed to find out that he has been doing leatherwork since he was seven years old.  It wasn’t until the year 2000 that he began getting paid for his work, and in 2004 he quit a special projects engineering job and made it his sole income.  It wasn’t always easy.  Chance tells about when he knew he was meant to do leather as a living.

God called me to do leather work. I know this due to me almost hanging it up to interview for a managerial position at Buck knives. Right before I was to go interview, the position closed, I was sent a notice to attend a church study and that week I booked $1000 worth of work. That month of Sept. 2006 was my all time best month for over a year.

 And the orders just keep on coming in.  Currently, Chance has a wait time of a little over a month, on a first paid, first serve basis.  Below,I asked Chance to tell us about himself.

When you are not working, what do you like to do to relax?

Be outdoors, BBQ, Cook, shoot my guns and my bow, reload, watch cowboy flicks.  Hey one thing I do to relax, one thing that is huge in my life and that is FISHING! I love fishing. I fish for all kinds of fish. Trout, Bass, Blue Gill, Perch, Crappy, etc.

Elk, Deer, Dove, Turkey, grouse.

Most memorable hunt?

My first buck and my third buck.  First buck cause…It was my first buck!  Third buck cause we called it right to us and I dropped him at 10 yards!  But I remember all my hunts like they were yesterday whether I got something or not!  Hunting is much more than just killing animals

Favorite guns?

Grampa’s 1916 Win. Mod 94 30-30, Kimber 1911 45acp, Shiloh Sharps 45-70, all the rest of my leverguns!

 (Now you see why he has the “Levergun” name) 

Favorite authors?

The Bible.  Other than that, I don’t read by authors, never paid attention to that.

 Who has inspired you? 

Future goals, personal and professional?

I don’t know….The most inspiration I can honestly say influenced me is the Holy Spirit.  Human would probably have to be John Wayne.These two are one in the same; I just want to be able to do enough leather work to be able to live here in the mountains, hunt, fish shoot and enjoy all the blessings the good Lord has blessed me with.

 I think in that last statement, Chance has expressed what I consider to be the “American Dream” .  I’m glad he is living his dream, and I’m proud to call him a friend and I’m always happy to refer folks to him.  Here is wishing you a Happy Birthday, and Best Wishes Chance!

As I sat down for dinner with some work collegues a weekend ago, the wife of one of our senior salesmen looked me in the eye, and said “You are that guy who goes hunting alone, aren’t you?”  I sheepishly admitted that I did on occasion go into the wilderness alone, and proceded to get a lecture from her about how I could break a leg where no one could find me.  I admitted that that was always a possibility.  I receive this lecture on a regular basis from members of my family, so I go turtle rather than argue. 

I finally assured her that I would seriously look at a method to get help if I were to run into trouble outside of normal cell phone range.  Satellite phones seem to have spotty reception (although better than Cell service),and they are prohibitively expensive to rent for an extended period.  Personal locator beacons are rather one dimensional, and just as expensive.   I found myself looking at the SPOT Satellite Messenger.

The SPOT Satellite Messenger, the world’s first satellite messenger, uses both the GPS satellite network to determine a customer’s location and the SPOT network to transmit that information to friends, family or an emergency service center. SPOT Inc., a subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (NASDAQ:GSAT), provides lifesaving communications technology that allows users to communicate from remote locations around the globe. Thanks to this affordable, cutting-edge personal safety device, the company offers people unmatched peace of mind by allowing customers to notify friends and family of their location and status, and to send for emergency assistance in time of need, completely independent of cellular phone or wireless coverage. For more information on how SPOT, Inc. is helping users live to tell about it™ – from disaster preparedness to outdoor adventure purposes – explore http://www.findmespot.com

So I am actively looking at giving this unit a try.  I’d love to hear feedback from other users.  It would be nice to have an added bit of security to keep my family and friends at ease while I am out in the wilds, ALONE.

From the Sitka Gear Website “about Sitka Gear”Founded by Jason Hairston and Jonathan Hart in 2005 Sitka Mountain Gear™ was an idea spawned by necessity. Having just climbed 3000 vertical feet in the dark, with intermittent snow flurries and driving sleet, we hunkered down behind a gnarled White bark Pine to get some reprieve from the elements and a little food in our bellies. Cold and wet with sweat from our climb, we knew we didn’t need to be this uncomfortable in our gear. So, on that September morning, at timberline, surrounded by bugling bulls, we decided to create a company to fulfill this need. Utilizing our personal experiences in mountaineering, we set out to design clothes built to tackle mountains.

This Christmas I received a Sitka Summit zip neck shirt and Mountain pants from my family.  I finally had the opportunity to give them a try on our turkey hunt in April. 

The Summit Shirt is a base layer shirt that is perfect for most of our California early seasons by itself. If additional layering is needed, it may be combined with the insulating layers of the Mountain shirt, Timberline Vest or 90% jacket. It works to manage moisture by pulling it off of the skin, but with a looser fit than you might experience with a compression product like Under Armour. The Summit shirt is treated with an anti microbial product to reduce the “funk” that high exertion hunting and other active tasks might create after a couple of days in camp.

I found the Summit Zip neck T to be ideally suited for my training runs along the coast in 40-60 degree weather. It was a nice balance of breath-ability, and sweat management. I’ve worn it under a wool shirt for lower intensity chores, in the 30’s and 40’s with good results. and it will get the nod when bow season opens this Summer as well.

The mountain pants fit well with two way stretch, and an articulated (pleated) knee that reveals its self when you bend down to check out a track the first time. The material is quiet, and rugged, but holds up to brush amazingly well for its light weight. I would liken the fit to that of a pair of relaxed fit Wranglers. No slop in the thigh with a low rise to stay out of your pack belts way.

If you are like me and are tired of your shirt tails coming untucked during physical activity, you will love the somewhat tacky rubberized strip on the inside of the waist band of the pants. No matter what you do, it holds your shirt tails in without cinching your belt so tight that it digs into your hip bones.

The dew that morning beaded up and rolled off easily which makes me think that these pants will do well in high country cloud bursts. The Sitka tests have even proven that the material will dry in about 20 minutes. It is nice knowing also that my sweat won’t be soaked up to chill me later like cotton would.

This pant is going to get serious use in the upcoming fall seasons. Just add a good wool or synthetic base layer below for temps in the 50’s to 30’s and I think it can’t be beat.

You can find Sitka Gear at a number of online retailers, as well as many of your local outdoor shops. I have seen it in numerous archery shops in California, and even Sportsman’s Warehouse has pieces to get your hands on. The new line for 2008 will be appearing in June so keep you eyes peeled for the latest and greatest from Sitka Gear

With so many packs out there, how do you know which one is right for you?  Most sporting goods stores only carry a narrow selection of styles, and experienced sales help is hard to find. 

Just when you are ready to give up, along comes MB  Steed with a video podcast site dedicated to instructional videos on fitting packs, and explanations of features, that the owners manuals may have ommitted.  Since various features may or may not benefit all users equally, he objectively shows how he makes the packs work for him.  I asked MB to tell me a little about himself, and here is his response.

I live in Alberta Canada and have been hiking and hunting along the eastern slopes of the Rockies ever since I can remember.  Over the years, I have used cheap packs and suffered until a few years back when I studied and researched the topic and discovered that there were some quality backpacks that make hiking across the ridges so much easier. I also noticed that many folks struggled to visualize the features of these packs and how to use them effectively. This was the catalyst for a series of video podcasts devoted to backpacks.

His Podcasts are in Quicktime format, and may take a while to buffer depending on your connection speed.  But I think you will find his explanations to be objective.  If you are like me you will learn something from the experience.

Check it out at:   http://web.mac.com/marlo.steed/MG/

I’m one of those guys who sweat alot….So I embraced the synthetic clothing that is available from manufacturers such as Under Armour, and other active wear manufacturers.  In wearing synthetics, I have found them to be superior to the old cotton T-shirts that I wore previously.  No clammy wet feeling, no heavy wet sensation, and quick drying! 

But I noticed that these synthetics seemed to hold body odor more than many natural fibers.  This observation was echoed by other active hunters both on Jesse’s Hunting Page and 24 Hour Campfire, Backpack Hunting Forums.  I was lucky enough to find a blog entry from “The Cleanest Line“, a blog for the employees, friends and customers of Patagonia clothing company that dealt with this very topic.  the blog post, Post adventure Laundry details what we can do to minimize the level of Body Odor that we experience including the following tips..

• Bacteria causes B.O.
• Bacteria is attracted to body oils on Synthetic fibers.
• Body oils, along with dirt and dyes, are hosts to bacteria.
• Detergent removes bacteria more effectively than Soap
• Fabric softener will add residue that will support bacteria.
• Drying Synthetics with heat invigorates bacteria, Line drying is better.
• Occasionally use 1/3 cup of vinegar as an anti-bacterial treatment in the wash.  But not too often!
• Other options include wool clothing, which is nearly equal in wicking power and reported to be more ecologically friendly than many of the treatments used in synthetics. 

So I hope this gives you a little more of an idea of how to combat the funky smell that seems to come from hunting and training hard.   After all our quarry has a keen nose, and we need to keep our odoriferous emanations to a minimum if we want to be successful.

Since Christmas is just around the corner, your favorite hunter west of 100th parallel will probably be leaving some telltale hints for you around the house. Keep an eye out for scuffed up boots left surreptitiously by the woodstove or camo pants with the knees threadbare left on the bed. A copy of this column left in a conspicuous place should be taken as a direct hint. In case your hunting relative or significant other isn’t so forthcoming, I have some ideas. (Ahem, MY relatives take note!)

Sitka Gear – For the active hunter, Sitka Gear, is taking the hunting apparel industry by storm. They call it “mountaineering inspired clothing for hunters”. Sitka incorporates the latest soft shell, high performance fabrics in a layering system that covers from base layers to active second layer pants and shirt, and then an insulating layer called the 90% pant and jacket. It’s a water resistant, fleece lined jacket and pant that will be plenty in 90% of the weather encountered in hunting the West. The Mountain Mimicry camo pattern works out West and the pieces are available also in Loden and Black. Rumor has it that the ASAT camo pattern will be available soon too!
Prices range from $49.95 for base layer bottoms to $229.95 for the 90% jacket. But clothing like this is a lifetime investment.

Merino Wool – Whether it is a pair of sock liners or a set of next to skin underwear, forget what you thought about ool. The Smart wool Merino Wool product line is nothing like what you remember. Merino wool is a super fine interlock knit fabric, which is not scratchy. It wicks away moisture and does not hold body odor, like synthetic fibers are famous for. Available in micro weight, light weight and mid weight , these machine washable products from Smartwool are the first step in dressing for success in the backcountry.
Prices range from $15.95 for a pair of Smartwool Socks, to $79.95 for a mid weight zip-top I really have my eye on.

Packs from Badlands – Since getting my Badlands 2200, I haven’t found anything I couldn’t do with it. Except maybe pack enough gear for a week backpacking in the wilderness. The Badlands 4500 in Max1 camo would sure fit the bill though. It has all the features I love about my 2200. Kevlar stitching on all the seams, Zipper pull covers to keep them from jangling down the trail, Waterproof tape on the seams, and the best belt and strap design I’ve come across. Plus the 4500 has a nifty “outrigger” pack that expands so I can haul meat, plus my camp gear. Price $349
Then for the winter upland bird hunting, the Badlands bird vest would come in handy. It is equipped with hydration capabilities, as well as a generous game bag, and the suspension system I have come to appreciate.

Topo USA Ver. 6.0 – I have used my Topo USA program Ver 4.0 to make maps of hunting destinations throughout the West. In fact a topographic map I made helped us guide a helicopter to rescue a hurt outfitter during the 2006 Wyoming deer season. Version 6.0 is improved with new features including, downloadable hunt unit maps, aerial photos and 3-d view capability.

Garmin Rino GPS/Radio - These GMRS/FRS radios have a 5 mile (up to 12 mile for some units) line-of –sight range, and a GPS that transmits your coordinates to another Rino user. The units feature 500 waypoint and 20 to 50 reversible route capability. The units are 100% waterproof and will put you within 10 feet of your destination. You can get up to 15 hours of battery life with alkaline or rechargeable batteries. Now if your hunter is late getting back to camp, his campmates can see where he is on their Rino units, up to 12 miles away. Prices range from $169.99 to $399.99 for single units. For $599 you can get a set of two (2) Rino 120’s.

Camelbak – These folks based in Petaluma, California have perfected the art of on-the–go hydration. The troops overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan have adopted their system of tough, flexible plastic bladders and connected to bite valves with poly hose. There is no sloshing and the wide mouth openings are easy to refill. If you are filtering your drinking water in the back country, you can attach the filter output to the drink tube and refill the bladder without even removing it from the pack. Lots of manufacturers try to imitate Camelback, but no one has built a system as tough and durable, and leak proof. I could use another 100 oz reservoir with an insulated drink tube to prevent freezing in the late seasons, and hot drinking water in the early California bowhunting season.

Remember, quality gear will improve your hunter’s chance of success. When it comes to the cost of quality gear, many folks balk at the price tag. In Elk Camp, a seasoned hunter looked across the campfire and said to me. “Son, quality gear is a lifetime investment. The sooner you get it, the more years you will have to use it and the cost per year of use will be lower. So buy the best and you won’t regret it.”
So remember those words of wisdom when you are thinking of your Western hunter. Perhaps you can’t foot the entire bill, but a gift card at your local independent sporting goods store or online could be the building blocks for a successful and safe future afield.
Online check out these fine retailers
Sage Creek Outfitters Sitka Gear, Badlands Packs
Schnee’s Sitka Gear, Merino wool
Cabela’s Sitka Gear, Garmin

Back in July, I received my Badlands 2200 from Scott at Sage Creek Outfitters. They are still offering their FREE shipping and your choice of a free hydration bladder, headlamp, or Primos Hoochie Mama elk call.

In fact the Sage Creek Forums even have a forum dedicated to Badlands packs.  It is complete with photos of each of the packs.  The photos and testimonials from other Badlands users was what made me spend the $$$ on my pack.  I wasn’t disappointed

When I opened up my new pack I was pleasantly surprised at the quality construction. Good heavy zippers, plenty of pockets, especially the ones in the bat-wings for a spotting scope and tripod.

Now the 2200 is designed as a daypack with meat hauling capabilities. It has a meat shelf that stores away in a hidden pocket at the bottom of the pack. Good thing this shelf is Hunter orange, since the pack comes in Realtree Max-1 Open Country Camo. Now if I drop my pack for a stalk, I can pull the meat shelf out, so I can find it again!

I decided to see if I could fit all the supplies I would need for a weekend bivouac hunt in the mountains of Northern California. The list below is what I was able to fit assuming 90 degree days and 50 degree nights.  I went into excruciating detail, since I used this list as my check list.  It was stuffed to the gills, but I got it done.  A more appropriate pack would be the 2800, or the 4500 for up to a 5 day trek.  Either of these packs would give you room for a tent and more foul weather gear. 

Belt attachments
Fleece pouch -16 oz Nalgene container, flavor packets (propel, crystal light)
Camera Bag

Left wing outer pocket
Empty Nalgene 64 oz. collapsible H2O canteen

Left wing Spotting scope pocket
2 pair wool poly blend hiking socks
Burris Landmark 15X-45X Scope

Left Belt pocket
2 granola bars
2 power bars
4 Carb Boom energy gels

Right Wing outer pocket
Toilet paper-backpackers roll (Charmin)
Kleenex

Right wing Tripod pocket
K&K Tripod 36”
NF/Wilderness Map
Specific area topo map 1:50,000 (Topo USA)
*50 ft 3/8” braided core rope

Right belt pocket
Compact Body Glide stick
Carmex lip balm
Kin-E-Sys sunscreen

Main Compartment
*Down sleeping bag w/ bivy sac
Orange drawstring sack 7×15 (4-5 pounds)
Blue drawstring pouch
Hemp soap
Titanium Spork
Cooking pot
Stove and gas line, ½ cup plastic measuring cup
Fuel canister for stove
2- 2 serving freeze-dried dinners
2- 1 serving freeze-dried dinners
2- 1 serving freeze dried breakfasts
2- 4 oz albacore tuna steaks in foil pouch
1-3 oatmeal packets
3 instant coffee singles
3 cocoa packets
1 top ramen
Wool shirt button up
UA cold Gear top
UA Cold Gear Bottoms
*Rain Suede Jacket
Stocking cap poly fleece

Back small outer pocket (stuff For quick access or emergencies)
Headlamp –Badlands 12 LED
Duct tape
Compass-if not in pants pocket
GPS – If not in pants pocket
Ziploc baggie
Blister kit
Kotex pad
Matches (in waterproof cylinder with whistle and mirror)
Dark Blue drawstring Sack
Space blanket
100 ft para cord
Glow stick
Fire sticks
Trioxohexane tablets
Butane lighter
AAA batteries-(Headlamp)
AA batteries –(GPS)
Maglite Solitare (1-AAA battery in backwards) attached to micra leatherman
Mini Swiss army knife with corkscrew
Iodine drops and neutralizer
Basic first aid kit
Bandaids,aspirin/ibuprofen, Immodium, pepto bismol tabs, benydryl, wet nap, alcohol wipes, gauze roll 2”x6 yds. 2 -2×2 gauze pads

Hydration bladder pocket
32 oz camelback bladder
MSR Miniworks EX Water filter
Lower straps
Thermarest z-Lite pad, Reg

* Opportunity for more compact item
Total Weight 32.8 pounds