Every job has its perks. This job provides the benefit of testing out a plethora of hunting gear. When Polaris offered me the opportunity to demo their top-of-the-line Ranger model, I jumped at the chance. Little did I know, there was a stroke of marketing brilliance behind this offer. It turns out, that letting someone use a Ranger for an entire hunting season fosters a deep attachment to the idea of owning one. And you guessed it, I purchased a Ranger after returning my demo unit. Well-played, Polaris! Upon receiving my new machine, I quickly realized that accessorizing my Ranger to suit my ..read more

If you like gear and gadgets, you’ll love turkey hunting! Between turkey calls, decoys, locator calls, brush pruning shears, a Thermacell, ammo, binoculars, and assorted other gear, we carry a lot of stuff in the turkey woods. You will need a good vest to organize and carry it all. Plus, turkey hunting is a ground game. Your vest doubles as your chair and backrest. After calls and your shotgun, your turkey vest is your most critical piece of turkey hunting gear. Let’s look at the best turkey-hunting vests available today to help you select your ultimate turkey-hunting vest. ALPS OutdoorZ Grand ..read more

Over time, hunters acquire a collection of guns for different pursuits. For some, it can be simple. A shotgun, a rifle for big game, and a .22 rifle. Just enough to cover all the bases and no more. For others, collecting sporting guns has become a part of the hunting lifestyle. Whether you have a few guns or enough to arm a small country, you need a place to store them, clean them, and do some basic gunsmithing. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the considerations for creating the ultimate gun room – a space that combines security, functionality, and aesthetics. Secure Gun St ..read more

Bino harness, binocular pack, or whatever else you want to call them – They’ve become core gear for the big game hunter. After you’ve spent more than you paid for your first car on quality optics for hunting, it’s essential to keep them safe. A quality binocular harness will keep your glass out of the elements, protect it from damage, and keep it handy and secure while you’re hunting. This article details what to look for in a bino harness and a list of the best bino harnesses that are currently available from the leading brands. What to look for in a Bino Harness Here are some of the features ..read more

I recently learned about the Japanese expression, “Ichi-go ichi-e”. It roughly translates to, “Once in a lifetime”.  It’s about recognizing and treasuring the unique beauty of the present moment. It’s an understanding that all the events and experiences you’ve had up to this point have conspired to create this exact moment. This moment will never happen again in all of time and history. This is an unrepeatable experience. Even if you get all the same people together in the same place again, the current moment cannot be replicated.  I’ve been reflecting on ichi-go ichi-e as it relates ..read more

A stable and sturdy bipod can make all the difference in your shooting accuracy. The AccuPod Carbon Fiber Bipod from AccuPod USA is a high-end rifle bipod that hunters appreciate for its well-engineered construction and overbuilt design. AccuPod Carbon Fiber Hunting Bipod – Construction and Materials I’ve always appreciated brands like Yeti who take a concept that’s been around for a long time like a cooler and say, “How can we take this idea to a whole new level?”. That’s essentially what AccuPod did for the bipod. One of the first things that stands out about the AccuPod Carbon Fiber Bipod i ..read more

The Elk Tracker XD is an all-new boot style for Irish Setter. It takes elements from its older sibling, the Elk Tracker, but unlike the well-insulated original, this boot is designed for warmer weather hunting in rugged country. It’s perfect for the archery elk hunter or other mountain adventures. I recently had the chance to put these boots to the test. Here’s the HuntTested review of the new Elk Tracker XD. Irish Setter Elk Tracker XD STYLE 3980 Overview The Elk Tracker XD shares the Vibram sole design of the original elk tracker, but that’s where you’ll find that the similarities end. The n ..read more

Hunters, more than anyone else, understand the delicate balance between human activity and the natural world. As stewards of the land and wildlife, hunters play a crucial role in supporting and funding conservation efforts. One impactful way hunters make a difference is by supporting organizations dedicated to preserving our outdoor heritage and safeguarding habitat. In this article, we’ll highlight top conservation groups that every hunter should consider supporting. These organizations are actively working to protect our hunting traditions, wildlife habitat, and the future of our outdoor pur ..read more

ATVs and UTVs have been a game changer for hunters. We can go deeper and hunt longer with these fantastic vehicles. But, let’s clear up one misconception straight away. We don’t technically hunt from an ATV or UTV, both vehicles are about transporting hunters, gear, and even your dog to a hunting area and then the ethical sportsman does their actual hunting on foot only. As both offroad vehicle types have their advantages, let’s compare the ATV vs. the UTV and decide which is the ultimate choice for hunters. ATV vs. UTV: Definitions: ATV Definition An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) refers to an off ..read more

Ruffed grouse hunting is easy for a beginner to get started, difficult to master, and thoroughly enjoyable whether or not you’re successful. I tell everyone I meet who is interested in learning how to hunt, to start with grouse hunting because public land access in prime grouse habitat is plentiful and the equipment required is minimal. When I began grouse hunting in northern Minnesota, I relied on paper maps, a compass, and a fair bit of happenstance to find public land to hunt. onX Hunt has made grouse hunting significantly easier and more accessible with their popular onX Hunt App. I’ve bee ..read more