Hunting Fit

Simple Steps (Pun Intended) To Help with Your Climb to the Top

July 26, 2017 — 2 Comments

Got a Hill to Climb? You Better Be Ready Flatlander!!!

So you’ve got a mountain hunt planned but you live on a table top of topography. The clock is ticking and you’ve got to be able to reach that high ridge in time to cut the approaching elk off. What can you do to be ready? While there are a million ways to train I wanted to share a couple cheap options that anyone can have access to. If you live in a vertically challenged environment then take a look at these and consider adding them to your training regimen. Continue Reading…

In Elk, Training, Workouts

Gear Review: YETI Tundra 50 and Flip 12

July 19, 2017 — Leave a comment

YETI Coolers Lived Up to All the Hype and then Kept Going.

I never realized how much I needed a high performing cooler until I had one. For most of my life I have gotten by with just about every cheap cooler you can imagine. None lasted for long and certainly didn’t keep ice for extended periods of time. I’ve even spent a little more on some there were supposedly better but was still left disappointed. It all changed when I was introduced to YETI Coolers. You’ve heard of YETI, but have you ever used one? I have, then I went and got more. It wasn’t because there was anything wrong with the Hopper 30 I reviewed, but because it was amazing at keeping things cold and with the active lifestyle I live I could use a few more in my life! This review will cover my experiences with the Tundra 50 and Flip 12. Continue Reading…

In Gear, Reviews

What Am I Doing Right Now?

July 12, 2017 — Leave a comment

Its Has Been A Busy Yet Very Rewarding Last Three Months

While it appears to be a slow time of year for us hunters I would argue that there is way more opportunity than most realize. Case in point I was excited for a slow down this Spring so I could actually start pumping out some content. Well, if you follow the page, you’ll agree with me that it did not happen. So I wanted to take today to let you know that while I haven’t been writing I have indeed been gathering some great content to share with you and have some exciting things forthcoming. Continue Reading…

In Family, Gear, Hunting, Motivational

Gear Review: Tepui Tents Autana Sky

April 23, 2017 — 2 Comments

How Lucky I Felt to be in this Picture! Home Sweet Camp!

A lot of us tend to focus on going ultralight and shoot for a minimalist approach to our camping setups. What if we had a chance to carry all the comforts with us in a portable and easy to set up tent for our next outdoor overnighter? If you have considered such a situation and you can drive to your camping spot then I’d like to introduce you to a company called Tepui. Amongst other things (Tepui Gear Bags Review), they make top quality and pretty nifty rooftop (or truck bed top) tents. Continue Reading…

In Gear, Hunting, Reviews

Gear Review: OnXmaps

April 10, 2017 — Leave a comment

Hunting Fit, it’s all about preparation, right? You bet!! But don’t think that preparation is all physical. There is also the research required to put you in a position to be successful on your hunts. Besides draw odds and tag applications you need to know the physical location you plan to hunt like the back of your hand. You must know the public and private boundaries, saddle locations, benches, but you also should know what the area looks like from the air. That way you’ll know if what appears to be a meadow, really is a meadow. Enter OnXmaps. Continue Reading…

In Gear, Hunting, Reviews

Take Care of Yourself

April 5, 2017 — 1 Comment

Take Care of Those Minor Injuries Now So You’ll be Ready this Fall (photo courtesy of heavenlyhealingmassage.com)

Due to some recent events with my own physical wellbeing I thought it would be a good time to remind everyone that we are indeed human. If you’re in the right mindset to get yourself physically prepared for some hardcore hunts this fall then you’ve likely surrounded yourself with likeminded individuals to help push and motivate you. Since you’re reading this then I’m thrilled that I am one of those people helping you along your journey. You should be getting encouragement and inspiration to push harder and go farther. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this because nothing is given and as one of my favorite quotes from Cam Haines reads, “Nobody cares. Work harder”. There is much truth to this but you have to take some things into consideration when tearing down your body so it comes back even stronger. Continue Reading…

In Training

Gear Review: Sitka Fanatic Series

March 1, 2017 — 2 Comments

The Sitka Fanatic Series Finally Meets the Needs Required by Serious Whitetail Hunters

When you think high performance hunting clothing there is a short list of companies that come to mind, Sitka being one of them. I have experimented with several brands and was presented with the opportunity to give the Fanatic Series a test this fall hunting whitetails here in Illinois. I have had my eye on their gear for a while and once I found out they had a series targeting stand hunting for deer I couldn’t resist. I’ve tried it all and can say that up to this point I’ve managed, but haven’t come across an article or set of clothing that really impressed me. That is until now. Continue Reading…

In Apparel, Gear, Reviews

Gear Review: Enerplex Generatr 1200

February 26, 2017 — Leave a comment

If You Want Convenient, Portrable Power the Enerplex Genertr 1200 May Just Be Your Ticket!

Let’s face it, even though most of us seek solitude in our hunting adventures we still like to have some of the modern conveniences of home when possible. Many of those luxuries run on electric power which is generally hard to come by when operating remotely. You could always pack a conventional gas powered generator (assuming you’ll be hunting from a camp you can reach via truck) but they’re noisy, smelly, and if you’re like me most of my gas powered implements never want to start anyway. I was recently introduced to a product from Enerplex that will eliminate those issues in a convenient and easy to use package. The Generatr 1200 is a rechargeable battery pack on steroids that is easily transported and even easier to use and maintain. While I labeled this post as a gear review it’s going to be more like a gear introduction. I say that because I haven’t even touched on all the possibilities the Generatr1200 has to offer therefore I haven’t technically tested it as thoroughly yet as I normally would…but I certainly plan too! Continue Reading…

In Gear, Reviews

Fitness Isn’t Only for Mountain Hunters

February 12, 2017 — Leave a comment

Just Because It’s Not Steep Terrain Doesn’t Mean It’s Easy (Photo courtesy of bayoubucks.com)

Do you believe that being physically fit is only for backcountry mountain hunters? If so, you are completely mistaken. It is very important for all of us regardless of our hunting styles or geography. Now certainly some hunts and situations are going to require a higher level of fitness than others but all our hunts will benefit from being stronger and well conditioned. One my hunting partners recently experienced just a situation. Because he was prepared physically he was blessed with a fantastic memory for himself and sons. Had he not been prepared for an adverse and challenging situation the opportunity could have quickly been soured. The story and photos below are courtesy of Tim Brignac. Continue Reading…

In Hunting

Gear Review: Maven Binoculars

February 8, 2017 — 4 Comments

The Maven B.1 8×42’s Proved to Be the Best Binoculars I’ve Personally had the Opportunity to Use.

The more I hunt out West the more I appreciate the use of optics to aid in my success. By no means am I an aficionado of fine optics but I certainly know when something gives clear and concise views and is well built. Which, when attempting to cover ground with your eyes or differentiate between a legal and non-legal bull are qualities you’d want. I recently had the opportunity to get my hands on a pair of Maven field glasses. What Maven has done is eliminated the middle man (i.e. retail store price markups) and is creating a high quality glass at a not so high price by building and shipping directly to the consumer. Continue Reading…

In Gear, Hunting, Reviews