Christmas Gift Guide for Hunters

Hunting to me is more than one dimensional, it has many facets. Bows, centerfire rifles, shotguns and sharp knives are all things that I feel make me a complete outdoorsman or woman.  So instead of flipping through a catalog and giving you things I have only seen on the Internet or on the store shelf, here are my holiday gift suggestions for the hunter in your life that I actually own and use or otherwise have experience with.

Button Buck Clothing (most items $15+)

Button Buck clothing can be a great gift for both the hunter and his or her little ones.  As a father I know this: my son and daughter absolutely love their Button Buck gear and wear it proudly wherever they go.  As a father I can see the quality in the shirts, no cheap big box store bottom-shelf products here, Button Buck clothing is made entirely in the USA and printed by hand. As any parent or grandparent knows, kids’ clothes take a beating, but Button Buck’s premium products keep on going even with the most active kids. With slogans such as “Suction Cup Archery Champion”, “Vegetables are for Deer”, “Hunting’s Future”, and “Food Chain Champion”, there is something for every kid in the clan.

Bee Stinger Pro Hunter Bow Stabilizer ($79.99-109.99)

I received my 8” Bee Stinger Pro Hunter mid-season this year and with gusto I put her on my Mathews bow in hopes to tame my groups and I did just that. More than just a vibration dampener the Bee Stinger Pro Hunter actually aids in your shooting. While most other stabilizers focus on dampening your shot, the Pro Hunter focuses on making you a better shooter.  Bee Stinger’s carbon tube construction and variable weight forward design enables the Pro Hunter Stabilizer to slow down and steady your sight picture when you draw.  The internal dampening system that is located inside the carbon shaft also aids in reducing the vibration of your bow, making for a more comfortable day in the field or on the range. Availible in 8”, 10” and 12” carbon shaft lengths and 0 to 11oz weighted ends starting at $79.99 on up to $109.99.

Gerber Gear Myth Field Dress Kit ($84)

I am a knife junkie to say the least, so when a friend forwarded me Gerber Gear’snew #Unstoppable #HelloTrouble campaign I was beside myself with their new direction as a company. A few days later I had a few new knives show up at my door, two of which were part of the Myth Field Dress Kit–the Fixed Gut Hook 3.75” blade and the Small Fixed Knife with a sleek 3.25” blade. And don’t forget about the innovative and interchangeable knife sharpener that is built in the sheath. All in all you have a complete package that is ready to cut and cut and cut endlessly, whether you are in the field dressing a deer or at the farm cutting some rope. They truly are #Unstoppable and can keep you going for $84.

Custom Sako by Chesebro Rifles (price varies)

Everyone deserves something custom once in their life and something that is quality made. We have become accustomed to off-the-shelf products that fall apart. Not so with a custom Sako from custom gun maker Chesebro Rifles. Sako rifles themselves have a long history: like many other gun companies, they started out manufacturing rifles for their country’s armed forces (Finland) in the early 20th century. I recently took possession of a Sako 995 action chambered in 7mm Remington Magnum with a 1:9 twist 32” Benchmark barrel from Chesebro. Sako rifle construction is exceptional; the action is crisp and clean while the barreling, trigger work, and stock fitting from Chesebro is top-notch as well. Not being just a number at a gun counter is refreshing as well, as is actually getting a response to questions and information from a true expert and not just a guy in a green shirt. It was a great gift to me this year, and I believe would be a great big ticket item for you or your loved ones as well.

Crooked Horn’s RF Hook-UP ($39.99)

I hide nothing that I do indeed have a deep affection towards Crooked Horn products–they invented the Bino System and have come up with many industry-leading designs. The RF Hook Up is just such a product. It pairs the tried and true Bino System with their new RF (rangefinder) Sidekick. For only $39.99 you are able to carry your binoculars and your rangefinder and ready to access them when you need them. The RF Sidekick has a detachable tethering system that slides up and down the elastic strap and has a secondary securing system that latches over the eye cup. The RF fits most compact rangefinders on the market today which makes the product versatile and easy to use. Being that they are made in the USA, Crooked Horn’s quality is far superior to any others on the market today and their “No Fail Policy” does not hurt either all for $39.99. www.crookedhorn.com

Leica Trinovids ($1,500)

Optics: just the word makes me shutter and my bank account dwindle, but for good reason. If you can’t see your game from afar, you will not be able to get close and seal the deal. Optics are the single most important piece of equipment that you could have with you in the field and the Leica Trinovids are the perfect blend of quality and precision at a great value. Having 95% of the same construction as their top-of-the-line Ultravids, minus a few lens coatings and one less additive to the glass, the Trinovids are nearly identical. They are even built on the same chassis as the Ultravids. All you shed is a few features for a $700 dollar price reduction, landing you at $1,500. Money well spent, so instead of buying a new pair every other year purchase one pair that you will have for 10 years–it’s much more cost effective that way. Amazing optics to say the least and worth every penny you invest into them.

Swarovski ATX Spotting Scope ($3,000+)

When you need to see really far away theSwarovski Optik ATX/STX Spotting Scopes are modular perfection with their ability to change out lens objective sizes from 65mm to 85mm and on up to 95mm. With just a turn of the system, you can change and adapt to whatever situation you are in. The ATX (Angled Eye Piece) and the STX (Straight Eye Piece) also allow you to change your position according to your needs. With the Swarovision you are also getting glass that does not blur around the edges of the optics, has vibrant colors, and allows you to be able to look through your optics for hours on end without experiencing eye fatigue. The picture quality at long distances allows you to confirm that bull or buck across the mountain is worthy of hiking over to. It will save you a lot of time and effort if you just take great optics and look first. The ATX or STX start at around $3,000 for the Eye Piece and the 65mm Objective lens and goes up from there.

SKB Cases ($179.99)

I have had a multitude of different SKB cases over the years and the Hunter XL has been as rugged as any I have owned. Manufactured by poly forming the plastic outer shell and adhering EPS foam and plush fabric to the inside, the case secures your bow in a way that it does not rattle around. Retail for the case is $179.99 and that will hold 12 arrows and your parallel limb bow securely, protecting it from water, dust, and hard knocks that may occur while in transit. The interior dimensions of the case are 41” long x 17” wide x 6” deep, which will accommodate almost every parallel limb bow on the market today. I personally have had gasoline, mud and rain soak my case and the contents are still intact and safe. And let us not forget the kid test, if it can hold up to my kids jumping on it, the case if good for me.

Cajun Archery Bowfishing Kit ($27-105)

An outdoorsperson’s passions can take many forms, and one of mine is is bowfishing. And what better way to outfit a bowfisher than with a bowfishing kit from Cajun Archery. From their entry level tried and true Drum Reel to the new sleek Zebco 808 Big Game Bowfishing reel and accessories, you are able to start out small or slay the big ones while on the water.  The entry level reel kit includes the Drum Reel, fiberglass arrow and mounting rod start at reasonable $27 for their basic model on up to $32. The premium Zebco Bowfishing Reel kit starts out at $84 and top out at $105 for their premium Reel Seat and Yellow Jacket Arrows, my personal set up.

Hot Shot Manufacturing Nano Release ($75)

A relative newcomer to the release market is Hot Shot Manufacturing and their line of high quality releases. With shooters like Stan Potts in the line up, you know the product has to be quality. The newly released Nano utilizes the “Lever-Link” trigger system that makes for the quick and highly adjustable trigger tension. The Nano produces less friction than traditional bearing designs and that translates into a crisp trigger system that allows you to forget about your trigger and just focus on shooting. The Nano’s Lever-Link system also reduces the need to clean and lubricate your release, being that it is comprised of less moving parts. Simply put it is a small, crisp, and effective way to shoot your bow and I am personally glad I made the switch. Not bad for a release priced at $75.

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Limbsaver SW-Tactical Gun Sling Review by Bearded Boar

In the world of tactical gun slings not all are created equal and as simple as a sling can be, a design can always be improved upon. The Limbsaver SW-Tactical Gun Sling is such a product and they have found a way to improve upon a simple product that everyone uses.

  Most slings are a mixture of flat nylon webbing with a few plastic or metal clips and buckles, Configured for either a single or two point connections. Both single and two point configurations have their advantages and disadvantages a single point allows mobility and being able to shoulder your weapon quickly and on either side, but has a tendency to swing back an forth when not being used. Dual or 2 points systems stay put, but can be hardest to shoulder quickly. Thankfully the Limbsaver Tactical Gun Sling is both.

  At first glance the Limbsaver Tactical Sling has a wide strap which helps to limit fatigue and pressure points that are generally associated with carrying your firearm. The obvious feature is the NAVCOM material makes up the majority of the strap, not only is the strap wide, but is does not slide around and shift keeping your firearm in front of you or where you want it at all times.  Most of the straps that I have used are simple, basic and slide around your chest and back more that a greased pig.  At first I was hesitant about the material and wondered if it was going to catch or twist around my clothing as I moved.  To my surprise it stayed where I wanted like expected, but I did not have a lot of movement with my jacket, shirt or sweater which is a huge plus.

  Top Three Features

1. The NAVCOM non-slip strap really is incredible.  I won’t lie it is not for everyone, some people like their strap to rotate around. I am not one of them though. I want my gun to stay where I put it and not where it wants to go.  The width of the sling lessens the fatigue on you shoulder and the NAVCOM also has a little give to it so it acts like a padded sling without all the bulk and cheap sewing.
2. I prefer the single point connection system and the Limbsaver design allows you to switch easily and quickly between the two.  The quick connections on the case are durable and less prone to breaking from continual use.  They have installed a metal ring into the harness which is the key to the Single Point connection system, durable, reliable and quick.  The Quick-Release harness system is attached and released by a simple tri-glide buckle, truly quick and easy. 
3. Because of the single point design you are able to switch from your normal firing position to your weak side easily and back again without fighting your strap.  I was able to move through a building switching from shoulder to shoulder without any issue.

 

  The more I used the sling the more I stopped thinking about it, which to me is the most important thing with it come to shooting.  The more I can just focus on target acquisition and not on my firearm or its components the more I am able to just let things flow.   To me is telling of a great product and one that has a permanent place within my arsenal. 

Disadvantages to the Limbsaver SW-Tactical Sling are minimal, but could truly be changed easily by them to make the product even better.  Above in my second top feature of the sling I stated that the product had a few pieces that made it incredibly versatile and easy to use.  Those same features are the slings weak links as well.  I am not a huge fan of plastics and polymers on certain products or places where it is integral for the product to work at it was intended.  The Quick-Release and the connection point from the NAVCOM Strap and the nylon webbing are plastic and unfortunately might have fail when you need it most. Swapping them out to a metal clip would solve any concerns of the product failing.

    The last thing that I had issue again comes off one of the advantages as well, the sling’s ability to adjust.  There is a single tri-glide that helps retain the excess webbing when you do not have it adjusted out completely. This feature allows for a four to six inch piece to be hanging on my sling with I set it up how I wanted it and I’m a big guy it would only be more of smaller people. By adding a second Tri-Glide you would reduce the straps from hanging about and getting in the way and not impact the function of the sling’s ability to adjust.

The SW-Tactical sling was build to not slip and slide while you are in action and it does that.  It allows you at a moments notice to go from a Single point harness to a dual point and it does that really well.  So the reliability is there as far as I am concerned, but there are a few features that I would like to see changed, even though it would drive the price up a little it would still be worth it.   For $29.99 I definitely think it is worth it. Give it a shot if your are in the market.

Cheers, 

The BB

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Fast Friday--SHWAT- Special Hog Weapons And Tactics

Wanted to share about some really cool guys doing something a little out of the ordinary in terms of hunting.  SHWAT, Special Hog Weapons And Tactics,  is trying to bring together the world of Tactical Firearms and wild hog hunting.  Traditionally the Tactical realm has been at arms length with the hunting world, but the Guys at SHWAT are attempting to bring the two together to manage the exploding population of wild hogs in Texas and beyond.


Give the guys a look over at www.SHWAT.com.

Cheers,

The BB

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[Wordless Wednesday] Trophy Elk

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Fast Friday- Got to Have Gear

1. Hunten Outdoors- Field View 4- It retails for $150 off their site and really is handy when you just want to check your game cams real quick. The 3.5" view screen is really the size of an IPhone and easily stores in your pack.  Grab the card, hope up in your stand and while you wait for your deer to come by.  A great tool and worth it if you don't want to be messing with changing out your SD card on you camera. Just pop it in and go.  Simple.




2.Gerber Gear Myth Fixed Blade drop point with gut hook. I a knife guy, but this is one product that I really love.  The rubberized handle and built in sharpener that is on the sheath is simply awesome and another must have in your pack.  Out of the box sharp and cut even the toughest and thickest pig hide.  Watch for a full review of the Myth line in the coming weeks.

3. Bee Stinger- Pro Hunter Stabilizer- I did a quick review on the product two weeks ago and to say that I am glad I have in on my bow is an understatement.  I guess I never knew what I was missing.  The carbon shaft and the weighted disk surprisingly don't get in the way for me when I am hiking in after pigs and deer.  Give it a shot and see what you think.

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Swarovski Optiks EL 8x32 Review

Swarovski Optiks EL 8x32 Review

To say that I was a little impressed with Swarovski EL 8x32 is an understatement and top that with the fact that I was skeptical about using them in the field when I got them, it was major conversion in my understanding of Optics and what I need to hunt. 

Technical Overview

For all the tech guys out there, you are in for a treat.  Swarovski Optics has done a few things here to really set themselves apart from other optics companies.   Here are the technical specs from their website and a little explanation from me.

·                       Field flattener lenses: contrast right up to the image periphery

o       Translated- Most lenses are curved and thus are distorted when the prism reflect through them.  Take another set of Binos and look at the very edges, there is a slight distortion of the image there.  The EL’s with SWAROVISION virtually eliminates that.

·                       HD optics: maximum contrast & colour fidelity

o       The term Fluoride-containing HD lenses describes the infusion of fluoride into the lenses that reduces the distortion of the color fringes and makes for a crisp and clean color transitions.  This is especially important to me in while glassing dense undergrowth for a pig, but more on that later.

·                       Eye relief plus: 100 % field of view even for spectacle wearers

o       I don’t wear glasses, but those who do will love the fact that the 4 position eye cup design allow them to be right up to the lenses without having to take their glasses off.

o       Fully extended the eye cups allow for a larger exit pupil distance (4mm), which translated into better eye relief and more comfort during the long glassing hours.

·                       Maximum color fidelity: through optimized coating of the lenses and prisms.

o       SWARODUR, SWAROTOP and SWAROBRIGHT give noticeably better color reproduction combined with even greater transmission. Refining colors and drawling out the differences is what allows you to find game.

o       The multiple coatings that are on lenses allow for browns and grey spectrums to be enhanced.  Being that most game are in those color spectrums you can use smaller and lighter binoculars and yet still see more.

o       SWAROCLEAN give a durability factor to the lenses that requires less cleaning of dirt, vapor and grim that tends to build up while hunting. Fact is you will spend more time looking and less time worrying about cleaning them.

For all the technical specs click here for sensory over load and satisfaction.

Personal Take

 I’ll be honest, they are expensive for most people.  With a price point of around $2000 dollars most people will want just wait for a retailer to get the same ol’ go to Nikons for 40% off.  I understand that, I was there up until a few weeks ago. I have heard from a lot of people say, “If it doesn’t actually aid in me killing the game then it is not worth it.” Okay, if you can see them then you are not going to kill them.  

I said that I was skeptical about 8x32’s in the opening paragraph.  I have always felt that you need big powerful binoculars to be able to get out there and see far away so you can put the stalk on an animal.  What I did not realize is that I was actually saying was, “My bino’s image quality is so poor I need to compensate by getting a larger picture.” The difference is High Definition to standard.  If you can see more detail, you do not need to get closer and you can have the benefit of having a smaller, lighter system on your chest.

Final Thoughts

 The confirmation came to me last week when I shot a 150lb pig with my bow and it ran off into the thickest gnarly undergrowth imaginable.  Rather than trouncing in there arrows blazing and getting rushed by a wounded pig, I just sat back and glassed under the dimly light canopy.  I took my time as I followed the blood trail and used the Swarovski EL’s to scan the trail for blood, foot prints and signs of movements.  With every minor adjustment of the field of view became so crisp, each blade of grass, leaf and twig came into focus as I ventured deeper and deeper into the dense undergrowth until I was able to find my pig and confirm it had expired.  Something that was previously unimaginable with other optics that I have owned in the past.  The experience was like the first time I had watched the Discovery Channel’s Planet earth on a High Definition television, an eye opening experience that left me breathless and wanting more. 

The Swarovski EL 8x32 are an optic systems that will truly last a life time and are the most important piece of equipment that you can have in the field.  The one time investment of a great pair of binocular systems is far less than the continual purchasing of inferior optics.  Purchasing your way up the price ranges is less cost effective and you will end up with a pile of used poor quality optics by the time you realize you should have purchased the Swarovski Optiks from the get go. It is time for an upgrade in your optics system

I recommend doing the right thing and buying an optic system right the first time.

Shoot Straight,

The Bearded Boar

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Fast Friday- Questions

1. Just a quick question, I would not go out hunting or fishing without___________ with me?

2. A knife is a knife or I will only use _______ knives!

3. American made products is _________ when I'm purchasing my hunting gear.

Simple and easy.....Shoot Straight


The BB

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Protect American Heritage and Our Rights

There comes a time when we must stand up and voice out our opinions about oppressive legislature that attempts to reduce our freedoms that so many that died fighting to establish and protect.

 Right now, because of the indiscretions of a few misguided and disenfranchised we must pay for their sins of hate and rebellion that they themselves harbored within their hearts. In our state of California we are faced with many battles to keep out 2nd Amendment rights in place and our hunting heritage and traditions alive because some do not see it as progressive.

 On Governor Brown’s desk today are bills that restrict anything from the use of hound for hunt to tighter restrictions on “private sales” of firearms and even to making it against the law for a minor to be in possession of “BB” type gun. As with many bills in our current society that have been hastily written and designed these too are an ill fated attempt to erode gun rights and the American tradition of hunting.

 Our for fathers said it best in our Declaration of Independence Preamble,
 “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

 Rebellion in spirit, heart and practices is what is needed to restore our rights. It is not a physical rebellion of the government other than maybe removing the agitators from their elected office. Please join us in restoring our rights and protecting our freedoms. Idle talk, conversation or debates on forums will not correct this oppression, action is needed now!

Call AND e-mail Governor Brown TODAY urging him to VETO SB 1221, SB 1366, AB 1527, AB 2460 and AB 2333 

Governor Jerry Brown can be reached at 916-445-2841 and by e-mail here. 

 For more information visit NRA Institute for Legislative Action to learn how to get involved in your own state.



Deepest respect and thanks to the military and those who have pledged to protect and serve.

Tony
The Bearded Boar

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Bee Stinger- Pro Hunter Pre-Review

Is writing a review on a product before you have it in your hands even possible?  Not really I suppose, but what won’t stop me now. I can’t give you an first inspection overview, a how it feels in my hands, but I can give you the initial hype on the product. What I can say is that I hope it does what they say it will do.

Bee Stinger LLC, a division of Gold Tip Arrows, has shipped me an 8”/8oz Pro Hunter Stabilizer in matte black and the Quick Disconnect System.  Being 8” long I wanted to be able to remove the Pro Hunter stabilizer when I secured it to my back on a long hike in hunt.  The box at this time is somewhere between Utah and Central CA, at least that is what Fed Ex says.  So I wait and reflect on the situation and wonder how it will make my shooting experience better.

1. The Facts-
•  I don’t shoot with a stabilizer right now.
• Though I do shoot 3”group most of the time at 50 yards, I have to work my tail off for that.
• I was told before I would not need a stabilizer with the Mathews Reezen 7.0, it was great bow. (I should have gotten a second opinion.)
• I am tired of fighting my bow into submitting to my will and not it’s own.

1. The Hype-
• From the Bee Stinger site- To understand why the Bee Stinger works, we first need to define the role of a stabilizer in archery. A stabilizer should hold your bow steady both while at full draw and at the time of release while shooting. The Bee Stinger embodies the definition of stabilization. When an archer is holding at full draw, there are many forces built up in the cables, limbs, and back of the archer, etc. When the arrow is released, these forces change suddenly. These changing forces affect the bow in addition to the flight of the arrow. The job of the stabilizer is to resist the movement of the bow resulting from these forces.

I spoke directly with one of Bee Stinger’s Territory Sale Managers about my bow and how to set it up.  Great thing is that he shot the Matthews Reezen with almost the identical set up and therefore with confidence he instructed me to order the Pro Hunter in 8” with the 8oz weight.  Signed, sealed and soon to be delivered to my doorstep, its mine. 

So, I guess this is a pre-review review on at least my experience and expectations with the Bee Stinger Pro Hunter. We will see what happens and looking forward to hooking it up tomorrow and giving it shot, so to speak.

Cheers,

The Bearded Boar

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Pig hunting drought ends with my bow

I have been dogging in on public land for pigs for I don't know HOW LONG now and with all the MILES, stories and unluck that I have had recently with the bacon mobiles I was feeling a little down.  So when my boss asked me if I wanted to run to his cabin that had some pigs running around it I jumped at the chance.  We motored up there Monday afternoon and we were going to get out Tuesday morning early.  Well as most things go that did not happen, but for a good reason.

Monday upon arrival I geared up and hit the trail looking for Bear, Deer, and or Pigs.  I found bear (tracks), Deer (does), Pig (track) and a crap load of turkey.  Cool thing about it was that I was able get in so close to the deer and turkeys.  I had a whole mess of does and turkeys within 30 yards it was pretty awesome, except that it was not turkey season and you can't shoot does in this area.  But as the night closed in I decided to call it good enough and head into the cabin.  [Commence sleeping and general tom-foolery as most grown men do when alone.]

Tuesday 5am came way to early, but that is the way it is when your having fun.  My plan was to check one of the ponds and then run the fire trails checking the clearings as I walked to the lower property where pigs go from the open fields to the safety of the gnarliest scrub oak known to man.  I got around to the lower section and sat up, of all places, under a tree stand.  Stand had not been tended to in a while and was a little over grown. But that dirt never bothered me anyway.

 After realizing this hunt was going to end like all the rest, I just ranged around to see where things were at.  On my last click I hit a log at 40 yards and not 10 seconds later, from the same direction of the log, I heard a noise.  And not just any noise, pigs!  Like a tornado coming out of no where the pigs stormed up the ravine like locus on the Egyptians.  The first pig that walked through the shooting window was a nice 150lbs pig. That is good enough for me. As she walked behind a tree, I drew. She walked onto the exact spot I ranged I let my arrow fly.  The Easton St. Axis 340 w/ blazers tipped with my MX-4 Muzzy met together with her in a mixture of squealing and blood loss.  She mowed through the undergrowth that is a tangled as a Tom Clancy novel and I heard her pile up and thrash around.  I took a breath, waited a few minutes and then started to track her down. 

Arrow was bloody and did not smell, nice.
Blood at the impact spot, great.
Bloody trail that I could land a 747 on, priceless

I took is slow and quite, which is really easy with the Crooked Horn's Safari Sneakers. No joke you can reduce your noise by 80% when walking in the nasty oak riddles under growth. I know I work for them, blah, blah, blah, paid spokes hole but I am not joking they are the most important things I own. No more taking off your boots and hiking in socks.  So as I followed the Red-Oak-Leaf-Road, I would step, sit and move.  Step, sit and move. Shower rinse and repeat.  After about 50 yards of that I came up on my first pig with a bow.  It seemed like an eternity to get it done, but I was pretty amazing to say the least.  I took a few photos, pulled her hind end out of the under growth and then boned miss piggy out.

All said and done, I shot her at 7:20 am and had her on ice and was leaving at 11:30am.  Not too bad, if you count all the filming we had to do and the dirty work of cutting it up.  When its all said and done it was a great hunt and a phenomenal way to finally end the pork drought in my freezer.  

There you have it & Cheers

Tony

The Bearded Boar

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