With Christmas fast approaching, now’s the time to get a jumpstart on the shopping. Here’s a look at some quality gear I’ve tested this year and will continue using on future hunts and outings.
by Scott Haugen
LoopRope
One of the most universal tools I’ve used is the LoopRope, and it makes a great stocking stuffer. I’ve used LoopRopes for over a decade on countless hunting, fishing, and camping tasks. My wife Tiffany has them in her truck and bike to secure items she’s hauling, even groceries. The multiple fastening loops maximize the number of securing points, optimizing secure holds. They’re like a bungee on steroids in that they’re more robust and will secure at multiple angles, not just from one straight pull. LoopRopes are much more streamlined than cargo nets. It comes with two double-sided LoopClips, which are available in various sizes. I use them to secure dog training gear to packs, accessories to duck call lanyards, and quick access items to hunting and trail camera backpacks. There’s no limit to what the LoopRope can do.
FOXPRO X24
Most of my predator calling is done in thick forest, dense brush, and often when it’s raining and windy. To help battle the less-than-ideal calling situations, I got a FOXPRO X24. Thanks to the high-definition horn speaker and tweeter, the 24-bit audio sounds are loud and crisp, and the frequency response is tops. The folding handle is ideal for achieving ground clearance and makes it easy to hang in a tree to maximize the broadcast. The X24 comes with 100 sounds and will hold up to 1,000 sounds. It comes with a TX1000 transmitter featuring a full-color graphic LCD screen that’s easy to see in all conditions. On the back of the unit is an external speaker jack, an auxiliary jack to connect a Jack Predator Decoy, and a charge jack for the lithium battery. It’s USA-made, with a 5-year limited warranty.
Divebomb Dry Gauge Shotgun Case
I was in need of a waterproof shotgun case to keep my gun dry and protected when tossed into the decoy cart or carried over my shoulder. Divebomb’s Dry Gauge Shotgun Case is what I was looking for. It functions as a floating, padded dry bag for your shotgun, keeping it protected and dry in and out of the field. It’s tough and lasts because it is fabricated with high-grade materials like waterproof 500D PVC Tarpaulin, Mil-Spec webbing, and quality Duraflex hardware. At 60.5 inches long, this case will accommodate even the longest barrel shotguns and choke tubes.
Sitka Optifade Cover
I can count on one hand the number of camo patterns that have impressed me when it comes to hunting in the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. Sitka’s new Optifade Cover pattern is one of them. Last spring, I began testing this pattern in multiple states, including Southeast Alaska. Made for folks throughout much of the West and the brush-laden, shadow-dense habitats we hunt throughout the country, the pattern is a win. The new Cover pattern is a must-see from the Cascades to the Coast Range and the valleys between. I never owned a piece of Sitka clothing until just over a year ago. Now, it dominates my closets thanks to its comfort, precise fit, and top performance.
5.11 Clothes, Bags & More
What do flying on a plane halfway around the world, going to church, elk hunting, and spending a week on a fishing boat in Alaska have in common? You can wear the same 5.11 Tactical clothing on all of them. And that’s what I did. If you still need to check out 5.11’s clothing, do it. From base layers to casual wear, hunting, fishing, camping, and anything outdoors—or indoors—it’s comfortable, durable, and performs. My wife, Tiffany, relies on it for biking and hiking trips around the world. And their travel bags and packs have accompanied us around the globe, on trips to four continents and over a dozen states, including Alaska. It’s tough, built to maximize organization, and easy to handle. 5.11’s attention to quality is what led me to try their Response XR1 Headlamp. I’ve used a lot of headlamps over the years, and this has become my go-to choice. It casts 1,000 lumens in peak spot mode and is simple to switch to flood mode when needed. The lamp is easy to rotate and is removable.
PAKA Thermal Baselayer
FORLOH Jackets
I first saw FORLOH’s AllClima Soft Shell Jacket in Alaska; a father and son were each wearing one on a fishing trip. It poured rain five of the six days, yet they stayed completely dry, which is saying something given Alaska’s extreme conditions. I picked one up, and have worn it in driving rains chasing deer in the timber, on cold, windy days in sagebrush country, on various elk hunts, and on rainy days pursuing fall turkeys in the river bottom. The AllClima jacket is quiet and comfortable and keeps me dry and shielded in high winds. Their ThermoNeutral Down Jacket is also worth checking out. They dub it “the best down hunting jacket on the market,” and I know why. I’ve tried several brands. Waterproof and comfortable as a mid-layer, even outerwear, the ThermoNeutral Down Jacket keeps you dry inside and outside. It’s breathable and allows air to circulate, meaning you won’t overheat or get cold when hiking through mountains or sitting in a tree stand.
Moultrie Mobile Trail Cameras
I currently have 134 trail cameras set out in three states, spanning hundreds of miles. Over half of them are Moultrie Mobile Cellular Cameras. I’ve tested a lot of cellular trail cameras in recent years and love the dependability and performance of Moultrie Mobile cameras. There’s no card to check, thanks to built-in memory. Videos are easy to download on your smartphone and their high-definition resolution is exceptional. The Edge Pro and Edge 2 Pro cameras feature a super fast trigger speed and smart zones you can control from your phone to eliminate moving brush and shadow shots. Moultrie also includes a GPS so you never lose track of where it’s at, and an easy-to-mount and aim option that connects directly to your phone. Each camera automatically connects to all four major networks for nationwide cellular coverage, and it’s now available in First Lite camo. Moultrie’s Universal Camera Stakes, Solar Panels, and rechargeable batteries are must-haves if you are serious about streamlining your trail camera game.
Leupold Rendezvous Rifle Case
I first used Leupold’s new two-rifle Rendezvous Rifle Case on a road trip. I loved its streamlined fit under the backseat of my truck so much that I kept using it. Now, it’s been on numerous hunts and probably always will be. There is plenty of room to hold two rifles, and the two outside zipper compartments stow ammo, magazines, parts, and more. Two Velcro strips securely hold each gun in place, no matter how rough the backroads you travel. I’d still play if Velcro had been this strong while playing flag football in the early 1970s. The reinforced grab handles, sling, and zippers are rugged and perfectly designed for carrying and moving.
Orvis Memory Foam Deluxe Dog Bed
My two pudelpointers were in need of new dog beds. I got one because I heard many great reports about Orvis’s Deluxe Dog Beds. When I opened it, my dogs wanted to nuzzle into the comfy bed. Kona, my 65-pound male, immediately burrowed in. When he got up to inspect it further, Echo, my 11-year-old 43-pound female, dove in. She didn’t move for three hours. When she did, Kona hopped right back into it and stayed put for two hours. That’s how it went for days. It was a race to the bed whenever they came in from an outside break.
When done eating breakfast and dinner, whoever got the bed first claimed it. Then, one day, Echo was curled up in the bed next to my office desk. Minutes later, Kona joined her. They both slept in it all afternoon. They had three other beds in the house to choose from, along with two couches and chairs, but both wanted the Orvis bed. I have a long way to go before giving a full report on this bed, but first impressions are everything. The orthopedic memory foam feels good on my dogs after a long day of hunting, especially when it’s cold out. Aging Echo simply loves it. The zip-off cover is simple to remove and clean and is machine washable. I’ll be ordering a smaller bed for Echo.
VSSL Coffee Grinder
I never used to drink coffee until I got stuck in a remote bear camp in Alaska, ran out of food, and only had coffee for three days. Now I’m a coffee nerd. Tiffany and I enjoy the smell, unique flavor, and the process of hand-grinding our coffee beans. Now, with the VSSL Java Grinder G25, we appreciate the process even more. This sturdy, precision-crafted grinder has 50 grind dial settings for your desired grind. Hold the grinder in one hand and turn the tough, extendable handle with the other. This powerfully built, hand crank machine is easy to use, ergonomic, and has the perfect balance that makes grinding simple. We liked the G25 so much that we got the larger G45. Now, we have two portable grinders for home and hunting, fishing, and camping trips. Manual coffee grinders don’t produce heat like electric grinders, so the grounds’ flavor profile is not compromised. Tiffany even uses this grinder in some wild game recipes, where quality ground coffee is an ingredient.
