Archery elk season is fast approaching. This tried-and-true gear will make you more comfortable and efficient.
Slayer Harem & Huntress Cow Calls
If you struggle with a diaphragm call during archery elk season, fear not, the perfect substitutes have arrived. First is a new bite-down cow elk call dubbed the Harem, by Slayer Calls. Before getting into what makes this call so special, let’s back up. Twenty years ago, I helped a call company develop a bite-down, hands-free cow elk call. I love diaphragm calls and use them religiously to generate cow and bull sounds. But in the heat of the moment, when at full draw, often breathing hard from covering rugged ground in a hurry, my mouth was dry and I struggled to get precise sounds from diaphragm calls.
The hands-free call I helped develop was a small, open reed call with notches cut in the bottom that could be gripped with the bottom teeth. I killed elk with it, but it was far from what I envisioned, design-wise.
The open reed of the Harem has soft rubber that you can hold comfortably and easily in your mouth. The more pressure you apply by biting down, the higher the pitch as you blow. The range of cow and calf elk sounds the Harem delivers is vast and very precise. It’s perfect for emulating herd chatter and specific cow sounds all season long.
For bowhunters, slide the Harem into the corner of your mouth and operate it hands-free. If you’re at full draw and need to stop a bull in a specific spot to thread an arrow through brush, the Harem will allow you to do it with efficiency. The call I dreamed of for years is here.
Last year, Slayer Calls introduced the Enchantress Push Button Elk Call. It uses an internal diaphragm reed, with the pressure coming from a push button rather than your tongue. Don’t be afraid to apply pressure to hit those high cow notes and calf sounds; the call can handle it.
The range of cow and calf sounds this call allows you to make, and the quality of every note, will give you immediate confidence, and that’s what kills elk. I’ve heard from many good elk hunters how effective this call is and how easy it is to learn to use. Made in the U.S.A., Slayer Calls gives 10 percent from each purchase to organizations that protect the environment and wildlife, support conservation efforts, and preserve America’s hunting heritage.
Meindl Comfort Fit Boa Speed Hunter Boots
I had an emergency back surgery this past spring. The surgeon said I’d be lucky to do any big game hunting this fall. Four months after surgery, I got the green light to start walking on uneven ground. My old tennis shoes didn’t cut it; I was in too much pain. I’d also developed bone spurs and calcium buildup in an arthritic toe joint. Getting old isn’t for the weak.
I needed a shoe that offered room in the toe while putting my body in a position that didn’t pinch the new hardware in my back. Three brands later, I found what I was looking for in Meindl’s Comfort Fit Power Walker 3.5.
This shoe design naturally put my body in an upright position and instantly offered 100 percent pain relief with each step. The heel and midsole gave ample support, while the toe had plenty of room for my swollen joints. I hiked less than 10 miles in them before my next Meindl investment, their Comfort Fit Boa Speed Hunter Boots.
As of this writing, I’ve logged over 25 hours in the new boots. I’ve been a fan of Meindl boots for decades and have worn them on hundreds of big game hunts around the world. Their new Comfort Fit Boa Speed Hunter immediately gave me the same results as their Power Walkers: perfect body position, ideal heel and arch support, and room in the toe box.
The boots are light, not a weight burden on my back. The BOA lacing system is top-notch, one I’ve enjoyed since first learning about it over a decade ago. The support, stability, and comfort of the Boa Speed Hunters have impressed me. Whether I’ve been running trail cameras in dense forests, scaling rocky ridges scouting for deer, or pushing my body to get in shape by hiking uneven ground and hills, these boots have given me the performance and comfort I need to keep moving forward. Gore-Tex lined, 100 percent waterproof, and the lacing system is precise and easy to adjust.
Mystery Ranch Sawtooth 45 Pack: An Archery Elk Dream Pack
I chose this pack due to my back issues, and it has not disappointed. The Mysterium line is new to the Mystery Ranch family, and the Sawtooth 45 is a pack in the series. The comfortable, ergonomic fit of the frame and efficient compression straps first caught my attention. A big main compartment with ample zipper coverage makes access easy, and the internal pockets, complete with bladder pouch and port, are well designed. The ventilated harness and five-piece waist belt are a luxury on hot days, especially with my back issues.
Pre-season hikes have felt great with this pack. I plan on using it on upcoming bear and deer hunts this fall. It would work great for an early-season archery elk spike camp hunt, too, especially the 65 model. It comes in three colors and four sizes, 45, 65, 85, and 105, including specially designed models for women.
To Read About The Best Bow Setup For Elk, Click Here!
5.11 Allhaula 30-Can Cooler
Looking for a rugged soft cooler that’ll keep drinks cold until you get back to the rig after dark, and then some? 5.11’s new Allhaula Cooler is it. In addition to the roominess and performance of the 30-Can Cooler to keep drinks cold and ice solid, I love the compression-molded bottom. The sturdy design of the sides and top further keeps this “soft” cooler from collapsing; you can even put gear on top of it.
I love the design and effectiveness of every piece of 5.11 clothes I’ve worn, as has my wife, who wears much of their clothing on hiking and biking trips around the world. The Allhaula 30-Can Cooler design picks up right where the clothes leave off.
Worksharp Professional Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener
The advancement of the sharpening systems Worksharp continues to roll out amazes me. Their new Professional Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener is no exception. This system optimizes control and precision more than any home sharpener I’ve used. From field knives to butchering knives, including my wife’s high-end Shun kitchen knives, this sharpener handles them all. Gone are the days of sending knives back to the factory for sharpening once a year.
An array of features sets this sharpening system apart, but for me, the clamp stabilizing platform, precisely constructed metal frame, and complete line of abrasive options stand out. I also love the small knife table, as it’s easy to insert and makes for accurate handling of small blades. The digital angle indicator is ingenious. I’m not gonna lie, the foam-molded carrying case is an added luxury both for transport and storage. Easy to set up and swap grits. This sharpener makes me feel like a pro, though I’m far from it.
Moultrie Mobile Edge Solar & onX Hunt: Perfect For Archery Elk
More elk than ever are being killed in lowland habitats throughout the West. If hunting elk in areas with cell reception, consider running a trail camera to help learn about their movements this time of year.
I run trail cameras year-round for elk, both cellular and non-cellular. Moultrie Mobile’s new Edge Solar cellular trail camera is a two-in-one gem. An adjustable solar panel sits atop the camera and allows for easy adjustment to optimize sun exposure. It’s the largest attached solar panel of its kind on the market, which maximizes battery life and camera performance. Run the trail camera on high definition video mode to optimize what you capture, including sounds of bugling bulls and talkative cow herds as they carry on. Set these cameras out now to scout for you before the season, or take them with you to hunting camp and set them up to receive timely feedback.
Moultrie recently teamed up with onX Hunt. This partnership between onX’s industry-leading mapping and navigation system and Moultrie’s cutting-edge cellular trail camera technology allows hunters to scout, see, and navigate the places they’re hunting with unmatched efficiency. Accurate, detailed information leaves no question as to where you are, what you’re seeing, and the best locations to hunt. I’m not a tech wiz, but these two tools are proven game changers for hunters.
RUX 70L Essentials Set
When you first get the RUX 70L, don’t baby it. From initial setup to full-on use, this thing is tough and can handle a beating.
As a full-time writer who hunts, runs trail cameras, scouts, and fishes year-round, keeping gear organized is an essential part of my job. I’m constantly searching for the ideal storage system that allows for quick and easy changeouts while protecting valuable gear. Enter the RUX 70L Essentials Set.
My RUX 70 came with shoulder straps already installed. They’re easy to remove and reattach, meaning you can use it as a backpack or easy-to-carry tote. Inserting the four stays into each corner of the bag took some elbow grease, as the rubber-on-rubber texture is sticky, but that’s the point of it: to rigidly secure the corners and hold the bag in position. Once inserted, the bendable stays can be collapsed at any time. This is one of the most significant benefits of this customizable tote as it allows you to conform it to whatever is inside, thus maximizing space efficiency. The stays can bend at any point, then return to their rigid position for upright storage. The lid is easy to remove and reattach, and the handles and securing straps are perfect. It’s weatherproof and guaranteed for life.
I got the RUX 25L Bag and RUX 3L Pocket, too. Both are great for further storage and organizing, be they inside the RUX 70L or as standalone. The pouches inside the bag are a nice little addition.
