By Ben Blakeley
Summer scouting is something I look forward to every year. Although I never seem to get as much time for it as I’d like, I make an effort to fit it in whenever possible. Over the past several years, I’ve noticed a strong correlation between the amount of time spent scouting and hunting success.
(more…)By Ben Blakeley Summer scouting is something I look forward to every year. Although I never seem to get as much time for it as I’d like, I make an effort to fit it in whenever possible. Over the past several years, I’ve noticed a strong correlation between the amount of time spent scouting and […]
By Mark Skousen
With scouting season in full swing and hunting season right around the corner, it’s a great time to take inventory of what you will be using for optics this fall. I’ve often been asked the questions 'What binoculars should I get?' and I usually answer with another question 'What is your budget?' The easy answer is not all optics are created equal so the general rule is buy as much as you can afford. There is a lot of excellent glass on the market and if you make an investment in good glass, with a good warranty, whatever you choose, should last you a long time.
By Mark Skousen With scouting season in full swing and hunting season right around the corner, it’s a great time to take inventory of what you will be using for optics this fall. I’ve often been asked the questions ‘What binoculars should I get?’ and I usually answer with another question ‘What is your budget?’ […]
By Josh Kirchner
When it comes to Western hunting it is undeniable the advantage that quality optics provide the modern-day hunter. Having the ability to meticulously survey massive amounts of landscape and study animals from what is sometimes miles away, makes us more efficient, and ultimately more effective.
(more…)By Josh Kirchner When it comes to Western hunting it is undeniable the advantage that quality optics provide the modern-day hunter. Having the ability to meticulously survey massive amounts of landscape and study animals from what is sometimes miles away, makes us more efficient, and ultimately more effective.
By Mark Skousen
I have been a big fan of the Crispi Lapponia boot ever since they were introduced 4-5 years ago. I love them because they are lightweight, have no insulation, and no break is required making them very comfortable for early season hunts. My only nock on the previous models is the sole would wear out in a season or less of heavy use. New for 2024 is the Lapponia III from Crispi, not only does is have all the great features of the original Lapponia, but there are some significant enhancements. Here are some of the features of this new boot.
(more…)By Mark Skousen I have been a big fan of the Crispi Lapponia boot ever since they were introduced 4-5 years ago. I love them because they are lightweight, have no insulation, and no break is required making them very comfortable for early season hunts. My only nock on the previous models is the sole […]
By Kevin Weber
A few months ago things were off to a great start here in Southeast Iowa to prepare for whitetail hunting season. We had a spring with plenty of moisture and food plots were in tip top shape heading into summer. We continued to get more and more rain which eventually led to some consequences. Between the amount of rain we received and what rain we received further upstream led to some severe flooding in our area. The rivers came out of their banks and were near record high levels. Some ag land was impacted, as well as a lot of my food plots.
(more…)By Kevin Weber A few months ago things were off to a great start here in Southeast Iowa to prepare for whitetail hunting season. We had a spring with plenty of moisture and food plots were in tip top shape heading into summer. We continued to get more and more rain which eventually led to some consequences. […]
By Josh Kirchner
If one thing is true about hunting boots, they are not a “one style fits all” product. This is for a few reasons. We all have different feet, we hunt in various types of terrain and weather, and “to boot” hunting styles/methods vary from person to person. Because of this, the options are many in hunting boots. And because of this, based on extensive experience in the field, I’m going to break down these different styles of hunting boots. The end goal is to paint you a clear picture of what is going to work best for you and your style of hunting.
For the purpose of this article, I’m going to refer to the Crispi lineup of boots, because that is what I use and prefer. With that said, this information can be applied to ANY boot company, so run with it. Also, I’m not a podiatrist. Just a hunter with real-world experience who has burned a ton of boot leather.
What’s Your Style of Hunting?
(more…)By Josh Kirchner If one thing is true about hunting boots, they are not a “one style fits all” product. This is for a few reasons. We all have different feet, we hunt in various types of terrain and weather, and “to boot” hunting styles/methods vary from person to person. Because of this, the options […]
- Check out the Solid.HUNTING.Gear that the staff here at BlackOvis uses and are familiar with. Thinking of buying a product but not sure how it performs? Check out if any of us use it and give us a call!
Details
Hunting style: Muzzleloader
Favorite species: Mule Deer
Dream hunt: African Giraffe
Next gear purchase: Stone Glacier Col 4800
Weapon setup
Muzzleloader: CVA wolf V2 (.50cal)
Optic: Vortex Crossfire II 1X24/ fiber optic irons
Load: .499 bore driver ELD-X (340 grn)
Powder: Hodgdon pyrodex 50/50 pellets (X2)
Ignition: 209 primer
Clothing Setup
Body type: Slender
Hight: 6’8”
Weight:185lb
Pattern: Optifade, Open Country
Base layer: Blackovis Merino
Mid layer: Blackovis Timber Creek Performance Grid Fleece ¼ Zip Hoodie
Outer shirt: Sitka Core Long Sleeve
Outer shell: Sitka JetStream
Pant (warm): Sitka Intercept Pant
Pant (cold): Sitka Timberline Pant
Gloves: Sitka Gunner/ Traverse Gloves
Footwear: Crispi Briksdal
Socks: Darn Tough
Headwear: Sitka Icon Trucker Hat
Essential Gear
Binos: Vortex Diamondback 10x42
Knife: Buck 110/ Outdoor Edge
Pack: Horn Hunter Full Curl
Bino harness: Badlands Mag
Tripod: Vanguard VEO 3
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 801-559-7556 EXT-219
Check out the Solid.HUNTING.Gear that the staff here at BlackOvis uses and are familiar with. Thinking of buying a product but not sure how it performs? Check out if any of us use it and give us a call! Details Hunting style: Muzzleloader Favorite species: Mule Deer Dream hunt: African Giraffe Next gear purchase: Stone […]
- Check out the Solid.HUNTING.Gear that the staff here at BlackOvis uses and are familiar with. Thinking of buying a product but not sure how it performs? Check out if any of us use it and give us a call!
Hunting Style: Archery/Rifle
Favorite Species: Mule Deer
Dream Hunt: Brown Bear
Next Gear Purchase: Leupold Mark 5
Other Pursuits: Fishing
WEAPON SETUP
Bow: Prime RVX 34
Draw Length: 29", Poundage: 70 lbs
Strings: Prime
Sight: Spot Hogg Fast Eddie 5 Pin
Rest: Hamskea Epsilon
Release: Carter Chocolate Lite (3 finger)
Stabilizer: Conquest Archery
Arrows (and Spine): Easton Axis LR (300)
Quiver: TightSpot 7 Arrow Quiver
Broadhead: Sevr Titanium 1.5
CLOTHING SETUP
Body Type: Large
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 190 lbs
Camo: Kings Camo XKG
Gloves: BlackOvis San Juan Fingerless Wool Gloves (M), BlackOvis Tuscarora Merino Glove (M)
Rain Jacket: Sitka Dew Point Jacket (L)
Rain Pant: Sitka Dew Point Pant (XL)
Footwear: Crispi Altitude
Boot Gaiters: Peax Storm Castle Gaiters
Socks: Darn Tough Hunter Over-The-Calf Heavyweight (M)
ESSENTIAL GEAR
Binos: Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 10x42
Knife: MKC SpeedGoat
Game Bag: Ovis Sacks (Ultralight Pro Set)
Pack: Kifaru Stryker XL
Trekking Poles: Camofire Crest Carbon Poles
Tent: MSR Elixir 3 Person
Sleeping Bag: Peax Solace 15 Degree
Stove: MSR Reactor
Rangefinder: Leupold RX-Fulldraw 5
Bino Harness: T&K
Tripod: BlackOvis Alpine Pro
Contact
Email:
[email protected]
Phone Number: (801) 559-7556 EXT 224
Check out the Solid.HUNTING.Gear that the staff here at BlackOvis uses and are familiar with. Thinking of buying a product but not sure how it performs? Check out if any of us use it and give us a call! Hunting Style: Archery/Rifle Favorite Species: Mule Deer Dream Hunt: Brown Bear Next Gear Purchase: Leupold Mark 5 Other Pursuits: Fishing WEAPON […]
- Check out the Solid.HUNTING.Gear that the staff here at BlackOvis uses and are familiar with. Thinking of buying a product but not sure how it performs? Check out if any of us use it and give us a call!
Hunting Style: Archery
Favorite Species: Mule Deer
Dream Hunt: New Zealand Tahr, or another Alaskan Caribou Hunt.
Next Gear Purchase: Initial Ascent 5k Pack
Other Pursuits: Waterfowl, Hiking/Camping, Backpacking.
WEAPON SETUP
Bow: Hoyt RX8
Draw Length: 27", Poundage: 70 lbs
Strings: Droptine Outdoors
Sight: Ultraview UV Slider
Rest: Hamskea Epsilon
Release: Carter Chocolate Lite (3 finger)
Stabilizer: Cutter 8" (front and back bar)
Arrows (and Spine): Victory RIP XV (300)
Quiver: Hoyt 2-Piece 6 Arrow
Broadhead: Grim Reaper Mini-Mag
CLOTHING SETUP
Body Type: Average
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 185 lbs
Jacket: Sitka Ambient Hoody (L), Stone Glacier Cirque Lite (L), Stone Glacier De Havilland (L)
Insulation: Stone Glacier Grumman Jacket (L), Sitka Kelvin Lite Down 3/4 Pant (L), BlackOvis Anchor Point Pant (L), Sitka Kelvin Aerolite Vest (L)
Pant(s): Sitka Intercept Pant (36R), Stone Glacier De Havilland Lite Pant (L), Born Primitive Frontier Light Pant (36R)
Base Layer Top: BlackOvis Venture Merino 1/2 Zip Hoody (L), Sitka Core Lightweight Hoody (L), Stone Glacier Chinook Merino Hoody (L), Stone Glacier Helio Hoody (L)
Base Layer Bottom: BlackOvis Tuscarora Zip Off Bottoms (L), BlackOvis Keele Heavyweight Merino Bottoms (L)
Gloves: BlackOvis San Juan Fingerless Wool Gloves (M), Stone Glacier Altimeter Insulated Mitts (L), BlackOvis Tuscarora Merino Glove (M)
Rain Jacket: Sitka Dew Point Jacket (L)
Rain Pant: Sitka Dew Point Pant (XL)
Footwear: Crispi Lapponia GTX (8.5), Kenetrek Bridger High (8.5)
Boot Gaiters: Stone Glacier SQ2 Alpine Gaiters
Socks: BlackOvis Lightweight Crew (M), Darn Tough Hunter Over-The-Calf Heavyweight (M)
Other: Grip 6 Belt, BlackOvis Chockstone Woven Stretch Belt
Headwear: Sitka Sun Hat (L/XL), BlackOvis Tuscarora Merino Beanie
ESSENTIAL GEAR
Binos: Vortex Razor HD 10X50
Spotting Scope: Vortex Diamondback - Angled
Knife: Benchmade 15017 Hidden Canyon - Fixed, Benchmade 15031-2 North Fork - Folding
Game Bag: Ovis Sacks (Ultralight Pro Set)
Pack: Stone Glacier Sky 5900
Trekking Poles: Camofire Crest Carbon Poles
Tent: Argali Rincon 2 Person Tent
Sleeping Bag: Stone Glacier Chilkoot 15 Degree
Stove: jetboil Stash Cooking System
Rangefinder: Leupold RX-Fulldraw 5
Bino Harness: Marsupial Gear Pack
Tripod: Aziak Equipment Backcountry Lite Tripod, with a Tricer USA LP Pan Head
Contact
Email:
[email protected]
Phone Number: (801) 559-7556 EXT 215
Check out the Solid.HUNTING.Gear that the staff here at BlackOvis uses and are familiar with. Thinking of buying a product but not sure how it performs? Check out if any of us use it and give us a call! Hunting Style: Archery Favorite Species: Mule Deer Dream Hunt: New Zealand Tahr, or another Alaskan Caribou […]
- Check out the Solid.HUNTING.Gear that the staff here at BlackOvis uses and are familiar with. Thinking of buying a product but not sure how it performs? Check out if any of us use it and give us a call!
Details
Hunting Style: Spot & Stalk
Favorite Species: Elk
Dream Hunt: New Zealand Chamois and Tahr
Next Gear Purchase: Swarovski 95mm objective
Other Pursuits: Waterfowl
Weapon Setup
- Bow: Hoyt RX7
- Draw Length: 29”
- Poundage: 80 lbs
- Strings: Droptine Outdoors
- Sight: Axcel Landslyde Carbon Pro Slider
- Rest: QAD integrate drop away
- Release: Carter Chocolate lite
- Stabilizer: Conquest Control Freak
- Arrows: Easton X-10 Parallel Pro (300)
- Quiver: Hoyt one piece 6 arrow
- Broadhead: Grim Reaper Fatal Steel
Clothing Setup
Body Type: Average
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 200 lbs
- Jacket: Sitka Jetstream(L), Sitka Mountain Evo (L)
- Insulation: BlackOvis Recon Down Jacket (L), BlackOvis AnchorPoint Pants(L), Sitka Aerolite Jacket(L)
- Pant(s): Sitka Intercept Pant(34R), Stone Glacier De Havilland lite(L), Sitka Mountain Pant(L)
- Base Layer Top: BlackOvis Venture Merino ½ zip Hoody(L), Sitka Core Lightweight Hoody(L), BlackOvis Venture Merino Short Sleeve(L)
- Base Layer Bottom: BlackOvis Tuscarora Zip Off Merino Bottoms(L)
- Gloves: Tuscarora Merino Glove (M), Sitka Ascent Glove(L)
- Rain Jacket: Sitka Dew Point(L)
- Rain Pant: Sitka Dew Point(L)
- Footwear: Crispi Briksdal MTN (11)
- Boot Gaiters: Peax Storm Castle Gaiters(XL)
- Socks: Farm to Feet Damascus Lightweight Crew (L)
- Other: Grip 6 Belt
- Headwear: BlackOvis hat
Essential Gear
- Binos: Swarovski SLC 15x56
- Spotting Scope: Swarovski ATX 65mm
- Knife: Tyto 1.1
- Game Bag: Ovis Sacks Ultralightweight Pro
- Pack: Stone Glacier Col 4800
- Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Z-Poles
- Tent: Argali Absaroka
- Sleeping Bag: Sierra Designs Cloud 20
- Stove: Jet Boil Stash
- Rangefinder: Vortex Razor 4000HD
- Bino Harness: Marsupial
- Tripod: Aziak Backcountry Lite / Tricer LP Pan Head
Contact
Email:
[email protected]
Phone Number: (801) 559-7556 EXT 222
Check out the Solid.HUNTING.Gear that the staff here at BlackOvis uses and are familiar with. Thinking of buying a product but not sure how it performs? Check out if any of us use it and give us a call! Details Hunting Style: Spot & Stalk Favorite Species: Elk Dream Hunt: New Zealand Chamois and Tahr […]
by Skyler Harrison with Hunt the West podcast
Choose Hunting Boots Wisely
No matter where you hunt, boots are one of the most important gear considerations you’ll make. Boots can be a more loyal friend than a black lab or they can be your worst enemy - ending a hunt faster than a Coues deer can duck an arrow. You need to choose boots wisely.
(more…)by Skyler Harrison with Hunt the West podcast Choose Hunting Boots Wisely No matter where you hunt, boots are one of the most important gear considerations you’ll make. Boots can be a more loyal friend than a black lab or they can be your worst enemy – ending a hunt faster than a Coues deer […]
By Josh Kirchner
If you are not utilizing a layering system for western hunting, you are severely missing out on a way more efficient way of doing things. For the 2024 hunting season, I’ve put together a solid layering system from Sitka Gear that is going to get me through I’d say 95% of the year. I say that because there might be some specialty items I bring in here and there as the weather changes. Things like puffy pants, base layer bottoms, or switching out my insulation layer for a thicker insulation layer.
(more…)By Josh Kirchner If you are not utilizing a layering system for western hunting, you are severely missing out on a way more efficient way of doing things. For the 2024 hunting season, I’ve put together a solid layering system from Sitka Gear that is going to get me through I’d say 95% of the […]
Each and every year it never seems to fail. Between trade shows and some other late season or off-season duties, turkey season always seems to sneak right up on us. Now, I would be lying if I said there was a lot to do before the season starts.
I’m not saying there is not for some people, but for me there are a few things to iron out before the season gets here. Turkey hunting can be very easy sometimes, or it can be extremely challenging. This is a good reason why you want to stack as many odds as possible in your favor.
(more…)Each and every year it never seems to fail. Between trade shows and some other late season or off-season duties, turkey season always seems to sneak right up on us. Now, I would be lying if I said there was a lot to do before the season starts. I’m not saying there is not for […]
SITKA Delta Zip Waders review by BlackOvis Gear Guide Evan Huffaker
Waterfowl hunters are known to be the hardest on their gear out of all types of hunting. Often you are hunting the harshest types of conditions, breaking ice, walking long miles in mud, hopping in and out of boats and blinds, waterfowl hunters depend very heavily on good quality gear that is going to stand up to these harsh conditions.
SITKA Delta Zip Waders review by BlackOvis Gear Guide Evan Huffaker Waterfowl hunters are known to be the hardest on their gear out of all types of hunting. Often you are hunting the harshest types of conditions, breaking ice, walking long miles in mud, hopping in and out of boats and blinds, waterfowl hunters depend […]
I’ve been using Crispi Boots for years and I really like them. They’ve yet to let me down. I’ve found them to be comfortable, durable, and always up to the task. My favorite Crispi model for the last several years has been the Briksdal SF. I prefer a very stiff boot, so naturally, the Briksdal SF quickly became my favorite. I’ve used them all over and put many miles on them. When I found out that for 2023 Crispi was revamping many of their boots, including this model, I knew I was going to end up getting a pair.
I’ve been using Crispi Boots for years and I really like them. They’ve yet to let me down. I’ve found them to be comfortable, durable, and always up to the task. My favorite Crispi model for the last several years has been the Briksdal SF. I prefer a very stiff boot, so naturally, the Briksdal […]
Have you ever wanted more out of optics accessories rather than carrying more 'stuff' in your hunting pack? We expect a lot of our hunting gear and we know you do to and that's why we're proud to welcome Aziak Equipment to BlackOvis.com.
(more…)Have you ever wanted more out of optics accessories rather than carrying more ‘stuff’ in your hunting pack? We expect a lot of our hunting gear and we know you do to and that’s why we’re proud to welcome Aziak Equipment to BlackOvis.com.