The archery industry is a constantly revolving door of new products and trends, where many fade in and out in a short number of years. Here at BlackOvis, we seek out products and brands that are here to stay and that we ourselves believe are truly solid hunting gear. Over the last year, several new products have been released that stand out above the rest and deserve to be recognized. The products that are highlighted here have all been put through the paces and have earned a spot on our bows.

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The archery industry is a constantly revolving door of new products and trends, where many fade in and out in a short number of years. Here at BlackOvis, we seek out products and brands that are here to stay and that we ourselves believe are truly solid hunting gear. Over the last year, several new […]

The "6 S’s" to comfort in all conditions: Skin, Shell, Stack, Shed, Season, Situation

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The “6 S’s” to comfort in all conditions: Skin, Shell, Stack, Shed, Season, Situation

If you’re hiking outdoors for hours or even days on end, every ounce and every inch of your pack matters. So when Vanguard created the VEO 2, they wanted to fix one critical flaw: tons of wasted space. That goal alone made this tripod a breeze to carry anywhere with you in the field. Compared to other tripods, the Vanguard VEO 2  is one of the most compact out there. There’s no wasted space in its design. Every square inch of this tripod serves a purpose, but outside of space, what else does this beauty have to offer?

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If you’re hiking outdoors for hours or even days on end, every ounce and every inch of your pack matters. So when Vanguard created the VEO 2, they wanted to fix one critical flaw: tons of wasted space. That goal alone made this tripod a breeze to carry anywhere with you in the field. Compared […]

Mystery Ranch Guide Light MT Frame

Looking to buy a Mystery Ranch pack? Trying to decide between Mystery Ranch or another pack brand? Already part of “The Ranch” family but looking to upgrade? If you answered yes to any of these questions you came to the right place!

For the last 20 years Mystery Ranch has been making some of the best packs on the market. They are tough, durable, and effective. They have a wide variety ensuring you can always find the perfect size with all the features you need for any outdoor occasion. Mystery Ranch is always ahead of the curve, working hard, especially in research and development, making their packs better and better year in and year out.

Mystery Ranch Scapegoat

In 2019, Mystery Ranch released their new Guide Light MT Frame, which came equipped on the Selway, Sawtooth and Beartooth packs. This frame was a game changer. Now in 2020, Mystery Ranch will be using the new MT Frame throughout the whole lineup of load hauling packs. Lets layout the key upgrades so you can see what makes the new Guide Light MT Frame so great.

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Looking to buy a Mystery Ranch pack? Trying to decide between Mystery Ranch or another pack brand? Already part of “The Ranch” family but looking to upgrade? If you answered yes to any of these questions you came to the right place! For the last 20 years Mystery Ranch has been making some of the […]

Info:

Profession: Crispi Boots
Instagram: @j0n_willis
Hunting Style: Archery
Favorite Species: Mule Deer, Antelope
Dream Hunt: Buffalo
Pursuits: Fishing, Hunting, Archery, Camping, Cooking, American History, Reading, Music
3 Most Essential Pieces Of Gear: Sitka Core Lightweight Hoody, Crispi Nevada GTX, Mystery Ranch Selway.
Next Gear Purchase: A bigger freezer

Bio:

I’ve known I was a hunter for as long as I can remember. Tagging along with my Dad listening to his stories always made me want to have my own adventures and I severely diminished the bird and squirrel population in the yards and pastures around my house. It’s been 23 years since I killed my first deer, since then I have been lucky enough to hunt in multiple states and I am still enamored with wild places and animals. I've worked in the outdoor industry for over 10 years doing everything from customer service to archery tech work and most recently as an archery buyer. My hobby and my career has been researching and using gear. My experience has taught me how important the right gear can be. My hope is that I can share a little of what I've learned and help folks make gear choices that will make their time outside more enjoyable.

Recent Contributions:

Expandable Broadheads
Fixed Blade Broadheads
New 2020 Arrows

Click Here To See All Of Jon's Contributions 

Info: Profession: Crispi Boots Instagram: @j0n_willisHunting Style: Archery Favorite Species: Mule Deer, AntelopeDream Hunt: BuffaloPursuits: Fishing, Hunting, Archery, Camping, Cooking, American History, Reading, Music3 Most Essential Pieces Of Gear: Sitka Core Lightweight Hoody, Crispi Nevada GTX, Mystery Ranch Selway.Next Gear Purchase: A bigger freezer Bio: I’ve known I was a hunter for as long as […]

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: Archery
Favorite Species: Mule Deer
Dream Hunt: Caribou 
Next Gear Purchase: Mystery Ranch Beartooth
Other Pursuits: Fishing, Hiking/Camping, Backpacking. 

Weapon Setup

Bow: Hoyt RX1

Draw Length: 30", Poundage: 70 lbs
Strings: Vapor Trail
Sight: Spot Hogg Fast Tommy Hogg Sight
Rest: QAD Ultrarest HDX Drop
Release: Stanislawski Xtinction 2
Stabilizer: Bee Stinger 8" Pro Hunter Maxx
Arrows (and Spine): GoldTip Pierce Platinum (300)
Quiver: Tight Spot 7 Arrow
Broadhead: Grim Reaper Mini-Mag

Clothing Setup

Body Type:  Average
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 215 lbs

Jacket: Sitka Jetstream (XL), King's XKG Lone Peak (XL), Kryptek Dalibor (XL)
Insulation: Sitka Kelvin Lite Hoody (XL), Sitka Kelvin Down WS Hoody (XL), King's XKG Down Transition (XL).
Pant(s): Sitka Traverse Pant (34R), Sitka Timberline (34R), Kryptek Valhalla Pant (34R), King's XKG Ridge (34R).
Base Layer Top: Sitka Ascent (XL), King's XKG Elevation 1/4 Zip (XL), Kryptek Hyperion LS Zip (XL).
Base Layer Bottom: BlackOvis NWT 200 Weight (M), King's 260 Zip Off (M).
Gloves: King's XKG Mid-Weight (L), King's XKG Insulated (L).
Rain Jacket: King's XKG Windstorm (L).
Rain Pant: King's XKG Windstorm (M).
Footwear: Crispi Lapponia GTX Uninsulated (12).
Socks: BlackOvis Lightweight Crew (L). 
Other: Grip 6 Belt 

Essential Gear

Binos: Vortex Razor HD 10X42
Spotting Scope: Vortex Razor HD 85mm - Angled
Knife: Havalon Piranta Edge
Game Bag: Ovis Sacks
Pack: Mystery Ranch Sawtooth 45
Trekking Poles: BlackOvis Crestone Carbon
Tent: King's XKG Summit 2 Person 
Sleeping Bag: King's XKG Summit 0 Degree
Stove: jetboil Flash Lite Stove
Rangefinder: Vortex Ranger 1800
Bino Harness: Marsupial Gear Pack

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: ArcheryFavorite Species: Mule DeerDream Hunt: Caribou Next Gear Purchase: Mystery Ranch BeartoothOther Pursuits: Fishing, […]

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: Opportunist
Favorite Species: Black Bear
Dream Hunt: Kodiak Grizzly Bear
Next Gear Purchase: Dewpoint Jacket And Pant
Other Pursuits: Family/Outdoor Adventures

Weapon Setup

Bow: RX-4 Ultra
Sight: Spot Hogg Hogg father
Rest: QAD Ultrarest HDX
Release: Scott Archery Little Goose
Stabilizer: Bee Stinger Microhex 8 Inch
Arrows: Easton ProComp 4mm
Quiver: Tight Spot 5 Arrow
Broadhead: Grim Reaper Micro Hades

Clothing Setup

Body Type: Dad Bod
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 230 lbs

Jacket: Sitka Jetstream
Pant(s): Sitka Apex Pant
Shirt(s): Sitka Core Lightweight Crew
Base Layer Top: BlackOvis 200 Merino 1/4 Zip
Base Layer Bottom: Sitka Merino Core Boxer
Gloves: Sitka Mountain Glove
Rain Jacket: Sitka Stormfront Jacket
Rain Pant: Sitka Stormfront Pant
Footwear: Crispi Briksdal GTX
Socks: Darn Tough Hunter

Essential Gear

Binos: Swaro SLC - 10x42
Spotting Scope: Vortex Razor HD 22-48x65
Knife: Benchmade Altitude & Havalon
Game Bag: Ovis Sacks
Pack: Mystery Ranch Selway
Trekking Poles: BlackOvis Crestone
Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 3P
Sleeping Bag: Big Agnes Anvil Horn
Stove: Jetboil Flash
Rangefinder: Leica Rangemaster
Bino Harness: Adak

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: OpportunistFavorite Species: Black BearDream Hunt: Kodiak Grizzly BearNext Gear Purchase: Dewpoint Jacket And PantOther Pursuits: Family/Outdoor Adventures […]