James Taylor, Prostaff member for Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls and Bugling Bull, takes you through some of the best elk calling diaphragms, open reed calls, and bugle tubes from RMHC. Start watching below, or click over to our Youtube channel here to see comparisons and demonstrations.
James Taylor, Prostaff member for Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls and Bugling Bull, takes you through some of the best elk calling diaphragms, open reed calls, and bugle tubes from RMHC. Start watching below, or click over to our Youtube channel here to see comparisons and demonstrations. Watch on YouTube
Sitka Delta vs Delta Zip: Similarities and Differences
Delta Wader Video
Delta & Delta Zip Similarities
Size Chart
Features and Benefits (more…)
Sitka Delta vs Delta Zip: Similarities and Differences Delta Wader Video Delta & Delta Zip Similarities Size Chart Features and Benefits
For this gear review, I purchased five items from the BlackOvis NWT Merino Wool gear line. The idea was to buy everything from the waist up, give it a go and see what I thought. I bought the following items:
There is actually an additional top in their line, the 200 Crew Long Sleeve Top, but I missed it when I loaded my shopping cart. I can guarantee it will be hanging in my gear room before this September.
When choosing a base layer material, we essentially have three options: synthetic, wool or a blending of the two. As a general rule, synthetics like polyester, capilene, et al. are less expensive, dry faster, breathe better and are typically more durable than wool. For a long time, wool was coarse, itchy and therefore uncomfortable. This was a strong motivator to buy synthetic. Merino wool isn’t a new product. It has been around for quite a while now, but when the industry discovered the amazing merino… it changed everything. A merino wool fiber is super fine, much more fine than a human hair, which translates into incredible “next to skin” comfort. Selective breeding programs and new manufacturing techniques continue to make wool “obstacle”s essentially obsolete.
For this gear review, I purchased five items from the BlackOvis NWT Merino Wool gear line. The idea was to buy everything from the waist up, give it a go and see what I thought. I bought the following items: 150 Crew Short Sleeve Tee 200 ¼ Zip Base Layer Top 250 ¼ Zip Hoodie […]
There are many different models of trail cameras these days, all with different specs and megapixels that may make it confusing when trying to choose. It’s hard to know which one is right for you and your situation. You might be new to trail cameras and just want to get something going to see what's in your area, or you might be a seasoned pro looking to upgrade your cameras cameras for higher quality images.
Typically you want the most megapixels and the most LED bulbs for the best price. On all Stealth Cam models, the number in the model name represents how many LED bulbs are in the camera. If it says "NG", it stands for No Glo bulbs which eliminates the flash at night so it doesn’t spook the animals. No Glo LED bulbs are great for security cameras as well.
There are many different models of trail cameras these days, all with different specs and megapixels that may make it confusing when trying to choose. It’s hard to know which one is right for you and your situation. You might be new to trail cameras and just want to get something going to see what’s […]
Spring is slowly fading into summer. Many of us have already been out on the mountain after turkeys, bear, or shed horns. Draw results have been announced in most states with a couple states set to release results in the next few weeks. We have had all winter to think back on the past season and consider what gear worked, what didn’t and what we need to upgrade. This is the time of year for us to start researching and making decisions on what new gear we are going to add to our kit for the upcoming season. With that in mind I wanted to do a quick review on Marmot sleeping bags. Whether you are an experienced backcountry hunter or someone fairly new, Marmot has a bag with specific features and a price point that will work for you. In this write up I will cover a few Marmot specific features and then give a quick example of a Good, Better, and Best option.
Marmot has been making outdoor gear since 1974 and was the first to use Gore-Tex fabrics in sleeping bags. Because of this long history they have been able to fine tune their sleeping bag line with a few specific features not found in other bags.
Spring is slowly fading into summer. Many of us have already been out on the mountain after turkeys, bear, or shed horns. Draw results have been announced in most states with a couple states set to release results in the next few weeks. We have had all winter to think back on the past season […]
The Badlands XR Bino Harness is a serious game changer. If you’re looking for a way to comfortably and easily carry your binos and rangefinder in one, then look no further, the XR bino harness will be your new favorite piece of hunting gear.
The setup has a separate compartment for your binos as well as your rangefinder, so you won’t have to worry about your lens’s getting scratched from rubbing together. The bino compartment fits most 10x50 and smaller binos. If you do have a smaller pair of binos, this harness has an adjustable shelf that lies between the bino compartment and the rangefinder compartment. So, whether your binos or rangefinder need more (or less) room, it is completely adjustable to fit your gear.
One of the greatest things about this harness is the fact that there are no zippers. Zippers create unwanted noise and frustration when you’re trying to get your gear out in a hurry and a zipper gets caught up. They instead use magnets, you may be wondering if these magnets don’t hold very good and fall open constantly, the answer to that is they hold a lot better than you’d expect. The magnets are strong enough to hold the flap on tight to the compartment, even if you bump the flaps or get hung up on something, they still will hold tight. I’ve taken my harness on a lot of hunting trips and I’ve never had either compartment come loose, allowing my gear to fall out.
The Badlands XR Bino Harness is a serious game changer. If you’re looking for a way to comfortably and easily carry your binos and rangefinder in one, then look no further, the XR bino harness will be your new favorite piece of hunting gear. The setup has a separate compartment for your binos as well as […]
ORIGINS
For years Sitka’s 90% series ruled the game in terms of comfortable and quiet technical hunting apparel. However, with advancements in textile development and consumer demand, the 90% series was overshadowed over the course of a time and consequently discontinued. Many fans of 90% were very sad to see it go and wondered what could possibly replace it.
For 2018 Sitka answered that question with their new APEX series. Designed for the spot and stalk hunter who demands silence and performance out of their gear no matter what.
The APEX series features the APEX Hoody, APEX Pant, and APEX Pack. All are purpose built to be extremely quiet, comfortable, and practical for hunters that prefer to sneak up on their intended quarry. I was lucky enough to put these pieces to the test on an OTC Arizona Mule Deer hunt in January of this year and I was very impressed.
ORIGINS For years Sitka’s 90% series ruled the game in terms of comfortable and quiet technical hunting apparel. However, with advancements in textile development and consumer demand, the 90% series was overshadowed over the course of a time and consequently discontinued. Many fans of 90% were very sad to see it go and wondered what […]
If you love spending time outdoors, I’m sure you’ve come to realize how vital your base layers are to the quality of your overall experience. Base layers provide warmth and comfort, and a good base layer is probably one of the most underrated pieces of equipment we have at our disposal as outdoorsmen. When the guys at BlackOvis mentioned to me that they were interested in comparing their BlackOvis brand of base layer with one of the industry leaders in merino base layers - First Lite - I was all over the idea. I don’t think you can have enough base layers, because as the temps drop you can just throw one on over top of the other and layer to keep warm. From late October on, if I’m out in the field, I almost always have at least 2 light to midweight base layers on.
If you love spending time outdoors, I’m sure you’ve come to realize how vital your base layers are to the quality of your overall experience. Base layers provide warmth and comfort, and a good base layer is probably one of the most underrated pieces of equipment we have at our disposal as outdoorsmen. When the […]
We know that keeping up with gear can be a little cumbersome and finding out what's the latest and greatest year over year can be a little tricky. Today I wanted to go over everything Mystery Ranch for 2018 including the additions, what's going away, and why you need to pack out with a Mystery Ranch this season!
Let's start with what's discontinued. Starting as of this year (2018) Mystery Ranch is going away from the Multicam pattern. While it might be an awesome pattern, Mystery Ranch is eliminating it from the Hunting lineup and is keeping the pattern focused on the Military side. They are also going to be fading out some of their small day packs like the Crest.
We know that keeping up with gear can be a little cumbersome and finding out what’s the latest and greatest year over year can be a little tricky. Today I wanted to go over everything Mystery Ranch for 2018 including the additions, what’s going away, and why you need to pack out with a Mystery […]
When it comes to footwear and choosing your gear for the upcoming season the single most overlooked pieces of gear is your socks. What the average person doesn't understand is that most hunting socks are built with a specific purpose. Some are made to be light and quick, some are meant to provide more cushion in your boot. One of the leading brands out there in our industry is Darn Tough, and they are the prime example of what makes a good sock. It's a story of survival, a story of hard work, a story of never giving up, and all of those things make their socks "DARN TOUGH".
Below is a film that Darn Tough put together last year that dives into the history and what makes a good sock. Definitely give it a watch when you have some free time. With that being said let's dive into how and why to choose the right sock for you.
When it comes to footwear and choosing your gear for the upcoming season the single most overlooked pieces of gear is your socks. What the average person doesn’t understand is that most hunting socks are built with a specific purpose. Some are made to be light and quick, some are meant to provide more cushion […]
What is it?
AccuBow has been purging the world of social media since around late 2015 and has been peaking the interest of every and any bowhunter ever since. What it is, is an Archery Training Device that is simple, easy and extremely effective if used right. It really is a revolution in archery training because it can be used virtually anywhere! We were fortunate to get our hands on one to play with for a couple days thanks to Matt over there at AccuBow and being the Archery Expert/Bow Tech here at BlackOvis, I had to see if this was worth it and what all the fuss was about. Before I dive into my experience with using the AccuBow let me just explain my situation since it will obliviously differ from most.
What is it? AccuBow has been purging the world of social media since around late 2015 and has been peaking the interest of every and any bowhunter ever since. What it is, is an Archery Training Device that is simple, easy and extremely effective if used right. It really is a revolution in archery training […]
Ask any serious big game hunter what brand of trail cameras they use to keep track of the big game animals they’re after and Stealth Cam will definitely come up in the conversation. Stealth Cam is not new to the scene, either; they’ve been around since 2000. Prior to Stealth Cam’s launch, the trail camera market was not what it is today. There were options available, but not nearly like the selection we have at our fingertips now, and they were built differently and not near as functional or user-friendly as what’s currently available. The creators of Stealth Cam decided to change that. They saw a niche that needed to be filled. Their goal was to create a functional wildlife monitoring system using the latest technology that would be affordable to the average sportsman.
Over the years, Stealth Cam has refined their product. They’ve had setbacks just like any new company can and usually does, but through increased effort into the engineering process they’ve been able to overcome those setbacks and in turn create even more highly functioning products. The drive to become the best in the industry has ultimately benefited the customer by far the most as their technology and products have improved, from the looks and ergonomics down to the components and circuitry. For example, until just recently, Stealth Cam had been found to have one of the slower trigger speeds as well as recovery speed times. But, thanks to their engineers they were able to fix that, and now they boast some of the fastest cameras on the market. Just goes to show that when companies compete the real benefactor is the customer!
Below is a quick overview of a few of the top-of-the-line models currently offered from Stealth Cam and sold on BlackOvis.com
Ask any serious big game hunter what brand of trail cameras they use to keep track of the big game animals they’re after and Stealth Cam will definitely come up in the conversation. Stealth Cam is not new to the scene, either; they’ve been around since 2000. Prior to Stealth Cam’s launch, the trail camera […]
Sitka 90% Series Explained
In our world of remakes, remixes and new models, occasionally you find that somebody got it right the first time. That the original is still the best. Willie Nelson, Ghost Busters, Pre 64 model 70’s and the Sitka 90% series. This was the idea that started it all. High quality, technical fabrics made into clothing, designed and built specifically for hunters. The days of an old pair of jeans and a flannel shirt, baggy cotton camo, and heavy one size fits most army surplus stuff are officially gone and we never have to go back. When Sitka came out with the first 90% series it really did change the way we viewed our hunting clothing. Hunters realized that they could hunt longer, smarter and more efficiently than before. We found that by choosing a few specific pieces and using an intelligent layering plan we could be comfortable, mobile and safe for longer periods of time further away from a home base. Clothing was now gear. We have come a long way since then and our options for high quality clothing seem to be growing every day, but the 90% series from Sitka just may be the best of the best!
Sitka 90% Series Explained In our world of remakes, remixes and new models, occasionally you find that somebody got it right the first time. That the original is still the best. Willie Nelson, Ghost Busters, Pre 64 model 70’s and the Sitka 90% series. This was the idea that started it all. High quality, technical […]
Timberline Pant
Since Sitka Gear came out with the Timberline Pant it has become a tried and true favorite with a vast number of hunters around the globe. The Timberline Pant was created as a super durable and highly technical pant that can be used from mid-late season. The 4-way stretch material makes this pant extremely comfortable and allows full range of motion when climbing up a steep incline and crouching, crawling, or sitting. One of the coolest features is the waterproof/breathable nylon ripstop knees and seat. When you have to kneel down or sit and glass on wet or rocky ground you will really appreciate having it. The pant also features removable knee pads which are well designed and they will conform more to your knee as you wear them. They are available in solid colors as well (Lead and Moss) and the Optifade Open Country camouflage pattern.
For 2016 Sitka did some refining on the existing design. They developed a softer and lighter removable knee pad, articulated the knees, did away with the old integrated belt so you can use most climbing style nylon belts, and moved the cargo pockets to a better position on the leg. The material is also new which adds to the comfort and overall performance of this already great piece. For those of you who prefer suspenders they include their comfortable and well designed suspenders with this pant. They are easily removed if you'd rather wear just a belt also.
(more…)Timberline Pant Since Sitka Gear came out with the Timberline Pant it has become a tried and true favorite with a vast number of hunters around the globe. The Timberline Pant was created as a super durable and highly technical pant that can be used from mid-late season. The 4-way stretch material makes this pant […]
Alaska Guide Creations binocular harnesses are possibly the most sought after binocular carrying systems on the planet. There are a million and one reasons why the Alaska Guide Creations is the top dog in the industry and we strongly believe the biggest reason why is that there are different options for your own hunting style and that each and every pack is sewn together here in the USA! Most manufactures only have one are very few Bino Harnesses, but AGC has four different harnesses: the K.I.S.S, C.U.B., Classic & Denali and then we also had them design one specifically for us called the Hybrid. Four of them also come with the option to add a max (basement) pocket to the bottom of the harness. The beauty of it all is that we sell them all! Let’s start at with basics.
Kodiak K.I.S.S. – (Keep It Simple Secured) - Available in Standard & Max
Kodiak C.U.B. – (Compact Utility Bag) - Available in Standard & Max
Hybrid – (BlackOvis Custom Design) - Available in Standard & Max
Alaska Classic – The “Original” - Available in Standard & Max
Stalker Hydration Pack – adding Versatility to your A.G.C. - Available Here
One of the biggest things Alaska Guide Creations(AGC) has been known for is having so many different options and versions, with that being said, it might be a little confusing of what “WE” carry. What we did here at BlackOvis was picked the best and had them all made the way “WE” wanted! To start off, We offer the B.T (Bino Tether) on each and every pack that we sell. We work it into the price instead of having you purchase it as an “add-on”. If you've already purchased an Alaksa Guide Creation from someone else or just happen to be one of the "lucky ones" who have more than one pair of bino's and want to be able to easily switch back and forth then we also sell the Bino Tethers Seperately Here . Out West, it’s also all about stealth, so every AGC pack that we have also uses the H.B.S. (Hook and Bungee System), which allows quick and easy one-handed opening and is completely silent. A great feature about AGC that is commonly overlooked on other harnesses in the industry are the shoulder straps. All of Alaska Guide bino packs utilize an extremely breathable mesh that utilizes no foam, no padding, and allows you to wear your harness comfortably with backpacks. Since it's so thin, the pack pretty much vanishes so you won’t be messing with your straps as you hike. Be sure to test this out when you pick up your own and you will immediately notice the difference compared to other harnesses.
Binocular Fitting Guide
The best way to figure out what optics fit best in each pack is to think of the following:
K.I.S.S. | C.U.B. | Hybrid – 8X42/10X42 (Some 12X50)
Classic – 12X50
Denali – 15X56
For the most part, you can use this as a reference for what fits best but also keep in mind if you have wider bino’s w/ built in rangefinders, it’s suggested to order the next size up.
Suggested Packs depending on style of hunting:
The K.I.S.S. is the lightweight, minimalist answer for wanting to carry your bino’s while keeping them protected from the elements. This pack is the only harness that has elastic/mesh side pockets. These pockets are great for open reed calls and wind-checkers. This is the lightest, simplest and cheapest of the packs available.
Binocular Compartment Measurement: 6.5” x 6” x 3” (Tall x Wide x Deep)
The C.U.B is the exact same size as the K.I.S.S. but features an added pocket out front, which is great for Rangefinders. This is a must have for any Archer no matter if you’re a hunter or 3D fanatic. The AGC CUB pack is will fit up to 10X binos with ease and is a great choice for the average hunter on a budget. The C.U.B. also uses zipped pockets on the sides instead of the mesh/elastic featured in the K.I.S.S., which keeps anything you put in them concealed and protected.
Binocular Compartment Measurement: 6.5” x 6” x 3” (Tall x Wide x Deep)
The Hybrid fits the exact same size of optics as the K.I.S.S. and the C.U.B. but give you the option of having side mesh pockets over the standard Zipper Side Pockets. This was a design that we worked directly with Alaska Guide Creations to create for us. Besides the Mesh Pockets it's everything you still know and love about all the other bino packs made by A.G.C.
Binocular Compartment Measurement: 6.5” x 6” x 3” (Tall x Wide x Deep)
The Classic is the “Original” bino pack and the first pack that Jaret produced. This pack looks exactly like the C.U.B. but is a little taller and wider which makes this pack a great choice for anyone rocking up to 12X binos. The Classic is the ultimate all around pack that is great for all sorts of Big Game. The side pockets are a little bigger and also feature a bigger MAX pocket (on the MAX version), which can hold even more gear.
Binocular Compartment Measurement: 6.75” x 6.5” x 3.5” (Tall x Wide x Deep)
The Denali is named after the highest mountain peak in North America. This is the harness that was built for the “big boy” optics and is the ONLY bino harness in the industry that is capable of holding 15X binos. This pack is the dream harness for Sheep Hunters and will give your optics the protection they need no matter what altitude. This pack does not come in a MAX pocket version.
Binocular Compartment Measurement: 7.75” x 7” x 4” (Tall x Wide x Deep)
The Stalker Hydration pack is a second alternative for the standard Shoulder Straps that are included on your Alaska Guide Bino Harness. This pack snaps into the pre-existing buckles on your AGC and give you a small day pack which is a great choice for early season scouting or when setting up Trail Cameras where you need just a little more room but don't want the bulk of taking a huge pack. The Main Compartment has a drawstring to hand your bladder of choice and a couple of outer pockets to store your gear, snacks, or more. If you're a serious gear head, be sure to check this addition out! **Please keep in mind, this does not come with an Alaska Guide Creation pack and is just an "Add-on". You still need to purchase a Bino Pack**
What is MAX?
The MAX versions of the packs utilize an extra pocket on the bottom of the pack, also known as the “Basement” which is great for knives, tools or any other gear that you’d rather have in reach instead of in your pack. You can also utilize the MAX pocket for bigger items such as the Rangefinders, GPS’s, your wallet and other bigger items.
MAX Pocket Sizing:
- K.I.S.S. MAX – 2” x 5” x 3” (Tall x Wide x Depth)
- C.U.B. MAX – 2” x 5” x 3” (Tall x Wide x Depth)
- Hybrid. MAX – 2” x 5” x 3” (Tall x Wide x Depth)
- Classic MAX – 2.125” x 5.125” x 3.125” (Tall x Wide x Depth)
Be sure to check out all of the packs that we offer and feel free to contact any of our Gear Experts for fitting questions and we would be more than welcome to test out the fitting before we ship your pack! Choose your bino harness, select your color, and experience the protection and fit that a bino harness is supposed to feel like.
Alaska Guide Creations binocular harnesses are possibly the most sought after binocular carrying systems on the planet. There are a million and one reasons why the Alaska Guide Creations is the top dog in the industry and we strongly believe the biggest reason why is that there are different options for your own hunting style […]
The unique thing about Kryptek is unlike other camo companies, their concepts and ideas were all forged overseas in the mountains of Afghanistan to the scorching deserts in Iraq. The Combat Forces that tested and beat this gear into a pulp are the foundation that churned the brand in to the hunting company that it is today. If there is one type person who is harder on their gear than a hunter, it's a marine! Kryptek camo is truly military-grade!
- Provide customized and performance based apparel that is specifically tailored to the environment.
- Meet or exceed the performance expectations of the user, and consistently deliver required comfort, function, and durability.
Through extensive field testing and customer feedback, Kryptek continually adapts and integrates product features that will exceed our customers’ needs for overall performance. The Kryptek Outdoor Group founders retain connections to the military to fuse their combat experience with their love for the outdoors and believe that combat technology should not be limited to the battlefield.
I actually had the chance to get a complete head-to-toe setup from Kryptek to truly put it to the test and make sure it's Solid.HUNTING.Gear, and what I can say in the simplest and shortest answer is "by far". Not only does the gear fit well but it feels great as you walk and hike miles throughout the day. My hunt was for Archery Mule Deer in Southern Utah and I needed clothing that would keep me warm in the 20° mornings but would also not cook me alive as the sun came out. Summer's in Southern Utah can get easily reach the 100's in a hurry. The beauty about Kryptek is that they have so many pieces tailored to where/what you're going to hunt. In my case, it was early season so I selected my setup for light and fast, and in layers. Here's my set -up to give you an idea:
-Kryptek Trident Boxer (M) - I won't go into details but trust me... you want these.
When Highlander camo first came out, I had some mixed feelings but as I researched the pattern, I grew to love it more and more. Coming from a Max-1 family, I was definitely into trying something else and more technical. The most eye opening parts about my hunt were also some of my biggest struggles. On multiple occasions when I was being spotted by a buddy as I attempted to approach a group of stud 120" class Muley's (which was my dream buck), I ended up blowing multiple stalks. Not because I was seen, as hilarious as it sounds it was the complete opposite. My hunting partner, who has the most beautiful Swarovski Spotter and an eye like a hawk, kept loosing me on every spot. "Where did you go!" , "I can't find you!" , "I'm having a REAL love/hate relationship with you right now!". I had never experienced anything like that before. I ended up having a chance on a stellar buck and just couldn't get a clear shot. It was on a super-steep incline and the face I was on had a couple humps and I couldn't tell where his other pals were and unfortunately MY pal couldn't find me. I ended up eating Tag Soup at the end of the hunt because as many of us do, I got picky and tried chasing them the rest of the week but never had another chance.
Before this hunt, I was always pinned, I stood out like a sore thumb, and was never able to get closer than 60 yards to a buck. This year... I disappeared. I had multiple opportunities on smaller bucks that came in at about 12-13 yards and I could tell that using Technical Clothing allowed me to hike further, hunt harder, and made my heart pump in ways that I never knew it even could. Kryptek has a solid line with just about every piece for Western Hunters. If you're a whitetail machine, then Kryptek might not be the choice for you, but then again, their "niche" is Western style hunting. Kryptek's multi-directional camo design works, and sometimes works a little too well.
Be sure to check out any and all the Kryptek products that we sell on BlackOvis.com and keep an eye out early this summer as their 2016 line arrives! There are some really exciting pieces coming out for 2016 and you know we'll have it all!
The unique thing about Kryptek is unlike other camo companies, their concepts and ideas were all forged overseas in the mountains of Afghanistan to the scorching deserts in Iraq. The Combat Forces that tested and beat this gear into a pulp are the foundation that churned the brand in to the hunting company that it […]