Base-Layer Clothing for Hunting

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By Tony J. Peterson

The key to comfort is contained in the first layer of clothing you choose.

Base-Layer Clothing Systems for Hunting

When I think back to my early days as a bowhunter, I cringe for plenty of reasons.

The simple fact I had no idea what I was doing is enough to cause such a reaction. But I also remember the misery. I live in Minnesota, which means I bowhunt cold weather a lot. Back then, I didn’t own a single piece of decent hunting clothing.

I just threw on extra sweatshirts, jackets or whatever and made sure that my last layer had camouflage on it. What that meant was I was often cold and always bulked up.

I can remember shooting at a small eight-pointer in December when I was a teenager and watching as my arrow buried into the dirt three feet in front of his chest. My string had caught on all of my bulky clothes and thrown my shot way, way off. That buck would have been a trophy to end all trophies then, and I didn’t have a chance.

Today, my clothing system is much different and it is always centered on base layers.

Hunters now have lightweight, midweight and heavyweight options made from the best material available and are articulated to fit perfectly. They also employ serious technology like Polygiene to fight odor-causing bacteria.

The materials used in the latest wave of base layers are either wool or polyester. The latter seems like a strange choice, but I’ve gravitated toward it over the years because of the feel, fit and fact that it can also be made to wick away moisture.

I also look for base layers offered in a variety of sizes, particularly Tall. Since base layers are made to fit snugly they tend to creep up when you’re sitting down on stand. A Tall option doesn’t, which is always appreciated.

To reap the most out of base layers, I tend to choose options to match my hunting conditions and use them alone while slipping into my stand. Since they are moisture wicking, I know even if I sweat, I won’t freeze as soon as I get to my tree or my blind. Once there, I open up my pack and throw on a jacket, or maybe a vest and a jacket. On really frigid days, I might put on an extra base layer for added warmth.

All this adds up to a much higher level of comfort, the importance of which can’t be overstated.

If you don’t want to get busted on stand, and you want to wring the most hours out of your day actually hunting, you can’t get cold. If you do, you’ll fidget for a while, and then you’ll bail. That is an outcome that rarely results in a short blood trail and a stiff back from dragging out a buck. So get the proper base layers and make sure it doesn’t happen.

Read more from Cabela’s Deer Nation

Shop for Cabela’s cold weather camo here

Be protected from the cold in a fiberglass blind from Hercules Outdoor Industries

 

 

When Should You Head To Your Deer Stand?

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When should I get to my stand and how early is too early? Two questions every hunter should ask when preparing for any deer hunt. Some fellow hunters provide their take on when they like to head out to the stand.

“How early is too early and how late is too late when going to and from stands? WOW, that’s a great question that really can’t be answered with a one part answer due to so many factors. To get the right answer you would have to look at the time of year, deer movement, weather conditions, etc. 

As a rule of thumb for me, I like to get to the stand at least 30 minutes before daylight for an early morning sit. One hour is even better. For an afternoon sit, I like to get there two hours before prime time movement for that time of the year, at a minimum.   However, as I said above there are so many factors in answering this question that I would never say there is an absolute answer to it.”

Wade Middleton, Host of Americana Outdoors®

“Well, I’ll start by prefacing my answer that I am not a fan of all-day sits…that considered, in the AM, can’t get in too early (in most cases).  Always good to be settled/quiet for a period of time before the woods officially comes to life for the day.  As far as leaving in the AM, if there is action, stay put.  If nothing is moving, at all or for an extended period of time, and you don’t have pics to show a pattern of late-morning wanderers, get out.  Head back to camp and solidify the plan for the afternoon/evening.

 For the PM, same as the AM…too early is a good default.  No harm in saving the sore backside if you don’t have a comfortable set-up.  Sneaking in just before a forecasted “prime time” is too risky.  I’m lazy but not that lazy!  As far as getting out, dark is the default.  Even with no movement I would vote for staying as long as you can, with a couple of exceptions – you can more easily bail without mucking up the area for future hunts or if Angel is making venison salisbury steak that night.”

Steve Nessl, Yamaha ATV and Side-by-Side Marketing Manager & Avid Hunter

“I’ve always wanted to get in my stands really early in the morning. I prefer about 30 minutes before it actually starts breaking. That may seem early, but bumping one by being a little late is just not worth it to me. Then when the hunt is over, I gauge when to leave by what is around as it is getting dark. I don’t want other deer to see me getting out of the blind during daylight. Usually when it gets black dark, I’ll sneak out.”

Clark Wendlandt, Host of Fishing & Hunting Texas™, Cabela’s Pro Staff

As you can see, everyone has their own preference. However, the general consensus for morning hunts, plan on being squared away at least 30 minutes to an hour before daylight. Regarding afternoon hunts, confirm what the deer are doing that time of year. If you have Stealth Cams setup, check the times of when the photos are taken and gauge from there.

We hope this insight will help you get settled in the stand and ready for when that shooter comes in. Happy hunting!

Stealth Cam Scouting Camera Tips

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Whether you have a few acres or thousands of acres that you hunt having a general knowledge of what game is on your property can be key to successful game management program as well as possible hunting success.  One of the best ways to keep track of what’s going on at your properties is with scouting cameras.   We’ve used StealthCam since they only had models that took photos on 35MM film.  Most of us remember those days of taking the film to be developed and waiting for week or more.  Now we’ve seen Stealthcam lead the evolution of cameras that we can view right then.   The new models do everything from taking still pictures in bursts, operating at night in infrared, taking HD video with sound, and even cameras with the ability to send the pictures to you no matter where you are in the world.

Hunters use scouting cameras for a wide variety of things on their properties from watching their animals to protecting their properties. Most of us cannot be out at our properties 24/7 but our scouting cameras can be our eyes while we are away. With the help of the scouting cameras hunters are able to monitor numerous things amongst their herd such as antler development, fawn recruitment, and keeping track of other game on your property from turkeys to hogs or even elk, bear and moose for our friends up north.

Once you get the right scouting camera for your needs it is time to head out and place your camera on your property, but there are a few things you need to take a look at before setting the camera up.

  • Placement – most hunters are going to look to have their cameras near game trails, food plots, feeders or watering holes.
  • Making sure you have the camera located next to an area with lots of activity will help you better know what is on your property
  • Ensure you place your camera in an easily accessible location

Today’s scouting cameras have numerous ways to mount the camera to fit your needs. Most all the cameras will come with straps to mount the camera to a tree or pole, but we all know sometimes that just won’t work. Other mounting options include:

  • Zip Ties
  • Bailing Wire
  • T-post or Auger type mounts
  • Screwing the housing directly into a tree, post or the ground.

One tip, after you get your scouting camera all set up is to take a few test pictures and pull the card and have a look at them. Make sure you have a clear picture and are seeing everything you want, lots of times in heavily wooded areas you may have to trim some branches or brush to get that perfect shot.

Once you have your scouting camera mounted and in the correct location it is time to make sure all of your settings are set the way you like them.

  • Set the date and time to ensure you can accurate data on your pictures
  • Choose if you are wanting to take pictures or videos and how often the camera shoots them
  • Select how high of quality do you want the pictures or videos. Remember the higher the quality the faster your SD cards will fill up

Once you get all those things done it is now time to sit back and enjoy looking at the pictures your scouting cameras will take and seeing what is on your property.

For more information on Stealth Cam Scouting Cameras visit: http://www.gsmoutdoors.com/stealth-cam/

Cabela’s Instinct Euro HD™ 10×42 Binoculars

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Our relentless pursuit of superior optics led us to Europe, where we partnered with Meopta®, whose level of expertise is trusted by NASA, the U.S. Army and hunters all over the world. The result is Cabela’s Instinct Euro HD Binoculars that deliver performance matching or surpassing the best names in optics. MeoBright™ 5501 fully multicoated optical system and phase-corrected prisms deliver amazing 99.9% light transmission per lens surface and nearly nonexistent color distortion, allowing you to glass animals in the dimmest of light conditions.

Housed in a sleek, ergonomically designed aluminum-alloy body that reduces carry weight and has a rugged layer of textured rubber armor, you can have confidence they’ll stand up to the roughest hunt. Nitrogen purged, sealed and guaranteed to provide a lifetime of fogproof, waterproof performance – because you aren’t heading for the truck when the weather turns nasty. Twist-up eyecups allow easy use for spectacled hunters. Oversized center focus wheel with an integrated, adjustable diopter facilitates easy focusing. Includes lens covers, a padded aircell neck strap and a padded case with a shoulder strap.

  • Special lens coatings deliver superior light transmission
  • Built to exacting tolerances demanded by elite military units
  • Proven European optics produce outstanding clarity all day
  • Rugged rubber-armor housing withstands backcountry use
  • Waterproof, fogproof design allows you to glass in any weather
  • Oversized center-focus wheel is easy to use, even with gloves

Click the link to watch a video on the Cabela’s Instinct Euro HD 10X42 Binoculars: http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/video_popup.jsp?new=true&productId=1224087&scene7Id=Instinct_Euro_Bino_Final

 

For more information visit: http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabela-s-instinct-8482-euro-hd-10×42-binoculars/1224087.uts?

Cabela’s Instinct Euro Riflescopes

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When you’ve done your preseason scouting, trained relentlessly to beat the mountain and set aside the time to chase elusive animals on their turf, you need a scope that delivers a crisp image during the low-light golden hours when game is most active.

 

Cabela’s Instinct Euro Riflescopes are fully multicoated with MeoBright™-5501 ion-assisted lens coatings, resulting in industry-leading 99.8% light transmission per lens surface that’s incredibly brilliant compared to other scopes, especially in low-light conditions. Premium lenses meticulously manufactured to exacting tolerances deliver best-in-class performance. Glass coating exceeds military specifications for severe abrasion resistance because the backcountry can be rough on optics.

 

The precision-tuned ocular lens system is optimized for a wide field of view with 3.75″ eye relief. An all-new erector system delivers smooth, precise magnification adjustments with no change in point of impact. A fast-focus eyepiece offers quick, easy adjustment. ETX etched-glass reticle is rugged enough to withstand the recoil of heavy magnum firearms. The one-piece 1″ tube is CNC-machined from a single solid billet of aircraft-grade aluminum and ELOX-anodized for extreme durability and scratch resistance. Nitrogen-purged and fully sealed for lasting waterproof, fogproof and shockproof reliability.
  • Lens coating optimizes light transmission during low-light hours
  • Premium lenses meticulously manufactured to exacting tolerances
  • Lens coating optimizes light transmission during low-light hours
  • Glass coating exceeds military specifications for abrasion resistance
  • Waterproof, fogproof and shockproof for reliability in all conditions
  • Backcountry-approved aircraft-grade aluminum construction
  • Wide field of view and 3.75″ eye relief built for open spaces

Click the link to watch a great video on the Cabela’s Instinct Euro Riflescopes: http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/video_popup.jsp?new=true&productId=1216808&scene7Id=Instinct_Riflescope_Final

For more information visit: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Instinct-Euro-Riflescopes/1216808.uts

 

Cabela’s Instinct Men’s Backcountry Active Lightweight 1/4-Zip Top

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Your back country hunts push your physical limits, taking you over grueling terrain and through unpredictable weather. Cabela’s Instinct Men’s Backcountry Active Lightweight 1/4-Zip Top allows you to enjoy full freedom of movement and total thermal regulation as you pursue elusive high-elevation big game. When your hunt heats up, shed outer layers and wear as a lightweight jacket. If the snow is flying and wind is howling, wear as a lightweight layer between your base and outer layers. Polyester/spandex Polartec® Power Stretch® facilitates a full range of motion so you can hike, crawl and climb with ease. Zippered chest pocket ensures essential gear remains safe, secure and protected. Underarms and back yoke incorporate a thinner unbrushed Polartec Power Stretch fabric for enhanced breathability when carrying a pack. Angled center-front 1/4-zip closure prevents zippers from stacking on top of one another when layering. Imported.
For more information visit: http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-INSTINCT-BACKCOUNTRY-ACTIVE-ZIP-TOP/1837487.uts

Spin Tech Spreaders Patented Spinner Mechanism

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Filling feeders has never been easier.

Spin Tech features a patented Spinner Mechanism that not only rotates BUT elevates up and down! When the motor is shut off, the spinner plate automatically is pushed up tight resulting in it being sealed against the hopper, preventing any leakage of feed.

The SPINTECH technology is windproof and also prevents varmints like raccoons & squirrels from opening the plate and eating feed.

One thing we’ve noticed in the field is how strong the motor is, how far the feed is thrown as well as the fact we’ve got little to no waste thanks to the spinner plate going up and down and when not in use it’s secured against the funnel.

When motor is shut off, the spinner plate automatically is pushed up tight AND sealed against the hopper.

 

The SPINTECH technology is windproof and also prevents varmints like racoons & squirrels from opening the plaste and eating feed.

Some of the great features.

  • 12 Volt heavy duty motor
  • Hinged door with latch
  • Bracket to hold “EZ” timer
  • Spin Tech Patented Positive on Demand open/close spinner plate
  • Adjustable feed flow wing nut easily increases or decreases feed rate
  • Powder coated metal
  • 10 amp fuse protection
  • Digital “EZ” timer
  • Feeds up to 8 times a day
  • 1-30 second feed cycles
  • Adjustable motor speeds
  • Variable day selector
  • Test button (10-second delay)
  • Large display
  • Battery life display
  • TWO YEAR WARRANTY

Thompson Center Compass Rifle with Danielle Sanville

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Threaded muzzle for use with compatible compensators, muzzle brakes, and suppressors.

Watch the video below to hear what Danielle Sanville of Thompson Center had to say about the new Compass rifle:

Introducing the T/C® COMPASS® – A great choice of rifles that can match any budget. Building on a heritage of accurate, affordable firearms – from a trusted American brand. Designed to deliver today’s sport shooters and hunters with a feature-rich bolt-action rifle at an affordable price point, the T/C Compass elegantly blends American-made craftsmanship and value into a professional-grade rifle.

The detachable, compact rotary magazine fits flush with the stock for easy carrying and no snags.

Top Features of the T/C Compass

ADJUSTABLE TRIGGER

THREADED MUZZLE

Threaded muzzle for use with compatible compensators, muzzle brakes, and suppressors. 1/2-28 UNEF for 204, 223 & 22-250 | 5/8-24 UNEF for 243 and larger.

3-LUG BOLT DESIGN

Simple, rugged design lends itself to years of reliable service and top-notch accuracy and reliability.

3 POSITION SAFETY

Provides visible and tactile feedback as to position of the safety. Provides locked, load/unload and fire positions.

MAXIMUM SCOPE CLEARANCE

The 60 degree bolt lift provided by the 3-lug bolt design gives the shooter maximum clearance between the bolt handle and a mounted scope – for fast cycling.

FLUSH FIT ROTARY MAGAZINE

The detachable, compact rotary magazine fits flush with the stock for easy carrying and no snags. The low-maintenance polymer magazine provides smooth feeding in a rust-proof, durable package. 5-round capacity in standard calibers and 4-rounds in magnum calibers.

For more information visit: http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/t-c-compass-rifles/t-c-compass

Engel Back Pack Cooler with Paul Kabalin

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The new Engel Backpack Cooler features a rugged, tear-resistant 500-denier polyester diamond ripstop outer shell with a waterproof TPE coating for easy cleaning. On the inside, there’s a radiant barrier liner of reflective foil, in addition to a 1-inch thick layer of closed-cell foam insulation – another exclusive Engel features you won’t find on other bags. While the insulation effectively minimizes heat transfer to maintain cold inner temperatures, the radiant barrier liner reflects the sun’s long-wave heat radiation to further enhance the Backpack Cooler’s cold-keeping capabilities. Under typical conditions, the Backpack Cooler will hold ice for up to three days.

The Engel Backpack Cooler can carry up to 20 pounds of ice.

 

For more information visit: https://www.engelcoolers.com

 

GrovTec – Go Hunt. We’ll Carry the Gun

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The tapered design emphasizes width at the load-carrying position to spread weight over a greater area.

Perfection in a finished part is defined by much more than a tight tolerance. It includes design, materials, finish, function, durability, and cost. Delivering on this total package is the foundation of the GrovTec mission.

Superior machining tolerances, all-steel construction, and premium finish define this swivel.

Integrated thumb loop relieves tension on your hand and forearm as well as stabilizing the firearm.

For more information visit: http://www.grovtec.com/