Gear Reviews
Do It Yourself Hunting
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RipPod Review
I recently received my RipPod in the mail from Outdoor DNA. The construction of this product has been well thought out. The twist lock feature of the pole makes adjusting the length quick and easy. I was drawn to this particular product because of the rugged materials that it is made of. The pole is made of carbon, making it a larger diameter than your typical shooting stick or trekking pole which offers greater stability, however with the carbon design it weighs less.
The machining of the adapters is of high quality and the tolerances at which they are made at, are what I would demand of any quality product. Though the adapter tolerances are close enough for a snug fit, they attatch quite easily.
The rifle adapter that I received hooks to the bottom of the rifle and you would not even know that it was there until crunch time. The bow adapter screws in like your standard stabilizer. At the time of this review I did not try it at the range, but I am very excited to see what the RipPod can do.
We are planning on giving the RipPod the full test throughout our upcoming elk season. Check back for our full report on what we have found.
Chad Baart - Chief Editor/Hunters Journey Magazine
RutWear Review
My hunting buddies were either huddled in their bivy shelter or standing around the fire. We were deep in the heart of elk country in what seemed to be a never ending monsoon in late September. If you have ever been in the high country during the end of the archery elk season, you will know that the conditions can be very unpredictable.
I felt almost guilty ( well almost ) that I had my mid season RutWear. Throughout the barrage of late September storms, I stayed dry and warm the whole time. From the outside, the bonded fleece appeared as though I should be drenched. When I took off my clothes at the end of each day, they were as dry as could be on the inside.
If anyone knows me, they know how particular I am about quality gear when the hunt is on the line. I know that RutWear is a name that I can trust while deep in the back country.
Chad Baart- Cheif Editor- Hunters Journey Magazine
Kenetrek Mountain Boot Review
The plans were finalized for my first late season mule deer hunt in Idaho. My gear was ready, my shooting was spot on, and my body was in excellent shape. I had one slight problem though. While I had footwear to cover most conditions, footwear required for a 5 day mountain hunt in November I did not, and I only had a week to go!! Cheap boots would not do on this trip, and all my research was pointing towards a great boot company from Montana. Kenetrek boots were my choice, and what a great choice that was!
I called Kenetrek and discussed my options with their great employees. I told them what type of hunting I was going to be doing and what I expected the conditions to be. They told be the 10" 400 gram thinsulate Mountain Hunters would be a perfect fit, and who was I too argue! The boots arrived a day or two after ordering, and I wore them everyday for at least 5 hours to break them in. Hardly enough time, and it had me a little worried that my feet would be hamburger by the end of my hunt.
Arriving in Idaho with my new and now great friends Chad Baart and Richard Besendorfer, we immediately drove to the hunting grounds and set up camp. The next morning we geared up and hit the mountain. It was a week this flatlander from Wisconsin will never forget. I averaged 3,000 feet of climbing a day chasing rutting mule deer bucks. While the buck of my dreams eluded me, it was a successful trip nonetheless. A big reason I thought of it as a great success was the newfound confidence I had in my gear. Everything I planned for in terms of weather happened, from snow, wind, rain, cold, etc. My gear performed flawlessly. The big surprise to me was that throughout the week of up, down, side hilling, cold and wet, my feet never bothered me once. In fact, I never even had a hot spot, cold toes (which I always get), or had a drop of water get in my boots.
I cannot say enough good things about my Kenetrek boots. The quality of construction is out of this world. I'm not sure how they do it, but a stiff mountain boot should not be that comfortable! Somehow the boot builders at Kenetrek pulled it off, and I'm sure glad they did. I wholeheartedly endorse these boots, and suggest them to anybody looking for the ultimate in footwear.Kenetrek 10"
By: Jerod Fink Founder: Back 40 Outdoors, Hunters Journey Field Editor
