Anyone who is even thinking about big game hunting this season must know that being prepared is absolutely essential. Optimize your chances of success with some big game gear suggestions from the Strung Magazine crew. You may have noticed some of these items in photos contained within the pages of the current issue. You see, we actually use the very gear we recommend. Check out our latest picks to help you on your hunts for the 2020/2021 Winter season.
Canis Pamir Insulation Jacket – $299 (canisathlete.com)
We tested this jacket from chasing elk in the Rocky Mountains to cold tree stand sits in the Midwest. We found the Pamir to be warm and tough, but what’s really impressive is how the entire jacket moves with you. The hood has a bendable brim and a self-tightening feature that locks to your head—your head doesn’t turn inside the hood; it turns with you. The bottom of the jacket has a similar self-adjusting hem and grippy silicone panels that keep the jacket in place while you’re bear-crawling up a steep slope or climbing into a tree stand. The sleeves fit snuggly at the cuff which makes the Pamir perfect for layering under a rain jacket. We’ve brought it on every hunt we’ve been on this year, and we don’t see that stopping in the future.
Marsupial Gear Enclosed Binocular Pack – $124.95 (marsupialgear.com)
We’ve tried a lot of binocular harnesses in the past and consider Marsupial Gear’s Enclosed Bino Pack to be the best. The front folding magnetic lid is dead silent and allows you to grab your binos with one hand while holding your rifle or bow in the other. The pack is fully sealed which keeps dust from coating your optics while rambling down gravel roads. Ample webbing on the exterior gives you a variety of options for mounting additional accessories on both sides of the pack (we also highly recommend their rangefinder pouch). With stretch pockets on the front, sides, and back there are plenty of places to hold wind-checker, licenses and tags, or your phone. We also like the quick disconnect attachments for glassing with a tripod.
Peak Design Travel Tripod – $349.95-$599.95 (peakdesign.com)
Between binoculars, a spotting scope, and a tripod, our optics are by-far the heaviest things we carry on backcountry hunts. Peak Design spent 4 years rethinking the traditional tripod from the ground up. The result? A tripod that packs down to the diameter of a water bottle with rock solid stability and a full line of features perfect for backcountry hunts like lightning fast setup and takedown, a fully adjustable ballhead, nonslip shock-absorbing feet, weatherproof and impact-resistant construction, and a host of other creative design features. The aluminum version weighs in at 3.4 lbs. while the carbon version weighs an amazing 2.8 lbs. Best of all—it’s guaranteed for life.
GoPro Zeus Mini – $69.99 (gopro.com)
GoPro’s Zeus Mini is as versatile as it is powerful. It served as our primary headlamp while backcountry elk hunting. During duck season, we clipped it to the bow of the canoe, and it lit our way downriver. While gearing up for whitetail hunts in the predawn darkness, we stuck it to the side of the truck to illuminate the bed. The Zeus mini is a waterproof LED light that clips to your hat, pack, work bench, or anywhere you need light. It’s also magnetic, so it firmly sticks to anything metal. Once in place, a strong 360° swivel allows you to choose the angle of illumination. With 4 brightness settings ranging from 20 to 200 lumens and a rechargeable battery capable of lasting up to 6 hours it can handle anything you throw at it.
Therm-a-Rest Z Seat – $14.95 (thermarest.com)
Whether you are sitting down for a multi-hour glassing session or just plopping down for a quick lunch, it’s nice to have a comfortable place to sit. There are all sorts of inflatable seats and backcountry chairs on the market, but it’s tough to beat the original. At 2 ounces, you won’t feel the Z Seat in your pack, but your rear end will definitely feel the difference after several days in the backcountry. Constructed of closed-cell foam, it’s bombproof and folds down small. When you need to relax on rough terrain, a Z Seat always fits the bill.
Lacrosse Alpha Burly Pro – $169-$199 (lacrossefootwear.com)
Lacrosse’s Alpha Burly Pro has long been known as one of the best boots available to whitetail hunters. Combining high quality, scent-free rubber with naturally insulting neoprene and a thick cushioned EVA midsole, these boots are tough and comfortable. Coming in a variety of insulation levels, they keep warmth in while keeping scent off the ground. During early season heat, an embossed liner helps circulate air in the boot to keep your feet from sweating. An adjustable gusset in the back of the boot also allows you to let the boots vent while you are walking to the stand (think scent prevention) and then seal in the warmth and scent once you’re setup.
MSR Reactor Stove System – $219.95-259.95 (msrgear.com)
The Reactor Stove System is hands down the fastest and most fuel-efficient backcountry stove we’ve ever seen. We tested it in real-world conditions—wind, rain, and snow—it never flinched. With the 1.7 liter model, we found we could carry less fuel on longer hunts, staying light and moving quickly. The Reactor’s genius lies in its unbelievable efficiency. The pot is crafted from anodized aluminum that is shaped to maximize the transfer of heat from the stove and recapture the heat reflected by the pot. There is no wasted energy. The pot and stove nest together tightly, and both components have features that protect the flame from the wind. The Reactor system is truly unique, compact, and well-designed.
Argali Ultralight Game Bags – $14-$79.99 (argalioutdoors.com)
You can tell Argali game bags are designed and made by backcountry hunters. For those counting ounces they are some of the lightest game bags on the market for their size. Being made of a nylon blend they are also breathable and durable. On a 10-day archery elk hunt they worked double duty as clothing and food bags. The blaze orange 220 paracord drawstring and reinforced orange tabs on the corner make them simple to hang and the reflective logo makes them easy to find in the dark. Available in a variety of sizes and bundles, Argali game bags pack down into a small package and can be stuffed anywhere in your pack. They are also reusable. Once you’ve got your meat home you can toss them in the washer for your next hunt.
Garmin inReach Mini – $349.99 + Subscription Plan (garmin.com)
The Garmin inReach Mini is a compact satellite communicator that sets the standard for lightweight backcountry communication. At 3.5 ounces it’s the lightest two-way satellite communicator on the market. We found its two-way messaging to be reliable, and thankfully we didn’t have to use the SOS signal that is checked 24/7 by Garmin’s search and rescue monitoring center (subscription required). We expect it to be reliable as well. Throw in weather reports, route-tracking, location and altitude display and the inReach mini is a powerful tool in the backcountry. We enjoyed letting our loved ones know we were ok each night before we crawled in our sleeping bags.
NEMO Longbow Alpine Sleeping Pad – $239.95 (firstlite.com)
Nemo Equipment, long known for producing high quality outdoor gear has partnered with hunting apparel brand First Lite to create a collection of overnight gear that includes their Longbow Alpine sleeping pad. When my old sleeping pad exploded in the night, I replaced it with the Longbow and found it to be lightweight (1 lb, 2 oz.), warm, comfortable, and quiet. Three layers of suspended metalized film retain your body heat on cold nights, but when you roll over it doesn’t sound like you’re laying on a pile of potato chip bags. I’d never used a pump sack before, but didn’t miss the woozy, about-to-faint feeling I normally get from blowing up a sleeping pad. It was also way faster.
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