Humans have been working for millenia to improve our advantage in pursuit of wild game. We can look back and mark turning points that shifted the cat-and-mouse game in our favor, from the stone-tipped spear to the long bow, and on into firearms, optics, camouflage and scent control. What was once a method of survival has become a treasured recreational pastime for millions of Americans every year, and we continue to see smart and practical innovations for big game hunters.
Game camera technology has improved incredibly in the last decade. In our lifetime we have gone from film cameras to digital, which was a revolution in itself, but modern game cams now can be equipped with Wifi, BlueTooth, and even a cellular connection.
Such cell-equipped cameras like the Moultrie Mobile 6000 keep you in the know from anywhere in the world. They allow you to access photos and video from any device at any time, keeping you posted on that big buck’s habits, who’s eating the corn, and even keep an eye out for poachers and thieves. Moultrie has options for both the Verizon and AT&T networks. It has all of the standard features one would expect from a modern trail cam such as 16MP photos, HD video, Illimi-Night Sensor activated night time photography and a 0.9 second trigger speed.
A quality real-time game camera can keep your eyes on your property or hunting lease all year long.
Hunting blinds come in all shapes, sizes and materials, ranging from pop-up tents to homemade wood blinds, fancy high-dollar fiberglass rigs, and even simple brushed-in ground blinds made from cut vegetation.
Most Southern rifle hunters prefer an enclosed blind strategically placed to cover a high-trafficked field or game trial. When it comes to moving or setting up a new blind, it can be an incredible chore. Hundreds of pounds to move, trucks and trailers, a half dozen friends to help, and sometimes even a tractor with forks may be required to get your blind in place. And in order to not disturb deer traffic patterns close to the season, all of this work is usually done in the sweltering summer heat.
This is why Snap-Lock Hunting Blind Kits are such a great innovation. Designed and built by an American manufacturer, they come in a flat-packed box that weighs less than 100 pounds, and go up in just ten minutes. All you need is your truck and an extra set of hands. There are options for one-man and two-man blinds, and come complete with quiet-open windows, and all of the available accessories like an interior shelf and window netting to block out your silhouette. Double-wall polymer construction combines rigid strength with better insulation than single-walled synthetic blinds, at half the cost.
There’s no better feeling than finishing a half-day chore in ten minutes, and knowing that your blind will be reliable for years to come.
Gone are the days of shivering in your long johns on those icy late December mornings. These days, a quality base layer can go a long way in keeping the warmth in and the weather out.
The Patagonia Capilene series of base layer tops and bottoms is the perfect setup for a comfortable day in cool to cold weather. The polyester material is built with a hollow-yarn construction and diamond-grid stitching pattern for the perfect combination of a moisture-wicking and quickly drying material. The "Midweight" set is the right temperature control for most of Texas, Oklahoma and across the South.
The zippered neck and thumb holes are features that I personally like for all fall and winter weather. If it’s a cool day, you can unzip the neck and fold in the collar inward for breathability, and simply cuff up the sleeves if you’re going with light gloves or bare hands. But when those cold snaps start to hit, you’ll want that collar sealed up tight, and I can’t tell you how handy it is to have sleeves securely inside your gloves thanks to the extra-long length and thumb holes.
A good base layer really can make the difference you need this season, keeping you out in the field longer, and increasing your chances of success.
Enjoy all of the advantages that modern hunting has to offer. 'Tis the season to get outdoors and chase that big buck!