For most hunters out there, the early season is usually hot and dry. Here in Montana, we can get snow in September, so it's really hard to plan and keep your pack light at the same time. Here are my top-5 go-to items for early season hunts.
For a long time, the Schnee's Beartooth boot has been my favorite boot. It's still and incredibly comfortable and capable boot. But with the introduction of the Kestrel boot, I've been finding myself wearing my Beartooths less and less during the early season. The Kestrel is just so light and has the right amount of flex for below tree line hikes. Then there's the new pLite™ midsole. It's super durable, light weight and provides new levels of shock absorption I have yet to find in other boots out there. Bottom line: you can go miles and miles in these boots without any issues.
When it's hot out, you'll wish you had these pants on. Seriously! They are super light and breathable, but still very durable. The unique button-flap design is über comfortable, they have ample storage throughout and even have spots to insert a knee pad when needed. They are outstanding hunting and outdoor pants. I recommend them to anyone wanting the lightest pant out there... plus they come in solids so you can wear them to the office or job site!
I like to keep things easily accessible, especially my binos and rangefinder. This new optics harness from Sitka easily accomplishes that and then some. The main pouch easy to access via a silent latch and comes with a microfiber cloth inside. The other two pouches are equally slick, opening forward to reveal ample space for a rangefinder ,cell phone, reeds, etc. The Mountain Optics harness also features a new strap design that includes a lower strap to keep it all from bouncing around when you need to start running or traversing extreme terrain.
Versatility. That is what you get with this mammoth pack. It's great for holding a week or more worth of gear, but you'd expect that from a pack this size. But it does
I know some people will say that one of the joys of being out in the backcountry is disconnecting from technology, your phone, work, etc... for a bit and I totally agree. But having a lifeline to ermergency
