Each year, we roll around in a time where buying hunting gear is second nature. The Gun Talk team prides themselves as gear aficionados. We go through gear like a newborn goes through diapers, but we are far gentler on our gear than those diapers. The gauntlet was thrown out to the Gun Talk team to come up with hunting gear that they wouldn’t leave home without. Here’s what they came up with:
If KJ has it in his pack for more than one outing, you know he’s got some righteous faith in that product. His selection shocked the team because it’s gear that he hasn’t discussed.
This knife scares the hell out of me, and I’m being serious. Every time this knife comes out of its sheath, I’m on edge. The sharpness of this blade isn’t to be taken lightly. In its brief tenure on my hip has dispatched gators, skinned elk, and cleaned a couple bears. MKC Owner, Josh Smith outdid himself on this little gem. The Montana Knife Company Speedgoat 2.0 is one of those knives that make you slow down and really think about what you’re doing. It’s hand-finished in Montana - made right here in the U.S.A. This one is here to stay on my belt.
This is a new one for me. The .308-chambered bolt gun is built around the Remington 700 footprint, which is a good thing when you begin thinking about after-market stocks, triggers and other upgrades.
The Spandau RL is ready for the field and has a bunch of highlights, like the Turkish walnut stock. The versatility of the Spandau RL is a great offering for new or seasoned hunters in the field. When we got this one into the studio to film with, I immediately fell for its look and precision.
If you’ve listened to the Gun Talk Hunt podcast you’ve heard me talk about trail cameras, and how I abandoned the idea of even using them over the past 14 years. I always found that I couldn’t handle not checking them on a regular basis. This was before cellular cameras took over the world. I couldn’t stand not seeing what was coming in and using the trails or bedding areas. All that movement in and out of the hunting area educated the deer, giving them just one more reason to move out of the area. I didn’t want to take the risk so I bailed on the trail cameras. That was, until I saw Moultrie launching an entire fleet of Edge 3 cameras.
Eating crow is never easy, but in the case of trail cameras I was wrong. The new age of Moultrie Edge cameras provides an advantage that shouldn’t be taken lightly. This sucker is pro level. It’s got built in Moultrie AI, which basically eliminates false triggers and adapts capture modes. Plus, it doesn’t require a memory card. All images and settings are manipulated from the Moultrie app.
Even better, setup was simple. For a guy who is super conscientious about his time, setting up cameras is low on the list when it comes to dedicating time. The images are sharp, and I can tell the difference between that’s a twig and I’m grabbing my bow now. One feature I didn’t expect to enjoy is the Live Aim. This allows hunter’s the ability to adjust your camera in real-time instead of waiting on a test photo/image. It cuts down on the time I’m in the hunting area setting up the camera.
The Edge 3 has proven worthy for this ex-trail camera guy to become the trail camera guy once again.
When KJ asked me to come up with some products that could help hunters, I thought it would be difficult. Lo and behold, thirty minutes later I’d come up with a dozen or more products that I use that help me get through tough hunts. Here are a few that I think are highly underrated.
Whether it’s rechargeable or battery powered, these are handy for more than just hunting, used multiple times a day during the season. Even if you don’t use them in the field, they are handy around camp but don’t skimp on these. They can be cheap or they can be expensive, but there are so many models to choose from – find the one that has multiple brightness levels and two colors as white isn’t always the best in the dark. Make for easy gifts as they are easy to describe what you want in one.
I’m actually a wuss when it comes to the cold – I love hunting in the cold because animals move, but I’m not a fan of it when I’m standing at the bottom of a ski hill waiting to see my kid do a :45 second course run on the weekends in January in MN. Handwarmers are invaluable to me because I can keep my hands warm AND wear thin gloves for better firearm dexterity on ammo and trigger, safety etc. Even for when climbing in and out of the stand. For the bird hunters chasing late season pheasants – one hand in the pocket while you walk isn’t a bad idea either. And as mentioned earlier – these are great year round items for more than just hunting.
Confidence in the field is everything. I’ve had days when I walk into the woods a bit nervous about the outcome, but when your carting around a gun like the Savage AXIS II PRO those nerves dwindle. I’ve had a ton of opportunities to share this gun with others and they all love the ease of use and accuracy.
Available in full-size, left-hand, and compact models across a range of popular hunting calibers, the AXIS II PRO comes dressed in Savage camo patterns—Woodland, Western, and Forest SP—with durable Cerakote finishes that stand up to the elements. Add in a threaded barrel and one-piece rail, and you’ve got a rifle that’s field-ready from the moment it’s unwrapped.
The hardest part for me is condensing my list down to “just a few.” Gear selection is one of the things I enjoy the most, and when I find things that do exactly what I want them to, it’s really easy to talk about.
I’m a huge fan of Badlands gear. In fact, when I open my “box ‘o camo” there’s so much Approach OG pattern that I have a hard time knowing what’s what. Badlands made their mark with their exceptional hunting packs, and have continued to evolve and enhance them annually.
I could pick individual pieces of Badlands gear and their high-quality apparel, but I’ll try to keep it simple.
If you’re an active hunter, and especially a Western hunter, you really need to check out the Badlands Vario System. Build around the new Vario Pro Frame, hunters can select Vario packs in 50, 33, 22, and daypack variants, along with a really cool Meat Shelf system and Batwings for strapping on additional gear.
After a week high in Oregon’s Blue Mountains chasing wapiti, I can personally attest to the biggest challenge of owning a Vario System – not overpacking! This highly customizable pack system lets you haul so much gear with you, and carries the load so well, that it’s hard to whittle down your gear to just the essentials.
Plus, as of right now, Badlands has exceptional deals on Vario packs. In fact, at the time of this writing, you could get a Vario Pro Frame, Vario 33 Pack, and Vario Spot Wing for a little over $400 – with a free Meat Shelf.
A well-regarded brand – and rightfully so – in international circles for long-range shooters and hunters alike, Norway’s Ulfhednar is beginning to make an impact in the US as well. The UHRT55CBH is a premium tripod with all of the features that backcountry hunters are looking for: fast and quiet to deploy, rock solid stability, ARCA-equipped, folds down to only 14”, and most importantly – extremely lightweight (less than 3 lbs, and feels lighter). It’s not cheap at $548, but if you’re looking to glass open country with confidence or stabilize yourself for the shot of a lifetime, you can’t go wrong here.
Plus, Ulfhednar USA offers a complete line of tripod accessories as well as hard-use shooting mats, range gear, support bags, and more. If you’re not familiar with this brand, you will be soon, and if you’re looking for purpose-built gear for “extremes” you’ll find what you’re looking for.
This is my first season hunting suppressed, and everyone who has uttered lines like, “you won’t go back,” and “can’t believe I waited so long,” were right in every way.
For my rig, (Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT in 7mm PRC + Nosler 160gr AccuBond Trophy Grade), I chose the SilencerCo Scythe STM, purchased from Silencer Central.
The Scythe STM is a 30 cal stainless steel suppressor suitable for .223 up to .300RUM, and can attach to your rifle via direct thread (5/8x24) or via the myriad of options for QD using SilencerCo’s Bravo system.
I also considered the SilencerCo Scythe Ti for its lighter weight, butI opted for the Scythe STM since this silencer will live most of the year on an AR and the STM is full-auto rated and more of an all-purpose can than the Scythe Ti.
For me, beyond the obvious sound suppression and recoil dampening – I swear it made this 7mm PRC feel like a .308 – my favorite feature is the ability to convert the Scythe STM to short (5.1”) or long (6.9”) configurations. This is extremely handy for Western hunters like myself, as one hunt can be in wet, coastal rainforests, and others on rolling Eastern Oregon mountain ranges.
Happy hunting! ~ Team Gun Talk
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Kevin Jarnagin (KJ) hails from Oklahoma but quickly established Louisiana roots after joining the Gun Talk team. KJ grew up as a big game hunter and often finds himself in a different venture often. His early career had him working with one of the finest PR agencies in the outdoor industry – Blue Heron Communications. Before that, KJ molded the minds of business school students at the University of Oklahoma. Quickly learning he had to grow up sometime, KJ dedicated himself to the outdoors no matter what it took.
A firearms industry veteran, Matt Johnson chases big game with everything from archery equipment to muzzleloaders and everything in between. The Minnesota native has enjoyed 30+ years of big game hunting and finds most of his success on public grounds. If you can’t find Matt on the slopes in the winter, he is on the hunt.
Gary is the Digital Content Manager for Gun Talk Media and is a proud “Oregunian” and a lifelong shooter, gear hound, and student of the gun. When not trying to perfect his trigger press, Killingsworth is an avid baseball fan, beer snob, metalhead, hunter, and angler.
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