by Scott Smith | Contributing Editor
Alps Outdoorz High Caliber Duffle showing the carry handles, shoulder strap and all of the pockets which allow you to carry your gear to camp or on a road trip.
Every year around the first week of July, watching the various outdoor channels you start to see more hunting-related shows, and hunting-related catalogs start arriving in the mail. Like the rest of the industry, TheGunMag starts getting our readers ready for hunting season. While it is hard to think of putting on heavy winter clothing or your favorite camouflage apparel, there are only 12 weeks or less until hunting season opens—even less for early waterfowl hunting and some archery seasons. This year we are going to look at items to carry gear, gear to prep blinds, cleaning products and lightweight rain protection.
Camelbak’s Fourteener 20(L) and Alps Oudoorz Dark Timber(R) packs, both designed to easily carry a load hunting or hiking.
To get this year’s hunting issue started, let’s look at packs and bags to carry your gear. First we will look at The High Caliber Duffle and the Dark Timber pack from Alps Outdoorz (Phone: 800-344-2577; Online: alpsoutdoorz.com). If you haven’t heard of Alps Outdoorz, I can attest to the fact that their products are built to endure many seasons of use and not break the bank.
Let’s take a look at the High Caliber Duffle first. This duffle is available in three sizes: standard (24” x 12” x 12”; MSRP: $49.99), large (30” x 14” x 15”; MSRP: $59.99), and extra large (36” x 16” x 18”; MSRP: $69.99). All three sizes are heavy duty nylon with inserts of Realtree Xtra on an olive green body, so it will blend with most any terrain while looking good if you use the duffle for daily use.
With semi-body wrap handles, wrapped/sewn seams and heavy duty #10 zippers, this duffle is built to carry your hunting apparel for many years. For ease of access, the High Caliber has a double pull “U” body zipper and double pull end pockets. To make the duffle easy to carry; the body handles have a wrap so they become one handle. If you prefer, there is a padded shoulder strap for longer hauls. Finally, to make it easier to get the High Caliber out of your vehicle, there are handles on each end.
This is a view of the venting systems on the packs which make these packs cooler and more stable when wearing them.
I have been using the large duffle for a few months. With its 6300 cubic inch capacity, I have found the High Caliber easily packs gear for a four-day shooting match. Having encountered more rain than I care to think of in my travels this year, I am happy to report the High Caliber kept my clothing dry going from the SUV to various hotels. After rolling off the tailgate into the mud on one occasion, the duffle kept gear dry and washed up to look brand new.
The High Caliber’s travel companion this year was the Dark Timber in Mossy Oak Break-up Infinity; if you prefer it is available in Realtree Xtra. Since the Dark Timber is meant to be a hunting pack, the heavy duty nylon is “quiet cloth” so you don’t get that annoying crinkle of nylon. For comfort when carrying the pack the padded shoulder straps have a sternum strap and heavily padded waist belt to keep the pack from shifting. When you look at the back of the pack, there is mesh ventilation that helps keep you from sweating.
You should have no problem carrying gear into the woods, or onto an air plane with the Dark Timber. This pack has 2285 cubic inches of space which should handle all but the bulkiest winter clothing; even with that you could lash it to the numerous tie down points or wrap it into the locking straps on the main body.
Gerber includes directions for aerial rescue on the Compact Parang, while the Myth Hatchet comes with a nearly indestructible sheath and the lightweight Vital is carried with a clip.
For easy access to items like calls, snacks, ammo there are mesh pockets on each side of the pack. The two zippered exterior pockets will carry most small items like cleaning kits, animal lures, digital cameras, etc. The top pocket also has a snap link to secure your keys. Trust me, having lost my keys on a hunt, this is a nice touch. Inside the cover of the main pocket is a mesh pocket that I would use to secure ID, credit cards or cash.
A feature that sets the Dark Timber apart from many other hunting packs is the separate sleeve and hangar inside the main pocket for a hydration bladder. This hangar keeps the bladder from sloshing around and collapsing so you can drink all of the liquid. For added convenience there is a covered slot in the top of the pack to thread the drinking tube. I found the hook and slot will accommodate bladders from Blackhawk and Camelbak. With its $79.99 MSRP you will be hard pressed to find a pack with all these features unless you spend substantially more.
Another pack/hydration system I would carry into the woods is the Fourteener 20 from Camelbak (Phone: 877-404-7673, Online: camelbak.com). While this hydration pack does not come in a camouflage pattern, it is available in charcoal/graphite or Tahoe blue/lime punch. Since many states have “hi-viz” requirements and lots of hunters use pop-up or hard shell blinds, the colors should not matter. What’s important is this is a pack built for active people, which hunters are. With its $125 price tag, you will see the Fourteener 20 with its innovation and features is worth it.
Close-up views showing the details of the Myth Hatchet and the Compact Parang; both tools will clear a trail, clear a blind or help dress your game.
Camelbak is known for their innovations in hydration bladders and the Fourteener 20 has a separate pouch for a 100-ounce Antidote reservoir. This bladder has a center divider that reduces liquid sloshing. The Pure Flow tube has the latest shut off Big Bite valve with Quick Link attachment to the bladder. Over the years I have found Camelbak’s bladders to be virtually indestructible; the Antidote carries on that lineage and is easier to clean. What’s not to like!
The pack of the Fourteener 20 for its weight is pretty amazing. To increase airflow and give support Camelbak uses their NV Hike system. This is a closed-cell foam secured in mesh pockets at the shoulders, mid and low back with a semi-rigid pack back. What this does is give a stable pack without a heavy frame. This stability is further increased with a waist belt that has zipper pockets to secure keys and other items you want to keep close at hand.
The pack gives you 1098 cubic inches of space. This is broken down into a simple large main pocket and a large multi-pocketed front pocket. You will find a divided mesh pocket, fleece-lined zipper pocket to protect cameras, phones, glasses, and a smaller zipper pocket that is large enough to carry two standard 20-round boxes of ammunition. The outside pocket, while designed for a bike helmet, will easily carry a light rain jacket. Larger clothing can be secured with the pack straps.
You can see the razor sharp replaceable blade with its lock on the folding Vital knife.
Over the past few years we have seen more and more field gear designed for hunters. When I was young, if you needed tools to work on a blind, clear shooting lanes, or create a food plot, you went to the “army surplus” store and picked up surplus machetes, axes, etc. Today we see companies like Gerber (Phone: 800-950-6161; Online: gerbergear.com) designing tools for hunters. These tools are built to be easily packed, strong, but lightweight, and made from materials that endure the elements. Three tools in the Gerber line that are designed for and are perfect for hunters are: the Bear Grylls Compact Parang, the Vital and the Myth.
5.11 Tactical’s TPT L2 251 flashlight which can be used to light the way in and out of the field, be a general purpose light or perish the thought it will work as a rescue strobe.
While a surplus machete is inexpensive, its large and hard to use clearing a trail or shooting lane. If you really want to make short work of these tasks, the Compact Parang is the tool to use. This tool is made from 1055 steel, making it tough, lightweight, sharp and with its 13.6-oz. 9.34” blade (15.08”OAL), it is easy to use even in the densest vines. The blade is slightly curved, giving you a full cutting edge when slashing. Its full tang extends into the polypropylene handle, making this modern machete strong while the handle mitigates vibration. Thanks to the reverse broad taper of the blade, the weight is forward of the handle, giving you more power with each swing. This design allows the Compact Parang to make short work of brush, small tree branches and other scrub brush in the woods.
Gerber supplies a mildew resistant nylon sheath to keep the Compact Parang close at hand. A unique feature of this sheath is the inclusion of land-to-air hand signals in case you need to have emergency air rescue. Many of you may laugh, but we hear of hunters and hikers getting lost in the mountains every year; this sheath could help save your life. With its compact size, weight and rescue information; the Bear Grylls Compact Parang is worth every penny of its $43 price. This is one piece of kit that will be in my pack when venturing into the woods.
The next multi-season-use tool is the Myth Hatchet, a compact lightweight hatchet that is mighty for its size. This $55 approximately one pound full-tanged mini-hatchet with its 3.5” blade makes short work of small trees and works well to pound in stakes. You will find this hatchet to be nearly weatherproof thanks to the coated 3cr13 steel. The rubber overmolded grip gives you a good purchase in the wettest conditions. If you are using the Myth to dress big game, you will find the finger groove under the head invaluable. This small addition gives you amazing control of the blade in tight quarters.
This is a packable hatchet and it comes with a polymer sheath that locks on the blade. Unlike many inexpensive sheaths this one stays on the blade until you remove it; even when pounding with the Myth the sheath stayed on. Like the Compact Parang the Myth Hatchet is a tool that needs to be in your hunting or hiking pack.
The last piece of Gerber Gear we are going to look at is the Vital Pocket Folder (VPF). The PR crew for Gerber told me this knife was the cat’s meow for hunters, and when I looked at the images online, I mumbled to myself—yeah, right. The VPF looked like a knife you would find at one of those discount closeout stores. I will eat crow and tell myself, I was wrong. Don’t let the orange color and lightweight fool you, like it did me; this is one helluva knife, plain and simple.
The VPF is not a knife for getting into a made-for-tv movie knife fight, but it is purpose built for field dressing. The handle is bright orange overmolded rubber so you don’t lose the knife in low light and it gives you a positive purchase in the wet conditions of a body cavity. This blade is designed for easy one-handed operation with a thumb stud to assist in opening, and locks securely with a lock back.
What makes the VPF unique is the interchangeable surgical steel blade (six extras ship with the knife with a 12-pack available). This blade locks into the folding frame of the knife via a spring lock which is part of the thumb stud. You will find these blades the embodiment of razor sharp. With the upward angle on the flat of the blade, this knife, if you are careful, will quickly open the skin without puncturing the body peritoneal lining, until you need to. This same knife will also make short work of preparing the cape or completely skin for tanning.
You will find the VPF is a serious hunting knife. With its compact size, interchangeable blades and affordable price of $43; this is a knife that should be in your hunting pack. This is also a knife I would keep in my glove box, because you never know when you need a very sharp knife.
The last item we all need, whether its hunting or daily use, is a flashlight.
Once again I looked for a non-traditional source for an affordable, multi-function, durable light and found 5.11 Tactical’s (Phone: 866-451-1726; Online: 511tactical.com) TPT L2 251. This light was chosen for both its price, $47.99, and its color: High Vis Yellow. TheGunMag chose High Vis Yellow so it can easily be found in low light in your pack.
The TPT has a polymer body with rubber like TPR grip with anti-roll head. A multi-function high, low, strobe beam controls the CREE LED with 251 lumen output for high or strobe and 13 lumens on low. On high the TPT will run 3.5 hours; 58.5 hours on low and 6 hours on strobe. When the tail-cap is initially pressed the light is on high, a quick half depress sets it on low and three quick half depressions sets strobe; click the light to turn it on that mode. It takes a couple of practice clicks to get used to the count motion, after that it’s easy.
Some may question, why a multi-mode flashlight is needed for hunters. First 13 lumens are more than enough light to navigate your way through the woods without scaring the game. If you are searching for downed game, 251 lumens will show the blood trail. Lastly, the strobe is needed, perish the thought, if you get lost. In a night search and rescue from the air or at a distance the human eye will see a strobe light more quickly than a continuous light. This strobe can also be used as a self-defense tool, because the light disorients people when shined in their eyes.
There were no specifications on how “water resistant” the TPT is, but I had no issues using the light in the monsoonal quality storms we have had in June and July. I figured if the light could handle these downpours, it would handle snow and fall rains. With all these features, it was tough to beat the 5.11 Tactical TPT L2 251 for an all-purpose light that will more than meet the demands of hunters or anyone else who needs an affordable quality flashlight.
I hope this will help you all when looking for gear for the 2015/16 hunting season. Have fun, good luck and be safe; make sure to wear your high-visibility vest when traveling in and out of the woods or tracking game; we do not want our readers to become an accident.
