Knives
Knife Sharpening: Field Sharpeners That Actually Work
Most field sharpeners do not work. Here are the three that actually put an edge back on a hunting knife when you are miles from home.
Publisher
Hunting Packs
Hunting Packs: Mystery Ranch Metcalf vs Stone Glacier Sky 5900
The Mystery Ranch Metcalf and the Stone Glacier Sky 5900 are the default western hunting packs. Here is how they actually perform with meat on your back.
Hunting Camo
Camo Systems: Sitka Subalpine vs First Lite Specter vs Kryptek
Modern camo is a system of patterns built for specific terrain. Here is how Sitka Subalpine, First Lite Specter, and Kryptek actually compare in the woods.
Hunting Boots
Hunting Boots Tested: Crispi, Kenetrek, Irish Setter in Real Conditions
The $500 mountain boot debate is won and lost in real conditions. Here is what Crispi, Kenetrek, and Irish Setter actually do when the weather turns on you.
Binoculars
Hunting Binoculars: Why 8x42 Beats 10x42 for Most Situations
The 10x42 binocular is the default hunting optic but probably the wrong one. An 8x42 does more for more hunters in more conditions.
Spotting Scopes
Spotting Scopes: Swarovski vs Vortex vs Leupold Under $2,000
A spotting scope under $2,000 should be the workhorse of your western hunting setup. Here is how Swarovski, Vortex, and Leupold actually stack up in the field.
Rifle Scopes
Rifle Scope Selection: 3-9x40 vs 4-16x50 for Most Hunters
The shift toward 4-16x50 hunting scopes is driven more by marketing than by actual shooting conditions. Here is when each scope actually makes sense.
Traditional Archery
Traditional Archery: Recurve vs Longbow for Hunting Deer
Most trad bow debates are theological, not practical. Here is what actually matters when you are choosing between a recurve and a longbow for deer hunting.
Archery
Compound Bow Setup: Draw Weight, Draw Length, Let-Off Explained
Most compound bow problems come down to a bad setup at the pro shop. Here is how to make sure yours is right the first time.
Musky
Musky: The Fish of 10,000 Casts and What's Actually Worth It
The musky myth — 10,000 casts for one fish — is a slight exaggeration. The actual numbers and what it really takes to catch one.
Catfish
Catfish After Dark: Setting Up for a Productive Night
Catfishing is a nighttime game. Here's the rig, the bait, and the setup that puts blues, flatheads, and channels on the bank.
Ice Fishing
Ice Fishing on a Budget: You Don't Need a $12,000 Shack
Ice fishing has become an equipment arms race. Here's how to fish productively through the ice for under $500 in gear — because the fish don't care.