Originally designed in Australia by ex-service personnel at Kit Bag Military Products, the Recon Gen 2 Sleeping Bag is an Elite Survival Systems update of this original design. The new models sport quite a few additional features over their dated counterparts. A central zip with a storm flap helps keep weather out more effectively, while a PDA pocket inside keeps personal items close at hand. The waterproof outer shell boasts a Teflon coating, to reduce both stains, and add a further measure of water resistance for those nights spent in a leaky tent, or under the stars. Finally, a re-shaped hood and a waterproof 210D oxford bottom round out this freshly improved sleeping bag, which comes in four different temperature ratings:-4F, 14F, 23F and 41F. These ratings are denoted by the numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5—the higher the number, the colder the rating. For more information on the Recon Gen 2, which comes in Black, Coyote, Tan and Olive Drab, please visit elitesurvival.com. MSRP: $159.99-$249.95
Back in December of 1959, the Model 99 at the heart of this story cost my mother $85.25. It has become a wise investment in precious metal, walnut and stories that cannot be traded for any amount.
The speed at which mind-boggling advances were introduced last year underscores the importance of the joint effort launched by the Boone and Crockett Club and National Rifle Association’s Hunters’ Leadership Forum (HLF) in 2023. Last year the result of that project, the free Fair Chase and Hunter Ethics Course, went live.
For a hunter’s first rifle, one naturally chooses among the myriad center-fire cartridges and the arms that chamber them. But, is that the best option? Probably not.