Here's a look at the newest gear you'll need before heading into the deer woods this season.
Mystery Ranch Treehouse 16
Because deer hunters rely on stealth to ambush a big buck at close quarters, the Treehouse 16 pack from Mystery Ranch is made from a quiet-to-the-touch fabric so you won’t get busted digging for your bino or a snack. Lightweight and sized right for day hunts, the 975-cubic-inch pack provides ample room for your gear and sports exterior compression straps, a clamshell opening and a built-in tree strap. MSRP: $175; mysteryranch.com.
DryShod Evalusion Boot
Made with an exclusive Dureva outsole material, the new Evalusion Hunt boots from Dryshod might just be their best yet. Weighing in a full pound lighter than the competition, the mid-season Evalusion boot sports a 5mm Densoprene insulated booty, a breathable Airmesh lining, a roll-down calf, durable rubber overlays and a water-repellent finish. Flexible multi-lug tread design offers maximum traction across rough terrain. MSRP: $189.95; dryshodusa.com.
ALPS OutdoorZ Shield Bino Harness & Ember Handwarmer
ALPS uses an all new layered DeadQuiet fabric with a fleece exterior and suede liner to eliminate all noise from their new bino harness and handwarmer. The Shield bino harness features MOLLE attachment webbing, one-hand operation and pockets for extras. The Ember Handwarmer sports a handwarmer pocket inside, and hidden cuffs to keep the warmth in. Used alone or in tandem, both pieces sport a waterproof membrane. MSRP: $49.95 bino harness, $59.99 handwarmer; alpsoutdoorz.com.
WRC Next Generation Bio-Synthetic Scents
These next generation of synthetic scents from Wildlife Research Center have been bio-engineered with advanced technology to smell like real deer urine yet are safe to use in areas where real urine is prohibited. Made with WRC’s proprietary scent-boosting formula, the Next Generation Bio-Synthetic Scents line consists of Ultra-Premium Estrous Gold, Ultimate Buck Lure, Synthetic Estrous and Hot Scrape to attract deer all season long. MSRP: $7.18-$27.25; wildlife.com.
Bear Forrest Pickens Game Knife
Made from high-carbon “Swedish saw steel” that’s known for holding an edge, this 7.5-inch fixed blade is a true hunting knife through and through. The Pickens Game Knife sports a durable Micarta handle, a full tang, and a 3.5-inch trailing-point blade with a rounded spine, ideal for meat slicing, skinning and deboning. This knife is finished with a rock-tumbled acid wash and ships with a Kydex sheath. MSRP: $159.99-$169.99; bearforestknives.com.
Big&J Cotton Crave
Want your deer attractant to stand out from the neighbors? Be different. When everyone else is using corn, cottonseed may give you the edge you need. New from Big&J, Cotton Crave combines a highly attractive, long-range aroma Big&J attractants are known for with the nutritional high-quality protein of Fortified Cottonseed. Used in your feeders or placed directly on the ground, Cotton Crave will bring deer to your property and keep ’em coming back. Available in 40-pound and 8-pound bags. MSRP: $12.99-$24.99; bigandj.com.
