Imagine you and your most trusted hunting partner are heading out on the hunt of a lifetime…  You're backpacking into the High Country for 10-14 days.  Although you always want to be prepared for anything you know deep down that the unthinkable is a reality on trips like these.  You know some of the country you travel in…  You know how rough it can be and the outcome of your trip can change in the blink of an eye for better or for worse. 

A few days into your trip and you're walking along a high rocky ridge and you run into an old slide… You know the kind with big trunk sized boulders that can shift out from under you.  It's tricky terrain loaded down with a pack.  You're stepping along from rock to rock and all of a sudden you hear your buddy yell as the rock he stepped on has just shifted and he's falling forward.  The weight of his heavy pack pushes him head first into the rocks and you see he's hit hard.  So hard in fact, that your partner is unconsciouss, bleeding badly and seriously in trouble…  You are 20 miles from the nearest road… There are no gas stations with a payphone nearby, no cell phones, no clinics, no hospitals, nobody to turn to…  You are ALONE.

Maybe you've got a satellite phone.  They are heavy, expensive and most of us have to rent them.  They don't always work 100%.  But it could save the day.  This is just one of 1000's of scenarios that could happen to one of us while enjoying our favorite pastime in the great outdoors.

The device I am about to tell you about is going to save lives.  And it's going to cost about the same as a weeks satellite phone rental. I first heard about SPOT a few months ago but never took the time to really check out their website until recently.

Coming from someone with a wife and two kids I can tell you this is an item I couldn't have acquired fast enough!  This is going to go with me on any and all of my backcountry trips from now on. For you guys who like to hunt in the most remote places across the world you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to have one of these in your pack.  God forbid it helps save your life one day.

So what is SPOT…?  It's a personal GPS tracking system.  In short, it gives you the ability to press a button in the event of an emergency.  Your signal will be routed directly to a local 911 call center along with a Google map and coordinates to locate you immediately.  You push the button and help is on the way.  This device takes the SEARCH out of Search & Rescue.

It also gives you the ability to allow loved ones to track your progress on Google Maps, and let them know you're ok.  Your family will thank you for this.

SPOT runs on 2 AA Lithium batteries and according to the manual the batteries will last for a very, very long time.  Longer then most 10-14 backpacking trips for sure.  The device is not much larger then a standard cell-phone and for the peace of mind it brings it's worth the extra 8 ounces in your pack.

I took my SPOT device out onto the logging roads behind my house today for a quick little test.  I turned the unit on and waited approximately 2 minutes.  I then activated the "Check-In" feature that sends my personalized "I Am OK" message to the contacts on my SPOT-team (friends and family). 

The email was received into my inbox virtually instantly.  Less then 1 minute on this test and thats pretty fast.  Here is the message that SPOT sent my contacts.

Just checking in.  I am okay.  We are at the location provided.
ESN:0-7392277
Latitude:49.3151
Longitude:-124.5979
Nearest Location: Dunsmuir, Canada
Distance: 8 km(s)
Time:04/05/2008 16:37:24 (GMT) 
Link To Location Via Google Maps 

I did spend the extra $49.00 for the tracking feature which when turned on will track your progress every 10 minutes and mark your locations on a Google Map that your SPOT-team can login and view whenever they like.  It's an incredibly useful little feature.

When all was said and done SPOT cost me $169.00 for the unit, $99.00 for activation, $49.00 for the tracking feature and $7.95 for the optional S&R extraction policy.  Around $350 total with all the bells and whistles.

The $7.95 optional GEOS S&R benefit is well worth it if you're a Canadian or American citizen.  As you qualify for up to $100,000 in additional search and rescue resources to help you if you're in trouble.  There are some conditions but for $7.95 it's worth it.  If you don't activate this coverage on your initial SPOT activation it will cost you full price later which is $150.

Before you start planning for your next big backpack hunting trip consider buying yourself the SPOT device.  It could save your life one day.

Happy Hunting!
Carl

If there's one thing that can absolutely ruin any backpacking hunting trip it's to spend a few wet and cold nights in a crappy tent that couldn't handle the harsh weather the mountains of BC or any area for that matter can dish out.  When my family was in the outfitting business we were spoiled with the luxury of having horses to pack the gear required for a 2 week hunt.  Packing a 50 pound wall tent on your back isn't really practical for a backpacking shelter so we need to find something that provides the same quality of shelter and a fraction of the size.

I first heard of Integral Designs MK series tents, when I had the luxury of sleeping in one last year on a sheep hunt into the Northern Rockies of BC.  My partner had purchased the tent several years earlier for another sheep hunt he had been on.  Integral Designs is a Canadian company based out of Calgary Alberta.  They have been making expedition quality gear since 1986 and MK series tents have been used by several adventurers while climbing Mt. Everest is that can attest to the quality of these 4 season shelters.  While their products don't seem to be directly marketed to hunters, they can and will definitely stand up to our abuse.

While on my sheep hunt last year the Integral Designs MK III tent performed flawlessly, through heavy rains, wind and even snow.  We stayed dry along with our gear which makes for a much more comfortable backpacking hunt.  This real world experience was what lead me in their direction when I decided it was time to buy my own backpacking tent for this years upcoming Stone Sheep hunting trip.

At first I was disappointed to find out that while Integral Designs is actually located and manufacture their tents in Canada, they cannot sell the tents in Canada due to some legal, mumbo jumbo or unknown origin… I was told by an employee at an outdoor in the states it's because of the fire "proofness" of the material they use not meeting Canadian standards or whatever… Bottom line… don't light fires in your tent and you should be okay

These tents aren't cheap so if you're looking for a backpacking tent in the under $500 category you may as well stop shopping Integral.  The MK III set me back just over $700 CAD after shipping and exchange rates.  After searching all of distributor sites for Integral I came to the conclusion that an outfit called C&C Outdoors out of the states was the cheapest price… I bought the tent January 2007 and they were having an inventory clearance.  The tent with the vestibule was $670 which other places were selling the package for well over $700 USD some as high as $800.  I see their price today is at $600 for the tent and $99 for the vestibule with an additional 5% discount.  With the exchange rate close to par now would be a good time to buy one of these high quality tents if it's what you're looking for.

When I ordered my tent, I received a phone call a few days later that they didn't have my color (Olive) in stock and they would have to order more from the Integral Designs factory in Calgary.  There was no additional cost to me, and I got a tent straight out the factory door.  There was a bit of a delay as I had to wait for the tent to be shipped from Calgary to their warehouse in Tennessee and then back to Canada (again for silly legal reasons).  When the tent finally arrived I dove right into the box… Since I had already stayed in one of these tents I somewhat knew what to be expecting.  What I wasn't expecting was no duty or taxes due upon the tents arrival… Not sure what happened there but I didn't ask any questions!

The tent was rolled up into a durable, lightweight stuff sack with all of the poles and lightweight aluminum pegs neatly tucked inside.  The vestibule was rolled into it's own separate little stuff sack along with it's one pole.  Also included with the tent was an instruction booklet that explains the tent, and all of it's features very clearly.  There was a tube of Sil-Net seam sealer to finish sealing off some of the seams on the tent that are taped at the factory but they recommend using some sealant as a preventative measure.

Just for some kicks I took the Integral Designs MK III while it was all packed up and put it next to my previous backpacking tent that I had acquired a few years earlier…  It was a great tent, but was heavy at almost 10 pounds and wasn't exactly high quality.  It's a Canadian Tire $100 tent.  The MK III weighs in at about 5lbs with the poles and pegs and add another pound for the vestibule so about 6 pounds total.  Not the lightest of the backpacking tents on the market but it's probably one of the lightest 4 season tents on the market.  In the picture here you see both tents packed up side by side.  The Integral has all the poles, pegs and vestibule inside in this picture.  As you can see it's quite a bit smaller then my other tent which is the goal of a backpacking tent.

Getting the MK III setup is an absolute breeze…  If the salesperson told you it takes 5 minutes to setup he lied… It's more like 2 minutes if that.  It's not one of those tents where you have to run poles through channels, and slowly erect the tent one corner at a time.  With the MK III you simply roll the tent out and then assemble the poles once you have that done you put the 2 poles across each other and push them into the back corners of the tent.  Simply stuff the remaining end of the pole into the opposing corner at the front of the tent and you now have shelter.  You'll then need to crawl inside and fasten all of the velcro tabs around the pole on the inside which isn't a big deal.  Being able to get the tent up from the inside this way makes it extremely easy to setup when you need shelter in a hurry.

The lightweight aluminum corner pegs (6) that are included with the tent are very lightweight and amazingly strong.  They won't bend like the cheap metal pegs you'll find with most tents.  Peg the tent down in the 4 corners and then use the remaining two pegs for the vestibule. 

The vestibule that came with the tent wasn't as big as I thought it would be.  It's really easy to setup though.  You just zip it onto the front of the tent, put the pole in and then peg it down on the front.  It's enough room for you to cook in out of the rain if you had your body in the tent itself, there is no way a grown man could fit his body in the vestibule.  I've seen other tents that are a little more generous in this area but it's something that can be overcome with another piece of excellent gear put out by Integral Designs called the Sil-Tarp II.  It's an 8' x10' lightweight tarp that you can use as additional shelter and gear cover.

The vestibule does however have enough room to get 2 full size packs and your boots into it to keep them out of the rain.  With all of that shit piled up though you're going to have a tough time getting in and out of the tent at night to take a midnight leak though.  So another reason why I still pack along my Sil-Tarp II (you can read my review on it here). 

One of the options I wish I had ordered for my tent was the addition of a second zippered window on one end.  This helps greatly with the ventilation as the MK III is a single walled tent and they aren't known for their ability to breath as efficiently as a double walled tent (tent with rain fly).  To combat the ventilation issue Integral has installed some tunnel vents into the top of the tent.  They still don't provide enough air circulation though so it's a good idea to leave the door open a bit too to let the air come in and the moisture out.  There is an awning over the top portion of the door so it's safe to leave the top of the door unzipped 5 or 6 inches which does make a big difference.

The inside of the tent is made with a special layer of Nexus polyester which is supposed to act as a buffer and trap any moisture so it can be then passed to the outside.  It's very soft to the touch and when you wake up in the morning don't be surprised if it's a little damp.  You'll notice it's damp and not your sleeping bag!  This means the fabric is doing it's job.

There is enough room for 2 grown men and their gear to fit inside the tent (vestibule included) but you'd really be pushing it with 3… If you only go hunting with yourself and a partner then it's a non-issue.  If you ever want to bring a 3rd person along they will need their own tent/bivy or you'll need to bring a 3 man tent.  Don't let the high cost of this tent scare you… If you're like me you plan to be hunting for many, many years yet and this tent will last your lifetime if you take care of it.

Happy Hunting!
Carl

I've been on a few backpack sheep hunts now and every time I go the country I am in manages to chew the shit out of a pair of boots and the same goes for my feet… Hotspots and blisters making the going a little tougher.  When you're that far out in the mountains or woods it's critically important that your feet are meeting the dirt with some quality boots…

This last years hunt August 2006, my hunting partner shared with me a little shop down in Robinson Illinois, called Lathrop & Sons.  Now this is a family of hunters, who not only hunt and run a hunting boot store, but they also have a combined forty eight years of experience in Podiatry and Pedorthic fields (doctors of the foot essentially). 

A quick visit to their website revealed that I would need to complete some tracings and take some digital pictures of my feet.  It's important to have someone else complete these tracings other than yourself as if you're bending down tracing your own feet they won't be loaded correctly and the tracing will come out too small.

You'll need to provide tracings of both feet individually and take them barefoot and then also do another set of tracings with the socks on that you normally plan to wear with your new boots.  You can also take some pictures of your feet and specify and problem areas you have on your feet or any areas of concern, if you have a foot problem these guys have seen it, and know how to help you overcome the problem.

After sending away my tracings and photos I was contacted by Steven and Dusty Lathrop via telephone where we talked hunting for a good 20 minutes or so, they found out what I hunted for, what kind of terrain I was hiking on most of the time, how my old boots were, what they were, any problem areas I had with my feet etc… After several questions and answers back and forth I decided to go with the a Size 12 US and the model I chose to go with was the HanWag Alaska Trapper Top.  I like the added support for my ankles when carrying a heavy pack over the lower cut GTX model.

Along with the boots "system" I was also getting a set of the Lathrop & Sons "High Country Footbeds", a bottle of G-Wax leather waterproofing, 3 pairs of Thorlo hiking socks, and 2 Dri-Zone boot driers.

It took a few weeks to get the boots and when they finally arrived It was exciting… They arrived the same day as my Zeiss Spotting Scope but that's another review… It was just like Christmas… with a sour twist… Because these boots were made in Germany there was a 20% duty to import them… They aren't cheap! If you decide to order a pair make sure you take this into consideration or if possible go through a Canadian dealer if you can find one.  Even with the duty hassle, the personal service and attention to detail that I received has made my selection in a boot provider that much easier…   Even with all of the hassle let me tell you, these boots were worth every penny!

After walking hundreds of miles in what now seem like crappy boots, The difference is like Night and Day…  When I first tried them on they were a little tight, and I was even skeptical that we'd chosen the correct size…  I have a slightly wider foot and the HanWag seemed to me to have a narrower fit…  After a phone call from Steven, and assurance that the boot would break in and fit like a glove I decided to keep the boots and take their word for it.

To waterproof these boots I used the G-Wax that Lathrop provided with my order and applied exactly as the instructions said.  So far so good.  It was extremely easy to apply and it only slightly darkened the leather.I haven't had them out in any serious wet weather or wading any rivers yet but they do seem to shed the rain and water from low hanging brush no problem.

The "High Country Footbeds" that came with the boots are probably some of best footbeds I've ever used in a boot.  Over the last 3 years I've spent about $200 on other insoles and inserts to help alleviate some of the stress on my feet and none of them compare… I even tried the super expensive ones that you mold to your feet by cooking in the oven.  And those were probably the worst of them all!

At the time of writing this review I've now put about 50 miles on these boots with my 60lb pack on.  These miles have all been on local hills and I've probably climbed/descended 40,000 feet (both ways).  It took a few miles but I have to say that Steven was right… They now fit like a glove… Every step I take in these boots feels good… The fit is perfect and my feet feel a lot better too.  The ball-bearing lacing system helps you get just the right amount of "snugness" and really keeps the boots wrapped around your foot preventing any slippage from occurring.  Blistering or hot spots was not even a problem during the break in period and will probably never be an issue in the future with these boots.

Climbing rough and uneven terrain with these boots is a breeze as they grip like sandpaper even when trying to scramble up wet rock, which can be a deadly situation in some boots. Because of the extra rubber on the heel it almost provides some forward assist while walking, keeping your feet in a better position which ultimately makes your feet feel better and last longer when you are pounding on them for several days.

I am looking forward to getting these boots out into the "real" mountains up north so I can quit hiking the same scenery on these local hills.  After 50+ miles in them now the boots have broken in nicely and they still feel great on my feet.

If your interested in purchasing a set of HanWag boots you owe it to yourself to call Lathrop & Sons (618)544-8782

Happy Hunting!
Carl

Backpack Hunting For Sheep

Backpack hunting for sheep is a serious hunt. It’s physically and mentally demanding. You need to be able to pack at least 40-50 pounds on your back going in. And If you are lucky enough to take a sheep you are coming back out with closer to 100+ pounds worth of Gear, Meat, Horns & Cape. So you don’t want to be packing a lot of excess or heavy gear.

I’ve been on a few backpack sheep hunts now and much prefer an internal pack for this type of hunting.  Sheep are a relatively small animal and are "packable" with most of today’s heavier duty internal frame packs.  The internal is more comfortable and I find less cumbersome then some of it’s framed counterparts.

My pack of choice right now for backpack sheep hunting is from Lowe Alpine and it’s a special expedition pack. 70+25 = 90 Cubic Liters. There are plenty of straps and pockets for all of my gear making it very easy to organize everything.  The pack is comfortable on my back and I’ve had it loaded with up to 80lbs and had no problems. If I were going on a caribou or elk hunt then I’d probably want to sacrifice comfort and go with an external frame pack.

Aside from your pack here is a list of the items I currently pack along…

Clothing
- 4 Pair Thorlo Level III hiking socks. (expensive but worth every penny)
- 2 Pair Merino Wool Sock Liners.
- 1 mid-weight polartec fleece pullover.
- 1 light-weight polartec fleece pullover.
- 1 pair North Face Paramount Convertible Pants (2 pairs including the ones I wear)
- 1 pair light-weight thermal underwear. (use these for sleeping in or on colder days)
- 1 pair boxer shorts. (2 pairs including the one I wear - When your in the mountains nobody cares)
- 1 light weight North Face wick away t-shirt.
- 1 pair lightweight rainpants. (rockwater designs)
- 1 lightweight rain jacket. (Keela)

Sleeping/Shelter
- 1 Lightweight backpacking sleeping bag. (good to about -5c - I will upgrade this bag soon)
- 1 Silcoat packcover (essential for keeping your pack bone dry)
- Prolite 4 Thermarest.  (I own 3 thermarests.  This one is nice & light and compacts very small)
- 1 Sil-Tarp II 8′x10′. (These lightweight tarps are awesome for a fast light weight shelter)
- 1 Integral Designs MK-3 Expedition Tent (This is the tent I am buying)

Equipment/Optics/Misc.
- Petzl Myo Xp Headlamp. (very bright - runs on 3 AA batteries.)
- Handmade Hunting Knife (could shave weight here with a smaller buck or puma knife.)
- 1 pair Swarovski 8×30 Binoculars.
- 1 Bushnell Spacemaster II 20×40x60mm Spotting Scope. (w/lightweight tripod)
- First Aid Kit (Tylenol,Ibuprofen,Antiseptic,Bandaids,Bandages,Gauze)
- 1 Tube firepaste (this stuff is the best firestarter I have used yet - Perfect for backpacking)
- 6 AA batteries. (I could probably get away with only 3 but just in case…)
- 1 TrailBlazer Buck Saw (This handy unit breaks down into a light aluminum tube. Makes getting wood for your fire much easier.
- 12 Federal 130 Grn .270 Rounds (3 in my magazine and 9 on the butt of my rifle)
- 100′ Poly Rope.  (Maybe a little overkill but I like to make a good camp)
- Tikka Lite S/S .270 W/Bushnell Elite 3200 Scope. (Great Gun - Accurate & Light!)
- 1 Sony Handycam Video Camera (20x Optical Zoom W/Zeiss Lenses)
- 1 Sony DSC-W50 6.0 MP Digital Camera (Great Small Compact Camera)

Food & Cooking.

- Jetboil Stove (w/2 Canisters fuel - Good for 10 days of boiling water for drinks and meals)
- 2 Liter Soft Plastic Water Container (In case you need to pack extra water)
- 1 1.5 liter Nalgene bottle (Strap to outside of my pack)

Breakfast
- 4 MountainHouse Granola W/Blueberries (Great Filling Breakfast)
- 3 Packets of Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal (Great Light Breakfast)

Lunches/Snacks (I don’t eat much throughout the day)
- 6 Sun-Rype Fruit Bars.  (These are great snacks)
- 1 Ritter Sport Almonds Chocolate Bar. (eat a few squares per serving.)
- 1 Ritter Sport Hazlenut Chocolate Bar. (eat a few squares per serving.)
- 2 Nut & Raisin Chocolate Bars. (eat a few squares per serving.)
- 1 ziploc bag with either Gatorade mix or Iced Tea mix.

Dinners. (all mountainhouse)
- 1 Chicken Teriyaki W/Rice.
- 1 Turkey Tettrazinni.
- 1 Beef Stew (Really Good)
- 1 Chili Mac W/Beef.
- 1 Noodles W/Chicken.
- 4 Pasta Primavera (Really Good)

Total Pack Weight = 45 lbs W/Rifle.  (It will be about 51 lbs with my tent when I get it)

One of the biggest challenges when getting your pack ready is how to efficiently pack everything so it’s going to be easy to locate and repack should you need to.  As you can see in the photo below there is a lot of gear here!

(All Of My Gear For 7 Days Sheep Hunting In The Mountains)

One of the best things I have found is to use those thin mesh draw string bags that so many camping/backpacking supply stores now carry.  I can organize all of my gear into the mesh bags and it keeps everything together and packed as tightly as possible.  The less volume your pack has the easier it is to navigate through heavy brush or tricky situations.

Here is a another photo of all the same gear but now I have reorganized my Clothes, Socks, and Food into the mesh bags. Look at the difference. It’s much more organized and makes it so much easier to handle when you are out in the field. The last thing you want to do is tear apart your bag and repack the mess while your out hunting or on your way to camp. When I am hiking I go non-stop until I reach where I am going.

When packing my pack I lay the food in the big mesh bag to your right on the bottom of my pack. I then put my clothes on top of them trying to keep the heavier items towards the center of the pack. I make sure everything is strapped down and the zippers are all closed, nothings hanging out anywhere.

Here are some photos of all of my gear packed up and ready to go.  This backpack has some handy straps on the side that work excellent for carrying my rifle around.  Usually I prefer to carry my rifle in my hands but sometimes when you are going up a steep climb or side hilling along a mountain creek it’s nice to have free hands. (My tent will be attached near the bottom via 2 large buckled straps)

(Here is all my gear fully packed up and ready to hit the hills)

I hope this article helps some of you sheep hunters out there!

Happy Hunting!

Carl

If you’re a backpack hunter you know one of the most important items you can carry on your hunt is going to be your stove.  Chances are you’re eating freeze dried meals and your stove is going to be what saves you from having to eat your dinners cold! Not to mention provide you with a source to kill bacteria in drinking water and heat up your morning coffee. Your stove is a critically important piece of gear. Obviously you can accomplish all of the above with a fire but it’s a little more convenient with a good backpacking stove.

When I was embarking on my first sheep hunt I needed to buy myself a backpack hunting stove. I had been looking at stoves from the likes of MSR, Coleman, and a few other well known brands. The only problem with many of these stoves is they are incredibly expensive and they are not incredibly simple to run there is a bit of fiddling required. I wanted something simple, compact and reliable that I wouldn’t have to worry about.

I found it while I was looking around eBay one night checking out stoves. I came across a neat little gadget called the Jet-Boil. When I came across this eBay auction I was intrigued by what I saw and read about more about the little Jet-Boil stove. I found out it was rated the #1 Stove by backpackers guide in 2004 and I was impressed with all of the positive feedback I was reading.I found several other positive reviews as well.

The stove was light (less then 1 pound with burner, fuel and cooking cup) it was compact. (a little smaller then a killer can of beer) and it was inexpensive compared to some of the other similar stoves on the market. At only $89.00 USD for the stove, accessories and shipping it looked like a bargain so I purchased one of the stoves that night. I was eager to get the stove in my hot little hands to try out and see if I had either wasted my money or acquired a new piece of really useful gear.

Fast forward 6 days and my Jetboil arrived in the mail. It was a small enough package that they dropped it off into the parcel compartment of our community mailbox. I eagerly tore open the package to see what awaited me inside.

- Jetboil Burner

- 2 Jetboil cooking cups (I ordered an extra
one)

- 1 small can Jetboil fuel.

- 1 Lid and 1 Measuring Cup (doubles as the
burner cover)

Now one of the claims Jetboil makes is that it can boil 2 cups of water in about 2 minutes… It’s more like 3 or 4 minutes if you’ve just collected some cool water from the creek but 2 minutes was definitely bang on if the water was already room temperature.

Since acquiring my Jetboil I’ve taken it on a few hunts and backpacking trips and with nearly 2 years of use I can’t say that I have ever had a problem with this stove. Just one of the small canisters of fuel was enough to boil water for 2 guys eating mountain house freeze dried meals for 4 nights and boiling soup during the day.

Because of the Jetboils unique patented design it’s incredibly fuel efficient and and super easy and convenient to use it’s so simple I wonder why it didn’t come out years ago… I’ve been on a few trips now where others have been fiddling with their backpacking stoves trying to get them to light, or get the flame just right or messing with different pieces and connectors.

I pull out my Jetboil, take off the lid and pull
out the burner and fuel canister.  Screw the fuel cansiter into the burner,
attach the burner to the actual Jetboil cooking cup with a simple 1/2 turn and
then you’re off to the races!  Turn on the gas, push the piezo lighter and
"Whooshh…" the stove is going and you are ready to cook. 
Everybody that watches me use this asks me where I bought it.

Being a backpack hunter you probably know all about eating soups, oatmeals and freeze dried meals. They are backpack hunting staples and this is where the Jetboil excels. Boiling water for these meals is a breeze and the jetboils burner cover doubles as a measuring cup or even a small bowl should you need it. The cooking cup of the jetboil is also marked at the 2 cup mark for easy measuring. I simply boil the water in my Jetboil and then pour it right into the freeze dried package. No mess to clean! Make sure you never turn the stove on without water or contents inside. You’ll melt the neoprene cover on the outside. Go ahead and ask me how I know.

While I do think this is the Stove of all backpacking stoves for hunters it does have a few drawbacks.

1.There is no windscreen. In high winds the flames are so concentrated from the burner that the wind can drastically slow your cooking time and decrease the efficiency of the
stove. If you have a windscreen problem solved. If you don’t have a windscreen I’ve used everything from rocks to my pack or the tent to get out of the wind and cook the meal. I think they should include a windscreen.

2.The jetboil is HIGHLY efficient at cooking ANYTHING that needs 1 or 2 cups of water to eat. IE: Freeze Dried meals. It also works really well for canned goods. Trying to cook lipton sidekicks or something… No Go you’ll make a big mess and it simply takes too long. Don’t expect to be frying up any tenderloins with it either. While it does come with a pot/pan support the real efficiency in the jetboil comes from the patented jetboil cooking cup.  When you try cooking with a different pot or pan boiling/cooking times are greatly increased. Now the company has come out with a custom pot designed for the jetboil burner but I have yet to purchase one and try it.

The Bottom Line - If you’re heading out on a 14 day backpacking hunt into the most remote part of the country and you’re going to be eating plenty of soups, oatmeals, and freeze dried foods you would be doing yourself a great disservice if you didn’t give one of these stoves a try. It will make your cooking tasks painfully easy with very quick cleanup. It’s less money then some of the more well known stoves on the market and I think it’s twice the product. This stove with 3 or 4 small canisters of fuel would work for two people for 14 days.

If you do plenty of backpack hunting this stove is worth dropping $100 for. You’ll wonder why in the heck you didn’t have one years ago. I have yet to see this stove at a store in Canada so eBay I believe would be the best choice.

Happy Hunting!

Carl

Sil-Tarp II Gear Review

Product - Integral Designs Sil-Tarp II.

Size - 8′ x 10′

Price Paid - $125.00 At M.E.C. Victoria.

One of the exciting parts about planning a hunting trip is going out and
purchasing some new gear. For my backpack sheep hunting trip I went on this year I spent a bit of money upgrading some of my gear with the latest gadgets and goodies.

This year one of the pieces of gear I decided to purchase was the Sil-Tarp II
made by Integral Designs. This is an 8′ x 10′ silicon impregnated lightweight tarp designed specifically for backpack excursions. They are extremely lightweight and compact down nicely as you can see in the photo. I had heard about these tarps on various hunting and backpacking forums and figured it was about time to see what all the fuss was about.

If you’ve ever hunted the mountains in British Columbia you’d know that you need to be prepared for rain and plenty of it. A lightweight tarp seemed like a practical idea to me. After doing a little research on the web and reading a few good reviews I decided to head down to MEC Victoria and pick one up. Normally I wouldn’t shop here because they support anti-hunting groups and causes but they had the best price and it was convenient.

I paid $125 plus tax for a Grey Sil-tarp II and was out of there.

The first thing you’ll notice when you open up the new sil-tarp is that there
is a tube of sealant inside. You’ll need to use this to seal the seams of your tarp. This is rather inconvenient to do but will help prevent any water leakage at the seams of your tarp.

I sealed the outside of my Sil-tarp and there is really only 1 seam you need to do which runs right down the center of the tent. Just a simple small foam or bristled brush work well for applying the sealant. Make sure you have a big enough area outside to stretch out the tarp so you can seal it. Once you’ve applied the sealant you’ll want to let the tarp sit for at least 12 hours and don’t put it back into it’s compression sack until the sealant has cured as the seams will stick together screwing up your tarp.

They don’t give you any instructions on which side of the tarp is outside or
inside but you can easily figure it out. The side with the loops running down the center seam is the outside. These loops are so you can run a line from two trees or whatever you have and the tarp is then strung from the rope and secured down to the ground through the loops running along the edge. This keeps the tarp suspended and prevents your rope from chaffing a hole through the material.

The Sil-tarp really got to prove it’s worth in the mountains of Northeastern BC on this years sheep hunt.  My hunting partner had a really good Integral Designs single walled mountaineering tent that we used as our primary
shelter. I took my new sil-tarp and strung it so that it was sheltering our tent. In three straight days of rain our tent never even got wet. The sil-tarp shed all of the rainwater off our tent and was large enough that we even had room to store our backpacks on either side of the tent. I was impressed. It was definitely worth packing in for that extra bit of comfort and would definitely come in handy as an emergency shelter if you didn’t have a tent.

If you do some extensive backpack hunting were weight is an issue consider
looking into the Sil-tarps made by Integral Designs.  I think you’ll be
impressed too.  It’s an invaluable piece of gear.

Happy Hunting!
Carl

Ronyn Wear Waterproof Fleece Camo Review.

Product: Ronyn Wear Waterproof Fleece Camo Bomber Jacket & Pants.

Pattern: Realtree Brown

Price Paid: $149.00 USD (Included Shipping) on eBay.

I discovered Ronyn Rugged Outdoors waterproof fleece camo while surfing around eBay one night. They were auctioning off sets complete with pants and a jacket at a price any hunter could easily afford. I was interested so decided to dig a little deeper before making my purchase decision.

The Ronyn waterproof fleece camo is made from a 100% polyester low pill (resists burring) polar fleece material that is laminated with a waterproof breathable Gore-Tex like membrane that can provide protection in some of the most extreme seasonal weather conditions.  All Ronyn garments are constructed with a black, 100% brushed polyester lining that won’t cling to your underclothes.

The fleece camo comes in 4 different patterns, Realtree brown, Realtree Grey, Mossy Oak Treestand, and Advantage Classic hardwoods.

I was looking to get some waterproof camo for  Stone Sheep hunt of 2005 and decided that I would give Ronyn camo a try.  I ordered pants and a bomber jacket in a realtree brown pattern.  I ordered the non-insulated version.  Everything was size Large.

Shipping took about 5 days and I had the camo at the door. At first glance I was extremely impressed with the quality and materials of the camo. The jacket fit really well and the lining on the inside made it comfortable to wear with just a t-shirt. The outside of the jacket was very soft and obviously would make very little noise while going through any kind of brush.

The pants were also very good quality but I did find the fit was a little large around the waist and long in the leg it’s not that bad though if you like to have on multiple layers. And it’s nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a belt. There are huge pockets on these pants and you can easily carry any gear you’d need for a day or several in the field. The side pockets are large enough to hold my 8×30 swarovskis, sony video camera, extra shells and more… The knees are reinforced as well as the butt these are solid pants.

Before my hunt I started hiking around some smaller hills locally with my camo and pack on as I planned to be in the field and it was then that I realized that I might have made the wrong choice of camo for my sheep hunt. This is awesome camo don’t get me wrong. But the pants are fairly heavy and if your hiking with a weighted pack they simply get way to hot. I found my legs sweating to the point that it was uncomfortable. This is even the non-insulated version so it’s warm gear no doubt about that.

The jacket was okay to wear if it was raining or cold but for hiking around it was also way to hot for my comfort. For backpack hunting both the pants and jackets are quite heavy compared to some of the more compact and lightweight gear available but I highly doubt you’d be getting the same quality and comfort with some of the lighter gear. On my sheep hunt this year I took only my jacket and while it still takes up some room in the pack it was sure nice to slip on when you wake up at 5am to start glassing for sheep. I was glad I packed it in.

Where my Ronyn waterproof camo has really proven itself was on my deer hunting trip of 2005 and my spring bear excusions on Vancouver Island during 2006.

While deer hunting November in region 7 the temperature got to near -18 degrees. I wore my ronyn wear bomber jacket and pants with nothing but long-johns underneath and was ample warm enough. This was the non-insulated stuff to by the way. The camo patterns seemed to work very well and broke up my
outline and shadow. I was able to stalk within 100 yards of my whitetail buck in almost plain view while crawling on my hands and knees. The camo was absolutely silent as I moved through the brush which was a big plus.

I also put the camo to the test while spring bear hunting the island this year. The camo proved to be an awesome addition to my hunting gear collection as it constantly put up with the beating I gave it hiking through the rain drenched forests of Vancouver Island. The camo pants & jacket kept me dry and comfortable all day and since I wasn’t carrying a pack the over heating problem was non-existant. I really was impressed with how this camo performed.

If I were to change anything about my Ronyn camo I would do a few things….

1. I would make the pockets on the bomber jacket either zip-closed or button closed.  You have to be careful storing gear in the bomber pockets as they are just flaps and rather shallow.  I lost my dads hunting knife out the pocket while I was taking a shit in the woods. No Joke. I had to go back out into the bush at 10pm at night and search for two hours till I finally found it and was able to put the story together

2.  I would have some sort of mechanism on the bottom of the leg to tighten it up around my boot.  I found as the pants got really wet that they started to drag down at the back of my boot.

3. If Ronyn offered a snow-camo pattern I would buy it in a heart beat. This fleece camo is absolutely perfect for winter hunting conditions.

Bottom Line - If your heading out on a backpacking trip this Camo should be left at home.  While comfortable it is too bulky and heavy to efficiently pack with room to spare. On the other hand if you’re heading out via quad, pickup or horse into rough, wet and cold conditions I wouldn’t leave home without my Ronyn Rugged Outdoors waterproof fleece camo.

Happy Hunting!

Carl