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The Gear Guide

Karl Badger Dear Outdoor Professional:

Spring is here—showcased with sunshine, strutting toms, high flowing streams, green meadows, migrating wildlife and the anticipation of better days to come.

For many in the Outdoor Industry, 2009 was a period of bitter cold hibernation; which was felt from the average sportsman all the way up to you the Outfitter and ending with the manufacturer.

However, early first quarter reports indicate that 2010 could be a year of change.

In partnership with that prediction, you’ll find valuable information from our web links and Field Reports. Our objective is to assist you in evaluating gear and services for your Outfitting business; which will ultimately benefit the experience you offer your clients.

As always—Gear Up and Get Out

—Karl Badger, Field Editor

“Nikon Spot On Technology” helps you quickly match your scopes reticle to your cartridge. www.nikonhunting.com

Havalon Knives www.havalon.com are excellent “Quick Change” skinning and capping knives. Their surgically sharp blades are made of a proprietary blend of stainless steel which makes them wickedly sharp and very strong. When the blade gets dull, just snap in a new one. There are 7 different models to choose from at a cost of about $30.

The Tomahawk Flashlight www.first-light-usa.com, should be in the hands of every Outdoor Professional. As of today, this is the best flashlight that we’ve tested. It’s a Tactical handheld light which is practical, lightweight, compact and easy to operate. The stabilizing Finger-Loop Retention System is designed to securely fit the Tomahawk in your hand while being wrapped around your finger. This feature allows you to perform just about any task you want; including climbing a tree-stand, hiking, cinching up gear, driving an ATV or boat, and setting up decoys. The retention clip allows the user to attach the light to virtually any place on your person or gear. The Tomahawk comes in different models and features including a powerful white beam, multi-colored lights and a strobe. Cost is worth every penny of its $200 price tag.

Browning www.browning.com has added another product to their Hell’s Canyon outerwear line-up. The Full Throttle Jacket is lightweight, breathable, wind and water resistant, wicks moisture and has some OdorSmart featherweight fleece on the inside. In addition to all of these technical benefits, the Full Throttle is one of the most well designed pieces of gear on the market. It fits well as a stand alone piece or can be worn as an outer shell without restricting your movement. The oversize chest pockets are a great addition for keeping your binoculars and other gear within convenient reach while on a stalk or sitting in a blind. The patterns are Mossy Oak Break–Up Infinity, New Break-Up and Treestand. Suggested retail is $118.

Polar King Customized Refrigerated Trailers www.polarking.com Every Professional Guide & Outfitter recognizes that the proper care for meat and capes will mean the difference between a memorable or disappointing hunt for his clients. From personal experience, I’ve learned that too many hunts are cut short when the weather warms up and a camp needs to be shutdown, so that the Guide can run an early killed animal out to a taxidermist or processor. The Polar King Game Locker Trailer solves these problems by manufacturing eight different models, of portable walk in refrigerators. These mobile refrigeration unit’s, come with a wide selection of accessories and can also be customized to carry extra gear and ATVs.

On a smaller scale Engel www.engel-usa.com offers the best performing cooler on the market. Its ruggedness, design and features, make it the perfect cooler for Outfitters. In addition to being “Bear Resistant”, these coolers have durable features not found on any other cooler on the market.

Take a minute to review this video, click here.

The Outdoorsman Boot by White’s Boots www.whitesboots.com reflects the quality that you’d expect; from a company that’s been making boots for over 100 years. All of the technical features of these great boots can be found on the White’s web site; but here’s the “Cowboy” reasons for owning a pair:

Completely rebuildable. You can wear these boot for a long, long time to come.
They’re made in the USA to your personal specs.
All leather construction.
Vibram soles.
Hill-Tex liner which shields you from water while wicking moisture away from the foot.
This is one boot that can fill many needs, from hunting, working, and riding to hiking.
Cost is $359