pappas tr a di n g postpappastradingpost.com/december_2012.pdf · carrying in the shop this year....
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Pappas
T r a d i n g T r a d i n g T r a d i n g PostPostPost
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Table of Contents
Introduction Pg. 1
Eberlestock Packs Pg. 2-8
Christmas Ideas Pg. 9
First Lite Clothes Pg. 10-11
Youth Bows Pg. 12-13
December 2012 Volume 1 Issue 2
Hello from the Trading Post! We hope your fall has been as enjoy-
able as ours have been. We’ve had a lot going on. First of all, the Trad-
ing Post family has grown! JC is a new father of a beautiful baby girl,
and Brent is also a new proud father of a handsome baby boy. The only
downside is that both bundles of joy decided to show up around the
first week of bowhunting here in Wisconsin (poor planning if you ask
me).
On top of the little ones joining us in September, TJ headed west
to Colorado at the same time for an elk hunt. Though unsuccessful, the
trip was amazing as TJ got to enjoy his first elk hunt and first backpack-
ing trip with his favorite hunting buddy and father, Tom.
All of this activity left Randy alone at the shop during the busy
season, but as the boss man often does, he rose to the challenge with
the help of his understanding wife Tammy and their arrow fletching fa-
natic of a daughter, Amber. It didn’t take Randy long to recover from
the long hours, as he dropped bruiser of a buck October 7th.
This article is going to cover a lot of the new products we started
carrying in the shop this year. In depth reviews of the Eberlestock
packs, First Lite clothing, as well as a breakdown of Mission’s Youth
bows. Hopefully this gives everyone some ideas for their Christmas
lists, as well as ideas for gear changes heading into next year’s hunting
season.
Good luck the rest of season, Happy Holidays, and thank you for
your business!
GIFT CERTIFICATES
AVAILABLE!!!
Eberlestock Packs 10% OFF
ALL FIRST LITE CLOTHING IN
STOCK
25% OFF!!!
The Tailhook: The Ultimate Pack for a Midwest Gear Junkie
As an admitted hunting gear
junkie, I carry a lot of gear with me
to the woods. Whether turkey
hunting or deer hunting, I try to
have the right equipment for what-
ever situation may present itself.
Having a pack that allows me to
carry all my gear comfortably, and
in an organized way, has been a no
win situation for me. I’ve had packs
that worked well at basic things,
but nothing that covered everything I needed to carry to a tree-
stand. That was until we got the Tailhook in.
The Harness
The Tailhook carries as a fanny pack with shoulder
straps. The waist belt is a heavy with a large lumbar pad in the
back to keep the pack riding off of your body while still offering
great support. Shoulder straps on the Tailhook are heavily
padded and loaded with options like the Ripcord Tether to hold
a rifle or bow in place, as well as attachments to hold the hose
of a hydration bladder in place for longer hunts. There is also a
large strap between the
shoulder straps and waist
belt that allows a person to
adjust for their specific tor-
so length, making sure the
pack rides just above the
hips for maximum comfort
and load bearing capabili-
ties.
The Layout
The most important aspect for me as a pack goes is how
the pockets layout. I need a lot of separate compartments to
put all of my gear so I know where it is when I need. That
holds true for me whether I’m just setting up in the morning
needing different items like tree-steps and safety ropes or if
I’ve killed and animal and need my knife, gutting gloves, or zip
ties to attach
my tag. The
Tailhook excels
in this aspect.
Starting
at the waist
belt, the Tail-
hook has one
good sized
pocket on each
side of the hips.
I rely on these pockets for gloves, facemask, my headlamp, an
additional small flashlight, my release, cellphone, and possibly
reflective tacks. These items in these locations allow me to get
situated as I walk to my stand in the morning or afternoon with
everything I might need during that travel time. They are easy
to get to and accessible quickly if I need these items in a hurry.
As we move to the actual pack body, we find a lot of dif-
ferent ways to organize gear to our needs. Along the sides of
the pack are 2 vertically long pockets. Both are compatible
with hydration blad-
ders in case the
hunter has prefer-
ence on which side
the hose runs, with
the other pocket be-
ing used for gear. If
you choose to go
without a water
bladder, than you
have 2 easily accessible pockets that can handle different gear
options.
The two side pockets are connected in the center of the
pack. When unbuckled, they open up in a butterfly fashion.
The inside of the wings
each contain a pocket
suited for carrying water,
a spotting scope, or a
smaller tripod. Carrying
extra clothing in to pre-
vent sweating can be
done by securing your
clothes inside the wings
prior to buckling and cinching your straps.
The main compartment, when opened up, has two mid-
sized pockets located on the top flap. Rangefinders, spare re-
leases, compact binos, snacks, etc. will fit nicely and be at the
right height for quick use while on stand. Attached to the lower
of the two pockets is 3 smaller, elastic lined pockets, perfectly
sized for deer scent containers. Inside
the main compartment is a large open
pouch with room for lunch, large
binos, a handheld video camera, or
whatever else you choose to throw in
it. It is lined with 4 long elastic
pouches that are perfectly fit for grunt
tubes, bow hangers, hand saws, rat-
tling bags, folded topo maps, Therma-
cells, etc.
Included on the Tailhook is the
Butt Bucket by Eberlestock. The Butt Bucket allows the hunter
to place either the top cam or idle wheel of
his/her bow or the butt of his/her gun.
Once placed in the bucket, the upper end of
the weapon is attached to the Ripcord Teth-
er allowing the hunter quick retrieval of
his/her weapon to shoot without having to
take off the pack.
An Answer to a Mobile Hunter’s Prayer
95% of the time in which I hunt from
treestands, I hang that stand up that day. I
use a combination of climbing sticks and
lightweight, quiet, hang on treestands. I
have chosen this treestand method over
climbing stands because with practice I am
just as quick getting a stand set at my de-
sired height, I’m quieter, and I can hunt any
tree I choose to regardless of straightness
or branches. The companies producing
these type of stick and stand systems have made them pretty
compact and they can be packed in a very neat, easy carrying
package. Unfortunately, they can’t be carried very well with
any packs I’ve used prior to the Tailhook.
Similar harnessed waist belt packs allow for the stands to
be strapped to the hunters back, but the stands lie at an awk-
ward angle causing the weight to ride uncomfortably and en-
tirely on one’s shoulders. They were however, the best option.
The other option was either swinging a regular backpack style
hunting pack over a shoulder and walking at an angle, or try-
ing to secure that backpack to your stand and having the
weight far away
from your body.
That puts extra
stress on your body,
heats you up even
more on your walk
in, and once again
puts most of the
weight directly on
your shoulders.
With the Tail-
hook, I can put the
narrow base of the
stand into the Butt
Bucket and secure
the stand using the
Ripcord Tether. I
can then have the
sticks either attached securely to the stand, or place them in
the wings to be cinched into the pack. No more carrying my
pack and my stand, or my stand and my pack. I now have a
pack with all the organization needs I have, plus it carries my
treestand system comfortably. No extra straps, no one or the
other, no extra hassle. Just streamlined hunting efficiency that
allows me to hunt the way I want to hunt. And this information
goes for turkey guys as well. I can fit the hubs of my hunting
blind into the Butt Bucket, strap down
the blind with the Ripcord Tether,
pack in two Double Bull Magnum
Blind Chairs in the packs wings, pack
in my decoys, all the calls I could
want, water, binos, rangefinder, a
camcorder and tripod, and have the
pack ride comfortably up a big hill to
set up for the morning. I’ve done it
more than once.
The Tailhook retails for
$189.00. That may sound steep to
guys looking for a whitetail pack, but
consider the fact that similarly de-
signed harnessed fanny packs run an-
ywhere from $99.99 - 139.99, and
they don’t offer anywhere near the
room (1700cu. in.) that the Tailhook
does, they are not hydration bladder
compatible, and they cannot double as treestand/hunting blind
packs. As a gear junkie with many pack purchases, take my
word for it. Don’t spend $130 for a pack that only meets your
requirements halfway. Drop the extra $60 for a pack that not
only does everything you ask of it, but that also carries a life-
time warranty.
The Tailhook attaches easily to a tree to keep all of your
tools easily accessible and ready to use. Click on the
picture above to see a video review of the Tailhook.
The Mini-Me: A Hydration Pack for Hunting and Everyday Life
The Mini-Me is a pack that can easily be overlooked by guys.
When hanging on the hook it
looks a small pack that couldn’t
possibly handle the gear for a
day hunt. It is, however, possi-
bly the best Midwest day hunt-
ing pack for hunters who don’t
need to bring the kitchen sink,
or are looking to travel a lot of
ground.
The Layout
The features of the Mini-
Me makes this pack more than
just a hydration pack. The
small frame keeps weight to a
minimum, while padded straps
allow it to be comfortable with
a full water bladder (3Liter bladder included). There are two zippered
vertical pockets that go down the length of the pack, allowing for extra
gear such as rainwear, insulating layers, hats, gloves, or whatever else
you’d like to pack it with. On the outside, there is a third vertical pocket
with a buckle enclosure to secure any gear that is too large to fit all the
way down in the pocket. At the bottom of the pack is a zippered pocket
that has organizational compartments perfect for a wallet, keys, small
snacks, a small flashlight, or reflective tacks. On the front of this small
pocket is another zippered pocket that is waterproof and fleece lined to
protect a cell phone or GPS from the elements.
Those were the basics that already set the Mini-Me ahead of other
hydration packs. These next features are what puts the Mini-Me in a class
of its own. The large pocket positioned closest to the hunters back can be
unzipped fully, allowing the bottom to open and a rifle scabbard to be
added to the pack. This feature allows gun hunters the ability to carry
their rifle close to their bodies, hands-free, for tough hikes through brush
and steep inclines that require the
hunter to use both hands and pre-
vents snags on brush that slings can
cause. Located on the bottom of
both sides of the pack are two zip-
pers. Hiding inside of these com-
partments are a waist belt, in case
you find yourself needing to handle
heavier loads heading in or coming
out of the woods. And the final hid-
den treasure is zipped into the bot-
tom of the pack. Unzipping this
compartment reveals a mesh bag
that can be secured to the shoulder
straps for comfortable carrying, and
more than doubles the carrying ca-
pacity of the original pack from 800
cu. inches to 2000 cu. inches! This pack is also compatible with the
Eberlestock Butt Bucket for those who want to carry their bow on their
back for the walk.
Hunting Uses
This pack can cover you on a lot of different types of hunts. For
the guy who goes out for a day hunt but doesn’t carry a lot of gear, it al-
lows him to haul everything he needs, while using the mesh bag to pack
in his bulkier insulation layers. For a gun hunter looking to carry a few
necessities and hike the landscape in pursuit of deer, this pack can carry
the items he/she wants, including different clothing options for possible
changing weather conditions.
Another great use of the Mini-Me includes upland bird hunting.
Walking in the fields all day chasing up pheasants doesn't require much
besides room for extra shells, a place to store clothing as temperatures
rise and fall, water and snacks to keep energy up, and a place for your
birds. The mesh bag is in fact called the Bird Bag.
Scouting and shed hunting are yet another place the Mini-Me ex-
cels. It lets you bring your essential gear for the long hours walking, in-
cluding water, and the Bird Bag can be used to haul out whatever you
may find in the woods (sheds, Morels, etc.).
Setting up treestands is usually a labor intensive project and, un-
fortunately, most of us tend to tackle this project during the warmer sum-
mer months. Having your water on your back at all times (halfway up a
tree, trimming lanes, 25 ft. in the air) and not having it interfere with your
safety harness is a nice luxury to have.
Hikes, Bikes, Trout, and Canoes
The Mini-Me will also become your go to pack for many activities
besides hunting. Using it to carry extra gear and water during family
hikes or biking trips will be a no brainer. It also works well for anyone
looking to chase trout. Riding on your shoulders above water level with
enough room for your food, water, and extra fishing supplies, the pack
will do as you need it to. Heading on the canoe or the boat? Save room
while keeping your water at hand as well as the other essentials. There
are few outdoor activities this pack will not be your first choice for.
The Mini-Me retails for $129.00. For the many uses you will find
for it plus the lifetime warranty, it is money well spent.
These photos show how small and how big the Mini-Me can become. The
photo on the left shows the Mini-Me in Hydration Pack mode, i.e. basic pock-
ets filled and bladder full. The photo on the right shows the capabilities the
Mini-Me has to haul gear. It has the optional Rifle Scabbard installed for
hauling a weapon into the field and the Bird Bag is deployed to haul extra
layers for the stand. Extreme versatility in a very small package.
Most hunters traveling out
West require no more than a day
pack to hunt with. They will either
be taken to their camps by outfitters
on horses, or hunting the mountains
from their basecamp at the truck.
Hiking in and out everyday with
what they need for the day. Having
a pack that can adapt to different
situations is a must, and having one
that can comfortably haul out an elk
quarter is a bonus. Thus, the X2.
Daypack with a Frame
The X2 is equipped with a lightweight, tubular aluminum frame.
This allows the pack to handle heavy loads while still carrying extremely
comfortable. Successful hunters will appreciate this frame in the fact that
they can haul the first load of meat back to camp without needing their
full-fledged frame packs. Fewer trips back and forth to camp will help
prevent meat spoiling as well as wear and tear on the hunter’s body. The
internet is full of reviews from guys packing out entire mule deer and
antlers. Clearly, this pack can handle the work.
The back panel of the X2 is mesh with padding. Mesh allows air to
travel between the hunter’s back and the pack itself, preventing uncom-
fortable heat. The padding at the hips, back, and shoulders ensures com-
fort when dealing with heavy loads.
The Layout
At the top of the pack, located directly behind the hunter’s head, is
a quickly accessible pocket perfectly sized for an essentials bag to include
food, first aid, and emergency gear. On the opposite side of this compart-
ment is that cell-phone pocket with fleece lining and a waterproof zipper.
This top pouch buckles to the “FlexChasis,” which can be used to sup-
port a load of meat or gear, or be used as a seat when sitting or glassing
in the field.
The X2 feature the same “wing pocket” design as the Tailhook.
With longer verticle pockets that are also hydration compatible, the X2
can easily handle a fully loaded 3 liter water bladder, spotting scope, tri
-pod, bugle tube, or other gear that requires length in a pack. Clips on
the top of the pockets keep a water bladder in an elevated position, pre-
venting it from sinking to the bottom of the pocket and causing the
weight to be carried low. On the outsides of the pockets, cinch pockets
at the bottom allow water bottles, calls, tripods, or spotting scopes to
be placed for quick access, while Padlock webbing on the top half al-
lows hunters to add additional pouches for storage or a side scabbard
when carrying a gun into the field. On the inside of the of the wings in-
board pockets that offer yet another location for spotting scopes and
tripods to be located, and versatile enough to fit many other gear choic-
es.
Unbuckling the compression straps of the FlexChassis and wing
pockets reveals the main top-loading compartment of the X2. This com-
partment gets very big for such a compact little pack. Located on the out-
side of the main compartment is a pocket for miscellaneous gear and per-
fectly sized for a folded, laminated, topo map. There is also an adjustable
elastic strap crisscrossing the length of the compartment allowing differ-
ent layers of clothing to be attached as temperatures change throughout
the day.
Along the waist belt are two roomy hip pockets. You can fit a fair
amount of gear in these side pockets, however, they are very functional
as far as quick access go. They are the only knock against the X2. Great
room, but hard to get to while the pack is
on.
Built to Haul
The true beauty of this pack is it’s
ability to haul gear or meat while still
performing flawlessly as a day pack. For
those heading out West with the possibil-
ity of spending a night or three on the
Mountain, the X2 can be packed with
enough gear to be perfect for short 2-3
day trips. The FlexChassis, when used
with the compression straps, can still
haul an elk quarter with your camp
packed into the main compartment.
If you want to haul extra gear and
feel the need for more cubic inches, this
pack offers a lot of accessory options. There is Padlock webbing located
on the top pouch of the bag, on the outside of the wing pockets as well as
on the inside of the wings. Padlock webbing on the outside of the
FlexChassis is perfectly located for the ButtBucket attachment. All of
these locations allow the additions of pouches (large or small), gun scab-
bards, a ButtBucket, or the mountable fanny pack in case you want to go
even more lightweight while on the mountain. If you choose not to add
storage, the Padlock webbing can be used to for attaching rope or cord to
the pack when securing a load of meat.
Comfort in the Whitetail Woods
Not only will the X2 perform for guys headed out West, but it
won’t have to be set aside when
you come back home. Being hy-
dration compatible, having com-
pression straps and elastic
straps for carrying in layers,
compatible with a ButtBucket to
haul in your bow or tree stand, a
wing design that can handle
climbing sticks/camera arms/
tripods, and compatible with
gun scabbards for the gun sea-
sons, the X2 can handle every-
thing a whitetail hunter can
throw at it. For hunters who go
deep, the X2 also allows boned
out bucks to be hauled back to
camp without needing a search
party to help drag the Big One
out.
The X2 retails for $189.00 with lots of options. There are guys
who like specific gear for specific situations, and then there are guys that
like gear that can perform no matter the conditions or environment. The
X2 is a lot of both.
X2: The Perfect Western Day Pack with Midwest Possibilities
The X2 hauling an elk
quarter. A lot of hauling
for a smaller frame pack.
The Blue Widow: Go In Light, Come Out Heavy
“Go in Light, Come Out Heavy” is Eberlestock’s motto, and no hunt-
ing pack embodies this phrase more than the Blue Widow. The Blue Wid-
ow can be cinched down and the top fanny pack removed to be used as a
compact 1900 cubic inch day pack, and expanded out to haul almost 4600
cubic inches without adding storage to the standard pack option. If you
want to come out heavier, we’ve got choices.
Frame and Harness
The Blue Widow comes with Eberlestock’s Shooter’s Harness and
hybrid IntExt Frame. The Shooter’s Harness allows the pack to handle
heavy loads comfortable while also providing comfort and freedom when
shooting with the pack on.
The IntExt Frame is a hybrid that combines the best features of
both internal and external frame packs. The thick lumbar pad on the back
rides directly on the aluminum stays, and is also adjustable vertically to
carry properly for people of different torso lengths. Bending the alumi-
num stays to fit your body allows the pack to be customized to people of
different shapes and sizes while still providing comfort and heavy load
carrying capabilities. With the thick pad, the pack provides solid contact
to the hips while carrying heavy loads, but keeps the pack far enough off
of the hunter’s back to allow air in, keeping the back ventilated. A heavy
duty, padded hip belt helps provide secure and comfortable use.
The Layout
Like all the Eberlestock packs, hidden features and pockets are lo-
cated everywhere. Starting at the top of the pack, a removable fanny pack
is attached via the Padlock webbing to the top flap of the lid. This 300 cu-
bic inch fanny pack can be used as an ultra-light day pack after hunters
have hiked in to setup camp, removed to allow the Blue Widow to become
a more compact day pack, or left on the pack to add carrying capacity.
The fanny pack contains 2 pockets with one of them being the hydration
compatible and being one of 3 hydration compatible compartments on
the Blue Widow. Additional storage can also be added to the fanny pack
by way of the Padlock webbing outlining the top.
Directly behind the hunters back is a full length compartment with
zippers at the top and bottom of the pack. When opening the top zipper,
this provides storage for gear and also reveals Padlock webbing on the
interior of the compartment. Unzipping the bottom allows for a gun scab-
bard to be attached to the packs internal webbing, letting the hunter carry
his/her gun directly behind them.
Unbuckling the FlexChassis reveals 2 full length vertical pockets
separated by a zipper that runs the length of the pack. Both pockets are
zippered at the top and along the sides. This allows the pockets to be
loaded and accessed from multiple locations, providing access to gear or-
ganized at either the bottom or the top of the pockets. Located on the
outside of each vertical compartments are 2/3 length open pockets per-
fectly sized for spotting scopes, tripods, or other gear needed in camp. On
the bottom sides of the 2 compartments are mesh pockets with draw-
string lids that can be used for spotting scopes, tripods, water bottles,
rangefinders, or other gear that needs to be easily accessible.
The zipper separating the two long compartments reveals the
main storage compartment when undone. The large compartment is top
loading with a draw-string enclosure. Along the inner sides of the main
compartment are hydration compatible pockets that run the full length of
the pack. These pockets are equipped with clips to keep the water blad-
ders riding high on the pack and preventing the bladder from sinking to
the bottom of the pack. This also lets the hunter fill the pockets with oth-
er gear besides just the water bladder. The main compartment is com-
prised of mesh, which saves weight on the pack and allows meat to cool
when being packed out.
Get Big
Containing almost 4600 cubic inches as a factory standard model,
the Blue Widow is a versatile pack. But again, Eberlestock made sure that
the Blue Widow could be customized to meet each individual hunter’s
needs.
Padlock webbing on the sides and internal compartment gives
hunters different location options for a gun scabbard. The oversized web-
bing on the FlexChassis lets hunters choose to place a ButtBucket in a
high or low position, depending on how they want their bow to ride.
Webbing along the hip belt allows hunters to add multiple small or large
pouches for accessories they want easily accessible.
The big additions for pack size come in the form of the Spike Duffel
and the Super Spike Duffel. These large bags can be fit into the mesh com-
partment for extra protection and organization of gear. The real benefit
of
them is that they zip to the out-
side of the mesh, giving you yet
another large compartment.
This add-on vaults the Blue
Widow from 4600 cubic inches
to 7200 cubic inches with the
Spike Duffel, and 7600 cubic
inches with the Super Spike
Duffel. If you’ve carried in
camp to last you for a week or
10 days, you can pack that
camp back out along with a
sizeable load of meat.
Eberlestock makes
front panels to be zipped to the
main compartment in case you
want to protect gear inside of it
from the elements. The panels
are reversible from camo to
blaze orange, giving the hunter
an easily added safety measure
for successful walks off of the
Mountain.
The Blue Widow retails for $329.00. This pack is perfect for pack-
ing in camp for an extended stay. And if you spend time off of the trail
during other times of the year, it doubles as your normal backpacking set-
up. If you need the ability to get big, then you need the Blue Widow. Go
in Light, Come Out Heavy!
In Field Review
I had the opportunity to put the Blue Widow to the test this Sep-
tember in Colorado. My father and I were both set-up with the Blue Wid-
ow, him being 6’6” and me being 6’1”, we were able to test the pack out at
different torso lengths and different sized loads.
This was a Do-It-Yourself Public Land hunt in the Colorado Wil-
derness. No ATV’s for hauling gear, no guides taking in supplies for us,
and we chose not to use horses to get our gear in. It was just us with our
Blue Widows loaded with gear.
I opted to haul the majority of the weight in my pack, because, you
know, he’s pretty old. Our estimated pack loads (because we didn’t do a
final weigh in) put me around 100 lbs. and dad around 70lbs. We did not
go in ultra-light. The packs carried the weight extremely well, as we cov-
ered nearly 20 miles with full gear loads, gaining almost 3000 ft. in eleva-
tion. Breaking the pack back down into “Day-Mode” was easy, and you
hardly noticed you were wearing a pack at all while carrying day-hunt
supplies.
This pack allowed us to spend a week straight on the mountain,
away from any other hunters (the only human contact we had was on the
walks in and out), and to fulfill our dream of hunting elk together (it was
the first elk hunt for both of us!). We weren’t able to bring home any elk
meat, but we certainly had the experience of a lifetime.
As stated, the Blue Widow was more than up to the task of helping
us haul heavy loads up and down the mountain. It proved extremely du-
rable, fit both of us exceptionally well despite differences in height, and
allowed us to hunt away from the pressure. For anyone doing a backpack
hunt, the Blue Widow will do a phenomenal job without breaking the
bank. Highly recommended.
X1: Versatility for the Day Hunter
The X1 is a fantastic day
pack for Western and whitetail
hunters alike. It’s the pack for
hunters who aren’t worried about
hauling a lot of weight, who know
they can get to their meat quickly
without having to haul it out in
their hunting packs. For most
whitetail guys, it’s a pack that fits
the bill perfectly.
The Harness
Using the Shooter’s harness,
the pack carries very comfortable
on the shoulders while offering
easy shooting in conditions where
the pack cannot be removed. The
harness can be adjusted vertically
to fit different torso lengths proper-
ly.
A thick lumbar pad in the back attached to the heavy duty waist
belt provides comfort when carrying a heavier, full pack. The padded hip
belt provides the secure and comfortable carrying that all Eberlestock
packs and be expected to have. Padlock webbing along the hip belt lets
hunters add different pouch accessories for gear that needs to be readily
available, or a spot to attach a pistol holster.
The Layout
The great thing about this pack is that it comes standard with op-
tions for carrying whatever weapon
you want. The built in QuickDraw
Back Scabbard lets hunters carry shot-
guns or rifles comfortably. If a shot
opportunity presents itself, the gun
can be easily reached and fired with-
out needing to take the pack off. If the
scabbard is not being used, the bottom
can be tucked back into the pack to
prevent snags while walking, or can be
stuffed with clothes, tripods, shooting
sticks, fishing rods, or other gear items
that you want quick access to.
A built in ButtBucket makes the
pack equally as useful for archery
hunters. Used with the Ripcord Teth-
er, bows can be released from the pack
and in the hunter’s hands in seconds
while not requiring the pack to be tak-
en off. Again, rapid transitions from
walking to shooting are possible with
the X1, letting you hunt hands-free for
steep climbs, crawls, and other movements that need to be silent. Fea-
tured on this ButtBucket are two pockets, making the ButtBucket more
functional for gear storage when hunting with or without a bow.
Directly next to the QuickDraw Back Scabbard is the hydration
compatible pocket. This can be used with a water bladder, stuffed with
gear, or left empty depending on your needs that day. 2 pockets on the
outside center of the pack provide perfect locations for rain gear, game
bags, or other small gear items.
Opening up the main compartment, the pack appears to be nothing
more than a simple back pack design. However, placed along the inside
bottom of the compartment is a flap with Velcro that can be attached di-
rectly across to their Velcro counterparts. This flap acts as a shelf that
separates the compartment into 2 different storage areas. Zippers on
each side of the pack, located along the bottom half, allow easy access to
the bottom storage area. The main zipper on the top continues to be the
access point for the top storage area. Organization in the X1 is much sim-
pler with this separator design, and the different access points means you
can get to the gear you need when you need it without emptying your en-
tire pack onto the ground.
Basic and Functional
Besides the combination of weapon carrying options, the X1 is re-
ally a no frills, basic hunting pack. The Harness and hip belt make this
pack very comfortable for slightly heavier loads of gear, but spares the
weight of adding frame components for hunters who do not need that op-
tion. Western hunters will be able to head out with their weapon of
choice, clothes for varying weather conditions, necessities for the day, and
their water bladder; just the essentials.
Whitetail hunters may find this to be their perfect tree stand pack,
or one they can use easily while stalking up and down hills when they de-
cide to go out and find their buck instead of hoping for the buck to find
them. It can carry a gun or bow depending on the season, has plenty of
room for grunt tubes, rattling bags, scents, extra layers for cold days, and
can even haul a stand if needed.
The X1 retails for $179.00. This pack is perfect for the hunter who
requires his pack to perform in many different situations but does not
need the extras. It’s basic, it’s comfortable, and it’s ready to help you
hunt.
CHRISTMAS IDEAS!!! Hunters can often be a tough group to shop for. We don’t
always give good ideas for presents to be purchased, or the things
we do suggest are rather expensive. Here are a few options that
any hunter would be happy to have, and gives you a few options
no matter if you’re looking for a big present or a few stocking
stuffers!
Eberlestock Packs
As discussed in this newsletter, these packs can do it all.
Ranging from small hydrations packs that do a lot more than just
providing water, to the Blue Widow for the guys who backpack
hunt deep on public land,
Eberlestock has options for
every hunter. Plus, the packs
and accessories are now all
10% OFF!
Stop in and we’ll help you fig-
ure out which pack is right for
the hunters in your family!
First Lite Clothing
Another great option
that not many hunters know about. This stuff will become their
favorite clothing option, and will help
keep the stink out of your home. This
stuff is currently on sale for 25%
OFF!!! This clothing isn’t just for
the woods, as it will also be their favor-
ite clothes to wear around the house.
Havalon Knives
Havalon Knives take away the need to constantly sharpen
knives, while providing scalpel sharp blades that are easy to re-
place. From skinning and
caping knives, to fillet
knives and butchering
knives, Havalon knives
are a great gift option
that not many Midwest
guys know about. Prices
range from $39.99 to
$59.99 and are perfect
for fitting into a stocking!
Stic-N-Pic Trail Camera
Mounts
The Stic-N-Pic Camera stands allow hunters to put their
trail cameras exactly where they need to be. The perfect tree for
camera placement is rarely there and Stic-N-Pic lets hunters see
what they need to see, not just what hanging trees allow them to
see. Stic-N-Pic also helps prevent cameras from being stolen. By
removing the tell-tale black strap from a tree
and allowing the cameras to be hidden amongst
brush, you’ll remove the likelihood of trespass-
ers making away with your expensive camera
while increasing your odds of capturing those
trespassers in the act.
Stic-N-Pic also makes tree mounts, which
remove the need to strap a camera to a tree,
while allowing you to change camera angles.
This lets you put cameras in hard to spot loca-
tions while still letting you get the pictures your
need. The Stic-N-Pic Camera Stands are $39.99
and the Tree Mounts are $24.99!
Morrell Targets
Arrow targets tend to get used and abused by getting shot
up or left outside all season in the elements. If your bowhunter
doesn’t need a target yet, he/she most likely will soon. Morrell
offers a great targets for both
practice tips and broadheads.
The best thing about the Morrell
targets is that once the cover has
been shot up and abused, you
can simply buy another cover for
the target. This lets you extend
the life of the target without
needing to spend the money for
a brand new target. Bag targets
start at $45.99.
Heater Body Suits
Heater Body Suits will keep anyone warm in the colder
temperatures, allowing
them to hunt longer and
harder in cold conditions
when deer are most ac-
tive. The suits roll up to
be compact for walks into
the woods, and reduce
the need to spend a lot of
money on layering option
and expensive cold-
weather gear. They keep
anyone warm, and are a
great option for the peo-
ple who get cold easily,
especially women and
older hunters who don’t
stay as warm as they once
did. Suits range in price
from $309.99—$319.99 depending on sizing.
FIRST LITE: Performance for All Conditions
Most hunters have heard Merino Wool mentioned in connection to
hunting clothing, but not many have tried Merino clothing out. Usually,
the higher cost of Merino Wool clothing deters many from taking the
plunge, or even from testing out a
single garment to see what all the
huff is about. For others, the sim-
ple mention of wool brings to mind
memories of itchy Christmas
sweaters and their skin begins to
crawl. I will admit, both of those
reasons had kept me from ventur-
ing down that avenue. With com-
panies like Under Armor (UA) en-
tering the hunting clothing line-up,
many chose synthetics as their top
choice for hunting gear without
even looking into Merino Wool.
The synthetic materials were very
light, and very breathable. Profes-
sional athletes were all over adver-
tisements wearing those types of
clothing. Why wouldn’t they per-
fect for hunting? Until last fall, I couldn’t answer that question. Then I
invested in Merino Wool, and I realized why synthetic fabric won’t hold
up to the demands of hunting: because hunting takes place in the natural
world, and natural fibers thrive there.
Anyone who has used UA or
similar clothing can tell you the bene-
fits. They breathe well during periods
of high activity, are light weight, and
don’t irritate your skin. Few people
recognize the negative effects of these
synthetics because after they sweat in
them for a workout, the shirt goes into
the hamper and gets washed. If you’ve
ever worn them for multiple workouts,
the downside is clear. After 1 good
sweat, synthetics get a greasy, almost
grimy feel to them, and they smell like
they’ve been worked out in. Wear
them for a couple workouts and the
smell quickly turns to a nasty funk.
Synthetics that breath well usually of-
fer very little in the ways of providing
warmth.
How does Merino Wool com-
pare to these fabrics? It has all of the positives of the synthetics, with
none of the negatives. Lightweight Merino layers breathe just as well as
UA fabrics, wicks sweat away just as well if not better, and dries out with
incredible speed. The feel on your skin is softer and smoother than any
synthetic material you have ever worn. And the best part: ZERO ODOR.
Not even after you’ve sweat through a shirt multiple times. Sounds weird,
but this is why. Merino Wool is naturally anti-microbial, which means it
prevents the growth of bacte-
ria that causes odors to be
produced. No bacteria, no
odor, no need for scent block-
ing base layers. And this stuff
isn’t like the synthetic anti-
microbial where they have
“added silver-technology to
the clothing to stop odors from
forming.” This is the real deal.
Another giant plus with
Merino Wool is that it still con-
tains wool’s ability to retain its
warmth when wet. So if you
get sweated up and are sitting
on stand, though wet with
sweat, the shirt will still keep
you warm. Ever sweat up a
cotton shirt on your walk to
your stand? If you have, then
you know that “warm” is not a
word you would choose to de-
scribe the experience. The
breathability of the material also lets it dry within 20 minutes, preventing
your body from losing excess heat on cold days. I hunt with a very mobile
set-up that requires me to hang climbing sticks and a stand each time I
hunt. From the time I reach my tree until the time I am standing on my
platform, usually 15 minutes have passed by. Carrying all my gear with
me and walking up steep hills usually has my first layer soaked through.
With a light breeze on the ridge top while I’m setting up my stand, my
Merino layers are dry before I start pulling my bow up. Scent control
gets a lot of press these days, and for
good reason. Whitetails can be
fooled by their eyes and ears, but
they cannot be fooled by their nose.
If they smell you, they are alert, and
they are usually long gone. With the
creation of scent blocking clothing,
scent killing sprays, detergents, body
soaps, shampoos, etc., there are lot of
ways to help you kill odors. The eas-
iest way I’ve come across, is Merino
Base Layers. I used to be fanatical
about scent control. I’d wash my en-
tire set-up after each use to make
sure I was scent free in the woods.
Though effective, it’s also a pain in the
rear-end. When you’re hunting hard
for a few days on end, spending 3
hours doing laundry each night after
you sat in a tree from sun up to sun
The Llano Shirt in Lost
Camo.
Red Desert Boxer
Briefs in Lost Camo.
The Chama Quarter-Zip in
Lost Camo.
The Allegheny Pant
in Lost Camo.
down is not fun. With Merino Wool, you’ll be washing your base layers
about every 10-14 uses. That’s a full hunting trip out West, and up to 2
weeks of hard hunting in the whitetail woods. I know, I know. That
sounds gross. And the first time you try it, the idea is strange. But when
you put this stuff to the test, it passes with flying colors. I wouldn’t men-
tion that I’ve done this stuff unless I believed in the clothing’s ability to
kill odors and be used in the woods(2 weeks with no underwear change
doesn’t exactly melt the hearts of women when mentioned in conversa-
tion).
Layering is important when dressing for hunting. I would never
recommend anyone throw all of their clothes on for the day and walk in
to their tree stand. Yes, it means you save time at the base of your stand
and can maybe sleep in an extra 5
minutes, but then what? You’re
sweaty, cold, grumpy, and back at
the truck by 8am. Wearing prop-
er layers at the appropriate times
lets you regulate your body tem-
perature which will keep you
warmer for much longer, and
keep you in the woods.
My layering system con-
sists of clothing items that each
excel at a certain function, not
one big piece that claims to do
everything. Base Layers are my
first 2-3 layers that are worn on
the walk in, and are the founda-
tion of my layering system. The
First Lite Llano and Chama are
my two upper-body layers, with
the Red Desert Boxers and Alle-
gheny acting as my lower body base layers. From there, it depends on
the weather conditions I’ll be dealing with. If it is warmer out but windy,
a solid windproof vest or light jacket will be my outer layer, with a light
windproof pair of pants to match. As the weather turns colder, I’ll carry
in layers designed for insulation, be it a down or Primaloft jacket, heavier
wool shirts, or the Gamehide Monster Bibs and Jacket. Another great op-
tion to use as your outer layer in
cold weather is wearing your base
layers and possibly a windproof lay-
er for your walk in, and then crawl-
ing into a Heater Body Suit. These
options allow you to walk in com-
fortable, and then to mix and match
what insulating and outer layers
(windproof or rain gear) you will
need to battle the weather condi-
tions that day.
First Lite also makes heavier
weight wool options that work
great as a heavier long underwear
option for guys sitting in stands that
want extra warmth. The Allegheny
Expedition acts as a heavy lower
body layer, while the Chama Expe-
dition will add warmer layer to your
upper body.
The Kanab pants are First Lite’s outer layer option. These pants
provide excellent ventilation for early season or western hunts, while the
RipStop material allows the pants to do through heavy brush and not get
shredded. The pants are perfect even for later season options if you’ll be
on the move, be it still hunting, making drives, or doing chores such as
cutting fire wood.
Adding the Labrador Jacket is another layering piece that allows
you to stay comfortable while active in cooler temperatures. The moun-
tains out West can often change 40
-50 degrees from night time temps
to afternoon temps. Having the
ability to stay warm early in the
morning as you’re heading to a lo-
cation on the mountain while not
getting overheated as you move is
key, and lets you set up and stay
warm as you wait on that elk to
enter the meadow. For whitetail
hunters that prefer still hunting
and stalking over waiting in a tree-
stand, the Labrador allows you to
hunt and move comfortably in 30-
40 degree temperatures without
sacrificing comfort or breathabil-
ity. The RipStop fabric still allows
you to work through heavy cover,
while the wool provides a silent
fabric that will keep you from be-
ing heard as you make your ap-
proach on that bedded buck.
In the Field Review
Though most of the review
here is based off of in field use, I
was able to put the First Lite through an extreme test in my Colorado Elk
Hunt this fall. The stuff is as good as I’ve described here. It was hot dur-
ing our hunts. Highs were in the mid-70’s to 80 degrees, with overnight
temperatures around 30 degrees. The ability to hunt in comfort during
this wide temperature range, without having to worry about the clothes
gathering lots of scent was unbelievable. Not only did the clothing pre-
vent itself from smelling, the breathability and the fact that the clothing
inhibits bacteria from growing also kept our skin from providing a sur-
face for bacteria to grow and stink. Granted, after 7 days hunting on a
mountain, we didn’t come out smelling fresh. But our odor compared to
an August antelope hunt I was on a few years ago wearing synthetics was
extremely diminished. Try this stuff, and you won’t go back to anything
else.
The Chama Expedition
The Llano Shirt shown
in the Black Option.
The Kanab Pants shown
in Lost Camo.
FIRST LITE CLOTHING
SALE!
ALL IN STOCK FIRST LITE
CLOTHING IS NOW ON SALE
FOR 25% OFF!!! THIS IS A
GREAT OPTION FOR THOSE
LOOKING FOR GIFT IDEAS OR
WANTING TO TRY OUT THIS
EXCEPTIONAL CLOTHING
LINE!!!
NOW 25% OFF
YOUTH BOWS:
Which Bow is Right for Your Kid? This time of year we get a lot of parents looking for bows
that will fit their children. Some of them don’t know where to
start or what options are available, so this article will break down
the different youth options available in the Mission line-up, and
hopefully will help you decide which bow is right for your child.
The great thing about any of these bows is that all draw length ad-
justments and weight changes can be made without the use of a
bow press or changing parts. This means once the bow is pur-
chased, you don’t have to spend any money every time your child
grows (which can seem like every two weeks).
The MENACE
The Menace is a bow designed to help us get a the younger
kids started. Draw length ad-
justment on these bows go
down to 17” and all the way out to
30”! Generally speaking, this
covers draw lengths from kids
the age of 6 through fully grown
adult men. The draw weights of
this bow are adjustable from
16lbs-52lbs. The Menace is the
lightest option of all the bows,
making it easier for the younger
kids to hold steady without tir-
ing them out too quickly.
The only drawback to the
Menace is that the weight rang-
es available to the child are de-
pendent on the draw length,
which means the bow will only
draw at 52lbs if it is set to a 30” draw length. This limits the capa-
bility of the bow when kids start to get stronger but maybe have
not grown tall enough to increase the draw length. Luckily, that
leads us to another option.
The CRAZE
The Craze is our most popular
youth option. It covers a draw length
range of 19” out to 30” inches. That
means we can usually fit kids who are
8-9 years old into it, and it covers
them until they are fully grown.
The biggest upgrade from the
Menace is the adjustability of draw
weights. The bow can go down to
15lbs for the younger kids, and will
top out at over 70lbs! Best part: At
each draw length, there is roughly
40lbs of variation available. That means your child won’t be pun-
ished for not being the tallest kid in their class. Once a draw
length of 25 inches is reached (usually in the ages of 12-14) the
bow can be set anywhere from 30-70lbs! That alone makes it a
bow that cover a child from the ages of 8-18 without having to buy
another bow.
Drawbacks on the Craze are minimal. It is heavier than the
Menace and doesn’t hit the lower draw lengths like the Menace
does, making it hard to fit a kid under the age of 8 into. Also, it is
a compact 28” axle-to-axle bow. This is great for kids in the ages
of 8-14 because it fits them better, but taller kids in the 15-18 year
old age group can sometimes feel like the bow is just too small for
them in physical size. Fortunately, we have that covered too.
The RIOT
The Riot was designed to fit those unruly teenagers that
grow 3 inches at a
time. The bow has the
same adjustability of
the Craze (19-30”, 15-
70lbs), but is a longer
axle-to-axle bow with
bit more weight to it.
These factors tend to
make the Riot a better
fitting option for kids
12-15 years old that
are in need a new bow.
Being a full-sized bow
makes it a bow that
not only covers the lat-
er end growing in
strength and height,
but it will fit well as an adult making it a bow that can be used for
a much longer period of time.
Drawbacks on the Riot are almost non-existent for the older
kids. It is certainly heavier when compared with either the Men-
ace or the Craze, so for the smaller 12-13 years olds can have a
harder time holding it steady for very long. But once the kids are
strong enough to handle the weight of the bow, they are set until
they want to go out and buy their own!
Options
All of the bows are readily available in Right-Handed or Left-
Handed models, and are also available in different color options.
The different colors allow you to fit the bow to your kid’s personal-
ity, or lets you pick a cool looking bow for the kids who want to
shoot but don’t necessarily want to hunt.
Warranty and Service
If you have kids, you know “accidents” happen a lot. All of the bow options carry a Lifetime Warranty, which usually helps to
have when certain “accidents” look very expensive.
We also offer the standard service options for youth bows that we offer with all bow purchases. That means you get free labor
on any warranty or service work for the life of the bow. Kid grew and you need the draw length change? Free. Kid has been shooting
a lot and wants the draw weight turned up? Free. Kid dropped the bow of the treestand and broke a limb on the bow? Mission re-
places the limb free of charge, and we put the pieces back together, once again, for free.
Getting your child started off on the right foot is as important to us as it is to you. We want them to enjoy archery, and we want
them to keep shooting. So when they are getting their bow set-up, we will spend time working with them on proper shooting form,
sighting them in, and hopefully, hitting bulls-eyes. They also get 5 Free Hours of Range Time, so they can come hang out at the shop
and practice inside where it’s nice and comfy. Plus, if they have any questions, we can answer them face to face and show them how
to improve.
We hoped this little explanation helped you understand your options when it comes to youth bows, and we hope to see you and
that future archer soon!