Any avid 国产吃瓜黑料 reader should have The Ten听Essentials etched into their memory. The venerable list of items that every hiker should take with them into the backcountry pays equal weight to insulation, fire-starters, and, of course tools. There are very few problems you’ll encounter in the wilderness where your tool of choice isn’t a knife. But what鈥檚 the best knife for the outdoors?

While I own dozens of options, the one I reach for most often is simple, small, and relatively affordable. My knife of choice is the Esee-3HM.听Let鈥檚 talk about how you can find the knife that works for you.

What Kinds of Knives Work Best Outdoors?

Perhaps we should phrase the question like this: What tasks do you need a knife for on your next camping trip or hike? You might need to cut cordage so you can lash a shelter down in high wind. You might need to break down dead wood, to access its dry interior and start a fire. You might need to whittle a stick, to use as an extra tent peg or to roast a hot dog. If you鈥檙e fishing or hunting, you might need to remove听guts or skin.

For general outdoors use, a knife is a tool for mights and maybes. If you鈥檙e planning to focus on a specific activity鈥攕ay catching a fish鈥攜ou might pack a specific tool like a filet knife. But if you鈥檙e just spending time outside, you鈥檒l want to carry a knife capable of any task you might encounter.

So that鈥檚 what an outdoors knife is鈥攐ne you can use for any task you might encounter outdoors.

What About Survival Knives?

In my opinion, the term “survival” has been co-opted by people trying to sell you a fantasy, rather than a useful tool matched to realistic needs. A good knife should be strong, sharp, and reliable. What you probably don’t need is the added weight and bulk a compass, fishing line storage, or saw teeth.

If you do find yourself in a survival scenario鈥攕ay you鈥檝e gotten lost and night is falling鈥攖he general-purpose nature of an outdoors blade is going to work better at getting a fire going or cutting pine boughs to sleep on than something purpose built for slicing open Those other features just get in the way.

Why Not Carry a Multitool?

I get the appeal of toting a Leatherman or other all-in-one tool. With multiple tools and functions, it鈥檚 easy to think a multitool or Swiss Army knife might be more versatile tool. Here’s why it鈥檚 not.

Away from a Phillips-head screwdriver and can opener, the tool you鈥檙e going to find yourself using most often outdoors is a knife blade. And while yes, multitools and Swiss Army Knives听do tend to include one of those, they鈥檙e usually small and of poor quality. Even if you do find a multitool with a good blade鈥攍ike the new Leatherman Arc鈥攖hat鈥檚 still going to fall short of most real knives for two reasons: 1) the handle will be uncomfortable and 2) it鈥檒l be subject to failure.

It鈥檚 for those reasons that I carry a small multitool in addition to a real knife.

Can You Carry a Folding Pocket Knife?

Folding knives are far more prone to failure than fixed blades because of the mechanism that allows them to collapse.

That failure can be non-mission critical鈥攖he pivot can fill up with dirt and stop working. Or, should a locking mechanism break or come loose, that failure could cause the blade to slam shut on your hand, leading to significant injury. More commonly, folding knives just break in half if you try to use one to split firewood, leaving you without the tool you need to finish the job.

A fixed-blade, with no moving parts, is the better option as a result.

How Long of a Blade Do You Need?

Longer blades span larger pieces of wood, enabling you to more efficiently split those apart. The additional weight that comes with longer blades may also make them easier to chop with, although a knife is not the best tool for that job. Get a hatchet.

The shorter a knife鈥檚 blade is, the easier it is to carry and control.

My compromise on blade length: while holding the handle, I try to reach the tip of the blade with my index finger. I like that length because I hunt, and being able to cover the blade鈥檚 tip with my finger means I can reach inside a chest cavity, feel for the windpipe, and sever that without poking holes in other organs while I鈥檓 in there. But you’ll find this to be a good rule of thumb鈥攐r index鈥攆or judging a knife to be easy to carry and convenient to employ.

Consider the Handle

As I mentioned at the top, my knife of choice is an . That combines a 3.63-inch blade with a thin handle which terminates at the base of the blade without any obstructions. You can really choke your hand all the way up into the choil (the finger shaped cutout behind the edge) for jobs where you need fine control.

That handle is made from linen micarta, a resin-impregnated fabric layup that leaves the end of the threads exposed. It鈥檚 virtually indestructible, but feels soft to the touch, and provides good grip while wearing gloves or barehanded, wet or dry.

The slim, elongated handle also facilitates comfort and security across all types of grip. The knife feels natural and comfortable any way you hold it.

The Importance of Blade Shape, Thickness, and Grind

Wonky blades that are shaped to cut only in certain directions, to protect their point while penetrating, or to work best while slicing, prioritize performance in those tasks over general utility. Try to split a log with some zanily-shaped knife and you鈥檒l quickly become frustrated. Instead, look for a blade where the edge falls away from the tip in a generous sweep, then continues back toward the handle in a straight line. That shape will be the most versatile.

Recently, I’ve noticed a trend in the market toward very chunky blades, measuring a quarter inch or more in thickness. This is done for looks, not utility. A knife is not a pry bar; it is a cutting tool. The thicker a blade is the harder time it鈥檒l have slicing through whatever it is you want to cut. The Esee-3HM鈥檚 one-eighth-inch thickness is ideal, lending the tool strength without getting in the way of the job at hand.

A blade is thinnest at its edge and thickest at its spine. Getting there in a straight line鈥攆orming a simple wedge shape鈥攊s the strongest arrangement and is very practical for splitting wood. Blades that feature a wide wedge terminating at a point below the spine won鈥檛 slice as well. Ones that use a concave shape from the edge to spine prioritize slicing performance over splitting.

What Makes a Knife Strong?

Look for a knife where the handle material is bolted to the outside of the blade鈥檚 steel, forming a place for your hands only. Knives where the handle continues rearwards beyond the steel can see the handle and blade separate under hard use, or after exposure to weather and chemicals.

What鈥檚 the Best Steel for Knives?

The variety of steel used to construct a knife, and the way in which it is forged, quenched, and treated, determine qualities like edge retention, ease of sharpening, chip and rust resistance, and even how fine of an edge is achievable at a microscopic level.

Because a sharp knife is also the safest and most useful knife, I try to prioritize ease of sharpening in blades I intend to carry outdoors. High carbon steels are generally good at that, even if they do tend to get rusty and tarnished. Esee鈥檚 1095 steel is a proven performer, and also can be found at reasonable prices. The knife I’m using throughout this article retails for about $130.

Spend a little more on fancier blade steels like Magnacut for blades you plan to carry more than use. You鈥檒l appreciate rust-resistance in a folding knife riding in a sweaty pocket.

Don鈥檛 Overlook this Crucial Factor

A knife needs to be sharp. A sharp knife will require less force to use, reducing the odds of an accident. A sharp knife will also cause less damage to the medium being cut, and be easier to use.

I do not carry a field sharpener, instead preferring the ease of use offered by . Keeping knives touched up on that sharpener only takes a few seconds, and bringing a knife back from dull just requires a few minutes. Making sure my Esee has a razor鈥檚 edge before heading into the field has proven vital, as the blade stays useable even on trips lasting two weeks or more.

Wes Siler got his first knife in Cub Scouts, and has carried one nearly every day ever since. , where he explores the intersection of outdoor skills and the politics of the great outdoors.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Outdoors Knife appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Who makes the most advanced outdoor clothing? Ask a skier or a hiker, and they’re likely to name some familiar brands. Ask a hunter, and they will probably tell you Sitka Gear. I tend to side with the hunters.

Sitka Gear has been at the forefront of technical innovation in apparel that keeps you warm and dry when you’re in the field hunting game. And its latest jacket, therepresents a massive leap forward in a wide range of performance metrics, from weight, to warmth, to its price tag, and even its impact on the environment.

Perhaps most surprising about the jacket is the origin story. It is the brainchild of Sikta’s creative director, Brad Christian, who also happens to be a friend of mine. For the last few years it’s been Brad鈥檚 job to design logos, not clothes. Even more surprising, the Studio Hyperdown Park is designed for wear through travel and in cities, not for hunting.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to wear my camo hunting jacket to a bar anymore than I want to wear my ski goggles to ride my horse on a sunny day,鈥� Christian recently told me. 鈥淛ust like there鈥檚 a right tool for a job, as a creative director, I believe there鈥檚 a right aesthetic too.鈥�

Sitka, where Christian has worked for the last nine years, is owned by W.L. Gore and Associates, the multi-billion dollar parent of Gore-Tex, the biggest of those technology suppliers. And that gives him a few more resources than most other creative side projects. Sitka already serves as sort of an off-site creative lab for Gore. Running a side project within a creative lab means Christian has total freedom to use Sitka Studio to create exactly the kind of products he wants.

Making a Groundbreaking Jacket that Won鈥檛 Break the Budget

Two things make special: its down and its shell. But what really defines the jacket is the way those materials work together.

Fill power is a measure of down insulation鈥檚 compressibility. Because it鈥檚 common practice for traditional parkas to use heavyweight canvas shell fabrics, which don鈥檛 facilitate packability on their own, there鈥檚 no need to use high fill power downs.

Christian turns that practice on its head with a lightweight 60-denier nylon ripstop shell he sourced from Japan, that’s about 10 percent the weight of most parka shells, and to which he applies Gore鈥檚 new ePE (expanded polyethylene) Windstopper membrane. That material is PFAS-free (a forever chemical with a long list of negative impacts on human health), and stronger than older ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) membranes, which means it can be made thinner and lighter. All that adds up to less pollution, a shell fabric that鈥檚 just as strong as those used in existing parkas, and which has the added benefit of minimizing convective heat loss.

But a lighter, more packable shell wouldn鈥檛 do much on its own if it wasn鈥檛 used to house a very compressible down. For that, Christian used his parent company鈥檚 gravitas to knock on the door of Allied Feather + Down, another industry-leading innovator and supplier. One new technology they鈥檝e been working on is a less polluting, more effective alternative to the Durable Water Repellent coatings that enable down clusters to resist moisture, and quickly dry should they get soaked, retaining the material鈥檚 ability to provide insulation. And believe it or not, that new treatment is gold.

Allied has found a way to bond microscopic gold particles directly to down clusters. Versus existing DWR treatments, that results in dry times , according to that company.

Christian sourced 900+ fill gold-bonded down from Allied, the most compressible insulation commonly available for outdoor clothing, then ordered 230 grams of it for each of his parkas (in a size medium). Given that he designed a butt-length parka that鈥檚 a little shorter than most designs in that space, and went without a hood to make it more travel-friendly, that results in several times the volume of insulation packed around your torso and arms versus the parkas you鈥檙e used to.

All that probably sounds pretty expensive. But by leveraging Gore鈥檚 supply chain, Christian was able to bring it all to market for just $499. That is less than half the price of a typical high-end parka.

鈥淕ore? I mean they鈥檙e , they鈥檙e , they鈥檙e the most technical company out there from a scientific perspective, which is why it鈥檚 so fun to be able to call these guys up,鈥� Christian says. 鈥淚鈥檓 a wannabe gear nerd compared to these guys, they鈥檙e actually in a state-of-the-art lab, developing technology at an insane level.鈥�

Can a Jacket Attract More People to Hunting?

Now Christian wants to use Sitka Studio, and the brand’s platform as an authority in hunting apparel, to sell the general public on hunting and animal conservation.

Christian has previously focused Sitka Studio on collaborations, working with Gibson to design , The James Brand to create a chef鈥檚 knife intended for hard use outdoors, and with Black Diamond to put . Neat creative endeavors that put the brand in front of new audiences, but it鈥檚 with his first ground-up clothing design that Sitka Studio has really become a creative force on its own.

鈥淎s hunters, our lives authentically depend on our gear to keep us where we have to be to do what we committed to doing,鈥� Christian explains. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so super focused on the technical need for the most extreme situations because, when we get dropped by a plane in the Yukon, and we’re going to stay there for three weeks on the side of a mountain whatever nature has for us, we don鈥檛 have anything else to fall back on.鈥�

It鈥檚 that authentic requirement for peerless functional gear that Christian thinks the world outside of hunting will be open to learning about.

鈥淗unting has long been on an island,鈥� he says. 鈥淗unting content talks to hunters. Hunting product talks to hunters. But this isn鈥檛 just another sport, it鈥檚 the OG lifestyle. Hunting鈥檚 story is the story of human connection to nature.鈥�

鈥�Steven Rinella is really good at articulating a case for hunting,鈥� Christian continues. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 his way of doing it. Well, my particular ability for doing that is as a creative director.鈥�

鈥淭his is about writing a love letter about hunting to the rest of the world,鈥� Christian explains.

Wes Siler is an adult onset hunter who’s always trying to learn more about animals. You can read more about the surprising ways in which animal conservation works in benefit of biodiversity by .听

The post Sitka Studios Wants to Use Cutting-Edge Apparel to Sell You on Conservation appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Last September, I attended , a wild game butchering course hosted by , an all-in-one training and outfitter referral service for people who want to get started hunting. After conservation, the purpose of hunting is to put the healthiest, most sustainable, and ethically harvested meat on your dinner table. So when I got the chance to elevate my butchering and cooking skills to the next level, I jumped at the opportunity.

Whether you鈥檙e hunting, or just want to stretch cheap cuts of meat as far as possible, making your own sausage is an easy way to stock up on healthy, tasty protein. I鈥檝e been making my own at home for the last 15 years or so. Let me show you how.

Why Sausage?

Sausage is a way to make use of excess trim that’s left over when you butcher your own animals. As you separate muscle groups into their component parts, you鈥檒l invariably end up with chunks of good meat that don鈥檛 look good enough to use on their own. Turning those鈥攐r affordable commercial cuts like pork shoulders or beef chuck roast鈥攊nto a form that鈥檚 not just useable, but delicious, ensures that you鈥檙e getting the most out of every last bit of animal you harvested. Plus, you’ll end up with large quantities of great food, no matter your budget.

I wrote about听the lessons I learned about butchering in an article last October. The pronghorn antelope I harvested then produced the off cuts I鈥檓 using today, and I鈥檒l incorporate tips from Outdoor Solutions鈥� throughout this piece.

What Is Sausage, Anyway?

Sausage is simply ground, seasoned meat that鈥檚 ready to cook. You can absolutely stuff that into sheep intestines if you want to create nice links, but even with Chef Albert鈥檚 instruction, I find that process time consuming. I don鈥檛 typically end up eating the casings anyway, so I prefer to make sausage in bulk. Packing it into vacuum bags one pound at a time makes it easy to store in your freezer, quick to defrost, and simple to cook with.

Wild game is much leaner than industrially farmed meat. So while there鈥檚 no need to use extra fat if you鈥檙e turning a pork shoulder into sausage, you鈥檒l want to buy a source of fat for anything you鈥檝e hunted.听I鈥檇 always visited a butcher for frozen piles of pork fat, but not every butcher has those, especially during hunting season. Chef Albert recommends simply using bacon instead鈥攊t鈥檚 cheap, readily available, and works just as well. That鈥檚 what I plan to do from now on.

How to Prepare Your Kitchen to Make Sausage

First, you鈥檒l need to defrost the trim you plan to turn into sausage. Chef Albert cautions against forcing a defrost in warm water, and instead recommends thawing what you plan to use overnight in your fridge. Doing that helps preserve the meat鈥檚 texture, and won鈥檛 turn it gray.

Thirty minutes before you plan to get started, it鈥檚 also a good idea to put all the pieces of your meat grinder (except the motor) into your freezer. Grinding produces heat, which you don鈥檛 want entering your meat until you鈥檙e ready to cook.

For that same reason, you鈥檙e also going to want an ample stash of ice cubes on hand.

Supplies you鈥檒l need:

• A meat grinder
• At least two large mixing bowls
• Ice
• A scale
• A sharp knife
• A large cutting board
• Nitrile gloves
• Defrosted meat, trimmed of silver skin and connective tissue
• 20 percent of the weight of that meat in bacon

You should also decide how you want to season your sausage. Today, I made a simple hot Italian, which I find brings out the natural flavor of venison or antelope, and is versatile in use, working as well in a pasta as it does with eggs.

For each pound of the hot Italian spice blend you鈥檒l need:

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup red wine

If you鈥檙e making large quantities of sausage after, say, harvesting a bull elk or more than one deer, you may find it easier to use bulk quantities of a pre-made spice blend.

You’ve Seasoned Your Meat. What’s Next?

Fit your meat grinder with the plate with the large holes, and start dropping strips of meat through it, interspersing the occasional strip of bacon.

Once that鈥檚 done, you鈥檙e ready to add seasonings to your ground meat and thoroughly mix the sausage meat by hand.

Chef Albert strongly recommends wearing nitrile gloves while handling game meat, especially when grinding. Ground meat is sticky, and will pull in any dirt that may exist in your cuticles and under your nails. You don鈥檛 want that stuff polluting the taste of your meat. But also, you should be washing your hands, regardless!

After that first grind and the hand mix, fit your grinder with the plate with the small holes, and pass the mixture through it again.

If you feel your grinder start to heat up while processing large volumes of meat, Chef Albert recommends dropping a few ice cubes into it.听This cold water will also add moisture to your sausage.

At this point, you can pack the sausage mix into a press and extrude it into casings, or simply vacuum seal the bulk meat one pound at a time.

You’ve Just Made a Mess. Here’s the Easiest Way to Clean Your Kitchen.

You鈥檝e just thrown raw meat all over your kitchen, and into a high-powered mixer. Make sure you leave plenty of time for the mopup. Even after careful trimming, game meat is still going to contain some tendon and fascia, and that tough connective tissue loves to wind itself around the auger inside your grinder. I鈥檝e always carefully picked it apart by hand, but Chef Albert showed me an easier way: simply run ice cubes through the grinder until they come out clean.

Then disassemble all the grinder鈥檚 parts, rinse them off, and run them through the dishwasher or wash them by hand. Take care to thoroughly clean cutting boards, countertops, knives, and of course, your hands.

How Should I Cook My Sausage?

What do you do with your new sausage? I like to taste my game meat, so I听try to incorporate it into as simple a dish as possible.

Here鈥檚 a recipe for a very basic hot Italian sausage pasta. I invited my now-wife to come over and enjoy this for our second date, and the rest is history.

Ingredients:

• One box of good quality pasta. My wife has celiac disease, and we鈥檝e found to make gluten-free noodles with the best texture and flavor. Cook that for one minute shy of what’s recommended on the box.
• Kosher salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• One 28-ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes鈥擨 like
• Yellow onion, diced
• Fresh garlic to taste, crushed
• One pound hot Italian game sausage
• Fresh basil
• Parmesan
• A good quality olive oil. I only use , which is produced in Umbria by our friends the Tega family and imported by our buddy David Dellanave.

Directions:

1. In a large dutch oven, heat a good amount of olive oil over medium high heat
2. When oil is shimmering, add sausage and saut茅 until brown and crisp
3. Bring a salted pot of water to boil and cook pasta
4. Add the onion and saut茅 until clear
5. Add the garlic and saut茅 until fragrant
6. Season with salt and pepper
7. Add tomatoes, breaking up with your hands or wooden spoon
8. Bring tomatoes to simmer then reduce heat
9. After 15 minutes, stir and add a pinch of salt
10. After another 15 minutes, add pasta, sausage, parmesan to sauce and serve
11. Top plates with ample amounts of torn basil leaves

Delicious food really is that easy, especially when you鈥檙e working with the best meat possible.

Wes Siler grew up on a horse farm in England. That’s where he learned how the sausage gets made. Wes now writes about important topics like politics and vehicles on , where you can also talk to him about those topics and more.

The post The Beginner鈥檚 Guide to Making Sausage at Home appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

It鈥檚 that time of year, when we all become obsessed with bettering ourselves. Rather than a health-focused resolution this year, one of mine involved getting a handle on organizing my garage full of outdoor gear and simplifying the process of packing for trips.

Before diving into what I did, let me give you a little background. I鈥檝e always been a generalist when it comes to outdoor pursuits and dabble in a lot of different sports and hobbies. From bowhunting to mountain biking and backcountry skiing, they鈥檙e all pretty gear-intensive, which means I鈥檝e got a lot of equipment.

Watch: Bryan’s First Attempt at Gear Organization

Since I test gear for work, too, all that stuff tends to accumulate rather quickly, outpacing my attempts to keep things organized and leaving me with piles of stuff on shelves and in corners of my garage. I鈥檝e even documented some of my attempts at gear organization in the past, at one point creating a full pegboard wall to house gear.

Ultimately, none of the previous storage systems worked great for us and we wanted a more practical way to stay organized and simplify our lives. When my wife, Sarah, and I freed up some space in our barn last fall, we ended up with an empty room large enough to house our outdoor gear and decided to a new system.

Practical vs. Pinterest Gear Storage

I often get bogged down by wanting my gear room or garage to 鈥搇ike a climbing rack beautifully displayed on a pegboard, backpacks hanging on a wall, and each hobby having its own, well-organized corner of a space that looks more like an REI display than an actual human being鈥檚 home.

What I鈥檝e found over the years is that this method works great if you have one main hobby. But, if you鈥檙e like me and have a lot of different hobbies where the gear crosses over (think sleeping bags you use for every activity, or walkie talkies you use while backcountry skiing and hunting), it can actually make packing for trips more complicated.

Sarah鈥檚 idea was to not only get some new bins and organizational tools, but to change the way we were organizing gear. Rather than grouping things like backpacks, electronics, layers, hunting optics, camp stoves, and cutlery separately, she came up with an 鈥淎-team and B-team鈥� bin approach to each sport.

For instance, rather than having a bin labeled 鈥渟kiing鈥� that鈥檚 chock-full of both of our layers, googles, helmets and everything associated with the sport, we now have bins labeled 鈥淏ryan Ski,鈥� 鈥淪arah Ski,鈥� and 鈥淏ackup Skiing.鈥� Everything I always end up taking with me for a day of skiing, including my helmet, goggles, and outerwear, lives in one bin, and any extra items we keep on hand for when friends and family visit lives in the backup bin. This means that instead of rifling through an overstuffed bin full of every pair of gloves and goggles we own just to pack them into another bag every time we want to go skiing, we can just grab our 鈥淎-team鈥� bins and toss them in the truck.

That last point is one worth reiterating: keeping our bins stocked with exactly what we need simplifies the packing process immensely. Recently, for instance, we headed to Taos Ski Valley after work for a weekend of skiing. We tossed our skis, boots, and two bins in the van and were out the door in minutes鈥攁 process that has taken us significantly longer in the past.

Dos and Don’ts for Gear Storage

• Don鈥檛 waste your time making things look beautiful and laying out gear on a pegboard wall. Your garage isn鈥檛 an REI.
• Think hard before investing time in building your own 鈥渂in rack鈥� or other DIY setup that will take too much time.
• Keep gear organized by sport but also deploy the A- and B-team system. Put the stuff you almost always use in the A-team bin and the backup/extra things in the B-team bin.
• Pony up for nice bins.
• Don鈥檛 use see-thru bins.
• Don鈥檛 hang packs on a wall鈥攊t takes up too much space.
• Keep your bike(s) where you can access them easily.
• Pair down, but don鈥檛 Marie Kondo yourself into tossing things you鈥檒l miss one day, even if you rarely use it.
• Use whatever space you have wisely.

The Tools We Used

The Project Source Commander 27 Gallon Tote

In the past I鈥檝e used whatever bins, milk crates, and shelves I鈥檝e had on hand to organize my gear. That meant a hodgepodge of cheap, clear plastic bins that often broke or were missing lids, so this time around we invested in a new set of high-quality bins that will hopefully last.

We bought 20 of these (they鈥檙e pretty much identical to the you can find at Home Depot), which get great reviews and are, in my opinion, the perfect size. They seem tough enough to toss in the back of a truck without worry, are stackable, have very secure lids, and are large enough to house things like backpacks without getting overstuffed.

I also wanted bins that were not see through for aesthetic reasons鈥攊t鈥檚 just looks less cluttered than bins that show their contents (plus, we know what鈥檚 in each bin and don鈥檛 need to see inside).

5-Tier Industrial Duty Steel Freestanding Garage Storage Shelving Unit

We toyed with the idea of building a like the ones that have been all the rage on TikTok and Pinterest in the last few years but ultimately went with this from Home Depot. Each shelf supports 1,800 pounds and fits four of the 27-gallon bins perfectly. It was about $100 more expensive than the materials needed to build our own, but I guarantee it鈥檚 sturdier, and it took only 15 minutes to put together versus the several hours of time it would鈥檝e taken us to build one.

It might not be as Pinterest-worthy, but it鈥檚 a hell of a lot more practical鈥攖he way those bin racks are built means you can only pull the bin straight in and out to access its contents, which can make things challenging in tight spaces. But these shelves are a little wider, which makes it easier to maneuver the bins on them. We also re-used a smaller, wire-rack shelf we already had for bulky items鈥攍ike our coolers, camp chairs, and archery targets鈥攖hat wouldn鈥檛 fit in the bins.

Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage Hang Rails

To store bikes, skis and add a bit more shelving off the ground, we installed by TK. We鈥檝e used this system before, and are big fans of its versatility and sturdiness. I installed a few rails along one wall of the room and hung our bikes using the . I鈥檓 a fan of those hooks in particular because they鈥檙e rated for 50lbs, which is higher than other brands like Kobalt or Craftsman you can find at the hardware store and means you can hang e-bikes from them if you want. I also installed a couple of metal shelves for fly rods, and a that sits high off the ground for ski boots and sleeping bags. (We had issues with mice nesting in our boots when we kept them on the ground in the past.)

Half Size Sidio Crate

In addition to the big, 27-gallon totes, I also used three Sidio Crates to house small items that didn’t fit into the A/B system. I have one for 鈥済ear repair鈥� items, one for headlamps and walkie talkies, and one for various chargers and cables.

How It’s Working So Far听

I鈥檓 sure we鈥檒l make some tweaks to this whole setup the longer we use it, but so far, we鈥檙e in love. Our new bin system is keeping us vastly more organized than before, and it has also dramatically simplified packing for trips.

The unintended benefit of all this is that it freed up a lot of room in our garage, and made it a听 much nicer space, too. I used to keep everything鈥攆rom outdoor gear to homebrewing equipment to automotive tools to yard cleaning tools鈥攊n the garage, utilizing every inch of available space. That created an area that was often pretty overwhelming to even stand in, let alone try to find the gear I was looking for.

By dedicating a space specifically to our outdoor gear, we can now even park a car in the garage鈥攜ou know, what a garage is actually for. You don鈥檛 need a big house with tons of rooms or, in my case, a barn to make this idea work. My friend turned a spare closet into his gear room, and a simple backyard shed can also work great for this.

The biggest takeaway: If you鈥檝e got a lot of equipment and your life revolves around getting outside, create a dedicated space for it, and consider mixing up how you organize all your gear.

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鈥淒ammit Wes,鈥� a friend of mine shouted after I handed him my Swarovski binoculars for the first time. On my recommendation, he鈥檇 just splashed out $1,200 on some from another brand, and was so happy with them that he couldn鈥檛 believe mine would be noticeably better. But they were.

The phrase “the best” gets overused in gear reviews, but that鈥檚 exactly what these are: the best binoculars ever made. They鈥檇 better be, since they cost $2,999.

The Best Binoculars Ever Made Have a Price Tag to Match

NL Pure 10×42

How can Swarovski possibly justify that price for a piece of equipment that can cost听as little as $70? There are a bunch of jargony technical reasons, but let鈥檚 start with the emotional one that’s most important to me: I love animals. The time, travel, and equipment it takes to spot, hunt, and admire wildlife accounts for a huge amount of my spending each year. I dedicate large parts of my time to slogging up and down mountains, paddling rivers, waking up before dawn, and going to bed wet, sore, and exhausted just for the opportunity of a fleeting glimpse of fauna in the wild. These Swarovski binoculars help me make the most of each sighting.

The optical quality of the lenses鈥攇lass that is free of distortion and听transmits light equally across its entire surface. The Swarovski family, which also owns both a luxury crystal company and one that specializes in precision machine tools, has all the infrastructure in place to make high-quality glass. Swarovski treats the glass with coatings that protect it and amplify its performance in low light. Swarovski’s coatings eliminate reflection, directing as much light through the glass as possible. The protective layer prevents scratches and repels water and dirt, keeping the lenses clean.听Then, on the prism (which corrects the image orientation from upside down to right side up), there鈥檚 a phase coating which ensures light passing through the Swarovski binoculars is directed perfectly toward your eye.

I’m particularly impressed by the NL Pure 10×42’s eyepiece lenses, which are designed to flatten the image reaching your eyes. Many lenses create a rolling ball听effect, where objects appear larger in the center of the lens than they do near the edges. Not only does that effect distort the image, but it can create sort of a fun-house mirror sensation, causing dizziness and nausea over long periods of viewing. But the NL Pures display a perfectly flat field of view.

Then there’s the matter of what you can see through the lenses. As magnification increases, your field of view typically decreases. The purpose of binoculars is often simplified into image magnification. The 鈥�10鈥� in the name NL Pure 10×42 represents how much magnification they provide. But even at ten-times magnification, these NL Pures display as broad a swath of the landscape as older eight-times Swarovski designs. Flying birds stay in the frame longer than on conventional ten-times magnified binoculars, making them easier to track. That field of view is so broad that you can often lose sight of it beyond your peripheral vision, so looking through the Swarovski binoculars doesn’t feel like looking through a toilet-paper tube.

The 鈥�42鈥� in the name refers to the size of the objective lenses鈥攖he ones farthest away from your eyes. The more magnification an optic has, the less light reaches your eyes through it. However, the larger an objective lens is the more light reaches your eye. More light allowance into the binoculars improves the details you can see and the enhances the color resolution.

Every set of binoculars is a compromise between magnification, objective size, and overall size and weight. 10x42s are the ideal compromise for travel-size binoculars. You get plenty of magnification and light gathering, in a package that鈥檚 reasonably compact and lightweight.

Plus, these binoculars are incredibly svelte. Not only do the Swarovski NL Pures weigh less than 30 ounces, but the typical double bridge design of roof-prism binoculars has been replaced by a unified bridge. Their ergonomic shape鈥攖he tubes flatten into ovals halfway along, right where your hands want to grip the body鈥攑ositions the focus wheel directly under your index finger. Typical of Swarovskis, a thick rubber armor adorns the entire body, offering a sure grip even in wet conditions or while wearing gloves.

That shape, the iconic Swarovski green, and the Northern Goshawk logo sets the NL Pures apart, visually, from lesser binoculars. And, I won鈥檛 lie, that鈥檚 also part of the appeal. Soon after I brought this pair home, my wife asked me why I wouldn鈥檛 put them down. 鈥淭his is my Rolex,鈥� I explained. Carrying these, in my mind, signals that I’m someone who takes wildlife seriously and is dedicated to enjoying time with the creatures of the forest. But unlike a fancy watch, these binoculars actually do something my phone can鈥檛.

Unlike the larger, heavier, $5,330, animal-identifying, artificial intelligence-equipped Swarovski AX Visios, or other models equipped with laser rangefinders, these NL Pures are a simple, robust, purely mechanical device. There鈥檚 really nothing that can go wrong with them. In the two years I鈥檝e had them, I鈥檝e dropped them in the mud, banged them on trees and rocks, and dragged them everywhere from coastal Alaska to rural France to beaches in Baja, Mexico. In that time the only maintenance I’ve had to do was occasionally wipe the lenses with a cloth.

What鈥檚 it like to look through them? The crazy thing here is I can鈥檛 show you. No monitor, television, or printer in the world is capable of producing as crystal clear an image as is achieved by looking through this pair of Swarovski NL Pure binoculars. And no words describing how it feels like you鈥檙e standing ten times closer to whatever you鈥檙e looking at will ever do the experience justice. You just need to try a pair for yourself. But be warned: like my buddy found out, picking up a pair of Swarovskis will forever ruin your perception of all other binoculars.

The post What It鈥檚 Like to Look Through the Best Binoculars Ever Made appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When I started hunting nearly a decade ago,听I balked at the absurd expense of hunting apparel. I was a lifelong penny-pinching minimalist. Did I really need a $400 jacket, $250 pants, and socks that rang in at $28 a pair? It seemed like overkill (pun intended).

But, on one hunting trip in Montana in 2017, winds and snow blew at rates far exceeding 40 miles per hour. Thankfully, a full set of truly windbreaking Sitka gear kept me comfortable鈥擨 moved easily across the open mountain ridge, completely unaffected by the gusts. Beneath the burly outerwear, First Lite鈥檚 merino layers wicked sweat and kept me warm. My feet were toasty and dry in wool hunting socks, and they remained blister-free in my well-fitted boots for all six miles of the loop hike. Eventually, I took one shot on a legal mule deer buck that I later field-dressed and packed off the mountain alone. It was my first solo big game animal tag, and if it weren鈥檛 for my gear, I would have turned around long before I ever had the chance to spot it.

Much of the hunting apparel in my camouflaged closet continues to perform year after year. Its durability surpasses that of most casual outdoor brands I鈥檝e tried, and I find myself using my hunting gear for many unrelated outdoor activities. It鈥檚 certainly kept me comfortable enough to hunt in conditions I鈥檇 have avoided before becoming a hunter.

Over the past ten years, I鈥檝e cross-country skied, snowboarded, snowshoed, ridden my horses, hiked, backpacked, traveled, and bundled up chilly friends in my hunting apparel. Below are the hunting-specific pieces that I’ve relied on most. The other good news: Hunting brands are starting to wake up to the versatility of their gear, so you鈥檒l find that every piece below is offered in solid colors in addition to camouflage.

At a Glance

• Best base layers:
• Best rain gear: and
• Best pants for women:
• Best pants for men:
• Best socks:

When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.听Learn more.

Best Base Layers

First Lite Kiln Base Layers

I bought my first pair of Kiln baselayers eight years ago, and I still wear the same ones today. After hundreds of wears and washes, the wool continues to hold up. We even featured the most recent edition of the Kilns听in our 2025 winter gear guide, because they’ve held up so well over the years. This 250-gram base layer is both the perfect weight for fall and winter hiking and backpacking, but it’s also the best-fitting base-layer legging I鈥檝e found for women. The very high waist provides maximum coverage and keeps seams above pack hipbelts, and the wide band resists rolling down and sagging over the miles. The Kiln line comes in a crew, quarter-zip, hoody, and for men, as well as hoody and long-jane options for women.

Best Rain Gear

Sitka Gear Dew Point Jacket and Pants

I’ve tested dozens of other brands, but I’ve yet to find one I trust more than Sitka for wet weather.听That’s especially true for the Dew Point. This three-layer Goretex jacket is lightweight, packable, and supple enough to move quietly鈥攚hich means no crinkling or swishing when you’re sneaking up on wildlife for a photo-op or trying to avoid waking your partner in camp. The packability is also ideal for many scenarios, like backpacking long miles when you need gear that won’t take up too much space in your pack.听Pit zips allow for dumping heat, and it鈥檚 the most breathable rain gear I鈥檝e worn to date.

Best Women’s Pants

Ditale Sofia 国产吃瓜黑料 Pant 2.0

Ditale is a boutique brand that鈥檚 newer to the hunting apparel scene, but that under-the-radar status isn’t likely to last long. Last year, I wore the Sofia 国产吃瓜黑料 Pant for everything from hiking and hunting to cross-country skiing, and I fell hard for them. It鈥檚 the best physical fit I鈥檝e felt as a curvy athletic gal thanks to the wide range of sizing and smart features like the full running crotch gusset and articulated knee darts. Compared to other brands, the waist is both stretchier and higher-cut, but curved like a great pair of jeans. They’re actually flattering. This, to me, is the best all-around hiking pant for spring-to-fall temperatures, and the DWR makes it a great option for rain and wet flurries, as well.

Best Men鈥檚 Pants

Stone Glacier De Havilland Lite Pant

Stone Glacier specializes in gear for men only, and the guys I hunt with are all clamoring to get a pair of听the De Havilland Pants. Offered in both a Lite and ($189), these pants boast all the technical details you need for three-season hiking, backpacking, and adventure travel. DWR-treated fabric, side zips, roomy side pockets, and a patented contour waist system听mean these pants can take whatever you throw at them鈥攁nd stay in place without slipping or chafing. The modern cut and neutral colors mean that you can wear them to work听or a casual dinner, and then hit the hills for an evening hike.

Best Socks

Farm to Feet Ely Socks, Full Cushion

Like many four-season adventurers, I have an obsession with wool socks. My favorites are the Farm to Feet Ely hunting socks. I have to hide them from my mother because she tries to steal them anytime she comes within striking distance. The light cushion version beats out every boot or ski sock I鈥檝e ever used, and the full cushion version keeps me warm and comfortable over long miles during the cold season. Gentle compression in the foot prevents blisters, and my Elys are stepping into their fourth year of use without any holes or threadbare patches to speak of. For under $30, I recommend treating yourself.

The post Need Hardcore, Durable Outdoor Apparel? Don鈥檛 Sleep on Hunting Brands鈥�. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Last Friday I hiked back into a camp just south of the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana after a long morning chasing elk around the mountains. I fired up my Starlink satellite internet system, sat down, and texted my wife to let her know I was safe. That鈥檚 when my phone rang. On the other end was one of Tim Walz’s press people, who invited me to join the Minnesota Governor and vice-presidential candidate for the annual pheasant season opener in his home state. I’d planned to interview President Joe Biden before he dropped out of the 2024 race, have previously published articles on Pete Buttigieg and John Kerry, and Walz’s press team knew I was a hunter, too.

I had just enough time to make it if I jumped in my truck and drove over 1,000 miles to southeastern Minnesota right away.听I鈥檝e heard worse ideas, so I pulled on a pair of jeans, threw on a flannel shirt, and hit the road.

Eighteen hours later, I was standing in a field outside a town called Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, drinking a bad cup of gas station coffee, and getting frisked by the Secret Service when a convoy of armored Chevy Suburbans pulled up. Walz hopped out, pulled on a bird vest and a pair of brush chaps. A member of his personal protection detail handed him a shotgun. That’s when a trio of very excited labs jumped on the governor.

The dogs belonged to a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources official who鈥檇 showed up that morning to serve as his boss鈥檚 dog handler. Also present was the owner of the farm where everyone was parking, a dozen or so campaign staffers, at least 20 Secret Service agents supported by even more state police officers, and a gaggle of local and national news cameramen.

When the campaign representative called me at camp, I’d offered to swing by my home in Bozeman, Montana, to grab my shotgun. While the Secret Service didn鈥檛 mind people joining Walz in the field with their own bird guns, the campaign staffers didn鈥檛 want to risk a gaffe (or worse). So I just threw on my orange vest, and tagged along while Walz and the DNR official hunted.

An Unusual Hunt

Walking off the farm onto a public Wildlife Management Area, the hunt began in earnest. We鈥檇 heard some roosters calling from a听thicket of willows, so Walz, the DNR official, and his dogs waded right into them.

The field was covered in a patchwork of tall grasses, dense willows, and milo (a corn-like stalky plant that produces bird seed). There were ample signs that whitetail, birds of prey, and other wildlife had been present in the area. But this morning, we saw no trace of fauna. The Secret Service had begun showing up days earlier, patrolling the area on ATVs, setting up sniper overwatch locations, and flying surveillance drones. All these preparations seem to have scared off any deer, hawks, or other animals that usually call the area home.

Stomping along right behind Walz, straight into the willows, was an army of news media personnel, each of them competing for the perfect photo. None of the press I chatted with had ever been on any sort of hunt before.

Everyone followed along at an arm鈥檚 length, occasionally rushing ahead to capture a portrait when the sun was just right, or shouting a request to look in the camera鈥檚 direction. Frustrated members of the protective detail鈥攕ome of whom were seasoned hunters鈥攖ried to hold everyone in an even line with their protectee, giving him some clear shooting angles in case a bird might fly up.

Ten minutes in, I started to wonder where the birds had been placed. Every other pheasant hunt photo-op I鈥檝e seen a politician host was done with pen-raised birds released just moments before the politician shouldered their gun and shot them. My first assumption on the hunt with Walz was that somebody had screwed up, failing to place the birds in the pre-planned locations. But as the morning went on I realized something else was going on: Walz was really hunting wild birds.

Safety First

As we walked across the field, a rooster lifted off a few feet in front of me, on a trajectory to fly right over my head. I dove into a ditch, a reflex precaution I’ve developed for safety over years of hunting鈥攂ird hunters have reputation of playing fast and loose with gun safety. It would have been a home run shot for Walz, who was standing just ten yards away at the time, but he didn鈥檛 even shoulder his Beretta. If we鈥檇 switched places, I鈥檇 have taken that shot.

The rest of the morning, I never once saw the Governor point his gun in anything but a safe direction, even as all of those members of the press ran around him. Walz treated the entire direction of the staging area鈥攖he crowd of staffers and parked cars鈥攁s off-limits throughout the whole hunt. He unloaded his gun when we got within a quarter-mile of the pen.

A Little R&R

A couple hours later, after walking听two subsequent teams of dogs to exhaustion, Walz cracked a Mountain Dew and chomped into a venison stick made by one of his friends.

鈥淲asn鈥檛 that great?!鈥� The governor remarked with enthusiasm. Most other hunters I know would have spent the time talking about the heat or lack of wind, or wondering where all the birds were hiding. But Walz didn鈥檛 seem at all frustrated by the circus that had limited his opportunities to shoot birds.

鈥淚鈥檓 here for the camaraderie and I鈥檓 here for the dogs,鈥� Walz told me during a sit-down interview a few minutes later. 鈥淭he shooting is tertiary at best. Even watching them flush when you don鈥檛 get a shot because you鈥檙e too far away or whatever? That鈥檚 great.鈥�

Walz gestured at the field we鈥檇 just spent a couple of hours walking. 鈥淭his,” he said, “is why I come.鈥�

A Gun Enthusiast on Gun Reform

Walz, a听former command sergeant major in the Army National Guard,听brought his along on the hunt. The $2,159 semi-automatic shotgun is an interesting choice for bird hunting.听It鈥檚 designed for shooting sporting clays, and is about 30 percent heavier than a pure hunting gun as a result.

鈥淎s I鈥檓 getting older, I appreciate the lower recoil,鈥� Walz said. Not only does the weight reduce the Xcel鈥檚 kick, but the gun also employs a hydraulic damper in the stock to minimize the force that reaches the shooter鈥檚 shoulder.

Walz is running three-inch shells through the 12 gauge, filled with听number five bird shot. That鈥檚 about as powerful of听a load as you鈥檇 want to shoot at a pheasant, so it鈥檚 understandable why he鈥檚 gone through the effort to minimize recoil. He also employs non-toxic bismuth loads, which don鈥檛 cause lead poisoning in the birds of prey that occasionally scavenge the carcasses of hunted pheasant.

The loads retail for about three times the price of the cheaper, but less hard-hitting steel alternative. I asked the Governor how he justifies the cost. 鈥淲ell I only need two rounds a day,鈥� he responded. 鈥淚n the context of the dogs and the time, that鈥檚 really not bad.鈥�

For those not super familiar with bird hunting, Walz was bragging. The daily bag limit for wild pheasant in Minnesota is two birds.

I also asked Walz how he navigates his enthusiasm for guns and hunting while reckoning with the mass shootings that regularly shake the nation. On the campaign trail, Walz has spoken at length about how the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre reshaped his thinking on gun violence and gun control. Walz went from boasting about an “A” rating from the NRA before that mass shooting to holding an “F” rating.

鈥淭he solution is in the middle,鈥� he told me. 鈥淔irearms are a right. So long as you can use them safely as you see here you can use them as you see fit. But here in Minnesota we鈥檝e done things like more expanded background checks and domestic violence protection orders.” None of those things have impacted Americans’ Second Amendment rights or the guns they hunt with and own, he said.

“What it does is keep more people safe. And I think there鈥檚 a responsibility for gun owners to speak up on this, and set a good example,鈥� said Walz.

Unexpected Access

Early in the hunt, a rooster took wing right in front of Walz. The DNR official beat his boss to the shot and brought the bird down. That was a faux pas鈥攊t should have been Walz鈥檚 shot based on proximity to the bird. But Walz immediately shouted, 鈥淕ood shot!鈥� Then he听went about helping to find the bird in the dense brush.

The striking thing about the hunt wasn鈥檛 that it actually involved fair chase and wild birds, or that Walz had a good time pursuing a hobby he鈥檚 enjoyed since childhood; it was the attitude of everyone around him.

With high-profile politicians, standard procedure for journalists is to get campaign approval for the questions you plan to ask during an interview. Hanging out after hunting wrapped up, I was chatting with the candidate鈥檚 traveling press secretary, and I asked her if there were any topics she preferred that I avoid. She just shrugged and told me to ask whatever I wanted.

The campaign is running a last-minute, incredibly close race. But everyone around Walz was relaxed and seemed to be having a good time.

The only time I saw Walz remotely bummed out was when he learned that I鈥檓 also an enthusiastic bird hunter, but didn’t get an opportunity to do any shooting. 鈥淲e鈥檒l have you back out after the election,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hen we should be able to do this without all the cameras.鈥�

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Take a spin through the butcher section of your local supermarket鈥攜ou’ll surely see labels reading 鈥渙rganic,鈥� 鈥済rass-fed,鈥� or 鈥渇ree range鈥� on cellophane-wrapped meat stacked inside the refrigerator cases. But absent any real details of how those pre-packaged cuts actually arrived in the fridge in front of you, how are consumers really supposed to know where their food comes from? The real deal isn鈥檛 bred by humans, raised by industrial agriculture, processed in a factory, or shipped across the country. It鈥檚 out there right now, running around the woods, mountain or meadow. You can go harvest it yourself. Here鈥檚 how.

Congrats! You鈥檝e Killed a Deer.

The hardest part of hunting starts once you’ve killed your animal. Your first priority is to cool the meat down. Doing so helps preserve it, and prevent bacteria growth. And to do that, you鈥檒l need to open the carcass up, and remove its organs.

Last month, I joined an organization called on one of their traveling From Field To Table classes. That involved hands-on processing tuition from chef Albert Wutsch. You can find that same instruction in YouTube videos. Since much of the content includes sensitive material, I鈥檒l link out to it, rather than embed it within this article. You should hopefully be able to continue reading without seeing any uncomfortable images.

which is a nice way to phrase gut removal. Remember that the first step is almost always affixing the tag to the carcass, or reporting your kill on a state鈥檚 dedicated smartphone application.

Bringing It Home

Determine ahead of time where you intend to process your animal. If you鈥檙e more than a mile from your vehicle, you鈥檒l need to , in order to break it into manageable sections you can carry . If you鈥檙e close to a car, you can simply carry or drag the field-dressed carcass back to it. If you have a home, lodge, or campsite nearby, you can then transport the animal back there to butcher it. If instead you have a long drive ahead of you, you鈥檒l want to quarter the animal and get your meat on ice before you begin the journey.

Wutsch says your priority should always be to keep the meat, 鈥渃lean and cool.鈥� But if it鈥檚 less than 40 degrees outside, fresh meat doesn鈥檛 necessarily need to be chilled immediately. It can be housed in a game bag to keep insects away, and hung from a tree or rack for a week or more.

You will need to take care when moving a carcass. Contaminants like feces, plant matter, or just plain old dirt will alter the taste if they鈥檙e allowed to make contact with meat. If you plan to drag a carcass, or throw it in a truck bed, leave the hide attached until you have a clean place to remove it.

How to Butcher a Deer

The process of breaking a deer down into various cuts of meat is surprisingly intuitive. Once the hide is off, seams between major muscle groups are visible, and many can be pulled apart by hand, or with only minimal assistance from a sharp knife.

. A hanging rack really helps keep things clean, and the elevation it provides can keep your back from getting sore. We used in the class, and I just purchased one to keep at my hunting camp.

You’re going to separate the meat into different cuts鈥攜ou know, like the loin, shank, flank, etc. Wutsch easily differentiates different cuts of meat by tenderness, and explains that while tough cuts benefit from low-and-slow cooking techniques like sous vide, smoking, and braising, the more tender cuts should be seared quickly at high heat. The choicest cuts from any animal are going to be the tenderloins, which . Since those are so manageable and so delicious, I鈥檓 going to focus the rest of this guide on preparing that cut. Tenderloins are a great reward after putting in all the hard work of harvesting your first deer, antelope, or elk.

What About Gaminess?

Some people complain that deer and other wild animals have a听鈥済amey鈥� flavor, which is pungent or unpleasant. This just means they haven’t eaten meat that was processed and cooked properly. Gaminess听can be caused by mishandling the meat, allowing it to become contaminated during transportation, allowing a gland to leak into it while processing, or most commonly, failing to remove the thin, transparent fascia that wraps each major muscle group.

That fascia can actually be useful, in that it protects the meat itself from insects, hair, and dirt while it’s hung or transported. But care must be taken while processing to remove it entirely from each cut of meat. that hunters often cut steaks from the rear legs by slicing听straight through multiple muscle groups. This practice often leaves fascia behind, which spoils the taste.

Instead, he recommends and demonstrates how to break the rear legs down into the individual portions, then how best to use each muscle. Muscles of varying tenderness exist in a deer’s rear leg. Hunters who know what they’re doing can make the most of this meat.听Muscle groups should be stored and cooked complete in order to keep them as tender as possible, then sliced only when it鈥檚 time to serve.

How to Cook Venison Tenderloins

While antelope tends to be a little richer in flavor than deer, cooking methods for the two species are essentially identical. If there is a major difference between the two species, it comes from variances in diet. Many antelope live in the wide open expanses of sage brush that span western states, and that flavor remains present in the meat as a result. I shot mine in a wheat field on Crow Nation land, so there鈥檚 really no sage taste that I can detect.

The first step is to season the meat. I like to keep things simple, allowing the flavor of the game to come through. So I stick with a simple rub of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. For the antelope I recently killed, I also added a few sprigs of rosemary.

Unlike domestic livestock, which are fed artificial diets, wild听game animals will have virtually no fat content within muscle groups. So, when I鈥檓 grilling it, I like to first rub olive oil all over the cut along with the seasoning. This seals in moisture, and adds a little fat to the cooking process. Make sure you鈥檙e using actual high-quality olive oil (a New Yorker investigation found ). In my kitchen, I only use Luigi Tega鈥檚 . I鈥檝e visited the Tega family to see their farm and process in Umbria, and because my friend David Dellanave imports the stuff to this country, I know it鈥檚 fresh.

Next, I like to sear the whole tenderloins at the highest heat possible, creating a crusty brown exterior through what’s known as the . I cooked the ones you see here at our family鈥檚 cabin in the Blackfeet Nation (located within Montana) on a windy night, and the best tool available to me was the very basic, nineties-era听gas stove that maybe puts out 10,000 BTU. So, I added a tablespoon or so of that good olive oil (which has a much higher smoke point than the fake stuff) to a cast iron pan, and set it on the hottest burner, turned up to the highest level for a good five minutes before adding the meat. I then seared it each side for about one minute to produce a brown crust all over the exterior of the tenderloins, while leaving the interior completely raw.

Cooking whole muscles like this means that they鈥檒l contract when exposed to heat, and lose some of the tenderness in the process. So, after removing the tenderloins from the heat, I set them on a cutting board, and hid them inside an unpowered microwave for 20 minutes, so they would be safe from my dogs.

You can use that time to prepare veggies. I find the earthy flavor of Japanese sweet potatoes and the bitterness of saut茅ed spinach to go well with most wild game. During that time, I also bring a grill or oven up to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once that rest is completed, and the tenderloins have had time to decompress, I insert a probe thermometer into each, and cook through to 130 degrees internal. Wutsch explains that , or you risk losing the flavor and texture.

Once that鈥檚 done, it鈥檚 time to slice and serve. As with any other cut of meat, slice across the grain to retain the most tender mouthfeel possible. I like to accompany my deer, elk, or antelope with a wild berry compote or jam, if possible sourced from fruit native to the animal鈥檚 ecosystem. The tart sweetness offsets the rich meat, and provides another natural flavor from the place you hunted.

Pair it with a medium-bodied red wine like a Sangiovese, and the fresh tenderloins of an animal you just harvested, butchered, and cooked yourself should be one of the most satisfying things you鈥檝e ever tasted. And as a bonus, you can enjoy your meal with the knowledge that you鈥檝e just contributed to the ongoing success of the population you just harvested an animal from, along with the total health of the ecosystem you hunted it in.

Why Hunt?

No matter where you go on this planet, ecosystems have been vastly and irreparably altered by human activity. Since most of that change has occurred in the span of just a few hundred years, and is a process that鈥檚 accelerating, animal species have not had anything like the time it鈥檇 take to evolve or adapt. To keep animal populations healthy, humans must step in and manage population levels, provide healthy habitats, limit the spread of disease, and ensure the spread of varied genetics.

Combining conservation and preservation, the United States has seen enormous success. Since we鈥檙e talking about deer, in the early 1900s, due to the expansion of cities, industrial agriculture, unregulated hunting (the modern system was implemented a decade later), and similar pressures, nationwide populations of Whitetail had collapsed to . Today that number stands between 25 and 30 million, even as the number of humans in this country has rapidly expanded.

The purpose of hunting is conservation. But it also produces some really good eating. And since deer are so common, and so tasty, they鈥檙e a great place to start when it comes to large game.

The post The Beginner鈥檚 Guide to Dressing, Preparing, and Cooking Venison appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

It鈥檚 the small things that make or break a hunting trip, including the accessories. We tested 106 products, from binoculars to shotgun cases, in a wide variety of conditions, including a torrential rainstorm at a drop-off camp in southeastern Alaska, a sweltering multi-day deer hunt in the Sandhills of Nebraska, and a balmy deep-sea fishing trip in New Zealand.

We tested gear while hunting birds (including both waterfowl and upland hunting), deer, bear, and barbary sheep, in tree stands, on ground blinds, while bow hunting, and pack hunting. These ten products not only withstood the range of weather, but they made our experience hunting deep in the wilderness that much more enjoyable.

Updated for Autumn and Winter 2025: I鈥檝e completely recompiled this list with picks from a new round of testing.

At a Glance

• How to Choose Hunting Accessories
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Benchmade 15505 Meatcrafter 4鈥� Trailing Point Knife

Weight: 2.7 oz

Pros and Cons
鈯� Keeps its edge
鈯� Well balanced
鈯� Compact
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Expensive

Benchmade鈥檚 fixed blade, 听has been a mainstay in my kitchen for years, whether I鈥檓 slicing up prime rib steaks for a dinner party or using it to break down a whole deer in the garage. As much as I love the sharpness and feel of the six-inch trailing point knife, I hesitate to bring it in the field given its size.

Benchmade鈥檚 answer to this problem is the new Meatcrafter four-inch knife, which offers the same performance and similar ergonomics of its flagship meat knife, but in a smaller, more mobile package鈥攑erfect for camp kitchens or the finer tasks of breaking down wild game in the field.

Last spring, I used the Meatcrafter Four-inch to field dress a huge, wild tom turkey. It cut through skin and meat with little resistance and made quick work of separating tough joints and tendons. Thanks to the CPM-154 stainless steel blade, the knife remained sharp throughout the task, while other cheaper knives we tested became dull. I also appreciated the vulcanized EPDM rubber, and thermoplastic composite handle, which felt comfortable in-hand and provided excellent grip even when wet, making it ideal for outdoor use in the rain or snow.

Made for breaking down small game and bigger game birds, this knife would also be ideal for the finer work of caping or field dressing big game. There鈥檚 even enough blade to completely break down smaller cervids, making it a viable quiver-killer hunting knife.

Forloh Method Bino Harness

Weight: 18.4 oz

Pros and Cons
鈯� Low profile
鈯� Reduces shoulder and neck strain
鈯� Waterproof
鈯� Compatible with Forloh鈥檚 backpack system
鈯� Pricey

Colorado deer hunter Nolan Dahlberg used the Method Bino Harness during winter while archery hunting for white-tailed deer and again in spring while turkey hunting in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin. Trekking through the region鈥檚 dense forests and open, rolling fields, the harness was secure, lightweight, and comfortable enough to wear during long hours in the field due to its slim and low-profile design. It distributes weight evenly thanks to a large rear mesh pad, reducing shoulder and neck strain.

Forloh sweat the details on this harness. Dahlberg had quick and easy access to his binoculars thanks to the forward-opening flap, which required only one hand to operate. Dahlberg used the harness through snow and dust, and the waterproof, 210-denier double-sided diamond ripstop nylon exterior provided adequate protection against abrasion on vegetation.

Overall, the Method Bino Harness is suitable for any activity that requires binocular use. It shines during extended hunts over rugged terrain, when comfort and weight are important considerations.

Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 Binoculars 10x42mm

Weight: 25 oz

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great in low-light
鈯� Superior image clarity at distance
鈯� Relatively affordable
鈯� Comfortable in hand
鈯� Included harness is poor quality
鈯� Rear lens cap fits too loosely

The BX-4 Pro Guide Gen 2 Binoculars are a solid choice for hunters looking for quality glass without paying a premium price. Nebraska hunter Kevin Paul used the binoculars for spot-and-stalk deer hunting in the Sandhills of central Nebraska and while sighting in his rifle at the gun range. He found the rubberized exterior comfortable in-hand, and the included form-fit eyecups were a nice addition. The interchangeable winged eyecups helped block out stray light and the low eyecups were comfortable over glasses.

Image quality was clear and provided nice detail at longer distances, thanks to Leupold鈥檚 fully-coated lens system that enables higher light transmission, clarity, and definition. Paul did not notice chromatic aberration (blurry fringes of color that can appear along the edges of an image) at distances of 600 yards, which should cover most hunting scenarios. He also appreciated the locking diopter that prevents accidental bumping and changing of the lens.

Mystery Ranch Metcalf 75 Pack

Weight: 5.3 lbs
Sizing: S-XL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Ultralight
鈯� Durable fabric
鈯� Customizable
鈯� Lack of organizaton

The Metcalf 75 is for backcountry big game hunters looking for a durable, customizable, and lightweight pack. Omaha-based hunter Kevin Paul tested the Metcalf 75 while hunting big game in the dense eastern deciduous forests of eastern Nebraska. Made of 330-denier LP Cordura (polyurethane-coated nylon), the pack still doesn’t show any wear after a season of chasing deer through thick, thorny brush.

The Metcalf is built on Mystery Ranch鈥檚 proprietary Ultra Light MT frame, which minimizes weight while maximizing the pack鈥檚 load-bearing capacity. The minimalist, taller frame allows for more balanced pack-outs thanks to micro-adjustable lifter points. Weighing only 5.3 pounds, the Metcalf is a welterweight in the hunting pack world. Designers eliminated weight by tapering the frame and making the compression straps and compartment lid removable. Paul tested the meat shelf with 30-plus pounds: the extra weight stayed close to his body and did not shift, which prevented imbalance and fatigue. Adjustments were easy to make for the perfect fit at the waist and shoulders, thanks to the easy-to-reach straps. The ladder system at the top of the frame allows users to easily make adjustments based on their height.

External compression straps and side attachment points are highly adjustable, allowing Paul to secure gear outside of the pack exactly where he wanted it, such as a rain jacket, hunter orange vest, and shooting sticks. They also helped compress the bag to eliminate loose fabric when the bag wasn鈥檛 full.

Organization was a point of frustration with only a removable, dual-compartment lid apart from the roll-top-style main compartment. Internal orange loops for hanging extra pouches were able to support three liters of water. However, for the price, Paul wished the 听were included since there aren鈥檛 any compartments inside.

Tactacam Reveal X-Pro Camera

Weight: 0.95 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Reasonably priced
鈯� Durable and weatherproof
鈯� Easy setup and use
鈯� Excellent customer service
鈯� Image capture might not be 100 percent reliable based on one mishap

The Tactacam Reveal X-Pro is a reliable, easy-to-use, and reasonably priced cellular trail camera. Testers set up the Reveal X-Pro in the woods of eastern Nebraska where deer, turkey, and other game animals are abundant. It didn鈥檛 leak or crack through extreme heat, cold, snow, rain, and curious animals, including turkeys and deer, that rubbed up against it. Setup was easy and quick鈥攖ester Jeff Kurrus was able to pull up images on his phone within minutes. (LTE data plans through Verizon or AT&T start at $5 per month.)

Kurrus didn鈥檛 experience any common technical glitches, like poor battery life, corrupted SIM cards, or images not appearing on his phone. At 16 megapixels, the image quality of the Reveal X-Pro is stellar, even in the dark.

Tactacam鈥檚 customer service is also top-notch, quickly resolving a billing question Kurrus had. 鈥淭actacam鈥檚 technicians made me feel that if and when I do have issues, they will always be there to help me solve them,鈥� he said.

Uncharted Supply Co. Triage Kit

Weight: 5.29 oz

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Water-resistant
鈯� Includes all essentials
鈯� Expensive for a triage kit

Uncharted Supply Co.鈥檚 R&D process for this ultralight first aid kit involved interviewing over 100 outdoor experts. The result? An ultralight kit that鈥檚 comprehensive enough to take deep into the wilderness, no matter if you鈥檙e hunting, fishing, or backpacking.

Advertised as 鈥渉alf gear repair, half first aid,鈥� the Uncharted Supply Co. Triage kit consists of matches, bandaids, blister bandages, zip ties, safety pins, Aspirin packs, duct tape, baling wire, an emergency mylar blanket, and a few other essentials. Hunter Charlie Ebbers first took the Triage Kit to a drop-off camp in southeastern Alaska in early November. Rain, sleet, and snow pounded down for seven days, and on day five, two inches of water had seeped into his tent (Ebbers reported that he had to stow a lighter inside his long underwear to keep it dry). Although the rest of his belongings got wet, the Triage Kit鈥檚 contents remained 鈥渂one dry鈥� thanks to its tough, 30-denier nylon exterior.

鈥淭he kit has traveled with me everywhere since I got it. It鈥檚 just about perfect for someone who wants to travel farther while hunting. It鈥檚 the product that I was most enamored by this season,鈥� Ebbers said.

Watershed Wetland Shotgun Case

Weight: 1.5 lbs
Sizing (rolled): 52鈥� height x 14鈥� width (tapers to 4鈥�)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Water-resistant
鈯� Durable construction
鈯� Floats
鈯� Shoulder strap pad slips
鈯� Closure difficult to open

If you鈥檙e expecting inclement weather or traveling near water, the Wetland Shotgun Case is a true dry bag that will keep your shotgun protected. Kevin Paul tested the bag鈥檚 integrity in a bathtub of water for one hour: His shotgun and padded gun case were completely dry when he pulled them out.

The bag is solidly built with clean stitching and reinforcements at high-stress points, which held up after aggressive tugging and pulling during testing. Although the case is more expensive than other cases, its reliability is well worth the cost if you have a high-dollar shotgun and anticipate hunting in soggy areas. Many other waterproof cases are merely water-resistant.

Paul had just a few gripes about this case. He liked the comfort and durability of the shoulder strap; however, the shoulder pad needs better grip, especially when wet. The ZipDry closure can be difficult to pry open after it鈥檚 sealed, which is made worse in freezing temperatures. The polyurethane-coated fabric does make noise when on the move, but it鈥檚 no louder than a backpack or rain jacket.

Wiley X Saber Advanced Sunglasses

Weight:听One size (unisex)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Matte options for hunting
鈯� Smudge- and dirt-resistant

Angie Kokes wore the Saber Advanced Sunglasses while hunting, sightseeing, and deep-sea fishing in New Zealand and Australia. The matte black frames with gray lenses concealed well while she spear hunted for red stag on the North Island of New Zealand. At home, she found the included interchangeable color lenses (gray, clear, and orange) versatile for a variety of uses, whether shooting at the range or working around the ranch.

Kokes was most excited about the scratch-resistant coating on the lenses. She reported having to wipe the lenses less frequently than other sunglasses, even while hunting in dusty environments. The lenses provide 100 percent UVA/UVB protection and distortion-free clarity.

These shades were comfortable, too. The Saber fit her low nose bridge well, allowing airflow that prevented the lenses from fogging up during high-output activity. Dual-injected rubber temples don鈥檛 press into her head, either, and they鈥檙e compatible with an Rx insert.

First Lite Phantom Leafy Suit Top

Weight: 9.1 oz
Sizing: S-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Packable
鈯� Pricey
鈯� Sticky zipper

We tested the Phantom Leafy Suit Top during spring turkey hunting season in eastern Nebraska. According to tester Jeff Kurrus, the 3D camo pattern does a great job of concealing and camouflaging while sitting, and allowed him to disappear into the spring greenery. Plus, the top is lightweight, made of breathable mesh, and fits easily over whatever clothing you鈥檙e wearing thanks to its roomy fit. It kept us cool during long hunts compared to other similar tops.

At only 9.1 ounces, it鈥檚 packable for a variety of hunts鈥攐utside of turkey season, the suit could be useful to duck hunters or big game archery hunters who need to sneak in close.

How to Choose Hunting Accessories

Hunting gear is an investment. If you鈥檙e a beginner looking to get into the sport, don鈥檛 rush out and buy the most expensive and technical gear possible. While top-of-the-line hunting gear certainly helps with comfort, it won鈥檛 make game animals appear nor improve your shooting.

Big-box stores such as Cabela鈥檚 and Bass Pro Shops generally offer decent mid-tier products. In some parts of the country, even Walmart carries cheap hunting gear that will get the job done, albiet with less comfort and durability than more expensive options. Once you鈥檙e invested in the sport, that鈥檚 when it鈥檚 time to look at the top-tier products that will last a long time and ultimately save you money.

If you鈥檙e already a backpacker or hiker, you can wear the clothing you already own鈥攍ightweight and moisture-wicking are features that are also desirable in hunting. Choose pieces in muted, natural colors, or black when hunting in a ground blind, as it will help you blend in with the dark interior. Unless you鈥檙e hunting in open country and doing a lot of spotting and stalking, expensive camouflage is not required鈥攕taying comfortable and warm is more important.

For guided hunts, reach out to your guide with any questions about layering and insulation. For example, what you might wear for a drop hunt in Alaska will be drastically different than hunting deer in a tree blind in the Midwest. Also, areas that see drastic changes in temperature and precipitation from early to late season will require you to pay close attention to the forecast when choosing what to bring and wear.

Lastly, don鈥檛 forget to check state regulations for hunter orange requirements, a safety precaution that makes you more visible to other hunters. Although it鈥檚 not required in every state, wearing hunter orange is strongly recommended. Learn more at .

How We Test

• Number of testers: 9
• Number of products tested: 106
• Number of miles/vertical feet: 630 miles

Nine testers put over 100 pieces of gear through a hunting season of extreme variability: from warm early-season hunts in the Midwest to the extreme limits of winter in the Alaskan wilderness, from the North Island of New Zealand to the Colorado backcountry. Testers encountered soggy conditions, temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and even desert conditions in New Mexico.

Our youngest tester was 12 years old, with the oldest in their late 40s. The majority are lifelong hunters, with a couple who found it in early adulthood. Most of our testers would consider themselves 鈥済eneralists,鈥� pursuing big, upland, waterfowl, and small game based on opportunity.

Meet Our Testers

Nolan Dahlberg runs Dahlberg Digital out of Colorado, where he hunts grouse, elk and mule deer. He spends a considerable amount of time each year hunting white-tailed deer on his family farm in Richland County, Wisconsin.

Charlie Ebbers lives and hunts in the Copper River Basin of Alaska. He’s a generalist and was charged by three grizzlies in 2022. He has more than 20 years of hunting experience.

Angie Kokes shot her first shotgun at 3 years old and grew up hunting with her dad to pursue upland birds in Nebraska. After teaching herself how to rifle and archery hunt for deer, Kokes learned how to spear hunt. She also has hunted big game with her spear in Africa and New Zealand.

Jeff Kurrus is an outdoor writer and photographer in Nebraska with more than 40 years of hunting and fishing experience. He spends more than 150 days a year hunting and fishing in a wide range of conditions.

Eli Kurrus is a 12-year-old hunter and angler in Nebraska. He spent more than 100 days in the field with his dad last season, from the beginning of the hunting season in August to the hottest days of July fishing for largemouth bass.

Kevin Paul is an industrial service electrician in Nebraska who spends most of his free time hiking, hunting or pursuing some form of shooting sports. Kevin is a generalist, self-taught hunter who has a soft spot for upland birds and small game.

Jennifer Pudenz is the founder of 国产吃瓜黑料ss, the only women鈥檚 hunting and fishing magazine in the U.S. She grew up hunting and fishing in Iowa and is continuing that passion in Minnesota, where she currently resides.

David Nguyen is a California active law enforcement officer with 15 years of experience. He is a certified firearms instructor with the FBI, California Peace Officer Standards and Training, and Sig Sauer Academy in the pistol, pistol red dot sight, concealed carry pistol, patrol rifle and less lethal munitions.

Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley grew up camping and backpacking in California. She began hunting in her early 20s and currently resides in Nebraska as an outdoor writer, photographer and wild game cook.

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Born and raised in North Texas, Jesse Griffiths loves being outdoors. Whether it鈥檚 fishing or hunting, most of Griffiths鈥� activities are food-motivated. He opened his Austin restaurant, , in 2006 to define the regional cuisine of central Texas with local ingredients. He cares deeply about his ingredients鈥� sources and their practices. In addition to his restaurant, Griffiths is a father, outdoor educator, and occasional hunting guide. He also authored the James Beard Award鈥搘inning听The Hog Book听and upcoming听The Turkey Book. With all of these pursuits, Griffiths鈥� greatest challenge is finding the time to adventure鈥攁nd fill up his own freezer. Read all that Griffiths has gained from a life of adventure, plus more on the new Tacoma and everything you need to get ready for adventure.

The 听delivers trail-dominating power, legendary capability and captivating style. Time to make all your off-roading dreams come true.

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