Meet Redmond Hunt videographer Skylyn Christensen! Sky is an avid hunter, incredible outdoor videographer, and co-founder of Elusive Outdoors and RidgeBelt hunting belts. In this blog, Sky gives his favorite brands for hunting clothes and gear to help beginners and pros get the goods you need without buyer’s regret.
I filmed my first mule deer hunt in high school with a buddy, a cell phone, and a cheap camcorder. I did it as a sort of digital diary so my future kids could see the awesome stuff dad did before his knees went bad.
That’s when I first found a niche for filming, but my love of the outdoors didn’t begin or end there. My hunting passion has deep roots—and hopefully a long future. My dad introduced me to the outdoors before I could walk, and I became a dead aim with a Daisy Red Ryder soon after.
During my teens my big brother took my hunting education in hand. Lance was serious—dead serious—about hunting. His tough-love teaching meant a knock on the head every time I snapped a twig under my boot, but he passed along his hunting secrets and took my skills to the next level.
I eventually learned how to meld in and move through the woods without alerting deer by either sound or scent. And I got a better video camera. I also learned there’s a difference between hunting and hunting smart. It’s an art, really, and that includes using the right gear.
Experience has taught me what gear works and what doesn’t. Eastern and western hunters are different animals, and the hunting clothes and gear they need is also very different. Here are some go-to brands I use to gear up for successful hunts in both regions.
Head to any fashion rack and you’ll find camo is the new black. It’s everywhere. But despite fads, a hunter doesn’t really need camouflage to hunt. A savvy hunter can head into the woods in their b-day suit and still bag a nice buck. Camo is, however, helpful. It breaks up your outline, helps you blend in, and—let’s admit it—looks super sweet.
So how do you choose camouflage that looks great and works for you? Remember four things:
If camo is optional, a solid pair of hunting boots is not. Ever hiked miles over rocky terrain or slogged through wet, knee-high grass in a lousy pair of shoes? It sucks. You get blisters. And you wish you’d sprung for better footwear.
A quality pair of boots, particularly for western hunters traversing mountainous territory, is the hunter's most important item of clothing. Consider these three things before you purchase boots:
Having the right optics—whether that’s binoculars, a spotting scope and tripod, or rangefinder—can make the difference in harvesting a deer or not. There’s been a few times I’ve forgotten my optics at home. (Head-slap moment.) I spent the entire trip unable to see any farther than what my naked eyes could detect, and that doesn’t work well in vast terrain.
So you’ve gotta have your glass—whatever is most important for your style of hunting. Three important things to look for when choosing it are quality, price, and the right magnification specs for your needs.
Let’s say you just spent a mint on a pair of binos and need a case to protect your glass. A harness is awesome, especially for western hunters. It keeps your binoculars safe, strapped securely to your chest, and provides quick access. Many harnesses also have handy side pockets for rangefinders or other devices.
A good hunting pack is one thing I recommend dropping some money into. If you’re a western hunter, a frame backpack is a must to carry gear and, potentially, animal quarters. If you’re hunting from a tree stand, a daypack to hold food, water, and equipment is also necessary.
Here’s what to look for in both types of packs:
Figuring out what hunting gear you need is critical—but it’s not just about buying the best of everything. What will work best for the location you’re headed and what you want to accomplish on your hunt? Figuring that out is way more important than the brand you use. Bottom line? Pick the gear that works best for you. See you on the trail!
Looking for good gear and accessories for the female hunter in your life? Click below to get Andrea from Huntress View's top picks for women!
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