Gear Roundup from the 2021 Big Game Issue
Henry Big Boy All-Weather Side Gate Rifle – $1,141 (henryusa.com)
The theme of this year’s Big Game Gear Guide is versatility, and this rifle from classic American firearms manufacturer Henry certainly fits the bill. We tested it in .44 Mag and found it useful in a wide variety of situations. The all-weather version (chrome plated steel and industrial-grade coated hardwood stock) means you don’t have to baby it in the rain or snow. It sports a 10+1 tube magazine capacity and shorter lever throws thanks to the shorter cases of “revolver” calibers. For longer range shooting, it’s drilled and tapped for mounting optics. The Big Boy is a tough rifle that is at home in the deer woods, riding along as a truck gun, or slung across your back in bear country. The Big Boy adds to Henry’s reputation for American-made quality.
Benchmade 15500 Meatcrafter – $160 (benchmade.com)
Strung’s Editor-in-Chief, Ryan Sparks, worked as a butcher when he was younger. He wishes he had this knife back then. We won’t go into the science behind it, but the SelectEdge technology Benchmade brought to the Meatcrafter results in a perfect edge from the factory. Being in such excellent condition out of the box means minimal and simple maintenance down the road. With a trailing point and semi-flexing blade, this is truly a field-to-table knife. If we could only have one knife for everything we do—from skinning, field dressing, and deboning big game animals to filleting bluegills—this would be it.
Danner Recurve Moc Toe Boots – $200 (danner.com)
Danner calls their new Recurve Moc Toe a “performance heritage boot,” which is to say they took a classic hunting boot design and infused it with modern technology. A waterproof upper keeps your feet dry while the breathable mesh lining prevents sweating, giving you versatile boots that you can wear from August antelope through rifle elk. The 7-inch ankle height provides plenty of support without becoming heavy, and a nylon shank takes the place of traditional steel, further cutting down on weight. Outside of their functionality, we also like their classic look.
MEAT! Processing Equipment – Prices Vary (meatyourmaker.com)
MEAT! makes commercial-grade meat-processing equipment like grinders, sausage stuffers, meat slicers, and vacuum sealers designed to exceed expectations. Even better, their direct-to-consumer approach means they can offer products of the highest quality without an added retail markup. We used a variety of their meat-processing equipment, from their 10-tray dehydrator to their vertical sausage stuffer to their 440-pound digital meat scale, and were impressed by the quality and thoughtfulness of design.
Stone Glacier Sky 5900 – $659 (stoneglacier.com)
Stone Glacier is a Montana-based company that builds American-made packs for everything from day hunts to multi-week expeditions. We used their Sky 5900 for an 8-day elk hunt and can say that it is hands-down the best pack we’ve ever used. The pack’s construction, including the Xcurve frame that contours to the shape of the back, allows for infinite adjustability. After a few minutes of fine tuning, it fit like it was tailor-made. An integrated load-shelf lets the bag pull away from the frame, creating a platform where you can lash meat between the frame and the pack. This prevents blood from seeping into your pack and keeps the heaviest weight near your back during a pack-out. Expanding the load-shelf ups the Sky 5900’s carrying capacity from 5,900 cubic inches to 8,000—perfect for hauling elk quarters or an entire boned-out deer, pronghorn, or sheep. The frame is compatible with all of Stone Glacier’s bags, so you can swap out bags depending on the nature of your hunt.
Leupold Pro Guide Tripod Kit – $599 (leupold.com)
With their new Pro Guide Carbon Fiber Tripod, Leupold has a tripod worthy of its optics. Weighing just under 4 pounds, the tripod extends to nearly 5½ feet with the addition of a removable center post, and has the strength and rigidity to handle full-size spotting scopes and large cameras. Four-section legs nest to make a pack size of about 22 inches, and the unit ships with a ball head and Arca-Swiss mounting hardware to handle most optics bases. The stout legs deploy with precision and ease and lock in place with quarter-turn twist controls that have oversized rubber grips that make operation a cinch, even with gloves. The Pro Guide is the “just right” middle of a trio of new carbon tripods from Leupold; the 2-pound Alpine model ($399) is suited for backcountry hunts, and the 5.3-pound Mark V ($999) is a beast that will stabilize even massive optics in heavy wind.
Buffalo Wool Co. Socks – $34–$54 (thebuffalowoolco.com)
When it comes to foot care, hunters far too often focus on boots and overlook their socks. Buffalo Wool Co. makes bison-fiber socks in a variety of weights so your feet will stay comfortable no matter the conditions. What makes them so great is the inherent qualities of bison down. Bison wool is warmer than sheep wool and as soft as cashmere. Short and crimpy fibers create small air pockets that insulate by trapping air while simultaneously wicking moisture away from the skin. Bison down is also naturally soft, comfortable, and antimicrobial (think scent control), and doesn’t lose its loft after a day of hiking. We tested their Trekker Boot Socks as well as their Pro-Gear Boot Socks, and we wouldn’t think of hunting in any other socks from now on.
onX Hunt App – $14.99–$99.99 (onxmaps.com)
Over the last several years the onX Hunt app has become so integral to our hunting that we can’t imagine hunting without it. Covering over 985 million acres of public land and more than 121 million private properties in all 50 states, OnX Hunt gives you access to land ownership data, GPS tracking, topographic maps, and more. Using the onX Hunt app allows you to scout terrain before upcoming hunts, find lesser-known access points, share hunting locations with friends and family, measure distances, and find your way home if you get turned around. You can purchase maps for a single state or get the Elite 50-State Membership. Both last a year and are worth every penny.
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