Black Bears are widely distributed throughout New Brunswick however there are some relatively “untapped” regions where the population is higher, this is where Black Bear Lodge hunts, for both spring and fall seasons. They have eleven hunting sectors 10 to 30 miles apart. Each sector has 3 to 5 bait sites with a distance 2 to 3 miles apart as the crow flies. Their baits are hunted using metal 300 lb. ladder stands with a 500 lb. 2 person capacity. Hunters may bring their own climber and they will have a tree ready for climbing at the bait site. Hunters are transported to their stand and picked up by their guide with his vehicle within a short walking distance. Your Guide will remain in the area at rifle shot hearing distance or FRS radio range for rifle or Bow hunters during the hunt. Check out their site for more details.

June 1st of this year I had the opportunity to go hunt Bear with Black Bear lodge. I have long wanted to hunt bear but have always been hesitant because of not knowing what I’m getting myself into, no good references, etc, etc. I took a chance with Gil at Black Bear Lodge. Gil seem to know what he was talking about in regards to bear. He didn’t sugar coat anything and he didn’t promise anything he couldn’t deliver. He spoke highly of his operation and I took a chance.

I wasn’t going alone to New Brunswick. I was heading up there with a couple other guys to film one of our TV shows for Own the Zone TV. From start to finish it was an awesome experience. Gil, the owner knows his stuff. He made sure we were full at breakfast, supper, and dinner. All our bait sites were active and the laughs carried on from the time we met till the time we got drop off back at the airport. I would like to tell you how many bears went down, why one guy was keeping a little stuffed bear in his Hunter Safety System pocket, but I can’t. Tune in each week on Own the Zone TV to find out what really went down in New Brunswick at Black Bear Lodge. And in the meantime if you’re looking to book a bear hunt for 2009 give Gil a call and tell him Paul from Own the Zone TV sent ya.

www.bearlodge.net

Waterproof Nubuck leather and tough Cordura® nylon upper. Breathable GORE-TEX® waterproof membrane lining. 600-gram Thinsulate™ Ultra Insulation adds warmth. Removable full-cushion insole. Compression molded EVA foam midsole with fabric wrap. Wolverine® Rubber Lug outsole. Cement construction. Lightweight nylon shank fights fatigue.

On Target - First off it’s a women’s boot and no I’m not wearing them. I have been hearing a lot in the outdoor industry about women not getting any love. There are a few new companies out there starting to develop womens hunting apparel and I thought I should have my wife test out a pair of womens hunting boots. We began looking for a good hunting boot that kept her feet dry and comfortable. We came across the Women’s Ridge-line High from Wolverine. This turkey season my wife has gotten to put them to the test. I drug her everywhere and made her walk places she wouldn’t of normally. Guys, not one gripe. She didn’t complain a bit. Now, I don’t know if it solely was the boots or just my country charm but I’ll definitely make sure she’s wearing her Wolverine boots next time we head to the woods.

While we hunted this season I asked her to evaluate the boots. I would ask her for her thoughts once turkey season was over. Here is what i got and I quote; “They’re a lot better than the big kid boots you had me in last year. Finally, I move up the list enough to get a nice pair of hunting boots. They’re comfortable, my feet stayed dry, and they fit right.”

Off Target- I asked her what she didn’t like about the boot and here’s what i got and I quote; They’re a little pricey but in the end I think they’re worth it. The high back part of the boot was really hard and rubbed the back of my leg at first but once the boot got worn in they felt great.”

There you have it. A review for the women. Hope it helps some of you women out that are serious about hunting. Check out the complete womens line of hunting boots at www.wolverine.com

The Phantom Pro-Series Wireless Calling System offers many fine features to help all your calling needs. The Phantom Pro-Series Wireless System operates on 4 AA batteries in the remote receiver and 4 AA in the transmitter allowing for longer battery life up to 16 hours at maximum volume. This model has an on/off button with a light on/off indicator, low battery light, mute button and a volume control. An ABS all weather 15 watt speaker is plugged into the top and clipped on the back of the receiver unit, making this a compact system with the capability to place the sound away from you up to 200 yards, depending on the terrain, distancing yourself from the center of sound to ensure you remain safely undetected from your ground blind or tree stand, therefore enhancing your calling success.

There are 7 different sound modules available, Whitetail, Predator, Gobbler, Moose, Elk, Bear, Honker with future plans for more modules to be available. With each sound module you purchase there is a faceplate for that particular sound module. No guesswork to what sounds you’ll be making. Our unique feature is to double the same sound or combine 2 different sounds at the same time, this can give your calling environment a more life like setting. It is recommended that you check with your local DNR for legal use of electronic wildlife calls.

On Target- First off let me say that my first field test with this unit was a success. I lured in 3 coyotes to within 50 yards of my blind, one taking a snow nap. This is my first experience with electronic calls and l have to also say that I really think there a must for coyote hunting. It sure give the lips a break. Not having to deal with long wires was nice and the ability to make numerous distress sounds at one time really makes your calling sequence sound realistic. I think if your a big predator hunter I would sure have one of these in my pack.

Off Target- I think the 200 yards is stretching it. I had it setting in the middle of a frozen lake with no terrain changes at 70 yards and I had problems with it turning on and off. Not to say it doesn’t work at 200 yards but from my experience it seemed to have difficulties working at long distances.

Calling all predator hunters! Check out the great Electronic calling line-up at: www.phantomcalls.com

The BackPack Blind was designed for maximum concealment. Hunters no longer have to carry in a separate blind. The Blind is incorporated on the BackPack and NOT in the BackPack, so it does not take away any space from the backpack. Once attached to the shooting rail, it’s very user friendly. “Less than 2 minutes to set up and 2 minutes to take down”.

• Light weight and quiet.
• 2200 cubic inches of capacity with the blind folded and put away.
• Durable construction, waterproof shell and blind.
• Mesh Pockets that store your gear are at arms length, once the blind is fully opened. H2O Compatible.
• Strategically placed zipper atop the backpack gives you access to the main compartment without having to reach over the shooting rail.
• Fits all fixed, climbers, ladder stands and tri-pod stands (With Shooting Rail)

On Target - First off let me just say thank you to the guys behind this great product. You are true innovators and outdoorsmen. I do a lot of hunting and I seem to always have my pack with me. I don’t always carry a pop-up blind or take the time to cut branches and build a man made blind. With this product I have the best of both worlds. The blind is always with me whether I need it or not. It’s no extra weight, I still have all the room in my pack as I did before, and it’s a dependable, durable pack. I would recommend this pack to anyone. Great Pack guys!

Off Target - There weren’t any real problems with the pack. I did notice some improvements I would recommend though. 1. Add some sort of comfortable strap that snaps around the waist area for long hikes. 2. I would add more durable waterproof zippers all around.

Check them out when you get a chance: www.beyondbackpacks.com

LAS VEGAS — SHOT Show, the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry’s largest trade show was held Feb. 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year was a banner year for the show, smashing records in its 30th year, posting new highs in attendance, exhibition space, exhibiting companies and media turnout. Anybody who had any type of relationship with hunting, shooting, outdoors, and tactical equipment was probably there.

The show comprised 715,000 square feet of exhibit space, a gain of nearly 60,000 over last year, with 1,950 exhibiting companies, up from last year’s 1,870.

With a total registered attendance of 58,769, the show eclipsed last year’s attendance record of 42,216. The show attracted 30,686 buyers, 1,725 members of the press, 25,854 exhibiting personnel and 504 guests.

For some of you who didn’t attend here are a couple photos:

Before the closing bell had rung, exhibitors had already booked 700,000 square feet of exhibit space for next year’s show in Orlando , Fla.

The archery industry starts off the new year in Indianapolis, IN. Jan. 10-12 nearly 7,000 buyers, distributors, exhibitors, and media attended the 2008 ATA trade show to take advantage of new programs and unprecedented deals. With the endless amount of new products and equipment to see, touch, and evaluate I knew that this was going to be an interesting couple of days for the critic. As I entered the Convention Center I began to wonder where I was going to start. Do I breeze through once and then go from there? Do I start at one end and work toward the other? With so many new products, how do I even begin to find the ones that stand out?

I decided to press through the booths, checking out every new product I could lay my eyes on. While making the rounds I got to shake hands with TV personalities such as Michael Waddell, the beautiful Tiffany Lakosky, and long time buddy Jimmy Houston. I even thought about double legging former UFC heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia but he had a Bowtech bow in his hand and I didn’t want to accidentally hurt the bow.

After picking up a number of 2008 products I tried to narrow it down to five that really struck my attention. Don’t get me wrong there were tons of new products being showcased that were worthy of recognition but these five I am definitely looking forward to testing out this year.

The General is engineered to distribute limb pressure evenly, providing maximum performance with perfect balance. Add to that our proprietary CenterTrac Binary Cam for a draw that’s more forgiving than your pastor’s grandmother. Finally, throw in a combination Roller Guard/ShortStop string suppressor, and you have a bow that leads the way in silence and shootability.

All that attended the ATA show were able to pick up about any new bow and take it for a couple test shots. I was very impressed with the way this bow preformed. If you get a chance go test shoot the General at your local Archery Shop. You can also check it out at www.bowtecharchery.com

The Hooyman Extendible Saw… the first truly compact extendible folding saw. Each section of the telescopic extension arm locks down individually, creating an incredibly sturdy say that can extend up to 5 feet.

There seems to always be that limb that’s just out of reach. With the new extendible saw that’s made to fit in my pack, I know I’ll be a tad more confident when going into a new set-up. Make sure you look for the new Hooyman Saw in stores this summer.

Rocky’s new Scent IQ Atomic and Prohunter Synergy apparel are created for maximum stealth while stalking or sitting a stand. Garments are constructed of Silent Hunter Microfleece to reduce rustles and sound when moving. The jackets feature windproof lining, yet remain highly breathable and quiet.

Rocky’s new line hung from hangers in their booth. Aside of myself many other interested eyes felt and tried on the well designed hunting gear. Check out their full line at www.rockyboots.com

The X-treme FC fall away rest from Trophy Taker is the ultimate in accuracy, silence and secruity. We combined the response and accuracy of our legendary fall away rests with full containment secruity. We then dampened any potential noise by coating the X-treme FC with a specially developed rubberized polymer.

There are tons of arguments between rests. It’s hard to find one that’s perfect in every catagory. I am looking forward to doing a full review on this rest. Take a look for yourself at www.tropytaker.com

Smoke Broadhead has launched it’s signature broadhead, “Smoke”. A broadhead that flies like a field point with nothing protruding outside the diameter to cause windplaning. The Smoke opens in .050 of one inch on impact, thus creating a devastating entry wound. No passthrough…No problem! Blades are sharpened on front and rear to cut as the arrow exits target, creating a backcut.

Interesting concept and definitely worth looking into. Make sure you check out the Smoke Broadheads at www.smokebroadheads.com

HONORABLE MENTION!
Send a shock wave through the paintball course with the Airow Gun from Bowtech. You got to check this out to believe it. I spent a lot of time in the Airow Gun booth testing them out. Awesome! I will definitely be getting me one of these. Take a closer look at www.airowgun.com

Scent Stalker© is a patented all inclusive scent system that allows you, the hunter, to dispense, collect and store your favorite liquid scents and attractants.

On Target- Scent Stalker has taken the use of scents to a new level. With the new innovative system I’m able to snap on the thermal leg pouch, adjust the amount of scent I want laid down and walk to my stand with ease. No more pulling a drag line out of a zip lock bag and reapplying scent to it every 50 yards as I walk to my stand.

And that’s not all I get with the Scent Stalker system. It acts as a scent bomb once I get to the stand and it comes with the tools needed to extract my own scent from a hot doe I’ve taken.

Off Target-  When opening my Scent Stalker System I thought to myself “You’ve got to be kidding me”. I’m pretty good about pulling a new surround sound system from a box and setting it up with no instructions but this was going to need a couple forum posts, watching the instructional DVD, and a little trial and error. At first it seems tough but it’s really not. I suggest watching the instructional DVD first. It would be nice to have some written instructions for us hunters who don’t carry a DVD player along on some of our hunts.

I think it’s a great system and with the new additions and adjustments 2008 should be a great year for Scent Stalker. Read more about the Scent Stalker System at www.scentstalker.com

Each strip is engineered for optimal performance in every condition. Individual holes within every strip make sure they’ll stay put when you stick them on twigs or small branches. Along with the unbeatable portability and scent quality, they’re made with environmentally friendly material so you don’t have to go and bring them in like traditional scented wicks.

On Target- Many questions come up when talking about scents and scent dispensers. Do they work; are they easy to use; do they leave a stinky mess all over your hands; and I’m sure there’s a couple more I’m leaving out. There are a lot of brands out on the market and from my experiences they’re not all the same. Some work great, some do nothing, and some tend to scare deer away.

This fall I was able to try out a couple different brands and the EZ Scent Strip was one that past the test. First off, I used the fresh earth cover scent strips along with the Hot doe strips. The hot doe strips proved to be worthy when I had a young buck appear to be wiping his face with the strip. After rubbing his nose in the strip which was hanging on a branch he then paced from right to left several times winding the scent and wondering where his true love had gone. Knowing that the product doesn’t scare deer and that it is doing its job along with being easy to tote around and quick an easy to put out is a huge plus in the deer attractant category for me.

Off Target- What problems can I come up with when a product does its job. Well, let me start by saying your going to get the scent on your hands or gloves if your wearing them. You basically tear the package open and pull out the paper strip. From there you place it on a branch or on your hunting blind. The paper is saturated with the scent of your choice and in my case was the Hot doe fragrance which I could smell when wiping my runny nose. Other than that, the product is simple and not to overly priced.

Do your own review, check out the EZ Scent Strips from Madky. www.madky.com

Ladder stands, although sturdy and easily positioned at most any location, are not only bulky and heavy, but more importantly often recognized and avoided by mature bucks. Climbing stands eliminate this recognition hurdle, but these heavy, awkward and noisy stands force hunters to set up on perfectly smooth trees, which may or may not be in prime locations. To truly capture trophy bucks, today’s hunters need a stand which offers the benefits of both without the downfalls of either. It’s time for a change… It’s time for The New Millennium.

On Target- I’m sure you’ve come across a product or feature on a product and thought to yourself, “Why didn’t I think of that.” Well, the Millennium M-100 treestand comes with a lot of those features. I recently got to try out a Millennium stand and although not the cheapest on the market their definitely worth every penny. Their patented Cam-Lock Receiver makes hanging a breeze, the sling seat is one of the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in, and the coolest thing is the bungee straps that keep the stand folded securely while transporting and hanging. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

I am not bias on any products I critique. I treat them all the same. But, I do sometimes come across a product that stands out. This stand is one of those products that stand out. It’s all you want in a stand: Quite, easy, lightweight, and comfortable.

Off Target- OK, what I don’t get is this, You put tons of great innovative work in the stand and forgot about the most important part, the chain. I mean this is what keeps my stand from falling as well as the ugly guy sitting in it. First looking at the chain I see it being short. I’m not going to get this stand in any really big trees. Second, I would of like to see it have a rubber coating to somewhat dampen the clanging chain noise, and third is the small snap hook. Now, I’m not a big man but I still would like to see a more manly snap hook securing me to the tree. Other than that the stand is rock solid and will make many trips with me. I do recommend throwing a ratchet strap around the gig just for reinforcement.

If comfortable is a major concern of yours than I suggest you pack a Millennium on your back. Check them out at: www.huntingsolutionsusa.com

The Gunslinger Corral is simply the safest and most effective way to carry your rifle and shotgun. Constructed out of mild 14 gauge rubber coated steel and ballistic nylon, the Gunslinger is fully adjustable to fit most rifles and shotguns. By redistributing the rifle weight to your hips, the Gunslinger eliminates stress on your shoulder, frees up your hands and allows total mobility. Gunslinger is compact and lightweight. Gunslinger versatility allows rear, side, and front carry.

On target- Ultimate Comfort and stability in any condition, that pretty much sums up the Gunslinger Corral holster. I’ve often had problems with my sling sliding off my shoulder and having to rotate shoulders when using slings of the past. Recently, I just returned from a rifle hunt in Texas and I put the Gunslinger to the test. “Where have you been all my life?” I’m not a big rifle hunter but I can tell you this; Anytime you see me carrying a rifle, I guarantee you I’ll be using a Gunslinger Corral holster.

Off target- Getting used to the system is probably the one thing that has been an issue. After carrying a normal sling for 20 years and then switching to this has been a change. Overall, its a good change and I think you’ll agree. It’s hard to find problems in something that is safer, easier to use, and more comfortable than the old style gun slings.

If your a big rifle hunter and need a more reliable sling check out www.gunslingercorral.com