September 08, 2023
By Jace Bauserman
Some early whitetail seasons have opened, and some of you have another month until your state kicks off its archery hunts. Regardless, now is the time to make sure you complete any and all final preparations before deer season begins. Whether you’re looking for a new blind or stand to hunt from, a new garment to keep you warm or anything to help finish your fall plots, we’ve got you covered.
CLOTHING BROWNING Having a top-tier puffy jacket in your whitetail pack from October through the end of the season is a great idea. Browning’s Packable Puffer is a great go-to, and its lightweight build means it takes up little room in the pack. The jacket sports polyester micro-ripstop fabric and PrimaLoft Silver blended down insulation promises warmth and odor reduction. Multiple sizes are available, and the jacket is offered in a pair of solids and Browning’s Ovix pattern. (browning.com )
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Vests are great for layering, and a quality vest means increased movement. New from KUIU is the 18-ounce Proximity Insulated Vest. This 100 percent polyester knit brushed vest showcases 3DeFX+ Insulation and is engineered to be an ultra-quiet piece of cold-weather hunting apparel. The vest has Silvadur Anti-Odor Technology and is wind and water-resistant. (kuiu.com )
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NOMAD Nomad makes excellent gear, and when sit-and-wait hunting for Mr. Big, keeping your head and hands warm is critical. Enter the Harvester Beanie & NXT Glove. The beanie is ultra-comfy and has a 3-layer laminated shell to deflect the wind and resist moisture. The sherpa fleece interior keeps the ears and head warm, so you can stay on the stand for extended periods. The glove is a mid-season wind/water resistant design that provides warmth, dexterity and lasting durability. You’ll appreciate the touch fingers and elasticized wrist. (nomadoutdoor.com )
MOSSY OAK You can’t beat a good 1/4 zip that you can wear as a mid- or outer layer. Mossy Oak’s Performance Fleece 1/4 zip is a solid cover-the-top-half garment. It’s lightweight for all-season use and made from 88 percent polyester and 12 percent spandex stretch material. No cotton! The soft stand-up collar with zipper guard is a nice feature, and you’ll love the quiet nature of the smooth polyester outer surface. (store.mossyoak.com )
REALTREE Don’t overlook the importance of a hoodie during the early season, and cloaked in Realtree’s Edge pattern, the Bow String Sherpa hoodie is a super soft and lightweight build. The fabric is moisture-wicking and breathable, and the left chest has a zippered pocket for storing small items. The wrist cuffs on the long sleeve are fitted with thumb holes, and the flex fabric boosts maneuverability. (realtree.com )
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SITKA The Equinox line from Sitka is the perfect all-around whitetail system. With their Guard Hoody, it's perfect for the early season helping to reduce bites from bugs and insects, while still being moisture-wicking—especially in hot, humid conditions. To complete the system, checkout the newly redesigned high-performance Equinox Pant. With the stretch-woven material you'll have the freedom when climbing sticks when getting in and out of your treestand. (sitkagear.com )
HUNT MONKEY Hunt Monkey knows gloves, and its 220-gram Polar Fleece with wind-resistance Chilly Willie gloves should raise your eyebrows. The flip-top mitten means right-now access to bare fingers, and the magnet stays to ensure silent operation. The fixed thumb ensures equipment control, and the synthetic leather palm boosts grip and overall glove longevity. (huntmonkeygloves.com )
BLINDS REDNECK Big enough to fit four adult hunters, the Game Changer is an excellent solution for hunters who like to take to the woods together and for those who regularly take kids. Ten windows ensure maximum visibility and are constructed in a way that allows for spot-on shooting, whether using a vertical bow, crossbow or firearm. The blind is even spacious enough to fit a small cot or air mattress for overnight forays or mid-afternoon naps when the movement is slow. (redneckblinds.com )
PRIMOS Primos’ legendary Double Bull line is well-established in deer lore. Dubbed the Roughneck, this pack-and-go ground blind system promises uber-easy transport, and the blind features Double Bull’s tried-and-true hub system, which adds support, boosts longevity and ensures easy setup and breakdown. This tremendous run-and-gun deer system will also work well for springtime turkey missions. (primos.com )
BROWNING Boasting a 360-degree viewing area, the Eclipse provides unlimited viewing and door placement options to ensure visibility and entry/exit are never restricted. Another innovative feature of this ground blind is the QUICKCONNECT magnetic door system. Stealth is essential when hunting North America’s most popular game animal, and this blind specializes in stealth. Magnets sewn into the door seam allow the hunter to open and close the blind when entering and exiting silently. The 600D polyester fabric and robust build mean season after season of no-fail use. The blind also tips the scale at 19 pounds and has a shooting width of 72 inches. (browning camping .com)
RHINO An excellent ground blind capable of fitting two or three hunters comfortably, Rhino’s 600 Mossy Oak Break Up Country hub-style blind ranks high on the need-to-get list. The construction is 600 denier polyester thread in horizontal and vertical weaves, and the blind can handle inclement weather. The window system is a large front panel on two panels of the blind with a trio of smaller windows on the backside. Each window is fitted with shoot-through mesh, and a silent hook-and-loop attachment promises total stealth. The 270-degree window system has silent-slide track windows, and the oversized, zipperless door means accessible entrance and exit. (feradyne.com )
RIG ‘EM RIGHT The Hydeout from Rig ‘Em Right is a pop-up blind that is designed for ultimate concealment. Coming in different camo options, you can select the Hydeout that fits your situation best. Also, since the Hydeout has both a camo interior and exterior, Rig ‘Em Right has eliminated the “black hole effect.” With 360-degree views, a silent entry and exit system and one-way mesh windows, the Hydeout is perfect for whitetail hunting. (rigemright.com )
TREE STANDS NOVIX Everything you need and nothing you don’t, Novix’s Echo Hunt Ready System gives you everything to get up a tree and start hunting. A lightweight, ultra-mobile system, the stand weighs 11.5 pounds, and the four-pack of Single-Step Climbing Sticks weighs 8.8 pounds. The stand and sticks are rated for 300 pounds, and the stand’s Frost Coating eliminates shine from the raw aluminum for better in-the-tree blending. The pivoting V-Bracket grips on the steps rotate for ultra-easy hanging, and they stay level even on the most crooked trees in the woods. An integrated leveling feature on the platform means you can hunt comfortably in even the most gnarled, nasty tree you can find. The system comes with a Climbing Stick Quiver for easy, stick-to-stand attachment when in transport. (novixoutdoors.com )
ELEVATE Weighing only 6.2 pounds, Elevate’s Ultra redefines lightweight tree stand hunting. Ideal for the hang-and-hunt, run-and-gun bowhunter who loves slipping in close on fresh buck sign, this stand utilizes either ratchet or cam buckle installation, and the base and seat stay flat so you can slip into almost any tree in the woods. Attach Elevate’s Ascent Climbing Sticks to the stand, and you’re ready to dominate a big brute’s domain. (elevatestand.co )
MILLENNIUM The all-new L116 Bowlite Single Ladder tree stand from Millennium is perfect for those looking for a comfortable and stationary stand. The contoured tight-sling seat will allow you to stay on-stand longer, and the attached accessory hooks make storing your gadgets simple and organized. Withstanding the elements is no issue, because this stand features oval steel construction and a durable, powder-coat finish. (millennium-outdoors.com )
HAWK Featuring the same rock-solid steel construction you've grown to love from Hawk, the Mega Combat ups the platform size to a massive 24"x30". With the large platform and ultra-comfortable memory foam seat, you won't have a problem pulling off all-day sits this season in this hang-on. With it's welded contact points and one-piece design, this stand will last for years on end. (hawkhunting.com )
FALL FOOD PLOTTING BUCK FORAGE A top-end food plot seed, Buck Forage Oats have been helping hunters create successful food plots for over 25 years. This seed endorsed by Dr. Deer is the North American Whitetail TV team’s preferred fall planting, and its reputation for luring in trophy bucks is well-known. Through intensive genetic breeding, the Buck Forage Oats crew has produced a quality deer forage that can also handle heavy browse from even the densest of deer herds. (buckforage.com )
BIG TINE Big Tine’s Foundation Clover mix is a blend of five different clover varieties, providing your perennial plot some diversity. This persistent and drought-tolerant mix includes two types of ladino clover seed, a medium red clover, arrowleaf clover and a white flowering crimson clover. To add to the appeal, since Foundation is a perennial mix, it can last up to five years and holds the essential minerals and protein for quality antler growth. (bigtine.com )
NORTH WOODS WHITETAILS A reliable fall food plot seed, North Woods Whitetails’ Rye Grain is loved by deer. Not to be confused with Rye Grass, North Woods’ Rye Grain comes in 50-pound bags and has incredible soil-building ability. With a special eye for producing quality seed, North Woods Whitetails ensures each bag of Rye Grain is cleaned, tested and ready to be used in your plots. (northwoodswhitetails.com )
ANI-LOGICS Designed for luring in whitetails during the late season, Ani-Logics’ CRUSH Turnips are made for producing large bulbs and massive succulent top growth. Not only are these turnips made to maximize tunnage, but they’re also durable and perfect for thriving in the coldest of temperatures. For best results, Ani-Logics recommends planting the CRUSH Turnips within 10 days of forecasted rain. (anilogics.com )
MICRO FOOD PLOTS An all-in-one tilling and seeding implement, Micro Food Plots’ Master Series can handle small kill plots and larger 5-acre food plots. The 16-inch tires are durable, and you can transport the unit anywhere with the Linear Lift System. The heavy-duty frame has 12 notched blades and sealed bearings, and you get a 40-inch swath with each pass. A new Clod Buster cultipacker roller allows for soil compaction over the seed to increase seed-to-soil contact. (microfoodplots.com )
GREAT PLAINS If you’re looking for a precise planter that offers little disturbance to the soil, you need to see Great Plains’ 6-foot Mounted No-Till Compact Drill. This drill will allow you to seed your fall food plots close to field edges at an accurate rate. Measuring just 6 feet, this rugged seeder works well in tight situations while continuing to plant quality plots. Featuring 450-pound pre-loaded coulters, a ground-driven metering system and rain-tight seed box lids, Great Plains’ drill is perfect for planting. (greatplainsag.com )
ACCESSORIES MOULTRIE Moultrie’s A900i traditional trail camera is a high-quality and reliable unit. Capturing 30MP photos, the A900i’s high-resolution images allow you to clearly identify deer standing far from the camera. Not to be overlooked, the camera’s invisible flash produces clear photos under the cover of darkness without spooking the critter in front of the camera. We know from experience that the A900i performs flawlessly, and coming in a bundle with eight AA batteries, a 16 GB SD card and a durable 8-foot strap, the A900i arrives ready-to-hang and gather intel. (moultriefeeders.com )
BIG & J Big & J has been in the game of making attractants for some time now, with their BB2 being a top-seller. This year they're releasing an all new amazing attractant know as the Bone Collector Blend. This blend has three different grains loaded with special aromas that Big & J are known for. Use this as your secret weapon this season to draw deer in from other properties and keep them coming back all-season long. (bigandj.com )
HAWK If you're looking for a new tree arm this season, make sure to check out the GoGadget Tree Arm from Hawk. Weighing only a pound and a half, the GoGadget packs down to a length of only 14.5", but extends out to 35" to be the most adjustable tree arm available. It comes with a molded bow hook that rotates 360 degrees, as well as a dual swivel claw hook that allows for storage of extra gear. Supporting up to 15 pounds, it can support any weapon and appropriate gear needed for this season. (hawkhunting.com )
SCENT BLENDER Are you tired of buying cover scents each year, not knowing if they're from the same vegetation around your hunting ground? With the new Scent Blender, you can make your own blend from the plant material that is around you. The Scent Blender system comes with a high torque blender and spray bottle with a filtration system inside to to let you use native plants or actual food sources in your area to make your own unlimited scents. (tryscentblender.com )
BENCHMADE When it's time to cut that tag and process your deer this fall, you'll want the Benchmade TAGGEDOUT in your hand. Designed with a purpose and with a build quality sure to last, this knife sets the bar high for both durability and performance. With it's premium stainless steel blade, it is tough as nails and is resistant to corrosion over years of hard use. The clip-point style blade has a tip that will make skinning a breeze. (benchmade.com )
GARMIN The GPSMAP 67i is the perfect tool to help you plot out property lines, drop pins for treestands, and mark entry and exit routes while prepping for the season. With preloaded topo maps and satellite imagery, plus over 160 hours of battery life, it'll help keep track of all your honey-holes this coming deer season. This GPS handheld also comes with a built in satellite communicator, so no matter where you're at, you'll always be within reach of loved ones. Add the Outdoor Maps+ subscription to have all the public land hotspots at your fingertips. (garmin.com )
