Field Gear

This year's SHOT Show, in Orlando, saw a variety of product introductions for wingshooters. Following are 10 items that stood out in my mind. Ultimate Folding Working Dog Crate from Kalispel Kalispell Case Line has taken its Ultimate Working Dog Crate (reviewed in May/ June '06) to a higher level with three new improvements. First, these tough, handsome, portable kennels now come with a slant front in medium and large models to allow a better fit in SUVs with sloping tailgates. It's a nice touch.

Second, heavy-duty, 1,000-denier Cordura jackets are now available for all four kennel sizes from small through extra large. Designed for cold-weather transport and housing, the green jackets come with foam backing to provide warmth. Front and side zippers and door and window openings allow ventilation and easy access. Prices range from $169 for the small jacket to $239 for extra large. And third, the crate now comes in a folding model in medium and large sizes. Removing four screws in front and back allows you to collapse the kennel, which folds into itself from front to back and then side to side. A pan on the crate bottom holds the sections. The two flush-mounted, spring-loaded side handles are now on top at each end for carrying like a cooler. A third handle permits carrying the collapsed crate on its side like a suitcase. "The folding model is easier to handle and easier to store when not in use," said Al Hague, Kalispel's general manager. "We also found that shipping costs were cut in half." Like the original, the folding crate is made from .050" marine-grade aluminum, which is riveted to aircraft-grade standards and then treated with a two-step powdercoat baking process with a hammer-tone texture. A clear finish is then applied. There is also a full-length channel door hinge; a one-step locking mechanism and half-clasp that you can pin or padlock; and spring-loaded, flush-mounted handles. An offset rail, which attaches via screws to each side, prevents other freight from being stacked too close for ventilation. Prices range from $389 for the small size (27" [l] x 18" [w] x 24" [h]) to $479 for extra large (40" x 23" x 28"). Kalispel Case Line, 800-398-0338; www.kalispelcaseline.com Astro Dog-Tracking System from Garmin With GPS systems finding their way into hikers' packs and onto the dashboards of fishing boats, it was only a matter of time before hunters had a product to help them keep track of their dogs. This year Garmin rolled out its Astro GPS-enabled dog-tracking sys-tem, and it looks like a winner. The DC 20 is a 6-oz wireless transmitter that tucks into a neoprene harness worn by your dog. The waterproof transmitter comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack and an on/off button. The battery-operated Astro 220 is a hand-held receiver with a flexible, removable VHF antenna and runs on a pair of AA batteries. It comes with a microSD card slot for maps and extra memory and has a USB port for connecting to your computer. You can read the bright screen in sunlight. Garmin claims battery life of the DC 20 is 17 hours, and the unit comes with both household and vehicle chargers. The Astro 220 will run for more than 20 hours on one pair of batteries. The system gives you a complete electronic record of your hunt (or at least your dog's), which you can load into your home computer and print out. The system tells you where your dog is, where it's been and if it's running, sitting or pointing. You can manage up to 10 dogs at once, provided each dog carries a DC 20 transmitter. With the built-in Covey Counter feature, you can record waypoints, including the exact spot, elevation and time that a flush occurs. You can even input the number of birds in a covey and the number killed. The neoprene harness fits around the dog's body behind its front legs. The DC 20 also fastens to an existing collar by using the included collar-attachment plate, which fits most standard 1" collars. Price: $599. Garmin; 800-800-1020; www.garmin.com Bozeman Boots by Schnee's Montana bootmaker Schnee's has debuted its imported Sportsman line, which offers a lot of boot at a good price. Of the several models, the Bozeman got my attention. It's the official boot of Pheasants Forever, and I can tell designers put much thought and effort into the product. The cinnamon-colored Bozeman is made of leather with Cordura nylon panels, and it's waterproof, thanks to 3M's eVent-membrane booty system. It's also light, with the 6" model checking in at 2 pounds 10 ounces for the pair, and the 8" model weighing an even 3 pounds. The handsome boot sports a canoe-moccasin toe and comes with trash guards and finger loops for ease of pulling on. I like the combination eyelets/studs for speed lacing and an added loop at the ankle to assure a snug fit. Thanks to modern engineering design, there's more to like about the Bozeman. The nylon foot frame incorporates the shank to create an anatomical cradle, thereby cupping the foot and providing both lateral and medial stability. A dense polyurethane foam called Politec is added under the heel to absorb shock. A softer foam called Springpec is added under the ball of the foot to aid in energy release as one propels forward. A StealthTech outsole offers a solid platform, and pods under the forefoot and heel permit the wearer to better feel the terrain. The Bozeman employs Outlast-a temperature-management system developed by NASA to regulate cold and heat. Price: $230 for the 6" model, $250 for the 8". Schnee's, Inc., 800-922-1562; www.schnees.com Easybird Auto-Feed 6-Packer from Champion Backyard clay shooters will like two new portable Easybird electrical traps from Champion. Introduced last year as an affordable hand-set thrower with an auto-feed option, the Easybird line now includes an improved auto-feed from a six-stack removable magazine. The new 6-Packer model has a 150-claybird capacity with adjustable throwing ranges. It's also pre-wired and designed to accept an oscillating-base option. The 6-Packer comes with a Trap Taxi, a two-wheeled mount that can be pulled by hand or behind a four-wheeler or small tractor. The Trap Taxi is not new, but it has been redesigned to include a larger set of wheels for handling uneven terrain. Like its predecessors, the 6-Packer runs off of a 12-volt battery (deep-cycle battery recommended). The oscillating-base option offers two arc settings: a full 45° and another at 34.28° for ATA competition. Safety features include an on/off release switch for uncocking the arm, arm-path indicator rings, a 50' cord with foot-pedal release, and a 20-amp circuit breaker to protect electrical wires and the motor. The oscillating base has another 3-amp circuit breaker to protect that motor and its wiring. Shipped unassembled, the Easybird Auto-Feed 6-Packer weighs about 80 pounds and sells for $1,159.95. With the 20-pound oscillating base, the cost is $1,449.95. Champion Traps & Targets, 800-635-7656; www.championtarget.com Technical Upland Pant from L.L. Bean L.L. Bean's new Technical Upland Pant uses a polyester base layer, 610-denier nylon overlays and a cuff treatment with SuperFabric-a 600-denier epoxy-reinforced polyester-making it tough as chain mail, quick drying, super comfortable and lightweight. The new pant is 20-percent lighter than standard upland trousers. Say goodbye to frayed cuffs, because these are treated with the material used in making gloves and fabrics needle-proof for medical use. In the articulated-knee area, the base material is layered with a polyurethane coating to keep moisture at bay and turn away the sharpest thorns. Designed for moderate temperatures, the new pant is "boot cut" for easy on/ off. Behind the front slash pockets are zip-pered hidden pockets, one to each side, for additional security and storage. Just below the front pocket openings are two new shell-pocket designs with loops. Back pockets have flaps that Velcro shut. Reinforced belt loops will accommodate belts up to 2" wide, and there is a shirt-gripper waistband treatment and shank-style button in front similar to those found on jeans. In short, there's much to like about this pant, which comes in even waist sizes from 32" to 46", with 29", 31" or 33" inseams. Color is dark brown with dark mushroom accents. Price: $99. L.L. Bean, Inc., 800-441-5713; www.llbean.com Impact Sport Earmuffs from Howard Leight Impact Sport Sound Amplification Earmuffs from Howard Leight amplify low-level sounds like someone talking but also block loud, harmful sounds like gunfire. Directionally placed water-resistant microphones in each earcup help pinpoint sound and also "clip" sound that resonates above 82 decibels, reducing gunfire, for example, to acceptable levels. The tested NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) of 22 decibels assures excellent hearing protection with these earmuffs. The Impact Sport is a low-profile earmuff that has a slim-line earcup design to permit full clearance of a firearm stock. Stereo ear speakers maintain incoming voice clarity and other sounds. A leatherette headband has a telescoping height adjustment, and the muffs fold neatly and compactly. A single switch controls on/off and volume. An automatic four-hour shutoff prevents accidental battery drain to the pair of AAA batteries (included) that power the product. The earmuffs are hunter green with a black headband and weigh 8 oz. Price: $69.99. Howard Leight, a Bacou-Dalloz Co., 866-786-2353; www.howardleightshootingsports.com Earthmate GPS PN-20 from DeLorme DeLorme rolled out its new Earthmate GPS PN-20, which comes preloaded with DeLorme Topo USA software. The software works with Microsoft Windows Vista as well as Windows XP and 2000, though not Apple's Mac operating systems. Users get six map types on one color-screen GPS: a world base map, US street and topographic maps from Topo USA, regional routable maps, free downloads of scanned USGS quad maps, black & white aerial imagery, and colorized satellite imagery. Weighing a tad more than 5 oz, the unit is only 2.43" (w) x 51/4" (h) x 11/2" (d). It runs on two AA batteries (included) and can be purchased with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Housed in rubber for impact resistance, it's also waterproof. The color screen has high resolution (220 x 176 pixels) and is easy to read, even in direct sunlight. Large function keys are easy to negotiate. Drawing tools in the software allow near-unlimited pre-trip travel planning for creating road and trail routes with GPS waypoints embedded. The same software permits post-trip data management. The unit holds up to 1,000 user-defined waypoints and up to 10 tracks and 50 routes. There are 75 megabytes of user-available internal flash memory and an SD card slot for up to 2 gigabytes of additional memory. Cost: $369.95. DeLorme, 800-561-5105; www.delorme.com LimbSaver Protective Clothing Well known for its bowhunting and firearms accessories, LimbSaver, the vibration-damping products of Sims Vibration Laboratory, has entered the upland market with a new line of clothing. LimbSaver Protective Clothing is designed to cut shock and recoil impact by up to half. Quilted shoulders on the new Upland/Summer Jacket, Upland/Winter Coat and Field Shirt come with insert pockets-on both left and right shoulders-for adding the company's recoil pads. The Upland/Summer Jacket has zip-off sleeves that convert it into a field vest on warm days. Front cargo pockets are spacious for carrying shells, gloves and other items. Front- and back-loading pockets for game are lined and bloodproof. The Upland/Winter Coat is fleece-lined for added warmth. The Field Shirt is cotton canvas with double-thick forearms for brier/sapling protection in thick cover. The outer shells of the jacket and coat are 100-percent cotton. The shirt contains 65-percent polyester and 35-percent cotton. All three garments have a 100-percent polyester lining. Sizes on all three garments are M through 2XL. Colors are taupe/orange and sand/orange. The shirt is also available in sand/taupe. The summer jacket retails for $89.99, the winter coat for $119, and the shirt for $59.99. LimbSaver, 877-257-2761; www.limbsaver.com Ventilator Pack from Mother Mother has introduced a number of new and improved packs, including the Ventilator, Light, Day Pack, Mission and Fly. I like the new Ventilator, a warm-weather tote that weighs only 15 oz. A shortened back panel of mesh material allows maximum ventilation while accommodating a 2-liter water bottle (not included). Pleated shell pockets come with flip-magnet closures. It's a no-frills pack with a generous game bag that spills forth when needed. Color is hunter orange. Sizes are S, regular and XL. Price: $65 ($69 for XL). If you need a bigger pack, choose the Light model, improved this year with a larger game bag, for only $10 more. The original Day Pack was Mother's first model; the second-generation Day Pack has larger shell pockets in front and an oversized and expandable game bag. The Day Pack has more space than the Light for items like a small first-aid kit, lunch and insulated clothing. As with the Light and the Mission (below), the Day accommodates a water-bladder hydration system. Besides orange, it comes in sage or canyon/Shadowgrass and costs $109. The fully adjustable Mission ($169), available in orange or black, is the big boy in the lineup, with an 1,800-cubic-inch main compartment and a full-size game bag. It is the choice for guides and for full days in challenging terrain. Choose it if you're lugging gear for others. The Fly is a small, padded pack that attaches to any Mother pack but also stands alone as a chest pack-thanks to its neck and torso strap-or as a belt pouch if you tuck away the straps. It's ideal for sport optics, choke tubes, a cell phone or a small camera. It costs $39 and comes in orange or black. Mother, 253-820-8790; www.mothertech.net Wingshooters Boots from Irish Setter Irish Setter has three new boots in its Wingshooters line. The upland footwear includes 6" (Model 853), 9" (Model 854) and 17" (Model 834) boots that combine leather with 1,000-denier abrasion-resistant nylon. The boots are waterproof and breathable, thanks to Gore-Tex membranes, but they are not insulated. For all-around upland hunting, I would choose the 9" model, which weighs 3 pounds for the pair. The boot employs a classic moccasin toe and is a handsome brown leather with deep-green fabric panels. Lacing is a combination of four eyelets and five hooks, and there are finger loops but no trash guards, which I consider important on ankle-high (6") footwear. Built for mild to moderate temperatures, Wingshooters use a conventional field-lug outsole, which is fine for all terrain except high-country rimrock. The midsole has hollowed compartments, which cut down on weight, for a thermal polyurethane spine. (Tested at the University of Milwaukee in Wisconsin, the proprietary design is intended to absorb and redistribute shock in a way to reduce muscle fatigue and hotspots.) Available in D and EE widths in half-sizes from 8 through 12 plus 13 and 14, the boots cost $139 in 6", $149 in 9" and $249 in 17". The latter model, designed for snake country, weighs 5 pounds 6 ounces for the pair. Irish Setter, 800-733-9464; www.irishsetterboots.com