July 28, 2017
By Game & Fish Staff
Deer gear is trending toward the pursuit- and situation-specific reality of the modern deer junkie. Everything from rifles to grunt tubes are being designed for exact moments in the woods, which not only gives us more choices - but also better options from which to choose.
Check out the newest deer hunting accessories featured recently in our 2017 Gear Issue magazine editions. (By Gary Lewis and Tony J. Peterson)
OPTICS Burris Droptine Binoculars
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Burris' new Droptine offerings come in 8x42mm and 10x42mm, and feature multi-coated lenses for maximum light transmission and reduced glare. Internally, they are nitrogen-filled for waterproof and fog proof performance. Outer surfaces are rubber armored for protection and grip.
$164.85-$185.26
Burris Signature HD Spotting Scope
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New for 2017, Burris' Signature HD 20-60x85mm spotting scope uses an apochromatic lens system of the Signature HD spotting scope gives you the advantage in the field by eliminating color fringing and delivering edge-to-edge resolution at any magnification. The premium HD glass offers maximum light transmission in less than optimal conditions.
$1,895
Nikon Monarch 7iVR
This Monarch utilizes vibration reduction technology to range from 8 to 1,000 yards and provides the readout in 0.1-yard increments. A large ocular and wide field of view makes it easier to pick up a target. The user can easily switch between actual distance and horizontal distance (incline/decline) modes.
$399.95
Steiner HX 15x56 Binoculars
Weighing in at 44.1 ounces, Steiner's 15x56 HX binocular is tripod-mountable, fog proof and waterproof down to 16 feet. Ergonomic eyecups reduce eye fatigue by shutting out peripheral light, wind and dust. The lens system is nano-protected and the unit is rubber-armored. Field of view is 241 feet at 1,000 meters.
$1,379. 99
Leupold BX-2 Tioga HD Binoculars
The cornerstone of Leupold's latest bino offerings is the Twilight Max Light Management System, which is found on every model in the BX-2 Tioga HD Binocular lineup. This system gives deer hunter's an advantage at both first and last light, while still delivering serious optical clarity throughout the day. Choose from six options ranging from 8 x 32s all of the way to 12 x 50s.
$325 - $494
Maven B.4 Binoculars
The best binos you've never heard of might just be the Maven B.4s, which are available in 10x56, 12x56, and 15x56 models. The B.4s feature a 5.6mm exit pupil, which in laymen's terms, means an awful lot of light will reach your eye and allow you to see well whenever you need to. An open-hinge, polycarbonate frame paired with an ergonomic design ensure the B.4s are lightweight and balanced well.
$1,300-$1,400
Nikon MONARCH HG
Two decades ago, Nikon released the first Monarchs. Today, they are a standard among diehard deer hunters, with the new MONARCH HGs sporting 2017 features like the Field Flattener Lens System and a multilayer prism coating that allows for up to 92-percent light transmittance while still maintaining natural fidelity. Choose from either the 8x42s or the 10x42s in these die-cast magnesium alloy bodied, tough-as-nails binos.
$980-$1,000
ZEISS Terra ED Color Binoculars
New for this year are the redesigned-to-be-sleeker-than-everTerra ED Color Binoculars from ZEISS. To ensure a killer viewing experience even in low-light situations, these binos are built with SCHOTT ED glass and MC multi-coated lenses. Choose from 8x32, 10x32, 8x42 and 10x42 models.
$370 - $450
CALLS Flextone Game Calls WTF Grunt Call
The WTF's Natural Inflection Chamber Technology works to accurately produce the tones and inflection of an excited or moving deer. Better yet, you can customize the sounds by simply compressing the WTF's chamber, allowing you to produce multiple calls ranging from grunts to roars and even snort wheezes.
$20
Hunters Specialties Nemesis Deer Call
If you've ever wanted to sound like a whole deer herd, the Nemesis is your call considering it can produce doe bleats, young buck bleats, rutting buck grunts and mature buck grunts. To produce these sounds, simply twist the mouth piece of the call and select your desired vocalization. And then get ready.
$20
Knight & Hale Sneeze Wheeze
A first of its kind, the Sneeze Wheeze allows you to make the sound of a deer sneezing, which is pretty common when they are feeding. You can also replicate a loud, challenging snort-wheeze with this call to draw in mature bucks when the rut closes in and they are primed for a fight.
$10
ATTRACTANTS Arcus Hunting Big Game Butter
Pick up an eight-pound bucket of Big Game Butter and draw in local deer like crazy. Three flavors - peanut, persimmon and apple - are offered in Big Game Butter, which contains 22-percent minimum crude protein, 44-percent minimum crude fat, and five-percent maximum crude fiber meaning that not only will local ungulates love the taste, they'll also benefit health-wise after chowing down.
$20
Primos TAKE OUT Fall Harvest
Primos knows a thing or two about deer, which is why their new TAKE OUT attractant line is so effective. Anchoring the line is Fall Harvest, an aromatic blend of grains, molasses, and corn that is designed to draw deer in close and keep them around. It also contains protein and fat, which are two necessities in any buck's diet that will condition him to return to a specific spot.
$10
Tink's Trophy Taker Gels
Gel Stream Technology allows users of the new Trophy Taker Gels the opportunity to not only point and shoot deer scents up to 10 feet away, but also ensure that the scent stays around long after it's discharged. Choose from Relax, Fight, and Heat formulas depending on the timing of the season and individual hunting situations.
$15
Camo Browning Hells Canyon Proximity Jacket
Improved for 2017, the Proximity Jacket now features a quiet, three-layer fabric that utilizes Browning's Pre-Vent Membrane and Advanced Scent Control to ensure you stay stealthy and less stinky in the field. Other notables include: two zip chest pockets, harness access, handwarmer pockets, and internal drop pockets.
$190
Cabela's Instinct Backcountry Packable Super Warm Down Jacket
Perfect for stuffing into a pack while you hike to your stand, the new Instinct Backcountry Packable Super Warm Down Jacket is windproof, covered in the new O2 Octane pattern, offered in sizes ranging from medium to double XL, and most importantly - offers a weight-to-warmth ratio that is just perfect for all-day-sits in the north country. Pair it with the Packable Super Warm Down Pants ($200) and you'll be an unstoppable deer-hunting force (or at least you'll be really comfortable even in the coldest weather).
$220
Sitka Gear Thunderhead Jacket
Every hunter needs quiet raingear at one time or another during the season, which is why Sitka has released the new Thunderhead Jacket. This soft, quiet jacket features GORE-TEX laminate that provides an extra defense against wet elements. The Thunderhead also happens to sport Sitka's new pattern - Subalpine - which is designed for mountainside timber hunting but also happens to look pretty good in a lot of lower-elevation areas where whitetails live.
$329
Under Armour Mid-Season Wool Jacket
Love UA but want it more woolly? You're in luck with the new Mid-Season Wool Jacket ($250) that is designed with a threadborne bonded stretch wool-blend material that not only keeps you warm, but also silent. It also happens to be breathable and treated with UA Storm technology to repel water and keep you dry. Chose from three camouflage patterns in this jacket, which utilizes Scent Control technology to keep you undetected by passing deer.
$250
TRAIL CAMS Cabela's Outfitter Plus 20MP Black IR HD Trail Camera
With its 100-foot daytime and 85-foot nighttime detection range, Cabela's latest camera is an excellent choice for serious deer hunters. The Outfitter Plus also boasts 56 black IR LEDs for nighttime video recording and photos, is time-lapse enabled, and is designed with a two-inch LCD screen so that you can instantly view photos and easily set up this camera.
$200
Moultrie A-30i Camera
One of the best cameras on the market that also happens to be one of the best camera deals around is the new A-30i from Moultrie. For $100 you get a 12-megapixel camera that is designed with iNVISIBLE infrared technology (60-foot nighttime illumination) and is also capable of recording 15-second high-definition video clips. Eight AA batteries can capture up to 16,000 images in this ultra efficient camera.
$100
Stealth Cam DS4K
Anyone looking to capture unbelievable videos of their hitlist bucks would do well to check out the DS4K from Stealth Cam. This 30-megapixel camera is designed to capture 4K Ultra HD Video. It also boasts Matrix Advanced Blur Reduction and Retina Low Light Sensitivity in order to generate some of the best images you'll ever get with a trail camera, and since it is designed with a .4-second trigger, you also know you won't miss a shot.
$300
Wildgame Innovations 360 LightsOut Cam
The original 360 came out last year and allowed hunters to capture images of passing bucks no matter where they walked. This year, Wildgame Innovations has improved this camera to create the 360 LightsOut Cam, which features a 1.5-second rapid trigger, 65 feet of illumination and detection, and 54 LightsOut Infrared Flash LEDs. In addition to capturing images, this camera is also 720p video capable.
$200
KNIVES Badlands Bolt Knife By Havalon
Havalon teamed up with Badlands to release the new Bolt, which is designed to make skinning, caping, quartering and general butchering much easier thanks to its replaceable, #60A stainless steel blades. To ensure you won't slip while field dressing your deer, each Bolt is built with a rugged ABS handle that features a black rubber grip insert.
$50
Gerber Gear Vital Pocket Folder
If you've ever caped or pieced out a buck with a dull knife you know how not fun that task is. Alleviate any future butchering headaches by picking up a Vital Pocket Folder with its replaceable #60 razor blades. When one gets dull, simply pop in a new shaving-sharp blade and keep going. This knife measures 6.9 inches when open, weighs only 1.3 ounces, and is designed with a rubber handle so you won't slip and need stitches.
$49 -$77
Wiebe Red Fox
Wicked-sharp blades that are easily replaceable is the name of the game, and Wiebe is winning with their Red Fox. This knife, which measures 7.25 inches when open, is designed for everything from field dressing to skinning, and it features a no-slip, highly visible orange handle so that when you set it down after field dressing your buck, you won't lose it in a sea of autumn leaves.
$35
Havalon Bone Collector Rebel
A drop-point blade on one side and a quick-change blade on the other. That's what you get with new Bone Collector Rebel from Havalon. The folder comes with six additional 60A blades, two gut hooks and a zipper holster.
$69.99
Puma Commando Stag
Puma's new Commando Stag is a classic skinning knife with a knurled thumb rest and a fixed SGB skinner blade. The handle is Delrin modeled from a Colorado elk antler.
$71.99
