Rambling Review: Sage and Braker Gun Cleaning Mat 

Why:

As much as I love hunting and fishing, there’s something wonderful about coming home, seeing my family, and planning the next adventure. Typically there’s a fair bit of cleanup involved after a hunting trip – unloading the truck, sorting and storing gear, and possibly taking care of meat if I was successful. When the season is all over, the last item to get cleaned and stored is the firearm. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as stripping down a gun, cleaning it thoroughly, and storing it safe and sound for the next hunt. Sage and Braker has vaulted onto the scene as one of the premier players in the firearm cleaning arena. I’ve used a bunch of their products before and they are all exceptional, but I was finally able to get my hands on their Sage and Braker Shotgun and Rifle Gun Cleaning Mat. It’s a beauty.

First impressions:

The Materials – The Sage and Braker Gun Cleaning Mat is made of a thick 12 oz waxed canvas, trimmed in crazy horse leather, and the gun cleaning side boasts a heavy wool face.

Pockets – There are four spacious pockets with snap closures that allow all of your gun cleaning supplies to be kept on hand.

Roll Design – The whole gun mat rolls up and is secured with heavy duty brass buckles, keeping all your gun cleaning items and surfaces neat and tidy. Perfect to toss in the back of the truck and not worry about.

Field Use:

For many years, I had an old pink towel that served as my gun cleaning mat. I don’t know where it came from, I just knew it wasn’t one of the good towels, and my wife wouldn’t mind it getting gun oil all over it. The Sage and Braker Gun Cleaning Mat is a huge step up from that raggedly piece of cloth. The quilted wool face offers a large cleaning surface with plenty of room to layout and break down a firearm. Wool has the ability to naturally repel liquids, keeping solvents from absorbing into the gun cleaning mat. Whether it’s on a tailgate or the kitchen table at home, it is extremely convenient to unroll the mat and access all the items in the pockets.

The Sage and Braker Gun Cleaning Mat has an extremely rugged yet classic feel about it. The combination of waxed canvas, leather, wool and brass buckles gives gives a great look to a utilitarian piece of gear that will see years of use and someday get passed down to the next generation.

Pros:

• Made with quality components and attention to detail
• Pockets for plenty of storage
• Rugged roll design
• Extremely functional

Cons:

• Price – but when you consider this mat will last a lifetime, it’s a fair price.

Prognosis:  I cannot say enough good things about the Sage and Braker Gun Cleaning Mat. This is the perfect gift for the outdoorsman or firearms enthusiast in your life.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review: Sage and Braker Gun Cleaning Mat appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review – Maroon Bell Buffalo Leather Ranching Gloves

Why:

I’ve burned through several pairs of cheap leather gloves while hunting and working in the harsh elements of the Southwest. Between hunting, camp chores, and yard work, most of my gloves don’t have a long life expectancy. The Maroon Bell Buffalo Leather Ranching Gloves are the answer.

First impressions:

Full Grain Buffalo Leather – The Maroon Bell gloves are made of full grain buffalo leather. This leather feels durable, soft, and of the highest quality. There are no words to describe the beautiful leather smell from these gloves.

Fit – The Maroon Bell website has a pretty detailed fitting guide for these gloves. Out of the box, the gloves were very tight, but was advised that they would stretch a fair bit. I kept the gloves in my truck and every morning on the way to work, I’d put them on and form a fist and flex the leather. By week two, these gloves fit perfectly like a second layer of skin.

Field Use:

The number one reason I wanted these gloves was for Arizona quail season. Our quail season runs from early October through early February. The first part of the season is a bit too hot to run the dog, and I’m usually chasing deer in November. By the time we hit the ground looking for birds in December, having a quality pair of leather gloves is so important to keep your hands warm on a cold morning or for general protection from everything sharp in the desert. The Maroon Bell gloves have a “gunfighter” fit with a short cuff and the tight fit through the fingers is ideal for handling a shotgun without sacrificing grip or feel.

While hunting, I am constantly interacting with my phone and GPS to look at maps and mark where I find coveys. With my old pair of leather gloves, I was constantly removing them so that I could manipulate the screen. The Maroon Bell Buffalo Leather Ranching Gloves have an integrated finger pad that is touchscreen compatible, so I never have to remove them while accessing my electronics.

While I used them extensively during this quail hunting season, I found myself still reaching for them when I spent time in the field over some of my other hunting gloves. I also beat them up in the backyard and while working around the house. The Maroon Bell Buffalo Leather Ranching Gloves are extremely durable and tough, but also become softer and more comfortable the longer I own them.

Pros:

• High quality buffalo leather
• Touchscreen compatible
• Extremely durable and protective
• Gunfighter fit
• Get better with age

Cons:

• Cost – these are going to cost a bit more than your local hardware store leather gloves, but worth every penny.

Prognosis:  I am a huge fan of the Maroon Bell Buffalo Leather Ranching Gloves. If you are in search of a high quality pair of gloves, check them out.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review – Maroon Bell Buffalo Leather Ranching Gloves appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review 

Why:

Hiking miles in uneven terrain with a heavy pack and a weapon requires a high quality, sturdy, and yet comfortable pair of boots. I’ve had quite a few pairs of Lowas over the years, but the new Lowa Camino GTX boots check all the boxes.

First impressions:

The weight – At 1550 grams (52 ounces) for the pair, this heavy duty boot is lighter than my other favorite pair of Lowas. The Lowa Tibets come in at 1900 grams

GORE-TEX – The Camino GTX boots have a waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX membrane which was originally “created to help thru-hikers, alpinists, mountaineers, ice climbers, and hunters keep their feet dry and warm in high elevations and coldest conditions.”

Vibram – The Camino GTX boots come standard with the Vibram AppTrail sole. Lowa states that the AppTrail sole provides increased contact area with a self-cleaning tread for excellent grip on all surfaces as well as a pronounced front heel edge for good traction downhill.

LOWA Flex Lacing – The Flex lacing system allows the laces to easily pull through the ball bearing lace loops that are set on free moving tabs which reduces overall pressure against the foot. This turned out to be one of the absolute game changers for me.

Manufactured – Lowa Boots have been handcrafted in Europe since 1923 under the world’s most stringent manufacturing, environmental and labor regulations.

Field Use:

The first chance I had to wear the Lowa Camino GTX boots in the field was during Mearns quail season. I spent many days in Southern Arizona following Sunshine dog up every draw and canyon looking for birds. Even through the long days in the field carrying a shotgun and a heavy vest over uneven ground, the Camino boots were extremely comfortable, even right out of the box.

I wore them again during turkey season and on multiple hikes through spring and summer. Even as the temperatures climbed, the GORE-TEX lining were quite breathable and comfortable.

The real test for the Lowa Camino GTX boots came this fall. I spent a week in Idaho hunting mule deer and a couple days in Arizona after coues deer. Between the two hunts, I logged over 80 hard miles with lots of vertical hiking under heavy load as well as wet weather. I packed two deer out of the backcountry. Through it all, the Camino boots were supportive, dry, breathable, and most of all comfortable.

Pros:

Little to no break-in time

Vibram AppTrail soles

Heinen Terracare Nubuck Leather Uppers

GORE-TEX Lining

LOWA Flex Lacing

Cons:

Cost – good boots are not cheap

PROGNOSIS: I love the Lowa Camino GTX boots. Extremely comfortable and absolute workhorse boots.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review – Lowa Camino GTX appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review 

Why: Most western hunters carry a pair of binoculars on their chest while scouting and hunting. Between harnesses and pouches, there is a plethora of options on the market right now. They all serve the same general purpose, but the well thought out design of the Marsupial Gear Binocular Pack shines in comparison.

First impressions:

Flip forward opening: Both the Marsupial Gear Binocular Pack and the Rangefinder pouch’s lids fold forward and can be secured with one hand out of the way. The lids of both the bino harness and the range finder are fastened with high quality magnetics for a solid closure.

Made in the USA: All Marsupial Gear products are handmade right here in Phoenix, Arizona.

Field Use:

I’ve been running the Marsupial Gear Binocular Pack and Rangefinder Pouch for the past year and absolutely love this combo. The first thing that stands out is the overall layout of the binocular pack. The streamlined exterior does not have any hard corners for gear to get snagged on. The front of the pouch has one zipper pocket which is perfect for a tag/license or a couple extra rifle rounds. Two stretchy side pockets sit on either side of the Binocular Pack which hold a wind indicator bottle perfectly. The interior of of the Binocular Pack is lined with a high quality fleece making for soft protection for optics and quiet access to them when needed.

The second reason that I really like these Marsupial Gear products is the front opening lid. It’s an extremely smooth one-handed movement to open and access my binoculars. A bottom magnetic closure allows the front opening lid to be secured open. In comparison, some of the other harnesses on the market fold back (and into the chin/face of the user) and can be obtrusive when trying to quickly and quietly access binoculars. Marsupial Gear has a well thought out lid design.

Lastly, the suspension system of the binocular harness might be the most important aspect to consider. I’ve worn the Marsupial Gear Binocular Pack on multiple javelina hunts, turkey hunts, an elk hunt, a coues deer hunt and multiple scouting trips, and it has proven to be an extremely comfortable harness. Personally, I like the bino pouch to ride higher on my chest and the fully adjustable harness allows the user to find the perfect position for the their personal preference.

Pros:

Sleek and well thought out design

Comfortable and adjustable harness

Made in the Phoenix, AZ

Multiple sizes and color/camo options

Cons:

I’ve got nothing bad to say about this piece of gear

Prognosis:  I’m all in on the Marsupial Gear Binocular Pack and Rangefinder Pouch. If you are looking for high quality, well designed, Arizona-made gear for your optics, check out all that Marsupial gear has to offer.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review: Marsupial Gear appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review – Carlson Choke Tubes

Why:

Spring time has quickly become one of my favorite times of the year for one simple reason – turkey season. Each year, around the first of the year, I start thinking about getting into the woods, looking for turkey sign, and straining my ears for the sound of a gobble. Last year, I was fortunate enough to bag my first Merriams gobbler after multiple seasons of trying to get it done, and as I reflected on my time in the field and the gear that I carried, I started researching on how to improve my efficiency with a shotgun. It wasn’t long before I was able to get my hands on a couple of chokes from Carlson, and after some time on the range and in the field, I was a firm believer in Carlson Choke Tubes.

First impressions:

Options – Carlson offers choke tubes for every situation a shotgunner will need. For the purpose of this review, Carlson provided a Remington Long Beard Choke Tube with a diameter of .660 and one of their Remington Extended Choke Tubes with a diameter of .675. If you take any time to peruse the Carlson website, you’ll quickly see that they have chokes of every shape, color, and size for all the major brands of shotguns, for any type of hunting or shooting scenario.

Lifetime Warranty – All Carlson choke tubes are backed by a lifetime warranty.

Made in the USA – All Carlson choke tubes are made in the USA.

Construction – Carlson’s Choke Tubes are made from the finest corrosion-resistant 17-4 PH stainless steel available.

Field Use:

To be perfectly clear, I am not a shotgun expert. I own a couple of shotguns. I shoot them often. But when it comes to the nuances of patterning them, I always went out, shot a couple of shells at different yardages to figure out what my max range could be, and called it good. With the Carlson chokes in hand, I took a Saturday morning to run out in the desert and see how these chokes patterned.  My good hunting partner Austin and I both shoot Remingtons which was advantageous when it came time to seeing how the different chokes performed through two different shotguns. I shoot a Remington 870 Express chambered up to a 3″ shell, and Austin shoots a Remington 1100 chambered up to a 3 1/2″ shell. 

We both had always just stuck with the factory standard Remington full choke (diameter of .691) that came with the shotgun for turkey season, so I started with shooting at 40 yards with the full choke. I switched chokes out and immediately was overwhelmed by how much denser the pattern was at 40 yards. I spent the next hour shooting different shells, swapping chokes between guns, and varying my distance from the target. To be clear, I’m not going to get super technical on patterning, but there was a significant increase in pattern density. After the smoke cleared, my 870 Express really liked the Long Beard XR choke with a .660 diameter shooting 3″ Winchester Long Beard XR loads.  Austin’s 1100 partnered the Carlson Extended Turkey Choke with a .675 diameter and a 3-1/2″ shell. After a morning of shotgun patterning, I had a sore shoulder and confidence in what my shotgun was capable of.

Our season unfolded with plenty of turkey hunting. Austin spent a couple days in Texas and scratched out 2 Rios. I went to Missouri with my buddy Hunter and had some success decoying in a mature 3 year old. After that, Austin and I hunted here in Arizona which resulted in a Austin shooting a beautiful Merriam’s gobbler and I followed up with a jake. Our shots during these hunts ranged from 30-55 yards.  Having success with this many turkeys and giving all the credit to choke tubes is a bit much.  But, I will say, I’ve never been more confident pulling the trigger during a hunt, then after I spent time patterning my gun and knowing how much better it performed with the Carlson choke versus the factory choke.

Pros:

Made in the USA

Lifetime Warranty

Constructed of high grade stainless steel

Cons:

There really is no con for getting an aftermarket choke tube. The only con I could possibly see for tightening up your choke for turkey hunting is if you hunting in a thick area and most of your shots are closer than 15 yards. At that range, a more open choke would be appropriate for the situation. I can’t stress enough. Pattern your shotgun and have confidence in what it does at different yardages. 

Prognosis:  I was extremely pleased with the quality and performance of the Carlson Choke Tubes and would highly recommend them to any of my hunting buddies. Check them out.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. These choke tubes were provided for the purpose of this review by Carlson Choke Tubes. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review – Carlson Choke Tubes appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Why:

Hunting, hiking and fishing in Arizona often puts me in close proximity to rattlesnakes. I’ve run across several while fishing, and I always bump into one or two in the early portion of the Arizona quail season. The statistics tell me that as long as I’m not drinking and trying to poke it with a stick, I should be alright. But when hunting in some remote areas by myself, I believe in a more proactive defense strategy. I had the opportunity to check out the Turtleskin Snake Gaiters this quail season, and although I couldn’t find a rattlesnake to bite me in the leg, I was pretty impressed with how these gaiters performed.

First impressions:

Patented Material – Turtleskin Snake Armor is a super-tight weave of high-strength ballistic fibers and polyester. This patented fabric has been tested and have proven to successfully repeal a diamondback rattler bite.

Lightweight – At 6 ounces each, the Turtleskin Snake Gaiters are some of the most lightweight snake gaiters on the market.

Made in the USA – The Turtleskin Snake Gaiters are made in the USA.

Field Use:

After running the Turtleskin Snake Gaiters in the field this season, I was really impressed with their quality and durability. Although no snakes tried to bite through them, there were plenty of stickers, thorns and cholla that grabbed, scratched, and poked at the gaiters. After multiple trips in the field, these things still look like new and really help to protect the bottom portion of my pants.

The early portion of the Gambel’s quail season is miserably hot, and the only thing that helps is to get out early and drink lots of water. It was surprising how well the Turtleskin Snake Gaiters breathed. There was a very noticeable difference between the Turtleskin gaiters and other non breathable gaiters such as oil finished cloth and heavier briar proof material.

The one thing about these gaiters that I noticed after the first day was the noise. The “swish-swish” with each step is not really an issue during quail season. I’m constantly crashing through the brush, chasing and flushing birds and being quiet is not super important. It would be a tough decision to bring these on an early season spot and stalk hunt with the amount of noise they make.

Pros:

Lightweight

Made in the USA

Breathable

Durable construction

Cons:

A bit noisy

Prognosis:  If you spend anytime hunting or hiking in snake country, it’s worth your time to check out the Turtleskin Snake Gaiters.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Turtleskin provided the Snake Gaiters for the purpose of this review. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review: Turtleskin Snake Gaiters appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review – Quilomene San Carlos Bird Vest

Why:

There are several good options for quality strap vests on the market. I’ve written about several of them on this blog already. For the early Arizona bird hunting season, I’ve had the opportunity to wear the Quilomene San Carlos Bird Vest and I’ve been really impressed with what this light weight strap vest has to offer.

First impressions:

Q5 Outdoors Products – Dan and Joanne Priest started Q5 Outdoor Products several years back and introduced the original Q5 Upland Strap Vest and the Q5 Centerfire Vest. Recently, the Priests brought the Quilomene line up of vests into the Q5 Outdoor Products fold, and now offer these highly renowned, field tested vests for sale. One of the coolest parts about all of the Q5 and Quilomene Vests is that a portion of each sale gets donated to Arizona Outdoor Adventures, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healthy outdoor activities for underprivileged children.

Customizable and Adjustable – The Quilomene San Carlos Vest comes in two styles. One is a “Y” back and the other is an “H” back design. Both styles offer quite a bit of adjustments. When purchasing your vest, you are also able to choose a size based on your waist measurements. This ensures that the vest fits properly and carries any weight comfortably.

Storage – There is a total of seven pockets on the San Carlos vest, which makes it easy to carry all the essentials in the field. Lash straps are located on the back of the pack for stashing a jacket once the day gets warm. The bird pouch is spacious and capable of carrying a limit of quail easily. Although there are no water bottle pockets, there is a large hydration pocket on the interior of the bird pouch, and handy hose clips located on the shoulder straps.

Made in the USA – All of the Q5 Outdoor Products are made in the USA.

Field Use:

I’ve enjoyed using the Quilomene San Carlos bird vest so far this season. From the early dove season, to grouse hunting at 8,500′ in the mountains, and back to the valley for the quail opener, the San Carlos really shines in the field.

The first things that really stood out to me while chasing birds was how lightweight and slim fitting this vest is. It is a very simple design and even when loaded, it does not have a lot of bulk. This is beneficial whether you are hanging in field waiting for the next flight of doves, or slipping through the dark timber looking for grouse.

Another thing I really was impressed with was how comfortable the vest is, and how well it carried a load. With early season quail especially, I loaded up on lots of water, shells, and other odds and ends, and the vest was pretty heavy. Even with the vest fully loaded, the waist belt carried the weight really well. Although there are vests on the market with more pockets and carrying capacity, the Quilomene San Carlos handled the everything I threw at it.

Although I was extremely happy with the how much the vest was laid out and how much it could carry, I could see how a hunter with a dog might want a little bit more carrying capacity for extra water or designated water bottle holders. Quilomene has quite a few different accessories that allow these vests to be totally modular and customizable for each individual customer. Check out their accessories page for water bottle holsters and more.

Pros:

Made in the USA

Quality material and durable construction

Lightweight 

Water bladder pocket and hose hooks

Portion of each sale goes to non-profit

Cons:

Lack of water bottle holders

Prognosis:  The Quilomene San Carlos Bird Vest is an excellent lightweight strap vest option and worth looking at if you are in the market for a new vest. 

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  The Quilomene San Carlos Bird Vest was provided by Q5 for the purpose of this review. My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review: Quilomene San Carlos Bird Vest appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review: Vortex Viper 15×50 Binoculars

Why:

I grew up hunting back East where it’s pretty easy to get by without a set of optics. Life in the West is a different game and quality binoculars are worth their weight in gold when looking for animals in the wide open expanse of the Arizona mountains. I’ve gotten by with a pair of Nikon 10x42s, but there were so many times when I needed more to look a little farther. After a bunch of research, the Vortex Viper 15x50s were the perfect addition to my tripod for javelina and deer season.

First impressions:

• HD Lens Elements – HD (High Density) extra-low dispersion glass delivers impressive resolution and color fidelity, resulting in High Definition images.
• XR Lens Coatings – Vortex proprietary XR anti-reflective coatings, fully multi-coated on all air-to-glass lens surfaces, increase light transmission for maximum brightness.
• Roof Prisms – Valued for greater durability and a more compact size.
• Waterproof – Optics are sealed with O-rings to prevent moisture, dust, and debris from getting inside the binocular.
• Fogproof – Argon gas purging guarantees superior fogproof and waterproof performance.
• Rubber Armor – Provides a secure, non-slip grip, and durable external protection.
• ArmorTek – Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant coating protects exterior lenses from scratches, oil and dirt.

Field Use:

Setting up the first morning of the season and putting my eyes to the Vortex Viper 15x50s was like entering a whole new world. The first thing that jumped out to me was the clarity and brightness of the image when viewed through the HD glass of the Vipers. On that first morning we spotted a herd of javelina almost a mile and half out. I had the opportunity to sit side by side with a buddy who was using a pair of Swarovski SLC 15×56 and view the herd through both binoculars. In truth the Swarovskis were exceptional, and to my untrained eye, I could see the slight difference between the two. The Vipers however definitely held their own against the top of the line binos on the market and provided a crystal clear picture edge to edge. When considering the discrepancy in price between these two great binoculars, the HD lens Vortex Vipers put up some stiff competition for it’s competitors.

The Vortex Viper 15×50 binoculars boast a rugged design with Vortex’s Rubber Armor coating, heavy duty O-rings that keep out moisture, as well as Argon gas purging to keep them fog free. One of the most attractive features of the Vortex binoculars is the guarantee that comes with all Vortex optics:

• Unlimited Lifetime Warranty
• Fully transferable
• No warranty card to fill out
• No receipt needed to hang on to

Over the following month, I carried the Vipers and spent many hours looking through them and watching animals at much greater distances than I could have with my 10x42s. They absolutely filled a huge need in my optics lineup. I still carry my 10s on my chest, but the 15s are always in my pack for situations where I need to see a bit farther.

Pros:

Price

Quality HD Glass

Durable Construction

Vortex VIP Warranty

Prognosis:  The Vortex Viper 15×50 binoculars offer top of the line glass at a middle of the road price. If you are in the market for a new set of 15s, The Vipers definitely deserve consideration 

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. The Vortex Viper 15×50 binoculars were provided for the purpose of this review by Camera Land. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review: Vortex Viper 15×50 Binoculars appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review – Game Planner Maps

Why:

There’s nothing better than pouring over a big map laid out on the kitchen table. There is no substitute for tracing lines and scouting for hard to reach hunting spots on a physical map.Add in a map on a smartphone and now outdoorsmen have more information at their fingertips then ever before. Trying to coordinate information between a paper map, a digital computer map, and a smartphone app has always been a bit of a headache. Recently, my good hunting buddy turned me on to Game Planner Maps and it’s been an awesome map and scouting tool that offers paper, desktop, and smartphone maps.

First impressions:

The Paper Maps – Game Planner Custom Maps are double sided and printed on water and tear resistant paper. Maps include a USGS Topographic base map, unit boundary, roads, springs and seeps, water bodies, wilderness area boundaries and specially designated areas (where applicable). The default map size is 24X36″ and covers ~300 mi² at 1:40,000 scale. This scale is a good compromise between detail and coverage; and you still get the 1:24000 base map. A 24X36″ map provides a large area and enough detail to accurately read contours and terrain features. 

The Desktop Map Viewer –  interactive maps with a long list of overlays, boundaries, habitat, water, species information, and tools. Currently, Game Planner Maps have the following states to check out on their desktop viewer:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Utah
• Wyoming

The Phone App – The phone app is pretty slick as well. Game Planner Digital Maps are designed to work with the Avenza PDF Maps mobile application. The system allows your Android or Apple phone to function as a GPS with no need for cell service or an internet connection. Once the maps are loaded to the PDF Maps app, you have the ability to see your location on the map, record waypoints, track your path, and measure distance.

Field Use:

I found the Game Planner Maps system to be an invaluable tool this past hunting season. I used the Desktop Map Viewer and paper maps to do quite a bit of scouting and trying to find access. There are so many valuable tools and overlays built into the Desktop Map Viewer that it’s easy to get sucked in to the program and spend hours gleaning information about the landscape and habitat. Although I’ve used Google Earth for years, the Game Planner Map Viewer has really proven to be on a whole other level of information.

I’ll admit that I’ve got a whole shelf full of paper maps. It’s become a bit of a tradition that when I start hunting or exploring a new unit, I pick up a physical map of the area to learn the lay of the land and take on my hunt. Having seen a bunch of different types of maps printed on different types of paper, I was really impressed with the detail on the Game Planner paper maps as well as the durability of the material.  All Game Planner paper maps  are double sided and printed on water and tear resistant paper.

The Game Planner Phone App proved to be an advantageous tool this year during quail season. Although most of my hunting takes place out of cell service, the PDF maps still afford me the opportunity to see my location on the map, record waypoints, track my route, and measure distance. It sure is nice to see what’s around the corner when exploring a new area.

Although Game Planner Maps offers standard hunting units in a growing number of states, they also have the ability to create customized property maps. Game Planner Maps is the brainchild of my friend Ed Vergin. Ed lives and breathes maps and truly has developed an awesome product. If you need anything map related, he is the guy to talk to. Contact him at info@gameplannermaps.com.

Pros:

Great tool for scouting

Multiple tools and overlays in Desktop Map Viewer

Convenient phone app for field use

Ability to use without a cell signal

Customized property maps

Customer service

New states being added to their database

Cons:

Cost (I’m really searching with this con. As with any useful tool, there is a price tag. Definitely worth it in my opinion.)

Prognosis:  Game Planner Maps offers an array of useful map tools and worth checking out for scouting and hunting season.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Ed Vergin, owner at Game Planner Maps is a friend of mine and was kind enough to give me a few maps to check out. If they sucked, I probably wouldn’t be writing this review. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review: Game Planner Maps appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review

Why:

Since I’ve moved to Arizona, I’ve been hunting Gambel’s quail without a dog. On the rare occasion, I can meet up with a buddy who has a dog, but most of my hunts are on my own. I’ve found that Gambel’s are very huntable due to how vocal they are, between their clucks, putts, and unmistakable assembly/locator call, “Chi-ca-go-go”. For the past few years, I’ve been playing around with a couple different locator calls with limited success. I recently had the opportunity to get my hands on a couple of handmade chamber calls from Jim Matthews and believer they are some of the best sounding quail calls on the market.

First impressions:

Chamber call – Jim Matthews’ unique call design features a hollowed out chamber on the inside of the call right behind the rubber band. This creates a rich resonate tone that makes for an extremely convincing Gambel’s call.

Handmade quality – Each call is handmade by Jim Matthews from a wide variety of woods. Jim was kind enough to embed a shotgun shell on the face of each call, which give them a really unique look.

Field Use:

I’ve been toting the Jim Matthews Signature Calls in my vest for most of the season and have seen real success in using them. I have one made from walnut and one from mesquite. Both sound great, but I found great success with the mesquite call. I can usually find birds early in the morning without much difficulty, but as the morning wears on, it can be tough to locate birds after breaking up a covey or two.

Each Jim Matthews Signature Call is built to receive a specific size rubber band which are available in bulk from your local office store. Right out of the box, each call sounds excellent, but by applying pressure with your fingers to the call can change the tone of the call and give a change in pitch if needed. Both of my calls sounded perfect without any adjustment.

Pros:

Beautiful handmade craftsmanship

Rich resonate sound

Multiple varieties of wood to choose from

Durable construction for years of use

Cons:

Cost – the calls aren’t cheap, but are a great addition in your bird vest.

Prognosis:  I can’t say enough good things about Jim Matthews Signature Calls. Put your order in for next season. You won’t be disappointed

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  Two calls were provided by Jim Matthews for the purpose of this review. My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

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