Arizona Wanderings

Rambling Review – RedRam Merino Thermal Underwear

December 15th, 2011

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Rambling Review – RedRam Merino Thermal Underwear

Why:

I moved out of the Adirondacks after college and spent about a year in Hawaii before moving to Arizona. Whatever thick blood I had developed growing up, is long gone. A quality pair of thermals is a necessity if the hunter wants to be successful on the stand during colder weather. Gearing up for a trip back to PA for archery deer, my number one concern was staying warm in my tree stand. Enter RedRam Merino Thermal Underwear.

Redram Thermal Tops — Redram Merino Thermal Tops and Bottoms

First impressions:

No Itch – I grew up wearing old hand-me-down wool long-johns that I absolutely hated because they were so itchy. After spending four days in these merino wool thermals, it is now safe for me to say that they truly do not itch.

No Bulk – The RedRam thermals were very comfortable to wear under a pair of jeans and they do not bulk up like other heavier thermals might. The merino wool hugs your body and is almost like another layer of skin that keeps you warm.

Naturally Fights Odors – Merino wool also has the natural ability to release sweat and moisture which helps to keep odor down. Compared to synthetic fibers, Merino wool seems to be a great choice for hunters, especially the hunter who is trying to cut down on weight in the backcountry.

Rock Wall — I'll spare you the picture of me actually in a pair of skin tight long johns...

Field Use:

Hunting – I had a great opportunity to head back to Pennsylvania to hunt whitetail with my uncle and I prepared for the worst. Spending 5 hours in a tree when the wind is howling, the sky opens up with a little bit of rain, or snow flurries dust the surrounding woods, can lead to coldness creeping up your spine and threaten to end the hunt early. My layering system was all based on top of my Redram Merino Wool thermals and honestly I could not have been more pleased with their performance. It is important to have a breathable base layer because walking in and climbing up into my stand can get my blood pumping.

Pros:

No Itch

Lightweight/No Bulk

Odor Fighting

Breathable

Sustainable Resource

Affordable – Compared to other merino wool thermals, RedRam is much more affordable

Cons:

Cost – It amazes me, even though RedRam is on the affordable end, how expensive thermal underwear can be…

Prognosis: If you are an active outdoorsman and looking for a new set of thermal underwear, you owe it to yourself to check out RedRam. Merino wool is the way to go…

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. The RedRam Thermals were provided by RedRam 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.

Last Chance Christmas Sale…

December 13th, 2011

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I got a fresh batch of Arizona Wanderings T-shirts hot off the press all the way from size Small to XXX-Large. So, if your looking for a last minute gift for the outdoorsman or maybe you have been eye-balling one for yourself, head on over to the Arizona Wanderings Shop and pick up one…or two. T-shirts are on sale for $15 until Christmas.

Once you head out into the field clad in your new shirt, take a picture with that big buck or fat old fish and email it to me. I would be happy to put it up on the Wall of Fame and give a shout out. Thanks for the support.

Book Report: “Girl Hunter” by Georgia Pelligrini

December 12th, 2011

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Back in early summer, I received an email from author/chef extraordinaire, Georgia Pelligrini to read and review her upcoming new release Girl Hunter, which is due out tomorrow, December 13. Georgia has a fascinating story about how she studied at the French Culinary Institute and found and fostered a desire to learn to hunt and forage for her own fresh food.

Her book is really a step-by-step journey of her foraying into the world of hunting and a cultural look at the different types of people, lifestyles, and game that she encounters. Each chapter details a unique quarry and at the end of each chapter Georgia leaves the reader with 3 or 4 different personal recipes, each which sound amazing.

I found the entire book and Georgia’s story so fascinating and truly enjoyed the read. Georgia was kind enough to leave this one recipe for my readers.

Moroccan Elk Stew

Serves (8)
Also try: beef, lamb, bison, venison, an other antlered game

4 pounds elk shoulder or haunch, cut into cubes
3/4 cup of all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons grap see oil or butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger powder
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 medium-size turnips, peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
2/3 cup dried apricots
2/3cup prunes, pitted
3-4 cups beef or antlered game stock

1. Heat a large, heavy -bottomed pot with oil. In a bowl, toss the elk cubes in the flour, Shake the cubes well and place them in the pot in batches, being sure not to crowd them. Brown them on all sides and transfer to a plate or rack.

2. Put all of the browned meat back in the pan and sprinkle it with the salt, cinnamon, ginger, and pepper. then add the vegetables, garlic, and dried fruit. Pour in enough stock for the meat to be three-quarters covered, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat so the bubbles percolate. Cover and simmer gently for 2 hours, until tender.

Special thanks to Georgia for the opportunity to review her book. Girl Hunter releases tomorrow, December 13th. Make sure to check out Georgia’s blog and pick up your copy of Girl Hunter.

Wall of Fame: Arizona Elk Hunting

December 9th, 2011

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My good friend, Tom James, took a beautiful Arizona bull elk in the late rifle season. The bull has a really interesting double beam on one side which gives him a very unusual non-typical look. A big congrats to Tom on a great bull and a full freezer. Maybe he and Linda will invite me over for another elk spaghetti dinner…

Rambling Review – Turtleskin Snake Chaps

December 7th, 2011

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Rambling Review – Turtleskin Snake Chaps

Why:

Arizona + Hunting = Rattlesnakes. I have stepped over a few in my wanderings around Arizona and all have elevated my heart rate and made me walk on air. Another reason to wear a set of chaps here in Arizona is that pretty much everything that grows in the desert is trying to stick you. From catclaw to cholla, mesquite to palo verde trees, everything has thorns and can really do a number on clothing not to mention skin. A hunter’s legs really take the brunt of most of the plants and landscape, so the extra protection from a set of Turtleskin Snake Chaps can make the difference for a day in the field.

First impressions:

The Fit – After talking to JT, from Uplanders Warehouse, I found his sizing advice to be spot on. The pair of chaps fit like a glove and were extremely comfortable over my jeans.

The Material – The Turtleskin Snake Chaps are made with a patented material that the manufacture calls Snake Armor. Turtleskin claim is that they are 100% snakebite proof and breathable.

The Noise – Right out of the bag, the chaps were a bit noisy when I first put them on and walked around the house. After throwing them in with a load of laundry, the noise went down considerably. We also went and bought linen loungewear for men & women that day and it is a quality product.

Field Use:

After getting out and hunting in these chaps for a couple of weeks, I am really impressed. Some of the areas that I hunt are loaded with cholla, prickly pear, and many other spine-bearing plants. When I hunt for Gambel’s quail, I am constantly looking ahead for the bobbing heads of Gambel’s or which inadvertently ends with me walking into a cactus. The Turtleskin Snake Chaps were a nice commodity to have and saved me from a few close calls with a couple of cholla.

I did notice that these although these chaps are breathable, after a couple of hours chasing quail up and down hills, they tend to get a bit warm. The unfortunate part is that, if these chaps are getting warm in November and December, I bet they really get warm during October which is when the snakes are out in full force. Turtleskin also makes a pair of Snake Gaitors which might be the answer for the warmer part of the season.

I hope that it goes without saying, I did not actually get to test the Snake Chaps against an actual rattlesnake, and I hope I never do. Statistically, it is highly unlikely to be bitten and most reports I have read about snake bites seem to have alcohol involved, in some cases, victims have even been in rehabs like the ones at http://fherehab.com/news/korn-frontman-speaks-out-against-xanax-and-addiction/. I figure at this point in my life, I have probably walked within striking distance of dozens of snakes and lived to tell the tale, but at the end of the day, it does feel nice walking around knowing that I have do have on a pair of snake-proof chaps.

Turtleskin Buckles clip easily over a belt

Pros:

Snake-proof

Extra protection from cactus, thorns, and everything else that grows in Arizona

Durable construction

Lightweight and Breathable

Comfortable

Easy to put on and take off

Cons:

A bit noisy

Cost

Prognosis: A pair of Turtleskin Snake Chaps are a pretty good idea if you are going to be chasing birds where snakes, briars, or cactus are present. Protecting your legs can be the difference between a good and a bad hunt.

* Disclaimer: The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. The Turtleskin Snake Chaps were provided for the purpose of this review by Uplanders Warehouse. 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.

Quail Hunting Arizona: A short morning afield…

December 5th, 2011

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The weather turned a bit chilly and ominous here in the Valley of the Sun this past Friday and Saturday with the threat of rain in the forecast. Not one to be deterred by a little water, I opted to head to one of my old favorites not far outside of town to see if there would be any birds willing to cooperate.

The things you see while quail hunting...

After parking the truck in the bottom of the wash, I quietly started to put on my vest and load my gun while the birds in the bushes started putting and squeaking, as if to warn each other that I was getting ready and it might be a good time to split. Thirty yards from the truck my day began with the thunderous sound of flushing Gambel’s quail. The thick cover prevented a shot and I started hiking up. (It always seems as if you have to hike up in Gambel’s country.)

From that point on, I climbed one hill after another as I found many coveys that were vocal, but few willing to really cooperate with me. Some flushed a hundred yards out in front of me while others would allow me to stalk right into the middle of them and then clam up. No matter how long I waited and no matter how many bushes I kicked, they would disappear. That is Gambel’s quail hunting at its finest.

I connected on a couple of birds which always makes the day a success, but the miles that I put on my boots and the sore body at the end of the hunt are often their own reward. My time in the field this fall has afforded me the opportunity to put some new gear to the test and I have a whole slew of great reviews for the weeks ahead.

I found some time as I sat to catch my breath, to stop and take in the beauty that often is over looked in Arizona. It is in these moments, where the deafening silence of the desert is broken by the wind and the calling quail, that I thank God that I have the time to get out and walk around in this awe-inspring creation and chase these beautiful, and sometimes frustrating, birds. Hunting makes me feel alive and even though my lungs are burning and my shirt is soaked through with sweat, it is tough to think of doing anything else at 7:30 on a Saturday morning.

Book Report: “Shin Deep” by Chris Hunt

December 2nd, 2011

6 Comments

Sometimes, I get lucky. I have always been a big fan of Eat More Brook Trout, the blog of author Chris Hunt. When the Outdoor Blogger Network had its first birthday, they generously put up a smorgasbord of giveaways. I passed on many because it was gear that I did not really need or I was not super excited about, until I saw this book. I have always had my eye on Chris Hunt’s book, Shin Deep, and could not have been happier when I won it in this giveaway. It was perfect timing too, for now I had something to read on my 5 hour trip back to Pennsylvania to get outsmarted by big whitetails.

The tagline for Shin Deep really says it all: “A fly fisher’s love of living water.” Anyone who knows me at all knows that I live to fly fish small streams. Chris knows his way around words and does a fine job of telling stories that show his love and appreciation for the small stream. From stories of taking his kids fishing, to breaking rod tips while having fun on the stream, it is a pretty real look at small stream fishing from Idaho to West Virginia. I could go on about what a wonderful writer Chris Hunt is, but you’d be better served picking up his book, Shin Deep and finding out for yourself.

Rambling Review – Crooked Horn Outfitters Trail Light

November 30th, 2011

4 Comments

Rambling Review – Crooked Horn Outfitters Trail Light

Why:

Can an outdoorsman have too many quality flashlight/headlamps? Probably not. The Crooked Horn Outfitters Trail Light is a pretty ingenious system that offers another illuminating option for the hunter, fisherman, or hiker.

First impressions:

The Dual Multidirectional LEDs – The Crooked Horn team really nailed it with the multidirectional LED system that they included in their Trail Light. With two individual pivoting LEDs the outdoorsman can perform those tasks that require light without having to try and position your headlamp in just such a way that leads to neck cramps later.

The Battery Clip – The quick, no hassle battery clip, assures the operater that at a moments notice a new battery can quickly be loaded into the Trail light without having to fumble with tiny screws and a screwdriver.

Hands Free – Usually my head lamp or flashlight is buried at the bottom of my pack. The operator can choose to mount the Trail Light to a backpack or quick clip it to a chest strap or jacket and always have their hands free.

Field Use:

Fly fishing – When small stream fishing, I usually wear a backpack to carry any gear that I may need. When sneaking into that remote stream in the early morning or slipping and sliding out of the creek long after the sunlight has left the canyon, having that Trail Light hooked to my should strap has been an extremely beneficial feature.

(I also performed a very unscientific test. When I was at the San Juan last spring, I had brought my vice with me to tie flies at camp. With my headlamp, I would find myself struggling to focus the beam on whatever I was working on. So, I went to my tying table here at home and turned all the lights off, so that it was completely dark. I then used the Trail Lights double beams and focused on on the hook and the other on the pedestal where my materials were. It was much easier to see what I was working on then just a head lamp, and I imagine if I used the Trail Light and a head lamp, I would be a happy camper.)

Hunting – I spent 4 days on a PA whitetail hunt, sneaking to stands before daybreak and climbing into trees in the dark. The Crooked Horn Outfitters Trail Light really came in handy. I used the green light setting for most walks in and used the two way directional to shine one at my hands and one at my feet as I climbed up the tree steps and got set up. The most convenient thing about the light is that it is hands free and the multidirectional feature. In my opinion it is better than a headlamp/hat light because you do not have to keep moving your head up and down to see where you are going and it does not shine in your buddy’s eyes when you are talking to him in the dark. The light being clipped to your pack or jacket keeps the light pointed down and forward and allows you to move your head to look all around without the light dancing all around the woods.

Pros:

Innovative Pivoting LEDs

Fast Battery Exchange Clip

Green and White LEDs for different hunting situations

Permanent Backpack Strap Mount

Cons:

There are brighter lights on the market, but I believe that the output is perfect when trying to sneak through the woods to the stand without spooking game.

Prognosis: The Crooked Horn Outfitters Trail Light is a dynamite little tool that will always be at the top of my gear list.

* 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 Crooked Horn Outfitter Trail Light was provided 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.