Today is Bill Howard's Outdoors 1 year birthday! Thanks for following these last 12 months.
And tonight, on Coast2Coast Outdoors... Rb Wright Outdoors and Chaplain to the Outdoorsmen - http://t.co/w1lyK66P We are talking Gun Safety, Safety Harnesses, Bear Protests, & Antlered Does. We will also be joined by guest Bill Howard engaging the discussion of safety in the field. Join us at 6 PST / 9 EST.
You can watch it here LIVE: http://www.livestream.com/coast2coastoutdoors!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Gear Review: Bogs Footwear Copperhead Snake Boots
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| Bogs Copperhead Snake Boot |
Bogs Footwear is considered a leader in quality boots. For this reason, when they contacted me to do a review on a set, I jumped at the chance. Being from North Carolina, my hunting areas offer plenty of opportunities for human/snake encounters. Based on that, the Bogs Copperhead snake boots were the logical choice.
Since this is a rubber boot, I felt this would be a good boot to deer hunt in. Rubber boots do not carry scent preventing the chance to leave my human odor on the trail to the tree stand. With the snake boot quality, I was hoping this would also work well for turkey hunting in the spring as well.
According to Bogs, the Copperhead boot “offers a perfect fit that doesn't need breaking in.” So, I might as well take their word on it! I looked over the boots when they arrived at the house, but I did not even remove the cardboard liners from the inside. I wanted to hike in them from scratch.
I woke up around 4am, took a shower, and then began dressing for the hunt. Sliding my feet in the boot kind of reminded me of Iron Man. There is a long zipper in the back of the boot with a folded rubber liner. When my foot got past the snake lining, it ‘locked’ into place. I was quite surprised at the weight of the boot. Once zipped up, the boot seemed much lighter than just holding them in my hands. The real test would come in about 30 minutes.
I drove with the boots on and I could tell there was limited movement in the ankle area. This was expected, after all, it is a snake boot.
Once at the entrance to the field, I grabbed my pack and bow and commenced to hike. After only a hundred yards or so, I could feel some fatigue already on my right foot and ankle. My left ankle, however, was doing well. A little history; my left ankle was broken while in college while playing basketball. I made a steal on the opposition but as I headed in the other direction, my left ankle stepped on the side of his foot, rolling it completely over. From this injury, I have chronic pain and occasionally develop a limp. The support from the hard snake lining in the boot actually helped in this case. I rested a couple of minutes and thought about what was going on. I step differently with my left than I do my right, so I adjusted my walk. Problem solved! I proceeded to hike about a mile in to the stand with no leg, ankle or foot fatigue. They were actually quite comfortable for the hike after I adjusted my steps.
It was a chilly morning (low in the mid 30s) and the 5mm of combined Neo-Tech and Airmesh insulation provided plenty of warmth. I did not test them in water, but this is a rubber boot and that is what they are made for. I have no doubt they would handle the water well.
The construction of this boot is noticeable from the moment you open the box, through the process of pulling the boot on, and to point where the boot is worn. They are advertised as not having to be broken in, and in my case the advertising was dead on. The comfort exceeded my hiking boots and the rubber shell does not carry scent. The boot contains a 400 snakeguard for puncture protection and security when walking through snake infested waters or lands.
The Bogs Copperhead snake boot lists at $190.00. I spent half that on a nice pair of 9mm chest waders. I have snake chaps that I may have spent $40 on. The point I am making here is they are expensive and I am a little cheap in regards to clothing and shoes. But...yes, there is a but…THESE BOOTS MAY BE THE HIGHEST QUALITY PRODUCT I HAVE EVER REVIEWED. I am overly impressed. Bogs has made a believer out of me, and I can see myself paying this much for this same boot in the future if circumstances dictate it. They are worth it.
Want to read more reviews? Bill Howard's Outdoors Reviews and GiveEmTheShaft Reviews
Bill Howard writes a weekly outdoors column for the Wilson Times and Yancey County News and the bowhunting blog site GiveEmTheShaft.com. He is a Hunter Education and International Bowhunter Education instructor, lifetime member of the North Carolina Bowhunters Association, Bowhunter Certification Referral Service Chairman, member and official measurer of Pope and Young, and a regular contributor to North Carolina Bowhunter Magazine.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
More Great Things Coming!
As we get closer to the one year Blogoversary on Monday, things just keep getting better!
First, Bill Howard's Outdoors broke the 10,000 mark for reads earlier. I hope as this number continues to grow that you, the reader, is getting something from this, whether it is a bit of knowledge, a warm cozy feeling of nostalgia, an understanding, or maybe even a tear down the cheek every now and then.
Second, on the one year mark, I will be making a guest appearance on Coast2Coast Outdoors with RB Wright and Kerry Mackey. I will post a link to the show on this blog afterwards. The show appears LIVE at 9pm EST here: Coast2Coast Outdoors. There will be a good message in my appearance, so I hope you all will be able to join or watch later in the week on the embedded video.
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| Emily Anderson and her Kansas whitetail grace our first cover. |
Some of our contributors include Nick Viau (Life and Longbows), Al Quackenbush (SoCal Bowhunter), Will Jenkins (The Will to Hunt), Amanda MacDonald, (Bow Meets Girl), Mark Huelsing (Sole Adventure), Ryan Shoemaker (BowhuntQuest), Emily Anderson (Scent Free Lip Gloss) tips and stories from Lester Harper (LH Custom Archery), Tony Catalde (Bearded Boar), Timothy Borkett (Unlucky Hunter), Randy Mabe (Broadhead Kennels), Sonny Ithipathachai (NC Outdoor Adventures) and many many more! Each of these are experts in their own rights, are parts of various prostaffs, have tremendous followings and even hold some bowhunting records. We will also have guest stories from industry leaders in various segments of bowhunting and archery.
The best part of our magazine is it is not your typical magazine! We are going to cover some of the usual stuff such as whitetail hunting, but we are also going to throw some stuff out there that is a little out of the norm. How 'bout snow goose hunting with a bow? Or how dogs can assist bowhunting? Maybe even how to spot and stalk using a horse for cover. We will have a directory for state wildlife agencies, taxidermists, and game processors for each state as well to help you no matter where you hunt.
So, if you love bowhunting, or just love hunting and the outdoors, this magazine will provide some good reads for you. Just head over to BowAmerica and sign up there. Again, its FREE!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Gear Review: Barmah Australian Hats
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| High Desert in Arizona with Barmah on top! |
Every outdoorsman has their one ‘can’t do without’ item. It is like a security blanket or teddy bear for a toddler. As long as that one thing is with them, he can tackle anything nature throws his way.
For me, it is a hat. I have always worn hats. As a child and through my teenage years, you could hardly ever catch me without a ball cap on. The only exception would be while hunting dove. Then, you would find me with a green boonie hat with the draw string usually pulled over the top of the hat with one side snapped up. I have always been a ‘little’ different.
Recently I was offered an item to review that was right up my alley. After all, I had been wearing one for over 10 years! Barmah USA makes Australian style hats. Barmah is based in Australia and their hats are made from such leathers as bronco and kangaroos, are water resistant, and have that flare I look for. They are also designed to be folded and spring back into shape. They come with a nifty bag that has imprinted instructions on how to properly fold the hat for storage in the bag. |
| Gators at night in Georgia with Barmah. |
I have been wearing a Kangaroo Barmah hat in a hickory. I have also owned one in a limestone green that was sent to retirement. Barmah supplied me Foldaway suede in a sand color to try as well. Like mentioned in the previous paragraph, the hats are designed to be folded and spring back into shape. I have found there are a few tricks if you have a preference to the look of your hat, and I like the front of the hat to curl slightly down with the side curled slightly up. Letting the hat rest on the edge of a table or desk with the front hanging off for several days will give this desired look.
The hats have been treated with Scotch-guard prior to shipping preventing stains and giving the hat the water resistance. How water resistant is this hat? Let’s just say Niagara Falls resistant! While the exterior of the hat was soaked on a trip to the national landmark, the hat dried quickly and retained shape and fit.
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| Not even the mighty Niagara can stop it! |
Now I have been blessed/cursed with my father's and grandfather's genes. This means my head lacks some natural covering. The Barmah hat provides covering that can be worn in the heat of summer or the bitter temperatures of winter. While I have not worn the suede during excessively high temperatures, the kangaroo hat does a great job of allowing my noggin to breathe in the heat. As far as cold temps, both hats keep my head plenty warm.
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| Even the September sun and dust are under control. |
The price points for the Barmah hat varieties are in the $75 or less range. I’m pretty cheap when it comes to clothing and apparel, but I believe in the worth of the Barmah hat enough that I have bought two. I can be pretty rough on them, as I wear them in the woods and in the field, and they continue to survive unscathed.
In a recent interview with the Outdoor Blogger Network, I responded to the question “What is the one thing you cannot do without?” with “My Barmah Hat.” In fact, my Barmah hat is not just a hat, it identifies me.
Want to read more reviews? Bill Howard's Outdoors Reviews and GiveEmTheShaft Reviews
Bill Howard writes a weekly outdoors column for the Wilson Times and Yancey County News and the bowhunting blog site GiveEmTheShaft.com. He is a Hunter Education and International Bowhunter Education instructor, lifetime member of the North Carolina Bowhunters Association, Bowhunter Certification Referral Service Chairman, member and official measurer of Pope and Young, and a regular contributor to North Carolina Bowhunter Magazine.
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