Hunting and Shooting Articles

Here are a few articles that are of interest. We're gearheads, not writers... so in addition to coming up with some of our own content we will license content, and also link to articles on other sites. If you have an article that you think we should link to, license, or write please contact us.

Articles at High Caliber Gear

Hunting Technique Articles

Hunting Technique - Day Hunting
While the information provided on this site is oriented toward backpack hunters, backpack hunters also day hunt, and backpack hunting is simply day hunting without going back home. Additionally, nearly all of the articles here are pertinent to any serious back country hunter; showing advances in gear and technique that can be applicable for a day out as much as a week out.

Hunting Technique - Scouting
Scouting can take on various forms, but for backpack and other serious backcountry hunters, it typically requires a great deal of effort. Between the drive to the trailhead or jump off point, the hike to location “x”, and days spent covering ground with feet or eyes, it can be the most difficult part of a season’s hunt. Since most of us can afford to spend a limited number of days or weekends in pursuit of game, maximizing effectiveness of scouting trips is key.

Hunting Technique - Spot And Stalk
For many Western rifle hunters, spot and stalk hunting is very effective, and is often incorporated into bow hunting as well. While not well-suited to all hunting situations or environments, it has significant benefits over other method

Ultralight Hunting Article
Ultralight backpack hunting is a fairly new concept for hunters. We will discuss some tips on how to help cut your pack weight all while staying comfortable in the backcountry.

Product Information Articles

Backcountry Hunting
Backcountry Hunting is one of the most physically demanding and equipment intensive style of hunting, but it offers opportunities to those who engage in it that are otherwise unattainable.

Gaiters
Gaiters come in many shapes, sizes, and fabrics. The most important function of gaiters is to keep debris (snow, dirt, rocks, etc.) out of your shoes and boots. If it gets cold enough in the backcountry, you may also find yourself donning gaiters simply for the minimal warmth they provide.

Glassing In Comfort
How many times have your glassing sessions been distracted or cut short due to cold, uncomfortable weather conditions? The bottom line is, the more comfortable you are while looking through your optics, the better your odds are of glassing longer, being more focused, and seeing more animals. This article will discuss some tactics and gear ideas to help increase your comfort while spotting game in high mountain environments.

Hard Shells
Waterproof breathable hard shells are one of the most commonly discussed features in a clothing system. While they can be a very useful piece of equipment, they are far less necessary than manufacturers would have us believe. Due to questionable if not false advertising, there are a great number of myths that circulate regarding hard shells. The following will describe the design and purpose behind the leading waterproof breathable membranes and suggest how they can be used to your benefit as part of a clothing system.

Hunting Footwear
Serious outdoor footwear has come a long way in the past decade, and there are a myriad of excellent options to keep your feet from becoming a limiting factor to success. While traditional hunting pacs still have their place, we believe that recent technology can offer benefits over those designs in many cases.

Hunting Gloves
Hunting hand wear must be dexterous, warm, and for backpack hunting and other serious trips, redundant. The longer the trip, the more important your glove choice becomes. Many simple tasks become very difficult if hands are too cold to function properly, and trigger pull sensitivity is negatively affected. Before delving into the various options on the market today, it is important to discuss what to expect from gloves and mittens.

Clothing Articles Hunting Socks
As part of your footwear system, hunting socks play an important role in keeping your feet intact and able to go the extra mile. Various weights and designs can be used to customize the interface with your boot.

Hunting Tarps and Tipis
Tarp and tipi style floorless shelters can be an incredible tool for hunters. They are lightweight, easy to use and are incredibly versatile. The following will discuss some of the different options available in tarp, tipi, and tarp tent shelters.

Hunting Tents
Tent technology has made many significant advances in recent years. The highest end tentmakers have been able to maximize strength and comfort for a given weight, and drop pounds off of older models using new materials and designs. Four season tents are now in the same weight range that three season tents were a few years ago. With the increased use of high-tech fabrics like cuben fiber and spinnaker fabric, the evolution of shelter design will continue to evolve.

Insulation
While base-layers are of great importance, a complementary mid-layer for cool or cold conditions should not be over-looked. Choosing the proper mid-layer is an important step in helping your body maintain an efficient temperature and moisture removal equilibrium with your clothing system.

Lightweight Rifle
Many hunters who hike long distances in rough terrain, or who are Backpack Hunting or Backcountry Hunting begin to seek out lightweight rifles. Lightweight rifles are not universally favored, as many find them more difficult to shoot well from field positions, and often claim that their skinny barrels lack the inherent accuracy potential of stouter designs. However, as the miles add up and the terrain intensifies, the reduced carrying weight of a lightweight rifle becomes more critical.

Midlayers
While base-layers are of great importance, a complementary mid-layer for cool or cold conditions should not be over-looked. Choosing the proper mid-layer is an important step in helping your body maintain an efficient temperature and moisture removal equilibrium with your clothing system.

Military using Lightweight Gear
US Military personal are selecting lightweight high performance gear from the civilian sector for mountain warfare operations. This is a result of military ranks looking to lighten the load and improve the performance and comfort of soldiers at high altitude.

Shelter Systems for Backpack Hunting
While there are a myriad of different shelter options for general backpacking, backpack hunting often requires a more specific set of needs.

Single Wall Shelters
While somewhat limited by manufacturing costs and design constraints, single wall shelters can be very effective for a select set of conditions. Those from Rab, Integral Designs, and others are incredibly strong, and can withstand severe winds better than any other tent design.

Sleeping Bag Fill—Down vs. Synthetic
Seelping Bag Fill is an important factor in your sleeping bag choice. It affects your pack weight, the bulk of your load, and the conditions in which you can function comfortably. As with many hunting gear choices, there is no single best choice for all conditions; the user must balance a primary insulation choice with trip length, conditions expected, and a clothing system.

Sleeping Pads
Most will agree that a good night’s sleep in the hills makes the subsequent waking hours more enjoyable and productive, and that a comfortable sleeping pad plays an important role in this process. However, the various designs and preferences in sleeping pads result in a number of ways to arrive at what each person deems a comfortable arrangement. More important than physical cushioning is the resistance they provide that reduces heat conduction away from your body. There are two broad categories of sleeping pads discussed below: closed cell foam, and inflatable.

Soft Shells
Soft shell pants and jackets have been used for many years by mountaineers, and are now becoming more popular with the general public. They make great sense for nearly all environments, and offer excellent advantages for hunters. They are not meant to be waterproof or particularly insulating, but they will keep you comfortable in a wider range of conditions than any other single layer.

Stoves for Backpack Hunting
There are a number of different stove options for backpack hunting. Wood, esbit/alcohol, canister, or white gas fuels can all be effective depending on your hunting style and location. With advances in technology and careful planning it is easy to shave significant weight from traditional cooking systems.

Traction Systems
While crampons and footwear traction systems have not generally been considered a part of a hunting pack, they can be very useful in steep, wet, or icy terrain. Like having logging boots with instantly removable caulked soles, hunters can now use removable spikes to navigate nasty off trail conditions.