I apologize for my absence over the last couple of months, but we have been hard at work on a new project that I am very excited about!  My company, Fish and Hunt the World, in conjunction with Outdoor Connection,  has started a new relationship with the NRA and created a new company called NRA Outdoors.  NRAhuntersrights.org just recently interviewed me about the new project that I think sums it up very nice, here is the article for you to read.

http://www.nrahunterrights.org/Article.aspx?id=6421

Feel free to contact me anytime about this new project.  I think the most important thing about this new relationship is that every trip booked through NRA Outdoors a portion will go back to the NRA to help fight the 2nd Amendment fight – Our right to Keep and Bear Arms.

Check out our Facebook Page, where we will be giving away trips, gear and apparel.

http://www.facebook.com/NRAOutdoors

You’ve probably seen him on TV or maybe even been to one of his live shows. Tim Bradley will be hosting a Nebraska pheasant hunt with us this coming October! There are only 12 spots available, some of which are already sold, be sure to read details below and contact me if you would like to join us.  It’s going to be a blast!  Greg Ray 918 407 2586

My website has a completely new look, be sure to check it out! It is still a work in progress but we are adding information on a daily basis.  We have added a “Quick Search” that will make looking for your species much easier.  As always feel free to call me anytime with questions about your next outdoor adventure.

http://www.fishandhunttheworld.com/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/frankminiter/2012/04/09/tmz-is-wrong-about-donald-trump-jr-and-safari-hunting/

Preferred Product List for Leaf River Caribou Hunt

Footwear

The first category that we would like discuss is footwear.  Proper footwear can make or break a hunt.  Cold, wet feet make it uncomfortable to sit and glass.  Sore, blistered feet make it difficult to quietly sneak or quickly get into position for the shot.

Leather Hiking Boots

Danner’s Pronghorn boot is a great choice for this hunt.  They are very durable, comfortable, gore-tex lined waterproof boots.  Their 400 grams of insulation should provide enough warmth on the cool mornings but not be too warm for a mid-day stalk.  Through our experience, the Pronghorn’s advanced lug design has been a hunt saver when navigating wet, icy, uneven terrain.  This boot will provide the support you need for the varied conditions you will encounter on this hunt.

Danner Pronghorn:

http://www.danner.com/boots/pronghorn-gtxr-mossy-oakr-break-upr-400g-hunting-boots.html

Retail:  $179.99                              Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $159.99

Camp Shoes

The Muck SUV hiker is our choice for a quality camp shoe that will keep you warm and dry walking around camp and in and out of your cabins.  These hikers easily slip on and off and are built well enough that you could wear them out in the field.  They are also lightweight and easy to pack.

Muck Website:

http://www.muckboots.com/outdoors.htm

Retail:  $89.99         Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $71.99  MOBU Camo

Socks

As important as your boots and waders are, your socks are equally important.  The correct socks will help regulate foot temperature and keep your feet warm even when damp.  We strongly recommend a layering system similar to what we recommend for your clothing.  A good next to skin sock that wicks moisture is critical to this system working properly.  For this layer we use and recommend the Danner Pronghorn liner sock.  It is antimicrobial throughout its construction so it will minimize odor development.  Your next layer should be a heavier merino wool sock that will keep you warm even when wet and will not begin to smell after days of heavy use.  A good choice for this layer is the Smartwool Medium Weight Hunting Sock.   Always remember – it never hurts to have an extra pair or two in case you get wet!

Danner Website:

http://www.danner.com/accessories/socks/pronghorntm-liner.html

Danner Pronghorn Liner:

Retail:  $10.99                                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive price:  $7.99

Smartwool Website:

https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm#/Mens/Socks/PerformanceSocks/

Retail:  $17.99                                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive price: $14.99

Clothing

The next product grouping that we’d like to work on is clothing.  Layering is the key to allowing a quality clothing “system” work.  Each layer plays its own part.

The first part of the system is the clothing that you will wear next to your skin.  We have had tremendous success with 100% merino wool long underwear.  It is the ultimate material for moisture wicking, insulation, and scent elimination.  There are a lot of synthetic products on the market, most of which we have tested and been disappointed with.  They are great for a day or two but just don’t remain scent free like wool.  Our recommendation is a product made by Smartwool.

Smartwool Top:  https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm#/Mens/Apparel/Baselayer/_/2528/

Retail:  $85                                       Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $69.99

Smartwool Bottom:

https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm#/Mens/Apparel/Baselayer/_/2529/

Retail:  $75                                       Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $64.99

Insulation Layer/Outer Layer

Sitka’s Stratus top and 90% bottoms are our choice for this type of hunt.  They are quiet, durable, wick moisture, wind resistant, and will keep you dry if you do encounter light precipitation.  You will wear this layer 90% of the time, whether it is as an outer layer or an insulation layer.  We recommend the Optifade Forest pattern for this hunt.

Sitka Website:

http://www.sitkagear.com/products/forest/jackets-vests/midweight-jackets/stratus-jacket/.

Jacket Retail:  $249.99                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $209.99

Sitka Website:

http://www.sitkagear.com/products/forest/pants/soft-shell-pants/90-percent-pants/

Pant Retail:  $229.99                    Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $189.99

We also believe in the insulating properties of a vest for the cooler mornings or evenings.  A good vest will provide warmth to the core part of our body while allowing for more mobility in the arms when you need it most.  Our recommendation is the Sitka Kelvin Vest.

Sitka Website:

http://www.streiffsstore.com/servlet/-strse-11130/SITKA-KELVIN-VEST-MOUNTAIN/Detail

Retail:  $149.99                              Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $119.99

Waterproof, Wind Blocking Layer

This is undoubtedly the key to allowing your clothing system to work when the weather gets bad.  This outer layer should be built to withstand the elements while allowing the next to skin and insulation layer to work.  This does not have to be a heavy layer.  When you are layered properly this should actually be lightweight clothing that will keep the rain and wind off of you.  You will need a garment that is 100% waterproof, including taped seams and waterproof zippers.  There is nothing worse than having to spend a day in the field wet.  We have had the best experiences with the Sitka Stormfront Lite top and bottom.  These garments are not only lightweight and durable but will keep you dry under any condition and block the wind extremely well.

http://www.sitkagear.com/Product.aspx?cat=237

Jacket Retail:  $369.99                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $332.99

Pant Retail:  $269.99                    Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $242.99

Extreme Cold Weather Layer

Sitka’s new Kelvin Jacket and Pants are our choice for those times when you’ll need just a little extra warmth.  Both are filled with lightweight, ultra warm, primaloft insulation.  This allows them to be easily packed and carried with you so it’s ready when you need it.  It is important to note that this jacket and pant are designed to be worn under your protection layer as an insulating layer only.

Sitka Jacket:

http://www.sitkagear.com/Product.aspx?cat=239

Jacket Retail:  $199.99                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $179.99

Sitka Pant:

http://www.sitkagear.com/products/forest/insulation/kelvin-pant/

Pant Retail:  $169.99                    Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $149.99

This is how we would plan on layering for your hunt:

1.  Next to Skin Layer
2. Insulation Layer(s) with vest
3. Protection Layer
   1. 100% waterproof, wind blocking layer
      1.                                                               i.      If the weather is favorable we would start with the waterproof/wind blocking layer in our packs and ready to go should the conditions worsen.

Gloves and Hats

A basic camo ball cap will work well for most of your time in the field.  When it gets cold a stocking hat is handy to keep your head and ears warm.  If you don’t have one of these let us know and we’ll send one of those to you as well.  When it is raining it is best to rely on your rain jacket’s hood to keep dry.

We also recommend a balaclava type of head covering to protect from wind and weather.  We use the Avery Yukon hood.  This is a hood that is meant to be worn over a hat.  This is extremely useful because you will not have to take anything off to put in on and it can be pulled down and worn around the neck if not needed on the head.  Using it this way will no doubt maximize your “hunting” time!

Avery Website:  http://averyoutdoors.com/apparel.html.

Retail:  $17.99                                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $16.19

Gloves can be a little tricky.  Big and bulky will keep you warm but make it difficult to make the shot when you need to.  Too thin and your fingers will freeze.  Most hunters still wear one pair of gloves at a time.  We have had a lot of luck layering our gloves like our clothing.  On the cooler days it will be helpful to wear a thin glove inside an insulating glove.  We wear the Under Armour liner glove under either a heavy or light insulating glove.  This liner glove does wonders to wick moisture away from your skin to keep your hands feeling dry and warm no matter what.  This also allows us to quickly “shed” a heavier glove to handle a weapon with ease for the shot of a lifetime.  A great lightly insulated glove is the Manzella Stalker glove.   We see you wearing this glove for warmth over the Under Armour glove on the cool mornings.

Your outfitter strongly recommends gloves that will keep you warm, even when wet.  For this application we recommend the Avery Neoprene Shooting Glove.  Neoprene is a wonderful material that holds its thermal properties even when wet.

Under Armour Website:  http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/mens/sports/hunting/accessories/gloves.

Retail on the Under Armour Camo Liner Glove:  $21.99                                                                            Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $19.99

Manzella Website:

http://www.manzella.com/productresults.aspx?marketsegment=field&category_code=mens&warmth_rating_code=warmer&glovefinder=false

Retail on the Stalker Glove:  $24.99     Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $22.49

Avery Website:

http://www.averyoutdoors.com/shooting.html#shootersgloves

Retail:  $19.99                                             Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $17.99

Optics, Pack, and Accessories

A high quality set of binoculars that we recommend are made by Swarovksi.  The SLC 10x42HD’s provide a crisp, clear picture in the lowest of light conditions.  They are also built to stand up to everything you will ever throw at them and backed by Swarovksi’s Lifetime Warranty.  Be prepared to spend a lot of time behind your “glasses” each day as you scan the surrounding terrain for game.  Without quality optics this will become a chore, rather than an exciting part of your hunt.  Quality optics will reduce eye fatigue and nearly eliminate your chances of a headache after long hours of glassing for game.  It is imperative that you bring a high quality set of binoculars, at a minimum, on this trip.  You can view these at:

http://www.swarovskioptik.com/en/products/binoculars-slc-42-hd

Retail:  $2099.99                            Hosted Hunts Exclusive Price:  $1889.99

It is always a good idea to carry your binoculars on a bino harness system.  The bino system will keep your binoculars at your chest and ready for whenever you may need them.  They will also eliminate a lot of the weight you would feel while carrying binoculars with a standard neck strap.  The bino system is an inexpensive way to make a huge difference on your hunt.

Bino Harness:  http://www.streiffsstore.com/servlet/-strse-1450/CRO-BINO-SYSTEM-BLACK/Detail

Retail:  $24.99                                 Hosted Hunts Exclusive Price:  $19.99

Rangefinder

When the moment of truth arrives a rangefinder will eliminate any doubt as to how far a Caribou is from you.  A couple of things to think about:  1.  A laser rangefinder will work far better than one that needs a reflective surface to obtain a distance reading – especially at long distances.  2.  A rangefinder with a scan feature will allow you to quickly scan an area or follow a moving animal.  This is especially helpful when trying to give distance readings to a hunting partner.

Our number one recommendation for a rangefinder to take on this trip is the Leupold RX1000.  You can view this rangefinder at http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/rangefinders/rx-1000-compact-rangefinders/rx-1000-compact-digital-laser-rangefinder/.

Retail:  $399.99                              Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $359.99

Pack

Eberlestock’s packs are at the top of their class in build, fit, and functionality.  The Just One JP9 Blue Widow pack is the pack that we recommend for this hunt.  Starting at 2200 cubic inches, this pack will expand to 4700.  It also has an improved internal aluminum frame system that will support plenty of weight should you ever need to pack anything heavy.  Other important items are a rain fly and hydration bladder.  You can view this pack at http://www.eberlestock.com/JP9%20Blue%20Widow.htm

Pack Retail:  $329.99                    Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $279.99

Rain Fly Retail:  $26.99                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $24.29

Hydration System Retail:  $19.99                                                                                                                                                          Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $17.99

Gun Scabbard Retail:  $49.99     Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $39.99

Accessories

All too often, it is the little things that make the difference on a hunt like this.  Our goal is to make sure that you are aware of all the accessories, tricks, and tips that we have learned though years of hunting around the world!

Bow Accessories and Setup

If you’ve already been lucky enough to do it you know that taking caribou with archery tackle is not an easy task.  If you haven’t, we’re here to help you make that task a little easier.  With a bow that is properly set up and through lots of practice your chances for a harvest can be greatly improved.  Our staff has taken 12 caribou with archery equipment(many at Leaf River) and would be happy to walk through your setup with you.  There are a few accessories, like a balcom bow sling, that we think are invaluable on a hunt like this.  There is also great reason to make sure that your bow is tuned properly.  The chance that you’ll take a shot that is more difficult than normal in conditions that you’re not used to is great.  Give me a call to walk through your entire setup for free.  If needed, we receive and ship bows for tuning regularly.

Bug Control

I’m sure you’re well aware of this by now but the flying bugs(mosquito’s, flies, etc.) can be terrible to deal with in Quebec.  Hopefully it will be cool enough at night that they shouldn’t be too much of a problem but one sunny, 50 degree day, and they’ll be all over.  Robinson Outdoors makes a non-scented bug spray called no stinkin’ bugs.  This is our recommendation for bug spray.  It comes in a small, easy to pack canister and works very well on mosquitoes and flies.  We have used this in many situations and are very impressed with how well it keeps the bugs off of you as well as how scent free it is – we even use it for bow hunting.  http://www.scentblocker.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=79&osCsid=968eae3bc880f8c9eb757b83127d34cf&cPath=22_52.

Retail:  $7.99                                   Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $7.19

Dry Bags

We exclusively use and sell SealLine bags.  They make a variety of bags for many different situations.  We encourage you to take a look at this page http://cascadedesigns.com/SealLine to see what may work for you individual situation.

To give you some starting points:

We use the 70L boundary pack http://cascadedesigns.com/sealline/packs-and-duffles/boundary-pack/product when we need to pack large amounts of clothing or other items and keep them 100% dry.  The comfortable backpack straps make this easy to carry around.  This is more of a traveling type of pack.

Retail:  $84.99                                             Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $76.49

We use the Storm Sacks http://cascadedesigns.com/sealline/dry-bags/storm-sack/product for keeping little important items protected from the elements.  Extra pair of socks, extra shirt, extra gloves, matches, and food are all items you would put in this style of sack.  These sacks are better suited to keep the items that cannot get wet absolutely dry when in the field.  They’re light enough and small enough that you will easily carry them in your Eberlestock packs or you could stow them in the boat.

Retail:  $9.99                                               Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $8.99

Again, these would be the two most useful packs to you based on our experience.  The larger boundary pack is ideal for traveling in boats, small planes, or anything where your gear could be exposed to the elements.  The smaller Storm Sacks are perfect for all those little things that can’t get wet.  A couple of these wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.  If you see more that may fit your individual needs they are available as well.

Compass/First Aid

No matter what you are doing outdoors it is smart to carry a compass with you.  We use the Brunton compasses http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=92.  Your price on this specific one is $17.99.  It is not only great for navigation but also handy in case of an emergency with the mirror on it.

A simple First Aid Kit can go a long way should you encounter some problems while out in the field.  We always carry waterproof kits so that we can leave it in our pack and know that it will be ready should we need it.  Your price on the one we carry is $14.99 and includes everything you would need.

Fishing

Our recommendation for a spinning rod was the St. Croix Premier 2 piece rod.  The 7 foot, medium weight, fast action would be the best choice for this trip.  You can view this rod at http://www.stcroixrods.com/rods/default2.asp?rodname=36.

Retail:  $109.99                              Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price: $89.99

We would combo this up with a Shimano Saros 3000 spinning reel and 10 pound test monofilament line and you’d have a real nice setup.  This reel is sturdy enough to handle the fight of anything you’ll hook into up there and has the spool capacity to go with it.  You can view this reel at http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/spinning/Saros_F.html.

Retail:  $116.99                                          Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $99.99

A small, packable Plano tackle box with all of the lures you’ll need will cost you $50.

If you are a fly fisherman in need of rod/reel setups, flies, leader material, or fly line please let me know and we’ll help you get properly set up.

It is our hope that you find the information we provided to be useful.  Once you have had a chance to look this over and do some research of your own we would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.  Please remember, there are many choices in the categories I have discussed.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to help you prepare for this exciting hunt!  Feel free to contact me at Streiff Sporting Goods for any of your product needs or questions.  I can be reached at (218)386-2590 or at nickm@streiffs.com.

Nick Marvin

Preferred Product List for Spot and Stalk Black Bear Hunt

April, 2012

Leather Hiking Boots

Kenetrek’s Mountain Extreme boot is a great choice for this hunt.  They are full leather, waterproof boots.  Their 400 grams of insulation will provide enough warmth on the cool mornings but not be too warm for the long hikes you will be taking each day.  Through our experience, the Mountain Extreme’s advanced lug design has been a hunt saver when navigating wet, uneven terrain.  This boot will provide the support you need for the varied conditions you will encounter on this hunt.  You simply will not find a finer mountain boot.

Kenetrek Website for boots: http://www.kenetrek.com/prodinfo.asp?number=KE-420-400

Retail:  $375.00                           Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $319.99

Socks

As important as your boots are, your socks are equally important.  The correct socks will help regulate foot temperature and keep your feet warm even when damp.  We strongly recommend a layering system similar to what we recommend for your clothing.  A good next to skin sock that wicks moisture is critical to this system working properly.  For this layer we use and recommend the Danner Pronghorn liner sock.  It is antimicrobial throughout its construction so it will minimize odor development.  Your next layer should be a heavier merino wool sock that will keep you warm even when wet and will not begin to smell after days of heavy use.  A good choice for this layer is the Smartwool Medium Weight Hunting Sock.   Always remember – it never hurts to have an extra pair or two in case you get wet!

Danner Website:

http://www.danner.com/accessories/socks/pronghorntm-liner.html

Danner Pronghorn Liner:

Retail:  $10.99                                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive price:  $7.99

Smartwool Website:

http://www.smartwool.com/mens/socks-2/hiking-medium-crew-17.html

Retail:  $17.95                                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive price: $14.99

Clothing

The next product grouping that we’d like to discuss is clothing.  Layering is the key to allowing a quality clothing “system” work.  Each layer plays its own part.  Upon doing some research on “Flying B’s” hunting area, I’ve found that average temperatures for your hunting area over the last 3 years range from upper 30’s at night to 70 during the day throughout April.  This means that you’ll need to be prepared to handle 30+ degree temperature swings over the course of a day in the field.  Properly layered clothing is the only way you’ll stay comfortable in this environment.

Next to Skin Layer

The first part of the system is the clothing that you will wear next to your skin.  We have had tremendous success with 100% merino wool long underwear.  It is the ultimate material for moisture wicking, insulation, and scent elimination.  There are a lot of synthetic products on the market, most of which we have tested and been disappointed with.  They are great for a day or two but just don’t remain scent free like wool.  Our recommendation is a product made by Minus 33.  The conditions on this hunt are suitable for the light weight garments.

Minus 33 Website:

http://www.minus33.com/catalog/men-s-100-wool-light-weight-crew-neck-long-sleeve/718

¼ Zip Top:

Retail:  $59.99                     Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $39.99.

Bottoms are cut one way.  Again, the standard weight(230g) is what we recommend for your hunt.

Retail:  $59.99                                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $39.99

Insulation Layer/Outer Layer

Sitka’s 90% top and bottoms are our choice for this type of hunt.  They are quiet, durable, wick moisture, and will keep you dry if you do encounter light precipitation.  This layer is called 90% for a reason: you will wear this 90% of the time, weather it is as an outer layer or an insulation layer.

Sitka Website: http://www.sitkagear.com/Product.aspx?cat=88

Jacket Retail:  $249.99                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $224.99

Pant Retail:  $229.99                    Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $206.99

Waterproof, Wind Blocking Layer

This is undoubtedly the key to allowing your clothing system to work should the weather gets bad.  This outer layer should be built to withstand the elements while allowing the next to skin and outer layer to work.  This does not have to be a heavy layer.  When you are layered properly this should actually be lightweight clothing that will keep the rain and wind off of you.  You will need a garment that is 100% waterproof, including taped seams and waterproof zippers.  There is nothing worse than having to spend a day in the field wet.  We have had the best experiences with the Sitka Downpour top and bottom set.  These garments are not only lightweight and durable but will keep you dry under any condition and block the wind extremely well.

http://www.sitkagear.com/products/forest/jackets-vests/waterproof-jackets/downpour-jacket/

Jacket Retail:  $249.99                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $224.99

Pant Retail:  $199.99                    Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $179.9

This is how we would plan on layering for your hunt:

1.  Next to Skin Layer
2. Outer Layer
3. Protection Layer
   1. 100% waterproof, wind blocking layer
      1.                                                               i.      If the weather is favorable we would start with the waterproof/wind blocking layer in our packs and ready to go should the conditions worsen.

Gloves and Hats

A basic camo ball cap will work well for most of your time in the field.  If it gets cold a stocking hat is handy to keep your head and ears warm.  The other option is a ball cap that has ear flaps.  If you don’t have either of these let us know and we’ll get one sent to you.

Gloves can be a little tricky.  Big and bulky will keep you warm but make it difficult to make the shot when you need to.  Too thin and your fingers will freeze.  Most hunters still wear one pair of gloves at a time.  We have had a lot of luck layering our gloves like our clothing.  On the cooler mornings and days it will be helpful to wear a thin glove inside an insulating glove.  We wear the Under Armour liner glove under either a heavy or light insulating glove.  This liner glove does wonders to wick moisture away from your skin to keep your hands feeling dry and warm no matter what.  This also allows us to quickly “shed” a heavier glove to handle a weapon with ease for the shot of a lifetime.  A great lightly insulated glove is the Manzella Wind Pro glove.  We see you wearing this glove most of the time.

Under Armour Website:  http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/pid1203060-920

Retail on the Under Armour Camo Liner Glove:  $29.99                                                                            Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $19.99

Manzella Website:

http://www.manzella.com/index.php/hunt/detail/mzf_005

Retail on the Stalker Glove:  $24.99     Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $22.49

Optics, Pack, and Accessories

Optics

A high quality set of binoculars that we recommend are made by Swarovski.  The EL 10x42HD’s provide a crisp, clear picture in the lowest of light conditions.  They are also built to stand up to everything you will ever throw at them and backed by Swarovski’s Lifetime Warranty.  Be prepared to spend a lot of time behind your “glasses” each day as you scan the surrounding terrain for game.  Without quality optics this will become a chore, rather than an exciting part of your hunt.  You can view these at:

http://www.swarovskioptik.us/en_us/products/binoculars-el-42-swarovision

Retail:  $2749.99                            Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $2309.99

It is always a good idea to carry your binoculars on a bino system.  The bino system will keep your binoculars at your chest and ready for whenever you may need them.  They will also eliminate a lot of the weight you would feel while carrying binoculars with a standard neck strap.  The bino system is an inexpensive way to make a huge difference on your hunt.

Retail:  $24.99                                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $22.49

Rangefinder

When the moment of truth arrives a rangefinder will eliminate any doubt as to how far a bear is from you.  A couple of things to think about:  1.  A laser rangefinder will work far better than one that needs a reflective surface to obtain a distance reading – especially at long distances.  2.  A rangefinder with a scan feature will allow you to quickly scan an area or follow a moving animal.  This is especially helpful when trying to give distance readings to a hunting partner.

Our number one recommendation for a rangefinder to take on this trip is the Leupold RX1000 with TBR to compensate for any angled shots you may have.  You can view this rangefinder at http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/rangefinders/rx-1000i-with-dna-rangefinders/rx-1000i-tbr-with-dna-digital-laser-rangefinder/

Retail:  $479.99                              Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $393.99

Pack

Eberlestock’s packs are at the top of their class in build, fit, and functionality.  The Just One J34 pack is the new, improved version of the pack that Greg uses – the Original Just One.  Starting at 2300 cubic inches, this pack will expand to 4600.  The J34 weighs just 6.14 pounds so it is something you will carry with ease.  It also has an improved internal aluminum frame system that will support plenty of weight should you ever need to pack anything heavy.  Other important items are a rain fly and hydration bladder.  You can view this pack at http://www.eberlestock.com/J34%20Just%20One.htm

Pack Retail:  $249.99                    Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $224.99

Rain Fly Retail:  $26.99                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $24.29

Hydration System Retail:  $19.99                                                                                                                                                          Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $17.99

Accessories

All too often, it is the little things that make the difference on a hunt like this.  Our goal is to make sure that you are aware of all the accessories, tricks, and tips that we have learned though years of hunting around the world!

Light

A good light is a must on any hunt you are doing.  Our recommendation is a headlamp made by Browning.  Their lights stand up to everything and are extremely bright.  The light we would use for this hunt is the Nitro Headlamp.  It has an all aluminum frame with a bright LED lamp for long life.  You can view this light at:

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/flashlights/detail.asp?fid=030H&cid=371&tid=8620&bg=x

You will not find a brighter, more durable light for the money.

Retail:  $59.99                                             Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $34.89

Compass/First Aid

No matter what you are doing outdoors it is smart to carry a compass with you.  We use the Brunton compasses http://www.streiffs.com/product.php?productid=66128&cat=&page=1 Your price on this specific one is $9.99.

A simple First Aid Kit can go a long way should you encounter some problems while out in the field.  We always carry waterproof kits so that we can leave it in our pack and know that it will be ready should we need it.  Your price on the one we carry is $14.99 and includes everything you would need.

Scent Control

Cleanliness and scent control are critically important anytime you’re bear hunting as their senses are very keen.  Here are a few items that have been useful to us on our hunts.

It is a good idea to carry some unscented deodorant.  Robinson Outdoors makes a great product that can be viewed at the link below.

http://www.robinsonoutdoors.com/shopping/Products/Anti-Perspirant-Underam-Deodorant__DEO2C.aspx

This will cost you $5.39.

Body Bath Towels are very useful when you don’t have time to clean up or have just finished cleaning an elk.  http://www.robinsonoutdoors.com/shopping/Products/Body-Bath-Towels__BB4C.aspx     These are $6.29.

Personally, we carry the Robinson Outdoors Micro Travel Kit:  http://www.robinsonoutdoors.com/shopping/Products/Scent-Shield-Micro-Travel-Kit__TRAV.aspx

This kit makes it possible to cover everything scent related.  This kit costs $17.99.

Knife

If you are planning on helping your guide prepare an animal should you have success you will need the proper cutlery.  A gutting and skinning knife would be the most useful to you.  Our recommendation is the Browning Featherweight Big Game knife.  You can view this knife at http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/knives/detail.asp?fid=010G&cid=322&tid=828&bg=x

Retail:  $89.99                                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $64.99

A knife sharpener is absolutely necessary as you are sure to dull your blades through the gutting and skinning process.  We urge you to use one that has two grits, coarse and fine, so that you can fix a badly damaged edge.  We have a small, packable sharpener that is great for giving your knife a “quick edge”.  If you’re in need of one, please let me know and I’ll send one down free of charge.

Gutting gloves are a must have – they will keep you clean and dry through the whole process.  Shoulder length gloves worn underneath and wrist length surgical glove work the best.  A pack with both sets in it is $1.79.  We would carry at least two sets with.

Lens Pen

Anytime you are hunting it is a great idea to carry a lens pen with you so that you can clean and clear your optics.  Believe me, it is very frustrating when you’re in a situation where you are fully prepared to make the shot of a lifetime and not able to range the distance because your rangefinder is dirty or wet.  A Leupold lens pen will cost you $8.99.

Dry Bags

We exclusively use and sell SealLine bags.  They make a variety of bags for many different situations.  We encourage you to take a look at this page http://cascadedesigns.com/SealLine to see what may work for you individual situation.

To give you some starting points:

We use the 70L boundary pack when we need to pack large amounts of clothing or other items and keep them 100% dry.  The comfortable backpack straps make this easy to carry around.  This is more of a traveling type of pack.

We use the Storm Sacks for keeping little important items protected from the elements.  Extra pair of socks, extra shirt, extra gloves, matches, camera, and food are all items you would put in this style of sack.  These sacks are better suited to keep the items that cannot get wet absolutely dry when in the field.  They’re light enough and small enough that you will easily carry them in your Eberlestock packs.

Again, these would be the two most useful packs to you based on our experience.  The larger boundary pack is ideal for traveling.  The smaller Storm Sacks are perfect for all those little things that can’t get wet, like your camera.  A couple of these wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.  If you see more that may fit your individual needs they are available as well.

Retail on the Boundary Pack:  $84.99                                                                                                                                                  Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $69.99

Retail on the Storm Sacks:  $9.99

Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $8.99

Gun Case

It is important that your weapon arrives in camp in perfect condition.  We recommend the Pelican 1750 Weapons case.  We use Pelican cases for protecting a variety of goods; cameras, gps devices, spotting scopes, licenses.  They are waterproof, crushproof, have pressure release valves, are airline approved, and come in a variety of sizes and colors.  You can view this case at http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1750.

Retail:  $299.99                              Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $219.99

Aqua Seal

We have used it on many trips and would not leave without it. It will seal up many different fabrics, dries quick, and is easy to use.  This will be an invaluable tool should your waders catch on something sharp enough to rip them.  One tube costs $4.49 and it comes with a patch.

Shooting Sticks

Shooting sticks can make that difficult shot much easier.  When you’ve scrambled into position, the wind is blowing, and you’re faced with a shot on a big black bear being able to hold steady is paramount.  We recommend the Primos Trigger stick for this hunt.  It is as easy as pulling the trigger to adjust the height, weighs little, and will strap easily to your pack.  You can view this product here:  https://shop.primos.com/pc-1253-112-short-bi-pod-trigger-stick.aspx

Retail:  $89.99                                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $79.99

Sleeping Bag

You will need a sleeping bag with a compression sack for this hunt.  Flying B’s big game manager recommends a 20 degree bag.  We recommend the Alps Mountaineering Desert Pine bag:  http://www.alpsmountaineering.com/alps/products/bags/mummy-bags/desert-pine.

Retail:  $99.99                                 Fish and Hunt the World Exclusive Price:  $79.99

Extras

A few items to remember for your day pack:  lighter, parachute cord(20’ to 30’ will do), water bottle, camera, extra socks, and extra batteries.  If you need help with any of these items, please let me know.

It is our hope that you find the information we provided to be useful.  Once you have had a chance to look this over and do some research of your own we would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.  Please remember, there are many choices in the categories we have discussed.  The aforementioned products are our recommendations based on the joint effort of Streiff Sporting Goods and our customers and Fish and Hunt the World agents and clients who have been to this destination.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to help you prepare for this exciting hunt!  Feel free to contact me at Streiff Sporting Goods for any of your product needs or questions.  I can be reached at (800)817-2590 or at nickm@streiffs.com.

Nick Marvin

Check out this review on Kryptek Gear.  I have worn several of the competitors and Kryptek. We are also heading to Idaho next month to test in the back country on a spot and stalk bear hunt. Even though last season was their first season available to the public, there is no doubt these guys know what they are doing and will be around for a long time to come.

http://www.eastmans.com/exclusives/the-6-critical-layers.html

• Fly into Lewiston ID on the 17th of April depart on the 24th
• Outfitter picks up at the airport and transports us back to the 14,000 sq ft 5 star lodge
• First night is at the main lodge where we will sight in our rifles upon arrival
• First morning we will pack out 15 miles by horseback to the main camp where we will stay for the next 5 days
• Hunt style is Spot and Stalk with 4 bait sites set up as back up
• Each hunter has the opportunity to take two bears (very high concentration of color phase bears)
• 2×1 guide service with a full-time cook in camp
• Hunt cost is $3500 plus your tags.

I will personally be going on this hunt as well along with my 12-year-old son Eddie for his first bear hunt. Also joining us will be New York Times best seller Frank Miniter, who will be writing a story about the hunt for NRA’s publication American Hunter!

http://www.frankminiter.com/about/

Flights will need to be booked by the 17th of March (Saturday), you provide me with the details and I will book the flight for you.

Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email greg@fishandhunttheworld.com

This is just a quick reminder that the Montana Application deadline is March 15th.  I still have a few spots available with some fantastic outfitters for both Elk and Mule Deer.  Be sure to contact me if you would like help choosing a destination or need help with the application process. 

Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email greg@fishandhunttheworld.com

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/46446093#46446093

New Black Bear hunting opportunity.
Picked up this area from another outfitter. It has been very successful for him in the past.
25 active bait sites and is also a great area for spot and stalk. 20% of the bears taken  have been color phased.
Clients would be picked up at the Edmonton Airport and taken to camp. (2 hour drive)
Camp will be outfitter tents with wood stoves. Also included will be meals, guide, trophy prep and 6 days of hunting.
This is a 2 bear hunt. We will throw in a wolf license on this hunt. If a wolf is taken, there will be a $500 fee for hide prep and permits to ship. Shipping will be extra.
Dates available for this hunt will be May 7-12, May 14-19, May 21-26
Price will be $3000 plus 5% tax

We are so excited to be celebrating Redfish Lodges’ 20th season as
Texas’s premiere fishing lodge. What a wonderful ride it has been! We
thank all of our guests, employees and friends for their support
since 1992.

Despite the lack of rain last season, the fishing remained great.
Fishing for redfish had never been better and all signs point toward
that trend to continue! So, this season we hope to be busier than
ever. The spring dates are booking up fast so if you would like an
updated availability list, please contact me. I’d be happy to email
you. Just let me know about when and about how many people and if you
prefer one lodge over the other.

Thanks also to those of you who stopped by our booth at the Dallas
Safari Club show in January. It was the best and busiest show ever.