Articles
Gear notes from the tree, written for bowhunters who watch what they spend.
Climbing Sticks for Saddle Hunting Compared: Budget vs Mid vs Premium
What you get, and what you give up, with climbing sticks at each price level. Official weights and ratings side by side, plus the sticks I climb on.
Hunting Saddles Compared: Budget vs Premium
XOP Mutant, Latitude Method 3, and Tethrd Phantom XP side by side: official weights, ratings, and sizes, plus what I run and why a saddle is the last place to cut corners.
Saddle Hunting Platforms Compared: Budget to Premium
XOP Edge, XOP Invader, and Tethrd Predator V compared by weight, size, and rating, plus what I've learned about foot placement and platform orientation.
Wind Checkers for Deer Hunting: Windfloaters vs Powder
A wind checker is the cheapest scent control you'll buy. Here's what I carry, how Windfloaters compare to powder, and how to use either one.
Cellular Trail Cameras, Budget to Premium: Specs, Plans, and the Real Cost
Tactacam Reveal Pro 4.0, Moultrie Edge 2, and Spypoint Flex G-36 side by side: official specs, data plan costs, and what a season of cell cam scouting really costs.
Is a Complete Saddle Hunting Kit Worth It? Kit vs Building Your Own
I started with an XOP kit. Here's what saddle kits actually include, what they leave out, and whether they save money over buying the parts one at a time.
Deer Drag Harness vs Sled vs Cart: Getting a Deer Out
A drag harness, a sled, and a game cart side by side: weight in the pack, rated load, cost, and which one fits how far and over what you're hauling.
Switching From a Hang-On to a Saddle: What Changed My First Season
I went from a Millennium M50 hang-on to an XOP Mutant saddle kit. Foot placement, hanging height, platform orientation, and shot angles: here is what changed.
How to Use onX Hunt for Whitetail and Saddle Hunting
A practical walkthrough of onX Hunt for whitetail and saddle hunters: property lines, e-scouting terrain, waypoints and trail cams, wind, offline maps, recovery, and what each plan costs.
How to Hunt the Wind for Whitetails: Wind, Thermals, and Access
Reading the wind for whitetails in plain terms: how scent moves, what thermals do, how to plan your access, and how to check it all from the tree.
No-Till Food Plots on a Budget: Planting Domain No BS With Hand Tools
My go-to food plot seed is Domain's No BS no-till mix. Here is how to get a small plot in with a rake, a spreader, and good timing, plus what's worth spending on.
Saddle Hunting Accessories You Can Buy Cheap (and the Ones You Can't)
Tape, bungee, hooks, hangers, and aiders: the cheap saddle add-ons I use, plus the life-safety gear where cheap is the wrong call.
Saddle Hunting Setup Guide: Every Piece You Need, Budget to Premium
The five parts of a saddle setup, what each one does, what I run, and where to spend or save. Start here, then dig into the detailed comparisons.
Scent Control on a Budget: A Bowhunter's Tote, Wash, and Wind Routine
My whole scent setup is a hardware store tote, a baking soda sachet, unscented soap and detergent, and a wind checker. Here is the routine, why each step matters, and what to skip.
What's in My Saddle Hunting Pack: Full Bowhunting Day Pack List
The Cabela's Bow and Rifle 2500 V2 and everything I carry in it, from the saw and hoist to the gutting knife. About 25 to 30 pounds, and I over-pack by choice.
When and How to Call Deer With a Grunt Call: A Bowhunter's Guide
When to grunt, when to stay quiet, and how loud to go through the season. Plus the adjustable call I carry and the podcast episodes worth your drive time.
How to Silence Climbing Sticks for Saddle Hunting: Cheap Fixes That Work
Bungee cord, Stealth Strips, hockey tape on the carabiners, an aider, and a lot of practice. Here is how I keep my climb quiet without spending much.