A guest post from Mike Poddo.

Context is everything.  I’m a big fan of finding alternative (and practical) uses for items I already have, especially when it comes to hunting.  If you already have an iPhone, the 3 apps I cover in this article certainly should not be new to you, after all they are installed and included with every phone.  But perhaps you never considered using them in this way while you are in the woods, or maybe you never really thought of your iPhone as valuable tool in your daypack.

I plan to discuss useful non-native iPhone apps in future articles, this article focuses on the common use of 3 native iPhone apps, and how I use them before, during, and after the hunt.

Disclaimer: If you own another type of smart phone (blackberry, droid, etc), you may have apps with similar functionality that just go by a different name.  Hopefully this article will inspire you to use those “basic” apps in new and creative ways. If you have suggestions on other related apps you use while in the woods, I’d love to hear about them (please share them in the comments).

Google Maps (Built in)

Common Use: As the default mapping application on the iPhone, the primary function of Google Maps is to provide localized search capability and directions.

How I use it:

1. Safety – Tell someone where I am

This is probably the most important and valuable use for Google Maps on your iPhone.  If you are like me, there are probably only a few people that know where you hunt.  Sure, they may know the general area…but they don’t know exactly where we are.   Can you imagine how hard it would be for them to find you if there was an accident?  Enter Google Maps and the “share location” feature.

Each time I get to a new spot I use the “share location” feature to share my current location via email with my wife and brother.  This is critical when I’m exploring new land, and especially when I’m hunting alone.    If I have an accident I want to ensure someone knows where to find me.  I also use the “Add To Bookmarks” feature to mark my favorite trees (I use a climbing stand) on public land.

2. Scouting & Preparation

I utilize the satellite view to scope out potential good spots and routes in and out of the property I hunt.

3. Validate I am where I think I am

Hunting on public land, I occasionally have had to make some last minute adjustments to my original plan based on what I’ll call “unforeseen circumstances”.  These adjustments often mean I am forced to move to a new location.  Using Google Maps helps me to verify that my new location is in a good place, and more importantly, within the designated hunting area.   Google Maps also came in handy early this season on a scouting trip to new land where I became disoriented after following a creek upstream.  It turns out it was the wrong branch of the creek, but once I pulled out my phone I knew exactly where I was.

4. Look around without leaving my stand

Have you ever been up in your stand and ask yourself, “what is on the other side of that hill?”   That happens to me from time to time, and when it does I’ll pull up the satellite view in Google Maps to have a look around without even getting out of my stand.  Most of the time I’ve done this prior to getting in my stand, but it’s always a good refresher to remind myself what the neighboring property looks like.

5. Dropping Pins on key points or interesting items

If I park somewhere new I’ll usually “drop a pin” where I park my truck to make sure if I get turned around somehow I can still get back.  I’ve never needed this, but it does give me some sense of comfort.

If I’m scouting, or just walking around on windy day and find something interesting (scrape, rub, food source, etc), I’ll bookmark it by selecting “Save to Bookmarks” and plot it out later.

Compass (Built in)

Common Use: The obvious use for the built-in digital compass app is to get your bearing for navigational purposes.  However, with all the other apps that are out there that add to this functionality I doubt many people use it for that.  Besides, if you’re really out in the woods for any extended period of time I wouldn’t recommend relying on your cell phone battery to hold up long enough to get home.

How I use it:

1. Leaving the main trail in new or unfamiliar locations:

We have some pretty thick woods in my part of Maryland, and it’s pretty easy to become disoriented.  The public land I hunt on has established main trails from which I have to leave and hike through thick cover to get to my spots.  I like to use the compass to get my initial bearing as I leave the main trail to ensure if I get disoriented I can find my way back.

2. Confirm the direction my stand is facing

We all know how important wind direction is in bow hunting.  Few things can be more frustrating then getting to your stand that you chose b/c of the forecasted wind only to find out that it’s not going the direction you anticipated.  It’s easy to blame the weatherman, but have you ever wondered if your stand is really facing the direction you thought it was?  Sure, you may have an outstanding inner compass, but I don’t.  So while you may not need the compass app to validate the direction your stand is facing, I certainly do.   For example, this year I thought my favorite stand was facing North East because on some early season hunts I saw the sun come up a little to my right, only to find out after breaking out my compass that I was facing due North.  In my situation this had to do with the terrain playing tricks on me.  The combination of a very steep hill with tall trees in front of me and the tree I chose had obscured the sun for more of the sunrise then I had initially thought.    It’s OK to trust your inner compass, but don’t be afraid to validate it every once in a while.    “Trust but verify”

Text Messaging (Built in)

Common Use: Text messaging is everywhere, and in most cases has replaced traditional phone conversations with Instant Message style communication from your phone.

How I use it:

1. Notification that I’m safely in and out of my stand

Tree stand hunting can be dangerous and accidents happen when you least expect them.   My brother and I both hunt out of climbing tree stands, and this year we decided to add an additional step to our routine before and after climbing our stands.  Just before I start to climb my tree I text one word, “climbing”.  Once I’m safely in my stand I will text “safe”.  Then, when I decide to get down I will text “climbing down”, and again “safe” to let him know I’m safely on the ground.

2. Communication between hunters

Texting has pretty much replaced the need for radios in most hunting situations.  Think about it, with your phone on vibrate you can quickly and silently communicate with anyone you want to.   Sure beats using a radio.

I primarily hunt with my brother, but my father also hunts with us on occasion.  The three of us will use text messages to communicate deer movement, interesting things we’re seeing, or just to check in on each other from time to time.  I have found it really beneficial in helping me keep focus on those days that I’m not seeing much at my spots but others or seeing a lot of action.  I can live vicariously through them while sitting in my stand.  Early this season a doe and two fawns moved past my Dad’s stand heading my way.  He text’d me to let me know they were moving towards my stand and I kept a close eye on the thicket to my left.  Sure enough, about 20 minutes later they arrived.  They didn’t move in close enough, but the interesting part is that there is no way I would have seen those deer in that thicket had he not given me a heads up.

3. Deer Down!

There is no better text message in the world then the one that says “Deer Down!” Just last week I took a doe and was able to solicit tracking help from my father in just a simple text message.  I was able to silently tell him to wait about 45 minutes and where to meet me to start the track.  I was also able to text my wife and let her know that I was going to be late getting home.

Hopefully the explanation of how I use these 3 native iPhone apps in the context of hunting will help open up a few ideas on how you can use your smart phone as a valuable tool in your daypack.

Mike Poddo lives in Maryland and is the co-founder of MDfishing.org.  He is a husband and father to 4 (soon to be 5), has a passion for bowhunting, and river fishing on the Upper Potomac River from his jet boat.  He works in the Computer Security field and has combined his two passions to create a dangerous new breed of outdoorsman tech nerd.  (@muskalungee on Twitter)

If you’re going to learn, learn from the best. And that’s what I did this past weekend when I attended the Heartland Bowhunter Film School. In a nutshell, the experience was great. I learned a lot, got some great advice on filming and editing and just plain had a good time. It’s been great getting to know the HB crew over the past couple years and this class just confirmed what I already knew. The Heartland Bowhunter team is made up of some great guys and they really know what they’re doing with a camera. That being said, I thought I’d share with you all a few highlights from the film school, as well as a handful of lessons I learned along the way.

Highlights

In Class Instruction: During our in class instruction, we got great information about topics such as… Gear, manual settings, proper exposure, framing, focus, lighting, using motion and depth of field for creative shots, shot sequences, shot composition and storylining.

Video Critique Quiz: After covering all of the differnt topics in class, we watched 25 clips that HB has filmed over the years and critiqued what was wrong with each clip. We then went through all of our answers and the HB team shared with us their thoughts on each. This was definitely a great way to see the topics we discussed in action and really wrap our heads around them.

HB Episode Examples: To further illustrate the topics discussed, we watched two Heartland episodes in full. During the episodes members of the team would pause it occasionaly and describe what or why they did things, or even some times what they did wrong. We even got to watch a brand new, not yet aired episode of Mike and Shawn’s trip to Iowa.

In Field Treestand Demonstrations: After a full day in the class we headed out to Shawn Luchtels house, where the team set up a number of Muddy treestands and camera arms. They demonstrated how they set up and why they put the stands or arms in the positions they do.

Mock Short Film: Another really cool thing they did was actually film a mock short film, and explain to us as they went along what was going on, why and how they were doing things.

Lessons Learned

Shot Composition: This is a topic I’ve been exploring independently for awhile, but it was great to get some expert insight into proper shot composition. A key point for me to remember was to get a tight, mid and wide angle shot of most every situation. This transition from a wide shot (which helps you understand the scenery), down to the tight shot (which makes you feel in the moment) is something HB does really well but I never really noticed they were doing it. Now I do!

Shot Sequences: At one point in HB’s history they prepared “shot sheets” that outlined all the major shots they wanted to capture on a given day, in order to tell the story they wanted. They don’t need to do this anymore, but when they were getting started this helped them stay on track with what needed to be filmed. In my case, I often get caught up in my tasks of the day and often forget shots. I’ll be definitely be using a shot sheet in the future until I’m a little more experienced.

Exposure: I’ve been familiar with most my manual settings on my video camera and how they work, but I continue to over expose a lot of my shots. This essentially means theres too much light in the shot, and the details get washed out. When it comes to exposure you want to adjust your aperture (iris) and your shutter speed. If you’re not trying to get a really shallow depth of field shot (one thing in focus, everything else out), you should set your iris somewhere in the middle. I’ve been guilty of always setting my iris wide open at 1.8. I’ll definitely be a little more conservative with this setting moving forward. Another issue I’ve had is that I film something and it looks good on the LCD, but when I put it on the computer the video seems over exposed. To combat this, Mike recommended I adjust the brightness settings on my LCD to compensate for the difference. Voila, problem solved.

So overall, like I said, the HB Film School was a tremendous experience. Mike, Shawn and the whole team were incredibly hospitable, helpful and a lot of fun to hang with. If you’re interested in taking your filming to the next level, I’d highly recommend heading to the next Heartland Bowhunter Film School!

For more information about Heartland Bowhunter, visit their website here.

As we discussed last week, I’m a strong advocate of hunting in the rain. In fact I almost never let any kind of weather keep me out of the woods. I know one thing for sure, I will never shoot a buck sitting on my couch inside. So getting outside, no matter the conditions, always gives me a better chance. I figure I spend 9 months a year dreaming of hunting season, I better take advantage of every second I have when the season is upon us! That being said, when you’re hunting in inclimate weather, you better have clothing that can withstand it. If not, you’re in for a pretty miserable and ineffective day on stand. That’s why I’m so surprised that, despite it’s importance, I find that rain gear specifically is a type of equipment that is rarely discussed in the hunting world. So with that in mind, I wanted to right that wrong. In an effort to help you all become more effective and comfortable hunters on those nasty weather days, lets run through some key features you should look for in good hunting raingear.

So to begin, when it comes to quality hunting raingear there are four critical features that must be considered. These are the raingear’s waterproofness, breathability, quietness and packability. Let’s dive in to each a little further.

Waterproof

When it comes to raingear, it’s obvious that actual waterproof gear is needed. But the term waterproof is often tossed around loosely, many times in reference to gear that technically doesn’t really live up to that name! In addition to waterproof you may have also heard the terms water repellent and water resistant. Too often someone will see one of these descriptions and then assume that the gear will be great for using in the rain. But that’s just not true.

A coat labeled water repellent is coated with a chemical treatment that essentially keep most water from absorbing into the fabric, and instead forces water to bead and fall off the coat. Unfortunately this is only a temporary fix by itself, and you can expect a lot of leaking after long exposure.

You’re doing a little better if you’re gear is labeled water resistant, but please don’t assume this will keep you dry for long. Water resistant gear is achieved through tightly woven fabrics and some kind of polyurethane coating. This can keep you dry in light precipitation, but prolonged exposure will result in water soaking through and you getting cold, uncomfortable and eventually out of your stand!

Contrastingly, an actual “waterproof” garment will keep you 100% dry. A proper waterproof garment should be able to keep you dry in extreme conditions and high pressures and even keep water from entering the garment at seams, hems, sleeve openings, etc. This is the gear you want. Being 100% dry while hunting is obviously critical to your comfort, which in the end will determine how long you can stay on stand and possibly if you see that giant buck or not!

Breathable

If you’re into trail running, hiking or climbing you are probably very familiar with the term breathable when used in regards to clothing. It’s a key feature for any type of garment worn during high activity endeavors and is essential to staying comfortable and dry from moisture that we ourselves produce in the form of sweat. “Breathable” equipment allows your sweat to evaporate through the fabric and into the air. Traditional rain gear doesn’t do this well, and even with a waterproof shell keeping rain from getting to you, your sweat can make you just as wet anyways! As hunters, having breathable raingear  is crucial for situations such as hiking into a stand, hunting in warm weather or basically doing anything that could possibly make your sweat. Don’t overlook the importance of this factor. I’ve bought plenty a cheap rain shell, just to find myself soaked from the inside after a few minutes and very unhappy!

Quiet

This is obvious, but if you’re wearing raingear while hunting, it dang better be quiet! Your typical rain jacket is a hard shell and it crinkles, cracks and pops. That just isn’t gonna cut it in the deer woods. So to deal with this, several manufacturers have applied fabrics on top of the rain shells that soften the sounds. Make sure your gear passes the sound test in dry and wet conditions. The last thing you want is to spook a buck at 20 yards when drawing back after waiting 6 hours in the pouring rain.

Packable

The last factor I look at is how packable the jacket is. This is important for many of my layers used in hunting applications, but particularly for rain gear. Your rain suit may not be something you wear all the time, so most often you’ll keep the gear in your backpack until the weather forces you to wear it. Given this fact, it’s super important to find a jacket and/or pant that compresses down nicely to fit into a small area. Obviously you don’t want your raingear to take up your whole pack, so look for raingear that packs up nice and tight.

My Raingear of Choice

So given all of these factors to consider, you may be wondering what actual products are out there for hunters that fit this bill! I can’t claim to have used them all, so I’m not going to cover them in depth. But I do know of a few brands that seem to put out some good options. If I was in the market for good hunting raingear, I would take a look at Rivers West, Under Armour and Sitka, but I’m sure there are plenty more options on top of that.

As for me, in years past I wore “waterproof” insulated camouflage, but unfortunately this was not breathable or packable at all. Last year I moved up to a more breathable option, but it was not 100% waterproof. Finally this year I’ve upgraded to what I currently see as the best hunting raingear I’ve ever had the chance to use. Protecting me from Mother Nature this fall will be the Downpour Series Jacket and Pant from Sitka Gear.

The Downpour gear hits all four of my mentioned criteria right on the head. The key to the Downpour gear is that it uses Gore-Tex’s premier “Paclite shell”. This top of the line shell is 100% waterproof, exceptionally breathable and as packable as they come. In addition to the great Paclite Shell, Sitka then added a lightly brushed face to the shell which makes it near silent, completely waterproofed the zips and seams, added easily adjustable wrist openings and hood and topped it all of with Optifade Forest camo. In short, it’s a whitetail’s worst nightmare on a rainy day. I’ve worn my Downpour Jacket through numerous rain storms and found it to keep me bone dry, both from the rain and my sweat, even whie hiking around my property. Additionally I’ve found it to be just as quiet as any of my other Sitka Gear and it packs up as small as mini-basketball!

If you’re interested in hearing a little more about the importance of rainger or the Downpour series and how it helps other avid whitetail hunters, check out this video with fellow whitetail freak and Sitka Athlete Jeff Simpson.

Being able to effectively hunt in the rain is in my opinion an absolutely essential tool in your arsenal when it comes to killing mature whitetails. Your options for raingear are many, but make sure you consider the four factors of waterproofness, breathability, quietness and packability when making your decision. No matter what brand gear you use, make sure it will keep you dry, quiet and in the stand for the long haul. I promise you won’t regret it.

Well, I may be a little bit biased, but I’m a big fan of the recent online revolution in the deer hunting community! Outsiders might  guess that deer hunters would be behind the times, but we all know that’s not the case. Over the last couple years incredible deer hunting websites, blogs, forums and online shows have been popping up like well fertilized clover all over the web and it has had a tremendous impact on the hunting industry and community as a whole. A big part of this online hunting community is fueled by the many online deer hunting forums and message boards. Being a home for good ole fashioned tall tales, fierce debates and strategy swaps, deer hunting forums have become a favorite for hunters online when it comes to fun and information. So that being said, with the hundreds of deer hunting forums available online, I thought it might be helpful to share with you all the four best deer hunting forums online, in my humble opinion. I’ve spent a lot of time both reading and contributing to message boards over the years and after sampling many, I have filtered my favorites down to four. Read on for the low down.

Archery Talk: Archery Talk, although focused mostly on archery and bowhunting, has got to be the most popular deer hunting related forum in the world. There is no other forum that I know of that attracts such a large and engaged community of hunters, and this makes for some great content. I spend most of my time on the Bowhunting sub-forum and this attracts thousands of whitetail hunters a day to share their stories, frustrations and opinions. If you’re a bowhunter, this is one of the very best places to go for information, but even firearm hunters will find content they can appreciate! If I could only pick two words to describe Archery Talk it would be “big”and “active”. Two descriptions that bode very well for the success of an online forum!

Deer & Deer Hunting Forums: Deer & Deer Hunting magazine is one of the top publications for straight up deer hunting knowledge and just deer in general, and their online forum follows suit. There are few better sources of collective deer hunting knowledge  than here on the D&DH forum. One of my favorite aspects of the D&DH forums is that given the singular whitetail focus, the forum has many sub-forums devoted to specific topics such as QDM, hunter fitness, guides/outfitters and equipment. On top of that they also have separate forums for each state, which I’ve found really great. It’s been nice to have the larger forum to talk about widespread issues and the Michigan only forum to take about topics related specifically to my home turf. Contributions from many members of the Deer & Deer Hunting staff also lend to the high quality of conversation and information available. Once again, a highly recommended choice for the hardcore whitetail hunter.

Bowhunting.com Forum: Another bowhunting specific forum with mass appeal. Bowhunting.com is in my opinion one of the very best bowhunting websites online and their forums fall right in line with that praise. Although bowhunting is the main focus, there is plenty for the average whitetail hunter. A whitetail specific forum and shed hunting, trail camera and videography forums are a few of my favorites. Great content is shared by the BH.com staff, including blog posts from contributors like yours truly (me)! In addition you’ll find a tight knit and hardcore community of hunters who absolutely love chasing whitetails and sharing their experiences with the world. Without a doubt a great online community to be a part of and a tremendous source of knowledge to take advantage of.

QDMA Forums: The Quality Deer Management Association, continuing with their trend of great success,  has created a terrific online home for whitetail hunters and managers with their QDMA forum. Whether you’re a proponent for quality deer management or not, there is great conversation to be had and incredible resources to learn from. Without a doubt, this is one of the very best sources for group knowledge on food plots and other habitat improvement projects. If you have a foo plot question, this should be one of your first stops. Additionally, although it should be obvious, if you’re interested in quality deer management, this is a terrific source for connecting with like minded hunter/managers and asking questions. Specific forums are devoted to food plots, Native habitat, QDM co-ops, bowhunting, land leases and much more.

Without a doubt, these top four deer hunting forums are incredible communities for deer hunters to connect and learn from each-other. Do yourself a favor and check these forums out, get connected and join in the conversation. I can guarantee you’ll learn a lot, meet a lot of like-minded hunters and have some fun.

If you’re looking for more forums, here are a few others worth checking out: Iowa Whitetail, HuntingNet and Hunting Beast.

I know there are plenty more forums around, so if you know of a good one, let us know in the comments!

Every once in awhile a really cool new gadget or technology comes out that interests me not only as a tech geek, but also as a whitetail freak. And today I noticed one of those special innovations in the recent release of the “Shot Simulator” by Deer & Deer Hunting for the iPhone.

For those unfamiliar with Shot Simulator, here is a description per the iTunes app page.

“Learn and perfect your shot placement with this fully interactive 3D simulator. The DDH Shot Simulator provides you a look inside the deer and the trajectory through the vitals. Detailed instructions based on your arrows flight path in the simulator give real world instructions on how to best track and recover your deer. This is NOT a game… it’s a tool for the serious hunter.”

Many of you probably know that Shot Simulator has been available for awhile now on your desktop computer, but being able to bring this incredible tool with you into the woods makes it much more practical and usable in the everyday situations of a hunter. I can see this tool coming in very handy in the field. So many of us have been in the situation where you see the arrow enter a deer, but are still unsure of how good the hit was. Well now you can pull out your phone right away, angle the deer properly and touch the spot you saw the arrow enter. Shot Simulator will show you what vitals you hit and provide you expert tips on how to proceed from there. No more worrying for  hours as you replay the events in your head, unsure of what to do next. Instead you can now get instant insight into your shot’s effectiveness and then make an informed decision on a plan of action.

Helpful? Absolutely. Innovative? Without a doubt. So if I may, I’d like to send out a big thank you to Deer & Deer Hunting for continuing to provide hunters with the knowledge and tools necessary to better understand deer and become better deer hunters. It is really great to see hunting tools making the jump in to the next generation. My only complaint is that I don’t  see this available for Android yet! That being said, as soon as I can get this on my Droid, I’ll be putting it to good use!

To check out the Shot Simulator for your iPhone, iPad or iPod, visit the Shot Simulator app page on iTunes.

Take a look at this video showcasing the new Invasion and the events surrounding it’s release this January, pretty neat stuff! And if you’re looking for more information about this bow, check out my interview with a Bowtech rep at the 2011 ATA show.

For most hardcore bowhunters, G5 is a household name and a trusted brand for broadheads and archery accessories. But now G5 is bringing their own bows to market as well! After doing a little bit of research and checking out the video G5 has produced about the Prime bows, I’ve got to say I’m pretty interested in what this line of bows has to offer. Up to now, most everything G5 has touched has turned to gold, and with that in mind I certainly would like to get my hands on one of these bows!

Now that being said, many of you know that G5 has already been producing bows for the last several years under the brand “Quest” and when I originally found out about the new G5 bows, I was curious what was going to happen to Quest. Luckily I was able to get the answer to my questions from G5 recently. Read on below for the reasons behind the introduction of the G5 Prime bows, details in regards to the specs and a great video describing the new technology G5 is bringing to market. ***(If you’re in a serious hurry, skip all of this and just watch the video, its definitely worthwhile)***

W2H: Why is G5 releasing a G5 branded bow, when it already produces Quest bows?

G5: “We have been sitting on a lot of technology for  high end bows and Quest is our mid range price point bow, so it only made sense to launch a high end bow line. ”

W2H: Will Quest continue producing bows or will G5 be the brand for future bows being produced from the company?

G5: “Quest will continue to produce bows in the mid price range.  We will also continue incorporate value added technical features to the Quest line as well.  Our goal is for Quest to become the technology leader of the mid price point compound bows. Prime will be the flagship for G5 as far as high end bows go, by allowing us a platform to showcase the advances in technology that only G5 has to offer.”

That being said, it sounds like the G5 Prime bows are going to be top notch when it comes to quality and technology and the new features listed below certainly seem in line with that idea. More details from the presser below…

“The Parallel Cam Technology looks to make CAM LEAN a problem of the past as the new design balances the load equally on each side of the cable resulting in practically no CAM LEAN, reduced horizontal nock travel, and reduced limb fatigue. In addition to the Parallel Cam Design, the new Prime series offers a long list of unique features that make the bow truly one of a kind:

• Forged 7000 Series T6 Aluminum Riser is twice as strong as traditional 6061 T6 aluminum risers.
  • This durable design helps to increase riser stiffness and reduce shooter’s hand shock.
• C-1 Laminated Limbs
  • These limbs utilize a cross weft design to significantly reduce torsional stresses in the limb resulting in improved consistency and accuracy
• Gore^TM Fiber String & Cables
  • This proprietary string material is a blend of Gore ^TM performance fibers and BCYTM 452X.
  • The Marriage of these tow industry leading technologies results in a superior string with less vibration, a reduction in noise, and increased durability.
• TI-Glide Titanium Flexing Cable System
  • The Prime’s Flexible Titanium cable guard system reduces cam lean by 25% by reducing side load on the cables during draw.  In conjunction with the Parallel Cam Design, cam lean is virtually eliminated.
• Shield Grip
  • First of its kind in the industry, made of G10 material that repels water, odors or any other unwanted element.  It stays dry and comfortable in the hand no matter the conditions.
• Available in Optifade ^TM Forest, Optifade ^TM Open Country , Realtree AP HD ^TM or Black
  • Superior patterns for superior concealment”

For a better understanding of what these specs and features actually mean for us hunters, check out the video below. I found it to be a really interesting and informative video. It certainly did a great job of piquing my interest in the Prime and I’ll be trying to get my hands on this bow ASAP!

For more information about the G5 Prime bows, visit their website here.

I recently picked up a new Moultrie i40 trail cam and I thought I would quickly share my preliminary thoughts with ya’ll. When I was looking for a new camera last week, I was primarily concerned in getting a good deal on a middle of the road camera. What I settled on was the Moutrie i40, which according to my research was comparable to a Cuddeback Capture, but a little more affordable for a young guy like me. I was actually able to purchase my camera on the Moultrie official website, as a refurb with a 1-year warranty,  for $119 bucks! This same camera retails for $199 at Cabelas, so I was pretty happy with this find. I knew this wouldn’t be the most amazing camera, but I wanted to focus more on accumulating a higher quantity of decent cameras, rather than just one or two really good/expensive ones.

My Initial Thoughts on the Camera and Picture Quality

• Picture quality in “enhanced mode” was really nice, much better than my other two cameras
• My color photos looked great, my night shots with infrared were about what you can expect with a typical IR
• Of 119 shots on the camera, less than 10 captured any wildlife. Whether this was because of slow trigger speed, my own set-up, or just the realities of wind, I’m not sure.
• I had one MAJOR issue. When trying to switch my camera from “set up” mode to “auto mode”, it would not allow me to switch. I was essentially stuck in “set up”, which means that my camera would not take pictures if I left it. I messed with it for 5 or 10 minutes and finally removed the SD card, powered the camera off and then on again, and this then allowed me to switch to “auto.” This was pretty annoying.

Overall I’d say I’m pretty happy. I knew this wouldn’t be the perfect camera, but provided I don’t have any more issues with my “auto” mode, this ought to be a serviceable and afordable addition to my scouting camera arsenal. If you don’t have a lot of money to throw at cameras, this may be a good option for you to get started with. Here are a few of the pics I captured with my new Moultrie i40.

Mutiny-$80: “The Mutiny is selectively engineered for higher velocity to create a flatter trajectory and increased accuracy. The advanced carbon composite design is exceptionally durable and is laser sorted for greater consistency and all around performance. The Mutiny features Carbon Express’ unique Diamond-coat finish that provides greater durability and a smoother, slicker surface for easy target removal. Each Mutiny arrow is fletched with compact Predator vanes for higher arrow velocity and utilizes tunable nocks for precision accuracy.”

PileDriver-$100: “The PileDriver series is engineered for the hunter who wants ULTIMATE penetration. The PileDriver Hunter is the heaviest arrow in the Carbon Express line to create maximum kinetic energy and greater knock down power. Built-in Weight Forward technology delivers superior down-range accuracy while compact Predator vanes allow for extra arrow velocity.”

Mayhem-$120-$125:  ”The Mayhem series is engineered to deliver the ultimate combination of speed, accuracy, and penetration – setting a new standard for all-around Hunting performance. It’s like getting 3 arrows in 1. The secret weapon is the K-360° Weave Technology that provides 360° spine consistency and delivers the ultimate combination of speed, accuracy and penetration. The Mayhem Hunter also features our exclusive Carbon Express Built-in Weight Forward technology for superior down-range accuracy with a broadhead. Equipped with Blazer or Fusion vanes for precise broadhead placement and BullDog nock collars for added strength.”

Image courtesy of SitkaInsight.com

A few days after GORE announced their new Forest OPTIFADE camo pattern, their greatest partner, Sitka Gear, has announced a new apparell line to go along with it. Sitka in 2010 will be launching a new line of hunting clothing specifically made for the unique challenges that Whitetail hunters face and we should rejoice! In my opinion Sitka has been manufacturing the most innovative hunting gear the industry has seen in years and I’m pumped that Whitetail hunters will now have tailor made apparel. I’m hoping to get my hands on some of Sitka Forest Gear during 2010 and I’ll be sure to share the details with all of you in the Wired To Hunt Nation. This is just another great example of how new technology is changing the way we hunt, innovative camo and apparel design all combined in one…gotta love it.

NAPA, CA — 12/07/09 — Sitka today announced that it will launch a new system of performance hunting gear optimized for wooded environments. The Sitka forest system features base layers, mid-layers and outerwear to keep hunters comfortable, protected from the elements and effectively concealed from their prey. Napa-based Sitka has been manufacturing performance hunting gear for open country hunters since 2005.

The launch of forest gear is a significant step into a new market for the fast-growing Sitka brand. Up to 78% of the more than $10.7 billion hunting gear market consists of hunters who hunt whitetail deer in forest environments.*

“Sitka’s guiding principle has always been to design and manufacture the highest quality gear for the performance hunter,” said Sitka Founder, Jonathan Hart. “Whether that hunter is actively stalking prey in the mountains, or poised for hours in a tree stand, we want him to stay comfortable, concealed and focused — improving his chances of success.”

Managing Heat and Moisture

The Sitka system of gear relies on basic scientific principals of heat and moisture management. Moisture-wicking base layers keep skin dry — cooling hunters in warm environments and highly active hunts, and keeping hunters warm in colder temperatures. Sitka outerwear uses a combination of insulation like down and PrimaLoft® and high-tech protective textiles — including waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX® and windproof, breathable WINDSTOPPER(TM) technical fabrics — to shield the wearer from the elements. Hunters can layer Sitka gear in combination to suit the conditions they face in the field.

Sitka designed the new forest system of gear to address the specific challenges of hunting in a forest environment, which often requires hunters to endure long sedentary periods in adverse conditions, including extreme cold and precipitation.

“Until now, the Sitka system was suitable for active cold-weather hunts, where there is an expected level of exertion and heat generation from the hunter,” commented Hart. “With the introduction of the forest line, our gear now can provide ultimate warmth and comfort in severe cold even when a hunter needs to remain still.”

Key pieces of gear in the new Sitka forest system include:

-- Incinerator Jacket and Bib The Incinerator Series combines down and GORE-TEX® for waterproof warmth. A GORE-TEX® shell protects a cozy 700-fill down interior from rain, snow and wind. Heavy articulation through the arms, seat, and legs enhances a finished fit for a full range-of-motion and minimally restricted climbing and bow or rifle shooting. -- Downpour Jacket and Pant Downpour outerwear features the waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® Paclite® shell with a lightly brushed face for quiet whitetail forest encounters. The minimalist build of the jacket enhances its packability and the fully articulated legs of the pants maximize fit for extended sitting situations. -- Stratus Jacket and Bib Made with the WINDSTOPPER® Soft Shell, the Stratus Jacket keeps hunters protected from the wind while giving them the freedom of movement. Its core features are ideal for extended periods of time sitting in treestands and its fully articulated arms give this jacket a full range-of-motion. This Bib features a clean pocket system -- pockets only where you need them -- and lower leg zips that make it easy to extend over boots. The Stratus' mid-weight lofted backer is appropriate for freezing and above temperatures. -- Dutch Oven Vest The Dutch Oven Vest, available in Sitka's Forest system and Open Country system, runs on an Ardica personal power system, providing continuous heat for up to eight hours without recharging. The rechargeable, lightweight lithium-ion battery system also provides enough juice to power GPS, cell phone, iPod® or other personal electronic devices.

Other Sitka items available in the forest line include:

-- Kelvin vest, jacket and pant -- Ascent Pant -- Core and Traverse base layers -- Gloves, accessories and packs

Concealing the Hunter

Outerwear in the Sitka forest system features a lightly brushed surface to reduce noise. All Sitka forest gear also features a new GORE(TM) OPTIFADE(TM) Concealment pattern specifically designed for wooded environments. Like the original GORE(TM) OPTIFADE(TM) Concealment Open Country pattern, the new GORE(TM) OPTIFADE(TM) Concealment Big Game Forest pattern is based on how deer and other hoofed animals see, and was created with the aid of animal vision and concealment experts. The Big Game Forest concealment pattern takes into account circumstances unique to hunting whitetail in a forest environment, including:

-- The elevated angle of attack common in tree stand hunting -- The vertical effect of trees, which can make detection of a hunter easier for the prey -- Closer engagement distances than those in open country hunting

Sitka’s new forest gear will be available at retail by early summer 2010. Sitka will showcase the gear for retail buyers at the Archery Trade Association (ATA) and SHOT shows in January.

About Sitka Gear (www.sitkagear.com)

Established in 2005, Sitka is known for its commitment to using the best technology, fabrics, designs, construction and partners to produce the best products available in the hunting market. Sitka: Turning clothing into gear. 870 Napa Valley Corporate Way Suite N, Napa, CA 94558. Phone # (877) SITKA-MG or 877-748-5264

About W.L. Gore & Associates (www.gore-tex.com)

Perhaps best known for its consumer products like GORE-TEX® fabric and ELIXIR® guitar strings, Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of advanced technology products for the electronics, industrial, fabrics and medical markets. The company is headquartered in Newark, Delaware, posts sales of approximately $2.6 billion, and employs almost 8,500 associates at 50 facilities throughout the world.

For more information about GORE(TM) OPTIFADE(TM) Concealment visit www.optifade.com.

GORE, GORE-TEX, WINDSTOPPER, OPTIFADE and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.© 2009 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., 295 Blue Ball Rd., Elkton, Maryland, 800-431-GORE, gore-tex.com.

*According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation