Interesting thread, I like to go back and look at what I said a few years back about gear changes and how my thoughts have evolved.
Added the new Mystery Ranch Pop-up 28 for my day hunting. Only had it out twice so far in daypack mode, but loving it. Bought it not really sure what I was going to use it for, but I think it's going to become my go-to pack for everything from elk day hunts out West to treestand whitetail hunting and year round scouting at home. Smart design, a high-functioning daypack that can turn into a decent load hauler instead of vice versa. I could see it really catching on and shifting the paradigm in that market to some degree.
In the whitetail woods, trying out tree saddle hunting. Bought an Aero Hunter Kestrel and built a platform. Been kind of a curiosity of mine since I first heard of it probably 10 years ago, and I finally pulled the trigger. It's definitely "weird" coming from a lifetime of tree stands, but I think I'll get used to its intricacies.
A few bow changes, going from vented to non-vented 3 blade VPAs. And switching to AAE Max Stealth vanes from blazers. Trying to reduce the noise of my setup after having 3 does over the past two years "jump the string", which I've come to believe after some experimentation is more commonly due to deer dodging the sound of the whizzing arrow. Also probably due for new strings in cables. Got 5 years out of the factory stings on my Elite Answer.
Bought a couple different brand of lighted nocks to try out. Don't think I'm going to stick with them. They are a bit of a PIA and I just don't think they add a whole lot unless you film your hunts.
Picked up a FL Woodbury at the end of last year. Only got to hunt with it twice but it is awesome so far. Really nails down my November whitetail system. I found myself wearing it so much over the winter I almost bought a non-camo version. Only complaint is the sizing, as per usual with First Lite, the torso length is shorter than I would like, but it works. They need to add tall sizes.
Need to replace my GoLite down jacket. Got about 3 years out of it, but seems to have significantly lost its insulating properties. I'm done with down, that was my first decent down piece and at least in an every day type jacket I've found I just like the Primaloft better.
