Drew My Dream Tag
- Thread starter muleman
- Start date
Gear Review
Over the course of scouting and the actual hunt I used a few new items and a lot of proven items.
PROVEN ITEMS
Ruger Hawkey .338 Winchester Magnum
I primarily muzzleload hunt but when I do reach for a rifle for big game it is a stainless Ruger Hawkeye in 338 win mag, topped with a Leupold VX7 2.5-10. My hunting guns take a beating, I prefer synthetic and stainless to help mitigate the abuse. I have comple confidence in this combo for any North American Big Game.
Hornady Interbond 225gr
I have had trouble with this bullet not expanding on deer. The results on the goat were spectacular. Instant one shot clean kill with both front shoulders immobilized.
Zeiss Classic 10x40
These have been my goto binos for years. I know at some point I'll replace them because there is better optical quality available today. So far I just can't justify replacing them as they just work for me.
Zeiss 20-60 85mm
I love this scope. It goes with me always. Just a great piece of glass.
Manfrotto CX190Pro and 700RC2 Head.
Great stable viewing platform.
NEW ITEMS
Stone Glacier Approach Pack
While scouting and hunting for the goat, I used this pack exclusively. I really like this pack. I feel that I am at the upper end of the belt range. For me the Kifaru belt is better. With that said. For up to two days, 1 night trips the Approach is my current goto pack.
While hunting I was able to pack in the main pocket an ID Sil Tarp 3, bivy, complete Kuiu Chugach XL rain wear, Kuiu Spindrift XL, Eberlestock light weight pack cover, Kill, First Aid and Possibles kits, and 1.5 days worth of food.
I put my 85mm scope in the scope pocket and tripod in the tripod relief. I didnt put the tripod feet in the provided pocket. Choosing to just strap the tripod down. This allowed me to reduce the height of the pack and made it easier to bust brush. I also bungeed a Smart Optix digiscopping adapter. Between the pack bag and frame I had 3 liters of water.
The pack rode well and was streamlined. On the initial trip out with meat it was placed in BOMB bags in the load shelf. With full kit as described above.
On the last 45# load of meat, I had the full kit minus the gun, scope and tripod.
The meat loads rode great in the shelf and there is ample strapping to lash more than you should carry.
Trekking Poles
After a pair of cheap carbon fiber poles started to break down after one year of use. I picked up two different poles over the summer when discounted. Both sets have flick style locks.
Komperdell Pure Carbons.
Despite the name the lowest of the three sections is aluminum. These poles have the best handles, locks and strap adjustments.
Easton CTR 65
These are only a two piece pole and are stiffer and stronger. Easton also have better baskets than the Komperdell poles. The Eastons however have a couple of issues. The flick lock mechanism spins freely if not locked and this messes with the tension of the lock. The biggest issue is the strap adjustment doesn't work well. It could take a couple of minutes to get the straps adjusted.
In the end I'll use either set of poles. If using the poles to support a tarp I lean towards the Easton poles as they are a stiffer two piece.
Smart Optix Digi Scope Adapter
We all like multipurpose gear. The Smart Optix adapter is a universal camera, phone, camcorder, or GoPro. It allows a lot of flexibility and doesn't require you to spend 80 bucks everytime you upgrade a device. The penalty is the size and weight. I found that by lashing it to my pack with a bungee it wasn't that big of deal and the weight wasn't noticed.
The Smart Optix adapter allows you to precisely dial in the view. This helps eliminate vignetting and allows you to use whatever case you want. I even used a 9300mah extended battery and case on one trip.
In the end the standout item for me is the Approach pack. If you are a minimalist this is one great bag with great load hauling capabilities. The Smart Optix adapter is the runner up.
Over the course of scouting and the actual hunt I used a few new items and a lot of proven items.
PROVEN ITEMS
Ruger Hawkey .338 Winchester Magnum
I primarily muzzleload hunt but when I do reach for a rifle for big game it is a stainless Ruger Hawkeye in 338 win mag, topped with a Leupold VX7 2.5-10. My hunting guns take a beating, I prefer synthetic and stainless to help mitigate the abuse. I have comple confidence in this combo for any North American Big Game.
Hornady Interbond 225gr
I have had trouble with this bullet not expanding on deer. The results on the goat were spectacular. Instant one shot clean kill with both front shoulders immobilized.
Zeiss Classic 10x40
These have been my goto binos for years. I know at some point I'll replace them because there is better optical quality available today. So far I just can't justify replacing them as they just work for me.
Zeiss 20-60 85mm
I love this scope. It goes with me always. Just a great piece of glass.
Manfrotto CX190Pro and 700RC2 Head.
Great stable viewing platform.
NEW ITEMS
Stone Glacier Approach Pack
While scouting and hunting for the goat, I used this pack exclusively. I really like this pack. I feel that I am at the upper end of the belt range. For me the Kifaru belt is better. With that said. For up to two days, 1 night trips the Approach is my current goto pack.
While hunting I was able to pack in the main pocket an ID Sil Tarp 3, bivy, complete Kuiu Chugach XL rain wear, Kuiu Spindrift XL, Eberlestock light weight pack cover, Kill, First Aid and Possibles kits, and 1.5 days worth of food.
I put my 85mm scope in the scope pocket and tripod in the tripod relief. I didnt put the tripod feet in the provided pocket. Choosing to just strap the tripod down. This allowed me to reduce the height of the pack and made it easier to bust brush. I also bungeed a Smart Optix digiscopping adapter. Between the pack bag and frame I had 3 liters of water.
The pack rode well and was streamlined. On the initial trip out with meat it was placed in BOMB bags in the load shelf. With full kit as described above.
On the last 45# load of meat, I had the full kit minus the gun, scope and tripod.
The meat loads rode great in the shelf and there is ample strapping to lash more than you should carry.
Trekking Poles
After a pair of cheap carbon fiber poles started to break down after one year of use. I picked up two different poles over the summer when discounted. Both sets have flick style locks.
Komperdell Pure Carbons.
Despite the name the lowest of the three sections is aluminum. These poles have the best handles, locks and strap adjustments.
Easton CTR 65
These are only a two piece pole and are stiffer and stronger. Easton also have better baskets than the Komperdell poles. The Eastons however have a couple of issues. The flick lock mechanism spins freely if not locked and this messes with the tension of the lock. The biggest issue is the strap adjustment doesn't work well. It could take a couple of minutes to get the straps adjusted.
In the end I'll use either set of poles. If using the poles to support a tarp I lean towards the Easton poles as they are a stiffer two piece.
Smart Optix Digi Scope Adapter
We all like multipurpose gear. The Smart Optix adapter is a universal camera, phone, camcorder, or GoPro. It allows a lot of flexibility and doesn't require you to spend 80 bucks everytime you upgrade a device. The penalty is the size and weight. I found that by lashing it to my pack with a bungee it wasn't that big of deal and the weight wasn't noticed.
The Smart Optix adapter allows you to precisely dial in the view. This helps eliminate vignetting and allows you to use whatever case you want. I even used a 9300mah extended battery and case on one trip.
In the end the standout item for me is the Approach pack. If you are a minimalist this is one great bag with great load hauling capabilities. The Smart Optix adapter is the runner up.
Nice Man! Good to see you connected on a winner. Those old bills get real big don't they. I'm glad you didn't get the ol' goat tumble and destruction routine. It's a painful reality of the mountain monarch. You'll very rarely avoid the risk of it. I've gotten two goats that didn't tumble. I've gotten three that had one horn broken off. There have been another couple with fractured and destroyed skulls. Rest up and enjoy you goat meat.
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