Ultimate SKRE Gear Review

[realunlucky]

I was pretty lucky to pass by the SKRE headquarters in southern Utah on my way to Nevada for sheep hunting. I took the opportunity to tour the warehouse and shoot a short video with SKRE founder Mike Nielson. Mike discusses a few a his favorite 2018 pieces and gives roksliders a sneak peek into some new pieces coming soon.YouTube

 

[realunlucky]

Here is a few pictures of the warehouse that I quickly snapped. Mike said they had almost everything in stock and ready to ship and seeing was believing. Hard to believe that SKRE Gear was only founded back in 2016.

 

[realunlucky]

Michael Wand from SKRE was kind of enough to put together a short video detailing the VIP exchanges and returns portal and explains SKRE products lifetime warranty. This is some great information on how to navigate the process while trying to obtain the prefect fit of a garment with direct to customer business model. I know not being able to get hands on products is difficult but SKRE solution is to pay shipping both ways until your outfitted to your satisfaction. Here is the video hope you guys check it out.YouTube

 

[realunlucky]

I wanted to show off a few pictures and do a short hunt recap of my last few trips. For some hunting is all about success but I've always enjoyed the journey and an excuse to see new country. Always a reason to hump up and see what's on the other side of the mountain. Every year I try and find opportunities to hunt somewhere or something new and 2018 was no different. I was super excited to find out I had drawn a desert sheep ewe tag. You can wait your entire lifetime and never draw a ram so never set foot in the amazing country these sheep call home.

I was very fortunate enough to know a guy that knew a guy that has hunted sheep in the unit before. What a huge headstart.

 

[realunlucky]

I want to give a huge thank you to the Joe Mortenson clan. You guys were so awesome it made the whole trip well above and beyond.Thanks for taking in a stranger and treating him like family totally unheard-of these days.
Now on to some pictures-

This mountain just appeared out of the desert floor- this isn't going to as easy as I thought. This unit had one of the last remaining sheep populations in Nevada. I'd wager a guess because of the roughness of the country really limited access to early miners and settlers.

 

[realunlucky]

Definitely some very challenging terrian. Not sure what I expected but this country can humble just about anyone pretty quick if you head for the nasty stretches.

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[realunlucky]

Some pretty interesting things are found in only certain areas and the desert is no different. Glad it was to cold for snakes.

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[realunlucky]

Hunt opened on a Friday and my hunting partner wouldn't be driving in until late Friday night after work. I really wanted to get this ewe with my bow. I got humbled very quickly on just how difficult that would be.

I had heard sheep feel safest up on top so what the hell I'll just head up there. Haha looked so easy from far away

 

[MallardMaster]

NOPE.....I'm out with spiders that big crawling around.

 

[realunlucky]

Well I did climb to the top my watch read about 2000' vertical gain. It was a grinder but really gave me an greater appreciation for this whole experience.

I took a nasty tumble coming down the mountain that broke the quiver off my bow. Thankfully that's all that got broken on the bow but especially grateful nothing broke on my body. Figured it was a good excuse to put away the bow and pick up something that has a bit more reach.

 

[realunlucky]

Here is how you can identify a ewe from a young ram. I studied this long and hard my biggest fear was making this mistake. Hard to use horn size for postive ID need to identify the lack of belly spot or sack if viewed from behind. Position they pee in is another sure fire way for postive identification.

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[realunlucky]

I was really lucky that Justin let me test out the new Nikon ED spotter man it was so much nicer than my current vanguard scope. We also compared it to my partners Swarovski and we both liked the Nikon image better. "Gasp" I know right. Anyway seeing a belly spot at long distances is no easy feat.

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[realunlucky]

When you glass big country for deer or elk there are ways you can eliminate where they aren't and focus your attention on the other areas this will maximize your efforts.

That's not the case in sheep country. Those little suckers can and will be anywhere. Two things stuck out here--1 just how hard they are to glass up. They blend in very well with just a white rump and small white ring on thier snout. It's amazing that you can be watching one and it turns slightly and you almost can't see it anymore. 2 it takes a ton of mental toughness to really truly glass (pick apart not just glance over) this much huge country. Remember they can be any where but you can glass for hours and hours and not see anything.

 

[realunlucky]

I saw eleven rams by the end of day one but didn't see any ewes. I was discouraged and wondering what I needed to do different tomorrow. I was reassured if I was seeing sheep I was doing it right and just keep grinding away.

While frustrated not seeing any desert ewe the rams were amazing to watch. Sheep can travel this country like it's flat. I saw four rams cover a boulder field in 5 bounds that took myself over two hours to cross. Everything looks so easy to hike from a distance. It's just a few rocks how hard can it really be?

 

[realunlucky]

By the morning of day two the "crew" had arrived and were chumping at the bit to find some sheep. Pound for pound these kids could hunt me into the ground. Sal your raising them it right buddy!

Here's a pro tip---be out there when the sun first hits the mountain side. The rays will keep the sheep coats glistening and actually easy to spot. It doesn't last long but it's magical.

A couple hours in and we have seen 7 more rams without any ewe sightings. Where the hell are these ladies?

 

[MallardMaster]

Helly Hanson is the gold standard rain gear for constant wet conditions and isn't really a fair comparison to any dwr treatment on the market. I have some stika goretex gloves I'll trade you what size deadfalls do you have?

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I was ordering the Merino Layers today when on the phone I asked about the gloves. I told the person on the phone that my hands got soaked after only a couple of hours. He did say that the gloves are NOT waterproof. He said the material that is on the top part of the glove is made from the same material as their Nebo Raingear. The bottom (black part) is not waterproof and will still leak when in contact with water. Needless to say, I was a little bummed hearing about that. I suppose I will just stick to my Gore-Tex gloves and leave these in the box for really dry days.

 

[realunlucky]

Just a little while later I think I spot a ram and a ewe up by the big rock formation. I get all excited trying to explain to Sal which rock thier by sometimes communication is so frustrating with few reference points. I hurriedly pull out the spotter to confirm the sighting. Two rams WTF! I know what saw even if it was just for a split second. These sheep are actually pretty low on the mountain and it makes looking into the nooks and crannies much much more difficult. I watch the rams for long time and when the one turns to leave he steps into a depression and disappeared. Maybe just maybe there's more sheep in where we can't see. Time to move vantage points

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[realunlucky]

So we get repositioned and I almost instantly spot what I'm sure is a ewe. Buddy that's really got to be a ewe right? Not sure where your looking. I dig the spotter out.. get it in focus...Four rams and three ewes. FINALLY!!

This opportunity was a long time coming I knew I better not blow it.

 

[MuleyFever]

I was really lucky that Justin let me test out the new Nikon ED spotter man it was so much nicer than my current vanguard scope. We also compared it to my partners Swarovski and we both liked the Nikon image better. "Gasp" I know right. Anyway seeing a belly spot at long distances is no easy feat.

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What is this "new" Nikon?

 

[realunlucky]

What is this "new" Nikon?

Nikon monarch fieldscope 82 ED-A spotting scope. There's a thread on it somewhere I'll look for it.