One of the first questions to consider when it comes to looking for a hunting blind is how portable it is. If you drive out to your site, the size and weight of your blind may not be an issue. On the other hand, if you hike several miles out to your lucky spot, you’re going to need a lightweight folding frame. The longer you carry your blind, the heavier it’s going to feel-not to mention the extra weight of your gun or bow, shooting chair, and other equipment you have to haul. Look for a blind with carrying straps that weighs under 20 pounds.

The camo pattern is also a major consideration. Pick the pattern that blends in best in the areas you typically hunt. You can always add natural cover to the stubble straps as well. Another feature to look at is the dimensions of each blind. Can you sit comfortably inside without brushing your head on the top? Is there enough room for the number of hunters who will be using it? There should also be enough space to handle your firearm or crossbow. If you can’t get off a good shot because you’re cramped for space, then the hunting blind becomes a weakness instead of an advantage.

The next question to consider is what type of features you want. The list of available features is endless, but here’s a look at a few of the more common and practical ones.

• Shoot-Through Mesh - Great for added concealment. If the mesh is camouflage, even better.
• Waterproof - One of the major benefits of commercial blinds over natural cover. Stay dry and warm even in bad weather.
• Scent Proof - Keep a low profile with scent-masking carbon protection.
• Wind-resistant - Keep your blind from flapping in the wind and alerting game of your presence. Features such as tie-down flaps and stakes help to anchor your blind in place.
• Blackout Interior - A dark interior swallows your shadow and makes it harder for game to spot you inside the blind.
• Stubble Straps - Add natural cover to your blind for the ultimate camouflage protection.

Now let’s take a look at the pros and cons for each blind type.

The hub style blind is one of the most popular choices for hunters. It gives you the most room to move around, is tall enough to sit comfortably in, and is quick and easy to set up and take down. It also has the best visibility, with full windows on all sides. On the downside, its large size may limit where you can set up your blind and it may stand out more in locations with little natural cover.

The pop up blind takes up less space than the hub, but that also means you have less room to move around inside. Like the hub style, you are able to look out and shoot on all four sides. Setup is quick and easy. Takedown can be a little tricky to fold the hoop frames, but once you get the hang of it, you can fold it up in no time.

The chair blind is a different animal altogether. Its best asset is the convenience of a blind and chair in one. It’s also one of the easiest types to set up and take down. The downside is that you can’t move around inside and you can only see and shoot to the front or side, so if the game sneaks up behind you, you’re out of luck.

All three types of blinds have their advantages and disadvantages. One type of blind may work well for one hunter but create problems for another hunter. When it comes down to it, your budget and your style of hunting will ultimately determine which type of blind works best for you.

© 2009 KillZone Hunting Outfitters. Gear up for the season with hub style ground blinds, pop up blinds, chair blinds, and more from KillZone Hunting Outfitters at http://www.killzonehunting.com

KillZone is proud to offer affordable, high quality outdoor products for the hunting enthusiast. Free shipping on all orders!

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Features to Consider

A scope is designed to ensure that you are firing at the right target and at the right angle. If there is a flaw in your scope, you can almost guarantee a miss - no matter how good of a marksman you are. When selecting a night vision rifle scope, you want to ensure that you choose one that meets all of your needs.

Most marksmen will want to a high quality optical configuration system. With a high level of quality you will find a significant decrease of the F-Stop factor. A night vision rifle scope with a low F-Stop factor provides a clear and more improved image quality, which ultimately means better use and a more accurate shot. Multi-coated glass optics is almost essential for night vision rifle scope users.

Magnification is one feature with which marksmen can be very picky. You need to choose the most optimal magnification for your purposes. If you select too low of a magnification, then you will not be able to properly sight your target. However, too high of a magnification and you’ll be aiming at too small of a piece of your target. With a night vision rifle scope you will likely want to consider something in the 3-5x range.

You should also consider the quality of the precision aiming system. The most popular choice is a precision red on green aiming system. Remembering that the purpose of this system to best communicate the target location to the brain for the most precise aim, it is easy to understand why the red on green system is so highly favoured.

Although not essential, most marksmen will appreciate a night vision rifle scope that features a push button operation system. This can greatly improve the scope’s usability and enhances your experience. By reducing the complications associated with using the scope, you will have more time and energy to spend on your experience and focusing on your rifle skills.

Of course, a detachable infrared illuminator is always a plus when it comes to selecting the right night vision rifle scope.

Finally, you need to consider the functionality of the night vision rifle scope and how it will perform in your average environment. Depending on where and when you intend to use it, you may appreciate a scope that has reliable and durable water and fog resistance. Or, if you need your scope to function in extreme environments you may require one that can be completely submersed in water.

Why ATN?

ATN is one of the top names when it comes to quality and high performance. They are the top choice for military personnel and law enforcement officials. ATN is also extremely popular with outdoor enthusiasts around the world.

ATN is an industry leader for Night Vision Weapon-Mountable Solutions. Their scopes include the best components and construction, as well as provide an array of accessories and options.

ATN is respected for providing value, choice, and selection. They use the highest quality materials and processes in the creation of their night vision rifle scopes. This includes the purest grades of glass that come from optical grade sands from the shores of the Caspian Seas.

Choices

ATN provides a wide range of options, each perfectly suited to a specific type of marksman. The high performance Aries MK series includes high quality, but highly affordable scopes. These scopes offer an array of choices for Image Intensifier Tubes, MIL-Dot reticle, standard target turrets, positive 1/8 MOA per click windage and elevation adjustments, rails for add-on lights, lasers, back up iron sights, and titanium mounting systems.

These are all Generation 1 scopes. The 1st generation is the most popular type of night vision in the world. It amplifies existing light by several thousand times and provides a bright and sharp image at a low cost.

This series includes the MK350 Guardian. This rifle scope features expert an optical configuration system, precision red on green aiming system, detachable infrared illuminator and 2.5 x magnifications. This scope uses two Lithium batteries.

Another popular night vision rifle scope in the Aries MK series is the MK390 Paladin. With a stronger magnification of 4 x, the Paladin still features many of the same advantages of the MK350 Guardian. For example, this night vision rifle scope provides a precision red on green aiming system, expert optical configuration system, and detachable infrared illuminator. This scope uses two Lithium batteries.

For even stronger magnification, the ATN MK410 Spartan provides 5x magnification as well as all of the same great features found in the MK350 Guardian and the MK390 Paladin. This scope uses two Lithium batteries.

Additional Accessories

Each of these night vision rifle scopes can be outfitted with additional accessories to enhance your performance.

The Long Rail Adaptor is a quick detachable, multiple eye relief mounting base. This item attaches to a weaver type rail and flat-top receivers, allowing you to have optimal flexibility when positing your riflescope.

A camera Adaptor, such as the ATN Camera Adapter CA6, allows you to attach your night vision device to the front of almost any 33mm camera or camcorder. This means that with just one scope you will have the functional tool of both a rifle scope and a camera scope. Great value. The Final Word

All ATN Night Vision Rifle Scopes purchased from BLJ’s Self Defense come with a 2 year warranty. As a distributer of high quality scopes, BLJ’s Self Defense offers a range of scopes for from the ATN Aries series. Our unbeatable prices and expert customer service make BLJ’s Self Defense a great place to purchase your next Night Vision Rifle Scope.

BLJ’s Enterprises is a top provider of self defense tools, including ATN Night Vision Rifile Scopes, in the United States. At their website, http://bljsselfdefense.com/atn-night-vision-rifile-scopes-c283.html, you will find quality products as well as free in-depth information regarding personal protection. Because BLJ’s Enterprises is dedicated to matching everyone with the right self defense method, customer comments and questions can be directed to the owner, Barry Jenkins himself, at barry@bljsselfdefense.com.

Bows and Arrows

Whether you hunt with a cross or compound bow, you need a weapon that offers the best delivery system, one that is accurate, fast and designed for distance. Choosing an elliptic or hub system for a compound bow would reduce the force needed to hold the cable and you would have more focus time. With a crossbow, there is not as much need for strength making it a great choice for hunters of all ages and sizes.

Then for arrows, the goal is to choose what goes with the bow but also provides the length and stiffness for a clean kill. For arrows, which are also called missiles and bolts, you want to choose the best quality possible even if it means paying a higher price.

Clothing

The second must-have is the right clothing. The best option is camouflage but even dull colored clothing such as olive green outwear sold at military surplus stores would work. In addition to wearing a camouflaged jacket and pants, you also need to use face paint to help you blend into the environment.

Then for safety purposes, you need a brightly colored hat, which is usually orange. That way, other hunters in the area would be able to detect your presence. Other clothing items you need as a part of your deer hunting gear includes rain bibs, waterproof gloves, heavy wool sweater, long underwear, wool socks and proper boots, preferably Gore-Tex.

Scent Masking

Deer have a keen sense of smell so even chewing gum or a cough drop would be detected. It is imperative that your hunting gear include a top brand scent killer to mask the smell of your body. For just a few dollars, this product could be the difference in getting a trophy deer or going home empty handed.

Backpack

When moving about the field, you need miscellaneous items. The goal is to choose a backpack that would be comfortable but also one designed to hold the various items needed while in the field. We recommend a full-size external frame, which would provide more internal room but still be easy to carry. Some of the personal items you would likely take include:

• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Compass
• Map of the area being hunted
• Small thermal blanket
• Rain gear
• Hunting knife
• Binoculars
• Camera/batteries
• Lip balm, Tylenol, insect repellant, sunglasses, sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Snacks

Map and Scouting Information

As noted above, prior to going on your deer hunting trip, you would have spent time scouting various areas to hunt, looking for tell-tale signs throughout the land where deer would likely be found. Based on your scouting expedition, you would coordinate a satellite or topographical map. Taking a map that includes information from scouting would keep you on track of where you need to be, thus improving efforts for getting a trophy deer.

Keith Cantelmo is a hunting enthusiast with a passion for family and the great outdoors. To learn more about deer hunting gear visit us at http://www.trophydeerhuntingsecrets.com

There are three things to look for when buying a quality hunting pack: comfort, durability and ease of use.

Comfort - A great hunting pack will be comfortable to ware. Make sure that the pack is adjustable to your body shape and size. The shoulder straps, chest straps and waist band should all be adjustable and fit your body type and size. Good packs will adjust in all these areas so that the pack is held firmly on your back, and the weight load is carried mainly on your hips. Choosing an internal frame vs. external frame is largely a mater of preference, as there are great hunting packs in both these configurations.

Also, keep comfort in mind when you think about those popular ‘add on’ gear bags used to carry tri-pods, bino’s, and other types of gear. When loaded these gear bags can throw off the balance of the pack, thus causing it to ride awkwardly on your body. This can cause unsteady balance as you walk resulting in blisters on your feet, shoulders and hips. No hunter needs this kind of distraction and pain from their hunting pack and gear.

Durability - Durability starts with a hunting pack that is made of quality material. Most modern hunting packs are made from materials that include leather, canvas and synthetic fabrics. The best packs have materials that are coated for water and UV-Ray resistance. In addition these fabrics are breathable and tear resistant . Many of the best hunting packs have proprietary materials and coatings, making them highly durable and long lasting. Provided that the owner uses the proper care and cleaning techniques.

In addition to great material, a durable hunting pack needs to have reinforced stitching around all the edges. Many hunting pack manufactures employ double or triple stitching on all sewn seams. Be sure to look for these qualities in your next pack purchase.

A good hunting pack will be durable enough to withstand being in the wilderness in all types of conditions. That can mean anything from wet and cold, to dry and hot conditions. Knowing that your hunting pack is keeping your gear and provisions dry and safe will help keep your mind on the prey.

Ease of Use - As with any hunting equipment it must be easy to use. Consider the type of hunting you do most often and purchase the pack accordingly.

An easy to use pack is one that holds all the gear you need, and is designed so you can access it in the field. Most hunting packs (pack systems) have external compartments that will carry all types of equipment. Try making a list of your essential hunting gear before you shop. Then use the list while you shop for the hunting pack. Check each item off the list as you determine where the item will be stored in the pack. Be sure that the hunting pack you choose will hold all your gear from the list and that you can get to it quickly in the field.

There are times that you need to remove your pack; make sure that you can do this quickly, easily and quietly. Test the zippers and other fasteners to be sure they operate easily without excess noise or strain. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a short day trip or a long multi-day back country hunt, choosing the right hunting pack will help you bag your prey.

No matter if you’re a first time hunter, or a seasoned veteran check out the latest information at Hunting Pack Reviews. Here you find reviews on many of the finest hunting packs including, videos, articles and more.

Want to know how the pack you’re looking at stacks up? Hunting Pack Reviews will show you if the hunting pack your considering has the key features mentioned above. You’ll also discover a wide variety of quality hunting packs makers along with resources to where to buy for the best prices and save money.

Many hunters are using GPS units and accessories on their hunting trips now. The Garmin GPSMap 60CSX is among the best for hunters.

1. Garmin GPSMap 60CSX - The Garmin GPSMap 60CSX is a great hunting GPS unit. It has an electronic compass which allows for the user to get a bearing even while sitting still in a tree stand or a ground blind. The MicroSD card slot allows the user to put maps of different hunting areas on memory cards. This lets the user change out the memory card for certain hunting spots.

2. Accessories for the GPSMap 60CSX- Some of the best accessories for the Garmin GPSMap 60CSX are a carrying case and lanyard. The carrying case protects the GPS unit from scrapes and reduces glare from the display area. A retractable lanyard allows a hunter to keep the GPS unit handy yet out of the way. These GPS accessories are must-haves for all hunters who use a GPS unit.

3. Software for the GPSMap 60CSX- The best topographical map for the GPSMap 60CSX is the Garmin Mapsource Topo 2008. This software will give you topo maps of your hunting areas in the United States including terrain contours, topo elevations, trails, rural roads, and springs. Topo software is extremely helpful to hunters so they can find possible hunting spots while using their GPS unit.

4. Instructional DVD for the GPSMap 60CSX- An instructional DVD by Bennett Video for the Garmin GPSMap 60CSX will help the new user become familiar with the unit. This DVD will teach the user how to mark a waypoint, make a route, and make a track log in their new GPS unit. It is very important that the hunter knows how to operate the GPS unit before using it on their first hunting trip. This will cut down on the frustration and allow the user to get the maximum benefit from the GPS unit while hunting.

So, as you can see these four ideas are great for the hunter on your Holiday shopping list this year. Any hunter would love the Garmin GPSMap 60CSX and it’s accessories to use on their next hunting trip.

And if you would like more information on hunting GPS units and accessories please visit http://www.theultimategpsstore.com. Sign up for our Hunting GPS newsletter and receive some great unadvertised specials.

By: Rhonda Percell - Avid Hunter and Owner of The Ultimate GPS Store.com

Many people who are looking for a hunting bow will google “best bow for hunting” or “which is the best hunting bow.”  The truth is that this question cannot be answered by an article or by merely looking at tests and statistics for all bows.  The feel of a bow is a very personal preference.  A bow that your hunting buddy loves and is deadly accurate with can be heavy, balanced wrong or just plain feel awkward to you.

The best and most obvious solution is to go out and test a bunch of bows and get the one that you can shoot the best.  However, this is an undaunting task when you don’t know where to start.  You cannot go out and test 100 bows.  You need to narrow down your selection to a managable number of bows.  This is where articles and bow tests can help.

Here are some great articles to start with:

Compound Bow Selection Guide - Great technical article about bows

2007 Compound Bow Face-Off - 39 page report which tests 23 different bows

Hopefully these two articles will point you in the right direction and can narrow down your initial selection.  Then go out and test a few bows and you will probably know which is your favorite bow as soon as you fire it.

Ghillie Suits are a great addition to your hunting camouflage.  They come in many different styles and patterns.  Sifting through the 20 or 30 different types of ghillie suits can confuse you even more.  So how do you pick the best ghillie suit for hunting?

The best ghillie suits are the ones that give you the closest match to your enviroment, they also allow you to add native vegetation onto the suit, they are flexible and can be adapted to all seasons, they are lightweight, they are bug proof and they are washable.  When you add all those factors together, the is one ghillie suit that stands above the rest.

The suit is the Lightweight Ghillie Suit by Ghillie Suit Clothing.  This suit has all the necessary features required to make it the best one currently available.  The lightweight ghillie suit weighs a mere 3.5 lbs.  It is constructed of a soft mesh jacket and pants which is smooth to the skin.  This is important because it can be worn in the summertime in hot temperatures with only a t-shirt underneath.  Other ghillie suits require a full inner layer of clothing.

The suit is made from synthetic threads and netting.  The netting allows you to insert vegetation in the suit and you can customize it with additional colors of thread if needed.  The suit is a jacket and pants set so your legs will not be hindered, unlike with other ghillie suits which are like long dresses.  The wrist, ankles and waist all have zip ties so you can cinch the suit close to your body to avoid getting dirt and bugs into the suit.

Add a synthetic rifle wrap with this suit and you’ll be 100% camouflaged and ready for your next big hunt.

Are you a hunter? Looking for the best hunting knife? There are many different hunting knives designed for a variety of needs and uses - no single knife is best for everything. The key is to decide what you need your knife to do and choose the best knife for your needs.

What do you need your hunting knife to do?

Do you plan on using it mostly for skinning and gutting game? Or do you plan to use it primarily for wood craft - clearing shooting lanes, building blinds, etc.? Do you need a knife with high corrosion resistance?

Once you decide what you need in a knife, you can decide which knife will best meet your requirements.

Hunting Knife Features:

Folding vs fixed blade. Most hunters will probably find that a fixed blade knife works best for them. Fixed blade knives are stronger, and easier to keep clean.

Blade shape. The primary blade shapes used for hunting knives are skinner, drop point, and clip point. Skinner blades are primarily useful for skinning and gutting. Drop point blades are useful for skinning as well as general purpose uses. Clip points are mostly useful for woodcraft and general purpose uses.

Blade steel. There are several different steels used in making hunting knives. No steel is best for all uses - each has advantages and disadvantages. Be aware of what you need, and what steel might best perform those tasks.

Other features. Also check features such as handle material, sheath, blade guard, etc.

Using an outline like this, you can choose the best hunting knife for your uses and needs.

You may not think of a boat or a kayak as part of your hunting gear. But a watercraft can get you to areas that cannot be accessed by foot. A kayak or canoe can be used to go deep into the mountains or woods. You can access small islands and travel farther in a day. Adding an inflatable kayak as part of your hunting gear can increase your hunting range and open up vast new areas.

If you hike to your hunting site, you may want to look at portable kayaks such as inflatable kayaks or folding kayaks. These boats are relatively light and can be packed into a medium sized backpack. They can weight anywhere from 15 to 40 lbs.  Using a lightweight pump, these boats can be unpacked, inflated and deployed within 7 minutes.

So the next time you are packing your hunting gear for that weekend or weeklong trip, don’t forget to add an inflatable kayak to your gear list.

Ghillie suits can help hunters greatly during hunting.  These suits allow you to blend in better with the surroundings when compared to standard BDU or camouflage clothes.  People report deer, turkey and other game walking to within 10 feet of them when wearing a ghillie suit.

Ghillie suits come in all different types, patterns and sizes.  A single one piece ghillie suit is usually a large poncho without separations for the legs.  These types of suits are more difficult to move around him.  They provide great coverage when kneeling because the one piece funnels outward and your lower body shape just disappears.

Other ghillie suits come in jacket and pants combinations.  Because you have pants, these suits are easier to move in.  This is especially beneficial for a bow hunter who needs to climb to a tree stand.

A ghillie suit’s camouflage ability comes from its outer layer of material.  This material can be either natural jute, synthetic thread, burlap or even synthetic cloth cut into shapes of leaves.  The type of material has a great bearing to the ghillie suit’s weight.  Natural jute is a heavy material and may make a ghillie suit weigh up to 10 lbs.  Synthetic ghillie suits can weigh as little as 3.5 lbs.  A ghillie suit’s weight should be taken into account if one has to walk long distances during the hunt.

If you haven’t hunted with a ghillie suit you’ll be amazed at the difference in camouflage ablility that a ghillie suit can provide.  Try one out today.

Article provided by: Ghillie Suit Warehouse