Alicia Keyes in Smokin' Aces.

The Women's Outdoor News

ROLLA, MO --(Ammoland.com) - After talking to at least 100 women in the industry about their choices for concealed carry, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need more than one carry gun.

For years, I’ve been carrying a Model 22, .40 cal GLOCK that I was given as a gift. As a rule, it’s great for a thigh-holstered mount when I’m on the ranch and working outdoors.

But, let’s face it … thigh rigs would be very hard to conceal in the summer. And my arthritic shoulder screams when I carry it in a purse or bag. A GLOCK of that size and caliber prints big time under a summer tee. Furthermore, when I visited with Sheriff Jim Wilson about carrying concealed, he told me to lose the purse and wear a holster.

He said, “Think about it, Barb. A criminal wants either your purse or … you!”

So, I’ve decided. I’m going to cross over to an industry-standard carry gun, and since it’s a revolver, I’m going to go to one of the finest and most reputable maker of revolvers in the gun world — Smith & Wesson.

Smith & Wesson 642 Revolver

But, which one, which one? I narrowed it down to between the 442 and 642. And after a recent trip to Huntsville, Ala., where I visited my favorite gun shop in the world, Larry’s Pistol and Pawn, I decided to buy the 642 Airweight because it has an aluminum frame and stainless steel cylinder, crane and barrel — and we’re talking about the whole barrel. Cost is $449. And when you think of carrying the summer in our humidity, you must be aware of moisture.

For this reason, and for many others that Ralph posted over at the blog The Truth About Guns and his thorough review on the 642, I am ordering one — today.

I’ll take you along with me as I discover the world of wheelin’ and carryin’. It really is like buying shoes. Now I’ll need a holster and a belt and ammo and cleaning supplies for this caliber (.38 Special + P).

About: Writer Barbara Baird publishes The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON), which features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Sara Ahrens, Shelley Rae, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Otterbox Defender Series iPhone Case

Women's Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com)- Dawn Wright, avid hunter, former mining engineer at a Southwest aggregate company and now a stay-at-home mom of twin toddlers writes her first review:

I’m a housewife, or more accurately, a stay-at-home mother of 16-month-old twin girls and have been an iPhone user since its beginning. Last November, I was given the opportunity to try an OtterBox Defender Series case, and thought “Why not?”

I have taken my OtterBox case out in the woods deer hunting, to the grocery store, the park, the gym, and on a cross-country drive with the entire family. After three weeks of putting it through its paces on my daily adventures, in other words, the most daunting quality assurance program I could design, I just don’t think the OtterBox is worth the investment.

Don’t get me wrong. The OtterBox is an exceptionally well-built case, and I am quite impressed with the level of engineering that went into the design. The case allows you use all of the functionality of the phone, such as still being able to reach the edges of the touch screen and plugging in accessories while giving the phone an extra layer of protection from scratches and bumpers to protect the phone when dropped. However, the coolest features has to be the Realtree Max-4 pattern on the case, which in my circle of friends, made my phone stand out among all of the other phones.

Otterbox Defender Series iPhone Case

The problem with the OtterBox is that it transformed my slim iPhone into a big clunky phone, which is difficult to slide in and out of my pockets. I tried the belt clip to remedy this problem and it just made it worse. The belt clip makes the phone even bigger and it doesn’t stay hooked when I’m trying to balance two little girls in my arms. When looking back to my before-children years, the belt clip might have worked, but alas that is no longer the way of life for me. As a result, with the OtterBox in place on my phone, I have been losing my phone around the house and in the car much more frequently. When I can’t pop it into my pocket I tend to set it down, and with all of the distractions that a typical day brings, I can never remember where I put my phone. I am going back to a case-less phone so I always know where it is, in my pocket safe and sound.

I’ve heard the argument “Doesn’t the case keep your kids from breaking it?” Most of the people I know who have had smart phones destroyed, by children or themselves, admit the problem was water damage. The OtterBox will not save a phone from being dunked in a glass of lemonade or taking a plunge in a toilet, or taking a swim in the pond at a park, all true stories. I also have carried an iPhone without a case for years and dropped my phone hundreds of times without breaking it. I’m not saying that they aren’t breakable, just that I haven’t managed to break one by dropping. None of the added layers of protection that the case provides makes up for the clunkiness that is added.

My advice, get the case if you want. But, if you are like me and like having your slim little iPhone that fits into your you want the cool factor or the peace of mind the added protection might give pocket with ease, ditch the case and find some other way to make your iPhone unique without adding bulk.

OtterBox Defender AP Blaze

Review 2: OtterBox Defender AP Blaze
I’m taking this OtterBox out for further testing in the turkey woods this spring. When I received it last November, my deer hunting days were over. So, it will be clipped onto my belt in April and stay there till I either tag out or the season ends.  It will have to stay attached while I climb hills and descend hollers, cross streams, sit fast, crawl and work with a vest that is always moving and loaded with calls and accoutrements for turkey hunting — plus, that whole shotgun slung over my shoulder thing.

I can see what Dawn means, though, about it not slipping in and out of pockets easily because of size and also, because of the silicone skin on the back in camo patterns.

I believe it is rugged. I’m using it. I’ve dropped it on the garage floor twice already. No marks.

I’ll be back in May with the rest of part 2. ~Barbara Baird

In the meantime, see for yourself. Put an OtterBox Defender through the paces. Retail: $59.95

About:
The Women’s Outdoor News, aka The WON, delivers news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. Born out of a desire to serve the burgeoning outdoor market for women and to inspire as many women to go outside as possible, The WON pops into email in-boxes, RSS feeds and Twitter Feeds with updates during the work week. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Maxpedition Vulture II

Womens Outdoor News

Why the Vulture II?

ROLLA, MO --(Ammoland.com) — I find it amusing that one of the most common questions I am asked in regard to the whole Top Shot experience is, “What does everyone have in their backpacks?”

This question makes me laugh because people really want to know, like it’s a big secret. It’s not a secret at all, but since it is such a popular question I thought I would share my response and discuss the thought process I used to decide which backpack I would purchase in anticipation of my participation.

The truth is, reality television isn’t really reality. I know I am shocking a lot of people with that statement. I don’t want to crush people with this ‘reality’ check, but what you see in a television episode is the result of retakes, splicing and editing. When you watch Top Shot, what you see is about 40 minutes of footage.  It takes about 46 hours of video to make that 40 minute show, so a lot of footage is conveniently left out.

What does this have to do with the backpacks you might wonder? Contestants are not shooting these competitions in five minutes like it appears on television. Filming can take hours and there is a lot of hurry up and wait. For instance, the very first competition was the Smith and Wesson 500. It seemed like every time a contestant shot a target, flying glass would strike a contestant (I was hit on the very first shot and my neck bled … very scary).

Sara Ahrens. Photo courtesy of History.com

In between every pair of contestants that shot, targets had to be extinguished and then replaced, slats of wood on the crates had to be removed, replaced and re-stained, cameras were being set up and moved, and there are many other behind the scenes activities that take place. Overall this part is boring to the viewers, so it is edited out. The show was filmed in the mountains of California and the weather reminded me of Colorado. It constantly changed (though I don’t recall Colorado ever feeling as cold as California). So to answer one of the most popular questions, “What was inside everyone’s backpacks?” is simple; the backpacks contained whatever the contestant thought he or she might need in the course of a lengthy day away from the house. My backpack contained eye and ear protection, sunscreen, tissue, water, my jacket, fleece, a baseball cap, eye drops, chewing gum and gloves.

I invested some time deciding which backpack to purchase and bring with me on the show. I ultimately opted for a Maxpedition Vulture II backpack. I initially ordered the Condor II backpack, but the capacity is only 1950 cubic inches and when it arrived it looked like a children’s pack. It did not look roomy enough for jackets and gear, so I bit the shipping cost and returned it, then I ordered the Vulture II backpack.

Maxpedition Vulture II

I think that the Maxpedition backpack is one of the sturdier backpacks I have purchased in my lifetime. It is made out of 1000-denier water and abrasion resistant, light-weight ballistic nylon fabric. One feature that I really like is that the main compartment unzips fully. This has been problematic for me in the past and I would say this is the number one feature I look at before making a backpack purchase.

I also like the Maxpedition Vulture II because it reminds me of my Alice pack in the Army  in the way it sits on my back (I could purchase an Alice pack, but I never liked the three pockets on the front of the pack because certain types of gear easily fall out). I like that the Vulture II has a sternum strap and integrated belt. Maxpedition backpacks also feature hook and loop systems for the addition of accessory pouches, if you’re into being that organized. I really only took issue with one feature of this pack, and I chalk that up to a lack of attentiveness on my part. There is a padded compartment at the rear of the pack that can be used for the storage of laptops, which I consider a benefit. Just beware if you purchase this backpack, that at the bottom of this compartment (near the should straps), there are 2” gaps on each side. I threw a USB thumb drive in the computer compartment with my computer and lost it. I suppose that’s my fault, but it still upset me. This backpack costs about $150. I purchased my pack in February and there are still no signs of wear, and it gets used daily by either me or my son.

Vulture II Backpack Features

• Main Compartment: 20.5″(H) x 16″(W) x 7.5″(D)
• Front Pouch: 15.5″(H) x 12″(W) x 2.75″(D)
• Slip Pocket: 15.5″(H) x 12″(W)
• Capacity: 2810 cu. in. / 46 liters
• Weight: 3 lbs , 8 oz
• Hydration: Up to 100+ oz Bladder
• Support: 1″ Sternum Strap, 2″ Integrated Belt (min 19″ strap alone / max 52″ strap alone; min 34″ loop / max 67″ loop)
• Optional accessories: Hook & Loop Modular Accessories and Grimloc Carabiner, Hydration reservoir

Visit Maxpedition packs online.

 Sara Ahrens, a police sergeant from northern Illinois and competitor in Top Shot Season 3, writes a blog called OffBeat at The WON.

About: The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Sara Ahrens, Shelley Rae, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

ROLLA, MO --(Ammoland.com) - This past fall, I put several new products to the test while afield.  And as far as I’m concerned, they passed with flying colors.

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season winding down, not to mention the fall hunting seasons almost over …  I figured now would be a good time to share these products with you all. Surely, you have some of those Christmas gift cards — or even cash — and you’re wondering what new outdoor items you need to buy with them.

So here are three suggestions from me.

Revision Sawfly Eyewear System

Revision Sawfly Eyewear System

The system comes in two sizes with adjustable arms to ensure the proper fit and distortion free optics.  They are also prescription ready with the optional Rx inserts.

As far as the safety features these exceed both ANSI Z87.1-2010 and military ballistic impact requirements.

Summit Treestands 

I also got to put the Summit Single Shot Magnum ladder stand and the Summit Razor SD climbing stand to the test this fall.  These stands are comfortable, durable and safe.

The assembly of the ladder stand was fairly simple with the included instructions.  The climbing stand was hunt ready after installing the cables that go around the tree.  The Razor is probably Summit’s most versatile climber.  The pivoting front climbing bar gives you the convenience of a sit down climber and an open front for bow hunting.

The Single Shot Magnum offers 50 percent more room than their Single Shot ladder stand.  So if you want a little more room, or need a stand with a little higher weight capacity, this stand will fill those needs.

Ladderstand 2nd Man 

This handy tool not only makes it easier to put up your ladder stands, it also makes it safer.  The 2nd Man unit allows one person to install a ladder stand.  It comes with a 600# rated winch and winch strap, which you attach to the tree with the ratchet strap.  You then insert the ground swivel pegs in the legs of the stand.  After anchoring the pegs in the ground you attach the winch strap to the upper section of your stand.  Then you simply crank the winch to raid the stand up against your tree.  At this point, your stand is against the tree and ready to be secured for hunting.

You can go to the 30-06 Outdoors website to watch a video of just how safe and easy this makes putting your ladder stands.  I know it’s last minute notice, but, if you act fast and order the 2nd Man by December 31, 2011, you’re eligible for a free product upgrade and a free gift from 30-06 Outdoors.

Marti Davis is a pro staff member for several outdoor equipment companies, including Knight & Hale, Moultrie Products, Strut and Rut, Code Blue and Mossy Oak. Author of the blog “Marti Davis Afield,” she also reviews gear for Gear Court.

About: The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Sara Ahrens, Shelley Rae, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Nemo Equipment Fillo Pillow From Backwoods

Womens Outdoor News

ROLLA, MO –(Ammoland.com) - I just had an opportunity to try out an inflatable camping pillow at no cost, courtesy of Backwoods. I’ve never used a pillow when camping before, instead resorting to stuffing any loose clothing I could find into the hood of my sleeping bag and calling that a pillow.

Nemo Equipment Fillo Pillow From Backwoods

The pillow, with its cushy memory foam layer, starts out one-inch thick, and inflates to 4 inches. Memory foam. Now that’s a luxury on the trail. If you want an even fatter pillow, thread some clothing through the cording on the back.

I really like the valve system, which locked completely, allowing no leaks, and was easy to unlock and deflate. The cover also acts as a stuff sack, which worked great to roll the pillow and stuff into the cover, but after stuffing, rolling and folding the pillow to fit it into my backpack, I found the best way to carry it was just to slide it in it flat against the back of my pack and fill in around it.

The pillow weighs 10.9 ounces, which for ultralight hikers might be too much heft, but for a few days packing, I think I would add this to the gear pile, if I have the room. Hubby liked it so well he said other things would get cut before the pillow did. I KNOW it makes the cut for car camping.

Note: It also worked great as a lumbar support when my husband got lost and we ended up driving for 12 hours.

Traci Enjoying the Nemo Equipment Fillo Pillow

Backwoods retails the Nemo Fillo Pillow for $39.95. I would say this pillow definitely has fluffed up my gear list for camping!

You can follow Traci’s pursuit of perfect pack weight, cupcakes and other adventures at The Adventures of Mother Nature http://momonvacation.blogspot.com

About: The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Sara Ahrens, Shelley Rae, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Shelley Rae. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Pagan.

Womens Outdoor News

ROLLA, MO --(Ammoland.com) - Every woman, from age 8 to at least 98, should have a flashlight with her at all times. It’s a matter of safety, comfort and convenience. Whether you’re trying to find a nice tree in the woods late at night or searching for your bracelet on the bar floor, a little light can save you endless amounts of trouble.

Having a flashlight is also a matter of living safely. Flashlights are good to have in dark parking lots, when trying to unlock the front door or when digging through your purse. They can surprise and disorient an attacker or act as a makeshift weapon in a time of need.

Carrying a flashlight is not as difficult as carrying a gun can be. There are no complicated permits and it’s simple enough to slip one into a pocket in your purse or get a cheap holster to put it on your belt.

This LumaMax was spotlighted by another LumaMax! Photo by Jeremy Pagan.

For the past eight months I’ve been carrying a Surefire LX2 LumaMax with me everywhere I go. The 5.4-inch, 4.2-ounce flashlight has never been a burden and fits easily into the side pocket of my purse. The size and weight also make this flashlight ideal for camping and backpacking, as it can easily be slipped into a pocket, backpack, fanny pack, saddle bag or belt holster.

Not only is the little flashlight light in weight, it’s resilient. I’ve dropped it on cement running leagues, dropped it in mudpuddles running matches and rolled it in the dirt practicing rifle positions.

The LX2 shines up to 200 lumens; that’s 10 times the light of a normal D-cell flashlight, and also comes with a 15-lumen low output setting that is great for a quick glance at something, reading a book or any other situation where 200 lumens really is too many.  With both a push-button on, perfect for momentary light, and a constant-on that can be achieved by spinning the back of the flashlight the controls are easy to manipulate and provide for a variety of circumstances.

I wouldn’t go anywhere without a flashlight, and I wouldn’t choose any flashlight over my SureFire LX2. Easy to use, light and durable it provides me with the light I need in any situation.

Hey, Bad GUY! You've been made! Photo courtesy of Jeremy Pagan.

Visit Shelley Rae online at her website.

Check out the LX2 LumaMax. MSRP: $210.

About: The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Sara Ahrens, Shelley Rae, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Reviewer Jennifer Yoder on the range with her stylin' GLOCK.

Women’s Outdoor News

Rolla, MO–(Ammoland.com) –  While I love my GLOCK 19 Gen 4, and think it is the perfect pistol to fit my needs, I tend to like to be a little different at times. GLOCK produces their pistols in one color: black.

My husband has a Springfield XDM with the stainless steel slide and I have to admit that I prefer the contrast that it has compared to just one solid color. That being said, I wanted to give my GLOCK a little personality and change the color of the slide. I didn’t, however, want to pay a gunsmith to bake on a finish. I consider myself to be a bit artistic, so I decided to do it myself. I did a little research to find a product to use and in the end I decided to give the Shake ‘N Spray DuraCoat Finishing Kit a try.

Shake ‘N Spray DuraCoat Finishing Kit

Lauer Weaponry, the manufacturer of DuraCoat Firearm Finishes, claims that the Shake ‘N Spray kit provides everything you need to finish your Firearm in a simple and user friendly way. The kit contains TruStrip and a scrubbing pad to degrease with, a jar to mix the DuraCoat ingredients, and a Preval Aerosol Sprayer to apply. Besides the instructions on the packaging, there also is a video available on the company’s website to view the application of the product.

After watching the video, I felt pretty confident that this was something I could do myself. The hardest part in my opinion: choosing which color to use. With more than a hundred different finishes available, deciding on which to use can take a little time. I knew I wanted something that would contrast with the black grip, but not stick out too much. The colors are available to view on the website, but it is difficult to get a real feel for them on there. I kept leaning toward my favorite color, which is purple, and after viewing the choices available I felt pretty confident that DuraCoat standard color 95-Goddess Purple was exactly the right choice for me. It was the darkest purple available, so I felt it would look best with the standard black of the GLOCK.

Now that the hard part was complete, it was time to prep my pistol. I removed the slide and headed out to my garage.

First – I taped off any parts that I did not wish to be painted using some standard painters tape.

Next – I needed to find a way to hang the slide to make it easy to spray. I ended up taking a wire hanger and hanging it from a string from one of the rafters of my garage. I looped the hook of the hanger through the barrel opening of the slide. This allowed the slide to hang freely, making all sides accessible to spray at once.

I followed the instructions closely, first using the TruStrip and scrubbing pad to degrease the slide. This was simple to do, and did not take long at all.

Once I was satisfied — I moved on to mixing up the finishing spray and preparing it in the Preval Aerosol Sprayer. The overall prep time took less than 15 minutes.

The best advice for the actual spraying of the finish is to put it on lightly and spray it in steady bursts. I found that spraying from top to bottom in lines worked well, being careful to only spray each area once.  I allowed the first coat to dry for about 15 minutes. I ended up using three coats total. Afterward, I allowed the slide to drive overnight before reassembly. The overall curing process does take several weeks, so I waited two weeks before actually using my gun, and several more prior to holstering it.

Voila!

The finish turned out great! I absolutely loved it! I have had several people ask me where I took my pistol to have it done, only to be very surprised when I explain that I did it myself. It now has been several months and I have drawn the weapon from a holster dozens of times, cleaned it and degreased it; it still looks just as good as when it was first done. There is no doubt in my mind that I would use this product again.

I would caution that this is a permanent finish for your firearm; therefore, if you use it, take your time and make sure you follow all instructions. Wear gloves and old clothing, because you will most likely get the finish on your hands and clothing and it is very difficult to get out. Make sure you have the right amount for the project you are going to complete; I sprayed just the slide and used almost half of the product that came with the kit.

If you are looking to personalize your firearm and make it your own, I would recommend considering using DuraCoat Shake ‘N Spray. If you are confident in your ability to do it yourself, follow the directions provided on the packaging and the instructional video, this is a cost effective alternative to taking your firearm to a gunsmith. For more information on this product, visit www.lauerweaponry.com.

About: The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Sara Ahrens, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site.

Britney Starr reviews BTB glasses

The Womens Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com) - Sometimes, the worst thing about getting new gear is the wait before you can use it. I recently received a pair of BTB Sport Optics sunglasses, but the ever changing Michigan weather had me waiting quite a while before I could try them out.

BTB boasts that they have “the best $100 sunglasses you can buy for under $50.” While doing some research I found that they have a long list of features that you would not normally see in sunglasses of that cost.

• 100 percent optic clarity (De-centered lens)
• HD (High Definition) Lens Technology
• Complete UVA & UVB protection
•  ”Formed Fit” frames
• Temples & Nosepieces are made from a hypo- allergenic material and coated with an Anti-Bacterial agent for heavy perspiration environments
• Exceed ANSI, OSHA & Military Impact Specifications
• “Ballistic” rated

I picked a pair of traditional fully framed glasses in crystal brown color out of BTB’s “200 Series” that retail at $49.95. The 200 Series offers small to medium fit and an HD polarized lens option which is great for fishing. Since all of BTB’s sunglass lenses are ballistic rated, I was also interested to see how they would stand up while I was out grouse and woodcock hunting this fall. Click HERE to watch a video of the BTB crew performing a ballistic test.

Sunglasses in hand, I started my five hour trek to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Sunglasses in hand, I started my five hour trek to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on my quest for upland birds.

Of course, it rained the entire time … so, my new specs spent the entirety of the drive on my dashboard. I hoped that the following day would provide me with an opportunity to utilize my new gear.

Although wet, our first day of hunting looked like it might afford us a few glimpses of sunshine. As I geared up to hit the woods with my dad and my German Shorthair Pointer, “Wesson,” I decided to put on the glasses even though it was slightly overcast.

I noticed right away that the polarized brown color lenses brightened everything up.

When the first woodcock flushed, I found the tiny brown bird with no problem against the green backdrop of the trees (and successfully shot it, thank you very much).

I kept the sunglasses on all day while hunting. They were very lightweight and the nosepieces did not dig in or leave marks.

I kept the sunglasses on all day while hunting. They were very lightweight and the nosepieces were made of soft material which did not dig in or leave marks on my nose.

The temples of the glasses did not pinch into my head even under my hat but still felt secure enough that I did not worry they would fall off. Eventually, the sun did peek through the clouds and at that point I was impressed with how well the BTBs reduced the glare.

One thing I did notice was that my eyelashes hit the lenses of the glasses if they were pushed up all the way on my nose. Also, while I was huffing and puffing through a thick aspen cutting, the lenses became slightly fogged up. Although soft, the nose pieces are not adjustable – which might have helped fix both of these problems.

While driving back from hunting, my dad noticed some salmon swimming upstream. We stopped the truck and I jumped out to take a better look. Because the lenses are polarized I was able to see down into the water and watch the salmon. Without the sunglasses on I would have only seen the glare off the top of the water, which affirmed that I would be wearing them during my fishing excursions next summer.

BTB offers a lifetime warranty with every pair of their sunglasses, as well as free shipping on orders over $49.00. Visit www.btbsunglasses.com/category-s/46.htm for more details on BTB’s 200 Series sunglasses.

Britney Starr is a native of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Britney has participated in hunting and shooting sports for her entire life. She is currently part owner, client services representative, and social media manager of Starr & Bodill African Safaris. She enjoys working side by side with her father and licensed Professional Hunter, Dwaine Starr, to provide their clients with a worry free safari. Keep up with Britney at her blog.

About: The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Sara Ahrens, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Lone Wolf Climbing Sticks

Women’s Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com) - When you do something new for the first time it can be scary, or even intimidating.

Before last month, I had a fear about setting up my own treestand.

I consider myself to be a novice hunter since I just starting bowhunting last fall.  With that being said, I have many exciting first’s still ahead.  My new and thrilling hunting spot is in the heart of Wisconsin’s driftless area.  Professional hunter and friend, Kelly Alexander, was kind enough to share his prime hunting land this year.  Kelly has several monster bucks on his wall and offered to help scout out a good place to set up. My husband, Mike, Kelly’s wife, Jess, and both sets of our children, set out on a nature walk to find a spot to set up my treestand.  I was looking forward to trying out my new Lone Wolf Climbing Sticks, and attempt to set up my treestand for the first time.  Last season my dad and husband put it up.  This year I wanted to try.

The weather was hot, sticky and the terrain wasn’t exactly what I would call stable. The forest was thick and even worse the kids were tired and crabby from the long drive.  Let’s just say I didn’t have the camera out to take cute pictures.  Kelly’s wife, Jess was kind enough to walk the kids back to the house so we could continue on our journey.  Jess knew how enthusiastic I was to try and set up the stand for my first time.  (Jess, I owe you one)

Mike, Kelly and I continued our exploration of the woods and game trails.   The next decision we made would determine whether my 2011 bowhunting season will be a success, or not.  There it was, the perfect tree with a set of trails that looked as if a herd of cows ran though.   The climbing sticks were easy to carry weighing only 2.7-pounds per stick; I was carrying a set of three for a total of 7.5-pounds.  They were light and I carried them effortlessly.

Mike talked me through the process of strapping the sticks on the tree one- by- one.  Besides the light weight of the sticks my favorite features were the pivoting V-Brackets, they adjust to match the natural contour of the tree. The sticks fit  4- to 22-inch tree diameters.  If 22 inches doesn’t do the trick, there are strap extensions available, holy smokes that would be a huge tree.  I secured each stick with the straps and climbed back down to get my stand.  The sticks were extremely quite, portable and easy to use; even for me, a beginner.   I looked up and with all said and done the distance between the steps was approximately 15” so my stand would be about 15-16 feet off the ground.  Maybe it doesn’t sound like a big deal to many, but I felt pretty darn proud that I had set the stage for the stand.

Lone Wolf Climbing Sticks

The Lone Wolf Climbing sticks are ingeniously designed to nest together and mount directly on to the Assault™ or ALPHA™ Hang On.  There presented my next problem.  I do not have a Lone Wolf stand yet.  That’s on next year’s purchase list.  This year I have an old heavy stand with a steal platform, honestly I’m not even certain of the brand.  My stand is safe, but it’s really heavy.  Although I felt proud to set up my own sticks, Mike had to hang my stand.  I am not afraid to admit it when I need a helping hand.  I would rather have a little assistance than to injure myself and ruin my whole hunting season.  Like I said in the beginning, I have many first’s still to come.  It just goes to show how important it is to invest in good equipment that will work for you.  I wish I had a light weight Lone Wolf stand to go with my slick sticks.  We took a few branches down to clear some shooting lanes and called it a day.

Lone Wolf Climbing Sticks

Company Contact Information:

www.lonewolfhuntingproducts.com

Kristen Monroe is a freelance writer with bylines at The WON and a blog in Wisconsin Outdoor News.

About: The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Sara Ahrens, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Photo by Mike Ahrens.

Women’s Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com) - For those of us who want to make improvements to our firearms, but may lack the knowledge, skills and abilities to do so, there exists an option of purchasing products that require very little skill to install.

As a rifle owner, one of the primary improvements I wanted to make on my AR was with the trigger. Although I own a Smith and Wesson M&P 15x, which comes with a better trigger assembly than many other manufacturers,  I still had the desire to improve it. Due to my past negative experience working on my STI, I felt like my best bet was to go with a drop-in assembly. I contacted Timney Triggers and requested one of their trigger assemblies, which they gladly sent me to review.

When I got the Timney Trigger I was hopeful that the trigger would be easy to install. At this point in my life I understand two things: the first thing is that nothing goes completely as planned, and the second thing is that if there is any way to misinterpret installation instructions, I’ll be the one to find it.

Timney AR Trigger

Ironically at the same time that I had requested to test a Timney trigger, I was afforded the opportunity to test out the recoil and rate reducing buffer spring by MGI. What perfect timing!

I followed Timney’s instructions on the installation. One issue that I noticed, which should have been my indication that I was going to probably have an issue, was that the safety selector seemed to hang up on the trigger block. For a brief moment I thought, maybe I am supposed to file a little off the block?  It really didn’t seem like the safety selector and the trigger assembly could coexist given the tight fit. I ignored my first inclination to file the assembly (mainly because the memory of the STI thumb safety fiasco, which was still fresh in my mind). Boy, am I glad I didn’t take that drastic approach!

I went back to the range to ensure the trigger would consistently reset and to evaluate the function and feel of the trigger assembly. What I found was that I had no problems with the consistent function of the trigger. The overall feel and performance was in one word, glorious.

Eventually I got the safety selector installed, but it was a tight fit. I took my AR out to test fire my modification and to test out the trigger itself.  I fired one round and my trigger wouldn’t reset. I racked the charging handle and fired my second round; again, the trigger wouldn’t reset. After a few more frustrating shots, I realized I could physically push the trigger back to reset, but that wasn’t an acceptable option. I packed up my gear and left the range, disappointed.

I researched Timney Triggers online and discovered that other users had also experienced this same issue. These users started talking about adjusting the factory settings on the screws. This was beginning to sound complicated! I opted to call Timney after reading several posts proclaiming their knowledgeable and helpful staff. I contacted Timney and left a message. Within a day or two later I received a return phone call. I explained the issue I was having and explained that I read information online and that the suggested online remedies made me nervous. Timney explained to me that I had a couple options, I could send in my rifle and they would install it or they could walk me through some trouble shooting procedures.  Seriously, how could I admit defeat again?  I opted for plan b.I explained that upon installation I had noticed it was really hard to replace the safety selector. Deep down, I suspected this was the culprit. I was then asked the order that I installed the trigger assembly, specifically, did I screw down the retention screws before or after I inserted the safety selector. Once I explained that I tightened down the retention screws before replacing the safety selector, it was recommended that I remove the assembly and not tighten down the assembly until after the safety selector is replaced. This way I could move the assembly out of the way and replace the selector with ease. It seemed simple enough, and it was. I did exactly what was recommended and viola! It works like a charm.

I immediately noticed that the Timney trigger has far less travel before the shot breaks than the factory trigger. I was unprepared for this short distance and I was a taken back slightly with my first shot. This initial surprise was almost instantly replaced by feelings of euphoria.

WOW! The trigger is crisp and the travel of the trigger before the shot breaks is consistent. There is no sensation of looseness in the slack leading up to the shot.  The reset is just as impressive (and short).

I am completely satisfied with this improvement and I will eventually be purchasing their trigger assembly for the Ruger 10-22.

About: The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Sara Ahrens, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Beth Cowgill wears the Sportsman Eyewear video glasses at her first national championship. Photo courtesy of Kippi Leatham.

Women’s Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com) - One of my favorite things about the outdoor industry is the continuous development of really cool products.

Shooting, hunting and fishing are the three outdoor sports that I participate in the most.

Shooting with a trainer or someone who has more experience than I do is a plus because I can receive immediate feedback about what I’m doing right and wrong.  When I’m shooting by myself (or if my daughter is there to help), I like to take video of the drills and stages I’m running through; that way, I can go back and watch them later (either to learn, pat myself on the back or criticize my mistakes).

This past spring, I shot my first national championship – the 2011 Springfield Armory Single Stack Nationals in Barry, IL.  Two days prior to leaving for the match, my new Sportsman Eyewear Hands-Free Video Glasses arrived. I was one of the first people to receive the upgraded model that featured the polarized lenses.  I have used another brand of video glasses before, but they were nowhere near the quality of these.  Plus, they didn’t come with a lot of the accessories the Sportsman Eyewear glasses did.  The Sportsman Eyewear glasses comes with a protective case, cleaning cloth, car charger, AC adapter, USB cable, a micro SD card reader, a lanyard and extra lenses in green, yellow and clear.  WOW!  That’s a lot of stuff.  Everything included would be able to accommodate any shooting situation.

Click HERE to see some video footage taken from my glasses at Single Stack.

Another neat feature about the Sportsman Eyewear glasses is they take both video AND still photo with a resolution of 1280 x 1024.  The camera is 3.0 mega pixels so it provides really clear photos.

The only thing I don’t like about these glasses, they make it really difficult to wear over the head hearing protection.  It’s possible to wear them, but the head band from the muffs causes the frames of the glasses to dig into my head – DISLIKE!  The sound is also a little muffled at first, too, because the glasses have to get used to the loudness of the bang.

Obviously, these glasses can be used for a variety of sports, not just shooting.  They are available in black and camouflage frames.  Be sure to visit www.handsfreevideo.com to order your pair.  Christmas is just around the corner.  These would make great stocking stuffers!

Follow Beth Cowgill’s adventures in the shooting world at her blog, Sass, Brass & Bullets.

About: The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Sara Ahrens, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Nancy Jo Adams double checks the gear in her Claymaster bag by Browning. Photo by Life in Camo.

Women’s Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com) - With dove season in play in my home state, it is that time of year to hit the range for some much needed practice.

When planning a day on the range, I grab my Browning Claymaster Shooting Bag for storing all of my essentials for a round of sporting clays or skeet. The range bag is a convenient place to keep shells, shooting glasses, a choke set, a small cleaning kit, hearing protection, a towel, a camera and anything else you may carry out to the range with you.

The Claymaster Bag is made of 600 Cordura denier black nylon with the Browning Claymaster emblem on the front of the bag. The padded interior, main compartment is not only large enough to carry an entire case of shells, it also incorporates a fold-down interior divider to organize single boxes of shells. The large compartment is easily accessible through the double zipper top flap that features a unique zipper-pull that unzips both zippers simultaneously.

The four exterior pockets include two roomy side pockets on each end of the bag that are ample enough to hold a water bottle, choke tube set or shooting glasses. There is a front-zippered pocket with ample room for keys, wallet or checkbook, or small items that are easily misplaced. The flap pocket on the backside of the bag hides a pull out spent shell pouch with a zipper across the bottom of the pouch for easy shell disposal.

The Cordura denier nylon can be cleaned easily with water and a rag. You have the option of using the included padded shoulder strap or the built-in padded handles.

Browning Claymaster Shooting Bag

The bag comes in black with the Browning  Claymaster emblem and measures 11-inches wide by nine-inches high by eight-inches deep. The Browning Claymaster Shooting bag has a MSRP of $65. Read more about the Browning Claymaster.

About: The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Sara Ahrens, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Women’s Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com)- A couple of our local ranges have been nicknamed “mud pits” for what the ground becomes in the rainy Seattle winter.

While my trail runners work well for shooting USPSA in the summer, having a pair of “Give Back” boots from the Boot Campaign saves me much grief during the colder months.

The Boot Campaign is run by five Texan women; a portion of every pair of boots purchased is donated to a variety of charities that support veterans. Not only do I have an excellent pair of Desert Tan ALTAMA boots [$129.99], but I was able to support veterans and a strong group of women who have dedicated themselves to an excellent cause.The boots are warm and water resistant. Even diving through the mud at the local ranges, I find that these boots have never failed to keep my feet warm and dry. The mil spec Vibram sole has proven to have excellent traction in mud and dirt alike. The boots are light enough for quick movement and provide enough support to be used all day on hard ground.

Shelley Rae in her Altamas. Photo by Caleb Giddings, Gun Nuts Media.

I’ve used my Boot Campaign “Give Back” boots in practical pistol shoots, where even in the mud they have provided the traction necessary while still allowing me to move quickly through the course of fire.  They have also served me well on back country hiking and horseback riding trips – where they have been put through their paces and held up to some of the most extreme conditions: everything from snow to desert sun.

The versatility of these boots through different conditions is almost as impressive as their day-long comfort.  There are not many shoes I can wear in a day of work at West Coast Armory that can withstand the several miles of walking across cement and send me home with happy feet.

The “Give Back” boots have made the short list of footwear I’m willing to suffer through the workday with, and for over a year these boots have served me well as work boots, play boots and any activities in between.

If you’re looking for good pair of boots that can handle a wide variety of conditions (and care to donate to a good cause during the course of your purchase) you can find my ALTAMAs along with variety of other boots for sale at the Boot Campaign’s website.

Shelley Rae is Editor at Large at Gun Nuts Media.

About: The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Sara Ahrens, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Barb Baird in Woody Max women's version of Muck boots. Photo by Jason Baird.

Women’s Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com)- I really like my Muck boots. I don’t like to say I love an inanimate object, but my feelings about these boots are pretty close to being in love with an inanimate object.

Let’s just say, if I went hunting or fishing and I forgot to take my Muck boots with me, well, I’d drive to the nearest Muck boot place and buy another pair. They require no break-in time.

Fortunately, where I hunt and fish, there are lots of feed-and-seed stores that carry Muck boots, although I prefer to buy them from Hanks Clothing, where they offer free shipping and returns. When our local shooting range is muddy, I’ll pop these boots on to wade out to set new targets. It’s always good idea to carry a pair in your trunk if you live in a part of the country where muck can crop up quickly.

Today is a perfect Muck boot day because it’s raining cats and dogs and in fact, I’ve already sloshed down to the mailbox in the boots. When I’m not hunting or fishing in them, I can be found traipsing out to the compost heap or putting up the dogs at night in their kennel in my Muck boots.

I own three pairs, so far.

The trifecta: Muck Boots Wetland, Woodland and SUV Hiker. Photo by Barbara Baird.

I started the collection with a pair of guys’ boots about four years ago, because at that time, I could not find women’s Muck boots and did not know about Hanks Clothing; hey, they work fine, though. They are called Wetland Premium Field boots – great for yard work or hunting and priced at $121.95. Notice the blaze orange lining, which shows when you roll down the boots. Something that might come in handy for moving back and forth between heavily wooded and hunter infested lands … kinda like those reflector thingeys on running shoes.

For most of my hunting in the Midwest,  I wear Muck Womens Woody Max boots from Hanks Clothing – $119.95. Hanks Clothing features a line of Muck boots for women and free shipping. And, for the quick slip-on out in the garage because I need to take out the trash … the Muck Boot SUV hiker – $91.95. I just purchased these shoes recently, and am looking forward to trying them out while afield checking game cameras and searching for scrapes and rubs this whitetail season.

Although I waded through a swampy field to set a treestand, I decided to take the easy way back to the shed. My Muck boots kept my feet and legs dry and warm that day.

Why the Muck?

From Hank’s website, which explains the theory behind the boot so well:

This Woody Max For Women is the only Muck Boot that was made just for a woman’s foot. Our Women’s Woody Max Cold Conditions Hunting Boot has a woman’s true-fit for ultimate fit and comfort.

• Breathable Airmesh and Fleece Lining will keep your feet warm and sweat free all day long
• The stretch fit topline binding snugs calf to keep warmth in and cold out
• New Mossy Oak Break – Up Camo
•  5mm CR flex-foam bootie with four-way stretch nylon,100% waterproof, lightweight, and flexible
• Rugged, durable, two color MS2 molded rubber sole with EVA midsole is contoured to fit a women’s foot
• • Additional Achilles overlay for added protection
• Kick Rim for easy removal
• 2mm thermal foam underlay added to the instep area for additional warmth
• EVA molded midsole with contoured footbed (internal)
• Reinforced toe
• Added toe protector with a wrap-up bumper

With a comfort range from 60° to -40°F, whether you are sitting in the tree stand or tracking in the woods, you will love these and probably get a bigger buck than your hubby!

Hmmm, an almost-guarantee from Hanks Clothing that if I wear these I’ll get a bigger buck than my husband? All the more reason to buy these boots! ~Barbara Baird

For more gear reviews, visit the Gear Court at Women’s Outdoor News.:www.womensoutdoornews.com/category/reviews/gear-court/

About:
The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Marti Davis, Sara Ahrens, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Britney Starr on three-state turkey hunt. Photo by Dwaine Starr.

Women’s Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com)- What’s the first thing you look for in a pair of new hunting boots?

Is it price, fit, style, waterproofing, or amount of Thinsulate?

Personally, I look for fit.

The reason for this is mostly because I have been wearing men’s sizes of hunting apparel and boots for the past 10 years. I started hunting when I was 12 and “back in the day” finding anything hunting related that was specifically for girls/women was unheard of. I have spent the past couple of years steadily replacing every item in my hunting closet with a product that is woman specific.

Reviewer Britney Starr with her Irish Setter Ladyhawks. Photo by Dwaine Starr.

In gearing up for my spring turkey hunting road trip, I was determined to find a great pair of women’s hunting boots. A friend recommended that I try a pair of Irish Setters (the boots, not the dogs) and I promptly did some online research. Their website boasts that they “don’t do shrunk-down man boots,” but have tailor-made women’s fit boots. That alone sold me and I decided to put them to the test during my three-state turkey hunt. I purchased their Ladyhawk knee-boot with 1000 gram Thinsulate Ultra (making them easily warm enough for deer hunting) and ScentBan technology (great for controlling stinky feet odor). Because I procrastinated on ordering them, I received the boots in the mail just two days before my dad and I left for our road trip. I was nervous that I would have some “breaking in” to do, so I brought a back up pair of old boots along also.

Now, I’m not a huge fan of lace up boots, which played a factor in my ordering the knee boot with a full side zipper. The first time I put the boots on with my hunting pants shoved down inside them, I noticed that the zipper was very stiff and I could not get them zipped up. I made sure the pants were not bunched inside and asked my dad to help me zip them. I pushed the boot together; he zipped, said a few swear words, and accused me of having fat calves. It was 4 a.m. – and, I don’t think he had his coffee yet.

Dwaine and Britney Starr.

I immediately noticed how lightweight they felt. I thought that with having a knee boot and there being so much material they would be heavy, but that was not the case. It was wet, muddy, slippery, and cold the entire trip but my feet stayed warm and dry. My boots also spent the night out on the front porch of our cabin during a rainstorm (Thank you, Dad, for putting them out there!?) and they were quite damp the next morning. I wore my back up pair of boots for a day but the Irish Setters dried out surprisingly quickly.

About halfway through our trip the tightness in the zipper and material around it started to loosen up, but after about a solid month of use they were still hard to zip. Aside from the zipper issue they are easy to walk in, lightweight, comfortable, fit specifically for a woman, and for $169.99 these boots are durable enough to last many hunting seasons. Just make sure they don’t get put on the porch in a rain storm.

For more information visit the Irish Setter website. ~Britney Starr

For more gear reviews, visit the Gear Court at Women’s Outdoor News.: www.womensoutdoornews.com/category/reviews/gear-court/

About:
The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Marti Davis, Sara Ahrens, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Jason Baird, aka Dr. Bomb, wears Revision's Sawfly when he does ballistic testing. Photo by Barbara Baird.

Women’s Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com)- Preparing for a day on the range always starts with packing my range bag with the necessities important for protection.

Eye protection is very important when participating in shooting sports from shell matter or gunpowder blowing back into unprotected eyes.

There are many different brands and styles to choose from but most have similar characteristics that are significant to the performance of shooting glasses. Lightweight materials such as plastic, titanium or aluminum insure a comfortable fit. The most crucial component of shooting glasses is the lens material and impact resistance. High impact resistant lenses made of CR 39 plastic, Polycarbonate or Crown glass allow an adequate amount of protection; with Polycarbonate weighing less and having the higher impact resistance of the three and also offers UV protection.

Sawfly Eyewear

Shooting glasses are designed to ride high on the bridge of the nose allowing for a wide field of vision and full visibility of the target out of the center of the lens when the gun is mounted. The glasses should have wrap-around style lenses that extend past the outer corner of the eyes or have adequate size lenses to not only protect the shooter’s eyes but to ensure complete field of vision.

Shooting glasses should sit a little farther away from the face and forehead allowing for adequate ventilation. Having adequate ventilation will keep the glasses from fogging up and will keep skin oils and sweat from adhering to the lenses.

The choice of interchangeable lenses in different colors is a great feature for diversity when shooting under various light conditions. Darker lenses are ideal for bright sunny days and lighter lenses are perfect for cloudy or overcast days. Some manufacturers offer a wide variety of lens colors to choose from. Some styles offer cable temples or wrap-around style temples that extend around the back of the ear to ensure a secure fit and to keep the glasses in place. The nose piece should be made of soft silicone or molded rubber for comfort and should not obstruct the field of view when the gun is mounted.

My shooting glasses of choice are the Revision Sawfly Shooting Glasses. The Shooter’s kit comes with 3 interchangeable lenses, a retention strap, a cloth case that serves as a cleaning cloth and a zippered nylon storage case with a handy snap to attach to your range bag, shooting vest or belt. The optical grade Polycarbonate high-impact lenses are ANSI certified, meet Military Requirements and are scratch-resistant coated on both sides. The optically correct curved lens offer 100% protection from UV-A, UV-B and UV-C rays and are interchangeable for various light conditions.

Barb Baird in dove field recently. Check her choice of eyewear! Photo by Marti Davis.

The Sawfly temple arms are adjustable with rubber for a secure fit; an optional retention strap is included for added safety when needed. The design of the glasses allow for an unrestricted field of view. The glasses are available in two sizes with the option of a prescription glass carrier for personalized, custom protection.  Revision offers additional lenses in various colors for the Sawfly. You can see the additional lenses as well as the kits available at www.revisioneyewear.com. ~Nancy Jo Adams

Follow Nancy Jo’s adventures outdoors at Shenanigans From the Field:http://njadams1.wordpress.com/

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, this product review is an endorsement and the writer was compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

For more gear reviews, visit the Gear Court at Women’s Outdoor News.:www.womensoutdoornews.com/category/reviews/gear-court/

About:
The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Marti Davis, Linda Milcun, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Rolla, MO –(Ammoland.com)- It is strange how hard it is for me to find holsters that meet my exact needs.

I seem to encounter more issues finding holsters than I do finding firearms.

I was in search of a new concealment holster for a SIG SAUER P238, which I had tested (and later purchased).

It doesn’t make much sense to purchase a firearm for which I cannot find a holster.  (Really, this is the first time I had the foresight to buy the holster before the firearm.  I’m a slow learner.)

Cozy Partner, an inside the waist holster

Holsters are a pretty complicated purchase when you really think about it.  The first thing a consumer must consider is the purpose of the firearm.  The purpose dictates the features.  For my purposes, I purchased the P238 for concealment.  I don’t typically carry a purse, and I don’t generally wear baggy clothes.  These facts limited my holster selection. Although there were a couple of options, I ultimately decided to search for an inside the waistband holster.

Once I decided the type of holster best suited my needs for concealment, I had to find a manufacturer.  The companies that I usually purchase from, companies that I know to be reputable, did not offer concealment holsters for the P238.  I began to feel anxiety when I realized I would have to go into unknown territory to make a purchase that could potentially have life or death consequences.

This may sound extreme, but think about it.  If you actually had to use your concealed firearm under stress, is the firearm the only thing that matters?  NO!  The firearm is only one part of the equation.  The remaining components of the equation at least include the following: the holster, magazines, ammunition, skills and mindset.  When a person decides to carry a concealed firearm, he should commit to ensuring he is prepared adequately to do so.  There are many holsters on the market; some are really good, and some are not. After a couple weeks of searching, I was able to find a holster that seemed to meet my needs.  I didn’t have any luck finding a holster in a store and I wasn’t thrilled about purchasing a holster online.  I found the Cozy Partner, an inside the waist holster at www.desantisholster.com. The Cozy Partner has features that suit my concealment needs.

The holster has two straps, which loop around our outer pant belt and snap.  The snaps are designed to only unsnap in a certain direction, so as to prevent it from unintentional detachment. The P238 fits snugly in the Cozy Partner with good tension.  I like how the holster is canted, allowing for a natural draw. The Cozy Partner is molded leather and it has adjustable tensions screws.  I specifically sought out a holster with adjustable tension for a reason.  I do not want to alert someone that I am drawing my firearm.  For that reason, I never buy holsters with hook and loop fasteners or snaps unless required by work.  How loud is a snap or rip in complete silence?  My bet is that those noises are as loud as that click (or for that matter, bang) people hear when they were expecting to hear the opposite. Desantis offers a variety of holster types for many different firearms.  This is the only holster I have tested by them, but the quality encourages me to make further purchases.~Sara Ahrens.

For more gear reviews, visit the Gear Court at Women’s Outdoor News:www.womensoutdoornews.com/category/reviews/gear-court/

About:
The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Marti Davis, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith, Barbara Baird and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Camo Solutions for T/C Pro Hunter Encore

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com)- A while back I was looking in my gun safe at my Thompson Center Pro Hunter and the different barrels and fore-ends I have for it.

My stock, rifle and muzzleloader fore-ends were black and my 12-gauge turkey barrel and fore-end were camo.  And, unfortunately, not one of the Mossy Oak patterns I prefer.

I thought, my whole Pro Hunter system needs a makeover.  I got on the internet to do some research and decided camo dipping would be the way to go.  Camo Solutions, owned by Don & Sally Mullis and located in Evening Shade, Arkansas was the company I wanted to deal with.  They are aftermarket camo dipping specialists and hunters who know the importance of quality hunting equipment.

I chose Mossy Oak’s latest pattern, Break Up Infinity.  With its depth, detail and contrast each element creates realism and contrast.  It appears like you are looking into the woods at the individual leaves, limbs, acorns and branches.

Now, I know some of you are thinking, does your gun really have to be camo.  The answer is no, but I didn’t go with camo dipping just for the looks.  Camo dipping offers concealment, increases the value and protects your equipment from the elements and rust.

It’s not just for firearms either, it can be applied to much of your hunting equipment.  Basically any item that is 3d in a solid form can be camo dipped.  Including scopes, but these are done at the “owner’s risk.”  And there is virtually no maintenance for the finish.  You just use a damp clean cloth to wipe it off.  However, you still need to maintain the interior of your firearms as you normally would.

When you send your hunting equipment to Camo Solutions, it is taken care of like it is their own.  It will be stored safely in their shop that is secured with a high-tech security system and fully insured.  Their customers are outdoor TV shows and celebrities, call makers, gun builders, firearm manufacturers, law enforcement agencies, gun dealers and a high volume of mail-in and walk-in customers from throughout the United States.  They specialize in hunting camouflage only.  Don and his staff put their years of experience into each item they work on; therefore, they have developed a great reputation within the outdoor industry for the quality and service they provide their customers.

Camo Solutions uses the same process that the big manufacturers use, a water transfer printing process.  Each piece of equipment goes through an eight-stage dipping process.

• Stage #1 – All items are inspected and disassembled.
• Stage #2 – The part to be dipped is degreased.
• Stage #3 – Each part goes through a 15-minute 120-degree hot-water rinse.
• Stage #4 – Extensive preparation.
• Stage #5 – Primer and base coat applied.
• Stage #6 – Film is cut to fit and laid flat on the water, then a chemical activator is applied.
• Stage #7 – The item is dipped.
• Stage #8 – The item is washed, dried and sprayed with an acrylic finish for long lasting durability.

Camo Solutions sums it up with their mission statement.  “Provide a service for all men and women who enjoy hunting, an edge for success and a source of additional protection to the investment of their hunting equipment.”

I used my Pro Hunter muzzleloader in both Missouri and Illinois during the last few weeks in varying conditions.  Temperature extremes from 10 to 60 degrees in addition to rain and snow, and I was very impressed with the quality of work that Don and his staff put into my Pro Hunter.  I highly recommend Camo Solutions for all your camo dipping needs.  For any further questions about the process, pictures of the process and contact information go to www.camo-solutions.com.~Marti Davis

For more gear reviews, visit the Gear Court at Women’s Outdoor News.:www.womensoutdoornews.com/category/reviews/gear-court/

About:
The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Marti Davis, Linda Milcun, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Women’s Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com)- When it comes to shooting gear, finding a good pair of pants has always been a challenge for me.  Up until the 2011 SHOT Show, I had been wearing 5.11 Women’s Pants.

While at SHOT Show this year, I discovered a brand of tactical clothing that is unlike any other brand of tactical clothing on the market.  I stopped by the GLOCK booth to visit with Team GLOCK member, Randi Rogers, and happened to notice the pants she was wearing. They shaped her very well, not like most tactical pants I have seen where they are a high-waisted version of the men’s pant.  Randi then told me she was wearing Vertx pants, a brand of tactical pants that were designed for women by women.  After finding out they were at SHOT Show, I immediately went to locate their booth.

I stopped at the booth and met one of the sales representatives for Vertx and talked to him about why I needed to try this brand of pants.  For me, comfort is almost more important than anything else, but they also need to look good.  After returning from SHOT Show, I ordered a pair of pants to try out.  One of the features of the Vertx pants that I liked so much was the gusseted inseam.  The stitching on the knees and hips made it really easy to bend over, something that is often necessary in USPSA shooting.  There are enough pockets in these britches to hold anything from a cell phone to an AR-15 magazine.  Made from mostly cotton, they become more and more comfortable after every wash.   I would recommend washing them wrong side out and line drying though!  It helps prevent shrinkage and color fade over time.

Vertx also carries a line of polos that are made specifically to fit a woman’s curvy body too.  No more ordering men’s polo’s in a smaller size. The Vertx polo is pretty neat because it’s made with a polyester fabric that is sanitized to help reduce bacteria and odor, but also, it’s made with coldblack® technology that helps reflect the sun and protect your skin from UV rays.

I decided I would give the polo another chance.  Over the 4^thof July weekend, the temperatures here in Mid-Missouri were in the upper 90s with heat indices just over 100 degrees.  I wore one of the Vertx polos while fishing and once I got past the weight of the shirt, I was actually staying pretty cool.  Meanwhile, the two guys that I was fishing with were sweating thru the cotton  tee shirts they were wearing.

If you’re looking for a brand of women’s pants and shirts for competitive shooting, law enforcement, or even every day wear, I highly recommend Vertx.  Visit their website for more information.~Beth Cowgill

For more gear reviews, visit the Gear Court at Women’s Outdoor News.:www.womensoutdoornews.com/category/reviews/gear-court/

About:
The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Marti Davis, Linda Milcun, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court – where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits – also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Hook-A-Rack

Women’s Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com)- How many times have you strained your back trying to drag a deer out of the woods or trying to load it onto your ATV or into your truck by yourself?

I found a great product for outdoorsmen and women, farmers or anyone who uses an ATV or UTV hauling heavy items.

It’s Hook-A-Rack, the Ultimate ATV loader. Not only does the Hook-A-Rack save your back, it will save you time also. It is packed with unique features that other similar products do not offer. The rack is a universal fit for almost any ATV or UTV equipped with a winch and after initial installation can be installed or removed in less than thirty seconds. It is made here in the U.S.A. and is constructed of steel with a black powder coating for durability and years of use.

Hook-A-Rack is not just a loader either; each unit comes with a hook/lock bar kit for carrying bulky items. You can use the lock bar to haul items such as hay, fencing materials, tree stands, ice shacks, timber, decoys and much more. The four hooks swivel to allow buckets of feed or water to swing freely and minimize spillage. The possibilities are endless.

The Hook-A-Rack makes getting your game out of the woods easy. Simply lower the rack, pull the game onto the rack and use the rubber straps to secure the animal to the rack. Then just press the button on your winch control to lift your game and get it out of the woods.

What really sold me on the Hook-A-Rack was using it to get my deer out of the woods and loaded for the trip home by myself. Since breaking my low back last year I have been more conscious of over-exerting and straining my back. After using it this past deer season I realize this will be a tool I will use year round around the house and in the woods.

For more information, video demonstrations and to order your own Hook-A-Rack visit their website at www.hookarack.com.~Marti Davis

For more gear reviews, visit the Gear Court at Women’s Outdoor News.:www.womensoutdoornews.com/category/reviews/gear-court/

About:
The Women’s Outdoor News (The WON) features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. An online e-zine with frequent updates, it also features the “WON Guns,” women bloggers such as Julie Golob, Marti Davis, Linda Milcun, Nancy Jo Adams, Molly Smith and others that write about the shooting sports and/or hunting. The WON’s Gear Court — where outdoor gear gets pushed to its limits — also appears in Ammoland weekly. RSS Feeds and a free email subscription are available at the site.  Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Evil Roy Steel Targets

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com)- Ladies, are you tired of going out to shoot and have to keep changing targets?

Then I have the target for you.  The Evil Roy Steel Reactive Targets from Action Target.

They have a variety of different head options and will hold up to thousands of hits with no damage.  They come in two grades; one for pistol and one for rifle calibers.  With proper care, they will provide years of reliable use. Action Target will warranty it for a period of one year for faulty components or workmanship.

I recently had the opportunity to field test one of the rifle targets with my .308 rifle. I used the 12” rifle target at 200 yards. It was great!  I received instant feedback on each hit, and I didn’t need to keep checking to see if I made a good shot. My family was impressed with my shooting skills. All they had to do was hear me hit the target. It was a thrill shooting at the steel target and getting the immediate feedback.  The exciting part is, you don’t have to walk down to look at your target to see how well you hit.

The stand folds up to less than 3-feet long, so you can take it anywhere and carry it with ease. They are made with a certified 550 Brinell armor steel target plate for maximum safety and durability.  The heavy duty target is suitable for rifles when used at appropriate distances of 100 yards and beyond. The angled target plate has no exposed bolts or clamps for much safer shooting. No tools are required for assembly, use, or storage.  They come with a choice of 6″, 8″, 10″, or 12″ circular plate. They also have cowboy action shapes to choose from.

They are available from GSS Competition LLC starting at $148, including shipping.

It’s a good idea to check with your local gun range to make sure they allow steel targets before taking it to the range.~Georgette Wood

For more gear reviews, visit the Gear Court at Women’s Outdoor News.:www.womensoutdoornews.com/category/reviews/gear-court/

About:
The Women’s Outdoor News, aka The WON, delivers news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. Born out of a desire to serve the burgeoning outdoor market for women and to inspire as many women to go outside as possible, The WON pops into email in-boxes, RSS feeds and Twitter Feeds with updates during the work week. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Triple Aught Design’s (TAD) Valkyrie Hoodie LT

Women’s Outdoor News

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com)- Triple Aught Design’s (TAD) Valkyrie Hoodie LT will be a favorite for many women. This hoodie is functional, durable, and feminine … three words that can rarely be used in the same sentence.

The Valkyrie Hoodie LT is fitted to nicely contour a women’s body. It was designed to eliminate excess bulk, which can impede certain activities. The fit of this hoodie makes it perfect for many outdoor activities. I found this jacket to be especially suited for use while shooting firearms. The slender silhouette and short length allows the user to tuck it in, thereby eliminating obstructions around and near the holster and magazine pouches.

This hoodie is a great outer layer for cool days. I found that I was most comfortable in the Valkyrie when temperatures were in the 50’s and 60’s. For temperatures cooler than 50 degrees, however, I would recommend coupling this with an outer shell.

The Valkyrie Hoodie LT offers several desirable features, including; six pockets, discreetly placed underarm vents, and thumb and headphone slots. The Valkyrie holds up to machine washing (I did not dry it in the dryer). I did not note any dramatic changes in fit, performance, or appearance.

Triple Aught Design classifies this hoodie as performance gear. It definitely fits into that category, but I confess that I find myself wearing it at times when I am not ‘performing’ at all. I wear it lounging around my house, back and forth to work, and when I run errands. This is one of the most comfortable articles of clothing I own.

My only ‘gripe’ to Triple Aught Design is that black is the only color option. Black is a solid and safe color, but I find myself constantly wondering why men get more (and generally better) color options than women. I applaud TAD for designing a feminine fitting jacket, but I have one question, how ‘bout some OD green for the girls?

For more gear reviews, visit the Gear Court at Women’s Outdoor News.:www.womensoutdoornews.com/category/reviews/gear-court/

About:
The Women’s Outdoor News, aka The WON, delivers news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. Born out of a desire to serve the burgeoning outdoor market for women and to inspire as many women to go outside as possible, The WON pops into email in-boxes, RSS feeds and Twitter Feeds with updates during the work week. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com

Hatfield's Tactical Racker

Rolla, MO --(Ammoland.com)- When I began shooting handguns, one of the first problems I encountered was the difficulty in being able to properly rack my pistol.

I was first taught to utilize the slingshot technique, which I immediately found I could not do quickly, due to my inability to get a good grip on the rear of the slide, and just plain lack of strength.  Now I always use the overhand grip, but I still sometimes find that my hand slides a bit on the barrel, especially if it is not completely dry.

When I was first contacted about reviewing the Hatfield Tactical Racker, I’ll be honest, I had no idea what it even was.  Once I learned that it was specifically designed to improve the shooter’s ability to manipulate the slide, I was ecstatic.  This could solve my fear of being unable to quickly clear a jam in an emergency situation.

Hatfields Gunsmithing designed the tactical racker in two different sizes to fit all GLOCK pistols.  When I first received it, I had no idea how to attach it to my pistol.  I realized that I needed to remove the slide cover plate and replace it with the Hatfield Racker; the problem was that I had no clue how to do this.   There were no instructions on the packaging, but a quick search on Hatfield’s website led to a short demo video.  After watching the video, I was easily able to remove the slide cover plate and install the Hatfield Racker in less than five minutes on my GLOCK 19.

When I went to the range, I took along a second GLOCK 19 that did not have the Hatfield Racker installed so I could really get a feel for the difference.  The first thing I noticed was that I could easily utilize the slingshot method on the gun with the Hatfield Racker; I still struggled to do so without it.  Because I am accustomed to the overhand method of racking, I knew that even with the Hatfield Racker attached, in an emergency situation, my habitual method would not change.  I quickly noticed, however, that the Hatfield Racker also helped with this type of grip as it stabilizes your hand by giving you a place to rest your thumb.

Another benefit that the Hatfield Racker brings is the ability to rack your pistol with only one hand.  I tried this out by holding the pistol in my right hand, and resting the Hatfield Racker on the edge of a picnic table.  The Hatfield Racker easily held the slide, so that when I pushed the gun downward with only one hand, it quickly chambered a round.

GLOCK has a reputation for being tough and durable; the same appears to hold true for the Hatfield Racker.  It is machined from billet aluminum then hard anodized for a tough finish.  It has a solid feel to it, and when installed on my pistol, I could tell it was secure.

For more gear reviews, visit the Gear Court at Women’s Outdoor News.:www.womensoutdoornews.com/category/reviews/gear-court/

About:
The Women’s Outdoor News, aka The WON, delivers news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. Born out of a desire to serve the burgeoning outdoor market for women and to inspire as many women to go outside as possible, The WON pops into email in-boxes, RSS feeds and Twitter Feeds with updates during the work week. Visit: www.Womensoutdoornews.com