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As an Outdoors man, we take every percussion to assure our safety while we are outdoors. We use numerous products to protect us from injury while other products protect us from aggressive animals. But what is often overlooked is our protection from insects that may carry Lyme Disease or the Zika Virus. Both can be debilitating diseases with a lifetime of consequences. That is why I always carry Ben's Permethrin Insect Repellent.
It is very simple to use and it only takes moments to assure a lifetime of safety. Liberally spray your clothes (shirt, pants, hat, jacket, sox) as well as your gear such as your backpack. Two hours prior to entering the woods. This allows Ben's Permethrin to bond with the fibers of your fabric and dry evenly. Your clothing will be protected for up to six weeks and will be able to go through several wash cycles and still maintain a level of protection.
Do not go on your next hunting or fishing trip unprotected.
https://bens30.com/
A friend took me to the Alma, Colorado, Festival in the Clouds Music Festival in July. I love live music and this festival has been doing it right for 21 years. There were some great bands and many happy fans. My favorite band was Crazy Otto. We had so much fun listening to two full days of great music.
There were around 30 vendor tents set up with everything a Colorado music festival hippie could possibly want. There were tie-dyed dresses, lovely straw hats, jewelry, and a line of yummy food trucks. As I was wandering through the tents I spied a booth with bright, tie-dyed hammocks. I have been looking for a hammock to take backpacking and these caught my eye.
The lovely gal who makes them was arranging her area, and we struck up a conversation. Rebecca Schaafsman is a fabric artist and her website www.bexhammocks.com states, “She found her passion for hammocks back in 2011 while taking a camping trip to 'Boundary Waters' in Duluth, MN. Making a hammock for the trip started as a simple idea that grew into a reality and now a lifestyle.”
Rebecca and her boyfriend Ted Couch, who makes beautiful, unique jewelry set their wares out and soon there were quite a few people standing around their booth. They are a warm and friendly couple who work hard to make life work, and they make it fun, doing what they love.
The pretty pink hammock catching my eye was part of the Bex Hammocks, Adventurer line. They also make the Survivalist line, as well as beautiful hammocks for the home.
Adventurer hammocks are lightweight and perfect for a nap on the trail. Thicker than your average hammock material, Adventurer hammocks are made of 1.6 oz ripstop material, for a strong, very lightweight, durable hammock. This style of hammock can hold up to 300 lbs. and is roomy enough to be very comfortable. If you get chilly on your hike you can also wrap up in it as a windbreaker.
Adventurer hammocks are all hand tie-dyed by Bex and have a custom pouch for you to carry it around your waist or you can put it in your backpack.
Rebecca sent me one of her hammocks after the festival to try out. When I opened the box, was happy to see the pretty purple, grey and sage coloring of it. It is so beautiful, I couldn’t wait to get it up. The hammocks don’t come with straps, but with sturdy carabiners. I purchased a nice set of Pro Venture hammock straps on Amazon for $12 and was ready to go.
I have never strung a hammock, so my friend Mike and I took a stroll behind his home to look for a couple of suitable trees. I imagine the neighbors thought we looked a little crazy. The first two trees were on too much of a slope and we hung the hammock too high and tight, so we couldn’t get into it. Then we tried a couple different trees and had it strung too low so when we got in our rear ends were dragging on the ground. At one point I stabbed my foot with a cactus, but eventually we got it suitably set up and each of us took a turn. It was comfortable and with a little practice I think it will be super-fast to set up.
I am really impressed with these tough, lightweight and beautiful hammocks and believe they are a great product. Bex Hammocks will create your own custom hammock with the colors you choose, and you may have the pouch attached or not according to your needs.
You can purchase Adventure hammocks directly from www.BexHammocks.com, starting at $115
MTM Case – guard has made gun cleaning easy. With their New Gun Cleaning Rod Case. They have made it easy to organize everything so you do not lose, bend or break your cleaning kit. This case holds up to four rifle or shotgun cleaning rods up to 47.5 inches long. The foam padding holds each rod firmly in place and has various compartments for storing patches, jags and brushes. This rugged case is made of a strong sturdy plastic made to protect its contents. Best of all – It is Made In The USA!
As usual Rocky is right on the mark with the Grizzly Waterproof 200G Insulated Outdoor Boot. This is the perfect boot for autumn as well as early hunting season. The Grizzly Waterproof 200G boot hugs your foot like an old friend. As all of us know, The wrong boot can ruin any hunt or hike but you will know that you made the right choice the moment you put it on.
The Rugged sole grips the ground with sure footed traction. This leather boot is waterproof yet breathable keeping your foot comfortable throughout your adventure. So whether you are hunting, hiking or just working around the ranch – The Grizzly is the perfect boot for Autumn.
MSP: $169.99
https://www.rockyboots.com/
Personally, I do not know of any outdoorsmen that start their day without a “Cup of Joe”. I recently tried Hunters Blend Original Roast Coffee. It has a smooth taste that is a strategically formulated blend of Central American and East Asian coffee bean that is domestically roasted in central Ohio. It is roasted in small batches to assure the highest quality in every bag of Hunters Blend. I found it to be a bold aromatic taste that I did enjoy very much.
Hunters Blend Coffee is “Made By Hunters, For Hunters”. Bring Hunters Blend Coffee into your hunting camp this season.
https://www.huntersblendcoffee.com/
After hundreds of miles hiking and hunting, my poor daypack had a hole in the bottom and was looking pretty bedraggled.
I was sad that it would have to be retired after all of those adventures.
I checked in with Vanguard and received the Vanguard Pioneer 975 pack to review. I liked several things right out of the gate and was excited to try it out.
I loaded the Vanguard Pioneer 975 with my usual hiking items such as my fire building kit, medical kit, a large bag of jerky, trail mix, my camelback, a rain coat and a couple of other things.
It had a little different interior configuration than my other one, so would take a little bit of getting used to, but with an interior dimension measuring, 11x5.1x16.8 inches, it sure was roomy!
The first thing I liked about the 975 was the wide, sturdy shoulder straps and the integrated haul handle. Having the handle integrated into the shoulder straps, made it easy to find and nicer to carry when loaded down.
After getting to the trail we were going to hike, I put my pack on and adjusted the straps. They are super long, so will need to be cut down, but it is nice to have the option.
There are quite a few options with this pack that I really enjoy to name a few:
After hiking 8 pretty strenuous miles, I was very comfortable with this pack and am so glad I have it. I don’t see any real issues with it. I will be using it for the next several years and know it will hold up for many hikes.
https://www.vanguardworld.us/hunting_us/products/outdoor-bags.html
Price: $104.99