Archer’s Hard Surface Practice Hanger

7 04 2014
Posted on February 5, 2014 by

hme-products-logohme archers har surface practice hangerMaking good ethical shots when hunting is very important to everyone in my family. Therefore, we practice shooting year round. During the winter it is difficult enough to go outside to shoot our bows, without having to fight the snow when we lay them down. HME Products has a great solution for that problem. They make the Archer’s Hard Surface Practice Hanger.

Assembly of the Practice Hanger takes only minutes and requires only a tool to tighten a 16 nuts and bolts; I used a ratchet driver with a 11 mm socket for this. The entire hanger is durably powder coated in an olive color and made to last. With a hanger on each side, you can easily hang 2 bows and hold 12 arrows.

The arrows are held in rings, that are easily adjusted for height, using a thumb screw; in the photos for this review I simply pushed the rings out-of-the-way since I did not use them. The bow hanger itself is adjustable to accommodate everything from the older, longer bows to today’s more compact compound bows.

I put this together in my house, the assembly was not difficult, but as with any project, read the entire directions before you start. Long before it ever made it outside, it was holding bows. As I moved it outside into the snow, I was slightly worried about it not being stable on the frozen ground. Happily, I can say there was no problem.

The Practice Hanger remained stable, even in 3 inches of snow, with 2 different size bows.Photo: Diane Hassinger

With the raised leg design, the hanger was very stable on the uneven surface. Normally, when we shoot, the bows are laid flat on the ground. Obviously this is not a good choice. Many times I have had to remove leaves or twigs from the cams, or clean my sight from the dust and dirt. This Practice Hanger made our shooting more enjoyable, the bows were ready to go when we were. With two of us shooting, the hanger was holding one or two bows at all times, it remained stable even when the weight was all on one side. I even was able to hang my range finder on this stand, keeping it close at hand but completely out-of-the-way.

I tried this hanger out with my crossbow too. Anyone who has ever shot a crossbow, knows they weigh considerably more than a compound bow. Even with my crossbow on one side, and my compound on the other, the Practice Hanger stayed stable. That fact alone makes this hanger so much more versatile.

My crossbow fits perfectly on this hanger also! Photo: Diane Hassinger

When done shooting, the Practice Hanger once again took up residence in my home, holding a couple of our bows till we are ready to shoot again. I loved the ability to go from indoor to outdoor, and back again, without any modifications. Now I just need enough of these hangers to hold all of our bows!

The MSRP of this unit is $34.99 and is available for purchase at many of the larger, well-known sporting goods shops and at Amazon.com.

 

HME Products logo is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.


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Yukon Cold Lockers

7 04 2014
Posted on February 10, 2014 by at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2014/02/10/yukon-cold-lockers-by-igloo-diane-hassinger/

yukon logo winter

 

When Igloo came out with their new line of Yukon Cold Lockers, they made three promises to their customers; Out Haul, Outlast and Out Chill.

Yukon® “Outhauls” by offering a true capacity in their cold lockers. They use the measurements from the inside where it counts, the Yukon 70 will actually hold a full 70 quarts. They have solid handles that are formed right onto the cooler body, no more attached handles that can break away after time.The drain plug is tethered to the oversize drain enabling quick clean ups and no more lost plugs.

With a 5 year warranty, roto-molded construction and UV inhibitors, the Yukon is able to “Outlast.” They have also installed bigger, stronger hinges with stainless steel pins. One feature I really appreciate is the hinge holds the lid open so that you can use both hands placing items inside. The dual durable latches are animal proof and incorporate a T-handle for ease of opening.

They make it possible to “Out Chill” by using thicker insulation in both the body and lid, and a full gasket, like those used in refrigeration. Igloo has also used reversible skid/ non-skid feet to keep the locker elevated above hot surfaces, allowing air flow around the entire cooler. Use the skid side out when moving or unloading, and the non-skid side out when you want it to stay in place like on a boat deck.

yukon ryan

Ladies in Camo staff accepted the honor of Yukon Cold Locker Pro-Staff because we believe in this cooler. Igloo has long been a name to trust for 67 years. Our experiences have varied, due to the different environments and situations where we have used these coolers. One fact stays constant; Yukon delivers on their promises. These cold lockers come in various sizes from 50 to 250 quarts, with the MSRP of the Yukon 70 being $389.99. You can purchase your own at http://www.igloo-store.com/detail/IGL+YUKON+70 or at many retailers across the country.

yukon diane deer

Diane’s Yukon has been on the go; gator hunts in the heat of Florida, salmon fishing in the cold of New York, deer hunting in frozen Illinois, sailing, picnicking, camping and hog hunts. While I have not had the opportunity to try out the “keep cold for 7 days”, I have had my cooler stay cold for 5 days without replacing the ice while we were camping. This was our only refrigeration, and even though the temperature reached the high 60′s during the day, we never had a loss of coldness. I dumped out ice when we returned home. All of our friends and family now want to borrow my cooler and have had experienced similar results. I definitely need to add another Yukon in a much larger size! ~Diane H

Absolutely the best ice chest I have ever owned! Photo: Jeanne Peebles

Jeanne feels these are “Absolutely the best ice chest I have ever owned!” Being on the Gulf Coast we use our ice chests daily and to have one that does not require filling with ice daily is a dream! Our Yukon goes everywhere with us. Fishing, hunting, vacation or just in the back of the truck filled with cold drinks. Previously we would have to fill our ice chest daily. With the Yukon we can go up to 10 days without refilling!” ~Jeanne P

Nancy Jo also counts on her Yukon. “You can find my Yukon Cold Locker with me on every hunting trip; it is just as important as loading my weapon for the hunt. The reason I choose Yukon is a no-brainer….it keeps ice rock solid for the entire hunting trip. I can depend on Yukon to not only keep ice longer and my food/drink cold but also to keep game harvest cold until processed—no worry of spoiling or bacteria ruining the meat. Yukon is always on my gear list because I can count on it.” ~Nancy Jo AThe Yukon Cold Locker, is always on the go! Photo: Nancy Jo Adams

Out Chill! Photo: Nancy Jo Adams

See more at: http://www.yukoncoldlockers.com/product.php?name=Yukon70

Yukon® outhauls

True Capacity

  • Means measuring from the inside – not from the outside
  • Holds a full 70-quart load
  • Get the capacity you pay for
  • Maximum space for your catch or prey

Rock Solid Handles

  • Steady no-swing design
  • Permanent, theft-resistant
  • Wide enough for two hands

Tethered Drain Plug

  • Oversized for fast drain an quick clean-up
  • Stainless steel chain prevents loss
  • Clog and leak resistant

Reversible Skid and Anti-Skid Feet

  • Use the sliding side for easy moving and unloading, flip to anti-skid to keep locker in place. Non-markin

– See more at: http://www.yukoncoldlockers.com/product.php?name=Yukon70#sthash.ZpXWX4rU.dpuf

Visit the Far Horizons at http://www.yukoncoldlockers.com/far-horizons/ to see all the amazing ways fans are using their Yukons!

Igloo Yukon Cold Locker logo is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.


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Grapple Your Gear with Gear Grappler

7 04 2014

gear grappler logoDo you get frustrated when you drop items out of your tree stand? I know I do. I admit to being clumsy.

Gear Grappler by Simpson Outdoors

If you tend to drop items from your stand then this item is for you. The Gear Grappler by Simpson Outdoors is a multi-function hunting and tree stand accessory.

You will not believe what they have managed to fit into this small compact unit, that weighs only 7 ounces. Let’s start with the 30 foot 550 paracord rope. Paracord is used for many things out in the woods including; pull up rope for your gun/bow/pack, clothesline, tie stuff to your pack, tie up a tarp for emergency shelter, use to make a splint or a sling, use as a tourniquet or a multitude of other things.

Couple it with the 4 1/2″ long, 1 1/2″ wide, nylon Gear Grappler and you can pull up dropped items with ease. The Grappler has 3 stainless steel grappling hooks that rotate individually into multiple positions, including folding flat for easy storage. There are also three rare earth magnets embedded into the sides of the unit, rated to lift 3.3 pounds, and a larger rare earth magnet on the bottom of the unit that can lift 5.5 pounds. No more having to climb down to retrieve your dropped arrows, knives, saws and calls. Use the grappling hooks to snare your dropped gloves, hats, quivers or even just leave your backpack on the ground for retrieval later. Do you have one limb that is in your way, and you just can’t reach it? Throw the Grappler over it to pull it out of the line of view. Tie the paracord around your tree to have an instant access hanger for your bow or pack.

There is still more! Inside the Gear Grappler is waterproof storage that contains strike anywhere matches and cotton balls. Use this to start a fire or toss a small bit of the cotton to determine wind direction. You could also remove the matches that are included and use as a dry storage for something of your own choosing.

My backpack was easy to latch onto to, and lifted just as easily! Photo: Diane Hassinger

When I crawled up into my tree stand, I attached my gun to the rope and pulled it up after I was settled. I had deliberately left my backpack on the ground to see how hard it would be to snag and lift it. It took me only a moment to catch the strap and have my pack lifting off the ground. Of course I dropped my glove a couple of times, and a knife, on purpose just to play. It almost felt like a fishing game. Okay, time to get serious. I tied the cord around the tree and opened up one of the hooks to hang my back pack. I need to get back to hunting, that is the only way I can try using it as a deer drag too.

You can get more information and purchase your own Gear Grappler at http://www.geargrappler.com/purchase-the-gear-grappler.html. With a MSRP of $29.99 this multi-tool can be in everyone’s hunting pack and with some thought, you could find even more uses. Did I tell you, this product is “Proudly Made in the USA.”

Gear Grappler logo is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

This review originally published on Ladies in Camo at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2014/02/13/grapple-your-gear-with-gear-grapplerdiane-hassinger/


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The Crush Bag Target by Morrell

7 04 2014

morrell logoAs a breast cancer survivor of 4 ½-years, I try to patronize as many products as possible that donate to the fight against breast cancer. Morrell has designed The Crush bag target with that in mind; as a portion of the proceeds go toward the fight against this terrible cancer that targets many more women than men. This is a target designed for females that makes a huge difference!

The Crush Archery Bag Target that donates a portion of sales to the fight against breast cancer!

The Crush bag target is a signature Tiffany Lakosky target and is eye-popping pink for breast cancer; which also adds to high visibility during target practice. This two-sided target is 24” by 24” by 12” thick, 100% waterproof and features the Internal Frame System. The field-point only bag is filled with Morrell’s patented Multi-Layered Density Design. The E-Z Tote carrying handle makes the bag very portable for anyone wanting to practice their archery skills.

Both sides of the bag feature five different bullseye targets; the larger centered one in the middle, and four smaller ones circling the outside. There are also twelve deer tracks that I am sure will be used as targets when we have a friendly competition going on. Proudly featured is the universal pink ribbon for breast cancer.

During a winter afternoon, I carried the target out into the snow for some much needed practice with our field tips. The bag stood straight without any external frame or support. All of the arrows shot into it, were stopped within a few inches of penetration and were easily pulled out. That feature is extremely important to me, as I do not have the normal pulling muscles left after the surgeries for my breast cancer, but there I was pulling each and every one out without a struggle. I, of course, was shooting Victory Archery Pink Arrow Project arrows. They donate a portion of their sales toward breast cancer also. I felt like I was making a difference while having fun.

I am shooting pink for breast cancer! Quality products like The Crush Bag Target make everyone a winner. Photo: Diane Hassinger

Before long, I was shooting against my granddaughter, and we were both making life long memories and having fun together. Ginger is only in her second year of shooting a compound bow, while I have 30 years of experience. We both were challenged by the target, with me taking the more difficult shots, and her using the larger and easier shots. A fun shooting target like this makes practice even more enjoyable. A beautiful afternoon’s memories were made possible by archery and The Crush Bag Target.

The MSRP of this target is $69.99, but considering that this is an X-Tended Life Target and the fact you can buy a replacement bag cover for only $25.99, this is an extremely reasonable way to practice your shots, help with the fight against breast cancer and spend time with your loved ones! More information can be found at http://morrelltargets.com/products/23/the-crush-field-point-target/.  Find a local dealer for these targets at http://morrelltargets.com/dealers/.

Morrell Targets and The Crush Products logo is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer. Any company stock photos are credited and owned by its respective company. 

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

This review originally published on Ladies in Camo at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2014/02/17/the-crush-bag-target-by-morrell-diane-hassinger/


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New Stabilizers for 2014 from KTech

7 04 2014

ktech logoKTech came out with several new products for 2014, amongst these are the new MX Series of Stabilizers. These stabilizers utilize the LimbSaver vibration reduction technology. This ensures that the after shot noise dissipates to eliminate any sound that could potentially spook your game. These stabilizers come in multiple lengths, colors and weight options to ensure your hunting bow finds a perfect match. They are CNC machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, and have a ultra-rigid skeleton design. Both of these couple together to guarantee durability. This design helps to reduce the influence of wind during your shots, to enable a greater stability.

Change the look of your bow, by changing the LimbSavers. Shown is Pink, Black and Purple. Photo: Diane Hassinger

The MX-5 I received had the Muddy Girl finish, and the 5 refers to the length of 5 1/2″. This particular model is also offered in MX-3, MX-5 Twin, and MX-7. They are also offered in black, Realtree Xtra and Mossy Oak Breakup Infinity finishes in the Kolorfusion process. ktech limbsaver color choicesIncluded with this stabilizer is the black LimbSaver, which comes standard. Other colors are also available on the LimbSavers; Pink, Purple, Red, Blue, Green and Orange. The supplied directions tell you “Your KTech Design Stabilizer will perform the best when used in the same vertical plane as your bow riser.” Installation on my bow was simple; attach the stabilizer and then use the supplied 1/8″ Allen wrench to tighten the set screw at the point your stabilizer is in the right position. If you decide to change out the LimbSavers, just push out the old one, and push in the color you want, the port has 3 locating grooves to allow custom positioning. With multiple LimbSavers you could change the look of your bow in just a few minutes.

MX-5 Stabilizer helps with vibration, shock and noise. Photo: Diane Hassinger

Now the important part! I shoot a Mathews, which I have always liked for its smoothness, but the stabilizer I had previously used did not utilize any type of dampening component, however the weight and length of my old stabilizer was comparable to this new MX-5. My bow is like an extension of my body, and I am very accurate with it already, but there is always room for improvement. I shot about 20 arrows using this stabilizer, with the combined LimbSaver, and it did indeed reduce vibration, noise, shock and helped keep the bow stable.  It was noticeable, even to others, that I recovered from each shot easier, and the noise was lessened. With these improvements to my bow, I can’t wait to go hunting!

All of the KTech products, including the MX-5 Series Stabilizer, can be purchased online at http://www.ktechdesigns.com/jzcart/all.php with the MSRP of $73.99.  All of the KTech Designs are proudly Made in the USA!

KTech, and LimbSaver Products logo is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used withinktech american made this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

This review originally published on Ladies in Camo at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2014/02/27/ktech-designs-new-stabilizers-for-2014-diane-hassinger/


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Hi Mountain Seasonings

7 04 2014

hi mountain seasoningHi Mountain Seasonings makes a complete line of seasonings for cooking and processing meats. I tested the Prairie Sage Breakfast Sausage Seasoning mix for sausage, Deer Steak Seasoning, Venison Rub and Alaskan Salmon Seasoning. According to the Hi Mountain Seasoning website, “Our Western Style Line of seasonings stand alone-pure spices-not extracted, perfect for any dish. The versatility of these western seasonings is amazing.” 

Hi Mountain Seasonings Photo: Diane Hassinger

The Western Style Deer Steak Seasoning is an authentic Wyoming recipe. It can be used as seasoning while cooking, or at the table. I tried this out on a neck roast that I cut down into chunks for pan frying. At this point I was just interested in the taste, since neck roast are usually tough and chewy. I pre-seasoned the meat with the Deer Steak Seasoning, and let the seasoned meat sit for 30 minutes. I heated my skillet and melted some butter into it. Within a few minutes I was tossing in the chucks, adding onions, garlic and some pepper. I prefer not to over cook any meat, but especially venison. I served the steak chunks to my family and to my surprise-it was so very tender! We were amazed that the neck roast turned out so tender and delicious! The only thing different was the Deer Steak Seasoning. I tried again a few nights later with the same results! Neck roasts may never be roasted again with Hi Mountain Seasonings in the house!

Western Style Deer Steak Seasoning on a neck roast. Delicious! Photo: Diane Hassinger

The Alaskan Salmon Seasoning tastes a lot like what I mix up for my salmon; lemon and dill. My family really enjoys oven fried fish, and this seasoning works perfectly to mix into my mayonnaise mixture. I have since used it not only on salmon, but also on Florida caught yellow tail and hogfish. It is so versatile, it enhances the flavor of them all. While the seasoning is best on fresh caught fish, it also works well with frozen.

The Venison Rub worked just as well on our venison roasts, just rub the seasoning in, let sit 30 minutes and continue to cook as desired. I proceeded to slow cook the roast with potatoes, carrots and onions. It was wonderful! The rub seasoned both the meat and also imparted a great flavor into the vegetables.

Now the biggest surprise came when we made whole hog sausage from a couple of wild boars. We seasoned part of the sausage with our normal seasoning mix, which is heavy on sage and pepper. The rest we used the Hi Mountain Prairie Sage Breakfast Sausage Seasoning, each box

Prairie Sage-A fantastic breakfast sausage seasoning! Photo: Diane Hassinger

includes 2 packages that each use 12 pounds of ground pork. As is our normal routine, we cook whatever we are butchering to munch on. We had some of both varieties. The results were unanimous; the Hi Mountain Seasonings won! The flavor was still heavy with sage, but there was a slight heat that made the flavor come alive! We have since had sausage patties, sausage biscuits and gravy, and browned and crumbled into eggs. I only have one thing to say; I need to shoot more hogs!

All of the Hi Mountain Seasonings can be purchased at http://www.himtnjerky.com/. The MSRP of the seasonings I used are: Prairie Sage Breakfast Sausage Seasoning $7.99, Western Style Deer Steak Seasoning 3.5 ounce bottle $3.99, Western Style Alaskan Salmon Seasoning 3.5 ounce bottle $3.99, and the New Western Style Venison Rub 11 ounce bottle is $8.99. Look for some double duty tips for their seasonings at http://himtnjerky.com/tips.html.

I have included a couple of the recipes I used with these seasonings, both are my families favorites!

Sausage Gravy and Biscuits

Sausage Biscuit and Gravy! We used Prairie Sage Breakfast Sausage Seasoning in the wild boar sausage. Photo: Diane Hassinger

1 pound pork sausage-bulk seasoned with Hi-Mountain Prairie Sage Blend Breakfast Sausage
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
Sea salt\ black pepper-to taste
Biscuits-hot from the oven

Heat up a skillet over medium to high heat, add the sausage and break into bits with a spatula. Cook until all of the meat is crumbled and browned the whole way through. Add the flour, and stir constantly until dissolved, about 1 minute. Stir in the milk. Simmer, stirring frequently, until the gravy is very thick. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with fresh hot biscuits, right out of the oven.

Oven Fried Fish

1 pound fresh fish fillets-deboned
Mayonnaise-about ½ to ¾ cup
Hi Mountain Seasoning-Western Style Alaskan Salmon
Sea salt\ black pepper-to taste
Corn Flakes-Crushed

Preheat oven to 375º.  Mix seasonings and mayonnaise in a bowl. Crush corn flakes into another bowl. Coat all sides of the fish fillet with mayonnaise mixture and then roll in the corn flakes to coat.  Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. The corn flakes should be just starting to brown. Fish oven fried this way is good served as a fillet or on bun for a great fish sandwich. Our family even likes this fish reheated for left overs.

Hi Mountain Seasonings logo is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer. Any company stock photos are credited and owned by its respective company. 

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

This review originally published on Ladies in Camo at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2014/03/06/hi-mountain-seasonings-diane-hassinger/


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HME Better Crossbow Hanger and Maxx Hoisting Rope

7 04 2014

hme logo goodI typically hunt archery with my crossbow, due to surgeries. The bulkiness of the crossbows cause me to end up holding it the entire time I am in a tree stand. HME Products has designed a Better Crossbow Hanger that can hold my crossbow and so much more, allowing me more freedom in my stand!

The Better Crossbow Hanger by HME

The Better Crossbow Hanger comes complete with 3 mounting screws, so you can install the screws in 3 various stand locations, and simply move the hanger with you. No more wasting precious time fighting to get the screws installed into the tree the morning of your hunt! The design of the screws, provides an easy handle to screw them into the tree, and easy out also. Due to the higher weights of crossbows, they have flared out the mounting bracket to make it more stable, and beefed up the bolt in the folding arm to 3/8″. The universal hanger is powder coated, and the crossbow hanging fork at the end of the hanger, rotates a full 360 degrees to keep your crossbow at the perfect angle for ease of handling. The whole unit extends to 22 inches, and rated to hold 10 pounds. They have added a backpack accessory hanger, with a carabiner, that located closest to the tree for stability, and 2 small hooks perfect for binoculars, range finders or cameras.

Another great HME product designed to do double duty and make your life easier, is the Maxx Hoisting Rope. OK, so how can a rope make your life easier? This 25′ long pull up rope has a 360 degree reflective sleeve, which can truly be seen from every direction. Using this rope eliminates the need for bright eyes on you tree, but still makes it easy to see your way to the stand on those dark early morning hunts. The Maxx Hoisting Rope comes complete with a coated carabiner for easy and safe hook up of all of your hunting equipment.

Stock Photo: HME Photo: Diane Hassinger

I tied the rope off about 2 foot off of the ground, so that I could see the highly reflective sleeve from my trail. Going in on my last morning of deer hunting, I was able to locate the stand from a far distance, and adjust my path accordingly. I tied off my crossbow using the carabiner and quickly got my equipment set up on the Crossbow Hanger.

With everything I do, I like to nest. Even hunting, I like to be surrounded by my stuff, but where I can access it easily. I like my

Everything has a place on the HME Better Crossbow Hanger. Photo: Diane Hassinger

backpack to be set up the same every time, and I like to have my electronics, calls and rattles all within easy reach. Using this crossbow hanger, I now have a place for everything and everything is in its place! Ok, so maybe I am a bit OCD about this. But it is much easier for me to locate all my equipment if I know right where to look for it. I was able to position the hanger so that there is minimal movement involved picking my equipment up, this minimizes what the deer or bear see when I am hunting.

Packing up proved to be simple too. I didn’t have to fight my equipment while I tried to shove everything back into my pack. It truly was like having an extra set of hands. Once I lowered my crossbow, using the Maxx Hoisting Rope,  I undid the thumbscrew that holds the hanger to the tree and stowed it in my bag also, with the way the hanger folds up, everything fit into the pack with no problems. I opted to leave the mounting screw in the tree for my next visit, and I could also leave the Crossbow Hanger, if I was planning on hunting the same stand soon. I love products that simplify my life rather than complicate it!

To see these and more great items that HME has to offer, go to http://www.hmeproducts.com/home. The MSRP of this Crossbow Hanger unit is $27.99, while the Maxx Hoisting rope is $3.99. Both are available for purchase at many of the sporting goods shops; for a complete listing visit http://www.hmeproducts.com/home. At these prices, I may put one of each in each of my tree stands!

HME Products logo is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

This product review originally published for Ladies in Camo at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2014/04/01/hme-better-crossbow-hanger-and-maxx-hoisting-rope-diane-hassinger/


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HSS Hunter Warning Sign

7 04 2014

hss logoHunter Safety Systems has come up with a great way to let other hunters know you are in the area, a Hunter Warning Sign! They have designed an easy to pack and even easier to pop up blaze orange hss warning signtriangle that attaches to any tree branch or fence. The edges have reflective tape sewn on, and there is also an area provided for the hunter’s name and contact information to be inked in, this could be especially important in the case of an emergency. This is a fantastic idea to use when hunting with children. I would include “Youth” in the name area, so that other hunters will be warned in advance of a young hunter being nearby, so they can use extreme caution when approaching, or avoid the area all together. Many of the states also have a hunting regulation that requires 100 square inches of blaze orange to be posted within a short distance of anyone hunting in a blind or out of a tree in camo. This sign fulfills that requirement, and rolls up into a very small bundle, easily transported in your backpack.

The last weekend of deer season I took my granddaughter out, trying to get her one last chance at a deer. Several times earlier this year we had other hunters bust through our area while we were hunting together. That is discouraging at best, and could have been dangerous at worst. This time we decided to put out the HSS Hunter Warning Sign.

Our hunt could have been ruined by someone not knowing we were nearby. Photo: Diane Hassinger

The triangle is very light weight, and when twisted down, it makes about a 4″ circle. We hung the sign on a small branch near the trail we were taking to the stand. I wouldn’t have known anyone else was in the area, that is until we came out and you could see someone’s tracks in the snow. I could tell by the snow, they walked up to the sign, shifted around a bit then turned before leaving. We will never know if they would have continued in and ruined our hunt. But I for one was glad they took the time to check out the sign, and go the other way.

With a MSRP of just $9.95 for a 2 pack, this is an extremely reasonable way to keep you and your child safe in the stand! You can purchase these at http://www.huntersafetysystem.com/warning-signs/ and at many sporting good’s and retail stores.

Hunter Safety Systems logo is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

This product review originally published on Ladies in Camo at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2014/04/03/hss-hunter-warning-sign-diane-hassinger/


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Little Sportsman Books

7 04 2014

lj covers

I attended the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg recently. While there, I had the chance to speak with Robert H. Jacobs Jr. who has authored a series of hard back books geared toward our future hunters; our children and grandchildren. Robert informed me when his children were of age to start with hunting and shooting, he could not find any books designed for the child to read. He created Little Jake based on his twins, and the upcoming The Princess series being based on his daughter. These books are written for sportsmen by a sportsman! The Little Sportsman’s line of children’s hunting stories feature realistic hunting and fishing adventures.

The books are designed with each story having a theme and lessons that each future hunter needs to learn. Currently there are 2 seriesof books; My First and Little Jake Adventures. Coming the Spring of 2014 the new series designed just for the upcoming girl hunters, The Princess series, will debut. All books are written on a 2nd to 3rd grade reading level, appropriate to be read to younger children, and read by themselves, up to a recommended 12-13 years of age. All of the illustrations are created by former Disney artists, and the books are MADE IN THE USA!

A sample page from My First series of books. Photo: Little Sportsman Inc.

The My First series has 3 titles; My First Bow, My First Gun and My First BB Gun. These cover safety, responsibility and dangers that could arise by the improper handling of their first gun, bow or BB gun. The books also celebrate the monumental occasion of the child being trusted with their first weapon.

The Little Jake Adventures series has 5 titles in this collection; Little Jake and the Three Bears, Little Jake’s Big Bowhunt, Little Jake on Safari, Little Jake and the World Record Bass and Little Jake Hunts Alaska. These books feature adventures of, the now old enough to hunt alone, Jake as he prepares for his big hunting and fishing trips. They cover the pre-hunt preparations all the way to the end results, all while focusing on ethical hunting/fishing. Hunting, fishing and shooting are all shown in a positive light, while they stress the importance of safety.

Sarah using the books to instruct Ellie on bow safety. Photo: Diane Hassinger

I brought home three of these books, fully expecting my younger grandchildren to enjoy the stories being read to them. I was then surprised when I happened into the living room, to find Sarah, 11 years old, reading these books to her little 2-year-old cousin Ellie. Sarah explained to me “These books will teach Ellie that weapons are not toys, and to always use them in a safe manner, with an adult present. And she needs to know not to use them indoors.”

Of course I asked what other things Ellie could learn from these books and was informed “You need to practice to be a good shot, and if you are not a good shot, maybe you shouldn’t go hunting yet.”  So did you learn anything Sarah? “Little Jake is happy and sad when he shoots a deer, just like me! I love eating deer meat, and I know shooting my deer will help feed the family. But I always feel a bit sad that I can not watch the deer in the field anymore.” This gave me a perfect opportunity to explain conservation and about how much an area can support.

Sample page from Little Jake's Big Bowhunt. Photo: Little Sportsman Inc.

Now what I learned from these books; given a chance, kids of all ages can learn good hunting ethics together, an  11-year-old is on the brink of becoming an adult and can make great deductions from these books. Together we can educate the upcoming hunters of the world to be the best shots and most ethical hunters that they can be. Give your child/grandchild the information they need, and you will be as proud of them as I am!

These books can be purchased at http://littlesportsman.com/shop/ with an individual MSRP of $15.99, various packages of collections are available also. Coming in 2014 paper back versions will become available at the MSRP of $12.95.

Little Sportsman Book logo is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

 

This originally published on Ladies in Camo at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2014/04/07/little-sportsman-books-diane-hassinger/


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