Tom Beckbe, Strap Vest
For many, the arrival of fall means one thing: bird hunting. Tom Beckbe’s Strap Vest is essential gear for anyone heading into the field with a shotgun and a dog. Made from durable wax shelter cloth, the Strap Vest is available in two colors—classic blaze orange and a subtle rye brown. The vest’s fully lined front pockets include a snap to secure shells and other valuables, and its rear gamebag offers ample room for harvested birds. The gamebag also includes a center drain eyelet so you can easily wash out remnants from your hunt. Functional and stylish, the Strap Vest’s breathable open-back design can be worn over a shirt during the warmer months, or adjusted to wear over a hunting jacket as temperatures drop. With its classic look, durable construction and functionality, the Strap Vest is the perfect complement for any hunter this fall. $185.00. www.tombeckbe.com
Steelhead Outdoors, Nomad 26 Modular Gun Safe
If you decide to buy a gun, you also need to buy a gun safe. A gun safe is necessary to protect your firearms from theft and keep them away from people who don’t know how to handle them safely. Steelhead Outdoors now offers an alternative to bulky, heavy and hard-to-install gun safes. The Nomad 26 has a modular design that is easy to move and assemble. The Nomad 26 is Steelhead’s answer for smaller gun collections and for gunowners who don’t have a lot of room for a safe. This gun safe has wide appeal and functionality. Its interior can store six to 15 long guns and has endlessly customizable options. Plus, the Nomad 26 is made in the USA with high levels of theft and fire protection that offer a fully dry insulation system that does not require a dehumidifier.The safe also has panels filled with ceramic and fire insulation rated to 2,300 degrees. Shipped in modules, the safe can be easily moved and assembled with a hex wrench (provided) and a good helper. The Nomad comes in larger sizes (32) and (38) for those with more guns to keep safe. Starting at $2,495; steelheadoutdoors.com
onX Hunt app, onX Maps
If your next hunt takes you into unfamiliar territory, download the OnX Hunt app for your smartphone and get the info you need for a safe and successful hunt. OnX Hunt is designed specifically for hunters, and it provides them with detailed information, land boundaries, access opportunities, property ownership information and weather, as well as a host of tools for customization. If your trekking takes you off the grid, no worries. You can download maps for use in the field. OnX Hunt is a Swiss army knife of an app, full of functionality that’s constantly being refined and updated. Give it a try before your next trip.
$29.99 per year (for one state), or $99.99 per year (for all 50 states); onxmaps.com
Ultralight Vest, Filson
For many, fall’s arrival means cooler temperatures and a need for outer layers. Filson’s Ultralight Vest is the perfect garment for those days when there’s a nip in the air. Lightweight and packable, this highly compressible vest is perfect for travel or hiking. Made with durable rip-stop nylon, the vest has a moleskin-lined collar and handwarmer pockets for comfort and warmth. Wear it as a single layer when it’s cool or a mid-layer when the temperature drops. The Ultralight Vest is a great option for anyone looking to take advantage of the great outdoors in fall and winter. $145.00; filson.com
Decked, Truck Drawer System
Spending time in the outdoors requires stuff. Whether fishing, hunting, camping or building your lakeside getaway, trying to keep all the tools of the trade organized can be challenging—particularly if you drive a pickup truck. That’s where Decked’s truck drawer system comes in. Easy to install, Decked’s system can be customized to fit nearly any truck bed. Offering a 2,000-pound payload, the drawer system is durable, secure and weatherproof. The two full bed-length drawers can be configured into a variety of options and customized with a number of accessories for even more functionality. Decked’s truck draw system will keep your gear organized and protected. $1,349 for base system; decked.com
SportDOG, UplandHunter 1875 Training Collar
If you’re chasing pheasant in the wide-open expanses of the prairie or stalking through thick brambles looking for woodcock, the UplandHunter 1875 training collar is perfect for you—and your dog. Compact, waterproof and intuitive, the 1875 has all the functionality you need without being overwhelming to use. The unit’s one-mile range gives plenty of coverage, and the transmitter’s seven levels of stimulation offer hunters all the flexibility they need when handling their dogs. The collar also has a beeper that produces an audible sound with nine selectable tones that you can hear up to 500 yards away when you need to find your dog. $399.95; sportdog.com
Lavley “I’d Rather Be Hunting” Socks
For the hunter who has a sense of humor, these crew-length socks are the perfect way to demonstrate how you like spending your time. The camouflage-green socks are available in different patterns—deer, ducks, dogs, hunting knives and rifles. Put your feet up and show people you’d rather be hunting. Made of 85% cotton, 10% spandex and 5% elastic, these socks are comfortable, durable and guaranteed to get a laugh. $10.95; lavley.com
Fabarm USA, Autumn Side-by Side-Shotgun
The Italian gun manufacturer Fabarm has been making side-by side-shotguns since 1900. Manufactured in Italy, these guns were not available for import—until now. Produced specifically for American hunters, Fabarm’s Autumn side-by-side is the ideal gun for any upland hunter looking for an alternative to an over-under. Available in 20 gauge, with either 28- or 30-inch barrels, the Autumn comes with an English-style straight stock or a pistol-grip stock. The Autumn’s classic look is complemented by oil-finished Turkish walnut stock and ornate scroll work. Weighing in at just over six pounds, the Autumn is the perfect companion to carry on an upland hunt, and its balance and precision make it easy to swing through your shots. If you’re looking for the classic look and feel of a side-by-side, the Autumn is a great choice for any upland hunter. $4,095; fabarmusa.com
Atlas Trap Co., AT-150 Clay PigeonThrower
For people who have spent time looking down the barrel of a shotgun, the adage “practice makes perfect” is sure to ring true. If you want to increase your chances of hitting a flushed pheasant or boosting your proficiency on the sporting-clays course, nothing beats time spent shooting clay targets. Atlas Trap Co.’s AT-150 is a commercial-grade clay-pigeon thrower that is suitable for individual shooters with a little room to shoot or for gun clubs that need a new thrower. Handmade in Benton, Kansas, the AT-150 is manufactured with heavy-duty stainless steel and aircraft-grade aluminum. Robust, accurate and reliable, the AT-150 is powered by a 12-volt battery (there is also a 110-volt battery option), and the unit can be loaded with 150 clays at a time. The thrower can be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of throwing angles and offers a 110-yard throwing distance. If you’re looking for a little more of a challenge, Atlas also makes a Wobble Base for the AT-150 that oscillates side-to-side and wobbles up and down. This combination of difficulty will certainly surprise any shooter. AT-150, $1,599. Wobble Base, $849; atlastraps.com
Pappy & Company, Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup
When you’re off the field, add a new twist to your pancakes with Pappy Van Winkle’s pure organic maple syrup, aged in barrels that once held the some of the world’s best bourbon. Pappy & Company was founded by three sisters (triplets) who are the great-granddaughters of the patriarch of the Vin Winkle family, Pappy. With an aroma of caramel and smooth bourbon undertones, the syrup is bound to enhance your favorite pancake or waffle experience. And while finding Pappy Van Winkle bourbon is a challenge, Pappy & Company offers a wide variety of gourmet products and high-end accessories, all available at the click of your mouse. $38.00; pappyco.com
