Carnage On The Prairie - Kansas Pheasant Hunting
Being a Hardcore Outdoorsman doesn't always mean a long hard slog through tough terrain in bad weather or cold bivvies on hard ground. Sometimes it's 26 hours of driving to Kansas and back for two full days of bird hunting just so you can make it back for work on Monday. That is exactly what we did just before Christmas this year.
Here is a picture of "Patches" the Better Britney with the results of day one. Our hosts told us that they had not had a year this good for pheasants since the early 80's.
Kansas Pheasant. Arizona dog.
In the picture below, I am modeling that days ensemble. That is an early version of the Rivers West Steelheader Jacket. Of course they no longer make that model. Too bad, it is my favorite piece in their line. In fact, it is one of my favorite pieces period. Underneath I am wearing a Windshear Trek-Tech Wool Quarter Zip sweater from cabelas and an REI MTS Mid-weight Zip T-neck polypropylene long sleeve top. On the bottom I have on a set of military issue wool officer's trousers circa 1951, an Instructors Belt from The Wilderness and Underarmour Boxer Jock skivvies. Black of course, if you must know. On my feet I am wearing Danner Flashpoint over-the-calf socks, Danner Santiam boots, and Outdoor Research Crocodile gators. My gloves, which are in my jacket pockets, are OD green Nomex Hanz. The fact that they are Nomex is merely interesting in this case. These gloves are a remnant of my work with the Sheriff's office helicopter unit and are absolutely the finest gloves I own. The tight weave blocks most of the wind and keeps my hands warm. They offer great dexterity, are seamless and fit pretty much everybody perfectly. Driving, shooting, hiking, or whatever, these liner thickness gloves do the job. Also, not pictured is my Filson Bird Belt which, once again, is no longer made. The shotgun is a 12ga Remington 870 Wingmaster with a 23 inch barrel and choke tubes. I own other shot guns from Benelli and Browning but I got this when I was 14 and it is what I use. It works perfectly and has never let me down.
Could you hook a brother up...with some fez?
On this day the temp started at 9 degrees and never got over 20. It was windy and as you can see gloomy gray. It snowed on and off all day. Even though the Rivers West material does not breathe, this jacket performed beautifully for me. The perspiration I worked up walking the fields was easily dealt with by the polypro base and wool sweater zippers and the jacket took care of the wind. This was a nice set up for the day and would work well in a lot of winter situations because it offers versatility and flexibility. It wasn't bulky or restrictive and it looks nice too I think.
Note: If Rivers west made the Steel Header Jacket in the L.A.W. fabric and added pit zips it would be one of the best all around hunting jackets on the market and I intend to tell them just that at the Winter OR show Tomorrow.
On day two I switched to my Sorel Conquest boots just because I wanted to see how they would do with all the walking. They did a great job for me. These are a cross between a traditional hunting boot like the Santiam and the snow pacs Sorel is known for. The result is a fantastic boot that is warm and supportive enough to walk or snow shoe in all day. I wore them with Underarmour Coldgear Outdoor Lightweight OTC Socks which despite being very thin continue to stand up to repeated abuse. So far, these are great socks.
The rig in the background is my 2007 Dodge 2500 Megacab 4x4 with the new 6.7 ltr Cummins turbo diesel. I have it set up with a Rancho leveling kit and 315-70-R17 BFG ATs on stock chrome rims. I recently replaced the stock shocks with a set of Rancho RS-9000XL adjustables. I am sad to report that my beloved Ranchos have changed and I am very disappointed in the ride. I have run RS-9000 shocks on every one of my vehicles and have always been super happy with them but these new XLs are just too stiff even with them set all the way to soft. Now I gotta go find another shock that gives me both control and a nice ride. Bummer.
The truck ran like a top and save for a pheasant strike to the grill at 75 miles per hour on the way home, it was an incident free trip. I have been extremely pleased with this pick up. It has a ton of power, is very quiet for a diesel and is SUV comfortable. Mileage on the trip averaged 19.4 miles per gallon but I was moving pretty good most of the time and I don't think this engine is quite broke in all the way yet. I expect it to get better. Knock on wood, I can't say enough about this truck. It is a perfect set up for me.
Well, I am off to Salt Lake City for a day at the Winter Outdoor Retailer Show. Check back with me on Saturday for my report.
Here is a picture of "Patches" the Better Britney with the results of day one. Our hosts told us that they had not had a year this good for pheasants since the early 80's.
Kansas Pheasant. Arizona dog.
In the picture below, I am modeling that days ensemble. That is an early version of the Rivers West Steelheader Jacket. Of course they no longer make that model. Too bad, it is my favorite piece in their line. In fact, it is one of my favorite pieces period. Underneath I am wearing a Windshear Trek-Tech Wool Quarter Zip sweater from cabelas and an REI MTS Mid-weight Zip T-neck polypropylene long sleeve top. On the bottom I have on a set of military issue wool officer's trousers circa 1951, an Instructors Belt from The Wilderness and Underarmour Boxer Jock skivvies. Black of course, if you must know. On my feet I am wearing Danner Flashpoint over-the-calf socks, Danner Santiam boots, and Outdoor Research Crocodile gators. My gloves, which are in my jacket pockets, are OD green Nomex Hanz. The fact that they are Nomex is merely interesting in this case. These gloves are a remnant of my work with the Sheriff's office helicopter unit and are absolutely the finest gloves I own. The tight weave blocks most of the wind and keeps my hands warm. They offer great dexterity, are seamless and fit pretty much everybody perfectly. Driving, shooting, hiking, or whatever, these liner thickness gloves do the job. Also, not pictured is my Filson Bird Belt which, once again, is no longer made. The shotgun is a 12ga Remington 870 Wingmaster with a 23 inch barrel and choke tubes. I own other shot guns from Benelli and Browning but I got this when I was 14 and it is what I use. It works perfectly and has never let me down.
Could you hook a brother up...with some fez?
On this day the temp started at 9 degrees and never got over 20. It was windy and as you can see gloomy gray. It snowed on and off all day. Even though the Rivers West material does not breathe, this jacket performed beautifully for me. The perspiration I worked up walking the fields was easily dealt with by the polypro base and wool sweater zippers and the jacket took care of the wind. This was a nice set up for the day and would work well in a lot of winter situations because it offers versatility and flexibility. It wasn't bulky or restrictive and it looks nice too I think.
Note: If Rivers west made the Steel Header Jacket in the L.A.W. fabric and added pit zips it would be one of the best all around hunting jackets on the market and I intend to tell them just that at the Winter OR show Tomorrow.
On day two I switched to my Sorel Conquest boots just because I wanted to see how they would do with all the walking. They did a great job for me. These are a cross between a traditional hunting boot like the Santiam and the snow pacs Sorel is known for. The result is a fantastic boot that is warm and supportive enough to walk or snow shoe in all day. I wore them with Underarmour Coldgear Outdoor Lightweight OTC Socks which despite being very thin continue to stand up to repeated abuse. So far, these are great socks.
The rig in the background is my 2007 Dodge 2500 Megacab 4x4 with the new 6.7 ltr Cummins turbo diesel. I have it set up with a Rancho leveling kit and 315-70-R17 BFG ATs on stock chrome rims. I recently replaced the stock shocks with a set of Rancho RS-9000XL adjustables. I am sad to report that my beloved Ranchos have changed and I am very disappointed in the ride. I have run RS-9000 shocks on every one of my vehicles and have always been super happy with them but these new XLs are just too stiff even with them set all the way to soft. Now I gotta go find another shock that gives me both control and a nice ride. Bummer.
The truck ran like a top and save for a pheasant strike to the grill at 75 miles per hour on the way home, it was an incident free trip. I have been extremely pleased with this pick up. It has a ton of power, is very quiet for a diesel and is SUV comfortable. Mileage on the trip averaged 19.4 miles per gallon but I was moving pretty good most of the time and I don't think this engine is quite broke in all the way yet. I expect it to get better. Knock on wood, I can't say enough about this truck. It is a perfect set up for me.
Well, I am off to Salt Lake City for a day at the Winter Outdoor Retailer Show. Check back with me on Saturday for my report.
Thanks. Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies. Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who won't or can't turn back.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Comments