Brian founded Ultimate Upland in 2010 to be the most comprehensive resource for upland hunting enthusiasts. Since then it has grown into a community where bird hunters congregate and share their love for the sport. Brian shares detailed accounts of Ultimate Upland adventures in pursuit of wild birds in the wildest places.
Koch is joined afield by hunting partners Labs and Llews.
A human can survive without food for three weeks. Hypothermia and exposure are the real killers in the wild. I’ve added the UST WetFire™ Tinder ($7) to my vest as part of my mobile first aid and survival gear. In the event I can’t make it back to the truck due to weather, injury or poor navigation skills…
Weight, weight, weight… no, seriously. I have carried a multi-tool in my bird vest for years. And the number of times I used that massive have-it-all tool with something for every eventuality over the course of those years…… zero. Because of the rigors of this season of Way Upland, I broke down all my gear…
Yes, I know, everyone and their brother has a roto-molded, armageddon-proof cooler that costs more than their actual freezer. There are umpteen companies now competing in the space, basically making the same heavy cooler with thick walls leaving minimal room for actual cooler contents. But, I had a space problem. I needed a cooler that…
Better than any water bottle on the market, the GSI Microlite weighs the same as the cheap plastic bottles holding 33 ounces of liquid, nearly indestructible and can keep ice for what seems forever. On multiple occasions this season I errantly left a cold drink in my bird vest overnight, only to find it still…
Backcountry bird camp isn’t complete without a wall tent. But ditch the heavy canvas tent and opt for the Cabela’s Alaknak instead. Made of waterproof 250-denier polyester, the tent features 10 perimeter poles and one center pole for durability in harsh weather. The 12×12 Alaknak withstood a powerful thunderstorm at 11,000 feet in Colorado while…
A super-heavy pen and a super-light knife, like peanut butter and chocolate. I could tell you to JUST get the Gerber Zilch because it’s a joy to carry: razor sharp right out of the box, holds that edge and is the best pocket knife you’ll find for the price. But, if you just get the…