Planning, Planning and More Planning
Big trips take lots of planning. After months of training, staging gear and working through contingencies, it’s all come down to the packing. The upland season is upon us.
Big trips take lots of planning. After months of training, staging gear and working through contingencies, it’s all come down to the packing. The upland season is upon us.
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.
Small and portable, the Camp Chef Rainier Campers Combo Stove ($153) is complete with a one-burner stove, and a non-stick griddle and grill. The griddle and grill are easily switched for making pancakes in the morning, to grilling venison for dinner. Complete with a matchless ignition for ease of use, the Camper’s Combo is the perfect stove for hunting…
We’re perennial fans of Benchmade knives: high-quality, edge retention, one handed opening, reversible clips on most models. What’s not to like? But here’s what makes the Freek stand out: it’s crazy lightweight. Benchmade has found a way to replace some of the metal components with space-age materials that don’t compromise quality. Unlike other Benchmade models,…
Aside from this luggage looking upland-ey (i.e. cool,) it’s extremely well made and durable. I’ve flown with the Rolling Duffel ($219) on hunting trips around the US and Africa, and it’s held up beautifully. It has every feature a duffel bag needs, heavy-duty nylon zipper, leather accents, wheels, extending handle, end zippered pockets, and a…
Your bird dog works hard and deserves a present too. Our lab, Wyatt, goes bonkers for these SportDOG Orange Plastic Dummies. They come in both a regular and jumbo size and work great for both water and land retrieving practice. The 3-packs are the way to go ( Reg. $17.94 / Jumbo $24.95).
It’s a Christmas miracle when I find a beanie that fits my large noggin. For me, the trendy, tight-fitting, skull cap-style beanies reduce air flow and don’t provide the warmth and versatility of a loose-fitting knit cap. I was pretty excited when I found the 5.11 Last Stand Beanie. The loose-fitting knit exterior stretched to…
The W.R. Case Pheasant Hunter ($120) may look like a collector’s edition but don’t be fooled. The stag handle and fixed blade feel great in hand and are perfect for taking apart birds in the field. When finished filleting, slide it back into the leather sheath, throw it in the truck console and head to the…