Gear

Trail camera technology continues to evolve, and these cellular models are sure to be hot sellers.

From trail cams to boots to riflescopes and more, check out our roundup of new products that customers will be asking for this season.

Trappers are a niche, for sure, but a passionate one — and there’s money to be made in selling trapping supplies.

Camping gear boils down to five major categories. Stick to these basics and you should have most of what your customers need.

Lace-up hunting boots are popular with many hunters who want more durability and support than pull-on boots. How much abuse can they really take?

Serious food plotters are buying in bulk from their local feed and seed stores. There is a specific segment of the hunting population that small retail shops can cater to, however.

The MFT ACHRO Storage Case is a discreet, durable ammo case, dopp kit and more.

Apex Ammunition 20-Gauge Waterfowl Blend Apex Ammunition is expanding its TSS/S3 Steel Waterfowl Blend line of shotshells with the addition of a 20-gauge, 3-inch load, combining ⅞-ounce No. 2 steel and ¼-ounce No. 7.5 Tungsten Super Shot. These handcrafted duplex loads are versatile for a variety of hunting situations with the steel patterning especially well for closer shots over decoys followed by the TSS, which has greater retained energy at longer ranges. The zinc coating on Apex’s S3 Steel pellets reduces friction, resulting in more consistent pellet drop when loading the shotshells and better movement of the pellets against each other in the firing process. The combination delivers lethal patterning, maximum barrel protection and shot-to-shot consistency. MSRP: $48.99/25-round box; $479.99/Per 250. www.apexammunition.comBear Archery Whitetail NIT The Bear Whitetail is a cornerstone in compound bow history, and to continue this legacy Bear Archery has launched the Whitetail INT. Featuring the EKO cam system, this bow is capable of speeds up to 339 fps, while offering the shooter up to an ultra-comfortable 90 percent let-off. Now featuring an Integrate Mounting System rest and Picatinny sight mounting locations, customization has never been easier. The Whitetail INT also includes a new roller cable guard system to provide an ultimate smooth draw. KillerWave limb dampeners are in place to make this bow seemingly dead on the shot. It features a 6.5-inch brace height, measures 31 inches axle to axle and has an adjustable draw length from 26 to 30 inches. MSRP: $629.99. www.beararchery.com Big & J Cotton Crave Deer Attractant Thanks to its unique blend and powerful aroma, Cotton Crave Deer Attractant from Big & J attracts deer and keeps them coming back. Unlike ordinary feeds such as corn, Cotton Crave offers a unique blend specifically designed to keep deer returning to feeding sites. With key ingredients and Big & J’s unique flavor enhancers, Cotton Crave has the power to draw bucks from longer distances. The incorporation of cotton seed into Cotton Crave adds to its appeal. Big & J leverages this preference by combining it with the robust aroma and attracting the power of its popular formulas. Big & J ensures that Cotton Crave delivers a high-quality protein blend formulated for maximum attraction and herd health. MSRP: $12.99/8 pounds; $19.99/20 pounds; $34.99/40 pounds. www.bigandj.comBuk Ops X-Factor Crossbow Range-Finding Scope The Buk Ops X-Factor Crossbow Range-Finding Scope from Buck Commander changes the way hunters maintain accurate yardage without losing sight of their trophy, by measuring the yardage to a deer without the hassle of lowering or resetting the position of their crossbow. The X-Factor features a built-in angle-compensating laser rangefinder that is activated instantly with the simple press of a button. Holding the range button down enables Scan Mode, which actively tracks the range of a target as it moves. Whether navigating hilly terrain or taking a shot from an elevated position, the X-Factor adapts seamlessly. With the X-Factor Speed Dial FPS precision reticle, hunters can easily fine-tune their optic to match the arrow speed of their crossbow. MSRP: $599.99. www.bukops.comCanyon Coolers Pro 85 Cooler The Pro 85 Cooler from Canyon Coolers was intuitively designed for hunters and hardcore outdoor enthusiasts who demand the best in quality, function and durability. With a true 85-quart capacity, this premium ice chest is longer in length (34x20x17.5 inches) than comparable coolers, and is equipped with a host of valuable features hunters and outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate, starting with the front and side drain plugs. The cooler’s premium eco-friendly pressure-injected foam insulation ensures world-class ice retention, keeping provisions ice cold even when outside temps reach all-time highs. Front and rear lip slots make tying it down with cam straps simple, keeping it securely fastened. The Pro 85 incorporates upgraded oversized latches built from premium, sun-resistant polymer. MSRP: $400.www.canyoncoolers.comDickinson Arms 12-Gauge Cleaning Kit and Gun Oil Dickinson Arms has introduced a new Gun Oil and Shotgun Cleaning Kit that will have users’ firearms operating at peak performance. Its nanoparticle Gun Oil will keep any firearm working smoothly and help prevent corrosion and wear. The new 12-Gauge Cleaning Kit was designed to be portable, allowing users to clean their shotguns at home, on the road or in the field. It includes stainless-steel rods and a handle, bore brush, cotton mop, spring brush, patches, double-end brush, muzzle guard and brass patch holder. Add in Dickinson’s Gun Oil for a potent cleaning kit that will have shotguns operating at their best, no matter how dirty they get. MSRP: $12.99/Gun cleaning kit; $14.95/Gun oil. www.dickinson-arms.comNosler Whitetail Country Ammunition Nosler’s newest ammunition line, Whitetail Country, was designed specifically for hunting deer — engineered to deliver premium terminal performance and reliability. The line features two standout bullets: Solid Base and Straight-Wall. The Solid Base bullet, incorporates a fifth-generation tapered jacket and a heavy solid base to deliver deep penetration and optimal expansion for quick, efficient kills. Nosler’s Straight-Wall bullet is tailored for the slower impact velocities typical of straight-wall cartridges. It boasts a flat base, thin jacket at the tip and lead nose to ensure reliable expansion, even at extended ranges. The truncated nose design allows for smooth feeding across various action types, while the form-fitted lead core enhances stability and accuracy. Whitetail Country is available in eight popular big-game calibers. MSRP: Starts at $34.95/Box of 20. www.nosler.comRadians RHG-A900 Hand Warmer Made from wind-resistant material, the Radians RHG-A900 Heated Hand Warmer offers warmth and comfort with or without gloves. Its battery-powered system delivers hours of heat with three adjustable settings to customize the warmth generated. With a no-noise polyester outer shell and a cozy fleece lining, this hand warmer features two zipper accessory pockets for storing a phone, keys and other essentials. It also has an exterior pocket for the 7.4V battery and a strap with an accessory hook. Battery life is up to four hours on High, up to eight hours on Medium and up to 10 hours on Low. Available in camo and black, the Radians Hand Warmer is practical for any cold weather hunting application. MSRP $135.99. www.radians.comRemington Nitro-Steel Duplex Shotshells Nitro-Steel Duplex Shotshells from Remington offer a unique shot load, featuring a combination of two shot sizes for deadly patterns at close and long ranges, ensuring optimal performance in various shooting scenarios. A super tough and versatile four-petal shot cup protects barrels and performs exceptionally well across a wide range of choke designs. With Nitro velocity, these shotshells provide maximum speed for true magnum-blended steel payloads, delivering outstanding power and performance. The Premier hull features a high base and drab hull to minimize reflection in the blind. As with all Remington ammunition, Nitro-Steel Duplex undergoes rigorous testing and quality control measures to ensure it meets the company’s stringent standards and comes in four 12-gauge shot sizes. MSRP: $42.99/Box of 25.www.remington.com Savage Arms 21 Sharp Rimfire Rifles Savage Arms has announced the release of four rifle models chambered in Winchester’s new 21 Sharp rimfire cartridge. With a muzzle velocity of up to 1,750 fps in 25-grain bullets, the 21 Sharp utilizes straight profile, non-heeled bullets that enable the use of efficient aerodynamic and modern bullet shapes for enhanced accuracy. Target shooters will be able to fully utilize this cartridge in a modern Savage B Series F comfortable-shooting rifle. Its button-rifled barrel pushes precision to new levels and its ergonomic stock provides shooters with a range of options to suit individual preferences. Multiple Mark II options in 21 Sharp will also appeal to a variety of shooters and hunters. All 21 Sharp Savage rifles feature the revolutionary AccuTrigger. MSRP: $269-$389. www.savagearms.comWenzel’s Farm Venison Snack Sticks Wenzel’s Farm now offers its Venison Snack Sticks in three varieties — made with grass-fed venison and gluten free, making them a great, high-protein snack for hunters who want a grab-and-go snack. They are available in Original, Teriyaki and Jalapeno Cheddar flavors. Wenzel’s Farm offers 14 tasty beef snack stick varieties and five varieties of jerky, all of which are crafted in small batches using premium cuts of meat, perfectly seasoned and naturally hard-wood smoked — a tradition that has been in place since the Wenzel’s Family first started producing quality meat products in 1949. The Venison Snack Sticks come in a single-serve 1.5-ounce package. MSRP: $2.49.www.wenzelsfarm.comZeiss Conquest HDX 8x42mm Binocular Zeiss recently announced the new Conquest HDX family of binoculars, including the compact 8x42mm offering. Thanks to the high-definition (HD) concept, the Conquest HDX delivers great optical quality and 90 percent light transmission, resulting in vibrantly sharp images, even in low-light conditions, and Zeiss FieldFlattener technology ensures high resolution over the entire field of view. The T* lens coating guarantees brilliant, high contrast images. The Conquest HDX’s full rubber armoring ensures protection and provides a secure grip, even in humid and rainy conditions, and thanks to the hydrophobic Zeiss LotuTec lens coating, water rolls off effortlessly and dirt and fingerprints are repelled. In addition, the nitrogen filling prevents moisture inside the lenses. MSRP: $999.99. www.zeiss.com

Hunting Retailer reports on new gear from Outdoor Edge, Muck, Barnett, Hawke Optics and more.

Do you think the owner did a decent job on his Mathews Phase4, or is it — in the words of an archery shop owner — “hot garbage?”

These three tripods in a variety of price points will help hunters steady their shot.

The A.T.A.C. 2.0 8-inch insulated boot from 5.11 features a SlipStream waterproof/breathable membrane and 400 grams of insulation.

It’s prime time for predator hunters right now, and these calls are sure to bring ’em in.

Cold-Weather Hunting Apparel Make sure your patrons are dressed to stick it out on stand during the deep chill of late season.

After more abuse to five backpacks than hunters would administer in the field, the results are impressive with these tough, durable packs.

When the author began his search for an e-collar for his hunting dog, he had very little knowledge of what he needed. His shopping experience can shed valuable light on how a new customer researches and finds the right collar.

It’s not all about guns and ammo. There’s serious money to be made in the small stuff.