It’s that time again for the bi-annual Hit List! First I’ll introduce the new products and then I’ll tell you which products remained from last year. Here we go!
ThermaCELL heated insoles

Spring or fall, cold feet are never welcome. Instead of buying multiple heat pads that last for a few hours, you may want to try these heated insoles instead. What’s nice about these are the fact that they slip into your shoes/boots and can be custom fit with a pair of scissors if needed. Once in, you can control the heat with a remote control unit! You can choose either no heat, medium heat or high heat to suit your needs. The batteries are rechargeable, so no need to worry about purchasing new ones every few days. They offer five hours of heat, which happens to work well for hunters whom hunt in the mornings and afternoons.
Some highlights:
Provides heat up to 111°F under your feet – three temperature settings to match conditions (high, medium, no heat)
High-tech wireless thermal technology run by remote control
Powered by rechargeable lithium ion batteries
Fits easily into your boots or shoes
Comes with bag, charger, and wireless remote control
Remote control range of up to seven feet
The price ranges from around $100-$129 depending on where you buy them. They last about 2500 hours, so you’ll have them for years to come. The internet reviews are extremely positive too! Check them out on the internet at http://www.thermacell.com/heated-insoles-foot-warmers or at your local retail store.
Roost’em Game Calls
It’s that time of year again for chasing those thunderous chickens around, and it always helps to have some great sounding calls tagging along! In this day of age, mass production and plastic seem to go hand-in-hand. Not the case with Roost’em Calls. These all hand made calls feature different species of woods and laminate techniques. What does that mean to a turkey hunter? It means they sound great! My test set of slate, wood box and mouth diaphragm calls were all put to the test and I must say the results were great. Anyone who knows me will tell you that there was one time in my life where I would rather hunt turkeys than whitetails. I love hunting turkeys and found them most intriguing. Back in the day, we never used decoys but rather tried our hardest to bring those bad boys in with every trick known to man. It seemed like it was the ability to find that “right” sweet sound that made them buzz. Sometimes that “sound” would change from day to day too! Roost’em slate calls come with different strikers made from different types of wood to get that ever-so-sweet sound just right!
Roost’em calls can be ordered online or by phone at http://www.roostem.com/ and are made by honest people who try hard to please. They’re the best of the best!
U-Slide Bow Holder

I have finally found what I need to hold my bow up while I hunt for hours from the ground! It’s called the U-Slide Bow Holder. Here’s the scoop:
FEATURES
Easy self starting screw to securely mount your holder to the tree
Can be mounted off to your side or directly beneath your seat so your bow sits between your legs while in your tree stand
Whether you stand or sit to shoot the U-Slide will not be in your way
Will not swing away from you or fall down like other hangers will
Requires very little movement to get your bow in your hand
Works for both compound and recurve bows
You can slide the U shaped holder to a position that is right for you
It has a non reflective powder coating so you don’t get any sun glare
Securely holds your bow in a rubber coated U slot for easy removal
Light weight and folds small enough to fit in your pack
So versatile it can be used in a Tree Stand or Ground Blind
No need to buy extra attachments
Manufactured and assembled in the U.S.A.
I love this holder! I get sick of holding my bow and I really don’t like for it to lie on the dirt. Even in a tree stand, holding a bow gets annoying. This unit is especially nice because it holds the bow in an upright position making it easier to lift the bow when ready. It requires very little movement to retrieve it from the holder, reducing the chance of spooking the game. At $24.95 plus shipping, it’s a must for all bowhunters! Visit them at http://www.u-slide.com/index.html
Tree Stand Up
Now here’s something I wish they had available when I spent nearly three decades in a tree stand! I remember struggling with ladder stands when trying to relocate stands by myself and getting very frustrated. These nifty little things just slip on the legs of your ladder so you can press them into the dirt. Once in, just push the ladder up and your finished! It doesn’t get any easier than that. Prices range from $19.95 to $38.95 depending which size and material you choose. These are well worth the money if you’re a do-it-yourselfer. Check them out at https://www.treestandup.com/index.php” target=”_blank”
Wicked Tree Gear

There are so many saws out there, I can’t count them all. When I came across this one, I loved it because it wasn’t flimsy and it was easy to carry. I always carry a smaller saw with me that is attached to my knife, but it is only good for trimming the smaller branches. I think if you watch the video on thier website, it pretty much explains it all. At $49.99, you wouldn’t want to lose it, but it will most likely last your lifetime. Check them out at http://wickedtreegear.com/index.html” target=”_blank”
Moultrie Game Spy M-80

Ok, here it is! I have been trying for years to find something that works near as well as the Reconyx line of cameras but for half the cost, and I may have come close. The Moultrie M-80 has fantastic reviews and because it’s in the price range of $129-$150, it’s a lot cheaper than a $500 Reconyx. Check them out at http://www.moultriefeeders.com/productdetail.aspx?id=mfh-dgs-m80″ target=”_blank”
Vortex Optics

When it comes to optics, Vortex brings quality and value to the table. Every single piece of equipment they make is of the utmost precision and balance but at a fraction of the price you would expect to pay. Being fog proof, water proof, shock resistant and carrying one of the best warranties in the business. you’ll be hard pressed to find another set of optics that out perform Vortex. Speaking of warranty, here’s it in a nut shell:
Our warranty is about you, not us. It’s about taking care of you after the sale.
The VIP stands for a Very Important Promise to you, our customers. We will repair or replace your Vortex product in the event it becomes damaged or defective—at no charge to you. It doesn’t matter how it happened, whose fault it was, or where you purchased it. You can count on the VIP Warranty for all riflescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes and monoculars.
Unlimited Lifetime Warranty
Fully transferable
No warranty card to fill out
No receipt needed to hang on to
Take a peak of their website at http://www.vortexoptics.com/” target=”_blank”
Carbon Synergy

No surprise here, especially if you’ve read anything I’ve written in the last year. It’s the hands-down number one, scent control product for hunters I’ve ever tested. Need I say more? http://www.carbonsynergy.net
Polaris

I love these machines!!! I tested my Ranger all last fall with exceptional results. If I had to use one word to sum up this unit, I would say “Workhorse”. My Ranger has a dump bed in the rear that makes loading and unloading a breeze. It’s comfortable to drive and it has loads of torque. Even though I’ve only had this Ranger for a year, I can tell you it is from the same genetic makeup as the previous Polaris’. Tank tough and always there for you when you need it. Here’s a clip from my previous Sportsman 500 test if you’re interested. It’s all “Thumbs up”!
“I know how to push a vehicle to its limit and with due respect, know how to take care of it the just the same. I’m a licensed aircraft power plant mechanic with decades of experience in engine and air-frame overhauls. I’ve raced 8 second quarter mile drag bikes, muscle cars and flew some mighty fast jets in my time. Having said that, I’ve also pushed my 4 x 4 trucks to the brink of destruction. Now that I’m mature and not so aggressive, I don’t necessarily punish my vehicles any more, but rather use my experience and wisdom toward preventative measures. It’s hard to pull a fast one past me if it has an engine in it!
I have tested Hondas, Kawasakis, Yamahas, etc. and I have never pushed a four wheeler so hard as I did a Polaris. In fact, I was in love with Kawasakis for years as I believed they built their bikes/four wheelers tank-tough. Not any longer. Polaris builds the toughest, most durable, longest lasting and strongest four wheelers on the market today, in my opinion. What’s even sweeter? They’re based here in the U.S.A!
My test model, a Sportsman 500, has incredible power and torque. The frame is rigid. The suspension is in a class of its own. The dependability can always be counted on. I pushed the tow limit, the weight limit, the engine limit, in 102 degree weather for several HOURS, several times, with never a failure. In sub-zero weather, with the wind chill in the -17 degree mark, I had no problems with starting whatsoever. I really can’t emphasize enough how tough these ATV’s are!
The clearance on the Sportsman is exceptionally high and great for crossing streams, logs, rocks and debris. Since there is no manual shifting required (unless you want to just use the low gear), your limbs are not busy at critical times of operation. Even the material used for the switches are made to handle the most extreme weather. Order some of the accessories made for today’s hunter, and you’ll never go on another hunting trip without your machine. I could go on and on but I have more reviews to cover, so if you’re in the market for an ATV, be sure to at least stop by the Polaris dealer and check them out. You owe it to yourself!
http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/ATV-RANGER/pages/home.aspx” target=”_blank”
Marc Anthony Bow Hunter Suit

Yeah, I know, I’m a little biased on this but they say “If you can’t find it what you want, make it yourself”….and that’s what we did! This is the only Ghillie suit made especially for bow hunters. With countless years field testing these suits, all I can say is “They work”! Better yet, since it has my name attached to it, my readers can go to my website and buy it cheaper than anywhere else. Check them out at http://nontypicalhunter.atetinc.com/store2/index.php