The Little Huntress Christmas List

Do you have a special little huntress in your life? I've put together a list of items that she might want under the Christmas tree this year. I have a ten year old daughter that is quite fond of the outdoor lifestyle that we live.

While Christmas shopping this year I found that companies are targeting young girls to raise the interest in hunting and outdoor activities.

Here are a few things I know my own daughter would love.


1) Paradise Kids 10 Inch Hunting Doll

2) Diamond Infinite Edge

3) Scott Hero Release

4) Cabela's Girl Hunter Doll

5) Cabela's Adventure Girlz Camping Set

6) Cabela's Adventure Girlz ATV Play Set

7) Peg Perego Case IH Magnum Tractor Pink

8) Peg Perego RZR Polaris Ride On

9) ScentBlocker Youth KnockOut Jacket & Pants

10) ScentBlocker Youth Fleece Watch Cap

By: Allison O'Nan

Persimmon Bread Recipe

Photo courtesy of Daily Dish

Most know that deer love to eat persimmons, but have you ever tried one? If you've ever tried one before they are ripe you probably think cooking anything with persimmons sounds like a bad idea. But once they turn ripe they are sweet and are great to use for pies, breads, cakes and cookies. Once they turn a purple/gray color and get soft they are ready for picking (Usually after the first couple of frosts). 

This recipe is my pumpkin bread recipe, but I swapped the 15 oz can pumpkin for 15 oz of persimmon pulp. To me, ripe persimmons taste very similar and have the same consistency as a pumpkin. To get the pulp you will want to smash the persimmons into a bowl through a cone shaped collander, this way you don't get the skins or seeds in the pulp. We picked these and after smashing all of them through the collander we probably have about 4-5 cups of persimmon pulp. I put the pulp into zip-loc baggies, about 2 cups per baggie, and store them in the freezer until ready to use for cooking.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups sugar
• 1 cup cooking oil
• 4 eggs
• 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2/3 cup water
• 15 oz persimmon pulp

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 loaf pans. 
• In an extra large mixing bowl, beat sugar and oil with electric mixer on medium speed. Add eggs & beat well; set sugar mixture aside
• In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon & nutmeg. Alternately add flour mixture & the water to sugar mixture, beating on low after each addition until just combined. 
• Beat in the persimmon pulp. 
• Spoon batter into pans
• Bake 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
• Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Wrap & store overnight before slicing (The recipe calls for this, but I never do this. I absolutely love warm bread right out of the oven!)

-Andrea Haas

Cold Weather Layering and Hunting Apparel for Women

A women's hunting apparel guide for when the temps start to plummet! All of the apparel listed here is what works for me when I'm sitting in my deer stand for long hours at a time and what I recommend for long, non-active hunts during the winter months.  -Andrea Haas

1.) Prois Sherpa Beanie

• I love the fit of this beanie. It's long enough to cover my ears perfectly and doesn't allow cold air/wind in.
• Available at www.EvoOutdoors.com and www.ProisHunting.com

Prois Sherpa Beanie

2.) Prois Sherpa Fleece Neck Gaitor

• This is great for extra warmth or added camo coverage. I carry this piece into my spring turkey hunting season as well for the added camo coverage.
• Available at www.ProisHunting.com

Prois Sherpa Neck Gaitor

3.) Base Layers

• The key to staying warm in cold temps starts with your base layers. You want your base layers to help wick moisture, that way if you sweat while walking to your stand, you won't freeze later on when it starts to evaporate. Merino Wool is great for wicking moisture and isn't itchy.
• I recommend The Women's Expedition Crew top and Bottoms by Minus33, available at www.EvoOutdoors.com

Expedition Top and Bottoms by Minus33

4.) Mid Layers

• The Turas Long Sleeve Shirt by Prois is one of my favorite shirts to keep in my hunting gear bag year round. I add this top over my base layer for some extra warmth that's not bulky at all and is extremely easy to move in. It's available at www.ProisHunting.com

Prois Turas Shirt

• In extremely cold temps, I like to add a fleece mid-layer as well and have found this is a really great way to add some extra warmth; and if you find the right layers, you won't add bulkiness along with it.
• Polartec fleece is my favorite, available at www.cabelas.com 

Polartec Fleece Top and Bottoms

5.) Prois Xtreme Pants and Jacket

• I absolutely love the Prois Xtreme Pants and Jacket for cold weather hunting. The wind stops here, ladies! They do an excellent job at stopping the wind and also helps to keep you dry while hunting in rain, snow, sleet and drizzle. Plus, the jacket has an added "duck tail" feature to extend the length and help keep you even dryer. 
• Available at www.EvoOutdoors and www.ProisHunting.com

Prois Xtreme Pants and Jacket

6.) Gloves

• For bow hunting my personal favorite are the Women's Bow Ranger by Manzella. They are fleece with a 4-way stretch fabric for a great fit, which also makes them easy to get on and off. They also have a bow-release collar, making them a great choice for bow hunting.
• Available at www.EvoOutdoors.com

Bow Ranger Glove by Manzella

7.) Socks

• A good pair of moisture wicking socks is imperative in order to keep your feet dry and warm. When walking to the stand my feet often start to sweat, which is a bad thing once the sweat starts to evaporate. Merino Wool is known for its moisture-wicking abilities and helps keep my feet dry and warm.
• The Day Hiker Sock by Minus33 are my favorite. Available at www.EvoOutdoors.com

Day Hiker Sock by Minus33

8.) ThermaCELL Heated Insoles

• If my feet do start to get cold in the stand, I love these rechargable heated insoles by ThermaCELL. Just replace the insole to your boots with these (you can also cut these to make them fit better). You can adjust the temperature to high or medium with a small remote that easily fits in your pocket. 
• Available at www.BassPro.com

ThermaCELL Heated Insoles

9.) Women's Muck Woody Max Boots

• These have a 100% waterproof rubber outsole, and are fleece lined on the inside. These fit close to your fit to keep cold air from getting in.
• Available at www.cabelas.com

Muck Woody Max Boot

-Andrea Haas

Preparing To Sit On Stand During The Rut

Preparing To Sit On Stand During The Rut

By: Allison B. O’Nan

Field Reporter

　
It’s no surprise that hunting during the rut is one of the best times to be in your stand. Unlike when the deer are on their early season and late season feeding patterns, they are completely unpredictable creatures at this time. There is no rhyme to their movement, only reason: to breed. Hunting the rut can be very rewarding but also challenging. The rut is typically at its peak mid November. Weather conditions and cold temperatures can be near unbearable this time of year.

Bucks in rut move all day. Covert Scouting Cameras caught this buck chasing a doe in daylight.

Hunting where there is fresh buck sign is a good strategy during the rut.

Preparation is going to be the key to success. If a hunter isn't prepared they likely won’t be able to withstand the elements and sit through an all day hunt. 

I have put together a compilation of tips that have proven to help me over the years to stay comfortable and remain focused.


Foods To Eat

Go nuts! Nuts are a healthy option to help stay warm and full.

Believe it or not the foods you choose to eat play an active role in your body temperature and how your body reacts to cold temperatures. Adding certain foods to your daily diet can make a difference. 

Peanuts and almonds are great snacks to incorporate. A handful can give the body deep warmth that lasts. Seeds such as sesame, pumpkin, and fennel are also great body warmers and help support a healthy digestive system.

Honey is also effective when it comes to warming the body. It’s a natural sweetener and can be added to almost anything.

Of course fruits and vegetables are always a great choice and act as an aid in boosting the immune system and blood flow in the body.
Sitting all day can get tiring. You can easily lose your focus and doze off. You know the saying “you snooze, you lose.” There are a few foods that improve alertness that you can pack with you on your hunt such as coffee, dark chocolate, and walnuts. You also want to make sure that you stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.



Keep A Close Eye On The Weather
As hunters, checking the weather and wind direction before a hunt is a must. If the forecast appears less than tolerable consider hunting from a ground blind. On days that the blustery winds were brutal and it was freezing cold with drizzle I have hunted from my ground blind that protected me from these elements and kept me dry. Deer move in all kinds of weather. Be there and be ready!



Bathroom Breaks

Holding off on your bathroom break is a sure fire way to become uncomfortable while hunting. Not to sound crude, but we’ve all been there. By all means DON’T HOLD IT!!

It’s much easier when hunting from a ground blind to ease out. I recommend getting away from your hunting area. Some say human urine doesn’t affect the deer, but why chance it?

In years past it was much more difficult to take a bathroom break from a stand and not disturb the peaceful woods. Thanks to companies, such as Go Girl, for developing devices that can be used in the stand and cause little to no disturbance at all, making our hunts more comfortable than ever before.

Cold Weather Gear & Staying Warm

When keeping warm you want to pay close attention to areas with main arteries; groin, upper torso, under the arms, and the head.

Therma Care back wraps are a great! They can be used on the skin or over clothing. By producing heat for 10-12 hours it will consistently keep the kidney area warm. The kidneys circulate blood throughout the body and is beneficial to keeping warm.

You want to try and trap as much heat from leaving your head as possible. Wear a warm beanie, face mask, and neck gaiter. (I would suggest waiting until you’re in the stand before putting these on to keep perspiration down.) Keeping your face and head warm is the main focus. Your hands and feet will remain at a tolerable temperature if you’re able to do this.
I prefer using a muff for my hands as opposed to gloves. (Gloves tend to make my hands sweat more). Keep hand-warmers in your pocket and use them only when necessary. Refraining from perspiration is the goal. The same applies to the feet.


It’s important to choose a good boot that is insulated. The boot doesn’t need to be so tight on the foot that it restricts blood flow. You will also need socks made of wicking material or wool. I prefer wicking, but both are great.

Recommemded products to keep a hunter prepared and ready for an all day sit

The ideal suit for extreme weather is one that is waterproof and insulated. Refrain from wearing any cotton. Cotton absorbs dampness and will cause the body to lose heat. If your cold weather suit isn’t waterproof you will need to take rain gear as a preventative measure. This will be useful in snowy conditions as well. Keeping your body dry will keep you warmer.
If you plan to sit all day you will need to stand up and move around from time to time to keep the blood flowing. Also, while sitting down you will need to prop your feet up to keep blood from being constricted to your legs. Sitting for long periods of time puts the body more at risk for blood clots as well, so this is very important information to be mindful of while hunting.

My Prois Extreme Gear does a great job of keeping me warm in cold climates.

Hunting in extreme conditions for long periods of time can be stressful on the body. It takes time and preparation to plan for this kind of hunt. I hope these tips are helpful this season.

Being comfortable =confidence, and confidence = success!

Pheasant Hunting Gear List for Women

Prois Reversible Sherpa Fleece Vest and Blaze Orange Cap

A head-to-toe pheasant hunting gear list for the ladies! All of the gear listed here are my personal favorites for pheasant hunting and would be a good option for most upland hunts. 

1) Blaze Orange Hat

• I prefer to wear a blaze orange ball cap but it's a good idea to bring along a blaze beanie as well, depending on the wind and the temperature!
• This Blaze Orange Cap with Waxed Bill from Prois is a great option, available at www.ProisHunting.com for $26.99

  

  Prois Blaze Orange Hat with Waxed Bill

  
  

2) Blaze Orange Vest / Upland Vest

• The Prois Reversible Sherpa Fleece Vest is one of my hunting staples because I can use it year round and for multiple hunts. One side is blaze orange fleece, perfect for rifle season or upland hunting. The other side is camoflauge, making it great for hunting, deer, elk and other game. It also has scapular pockets designed to hold activated hand warmers! It is available at www.EvoOutdoors.com for $170.10 

  

  Prois Reversible Sherpa Fleece Vest
  
  

• Another great vest option is the Badlands Upland Vest Pack. It's lightweight, has multiple pockets, perfect for holding shotgun shells and other loose items. It's available at www.ProisHunting.com for $179.99 

  

  Badlands Upland Vest Pack

  
  

3) Long Sleeve Shirt

• If the weather is warmer I recommend a lightweight top that wicks moisture. My favorite is the Prois Ultra Long Sleeve Shirt, available at www.EvoOutdoors.com for $50.40. You can pick from Realtree AP, Realtree Max-1 or Black. 

  

  Prois Ultra Long Sleeve Shirt

  
  

4) Jacket

• If the weather turns cool, keep the above top on as a layering piece & add a jacket. Last season on the cooler/windier days I paired the above top with the Prois Pro-Edition Jacket and that was perfect. You can find the Prois Pro-Edition Jacket at www.EvoOutdoors.com for $215.10

  

  Prois Pro-Edition Jacket
  
  

  
  

5) Brush Pants

• The Prois High Plains Brush Pants are a comfortable, yet durable option for the female upland hunter! They have Cordura facings, pleated knees, boot zippers, multiple pockets, and the waist rests at the natural waistline. These are available in Khaki at www.EvoOutdoors.com, or at www.ProisHunting.com in Olive, $161.10 to $179.99 

  

  Prois High Plains Brush Pants

  
  
  

6) Gloves

• I found on my first pheasant hunt that despite warmer temperatures, the wind can still cut like a knife! For days like this fleece gloves are perfect. The Women's Ranger Glove by Manzella are fleece with a 4-way stretch fabric for a great fit. You can find these in size S/M or M/L for $22 at www.EvoOutdoors.com

• 

  Women's Ranger Glove by Manzella

  
  

7) Socks

• A good pair of moisture-wicking socks are imperative for a long, active hunt like pheasant hunting. Whether it's warm or cold you want your feet to stay dry! The Day Hiker Sock by Minus33 is made of merino wool which is known for keeping your feet dry and comfortable in any weather condition. You can get these from www.EvoOutdoors.com for only $13.00 

Day Hiker Sock by Minus33

8) Boots

• A good pair of waterproof boots are a must for pheasant hunting. My personal favorite for pheasant hunting in the flat, Kansas plains are these SHE Outdoor Avilla 16" Waterproof Rubber Boots. They are fully lined with 5mm Neoprene and are easy to pull on & off. I like that they are taller, making it a good option for hunting in deep snow. I walked the pheasant fields for miles at a time & had no problem with them rubbing my feet or creating blisters. They are available at www.BassPro.com for $99.99 

SHE Outdoor Avilla Boot

9) Shotgun Case

• You definitely need a shotgun case to protect your shotgun while transporting it from your home to the field. The Tenzing TZ SS54 Shotgun Case has a soft water-resistant outer shell and a fully surrounding 1" foam interior padding. You can find this at www.EvoOutdoors.com for $99, BUT through October 31 use coupon code: packout14 to receive 15% off of this case and any other pack!

Tenzing TZ SS54 Shotgun Case

10) Pets

• Don't forget about your pet! If you hunt with dogs keep them protected from the elements in the Pointer Dog Vest by Rivers West. Its made with micro fleece, is very insulating and waterproof. One great feature is the top zipper has an inside fleece fly to keep the dog's hair from getting caught in the zipper! It is $49.00 at www.EvoOutdoors.com. 

I hope you find this gear list helpful when planning your next upland hunt! 

-Andrea Haas

Jewellbilee: Shotgun Shell Bangles

   

Shotgun Shell Bangles from Jewellbilee

     Just months ago I started admiring Jewellbilee custom jewelry on Instagram. Being a hunter that loves to accessorize, the shotgun shell bangles instantly caught my eye. Scrolling through the newsfeed just days later I saw that Jewellbilee was having a giveaway and the prize....shotgun shell bangles!!! I rarely enter giveaways because I feel that my chances are slim to none, but I was taking my chances on these bracelets. 

     Much to my surprise I won the giveaway. When I received notification that I was the winner I literally jumped up and down and squealed with excitement.

     I was thrilled the day that my package arrived in the mail. When I opened the beautifully wrapped box that Stacey had clearly spent lots of time decorating for me, I saw the darling bangles. They were everything I had expected and more.

     I've worn them with so many different outfits since I got them. I wear them dressing up or dressing casually. The bracelets fit my personality to a "t". 

    I wanted to write about the bracelets as a thank you to Stacey for her hard work and craftsmanship she puts into her jewelry. Also, I wanted to recommend the shotgun shell bangles to any sassy huntress. This set is definitely a statement piece.
     Next on my wish list from Jewellbilee; Kentucky, from the "Stately Collection." I also love the Point Blank rings. 

The Stately Collection by Jewellbilee

Point Blank Rings by Jewellbilee

    Check out Jewellbilee for yourself. You point blank won't be disappointed!!

          -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jewellbilee

          -Instagram: http://instagram.com/jewellbilee

          -Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/jewellbilee


By:
Allison O'Nan

Prois Ultra Backcountry and Ultra Long Sleeve Shirt Review

Prois Ultra Long Sleeve Shirt #EvoOutdoors

When purchasing hunting clothing, instead of buying multiple items that I may only wear a few times I try to get a couple staple items that can be worn all season long and on multiple types of hunts. Early season hunting and spring turkey hunting is usually pretty warm. During that time a light weight, moisture wicking top is my go-to piece. Carrying that same top into late season as a layering piece is a good way to get the most out of your gear.

The Prois Ultra Long Sleeve Shirt and Prois Ultra Backcountry Shirt are both great options to wear alone during the warmer, early season hunts and are great layering pieces for when the weather turns cold. Both of these tops are constructed of 100% polyester fabric that wicks moisture away from the skin, keeping you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. They are both athletic cut and also have thumbholes at the cuff line for added warmth and camo coverage. 

Prois Ultra Long Sleeve Shirt
#EvoOutdoors

While the Ultra Long Sleeve shirt has more of a mock turtleneck, the Ultra Backcountry shirt has a neck zipper to allow venting in warmer weather. It also has a 3 compartment lumbar pocket system that is perfect for holding game calls, gloves, hand warmers and other hunting gear!  

Prois Ultra Backcountry Shirt
#EvoOutdoors

I keep both of these tops in my gear bag year round as they are quiet, comfortable, easy to move in, and lightweight, making them a great stand-alone top or a non-bulky layering piece. They are perfect for archery season, rifle season, turkey hunting and upland hunting. Both are available in Realtree AP, Realtree Max-1 camo paterns, and Black; sizes XS, SM, Med, LG and XL.

-Andrea Haas