Muck Boot Company - Girls With Guns Arctic Hunter Boot

By Andrea Haas

It's a new season, and with that, comes new hunting products & apparel for me to test and review for our followers!  This dove season I tried the new Girls With Guns Arctic Hunter Boots by Muck Boot Company. I have always been a big fan of Muck Boots and was excited to put these boots to the test. Below are my results.

Performance In The Field

-WATERPROOF-

Early morning hunts usually involve a lot of dewy grass that can soak through your boots and pants in no time. The Arctic Hunter boots are 100% waterproof and kept my feet nice and dry on dewy mornings and when crossing creeks.

-TRACTION-

The Arctic Hunter Boots have a "slip-resistant rugged outsole", which performed great on our rugged terrain. If you read my previous Muck Boots product review, you've probably learned by now that I am not a very graceful person, so I need all the help I can get in this department, especially with as many flat shelf rocks we have here in the Ozark Mountains. 
 

-COMFORT-

They fit great and were easy to move in. They were extremely comfortable and the insoles were nice and soft, which would make them a great option for spot and stalk hunting. In fact, I think the insoles and comfort level were my favorite feature on these boots and what will probably make them my new favorite pair of Muck's.

-TEMPERATURE REGULATION-

The Arctic Hunter boots have a lining of Neoprene and fleece to keep your feet warm during cold hunts. Their insulation package is rated to -40 degrees. I found they were very warm and I have no doubt they will be my go-to boots this fall and winter once the temperature really starts to drop.

Features 

• 5mm CR Flex-Foam

• Warm Fleece Lining

• Extended Rubber Exterior

• Comfort Insole

• Slip-Resistant Rugged Outsole
•  
• Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo pattern

Sizing & Fit

In my every day shoes I normally wear a 6.5 to 7. In my other Muck Boots I have always worn a 7 and that is what I ordered in the Girls With Guns Arctic boots. They fit great, are easy to move in, and the insole was very comfortable and wasn't too tight on my feet, even with thicker socks on.

They are available in women's sizes 5 to 11.

Price and Options

You have the option to order a Tall boot for $184.99 or the Mid boot for $174.99. I ordered the Tall.

 

I was very happy with how well these boots performed for me this dove season. They were comfortable, easy to move in, and had great traction control. They are engineered for warmth, with a temperature rating of -40, which will be great for hunting this winter. I highly recommend the Arctic Hunter Boots to any serious female hunter looking to extend her time in the field this season.

For more information, head to www.MuckBootCompany.com 

Girls with Guns Clothing – Huntress, Non-Insulated Mossy Oak Hunting Boots

By Lora Gene Young

GWG Huntress Boots – Spike camping on a beach in Northern Territory Australia

These are an awesome boot I am really enjoying wearing around the Australian Outback. Long, hot days need a light weight boot that keeps my feet comfortable and cool even in the scorching sun. This boot is mid-height which provides ample ankle support but is not tall enough to be hot and chafe my ankles or calves. The boot is water proof for getting through wet, muddy areas or for washing up heads, but still breaths to help keep my hot, sweaty feet comfortable and dry.

Unfortunately, there are no easy aide pull on tabs to help with putting them on in the morning. Also, if you are against pink in your hunting wardrobe, there is some pink on these boots. The pink is limited to the logo, laces and a bit near the sole. Most of this gets dirty and covered very quickly! They are a great Mossy Oak pattern for the rest of the boot.

Overall, the Girls with Guns Huntress Boot is a great boot for hot weather and moderate terrain. I love them for use in Australia and would recommend them for Texas and similar hunting environments

What Not To Wear

By Lora Gene Young
Huntress View Team Member

As hunters we know the contents of our pack can be crucial to our hunt or our survival. What you pack on your international hunting experience is no different. This not only applies to your equipment, but also applies to your clothing.

I am not going to lecture (in this blog) about knowing your weather conditions, terrain, etc. The focus here is being culturally appropriate for the country you are visiting. There is an emphasis on visiting. Though you are a hunter, you are also a visitor to the country where you are hunting. It is only proper to show some respect to their cultural norms, especially if you plan to vacation outside of your hunting experience.

Cultural respect is not limited to those countries with widely known extreme cultural differences. For example, in New Zealand camo is not the black. You will see few people wearing camouflage to hunt and even fewer wearing it in public. If you plan on touring after your hunt, or simply visiting a nice restaurant of a nearby town during your hunt, bring clothing. If you are concerned with baggage size and weight, there are some great options in hunting clothes that are not camouflage.

KUIU offers some great hunting pants in both gray and tan. These are listed as men’s pants, but are flattering and comfortable for females as well.

KUIU Attack pants – Great on the mountain, tan color blends in in an urban setting as well. 

Girls with Guns clothing offers a great down jacket that is reversible. You can quickly go from hunting in the field with Mossy Oak to a gray suitable for coffee with the girls and guides.

GWG Reversible Puffy Jacket – Great for those cold mornings in the field – Mossy Oak

GWG Reversible Puffy Jacket – Perfect for site seeing – Gray and Pink

Having appropriate clothing is definitely important if you are travelling after your trip. Wearing clothing that signals you are a tourist can open you up to scammers and other criminals. You want clothing that not only keeps you safe in the field, but also in town. The key to packing well and being culturally responsible is good communication with your outfitter. Talk to them, and to past clients, about what is best for your hunting/vacation trip. This is your hunt of a lifetime, every minute should be safe, fun and create wonderful memories. 

KUIU Attack Pants - Product Review

By Lora Gene Young

I finally decided to invest in some good hunting pants. After talking to hunters and outfitters, especially in New Zealand, I decided to purchase the KUIU Attack Pants and put them to the test. For the past three months I have worn the pants through gorse and matagouri, up and down mountains, and in pursuit of red stag, tahr and chamois. In review, I am impressed with many points of these pants.

           -First, as a hunter in New Zealand, I appreciate the line of color options KUIU offers. Camo is not a fad in New Zealand as it is in the US and people do not wear much camo, definitely not in public. It is great to have color options that can be worn straight from the field into a café or restaurant.

-Comfortable, flexible material makes it easy stretch and reach for complicated shooting positions or climbing and rock scaling while stalking.

           -Even though made for a man, the pants fit very well and keep their shape reasonably well, even after days of hunting.

           -The lightweight material not only aids in ease of movement, but also helps keep you cool on warmer days. If the temperature, or the stalking, heat up there are zip sides for extra breathing.

           -Most impressive, the durability of the pants. After sliding down a mountain side in the dark of night without a light and with a meat filled pack, the pants had no holes and showed little dirt.

Of course, as with everything, there are draw backs to the KUIU Attack Pants. First and foremost, they are designed for men, this means the smallest size is a 30 inch waist. I am not the smallest of females and this is the size I wear, so size is a limiting factor with females wearing these pants. Secondly, also, being designed for men, they are a bit long in length. This can be easily remedied with a few hem stitches, or you can fold them up under your gaiters like I do. Finally, in dense, prickly brush, the material picks quite badly. One time through thick gorse and they aren’t suitable for church anymore, but hey, they are hunting pants.

Overall, I highly recommend KUIU Attack Pants to both male and female hunters in multiple environments and weather conditions. For more information, visit www.kuiu.com. 

Confessions Of A New Archer

Our newest prostaff member Lora Gene Young is no stranger to the world of hunting, as you can see in her blogs about hunting internationally. But archery is something totally new to her. I was so excited when she told me that she was going to give archery a try this year and I'm excited to share with everyone what she learns along the way. Here's what she has to say about her first 2 days of shooting:

"OMG am I loving this! I was a bit apprehensive to start. Felt like I had waited too long to start a new discipline. That feeling is all craziness, never too late to start a new hobby. Sure, I won't be ready to use archery in hunting season this year, but I hope improving my archery skills will lead to improvement in other areas as well. In the future, I look forward to longer hunting seasons and more opportunity to finally get that big buck. 

Tips for first timers, don't overdo it. Start slow, just a few arrows at a time. You don't want to tire yourself out the first day, it will deter you from continuing the next day. 

Go for good grouping. Don't worry about where the first shot hits, maintain the same aim and evaluate your grouping.

Have fun! Archery should be something you enjoy, don't stress."

High On A Mountain

By Lora Gene Young of GypsyNomadHunting

I stand on the steep slope of the mountain taking in the scene below. Lake Ohau looms a brilliant blue in the distance welcoming the glacier waters from the rivers that meander through the valley. I take a deep breath and inhale the cool, crisp mountain air. My heart is thumping in my chest, my mind is racing and I am giddy with excitement as we cross the thick scrub to my animal. 

This morning started the same as most mornings working for Southern Mountain Adventures in New Zealand. The kettle was on for coffee and tea, bacon and eggs in the fry pan, a hungry group at the breakfast table. I never dreamed that would be the day I would be standing next to my first tahr!

It all happened so fast. We had a few extra minutes, we had a helicopter, my boss, Croc Adams, asked if I wanted to give it a go on the top of the facing mountain, and we jumped in and away we went.

We spotted a group of bulls at the top of the mountain across from the cabin. We got in position on a flat spot looking up across a shingle slide. The plan was to get the group to run down the slide towards us. As goes with most plans, the animals did not cooperate. They ran across the ridge and behind us. I got one shot off at a big bull, but it went right over his head and he disappeared across the ridge.

One lone bull had run the opposite direction and was on the next ridge over. We radioed the helicopter pilot our plan and went to find this one. As we swung around the ridge, there he was, silhouetted on a rocky out crop. He was even bigger than the first one! He jumped over the bluff and disappeared into the tall scrub. 

We found a place to set up for a shot. We slip and slide across the shingle face and wade through the heavy vegetation to get to a good shooting spot. Many times I find myself sliding on my bum down the slope or grasping for bush branches as I step down into holes. But we have to move quickly into position.

My bull is in the brush below us. As he makes his way across the mountain face I try and get a shot, but he is moving fast and keeps disappearing in the thick brush. Finally, he turns and moves up the slope. He is within range, but he is moving away from us. 

All I see is his rear. I whisper to Croc, "Can I shoot him in the ass?"

The response, "Yes, shoot him in the arse."

So I squeeze the trigger.

We hear the thump of bullet connecting with flesh. I have hit him. But he is still running, tahr are such tough creatures. Another round is chambered. I fire again. Another hit and he slows. He is down, but still alive. One more shot and it is over. My heart is pounding in my ears. We scramble through the thick vegetation to his location. There is my bull. Full, thick mane and massive body, some of the biggest based horns I have seen.

Never did I imagine my fist bull tahr would be a seven-year-old, 12 1/2 inch with ten-inch bases! An hour later, after photos and skinning and packing the car, when we are on our way to leave camp, I realize, my legs are shaking and I am still grinning from ear -to-ear with excitement.

Croc still teases me about shooting my tahr in the the butt. I tease him about telling me to do it! He says, “Well, I didn’t expect you to actually hit him!” Guess he learned, do not tell this girl with a gun to shoot and expect a miss!

Eye Dominance

If you're thinking about taking up shooting it's important to know your eye dominance. I learned from watching an episode of Tips & Tactics on NRA Women's Network​ that statistically 85% of women are left eye dominant. Most are not left handed, so that puts us at a little of a disadvantage. You want to mount the gun lined up with your dominant eye to get the best possible sight of the clay or bird. Check out this short video where Jane Brown Keller shows how you can determine if you are right or left eye dominant. If it turns out your dominant eye is opposite from your dominant side (like mine is), she also has a few tips on how to overcome that! 

Here's the link: http://www.nrawomen.tv/tips-and-tactics/video/tips-and-tactics-jane-brown-eye-dominance/list/shooting

-Andrea Haas