Impact Sport Earmuffs by Howard Leight by Honeywell Review

By Andrea Haas

As an avid hunter, it didn't take me long to understand the importance of hearing protection. While hunting, I rely on my sense of sound just as much as I do my eyesight. Locating turkeys, for example, would be a lot more difficult if I wasn't able to hear what direction they were gobbling in the distance! Plus, sighting in my rifles and patterning my shotguns would be a big headache (literally) if I didn't protect my hearing. One of the most important pieces of gear a hunter and/or shooter should have is some form of hearing protection. 

The Impact Sport Color Earmuffs by Howard Leight are a great option, not only for hunters like myself, but for those involved in shooting sports as well. They are electronic earmuffs, so they are doing more than just putting a barrier between your ears and harmful noise. They protect a shooters' hearing by reducing harmful sounds, like gunfire, and actually amplify low-level sounds, like conversation, so you'll be able to communicate better in a shooting environment. 

I put these earmuffs to the test while patterning my shotgun for the upcoming turkey season and had a great experience with them. While shooting I did notice a great decrease in the sound of the shotgun, and I was able to carry on a conversation easily between shots, without having to yell or ask my husband to repeat what he said. They worked exactly as advertised!  

The earcups adjusted easily and had a good, comfortable fit. They can also be folded, making them more convenient for storage or travel.

Earmuffs are folded for more convenient storage and travel

Aside from the hearing protection abilities and the fit, one of my favorite features on the Impact Sport Earmuffs is the built-in AUX jack that allows you to connect it to your smartphone or MP3 player so you can listen to music between shooting! 

Here are some more of the great features on the Impact Sport Color Earmuffs:

-Noise Reduction Rating 22 db
-Battery life of up to 350 hours
-Automatic 4-hour shut-off that extends battery life
-Convenient folding design for easy storage
-Single knob control for on/off and volume
-Air Flow Control Technology
-Black leatherette headband
-2 AAA Bateries included
-Available in Teal (shown above), Purple and Pink!


I know from my own experience that women love to have options. We love for our hunting gear to be customized to suit our own personal tastes, without sacrificing quality. The Impact Sport Color Earmuffs allow us to have just that and definitely make hearing protection more fun! 

These retail for about $59.99 at Cabelas

Favorite Products of 2015

The 2015 season has been great for the Huntress View team! Although we believe hard work, practice and determination play the biggest role in harvesting an animal, the products included on this list played a huge part in our success in the field as well. We aren't trying to push these products on you, but just wanted to share with other women hunters what has worked well for us this season! Here they are, in no particular order. 

 ----- SCENT CONTROL PRODUCTS-----

NOSE JAMMER

"I use this every time I hunt and have yet to have a deer smell me this season! I am very particular about being scent free and Nose Jammer gives me the extra coverage to be 100% confident bow hunting no matter the wind direction" - Cara Holland, HV team member

SOUTHERN RACKS

"Absolutely LOVE this scent free shampoo, conditioner, and body wash! I have tried several different kinds and I am shocked at how AMAZING this product is! My hair in the picture is after using Southern Racks (of course I wouldn't curl my hair and nonsense to go in the woods ) This stuff doesn't dry out my hair and I don't have to use a boat load of conditioner to get a comb through my hair. It leaves my hair still heathy and soft! And FRIZZ FREE!!!!!!!! Not trying to sell the product.. Just being honest,, I was shocked myself! LOVE it! A little goes a long way!" - Britini Dunham, HV team member

----- BROADHEADS -----

AFFLICTOR HYBRID-EXT

"First time using the Afflictor broadheads and I couldn't be happier with the results! These babies did some major damage tonight dropping my deer about 70 yards from where I shot it, not to mention how true they fly to a field tip! These 2 blade steel broad heads are rear deploying and are extremely effective with bleeder blades leaving a 1.5" hole! Afflictor blades are super advanced arnd are a fixed and mechanical blade in one! Try out these Hybrid EXT's!" -Kinsey Edmunds, HV team member

FLYING ARROW ARCHERY - TOXIC BROADHEADS

"These Broadheads are amazing it leaves an amazing blood trail the hole you see in the packaging is literally the exact cut that you'll see after you shoot your animal with it" -Liz Adams, HV team member

----- APPAREL -----

FIRST LITE LARKSPUR BOTTOMS & LUPINE CREW BASE LAYERS

"The First Lite Women’s Base Layers have played a crucial role in my hunting success this season. I’ve been able to hunt more comfortably in both the cold and the heat, and have even noticed a big decrease in the amount of times I have been winded by deer thanks to the merino wool’s natural resistance to odor. I highly recommend these for any female hunter looking to extend their time in the field!" - Andrea Haas, HV Founder

PROIS HIGH PLAINS BRUSH PANTS

"The Prois Brush Pants played a huge part in my upland hunting success over the last couple of years. They are extremely comfortable and easy to move in and they do an excellent job at keeping the burrs & stickers off!" -Andrea Haas, HV Founder

FIRST LITE TALON FINGERLESS GLOVES

"The gloves have open fingers, which I prefer for bow hunting, and have worked great for me all season long. In late season when it gets colder, I recommend either a full glove, or adding a hand muff for added warmth." -Andrea Haas, HV Founder

----- DECOYS -----

AVIAN X TURKEY DECOYS

 "I love our Avian X turkey decoys. They worked amazing and are available in several different options. They look so realistic" -Heidi Swonger, HV team member

----- ARROWS -----

BLACK EAGLE OUTLAWS WITH LIGHTED NOCKS

"Black Eagle Outlaw Arrows with Nock Out lighted nocks! I have never had a better flying shaft.. So true to the definition on their site, great for any Hunter!! These lighted nocks allow me to practice without activating the light and losing battery. A simple ring on the nock will allow the nock to be off for practice or active for when you want it to light up when you let lose on any game! Then simply pulling up on the nock will turn the light off after you retrieve your arrow" -Britni Dunham, HV team member

----- ACCESSORIES -----

FIREFIELD FACE PAINT

"I've tried out a couple different brands now of face paint, all which have worked but what I really like about FireField face paint was how easy it was to apply and how well it stayed on my face! I had no problems with it breaking me out or irritating my skin. Each color comes in its own stick, making it easy to apply as much or as little of once color as you want!" -Kinsey Edmunds, HV Team Member

LAKE OF THE WOODS HANDWARMER BY BEMIDJI WOOLEN MILLS

"I have always had a hard time keeping my fingers warm while hunting but combined with my First Lite Talus gloves, Hot Hands hand warmers, this handwarmer from Bemidji Woolen Mills has done a great job this season!" -Andrea Haas, HV Founder

Women's First Lite Merino Wool Base Layers Review

By Andrea Haas

When I first started hunting about 10 years ago, my hunting attire consisted of bulky men’s camo over a couple pairs of long johns as base layers, depending on the weather. Needless to say, that system just didn’t work for me and I was happy to see that soon women’s hunting apparel companies started to appear, like SHE Outdoor Apparel and Prois. But one thing was still lacking for me: good quality women’s base layers.

Base layers are crucial when the temperatures really start to drop in the winter and can either make or break a hunt. I spend hours in the tree stand and need to be able to withstand the elements, rather than being forced to pack up and head home at prime time because I’m too cold. This happened to me last season and cost me a very nice 9 point with my bow.

Thankfully in 2015 First Lite came out with new Merino Wool base layers specifically for women and I was able to put them to the test. Over the years I have tried a few other brands of base layers but I feel none of them performed as well as the First Lite base layers did in regards to thermoregulation, scent control and moisture wicking ability, which is exactly what Merino Wool is known for. They were soft and comfortable without any itching like what you may think of when you hear the word “wool”. Not only did they perform well in the cold, they did just as well in temperatures over 80 degrees by wicking away moisture; I didn’t sweat at all while walking to my tree stand. I was extremely impressed!

Base Layer Options

Lupine Crew Top and Larkspur Full Lenth Bottoms in Sage Green

The top layers consist of the Lupine Crew Top and Artemis Hoody, and the bottom layers consist of the Larkspur Full Length Bottoms and the Syringa Short. If you are considering purchasing the base layers, I would at the very least, recommend the Lupine Crew and Larkspur Bottoms.

The Syringa Shorts can be worn underneath your full length bottoms as undergarments, or can be worn alone as a base layer in warmer weather under your outer layer pants.

The Artemis Hoody can be worn as a base layer top, or over the Lupine Crew top as a mid layer.

Artemis Hoody with Lupine Crew Top underneath, and Syringa Shorts

Sizing/Fit

I used the sizing chart on the First Lite website to determine what size I needed based on my measurements. I am 5’3”, 110 pounds and I went with an XS in the Larkspur Full Length Bottoms and the Syringa Short, and a Small in both the Lupine Crew Top & Artemis Hoody. I originally ordered an XS in the Lupine Crew top but it was just a little smaller than what I like so I ordered a small instead and it fit perfect. 

I found that the bottoms fit best when I went down a size smaller than what I would normally wear, and that the tops fit best when I went up a size larger. The bottoms seemed to stretch out just a tad after being worn a time or two, but shrink back to normal after being washed. I love that the waistband on the bottoms stretches with you and does not dig in too tight on your hips or mid section, creating the dreaded "muffin top". Both of the tops have thumb holes in the arm cuffs for added warmth and concealment, and helps keep them from rolling up whenever you put on your outer layers. 

These are available in sizes XS to XL.

Color Options

There are 3 solid colors available (Black, Golden and Sage Green) and 4 camo patterns (ASAT, RealTree Xtra, RealTree Max-1 and First Lite Fusion). I ordered my base layers in Sage Green and the Artemis Hoody in the new First Lite Fusion camo pattern. 

Artemis Hoody in First Lite Fusion

First Lite Accessories

Talus Fingerless Merino Glove in Dry Earth

There are several other First Lite apparel items that have became my hunting staples, the Talus Fingerless Merino Gloves, the Mountain AthleteCold Weather Sock and the First Lite Beanie. The gloves have open fingers, which I prefer for bow hunting, and have worked great for me all season long. In late season when it gets colder, I recommend either a full glove, or adding a hand muff for added warmth. The socks work great to wick away sweat which is great for both warm and cold temperatures. The beanie is fairly lightweight & what I like to wear during early bow season when it is still pretty warm.

First Lite Beanie and Lupine Crew

Success In The Field

The First Lite Women’s Base Layers have played a crucial role in my hunting success this season. I’ve been able to hunt more comfortably in both the cold and the heat, and have even noticed a big decrease in the amount of times I have been winded by deer thanks to the merino wool’s natural resistance to odor. I highly recommend these for any female hunter looking to extend their time in the field!

Pheasant Hunting: I wore the Lupine Crew & Artemis Hoody

Rifle season doe: I wore the First Lite Lupine Crew top, Larkspur Bottoms & Talus Fingerless Gloves

Duck Hunting: I wore the Lupine Crew, Artemis Hoody and Larkspur Bottoms

Dove Hunting Gear & Apparel List for Women

By Andrea Haas

Dove season is one of my favorite hunting seasons. It marks the beginning of deer season here in Missouri, and around much of the U.S. It's a bit more relaxed than deer or turkey hunting, which I feel is much needed after months of being so serious in the woods. Not only that, hunting doves is one of the best ways to sharpen your shooting skills.

I put together a head to toe gear & apparel list with what I feel are great options for women dove hunters, as well as a list of some hunting equipment that may come in handy on your hunt.

Uninsulated Hunting Clothing

Prois Ultra Short Sleeve Shirt

• This shirt is lightweight & easy to move in. It's made of 100% polyester, which wicks moisture away to keep you dry. It does have an athletic cut, which makes it a tad shorter than most shirts, so I recommend going up a size or 2. Still, it fits great & is very comfortable! 
• Available for $39.60 at EvoOutdoors 

Prois Pro-Edition Pants

• Made of 100% Polyester Tricot, these pants have the "4 S's" - soft, sturdy, silent & snag resistant. 
• Knee pleats added for enhanced movement and comfort while sitting, squatting or stalking
• Available for $152.10 at EvoOutdoors

Hearing Protection

Howard Leight Women's Super Leight Earplugs

• I personally prefer earplugs over earmuffs due to the comfort. Plus dove season is usually warmer & earmuffs tend to make you sweat more.
• These earplugs by Howard Leight offer a better fit for women who are smaller framed, like me, & come in a pack of 14 for $4.49 at Cabelas

Hunting Boots

Women's Pursuit Stealth Boots by Muck Boot Company

• These boots have 5mm of Neoprene with a fleece lining that is actually very breathable in warmer temperatures and during active hunts
• Check out my full Product Review
• Available for $209 in women's sizes 5 to 11

Shooting Vest

Prois Competitor Shooter's Vest

Front

Back

• You may or may not want to wear the whole vest while dove hunting. If you do, it has bilateral shoulder padding, for both left and right handed shooters. This vest is also great for those who enjoy shooting sporting clays, skeet, trap, etc. 
• If you choose not to wear the whole vest, just unzip it at the waist and it converts into a shooting apron. It has a rear mesh pouch to hold spent shells and large front pockets that will each easily hold a box of shotgun shells.

• Available for $215.10 at EvoOutdoors

Stools/Chairs

Dove Shooter by AlpsOutdoorz

• You could easily tuck this chair into the edge of a woodline, in a blind, etc. 
• Includes an easy-carry shoulder strap, has a cooler underneath the seat, and 2 large front pockets to store your ammo or a few dove decoys!
• At AlpsOutdoorz for only $54.99

Concealment

2 Piece Shotgun Cover Kit by Beartooth Outdoors

• I don't have a camo shotgun so when dove hunting, I prefer to cover up my shiny shotgun with the 2 Piece Shotgun Cover Kit by Beartooth Outdoors
• It protects my shotgun from the elements and has a few slots to hold your shotgun shells
• Available for just $34.95 at www.beartooth-products.com   

 

Decoys

Lucky Duck Clip-On Dove Decoys, 4 Pack

• We purchased a couple packs of these decoys last year & they seemed to work well for bringing doves in closer. My husband made a "tree" out of re-bar and put it in the field where we dove hunt. We attached the doves to this "tree" using their steel clothes-pin style clips and they stayed attached to it well. 

• Available for $14.99 at Cabelas

Hunter's Edge Dove Feeding Frenzy

• We also purchased this rotating decoy system last year and it seemed to work good as well for bringing the doves in
• It rotates the doves around in a realistic motion and seems to catch their eye better than the non-moving decoys.
• It's also available at Cabelas, for $79.99

Jake's Huntin Hook Product Review

Have you ever dropped an item from your tree stand, climbed back down the latter to retrieve it, only to be busted by deer mid-climb?  If you’re like me, there’s a pretty good chance that you answered “yes” to this question. I admit this has happened to me a couple of times, as I tend to drop my gloves and calls quite often. Deer can very easily be around without your knowledge, no matter how observant you are or how hard you listen. I recently ran across a page on Facebook for a product called “Jake’s Huntin Hook” and decided to put it to the test.

Jake's Huntin Hook is a nickel plated, barbless, weighted hook attached to 25 feet of Microcord that is wrapped around a small polyethylene foam tube. There is a carabiner clip attached to the end of the foam tube so you can secure it to your stand, fanny pack or belt loop to ensure you won’t drop the hook while trying to retrieve your item.

To use the hook, just drop the hook over the dropped item. The hook is weighted, so it will unroll itself quietly and quickly from the foam tube. Once the hook is over your item, drop it onto the item & pull up so the hooks can grab onto it. To test this, I dropped the items that I find myself dropping the most from the stand: gloves and deer calls. I was able to retrieve both items quickly and easily, without a lot of “fishing” required. Although the items that I dropped are very light weight, the Microcord has an 80 lb breaking point, so you are able to pick up heavier items with the hook as well.

Jake’s Huntin Hook has earned a permanent spot in my hunting pack. You may not need to use it often, but when you do it can really be a game changer! You can get your own for $12.95 + free shipping at www.jakeshuntinhook.com . They are available in pink and yellow.

Make sure you check out their website for some videos of Jake’s Huntin Hook in action!

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!