Rokcast

Rokslide staff and Moderator favorite gear picks for 2023. Only things the Rokstaff love more than hunting is testing out gear. With over 365 combined days in the field, you can rest assured that anything you see recommended here has been through the ringer. When I have a gear question these are the guys, I personally call for advice. What’s your favorite staffers go-to piece of gear for 2023? Let’s find out-

Robby Denning-

Robby might be best known for his love of big mule deer. You can’t kill what you can’t see so Robby’s top recommendation shouldn’t surprise anyone. The Swarovski ATC 17-40x56mm spotter. This spotting scope punches way above its compact size, and Robby found himself reaching for it on every occasion rendering the rest of his optics collecting dust in the safe. Only “upgrade” he might make is switching to the straight version in 2024. Review here- Swarovski ATC Compact Spotting Scope Review - Rokslide

SafriFlex 15 Tenttipi- Amazing the amount of interior space created by pitching this 20’ diameter 15-man Tipi, best of all, even a solo guy can get it setup in less than 15 minutes. The Safriflex is made of lightweight canvas so warm in the winter without any condensation while also staying cooler during the summer months. One feature that really adds versatility is the ability to lift the sides and the tent can shelter over 500 square feet. Check out the review here- Tentipi Safirflex 15 Review - Rokslide  and the video here- Tentipi Safirflex 15 Man Review (youtube.com)

Robby’s failure this season was a Moultrie mobile edge trail camera. While the edge was replaced hassle free under warranty, Robby upgraded the new Edge pro while waiting. Wow, the features of the pro include FTE false trigger elimination where you can remove objects from trigger the cameras even when they are within the field of view. Live aim, you can pair your smart phone to the camera and see through the lens real time when setting it up to ensure the best field of view to capture your images. Species recognition, artificial intelligence can recognize the difference between bucks and does and only trigger the camera on bucks. This saves battery life and saves your time sorting through the pictures you are most interested in.

Favorite snack is Jodi’s homemade mix of chocolate chips, chopped dates, and honey roasted peanuts. Salty, sweet, and full of calories.

Kyle Virgin moderator SLDMNT

Kyle’s top pick was the First Lite Brooks Range sweater. While skeptical at first of the sweater Kyle found that he put it in pack every single trip this season. Wearing it either as an outer layer or layered under a hard shell, this lite weight piece has become a staple in the high country.

Something else that became a staple was the Stone Glacier Cirque vest. This soft-shell vest was the perfect amount of insulation under a set of rain gear when exerting a lot of energy climbing Alaska’s steepest mountain ranges.

For an honorable mention is the Alpine Hunter Knife made by BAC Knives out of Canada. Replacing Kyle’s havlon style capers with this hardened CPM M4 steel blade, made short work of a sheep this season without needing to be touched up for the next hunt.

Favorite meal/snack is Alpine Fuel Caramel Apple. Eat with cold water on hot day or warmed up like a hot piece of apple pie on a frosty morning, this never disappoints.

Jordan Budd

Jordan’s favorite upgrade this year was the Outdoorsman’s gen 2 pan head. The same amazing features of the original Outdoorsman pan head but with additional functionality of Arca Swiss compatibility while still retaining the ability to accept Outdoorsman plates. The gen 2 pan head now has a load capacity 20lbs.

Jordan’s been using the Crispi Brikstal boots for many years (review here- Crispi Briksdal GTX Review - Rokslide) so when she found out Crispi released a pro version, it was a no brainer to try them out. With an added 200-gram insulation and 2” more height (10” total) Jordan ...

Today's Tipsy Tuesday has seasoned guides Sal Soriano and Randon Timothy sharing their thoughts after comparing the Kowa 99 vs Swarovski 95 and Swarovski 115 head-to-head. The Kowa 99 Swarovski 95 and 115 were tested using eye charts and actual field use. You might just be surprised at what they found.  We are then joined by Josh Jensen from SKRE Gear to tell us how the new SKRE Hunt Club works https://skregear.com/pages/hunt-club. This week's review is by Cindy Sandusky of the Exo K4 EXS pack Exo Mountain Gear K4 EXS Pack System - Rokslide Sam then shifts the talk towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews [https://www.rokslide.com/category/gear/] and recaps the latest western news.

Vote on your favorite Elk Photo here- Vote on the 2023 Best Elk Hunt Photo | Rokslide Forum

Vote on your favorite Wild Sheep Photo here-Vote on the 2023 Best Wild Sheep Photo Contest | Rokslide Forum

Vote on your favorite Mule Deer Photo here-Vote on 2023 Best Mule Deer Hunt Photo | Rokslide Forum

Enter the Best Whitetail Deer Hunt Photo Contest 2023 Best Whitetail Photo Contest

Enter the Youth Best Photo Contest 2023 Best Youth Photo Contest sponsored by Western Edge Gear

Howl for Wildlife https://www.howlforwildlife.org/take_action

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

Robby hosts today's episode.  He's talking the value of Winter Scouting, minimizing wildlife disturbance, and wrapping up the final gear chapter in his book, Hunting Big Mule Deer, on Footwear and Deer Camp.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

Braxton Hamilton and Storie Ratcliff with Braxton's 2018 Buck- "BIG AL"

"The top 1%", is a term I use fairly often defining those hunters that do way above average things, on an average budget on public land, with average tags.

Im referring to family men, blue collar types, yet somehow they are hunting and taking "Governor" type bucks almost every year on over the counter or easy to draw tags. Most importantly, they are doing it ethically, responsibly and legally.

"The Top 1%" are truly inspirational. They are the hunters I want to interview. They didn't buy their way to the top, they earned it, usually the hard way.

Braxton Hamilton and Storie Ratcliff are these type of guys. What they have accomplished in the past few years is nothing short of amazing. They are not super well known, definitely not famous, but if you find someone that knows them, you'll hear nothing but praise. These guys are very knowledgeable and have really figured out how to take giant bucks year after year, all while balancing jobs and young families.

 

Braxton and Storie with Braxton's 2023 Archery Buck, probably the best archery buck taken in Wyoming in 2023.

 

 

Storie's 2022 Buck

Storie's 2020 Buck

 

Travis Hobbs thoughts on Scouting Podcast

Braxton on Days in the Wild Podcast

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

Travis Hobbs hosts Dan Gates of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management. Dan is the “tip of the spear” in the fight against the scientifically unsound practice of the ballot box initiative. This just happened in Colorado with the introduction of wolves.  While that issue is already in motion with our right to hunt them a future battle, the proposed Colorado ban on mountain lion hunting is a fight the sportsmen and women can win.  Listen in to this informative episode to find out how you can fight for your right to hunt.

You can support Dan's organization, Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Managment here,

About Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (savethehuntcolorado.com)

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here 

https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

Travis & Robby team up for this episode to talk about how hunting has changed, and will continue to do so. They also take listener questions

Application strategy 10 years ago vs. now,

Winter severity update,

When does a hunter lower his standards?,

Shed seasons & area closures,

Colorado Wolf Introduction,

Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management here

https://savethehuntcolorado.com/ ,

Listener questions,

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

In today’s episode, Robby reads the Christmas story from the book of Luke in the Bible

Luke 1:26-38

Luke 2:1-20

Merry Christmas to all, from Rokslide

Robby gives a late fall update on mule deer arriving on winter range.  He also reads chapters from his book, Hunting Big Mule Deer: How to Take the Best Buck of Your Life, on the Clothing & Optics that worked well for the majority of the years he’s hunted big mule deer.

He also updates listeners with what has changed since he released his book in 2015, namely Swarovski’s BTX, ATC/CTC, Zeiss’ compact binoculars, improved mid-range optics like Vortex’s Razor line and Maven’s B line and when he uses a 10X vs. an 8X System.

Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app ]

You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here

or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

Today's Tipsy Tuesday has Jeff Lund jumping in to give everyone the run down on the Alaska's upcoming Draw and other opportunities Hunting Southeast Alaska. Hunting Southeast Alaska is a Stika blacktail deer and black bear haven, best of all it's over the counter tags! We are then joined by Jared Bloomgren for review of the Akek Climax 5400 pack https://www.rokslide.com/akek-climax-5400-backpack-review/ Sam then shifts the talk towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews [https://www.rokslide.com/category/gear/] and recaps the latest western news.

SE Alaska Deer Hunting-Article Here

Onstep Alaska Podcast

Best Whitetail Deer Hunt Photo Contest 2023 Best Whitetail Photo Contest, sponsored by First Lite | Rokslide Forum

Youth Best Photo Contest 2023 Best Youth Photo Contest sponsored by Western Edge Gear

Howl for Wildlife https://www.howlforwildlife.org/take_action

[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

Travis Hobbs hosts today’s episode.  His guest is Steve Smith and outsmarting coyotes is all Steve is thinking about. He is a very accomplished, well rounded hunter, and a fun guy to have on the Rokcast. You'll pick up right away that he has such a practical approach to coyote hunting and really knows what matters and what doesn't. He is also an author, and recently released the book, "One More Stand", which is a really enjoyable, no bullshit type read that keeps you engaged from cover to cover. He truly loves coyote and predator hunting, there is nothing like the opportunity to get in the head of someone who has perfected their craft. He is a lot of fun to hunt with, and will make anyone made rethink his approach to calling coyotes. Steve will make you a better hunter.  When it comes to outsmarting coyotes, everyone can learn something from this guy.

A Fantastic Read on Hunting Coyotes

Purchase "One More Stand" Here

https://www.amazon.com/One-More-Stand-techniques-western/dp/0578810433

For More Coyote Hunting, here is an episode from a few years ago that Jordan Budd did with Casey Johnson here