Hunting Gear Podcast

What actually stays in your pack when it’s time to hunt whitetails? On this episode of the Hunting Gear Podcast, Dan and Bob do a complete gear dump for the fall season. From grunt tubes and scent control to bow ropes and screw-in steps, if it takes up space in their packs, it’s getting talked about.Join the conversation on the Sportsmen's Empire Facebook and Instagram pages, or connect with Nine Finger Chronicles and Hybrid Outdoors. Let us know what gear never leaves your pack!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The best mobile hunting systems do one thing - they disappear into the hunt. Nested Tree Stand Systems is built around that idea, and Gabe Denzine explains why this brand was designed from the ground up for hunters who pack in, climb once, and want every piece of gear to work together.Gabe and Dan unpack how Nested grew out of a real problem: the clunky, cobbled-together setup so many hunters have been forced to live with. Instead of making another generic add-on to an existing line, the team built a true system - rails, stand, and pack engineered to nest together, carry weight better, and speed up setup in the field.You'll discover why Nested uses rails instead of traditional climbing sticks, how the dual-rail design helps prevent kick-out and improves foot placement, and why the pack-and-stand combo is modeled after a Western frame pack to move weight to your hips instead of your shoulders. Gabe also breaks down the 8.6-pound cast aluminum hang-on, the patented Z-shaped profile, the one-strap cam-over design, and the difference between the 15-liter and 35-liter packs.We also get into the practical details that matter when you're in the dark and under pressure - from rope attachments versus cam straps, to how many rails most hunters really need, to why the system is especially appealing for guys hunting big hill country or anyone trying to cut down on trips up and down the tree. If you've ever wished your mobile setup felt lighter, safer, and more intuitive, this conversation hits all the right notes.Gabe Denzine is the brand manager behind Nested Tree Stand Systems at Artisam, and he brings a hunter's perspective to product design, with firsthand experience using and refining the system in the field. Dan Johnson keeps the conversation focused on the real-world problems mobile hunters face and whether Nested actually solves them.Essential listening if you run a mobile tree stand setup, hunt public land, or want a more streamlined way to carry and hang your gear without the usual frustration. Learn more at nestedtreestands.com.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Western hunts get a lot easier when your gear, sleep setup, and ammo are dialed in before you leave home. Dan Johnson sits down with Wisconsin hunter Nick Brewer to break down the real-world system he uses to chase mule deer and pronghorn in Montana and Wyoming without wasting time, money, or energy.Nick has spent roughly 15 years hunting out West, and he shares the hard-earned details that only come from doing it over and over: how he chooses between a lightweight rifle and a heavier custom build, why he handloads his own 7mm-08 ammo, and what actually matters when you're choosing optics for late-season hunts. If you travel east to hunt or you're trying to make your first Western trip less expensive and more efficient, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways.You’ll discover:How Nick stretches tags and preference points to keep getting back out WestWhy a heavy rifle can shoot better, but a lighter rifle can save your hunt when the miles add upWhat makes Sierra Game King and Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets his go-to choicesThe budget-friendly reloading setup that gets him started for about $250 to $500Why low-light performance and eye relief matter more than flashy scope specsHow he built a truck sleeping system that keeps him warm without a hotelThe Freedom Camper setup he just added to upgrade his backcountry truck campingNick also shares the simple food strategy that keeps him fed on the road, the boot and clothing choices that help him handle cold, mobile hunts, and the one piece of gear he says is a total game changer for staying warm in the truck: an electric blanket powered by a lithium battery and inverter.This episode is especially useful if you hunt from a vehicle, want to cut down on expensive trip logistics, or are looking for realistic gear advice instead of hype. Dan and Nick keep it practical, honest, and full of ideas you can actually use on your next Western hunt.Perfect for hunters planning a Western trip, gear tinkerers, reloaders, and anyone trying to stay comfortable and effective in tough conditions.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Heavy mobile hunting gear gets exposed fast in the field. In this episode, Jake Fleischman breaks down the stand, sticks, boots, clothing, and carry system he trusts for Wisconsin public land, and explains why simpler, lighter gear keeps winning as the miles add up.Dan Johnson and Jake dig into the real-world tradeoffs behind run-and-gun whitetail hunting in bluff country along the Mississippi, where steep terrain, crooked trees, long sits, and constant setup changes punish bad equipment. Jake shares why he moved away from heavier setups, what made him come back to a lightweight tree stand over a saddle, and how he keeps his system stable, quiet, and comfortable all day.They also cover:Why the XOP Fly stood out over heavier optionsHow seat height, boot room, and tooth design affect stand performanceWhy Jake prefers simple, stable climbing sticksHow his layering system changes with wind, cold, and long sitsWhich boots work best for mobile huntingThe small accessories that make a big difference in the woodsIf you’re building a better whitetail system for public land season, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The gear you trust in the woods matters more than the latest hype, and Dan Johnson lays out the exact products he actually hunts with, why they earned a permanent spot in his setup, and which upgrades are worth your money before the season opens.If you want a no-fluff breakdown from someone who beats up his equipment and still expects it to work in mud, cold, heat, and last-minute chaos, this episode gives you the shortlist. Dan explains why he stays loyal to certain brands, how he evaluates gear by durability and real-world performance, and why some products are worth paying more for while others are not.You’ll discover:Why a limb-driven Vapor Trail arrow rest earned five years of brutal field useWhat makes Reveal cellular trail cameras so easy to set up that they feel automaticWhy Wasp broadheads stay in his quiver year after yearHow Day Six arrows, Bowtech bows, and Ozonics scent control fit into a serious hunting systemThe boots, socks, optics, and mock scrape products he trusts when the season is on the lineDan also breaks down the thinking behind his gear choices, from total arrow weight and bow setup to rangefinding optics, scent elimination laundry, and the stand and saddle systems he uses now that his hunting style has evolved. If you’ve been wondering what actually survives hard use, what’s marketing noise, and what deserves a real look before opening day, this one is packed with practical answers.Perfect for bowhunters, whitetail hunters, and anyone trying to build a dependable kit without wasting money on gear that won’t hold up. Dan keeps it blunt, specific, and grounded in what he’s actually carrying into the woods this season.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy