January 12, 2021
By Christian Berg
For Saddle Hunters, by Saddle Hunters – Trophy Line Covert Lite
Trophy Line Covert Lite
Trophy Line created its new Covert Lite tree saddle after listening to feedback from customers and designing a product that gives them exactly what they want. Featuring a slightly taller design compared to the company’s Ambush saddle, the Covert Lite offers improved comfort and great back support but still weighs just 2.6 pounds with the bridge and carabiner included. The saddle also features a new rope bridge with an included prusik knot that allows bridge length to be adjusted for a custom fit and perfect marriage with your tree tether, regardless of changing setups from sit to sit. Other highlights of this mesh saddle include an adjustable waist belt, adjustable leg straps, dedicated lineman’s belt loops and two rows of Molle loops for attaching gear bags and other accessories. The Covert Lite is available in sizes M/L (28-37-inch waists) and L/XL (38-44-inch waists) and has a load rating of 300 pounds.
MSRP: $199.99 | trophyline.com
Quick Concealment – Alps OutdoorZ Dash Panel Blind
Alps OutdoorZ Dash Panel Blind
Mobility is a huge trend in bowhunting these days, and sometimes having a little extra concealment can make a big difference when hunting off the ground. The new Dash Panel Blind from Alps OutdoorZ is a hybrid offering that combines many of the benefits of a traditional pop-up blind with extreme portability. The Dash Panel Blind’s three panels offer enough concealment for two hunters behind its single-hub, free-standing design. The blind also features a SILENT-TRAC window system with top and bottom window panels that can be configured for crossbows or vertical bows. The blind weighs 5 1⁄2 pounds, stands 54 inches tall and has an adjustable width from 40-80 inches. It is finished in Mossy Oak Obsession camo.
MSRP: $99.99 | alpsoutdoorz.com
[teads]
An Affordable Shooting House – Millennium Buck Hut
Millennium Buck Hut
Millennium’s new Q200 Buck Hut Shooting House offers tons of hunter-friendly features at a cost far less than other elevated blinds. The Buck Hut features a heavy-duty, powder-coated steel frame that will stand up to the elements and has a 500-pound weight capacity — more than enough to accommodate two adult hunters and their gear. However, it weighs just 323 pounds, making it easy to erect and move when necessary. The hut itself is made from a durable, waterproof, soft-shell material that will last for many seasons. The interior of the hut measures 7 feet, 4 inches wide, 4 feet deep and 7 feet tall, offering plenty of room to shoot either standing up or sitting down. Multi-configuration windows can be adjusted to perfectly suit rifles, crossbows or vertical bows. Each window has an adjustable shooting rest that can move to the perfect height for each hunter. The tower offers two adjustable legs for leveling on uneven ground, and an anchoring kit is included. The overall height of the Buck Hut when installed is 15 feet, 8 inches.
MSRP: $799.99 | millenniumstands.com
Two-Position Comfort – Summit Dual Axis Hang-On
Summit Dual Axis Hang-On
Summit’s new Dual Axis Hang-On Treestand is a lightweight, aluminum stand with an all-new seat designed to keep bowhunters comfortable whether they’re standing or sitting. The Dual Axis has a patented textilene mesh seat that offers a full-sized seat in the sitting position and a contoured, pommel seat to provide added support while standing. The seat can be silently locked into either position, providing great all-day comfort. The Dual Axis also features a dual-post design that spreads the cables out farther, providing more foot room on the 34x24-inch platform, as well as Summit’s DeadMetal Sound Dampening Technology for maximum stealth in the field. The stand weighs 16 pounds, supports up to 300 pounds and fits trees from 8-20 inches in diameter. It comes with quick-attach tree straps and backpack carry straps.
MSRP: $249.99 | summitstands.com
[revealad]
Make Late Great – Ameristep Pro Series Thermal Blind
Ameristep Pro Series Thermal Blind
The late season offers some of the best hunting opportunities of the year. Unfortunately, that also often means cold, nasty weather that makes staying in the field a challenge. The Ameristep Pro Series Thermal Blind will keep you protected from the elements thanks to heavy-duty, 300D quilted fabric that adds insulated protection on every exposed surface, including roof, walls and windows, providing extra warmth for all-day, cold weather sits. This blind also features a five-hub, pentagon shape that offers plenty of room and helps break up the outline of the blind. Mossy Oak Elements Terra camouflage helps the blind further blend into its environment. The blind has a 59x59x30-inch footprint, 84-inch shooting width and and 70-inch height. Twelve silent-slide windows ensure you can take advantage of shooting opportunities in all directions, and a black ShadowGuard interior coating helps conceal your movements from the wary eyes of game. The blind comes with carry bag, ground stakes and tie-down cords.
MSRP: $349.99 | ameristep.com
[adpos_rightC]
Five-Sided Spaciousness – Barronett Ox 5 Blind
Barronett Ox 5 Blind
The Ox 5 blind from Barronett features a five-sided, pentagon shape that creates 70 percent more usable interior space compared to traditional, four-sided pop-up blinds. The Ox 5 is made with OxHide fabric, a unique, two-layer, bonded fabric that maximizes concealment on the exterior with a soft, no-shine, color-rich camouflage layer permanently bonded to an ultra-durable, waterproof, woven polyester interior layer. In addition, the dark interior fabric creates a dull black backdrop to conceal movement and will never scratch, crack or flake off. The silent-slide window system can quietly be adjusted to any desired width or height. The Ox 5’s durability is further enhanced with 10mm fiberglass poles and aluminum hubs. Finished in Crater camo, the Ox 5 measures 96 inches square in the center and stands 72 inches tall. The blind weighs 33 pounds and comes with backpack-style carry bag with gear pocket and chair holder.
MSRP: $319.99 | barronettblinds.com
[adpos_rightD]
Climb Like a Pro – Summit Viper Pro
Summit Viper Pro
Summit’s new Viper Pro climbing stand is a new-and-improved version of the original, making setup and takedown easier than ever. The Viper Pro features a new Quickdraw Pro cable system for faster, easier attachment to the tree thanks to built-in comfort grips and quick-connect triggers that make cable adjustment a breeze. The Viper Pro also features a FasTrack system that allows users to easily add Summit bow hooks and other accessories to the top frame of the stand. Like the original, the Viper Pro has SummitLOKT joints to reduce stress on the welds, RapidClimb stirrups to hold your boots securely while climbing and DeadMetal sound-dampening technology. The Viper Pro also incorporates a new, one-piece, wrap-around armpad that fully covers the front rail and armrests. Stand fabric is finished in Mossy Oak’s new Elements Terra pattern. The Viper Pro weighs 22 pounds, supports loads up to 300 pounds and fits on trees from 8-20 inches in diameter.
MSRP: $429.99 | summitstands.com