Theiler's Hunting Camp

4-Days Till I am Bow Hunting

I can't believe I am going to be in a tree stand in four days. I live for this month. Honestly, this is the absolute most favorite time of the year for me. Hunting with a bow during the whitetail rut in the midwest is as close to a proverbially heaven is a man can get. I would consider myself to be a philosophical thinker, yet I have no rhyme or reason, or orchestrated thought to express how I feel about hunting. It's my life and in my blood. Bow hunting is as spiritual and as natural a man can get.

Packing, watching Monster Bucks on the ODC, and counting down the days.

In the Day Pack

Here's a few items that I will have in my day pack:

Gear in Day Pack

Orange tape, two Benchmade knives, one Petzel headlamp

Calls in Day Pack

Primos Estreus Doe Bleet

Primos Buck Grunt

More Gear

Sitka Ascent Day Pack

The Ingenius liner is fully integrated with the outer fabric, this eliminates the bunching and friction that can be caused by wearing two socks or even a sock with two separate layers. By knitting the layers together, this also increases the effective moisture-wicking properties of the sock. Included in the makeup is X-Static silver nylon, a unique material that takes pure silver and bonds it to the surface of a fiber. The result is outstanding odor prevention using an antimicrobial layer. X-Static accomplishes this by releasing silver ions to change the chemical composition of the elements that produce odor and bacteria.

Second pair of layered socks is Vermont Darn Tough socks.

Darn Tough socks are the best socks around, they keep their form and are very comfortable and warm.

Sitka Traverse Gloves

Great silver lined anti-microbial gloves that I use during the bowhunting season. I shoot with these gloves on and I practice shooting my bow the same way.

Traverse Beanie

Silver-lined anti-microbial

Gear Continued

Celsius Vest in Mountain Mimicry gives you a warm soft-shell made to perform. High loft body-mapped insulation offers superior heat-to-weight results with less bulk. Articulated for a full range of motion and boasting a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish to keep you moving free and dry in extreme colds, the Sitka Celsius Vest features a laminated chest high pocket, side stretch panels, and a one hand cinch cord.

Sitka 90% Jacket

Sitka Mountain Gear Soft Shell Technology has inspired multi-seasonal gear that replace the traditional three layer system, creating less bulk and offering more versatility. Traditionally, a shell layer is worn over an insulating layer during downpours, snowstorms, or cold wind. Soft-Shell systems pass more air and vapor in one minute than a waterproof breathable can pass in 24 hours. Created with windproof, breathable, and DWR (durable water repellent) finished protection.

Sitka 90% Pant

The Sitka 90% Pants give you all the warmth of a wool pant without the weight and bulk. The soft shell fabric outperforms wool by blocking wind, while the four-way stretch makes for an easy stride, and the DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish sheds water.

Sitka Nimbus Jacket

Sitka Nimbus System is a 2.5 layer waterproof and breathable laminate with a dynamic 20% stretch rating. Engineered to keep the water and snow out and your perspiration under control, the water rolls off, while micro-taped seams keep all water out. Under 20oz.

Sitka Nimbus Pant

Same Specs as Jacket.

This system is perfect, highly breathable for long mountain hikes and keeps you completely dry during even the hardest of down pours.

Gear Photo List - 2009 Whitetail Season

I am composing a photo list of all the gear and clothing that I will be taking on my 2009 whitetail hunting expedition across the states of Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. I am a harsh critic of hunting gear and I will review all pieces of my equipment with objectivity. Most of the equipment I have is used in the back country of Alaska where I live and guide. Alaska will kick you in the nuts if you aren't equipped with top notch gear and have the knowledge to use the gear properly. My main concern when hunting whitetails isn't survival and overall comfort as it is up in Alaska, but to strictly minimize human scent. I am a firm believer in setting up an efficient and effective layering system consisting of quick-wicking, anti-microbial fabrics.

Here is my base layers:

XGO - Boxers - Phase 1

Scent Prevent & Anti-Microbial

Absolutely the most comfortable pair of boxers I've ever tested in the field.

XGO - Loose T - Phase 1

Scent Prevent & Anti-Microbial

XGO - Long Sleeve - Phase 3

Scent Prevent & Anti-Microbial

Sitka Insulated Bottoms

The fabric is highly breathable and does not restrict the movement of moisture vapor.
"Touch points" on the fabric inner surface draw off the sweat. Sweat is then wicked off the skin to the out- side of the fabric where it spreads rapidly for evaporation. Polartec® Power Dry® fabrics move at least 30% more moisture away from the skin than single component fabrics.
When the sweat reaches the outside of the fabric, it spreads out to many times its original surface area, enabling it to dry at least 2 times faster than cotton. Include Polartec Odor Resistant Technology to effectively combat body odor through the utlilization of encapsulated silver, and you have two systems: Scent Prevention and Moisture Management.