Bigger is better. This seems to be a common way of thinking. For example, hunters seek bigger hunting blinds, calibers, and broadhead cutting diameters, just to name a few. They also often seek bigger magnification with their optics. Why not? Most hunters want to see further distances and, in many cases, more detail in their subjects.  This has many sportsmen … Read More

Change can be a tough proposition. While it’s often good, it can be seen as uncomfortable. Navigating changes in areas such as career, spending habits, and exercise regimens often leads to angst.  However, often change is good. This is certainly the case when deciding to obtain something that improves or simplifies your life and craft. Change can also be defined … Read More

I love old hunting logs and journals. Like hunting photos, there is an interesting authentic quality to them. They put you in that place; that day, that outdoor space. I can’t help but wonder what Theodore Roosevelt, Fred Bear, or my grandfathers would think about today’s digital versions of hunting and the outdoor experience. In a world of crystal-clear digital channels … Read More

It’s safe to say everyone loves good memories; undeniable even. Over the holidays I heard a lot of memory-driven banter from family members. To compliment it, there was an occasional smartphone image to go with it. Of course, the older relatives were quick to break out photo albums; old school. However, most of the recollections and stories were left to … Read More

When it comes to digiscoping, I use a few different setups. However, there are a couple of combinations that represent my go-to arrangements. As a hunter, I typically use custom Phone Skope kits custom-made for my Vortex 12×50 binoculars and Vortex 10×25 monoculars. While the latter is perfect for bowhunting in tighter woodland spaces, the former is great for scouting … Read More

There’s an old saying that says, “dynamite comes in small packages”. Another one goes something like, “it’s small but carries a big stick”. In translation, some things are small in size, but big in effectiveness, utility, and performance. This concept is ever-evident when it comes to Phone Skope’s lineup of products. As their base product, Phone Skope’s digiscoping kits provide, … Read More

Western big game hunters depend immensely on glassing sessions in pursuit of the game they hunt. This strategy is paramount to locating and ultimately harvesting wild game such as elk, antelope, and mule deer. Whitetail hunters, not so much. Surprisingly, many deer hunters rarely use optics other than their rifle scopes and bow sight pins. Sure, some depend on their … Read More

If you’re a hunter or adventurer in general, you value your optics. The ability to view game animals and other outdoor treasures is paramount to success. Success can mean ultimately getting a target animal on the ground or simply capturing an outdoor moment that presents unique interest, such as lighting.  There is gear that is made to maximize such times … Read More

I remember it like it was yesterday. We had gone to this spot for years to watch the bulls gather their cows and listen to them bugle. We drove to the edge of the trees, just outside the recede. There was this little group of trees that sat in the middle of the recede. That was the best seat for … Read More

I can remember a few past hunts when I accidentally forgot my binoculars; a horrible feeling to say the least.  Whether on a spot-and-stalk, sitting in a tree stand or blind, or glassing from a truck, this is a helpless feeling for an outdoorsman. It’s easy to take optics for granted, yet it stings when you’re stuck without them. Many … Read More