My how things have changed.

Thanks to the introduction of more compact and affordable home video equipment for the everyday Joe, and the ever-growing use of websites like YouTube which allow sportsmen to share their video hunting experiences online, the practice of filming wildlife hunts has exploded in popularity.

Today, tons of video camera accessories for compound bows have flooded the hunting market. Some tiny digital cameras made specifically for bows have started to creep onto shelves too. However, unless you like poor sound quality and grainy video, the most practical innovation is still in the form of bow camera mounts.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Most mounts I’ve used for my compound bow are so heavy and bulky, it is distracting when aiming at a target, not to mention hard to hold a tight shot — even with a small, light weight camera attached.

However, there is a new bow camera mount on the market and it’s one of the best designs I’ve seen so far. It’s called the BowCamTreeCam, and it offers several advantages over other bow camera mounts.

Come inside the Arkansas Hunting Forum for the full BowCamTreeCam review.

Angle Porting is the name of the company, and they have been making chokes a lot longer than duck calls. We could discuss several more products they offer but for the sake of information we will stick to the Extreme Range Turkey Choke. I took several pictures while patterning this turkey choke, gun, and shells, but unfortunately I dropped the camera in the bar ditch right after I was done.

The gun I am using is a Remington 887 waterfowl edition, with 26 inch barrel, the Extreme Range Turkey Choke from Angle Porting, and the Federal Premium Mag Shok Hi Velocity Flitecontrol Turkey Loads, because as one review about the shells put it: “it kills everything: DEAD”.

Tests were done a couple weeks ago, temp was about 60 degrees, a light breeze out of the south at 2-3 mph, and it was 8:00 in the morning. We tried to keep it similar to a hunting situation except we were on a levee in a rice field. We patterned at 30, 40, and 50 yards, with only the 887 and the Fed Premium shells.
Read the rest of the review in the Arkansas Turkey Hunting Forum…

Black Cloud Ammo - Black Cloud Ammo’s catch phrase is “they make it rain ducks.” Sure, ok, nice advertising. But let’s look past all the marketing hyperbole and get to the real truth about Black Cloud. Plain and simple, they make it rain ducks. Seriously. Featuring extended range, superb knockdown power and superior pattern tightening technology, Black Clouds are THE shell to use this season.

Avery Boaters Dog Parka - Probably the only thing the hunter in your family likes more than limiting out on ducks is his/her trusty companion. Give them something they’ll both like with the Avery Dog Parka from Macks PW. Afterall, you’re not the only one that gets cold on those freezing late November mornings.

Drake Floating Gun Case - There are lots of gun cases on the market, many of which cost well over $100. Don’t pay it. For $30.00, this Drake case is all you need and more to keep your shotgun safe and dry. It’s moisture-absorbing nylon denier material and outer pocket (for extra choke, calls, etc.) are a just a couple of it’s best features.

For more duck hunting gift ideas (including a plug for Binelli’s Super Black Eagle II) check out the Arkansas Duck Hunting Forum.

#2 - Bushnell BackTrack GPS - GPS devices are great for every hunter. However, many on the market are extremely difficult for hunters to operate, especially us older guys. But with the BackTrack, you simply mark your beginning location and navigate back whenever you’re ready – it’s that easy.



Find the rest of the first edition of the 2009 Outdoor Gift Guide in the Arkansas Hunting and Fishing Forum.

Nikon ProStaff 550 Laser Rangefinder

When it comes to optics, Nikon is king. The Nikon ProStaff 550 Laser Rangefinder is no exception. It’s the perfect size for almost any Arkansas hunting adventure and features 6x magnification. It’s waterproof, fogproof, and boasts fast and accurate ranging in 1/2 yard increments to 99.5 yards and in 1 yard increments to 550 yards.

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Buck Knives Folding Omni Hunter 12Pt

Compact and Heavy Duty with a Sharp, Thick Stainless Steel Blade. Guaranteed not to let you down. Now that’s a Buck Knife.

The Omni Hunter 12 Pt gut hook will slice through the toughest game, and the ergonomical, DynaFlex thermoplastic handle won’t sting your hand on those cold Arkansas hunting days. 4 inch blade. 7.3 oz. weight.

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Lowrance iFinder H20 GPS

The Lowrance iFinder H20 is not the most sophisticated GPS you can buy, but it certainly gets the job done when mapping your favorite lake, river or hunting spot … at about half the price.

The iFinder is fast at picking up satellites (and even comes with an external antenna port for even better signal), it’s totally waterproof, making it perfect for taking out on the water or hunting inclement weather, and it features a 3 inch back-lit screen for use after the sun goes down.

The iFinder earns a perfect 5 star rating for its ease-of-use and its affordability.

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Smart Scouter™ Wireless Digital Game Camera

Trying to find a reliable game camera is a crapshoot. One brand is better than the other brand, depending on who you ask. And reliablity is never guaranteed, even on the most expensive brands. But, there’s a new kid on the game camera block, and its one of the coolest items of the year.

The Smart Scouter takes pictures just like any other game cam, with one exception. No other game cam allows you to view those pictures on the computer, no matter how many miles you are away from the camera.

Yeah it is expensive and requires a subscription, but for most of us, it’s still cheaper than what it costs in gas to go check cams everyday. Rest-assured, it’ll be a holiday bonus put to good use.

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