Justin’s 2022 Gear Recommendations

As I reflect back on my 2022 hunting and shooting I tried to pick out 4 items that I truly appreciated. Three of these items were new to me within the previous year and one has been with me for almost 15 years and still continues to be invaluable. 

First is my old reliable; an Under Armor balaclava. This balaclava has gone with me on every hunting trip since 2008 and is easily my favorite piece of cold weather gear. It does an amazing job of keeping my head and ears warm while also wicking away moisture at an impressive rate. I often wear it with my full face exposed as the mask portion sits just under my chin. If I get too cold, I pull the mask up, and if I’m too warm I’ll drop the hood down around my neck and wear the whole unit as a neck gaiter. For under $40 it’s the best investment in cold weather comfort I’ve ever made. 

Next up is my Fehu Outdoors Tripod Basket. This $30 piece of gear has made keeping track of my gear so much easier. I have a horrible habit of putting things on the ground when glassing off my tripod and then I forget them. With this basket I now conveniently place things in it and keep track of everything. It’s where I temporarily store my scope covers, cell phone, digiscoping adapter, gloves, and even snacks. I wish I had known about these years ago. 

Also new to me this year was a RRS Ascend Tripod. At 3.5 pounds it is very stable for the weight and incredibly versatile with the center column and built in mini ball head. For a dedicated shooting tripod there are better options, but for a do every backcountry tripod, it might be the best one on the market. My biggest complaint would be the limited movement of the head compared to full size ball heads, but the weight and size savings are beneficial. The price is absurdly high compared to other great tripods, but you’re getting a 100% American made tripod that should last you a lifetime. 

Finally my Revic BR4 rangefinder. I feel this is an upgrade to my old Sig2400ABS as it has increased magnification, built in optical cover, and a faster interface in the rangefinder to add wind. I have had a weird issue with batteries draining quickly that I think comes from the unit staying powered on for many minutes longer than it should when connected via Bluetooth. However, when a deer walked out with only seconds to shoot, I was able to range it, get DOPE, and kill the buck before he made it to the safety of the trees. The efficiency of an all in one rangefinder and ballistics calculator for hunting is a true game changer. 

Written By: Justin Hyer