Winter hunting seasons are coming to a close around the country, but that doesn’t mean that you’ve stopped dreaming about being afield. Turkey season is around the corner, and soon it will be time to plant food plots, set trails cameras, apply for tags, and start planning for that fall hunting road trip. Here’s a look at ten of the most exciting new hunting products that debuted at the 2017 Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trades (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas.
LaCrosse AeroHead Sport Snake Boot
Snake boots have always been a necessity when hunting in some areas, but until now they haven’t been very comfortable. LaCrosse is looking to change that with the addition of the AeroHead Sport, which features an AeroForm shell that wraps around the foot for maximum comfort. They are constructed of flexible Snake Guard material for 360-degree protection from bites. The molded polyurethane of neoprene core makes them comfortable even on long hikes and the 16-inch height provides assurance against bites from even the largest venomous snake species. $200. Lacrossefootwear.com
Browning Packs Buck1700
Designed with the treestand hunter in mind, the Buck1700 offers 1,700 cubic inches of interior space yet it weighs just a pound-and-a-half. The Baumshell fabric construction is durable and water resistant, and the innovative Hyposonic toothless zipper allows you to silently access the main compartment. It’s available in Mossy Oak Country and ATACS camo patterns. $80. Spgoutdoors.com
Flambeau MAD Spin-N-Strut
Turkey season is right around the corner, and Flambeau’s MAD Spin-N-Strut turkey decoy adds movement that draws the attention of even the wariest gobblers. The decoy sets up in 30 seconds and it can be rotated 90 degrees and brought to full strut with the pull of a string—which means no electronics or dead batteries. You can add an extra layer of realism by replacing the included tail with a real jake or gobbler’s fan, prompting a dramatic response from big birds this spring. $169.99. flambeauoutdoors.com
Leupold LTO-Tracker Thermal Imager
Thermal imaging is changing the way we scout and hunt, and this year Leupold is offering their own handheld thermal, the LTO-Tracker. The unit measures less than six inches long and weighs under 10 ounces, so you can carry it in your pocket. Other features include six different thermal palettes, a 21-degree field of view and 6x zoom. It’s a must-have item for summer scouting, and it’s a great way to track wounded game after the shot. $909.99. leupold.com
Canyon Scout Cooler
The 22-quart Scout is small enough to be carried on your back, yet it has 1.5-inch thick walls for maximum temperature control. The marine grade aluminum hinge and Dura-Latch closure system insure that the contents of your cooler stay protected, and with 14 marine grade aluminum tie-down points you can quickly and easily secure this cooler to your ATV, vehicle or boat. The recessed No-Lose drain plug won’t hang up on brush or racks, and rubber grip feet on the bottom of the cooler keep it from sliding on smooth surfaces. $169.99. Canyoncoolers.com
Final approach X-Land’r
The X-Land’r is one of the lightest layout blinds on the market at 12 pounds, and the low-profile frame design allows waterfowlers to disappear even in thin vegetation. But light construction doesn’t mean you’ll be wet and uncomfortable in the field; new coated fabrics help keep you warm and dry while you’re waiting on those birds to circle back. There’s a zippered storage pocket under the backrest, and backpack straps and a built-in scabbard make it easy to tote this blind to and from the field. It’s available in Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades, Realtree MAX-5, and brown. $279.95-$307.95. fabrand.com
Nikon LaserForce 10×42 Binos
These combo binoculars/rangefinders allow you to instantly determine distance to your target from 10-1,900 yards, and the range is shown on a red OLED display in the binos. Accuracy is +/- 1 yard past 100 yards, and there are four different display intensities for any light conditions. ID (Incline/Decline) Technology allows you to determine adjusted range based on angle to the target, and these compact 10x binos feature Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass and fully multi-coated lenses for a clear, detailed view of your surroundings even in low light conditions. They’re also backed by Nikon’s No-Fault warranty. $1,199.99. nikonsportoptics.com
Champion Workhorse
This is the perfect season for brushing up on your shotgunning skills or introducing new shooters to clay target games. Champion’s aptly-named Workhorse electronic trap is perfect for a day at the range since it’s small enough to fit in the trunk of most cars and runs on a 12-V battery. The hopper holds up to 50 targets and throws 108mm clays up to 75 yards. There are also three different launch angles to switch presentations. This trap offers hours of off-season fun and it will help get you ready for the fall season opener. $359.99. championtarget.com
Buck Knives 328 Graduate
Buck Knives is offering their lightweight, stylish 328 Graduate, an everyday folding knife that doubles as a hunting tool. Burlwood inserts in the handle offer a classic look and feel, and the one-hand-open design allows you to quickly open the blade for completing a variety of tasks, everything from opening plastic bags to skinning game. This compact folder is easy to carry, easy to clean and a real bargain at $40. Buckknives.com
Bolle Michael Waddell Series Glasses
Bolle has partnered with Bone Collector’s Michael Waddell to launch a new line of Realtree camo polarized sunglasses for 2017. These lightweight glasses feature B88 nylon frame construction and Thermogrip nose pads and temple tips for a comfortable all-day fit. Polarized glasses not only protect the eyes from harmful UV rays but also make it easier to see game and fish because glare is cut down considerably. These glasses are available in Realtree Xtra and MAX-5 and prices start at $99.99. bolle.com
