The Revolution knows that you work hard for your money and that testing new hunting and fishing gear in the lobby of your local Cabela's just doesn’t cut it when it comes time to drop some coin. So Jim, Trav and Mrs. Bunny, each week, put the industry's best new outdoor products to the test as they rank them in their Buy or Bust segment. They aren't in to cheap gimmicks, they don't care about what's sexy, they just want dependable gear at reasonable price and nothing else.
Pull!
Eyes to the sky y’all, it’s summertime and there is no better time than now to be out working on your shooting skills in preparation for this fall. If you are a bird hunter, one of the best ways to hone your skill set is to practice with an automatic trap machine. So, this week on Buy or Bust we’re throwing our clays with the RangeMaxx Pigeon Hawk Auto Trap Thrower with Remote from Bass Pro Shops.
Are you big game ready? Don’t let warm temperatures fool you, fall is right around the corner. Coast to coast, hunting methods, vary greatly. However, ground blinds are applicable just about anywhere in the country and provide a great, affordable, portable, quick and easy way to set up an ambush point. There are a lot of different pop-up style hunting blinds out there, but Cabela’s The ZonZ Ground Blinds hit all the high notes you’ll need. On this week’s installment of Buy or Bust, we’ll take a quick look at the new Cabela’s The ZonZ Ground Blinds, the different models available, and the varying window configurations.
Never miss a bite, that’s the goal.
Some time ago our resident catfishing expert, CatDaddy, introduced us to the Poletap SmartRod from Tackobox. This rod and reel combo has an integrated bite detection system that sends out an audible alert to let you know that there is activity on your line below the surface. It allows an angler to manage multiple poles without missing a bite, provides help to fishing newcomers who may not be familiar with the feel of subtle tugs on their line and more.
If you’ve never owned an automatic knife, it’s time to change that. Opening a knife, in and of itself isn’t a tough thing, so why do you need an auto? Simply put, you get the benefit of complete one-handed operation and quicker deployment of the blade itself. Whether you carry a knife to serve as a tool for simple daily tasks or for more of a tactical, self-defense purpose, an auto model certainly has advantages. On this edition of Buy or Bust, we’re talking the Buck 898 Impact Knife.
One of the single greatest advances in modern hunting technology is the rangefinder. The ability to establish exactly how far away your target is allows you to make much more calculated and accurate shots. It has probably saved an obscene amount of people from making bad shots based on inaccurate distance guesses. As hunters, our number one priority should always be a quick and ethical kill. That is much easier to achieve when you know the exact distance to your target. The only pitfall when it comes to rangefinders is the price tag. They are often very expensive leaving budget minded hunters in a pickle. On this edition of Buy or Bust we’re looking at the Cabela's Intensity 1600 Laser Rangefinder. It’s a pocket size powerhouse that will accurately range distances out to 1600 yards, but won’t break the bank. Ringing up at $249, this is a budget friendly option of the many on the market, however you won’t be compromising quality.
Everyone loves a cowboy cookout over a campfire! Let’s kick it back to the old school ways of cooking where we didn’t bother with propane tanks, it was just an open fire with meat roasting on a stick.
I love grilling and I have an awesome charcoal grill from Weber that I use 4-5 times a week. However, I also appreciate a more primitive approach to things. On this edition of Buy or Bust we’re talking about the RedHead Cowboy Fire Pit Grill. What’s cool about this is that it serves several different purposes. To begin, a heavy duty, 4mm-thick fire bowl sits on legs a little above coffee table height. On its own, you can place wood in the fire bowl and have a roaring campfire to enjoy.
A lawn chair is just a lawn chair, right? WRONG!
Not all lawn chairs are created equal. There are the plastic stackable chairs with legs that flex and turn under the weight of just a small toddler, let alone an adult male. Then you have the chairs that use a tarp like material to basket weave around a metal frame that tend to unravel quickly. You can also find the old school metal chairs that most likely have layers of toxic lead paint or the cheap plastic band lawn chairs that begin to sag after just a few uses. Plus, let’s not forget the very popular bag chairs that collapse and slip into a sleeve with a handle for easy carrying. There are a lot of choices when it comes to portable lounging. However, not all of them are comfortable, and that’s fact.
Everyone loves a good bargain deal, but what can you buy for $9 anymore aside from a toothbrush or can of a Spam?
I love shopping at Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops, and for me it’s a lot like visiting the grocery store on an empty stomach. I end up bringing home a lot of stuff that’s not on the list and spending way more than I anticipated. Good news though, here is something you can walk in to Cabela’s and buy for less than ten bucks that will offer a lot of fun. On this installment of Buy or Bust we’re talking about Cabela’s Clear Shot Targets. They come in four different varieties: 12" Bull's-Eye Assortment six pack, 12" Bull's-Eye six pack, 12" Sight six pack, and an 18"H x 12"W Torso four pack. This week we’re focusing specifically on the 12” Sight six pack.
What do you look for when you are purchasing hunting optics?
Price, brand, quality, low light capabilities, toughness, warranty – there are a lot of different things to consider before dropping a wad of cash on binoculars. For the most part the phrase, “You get what you pay for,” is spot one when it comes to optics. I was once gifted a pair of binoculars from a company that has since gone out of business. While they looked decent from the outset, the reality is that in the field they were a total bust. The image was anything but sharp, they couldn’t enhance long-range targets as promised, they began to build up moisture in a very short amount of time and the list goes on. The moral of the story: when purchasing optics, you have to be careful and choose wisely.
Outdoorsmen and women spend a good amount of time processing and cooking the meat they bring home from their hunting and fishing pursuits. Having the right tools makes this process much quicker and easier. A good electric fillet knife is one of those tools that every hunter and angler should have in their bag of tricks. A good electric fillet knife will save you time, alleviate hand fatigue, work through fish or whatever food you are preparing quicker, make nice clean uniform cuts, and more.
The Revolution with Jim & Trav is a voice for the outdoors on the airwaves. The Revolution with Jim & Trav dominates the outdoor radio segment as the fastest growing nationally syndicated radio show and podcast dedicated to outdoor enthusiasts. This weekly radio show and podcast aims to accomplish a simple goal: to promote the participation in and enjoyment of outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing.
The Revolution with Jim & Trav
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