In that long of a relationship, you really get to know a product well. What works? What needs tweaking? What holds up to 300,000 miles of bird hunting road trips on gravel roads or puppy teeth? 

Literally, I wore the same pair of First Lite 308 pants Every. Single. Day. for a full year, training dogs, calling in gobblers, casting a fly line, and hunting birds throughout the west. How did they hold up?

The Origin Hoody is pricey, no doubt, but its soft, featherlight and durable fleece appears built to withstand multiple years of hard use. Indeed, it’s my go-to hoody for gobblers and upland.

It’s ‘bout time we start treating our ears with the same care and respect that we give to our dogs, and fortunately hearing protection has never been easier to achieve than today.

As an advocate of the brand as well as a long-time customer, I was eager to try the Homestead Dog Bed from Gunner Kennels. The Nashville-based company touts the orthopedic comfort, clean-ability, and solid construction, but can they deliver where countless other big brands have failed?

The Wingman Pro B2 from Pyke Gear ($309.95) looks to fill a niche for hunters looking for a durable, lightweight vest that maintains a svelte profile while providing enough room to comfortably tote a limit of roosters and some bonus quail. 

If you’re a hunter or recreational shooter and not actively considering hearing protection, it’s time to step it up. We’re a quarter of the way through the 21st century, folks, and hearing loss from gunfire is not only preventable, it’s trending towards uncool.

As a fellow bird hunter and sporting dog enthusiast (as well as a veterinarian) I’m always on the lookout for tech that enhances both the hunting experience and preserves the well-being of my canine companions. I’ve been a strong advocate of electronic collars for years, both as a way to humanely and quickly train sporting dogs and as a means of promoting their safety in the field.