Author Archives: Samuel Allred

Abandon Your Pride and Buy a Mossberg Maverick 88

I purchased a Mossberg Maverick 88 two years ago when cash was tight. Originally, I was searching for a Mossberg 500, a model my dad owns and I’m somewhat familiar with. At the time, the price of the Mossberg 500 was trending higher than I wanted to pay, so I settled for a Maverick 88.Continue reading “Abandon Your Pride and Buy a Mossberg Maverick 88”

How To Get the Gear You Need When You’re Poor (Or Just on a Budget)

The cost of gear is a real barrier to entry when it comes to outdoor activities. Here are a couple strategies to help you reduce your expenses. Try Before You Buy It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new gear and end up spending money on unnecessary items. Say you’re interested inContinue reading “How To Get the Gear You Need When You’re Poor (Or Just on a Budget)”

Are Groudhogs Good to Eat?

Unlike their plague-bearing cousins, prairie dogs, groundhogs are generally safe to consume. But are they tasty? After killing a large specimen during an uneventful, late-season turkey hunt, I can now answer that question with authority: Yes. Groundhogs are delicious and make excellent table fare. Processing the groundhog was simple. First, I checked for obvious signsContinue reading “Are Groudhogs Good to Eat?”

Gregory Baltoro 65 Review

I bought the Gregory Baltoro 65 a few years ago to use while backpacking, hunting, and everywhere in between. So far, it hasn’t let me down. If you’re in a hurry, skip down to the “Applications” and “What I Like” sections. Design The shape of this pack follows the contour of an athletic male body:Continue reading “Gregory Baltoro 65 Review”

Backpacking Food Basics

You’ve got the pack. You’ve got the gear. You’ve studied the maps. Now, what are you going to eat? Food is a critical and yet sometimes confounding piece of the backpacking puzzle. In this article, I’ll attempt to shed some light on backcountry cuisine. Types of Backpacking Food Hypothetically, you can bring any food youContinue reading “Backpacking Food Basics”

Choosing a Water Bottle

Fill it up, screw on the cap, and you’re good to go. Right? Not so fast. A water bottle is an essential piece of kit for any outdoor adventure. It’s important to stay hydrated in general, and critical in athletic pursuits. Even in normal life, I hardly leave the house without a water bottle. YouContinue reading “Choosing a Water Bottle”

Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Hooded Jacket Review

The Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Hooded Jacket is my go-to garment for everyday warmth. I received it as a gift in December 2020. Since then, I’ve likely worn it some 200 days a year. It’s earned a permanent spot in my closet, and for good reason. Comfort and Fit The lightweight feel of this jacketContinue reading “Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Hooded Jacket Review”

Hunt Log 2022: Deer 12/10

As the season wanes, it’s become difficult to hunt seriously. Instead of checking the wind forecast, planning my route, and waking up bright and early, my Saturday morning played out more like a hike: “That seems like a nice place. Let’s go there.” In an effort to quit bumping deer in the dark, I sleptContinue reading “Hunt Log 2022: Deer 12/10”

Hunt Log 2022: Deer 12/03-04

Rifle season has been a real breath of fresh air. The weather has cooled down a bit, and, despite the increase in hunting pressure, I’ve had more shot opportunities per excursion than I had any day during bow season. While still extremely challenging, hunting with a rifle gives me an extra boost of confidence. It’sContinue reading “Hunt Log 2022: Deer 12/03-04”