The Field & Stream brand continues to develop and produce its own line of hunting apparel—a bold move in an increasingly saturated market. So how does F&S gear hold up when the going gets tough? After a two-state hunt for three challenging big-game species, here’s my take.
My journey began in western South Dakota along the snaking banks of the Belle Fourche River. There, hosted by SOE Hunts, I joined a crew of avid bowhunters including Jack Barnes and Chase McClain—straight brass from the corporate office of Field & Stream. It became immediately apparent that these two gentlemen were more than talking heads for the growing brand, which is owned by Dick’s Sporting Goods. In fact, they were obviously hardcore hunters, and equally eager as me to get in a treestand and get to work on our hunt for early-season deer. Their “no-b.s.” policy and candor about F&S products was refreshing. Our camp chatter revealed a noteworthy level of transparency and authenticity that shined from these guys—traits that undoubtedly reflect on the success of their business. Among our crew of avid hunters, they demanded a no-holds-barred assessment of the apparel, and we were more than happy to oblige.
Everyone hoped to turn some arrows red and punch the numerous deer tags that were burning holes in the pockets of our Every Hunt Softshell Pants. McClain, brand activation manager for Field & Stream, wasted no time. He returned to camp the first evening with a fat white-tailed doe and a dandy 8-point buck riding in the bed of a pickup. My hunt was eventful as well, with more than 50 whitetails actively feeding in sight during my entire sit, but none were ready to make their inevitable transition into venison.
Success continued to unravel among my camp compadres, including a handsome buck taken by Josh Honeycutt, a good ol’ boy from Kentucky who also happens to be the deer hunting editor for Realtree.com. How was Honeycutt’s experience with Field & Stream apparel? Read his own words and see for yourself in this stunning photo essay.
After a total of seven sits in the comfort of various Field & Stream treestands, I found myself nestled tightly in a hang-on stand overlooking the edge of a promising riverside funnel. Deer started moving well before dusk, but it wasn’t until the last minutes of shooting light when a nervous doe finally made a mistake.
As the doe stepped behind a tree, I carefully drew back the string on my Elite Synergy and set flight to a Rage Hypodermic. My Triumph Soft Shell Hunting Jacket made it easy to stay silent and deadly. Despite the wicked damage to both of her lungs, the noble whitetail bounded an impressive distance across the river before finally toppling over within sight. It was a busy evening at the skinning shed, and it was immensely satisfying to donate this organic protein to a needy family from the local community.
Having cracked the seal on a fresh fall season, it was time to venture into the breathtaking mountains of eastern Oregon. There, I would trade my bow for a Savage rifle and attempt to tag a muley buck and a cow elk to put meat in my own freezer. My attire would consist of the same Field & Stream apparel that I had donned in South Dakota. This rugged Western excursion would confirm the versatility and durability of my new F&S hunting threads.
The mountains glowed under the morning sun, and so did the forked racks of two mule deer bucks as they headed back to their bedrooms. Despite a noticeable chill in the air, my midweight Base Defense leggings kept my hind quarters cozy on the rocky slope. I patiently analyzed the duo of bucks through my Bushnell binocular, trying to size them up and determine if they were of “shooter” status for this area, but they soon slipped away as I deliberated. A handful of other hunters in my party acted swiftly upon their own opportunities—the peaceful silence was quickly interrupted by consistent rifle shots, echoing from every corner of this well-managed private ranch.
Our posse reassembled on a nearby road after the morning primetime. Pickup truck beds were lined with mountain muleys, and spirits were high as we exchanged hand shakes and high fives. I soon learned that another hunter had spotted a bedded buck on a nearby mountain, so I joined a guide and started a fresh pursuit while the others headed back to camp for breakfast.
We crossed a high sage flat with the intention of reaching its southern rim, where we would glass into a large valley for any sign of buck movement. Suddenly, we eyed a small buck and a couple of does that were feeding contently upwind along a fence line. Then we noticed antlers towering above a clump of short grass. After a short belly crawl and a brief standoff, I stabilized my rifle on a Primos Trigger Stick tripod and dropped the 4×4 beast.
With a muley in the cooler, it was time to change gears and go after a cow elk. For the next 2 days, I put serious miles on my Vortex Uninsulated Field Boots—stretches of ground that ranged from smooth sage flats to slippery, steep grades that were laden with jagged rocks. This footwear proved itself as a worthy contender for taking on some of Oregon’s toughest terrain.
It wasn’t until a dark, wet morning and a thrilling chase up a long valley that I finally set my sights on a killable cow elk. I had forgotten my Lightweight Packable Rain Jacket and Pants across the country back at home for this trip, but at least my upper body was well protected from the driving rain because of the hydroRepel water-repellent fabric of my Triumph jacket.
Looking up at the next ridge, I pointed out the lumbering elk herd to my steadfast guide. We moved toward them as close as possible without getting busted, but that only brought us to about 500 yards—a distance confirmed by “498” and “502” readings on his Bushnell Fusion rangefinder. Lying on the ground, I anchored my shooting shoulder in the dirt and used a deadfall to steady the fore-end of my Savage Weather Warrior. If there was ever a time to confidently pull off a 500-yard shot, this was it: There was no wind, my rest was totally solid, and my rifle was perfectly paired with a new Weaver MultiStop scope. I dialed the sophisticated optic to 500 yards and sent a Trophy Bonded Tip bullet into the cow’s boiler room. She buckled within 50 yards from the overwhelming terminal shock of the .300 Win. Mag.
After relentless testing of Field & Stream’s new hunting apparel, I can say with zero hesitation that it’s worthy of your trust and investment. Whether you’re burning all your vacation days to connect with whitetails in tight timber, or heading West to spot and stalk big game in big country, you won’t be disappointed by the value of F&S gear.
