Hunting Gear: Insights from Western Hunting Expo

James Yates and Sam Weaver delve into the Arrow Ballistic study, highlighting arrow drag and lift quantification. Uncover key findings on vein configurations and broadhead dynamics. James then dives into the upcoming 2026 arrow study focusing on FOC. Explore Phone Skope's Mag 360 innovations and Magpie Precision's suppressor seal solutions. Elevate your archery, digiscoping, and shooting skills with practical insights and cutting-edge technology. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news. Western Hunter article-https://westernhunter.net/information/the-arrow-ballistics-study-results/ Youtube-https://www.youtube.com/@YatesInTheBackcountry Precision Cut Archery Data-https://www.precisioncutarchery.com/research/arrow-study-2025 Howl for Wildlife- Take Action   Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/   Visit Rokslide’s Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback. To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to [email protected]   [ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

This week we go full mule deer nerd mode on the Rokcast. We brought together a room full of big buck hunters with Travis Hobbs, Corey Dixon, Braxton Hamilton, and Robby Denning to talk buck age versus score based on the deer they’ve had aged. These aren’t guesses. Not “he looked mature on the hoof” conversations.  Everyone lab-aged their deer and the guys dive into that data from over 70 bucks, including 15 that grossed 200 inches or better. What we found might surprise you. Most of the biggest deer weren’t ancient. They were five- and six-year-old bucks. Some giants were only three. And some grandpa bucks at seven- and eight-years-old barely cracked the 160s. We dive into what tooth aging has taught us about judging bucks on the hoof, the myth of regression, how hard winters really affect antler growth, and why security matters more than limited tags. If you care about big mule deer, management, or just want to know how old your buck really was and some tips to find out, this one’s for you. To learn more about tooth aging, visit matsonslab.com To join the Rokslide Forum conversation on lab-aging, click here https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/how-old-was-he-really-big-buck-hunters-talk-age-vs-score.442710/#post-4597670 Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app And please welcome new Rokcast sponsor, Matson's Lab. Matson's is the go-to for lab-aging your wild game and used by everyone on this episode. See all they do at https://matsonslab.com/ You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

Technology in hunting is advancing faster than most of us can keep up with. Thermals. Night vision. Cell trail cameras. Drones. AI filtering game cam photos. The Idaho Hunting and Advanced Technology Working Group (here) spent months wrestling with one big question: at what point does modern advantage overwhelm wildlife and erode fair chase? In this episode, Idahoans Tal Sampson and Brock Maynard break down what the Hunting and Technology (H.A.T.) Working Group actually did, what proposals are heading to the Idaho Legislature, and why this is not a “ban” but a proposed prohibited timeframe from August 30 through December 31 for certain high-tech tools. We talk real harvest data, opportunity vs. limited hunting, predator management carve-outs, long-range shooting, and the uncomfortable truth that hunters are the minority voice in today’s culture. Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation matters for the future of hunting across the West. If you care about opportunity, the sustainability of hunting, and fair chase ethics, now is the time to get informed and get involved ahead of the 2026 Idaho Legislative Session.  Enjoy this episode of the Rokcast!  You can read other Rokslide articles, see videos, and listent to Rokcast episodes here

In this episode, we explore the latest in hunting gear, apparel, and suppressor technology. Our guests from Kifaru, Unknown Suppressors, Sumet Stoves, On Glass Adapter, Bow Spider, Dead On Display, and Springbar tents share insights on their innovative products, design philosophies, and industry trends that are shaping the future of hunting equipment. Explore innovative gear and techniques for hunting, camping, and outdoor adventures. From suppressors and stoves to skull mounts and tents, learn how top brands are enhancing your outdoor experience. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news. Howl for Wildlife- Take Action   Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/   Visit Rokslide’s Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback. To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to [email protected]   [ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

In this episode of the Rokcast, Jaden sits down with Andrew Whitney for a conversation that starts on the range and carries straight into real hunting application. We spent the day shooting rifles, testing different ammo, talking fundamentals, and then hit record while everything was still fresh. This is not a theory-heavy or internet-driven episode. It’s a grounded discussion about what actually matters when you’re trying to make clean kills in the field. Andrew wears a few hats. He’s a guide, a serious shooter, and one of the people behind Tenacity Firearms, a company focused on building production rifles that behave like true customs without the custom price tag or lead time. What makes this conversation valuable is that Andrew is a hunter first. We talk about shooting positions, managing recoil, reading wind, building stable platforms, and why most rifle mistakes come from rushing shots rather than lack of gear. We also dig into the overlap and the gap between shooters who hunt and hunters who shoot. From managing adrenaline behind the rifle, to choosing prone at 400 yards over a sketchy seated shot at 150, this episode walks through the decision-making process that experienced hunters use to control variables instead of forcing opportunities. There’s a deep dive into smaller, more manageable calibers, suppressors, rifle setup, and why precision and consistency beat raw horsepower almost every time. Enjoy this episode with Andrew Whitney of Tenacity Firearms.  To learn more about Tenacity Firearms, visit tenacityarms.com Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

In this episode, Sam Weaver hosts Henry Ferguson to discuss his recent moose hunting experience. They delve into the preparation, challenges, and the importance of community support in hunting. Henry shares insights on scouting, equipment testing, and the emotional journey of hunting, culminating in a successful moose hunt. Then Dave Cameron shares his head-to-head titanium suppressor show down. Find out which suppressor came out on top for the best back country hunting suppressor.   Chris Neville, co-founder of Rough Ridge Stove Company, shares all about their innovative all-in-one cook system designed specifically for backcountry hunters. The inspiration behind the product, detailing the frustrations that led to its creation and the unique design features that set it apart from existing options. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news. Colorado Bowhunter Association-https://coloradobowhunting.org/ Badland Game bags-https://www.badlandsgear.com/products/badlands-game-bags Titanium Suppressor Review-https://www.rokslide.com/titanium-suppressor-shootout/ Titanium Suppressor comment thread-https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/results-are-in-reaper-vs-airlock-vs-ptr-vent-1-vs-nomad-ti-xc-vs-dd-enticer-lti-titanium-shootout.427266/ Zero Gravity suppressor review thread-https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/airlock-industries-zero-gravity-7mm-suppressor-field-test-and-review.426778/  Roughridge Stove Co-https://roughridgestove.com/   Howl for Wildlife- Take Action   Check out Rokslide’s 2025 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2025/   Visit Rokslide’s Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback. To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to [email protected]   [ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

In this episode of the Rokcast, Jaden Bales sits down with Aquila Brown, a BC hunter who flat-out earned a monster timber giant mule deer the hard way. This wasn’t some glass-a-basin-and-pick-a-buck hunt. This was thick, steep, nasty timber on an over-the-counter tag, with almost no visibility and plenty of pressure. Aquila spent close to 20 days scouting and hunting one specific buck and made the decision early that he was either killing that deer or eating the tag. We dig into how he hunted mule deer where glassing barely works. Trail cameras became his eyes in the woods, snow tracks kept him in the game, and still-hunting was the only real way to make something happen. Aquila breaks down how slow is actually “slow enough,” how he handled missing the buck by hours or a couple hundred yards, and why believing the deer was still there mattered more than anything. If you hunt dark timber, pressured OTC units, or country that just feels hopeless most days, this episode will hit home. It all comes together on the very last day of the season with a fast, offhand shot through a tiny opening in the trees. We talk about passing good bucks late in the season, trusting the process, and what it feels like when everything finally clicks after weeks of grinding. This is a real look at killing a giant mule deer on purpose, not by luck, and why sometimes the hardest hunts are the ones that stay with you forever. Listen in to learn more about hunting a Timber Giant! You can reach out to Aquila on Rokslide at Kootenaybackwoods at https://rokslide.com/forums/members/kootenaybackwoods.78840/ or discuss this episode here https://rokslide.com/forums/forums/rokcast.129/ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

Best Gear of 2025. Listen in as the Rokslide staff weighs in with their favorite gear of the year. Some amazing trophies hit the ground this season and these guys put it all out there. No two items are repeated, which means there is something for everyone. Tune in and find that special piece of gear you didn't even know you needed. Check out Rokslide's Homepage for the in-depth article and product links. https://www.rokslide.com/ Visit Rokslide’s Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback. To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to [email protected] [ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

Art “the Shedaholic” Hayes joins Jaden & Robby today for a deep, story-driven dive into shed hunting that goes way beyond picking up bone. Art shares the unforgettable moment that started it all, finding a massive whitetail deadhead as a 12-year-old in Montana, and how that single day launched a lifetime obsession. From the wild early days when antlers piled up untouched on public land, to today’s reality of pressure, boot tracks, and competition, Art walks listeners through how shed hunting has changed over the last four decades. Along the way, he tells incredible stories of giant mule deer and whitetails, tracking individual bucks through years of shed finds, and what those antlers taught him about home ranges, migration, genetics, and age. The conversation digs into high-level shed hunting strategy and ethics: glassing before walking, grid patterns, working areas “backwards,” human funnels, and why low-impact shed hunting matters more now than ever. He also breaks down locating new shed areas, why big deer concentrate in surprisingly small pockets, and why chasing sheds for money doesn’t pencil out. [ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app This episode is packed with hard-earned insight from someone who’s found and documented more giant antlers than most of us will ever see, with a clear message at the end: respect wintering deer, move thoughtfully, and let shed hunting make you a better woodsman, not just a better bone collector. You can reach out to Art on Rokslide at AHayes111 at https://rokslide.com/forums/members/ahayes111.90118/ or discuss this episode here https://rokslide.com/forums/forums/rokcast.129/ You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here

In this episode of Tipsy Tuesday, host Sam Weaver interviews hardcore hunter Mike Kentner, who shares his journey towards completing the Super 10 hunting challenge. Mike discusses the various species he has hunted, the challenges he faced, and the importance of preparation, equipment, and mental fortitude in hunting. He emphasizes the value of experiences over trophies and encourages listeners to pursue their hunting goals, regardless of their background or resources. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including hunting techniques, equipment choices, and the emotional highs and lows of the hunting experience. Talk then shifts towards the other Rokslide.com gear reviews and a recap of the latest Western news. Bow Spider-https://bowspider.com/ Kentner Taxidermy-Pavillion Wy   Howl for Wildlife- Take Action   Check out Rokslide’s 2024 Best Gear- https://www.rokslide.com/best-gear-of-2024-rokslide-edition/   Visit Rokslide’s Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback. To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to [email protected]   [ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app