The Smith & Wesson Model 60, the world’s first stainless steel revolver, was a success from its introduction in 1965. Praised by both law enforcement and sportsmen, the Model 60 was a stainless steel version of the Chiefs special® and began the era of stainless steel handgun production. Introduced in 2005 its 5″ barrel length added to a lineup of 2-1/8″ and 3″ barrels. The Model 60 is the perfect choice for those seeking a small frame, all-steel revolver with greater recoil control and proven performance.

On target- The revolver consists of a Red HI-VIZ® front sight and V-Notch adjustable rear sight for fast target acquisition. I just started taking up handguns and I have to say that this gun is one of the sweetest “pieces” I fired. Along with that, its 3″ full lug barrel, enclosed full-length extractor rod offers a great blend of concealment and shootability. Handguns are becoming the new challenge in big game hunting and I believe Smith and Wesson is a step above the rest with their line-up.

Off target- Limited Availability

www.smith-wesson.com

FUSION is a technologically advanced attractant and mineral supplement unlike any other. The innovation comes from the unique cooking process that fuses attractants, vitamins, and minerals into a long lasting, controlled release & consumption product.

After FUSION is exposed to the atmosphere the exterior will slowly start to loosen and slough off due to humidity. Consumption is controlled by the hard consistency of FUSION, allowing deer to consume only small amounts.

On target-FUSION contains only 6% or less moisture.
FUSION will last up to 60 days regardless of weather conditions.
FUSION draws more deer and lasts up to 3 times longer than liquid or powders!
FUSION does not wash away like powders and liquids.
FUSION provides essential vitamins and minerals needed to promote animal health and antler growth.
FUSION can easily be screwed into any tree or post and is easy to transport!
FUSION has an UNBELIEVABLE SCENT that will pull game from extreme distances.

Fusion sounds to be one of the greatest inventions brought to the whitetail supplement world. The fact that it last for 90 days makes it an ideal feed source to take with you deep in the woods because you don’t have to frequently replensh it.

Off target- This is a product I have not been able to test but will as soon as September approaches. Stay tuned for a full report. I do suggest trying this out for yourself this upcoming season.

www.iscrewfusion.com

Border Crossing Labs claim that they have taken the most powerful deer attractant ever and developed a solid stick patented process that encapsulates and protects the estrus pheromones until it is applied. When applied the capsules are broken open and the pheromones are released.

On target-The advantages are: ease of application, re-sealable container, no spilling or leaking, will not freeze and will not break down in temperatures under 100 degrees. Can be stored safely in a hunters backpack. The stick can be applied to almost any surface. It sounds to me like this product will last all season. The most important thing with any estrus scent is the pheromones and if this product really protects those scents from being distorted and changing the scent, then it would theoretically last a long time and consistently be effective. This Patented stick formula will change the scent industry forever!

Off target- Well, I can’t give you a clean off target yet because I have yet to use the product. I assure you though; I will be trying the attractant in the upcoming 2007 season. From what my hunting partners have told me, it works great. Price per bottle: $45.00. Keep in mind that if this does last all season its not very expensive. Most other scent products would have distorted pheromones once the bottle is opened and the shelve life in your pack isn’t but a few days. This is definitely a product worth testing for yourself.

www.bordercrossinglabs.com

The Canon XL 2 is the upgraded replacement model of the ground breaking XL 1 camera. It is still the only prosumer camcorder to offer an interchangeable lens system. The Canon offers many features that until recently were only available on professional camera systems. Functions like 16:9 aspect ratio, scan-matching, professional time code and custom picture looks were available only on cameras costing many times the price of the XL 2. This camera also has 30 -frame and 24-frame interlaced and progressive modes. The addition of 24-frame is the most significant technology advance in the prosumer camcorder bag of tricks.

On target- Canon continues their state of the art DV imagery and amazing features; 24p mode, interchangeable lenses, native 16:9 capture, I could go on and on. I have filmed a lot of hunts with the XL2 and I have to say that having the shoulder mount capability is nice for those run and gun situations. They’ve also added it where you can flip up the eyepiece and look through a small LCD screen which is a nice touch.

Off target- I didn’t see a new standard set with this camera, all I see is some added features. A few things I would like to see them improve on are adding a bigger LCD screen for viewing, snap zoom like the DVX100, better low light sensitivity, and not so front heavy. I don’t recommend this camera for someone who is just starting out. There are to many features and the camera will not be maximized considering the price you pay. And lastly, the outdoor videographers out there might want to camo the white part of the camera. The leery toms might pick you out.

www.usa.canon.com

Panasonic introduces another version of its ubiquitous 3-chip “prosumer” camcorder. The AG-DVC30 uses 3 1/4-inch CCDs to record standard NTSC 30-frames per second video. The camcorder integrates some film-look features of the 24-frame AG-DGX100A camera, along with a few unique features. It is the only 3-CCD camera that has an infrared, black and white capture, night video mode. The camera is equally at home in security applications, event videography, or as a superior-quality camcorder for documenting the daily lives of family and friends.

On target- A surprising number of professional features for the price. It’s a solid, compact camera with exceptional video quality. The infrared mode is a great addition, especially for just climbing in the stand for those morning hunts or when your set up on a gobbler and he’s still on the roost. The controls are easy to use in those tight situations and the 16X zoom is a nice step up from the DVX100’s 10X.

Off target- The on-camera mic is pretty poor and there are no XLR ports. I recommend getting the XLR adapter and shotgun mic. Also, the Movie-Like mode is inferior to true progressive mode. Additional accessories I recommend when taking this camera to the field are; UV filter, extra 8 hour battery, head cleaning tape, wireless mic set, and a water-proof carrying bag.

www.bhphoto.com

Cabela’s Memories in the Field features hunting, fishing and outdoor adventures. This unique program is comprised of video sent in by you, the viewer. This show gives outdoorsmen and women the opportunity to tell their favorite stories with videos of their outdoor adventures. Whether these exciting videos capture you, your family or friends hunting, fishing, canoeing, kayaking or participating in any other outdoor sport, they’ll take them. Your videos just might be shown on The Outdoor Channel, putting you and your favorite outdoor memories in the national spotlight.

On target-It’s a great concept to get the viewers involved. I like the fact that anyone can submit video and have the chance to be on national TV.

Off target- Besides some of the footage being a little below par, I suggest that Cabela’s offer a fatter gift certificate based on the quality of footage you submit.

www.cabelas/tv.com

Scent-Lok is proud to present their most innovative warm-weather, scent elimination system ever created - Savanna EXT. Quieter, softer and more breathable than the original, EXT isn’t just more comfortable, it’s also better at controlling odor. They’ve added an anti-microbial treatment to Scent-Lok’s highly effective carbon scent-eliminating system - the system proven to eliminate all human odor - Savanna EXT is constructed of fabric that not only adsorbs all human odor, but combats the bacteria that can produce it - simultaneously.

On target- Great scent elimination suit for the warmer temperatures. I wear the Savanna EXT leafy suit in the early months of deer season when the temperatures haven’t dropped below 40 degrees. I make sure I reactivate it when needed and always keep a close eye on the wind. You can never 100% fool a deer nose. Although, I’ve had deer down wind before while wearing the suit and stayed undetected.

Off target- It’s not 100%. Always keep the wind in your favor. It will increase your chances of getting deer in close tremendously. Overall, there are some minor changes in the suits layout I would make like; built in arm-guard, zipper that zips up to one side on the jacket, and some added pockets on the leafy suit. But, it definitely serves it’s purpose in the warm weather.

www.scentlok.com

 When I jumped into the Outdoor industry to film and edit, I had no idea how prevalent camera tricks could be. In many hunting shows, “seeing” should not necessarily be “believing.”

Companies nowadays are either trying too hard to make their work look like a John Moore directed film, a reality show or just simply not trying at all. If you’re going for the cinema look and feel that’s fine, but it is inconsistent to start off talking to the camera as if you know it’s there, then proceed to walk up to your downed game with the camera positioned behind the rack as if to say, “Oh, there he is.” Obviously, the cameraman has already found the deer.

And we all know there aren’t eight cameras in one tree. Why have that many angles of a hunter drawing his bow or of a hunter looking for the buck he just shot? It seems to me a bit superfluous.

Making hits look like misses or placing one hunter with another hunter’s kill are just a couple of tricks often never caught by the viewer. If you pay extra attention you can catch these and more. I’m sure you’ve all watched a show initially presenting the hunter with a full quiver then cutting back to him drawing his bow with some arrows miraculously missing. You may have observed drastic lighting changes indicating a totally different time of day, when it seems only a few seconds have passed. Pay close attention while you watch some hunting shows and I’m sure you will agree that things are not always what they seem.

ESPN just knows how to produce good shows and Cindy Garrison is a nice bonus. Garrison takes us on exciting adventures all over the world and she manages to really bring the viewer into the show. Garrison is a true beauty and her upbeat attitude is refreshing. She sports some awesome outfits and always shows us that she takes physical conditioning very seriously.

-On Target- Cindy Garrison and her vivacious personality bring the show full circle, but it’s her fearless attitude that keeps me in tune. She is definitely a bad ass.

-Off Target- Beside the fact that I would like to see her harvest a big buck here in American with a bow, I think the show jumps around a bit too much. You get keyed in on her hunting bongo in Africa and the show jumps to her and the natives climbing trees for honey. It’s bad enough that the show jumps around, but when all the natives are enjoying some fresh honey, Cindy passes because she’s grossed out. I mean come on Cindy, you eat scorpions for breakfast. Lastly, the show is clearly overproduced and could be toned down to appear a little more realistic.

www.espn.com

You’ve got to love a DVD packed with nothing but bowhunting and Will and his team are the ones to pull it off every year.

-On Target- Bow hunting is what people want and a full DVD of nothing but is what you’ve got. The jokes and high spirits between the guys helps keep me watching when not much else is going on.

-Off Target- Now Will, do we have to see you and your boys on the porch every time? Those rockers have got to be getting old. And do you think you could fit maybe 3 or 4 more guys on the porch?

www.primos.com