I was lucky enough to be able to borrow one of these handy little devices on my elk hunting trip to Utah. It was lightweight and packed easily into my luggage (although you need to leave it on the top so they can examine it since it looks like a rifle stock in the X-ray machine!) lol. It is one slick device!

We used it while just holding the video camera in the truck, freehand and we also used it on our scouting walks, along with the monopod. It was amazing how much difference it made while filming. Especially when you are not acclimated yet and you are huffing and puffing while trying to film!

This Super Tough Hi-Strength Nylon device weighs a mere 6 ounces and is easily removed from the monopod to change over to the rifle rest in the blink of an eye.

The Stedi-Stock® is a Camera Brace, Camera Stabilizer, Camera Shoulder Stock, Camera Shoulder Mount, Camcorder Brace, Camcorder Stabilizer, Camcorder Shoulder Brace, Camcorder Stock, Camcorder Shoulder Mount, Spotting Scope Brace, Spotting Scope Shoulder Brace, Spotting Scope Stabilizer, Spotting Scope Shoulder Mount and Spotting Scope Stock. Stedi-Stock® retails for just 29.95 and is a fantastic addition for anyone that uses any kind of camera or scope! We will be adding them to our Camp Store soon!

Thoughts
Over time, my family’s interest in camping has shifted away from public campgrounds to experiences that are more rustic. When we first started camping, we would pull into a campground, set up camp, and then establish our plan for the week–sights to be seen, trails to hike.

After doing lots of day hikes and taking in beautiful scenery, we thought it would be nice to take the next step with our hiking and venture into backpacking. Our thinking was that if the day hikes were nice, just think of all the amazing things we could see if we went to the interior of the trail systems. The idea that we were seeing a side of nature that most people didn’t ever get to view was appealing. We became fascinated with “the road less traveled.” As a result, our trips–planning and time–are now focused on the narrow trails that we enjoy following.
(Dave M)

Action Point
The Bible is very clear that the road that leads to God is narrow. As a believer, we are confronted daily with options that either lead us away from God or to God.

I pray that as your journey of faith continues you would become fascinated and encouraged to follow narrow path that God has laid out before us. That it would become your heart’s desire to pursue it. There is a definite reward for pursuing the narrow path!

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
When you are trying to capture the depth of a view in a photo, make sure to get a bush, a weed, or a tree limb in the foreground. This little technique improves picture quality tremendously.

Of course, the fishing was a little slow, but we still managed to find ways to have fun.  How?  Well, you’ll just have to watch to find out.

Top Hunting and Target Shooting Equipment Brands for 2009

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Southwick Associates has announced the brands and products hunters and target shooters preferred most in 2009. This list has been compiled from the 44,734 internet-based surveys completed by hunters and target shooters who volunteered to participate last year in HunterSurvey.com and TargetshootingSurvey.com polls. In 2009, top brands included:

Top rifle brand: Remington (16.5% of all purchases)
Top shotgun brand: Remington (22% of all purchases)
Top muzzleloader brand: Thompson Center (29.5% of all purchases)
Top handgun brand: Sturm Ruger (16.6% of all purchases)
Top scope for firearms: Bushnell (17.3% of all purchases)
Top rifle ammunition brand: Remington (28.8% of all purchases)
Top shotgun ammunition brand: Winchester (32.0% of all purchases)
Top handgun ammunition brand: Winchester (22.0% of all purchases)
Top blackpowder brand: Pyrodex (351.5% of all purchases)
Top balls, bullets, or shot brand: Hornady (26.2% of all purchases)
Top bow brand: BowTech (14.8% of all purchases)
Top arrow brand: Easton (30.3% of all purchases)
Top fletching brand: Bohning (30.3% of all purchases)
Top broadhead brand: Muzzy (25.3% of all purchases)
Top archery target brand: The Block (22.3% of all purchases)
Top decoy brand: Flambeau (15.7% of all purchases)
Top game call brand: Primos (34.8% of all purchases)
Top reloading bullet brand: Hornady (30.2% of all purchases)
Top reloading primer brand: CCI (36.0% of all purchases)
Top reloading powder brand: Hodgdon (36.5% of all purchases)
Top binocular brand: Bushnell (19.5% of all purchases)
Top holster brand: Uncle Mikes (21.4% of all purchases)
Top knife brand: Buck (16.7% of all purchases)
Top scent or scent covering brand: Scent-A-Way (24.5% of all purchases)
Top shooting target brand: Shoot-N-C (38.9% of all purchases)
Top clay brand: White Flyer (34.3% of all purchases)

Other interesting facts from the HunterSurvey 2009 annual report: The busiest month for purchasing for hunting was November, for Target Shooting was June, and for self-defense was February

This is just a small part of a comprehensive report offered by Southwick Associates. For more info on this and other reports, please contact them.

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Jackson Hole had the bright idea to leverage Twitter in a way people might appreciate. Ski patroller Kevin Brazell and his colleagues are updating their Twitter feed with what appear to be honest and realistic snow reports. After spring hits, expect to see a lot of pictures of them golfing and doing yard work. Or you can check in with Backcountry.com’s Twitter for the latest Goat updates.