Hogue Cases and Shooting Pad Product Review

by April Mack

Anyone that knows me knows I LOVE archery including hunting, 3-d courses, plain old 5-spot targets and now even a bit of competition.  However, every once in a while I will change to my firearm of choice and hone my skills on shotguns, rifles and pistols.

I recently was afforded the opportunity to try out Hogue gun cases and shooting pads.

Ok, I’ll admit, I am somewhat of a brand snob.  If I find a brand I like – quality, reputation, comfort and functionality – I stick with it.  Yes, even those a little more expensive.  I believe it makes more sense to pay a little more up front once then continually paying lesser amounts more frequently.

I have found my gun case brand!  

Hogue is a family owned business and has been around for 30 years, bringing 35 years of experience to the table.  Hogue is used by leading gun manufacturers as well as the go-to guys for law enforcement.  They are so confident in the product they create, it is guaranteed or they will refund your money back.  Not only do you get amazing quality, their products are more than affordable.

So, why do I believe in this product?

·      High quality stitching

·      Heavy duty Velcro closures (This is not your 2 year olds shoe Velcro!)

·      Large zipper grip and teeth (I am not the most gentle, so I need something that can handle being yarded on!)

·      The entire case itself is made of strong nylon fabric

·      Thick padding to protect your firearm 

·      Heavy duty D-rings for the carrying straps which is also a strong nylon material

·      Very roomy cases

·      Plenty of pockets for all your accessories

·      The gun pad is very solid, heavy duty, non-slip rubber

    Over all this is a strong, sturdy product.  I am very impressedwith the quality of Hogue.

On a side note, Hogue makes SO much more than just cases, check them out at:

   www.hoguestore.com

You can also read more about April at www.ShootLikeAGirl.com and click on Pro Staff. 

Lumenok Product Review

I use the pink lumenok on my Easton flat line surgical carbon arrows.  Upon installation, at first the fit was a little tight, but after a few adjustments they worked great.  Two weeks ago I harvested my third black bear in Manitoba.  This is the first hunt that I used a Lumenok and I loved it!  I liked that the flight of my arrow was so easy to see since the light was so bright, and upon reviewing camera footage I knew exactly where the arrow hit.  It gave me immediate comfort on shot placement.  I would recommend Lumenok to any bow hunter!

Amy Crooks is on the Shoot Like A Girl Pro Staff. Visit www.ShootLikeAGirl.com and click on Pro Staff.
To find out more about Lumenok Products go to www.lumenok.net

Scentblocker SOLA Product Reviews

 Overall I am very happy with scent blocker product. The company's reputation and quality clothing and apparel give me confidence to camouflage my physical appearance while maintaining odor control. In the recent past, I have been wearing a dream season scent blocker jacket and pant for all my warm weather hunting.  However I am so excited with Scent Blockers advancement and focus on women’s apparel.  There is so much versatility and options to choose from!

I recently wore the Sola Women’s Recon shirt.  Two weeks ago I travelled to Manitoba to go on a black bear hunt and decided to pack this shirt “just in case” the weather happened to be warm, I was anticipating cool temperatures.  I am so glad that I did, because the temperatures were unseasonably warm (upper 70’s, 80’s, even close to 90!).  This is a system layer 1 item, meaning you can wear this as your base layer and add additional clothing on top as the temperatures fall.  This is the only thing I needed in the stand the majority of the time due to the warm temperatures. The material was very comfortable against my bare skin.  As the temperatures rose it did great wicking away any moisture while maintaining it’s odor control qualities and the vents on the back helped to keep me cool.

I recently acquired the Sola Women’s Ripstop Recon Ball cap.  This hat is very comfortable!  It’s adjustable loop in the back makes it easy to find a comfortable fit.  I have longer hair, so it was great to be able to put my hair through the back loop to protect it from the thick branches in the Manitoba bush.

I recently purchased the Sola Women’s Knock Out Jacket & Pant to replace my outdated dream season Scent Blocker jacket & pant.  This set is a system layer 3, meaning you can wear for warm temps, or add additional layers underneath for those cooler temperatures.  I absolutely love this set!  It is extremely comfortable and has all the great qualities odor control and camouflaging my physical appearance.  My favorite feature of the jacket is the slit in the back; it was a perfect fit for my Lady Pro Hunter Safety System Strap.  I can conceal my harness all while maintaining my safety while in the stand.  The jacket and the pants have an assortment of pockets.  I found the side zipper entry to the cargo pockets on the pants very handy!

I love the Sola Women’s Fleece Watch Cap for those cooler Midwest temps.  I have worn this hat a number of times while out whitetail hunting during early season.  I plan to wear this hat all season long.  The fleece is incredibly soft and quiet, and the contoured ear design helps to keep my ears protected from the extreme temps.  I love the ponytail slit in the back of the hat, it makes it additional comfortable to be able to pull my long hair back and out of the way.  The trinity feature also helps to prevent any scent that my hair may give off.

I recently added the Sola Women’s Trinity Glove to replace the unisex glove that I currently use.  I have found it difficult to find a comfortable, well fitting glove for my hands.  The search is over!  These gloves are very comfortable!  I like the long cuff; it helps to keep my hands/wrists warm in the cool Midwest temps.  The smart touch thumb and forefinger feature comes in handy when I’m checking in with the family while sitting in the stand; I no longer have to remove my gloves for that!  The honeycomb pattern grip is a great feature to prevent my hands from slipping while climbing into the stand or while holding my bow.

To read more about Amy Crooks, go to www.ShootLikeAGirl.com and click on Pro Staff 

To find out more information on Scentblocker SOLA Gear go to:

http://www.robinsonoutdoors.com/scentblocker/sola/

What "Shoot Like A Girl" Means To Me

I have been so fortunate and blessed to call Shoot Like A Girl my job for four years now.  With the help of great industry support we travel the country with a 52ft gooseneck shooting trailer introducing women to archery, pistol and rifle.  Our mission is empowering women to participate in shooting sports with confidence.  A lady that has never had the opportunity to experience shooting sports can literally get a quick full taste of what shooting sports is all about in a short amount of time.  With a full team of women instructors we strive to create a comfortable and enjoyable environment that makes even the totally inexperienced feel relaxed. We all learn differently but there is just something about women helping other women to gain the confidence to try something that once was foreign.

Watching women’s faces light up after they fire their first arrow or confidently execute there first firearms shot is something that has always brought me great joy. Its defiantly why we “do what we do” as I like to say, but there is something much more deeper than that.  Shooting sports isn’t something we look forward to trying and then check it off the “I did that list.” An introduction into shooting sports changes lives!! Every time we open the trailer doors at a new location theirs at least one story that will bring tears to your eyes. A little dramatic you might think? How about a lady terminally ill who’s husband of 40 years has been trying all this time to get his wife into shooting sports. She gets a quick taste of shooting and wishes she had gone shooting with her husband years earlier and now wants to spend what time she has left shooting with him whenever possible. Or when we talk to a younger couple with small children who’s 5-year-old daughter is jumping with joy watching mom shoot. 

The old cliché “Its not personal, its business” does not apply here for me. I easily reach a personal connection with so many.  I have so many countless hours of family memories that have been created through hunting and shooting sports.  I can still remember the excitement on my husbands face when he surprised me with my first bow. He was so proud and so excited that I showed real interest in getting into the sport.  I knew this not by the words he said but by the big lights in his eyes. I relive that memory every time I talk about bows to a young couple. The excitement on the husbands face and lights in his eyes when his wife shoots her first arrow then turns and says, “ I have to have one of these.” Knowing that they both now have the ability to enter so many quality memories into their memory banks all because of the quick introduction into shooting sports.  We were able to play a big part in making memories in their lives, strengthening their personal relationships, and creating life long experiences.   For me “Shoot Like A Girl” is all that rolled into one big package.  Its empowering women to have the confidence to take shooting sports where ever the road takes them and all the wonderful memories it creates along the way.

Cristy Crawford is the Chief Operations Officer for Shoot Like A Girl. To read more about Cristy and other instructors, go to www.ShootLikeAGirl.com and click on Pro Staff. This article along with others like it can also be read at Scentblocker SOLA Shield In The Field: The Ultimate Outdoor "Girls Club."
www.robinsonoutdoors.com/scentblocker/sola/