A quick once-over of my garage, basement, den, and most every closet in the house might lead the uninitiated (read that to mean nonhunter) to believe I own an overabundance of outdoor gear. Well, first off, that’s like saying a sportsman has too many fishing rods or guns; it’s just not a reasonable assumption. Secondly, with new models and improved designs regularly coming onto the market, it’s just not sensible to use second-rate equipment, or at least not have a backup unit just in case. At least that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!

Now, keeping in mind that technical advances and upgrades have led to thousands of new and currently available items beneficial to hunters each fall, it’s possible for a busy outdoorsman to overlook some gear he really needs. Every September I select a handful of excellent equipment that I just had to own and have field tested pretty thoroughly. Perhaps you weren’t aware some of this equipment was available, or maybe you didn’t realize how beneficial a piece of gear might prove. Read on and I’ll bet at least one of these outdoor accessories will pique your interest enough to add it to your current inventory.

Far out

To be an efficient and productive shooter, especially with a bow or handgun, it’s imperative to know correct yardage before taking a shot. Riflemen who set up for deer in large fields and moose hunters who spot their quarry far off on a woods road or in an open bog need to know the length of the shot. Terrain, animal size, and vegetation or brush near the quarry can alter proper distance judgment, leading to a missed shot or, worse yet, a wounded game animal. Nikon produces the solution to all of these dilemmas in the form of a laser range finder that’s lightweight, simple, and quick to use, and it fits into a shirt pocket.

With the push of a button, the Nikon Laser 440 offers a true range within a half-yard out to 437 yards, even if the game animal is partially screened by high grass or brush. Thanks to a state-of-the-art miniature digital processor, target recognition is immediate and readouts are fast, precise, and easily readable in the sight screen.

Measuring 3.7 by 2.8 by 1.6 inches and weighing 7 ounces, the laser 440 comes in green or Real Tree camo. With an 8-by-20 lens, the field of vision is 330 feet at 1,000 yards and improves brightness by a factor of 6.3 times ambient light. Eye relief is set to fit sportsmen with or without eyeglasses. This water-resistant range finder comes with a protective case and a lithium battery, all for $200.

Check www.nikonusa.com for more information on the ProStaff Laser 440 and to see photos of the unit, or call 1-800-247-3464 for a catalog, to ask questions, or to locate the nearest dealer. Whether you want to know the yardage to the farthest goose decoy in a spread or how far away the trophy bull moose is standing, this little gem is a must for all serious shooters.

Keep in touch

For the most part, hunting is a sport based on silence, but more and more, being able to communicate with a hunting partner in the woods, in a vehicle, or at camp is not only convenient but often essential. Noisy, hissing, cumbersome, garbled walkie-talkies are a curse of the past, currently replaced by streamlined, camouflaged, clearly audible hand- held radios.

Motorola’s Talkabout 7100 series has gone from an incidental accessory to an essential tool on most of my outings. Besides the 7-mile range and 22 channels with 38 privacy codes which allow conversations among just your hunting party, the Talkabouts offer a myriad of special features just for hunters. Lightweight yet comfortable to hold and use, they come in camo or blue, operate on rechargeable or AA batteries, and come with a double desktop charger per pair.

These hand-held radios are voice activated and can be fitted with earpieces so you can hear a conversation without alerting nearby game. Motorola’s QT noise filter, low battery alert, priority scan, 10 audible call tones or vibrating call alert, and protective case or belt holster are other quality features. A set of 7100s goes for $100, or $120 in camo color.

If you’re injured, lost, or just need help dragging a deer to camp, hand-held radios are a great asset. You can tell a partner when it’s time to call it quits for the day or direct him to a downed duck while you’re still in the blind. In a pinch, you can even give one to your wife at the mall and have her radio you at the sporting goods store when it’s time to pick her up. Check www.motorola.com, or call 1-866-289-6686 or look for the Talkabouts at your local sporting goods store or in a favorite outdoor catalog.

Dependable decoys

A realistic decoy spread is the key to consistent gunning for sharp-eyed, wily Canada geese. Often times it’s not the number of dekes spread out as much as the realistic positions and their feather and paint detail. It’s Alive Outdoors, the company that produces Hard Core decoys, has raised the bar again this year with a four-bird set of greeting and calling Canada geese. Designed with the guidance and insight of Tim Grounds, Hunter Grounds, Bill Saunders, and Kelly Powers – some of the best-known names in goose hunting – the Signature series is so realistic, you expect to hear honking.

Each of the four Signature decoys features hand-painted feather detail, flocked heads, and a unique open-mouth pose that perfectly mimics a goose on the ground calling to others to join it. From 20 feet away these Hard Core decoys can be mistaken for actual taxidermied geese, so it’s little wonder they work so well in the field.

Two dozen of the nine feeding and alert-postured Hard Cores, sprinkled with a half-dozen Signature greeters and callers, will attract live honkers as well as 100 shells and silhouettes. So far this month, during three early-season native goose outings, we have had real Canadas walking among our small flock of feathered fakes every hunt.

Sold in pairs, there are two greater or two lesser Canada geese in each box of Signature callers and greeters, and the cost per duo is $80. Impact-resistant bodies with abrasion-resistant paint make these decoys a long-term investment. Visit www.hardcoredecoys.com to see photos and get more info, or call 1-208-344-0161 to order the best and last decoys you’ll ever need.

Awesome ammunition

Serious big-game hunters work hard to spot game, and need an accurate, hard-hitting cartridge to reap the rewards of a well-placed shot. For whitetail deer, black bear, and especially moose, Federal Cartridge Company’s new Vital Shok ammunition is a premium asset. Check out the Federal Premium Vital Shok Trophy Bonded Bear Claw cartridge for Maine’s big three. The .30-06 comes in 165 and 180 grain, the .308 is in 180 grain, and my favorite, the .270, is available with 140 grain bullets.

Vital Shok shells have a high ballistic coefficient with a jacket and core that are 100 percent fusion bonded, which gives reliable bullet expansion from 25 yards to extreme ranges. Because of the well-controlled expansion, bullets average 95 percent weight retention and boast reliable deep penetration. A box of 20 cartridges for popular medium caliber rifles run $30 to $40. More info can be found at www.federalcartridge.com or head down to the local gun shop and check them out in person.

Regardless of what type of hunting you have planned for this fall: shotgun, rifle, or bow; whether you’re afloat or afield, one or more of these outdoor items will maximize your efforts. Each will make you a more efficient hunter and a better sportsman. The only way these outdoor products could be any better is if they happen to be a present for a birthday, anniversary, or a very early Christmas. It’s not really proper for grown men to coax, cajole, and drop hints, so just leave this article where the family gift buyer is sure to see it. Be sure and circle your favorite and try to act surprised when you open your present.

Outdoor feature writer Bill Graves can be reached via e-mail at bgravesoutdoors@ainop.com