Hunting Gear Put to the Test: 5 Products That Impressed in Wyoming

There's something especially exciting about the first big game hunt of the season. After months of planning, preparing and looking forward to time spent afield, the anticipation of returning to familiar hunting grounds is hard to beat. And if you're anything like me, part of that excitement comes from finally putting a few new pieces of gear to the test. 

This year, our annual pronghorn hunt in eastern Wyoming offered the perfect opportunity to test several recent additions to my hunting kit. Between hiking miles across rolling sagebrush hills, field dressing my pronghorn and spending several days camping beside a lake, I had plenty of opportunities to see how each performed in the field. 

I've always found that the true test of hunting gear comes with experience. A pair of boots might feel comfortable walking around the house, but how do they hold up after miles of uneven terrain? A knife might be sharp out of the box, but how does it handle the work that follows a successful hunt? And sometimes, the most useful piece of equipment turns out to be something you hadn't originally thought of as hunting gear at all. 

Here are five products I put to use during my first big game hunt of the season, and what I thought of each. 

If there's one piece of hunting gear I'm particularly picky about, it's footwear. A good pair of boots can make all the difference between enjoying a long day afield and counting down the miles until you're back at the truck. 

Eastern Wyoming's pronghorn country provided a great testing ground for the Meindl Lady EuroLight Hunter 300 boots. Over the course of our hunt, I put miles upon miles on them, hiking across rolling sagebrush hills and navigating uneven ground. 

What impressed me first was how comfortable they were straight out of the box. There was no uncomfortable break-in period to contend with, which was especially appreciated when I had full days of hiking ahead. 

But what really stood out was the ankle support. The uneven terrain required plenty of careful foot placement, and I felt stable and supported throughout the hunt. Despite that support, the boots remained lightweight enough that my feet never felt weighed down or excessively tired after covering ground. 

Finding that balance between stability, comfort and weight can be a challenge, particularly in women's hunting footwear. After putting these boots through several long days in Wyoming, I can confidently say they've earned a place as one of my go-to hunting boots. 

MSRP: $360

Anyone who has spent time hunting in Wyoming knows that the weather can change considerably between sunrise and the middle of the afternoon. Mornings can be downright chilly, while a few hours of sunshine and hiking can leave you wishing you'd worn fewer layers. The First Lite Women's Wick Quarter Zip proved to be a versatile piece for those changing conditions. 

I appreciated having something comfortable to wear through the cooler parts of the day without feeling overly bundled up once temperatures started climbing. The quarter-zip design was especially useful as the afternoons warmed up. Being able to unzip the front and let in some cooler air offered a quick way to regulate my temperature without stopping to change layers. 

It's a simple feature, but one I found myself appreciating repeatedly throughout the hunt. When you're covering ground and your activity level changes throughout the day, having clothing that can adjust with you makes a noticeable difference. 

For the variable temperatures we experienced in Wyoming, this was an easy piece to reach for each morning. 

MSRP: $115

One of the most rewarding parts of a successful hunt comes after the shot, when the focus shifts from pursuing an animal to properly caring for the harvest. 

This year, I had the opportunity to use the Knives of Alaska Alpha Wolf to field dress my pronghorn, and it made an excellent first impression. 

The blade was exceptionally sharp straight out of the box, making the field-dressing process smooth and efficient. It handled the work with ease, and I was particularly impressed with how comfortable and secure the grip felt in my hand. 

A knife is one of those tools where functionality matters far more than appearances. When you're working with an animal in the field, you want something sharp, dependable and easy to control. The Alpha Wolf delivered on all three during my experience. 

Of all the new gear I brought along, this was one of the pieces I was most excited to put to use, and it certainly didn't disappoint. 

MSRP: $$114.99 – $299.99

Sometimes the gear that surprises you most isn't necessarily the equipment designed specifically for hunting. The WaterPORT GoSpout was one of those products for me. 

This portable water sprayer came in handy when it was time to clean up after our successful hunt. I used it to rinse loose hair and grass from my pronghorn meat before packaging it for the freezer, and the water pressure was more than sufficient for the job. As with any game-meat processing, I still took care to keep the meat clean and properly chilled, but having a convenient water source available made cleanup easier. 

What I particularly appreciated was the simplicity of the system. There were no batteries to charge or electrical components to worry about, which is a major plus when camping away from the conveniences of home. 

And its usefulness didn't end with processing meat. With dogs along for the trip, the sprayer also came in handy for washing dirty paws before they climbed back into the camper. 

Between cleaning up after the hunt and keeping camp a little tidier, the GoSpout proved to be a surprisingly versatile addition to our setup. It's easy to imagine finding plenty of other uses for it on future hunting, camping and outdoor trips. 

MSRP: $144.99

Let's face it: After spending all day hiking through sagebrush country, there's nothing quite like the feeling of getting cleaned up before settling in for the evening. Of course, when you're camping for several days, a proper shower isn't always an option. 

That's where the Klean Freak body wipes came in, and I was genuinely impressed with how much of a difference they made. After long days of hiking, dust and sweat, being able to freshen up before bed was a welcome comfort. And when you're sharing the relatively small, enclosed space of a camper with other people and dogs, keeping yourself feeling clean is something everyone can appreciate. 

These aren't the most glamorous pieces of hunting gear, nor are they something I would have necessarily considered essential before this trip. But after using them for several days, I can see why they deserve a permanent spot in my camping supplies. 

Sometimes it's the smallest conveniences that make the biggest difference at the end of a long day. 

MSRP: $15

One of the things I appreciate most about hunting is that every trip offers an opportunity to learn something, whether it's about the animals we're pursuing, the country we're exploring or the equipment we rely on along the way. 

This Wyoming trip was no exception. 

Each of these products served a different purpose, and each proved useful in its own way. While I still have plenty of seasons ahead to see how these products hold up over time, their first real test left me impressed.