A few things caught my attention last week as I attened the annual Archery Trade Association show where companies in the outdoor industry come together to show off their latest and greatest products and to network with other industry partners.
There were a lot of great new products there as well as some tried and true gear that those in the outdoors know and love. Everyone from the smallest of mom and pop sporting goods store or bow shop to the biggest stars from all of the outdoor networks. It’s a great gathering opportunity for professionals in the outdoor industry.
Products
Convergent Hunting Solutions
I’ve worked with several outdoor companies and non profit organizations over the years on a variety of projects. This time, I attended the ATA Show with Convergent Hunting. They are the manufacturers of a line of electronic game calls that are deadly in all types of predator hunting as well as feral hog management.
Most hunters are not familiar with the effectiveness of calling hogs other than the Arkansas Razorbacks. (woo pig sooie) However with the help of Prostaffer Glenn Guess, Convergent has really locked on to a new technique for using their game calls to help thin out the nations hog problems.
The Bullet HP game call has been the go to product for electronic game calls for the last few years. Its Bluetooth receiver connects to your Apple or Android phone which allows you to control the speaker as well as the decoy via a downloadable app. The Predator Pro app is available for free and other apps are available depending on what sounds you want to use.
A new product offering from Convergent is the sidewinder. This weapon mounted game call is small, but packs a punch in the sound department. When mounted to your weapons picatiny rail, the sidewinder connects directly to your phone. A final prototype was on display at the show, but you can Look for the final version later this spring.
SpyHigh Mounting System
One of the cool new products that I particularly liked was the SpyHigh Mounting system. To me, this is one of those why didn’t I think of that things.
The SpyHigh Mounting System is an ingenious trail camera mount that uses a painters pole to install your trail camera in a tree without needing to carry a ladder into the woods with you. It installs in minutes using a unique screw in or a clamp mount and allows you to position your camera high in a tree for the best angle.
To me, the SpyHigh Mounting systems does two things.
- By elevating the camera, you get a larger coverage area in each photo. That means more deer can fit in each photo. Even though trail cameras aren’t really artistic in nature, the photographer in me says it means you’ll get a different perspective then the standard tree mounted camera photos that we’ve all gotten use to.
- Have you ever lost a camera to theft? Its a terrible feeling knowing your good camera is gone. When you walk through the woods, you are looking down or at eye level. Raise your camera up into a tree and get it out of sight and out of mind of thieves. Plus, with the ability to reach up to 20′ into the air, unless a would be thief has a ladder or the SpyHigh Pole adapter, your camera will be safe from theft even if spotted.
E-bikes
E-bikes seem to be increasing in popularity. There were couple of e-bike manufacturers present at the show. A few months ago, I had a chance to try out the Rambo Bikes at T.P. Outdoors in Monroe, LA. They were also at the show along with QuietKat.
Now E-bikes may not be for everyone but I think they are pretty cool. Personally, I’m not a big fan of riding an ATV right up to your deer stand. I’ve always walked in to my deer stand from a little ways away. Having a quite e-bike might shorten my walk some. Innovation and competition are bringing the price of e-bikes down. E-bikes have also gotten more and more powerful and batteries have gotten lighter. You can even pull a small trailer behind some bikes to haul your deer stand or deer out of the woods. Where I really think these would shine though is in turkey hunting. Nothing like slipping in to your favorite turkey roost with the silence of an electric bike.
Whether checking trail cameras, scouting, or hunting. I think E-bikes could become a more and more common tool for hunters and outdoorsmen. Especially when it comes to public land hunting.
Obviously, there were lots and lots of other cool products at the ATA show but these are just a few that caught my attention.
In my next blog, we’ll talk about a few of the seminars that I attended while at the ATA show and some thoughts on how we can help improve your companies online presence.
If I can help you in anyway, Contact Us. We’d love to help you.
