Get Ready for the Hunting Season with Schnee’s

With the General Big Game season underway here in Montana and much of the west, thousands of residents and non-residents are heading into the mountains in hopes of filling a tag or two. Whether you plan on heading out into the mountains on your own or with the service of a qualified outfitter, be sure to visit Schnee’s for all of the backcountry essentials before your next hunt!

Traversing the Rockies in search of big game requires footwear that will provide the proper amount of support, traction and protection to tackle the rugged terrain found across the western US. This may include side-hilling on slippery shale, crossing mountain streams or post-holing through thigh deep snow to get to where your quarry is. Schnee’s Hunter II series of boots have been the go-to choice of boots for outfitters, guides and sportsmen taking to the mountains every fall for over 23 years. Designed for comfort and built to last, the Hunter II is available in 10”, 13” and 16” heights and features Schnee’s exclusive Advantage™ rubber outsole for maximum traction in any condition.

Schnee's Hunter II

During your hunt, stay comfortable whether you are in the saddle, around camp or on the mountain with the Schnee’s Rifleman’s Shirt™. Introduced into the Schnee’s line last Fall, the Rifleman’s Shirt™ has quickly become a favorite among western sportsmen. Combining the fit, feel and warmth of fine wool with the wicking and drying properties of a synthetic, the Rifleman’s Shirt is sure to become your favorite. Available in 4 heathered colors and beautifully trimmed with a genuine leather collar stand and leather button holes on the front pockets, the Rifleman’s Shirt™ also features a generous bi-swing back for a comfortable range of motion.

Schnee’s Rifleman’s Shirts

Finally, don’t forget the little things. Schnee’s carries a wide assortment of invaluable accessories for your hunting season. From premium leather conditioner, canvas quarter bags and binocular suspenders to custom made hunting knives, Schnee’s has you covered.

Hunting Essentials

Before you set out on your next hunting hunting adventure, let the experts at Schnee’s help you prepare for the hunt of a lifetime. All of these great products can be found by visiting our retail stores in historic downtown Bozeman or online at www.schnees.com.

Planning the Game with Sitka Athletes Mark Seacat and Jeff Simpson

When the talk turns to hunting whitetails, Montana is probably not the first state that comes to mind for prime whitetail habitat or notable whitetail hunters. Although Montana does boast large numbers of whitetail deer and some incredible habitat to hunt them, the state is definitely more known for the excellent elk and mule deer hunting.

 Tune in below to watch noted Montana elk hunter and Sitka Athlete Mark Seacat pickup a few pointers from whitetail authority and TV Personality Jeff Simpson. Jeff and Mark will be teaming up this fall on some exciting whitetail hunts!

 

Be sure to visit us as www.schnees.com and check out all of the best clothing, footwear and gear to help make your whitetail season a comfortable and successful one. The latest whitetail inspired clothing from Sitka in the all-new GORE® OPTIFADE™ Big Game Forest is moving fast as is the incredible selection of women’s camouflage from Prois. Schnee’s also carries the finest hunting boots available to keep you warm and comfortable during those long sits in the stand or box-blind.

GORE® OPTIFADE™ Big Game Forest: The Science of Nothing

Sitka Mountain Gear and W.L. Gore & Associates have teamed up again to expand the Sitka Gear clothing lineup as well as introduce a brand new camouflage pattern designed primarily for the tree stand hunter. New for this year, Sitka has introduced three lines of clothing designed with the serious Whitetail Deer hunter in mind and available exclusively in the new GORE® OPTIFADE™ Big Game Forest pattern.  The Stratus, Downpour and Incinerator Series of big game hunting coats and pants are designed to help keep you comfortable and in the stand longer regardless of what Mother Nature throws your way. Sitka will also offer the new OPTIFADE™ Forest pattern in other popular Sitka series such as the Core and 90% line.  

GORE® OPTIFADE™ Big Game Forest utilizes technology similar to the tried and true OPTIFADE™ Big Game Open Country but focuses more on micro-patterning to increase the effectiveness of the camouflage pattern at closer distances. The technology behind this pattern helps to disrupt the shape of the human body in vertical applications as well as blend in with the forest canopy above helping you to literally disappear within your surroundings. Watch the video below to learn more about how the technology and design of this pattern works!

Sitka has taken this new pattern and matched it with a line-up of clothing designed to maximize comfort and concealment in the woods.  By utilizing technical fabrics such as GORE-TEX® and GORE® WINDSTOPPER® and combining them with premium insulating materials like 100% Natural Goose Down and PrimaLoft®, Sitka Gear’s new line will keep you in the stand hunting comfortably in virtually any conditions. All of the outwear pieces in the Stratus, Downpour and Incinerator series also feature a lightly brushed exterior fabric to reduce noise.

To learn more about the Sitka Mountain Gear and GORE® OPTIFADE™ Big Game Forest and to see all of the great new items, visit us at www.schnees.com or call us at 1-800-922-1562 and place your order today!

Schnee’s Brings You The Best in Hunting Footwear and Apparel For 2010!

With the fall hunting season approaching fast, Schnee’s has what you need to get prepared for the upcoming season. Whether you are looking for a new hunting jacket or the best hunting boots available, Schnee’s has all of the greatest new clothing and equipment available from Sitka, Prois, Schnee’s, Badlands and more!

Whitetail hunters need to check out the new line of clothing and accessories by Sitka Gear designed specifically with the treestand hunter in mind. Featuring the all new GORE® OPTIFADE™ Big Game Forest pattern and consisting of the Stratus, Downpour and Incinerator Series, Sitka has optimized this new line for the savvy stand hunter. Sitka has also extended the new Forest camouflage pattern to many of their existing items including the Core and Traverse base layers, ascent packs and the ever popular Sitka 90% Jacket and Pant.

Elk hunters should really enjoy Sitka’s newly redesigned Jetstream Hunting Jacket. This jacket utilizes GORE™ WINDSTOPPER® soft shell technology for those windy days hiking and glassing in the high country and for 2010 Sitka has added pit zips for increased breathability as well as a hood for additional protection from the elements. Combine the Sitka Jetstream Jacket with the Jetstream Beanie and Gloves, Sitka Ascent pants and the Sitka Flash 32 pack and you are just about ready to hit the mountains in search of that trophy, but don’t forget about your footwear!

Sitka Jetstream Jacket

Tough terrain, heavy packs and long days afield require quality, supportive footwear. Schnee’s has just introduced the new Montana Mountain Boot™ series built specifically with the serious hunter in mind. Consisting of the Granite™, Beartooth™ and Wilderness™ models, this may just be the best collection of elk hunting boots ever made! Crafted in Italy, these boots feature eVent® breathable membranes for 100% waterproof protection. Full-length heavy duty midsoles combined with extra-thick premium leather uppers work together to provide the highest level of support and comfort in difficult terrain.

Schnee's Granite Boot

Schnee’s is also proud to offer a great selection of clothing and accessories for all of the women hunters out there as well. Women who are tired of settling for the baggy, generic fit associated with wearing men’s hunting clothes will be ecstatic when they discover Prois hunting apparel for women. This great collection of quality women’s hunting clothing is designed, cut and built to perform for women by women!

Badlands Packs has added a ladies pack option this year as well with the Kali Pack. This 2500 cubic inch pack has plenty of room for a day on the mountain and features contoured shoulder straps and hip belt for a comfortable fit for women as well as excellent weight distribution.

Badlands Kali Pack

Powder Horn Montana TV is Back! Season II Now Airing!

Season 2 of Powder Horn Montana presented by Leica  is back and airing on The Sportsman Channel. Be sure to tune in for another action packed season bringing you the best in fair chase, western big game hunting from Montana, British Columbia and more!

Jason Matzinger - 2009 Montana Elk

Follow host Jason Matzinger and the PHTV crew this season as they pursue trophy Rocky Mountain Elk, Mountain Goat, Black Bear, Turkey and more.  The action is fast and the incredible up-close and personal footage is sure to get your adrenaline pumping!

Les Hausauer - Alberta Black Bear

This year, Leica and PHTV will also be teaming up with a group of great sponsors to give away a Dream Hunt Package for a fully guided Elk and Mule Deer hunt right here in Montana! The winner and one guest will BOTH experience an elk/deer combo hunt here in beautiful southwest Montana with our host Jason Matzinger. The winner whose name is drawn will also receive a great gear package from Leica Sport Optics, Schnee’s, Sitka and Montana Canvas!

Hosts Jason Matzinger and Jon Edwards with Jon's British Columbia Mt. Goat

If you would like more information on the contest or want to find out how to enter, tune in to Powder Horn Montana airing at 10:30AM MST on Wednesday’s with additional viewings at 5 PM Saturday, 8:30 AM Sunday and 11 PM Sunday!

Binoculars – Bino Spenders & Bino Rainwrap from Schnee’s

The Bino Spenders and Bino RainWrap are a really affordable way to keep your binoculars handy and protected from the elements when you’re in the field. Whether you’re hunting, bird watching, taking photographs, you’ll want to keep your binos where you can get to them in a hurry. When it’s raining, snowing, or windy and dusty, you’ll want to keep the lenses from getting dirty. At the same time, you want the whole system to be comfortable. The Bino Spenders/Bino Rainwrap fits the bill perfectly.

SportHill Hunting Apparel

SportHill may be new to hunting, but SportHill has been outfitting Olympic Champions, Olympic Teams, and Adventurers around the world with state-of-the-art clothing for nearly 25 years. One of the best fabrics on the market for cold weather athletics is 3SP, developed by SportHill and used in many of their garments, including their hunting apparel.  What does 3SP mean for hunters?

• Single layer solution
• Windproof to 35 mph
• Hydrophobic (water resistant)
• Very Quiet Durable Stretches & moves with the hunter
• Super-soft, brushed interior
• Snag resistant

The same cutting-edge apparel worn by the world’s best athletes is now available for hunters in VanisHybrid Camouflage on the Schnees.com site – and we’re very excited about it. Many archery  hunters train year-round and wear SportHill Infuzion tops while cross country skiing or trail running during the off-season; now the SportHill Infuzion top and SportHIll Infuzion pant are available in camo hunting clothes. Here’s a shot of the SportHill hunting apparel in the field:

SportHill Hunting Apparel

“This year I’ll be wearing my 3SP on all my hunts, from Africa to New Zealand, Canada, Alaska and throughout the West. Serious hunters demand serious gear, and this is the most functional clothing I’ve found, period!” Scott Haugen, TV Host, Writer, Speaker

Badlands Bino Vault

Badlands Packs makes some great hunting packs-  the Badlands 2200, the Monster Fanny Pack, the Super Day Pack… but there’s one item that most of us could definitely use: The Badlands Bino Vault. The Bino Vault uses a Zip/No system ( a series of numerous very small earth magnets woven into a seam) that allows a totally silent opening and closing, plus it has pockets on the inside, and extra holding areas on the sides (for a radio & GPS), plus there’s a built-in area on the shoulder harness for a 35-oz hydration bladder. Even if you’re not a hunter, the Bino Vault makes a lot of sense if you spend a lot of time in the outdoors and want a fairly minimal set-up to carry your gear. The Bino Vault retails for $60 and is available on the schnees.com website.

Travis Morris was in the Powder Horn Outfitters store conducting a clinic on all the Badlands Packs and was kind enough to help shoot this video of the Bino Vault system: