Mountain Goat Hunting Gear List

Mountain Goat Hunting Gear List

While this is written from a woman’s perspective, any person can follow this gear list and substitute the appropriate items. I’ve intentionally made this very specific because I noticed that most lists out there are pretty vague, and gear can really help or hurt your experience. Do not mistake that for “gear will be the reason you’re successful or unsuccessful.” I can’t stand when people blame their gear for everything. Without proper preparation, including your physical ability and a positive mindset, it doesn’t matter what’s included in this list.

South Dakota Pheasant Hunting in November

South Dakota Pheasant Hunting in November

While a shotgun isn’t completely foreign to me, I admit that it typically sits under my bed for 12+ months at a time. Then, I pull it out and attempt to remember how to properly shoulder, lead, and follow through a shot. I’d compare it to a newborn giraffe learning how to walk. Ok, maybe not that bad, but it’s not pretty! My love for archery hunting runs deep, so everything else seems to fall behind that.

She Believed She Could, So She Did // First Solo Archery Bull Elk

She Believed She Could, So She Did // First Solo Archery Bull Elk

For 7 years I’ve been chasing bulls with my dad - It’s become a family tradition and it’s the hunt I look forward to more than any other. He started my addiction in 2015 as a wedding gift and I’ve been hooked ever sense. I went from never knowing what a bugle sounded like before my first hunt, to finally connecting on my first solo archery bull this year. It’s been quite the journey, and this is the first year that I’ve felt called to try to accomplish it on my own. After going on guided elk hunts for a few years, we started going on DIY public land hunts as a family and I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s allowed me to challenge myself and learn a lot more about elk in order to be successful. Eating tag soup isn’t easy for me, and while I know that hunting is much more than the kill, punching that tag is the biggest goal for me personally. This year, prior to this trip, I’ve been hunting OTC (over-the-counter) tags in Utah, shooting at 2 spikes already with nothing to show for it. Simply being within range is a rush, so getting a shot is something really special.

Gear Up, Girls! Women's Camo Review for Archery Elk

Gear Up, Girls! Women's Camo Review for Archery Elk

I vividly remember when women-specific camo started to hit the market. After years of wearing hand-me-downs, youth clothing, or oversized men’s clothing, including Carhartt bibs for most of those years, I happily bought the pink-it-and-shrink it lines because finally something was made “just for me,” except it was terrible. Slowly but surely, brands noticed the increase in women hunters and therefore the demand for something functional, durable, and comfortable that complimented our build a little more than a boxy cotton shirt with a few pink leaves mixed in.

The Most Comfortable Camping Sleep System // Canvas Cutter

The Most Comfortable Camping Sleep System // Canvas Cutter

It’s amazing what a single night on the mountain will do for the soul! I snuck away and fell asleep under a (nearly) full moon, then woke up to see a shooting star within a few seconds of opening my “tent,” which is the very reason I’m throwing this article together! It never fails: every time I post anything about my bedrolls, people go nuts! This article will break down my preferred sleep system, and how I would change it to make it heavier or lighter depending on the trip. The additional weight is just for comfort when I don’t need to be strict about having a light setup. This particular trip fell somewhere in the middle in terms of size and weight. Let’s get to the details!

New Mexico Archery Elk Hunting // an Under Armour Hunt Film

New Mexico Archery Elk Hunting // an Under Armour Hunt Film

I have waited for nearly a year to share this incredibly special moment with everyone! When Under Armour asked me what I’m most passionate about and what species consumes my mind, I didn’t hesitate to say elk. I knew that’s what my film needed to be focused on. They’re the only animal that I dream about and they make me work harder in every area of my life, from the gym to reps with my bow, to giving every ounce to my job so I can afford to go chase them every year. If I’m thinking about hunting at all, it’s usually in regards to elk. There’s just nothing like hearing a bull bugle at 20 yards - I’ve been saying that since 2015 when I first experienced it. Then, add the challenge of chasing them with a bow and you’re going to be humbled really quick. I have failed way more than I’ve been successful, but it keeps me hungry for more.

"The New Normal" | What They Don't Want You To See

"The New Normal" | What They Don't Want You To See

A friend recently sent me the video above, and as I went to share it on my social channels, it was flagged. See screenshots below. I attempted to send the link in a direct message to some friends and it was immediately flagged again. No swipe ups, no messages, nothing is allowed in regards to sharing the video. Censorship is real and I’m getting a rather large dose of it.

75 HARD Complete | Tips for Staying on Track + Transformation Pics

75 HARD Complete | Tips for Staying on Track + Transformation Pics

The saying goes that once you hit rock bottom, the only way is up. Well hitting rock bottom is relative to what you’ve experienced in life, so I’ll start by saying that i still had a roof over my head, food on the table, and a great job when I hit my rock bottom. I felt depressed, anxious, lost, broken, and all the nasty feelings in between, even though from the outside everything seemed fine. Mental health is real and it needs to be a priority for every human being! However, it’s when I got to this dark place that I decided I needed structure and something positive to focus on. That’s when #75Hard began to pop up all around me, and without thinking too long or hard about it, I began. This is a program designed by Andy Frisella and it’s completely free!

For When I'm Not in Camo | Halo Hair Extensions

For When I'm Not in Camo | Halo Hair Extensions

Regardless of my love for the outdoors, I am a WOMAN and deep down every woman has a desire to feel beautiful! A few months back my bonus mom, who happens to be more "in-the-know” than myself on all beauty products, mentioned Halo hair extensions. I’ve stayed away from extensions because of how much time I spend outdoors, and clips-ins were itchy or uneven. I’ve even tried glue-in extensions way back in my college days! However, I think I’ve found the perfect solution for my outdoor girls that want something easy to remove that doesn’t damage your hair and is the furthest thing from high maintenance: Halo Couture Hair Extensions.

Zion National Park | The Perfect Girls Weekend

Zion National Park | The Perfect Girls Weekend

I’d be willing to argue that fewer places are more beautiful than Zion National Park in Southern Utah. I’ve driven through it a few times and hiked one of the shorter trails that’s close to the entrance, but it took me 1.5 years to finally TRULY experience it. Living just 45 minutes from Zion is a dream and I plan to go back ASAP! A Spring trip in May was the perfect timing, as the afternoons were already starting to warm up. For a short weekend trip (2 days for us), it doesn’t get much better than this schedule!

How to Make Jalapeño Cheddar Summer Sausage | Wild Game Processing

How to Make Jalapeño Cheddar Summer Sausage | Wild Game Processing

Meat processing was and still is one of the most intimidating parts of being a hunter, in my opinion. I have the desire to try new things all the time, but then I risk ruining the hard earned wild game that I pursue and that’s scary! Thankfully, after 3 batches of summer sausage, I think I’ve got it down (insert flex) and I’m here to share it with you! I’ll mostly be sharing the steps you take AFTER your meat is ground up; if you need to step backwards and get help grinding your meat, please reference this article. Then, instead of packaging the meat, you’ll jump back over to this article!

Professional VS At-Home Teeth Whitening | Which one is better?

Professional VS At-Home Teeth Whitening | Which one is better?

In December 2020 I finally did something I’ve been contemplating doing for years. I decided to get my teeth straightened back out, after years without wearing a retainer. I had braces in 4th grade and got them taken off 2.5 years later in 6th grade, but my orthodontist gave me clear retainers rather than a permanent retainer. I wasn’t quite responsible enough to have those, and here I am nearly 20 years later getting them fixed! This time, I decided to go the Invisalign route, rather than braces. I figured with COVID-19 cancelling all of our tradeshows, meaning I wouldn’t be in front of a camera or having important meetings face-to-face, it was time.