Truckin’ with the Spider Family

Magnum’s New Spider Boots

Awhile back, The Outdoor Blogger Network celebrated the New Year along with adding a 1000th writer to The Outdoor Blogger Directory. An annual kickoff Gear Review Opportunity from The Outdoor Blogger Network included these boots.

MAGNUM® ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT™
SPIDER 8.1

The Spider family
As the Magnum® brand adds to what is known as The Spider Family, line or collection of boots, “The Species Evolves”. There are approximately 20 or more models, versions or styles of Spider shoes and boots. The new SPIDER 8.1 HPI was launched at this year’s NSSF SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

Tactical Elite Assault Boots:
Born 30 years ago, from Britain’s top selling athletic shoe firm, to supply U.S. Federal agents, California’s Magnum® reported that these new boots were originally designed for Special Forces operating in Afghanistan. Six years prior to this, the Magnum Stealth was the top selling uniform boot in the world.

In the past few years, field reports regarding the limitations of military issued boots resulted in policies allowing some troops to switch to civilian market boots, especially mountaineering boots.

Nowadays, newer boot styles are much more multipurpose. Magnum® designs new, technical, assault boots that deliver extraordinary off label use from crossover or spin-off technology, turning out benefits and applications for a variety of outdoor interests.

Spider Boots can take a person’s feet through most seasons, from urban areas, through rural areas and into “The Back 40” while enhancing athletic agility for the wearer.

MAGNUM® ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT™
SPIDER 8.1 HPI-WIDE MULTICAM
Magnum style #5380

Weight and Fit:
Spider 8.1 HPi boots are exceptionally light weight at an approximate average of 21 ounces each. These boots are available in medium and “Wide Fit” sizes 7 through 15. Spider Boots are very flexible and come with a comfort guarantee.

Sole/Tread/Shank:

Certified for safety and occupational footwear, these boots are labeled oil and slip resistant. The soles are deeply lugged with reinforced stabilizers. 

The MultiCam® camouflage pattern is molded completely through the sole and remains effective even through wear and damage. The Shank is formed from Thermoplastic Polyurethane to pass Metal detectors.

Toes:

Double layered leather toe guards on top resists snags and abrasions. Flexible toe fins grip inclined surfaces (walls, rock faces).

Each toe has 4 sand/debris-proof vents that cycles fresh air through the boot.

Notches under the toes are supposedly for stepping on fencing and may also be suitable for aggressive style biking.

Fast Rope System:

Magnum® probably has the most sophisticated Fast Rope capability included in their boots (for sliding down and climbing ropes). *Surveying different brands of Fast Rope boots, online, will quickly divulge this. Conceivably, Fast Rope boot features could also be useful for clambering trees, ladders, rocks or rigging. 

Uppers:
Uppers measured 8 inches tall (9-1/2 inches total boot height). An external support frame wraps around the malleolus (ankle bones/balls) and lower calf. Upper materials are leather, 1650 denier ballistic nylon, authentic Crye Precision sourced MultiCam® pattern/fabric and ceramic SuperFabric®.

Insole and Lining:
A dimpled, quilted “Spider Mesh” interior and a thick memory foam insole feels both secure and airy.

Lacing:
Round, cord style laces slide easily through precise guides (“composite hardware”). Some of the guides or eyelets have a built in locking mechanism and there is a lace storage system at the top of the boot. Lacing can be quickly removed if needed.

Pulls:
Big loops for pulling boots on.



















Finish:
Seriously reinforced and meticulously sewn. These boots resist liquids, biological and chemical agents because of ion-mask™, a nanoscopic molecular treatment that is applied in a plasma chamber and unaffected by high use and wear.

Unhelpful Aspects:
Neither a Vegan boot nor Vegan footwear. Not recommended for extreme cold. May be too blunt for some sport climbing toe holds.

Happiness and Value:
These are boots that can be worn almost year-round and have a big show off or wow factor. Enjoy wearing these boots for errands, banquets, church, work or sports. Try out different lace styles and colors. Add thermal or cooling insoles to customize the warmth of these boots.

Retail Price Survey:
$180-$240 (MultiCam Camouflage)
$119-$185. (Tan, Desert, Black / Work, Tactical, Wet)

 Additional Notes:  Spider Boots feature TecTuff Leathers, agion® odor control, Ortholite® insoles and Starensier’s Breath Right® comfort and breathability technology.

“I am very blessed to have these boots in time for turkey season. I wish I would have had these boots last fall when I was walking 15 miles a day in search of upland birds. These are boots that you don’t even think about while wearing. These will definitely make a difference next deer season. In the past I had single criteria for footwear: wide width; and these boots are available in wide fit. I love all things MultiCam, so these boots match my other MultiCam gear which blends in anywhere. ” -TRF

MAGNUM® Essential Equipment™ Website:

About:

I registered for the opportunity to independently test, review and give opinion for Magnum® Spider Boots. I utilized donated products for this purpose; upon being selected by random drawing. Currently, I am not otherwise affiliated or associated with Magnum® and have not received pecuniary compensation or incentive from Magnum®.

Scenes from Winter Sports Show 2011

19th Annual Ice Fishing and Winter Sports Show
St. Paul, Minnesota
December 2nd - 4th 2011
The Largest Ice Fishing Show in the United States

Best In Show Award Announcement:
The Reverend Fowl™ BlogSpot/Blogger
has awarded it’s Best In Show Award to:
Swish-Rod™

~for~

classic, in-line reel & rod combos.

http://www.swishrod.com/

HT Hi-Tech Fishing

Wisconsin, USA

Stomper Tech ATRV

 

Swish-Rod™

by Handishop Industries, Inc.

Wisconsin, USA

 

The Arctic Fisherman
Beaver Dam Tip-Up

The original design
survived more than 45 years

Wisconsin, USA

Cribbage Board Tip-Up

Wall of Fish
tractor-trailer

Minnesota Darkhouse

& Angling Association

Spears

Minnesota Darkhouse & Angling Association
Decoys for Spearing

Ice Tech Fishing Systems

Antler Ice Rods

Gasoline & Propane Augers

Snobear
Fargo, ND

Decoy Weights from Blackwing Advancements

New “Duck Egg” Decoy Weights and Anchors may be the most versatile system for managing individually rigged decoys.

"Although I enjoy waterfowl hunting, I consider the setting and retrieval of decoys an unpleasant chore, especially in deep water. Waterfowl decoys are usually set predawn in placid water and retrieved later in the day when it is often windy, making the water choppy. Sometimes I just want to go home, especially after an unsuccessful hunt. Blackwing Advancements offers the most logical solution I have seen for managing individually rigged decoys." -TRF

Bill of Fair
After surveying the retail offering of individually rigged decoy systems; it becomes obvious there are not that many choices. The “Texas Rig” is a specialized innovation only applicable to very shallow water and is useless to hunters in deeper, natural water areas. Another noticeable development for decoy rigging, is adding a stretchable component to decoy line terminals for keeping the line taut and weights secured during transportation and storage.

The Egg
The Duck Egg decoy weight/anchor from Blackwing Advancements works with all types of individually rigged decoy systems including sliding weight rigs like The Texas Rig. The Duck Egg includes a heavy-duty shock cord or bungee that stretches over any part of a decoy.  

Weight
The Duck Egg comes in both 4 and 8 ounce sizes. The Duck Egg has a thoughtful shape that is both angled to prevent drag and rounded to protect decoy bodies and paint. The Duck Egg features a balanced center of gravity/mass which means there is none of the torque that causes other types of weights to break or be lost.

Speed
Decoys rigged with the Duck Egg are fast to set and retrieve. This is especially important under harsh conditions.

Pricing
Duck Egg Decoy Weights from Blackwing Advancements start at $29.99 per dozen ($2.50 each) with immediate volume discounts beginning with the second dozen. Special pricing is also available.

Made In The USA

Blackwing Advancements Website: 

http://www.blackwinghunting.com/index.html

I responded to an open invitation to independently test, review and give opinion for Duck Egg Decoy Weights. I utilized advertised samples for this purpose. Currently, I am not otherwise affiliated or associated with Blackwing Advancements LLC and have not received pecuniary compensation or incentive from Blackwing Advancements LLC.

Decoy Rigging: The Minnesota Rig

How to

Minnesota Rig

Decoys

The

Minnesota Rig

The chief characteristic of the Minnesota Rig is the use of inexpensive Metal Shower Curtain Rings.

Benefit 

Adding Rings to the ends of decoy lines allows the lines to be attached or detached as needed. 

Economy & Use

$1.99 is the average price for a package of 12 Rings.

A Ring will allow an unanchored decoy to be attached to an anchored decoy, reducing the amount of anchor weights needed.  

Spectra Shot™ A Workhorse Waterfowl Load That Includes Color Finished Pellets

Manufactured in the U.S.A.

Introduction
The new Spectra Shot brand is launching a streamlined waterfowl load.

"I learned of Spectra Shot while searching for a new waterfowl load. I needed ammunition I could feel comfortable shooting. My search for a better waterfowl load began after I was frightened and discouraged by ultra-high velocity ammunition. I had somehow forgotten that ammunition needn’t be complicated or excessive to be effective." –TRF

Timeless Feel
A noticeable phenomena among different brands of waterfowl loads, is that each load seems to have its own folk following. For this, here is some useful information to consider about Spectra Shot:

Although the Spectra Shot brand is new and based in Lafayette Louisiana, Spectra Shot’s research, development and manufacturing occurs at Polywad, Inc. Polywad is the same facility that has assisted Hevi-Shot®, Hastings®, Polyshock™, Precision Ammunition, Brenneke®, Federal Premium® and others.

The Spectra Shot brand began making inroads after a summer feature in WILDFOWL magazine, which included off-label testing of Spectra Shot as a heavy field load.

Velocity | Recoil
At 1400 fps, Spectra Shot™ Waterfowl is faster than the normal velocity averages of many similar loads by other manufactures. Spectra Shot™ Waterfowl is a good choice for those who have experienced uneasiness or erratic results with ultra-high velocity ammunition. Spectra Shot was very comfortable to shoot while testing with very low felt recoil. Spectra Shot Waterfowl was not hot, jerky or jumpy when fired, but instead, had a steady, solid feel to it.

Pellet Size

Initially, Spectra Shot Waterfowl ammunition will be mostly available in No.2 size shot. No.2 shot may be the most accessible, versatile and effective pellet for waterfowl hunting. Many hunters use both duck and goose decoys together and proceed to call both. In Minnesota, this practice would necessitate No.2 shot size because Minnesota’s Regulation Hand book lists No. 2 shot as the minimum size for all Geese. Maryland also does this. Missouri lists No.2 shot for ducks and geese. Finally, Montana lists No.2 shot for ranges beyond 30 yards. Shot larger than this, has more weight but also more drag and is increasingly blunt, limiting penetration.

Pellet Quality
Spectra Shot packaging states U.S. made, polished steel shot.
A close inspection of these pellets reveals an extremely smooth and uniform roundness. There were no outcroppings or raised defects. Only a few pellets were found to have a single, shallow, pin-point size indentation, but this had been improved by the finish and coating.

 

 

Pellet Colors
Colored pellets were developed for improved visibility, identification and removal when processing game. Different colors were developed for claiming game when hunting in a party or group. Even more colors were developed for training, practice, nighttime, special events and custom orders. Spectra Shot’s color finish is hard, permanently fixed and nontoxic.

Value | Performance
Spectra Shot’s mission states a commitment to top quality components. Spectra Shot has made several changes recently to improve affordability, including a change from clear overshot cards and roll-crimping, to the popular factory fold crimping. Individual shells loaded, chambered, fired, cycled and ejected smoothly. Recovered shot-cup wads from range testing, had survived the different steel shot choke types, including extended, extra-full and heavily ported chokes. Spectra Shot Waterfowl offers the same water resistance and weatherproofing as the majority of waterfowl load manufactures.

Accuracy | Pattern
Carefully opened shells contained 156 pellets each of No.2 shot.

Because hunting ammunition is banned or prohibited at non-rifle gun clubs, Spectra Shot™ Waterfowl was tested at an outdoor rifle range.

Although pattern testing is customarily performed at a 40 yard distance, this testing was performed at 50 yards because a 40 yard range that allows hunting ammunition could not be found.

While testing occurred at the outer limits of effective range, the pattern and accuracy results were excellent. Windage and drop calculations were used when testing Spectra Shot, to reveal precise and sturdy shot patterns. This is the type of shot performance experienced hunters strive to pull together. 

 

Availability
Spectra Shot Waterfowl is brand new and only beginning to set up retail outlets.

















Spectra Shot™ Website: http://www.spectrashot.com/index.html 

About:
I requested the opportunity to independently test, review & give opinion for Spectra Shot™ Steel Waterfowl Load. I utilized donated products for this purpose. Currently, I am not otherwise affiliated or associated with Spectra Shot LLC and have not received pecuniary compensation or incentive from Spectra Shot LLC.