Bino pouch system

Guns Magazine, Nov, 2008 by Jeff John

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I first hunted with guide Jaret Owens when he had the sheep and pig concession on Santa Cruz Island off the coast of California and it was a well-run operation. Truly an exotic and beautiful venue from which to hunt. Alas, the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife declared sheep, pigs and olive trees, on the island wild since release by the Spanish in the mid 1600s "non-indigenous species" and had them destroyed.

Owens mostly guides big-game hunts in Alaska now. An inventive soul, he discovered faults with the various methods of packing binoculars in the field. He built and rebuilt his product after testing it climbing the mountains and crawling through the alder thickets of Southern Alaska. I believe he's finally got it right.

The Long Life Bino Bag has a storm-flapped pocket fitting glasses up to the big, long 10x42mms popular today. Two side pockets for lens cleaning tools, small flashlight and pens or pencils and a front pocket big enough for quality digital camera, a couple of Clif bars or a small poncho. The back of the pouch has a flat pocket for storage of your hunting license and tags. It carries the binocs across your chest and, in a limited test, I was able to shoulder my Winchester Model 70 without snags or interference.

The chest harness distributes the weight of the pack across your shoulders rather than your neck and is adjustable to keep the pack close to your chest. The straps are easy to adjust and the back piece is padded. Made from Realtree buck suede, the pack is quiet and rustle free. Although I haven't had a chance to test this part since it is summer, Owens states the pack insulates the binocs from body heat in cold weather so they won't fog upon removal from the pack. Best yet, it's only $39.95. Cheap insurance for expensive glass--and comfortable carry.

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ALASKA GUIDE CREATIONS

323 E. MATILIJA STREET, SUITE 110-186

OJAI, CA 93023

(805) 551-6815

WWW.ALASKAGUIDECREATIONS.COM