Cool New Tools for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Linden, a proud father from Fort Worth, Texas, is beaming. His three-year-old son Shea is on stage competing in his first elk calling contest. Ever since he was a baby, Shea has been captivated with the hunting videos his dad watched to practice his elk calling. "He would crawl up on the coffee table and bugle back, like he was the elk I was trying to call," says Linden. He and Shea traveled from Texas to Denver so his son could compete.

Shea did not win the contest. But that was never the point of the trip. It was a chance for father and son to come to Colorado and see elk callers in real life and take a trip into the mountains where the elk are. It was a trip to bring just one step closer the day when they will ride out into the mountains together, call, glass the ridge and then if they are lucky, pull back their bows to bring back a freezer of elk meat.

If this story reminds you of your first hunting or fishing experience, you know how important a connection to the outdoors can be and what a big part it can play in your life. It's not just hunting or fishing: It's a chance to spend time with your dad, your son, your grandkids and your buddies.

That said, all the camaraderie in the world doesn't make up for coming home empty handed. Even if you have a favorite fishing reel or a trusty rifle that you would never part with, there are plenty of new products that can improve your odds of success and keep you comfortable to boot.

Of course, without knowledge about your sport, all the gadgets in the world won't make you a good hunter or angler. Here are some tips from the experts at Galyan's that will help novices and experts alike.

Hunting

* Don't let the wind ruin a good day's hunting. Since you can't predict wind changes before the day of the hunt, set up tree stands in multiple locations. When the wind changes direction, you'll be ready with an alternate spot. Mark Pentecost, Senior Hunting Buyer for Galyan's, urges hunters to find a comfortable tree stand. "Buy one that fits right, that is the right weight capacity," he says. "You'll be spending a lot of time in it."

* Never dry fire any bow. Firing a bow without an arrow will transfer all the bow's energy through the bow to the shooter, resulting in possible serious injury to the shooter and destruction of the bow. Pentecost recommends investing in a vibration dampening system for your bow to make it quieter and more comfortable to shoot.

* In order to blend into your surroundings, mix and match camouflage patterns. For example, if you are sitting against a tree, wear a vertical tree pattern on your shirt or jacket and a ground cover pattern on your pants or bib. Also remember to remove or cover any shiny jewelry, watches, etc.

* Pentecost urges hunters to use proper hearing and eye protection any time they fire a gun. He notes that buying the cheapest items available is not always the wisest choice. "The extra money you spend will be rewarded by comfort and protection, " he says. The most useful hearing protection systems allow the wearer to hear ambient noise, such as conversation, but tunes out loud, harmful gunshots.

Fishing

Choosing the right equipment is an essential part of successful fishing. Identifying the specific species and method of fishing you plan to pursue will aid in the types of equipment you will need.

* When using baits like the new 3X Soft Plastic Lizard from Strike King, you should use bait casting or spinning reels with 12 -- 20 pound test with a 3/0 offset hook and a 6- to 7-foot medium to medium-heavy rod.

* To entice stubborn bass, push a small finishing nail in the head of a floating worm and then insert a worm hook through its middle. Cast it out, let it settle and keep slight tension on the line so the worm stands upright yet virtually motionless.

* Don't lose fish to bad line. Before outings, check lines for nicks and abrasions. Avid anglers should change lines two or three times per season.

* When using a GPS unit to mark a fishing spot, save the name and the depth, for example, Hot Reef -- 30. This will help you find the exact spot next time.

Galyan's is passionate about sports, the outdoors and getting the most out of life. Its stores offer the best merchandise from the top brands sold by knowledgeable sales people. To find the store nearest you, visit the company's website, www.galyans.com.