We had been hearing a lot about the SilenTrace Hunting Jacket System from TideWe and we wanted to check it out for ourselves to see what it was like…
TideWe SilenTrace Hunting Jacket System Features
Read below as we check out some of the key features of the TideWe SilenTrace Hunting Jacket System…
The Heated Core
The SilenTrace jacket system has a heated core that runs across this area right here…
The heat is controlled by a battery pack. You simply plug in the cord to the USB port on the batter and then slip it in the frontside pocket…
The SilenTrace has three heat settings, which can changed by pressing the TideWe logo button on the front of the jacket. The color changes from blue to white to red depending on the heat setting you select.
In addition to the electrically heated core, the SilenTrace also has a separate base layer that you can wear to provide extra warmth.
Elbows
It has reinforced elbow areas…
Zippers
In addition to the side pockets where the battery pack goes, it also has front zipper pockets on either side of the main zipper for carrying other hunting items or even hand warmers.
Hood And Neck Gaiter
It also has a neck gaiter as well as a removable hood for when you need extra warmth in more severe cold or windy weather.
Should You Buy The SilenTrace Hunting Jacket System?
The fleece fabric makes the SilenTrace live up to its name… it’s silent! With plenty of pockets, as well as a removable hood and then the heated core, it’s a solid option for those looking for warmth and silence in the hunting woods!
Overall, the SilenTrace Hunting jacket system is a great option for those wanting to keep quiet during the hunt and warm in windy or cold weather.
Elk hunting in America, especially in the American West, demands far more preparation than a typical North American deer hunt.
Unlike other types of deer, an elk hunt typically entails trekking through rugged backcountry, weathering unpredictable conditions, and lugging heavy loads.
Read on as we cover everything from what to pack for your elk hunt, to how to carry it safely, and best practices for getting any game meat out of the field.
Whether you’re just heading out for a day hunt or embarking on a multi-day expedition, your gear and preparation can make or break you.
For that reason, we thought it crucial to outline some of the basics and essential equipment every elk hunter needs, as well as some of the preparation and gear you might have never even thought of.
Elk Hunting Pack List And Gear Essentials (Day/Short Hunts)
On the simpler side of things, day hunts will usually kick off before dawn and may not come to an end until well after dark.
Even though you’re not overnighting, elk country is vast, remote, and often brutal, so packing smart is key.
A 1,500–3,000 cubic inch daypack with load lifters and a solid hip belt is a great starting place. Many frame-style daypacks can also haul a quarter if needed, giving you the meat-hauling capacity you need, even on a single-day hunt.
Layering is Critical
Starting at your base layer, wear a moisture-wicking base followed by an insulating mid-layer like fleece or a puffy, and then finish with a waterproof, breathable shell.
Mountain weather changes quickly, and you will find yourself in the mountains for most elk hunts, so always bring rain gear, even if it appears to be a clear day.
A beanie or brimmed hat, light gloves, and extra socks are also highly recommended. Now, when it comes to regulations, some states require rifle hunters to wear blaze orange, at minimum a vest and hat over your camo.
It is far easier to wear broken-in boots that are waterproof and that have ankle support. Do what you can to avoid breaking in new boots on an elk hunt.
You can also pair your broken-in boots with some warm wool or synthetic socks, just make sure to always pack a second pair. Trust us, it’s better to carry an extra pair back with you than to be stuck trying to hike with soaked socks if push comes to shove.
Be sure to pack a small foot care kit with moleskin, tape, blister pads, and foot powder. These kits are super light and do not add much weight to your pack, but if you for some reason need it, you do not want to be caught without it.
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05/28/2025 05:07 am GMT
Navigational Needs
Bring a GPS or smartphone mapping app (with offline maps), plus a topo map and compass. If you are out on a guided elk hunt with an outfitter, there is a good chance they will have this covered.
A headlamp is another non-negotiable piece of gear for hikes in and out in the dark, so just make sure to carry spare batteries. Beyond extra batteries, there is a wide array of emergency gear that you should include, such as a fire starter, a small emergency blanket, and a basic first aid kit with personal meds.
Optics Can Make or Break You
Add chest-mounted 8x or 10x binoculars to your elk hunting pack list so you can constantly scan, especially in areas of thick timber.
There’s no point in trekking out to elk country if you cannot pick out an elk along the mountainside. So, good optics are a must!
A rangefinder is also extremely helpful, as elk may look closer than they are across canyons or open hillsides. This is especially true for bowhunters who rely on precise yardage. A lens cloth is also a plus.
If you’re rifle hunting, be sure to clean and zero your firearm before the trip. Any time spent on the hunt prepping your rifle is time lost hunting elk. Just in case, pack a multi-tool or Allen wrench for field repairs.
Extra ammo or arrows are another obvious must-have. While it goes without saying for bow hunters, rifle hunters can also benefit from elk calls, so it can’t hurt to pack one.
Mind the Wind
If you hope to harvest an elk, scent control and wind direction is key…
Do your best to start with clean, unscented gear and make an effort to control scent in the field, elk have an amazing sense of smell.
More importantly, play the wind. A small chalk-based wind checker or milkweed fluff are perfect for reading air currents. At the end of the day, staying downwind is more important than any scent eliminator.
Processing gear
Don’t short yourself when it comes to processing gear:
Sharp knife (or two, replaceable knife types are popular for processing)
Knife sharpener
Gloves
Game bags
Paracord
Tarp or contractor bag (to keep meat clean)
If you prefer traditional field dressing, add a bone saw or small hatchet, but the gutless method saves weight.
Also, don’t forget zip ties or tape and a pen to attach your tag per state law.
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05/28/2025 05:03 am GMT
Food and Hydration
Water is a crucial part of any elk hunting pack list. Even a day hunt requires 2–3 liters of water.
A hydration bladder is your best bet when it comes to saving space and weight.
In dry zones, a compact filter or purification tablets are a great backup that can save your hunt.
Eat before heading out and pack light snacks like jerky, trail mix, nuts, and energy bars. Freeze-dried meals and MRI-style meals are great for longer sits, just again, mind the smell. Electrolyte packets are another nice touch to help replace salts lost on big climbs.
Finish Your Kit
Some miscellaneous gear you should keep in mind is toilet paper in a zip bag, emergency duct tape (wrapped around a water bottle or trekking pole), and extra waterproof storage for your license and tags.
In bear country, bear spray is always a plus, as it can often be more effective than a sidearm.
Some hunters use trekking poles, which can save your knees on steep descents or when hauling meat, but this is not very common.
Elk Hunting Pack List And Multi-Day Backcountry Gear (Extended Hunts)
If a day hunt is the equivalent of a long hike, a multi-day elk hunt is like a full-blown camping trip.
Multi-day elk hunts call for all of the same gear as a day-hunt, plus everything you need to survive for several days in the backcountry.
You’ll be hiking miles from any road, so self-reliance is critical. You’ll likely need a 4,000–7,000 cubic-inch internal or external frame pack with a strong meat shelf.
Make sure you know how to cinch loads and practice packing quarters as well. You’ll need to keep your total pack weight below one-third of your body weight, usually around 40–60 pounds, so that you’re not completely burned out before the hunt even begins.
Shelter Options
A multi-day hunt calls for either a one or two-person tent, bivy sacks, or hammocks (with a rainfly).
Make sure to bring a setup with strong weather protection. A ground tarp is also a must-have to protect your tent floor and to use as a dry surface for gear or meat processing.
The best practice for sleeping bags is being rated at least 10°F colder than the lowest expected temps, as mountain nights can fluctuate heavily and drop below freezing, even in early Fall.
Down bags are great and much lighter, but keep in mind that they need to stay dry, whereas synthetics work even when wet.
Whichever you go with, an insulated sleeping pad is a great addition to keep warm in your tent and off the cold ground.
Modular Clothing
Be prepared to wear your main hunting outfit for several days. Make sure to also pack:
An extra set of underwear
An extra set of base layers
Additional socks
A second insulating layer (if in a region where conditions might turn frigid)
Lastly, camp shoes are a huge plus to let your feet breathe after a long day in boots.
Planned Meals
Pre-packed and labeled food in zip or vacuum sealed bags is best.
Freeze-dried dinners are great because they are lightweight, nutritious, and only require boiling water. Good breakfast options might be oatmeal, granola, or just energy bars.
For lunch and snacks, rely on no-cook, high-calorie options like peanut butter crackers/tortillas, jerky, trail mix, cheese, and dried fruit.
Aim high for 3,000–4,500 calories per day, you’ll be pushing yourself on the hunt.
A compact canister stove, fuel, titanium pot, lighter, long spoon, and insulated mug cover should cover just about everything else you need, and unless you’re crazy, some instant coffee or energy drink mixes are a must-have.
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05/28/2025 04:12 am GMT
Hydration is Critical
Locate reliable water sources like creeks or springs using maps or GPS apps.
Use a pump, gravity, or squeeze filter, and always carry tablets as backup. Store 3–4 liters in camp and 2+ liters when you’re on the move.
Camel up. Drink a full liter before leaving a water source to lighten your load. In late-season hunts, make sure to keep freezing risks in mind with bladders, in which case bottles may be the better option.
Navigation and Communication
GPS and communication become far more important when spending several days in the backcountry.
Pack a GPS and compass, plus a paper map. Bring spare batteries or a power bank for recharging your headlamp, GPS, and phone.
Keep in mind that cold kills batteries fast, so keep electronics close to your body at night. A satellite messenger like a Garmin inReach can also send SOS signals and text family from anywhere in case of emergency.
Radios are also helpful for in-field communication with hunting partners to better coordinate stalks and to stay safe.
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05/28/2025 05:03 am GMT
Fire Essentials
Waterproof matches, a lighter, and fire cubes or magnesium strikers are all perfect as backup firestarters. Another situation you do not want to find yourself in is being stuck at camp without a way to start a fire.
Extended First Aid Kit
Your kit needs to cover more than just cuts:
Ibuprofen
Allergy pills
Anti-diarrheal tablets
Antibiotic ointment
Gauze
Medical Tape
Blister care.
Also include any personal medications (split between your pack and pocket). Safety pins and zip ties, while strange, can be extremely useful for gear and medical fixes.
Hang your game bags in shaded areas with good airflow, and keep them off the ground.
Prioritize loins and quarters if warm weather limits how much you can pack. If possible, you might need to make more than one trip, so don’t try to carry everything at once.
Just work with your group to hoist the packs and mark any meat caches with GPS and flagging tape.
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05/28/2025 05:07 am GMT
Miscellaneous Camp Items
While keeping pack weight down is a must, there are some miscellaneous camp items that just make life easier.
Small LED lanterns or dimmed headlamps are great for your tent and extra cordage is good for drying gear or rigging up tarps.
A trowel is also great for waste disposal unless you’re using WAG bags. Other hygiene products like wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a tiny bottle of biodegradable soap can make all the difference as well.
Just make sure to store toiletries and food well away from camp, preferably hung up, to avoid any unwanted visitors in the middle of the night.
Advanced Extras
Beyond what we’ve covered, you can always bring a GPS watch to track your elevation, time, and distance into the hunt, all of which help pace and mark spots.
For long glassing sessions, consider a spotting scope and tripod, but only bring it if you’ll actually use it. Every ounce counts when out in the backcountry.
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05/28/2025 05:03 am GMT
Hunt Smart, Pack Smarter
Your pack list and gear prep shouldn’t be about packing as much as you can, but rather making sure you’re ready for everything from early-morning hikes to hauling meat at dusk with the least amount of gear possible.
Skill only takes you so far when it comes to elk hunting. Every hunt is only as successful as the preparation.
Use this information as a baseline and refine it based on your exact hunt, as no two trips are the same.
As you become a seasoned elk hunter, each trip will teach you what works and what doesn’t. What matters is that you stay safe and enjoy the grind.
There are very few things that match the feeling of bringing home a trophy elk after days of hard-earned effort, so give yourself the best shot you can and prepare yourself for the hunt the best you can!
I don’t know if you’re familiar with Annihilator broadheads, but they’ve come out with some really crazy new technology that has worked very well on the 3-blade broadheads that they’ve made.
I was talking to the Annihilator crew at the 2025 Archery Trade Association show in Indianapolis. During that conversation, I saw this brand new head that they were working with and hoping they have ready by Spring 2025.
And they did!
For all the testing, I used my Elite Bows. And then for the flight testing, I used a Killer Instinct Crossbow because I can just put it on a tripod and really get it steady and there is so much less human error involved in the accuracy. The only difference flight to flight is the broadhead that’s screwed on to the tip of the bolt. Then, for all the arrows and bolts, I’m using Bishop Archery products.
First things first… I love the name “Katana.” It refers to a Japanese sword.
I’ve got a couple Katanas from Japan actually, as I worked in the Ministry over in Asia for a number of years, and had some friends in Tokyo.
But this Katana is a broadhead. And man, this is one wicked cool broadhead!
So, I was really eager to introduce it to you, go through some of the design features and specifications, and then put it to the test. Let’s see how it fared (buckle up!)
The Annihilator Katana Broadheads Up Close
So, here’s a good look at the Katana. And man, this broadhead is loaded with innovation! You may think, “Okay, just another 2-blade broadhead.” It has a 2-blade base, but there is just so much more going on!
First of all, let’s start with the materials. Beginning in 2025, Annihilator began using a brand new, proprietary steel in all their heads.
Annihilator has compared their steel that’s used here in the Katana to D2 to S30V to A2 and to S7 tool steels. They showed that in every category that they quantified, (toughness, edge retention, durability, sharpness, and ease of sharpening), that it either equaled or exceeded all those other steels. So, in their mind, it’s way better than any other steel that has ever been used in a broadhead application. Pretty bold claim there. Below, we’ll see how it performed in the tests.
The Katana has a tough, black coating.
The Katana broadhead is coated with a black nitride coating. It’s different than black oxide. It’s much better, apparently, at corrosion resistance compared to other broadheads.
In terms of the dimensions, the 100-grain model has a 1-inch cut. (It also comes in 125 grain model and a 200 grain model). In the 100 grain model, the overall length is 0.76″. In the 125 grain model, it has the same base but it’s a little bit longer. And then the 200 grain model, it has got a 1.25″ base and it’s a little bit longer. It’s a beast!
The Katana has a 1″ width cut…
and an overall length of .76 inches.
All sizes are solid (no venting). But , it has 6 blades to it, which is really interesting. It has these single bevel blades on the outside there (I believe they are a 40-degree angle, but I’m not exactly sure.)
And then, instead of just having a thick ferrule to open up a hole for the arrow shaft to go through, they put in two more single bevel blades on each side. And, in doing that, they created more cutting surfaces and reduced the friction that comes with a material pressing against the flat surface of a broadhead. So, it just creates more cutting areas to cut more tissue.
And then, these are single bevel sharpened as well, but not in the same direction. They kind of just angle towards each other.
Another unique feature of the Katana is the three “scoops” per side that are created by the extra blades.
These blades create three “scoops.” And, then the same thing on the other side. These are the scoops that the Annihilator became known for, and they call it their cavitation technology that not only aids in flight, like the dimples of a golf ball as it rotates, but, it also creates a pressure inside the cavity of an animal, a forward pressure and a pressure behind it that creates huge tissue displacement. That’s their claim, and they’ve got some incredible photos to show it.
I saw this one photo that was sent to me of a deer, and you can see the size of the hole that it put there in the deer. That’s an 8-inch knife next to it, compared to this 1 inch cut broadhead. But apparently, they just open up a really big hole. I suppose it depends on what angle you hit it at, but it has the potential to open up a really big hole.
And then in terms of thickness, the blades are really interesting. I took some pictures to try to highlight it. In the front, the blade is 0.060″ thick.. And then towards the rear, it gets more narrow. And, that just adds more weight forward and more durability forward for that hard impact and then they saved some weight as they go back and it gets a little bit thinner there in the back.
This gives you an idea of the blade thickness of the Katana 100 grain.
So man, just so much going on! A total cut of 1.74″ given these 6 cutting edges, one inch one way, and two that are 0.37″ the other way.
The blades not only open up a bigger hole to allow the arrow to glide through it to reduce the surface friction, but they also provide lateral support to this 2-blade broadhead, not unlike a ferrule that goes all the way to the tip. And, you notice they go all the way to the broadhead tip and almost create a little dimple.
Now, in terms of resharpening, these little back blades, you just resharpen with a small file and just do your best. They’re single bevel, so they shouldn’t be that hard. It’s not that crucial for them to be razor sharp. But there’s a new Stay Sharp Guide sharpener called The Answer that would work really well on this. It works really well on a lot of different broadheads, but it would do a great job sharpening these edges.
This head looked so innovative and interesting, that I was curious to see if it was just a bunch of gimmicks, or if Annihilator was really on to something special…
Flight Test
I shot one 1 field point and then one broadhead @30 yds with a Killer Instinct SWAT X1 Crossbow 675 gr Bishop Bolt, at 300 fps
The Katana crushed the bullseye!
Edge Test 1 Initial Sharpness Test
It took 146 grams of force to cut through the polymer wire, which is a 10 on a 10-point scale plus a bonus for being under the threshold of 200.
Penetration Test 1
I shot the Katana broadhead into Clear Ballistics FBI Gel, fronted by a 2/3″ Rubber Foam Mat and 1/2″ MDF.
It penetrated 9″ which is a 10 on a 10-point scale.
Edge Test 2, Edge Retention Test (Sharpness after Penetration Test 1)
It only took an additional 10 grams of force to cut through the wire, which is a 9.8 on a 10-point scale. And it also got an extra bonus for both the sharpness and the edge retention being under the threshold of 200.
Penetration Test 2 (Layered Cardboard)
The Katana penetrated through 73 layers, which is a 10 on a 10-point scale plus a bonus for being over the threshold of 70. And, it’s the first broadhead ever to penetrate through more than 70 layers! And, on top of that, it’s the first broadhead ever to reach the maximum of 9″ of penetration and 70 layers of penetration in both of the two penetration tests. So it gets an extra bonus for that!
Rotation (Clear Ballistics FBI Gel)
The Katana rotated a whoping 88 degrees at 12″. Man, that is an impressive wound channel right there!
Durability Test (3 shots into 1/2″ MDF)
The head is in pristine condition after the 3 shots through the MDF.
Durability Test 2 (2 shots 22 ga Steel Plate)
Here is the Katana after the two shots into the steel plate, and the broadhead is just in perfect condition. There are only minor cosmetic scratches on the blades, not to the edge themselves. And then, you can see the holes… man, really nice oval holes. You can even see some of the slits created by those two bleeders on each side to make them extra wide in that way. That’s really cool.
So here’s the Katana after all the durability testing. Of course, it did perfectly well on the MDF and also on the steel plate. You couldn’t even tell it was shot! And then into the cinder block, man, it put the smack down on that cinder block! I’ve seen cinder blocks break before, but usually there’s a big crack and it’s kind of obvious it’s going to happen. This one, I was surprised because I aimed more down low so the top wouldn’t break off, but really impressive and yet still, it’s just in perfect shape, spins perfectly well, edges are in really good shape, and can be used again. It had perfect durability through all these tests.
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05/28/2025 02:48 am GMT
The Katana… A Record Score!
So what do you think about the Annihilator Katana broadhead?
I had a feeling it was going to do really well. I thought since it had a low profile, it was probably going to fly really well. I also thought that because it had a lot of of cutting surface compact, it would probably be durable and penetrate well. But, I had no idea it was going to do as well as it did!
Early in 2025, I came out with some new bonuses to help separate the really special broadheads from the pact. One of them is if the sharpness and the edge retention tests are both 200 grams of force or under then they get a 2-point bonus, because it’s very rare to have it happen.
Another bonus is if it reaches the maximum penetration of 70 layers of cardboard and 10″ in the gel, MDF, and rubber foam mat tests, it gets a 2-point bonus. That has never happened before now.
Additionally, if it gets a perfect score in durability through the MDF, the steel plate, then the concrete, there’s no deduction. It gets a perfect score and then it gets an extra 2-points. It happens every once in a while and it did with the Katana.
I did not expect one broadhead to get bonuses in all those areas. But, the Katana did. It got the bonus for the sharpness and edge retention. It got the bonus for the penetration, the best penetrating broadhead way through the layers of cardboard and through the gel and MDF and rubber foam mat combo. And it came out looking brand new! I cleaned it off and it looks brand new… incredible!
The scorecard for the Katana was… a new record!
So the Katana literally broke the mold. It scored over 100 points. But, even if you remove the 6 points of extra bonus that it got, it still got the highest score of any fixed blade head that I’ve tested by far.
So, let me tell you, this is a really impressive head.
The only knock that I would give on it is I wish it has a little bit wider cutting diameter to make a little bit wider hole. However, I think it more than makes up for that with all the cutting edges with the vacuum. I’m interested in testing the vacuum that it creates. The internal damage, the rotation, and the incredible rotation; I wasn’t expecting all that.
If you’re looking for something to penetrate deeply, or maybe you have a light setup or are hunting a big animal or even you just want to cause massive internal destruction and use a really low profile broadhead, man, this is one really worth considering.
So, what more can I say? What a fantastic broadhead!
