Author: Chris Ingram

Our list of late season gear and gadgetry is sure to put a smile on the face of your hunter and hunting dog this holiday season!

By American Field Staff

Just because there’s frost and snow doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go, and with the right field-ready gear, the last few months of the season could be your best ones yet. Designed to tackle the tough winter conditions and the rigors of the road, this list of late season essentials are sure to keep you and your dog comfortable and safe in the field until the final day.

RUFF LAND KENNELS “CHOW BOX™”

New for 2025, this purpose-built and highly portable food bin was designed to keep you and your dog road-ready for easy, on-the-go meals. Featuring the same rugged, roto-molded durability you’ve come to know and trust from their kennel line, the Chow Box™ features an airtight seal that keeps kibble fresh, prevents spills, and locks out moisture. Offered in a variety of colorways and made in the USA, it is available in a large 30-pound capacity Standard model as well as a smaller 15-pound capacity Mini version for smaller breeds or shorter trips. With a measuring scoop and built-in bowl rest (Standard), you can complete your ultimate canine travel kit with this essential and get ready to enjoy your next road trip hunt. Order yours at rufflandkennels.com

ALTERA “CONQUER LIGHTWEIGHT 9” CREW” ALPACA SOCK

If you’re still suffering from sore, sweaty feet by wearing cotton or synthetic socks, it’s time to treat your feet to a much-needed upgrade. Jump into a pair of these premium alpaca fiber socks to discover just how well they outperform your ordinary department store options by yielding superior comfort, durability, moisture control, and thermoregulation. With a long list of ultra-modern properties including being lightweight, breathable, odor-resistant, and fast-drying, these socks are built for mobility and comfort, tough enough to stand up to the demands of a full day in the field. With a 9” design, they’re the perfect pairing for your favorite hunting boots, and with an unconditional lifetime warranty, these socks will keep both your feet and your wallet happy. Pick up a pair in black, coyote brown, or olive in sizes Med-XL. Visit alteraalpaca.com to learn more.

GUNDOG OUTDOORS “UPLAND DEFENDER VEST™”

Keeping our dogs safe from seen and unseen dangers is always one of our top priorities, and lucky for us, we have the right products to outfit them prior to casting them into the country. Constructed of 600D Cordura Rip Stop™ fabric with KEVLAR™ reinforcements on the top, chest, and underbelly, the UPLAND DEFENDER protects dogs from punctures and lacerations. This thoughtfully crafted, innovative vest is ideal for upland hunting, blood tracking, and other working dogs, and its blaze orange color and reflective stripes help track your dog at a distance and during low light conditions. As a bonus, it comes with two side pockets for storing food, water, leads, or the included BLOOD LOSS KIT™. Available in L-2XL with neck adjustments for a better fit, you’re sure to find the right one to keep your dog safe this season. Gear up at gundogoutdoors.com

SILENCER CENTRAL “BANISH 12” SHOTGUN SUPPRESSOR

With easily one of the biggest breakthroughs in the wingshooting world in recent times, Silencer Central’s Banish 12 shotgun suppressor is likely going to steal the show this season. This first-of-its-kind suppressor reduces shotgun blasts up to an ear-saving 21 decibels, protecting shooters—and their dogs—from troublesome hearing loss and tinnitus. Made of strong yet lightweight titanium and weighing only 17.6 oz., its low-profile design does not disrupt your sight picture. Attaching directly to your shotgun with a specialized choke-compatible mount, this suppressor works seamlessly with your shotgun and its interchangeable choke tubes (IC, Mod, and Full). The Banish 12 is offered in black or tan for select 12-gauges, and extra mounts are available to easily swap your suppressor between shotguns. With its lifetime warranty and sound-saving and recoil-reducing technology, what are you waiting for? Get started at silencercentral.com

SPORTDOG “FIELDSENTINEL™” E-COLLAR

Introducing the world’s first-ever health-alerting e-collar, SportDOG’s FieldSentinel 1825 and 825 feature built-in, peace-of-mind monitoring BodyGuard™ health alert technology that could prevent a hunt-ending injury. Tracking their heart rate, exertion level, and activity duration, the device sends an alert if your dog’s exhaustion level reaches a concerning point. The FieldSentinel also offers everything else you’ve come to know and love from SportDOG e-collars, including essential features like training (tone, vibration, and stim), multi-dog modulation, internal rechargeable batteries, and waterproof construction. This new system sets you up for control and confidence to run big-ranging, high-drive dogs in the field with a bit of added insurance over their well-being. Check it out at sportdog.com

FINAL APPROACH “KNOCKOUT DOG BLIND”

As one of the top-trusted brands in the waterfowl hunting space, Final Approach has been providing ‘fowlers with innovative, problem-solving products for decades. The recently released Knockout Dog Blind is a simple yet effective design for faster setups and takedowns. But what makes this blind better? Our retrievers, like us, want to watch the action. And while we should always strive for steadiness, the Knockout helps dogs to stay put awaiting their next retrieve. With its front-to-back design, dogs can sit or lay down while a roof concealment flap hides any movement from birds circling above. The built-in steady guard might also reinforce creepers and breakers to hold back. Printed with the original Mossy Oak Shadow Grass pattern, the blind folds flat for easy storing and carrying into the field with stubble straps for brushing into complete concealment. Pick yours up at fabrand.com

CHIEF UPLAND “ELEMENT LATE SEASON JACKET”

Gone are the days when staying warm on a winter hunt meant covering up in thick layers and stuffing hand warmers only to sacrifice mobility and suffer from sweating. Specially designed and made from high-tech textiles, the Element jacket is breathable, durable, lightweight, and provides a stylish, athletic fit. The softshell exterior with microfleece lining adds warmth and breathability, and armpit vents help to shed unwanted heat buildup. Four-way stretch material made with DWR keeps moisture out and allows the jacket to move with you, and dual-layered Cordura panels on elbows and forearms protect high-wear areas. Bonus accents include an adjustable hood with structured visor, Aquaguard zipper flap, and plenty of pockets in all the right places. This addition to your winter wardrobe is sure to free your mind to focus on your dog and the hunt ahead of you. Grab one in earth tone or blaze & olive at chiefupland.com

CROSS POINT GEAR “PRO WOOL” WATERPROOF GLOVES

Every now and then a product comes along that’s worth wowing over, and these waterproof wool gloves are it. With a thin, close-to-skin profile that combines flexible comfort, unbeatable warmth, and maximum dexterity, these must-have mitts will keep your hands warm and dry whether you’re wrangling dogs, climbing a mountain, or gripping your gun. Constructed of a sustainably sourced, three-part layering system, the gloves are made of a wear-resistant knit exterior, breathable, waterproof Artex membrane, and a moisture-wicking Merino wool liner. With both form and function, the gloves feature tactile grip prints with touchscreen-friendly fingertips for full control of your handheld devices. And besides, when was the last time you could dip your hand in water and not come out soaking wet—see the Field Gear Snapshot on our social feed for the dunk test. They’re available in sizes S-2XL in grey, black, green, or coyote. See more at crosspointgear.com

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