New gear for 2025
By: Trevor J Hubbs
From the Spring 2025 MDF Magazine
Here at the Mule Deer Foundation, we pride ourselves at being the center of the universe for mule deer hunting and conservation. When a mule deer is taken from Texas to Montana and California to Nebraska it is in part because of the Mule Deer Foundation and the incredible work we do across the landscape. Our staff understand the true value of a mule deer harvested across the western landscape because we see all of the behind-the-scenes efforts that make that deer possible. We see not only the physical effort, but the money, and the planning process that goes into creating a situation and landscape that grows that deer.
Because we see all the effort that goes in every single mule deer, we know the value that good gear plays in a successful hunt. When we go to the field with a tag in our pocket, we know how hard each of our staff, or contractors, and our partners have worked to make this opportunity possible. After all this effort we can’t afford to have less than ideal gear ruin or impede our chance at success.
Over the past few months, we’ve taken the time to sit down with dozens of outdoor hunting equipment and apparel manufacturers to discuss and test new products coming out in 2025. Here what follows is the mule deer foundations official best gear of the year recommendations for 2025.
You will note that many of these manufacturers are also on our corporate partners. This may seem like a conflict of interest but given all that our staff does for mule deer we make it a point to purchase as much of our equipment and gear as possible from those corporate partners who support the work we do and whose donations make our work possible. To us this is a non-negotiable factor when we buy any hunting gear and we think it should be a consideration for you as well.
Weatherby Model 307 Range XP 2.0
Weatherby is a brand that is near and dear to our hearts not only because of the incredibly generous donations this company makes to the Mule Deer Foundation as well as numerous other to conservation organizations across The United States But also because of the incredible individuals that work at Weatherby. The passion and work ethic is so evident within this company that no matter who you talk to or what department they work in you are going to come away from that conversation with a better understanding of hunting, shooting, or conservation practices. I have been working with the team at Weatherby for a long time and can personally vouch for the fact that they will not release a less than perfect product. Everything they manufacture is expertly designed for the activity or job it is intended to perform.
Description:
The Range XP 2.0 is built on Weatherby’s newest bolt action rifle platform, the Model 307. Meant to complement the historic Mark V® and Vanguard® lineups, the Model 307 action is a 2-Lug, fully cylindrical action compatible with many aftermarket accessories. Model 307 is designed to accommodate the vast offerings of stocks, triggers, rails, mounts, and magazines that exist in today’s marketplace. The Range XP 2.0 is a shooter-friendly platform that can dominate the shooting range or the mountain range. The upgraded hand-painted stock is sure to make this rifle stand out.
The Range XP 2.0 features a lightweight, vertical grip stock that includes an adjustable cheekpiece and adjustable length of pull providing a custom fit for the shooter. Touch points are textured for a non-slip grip and dual front swivel studs allow for multiple accessories to be attached. The Range XP 2.0 comes standard with an adjustable TriggerTech trigger and is equipped with a Magpul® removable magazine. The skip-fluted barrel is threaded and comes with a recoil-reducing Accubrake. The Range XP 2.0 is finished with a durable Cerakote® and the stock features a hand-done sponge paint finish.
Features
- -Model 307 Action (Rem® 700 Footprint)
- -Spiral Fluted Bolt with Tool-less Disassembly
- -TriggerTech Adjustable Trigger
- -AICS Detachable Mag
- -Hand Painted Stock with Adjustable LOP and Cheek Riser
- -Skip-Fluted Barrel with Sub MOA Guarantee
- -Recoil Reducing Accubrake and thread cap (1/2×28)
FINISH
- Fluted Barrel – Graphite Black Cerakote
- Trigger Guard / Receiver – Graphite Black
- Bolt / Bolt Knob – Graphite Black Cerakote
- Stock – Hand painted green/grey sponge pattern with Graphite Black Cheek Piece
Link:
To learn more about the Range XP 2.0 Below
https://weatherby.com/store/model-307-range-xp-2-0
Aero Precision (Solus Lightweight Hunter)
AERO precision rifles are designed with input from law enforcement and special operations professionals, their product offerings ensure a rifle suited for every activity and budget. Our new critically acclaimed solus rifle system. This rifle will satisfy the most demanding requirements in the field or a tactical environment.
Description:
The SOLUS Lightweight Hunter rifle is built for those who demand precision and reliability in a multitude of situations, including long, grueling hunts. The heart of the rifle is the SOLUS Lightweight Action along with our fluted, honed, and lapped match-grade barrel.
Specs:
- Action: SOLUS Lightweight Action
- Chassis: Grayboe Phoenix 2
- Trigger: SOLUS Single Stage
- Available Calibers: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5mm PRC, .308 Win, 7mm Rem, 7mm PRC, .300 Win Mag, .300 PRC
- Magazine: AICS/AIAW detachable box magazine
- 60-degree bolt throw
- Integral 20 MOA bias scope base
- Adjustable cheek comb, length of pull, and recoil pad cant
- M-LOK/Arca compatible forend
Link/QR Code: https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/solus/lightweight-hunter-rifles
Gastro Gnome
For a long time I was really bad at eating when I was in the field on a hunt. I know that may sound strange to some but throughout my time in the military and taking new people hunting there is so much going on and so much to do that if it doesn’t taste good I just forget to eat. When a friend of mine recommended Gastro Gnome a few years ago I politely agreed to give it a try but I didn’t think it would change my opinion on mountain food. I could not have been more wrong. Before gastronome I lost 17 lbs. on a 10-day hunt on the north slope of the brooks range for Alaskan Caribou. The next year I repeated the same hunt in similar weather conditions with Gastro Gnome and lost 3 lbs. When I am packing gastronome into the field, I’m excited to eat it, I look forward to the experience, and I just feel better..
Description:
Gastro Gnome Meals have finally taken a foothold in the freeze-dried meal space, coming on the scene about 4 years ago and gaining accolades and much fanfare along the way. Setting out to change what was possible for food in the backcountry (or tree stand) they set the bar extremely high starting with real ingredients grown and raised in Montana and have a world class trained chef producing recipes worthy of a restaurant- but you just pour water over, wherever you are. To fuel the hunting season ahead, they’re adding 4 new menu items to their already stellar roster. You’ll see Caramel Apple French Toast, Spicy Kung Pao Beef, Chicken Alfredo, and Molten Chocolate Lava cake on the menu before summer. Some tried and true favorites are the Italian Sausage Rigatoni and the Montana Beef Shepherd’s Pie. You won’t find protein powder additives and synthetic food stabilizers in these bags- all real ingredients, made from scratch in Bozeman, Montana. With meals built to serve one person, calories average over 700 per meal and have you digging to the bottom of the bag for just one more flavorful bite. Breakfast to dessert and everything in between is covered with enticing menu items and quality to match them. Finally, a freeze-dried meal that you can enjoy so you can stay outside longer!
Link:
Visit their website www.gastrognomemeals.com and ship anywhere, or stop by their Bozeman shop.
Mystery Ranch (Mysterium Packs)
Our staff had the unique opportunity to test a few of these packs and I have personally been carrying one around for the past six weeks looking for sheds. We spoke with Dana Gleeson one of the head designers at Mystery Ranch for the technical details on this new line of packs. There are a ton of details and changes made to the classic mystery ranch frame and design that make these packs incredible in their field. As somebody who carried around a government issued backpack for the better part of a decade across multiple terrain types I can tell you that these packs are special. You can feel it in the shoulders, and you can feel it in the waist. When it comes to getting into the field and getting your deer out of the field we trust Mystery Ranch.
Description:
“The Mysterium series is an evolution of design. We are not going with the traditional materials and design used in most hunting packs. We went away from the traditional fabrics and coatings and found materials that bring hunting packs functionally and aesthetically into the modern era. We updated our frame with enhanced breathability and durability while maintaining our ridiculously high standards in fit and comfort.”
“Our product team is a bunch of tinkerers, and they are constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve,” said Dana Gleeson Mystery Ranch Founder. “In 2022, we started down a path to create a new line of hunting packs that would drastically improve load carry comfort, organization, and weight. We have so much R&D in-house as we design outdoor, military, and wildland fire packs. We took what we learned from our outdoor packs to inform this new line of hunting packs, giving it a lighter and more modern aesthetic.”
Zamberlan Boots (LYNX MID GTX® RR WL)
I am still relatively new to Zamberlan boots after being invited to test some of their new hunting designs last year. The marketing team at the mule deer foundation got to take various boots across the western landscape and test them in all sorts of environments. For me, ankle support is a huge factor in the boots that I choose. I have what some on staff would call and do call (delicate ankles) to avoid injury and maintain maximum comfort in an austere setting I prefer a boot that I can really lace into and trust that it will support my ankle joint across all types of terrain. Zamberlan has become my manufacturer of choice and I am elated to recommend their new Lynx line of hunting boots
Description:
The camouflage-patterned Lynx Mid GTX RR delivers astonishing comfort, fit, and performance on a relatively lightweight and extremely stable platform. Now outfitted with a toe rand for increased protection and durability, the new Lynx Mid is excellent for early-season backcountry bow-hunting where a mid-high, protective, and highly breathable boot is required.
Features include:
▪ Camouflaged Zamberlan Vibram® 3D outsoles are extremely rugged, provide excellent grip on a variety of terrain, feature an uplifting forward rocker and solid downhill braking
▪ Rubber toe rand for increased protection and durability
▪ Dual-density midsoles are made of PU with TPU stabilizers and Vibram’s premiere backcountry rubber compound
▪ Uppers feature Zamberlan’s latest leather creation with a unique camouflage blend to enhance your entire hunting kit, from head to boot
▪ Gore-Tex® Performance Comfort membranes provide waterproof protection and breathability and are guaranteed by Gore-Tex® for the life of the boot
▪ Microtex® collars wick moisture from around the collar and reduce leg abrasion for greater comfort
▪ The ZFS (Zamberlan Flex System) allows the upper to break forward comfortably without compromising lateral support and protection
▪ Available in regular (ZBPK) and wide (ZWL) widths
▪ Resolable
▪ Made in Italy
Link:
https://www.zamberlanusa.com/shop/complex/category/22338834/brand/-
WHITECLOUD DOWN JACKET
It took me longer than most to buy into the puffy jacket trend. The critic in me kept thinking about busting brush and tearing up puffy jackets that will then need to be patched or duct taped or repaired in some way. Three years ago while on a backcountry solo hunt just north of the Yellowstone park border I got caught in a snowstorm for a few days. In order to make the most of my time in the field I elected not to come out of the mountains early but to stick it out with the gear that I had. After struggling through several stocks in over a foot of snow with no success when I finally did get back to the truck the first thing I elected to purchase was a puffy coat. Are they fragile, yes. But the warmth they provide especially when sitting still for long periods of time and inclement weather is a miracle.
The white cloud down system is the best puffy jacket that first lite has made to date and when paired with the slip on Whitecloud puffy pants there is not a cold weather condition that will keep you out of the field.
Description:
The Whitecloud Down System has been built to be the perfect all-around glassing-weight down system for the western hunter. The system uses PrimaLoft® Gold Down Insulation and a heat-reflective HeiQ XRefleX shell fabric to create optimal warmth-to-weight performance and packability for insulating through the cumulative seasons. Neither too much nor too little, you can always count on the Whitecloud to keep you insulated and hunt-focused.
- 251g of PrimaLoft® Gold Down Insulation Fill (70% grey goose down/ 30% synthetic fill)
- HeiQ XReflex face fabric reflects heat that would otherwise be lost through the shell
- Removable drop hood (3oz) saves weight to lighten the pack or reduce hood stacking
- Box baffle construction for superior heat retention
- Internal cuff gusset to get elastic away from moisture and trap heat
- Adjustable crown and peripheral hood draw cinches
- Zip-closure hand pockets, with an internal mesh dump pocket
- Includes compression sack for packing volume in your pack
- PFAS-Free DWR Treatment
Link:
Silencer Central – BANISH Backcountry – New cartridge and new colors
The folks at MeatEater were sitting around talking about what would make the ultimate hunting suppressor and the engineers at BANISH were more than happy to make their wish list a reality. They placed a lot of emphasis on two criteria – sound dampening and recoil reduction. The result is the MeatEater by BANISH, a .30-caliber suppressor designed to be compact, lightweight and user adjustable for either maximum sound reduction, or enhanced recoil management.
At just 5.85 inches long, and weighing only 10.3 ounces, the titanium MeatEater by BANISH suppressor is rated for up to .300 RUM and is perfect for big game hunters looking to dial in their shots before the season rolls around. It offers more options for fine tuning your shooting experience, all while protecting your hearing. When you plan on putting fresh venison on the table, put a MeatEater by BANISH on your rifle.
Description:
The BANISH Backcountry suppressor is back on everyone’s radar for being the first suppressor used in new cartridge development by a major ammunition manufacturer – in this case, by Federal for its new 7mm Backcountry. It was the only suppressor used and is recommended by Federal and many of the rifle partners who hit the market right away with models chambered in the new round. The combination of the BANISH Backcountry suppressor and the 7mm Backcountry is tailor-made for mule deer and other big game hunting. The BANISH Backcountry is a .30-caliber suppressor designed to be lightweight and compact while still providing the sound reduction and recoil-taming properties you’d want in a suppressor. Its short 5.5-inch length is well suited for tight cover, and it weighs just 7.8 ounces thanks to its 100% titanium construction. Offering an average sound reduction of 30-decibels, it’s rated for .30-cal cartridges up to .300 RUM. You also now get color choices with the Backcountry. It is available in standard black, as well as FDE Tan and OD Green finishes. Whether you’re building a new hunting rifle in 7mm Backcountry and want the suppressor used in development for that round, or you want to add a short, lightweight can that is made for hunting in those hard-to-reach places, the BANISH Backcountry, available in new colors, will handle whatever you can throw at it.
Link:
https://www.silencercentral.com/products/banish-backcountry
https://www.silencercentral.com/products/meateater
Happy Shopping!
As always, Good luck this spring and remember to send any success pictures or stories from the field to [email protected] and you could be featured on our website or in our magazine. If this article or any of our articles have helped you become a better hunter or conservation steward, consider becoming a member of the Mule Deer Foundation or the Blacktail Deer Foundation or both. Click here to join: https://muledeer.org/product-category/membership/ or https://www.blacktaildeer.org/
Trevor Hubbs
Trevor is the Communications Manager and Editor for the Mule Deer Foundation and Blacktail Deer Foundation. He grew up hunting and fishing the Ozark Mountains for quail, ducks, and bucks. Now he ventures west to chase mule deer whenever he finds time.
