🦌 “Don’t Let That Elk Meme You” — Friday, 9/26/25 Edition
Hey Hunters & West-Wild Folk,
If an elk could meme, it would be this: “You see me, I see you — who’s stalking who?” That’s the tease for today’s edition. We’re closing the week out strong with gear, big Western news, and a Fit to Hunt rundown so you’re dialed in for next week’s stalks.
Let’s roll.
🏔️ Big West News: Western States, Wildlife, & Hunting Outlooks
Washington Drops 2025 Hunting Prospects
The Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife just released its 2025 hunting prospects — complete with harvest trends, district breakdowns, and wildfire impact alerts. WDFW If you're heading West, bookmark the Hunt Planner map and check closures before you roll out.
➡️ View the full WA Hunting Prospects & Planner
Western Deer Season Forecast: Buck Quality & Risks
Out on the broader Western front, the 2025 Western Deer Season Forecast is out. It’s largely optimistic: in Idaho, whitetail numbers remain solid, and in many units north of I-90 you’ll still find big bucks. Realtree But caution: drought, disease, and pressure have thinned numbers in some zones. OTC tags? They’ll be gone fast in certain places.
➡️ Read the full Western Deer Forecast
New Ammo From Barnes
It’s not just rifles that are seeing updates — Barnes just dropped new ammunition in nine different calibers, targeting whitetail and big-game hunters alike. northamericanwhitetail.com If you reload or shop for match rounds, this is one to watch.
➡️ See Barnes’ new ammo offerings
Gear Spotlight From SHOT / 2025 Rollouts
From the SHOT Show and industry rollouts: KUIU’s pushing hard this year — they’ve got a new full-chest wader with front zipper, neoprene insulation, and improved knee protection. Petersen's Hunting+1 Also, the latest hunting clothing trends are leaning harder on thermal layering, quiet shells, stretch materials, and hybrid fabrics built for shifting mountain weather. Bowhunter+1
🧭 Fit to Hunt: How We’d Gear Up for a Western Elk/Deer Stalk Next Week
Weather, elevation, terrain — all demand planning. Here’s how I’d layer and gear for a 3-day Western stalk in mixed terrain:
Base / Mid Layers
Start with moisture-wicking base layers (merino or synthetic). Add a warm mid layer (e.g. fleece or light insulated).Hardshell / Outerwear
A quiet softshell or hybrid rain/softshell jacket is essential for shifting weather.Lower Body / Pants
Durable, stretch fabric softshell pants that resist brush but move quietly.Scent & Concealment
Odor control (carbon, treatments) + camo matching the local cover.
Bring light face/neck veil for sudden exposure.Optics & Trail Gear
Reliable binos or image-stabilized optics, rangefinder, trail camera, GPS/Topo device.Safety / Backups
Knife(s), headlamp (or two), first aid kit, extra layers, emergency shelter, fire starters.Pack / Carry
Big enough for layers + weeks of gear, but stay mobile.
🔧 Gear Guide: New & Top Picks for Fall ’25
Here are some fresh and standout gear picks you should eyeball now:
Sig Sauer ZULU6 HDX Binocular
$1,099.99
•
GOHUNT + others
Browning Defender Vision PRO HD AI Trail Camera
$1,089.99
•
Walmart - Focus Camera + others
Blocker Silentec Jacket
$49.99
•
Blocker Outdoors + others
Sitka Ascent Pant
$99.99
•
Scheels + others
ScentLok Silentshell Jacket
$79.99
•
ScentLok + others
Badlands Calor Pant
$114.99
•
Badlands + others
KUIU Attack Hunting Pants
$149.00
•
KUIU
ASIO Windproof Glove
$59.00
•
ASIO Gear
Here are some highlights I’d lean into:
Sig Sauer ZULU6 HDX Binocular — image stabilization in hand, great for scanning ridgelines without a tripod.
Browning Defender Vision PRO HD AI Trail Camera — smart AI filtering reduces false triggers (no more squirrel spam).
Blocker Silentec Jacket — silent microlayer + odor control in one shell.
Sitka Ascent Pant — ultralight stretch pant for high-mile days.
ScentLok Silentshell Jacket — quiet outer option with odor suppression.
Badlands Calor Pant — adds warmth when you drop elevation or hit chill zones.
KUIU Attack Hunting Pants — classic Kuiu build with updated materials for 2025.
ASIO Windproof Glove — glove that keeps you warm and allows dexterity for trigger work.
These are not just pretty names — you want gear that works in the mountain mess. Make sure your choices match your terrain and style.
Also, if you missed it: OutdoorLife published their Best Deer Hunting Gear of 2025 — good cross reference to see what’s been battle-tested. Outdoor Life
➡️ Check the OutdoorLife gear list
📰 Quick Hits (Because We Can’t Cover Everything)
Oregon’s big game tags are seeing early pressure — check draw odds.
Utah wildfire maps updated — some access roads may be closed.
Colorado’s deer unit 53 is trending as a sleeper unit this year (less pressure, solid bucks).
New aftermarket suppressor designs are being previewed — more discreet, lighter, cooler—eye them if you're in the market.
📣 Call to Action — Don’t Just Read, Engage!
👉 Scan that binocular link: Get your ZULU6 optics now before tags go out.
👉 Install a smart cam: The Browning AI cam above will change your scouting game.
👉 Tell us your pack combo: Reply with your go-to layering or pant setup — I’ll run a “best setups submitted” thread next week.
👉 Bookmark the WA prospects & Western deer forecast — plan your next hunt now before the maps are full.
👉 Share this edition with your crew — the more eyes, the more ideas we swap for next week.
That’s your 9/26/25 Friday Edition. Falls are in full swing — get ahead while you can.