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The Middleweight Champ |
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ScentLok collaborates with iconic whitetail hunter John Eberhart to develop the Midweight Saddle Hunter Jacket and Pants |
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By Jay Anglin |
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MUSKEGON, Mich. (September 5, 2024) – Since 1992, ScentLok has combined high-performance fabrics with unrivaled scent control technologies to give big game hunters an extraordinary advantage. With hunting pressure on the increase, hunters are forever on a quest for the slightest edge when targeting big bucks. ScentLok has over 30 years of product development and countless hours in the field to demonstrate the effectiveness of their diverse lineup of scent control wear. While the science behind these remarkable garments is akin to something SpaceX may come up with, what’s important to the hunter is technology that is legitimately capable of absorbing odors hunters carry and produce while in the field, and do it while maintaining exceptional comfort and function. Thankfully, the geeky techno part was figured out by super smart clothing engineers who just so happen to have a passion for hunting white-tailed deer. The comfort and functionality – while also engineered by experts – is inspired by the never-ending stream of feedback from dedicated hunters. |
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One such hunter is Michigan-based author and whitetail fanatic John Eberhart, who has 35 record book bucks from an impressive range of locations around the Mitten State – most from public land. In addition, he has taken 20 Pope & Young bucks on state hunts. Eberhart has never paid money for access or leases, nor has he hunted over a food plot or bait. You could say he’s a purist. Incidentally, Michigan is the most heavily bow hunted state in the country, so tagging big whitetails comes with the added challenge of heavy competition. This is especially the case on public grounds, which proves Eberhart’s accolades to be even more remarkable. An expert bow hunter, Eberhart has exclusively hunted from a saddle since they were introduced in 1981. If you aren’t familiar with these remarkable devices, the saddle is worn by the hunter and allows them to suspend from tree trunks, thus eliminating permanent or climber style treestands, which many mature deer quickly avoid, not to mention they can be noisy. While saddles can be a great tool for entering a whitetail’s world without producing an excessive footprint, so to speak, as anyone who has saddle hunted knows, conventional hunting clothes often leave a lot to be desired when you’re suspended in a tree with the aid of one of these unique harness style devices. |
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Throughout the years, Eberhart tried whatever scent control products, cover scents, and gimmicks were available, and no matter what he used, he still had to hunt the wind, or the deer would pick up his scent. In other words, in his view, they didn’t work as advertised. That all changed in 1996 when Eberhart purchased a complete ScentLok suit consisting of a jacket, pants, headcover with drop down facemask, and gloves. By the time the ’97 season rolled around, and he figured out how to properly care for, store, and use ScentLok activated carbon lined garments, the difference was shocking. His success rate improved dramatically and the results were instant. |
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“Other than paying attention to how mature bucks use the wind and thermal drafts when moving during daylight, I never pay any attention to wind direction, and I never get winded by downwind deer,” explained Everhart. “I realize that is an extremely bold statement, but my personal statistics back it up. From 1965 through 1996, when I hunted 100% according to wind direction, so as not to get winded, I took 10 record book bucks. And then from 1997 through 2023, while properly using ScentLok, I’ve taken 45 record book bucks.” Eberhart quickly became a true believer in ScentLok’s technology and said, “You can absolutely fool a deer’s nose – I do it dozens of times every season.” |
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In 2021, Michigan-based ScentLok collaborated with Eberhart to design an insulated, late-season suit with a range of features that would specifically benefit saddle hunters. The result was the original cold weather Saddle Hunter suit, which was released in 2022. Due to the Saddle Hunter Insulated suit’s success, ScentLok once again teamed-up with Eberhart in designing the new Saddle Hunter Midweight line. The goal was creating a suit that fit the needs of hunters across the country who do most of their hunting in moderate temperatures in the 25-to-55-degree range – temperatures that typically encompass the pre and peak rut phases. |
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The NEW Saddle Hunter Midweight Series Jacket and Pants are tailor made to deliver comfort and performance for hunters who prefer to hunt from a saddle. A deadly quiet micro tricot shell paired with a diamond shaped fleece lining helps you stay warm and comfortable. Carbon Alloy™ technology controls odor, assuring that big stud in the thicket won’t pick your scent up, regardless of wind direction, and Superhydrophobic Precip-X™ treatment sheds moisture, allowing you to stay in the game when conditions deteriorate, which is often when mature bucks move during daylight hours. Eberhart has spent thousands of hours saddle hunting, and ScentLok has added some specific features based on his recommendations. “There is ample room within the body of the jacket and sleeves for additional layering if needed, and the sleeves and underarm panels are constructed with Climafleece material for better mobility,” he explained. “The Lycra bound collar is one inch tall in front and tapers upward under the ears and then continues to a three-inch-tall collar in the back to block wind. The short front collar is so you don’t chafe your neck when turning your head every 30 seconds to look for deer while hunting.” |
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Saddle Hunter Midweight Jacket and Pant FEATURES:
MSRP’s $179.99 (S-L) and $189.99 (2X-3X) |
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ABOUT NEXUS OUTDOORS Nexus Outdoors, headquartered in Muskegon, MI, USA, is a leading worldwide designer, marketer and distributor of performance, hunting and casual odor-controlling apparel, footwear and equipment under the ScentLok Technologies®, OZ®, Blocker Outdoors®, Whitewater and Tree Spider® brands. It also owns American Range Systems, manufacturer and distributor of the world’s strongest and safest bullet traps. Nexus Outdoors is the only company with access to all scent-controlling technologies, including their patented Carbon Alloy™ and Cold Fusion Catalyst™ technologies, which provide superior success in the field. ScentLok and Blocker Outdoors are pioneers in the hunting industry, which many credit with creating a market focused on superior scent control to get closer to big game. |