Readers who have followed my hunting articles through the years know I adhere closely to the philosophy “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” And this is especially true during whitetail season. As a diehard deer hunter, I won’t risk messing up a close-range chance at a mature buck because something in my gear list failed to perform as required.
During the 2025 whitetail archery season in South Dakota and Wisconsin, I switched up three important hunting products, namely my bow, safety harness and clothing/boots. As you’ll learn below, each one earned a 5-star rating after months of in-the-field testing.
Bowtech Ascend Compound Bow
A year ago, I wrote “Father/Son SoDak Double” (click here to check it out), and in that article I detailed how my oldest son and I killed magnum whitetail bucks in November 2024 on back-to-back days on a 160-acre South Dakota river-bottom. At the end of that article, you’ll find a sidebar titled, “One Season With the Bowtech Core SS and Accessories." I loved that silky-smooth bow — “SS” in the model name means Super Smooth — so I was hesitant to change bows for 2025.
When the media contact for Bowtech reached out to me about the company’s new Ascend, I told him I didn’t want to switch bows. The Core SS was everything I wanted in a bow, so why change, right? Well, my contact explained that the new Ascend would feel very similar to my Core SS during the draw and release, and he simply wanted me to compare the two, knowing that the Ascend is priced $400 less (Ascend, $999 vs. Core SS, $1,399).
The Ascend features high-end materials and advanced technologies typically reserved for top-tier models. Bowtech’s goal with the Ascend is to redefine expectations in the mid-price category without compromising accuracy, performance or ease of use — and in my opinion, the company hit a home run with this product offering.
My Bowtech contact was right — during the draw and release, the Ascend felt almost identical to my Core SS. FYI: The Ascend weighs .3 pounds less than the Core SS, is a half-inch shorter axle-to-axle, and has a brace height .25 inches longer. The specs are similar, and so is the overall shooting experience. Specifically, I chose the 45-60 pound model in the Stealth Grey color option.
At the heart of the Ascend is the all-new DeadLock Lite Cam System, a simplified, press-free tuning platform that allows archers to achieve precision accuracy with just an Allen wrench. With rotating modules and FlipDisc technology, shooters can easily fine-tune draw length and choose between a smooth draw or high-performance speed. My Ascend is set for 27.5 inch draw with the smooth-draw option.
Other features on the Ascend include forged 6061 aluminum riser and limb pockets, Picatinny and standard sight mounts, Integrate Mounting System (IMS) option for a secure rest connection and zero movement, and dual stabilizer mounts for customization of balance.
Ascend Specs:
Axle-to-Axle: 31 inches
Draw Length: 24.5 to 30 inches
Draw Weight: 45-60, 55-70 pounds
Speed: Up to 340 fps
Mass Weight: 4.2 pounds
Brace Height: 6.5 inches
Let-off: 80% performance, 85% comfort
Colors: Forest, Stealth Grey, OD Green
The new Ascend is available bare bow, or with the DLX Kit ($400 option), which includes the accessories listed below. I chose the DLX Kit, and all the components worked well. Note: Sold separately, these five accessories would cost $575.
Bowtech wrist sling (I’m not a wrist sling guy, so I chose not to use it.)
As I write this review, I’m smiling as I remember arrowing a tanker of a South Dakota 4x4 just a few weeks ago on November 2 as he approached my doe decoy (top photo). While it’s true the 9-yard shot didn’t really challenge the Bowtech Ascend or DLK Kit components, I can say the package performed wonderfully at much longer ranges as I prepped for the upcoming whitetail season.
Any bowhunter looking for a high-performance compound without a real high price tag should check out the Bowtech Ascend. I’m very pleased my contact at Bowtech convinced me to give it a try this fall.
Malta Ultralight Harness Kit
I’ve tried a few different full-body safety harnesses through the years, but I always returned to a simple and lightweight one that’s nearly 40 years old and long ago discontinued. Truth be told, I’m not sure if it would even save me should I ever fall from a tree. Not good!
For that reason, I promised myself I’d commit to using a proven modern harness going forward, so I researched the category carefully in the months leading up to the 2025 whitetail season. I discovered the Malta Ultralight Harness Kit while attending the 2025 Archery Trade Association Show (known in the industry as the ATA Show).
The company Malta Hunting Safety is a division of Malta Dynamics, which has earned a tremendous reputation in the workplace safety world, keeping men and women safe in a wide variety of difficult and potentially dangerous environments. For more than 30 years, Malta Dynamics has designed, engineered and manufactured safety products to serve its customers in construction, aviation, manufacturing, warehousing, masonry and more. To give you an idea of the size/scope of this workplace safety company: It has more than 600 employees in the field. Because Malta is an expert in full-body safety harnesses in the workplace, it only makes sense that they offer proven products to hunters.
Malta Hunting Safety manufactures three hunting-specific harness kits — Hunter’s Elite, Ultralight, and Youth Ultralight — as well as a 30-foot Reflective Lifeline, Dual-Action Twist Lock Carabiner, and various straps. MSRP for each of the three harnesses is $119.99.
During the 2025 whitetail season, I used the Ultralight Harness Kit, which weighs only 2.4 pounds. Its features include: lightweight quick-connect chest and leg buckles; sewn-in lineman’s climbing strap loops; quiet, comfortable, breathable padded material on the back, shoulder and legs; and attached stretch shock-absorbing tether.
This kit contains the harness, tree strap, lineman’s climbing strap and deer drag/suspension relief strap. Maximum capacity is 300 pounds. It’s available in two TrueTimber camo patterns, Kanati or Strata, and one solid color, forest green. I chose the latter.
Sizes are S-M, L-XL, 2XL and 3XL. The website has an easy-to-understand sizing chart to ensure you buy the right one. I’m 5 feet 9.5 inches and weigh 160 pounds; I have size L-XL. (One note regarding the Hunter’s Elite Kit: In the 2X and 3X versions, it is certified for hunters up to 350 pounds. That’s 50 pounds more than required from the company, which clearly demonstrates Malta’s commitment to safety.)
I’m happy to report that as I write this review (mid November 2025), I haven’t had to put the Malta Ultralight Harness Kit to the ultimate test — a fall from the treestand. It has, however, worked flawlessly during all of my elevated sits. Most often, I’ve worn it under my outermost jacket, and it’s very comfortable. The leg buckles function easily and the leg straps are quick to adjust for length.
The only change I made to the Ultralight Harness Kit is I added the company’s Dual-Action Twist Lock Carabiner. This heavy-duty steel carabiner (rated for up to 5,000 pounds!) allows for quick, one-hand operation, and its self-closing and locking mechanism ensures maximum safety. For $11.99, it was a no-brainer.
I could not be happier with the Malta Ultralight Harness Kit. Let’s just say I have a “healthy respect for heights,” and it provides tremendous peace of mind knowing my harness will keep me safe.
Muddy Outdoors DV8 Clothing and Boots
There’s no way for me to begin this product review other than to say this new gear from Muddy Outdoors shocked me — in a good way. I’ve been an outdoor writer/editor for nearly 30 years, and along the way I’ve seen countless outdoor companies take a shot at making hunting clothing. And while almost all of it will work okay for gun hunts, it isn’t whisper-quiet — a requirement for close-range bowhunting.
I first heard about Muddy Outdoors DV8 (de-vi-ate) from a buddy in the hunting industry who knows I’m a snob when it comes to bowhunting clothing and footwear. Let’s just say I was reluctant when he put me in contact with the media rep from Muddy Outdoors. I made no promises. Before receiving the gear, I remember telling my buddy that I doubt I’ll wear it during my prime November whitetail bowhunts in South Dakota. In my mind, there was no way this new apparel from Muddy could be as quiet as the clothing I normally trust during these prized couple of weeks.
But I was wrong — big time!
I was literally giggling and shaking my head as I unpacked the various DV8 garments on my kitchen table. From the lighter weight layering garments to the heavier outer layers, it all was soft and totally silent.
“The new DV8 apparel line was built with bowhunters in mind,” said Jason Mackay, Muddy Outdoors brand manager. “Engineered for silence and mobility, the system provides an active fit that supports everything from treestand hunting to high-country spot-and-stalk hunts, with each layer working together to create the ultimate whitetail system.”
Let me detail how I dressed during several of November 2025 whitetail hunts and highlight a few of my favorite garments.
When the air temps were 50-ish degrees, I wore the DV8 Quest Midweight Quarter Zip over my next-to-skin Base Layer Crew Top and Base Layer Bottom. For a top, I wore the DV8 Morph Jacket (rated 35 to 60 degrees, with layering as needed). For bottoms, I wore the DV8 Morph Pant (35 to 60 degrees). Constructed of ultra-quiet polyester microfiber fleece with a brushed fleece lining, the Morph series has to be felt to be believed. It is insanely quiet! I won’t get into all the performance features here because you can read it for yourself by clicking here.
When air temps were 40-ish degrees, I wore the same base layers, plus the quarter-zip, but added the DV8 Morph Vest under the Morph Jacket. For bottoms, I again wore the DV8 Morph Pant.
When air temps dipped close to freezing, or slightly below, I wore all the same base layers, including the Morph Vest, but switched to the thicker and warmer DV8 Mammoth Jacket and Mammoth Bib (both rated 0 to 30 degrees). Any deer hunter who spends time in cold weather understands the advantage of wearing bibs vs pants, so I’m very pleased that Muddy offers its Mammoth Bib.
I mentioned previously in my review of the Bowtech Ascend that I shot my 2025 South Dakota buck at a range of 9 yards. The mature 4x4, one of the biggest bucks we had on trail cams this fall, slowly approached my doe decoy. He was walking right to the base of my tree, and I was standing on a portable hang-on treestand only 14 feet off the ground. He slowly passed behind the trunk of a 12-inch-diameter branch in my massive oak, and I drew my bow. At that point, the buck was 7 yards away. Thankfully, my bow was totally silent — and so was my DV8 Mammoth Jacket and Bib.
ANY sound from my gear at that point would have caused the big buck to come unglued at spitting distance, but he never heard a thing. He was so close I didn’t want to risk stopping him with a bleat — I’ve learned through bad experience that it’s better to shoot them walking at point-blank range; a sudden bleat from right over their head will often send them sprinting. My shot was good and he ran only 75 yards (top photo).
After the hunt, because some of my layering garments were worn so many times, and because my outer layers had blood on them, I washed everything. To be honest, I was concerned that because the Morph and Mammoth fleece apparel is so soft, the lint collector in my clothes dryer would quickly become filled. I ran the dryer for 15 minutes and then checked it; almost no lint; I couldn’t believe it. I ran the dryer for another 15 minutes and checked it a second time with the same result. This tells me the apparel is built well and will last a long time. Impressive!
Let me wrap up the Muddy Outdoors section of this field test article with a quick mention of the company’s DV8 Non-Insulated and Insulated Boots; both models are 100% waterproof. The former are constructed using a combination of 5mm neoprene and long-lasting, hard-wearing vulcanized rubber for odor control and anti-aging properties. The latter share the features of the former with the addition of 1,000-gram 3M Thinsulate insulation. Both models have Muddy-branded, rubber outsoles that provide solid grip in a variety of conditions. I wore these two models on many deer hunts this fall, and they performed exceptionally well. I had to cross a shallow creek twice on my way to my treestand the cold morning I killed my SoDak buck, and the 1,000-gram insulated boots kept my feet dry and warm.
After killing my big 4x4, I immediately texted my industry buddy who tipped me off to this new Muddy gear, and with a pic I wrote: “DV8 for the win!” And only five days later, I texted him again, this time with a picture of my son Elliott with his 2025 SoDak buck (above). Because Elliott had borrowed my Muddy clothing and boots for his morning hunt, I wrote: “Like father, like son. DV8!!”
