Austin Atkinson

Cedar City

Hunt Advisor & Editor-in-Chief at Huntin’ Fool

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Articles

Go on More Western Big Game Hunts with Better Information

4 weeks ago | huntinfool.com | Austin Atkinson

April 2025 Author: Austin Atkinson After using the 2025 Polaris Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Edition on my late season hunts this past year, I can confidently say this machine is a game-changer for serious outdoorsmen. I put it through its paces in rough backcountry terrain, cold morning starts, and heavy hauling, and it lived up to the hype. PERFORMANCE & POWER Right out of the gate, the 1500cc ProStar engine showed its muscle. With 110 horsepower and 105 lb.-ft.
Vortex Viper HD 11-33x50 Spotting Scope

Oct 27, 2024 | huntinfool.com | Austin Atkinson

November 2024 Author: Austin Atkinson Light, compact, and built on an Arca-Swiss compatible foot, the Viper® HD 11-33x50 mounts and stows quickly. Dual focus knobs get you precisely the view you need to pick shooters out of the herd or the habitat. Powered by an exceptionally clear HD Optical System, this is the spotter you need for that destination hunt and to keep you moving closer to home.
Stability to Make the Shot

Oct 27, 2024 | huntinfool.com | Austin Atkinson

November 2024 Author: Austin Atkinson I often reflect on the first long-range shooting course I attended in Wyoming as part of the Long-Range University program by Gunwerks. The instructor placed a 6.5mm rifle on the bench, lined up the crosshairs on the 1,000-yard steel target, backed away from the rifle, and reached in to pull the trigger. He touched nothing on the rifle except the trigger.
Where are We Headed? Technology and Hunting

Aug 25, 2024 | huntinfool.com | Austin Atkinson

September 2024 Author: Austin Atkinson Almost everything we use and deal with on a daily basis is now powered by microprocessors and onboardelectronics. It’s no surprise that our pickup trucks, ATVs and rangefinders have more processing capability than our desktop computers did just a few years ago. Do you remember the days when the only batteries you needed for a hunt were a few AAA batteries for your flashlight and you were set to go?
September 2024 Soapbox

Aug 24, 2024 | huntinfool.com | Austin Atkinson

September 2024 Author: Austin Atkinson “Start with why.” This coined phrase is popular amongst business advisors and marketing books. At first glance, it seems superficial and oversimplified. However, I find that this motto should be at the root of almost all of our decisions and actions that we make. Hear me out, while I enjoy hunting and calling myself a hunter, my why is deeper than it may seem, even to myself.
Bergara B-14 Squared Crest Rifle

Aug 1, 2024 | huntinfool.com | Austin Atkinson

August 2024 Author: Austin Atkinson Designed for the highest standard of mountain hunting adventures, the B-14 Squared Crest is a high-performance rifle inspired to meet the needs of the most demanding backcountry hunters. This new 100% carbon fiber stock is designed with industry-leading technologies to withstand anything you throw at it. “Bergara is well known for their barrels and consistent accuracy, no matter which model and weight of rifle you select.
Polaris Ranger XP: The Most Capable UTV

Jul 30, 2024 | huntinfool.com | Austin Atkinson

August 2024 Author: Austin Atkinson Whenever I have the opportunity to visit a new ranch property in Texas, I jump at the opportunity. The rugged terrain, warm temperatures, and diverse wildlife make it an outdoorsman’s paradise. This year, the destination was the renowned Ox Ranch in West Texas where Polaris Off-Road was set to unveil their 2025 full-size Ranger XP models.
Mathews LIFT | Huntin' Fool

Jun 15, 2024 | huntinfool.com | Austin Atkinson

July 2024 Author: Austin Atkinson The all-new 2024 LIFT checks all the boxes. Lighter. Faster. Quieter. At sub-4 pounds, this next generation of Mathews hunting bows introduces our pound-for-pound hardest hitting system to date. Reimagined RPD limbs and a new axle assembly cut weight while increasing efficiency across the entire platform.
Polaris Sportsman 570: A Legacy Reimagined

Mar 22, 2024 | huntinfool.com | Austin Atkinson

April 2024 Author: Austin Atkinson For those who recall hunting in the late 1990s, the sight of Polaris’ light green Sportsman 500 ATVs was synonymous with adventure and hunting. These were the days preceding the market domination of side-by-side UTVs, a time when an ATV wasn’t just an accessory, it was an essential part of the hunting experience.
The New Metcalf from Mystery Ranch

Feb 29, 2024 | huntinfool.com | Austin Atkinson

March 2024 Author: Austin Atkinson While my legs and back do not always agree with the choices I make while hunting in thebackcountry, they do concur with my backpack choice this past season. I’ve always been a fan of larger backpacks, particularly those exceeding 6000 cubic inches. I absolutely despise having to tie or lash extra gear onto the outside of my pack for extended hunting trips; I prefer all gear to be stowed on the meat shelf or inside the main bag of the backpack.