John Johnston is a retired sergeant detective who served with the Austin Police Department for 25 years and was a licensed gun dealer for 25 years. He now lives in Lampasas County and can be reached via e-mail at olsingleshot@gmail.com. The gear used while hunting can make or break a good hunting trip -- from the belt we wear to the rifle sling we use to the hunting pack we carry, and especially the rifle case used to transport our trusted shooter.

I first met the people of Texas Hunt Co. a few years ago at the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade Show. Since these folks are from Texas, this Texan paid a little bit more attention to their products. At first they started with just a few items in the product line and have since developed a pretty good catalog of items.

First thing I noticed was the quality of what they produced. It was all made of durable 1000 Denier Cordura nylon, and the YKK zippers were extra heavy-duty and quiet to open. Their prices are a little high, but these items are made right here in the good old U.S.A. and, even more important, here in Texas.

I do not fly a lot, but I really get annoyed about having to take off my belt to go through the metal de- tector. I did a search online and found that Texas Hunt Co. made a belt that could be worn through the screening area without setting off the alarms. It has a nylon buckle and is totally made of nylon. I ordered one a few years ago and wear it all the time.

The belt can be tightened down anywhere you want, and the nylon does not slip. It is the most comfortable belt I own. I like it so much I purchased a similar belt from Cabela's. When it arrived, I was disappointed. The belt part was not very thick, and the aluminum buckle worked backward compared to a regular belt. Plus, it was only $1 or $2 cheaper than the Texas Hunt Co. belt.

So when the folks at Texas Hunt Co. asked me to try out their belt and a new rifle sling, I jumped on the chance. I confessed I already had one of their belts, but I got another one in a different color. The belt is great. I have a bad back and do not like a lot of pressure on my lower back. It is easy to set the belt wherever I want since the wearer is not limited by holes, and that makes it very comfortable.

The sling called the "Master Blaster" is fantastic. The first thing I noticed was it had a little stretch in it. I normally do not like slings that stretch since they cause the rifle to bounce on your back, but this sling has only a little stretch to it and does make a long walk more comfortable. It adjusts quickly and can be taken off by a quick-release buckle. It also has a thumb loop so you can easily hold the rifle to your body. Used properly, it will lock the shooter in a rock-steady shooting stance.

They also make a hunter's belt with attachments for things that need to be carried. They have a magnificent daypack made similar to those used by combat troops. And their rifle cases have a great reputation. They recently started making products for utility vehicles, like the Kawasaki mule.

Texas Hunt Co. products are not cheap Chinese knockoffs; to the contrary, they are very well-made, durable products that come with a lifetime guarantee.

To get a catalog, call (888) 894- 8682, or visit the Web site at www.texashuntco.com.