AllOutdoor Review – YETI Roadie 15 Hard Cooler in Big Wave Blue

YETI is a name that most know well at this point when it comes to the outdoors, an industry leader in keeping things cold. Be it a big Tundra 350 on the back deck of a Sportfish to keep your day’s catch cold or a small tumbler that keeps your water nice and cold all day long while you’re outside. So back at ICAST 2024, YETI brought out a new offering, the opposite in size from the giant Tundra 350, the new Roadie 15. This is their most compact hard cooler offering yet and absolutely loaded up with features. And after using Roadie 15 for most of the second half of this year, I’m going to be reviewing it today and going over how it held up.

YETI Coverage on AllOutdoor

• Home on the Range #066: YETI Rambler French Press – Glamping Ready
• Premium Cookware with NEW YETI Cast Iron Skillets
• Caffeine Delivered! New YETI Rambler French Press in 34 Oz & 64 Oz
• YETI Transfers Christmas Trees to Better the Wild with YETI Fish Firs
• YETI Expands Yonder Water Bottle with 0.6L & 1.5L plus NEW Tether Cap
• Home on the Range #036: Yeti Tundra 75 Hard Cooler – AllOutdoor Review

Specifications – YETI Roadie 15 Hard Cooler

The YETI Roadie 15 is a compact rotomolded cooler that has been loaded up with features to make your life easier; DoubleDuty Strap, LipGrip Handles, BearFoot Non-Slip Feet, BestDam Drain Plug, and several more. Additionally while not built into the little cooler, a cooler lockport can easily be installed on the Roadie 15, using the coupon code sent with the cooler.

• Doubleduty Strap – Designed for easy hauling and comfortable carrying
• Lipgrip Handles – Handles built into the lip of the cooler body, easy to grab and out of the way
• Bearfoot Non-slip Feet – Prevent sliding in the boat or backseat
• Bestdam Drain Plug – Leakproof drain plug, that offers quick-drain convenience
• Permafrost Insulation – Pressure-injected polyurethane for insulation
• Interlock Lid System – Form fitting barrier to keep the cooler sealed
• Coldlock Gasket – Freezer quality gasket to lock the heat out and cold in
• Neverfail Hinge System – Interlocking two-pin design that holds up to abuse
• Anchorpoint Tie-Down Slots – Enlarged tie-down points for easy attachment of the Roadie

• Fits 22 cans (only)
• Fits 16 lbs of ice (only)
• Wine bottle compatible – Fits most standard wine bottles
• External Dimensions – 16.9″W x 11.2″D x 14.0″H
• Internal Dimensions – 13.6″W x 7.5″D x 10.6″H
• Empty Weight (with Included Accessories) – 9.6 Lbs
• Colors – Navy, Rescue Red, Charcoal, White, Tan, Wild Vine Red, and Big Wave Blue
• MSRP – $200

The YETI Roadie 15s all come equipped with a 5-year warranty. So if something goes wrong, YETI has you covered so no need to worry. So even if they can't fix it they will replace it with the same or similar product at no charge. They also offer a 30-day free return period, so if you feel like it's not for you Yeti has you covered as well.

Out in the Wild – YETI Roadie 15 Hard Cooler

Being a smaller cooler the YETI Roadie 15 was a very convenient cooler to just take around with me for any hunting or fishing adventure. While not really large enough to put any of my catch into, it was great to keep food and drink separate from the fish or birds. It fit just right into the front of the large Angler Fish-N-Mate beach cart that I use for both the pier and dove fields. Additionally for long solo road trips, the Roadie 15 will nicely fit into the front passenger footwell of a Tacoma. Giving you easy access to say a white monster or a water bottle while you’re driving through the night to get to your fishing hole.

 

For use out in the Dove fields, the Roadie 15 was perfect, deep enough to keep a nice layer of ice to keep drinks and snacks cold while still having enough height to keep open airspace to put doves into the cooler. Additionally, the drain was perfect to keep slightly cracked to keep melt water off the doves we shot, a feature that honestly is not that common in coolers of this size range.

For the real-world ice retention test, I kept the Roadie 15 in the cab of the truck for 3 days while I was fishing on the Pier down in Florida. I put in several cans of soda, water bottles, and a couple of energy drinks before topping it off with fresh ice from the fish house. The average daytime temps were in the mid-80s with mostly clear skies except for a few rain storms that swept through quickly. On average, I was grabbing a drink out of the Roadie 15 at least twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. I did not drain any of the meltwater for this test. Over the three days of living in the truck, the Roadie 15 did alright for ice retention-wise. I was removing drinks every day without adding any more so I was taking more and more thermal mass as the test went on. There was a noticeable drop in the ice level by the second morning when I grabbed a couple of bottles for the pier, and by the third morning, the ice was 95% gone. Leaving behind still very cold meltwater and drinks in the Roadie 15.

Final Thoughts – YETI Roadie 15 Hard Cooler

The new YETI Roadie 15 is an awesome little cooler, loaded with a ton of comfort-of-life features. But there is one big thing to factor in when it comes to this compact little cooler, that being the price tag. At $200 this is a big pill to swallow for a little cooler. So would I say this is worth that price tag? For the right person, yes  I think it would be worth it to them. The build quality is there with the Roadie 15, while rotomolded coolers are nothing new, the features of this cooler puts it ahead of others in its size range. The new latch design makes it super easy to get into while on the go, which is a big thing for me when I often drive 300 miles without a copilot. The doubleduty strap is also very well made, and easily comes off so when you want to clean the cooler it doesn’t get in the way. Lastly just having a drain is great for a little cooler, that way I can just crack the drain and leave it in the truck bed while I work on something else, instead of having to tip over the cooler and try to drain the meltwater through the lid. I’ve dumped a cooler more than once on accident trying to do that. This again falls into the territory of “buy once cry once” I can see these coolers lasting a long time for the average user, probably well past the 5-year warranty on them.

The DoubleDuty Strap is easily removable for easy cleaning.

YETI Social Media Channels

• YETI – Website
• YETI – Instagram
• YETI – Facebook
• YETI – YouTube

The post AllOutdoor Review – YETI Roadie 15 Hard Cooler in Big Wave Blue appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.

Source: AllOutdoor Review – YETI Roadie 15 Hard Cooler in Big Wave Blue

AO Review – White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent (Sandstone)

A short backstory on myself in regards to camping is necessary as a precursor to the review of this White Duck Outdoors Rover Scout Tent. I was blessed to have spent my childhood hanging out of trees, scraping my knees, and exploring the world around me nearly unsupervised. Building dams like a beaver in small creek beds, starting fires with magnesium and flint firestarters, and lots of hunting. By the time I was 18, I had been black bear hunting in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Minnesota, mule deer hunting in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming, bowfishing for carp on the Mississippi River, and trapped every furbearing animal that you can in my home state of Minnesota. Glorious, childhood adventures like this forced allowed me to go camping in pup tents in both beautiful and horrific weather alike. I once slept in a pup tent while elk hunting near the Canadian border, and a tornado passed by me less than 1/4 mile away. All this being said, I am grateful for my life experiences and am utterly burnt out on camping… that is, until I met and married my adventurous wife, Andrea. While I still hunt, trap, and scrape my knees to this day, she has inspired me to go camping again (I have more than once told friends how I will gladly pay for a $200 hotel night’s stay because of the repeated rite-of-passages I endured in my youth). Yet, the perfect storm has beset me. My vibrant wife loves camping and White Duck Outdoors reached out to AllOutdoor to try one of their tents. So, today we are going to review the experiences Andrea and I had with the White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent in a Sandstone Beige colorway on the shores of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Let’s dive in!

White Duck Outdoors Coverage on AllOutdoor

• White Duck Outdoors Debuts its Newest Tent – The Regatta 360 Bell Tent
• PRIME DAY Deals from Thermacell, Maven Optics, White Duck & Wiley X
• AllOutdoor Review: White Duck Outdoors 13′ Regatta Bell Tent
• Cyber Monday Sale! Maven, Moultrie, Sitka, 5.11 & White Duck Outdoors

Specifications – White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent (Sandstone Beige)

I have been out of the game for awhile when it comes to camping, but what I can remember from my youth is that most tents were light, flimsy, and merely a thinly-veiled cloak separating you from Mother Nature. My very first impressions of the Rover Scout Tent is how sturdy, thick, and essentially, trustworthy it felt. This is not a paper-thin tarp and haphazard pile of poles. This felt like something of high-quality and Andrea echoed those thoughts (and she has much more experience camping than I do). All of the specs for the Rover Scout Tent can be read below as presented by White Duck Outdoors.

• Weatherproof DYNATEK fabric for superior performance
• Sustainable manufacturing with BCI Cotton and recycled ocean-bound plastics
• Completely water-repellent, exceptional performance in winds
• Generous dimensions with ample stand-up space inside the tent
• Rectangular floor dimensions make it easy to customize your space
• Roll up the doors and windows completely to enjoy 360-degree views
• Open up the mesh on front and back doors fully
• Sewn-in groundsheet makes setup and cleaning a breeze
• Quick pitching, set it up in under 15 minutes

White Duck Outdoors has a Limited Lifetime White Duck Warranty that covers all of their products against defects in materials and workmanship. This applies to the Rover Scout Tent in the rare event you may need components replaced or warrantied. In all honesty, after handling all of the pieces to the Rover Scout Tent, I wouldn’t foresee anyone cashing in on the warranty for years to come. It feels, handles, and functions like a high-quality, reliable tent.

• Canvas Type: Weatherproof DYNATEK Canvas
• Fabric Options: Fire Water Repellent
• Doors: 2
• Windows: 2
• Bug Mesh: No-See-Um Mesh
• Stove Jack: Not Included
• Floor Material: 7.5 Oz Biodegradable Sewn-In PE Groundsheet
• Guy Ropes/Adjustable Guylines: Polypropylene UV Resistant Reflective Rope
• Frame Material: Aluminum/Steel

• Door Pole: 0.984" Diameter | 0.063″ Thickness
• Zipper: Top Grade Waterproof Zippers
• Electric Cable Outlet: Included
• Rubber Mallet: 1
• Center Height: 7′
• Door Height: 7′
• Door Width: 7’9″
• Wall Height: 3’2″
• Total Weight: 51 Lb

Field Use – White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent (Sandstone Beige)

When it came to assembling our tent, I always try to do things without reading the instructions. Whether I am putting together IKEA furniture late at night, or “pitching a tent” with my wife (innuendos and jokes abound), I wanted to see how easy it was to put together the Rover Scout. To kick things off, we cut open the box that the Rover Scout Tent was shipped in. The cardboard was thick and protective which assured me the tent and other contents shouldn’t be damaged.

All of the tent stakes and the poles were neatly rolled up in a protective, organized pouch which impressed me, too. They also provide you with a rubber mallet which was very thoughtful. I have shattered a lot of plastic tent stakes in my day using a metal hatchet to pound them into the ground (inevitably destroying them with a 50% success or failure rate – depending on how you look at it).

After assessing everything we had to work with, we began the process of putting together our tent. First, we rolled out the main tent body. The floor to the tent was thick and felt like it would be less likely to wick moisture from the ground.

The stakes for this tent came in 2 different kinds/sizes. One set was what I would call “shiny rebar” looking metal while the other was an aluminum eyehook looking stake. Based on the number of stakes of each kind that the tent came with, we decided to use the shiny rebar stakes for guylines predominantly and the eyehook ones for the tent bottom. I would highly recommend reading the directions so you use the correct stakes in their intended locations. It was my stubborn confidence in assembling the Rover Scout Tent without directions from keeping us knowing precisely where the stakes were meant to be placed.

All the stakes were crisply embedded into the earth with the provided rubber mallet. While setting the guylines in conjunction with the tent stakes, I checked out the plastic piece thread into the guylines for tightening and loosening them. It was a thick chunk of plastic. I wondered how that might hold up under harsh, cold temps, but the converse of metal might cut the guyline ropes. So, White Duck Outdoors likely already factored that in opting for a sturdy piece of plastic.

White Duck Outdoors advertises the Rover Scout Tent as being something that can be setup in 15 minutes or less, and I believe Andrea and I beat that time. This was a straight-forward tent to put together, the materials felt strong, and it is very spacious. You can roll up the sides to let more air flow through the tent. If you want them down, they can be secured in place with Velcro to stay put. Also, the entry or door is the same height as the inside of the tent. You don’t need to duck to get inside. By many of the metrics that I used to harshly judge tents when I was younger, the Rover Scout does a fantastic job. I appreciated the height of the Rover Scout Tent because – being a 6’0″ tall guy – I am usually having to crouch down or hunch over in order to move around in a tent. It was a relief to be able to walk in-and-out of this tent as well as be inside while standing all the way up.

Final Thoughts – White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent (Sandstone Beige)

So, what are my final thoughts on the White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent in a Sandstone Beige colorway?… Overall, coming from this self-proclaimed guy that fell out of enjoying camping, I am very impressed with this tent! It is spacious, high-quality, easy to assemble, retains heat (keeps out the cold), and is leagues beyond the cruddy tents I used to inhabit as a young outdoorsman. Andrea also liked this tent appreciating the material feeling a lot more like canvas making it durable, having a strong wind resistance, and simply better longevity if you’re going to invest the money in a high-quality tent like this. For the MSRP of $750 for the 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout and $830 for the 8′ x 13′ size, both Andrea and I believe the Rover Scout Tent is worth the money.

In closing, I want to say thank you to White Duck Outdoors for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent in a Sandstone Beige colorway. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent in a Sandstone Beige colorway is something worth spending your money on? Would you deploy one for hunting this fall? Take it with you camping? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about White Duck Outdoors in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

The post AO Review – White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent (Sandstone) appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.

Source: AO Review – White Duck Outdoors 8′ x 9′ Rover Scout Tent (Sandstone)

Boil advisory issued for 1,400 customers in Indiana's Floyd County

Indiana American Water issued the advisory at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. It's expected to be in place for 48 hours.
Source: Boil advisory issued for 1,400 customers in Indiana's Floyd County

5 Reasons Why Kayak Hunting Could INCREASE your Success

As I glided across the water, I seemed invisible to them. The deer looked up at me and casually put their heads back down to browse. Surprised by their lack of reaction, I continued to paddle, beached my kayak, and began unloading my gear for the stalk. My introduction to kayaks was at a young age. We always had a kayak or canoe for fishing and hunting. So, thanks to my dad, I was already ahead of the curve when the kayak hunting craze hit the hunting and fishing communities during the pandemic. Now that the initial rush has settled, hunters need to be reminded of why hunting from a kayak is worth it. So, I compiled a list of 5 reasons to hunt out of a kayak this season. 

1. Kayak Hunting can reach Places other Modes of Transportation Can't

There are lots of unreachable public hunting lands because they're bordered by water and private land. Using a boat, such as a kayak, is an easy way to reach these areas. While a boat is great, a kayak can get further back into the shallow creeks, allowing you to hunt deer that others cannot reach without much more effort.

A kayak is also incredibly beneficial if you hunt private land (with a creek or other body of water) because you can use it to reduce the amount of your scent tracked through the woods and set up in places you couldn't otherwise without bumping deer. 

The benefits of hunting areas that lack pressure are worth investing in a kayak alone, so I could end the article here, but I believe the other four reasons are essential, too.

2. Kayak Hunting is more Stealthy

A boat motor is obnoxiously loud, alerting every animal for miles around that you (the predator) are nearby. At one time, I thought running a mud motor on my kayak was a good idea, but I no longer do, so I can be more stealthy. 

I still use a trolling or electric motor designed for my kayaks, but they are virtually silent, especially compared to the gas-powered outboard motor on my boat.

It's also easier to blend in while duck hunting from a kayak. There are kayak blinds you can purchase, or you can build your own to disappear. You don't have to worry about hiding a big boat because brushing in a kayak is much less challenging. 

Getting to your spot via a kayak also means you spread less of your scent through the woods and scare fewer animals. Spreading your scent is unavoidable, but a kayak is less smelly than a gas-powered boat, and the water helps dilute your scent. 

This increased stealth means the animals aren't on high alert as I approach, giving me an advantage. I'm looking for every edge I can get, and hunting from a kayak gives me many advantages.

3. Kayak Hunting is more Versatile

I've briefly touched on how versatile a kayak can be, but let's buckle down on this point. A kayak can be used to hunt nearly any game animal. 

It might be as simple as using a kayak to cross the creek while turkey or hog hunting. I had several hunts when the water was too deep to wade across, and I refused to swim in the cold water. Not having a kayak on those hunts definitely cost me. 

As I've already mentioned, kayaks are often used to reach spots. It's as simple as loading your gear into the yak and paddling across the body of water close to your stand or blind.

You can also hunt from the kayak. This is primarily for waterfowl hunters (but if your state allows it, deer hunters can also try it); it takes some time to get used to it and iron out how you want the kayak rigged. However, it's one of my favorite ways to duck hunt because it opens up more places to set up the spread. 

Remember, a kayak is another tool to add to your hunting kit to increase your chances of a successful hunt, so don't be limited by the ideas I've discussed (they're simply suggestions).

4. Kayak Hunting Makes you more Adventurous

I have a much more adventurous side than my wife. She prefers the comforts of spending time inside, while I'm more apt to brave the elements, which makes sense why I love hunting from a kayak.

You're more exposed to the elements, closer to the water, and spending more time in remote locations while hunting from a kayak. So, it’s the only way (this is the way) if you're an adventure seeker like me. 

However, increased danger comes hand-in-hand with more adventure. While using a kayak, you're more likely to get wet (a terrible combination with the cold), and the wind is much more of a factor, especially on larger water bodies. It's also much more work, unloading and loading the yak and paddling to your spot.

I'm not trying to scare you away from kayak hunting, but you should be aware of the increased dangers and be prepared to face them. Always wear your life vest and waterproof clothing/gear is best. You should also keep an eye on the wind and weather and never place yourself in a risky situation, as no adventure is worth your life. 

5. Kayak Hunting Connects us to the Past

Now, maybe I'm just being too nostalgic, but using a kayak (even the modern plastic yaks) connects me to my ancestors. I have a Native American background, which makes hunting from a kayak a little more sentimental. 

Even if you don't have Native American ancestors, many other people groups used small boats for hunting expeditions, and you can still experience what it was like to hunt back in the day.

Hunting from a kayak has helped me appreciate how easy we have it with our modern hunting conveniences and provides a more profound connection with the hunters who came before me. 

I might never know all the challenges and successes they experienced, but I can do my part to ensure the kayak hunting heritage continues. 

The post 5 Reasons Why Kayak Hunting Could INCREASE your Success appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.

Source: 5 Reasons Why Kayak Hunting Could INCREASE your Success

TikTok says it's irestoring service to US users based on Trump's promised executive order

By HALELUYA HADERO Associated Press

Source: TikTok says it's irestoring service to US users based on Trump's promised executive order

Transgender activists rally on steps of Kentucky State Capitol

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — On Thursday morning, protestors from the Transgender Unity Rally gathered on the steps of the Capitol.

Trans-rights activists rallied against executive orders signed by President Donald Trump. They say his leadership is harmful to the LGBTQ community.

“It’s really interesting to me that the executive orders try to preach things in a certain light,” activist Marissa Ireland said. “They’re trying to make gender these one-sided ideas. It’s an idealistic way of thinking, unfortunately, that’s not how real life is.”

President Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at cutting federal support for gender transitions for those under 19. He also announced that there will only be two genders in our country: male and female.

 

Source: Transgender activists rally on steps of Kentucky State Capitol

Mom gives birth to identical quadruplets in Phoenix

The mother delivered four identical baby girls on Jan. 24 at Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix.
Source: Mom gives birth to identical quadruplets in Phoenix

'Bad planning, lack of management and understaffing' | USPS shipping delays traced to Indy distribution hub

The American Postal Workers Union is encouraging customers to contact elected leaders to make them aware of the problem.
Source: 'Bad planning, lack of management and understaffing' | USPS shipping delays traced to Indy distribution hub

Ohio politician proposes making flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game

Republican state Rep. Josh Williams is calling it the O.H.I.O Sportsmanship Act.
Source: Ohio politician proposes making flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game

States' access to Medicaid cut off amid funding freeze. White House claims payments are unaffected.

Medicaid provides health coverage to more than 72 million low-income Americans, pregnant women, elderly people and people with disabilities.
Source: States' access to Medicaid cut off amid funding freeze. White House claims payments are unaffected.