Kenneth Piper Jr.
Senior Managing Editor, Hook & Barrel | Whitetail Expert
Kenneth is the Senior Managing Editor at Hook & Barrel, focusing on hunting, fishing and outdoors-enthusiast digital content for hookandbarrel.com. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and has more than three decades of experience across outdoors publishing, writing, editing, graphic design, team management and digital content.
A life-long sportsman who grew up hunting on public land in Pennsylvania, he has taken whitetails in 13 states and 1 Canadian province. He is a former tournament bass fisherman but has been known to catch an occasional trout. He writes about anything hunting- and fishing-related with an emphasis on whitetails, archery and gear.
Kenneth is a staple in the outdoors industry and was most recently a Vice-President at Buckmasters, where he oversaw print and digital content for more than 25 years.
Expertise:
Whitetail Deer Hunting, Magazine Publishing
Articles by Kenneth Piper Jr.
Hunting
Hot-Weather Bowhunting: How to Beat the Early-Season Heat
Hot-weather bowhunting brings challenges that go well beyond sweating in the stand. From hydration and insects to scent control, recovery and meat care, a little preparation can make early-season hunts safer, more comfortable and more successful.
Gear
LaCrosse Alphaburly Aero Brings Running-Shoe Comfort to the Rubber Hunting Boot
LaCrosse is taking its Alphaburly rubber boot line in a lighter, more athletic direction with the new Alphaburly Aero. Debuting in Fall 2026, the boot adds AeroForm cushioning, a new traction system and multiple Solarcore insulated options.
Shooting
What I Learned at Bergara Academy’s Long-Range Shooting School
Gear
SPYPOINT FORCE-4K Review: Tested Day and Night on Deer Trails
The SPYPOINT FORCE-4K skips cellular connectivity for easy setup, 48MP photos, 4K video with sound and a $99.99 price. Here’s how it performed in the field.
Archery
Why Crossbow Arrows Are So Hard to Pull—and How to Fix It
Modern crossbows can make arrow removal from foam targets downright miserable. We compare foam and specialized high-speed targets, explain why arrows stick, and test practical fixes—including arrow lube—to help you choose the right target for the way you shoot.
Hunting
How Trail Cameras Work and the Features That Matter Most
Trail cameras use PIR sensors to detect animals, infrared flash to photograph them at night and local storage or cellular networks to deliver the images. Here’s how the features that matter most affect performance in the field.
Gear
2027 Yamaha Grizzly EPS XT-R: Price, Specs & Features
Side-by-sides may dominate the off-road market, but the 2027 Yamaha Grizzly EPS XT-R makes a strong case for the traditional ATV. With a 686cc engine, selectable 4WD, a factory winch and 1,300-pound towing capacity, it packs serious utility into a compact footprint.
Gear
Remington Gives Old Rifle Stocks a New Shot at Life
Remington and Original Grain have given retired rifle stocks a second life in the Hunt Club watch collection. Three of the four launch models incorporate American walnut from Remington buttstocks, including stocks used on ammunition-testing rifles.
Archery
Bowhunting Practice That Prepares You for Real-World Shots
Standing on flat ground and shooting a block target at 20 yards has its place, but real deer rarely follow that script. Here’s how to make your bowhunting practice more realistic before opening day.
Shooting
Leupold VX-4HD 3-12x50 Review: Tested From 25 to 308 Yards
The Leupold VX-4HD 3-12x50 pairs a clean Duplex reticle with a locking elevation dial that lets hunters range, dial and aim without clutter. We tested its optics, zeroing system and repeatability at the range.
