Table of contents for June 2018 - Gear Special in Bowhunter

These days, it seems there is a belief that social media is the solution to all that we seek in the world. Who among us, young or old, can avert our eyes as electronic devices inundate us with information, some useful but much of it weighted with political discourse, moral judgement, corporate influence, and incessant whining? There is no doubt that social media also is used as a tool to alter your thinking. Have you noticed the flood of videos on your feed that display all sorts of anthropomorphic animal behavior? These videos attempt to assign human qualities to animals as if they think, feel, and communicate like humans. Make no mistake, this is a concerted effort by animal-rights activists to change the way we think about animals. Think Disney.…

SUB-1 ™ Designed to be the most accurate, quiet, easy to use crossbow on the market, the SUB-1™’s compact frame promises an unmatched shooting experience. Mission Crossbows • 608-269-2728 • missioncrossbows.com Turn Your Adventures Into Memories! That was the goal of 11-year-old Justin Dyon when he developed the BowPro action-cam mount. This 100% made-in-Montana mount is constructed of pro-grade aluminum that’s anodized to withstand the elements, and it weighs just 4.3 oz.The BowPro will mount your GoPro or Garmin VIRB to most compound bows in seconds. BowPro US • bowpro.us  • Facebook.com/BowProMT Quick Sight “Elite” Permanently installed peep-style string sights are locked in place, where string twist and/or creep can affect accuracy. With the Quick Sight “Elite,” you can adjust both the forward sight pin and rear eye alignment for much greater accuracy…without bow…

I REMEMBER IT LIKE it was yesterday. The mainframe eight-pointer was on a crash course toward a top-pin shot opportunity in the wide-open alfalfa field. Temperatures had plummeted a few days earlier, bringing a couple inches of winter white to the tranquil October setting in north-central Wisconsin. I’d love to say I double-lunged that buck at 20 yards, but that would be dishonest. Fact is, I’d become chilled to the bone — so much so that I couldn’t draw my bow. That misfortune can be attributed to one thing — poor apparel for the conditions. I was just a kid at the time, and I had what I could afford. But I learned that I needed to get better clothes, or stay home when the temperatures dipped below freezing. More…

THE BEAR FACTS BOWHUNTING BLACK BEARS, spring or fall, is an absolute blast! Those of you who have done it will agree. Those of you who have never tried it, need to. There are four proven methods for hunting bears baiting, spot and stalk, hounds, and calling. While I’ve hunted bears many times and managed to tag a few good ones, my experience hunting them has been limited to the first two aforementioned methods. As a result, I will only offer tips that apply to those two tactics. First, bears have great ears and noses. Their eyesight is not nearly as keen, but that doesn’t mean they won’t spot you in a heartbeat while you’re sitting in a treestand or natural ground blind, or when you are putting the sneak…

WHEN IT COMES to choosing the right broad-head and arrow combination, skimping is not an option. Although virtually every tool we use works in conjunction with another to provide a successful outcome, without question the broadhead and arrow are where the dirty work begins. I’m convinced that some hunters never shoot their arrow and broadhead combination before they step into the woods, and that’s shameful. As bowhunters we owe it to the animal, as well as to the reputation of the bowhunting community at large, to use the best possible equipment we can afford, and to make sure it is tuned to perfection. There are tons of broadhead and arrow options, and most will get the job done. But the key is picking the right combination that will give you…

THERE ARE MANY aspects to making a good archery shot, especially under pressure. Although form, mechanics, and having a good mental process play huge roles in consistently hitting the 10-ring, our choices in archery tackle are also a major part of the equation. Using quality equipment and practicing with it in real-world situations prepares you both physically and mentally and instills confidence as you squeeze the release. When it comes to bow accessories, bowsights always seem to get the most attention — and rightly so. It’s the one piece of equipment that visually connects us with our target throughout the shot cycle. However, your quiver also plays an important role, and should not merely be looked at as something that holds arrows. And, a stabilizer can be vital to more…

DEER HUNTING IN MY LIFE has fractured into three separate styles. There is the private land, do-it-yourself endeavor I engage in at home and in Wisconsin where I’m free to scout, hang stands, and do as I please. Then there is the outfitted type of hunting, where most of the heavy lifting has been done by someone else long before I show up. And then there is the third kind. This is the most challenging, and it’s by far my favorite style of hunting. It usually consists of about five days in a flyover state, where I’m living out of a tent and hunting solo, or maybe with a few buddies. The scouting, stand-hanging, hunting, and butchering (hopefully), are all on us. I think there are a lot of hunters…

WHERE I LIVE in the suburbs of the Twin Cities, you’re lucky to find land to hunt. And if you do, the parcel will likely be under 40 acres, and you’ll probably share it. This has caused me to focus on a new type of whitetail strategy that is the opposite of what I employ when I travel to some state with big chunks of public land. On smaller tracts, most of the old-school scouting tactics don’t count for much, because you can walk the whole thing in an hour or two. Long-distance glassing isn’t going to happen on most of these parcels either. This means, if you’re going to find the best spots, you’ve got to cater your recon to the reality of severely limited acreage. Usually, this calls…

IT’S AN UNDENIABLE backcountry truth. Even when weather and circumstances are ideal, hunting the high country far from the end of the road can be difficult. When you add bad weather, or less than ideal conditions, the backcountry gets even more challenging. But having the right gear for whatever situation is thrown at you can greatly increase your chances, not only of having an enjoyable hunt but also of returning home safely. Here’s some gear to help you go deep and hunt high. PACKS Unless you’re using pack animals, the only way to get your gear to the top of the mountain is on your own back. Having a pack that fits you, and your individual style, is a very important piece of the equation. Brand new to the market…

RAVIN CROSSBOWS ®  R20™ Ravin’s new R20 crossbow ($2,149.99) is their fastest to date. Measuring 34.5" in length and weighing 7.1 lbs., it sends bolts downrange at an amazing 430 fps with 164 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. It’s 10.5" axle to axle uncocked, and 6" wide cocked. User safety is guaranteed by the Anti-Dry Fire/Auto Safety feature. Other notables include a built-in cocking mechanism and sling mounts. Fully assembled and pre-tuned, it comes with six Ravin-branded bolts and nocks (with 100-grain fieldpoints), an illuminated scope, quiver/ mounting bracket, and a removable cocking handle. Contact: Ravin Crossbows, (715) 718-3574, ravincrossbows.com. REALTREE ®  EDGE™ Gain the advantage over the eyes of whatever big-game animal you’re hunting with Realtree’s newest pattern — EDGE. The sole intent of those responsible for developing…