Bowhunterの April/May 2023 の目次

THE GREATER CHALLENGE presented by traditional archery is undeniable. The first factor that comes to mind is modest arrow speeds. Today’s modern compounds launch hunting arrows at 280 to 300-plus fps, and even with such speeds, we still have problems with quick-reacting game “jumping the string” and altering our shot. An arrow fired from a traditional bow is at least 100 fps slower — a fact that should put an animal’s ability to react to the sound of a bow front and center in the minds of any and all bowhunters who choose to draw down on an animal with a stickbow. Then there is the stickbow’s modest effective range, compared to those who use a compound with sight pins and a release, and feel comfortable shooting at an animal…

WHEN AN ARROW flies at high speed, it is subject to air resistance. This is what allows the arrow’s fletching to produce drag. Fletching that is larger and has a strong degree of helical will consequently produce increased resistance — an element that optimizes flight recovery and stabilization. This aids in steering the arrow better. The same can be said with the surface area of a broadhead, whether it be a fixed-blade or mechanical. It has the ability to “catch air” and steer the projectile one way or the other. However, as long as the fletching does its job of catching more air than the broadhead, it will remain in control and guide the arrow with as little oscillation as possible. Of course, this only applies if the broadhead turns…

Elk Hoof Disease Deadly And Spreading IT SEEMS THAT A LOT of wildlife news involves diseases. Some are new, but some have been around for a while and are just now appearing in alarming numbers. That is the case with what we now call “elk hoof disease.” The more scientific name is Treponeme associated hoof disease (TAHD). The culprit is Treponeme bacteria, and it affects both Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk in the Northwest. It’s deadly and ugly. Elk hoof disease was first noticed in southwestern Washington elk herds in the late 1990s. Not much happened until a number of limping elk were seen in 2007-2008, and then a scientific study was started. Elk with this disease have deformed or sloughed hooves. The wounds are apparently painful and cause elk…

“I guess I’d like to be thought of as a bowhunter who cared deeply about his sport… I only want what’s best for bowhunting. Ours is a hunting sport. We need to always keep in mind that the other half of the word ‘bow’ is ‘hunting’ and not ‘killing.’ I’d rather everybody remember that than who G. Fred Asbell was.” — Fred Asbell Crouching in the shoreside willows overlooking a well-tracked game crossing, I’d watched hopefully as the two caribou bulls — including the giant Fred eventually killed — emerged from the trees directly across the surging northern Quebec river. They’d paused briefly before splashing down into the swirling waters, swimming straight toward me. Their sweptback, velvet-furred antlers reminded me of bobbing tree branches caught in some powerful undertow. For…

“ANOTHER 60 MILES,” I groaned, as I crossed the U.S. border into Canada. I had been white-knuckle driving across ice and snow for nearly 10 hours, and I was tired. But the thought of big Alberta mule deer kept me going. My pal and outfitter Duane Nelson was waiting in camp, and we planned to be glassing vast stretches of prairie the next morning. I enjoyed excellent bowhunts in 2022, yet despite my success, shooting critters last year was unusually difficult. The 500-mile drive from my home in Wyoming to southern Alberta seemed like déjà vu — because it was. I had already made the 1,000-mile roundtrip journey just days earlier. Duane’s area in southern Alberta only allows November deer hunting four days per week, and I had opted to…

OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES, this column has been based on the latest deer research conducted by some of the top deer biologists in the country. These scientific findings are not simply someone’s opinion; they’re peer-reviewed results. My job is to excise the big science words from this research and present the findings so the average bowhunter can understand and apply the results in their neck of the woods. More than ever, many hunters now are interested in acquiring deer data from true professionals who aren’t just trying to sell a product. And except for a few magazines and websites, this data seems to be harder and harder to find. The number-one e-mail question I receive from Bowhunter readers is, “How do I become a wildlife biologist?” My answer to…

THE MULE DEER SPIKE came right up to the decoy and stared at it. I was so temped to take him with my recurve, mostly because he was right in my wheelhouse — 10 to 15 yards away and fixated on my decoy. The only reason I hesitated was because I was in a large blind with two cameras running so I could document the muley’s reaction to the decoy. In full disclosure, I was also holding off because the larger mule deer buck in the group was looking hard at the decoy as well, and I was hoping for a shot at him. It was peak of the rut, and I was experimenting with a new prototype decoy — and possibly risking ruining my hunt that morning to see…

Although it sounds cliche, practice truly does make perfect. That said, there are elements to a good archery shot that go far beyond just slinging a few arrows, and now is the perfect time to tune up your rig and yourself. Having a properly tuned bow is important, but accuracy when it really counts starts with developing a shooting process that is consistent in any situation. For me, that process consists of: • Having a consistent grip. • Visualizing the shot. • Drawing to a consistent and solid anchor point. • Calibrating or floating the sight pin on the kill zone. • Focusing on the spot you want to hit, rather than on the pin. • Developing a surprise release. • Following through until the arrow hits the target. Regardless…

BEAR®LEGEND XR™ RTH The Legend XR RTH ($559.99) is a 32" bow with a smooth DHC-XR™ hybrid cam and a 6¼" brace height. It accommodates draw weights from 14–70 lbs. and stretches from 18"–31" in draw length. You can’t beat the price, especially when you consider its offset string suppressor, KILLERwave™ in-limb dampeners, and bevy of accessories from Trophy Ridge®. Bear Archery, beararchery.com. EASTON®SONIC 6.0™ MATCH GRADE The Sonic 6.0 is now available in a Match Grade version ($117.99/half-dozen fletched) with a +/-.001" straightness for the ultimate in precision. The Acu-Carbon™ process guarantees consistent weight/spine. Its lighter mass weight allows for different build options. They come helicalfletched with Blazer® Vanes and in six spines to fit virtually every bowhunter, plus pre-installed nocks and precision ST inserts. Easton, eastonarchery.com. BROWNING®DEFENDER PRO…

“THE PROBLEM OF SELF-IDENTITY IS NOT JUST A PROBLEM OF THE YOUNG. IT IS A PROBLEM ALL THE TIME — PERHAPS THE PROBLEM. IT SHOULD HAUNT OLD AGE, AND WHEN IT NO LONGER DOES, IT SHOULD TELL YOU YOU ARE DEAD.” — NORMAN MACLEAN IN THE CLOISTERED, cave-like space under the boughs of this massive spruce tree, he falls asleep and dreams. It is a dream so vivid and real it seems a vision — a remembrance of his first deer hunt as a six-year-old boy with his father and his grandfather. In the dream, he awakens to the acrid smell of sulfur and the bright glare of a lit match reflecting off the cabin wall. His grandfather lights the lantern first, then the old wood stove. The fall air…