a n e w c l a s s o f b o w s .

b u i lt f o r
bowhunters who demand everything.

A V A I L A B L E O N LY A T G E N U I N E H O Y T R E T A I L E R S .
 2018 BROADHEAD TEST:

BIG
GAME
BONANZA!
• DIY Elk Double p. 64
• Utah Bull of a Lifetime p. 72
• Quest for a 70-inch Moose p. 78
• High & Deep for Mountain Goats p. 94

MAKE YOUR MOVE

ON WHITETAILS
Sage Advice for Finding the
Perfect Treestand p. 86

5 KEYS for KILLER

ARROW FLIGHT p. 54

TESTED:
• Hoyt Nitrux p. 40
• Excalibur Assassin p. 104
• Mission SUB-1 p. 116
STEALTH
THE RESULTS ARE IN.

IS LETHAL.
Mathews TRIAX
Competing 2018 Models

SEE THE 2018 VIBRATION TESTS

AT MATHEWSINC.COM
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 SEPTEMBER 2018

F E ATU R E S
2018 HEAD-TO-HEAD
BROADHEAD TEST
Mechanical Mayhem!
42

54 5 Parts to the
Perfect Arrow
Be More Deadly by
Sweating the Small Details
BY JOHN DUDLEY
72

64 One Wild September

Out West
Doubling Up on DIY Bulls
BY EDDIE CLAYPOOL

72 Long Time Coming

Tagging the Bull Elk of a Lifetime
BY BENTON CHRISTENSEN

78 Four Trips & 40 Days

The 16-Year Journey for a Bull Moose
BY DARRON MCDOUGAL
78

86 The Big Move

Two Twists for Terrific
Treestand Success
BY BILL WINKE

Climbing High
94 When Chasing Mountain Goats,
Just Getting There is Half the Battle
BY MATT GUEDES

4 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 0 9 • 2018

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40 TECHNICAL BOW TEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BY JON E. SILKS
Hoyt Nitrux

104 TECHNICAL CROSSBOW TEST. . . . . . . BY JON E. SILKS

Excalibur Assassin

108 FIELD TESTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TightSpot, IQ Bowsight
BY BOWHUNTING EDITORS
p. 40

110 NEW GEAR

An expanded look at bowhunting products

116 TECHNICAL CROSSBOW TEST. . . . . . . BY JON E. SILKS

Mission SUB-1

p. 110

p. 104

p. 116 p. 108

D E PARTM E NTS
8 FIRST SHOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BY CHRISTIAN BERG
Never Stop Chasing Dreams

14 THE INBOX RAD O

Readers speak out about their sport and magazine
FREE podcasts available
CHANGING THE GAME . . . . . . . . . . . BY LEVI MORGAN from iTunes,
16 Choosing the Right Vanes for the Job or listen online @
bowhunting.podbean.com
18 WHITETAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BY JASON SNAVELY
Killer Stands for Giant Bucks

22 BOWHUNTING 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BY BILL WINKE TODAY!

What Could Go Wrong?

28 BETTER BOWHUNTING . . . . . . . . . . BY RANDY ULMER

Part 2 of 4: Timing is Everything
• Getting in Elk Shape:
32 CROSSBOWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BY BOB HUMPHREY
Is the Sky Falling in the Whitetail World?
• Full Throttle & Full Draw:
36 SPOT-ON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surprise! You Flinched!
BY CABE JOHNSON

• Awesome Arrows:
120 THE DIY GUY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BY EDDIE CLAYPOOL
Roots
6 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 0 9 • 2018
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 FIRST
QQ SHOT
Never Stop Chasing Dreams
A
s I’ve often noted in this
column, bowhunting
success rarely comes
easily — if it comes at all!
Because of that, successful
bowhunters tend to be irratio-
nally optimistic, goal driven,
tenacious and resilient. After all,
learning to deal with failure is a
prerequisite for achieving your
“advanced bowhunting” badge.
This month’s issue is illed with
tales of adventure from bowhunt-
ers who refused to let temporary
setbacks stop them from pursuing
their dreams. Perhaps no one bet-
ter exempliies this “never say die”
attitude than Field Editor Eddie
Claypool, whose public-land bow-
hunting success has long since
surpassed legendary status.
In One Wild September Out West
(p. 64), Claypool shares the story of
how he killed not one, but two, great
public-land bull elk last September
during trips to Wyoming and Idaho.
For regular readers, Claypool’s big-
game success has become so com-
monplace it’s easy to take for grant-
ed. However, no one works harder
than Eddie, and I’d argue that when-
ever he seems to have “luck” on
his side, it is merely a dividend on
the tremendous investment he has
made in the hunt. For Eddie, arriv-
ing “in-country” a week or more be-
fore the season opens — and staying
until he punches his tag or the sea-
son ends, whichever comes irst — is
standard operating procedure. He’ll
hike deeper and hunt harder than
just about any other bowhunter out
there, and when adversity is encoun-
tered — such as the late-summer
snowstorm that buried his intended
hunting area in Idaho — he simply
adapts and overcomes with Plan B.
The truth is, the success Eddie
enjoys today was earned through
nearly four decades of backcoun-
try experience that includes more
than a few beatdowns at the hands
of Mother Nature. Each time Eddie
has been knocked down, he’s gotten
8 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
BY CHRISTIAN BERG
up and moved forward, having been
made better for the experience. And
though many would consider Eddie
a master of Western bowhunting, he
would be the irst to tell you he never
stops learning. In fact, in recent years
Eddie has continued to expand his
bowhunting horizons by tackling
new challenges and chasing new
dreams, such as mountain goats and
DIY bear baiting on public land. For
Eddie, the most important hunt is
always “the next one.”
In Four Trips and 40 Days (p. 78),
author Darron McDougal tells the
story of Wisconsin bowhunter Glen
Rutten’s 16-year quest for an Alaska-
Yukon bull moose. Between 2000
and 2016, Rutten made four trips
from the Heartland to the Last Fron-
tier and spent an incredible 40 days
in the ield before inally arrowing
a giant, 70-inch bull of a lifetime.
Rutten’s irst three hunts were slow,
never yielding even one viable op-
portunity at a mature bull. Despite
that, he persisted. “I’ll never forget
it,” Rutten said of his eventual suc-
cess. “The fact that it took four trips
and 40 days to complete the quest
only sweetened it.”
And in A Long Time Coming (p.
72), Idaho bowhunter Benton Chris-
tensen tells the story of inally draw-
ing a coveted trophy elk tag in Utah
after two decades of applying —
only to be faced with the struggle
of recovering from multiple back
surgeries in time for the hunt.
With a unique opportunity on
the table, Christensen overcame his
physical challenges and dropped
the string on a behemoth bull that
scored just shy of 400 inches.
I don’t know what your bowhunt-
ing dream is, but if you head aield
with stick and string, I’m certain
you have one. Maybe you’ve been
discouraged by repeated failure and
feel success is out of reach. If so, I
hope these stories encourage you to
move on and focus on the promise of
the future.
Go ahead; get back on that horse.
The ride may get a little bumpy at
times, but it sure beats walking!
®
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 THE
INBOX
Worried About Crossbows
I read The State of the Sport Report
in the July issue with interest and
concern. I’ve enclosed a report that
was written some 35 years ago (in
1983) and would like to share it with
you. I believe it’s still valid today.
We (the Ohio Bowhunters Associa-
tion) were passionate about protect-
ing bowhunting and our bow season
from being exploited by crossbow
manufacturers and their lobbyists.
We knew the manufacturers were
targeting gun hunters for their cross-
bow market but needed bow season to
sell them — mainly because bowhunt-
ers did not want them. We lost the bat-
tle because we couldn’t compete with
the money, power and big-time cross-
bow manufacturers lobbying the Ohio
Division of Wildlife.
Today, crossbows dominate the
market because they are easily mas-
tered. Why take up the challenge of
shooting a [vertical] bow when you
can be deadly accurate at 35 yards
in an hour? Herein lies the problem;
simplicity and instant success has
become more important than the
challenge of developing the skill of
mastering a [vertical] bow.
Unfortunately, it may be the time
we live in — the “now generation”
and instant gratiication. Bowhunt-
ing could go the way of black pow-
der season, where muskets, wad-
ding, balls and powder horns and
ramrods were replaced with scoped,
inline, breech-loaded riles. It’s all in
the name of progress. All I can say is,
“Follow the money.”
Just walk into a sporting goods
store as deer season nears and watch
what the young people are looking
to purchase. I can almost guarantee
you it’s not the [vertical] bows they
are picking out; it’s crossbows! There
is where all your future bowhunters
have gone, and you won’t ind that
reported in any statistics.
I’m an old-school bowhunter, hav-
ing started with a stickbow in 1963.
I’m now 76, shoot a compound bow,
still a member of the Ohio Bowhunt-
ers Association and proud to be a
dedicated bowhunter.
Tom Bowman, Hilliard, Ohio
14 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
QUESTION
OF THE MONTH:
bowhunting@outdoorsg.com
Embracing Crossbows
Mr. Berg, as a bowhunter, I would
like to respond to your editorial in
the July issue. I couldn’t agree with
you more! We have to stand up for
what we believe and join a club that
supports our sport. But what hap-
pens when the club you had been
a member of and supported for 30-
plus years decides to go in the op-
posite direction than what you and
other members are thinking?
I am referring to the crossbow de-
bate here in our great State of Wiscon-
sin. You reported that the Wisconsin
Bowhunters Association (WBA) had
at one time more than 11,000 mem-
bers (and I was one of them) and is
presently down to fewer than 5,000
members. First, let me give you a
small history lesson on WBA.
Back in the 1970s, when we as
bowhunters started to evolve from re-
curves and longbows to the infancy of
so-called compounds, we didn’t have
the rift between the two user groups,
as we have now between compounds
and crossbows. As a matter of fact, the
WBA accepted the compounds with
open arms and still promoted our
sport. That is when the membership
grew to more than 11,000 members,
because we were all one group.
Now, with the introduction of the
all-inclusive crossbow season [over-
lapping with archery season], we are
all in an uproar and pitting one user
group against the other. WBA is trying
to divide and conquer by not includ-
ing crossbows into their user group!
Why can’t we all bury the hatch-
et, so to speak, and accept one an-
other’s weapon choice for what it
is? We should all have the oppor-
tunity to hunt with our weapon of
choice, as long as it is legal. If we
hunt with either longbow, com-
pound, recurve, crossbow, rile,
muzzleloader or handgun, so be it.
Enough is enough.
David Lorenzoni, Woodruff, Wisc.
He Left the Club
Christian Berg’s editorial in the
July issue, Be a Bowhunting Advo-
cate, encouraged readers to become
members of the Pope and Young
Club. He also indicated that Pope
and Young’s membership had
dwindled from 8,000 to 6,500 over
the past two decades.
I don’t know the reasons why all
those other people left the Club, but
I deliberately allowed my member-
ship to expire well over a decade
ago because I simply got sick and
tired of their constant rant against
crossbows. Many of their claims
seemed ridiculous and not based
on any facts. I was irritated by their
closed-minded, “the sky will fall”
mentality. Subsequent legalization
across the nation has not caused any
signiicant problems, other than per-
haps blemishing the Club’s ego.
Here’s the Catch 22: There are
literally hundreds of thousands of
hunters who now participate in state
archery seasons with crossbows, but
not a single one would be able to
join the Pope and Young Club (nor
would they be welcome). Just think
about the vast number of people
who are excluded from Club mem-
bership due to their personal choice
of equipment.
I can’t help but wonder what Ishi
would think if he saw a modern com-
pound bow with all the incredible
accouterments. No doubt he would
have been amazed. He’d probably
have that very same reaction upon
seeing a modern crossbow. Howev-
er, would he really think one was
much more ethical than the other? I
seriously doubt it.
Rick Casey, Paw Paw, Mich.
0 9 • 2018
Choosing
the Right
Vanes for
the Job

M
 WHITE
TAILS BY JASON SNAVELY

Are You High-Grading Your Deer Herd?

Research shows that buck-harvest restrictions based solely on antler points allow

H
ow do you decide wheth-
er to dump the string on
a buck? How will your
decision impact the quality of
your future buck population?
If you lack a vested interest
in the antler size of bucks
in the future, perhaps your
decision won’t impact the qual-
ity of your hunting. However,
if you’re like the majority of
bowhunters, and the thought
of wide, tall and heavy-racked
bucks is what gets you out of
bed in the morning, you should
continue reading.
When deciding whether to come
to full draw on a buck, what distin-
guishing characteristics are you ob-
serving? Undoubtedly, most of us are
scrutinizing boney headgear when
deciding whether to shoot or pass.
Maybe he’s bigger than the one you
shot last year, or even bigger than
your best buck to date. Perhaps he
appears to meet or exceed the Pope
and Young or outitter-set minimum
score. I’ve been working with deer
hunters/managers for 16 years now,
and I can assure you antler charac-
teristics are what most hunters use
to decide if an animal is taking a
ride in the back of the truck. Fright-
eningly, science has proven that
making decisions solely based on a
18 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
hunters to legally harvest the most promising young bucks in the population while
protecting young bucks with lesser racks. Over time, this results in removing many of
the bucks with the greatest antler potential early in life, such as this fine Pennsylvania
2 1⁄2-year-old that was killed in the fall of 2016.
buck’s overall antler size is the worst
criterion you can use when mak-
ing harvest decisions. In fact, when
antlers alone are the deciding fac-
tor, hunters can degrade the overall
size of bucks at maturity. I’ll explain.
Unintended Consequences
One afternoon in 1998, I was
walking down the hallway between
classes at Mississippi State Uni-
versity when my advisor, a world-
renowned deer researcher, called
me into his ofice to show me some-
thing quite profound. Doc knew I
was absolutely addicted to learning
about whitetail deer and that my
career would be wrapped around
whitetails for the coming decades. I
was sworn to secrecy, since he had
literally just inished crunching the
numbers and the groundbreaking
research wasn’t yet published.
As I sat and looked at the ig-
ures and graphs, my professor
said, “This is reliable proof that
antler point restrictions (APRs) re-
sult in high-grading bucks before
they reach the age when we want
to harvest them! Antler restrictions
protect the smaller-antlered young
bucks and allow them to grow
older while removing the larger-
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Kimber, and Old Trapper, runs Sept. 17-23 on
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Each night from 7 p.m.-midnight you’ll find
the networks’ very best deer-hunting shows.
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antlered bucks early on in their
lives. Doesn’t that seem counter in-
tuitive to what we’re aiming to do?”
What Doc was suggesting is that
state biologists and lawmakers
who were trying to improve over-
all buck quality by implementing
harvest restrictions based solely on
antler points were, in fact, doing the
exact opposite by allowing hunters to
cherry pick the top 15-20 percent of
Continued on page 20
0 9 • 2018
 WHITE
TAILS
Continued from page 18
bucks in the herd before they reach
their prime years and maximum
antler size.
Buck harvest is regulated with
selective harvest criteria. In the mid
1900s, during the restoration phase,
any buck was legal as biologists and
managers sought instead to protect
the reproductive, female segment
of the herd. With the whitetail deer
restoration story being such a great
success, modern-day selective har-
vest criteria tend to focus on antler
characteristics that lead to more,
older bucks in the herd available for
harvest. In an effort to keep things
simple for hunters, the late 1990s
found state lawmakers and biol-
ogists seeking to utilize the num-
ber of antler points as a means of
relieving heavy harvest mortality on
younger age classes, more specii-
cally 1 1⁄2-year-old bucks. Following
many years of protecting does while
labeling any buck a legal buck, year-
ling bucks comprised upwards of 80
percent of the total buck harvest in
many states. Hunters began to de-
mand a more balanced buck harvest,
and that meant increasing the num-
ber of 2 1⁄2-year-old and older bucks
in the post-hunting season popu-
lation. Decisions to harvest or pass
on particular bucks has a profound
impact, both positive and negative,
on the future dynamics of the deer
herd, including antler size.
As a biologist, I want hunters to
make harvest decisions that will
have a positive impact on future
antler size. Since overall antler size
typically increases with age, adopt-
ing a mindset that allows young and
middle-aged bucks to walk makes
sense. This general approach mir-
rors what is commonly referred to as
quality deer management, with tro-
phy deer management being slight-
ly more restrictive on middle-aged
buck harvest. These basic buck-
harvest parameters are great until
you reach that frustrating plateau
all deer hunters/managers reach
when it seems like all the food plots
and minerals in the world won’t re-
sult in any additional large-racked
bucks.
20 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
Results of High-Grading
Groundbreaking research done
at Mississippi State identiied that
although antler restrictions can
protect many yearling bucks from
harvest, high-grading the herd is
a likely outcome. What is high-
grading? High-grading occurs when
the top-end bucks are harvested at an
early age and therefore are not avail-
able for harvest at maturity, when
they would express their full genetic
potential. Instead, their smaller-ant-
lered cousins have been preserved
and are still available for harvest.
As an example, imagine 100 buck
fawns hitting the ground in the
spring of 2018 as a “cohort,” a group
of animals all born in the same
year. As these bucks move into the
1 1⁄2-year-old age class, approximate-
ly 10 percent will die from natural
mortality. The survivors will begin
to grow their yearling set of antlers.
Based on a number of factors, in-
cluding birth date, habitat quality,
genetics, etc., the remaining 90 (10
died of natural mortality) yearling
antlered bucks will possess slightly
different antler characteristics and
scores. Some of these yearling bucks
will be spikes, some will possess 8 or
more points while others will fall in
between. A 4-point minimum APR
will only protect a certain percentage
of these yearling bucks from harvest;
the smaller-antlered segment of the
cohort. The question is, are we pro-
tecting the bucks that have a great-
er chance of growing larger antlers
at 5 1⁄2 years of age? Absolutely not!
In order to do that, we would need
to protect yearling bucks with 6-10
points as their irst set of antlers,
because these are the bucks that pos-
sess the greatest potential for large
antlers at maturity. Ultimately, pro-
tecting smaller-antlered yearlings
(2-3 points) while harvesting larg-
er-antlered yearlings (4+ points) re-
duces antler size of the cohort (born
in 2018) down the road when those
bucks reach maturity.
The Mississippi 4-point antler
restriction is the perfect example. In
fact, overall antler size within each
age class (cohort) declined after the
4-point APR became law in 1995.
In fact, research on public manage-
ment areas revealed an average 17-
inch decline in antler scores among
3-year-old bucks! The research
caused the state agency to adjust its
APRs to eliminate high-grading of
yearling bucks.
If that doesn’t convince you that
high-grading results from an APR
that doesn’t protect 100 percent of
immature bucks, consider the fact
that prior to the statewide 4-point
APR, more than 80 percent of 3-year-
old bucks sported 8 or more points.
Post APRs, the proportion of 3-year-
old bucks with 8 or more points
plummeted below 50 percent, while
bucks in the same age class carry-
ing only 4-7 points more than dou-
bled! Let’s face it; none of us are real
thrilled to see an overabundance of
4-point, 3-year-old bucks!
Breaking the Barrier
So, how do we break through the
barrier? The answer lies in devel-
oping buck-harvest criteria that ad-
dresses the unique circumstances of
your area while also aging bucks on
the hoof. The fact is, all age classes
of bucks can possess 8-point racks,
proving that the number of antler
points is the worst criterion to use
when deciding whether to harvest a
particular buck.
After working with private land-
owners and pushing my own deer
management programs to the max,
it’s obvious that advanced deer
management requires a mindset
shift beyond what got us here. I wish
I had a dollar for every call I’ve re-
ceived that sounded something like
this: “We have been practicing qual-
ity deer management for 10 years
now, but we just can’t seem to get
past that 140-inch mark.”
If you want to break through the
barrier, it requires that extra effort to
make harvest decisions this season
that are sure to have positive im-
pacts on the standing crop of bucks
that are available for future harvest.
I irmly believe that slot limits, much
like isheries biologists employ, will
be the solution for those looking
to maximize the antler potential of
mature bucks.
0 9 • 2018
 BOWHUNTING
QQ 101
Make sure all your bow accessories are rugged, because if it can go wrong, it will. Tighten
everything before the season and use Loc-Tite to ensure important retainers on your sight and target later that morning, the bow hit
rest don’t jar or vibrate loose.
W
hen our son asked
me a few years ago
if he could ride the
four-wheeler over to a friend’s
house and blow up Tannerite
with a .30-06, I remember think-
ing, That sounds like a good
idea; what could go wrong?
When my best friend, who was
sitting on the bank behind me as I
cast for trout, started throwing big
rocks to see how close he could get
to my head without actually hitting
it, my otherwise predisposed mind
registered, That sounds like a good
idea; what could go wrong?
“What could go wrong?” are the
famous last words of many a You-
Tube hero. Fortunately, our son still
has all his limbs and senses. I wish
I could report the same result from
my trout stream experience.
So, this month, I am going to ex-
plore what can go wrong when the
focus of our season is standing right
there, 30 yards away. Knowing what
could go wrong, hopefully, gives us
the chance to avoid the seemingly
inevitable calamity.
22 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
What Could Go Wrong?
Your Bow
Bowstring: I once arrived at an elk
hunt only to ind my bow was shoot-
ing so low I couldn’t even hit the tar-
get at 20 yards. It was a hot week, and
the bow was in a black case on the trip
out. The string stretched. Fortunately,
I had a portable press and was able to
twist it back to the right length.
Your string is made up of several
strands of soft extruded polyeth-
ylene. The word “soft” should im-
mediately make you cringe. Almost
everything else on a bow is made of
something hard that can take a lick-
ing and keep on ticking.
The string can let you down in
many ways. Obviously, it can stretch.
The center serving can break or slip.
The peep sight can stop rotating cor-
rectly. If you have an older string on
your bow, or shoot several thousand
arrows per year, it is wise to buy a
new custom string and break it in
before the season. This is the most
important accessory on your bow.
Sight Pins: After the string, your
sight pins are the most vulnerable
parts on your bow. I have had pins
break and bend during the course
BY BILL WINKE
of a tough hunt, and I have had the
ilaments break on plenty of cheap
iber-optic pins. The obvious solu-
tion is the best one: buy a better
sight. The best sights now feature
well-guarded pins that fully protect
the ibers. If you have not upgraded
your sight recently, you don’t know
what you are missing. The best have
amazingly bright, well-protected
pins and are a joy to shoot.
If you choose not to replace your
sight, at least make a point of study-
ing your pins several times per day
to be sure they are sound.
Arrow Rest: I missed a good buck
in the mid-90s because my rest got
bumped at some point prior. I hadn’t
been shooting during midday, so I
didn’t catch the change. I shot right un-
der that heavy 8-pointer as he worked
a scrape just 15 yards away. Back at the
eight inches low at 20 yards.
Obviously, you have to shoot as of-
ten as possible during the season to
head off these problems before they
cost you a buck. That is the main
takeaway from my sad day in the
stand, but you can also prevent this
from happening, to some extent, by
selecting the right accessories. Now
I only use rests with secondary set-
screws that lock them in place, or I
use rests that mount into pre-shaped
cutouts in the riser. I no longer trust
the notion that I can tighten a single
retaining screw enough to keep a rest
from pivoting if it takes a hard knock.
Execution Errors
Oh, boy. Now we are in the same
league as the four-wheeler, Tannerite
and .30-06. There are a ton of things
that can go wrong here. Let’s look at
the most obvious ones.
Rushing the Shot: This has cost
me a couple of trophies over the
years. We all have a built-in tenden-
cy to want to shoot quickly. I have
more or less eliminated this prob-
lem by forcing myself to squeeze
the trigger on all my shots. On the
range it is not hard to do, but on live
game this takes discipline and a very
Continued on page 24
0 9 • 2018
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 BOWHUNTING
QQ 101
Continued from page 22
intentional approach. Force yourself
to do it on every shot you take.
Hitting Limbs: Three very good
trophies (an elk, a whitetail and a
woodland caribou) ran off unscathed
because my arrows hit mid-light
branches that were above my line of
sight. Your eye takes the laser-beam
line, but the arrow arcs above this. The
only way to prevent hitting these un-
seen twigs is to actually look for them!
Now, every time I hit full draw, my
irst mission is to make sure there is
nothing above my line of sight. If so, I
crouch down or pick a different shoot-
ing lane. Seems obvious, but it is very
easy to ignore.
String Jumping: I have written
about string jumping several times
in this magazine, but it is such a
huge issue it deserves another men-
tion. Not handling alert deer correct-
ly has been my curse in recent years.
I am starting to get a grasp on it,
but that education came at a terrible
cost. Some really big whitetails have
gotten away because I didn’t aim
low enough.
If the deer is alert, I now aim for
the heart on 20-25-yard shots. I aim
for the brisket on 30-yard shots. On
shots between 30 and 40 yards, I
aim increasingly below the brisket.
I don’t take shots past 40 yards on
alert deer. In fact, given how quick
deer are, 40 yards is a reasonable
maximum range even on relaxed
deer — no matter how well you can
shoot on the range.
Pin Visibility: I hunt from blinds
a lot more now than I used to, for a
couple reasons. Number one, I am
getting older and softer and like the
comfort of a warm blind on a cold
day. And second, because blinds are
the most effective way to kill deer in
a number of situations — especially
on or near food sources. To set up
a blind well, so the deer can’t see
in, you have to keep the windows
shaded. This means it is dark inside
— making it hard to see your pins.
I had a really big buck get away in
2012 because I used the wrong pin
and shot right over him. To be ac-
curate from a blind, even at short
range, you need a lighted sight. I
have added the optional light to my
Fuse sights and now I aim with con-
idence right up to the end of legal
shooting time.
Conclusion
If you are vigilant for changes
in the string, the sight and the rest,
you will eliminate 90 percent of the
nightmares your bow could inspire.
But, when it comes to execution er-
rors, things get considerably more
complicated. I have found dozens of
ways to blow big opportunities. All
you can do is anticipate (and try to
eliminate) the most obvious ones.
Someday, if I hunt long enough
and hard enough, an absolute mon-
ster will come past. I don’t want him
to get away. It is just that simple.
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 BETTER
BOWHUNTING
Part 2 of 4: Timing is Everything
launcher arm to reach its full height
as late into the draw cycle as pos-
sible. In this way, during the shot
cycle, the rest would lose contact
with the arrow very shortly after the
string was released.
The theory, as they explained it,
was that the arrow could travel for-
ward without any negative inlu-
ence imparted by the bow/arrow

PHOTO COURTESY OF VAPOR TRAIL ARCHERY

rest. With this setup and timing, the
front of the arrow was more-or-less
free-loating during the majority of
its acceleration. Their postulations
made perfect sense to me at the time.
I was using a short overdraw and
needed to get the rest down quickly
anyway to allow for complete letch-
ing clearance.
Since then, I have played with,
This series of still images, captured using a high-speed video camera, shows the action tuned and shot many different styles
of a properly timed drop-away arrow rest. Notice how the launcher arm cradles the arrow and brands of drop-away arrow
during the majority of its departure from the bow before quickly dropping out of the way rests and have come to the realiza-
just as the rear of the shaft arrives, resulting in complete vane clearance. This type of set- tion that this manufacturer’s initial
up provides the support needed to counteract small inconsistencies in nock travel while theory was wrong. In fact, I now
also allowing shooters to employ maximum offset or helical vane configurations for added believe that for maximum accuracy
stability in flight — particularly when using broadheads. and forgiveness, the arrow should
ride along the rest’s launcher arm for

I
n the early days of drop-away arrow rests, there weren’t many as long as possible during its accel-
options. Just as now, the launcher arm was pulled up as the eration. The shaft should only lose
bow was drawn. A cord or rubber tube was attached to the contact with the rest at the last possi-
bow’s cable on one end and then to the arrow rest on the other ble moment, just before the letching
passes.
end. When the cable moved vertically, the arrow rest launcher If the launcher arm loses contact
arm followed. There were no limb-driven rests in those days. with the arrow too soon, there is
These drop-away rests were adjustable as to how long they nothing to support the front end of
would stay up as the arrow was launched. The archer could the arrow. So, if the driving force
quickly and easily adjust the rest’s timing by changing the length pushing the arrow (the bowstring)
does anything even a little differently
of the cord or tubing.
from shot to shot, the entire arrow
These drop-away arrow rests the arrow before the “wings” of the may be steered off its intended
allowed an archer to shoot arrows broadhead (the exposed blades) have path. In my experience, accuracy
letched with maximum offset or he- a chance to exhibit any inluence. and consistency deinitely suffer
lical vane orientation without wor- Every arrow has inconsistencies when I set the arrow rest to fall
rying about the letching contacting in straightness, weight, concentricity very quickly.
the launcher arm. This was espe- and spine. Spinning, especially fast
cially good news for bowhunters, spinning, minimizes the effects these Timing & Tuning
because we’re the ones who need a variables have on the light of the ar- There are other serious issues
radical letching coniguration to get row. This results in better accuracy, related to a short contact time. In
the arrow spinning very quickly and especially when using broadheads. some instances, the bow can prove
control the broadhead in light. very difficult to tune in the hori-
A rapid spin rate helps stabilize Needed Guidance zontal plane (left and right tears
the arrow, and the sooner the arrow When I irst started shooting these through paper). Some bows will
gets spinning the better. You want the new drop-away rests, I was instruct- shoot a perfect bullet hole right
letching to take over the guidance of ed by the manufacturer to allow the out of the box. However, I found
28 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 0 9 • 2018
 BY RANDY ULMER

that if the bow didn’t shoot well
through paper from the begin-
ning, it was nearly impossible to
adjust it to shoot the arrow in a
straight line, no matter how much
tuning I did. It seemed the arrow
had a mind of its own and was go-
ing to do exactly what it wanted to
do, no matter what adjustments I
made to the rest.
When the arrow was on the
rest for such a brief period, I just
couldn’t tune left or right tears out
of the bow. However, once I set the
arrow rest to provide longer contact
time, my tuning became much eas-
ier. In fact, I found I could tune my
bow exactly the way I always had
when using a conventional (static)
arrow rest.
Some manufactures claim to build
bows with perfect nock travel, both
left and right as well as up and down
(the horizontal and vertical planes). I
am a little skeptical of those claims.
High-speed bows with large cams
are just predisposed to vary from
“ Every arrow
has inconsistencies
in straightness,
weight, concentricity
and spine
” should be lexible enough to help ab-
shot to shot, especially when you
throw the human element into the
mix. If those claims of perfect nock
travel were true, you could theo-
retically shoot very well with little
arrow rest/shaft contact. Unfortu-
nately, most bows don’t have perfect
nock travel and need some assistance
from the arrow rest to “smooth out”
inconsistencies.
So, given that, here’s my conclu-
sion: the ideal drop-away arrow
rest will control (contact) the arrow
for as long as possible as the arrow
is accelerated forward by the bow-
string. The launcher arm will drop
away just before the letching passes
by. Furthermore, the launcher arm
sorb some of the up and down move-
ment (bounce) of the arrow during
acceleration.

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 CROSS
BOWS BY BOB HUMPHREY

Is the Sky Falling in the Whitetail World?

As more states have included crossbows
in archery seasons, crossbow hunters
have accounted for a rapidly growing
share of the archery whitetail harvest
nationwide. In many states with long
bowhunting traditions — such as Wis-
consin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylva-
nia — crossbow hunters now take as
many or more deer each year than vertical
bowhunters.

Q    Q    Q    Q    Q    Q    Q

the numbers of both groups have

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARNETT CROSSBOWS

continued to grow, with crossbow
hunters leveling out at about 55 per-
cent of all archery hunters. Pennsyl-
vania expanded the use of cross-
bows during the archery season in
2009. In 2013, crossbows accounted
for 48 percent of the total archery
deer harvest there.
Clearly, crossbow hunters are
having a greater presence nation-
wide, where permitted. But is this

I
recently came across a significant news story involving cross- good, bad or indifferent? I suppose it
bows that really caught my attention. It was an article in the depends to a certain extent on your
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the headline of which proclaimed, perspective, and where you place
“For first time, Wisconsin crossbow deer kill exceeds vertical bow your emphasis.
Perhaps the biggest area of con-
harvest.” cern is the impact crossbows have
on wildlife resources, particular-
I wondered if this was the cross- 2014, Wisconsin crossbow hunters took ly whitetail deer. According to the
bow proponent’s worst fear, and 33 percent of the overall archery har- Quality Deer Management Associ-
the naysayers’ chance to inally say, vest, while vertical bowhunters took ation’s Whitetail Report 2018, Wis-
“I told you so!” Was the sky inally 67 percent. The crossbow kill increased consin’s 2016 buck harvest was up
falling? to 39 percent of the archery harvest from the ive year (2011-15) average.
Whether intentional or not, one in 2015, 45 percent in 2016 and 51 But is that a good sign, or the result
of the irst things I couldn’t help percent in 2017. of all those extra crossbow hunters
but notice was the headline’s subtle That phenomenon is hardly killing too many deer? It’s too soon
distinction that crossbow hunters unique. Michigan saw a similar to tell, so we’ll look elsewhere.
“killed” deer, while vertical bow- trend from 2009-2013, when the pro- Michigan’s 2016 buck kill is down
hunters “harvested” theirs. Clearly, portion of hunters using crossbows about 3 percent from the ive year av-
more investigation was in order. during the archery deer season erage. But Ohio’s is up 3 percent, and
climbed from 19 to 50 percent. Ohio Pennsylvania’s is up 15 percent. How
A Growing Presence eliminated crossbow restrictions about some of the other crossbow
Harvest igures from the Wiscon- during its 1982-1983 season, and states? Arkansas’ 2016 buck kill is up
sin Department of Natural Resources within a decade crossbow hunters 4 percent, while Georgia is down 3
(DNR) help shed a ray of light on the outnumbered vertical bowhunters. percent. Illinois is up only 1 percent,
subject. For example, this transposition At the time, the state had an esti- but Missouri is 11 percent above the
wasn’t really unexpected, given re- mated 82,000 vertical bowhunters ive-year average. There are numer-
cent trends. Since crossbows were irst and 11,000 crossbow hunters. By ous reasons for these changes, or lack
allowed during the regular archery the 1992-93 season, vertical bow- thereof, including disease outbreaks
deer season in 2013, the vertical bow hunters had grown to 95,000, while and changes in regulations. Mean-
harvest has gradually declined while the number of crossbow hunters while, the overall trend in nationwide
the crossbow kill has risen steadily. In skyrocketed to 97,000. Since then, Continued on page 34

32 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 0 9 • 2018

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 CROSS
BOWS
Q   Q   Q   Q   Q   Q   Q
Tip of the Month:
Check your nock alignment.
Over time, nocks can rotate out of
alignment with your cock vane.
This, in turn, leads to improper
string-nock alignment when you seat
your bolt on the crossbow’s shooting
rail. In addition to causing poor
accuracy, this could prevent your
crossbow from firing thanks to
an anti-dry fire mechanism or,
in other cases, lead to a malfunction
or even damage to your
crossbow.
Q   Q   Q   Q   Q   Q   Q
Continued from page 32
deer harvests has been a leveling off,
or even declining slightly, regardless
of whether crossbows are permitted
during some, all or none of the archery
seasons. Clearly, the rise of crossbows
is not having a signiicant impact on
our nation’s deer herds.
A Shift to Crossbows
What about those who pursue
them? Depending on which source
you consult, hunter numbers — and
therefore, hunting license sales, have
either been lat or declining in recent
years. That makes any uptick, such
as an increase in crossbow hunters,
seem like a positive. But is this a true
increase or merely a shift of hunters
from one season (irearms) to an-
other (archery)? It’s often tough to
tease these answers from the data,
but when looked at from a national
perspective, it appears to be more of
a shift — with overall hunter num-
bers declining while the proportion
™
QQ
of those hunters using crossbows
continues to grow.
Among the biggest positives at-
tributed to crossbows is their appli-
cation as recruitment and retention
tools. The archery industry in gen-
eral has done a commendable job
trying to recruit new hunters, young
and old. But the results haven’t quite
measured up to the effort. However,
there is some evidence from Ohio,
and more recently from Wisconsin,
suggesting crossbows are keeping
older hunters involved in archery
and just plain hunting longer. That’s
a good thing. Perhaps, with a little
more effort, we can use crossbows to
bolster the other end of the spectrum
and get more youngsters interested
in hunting. It’s a good starting point,
and there’s strong evidence that,
once engaged, younger crossbow
hunters have a greater tendency to
graduate to vertical bows. Even if
they don’t, we’ve at least recruited
them into our ranks.
 SPOT-ON
Surprise! You Flinched!
Y
ears ago, one of us was
shooting tournaments
and bowhunting regular-
ly. He was getting better with
each practice session, but the
gains were very slow. Even-
tually, the progress stopped
altogether, and his shooting
became stagnant.
He didn’t have access to top
shooters or coaches to ask for help.
So, he had to be his own coach.
He read lots of articles and books
about proper form and follow-
through. He knew the release of
the bowstring was supposed to
be a surprise — not something he
consciously anticipated. At the
moment of release, his bow was
supposed to move straight toward
the target and his release hand was
supposed to move straight back
away from it. He had taken all the
information and applied it — or at
least he thought he did.
When his shooting inally hit a
never-ending plateau, he decided to
ilm himself shooting. He was pretty
sure he knew what his form looked
like, but he needed to be sure.
What he saw on the video shocked
him. He discovered that — right at
the moment he released the string
— he pulled his release and release
hand away from his face. According
to all the experts, the release and re-
lease hand were supposed to move
straight back and stay in line with
the bowstring and arrow. He was
deinitely not doing this.
He realized when he pulled the re-
lease away from his face that it was
hard to be consistent. In other words,
he would introduce different lateral
movement (torque) to the bowstring
on each shot, resulting in different
arrow impact points on the target
from shot to shot.
Now he was confused. You see, he
knew the shot was supposed to be a
surprise. And if the shot was a true
surprise, he would not have time
to add any additional inluence to
the bowstring before the arrow was
36 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
BY CABE JOHNSON
away. In theory, his follow-through
should be perfect. In practice, how-
ever, the video forced him to admit
he wasn’t actually shooting with a
surprise release.
So, he decided that until he
could execute his shot as a sur-
prise, he needed to really focus on
bringing that release hand straight
back along his face during the shot.
As soon as he started working on
his follow-through with his release
hand, he realized it was not going
to be an easy ix. He’d so ingrained
the bad habit of pulling his release
hand away from his face that he
couldn’t stop doing it. He would
have a good release once or twice
and then he would revert back to
his old form. He realized he was
anticipating the shot and was
literally linching at the moment of
release.
The difference between a good
and a bad follow-through became
painfully obvious. The arrow im-
pacts were quite a bit different
downrange, and seeing the differ-
ence made him very motivated to ix
the problem.
Since the problem was extreme,
the ix was going to have to be ex-
treme as well. Just focusing on pull-
ing the release and release hand
straight back wasn’t good enough.
So, he came up with the idea of con-
sciously pushing his release hand
into his jaw/face. That way, the
linch became much harder to do.
The other solution he came up with
was to make sure his release hand
was touching his jaw/face when
the arrow hit the target. Focusing
on those two things allowed him to
have a much more consistent release
point, and his shooting improved
dramatically.
Thankfully, over the years some
of us have been able to learn to
shoot with a true surprise on the
shot. But, before any of us ever got
to that point, we all had to spend
time pushing our release hand
against our face and making sure it
was still there when the arrow hit
the target.
0 9 • 2018

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It is advertised to generate IBO
arrow speeds of 333 fps. Engineers
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Cams ride on steel axles and sealed
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draw length range is covered by two
base cams and a rotating module
that does not require a bow press
to adjust. Cam 2 covers from 24-27
inches and Cam 3 from 27-30 inches.
System letoff is advertised at 80 per-
cent. Hoyt uses Fuse Custom string
and cables for the Nitrux.
Bomb-Proof Precision
Hoyt takes pride in its reputation
for producing bomb-proof limbs.
Their success is not by accident, how-
ever, as each design is engineered and
tested to withstand a minimum of
1,000 dry-ires at an 80-pound draw
weight and 30-inch draw length. It
starts with a process that allows for
a highly contoured, uniform stress
www.b owhuntingmag.com
BY JON E. SILKS
DRAW-FORCE CURVE
distribution limb build that does not
cut across critical stress ibers. Hoyt’s
patented Split Limb Technology elim-
inates common stressors found in
solid-limb V-grooves and limb-bolt
grooves while providing lateral and
torsional stability.
The laminated, pressed and
machined multi-layer limbs are
matched into sets based on delec-
tion values. Archers can choose limb
sets in 40-, 50-, 60- or 70-pound peak
draw-weight options. Quadlex
limbs measure 12 inches long and
¾-inch wide. Limb pockets are pre-
cision machined, minimal in materi-
al, cap the limb ends and provide a
solid base at this critical interface.
At the Range
The Nitrux is a ine example of the
quality construction and workman-
ship Hoyt is known for. The bow has
a smooth draw, with easy transitions
to and from peak holding weight.
There was a quick but notable jump
in the handle at the shot, along with
very minimal, short-lived vibration.
Post-shot stability on target was sol-
id. When it comes to shot noise, the
Nitrux likes heavier arrows. Shot
noise was good overall, but the bow
became whisper quiet when launc-
ing arrows weighing 425 grains or
more. The X-ACT grip was both
comfortable and functional.
Overall, the Nitrux is a well-built
bow with all the Hoyt quality and
performance markers we have come
to expect.
 2018 BROADHEAD TEST

MECHANICAL

We Put 14 Popular Models

Through the Wringer.
Here’s How They
Stacked Up.

G
etting a bunch of bowhunters together and trying

42
 “ In the seven-year
history of our broadhead
test, this is the most
accurate group of heads
we have ever

”
tested.
—Jon E. Silks

Bow Setup

43
2018 HEAD-TO-HEAD BROADHEAD TEST
Tests & Results
BROADHEAD PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS
Physical Dimensions: A Mitutoyo MANUFACTURER MODEL # OF BLADES ADVERTISED TESTED
8-inch dial caliper was used to de- CUTTING DIA. CUTTING DIA.
termine the size of each broadhead’s
cutting diameter, blade length, blade
thickness and the length of the head
beyond the end of the arrow. Cutting
diameter on three blade heads was
calculated by laying two of the blade
tips along one jaw of the calipers and
the third on the opposite jaw. That
number is divided by 1.5, and then
multiplied by 2. Example: Greatest
distance is .75/1.5=.5x2=1-inch cut-
ting diameter.
An Easton Digital Grain Scale, cal-
ibrated according to manufacturer’s
instructions, was used to determine
the weight of each individual broad-
head. Three separate heads were
measured and averaged for a inal
result.

TOTAL CUTTING POTENTIAL Total Cutting Potential: The

ability of a head to cut — and the
amount of cutting that takes place
— is a factor of sharpness, cutting
diameter and number of blades.
With this in mind, we calculate the
Total Cutting Potential (TCP) of a
head by multiplying the radius by
the number of blades. We consider it
“potential,” because a lost blade in
bone or otherwise means you have
that much less to do the cutting
once the head breaks through into
the core of the animal. Blade angle
is not considered in the TCP, since
angle does not change the amount
of lesh that is cut, as long as pen-
etration is equal.
Here are two examples of TCP
calculations: A 2-blade, 2-inch cut-
ting diameter head has a radius of
1 inch. To get the TCP, you multiply
the radius by the number of blades,
which gives you a TCP of 2 inches.
ONLINE VIDEO EXCLUSIVE Now, consider a 3-blade head with

I
a cutting diameter of 1.375 inches.
The radius is .6875-inch, so you mul-
tiply .6875 by the number of blades,
3. Your TCP is 2.0625 inches, which
means you will cut slightly more
than the 2-blade head with a 2-inch
WATCH THEM TODAY! cutting diameter.

0 9 • 2018
 HEMORRHAGE
TEST

TESTED TESTED AVG. TESTED

BLADE LENGTH BLADE THICKNESS WEIGHT (GR.)

TOP 10
PERFORMERS

SHARPNESS TEST: Sharpness: Three blades from

each test model (one blade each from
TOP 10 PERFORMERS three brand new heads) were sent to
CATRA (Cutlery & Allied Trades Re-
search Association) in Shefield, Eng-
land, to measure blade sharpness
with their Razor Edge Sharpness
Tester (REST) machine. The machine
measures the force required, in New-
tons, to cut through a rubber test
medium. The less force required to
cut the rubber, the sharper the blade.
As a reference point, a shaving razor
will typically result in a reading near
.3 N. Additional information about
the REST machine can be found on-
line at www.CATRA.org.

www.b owhuntingmag.com PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 45

 2018 HEAD-TO-HEAD BROADHEAD TEST
Tests & Results
DRAG & RETAINED ENERGY DATA
MANUFACTURER MODEL % RETAINED ENERGY DRAG (MILLI-GS)

HARD-IMPACT

DAMAGED FERRULE
FULL PENETRATION

MISSING BLADES
BROKEN BLADES
TEST
BENT BLADES

BLADE EDGES

DULLED TIP
MARRED
RESULTS
  
   
   
   
     
    
Hard-Impact Test: The hard-
impact was designed to simulate the    
performance of a head after it en-     
counters and passes through a hard
material such as bone. This test was    
performed at 20 yards, and the impact
material was .03-inch sheet metal. A   
thin, dense foam panel was placed
approximately 18 inches behind    
the metal to “catch” the heads after
passing through. High-speed video
    
equipment also was used to capture   
these shots in slow motion. You can
check those out on our website.       
46 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 0 9 • 2018
 SPECIAL THANKS!

Test Specialist Chad Smith records

the impact point of one of the test
heads as part of the Fieldpoint Com-
parison Test, designed to see where
each broadhead impacted the target
relative to a fieldpoint.

Penetration: We compared pen- Each head was shot three times

The hard-impact test was designed to
test the durability of a broadhead in the
event of encountering a hard object such
as bone. Each head was shot through
.03-inch thick sheet metal and then
evaluated for damage.
etration using two kinds of custom-
built, block-style targets. One was
made of pure foam plates wrapped in
plastic ilm, and the other was a three-
material combination of rubber-
backed carpet, .03-inch sheet metal
and foam plates, also wrapped with
ilm.
into each block, and the depth of pen-
etration was recorded and averaged
for a inal result. We use manmade
materials to maintain consistent
media properties (hardness, irm-
ness, density, etc.) required for valid
test results.

FOAM PENETRATION: COMBO PENETRATION:

TOP 10 PERFORMERS TOP 10 PERFROMERS
MANUFACTURER MODEL PENETRATION DEPTH MANUFACTURER MODEL PENETRATION DEPTH
1. G5* DeadMeat 14.293" 1. Slick Trick Raptor Trick 6.403"

3. Slick Trick Raptor Trick 13.695" 3. Bloodsport GraveDigger Chisel 5.611"

5. Ramcat Savage 13.350" 5. Wasp Jak-Hammer 5.466"

7. NAP* Killzone SwingFire 12.905" 7. Rocky Mountain Warhead SS 4.983"

9. TruGlo Backflip 12.839" 9. Wac’Em Steel EXP 4.801"

* Partial or no blade deployment

www.b owhuntingmag.com PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 47
 2018 HEAD-TO-HEAD BROADHEAD TEST
Tests & Results
FIELDPOINT COMPARISON TEST
1.0"

0.5"

-0.5”

FIELDPOINT -1.0”
COMPARISON KEY
O ZERO-PENETRATION DAMAGE
FIELDPOINT w TEST
X 4
Q ) Rage ..........................Trypan Ti
W  TruGlo .......................Backflip
▲ ‡
< † Bloodsport.................GraveDigger
 Δ Chisel Tip
Muzzy .......................HB-Ti MORE
Zero-Penetration Test: The zero-
penetration test was a violent test Ramcat .....................Savage
of the broadheads’ durability. It was
conducted by shooting into the lat SEVR .........................Ti 2.1
surface of a ield stone at 20 yards Swhacker ..................2-Inch
and evaluating the overall condition
of the head after impact. The accom- Wac’Em .....................Steel EXP
panying chart rates the damage for
each head. High-speed video equip- Wasp .........................Jak-Hammer
ment was also used to capture these G5 ..............................DeadMeat
impacts in slow motion. You can
check those out on our website. Kinetic ......................KinEMaxx MOST
Rocky Mountain ......Warhead SS
The zero-penetration test is a violent test designed to be the ultimate measure of a NAP ...........................Killzone
broadhead’s durability. Each head was fired directly into a solid slab of field stone and SwingFire
then evaluated for damage. Virtually every head in the test suffered significant damage,
with sparks literally flying as the metal heads impacted the stone at high speed. Slick Trick ................RaptorTrick
48 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 0 9 • 2018
 STEP THROUGH TO PRO PERFORMANCE.
400 FPS* | 6.9 LBS TOTAL WEIGHT | PATENTED STEP-THROUGH RISER

BETTER ACCURACY | ZERO CREEP | 3 LB TRIGGER PULL

*Speed test using 380-grain arrow. barnettcrossbows.com U.S. PATENTS: 9,097,485; 9,255,755; 6,901,921; 9,395,143
 2018 HEAD-TO-HEAD BROADHEAD TEST
THE COMPETITORS
Bloodsport
GraveDigger Chisel Tip
Four heads make up Bloodsport’s GraveDigger
hybrid broadhead family, with two Extreme mod-
els reaching a cutting diameter of 2.25 inches and
BLOODSPORT two standard models coming in at 1.75 inches.
GRAVEDIGGER
CHISEL TIP Both versions are offered with chisel or cut-on-
contact tips. We tested the standard GraveDigger
Chisel Tip, featuring a 1-inch fixed blade up front
and a pair of mechanical blades that open to a
1.75-inch diameter. The head can also be shot in
fixed-blade mode simply by locking down the me-
chanical blades. This gives you a 1-inch cut up
G5 DEADMEAT front with two .5-inch bleeders. Bloodsport’s pat-
ented blade-retention system and no-fail mechan-
ical technology is designed to deploy immediately
upon entry with minimal energy loss. This head is
made with an aluminum ferrule and stainless-
steel blades, requires no bands or O-rings and is
engineered to fly accurately out of both com-
MSRP: $34.99 per 3
KINETIC KINEMAXX www.bloodsportarchery.com
G5 DeadMeat
G5’s DeadMeat is built for maximum durability
with all-steel construction, including a more flex-
ible steel on the stem for less breakage. Blades
are easily replaceable by simply removing the
MUZZY HB-TI
snaps into the SnapLock collar for positive in-
flight blade retention. An audible snap can actu-
ally be heard when the blade is clipped into place.
Blades sit tightly against the ferrule, blades out,
for aerodynamic flight and then rear deploy into a
1.5-inch cutting diameter when the target is con-
tacted. A Ballistically Matched Point (BMP) is
NAP KILLZONE Meat in the Deep Six platform.
SWINGFIRE MSRP: $54.95 per 3
www.g5outdoors.com
Kinetic KinEMaxx
The Kinetic KinEmaxx features an anodized
7075 aluminum ferrule and internal spring that
locks the .039-inch thick stainless-steel blades into
place during flight. Upon impact, the hardened
steel, trocar-style Trigger-tip releases the spring,
which forcefully snaps the rear-deploy blades open
RAGE TRYPAN TI to a 1.25-inch cutting diameter. This patented de-
sign causes the blades to open before entry into the
target for enhanced wound channels while maxi-
mizing the transfer of kinetic energy that allows this
head to be used with low-poundage setups. The
50 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
system can be reset to use the same head and
blades multiple times.
MSRP: $44.95 per 3
www.kineticbroadheads.com
Muzzy HB-Ti
Muzzy’s titanium hybrid broadhead sports a 1-inch
fixed blade cutting diameter and a 1.625-inch cut from
the mechanical blades. Titanium allows for a longer
machined ferrule, which is needed for the design, while
maintaining an equal or greater strength. Fixed blades
measure .05-inch thick, are serrated and have a single
bevel that is said to improve flight. Fixed blades are
offset to induce flight-stabilizing spin. The expandable
blades are rear-deploying and are able to rock back and
forth to move around obstacles, thereby increasing
penetration. Big shoulders on the front of the .039-inch
thick expandable blades grab to increase hide cutting
at entry and create large entry wounds.
MSRP: $49.99 per 3
www.muzzy.com
NAP Killzone SwingFire
NAP’s new Killzone SwingFire is unique in its
configuration and operation, as it employs two
independently pivoting blades, each with two cut-
ting surfaces. The motion and surfaces are such
that they oppose each other to seek out the least
resistance and friction, thereby always cutting
pure flesh when available with the intended result
of maximized penetration. The rear-deploying
steel blades boast a 2-inch cutting diameter and
measure .035-inch thick. NAP outfits the Swing-
Fire with its popular Trophy Tip and a grooved
aluminum ferrule that is copper anodized. The
design is said to maintain accuracy with the fast-
est compounds and crossbows.
MSRP: $39.99 per3
www.newarchery.com
Rage Trypan Ti
Rage focuses on strength, durability, penetra-
tion and aerodynamics with a slim titanium ferrule
that serves as the cornerstone of the Trypan Ti. Ti-
tanium is known to have an exceptional strength-
to-weight ratio, thereby allowing for more advanta-
geous configurations in construction. The
hypodermic-like ferrule shape promotes aerody-
namics and penetration. The stainless-steel blades
measure .039-inch thick and rear-deploy to a gen-
erous 2-inch cutting diameter. A new Trypan-spe-
cific SHOCK collar retains the blades in flight and is
notched to make alignment easy. A swept-back
blade angle increases penetration and produces
generous blood trails.
MSRP: $54.99 per 3
www.ragebroadheads.com
0 9 • 2018
 99

A Trusted 5-Pin IQ Sight.

A 99yrd Range Finder.
Intuitively Joined to Create the
Ultimate Bow Hunting Tool.

IQBOWSIGHTS.COM
 2018 HEAD-TO-HEAD BROADHEAD TEST

THE COMPETITORS
Ramcat Savage not the other. A telling video of this feature can be
Ramcat’s 3-blade Savage features a stainless- seen on the company’s website. SEVR’s StretchCut
steel tip with the company’s patented Concave blade effect is designed to grab and stretch the
Scoop Technology designed to create an airfoil hide while cutting to induce a wound that is actu-
ally larger than the advertised cutting diameter. The
RAMCAT SAVAGE ing wind planing. It is also said to create a hydro- patented Practice-Lock feature allows archers to
foil while passing through the target, forcing body practice with their actual broadheads.
mass outward and reducing friction on the shaft MSRP: $13.99 each
for better penetration. The aluminum ferrule holds www.sevrbroadheads.com
the .032-inch thick blades at a 2-degree offset
and allows a laid-back angle that produces a 1.5-
Slick Trick RaptorTrick
Slick Trick’s first mechanical, the RaptorTrick,
inch cutting diameter. Three O-ring positions offer
is built on a solid stainless-steel ferrule that has a
functionality for rigs ranging from average-speed
slender, streamlined mid-section, which is slotted
compounds to super-fast crossbows. Ramcat per-
to accept the .035-inch thick steel blades. The
formed extensive testing on blade retention after
front of the ferrule is machined into a four-edge
tip that also has slots, although not all the way
ROCKY MOUNTAIN age also employs Firenock Aero Concentric Tech-
WARHEAD SS through like the mid-section, to accept the blade
nology, which uses two O-rings on the threaded
tips, thereby allowing for longer blades and a
shank to ensure the broadhead is 100 percent
greater cutting diameter. There are three grooves
concentric in the insert.
in the ferrule to adjust O-ring placement to match
MSRP: $39.99 per 3
www.ramcatbroadheads.com the performance of your rig — closer to the tip for
faster arrow/bolt speeds and away from the tip
for slower rigs. Two small “wings” on the blades
Rocky Mountain maintain a low profile in flight while also providing
Warhead SS enough surface to catch on the face of the target
Rocky Mountain’s Warhead SS is built on a solid and cause the blades to cam over and fully deploy
SEVR Ti 2.1 stainless-steel ferrule that is not only strong but to their 2-inch cutting diameter.
also streamlined for enhanced aerodynamics and MSRP: $47.99 per 3
penetration. The hybrid tip is hardened to make it www.slicktrick.net
tough enough to handle those hard-impact shots.
Expandable blades are made of stainless steel and Swhacker 2-Inch
measure .035-inch thick. When fully open through Swhacker offers several versions of its 100
an over-the-top action, blades reach a 1.5-inch cut- grain, 2-blade broadheads, including the 2-inch
ting diameter. The jackknife blade deployment sys- cutting diameter model we tested. Each of the two
tem allows the tip to first penetrate the outer layer blades has a main cutting edge and a smaller wing
of the target before the tabs catch and open the edge that protrudes from the ferrule during flight to
blades. This reduces issues with angled shots and create a 1-inch cut. The wing blades are designed
large losses of energy on hide. to withstand the initial impact, cut through the hide
SLICK TRICK MSRP: $29.99 per 3 and then open the main blades. Main blades are
RAPTORTRICK www.huntrockymountain.com intended to open after initial penetration, bringing
untouched blades into play for maximum cutting
SEVR Ti 2.1 potential. The chisel tip is made of hardened, high-
SEVR, a new direct-to-customer brand, submit- carbon steel, while the ferrule is made of anodized
ted its Ti 2.1 rear-deploying broadhead for testing. aircraft-grade aluminum and the .032-inch thick
As the name suggests, this new offering has a 2.1- blades are stainless steel.
inch cutting diameter and solid titanium ferrule and MSRP: $36.95 per 3
tip, which is machined directly into the body. www.swhacker.com
SEVR’s patented Lock-and-Pivot blade system
locks the blades open and to each other on impact, TruGlo Backflip
TruGlo’s 3-blade Backflip is built on a ferrule
SWHACKER target. This is coupled with a pivoting feature said that is CNC machined, along with the tip, from a
2-INCH to make steep angle shots a possibility as well as single piece of titanium. The integrated TRU-
allowing the blades to move around obstacles such CUT tip is designed to cut on impact and create
as bone when encountered by one of the blades and Continued on page 114

PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 0 9 • 2018

 5 Parts to the
PERFECT
ARROW

Be More Deadly
by Sweating the
Small Details.

54
 5 Parts to the PERFECT ARROW
can be made that it doesn’t matter
that much because we are bowhunt-
ers, not Olympic archers, but I chal-
lenge that thought. The reason is be-
cause a broadhead adds an entirely
new steering element to an arrow
and magniies these variables and
intolerances. Because of this, I advise
all bowhunters to pay close attention
to the straightens of the arrow they
choose. Straighter arrows are more
expensive for a reason.
In addition to straightness, you
need to take note of the consistency
of arrow weight. Arrows with lower
cost or cheap components often have
a bigger variation in weight. Some
John Dudley believes the added
expense of arrow shafts with “match-
grade” straightness tolerances are worth
it, as added straightness translates into
added accuracy.
manufacturers advertise their weight
tolerances, while others don’t. Re-
gardless, you should do some due
diligence and invest in a small grain
scale and individually weigh your
arrows and components. When I shot
with the U.S. team, I spent extra time
weighing each of the arrows I was
going to make before I fully assem-
bled them. There were times when I
would have some shafts that were a
grain or two heavier than the others,
but then I would match them with
components that were a grain lighter
than others. This way, all my arrows
for game day would weigh within
1 grain of each other. I’ve taken this
same step as a bowhunter and can
56 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
vouch for better accuracy because of
it. Find a good scale and weigh each
thing out and ind the combination
that gives you a quiver full of match-
grade projectiles. After I assemble
each arrow, I’ll either write the total
weight on the vanes or the cresting.
This is the same sort of care an elite-
level irearms marksman would take
with the ammunition he loads.
Slow It Down
The next number to pay attention
to is your speed. Bows have come a
long way over the years and speeds
have increased a lot. Years ago, I
made the decision to stop worry-
ing about achieving top speed and
instead focus on shooting the heavi-
est arrow possible while still being
in a realistic speed range. There are
so many factors that go into arrow
accuracy relative to speed, and I’ve
found that the faster the arrow goes,
the harder it is to control. My per-
sonal speed “sweet spot” is right
around 280 fps, as I’ve found this
speed allows me to employ mul-
tiple broadhead styles and letching
options and still be deadly accurate.
Even though my bows could shoot
more than 320 fps with 350-grain
arrows, I personally opt for arrows
that weigh more than 500 grains.
Yes, they are much slower but also
much harder hitting!
Every time I get a new bow that is
faster than the old one, I see it as an
opportunity to add arrow weight. I
keep my speed where it is most ac-
curate while boosting the power
behind that arrow. A lot can be said
about both the momentum and ki-
netic energy a heavy arrow offers.
I’m a huge fan of heavy arrows for
many reasons, including the fact they
are harder hitting, give you the abil-
ity to effectively shoot broadheads
with large cutting diameters and do
a better job when encountering bone
such as a shoulder or massive rib.
Boost Your Front Weight
The term F.O.C. is becoming much
more prominent in the bowhunting
community. It refers to the front-of-
center balance point of your arrows.
F.O.C. is calculated as a percentage,
and the higher the number, the more
Purchasing a small digital grain scale is
a good investment for any archer, as it
allows you to precisely measure your
components while building arrows for
maximum weight consistency from one
shaft to the next.
of your arrow weight you have to-
ward the front end of the shaft. Un-
less you are a math whiz — and I
certainly am not — the easiest way
to igure out the F.O.C. of your ar-
rows is to ind an online calculator
and type in the required info. This
will give you a number, most likely
between 5 and 20. There is a growing
debate over what, exactly, the opti-
mal amount of F.O.C. is for a hunting
arrow, but I believe it lies somewhere
at 10 or higher.
Think of it this way; an arrow with
a high F.O.C. is like a rock tied to a
string. If you throw that rock, the
string is going to follow directly be-
hind it in a straight line. But if you
took all that weight and put it in the
back of the arrow and tried to throw
the string, it would not guide the
rock in the back very well!
Your F.O.C. depends on many fac-
tors, including the weight of your
nock and vanes and the weight of
your insert and broadhead. One
thing to consider is the added weight
of a lighted nock and/or a custom ar-
row cresting, if those are things you
use on your arrows. Both add weight
to the back of your arrow, but I am
0 9 • 2018
 5 Parts to the
PERFECT ARROW
a huge advocate of being able to see
your arrow in light and have shot
brightly colored vanes and lighted
nocks (where legal) for more than a
decade. The good news is there are
options for boosting your F.O.C.,
even with the extra weight of a light-
ed nock or crest. Some arrow com-
panies offer heavier insert options to
help boost your front weight. Other
EXCLUSIVE:
WATCH DUDLEY’S LIVE ARROW DEMO
www.facebook.com/petersensbowhunting
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58 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR F.O.C.
John Dudley will shoot
LIVE and demonstrate
some of the arrow-building
techniques discussed in this
month’s article at 7 p.m.
Eastern on Monday, Aug. 20.
Join the broadcast to ask
John your questions and
learn more about building
the perfect hunting arrow!
ER, PINS
IFI AR
ER
V
A
CL
WITH
EAR!
712-580-5762
companies offer aftermarket sleeves
or inserts to raise F.O.C.
Generally speaking, a higher
F.O.C. will give you better group-
ings with the majority of broad-
heads compared to the same arrow
with a lower F.O.C. What I have
found, through years of testing
heavier point weights, is that most
ixed-blade broadheads do ly better
overall. And in many cases, boost-
ing your F.O.C. will increase your
chances of having your ieldpoints
and broadheads shoot more similar-
ly. Lastly is the beneit you will get
in terms of reduced wind drift from
an arrow with a higher F.O.C. When
shooting through a crosswind, you
simply won’t have to aim off the tar-
get as much to compensate.
Fletched to Kill
One of the most fun things I have
been doing lately is experimenting
with different vane conigurations.
Fletching your own arrows is a fairly
simple process every serious archer
should learn. It gives you virtually
unlimited options to test how your
vanes can control various shaft/
broadhead combinations.
Vanes are there to induce rotation
and stabilize the arrow in light, and
there are two main aspects of your
vanes that determine how well they
accomplish this job. The irst is vane
size (length and height). The more
surface area the vanes have, the
more guidance they will provide.
So, a longer vane will offer more
control than a shorter one of equal
height. The second factor is the angle
(offset or helical) of vane orienta-
tion. The more severe the angle, the
more shaft rotation the vanes will
create. And the greater the rate of
spin, the more stable the arrow will
0 9 • 2018
 ®

MUZZY.COM
HB-Ti
T T
deadly accurate . insanely reliable
5/8”
Surface
Cutting
2

FEATURES
• Titanium Ferrule
• .039” Thick Expandable Wing Blades
1 5/8“ cutting diameter
• 1” Fixed Blade Cutting Diameter
• 050” Thick, Single Bevel Serrated
Fixed Blade to Induce Spin
1” Fixed Blade Cutting Diameter
• 2 5/8” of Total Cutting Surface
• Fixed Blade Retention Collar
5 Parts to the PERFECT ARROW
be in light. BUT, the tradeoff is that
the more spin you have, the more
drag you will create on the arrow.
Drag equals deceleration, and decel-
eration results in a loss of accuracy.
Overall, there is a ine line between
having a highly controlled arrow vs.
one that loses its accuracy because of
deceleration. Arrows that spin very
fast will stabilize quickly and have
good accuracy. However, the further
the arrow gets from the bow, the fast-
er it will slow down, which in turn
diminishes accuracy.
So, one of the questions you need
to answer is, at what distance do you
want to be most accurate? It has been
my experience that the faster an arrow
decelerates, the poorer it groups. Back
when I shot 90-meter target competi-
tions, I found arrows with a 1-degree
offset most accurate. However, my
F.O.C. was very high, and my arrows
only had target tips. That same setup
would not be nearly as accurate with
broadheads. To get the same accu-
racy as my target tips, I would have
to shoot more offset or a longer vane
to get it to group the same. The key is
inding the sweet spot.
I’ve had years where I shot smaller,
high-proile vanes, while other years
I shot longer, lower-proile vanes.
Each has its pros and cons, and one
thing that’s important to note is that
those results will change depending
on what you need out of that arrow
in regard to your hunting. For ex-
ample, a shorter vane will have less
Learning to fletch your own arrows is a
wind drift than a longer vane. I’ve skill that will benefit any bowhunter, as
had times when I know I’m hunting it gives you the ability to experiment with
in open country where high winds virtually limitless options when it comes to
are likely, so a longer vane won’t be your arrow performance.
advantageous. I then decided to go
with a shorter vane and more com-
pact broadhead. By trying different using Nock On Max Stealth Vanes
options, you will instantly see the and Rage Trypan broadheads. This
results of what different conigura- vane setup has also yielded amaz-
tions do. I’ve shot at least four differ- ing results with several other broad-
ent styles over the past three years. heads I shoot regularly.
Each was tailored to a speciic hunt
in terms of speed, expected shot Do Your Homework
distance, weather conditions and Most broadhead companies love
broadhead choice. the phrase “lies like a ieldpoint.”
Most recently, I have been hunt- The truth is, that’s NOT always the
ing with a four-letch coniguration case. Some bowhunters simply prefer
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 5 Parts to the PERFECT ARROW
one design over another or need to
hunt with a ixed-blade head because
of local laws or a lower draw weight.
Regardless, the most important
thing is to incorporate the last four
topics I’ve discussed into your ar-
row build and then test them on the
range! You will never know how
well one combination works unless
you get out there and shoot it. One
of my favorite ways of documenting
62 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
the results is to take my best dozen
arrows and letch three each with
four different vane conigurations.
Then shoot a brand-new paper tar-
get with each set and see the results.
Mark the holes, measure your groups
and write notes on each target. You
will quickly start to see patterns and
reoccurring similarities. I have had
certain times where one arrow really
likes a certain letch option with one
Experimentation is key when it comes to
maximizing the performance of your hunt-
ing arrows. Just because a certain arrow
works well for one of your buddies, that
doesn’t mean it will work well for you.
broadhead but then gets just a touch
better with another option. Doing
the homework is the inal conirma-
tion you have the perfect arrow.
Another thing to note is how dif-
ferent vane options impact speed
down range. You can see this quickly
just by groupings and your vertical
impact point with one style vs. an-
other. You will notice that sometimes
more letching hits lower than less
letching, but there are other times
when that is not the case. The least
amount of drop with the tightest
groupings relects the best eficiency.
Finally, taking notes on the noise
of your arrows is valuable. Obvi-
ously, you have to be safe and have
someone stand behind a wall or tree
down range and listen as the arrows
pass. Some letching shapes and ma-
terials are much quieter than others.
All this is important to know and
adds up to having the perfect arrow
for your setup.
Conclusion
As bowhunters, we strive to be
accurate. It is surprising to me how
many people are limited by their
choice in arrows and arrow builds.
Just because it works for your buddy
doesn’t mean it will work for you.
Not all shooters and/or bows are the
same, and I’ve witnessed hundreds of
instances where the same bow and ar-
cher experienced staggering improve-
ments in accuracy just by switching to
a properly matched arrow.
Having the best arrow for you is
simple: pay attention to the numbers,
slow it down, boost your F.O.C., be
letched to kill and do your home-
work! Then it’s time to burn an ev-
erlasting memory of the best arrow
light you’ve ever seen as it sails into
the boiler room!
0 9 • 2018
 One Wild September
Doubling Up
on DIY Bulls
N
orthwestern Wyoming isn’t a place for the
faint-of-heart bowhunter. Rugged, re-
mote mountains — which harbor one of
the highest saturations of grizzly bears in
North America — are enough to sap the
will of even the most dedicated outdoorsman. On the
other hand, the rougher, the better has always been my call
to arms. So, I always migrate to such places; just give me
a backpack, put a bow in my hand and turn me loose.
Sometimes I suffer a beat-down, sometimes I break even
and occasionally I ill a tag or two. No matter my fate, I
always come out a winner.
Late in August of 2017, the Claypool clan headed for
a destination that had always been dear to my heart. I
had spent a lot of time in this area over the years, with
one of my irst journeys to the area occurring in 1981.
I suffered a serious beating on that trip, due to a seri-
ous lack of experience and common sense. That defeat
64 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
had set the stage for a long learning curve in the area —
one which has spanned decades. Always searching for a
new hunting opportunity, I had invested time in many
of the units that make up this pristine Wyoming coun-
try. Some of these experiments had sent me home with
my tail between my legs, and others had provided good
memories. Having never settled into a particular area of
choice, I continued to apply for tags helter-skelter. And
2017 was no exception.
We pulled into our unit, the air illed with smoke from
the countless ires that burned throughout the West. New
country is always slightly intimidating, and with visibil-
ity now measured in yards not miles, our surroundings
seemed doubly surreal. Making camp in a quiet loca-
tion, I immediately set out to do some exploring. Cover-
ing a lot of ground — some by truck, some by ATV and
much by foot — I slowly began to get a grip on the area.
Though most of it was off-limits to my DIY approach,
0 9 • 2018
Out West

Eddie Claypool tagged this

Wyoming bull on just the
second day of archery sea-
son, leaving Eddie grateful
yet wanting more.

www.b owhuntingmag.com PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 65

One Wild September
Out West
there was enough non-wilderness
country that I was fairly certain I
could have a good hunt. Donning a
pack, I hit the backcountry hard, GPS
in hand.
Within a week, I had begun to
shake the pestilence of society from
my inner man, while at the same
time hardening the outer man sub-
stantially. Slowly developing a good
feel for where “my” elk resided,
I was quickly developing a long-
term plan for success. It was my
intention to spend the entire month
of September in this location if nec-
With a well-placed arrow at 45 yards, Eddie wrapped up his 2017 elk season with this
Idaho bull.
essary, in order to take possession of
a large set of antlers and a cooler full
of red meat. As the season opener
fast approached, I prepared myself
mentally for the brutal challenge
ahead.
The evening of the second day of
the season found me a couple miles
into backcountry. I had decided to
hunt a fringe area this day, as I was
planning on making an overnight
roundabout into rougher country
the following day. Slowly still-hunt-
ing through foreign country on this
evening, I was simply not expecting
66 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
much action. Carefully assessing
the hunt as it progressed, I reached a
spot where a wee-small voice inside
my head whispered, bugle. I ques-
tioned the sanity of the thought,
but over the years I had learned to
listen to my feelings. Grabbing my
call, I let out a half-hearted bugle;
immediately a faint response loat-
ed to my ears. Not even certain I
“heard what I heard,” I questioned
my senses. Climbing a nearby high
point, I let out another bugle, loud-
er this time. Certainly this time, a
faint, distant response was discern-
ible. Fairly sure of direction now, I
grabbed my gear and headed out.
Covering a couple hundred yards
quickly, I stopped to bugle again. I
received another response, this time
much more deinable — about 300
yards, that-a-way!
Choosing a cautionary strategy, I
found a good hiding place — with a
favorable prevailing wind — and set
up to see if the bull might make his
way to my location. The bull bugled
again, clearly much closer. Instantly
excited, I realized my quarry was The Claypools had some curious visitors
most likely going to show himself wander into their Idaho base camp.
soon. I was on full alert. I was de-
termined to see if “curiosity might
kill the cat,” and a few long minutes
later, a distinct sound of a snapping
limb riveted my attention. Catch-
ing a quick glimpse of beige ghost-
ing through the dark timber, I was
shocked to realize the bull was al-
ready within range. Slowly draw-
ing my bow, I peered intently for a
decent view of my quarry. Casually
strolling past my hide, the bull re-
mained primarily covered by ob-
stacles. Glimpses of antler had been
offered, but I had little idea of overall
Holding the
bowstring tightly
against my face,
I relished the
moment.
THIS was what
I lived for!
0 9 • 2018
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One Wild September
Out West
Eddie bugled to draw in the mature Wyoming bull elk.
antler size. At this point, I made the
conscious decision that trophy status
didn’t matter; I was going to kill this
bull if I could. Now in “kill-mode,”
time seemed to move like a drifting
fog — moving yellow, lashing ant-
lers, guttural sounds. No clear shot.
When the bull stopped just 10 yards
away without presenting a clear
shot — I was in a frenzy. Desperately
looking for a way to have my way, I
came up empty — too much stuff in
the way. I watched the whites of the
bull’s eyes as they scanned the area,
and a cool breeze in my face sudden-
ly snapped me back to reality. Hold-
ing the bowstring tightly against my
face, I relished the moment. THIS
was what I lived for!
After scanning side-to-side for
a few moments, the majestic bull
slowly started walking forward.
Seeing a small opening between
trees, I swung my bow to the spot
just as yellow entered. Slamming a
pin on point-blank ribs, I stabbed
the release with all my might. As
the bull crashed away, I dropped
to the ground, and reality settled
in — I had just harvested a bull elk!
Amazed, I could not believe I had
already illed my Wyoming tag on
my second day aield!
Early the next morning, an anx-
68 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
Arriving home on the 8th, the
butchering process began in earnest.
By evening of the 9th, Peg was back
tending to her work, the freezer was
full and my head was about to spin
into outer space. What a dilemma —
nothing on the platter for the last half
of September! As the next few days
slid by, so did my fortitude toward
accepting my fate. The aspens were
turning golden somewhere. Bulls
were screaming somewhere. And I
was losing my mind in Oklahoma!
“Oh dearest Peg, would you please
get back in that truck?” I begged.
“I’m dying here!”
As we rolled into Idaho on the
16th, a tremendous snowstorm
greeted our arrival. Picking a new
area to explore, I made camp quick-
ly and hit the ground running. The
massive storm forced me to spend
Gear List
ious Peg, Lulu and I made our way Bow:
to our downed trophy. Not sure if a Arrows:
grizzly might have already claimed Broadhead:
our prize, we approached cautiously. Bow Sight:
Having left my socks and underwear Arrow Rest:
hanging on antlers, while leaving the Release:
carcass closed, I had done everything Clothing:
possible in hopes of keeping the prize GPS:
unbothered. The precautions had
worked; the coast was clear.
As soon as we snapped a few
pictures, the work began. I de-
boned the bull, while Peg and Lulu
kept watch for intruders, bear
spray in hand. When the meat was
finally bagged, we headed for the
ATV, pronto. By GPS, the machine
sat a mere mile away, over mod-
erate terrain. I couldn’t believe
such good fortune! By evening,
the meat was in a cooler at camp,
and the Claypools were enjoying a
glass of iced tea.
Feeling the Itch
A couple of days later — on Sept.
6 — the Claypools were on the road,
headed home. As I quietly drove
along, I counted my blessings, yet I
couldn’t ignore an old, familiar tug
at my innards. Was I really done elk
hunting already? Was I really going
to spend most of September in Okla- Lulu watches as Eddie Claypool prepares
homa? My mind was spinning. his bull for the pack-out.
0 9 • 2018
One Wild September
Out West
the irst few days in the lower eleva-
tions. Little did I know this “hob-
bling of my plans” would prove a
great blessing.
By the 19th, the storm was pulling
out of the area. The high country was
blanketed in thigh-deep snow, seri-
ously dampening my intentions of
heading straight into wilderness coun-
try. Loading my backpack, I decided to
BACTERIA
BUILDS UP.
O-ZONE
ATTACKS.
ODOR
DISAPPEARS.
spend a couple days hiking into low-
country pockets that looked promis-
ing on my topo maps. Bow in hand, I
put my legs and lungs to work. It was
good to be aield again!
Surprisingly, my early efforts
turned up a small herd of elk, with
a decent bull present. Amazed at my
good fortune, I purposed to make
the best of this unexpected ind.
Eddie Claypool chose a quiet spot in an
unfamiliar area to set up a spike camp in
Wyoming before traveling miles into the
backcountry to locate a bull elk.
0 9 • 2018
Hunting slowly into the resource, yards. Realizing the boss would ap- gurgled down the hill, and a brilliant
I began to have fun and enjoy the pear, adrenaline surged through my September sun shone down from a
blessing of being back in the moun- veins. When antlers bobbed over baby blue sky. Snowcapped peaks
tains in September. Suspecting that the hill, my rangeinder read 45 loomed overhead, further emphasiz-
my quarry was probably “educated” yards. Fully prepared for just such ing the beauty of our location, the
from previous assaults by earlier an opportunity, the proper sight pin blessing of our situation. Everyone
bowhunters, my tactic of choice was found its mark. was happy — no grizzlies, awesome
spot-and-stalk. And over the next As Peg, Lulu and I de-boned the weather, ATV nearby. This was one
couple of days — after some sneak- bull, a slight breeze luttered golden for the books. But … what were we
ing in and some sneaking out, com- aspen leaves nearby. A trout stream going to do with all this meat?
bined with a lot of watching from a
distance — I slowly began to form
a plan of attack I hoped would end
in success. I needed a south wind
and would need to make my move
on a morning hunt. According to the
weather forecast, the 25th would be
my day of choice.
Entering the small patch of tim-
ber, I hid behind a large spruce as
daylight slowly arrived. I spotted
the elk as they worked their way to-
ward my location and reveled in the
challenge of the experience. Making
sure to keep the wind in my favor, I
slipped from tree to tree as the elk
moved closer. Cows, heading to-
ward their bedding area, were soon
iltering past my location at 40-50

Eddie Claypool spotted some freshly used

wallows just moments before bugling to
locate his Wyoming bull.

spot
www.b owhuntingmag.com
 Tagging
Long
the Bull
Elk of a
Lifetime
By Benton Christensen
VIC SCHENDEL PHOTO

72 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 0 9 • 2018

Time Coming
I
think I was more scared than excited. Physically, I
was a wreck. Several years of health problems
had taken a toll on my body. Now, barely seven
months after a second back surgery, I was looking
at a conirmation email from the Utah Division of
Wildlife Resources. The elk hunt I had dreamed about for
20 years was now a reality. I had been exercising regu-
larly since my operation, trying to get my strength back.
I compete as a professional archer, and even though my
shooting scores were improving, I knew I had to drasti-
cally improve my physical condition before hunting sea-
son. I did my best to wear out my BowFit exercise band
and started adding steep climbs to my regular walks.
The archery community is amazing. I started getting
calls, texts and emails from bowhunters I’d never met,
saying they heard I had drawn that special elk tag for the
unit bordering Canyonlands National Park. In addition
to their advice, I gathered intelligence from several other
people I already knew who had hunted the unit.
I had never been to the area I would be hunting.
Unfortunately, my archery competition schedule had
already taken a lot of my vacation time, and from my
house in southern Idaho to the area I would be hunting
in southern Utah would be about a seven-hour drive.
Scouting trips would be very limited so I could save my
vacation time for the hunt. I made plans with friends
and family for scouting trips the irst weekend in July
and the irst weekend in August. My daughter Lindsay
and her boyfriend Chad would go with me in July. Our
irst trip would be the irst outing since my surgery that I
would try carrying weight on my back, and I was a little
concerned. But the trip went well; I felt pretty good after
a couple moderate hikes, and we saw a lot of elk.
Elk Shape
Upon returning home, I compared notes with some
friends who had hunted the area before, and I picked a
couple of spots I wanted to focus on in early August. I
increased my workouts, because I was still a long ways
from being in elk-hunting shape.
Time passed quickly, and we were out scouting again
the irst weekend in August. My friends Pete Carney and
Kerry Baird accompanied me on this trip. Pete had hunt-
ed this area in 2010, and he knew it very well. He is also
a great videographer, and he got some amazing footage
www.b owhuntingmag.com
on this trip. We checked a trail camera we had left on our
irst trip and put out another one. I was amazed at how
many bears were on the camera. There were pictures of
several nice bulls as well.
I had been slowly increasing the draw weight of my
bow, and by the irst of August, I was up to 60 pounds
and had my broadheads sighted in. Aug. 19 marked
opening weekend, and even though I saw a lot of bulls,
I didn’t get within bow range of anything. Pete got some
more awesome video, and we were able to watch the so-
lar eclipse on his camera. After some longer hikes with
a heavy pack under my belt, I was starting to feel a little
better about my conditioning.
The next 10 days passed quickly as I checked cameras
back in Idaho and prepared for the opening of our ar-
chery season on Aug. 30. On the morning of Saturday,
Sept. 2, I was able to harvest a nice 4x5 mule deer buck
in velvet. I got it off the mountain and taken care of that
same evening. After a restless night, I was on the road to
southern Utah at 6 a.m. to meet good friend and fellow
professional archer, Ray Tenbrook from Colorado. Semi-
retired, Ray had a pretty lexible schedule and was eager
to spend a few days calling for me.
Our Sunday evening hunt was exciting. Ray kept
a small 6-point bull occupied with his calls, and I was
able to walk within easy bow range. We ended up see-
ing ive bulls that night! The next morning, we hiked
into one of the spots I had hunted previously. The bulls
were singing, and Ray worked his magic. We soon had a
bull up close, and when I saw him from the side at about
35 yards, I thought he was a good bull, but not a great
one. Because of the Utah points system and waiting pe-
riod, this is literally a once-in-a-lifetime tag and I had
made up my mind that I wouldn’t shoot a bull unless it
would be bigger than my largest bull to date. Although
all of my 30 years of elk hunting has been close to my
hometown in an area not managed for trophy elk, I have
taken several nice bulls. As this bull moved closer, I lost
sight of him. I unhooked my release so I wouldn’t be
tempted, but when he cleared a small cluster of trees at
20 yards and looked my way, I almost passed out. I think
he would have been pushing 50 inches in the inside
spread. I was totally exposed, so I froze. When he started
to walk again, I hooked my release but he never gave
me a shot. He slowly walked right in front of Ray, then
PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 73
 Long Time Coming
turned up the hill. We both igured
he would have scored in the 350-
inch range. Shortly after this, we
had another close encounter with an
enraged bull. He was closing in fast,
but I inadvertently spooked a cow
and she took the bull back up the
mountain with her. The bulls quit
bugling midmorning, and we head-
ed back to camp.
Growls & Bugles
One of my friends who has hunted
this area for deer for many years was
camped near us, and we stopped to
check in with him before he headed
home. He told us about a bull he
Benton Christensen tagged this 4x5 tell one bull was closing in quick. I
velvet mule deer near his Idaho home in checked the wind and moved up in
early September before heading to Utah in front of Ray. This bull had a high-
search of a bull elk.
74 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
called “the growler.” This bull had
been in the same canyon for a few
years and wasn’t too far from camp.
We igured he was a mature bull,
so Ray and I decided to head there
that evening. We hadn’t walked very
far when Ray got an answer to one
of his calls. The low-pitched growl
was unmistakable. It was just like
Equipment List
Robert had described! The problem
was he was in a really rough and
heavily wooded area below a line
of cliffs. We slowly worked our way
down the ridge, calling and glassing.
We wanted to make sure he was big
enough to go after before we tried to
get down through the cliffs. We did
spot a really nice 6-point, but not “the
growler.” There was a brief lull in the
bugling, but at about 7, bulls started
screaming all around us. We could
pitched bugle without a lot of vol-
After dreaming about this Utah hunt for
20 years, author Benton Christensen put
in the sweat equity to get into elk shape
following back surgery and was rewarded
with this nearly 400-inch bull.
ume. I wasn’t really expecting it to
be a big bull, but I got ready anyway.
The small lat we were standing on
had scattered Ponderosa pines with
little ground cover, so visibility was
pretty good.
I almost blew it. I stopped behind
a large tree about 30 yards from Ray.
Because of the wind direction, I need-
ed the bull to come to my left. After
a brief pause, I decided to move to
the next tree so I would have more
open ground on that side. I took a
step forward and immediately froze.
I could see the bull standing about
100 yards away, looking in my direc-
tion. He was the biggest bull I had
ever seen. After a few seconds, he
bugled and then started walking for-
ward. I slowly took a step back and
quickly loaded an arrow. I looked
back at Ray, pointed, and mouthed
“big bull.” I think Ray could track
the location of the bull by watching
me peek around the tree. He used his
calls to walk the bull right past me.
I get buck fever. Since my irst ar-
chery buck in 1986, I shake, hyper-
0 9 • 2018
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 Long Time Coming
Benton Christensen’s bull elk dropped
on a steep slope, intertwined with a dead
tree, making field dressing and packing
out the trophy a challenge.
ventilate and my heart pounds. It
doesn’t matter if it is a small buck or
a big bull. Every time I draw my bow
on an animal, the battle begins again.
But not this time. I don’t know why.
Maybe it was because I had made
this shot in my mind a million times
the past three months. When the
bull hit 40 yards, I drew my bow. For
the irst time in more than 30 years
of bowhunting, my pin hit the bull’s
chest and didn’t move. I remember
making sure my pin was centered
in my peep, and then I tracked him
76 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
as he closed the distance. My single-
pin sight was set at 30 yards, and I
slowly dropped the pin lower in his
chest as he approached. I grunted
to stop him in an opening at about
25 yards, but he kept walking. Ray
quickly squealed on his call, and the
bull stopped in the next gap in the
trees. I slid my sight pin up to the
edge of the tree covering his front
shoulder and watched as my ar-
row disappeared through his chest.
At the shot, Ray and I both hit our
bugles. I lost sight of the bull imme-
diately and heard a few quick crash-
es as he ran off. Ray was able to see
him for a few seconds and could tell
he stopped a short distance in front
of him. After a brief pause, Ray lost
sight of his antlers as they dropped
off the edge of a steep rock face. It
sounded like a train wreck as the
bull tumbled down.
I started to shake. I guided Ray to
where I had taken the shot, and he
quickly found my arrow. We had a
short discussion about the shot, and
both of us were sure that because of
the loud crash, the bull would be just
in front of us. We slowly followed
the tracks to where Ray had last seen
the bull. When we peered over the
rocky ledge, we could see him tan-
gled in the branches of a huge, fallen
ponderosa pine. I noticed the second
point on his left side had broken off
The Utah elk unit where author Ben-
ton Christensen scored his bull borders
Canyonlands National Park.
in the tumble. I started to pick my
way down the ledge, but I didn’t
make it very far.
I sat down and cried. The emo-
tional roller coaster I had been rid-
ing for the past several years had
de-railed and was lying in a puddle
of tears in the mountains of southern
Utah. All the anticipation and anxi-
ety of inally drawing this tag. The
four surgeries in the past ive years.
Not knowing if I would be able to
hunt or shoot my bow again. It all
poured out on the rocks above my
bull. And I should mention the bull
was big — really big!
Because of the steep slope and the
dead tree, picture-taking and ield
dressing the bull was quite a chore.
As we worked, other bulls bugled
all around us. It was just like being
in that awesome elk-hunting video.
When we got to the truck around
midnight, I realized my back was
pretty sore. But for the irst time in
a long time, it hurt in a good way. I
did ind the broken point, and it its
together pretty well. Had the point
not broken off, my bull would have
a gross score of just less than 400
inches.
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79
 4 TRIPS &
40 DAYS
Trip 4
After preparing and saving nickels
and dimes for seven years, Rutten and
girlfriend Jennifer Halderson trav-
eled from central Wisconsin to Min-
neapolis, then directly to Anchorage.
From there, they picked up his regis-
tration tag at Dillingham, then lew
to Ekwok. At Alaska Premier Outit-
ters, Rutten was paired up with guide
Joe Kazimirowicz, an Ekwok resident
who has taken 20-some moose him-
self. “Kazimirowicz knows moose
and moose hunting,” Rutten noted.
“We hit it off right away, and got to
know each other quite well through-
out the hunt. Joe hadn’t previously
guided a bowhunter, but he had faith Wisconsin bowhunter Glen Rutten 0is all smiles as he shows off his lifelong dream. The
enormous bull moose scored 515 ⁄8 SCI and ranks as the No. 9 SCI archery bull on
in me and I in him.”
Equipment List
Bow:
Sight:
Arrow Rest:
Arrows:
Broadheads:
Quiver:
Stabilizer:
Release:
Binoculars:
Rangefinder:
Clothing:
Rutten’s previous three 10-day
hunts culminated in 30 days spent
aield chasing the elusive tundra gi-
ants. Obviously, Rutten hoped anoth-
er 11 days would result in realizing
his lifelong dream. “Outitter Jason
Mogen had told me the Mulchatna
River basin — a narrow, winding
river with bluffs, meadows and thick
cover — is an ideal bowhunting lo-
cation,” Rutten said. “He was right.
And, just being in Alaska with a bow
in hand is a phenomenal experience.
It’s humongous, beautiful and over-
whelming, all at the same time.”
Bull After Bull
Rutten and Kazimirowicz began
seeing bulls daily. “We had many
close encounters with undersized
bulls and shooters alike,” Rutten
80 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
record.
recalled. “Kazimirowicz is a bril-
liant caller, and on day three while
calling from a bluff we call ‘Scenic
Overlook,’ he spotted a huge, 70-
inch bull emerging from the dense
cover, the antlers appearing white
against the spruce backdrop. We
aptly nicknamed the bull ‘Whitey.’
The bull relucted to advance our
way. Perhaps he had a cow with
him. We’re not sure.”
Rutten and Kazimirowicz hunted
the enormous bull again the follow-
ing day, Halderson joining for the
experience and to shoot pictures.
“Whitey again responded to Kazi-
mirowicz’s calling, but when we
scaled down the bluff and crossed
the river, a second very large bull
surprised us,” Rutten shared. “What
a problem to have: a 70-inch bull 200
yards away and a 60-inch bull 53
yards away! Unfortunately, the wind
was at our backs and the sun in our
faces. The bull advanced and was
soon facing us at 32 yards — a poor
shot angle. He trotted away, and the
commotion had apparently alerted
Whitey, as we couldn’t relocate him.”
The team pushed on through
many rigorous mornings and after-
noons of bowhunting, while rest-
ing and ishing for silver salmon
during the midday hours. And
though they encountered many
bulls — several within bow range
— a shot opportunity did not ma-
terialize. “The rut was obviously
ramping up, as was the response
rate to Kazimirowicz’s calling
efforts,” Rutten said. “Honestly,
having multiple 50- to 65-inch bulls
within range and not killing one of
them was getting me down, but Ka-
zimirowicz lifted up my spirits and
kept me in the game mentally.”
Time’s Ticking
On the morning of Sept. 14, and
with only two days remaining, Rut-
ten, Kazimirowicz and Halderson
returned to the area where they had
encountered Whitey. “Actually, we’d
been there the day before, too,” Rut-
ten said, “and Kazimirowicz called
a 50-inch bull within 12 yards, but
the bull had only two brow tines
per antler. To be legal in this unit, a
50-inch-or-smaller bull must have
at least four brow tines per antler.
It was still a remarkable encounter.
And, we had a good feeling the loca-
tion would produce sooner or later.”
So, that morning Kazimirowicz
began serenading the bulls around 7
a.m. in the predawn darkness. “After
50 minutes, we heard antlers com-
ing through the brush, approaching
from the same location the 50-inch
bull had come the day before,” Rut-
ten remembered. “It was like déjà
vu. Kazimirowicz peered out of the
cover and conirmed it was a differ-
ent bull, a shooter.”
Playing the wind, Rutten advanced
forward to work into shooting
0 9 • 2018
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Jennifer Halderson, Rutten’s girlfriend,

shows off a nice silver salmon.

position. Kazimirowicz hung back

and called, hoping to pull the bull
past Rutten. “The bull was angry,
grunting and tearing everything up
with his antlers,” he said. “You can
probably imagine how fast my heart
was beating! With all the commo-
tion, I reworked my position so I
wouldn’t face a frontal shot angle. I
igured he’d either continue toward
Kazimirowicz or circle downwind.
My bulletproof position covered
both possibilities, so I kneeled and
nocked an arrow.”
The enormous bull began circling
downwind, and when he moved
behind the last available cover, Rut-
ten tugged his Elite Synergy to full
draw, waiting for a clear shot. “He
stepped out and stopped on the
edge of the stream, perfectly broad-
side,” Rutten said. “To tell you the
truth, I don’t remember aiming or
triggering my release, but I vividly
remember hearing and seeing the
arrow impact. The bull took off,
and Kazimirowicz ran up to me and
asked if I’d shot. As tears spilled
from my eyes, I replied that I’d
drilled the bull. Then, we watched
the bull go down and expire only 40
yards away. Kazimirowicz knew the

0 9 • 2018
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 The Big
Oftentimes, finding
whitetail success
requires making a
“big move,” whether
that’s a small tweak
to an existing stand or
heading into an entirely

Move
new area to hang a
new stand and hunt it
immediately.

By Bill Winke

Two Twists
for Terrific
Treestand
Success

T
he ability to read and react, whether that means Instead, you start from scratch nearly every day to as-
well-timed mid-season adjustments to changing sure you are hunting fresh stands as often as possible.
whitetail patterns or an aggressive hang-and- Your odds of taking a nice buck are never higher than
the very irst time you sit in a new stand. In fact, I have
hunt strategy, is critical to success as a whitetail
bowhunter. If you can stay ahead of the action, arrowed most of my bucks the irst time I sat a new stand
you are going to have a successful season. or the irst time after a long layoff. Deer are very sensi-
In this feature, I am going to proile two ways adding tive to hunting pressure, and when they igure out we
mobility to your treestand hunting plans will improve are hunting them, they change their behavior fast. For
your success this fall. that reason, hunting fresh stands every day of the season
will increase the number of deer you see.
Hang and Hunt Whitetails can detect our presence in ways few hunt-
The hang-and-hunt strategy is a self-contained ap- ers even consider. Sure, they can see us walking to our
proach to deer hunting. It is not something you do two stand or smell our scent in the air as we actually sit on
or three times per season to ine-tune an existing stand. stand. This is obvious to most hunters. But, it is actually

86
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 The Big Move
our scent trail on the ground that will
educate the greatest number of deer.
They can smell where we’ve walked
(especially through brush and high
weeds) for hours after we pass.
The hang-and-hunt strategy grew
from the desire to have as many
“irst-time” hunts during a season as
possible. By moving often, you are
always hunting fresh stands. I did
this a lot when I was younger and
had permission on several farms.
I rarely hunted the same tree more
than two times per season!
Hang and hunt works best on large
tracts of land (public or private) where
you have many options, allowing you
to cherry pick the best-looking spots
each day. It also works well when you
are forced to hunt a new property you
have never scouted.
You can predict with reasonable accuracy where deer will move just by looking at aerial
Picking a Spot: Selecting a loca- photos and topo maps. This hunter has chosen to carry his stand in and set up on the
tion for your stand can be tough in saddle you see in the background. This approach reduces impact and allows you to
the darkness of morning, but I know hunt fresh stands on a regular basis.
guys who do it consistently. Most of-
ten, however, they are going back to
trees they have hunted in the past, or the stand during the middle of the Just a word of caution when hunt-
going to trees near those they have day. Take everything you need to ing small properties; be sure to stay
hunted. Rarely are they going in to- hunt it that evening. As long as the on the fringes and only hunt perfect
tally blind in the morning. wind holds, you can hunt the same setups. Bouncing around on a small
If you have never hunted the area, stand the next morning before pull- property will soon educate too many
you really need daylight to make the ing it down and moving on. Once in deer. When hunting small proper-
hunt realistic. Study your aerial pho- a while, you will hit on a winner and ties, I would still rather have my
tos and topo maps, select a piece of you will leave the stand to hunt again stands up ahead of the season.
terrain or cover that suggests a deer later in the season. So, be sure to have Gear that Makes a Difference:
funnel and then head in and hang a few extra stands in your garage. Three pieces of equipment will
prove very useful for super mobile
treestand hunting. First, you’ll need
a lightweight treestand that is easy
to carry and put up. Anything un-
der 15 pounds should fall into this
category. I personally prefer ixed-
position stands I can attach to any
shape of tree after climbing to the
desired height. Hang-on stands of-
fer the greatest amount of lexibil-
ity, which is critical since you never
know what type of trees you’ll ind
when hunting a new area.

Like many others over the years, Field Edi-

tor Bill Winke took this buck the first time
he hunted the stand. In fact, he noticed
the deer were using an open gate heavily
to access a feeding area. So, he moved
a stand into place and shot the buck that
same evening. The hang-and-hunt strat-
egy assures you are hunting fresh spots as
often as possible.
88 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 0 9 • 2018
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 The Big Move
was about 150 yards, and I did that
because it was really hard to get from
the original tree back to my truck
without alerting deer. The second
spot was a little better, but the exit
route was still not perfect; I had to
cross a small opening where deer in
nearby plots could see me.
The inal move was only 50 yards,
but it allows me to now hunt the stand
often without alerting deer. I can sneak
to and from the stand behind a row of
thick cedar trees, and even though I
am not right on top of the action like
I was in the second stand, I make up
for it by being able to hunt the spot
more often. It is now the very best
stand on the farm and one of the best I
have ever hunted. I just put the time in
and eventually something good comes
past. If I had not moved that stand, I
would burn that area out quickly and
rarely ill my tags.
Pay attention to everything that happens
around your stand and mentally (or physi-
cally) log your sightings. Eventually, pat-
terns will develop that you can exploit with
Tricks for Moving a Stand During the Season

O
a careful, well-timed move, but don’t be
hasty. Learn enough to know for sure that
you are transitioning to a better spot.

Second, you’ll need some type

of system for quickly and quietly
climbing the tree. Climbing sticks
that strap onto the tree are ideal —
they are very fast and eficient. Carry
enough sections that you can reach
18-20 feet, even without the aid of
tree branches.
Finally, you’ll need a good folding
saw. This may be an obvious point
given the need for grooming shoot-
ing lanes, but don’t short-change
quality. A good saw with sharp teeth
will make your chores much quick-
er and allow you to keep noise and
movement to a minimum.
If you have the energy, and access best stand you’ve ever hunted. It is Tweaking stands is a learning pro-
to a big block of land, the hang-and- one of the most important things you cess that takes time. It is hard to rush
hunt strategy will have you in the can do. A gun hunter only has to be in experience. Even after you put up
action more often than any other the right area, but a bowhunter has to what you think is an awesome stand,
approach you can use. be in the right tree. It is hard to be in don’t get married to it. Never stop
the right tree without spending many weighing your options until years of
Fine-Tuning Stands days hunting the area and watching experience have taught you that you
The second way mobility will save all the deer as they move through it. are in the absolute best possible tree
your season occurs when you tweak I tweaked one stand twice over in that part of the forest.
existing stands. Moving just a few the course of ive years before I i- If you take nothing else from this
yards can turn a good stand into the nally got it perfect. The irst move article, at least understand that you

90 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 0 9 • 2018

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 The Big Move
will rarely ind a great, long-term
stand site in the irst tree you hunt.
Most often, these diamonds in the
rough result from several years of
watching, scheming, ine-tuning and
tweaking.
Don’t base too much on one hunt.
Often, what you think is a sure-bet
one day looks completely wrong the
next time you hunt the stand. Don’t
move a stand based on what you see
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during just one hunt — you need
to see trends. A hot doe may have
passed over the ridge at a point 100
yards away for no reason at all, and
now every buck in the woods seems
to be crossing there. It is a one-day
phenomenon — not a long-term
trend. There is nothing about that
spot that makes it any better than the
one where you are sitting — except
the luck of the day.
The ideal stand for mobile hunting is one
that you can place quickly and quietly. It
should also be lightweight. Comfort is
always nice, but portability and quiet use
are top priorities.
So, wait for trends to emerge
before you make a move. It can eas-
ily take four years to put the pieces
together and come up with the best
stand in each part of your hunting
property. The starting point always
seems like a great choice, but it rarely
survives season two! Remember, it is
the small tweaks over time that turn
good stands into great stands.
What to Watch For: You can’t
beat experience. By constantly pay-
ing attention to everything around
you while you are on stand, you
will eventually start putting things
together and the very best stand site
will pop out of the woodwork. No-
tice how every buck moves through
the area. Mentally or physically,
chart each buck’s course versus all
the others. It may pay to make a few
notes in a pad each time you hunt a
stand. Where did the deer go? Where
were the bucks? What were the con-
ditions? How can you hunt the spot
differently so fewer deer know you
were there? Eventually, tendencies
and patterns will take shape. Fine-
tuning brings treestand perfection.
It may take three seasons, but
that’s the investment required to i-
nally be sitting in the best stand in
your hunting area. Good scouting
will reveal an excellent area, but only
Even though your hunting area
may not have the best stand in the
country, you can be sure there is one
stand that’s better than all the oth-
ers. Your job is to ind it. If you don’t
know whether you have such a stand,
then you’re not in it — keep looking.
You’d know if you were! Keep watch-
ing and learning. The payoff is dei-
nitely worth the investment.
0 9 • 2018
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 Climbing
High

Any bowhunt for mountain goats is going to require some

serious hiking to get into the high country they inhabit. On this
hunt, author Matt Guedes hunted goats at elevations between
10,000 and 11,000 feet.
When Chasing
Mountain Goats,

A
fter six years of applying, I logged
onto the Colorado Parks and Wild- Just Getting
life website to check the status
of my fall hunts. To my surprise,
There is
I had drawn a mountain goat ar-
chery tag for Game Management
Half the Battle.
Unit 5. I was shocked, excited, nervous and pumped
all at once.
Everything changed that day. I immediately real-
By Matt Guedes
ized that in order to be successful on this hunt, with
its rugged terrain and high altitude, I needed to do
research, scout and train hard. And I began doing all
those things immediately as I looked forward to this
hunt with great anticipation.

94 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 0 9 • 2018

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Climbing Author Matt Guedes captured
this photo of mountain goats
lounging in the sun during his
bowhunt in Colorado’s Game
Management Unit 5.

I researched the unit on maps and allowed me to learn the area

by talking to people from the area. I
spent time researching the species,
since I was not overly familiar with
the American Mountain Goat. I also
spent time speaking with and mes-
saging others who had hunted the
area. The process was extensive.
From research that took place at
home, it was now time to take it to
the ield. I took two trips to the unit
I would be hunting and put on 23
foot miles. I walked and glassed
and scouted all the outskirt areas
of the zone in hope of inding a few
good goats. My research in the ield
and also ind a good billy (male
goat). However, the main con-
centration of goats was located
in the Chicago Basin area. I had
hoped to not have to hike in and
camp in the backcountry due to
time constraints, but everything
seemed to be pointing in that di-
rection.
No matter where I ended
up hunting, there were several
obstacles I’d have to face. The
irst one is that the hunt would
take place at high altitude,
most likely around 10,000-

Author Matt Guedes and his team were able to get within eight miles of their mountain
goat hunting area via the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which cuts
through the Colorado backcountry and drops hunters, hikers and other adventurers 30
miles into the backcountry at a place called Needleton.

0 9 • 2018
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Climbing

The mature nanny mountain goat taken by author Matt Guedes had horns that
measured 9 7⁄8 inches long, making it the second-largest goat killed in Colorado in 2012.

11,000 feet. The second was that

the hunt would take place in tough
In fact, she
terrain with a lot of ups and downs. 7
The last factor would be the potential measured at 9 ⁄ 8
of hiking and camping in the back-
country, which would require carry- inches and was
ing in a heavy pack while covering
lots of miles. the second-largest
Two weeks before the season
opened, I decided I would focus on goat harvested
the Chicago Basin. To get there, I could
take the Durango-Silverton Narrow
Gauge Train to a backcountry drop-
in Colorado
off point at Needleton. From there,
it would be an eight-mile hike into
that year.
the basin. Making the hike with a
60-pound pack on my back would be
intense, and our base camp would be
at an elevation of roughly 11,000 feet. morning. This put me down a man
I knew this would be tough, but I also and would literally force the rest of
knew it was my best chance for a goat. us to carry extra weight. I shared our
situation on Facebook and almost
Into the High Country immediately got a call from Kenny
My team was ready to go. It was Sowell. I knew his mother, but had
Friday night, and we were leaving on never met Kenny. He wanted to go in
Sunday. Our group consisted of my- with the team to help, and better yet,
self, my son Tekoah, my friend Marc he had spent ive days scouting the
Maurer, cameraman Chase Heinze basin last year. What a stroke of luck!
to ilm and one more acquaintance We left Mesa, Colo., on Sunday
named Mark Aldridge. On Fri- afternoon. We traveled to Silverton
day night, Mark found out about a and stayed there for the night to ac-
problem back home in Virginia that climate to the 9,300-foot altitude.
forced him to leave early the next We woke up the next morning and

0 9 • 2018
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Climbing
drove one hour to get on the train at
Durango. We boarded the train and
rode this fantastic, coal-powered
steam engine for two hours. We got
off at Needleton, and 7.6 miles and
3,000 feet in elevation climb was all
that stood between us and the goats.
In our preparation for this high-
altitude hunt, we were all taking
the Altitude Advantage supple-
ment from Wilderness Athlete. This
product was a great help to all of us.
Kenny, who joined the team the day
before we left, didn’t even get to take
the ive days of suggested pills be-
fore beginning the hunt. He started
the day before the hunt. Kenny said,
“I can’t believe how much this prod-
uct helped me.” Chase arrived from
Ohio ive days before the hunt. As a
latlander who now was carrying a
heavy pack and hiking to over 11,000
feet, Chase attributed his lack of
problems to Altitude Advantage.
We left the train and hiked imme-
diately uphill. The hike was tough
with the weight of the packs. My
Tenzing pack was working well de-
spite being packed heavy. Chase was
wearing an Outdoorsmans Pack Sys-
tem and had it packed to hilt also.
The Outdoorsmans Pack System is
as good and versatile a backcountry
pack as there is on the market.
As we approached 9,300 feet,
Tekoah, who was 12 at the time,
started feeling a little sick. He had
a rough bought of altitude sickness
three weeks earlier while scouting.
He got concerned, and he and Marc
headed back down to a lower eleva-
tion. Tekoah ended up being ine,
but didn’t want to take any chances.
We ended up hiking uphill for six
hours that day and inally arrived at
a campsite just before dark. We im-
mediately set up our Kifaru eight- This picturesque waterfall was one of
man teepee. It weighed 7 pounds, 7 many beautiful sights author Matt Guedes
ounces and served us very well on saw during his hike into Colorado’s moun-
this trip. We were exhausted and tain goat country.
turned in for the night.
After a night of itful sleep, we
were up and ready in the dark. We moved in close to the group and
We waited for daylight and my realized this herd consisted entirely
anxiousness was quickly relieved of nannies and kids. However, there
when I could see goats all around us were several very mature nannies in
up on the tops of the mountains. I the group. I had a limited schedule,
wasn’t overly excited about having with only four days to hunt on this
to hike up another 1,000 feet or so, trip. With that being the case, my goal
but then we saw a bunch of goats was either a good billy or a nanny
coming downward about a mile in with horns that measured longer than
front of us. We glassed all the goats, nine inches — and I knew three of the
and although we saw several billy nannies in this group potentially met
goats up high, we decided to move that criteria. Kenny pointed out what
in on the group working downhill he considered the largest nanny in the
because we didn’t think any of the group. I agreed with his assessment
billies had horns more than 9 inch- and decided I would take that goat if
es long. I got the opportunity.
DON’T JUST DRAW BLOOD.

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RAMCATBROADHEADS.COM
Climbing
Memories Made
We watched the goats for about
half an hour before they moved into
an area that offered a good oppor-
tunity for a stalk. Surprisingly, it
didn’t take that long before I was
able to close to exactly 20 yards
from the nanny I was targeting. I
drew back my 70-pound bow and
let my arrow ly. I instantly knew it
found the mark, and the great nan-
ny only went 15 yards. Just one hour
into the hunt, my goat was on the
ground. My level excitement was
heightened when I walked up and
realized this nanny’s horns were
deinitely over 9 inches. In fact, she
measured at 9 7⁄8 inches and was the
second-largest goat harvested in
Colorado that year.
I carried the goat to a great vantage
point for pictures. Then I packed it a
mile back to camp, where we caped
and butchered the carcass and pre-
pared the meat, hide and horns for
the pack out of the high country. By
1 p.m., we were all done and getting
ready to hike down and camp at the
train pick-up location. Our packs
were now considerably heavier than
they were hiking in, making the go-
ing more dificult. But we made it
back to the train tracks by nightfall
and set camp. We would have to
wait until 3:45 the next afternoon to
catch our two-hour train ride back to
Durango.
The excitement of this goat hunt Mountain goats are beautiful animals that
present a unique challenge to bowhunters
was made up of all the components due to the rugged terrain they inhabit.
involved. The incredible ride on a
historic train was excellent. The help
I got from friends to make this hunt Pennsylvania bowhunter Matt
possible and also ilm the action was Guedes has pursued big game around the
great. The beauty of the Chicago Basin world. After many years of experiencing
area was overwhelming. The majesty the trials and tribulations faced by trav-
of the American Mountain Goat was eling hunters, he created his own book-
almost beyond description. These ing agency to connect fellow sportsmen
components, combined with reliable with reputable outitters. You can learn
gear and an accurate shot, made this more about Matt and the hunts he offers
trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience. at www.journeyhunts.com
Continued from page 104
foregrip complete with integrated
safety inger guards. The pistol grip
and foregrip both feature rubber in-
lays for added comfort and control.
Simple Slinging
When it comes to the “bow” por-
tion of the Assassin, Excalibur keeps
it simple — recurve simple. No cams,
cables, string or tuning/timing is-
sues that can complicate the process.
This is also one of the key features in
making these bows so bomb-proof.
The bow’s riser is short and stout,
made of thick, black anodized alu-
minum to give the limbs the needed
strength and support. It is attached
to the rail with a single bolt. The ris-
er’s front is scooped out for broad-
head clearance and also includes
mounting holes for the oversized
foot stirrup. Excalibur outits the
Assassin with a set of super-strong
and rugged recurve limbs made of
a custom, iberglass-blended resin
and tipped with the company’s Mag
SPEED & ENERGY
KINETIC
ENERGY Maximum Width:
353-GRAIN BOLT 354 fps 98.1 Maximum Length:
(EXCALIBUR) foot-pounds
Mass Weight:
332 fps 102.8
420-GRAIN BOLT foot-pounds Average Trigger Pull:
105.4 Length of Pull:
500-GRAIN BOLT 308 fps foot-pounds Maximum Shot Deviation at 35 Yards:
Tips. The bow is packed with vibra- Impressions
tion-killing accessories, including I am a big fan of the new Charge
Ex-Shox, R.E.D.S. string-suppression crank system — it is truly a game
system, String Stars, String bumpers, changer. A proper it couldn’t be
and R.A.V.S. (Recoil Anti-Vibration much easier, thanks to the toolless butt
System) silencers. stock and cheek piece adjustments,
and the Assassin’s accuracy was
What’s in the Box? among the best we’ve tested all year.
The Assassin comes as a com- I would like to see an auto-engag-
plete kit that includes the crossbow, ing trigger safety on future models
Tact Zone scope with 30mm rings, to maximize safety. The trigger was
R.E.D.S. suppressors, Air Brakes, a plus, with its lightweight engage-
four-bolt quiver, four Quill bolts ment. I also like the Assassin’s short
with 100-grain ieldpoints, Fail-Safe overall length and resulting maneu-
Strap, Bigfoot Stirrup and hard case. verability.
$
10 Off $
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RAZOR SHARP ACCURACY

FREE NOCK
 FIELD
TESTED
Tight Quiver, Tighter Groups
As an Eastern bowhunter, 90 percent of my time afield involves
sitting in treestands for whitetails. And, like most whitetail hunt-
ers, I’ve traditionally used a quiver simply to carry my arrows in and
out of the field — removing the quiver from my bow once on stand
and hanging it on a gear hook above my head. But after I got the
editor’s job at BOWHUNTING a decade ago, I started to do more
Western hunts for elk, mule deer and pronghorns. Most of those
are of the spot-and-stalk variety, which necessitates shooting with
your quiver on the bow. And over the course of time, I’ve come to
appreciate the benefits a bow-mounted quiver offers in terms of
keeping a follow-up arrow at the ready, with minimal movement
required. Several years back — after getting glowing reviews from
friends in the archery industry — I got a TightSpot quiver and haven’t
looked back. As the name implies, TightSpot quivers are designed
to sit tight against your bow’s riser, a key feature when it comes to
improving bow balance and reducing torque. TightSpot achieves this
narrow profile thanks to its patented, dovetail mounting bracket and
exclusive RightSpot three-way adjustment system that allows you
to move the quiver in and out, up and down and forward and back
to achieve perfect balance on your bow. In essence, this high level
of adjustability allows the TightSpot to do double duty as a quiver
and stabilizer, ultimately helping you hold steadier at full draw. And,
much like a stabilizer, the TightSpot also helps reduce bow noise and
vibration via numerous built-in dampening features, including the
woven carbon-fiber frame rods, acoustic dampening material in the
hood and a rubber bumper strip on the crossbar. Trust me; my bows
are quieter with the TightSpot installed than with no quiver at all.
The TightSpot also excels when it comes to arrow retention, thanks
to a patented Bulldog Gripper featuring arrow slots with an outer
compartment for larger-diameter arrows and an inner compartment
Defining Success
Every year, it seems there are a few trends
that emerge in the bowhunting market, and
2018 is certainly no exception. As our staff
walked the aisles at the archery industry’s
annual ATA Show back in January, it quickly
became clear rangefinding bowsights were an
area of emphasis for several manufacturers.
To be sure, the concept of combining a sight
and laser rangefinder into a single unit is an in-
teresting idea. But in spite of that, I was skep-
tical. I simply had trouble foreseeing a hunting
scenario where having this technology would
offer that great of an advantage over my usual
rangefinder that hangs around my neck at all
times. A few months later, however, I spent a week hunting axis
deer in Texas with some folks from FeraDyne Outdoors, and one
of the products we tested was the new IQ DEFINE Rangefinding
Sight. Naturally, it wasn’t long before I found myself in a situation
where the innovation was not only handy, but necessary. On the
second evening, I was hunting out of a manmade brush blind locat-
ed over a well-used waterhole. The wind was swirling for the entire
duration of the sit, which alerted the incoming herd of axis deer time
after time before a shot opportunity presented itself. Finally, two does
worked their way into the water — 22 yards away the DEFINE told
me as I drew back and activated the external trigger attached to the
grip of the bow. Just then, however, I was winded again and the doe
I was aiming at spooked to the other side of the water hole. With her
clearly on alert, I simply clicked again for a new range — 34 yards
— without letting down and sent my arrow on its way. The result
108 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
for small-diameter shafts. You can even cus-
tomize the fit of each slot simply by tightening
or loosening the ArrowWedge adjustments,
allowing you to create a snug, vibration-free fit
no matter what arrows you shoot. In fact, Tight-
Spot says its quiver has as much as 20 times the
arrow-gripping power of competitors, eliminating
the annoyance and expense associated with
getting back to the truck only to discover
you’ve lost an expensive arrow and broad-
head somewhere in the woods. Since I first
got my TightSpot, I’ve found myself using
it on more and more hunts — and taking the
quiver off my bow less and less. Sure, keeping your
quiver on adds a little weight, but the 5-arrow Tight-
Spot I have weighs just 3.5 ounces empty. Besides,
there’s a reason the world’s best target shooters add
weight to their bows; it just makes them more stable
on target. Finally, it’s worth noting TightSpot backs its
quivers with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. If
you ever break your quiver, at any time for any rea-
son, they’ll replace it with a new one, no questions
asked. And regardless of your hunting style, there’s a TightSpot for
you. The quiver is available in 3-, 5- or 7-arrow versions in various
finish options that include just about any kind of camouflage pattern
you can imagine. If you are in the market for a quiver, I’d encourage
you to give the TightSpot a look. It could be the last quiver you’ll ever
need. — Christian Berg, Editor
MSRP: $167.95
Contact: TightSpot, 406-388-2546; www.tightspotquiver.com
was some of the best wild game meat you can find heading home
to Pennsylvania with me! Had I not been equipped with this setup,
there would’ve been absolutely no chance to take a clean, ethical
shot at that doe. Simply put, I was proven wrong. So, how about fea-
tures? Well, let’s start with the fact that the rangefinder portion of the
DEFINE is built directly into the sight housing. The goal here was
to create better balance — which is super important because of the
added weight that you’re probably not used to — and a clearer line
of sight. The display has two key features — a blue yardage indica-
tor that ranges out to 99 yards with a
built-in angle compensation, and
a yellow battery indicator. The
trigger comes with adhesive
so you can find the mounting
position on the riser or grip
that fits you best. For sighting
in, you’ll start with a laser fea-
turing a visible red dot to calibrate your 20-
yard pin — the first of five bright fiber-optic pins. From there, the
micro-adjustable pins can be set just as you would with any other
sight. A bubble level, toolless adjustment, second- and third-axis
adjustment and an integrated sight light with five brightness lev-
els rounds out the package. And don’t let the price tag fool you.
Remember, with this two-in-one technology, you can now get a
sight and rangefinder for less than buying the two separate items.
— Drew Pellman, Sr. Digital Editor
MSRP:$379.99
Contact: FeraDyne Outdoors, 800-282-4868;
www.feradyne.com/iq-bowsights/
0 9 • 2018
AdaptAbility Total Comfort. Total Control. Accelerated Accuracy
 NEW
GEAR
Low-Light Looking
Adding to the popular BX-5 Santiam HD line, Leupold now offers
the binoculars in 8x42 and 10x42 models. The Twilight Max HD
light-management system allows for extend-
ed glassing in dim conditions. A lightweight
housing features a rubber armor coating for
easy-to-grip durability. BX-5 Santiam HD
binoculars are available in Shadow Gray or
Optifade Subalpine and backed by the Leupold
Full Lifetime Guarantee.
MSRP:$1,494.99-$1,624.99
Contact: Leupold, 800-538-7653;
www.leupold.com
Tack Driver
PSE’s all-new Drive X sets the standard when it
comes to value-priced performance, featuring amaz-
ing stability on target and an IBO speed rating of 332 fps.
The Drive X is built on a forged aluminum riser and has
a 7-inch brace height, measures 30 inches between the
axles, weighs 3.7 pounds, has 80 percent letoff, accom-
modates draw lengths from 25-31 inches and is available
with peak draw weights of 50, 60 or 70 pounds. Finish
options include black, Mossy Oak Break-Up Country
and many others.
MSRP:$499.99 (bow only);
$649.99 (ready-to-shoot package)
Contact: PSE, 520-884-9065; www.pse-archery.com
Keep It Cool
Ideal for camping, boating or big-game hunting, the new Cordova
Coolers 125 XL features a 32-gallon capacity and can hold up to
120 pounds of ice or 120 cans with a 2:1 ice-to-content ratio. A
TriLock, quad-core rubber gasket provides maximum seal, while
CNC-machined aluminum handles with an integrated bottle opener
offer durability. The 125 XL weighs
49 pounds and comes with a
lifetime warranty.
MSRP: $399.99
Contact: Cordova Coolers,
208-466-4370;
www.cordovacoolers.com
Rocky Rovers
Rocky’s Sport Pro rubber boots offer a rugged,
capable design built to take you wherever you need
to go. The 16-inch boots feature a multi-directional
outsole with an aggressive tread pattern, superior
waterproof protection and a removable, polyurethane
footbed for comfort. A stretch neoprene gusset with
locking strap offers universal fit. Sport Pro boots are
finished in Venator camo and come in whole sizes.
MSRP:$119.99
Contact: Rocky, 866-442-4908;
www.rockyboots.com
110 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
Sponsored by
www.lancasterarchery.com
Outdoor Ozone
Scent Crusher’s new Field Pro in-the-field ozone generator boasts
multi-directional vent ports for a 270-degree coverage area to help
you go undetected. The unit features four
cycle time options and three output
settings. A built-in USB charging
port allows you to keep your devices
charged. The Field Pro comes with all
the accessories you’ll need, including
a universal swivel mount, extension
arm, tree screw and carry case.
MSRP: $399.99
Contact: Scent Crusher, 877-575-3173; www.scentcrusher.com
Wayfinder for Women
Danner’s new Wayfinder boots are stealthy and sleek while provid-
ing comfortable functionality. The boots feature
durable suede and nylon uppers with a Danner
Dry waterproof lining. Optional 400-gram
Thinsulate Ultra offers additional warmth
and protection, while Danner’s Plyolite
midsole and a tactical lace-to-toe design
provide comfortable support. Women’s Way-
finder boots are available in solid brown or
Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo.
MSRP: $139.95-$149.95
Contact: Danner, 877-432-6637;
www.danner.com
Ultra HD Action
Now with 8X zoom and Ultra HD
4K resolution, the Tactacam 5.0
will help you capture the action
even in low-light conditions. New
Image Stabilization Technology
eliminates shock for crystal-clear footage,
and Facebook Live capability allows you to share
your hunt as it happens. The camera also acts as a
stabilizer for your rig, and weatherproof construction stands
up to the elements.
MSRP:$429.99
Contact: Tactacam, 844-482-2822; www.tactacam.com
2-in-1 Release Aid
The new Reo Wilde Signature Series GOAT
from T.R.U. Ball combines two popular activation
methods in one handheld release. The
GOAT can be used as a thumb-
activated trigger release or as a hinge
release. Switching between modes
takes just 30 seconds. The GOAT’s tapered handle is nickel-plated
brass on one side and black aluminum on the other and allows for
a three- or four-finger configuration. As a thumb-activated release,
the GOAT offers individual trigger travel and trigger sensitivity
screws. As a hinge, choose between a medium click or no click.
MSRP: $344.99
Contact: T.R.U. Ball Archery, 434-929-2800; www.truball.com
0 9 • 2018
YOU’VE GOT YOUR HANDS FULL

WE’VE GOT
YOUR BACK

INTRODUCING THE TX SERIES

Featuring six premium whitetail packs to hold it all so you’re hands-free to bring in your biggest haul yet.

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GEAR Most Durable, Tunable
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The Magne’ Drop Arrow Rest with the NEW Raven Claw
launcher offers improved arrow capture even with extreme up
pressure, with no top bar interference.
Quick Sight “Elite” Buck Rub Gear
BuckRubGear.com
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 Frozen Peak Estrus
eye alignment for much greater accuracy…with- Deer Urine
out bow contracting or string twisting to correct Peak Estrus Deer urine is collected
the issue of accuracy. Made in America. Licensed from a doe in her standing heat
product of Mossy Oak® using a proprietary collection
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tate, extend, lower, or raise your shoulder 1-800-232-6064
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Stack multiple mounts in one spot, or hang
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112 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 0 9 • 2018

 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
PSE® EVOLVE® 35
The PSE® Evolve® 35 has been engineered to be
the most comfortable 35" axle-to-axle hunting bow
ever made. Powered by the acclaimed EVOLVE®
Cam System (ECS) with up to 90% letoff, the
bow features an ultra-stiff forged riser design,
Wide-Track Limb System, Wedge Lock™ Speed
Pocket, and all-new Flex Rod System™…deliver-
ing amazing shot stability, deadeye accuracy, and
340 fps shooting power.
PSE ARCHERY
520-884-9065
pse-archery.com
The Rocky Sport Pro Rubber Boot —
Built For The Hunt
Designed from the ground up for unmatched traction,
performance and durability — the Rocky Sport Pro Rub-
ber Boot will keep you dry, comfortable and in the hunt.
Rocky Boots
Rockyboots.com
Table Hooker
The Skull Hooker Table Hooker is a
unique display for your hard-earned
trophies. Stable, streamlined, profes-
sionally finished, and angle adjustable
for that perfect presentation. Wall
mounts also available.
Skull Hooker
541-887-8622
Skullhooker.com
www.b owhuntingmag.com
Wasp DART
The NEW 4-Blade DART features a 100%
Stainless Smart Tip, and .027"-thick stainless-steel
blades. The lightweight, aerodynamic aluminum ferrule
has a 1 1⁄8" x 1 1⁄8" cutting diameter for an incredible
total cutting surface of 2 1⁄4". It comes with two extra
sets of replacement blades.
MSRP —$37.99
Wasp Archery
Wasparchery.com
Scent Crusher® Field Pro™
The all-new Field Pro is unlike any other
in-the-field ozone generator on the market.
Sixty percent more Ozone output. Over 50%
quieter than others on the market. Directional
vent ports on the front and sides create a
270-degree coverage area. Packed with
hunter-friendly features like four cycle times,
LED lights (three different colors), adjustable
output settings, and a built-in USB charging
port. It comes with everything you need to
head straight to the woods with it.
MSRP — $399.99
Scent Crusher
319-830-0849
Scentcrusher.com
The SteppLadder
Go mobile with the SteppLadder! The SteppLadder allows you
to design your climb in any tree, anywhere, with the most
versatile lightweight and compact climbing system. Designed
to provide for a much safer climb to your treestand or saddle
platform by supporting both feet as you climb. The compact
carry bag and lightweight Stepps redefine the Run-and-Gun
style of hunting.
Wild Edge Inc.
Wildedgeinc.com
PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING 113
 2018 HEAD-TO-HEAD BROADHEAD TEST
THE COMPETITORS
Continued from page 52
an opening for the main blades that deploy im-
mediately after initial penetration. The Backflip’s
TRU-THRU precision-sharpened blades measure
.031-inch thick and are made of stainless steel.
TRUGLO BACKFLIP Small wings on the blades create a in-flight pro-
file of just .625-inch and open the main blades in
an over-the-top motion to a generous 1.5-inch
cutting diameter upon impact. TruGlo’s broad-
head designs undergo spin and sharpness test-
ing to ensure they meet performance standards.
A broadhead wrench and replacement blades
are included.
MSRP: $45 per 3
WAC’EM STEEL EXP www.truglo.com
Wac’Em Steel EXP
Wac’Em’s all stainless steel expandable is
available in 2- and 3-blade versions, both with a
1.5-inch cutting diameter. The 3-blade model
included in our test has a Total Cutting Potential
of 2.168 inches. The tip features a cut-on-con-
WASP JAK-HAMMER on impact while also concealing the blade tips to
prevent them from deploying until the head is
deep enough to contact the smaller wings,
114 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
which pull the main blades open. This design is
intended to maximize penetration and increase
the percentage of pass-throughs. Blades are
stainless steel and measure .027-inch thick.
Each pack includes one Nockturnal Strobing FIT
illuminated nock.
MSRP: $44.99 per 3
www.wacemarchery.com
Wasp Jak-Hammer
Wasp’s popular Jak-Hammer features a stain-
less steel tip and blades built on a solid aluminum
ferrule. The three edges of the Trocar-style Stain-
less Smart Tip (SST) are pre-aligned at the fac-
tory with the three stainless-steel blades to create
a straight cut path for greater penetration and
bigger wound channels. The SST is pressed-on for
superior durability. Blades are retained in flight by
a neoprene O-Ring, which is said to never weath-
er, crack or break down, even in the coldest tem-
peratures. The tips of the .036-inch thick blades
are designed to catch the target and cam over the
top to a fully opened position where they reach a
1.75-inch cutting diameter.
MSRP: $34.99 per 3
www.wasparchery.com
0 9 • 2018
 TECHNICAL
CROSSBOW TEST
M
ission, like its parent
company Mathews, is
obsessed with accura-
cy and winning, and they do
both quite well!
A few examples: the new SUB-1
crossbow, which is the subject of this
test, made six of six NFAA podiums,
12 of 12 IBO podiums and 15 of 15
ASA podiums in 2018. In fact, the
SUB-1 gets its name from the abili-
ty to stack bolts into a group of less
than 1 inch at 100 yards.
The SUB-1’s accuracy is a product
of many features and technologies
working together, including the two-
stage, match-grade trigger, adjustable
stock and cheek piece, balanced RS
Tread riser and SYNC X Cam system.
Match-Grade Accuracy
Mission is all about accuracy, and
it starts with their 3.4-pound trig-
ger. It is called match-grade, as it
possesses the precision and quality
needed for competition, which lets
you know you have the best avail-
able trigger on your hunting bow. It
is also a two-stage model, meaning
your irst pull is to position the trig-
ger at the breaking point (some call
this take-up or removing the slack)
and your second pull actuates the
trigger and bolt release with little
additional travel. A two-stage trig-
ger is often associated with superior
Mission’s SUB-1 is built to be the most accurate crossbow ever made. The Benchmark
Fire Control System consists of a two-stage, match-grade trigger, Easy-Load Bolt Reten-
tion Arm and the super easy de-cocking button. An adjustable butt stock and cheek piece
position the shooter for maximum success, while the high-letoff SYNC X cam system, split
limbs and RS Riser work together to generate 400-grain bolt speeds of 350 fps.
116 PETERSEN’S BOWHUNTING
BY JON E. SILKS
Mission SUB-1
accuracy. The fully contained rolling total of 1.25 inches and is also revers-
sear removes friction for a smooth able to accommodate both left- and
overall trigger action. right-handed shooters. Both cheek
This trigger also features an auto- piece and butt plate are overmold-
engaging safety. A bolt detector is ed with rubber for a softer feel and
pushed out of the way when a bolt quieter operation.
is loaded, which in turn allows the A machined aluminum stock
trigger safety to be disengaged. Bot- frame is anchored to the bottom
tom line — it will not allow the rig of the rail and includes the trigger
to be dry ired. Mission’s Easy-Load guard and mounting structure for the
Bolt Retention Arm applies consis- injection-molded composite foregrip,
tent pressure to the bolt, holding it which has integrated inger guards
securely in place. Continued on page 118
Years ago, when you were done
hunting with a crossbow, you had
to ire the bolt to uncock the bow.
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturers have been tackling Manufacturer:
that problem recently, but it doesn’t
get much easier or quicker than Mis-
sion’s De-Cocking Button. Simply
Model:
reattach your cocking rope, push Safety Features:
the button, pull up on the rope and
slowly let the string down. That’s it. Riser:
Comfort Adjust Cam System:
Mission’s machined aluminum rail String:
plays a big role in the overall struc- Cables (x2):
ture of the SUB-1 as it stretches almost Limbs:
the entire length of the rig and serves Draw Weight:
as the top-level anchor for all other
Power stroke:
components. Attached to the rear of
the rail is Mission’s injection-molded
Stock/Forearm:
composite butt stock that can be ad-
justed to one of multiple positions for Grip:
a total length-of-pull change of 1.25 Overall Advertised Length:
inches, from 14.5 to 15.75 inches. The Weight (crossbow only):
cheek piece/comb is also adjustable a
Finish:
Advertised Speed:
Suggested Retail Price:
Comments:
0 9 • 2018
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SPEED & ENERGY
KINETIC
ENERGY
420-GRAIN BOLT 343 fps 109.75
(MISSION) foot-pounds
318 fps 112.3
500-GRAIN BOLT foot-pounds
Continued from page 116
and several rubber inlays per side.
The add-on pistol grip is attached
to the frame with a single bolt and
features inger contours and multi-
textured, overmolded material. A
rubber strip is glued to the bottom
of the rail behind the pistol grip to
provide comfort and insulation for
the top of the shooter’s hand.
Integrated Stirrup
Mission’s integrated Riser Step
(RS) Tread design eliminates the
need for a foot stirrup as it allows
the shooter to secure the bow during
the cocking process. This design also
places the entire crossbow closer to
the ground, keeping the total draw
cycle in your power range for a
much easier overall effort. A stan-
dard cocking rope is included with
all Mission crossbows, with an op-
tional RSD crank-cocking aid also
available. A bubble level is attached
to the top of the riser to aid in consis-
tent aiming and improved accuracy.
SUB-1 split limbs measure 10.25
inches long and are CNC machined
from industry-standard Gordon
composite material. Limbs are short
and wide to create enhanced torsion-
al rigidity and evenly distributed
stress and energy with the expected
result of improved accuracy. Limbs
are aligned to the riser through the
company’s machined aluminum
limb pockets. Mission’s Adjustable
Limb Retention System (ALRS) uses
extra-long limb bolts, which make
it possible to relax the string and
cables for in-ield maintenance.
The new SYNC X Cam was in-
spired by Mathews’ innovative NO
CAM system. Advertised speeds
are 350 fps with a 400-grain bolt.
Mission forces the black anodized
Maximum Width:
Maximum Length:
Mass Weight:
Average Trigger Pull:
Length of Pull:
Maximum Shot Deviation at 35 Yards:
aluminum cams to work together
through their cable mapping, which
results in a system that will not lose
its “tune.” System letoff is 80 percent
for easy cocking and de-cocking, as
well a smoother bolt launch. Rath-
er than have the string hammer the
bolt full force immediately, the high
letoff creates controlled acceleration
of the bolt from the time the trigger
is pulled until it leaves the rail. This
results in more consistent launch/
release and improved bolt stabiliza-
tion for tighter downrange groups.
To help better understand this pro-
cess, Mission offers a side-by-side
video of the SUB-1 string release vs.
a competitor that you can watch on-
line (tiny.cc/missionsub1). Mission
outits the SUB-1 with its popular
and proven Zebra string and cables.
What’s in the Box?
The SUB-1 comes with a soft case
and cocking rope. Other package op-
tions and accessories are available.
Impressions
One thing you never need to wor-
ry about when it comes to Mission is
quality. Their rigs are generally law-
less in it, form and function. The
new De-Cocking button is simple
and fast. I timed myself de-cocking
the SUB-1, and it took me fewer than
15 seconds — with the cocking rope
laying on my lap to start. Easy!
The effort to cock the SUB-1 is
minimal. Stock adjustability is a
useful feature, and I was able to get
this bow to it me very well. Speeds
were good and where you would
expect them; maybe even a little
higher considering the advertised
speeds. The SUB-1 is a good, all-
around crossbow that is easy to use
and effective!
0 9 • 2018
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