Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2019 i Petersen's Bowhunting

The bowhunting community loves a good argument. If you don’t believe me, just lock a bunch of bowhunters in a room and don’t let them out until they unanimously agree on their favorite brand of bow, style of broadhead or big-game species to pursue. Trust me; you’ll be waiting a loooong time to unlock that exit! Another favorite subject that generates plenty of “spirited debate” in bowhunting circles is the moon’s influence — or lack thereof — on daylight deer activity. Many hunters swear by the moon as a reliable indicator of deer movement, while others insist the moon has absolutely no impact whatsoever. So, which group is right? Well, truth be told, there is evidence to support both sides of the argument. Every year, scores of giant bucks are…

When we first got our start in archery, it was a really foreign experience for us. We didn’t have the opportunity to get professional coaching from the best in the sport, so we mostly learned on our own. Along the way, we developed some bad habits that were difficult to identify, much less rid ourselves of. One of those bad habits was dropping our bow arm right before, during or after the shot. It was very easy to move the bow out of the way and try to peek at where the arrow was going. We did this for a long time because we didn’t know that dropping our bow arm (peeking) was a bad thing. We saw several top archers at the local club moving their bows at the…

“I am fully confident that what you are about to discover will forever change the way you hunt deer and other big game.”— Jeff Murray It has been more than 20 years since that statement caught my attention, and Jeff was right. In fact, what came next was quite a learning experience — one that has led to a pretty successful career chasing mature whitetail bucks with a bow. In fact, at the risk of sounding boastful, I feel it is important to let you know right up front that since I discovered Jeff’s deer-hunting “secret,” I’ve killed 10 bucks that scored 170 inches or more — including four that grossed more than 200 inches! As a young bowhunter — one who didn’t enjoy nearly the success I do today…

Manufacturer: Gearhead Archery, 608-370-8016; gearheadarchery.com Model: B30 Riser: Super Structure, aluminum, reflex Grip: 1911, Pick-a-Grip system Limbs: Gordon Composites, Limb Shield, beyond parallel Draw Weights: 55, 65 or 75 pounds peak Cam System: RA Cam, two-track Letoff: Adjustable up to 85 percent (via limb stops); 83.2 percent (as tested) Draw Lengths: 25 1/2-31 1/2 inches; modular String: Head Hunter, BCY X99, 59 1/4 inches Cables (x2): Head Hunter, BCY X99, 34 3/8 inches Brace Height: 5 1/4-7 inches, adjustable Axle-to-Axle Length: 30 1/2 inches Weight: 4.5 pounds (advertised); 4.7 pounds (as tested) Finish: Black, KUIU Verde 2.0 Advertised IBO Speed: 337 fps Suggested Retail Price: $1,299 Comments: Quiet and well-balanced, with very little kick or vibration.…

Whether you bowhunt, shoot competitively or both, you have to deal with pressure and nerves. Growing up hunting, I got buck fever with the best of them. I made the shot sometimes and didn’t sometimes, but I never really questioned why. Shooting competitively as an amateur, I don’t remember ever getting nervous, much less trying to learn how to shoot through it. However, when I turned pro and my house payment, next year’s contract and about $20,000-$30,000 was on the line, the heaviness of the situation began to sink in.When you’re bowhunting, you’re only under that pressure maybe a few times a season. As a professional archer, though, those nerves are real every weekend — you quickly learn how to deal with them or you go away, simple as that.…

MILLENNIUM M7 MICROLITE Lightweight (8.5 pounds), sturdy (300-pound capacity) and comfortable (comfort-MAX seat), the M7 Microlite is ideal for those with long treks in and out of the deer woods. This hang-on stand accepts Millennium’s CamLOCK Receiver system, allowing multiple trees to be hunted with a single M7 Microlite. The stand’s aluminum frame measures 26 inches long by 20.5 inches wide, tapering to six inches wide at the back, and its seat is 20 inches high. The seat also folds easily out of the way for standing shots. The M7 Microlite is covered in a durable, powder-coat finish for years of use in various weather conditions. $220.49 | millenniumstands.com ALPS OUTDOORZ EXTREME CONTENDER X The Extreme Contender X has a 30-liter/1,850-cubic-inch capacity to help hold whatever gear is necessary for…

Here’s how to calculate the FOC (front-of-center balance point) percentage of your bolt/broadhead combination. Keep in mind that experts generally recommend an FOC in the 10-15 percent range for crossbow-hunting setups. 1. Measure the bolt length (with broadhead installed) from tip to tip, divide by two to determine the center point and then mark that point on the bolt. 2. Use another object such as a pencil and place the bolt perpendicular to it until you find the balance point where it rests horizontally without tipping in either direction. Mark this point (which should fall somewhere between your center point and the broadhead). 3. Measure the distance between your center point and your balance point, then multiply by 100. 4. Divide that number by the overall bolt length to determine…

Manufacturer: Excalibur, 800-463-1817; excaliburcrossbow.com Model: Micro 360 TD Pro Safety Features: Guardian Anti-Dry Fire, trigger safety, finger guards Riser: Machined extrusion, Micro QLT 6 Back String: Dyneema, 25.75 inches Limbs: Compact Recurve Technology (CRT), Micro limbs Draw Weight: 285 pounds straight pull, 12 pounds with Charger EXT crank Power Stroke: 10.125 inches Stock/Forearm: Injection-molded, 33-percent-glass-reinforced nylon Grip: Pistol, soft-touch wrapped Overall Advertised Length: 33.75 inches Weight (crossbow only): 5.6 pounds (advertised); 7.3 pounds (as tested) Finish: Mossy Oak Break-Up Country, Kryptek Altitude Advertised Speed: 360 fps with 350-grain bolt Suggested Retail Price: $1,599.99 Comments: Compact, quick and convenient to carry.…

THE MOONGUIDE features circular dials that allow you to simply slide the viewing window to the desired date to find peak hunting times for that date. The front of the MoonGuide includes a dial that covers data for August, September and October, while the dial on the back of the guide covers data for November, December and January. Dates are printed on the outer edge of the MoonGuide, with information for each date displayed in the dial’s viewing window when the arrow is aligned with that date. Dates printed in red ink indicate Red Moon days when peak moon times for daylight activity coincide with peak hunting times around dawn and dusk. The MoonGuide displays five pieces of information for each date — two times, two recommendations for what areas…

ROBERT FROST once said,“Don’t ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up.”Well, I don’t read much poetry, but I think of this quote every time I see an old cedar fence post rubbed to its core by whitetail bucks. It’s actually fairly common in ranching states to find fence posts rubbed down into hourglass shapes or broken off at the base and sharpened like a pencil. In fact, back in October 2017, my partner and founder of Prairie Rock Outfitters, Ryan Livingston, found a very interesting location along Nebraska’s fabled North Platte River. He called me one day and said,“Man, there’s a spot down along the river that has some old fence posts that are rubbed down to nothing.” My response was,“Let’s get some trail…

Gearhead recently introduced its B-Series line of bows, with models measuring 20, 24, 30, 34, 36 and 40 inches between the axles. This series is designed for a wide range of adjustment in grip position, brace height, grip style, draw length, draw weight and letoff. In this review, we’ll take a look at the 30-inch model, the B30. The B30 features Gearhead’s skeletonized Super Structure riser, an independent shelf/grip unit that allows for right- or left-handed use, Pick-a-Grip system, Gordon Composites split limbs, RA (Rotational Adjustment) two-track cams and much more. Super Structure Strength Gearhead’s vertical bows are easily recognized by their unique, two-plate riser design that gives them both a skeletal and tactical look. The real benefit, though, lies in what the riser does in a practical way for…

Wireless trail cameras are all the rage these days, as more and more bowhunters embrace the convenience of “scouting” while seated behind a desk or on the living room couch. After all, there’s not much more exciting than being miles from your hunting property only to have your wireless camera send an image showing there’s a giant buck standing in front of your stand right now! Moultrie has been at the forefront of wireless trail-cam technology since 2007, when the company introduced the industry’s first cellular camera. Moultrie has built on that history of innovation ever since, culminating with this summer’s release of the all-new Moultrie Mobile Cellular Camera that combines a high-performance trail camera and 4G cellular modem in a single, affordable unit that is extremely simple to use.…

Every-Man Huntwear Designed with the modern outdoorsman in mind, Thiessens’ new Whitetail lineup features purpose-built clothing that is super-comfortable but won’t break the bank. The V1 Whitetail Midweight Series, for example, includes pants, a hoodie, a vest and a jacket (shown), all available in Realtree Edge camouflage for the ultimate in concealment. The jacket is lined with moisture-wicking, anti-odor-treated grid fleece, while a water-resistant treatment is applied to its outer shell. Wind Defense technology and articulated construction round out this versatile garment. MSRP: $79.99 | Contact: Thiessens; thiessens.com Entering a New Sektor New for 2019, October Mountain Products’ Sektor Series recurves are made from zebrawood and phenolic composite. The Sektor pocketless, pin-style riser and Sektor ILF riser are cut 3/64-inch past center, feature a crowned arrow shelf and measure 17…

When I found the big one, I’d been in-state for three weeks. I’d never seen an elk like him before. In the mid-’80s, my yearly routine consisted of a seven-week trip to the alpine zone of the Weminuche Wilderness of southwestern Colorado. On fire with passion for my chosen endeavor, I’d hit a trailhead and strike out for high, remote places. Living far above the treeline for a month and a half, I’d become as tough as boot leather. Whether cold, wet, famished or fatigued, it was all a welcomed rite of passage. That season, I’d been looking over many alpine basins that had become part of my rotation over the past few years, and as always, elk were plentiful. Throwing in an occasional bear and buck sighting, I was…