Petersen's Bowhunting is the source for the tactics, tools, and techniques necessary for successful bowhunting. Get practical shooting tips and useful information on archery, equipment tests, clothing, and product evaluations.
EVERYBODY KNOWS they’re going to die someday, but that doesn’t mean we spend much time thinking about it. When we do, it’s often in a joking manner. For example, I often chuckle at this humorous adage: Life is a sexually transmitted disease that begins at conception, and the death rate is 100 percent! Joke all we like, but every one of us has an expiration date — and it isn’t stamped on our foreheads like the outside of a milk carton. Assuming sufficient income to live comfortably and good enough health to climb into a treestand, I think most of us would like to live to 103. But truth be told, tomorrow is promised to no one. So, with that sobering thought, I present The Bucket List Issue , our…
DURING THE WARM SUMMER month of July, I do my best to avoid big bucks. I try not to even think about them, steering clear of backwoods trails or any country that may cause the brakes in my Chevy to lock up, my brain evaporating to mush at the mere glance of a velvet king. You see, my passion for bowhunting is so consuming that when I’m “in it,” it eats up every ounce of my soul. So, with opening day still a ways off, I honestly force myself to avoid seeing those majestic summer bucks as long as I can. I just feel I owe it to my family, my ranch and the production of our TV show to be mentally present for a while, until the beauty and…
“YOU HAVE TOO MANY DEER!” I hear this all the time, and the landowners I work with regularly report hearing the same statement. My impulse response is, “Really? Thank you for the free population census. I’m curious; how many deer do I have, and how many do you think I should have?” Crickets. My clients (and my kids) see things differently. When they spend time on a new property or hunt with a poorly managed outfitting operation, they often ask, “Where are all your deer, and why aren’t you working to elevate your carrying capacity?” You don’t have to be a wildlife biologist to speak their language and understand the difference between a property where you can see several bucks during a three-hour sit versus a property where you’ll rarely…
LAST MONTH, I encouraged all you index-finger release aid shooters to try a handheld release — specifically one with a thumb trigger (as opposed to a hinge-style or resistance-activated release). This month, I’d like to discuss why they might be just the ticket to improve your hunting accuracy. We’ll get into the basics, as well as the fine intricacies of shooting this style of release aid. I’d also like to give you some recommendations as to which styles might work best for hunting. Choosing a Release When selecting a handheld release aid, two considerations are critical. First, you must find a release aid that fits your hand well. The best place to do this is at a very well-stocked archery pro shop. Or, if you are the sociable type, you…
I AM SUPPOSED to share things I have learned from 30-plus years of bowhunting. That’s how long I have been writing for Petersen’s BOWHUNTING . Back in November, I wrote about my four “best” lessons. Truth be told, there are lots of things I have learned about bowhunting over the years, so I am going to revisit this subject with four more lessons. Where to Aim It seems I have had more than my share of bucks that moved while the arrow was in the air. In almost all cases, they dropped at the sound of the shot to load their legs in order to bound off. It’s called “string jumping,” and this phenomenon is a much bigger problem than I ever suspected. Now, the No. 1 decision I have…
YOU JUST GOT a new crossbow and now it’s time to accessorize. Or maybe you just want to modernize your old, favorite flat bow with something new. Whether you really need them, or just need to scratch the itch by buying something new for your crossbow, here’s a sampling of some of the latest accessories: Optics We covered new optics in the last issue so I’ll spare you the details. Suffice to say, the big trend this year is built-in rangefinders and there’s a trio with leading-edge technology. Burris’ Oracle X Rangefinding Crossbow Scope, Garmin’s XERO X1i Crossbow Scope and Halo Optics’ Hyper X Laser-Rangefinding Scope all feature built-in laser rangfinding, automatic reticle adjustment and angle compensation at the push of a button, all while you remain ready to shoot…
