Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2021 i Petersen's Bowhunting

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…

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…

WE HAVE repeatedly heard archers say things like, “I prefer my arrows on the stiff side,” or, “I’d rather my arrows be too stiff than too weak.” We used to say similar things ourselves, but we’re not so sure this conventional wisdom holds true. One tournament season, one of us found himself stuck between two recommended spines. For years, he shot arrows “on the stiff side.” But, because he was chasing the podium, he wanted to see how both spines would group when shot side by side. He thought the stiffer-spined arrows would win out. Well, not only did the weaker (more flexible) ones group better, he jumped from the middle of the pack to the top of the podium! As a result, he set out to learn all he…

Shelter/Sleep System Your shelter is the most important gear you’ll have on a solo, backcountry bowhunt. It’s your home away from home to keep you out of the elements! Do NOT skimp on any of this gear, or you'll pay the price! Find a shelter that fits your style and needs. For me, it’s a lightweight, two-person tent with a floor and an ultralight down sleeping bag with a quality sleeping pad to go underneath. Remember, no sleep equals no energy. So, make sure your shelter and sleep system are capable of keeping you warm and dry regardless of the elements. Clothing On a solo hunt, you’re literally living off your back with whatever you carry in. I want to go as light as possible yet still have enough clothing…

Manufacturer: Wicked Ridge Crossbows, 330-628-9245; wickedridgecrossbows.com Model: NXT 400 Safety Features: Dry Fire Inhibitor, auto trigger safety, safety wings Riser: Compact, machined aluminum, black anodized Cam System: RX-6, Dual, Spiral Cable Groove String: Brownell Rhino, doubled center serving, 31.5625 inches Cables (x4): Brownell Rhino, 12.75 inches Limbs: Dual Flex, Split, Gordon Composites Draw Weight: 200 pounds Power Stroke: 15.5 inches Grip: Pistol grip, contoured Stock/Forearm: Functionally Superior Bullpup (FSB) Finish: Peak Camo Advertised Speed: 400 fps with a 20.5-inch, 400-grain bolt Suggested Advertised Price: $1,099.99 Comments: Fast, narrow and built to hunt.…

LASER ACCURACY $799 Burris Optics; burrisoptics.com The Oracle 2 Rangefinding Bow Sight determines the exact aim-point to your target, complete with compensation for shot angle. Highlights include an auto-brightness sensor that changes pin brightness for ambient lighting, toolless laser aimpoint adjustment and the ability to tweak the second and third axis for fine-tuning. This rangefinder features a durable, water-resistant aluminum housing and glassless sight window to ensure glare and fog don’t obstruct your view. ULTRA-QUIET POWER $429.99 Harbor Freight Tools; harborfreight.com When you’re camping and enjoying the outdoors, the last thing you want is a noisy generator to disturb the peace and quiet. Harbor Freight’s Predator 1400W Quiet Inverter Generator is designed to power small appliances, personal devices, laptops and more, all while humming along at a quiet 60dB. It…

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…

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…

ELITE ARCHERY HAS invested heavily in the overall experience of those who choose to spend their hard-earned money on one of the company’s bows. The cornerstone of that experience is “shootability," which the company calls the hallmark trait of its bows. The new EnKore is designed to demonstrate Elite’s focus on shoot-ability with its ASYM Tri-Track cam system and Versa Performance Mod, wide-stance BulletProof limbs and S.E.T. tuning technology built into the StabiLock limb pockets. Dual Riser Cages enhance stiffness and performance, while the Precision Grip offers functionality and comfort. Meanwhile, the LTR Roller cable-management system offers adjustable tension to help archers dial-in a perfect tune. Versatile Engine Elite’s machined aluminum ASYM Tri-Track cam system is largely responsible for the EnKore’s performance and adjustability. Not only is it designed to…

Unless you have a direct recommendation from family or a friend for the hunt you’re interested in, consider using a booking consultant, since they typically have longstanding relationships with numerous outfitters that target the quarry you’re after. A consultant can make planning your entire trip a seamless process, since they either handle or have partners who help with everything from airfare to licensing. Plus, it’s their reputation on the line if you book though them. So, they want to ensure you have a world-class experience. “I think the key is for the customer to establish a relationship with the consultant and make sure the consultant understands your priorities, whether it’s a good, overall hunting experience or trophy quality is of higher importance,” said Worldwide Trophy Adventures’ Berger. “I often tell…

HAVE YOU EVER heard the country song Goodbye Earl by The Chicks? In it, an abusive husband is “eliminated” for good reasons. It seems he was a real thorn in the side of everyone, primarily his spouse. So, a plan was made to feed him some rank black-eyed peas. After Earl croaked, he was wrapped up in a tarp and “taken for a ride.” The authorities made a cursory investigation into his disappearance, but no one really cared what had happened to him , 'cause... Earl had to die. Last whitetail season, Peg and I spent a quiet November bowhunting on a place destined to become dear to our hearts. The dirt was our first — and likely last — venture into the land-ownership game. Not knowing what to expect…

“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…

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…

Manufacturer: Elite Archery, 877-503-5483; elitearchery.com Model: EnKore Riser: Machined aluminum, Dual Riser Cages Grip: Precision Grip, machined with wood side plates Limbs: BulletProof, split Draw Weights: 40, 50, 60, 65 and 70 pounds peak Draw Lengths: 23-30 inches, in quarter-inch increments; rotating module Cam System: Dual ASYM Tri-Track Letoff: 70-90 percent, adjustable; 75.1 percent (as tested) String: Winner’s Choice, BCY 452X, 59.375 inches Cables (x2): Winner’s Choice, BCY 452X, 37 inches Brace Height: 6 inches Axle-to-Axle Length: 33 inches Weight: 4.55 pounds (advertised); 4.5 pounds (as tested) Finish Options: Ninja Black, Realtree Edge (pictured) and many more Advertised IBO Speed: Up to 340 fps (at 80 percent letoff) MSRP: $1,099 Comments: Maintains shootability, with an assertive draw and good performance.…

TENPOINT IS PRACTICALLY synonymous with crossbow hunting, allowing it to pour years of experience, technology and ingenuity into its Wicked Ridge line. The NXT 400 — Wicked Ridge’s flagship 2021 crossbow — features the company’s RX-6 dual cam system with spiral cable grooves, Dual Flex split limbs, Tri-Lock limb pockets, a molded PolyOne OnForce one-piece stock/foregrip unit, aluminum barrel and a T5 trigger that employs the auto-engaging safety and Dry Fire Inhibitor features. Smokin! The NXT 400 is advertised to produce a true speed of 400 fps using a 400-grain bolt. It all starts with the RX-6 Cam system, designed with a spiral cable groove that allows for greater rotation and increased potential for speed. The string is also drawn from the far side of the cams to add length…