Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2021 i Petersen's Bowhunting

EVEN BEFORE shooting light arrived on the first morning of my 2020 Montana elk hunt, we had located a massive herd bull with his cows in a meadow below our vantage point. Quickly making plans for an ambush, I barreled down into the timber with Outfitter Rich Schneider of J&J Guide Service and cameraman Jim Thompson in tow. We’d made it halfway to the meadow when we saw cows moving uphill toward us. Dropping to my knees, I barely had time to grab my release aid before the massive, 6x6 bull stepped into the open. As the 370-class monarch turned and faced directly toward us, I realized I was totally exposed and unable to move a muscle. I couldn’t believe it. Here we were — 15 minutes into a weeklong…

MY NO. 1 nightmare is that I am standing at my locker in my underwear and can’t remember the combination. None of the other kids seem to notice, but I know it is just a matter of time before everyone is pointing and laughing. I wake up in a sweaty panic during the middle of the night, wild-eyed with fear. Fortunately, that one has never happened in real life. Unfortunately, my No. 2 nightmare has happened — repeatedly — and that makes it all the worse. The very buck I have hunted all season long is in bow range, but I do something stupid and he bolts out of my nightmare and into my reality. Having experienced this disappointment more times than I care to recall, the goal of my…

LIVING IN THE Pacific Northwest, we are no strangers to the rain. Our best tip to deal with wet conditions is “don’t go out in it.” While some of us will skip a tournament or delay a morning hunt when we see it’s a downpour, others will go out and give it their best. Over the years, we’ve had more than our fair share of rainy-day shooting experiences, and even though it's a challenge, we have learned a few tricks and tips. A lot of times a "little rain" doesn’t really affect the shootability of our equipment, but it can cause some of our equipment to gum up or even rust. So, keeping things such as releases, axles, rests and roller guards properly lubricated is important. We suggest following the…

NEXT TO BRUISER BUCKS, few things get bowhunters as excited as massive elk. From the sounds of rut-crazed bulls screaming their heads off to the adrenaline rush of standing at full draw mere yards from one of North America’s largest game species, there are so many things to love about hunting what many consider our most majestic big-game animal. Every year, dozens of big-racked bulls are taken, from northern Alberta to the pine- and juniper-filled canyons of the Southwest, making magical memories for archery hunters. Highlighting last year’s crop of incredible elk is a quartet of true trophies, including a new world record non-typical. Read on if you love enormous antlers and the incredible stories behind them. THE WORLD RECORD BULL Shawn O’Shea, Alberta If you’re talking…

Manufacturer: PSE Archery, 520-884-9065; psearchery.com Model: EVO EVL 32 Riser: Machined aluminum, reflex Grip: Molded Overlay ComfortGrip Limbs: X-Tech, split, pre-loaded Draw Weights: 50, 60, 65, 70 and 80 pounds peak Cam System: Evolve 4-Track Binary Letoff: Adjustable to 80, 85 or 90 percent; 87.3 percent as tested Draw Lengths: 25-30.5-inches, in half-inch increments; rotating module String: BCY 452, 59.5 inches Cables (x2): BCY 452, 37.37 inches Brace Height: 6.25 inches Axle-to-Axle Length: 32 inches Weight: 4.5 pounds (advertised and as tested) Finish: Black, Tan or your choice of five camouflage options Advertised IBO Speeds: 341-345 fps MSRP: $1,099.99 Comments: High marks for performance and overall shooting experience.…

VERSATILE SCENT CONTROL $599.99 Ozonics; ozonicshunting.com The Orion X features the power of Ozonics’ best-selling Orion unit combined with the Smart Arm Mounting System for the most versatile and effective scent-control technology available today. The unit eliminates human odors by converting oxygen to ozone and introducing this odor-killing molecule into the downwind airstream, while the Smart Arm lets you adjust the unit’s direction and position with the simple twist of a knob. The result is maximum protection downwind to ensure you won’t spook that big buck as it approaches the stand! COMFORT AND SAFETY $363.99 Millennium Treestands; millenniumstands.com Sturdy construction and a comfortable, tight-sling seat make the L110 ladder stand perfect for a quick hunt or all-day sit. The three ladder sections allow you to set the height from 8-21…

I LIKE TO THINK I’ve earned my stripes as a buck hunter, but when it comes to bull elk, you could say I’m “naked and afraid.” Maybe afraid is a bit of a stretch. Intimidated is probably a better way to say it. I’ve brought home some beautiful bulls, but never with my bow, and this weighs heavily on me. I’ve gone through all the motions — took a pack train of horses into the backcountry, climbed mountains in the pitch black and laid in the shadows listening to bulls scream while my arrow gently quivered on my rest. I’ve lived every single part of the journey except the glory we all crave. And multiple times, I think it has come down to choosing my spot while a bull was…

IN RECENT columns, I have tried to convince index-finger, release-aid shooters to try a handheld release aid, specifically one with a thumb trigger. These release aids are a proven way for most archers to improve their accuracy. Now, I’ll continue the discussion with how best to use these aids. As I’ve said before, theoretically, it shouldn’t matter how you hold your release hand, forearm and elbow, as long as you do it exactly the same way each time. However, as with all things related to archery shooting form, it is important to find the position that is most "repeatable." And, the most repeatable position for archery is usually the relaxed position. There are only a few muscles that need to be engaged to execute an archery shot, and none of…

BOWTECH’S FOCUS ON the customer has reached a new level with the Solution Series that includes the speedy Solution, smooth-sailing Solution SS and a Short Draw (SD) version. The standard Solution incorporates the relatively new DeadLock Technology platform that is found in the innovative Binary Cam system, multipoint locking limb pocket and roller-guard cable-containment system with blocked and locked cables. Other features include the Center Pivot riser design, Solid Core carbon limbs, several vibration dampening accessories and more. Locking Down a Solution While DeadLock Technology gets its name from the locking and blocking features found on the cams, pockets and cable-containment system, one of its chief features is actually a tuning innovation. A bow is a tool that must be tuned to whatever setup we use and our own shooting…

BOWHUNTING ELK was always a dream of mine; something I always said I would do "someday." Well, that someday turned into reality many years ago, and I now find myself bowhunting elk in one state or another nearly every fall. I’m not sure there is anything much better than chasing bugling bulls in September, and over the years, I’ve learned to adapt my strategies to the ever-changing elk-hunting game. Through my own trials and tribulations, as well as hunting alongside seasoned elk-hunting veterans, I have come up with my own recipe for success when bowhunting pressured, public-land bulls. As the old adage goes, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat,” and this holds extremely true when bowhunting elk on public land. Although calling is by far the most…

Many bowhunters believe the key to accuracy is a more forgiving bow, more precise sight, better-tuned rest or helical arrow vanes. But if you don’t have a quality release aid — and use it to achieve a surprise release on every shot — you’ll never unleash all the accuracy your equipment is capable of. To be brutally honest, most bowhunters have no idea how to properly use their release aid and, as a result, are shortchanging themselves on accuracy. Why do I believe that? Simple; the vast majority of bowhunters use wrist-strap, index-finger release aids, and most execute the shot by consciously squeezing the trigger with a mental “Now!” command. If you don’t believe me, watch people shoot. If the only thing moving on an archer’s release arm is the…

MY FIRST outdoor memories revolve around my Mom. I know that seems strange, as most boys are introduced to the outdoors by their fathers, but such was not the case with me. Mom was my mentor. When I got my first Daisy BB gun, it was Mom who showed the greatest interest in my endeavors. She’d often do target practice with me, and many were the hot summer days when we’d have contests to see who could hit a locust that was lounging high in the elm trees that lined our backyard. One day in particular, I found myself out of BBs, owing to the fact I’d emptied my gun at a particular locust that simply would not get in front of one of my projectiles. When I went into…

AS BOW SEASON approaches, the most common question I hear as a private consulting biologist is, “How many does should we harvest this year?” My responses typically come in the form of questions such as, “What is your most recent fawn recruitment rate estimate?” “How many does did you estimate in your carryover data set from last year?” and “Do you estimate your property’s reproductive capacity — based on habitat quality — to be the same as last year, or are there expected changes in either direction?” What follows is usually a blank stare! If you want a healthy, more balanced deer herd, don’t wait for your state agency to make it happen. Properly managing whitetails by setting your own harvest prescriptions has never been easier, and most bowhunters already…

Manufacturer: Bowtech, 888-689-1289, bowtecharchery.com Model: Solution Riser: Center Pivot, forged and machined aluminum Grip: Clutch Limbs: Solid Core Wide, carbon Draw Weights: 50, 60 and 70 pounds peak Cam System: DeadLock Letoff: 85 percent in Performance mode and 87 percent in Comfort mode (advertised); 80.7 percent Performance and 85.8 percent Comfort (as tested) Draw Lengths: 25-30 inches in half-inch increments, rotating module String: Fuse Custom, BCY 452X, 61 inches Cables (x2): Fuse Custom, BCY 452X, 37.41 inches Brace Height: 6 inches Axle-to-Axle Length: 32 inches Weight: 4.3 pounds (advertised); 4.4 pounds (tested) Finish: Realtree Edge plus many others Advertised IBO Speed: 346 fps MSRP: $1,199 Comments: Extremely well balanced, tunable, fast and quiet.…

There are lots of tools solo elk hunters will need in their arsenal. Most important, arguably, is a bow-mounted decoy. Public land elk are notorious for hanging up. If they get to a point where they believe they should see another elk and don’t, the jig is up. This is why the buddy system works so well. One guy stays back and calls while the other presses in on the bull. Solo hunters don’t have this luxury. With a bow-mounted decoy, you can call or sneak. When calling, the bull sees what he believes to be a cow and typically will wander in. Plus, when he does, you can draw your bow with ease. When sneaking, you’re just another elk in the woods. It’s unbelievable what this decoy allows you…

FROM ITS EXTREMELY humble beginnings in Illinois 50 years ago, Tucson, Ariz.-based Precision Shooting Equipment (PSE) has grown into one of the world’s leading archery equipment manufacturers. One of PSE’s top new offerings for 2021 is the EVO EVL Series, available in 32- and 34-inch axle-to-axle models. The EVO EVL features PSE’s popular X-Tech split limbs, a 4-track binary cam system, BCY 452 string/cables with Halo servings and a unique yoke system. A reflex configuration riser is home to the ComfortGrip, Integrate rest mount, Dumbbell vibration killers, dual stabilizer attachment inserts, roller-guard cable-containment system and a string stop. Let’s see how they all come together to make one of PSE’s best bows to date. Get in Your Stance! I remember as a young wrestler in first grade, my coaches would…

Hence, when I was mapping out plans for fall, one of the destinations I placed on my radar was the bowhunting-only counties of southern West Virginia. It’s a rugged region filled with steep hills, narrow valleys and old coal lands, which means if you’re scouting and hunting in the same short trip — as I will be — having a quality mobile setup is a good idea. In anticipation of needing a solid saddle-hunting setup, over the summer I tested the new Hawk Helium HSP Platform and Helium 30-inch Climbing Sticks, since the two are designed to work in tandem. As someone who has long hunted hang-on, ladder and climbing stands, I was amazed when I opened the HSP box and saw the size of the platform — a compact…