Outdoor Life - Bowhunting RSS

Why We Lose Hunting Access

Alex Robinson — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:29:51 -0400

In just the last four years, Cory Peterson’s outfitting business has doubled in size to nearly 60,000 acres of deer- and turkey-rich ground in Nebraska’s Sand Hills. But Peterson, who also farms corn and raises beef cattle in the area, didn’t pursue many of his leases. Instead, neighbors came to him, offering to lease their land for annual payments that range between $1 and $3 per acre.

The main reason Peterson’s Hidden Valley Outfitting has grown? His neighbors find it increasingly difficult to allow free public hunting.

“Most traditional farmers understand the idea that hunting is something that should be free,” says Peterson. “But these guys have had gates left open by hunters, cattle shot by hunters, and water tanks shot by hunters. After a while, they just run out of patience.”

In Peterson, they find a neighbor who is familiar with their property, knows how to behave around their livestock, and has the ability to compensate them for the use of their land. Plus, he sometimes hires their sons as guides.

“We don’t pay a ton of money, but it’s enough to help cover farmers’ property taxes, and they don’t have to put up with the headaches that come with letting everybody hunt,” says Peterson. “It’s not that these guys want to lease. It’s just easier than the alternative.”

Why We Lose Access
Ask two landowners why they lease their land to outfitters or paying hunters, and you’ll get a dozen answers. This is an admittedly subjective list, but it covers many of the reasons that sportsmen lose access. Some are legitimate concerns, others are excuses that landowners give to explain why the public is no longer welcome on their property.

1. Legal Beagles
Many landowners believe they have legal responsibility if a hunter is injured on their property. The details differ from state to state, but generally a landowner is not liable if the hunter was a non-paying invitee, and the injury didn’t result from negligence.

2. Fear of Fire
Landowners are rightly terrified of wildfires, which can destroy crops, buildings, timber, and rangeland. Hunters can reduce the chance of starting a fire by parking vehicles on bare, unvegetated areas. And by not smoking. Period.

3. Gate Gripes
The most common complaint of farmers is that hunters leave their gates open, or close gates that should be left open. Hunters need to understand the common law of farm country: Leave gates the way you found them.

4. Off-Road Rage
In much of the West, if a hunter shows up at a ranch house with an ATV in tow, permission to hunt becomes iffy. Ranchers want hunters to stick to roads, and walking hunters generally get preference over motorized hunters.

5. Wake-Up Calls
Too often, hunters don’t make arrangements to hunt private land until the last minute. Landowners who post their property often cite as one reason those 5 a.m. calls from strangers seeking permission. Secure permission weeks before you hunt, and never assume that because you got permission last year, you have it this year.

6. Thankless Hunters
You don’t have to give a farmer a wad of cash or a bottle of whiskey to say thanks for letting you hunt, but you should make some gesture. A card, a holiday ham, or an offer to help with fencing or farmwork goes a long way toward softening resistance to a follow-up hunting trip.

Best Budget Crossbows: 8 Great Xbows Under $600

Alex Robinson — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:38:54 -0400

As more states legalize the use of crossbows during regular archery seasons, the popularity of horizontal bows just continues to grow. And it's expensive to be popular. With all the bells and whistles, a high-end crossbow can run you more than $2,000.

But, you can still get a new crossbow and put your kid through college. Wanting to provide technology-driven crossbows that are high performers but don’t break the bank, many manufacturers are offering quality crossbows under the $600 mark. So let’s take a peek at some of the best budget crossbows on the market today.

Parker BlackHawk
Showcasing a wallet-friendly $549.95 MSRP, the new-for-2013 Parker BlackHawk packs a punch. Featuring Parker’s proprietary Advanced Split Limb Technology with integrated Fulcrum Pocket System, the BlackHawk is compact, durable and hurls bolts downrange at 320 fps. Tipping the scales at 6.5 pounds, this easy-to-maneuver 20.375-inch axle-to-axle crossbow sports a 160-pound draw weight.

The BlackHawk's other notable features include the G2 Bull-Pup Trigger, auto-engage ambidextrous safety, anti dry-fire mechanism, EZ pull system, and vented forearm with safety finger flange. Fitted with a Red Hot String and 3X Multi Reticle Scope, the BlackHawk makes a worthy hunting companion.

Barnett Ghost 350
Propelling bolts downrange at 350 fps and hitting with 116-foot pounds of kinetic energy is the all-new Barnett Ghost 350 ($599.00). With a mass weight of 7.6 pounds, the Ghost 350 makes an ideal partner for both treestand and spot-and-stalk missions.

Featuring Barnett’s new patented and proprietary Inlaid Aluminum Flight Track, this horizontal bow promises smooth shooting. Also pleasing is Barnett’s durable carbon riser technology, which removes weight from the front end of the crossbow, boosting balance and maneuverability.

The 37-inch-long, 24-inch-wide Ghost 350 sports a metal injection molded trigger with a silky 3.5-pound pull and contains the added anti dry-fire feature.

Excalibur Crossbow
Sliding in just under the $600 mark is the $599.99 Ibex SMF from Excalibur Crossbow. This 175-pound draw weight crossbow boasts a 14.5-inch power stroke and has a mass weight of 5.9 pounds. Capable of hitting speeds up to 305 fps with a 350-grain arrow, the Ibex SMF is worth a look.

The ergonomic thumbhole stock is comfortable and the fiber-reinforced composite SMF shooting platform should give the 36.3-inch long Ibex a good blend of durability and precision. The Ibex SMF comes exclusively as a kit which contains a multiplex scope and mounting hardware, a quiver and mounting bracket, four arrows with field points and a rope cocking aid.

TenPoint Titan Xtreme
Since 2000, seven different Titan models have been introduced, but none are as light, fast, and compact as the 2013 Titan Xtreme ($599.00). Equipped with a fully-machined aluminum riser and 180-pound 13-inch HL limbs fitted with DC-75 Strings and Cables, the Titan Xtreme and its XR wheels churn arrows at 333 fps.

The bow assembly is mounted on a lighter-for-2013 Fusion Lite stock, and shooters can choose between TenPoint’s ACUdraw or ACUdraw 50 Cocking Devices. The crossbow also features a PowerTouch 3.5-pound trigger, ambidextrous safety, and dry-fire inhibitor.

The Titan Xtreme sports an overall length of 38 inches and a width of 21.6 inches.

Darton Terminator
Darton’s Terminator ($526.28) is a 165-pound draw weight crossbow capable of firing bolts at an impressive 340 fps. At just 24-inches axle-to-axle, the Terminator travels well and fits in cramped spaces.

The trigger-forward design allows for a longer power stroke to provide undeniable performance and a balanced feel. Reducing noise and thwarting vibration is Darton’s riser/string suppressor system and new Barrel Dampener.

Offered in Next G-1 Vista and Muddy Girly patterns, the 7.5-pound, 35-inch long Terminator is fitted with a new composite stock-barrel platform.

Horton TRT Nitro
At 6.5 pounds, the only thing Horton’s TRT Nitro ($599.00) is heavy on is performance. Sporting a pleasing blend of speed, comfort and stealth, this 330 fps crossbow has a 175-pound draw weight and measures 19 3/8-inches axle-to-axle when cocked.

The over-molded rubber cheek piece is soft, comfortable and should ensure precise eye-to-scope alignment. SIMS NAVCOM Sound Stoppers are designed to squelch noise and reduce vibration at the shot, and the riser is forged from 7075-T6 Aerospace Aluminum.

Increasing accuracy is the MIM Talon Ultra-Light Trigger and high performance synthetic strings and cables. Crossbow shooters will no doubt appreciate the anti dry-fire mechanism with ambidextrous safety.

Wicked Ridge Warrior HL
Wicked Ridge’s Warrior HL ($399.00) heeds the call for a simple, reliable and affordable bow. The Warrior HL is fitted with TenPoint’s bulletproof HL Limbs and reliable D-75 string and cables (Wicked Ridge is the more affordable sister company of TenPoint). Powered by CNC-machined wheels, the Warrior HL can spit bolts at 300 fps.

In an effort to reduce weight, engineers gave the HL a new bow assembly complete with a lightweight semi-skeletal stock and Acra-Angle Barrel. The forearm is fitted with a safety engineered fore-grip to reduce the risk of finger and thumb injuries. And, of course, the barrel receiver is fitted with TenPoint’s legendary 3.5-pound PowerTouch Trigger.

Carbon Express Covert SLS
Designed to be comfortable and compact, the Covert SLS ($599.00) is the perfect remedy for those who spend hours waiting in less-than-roomy ground blinds. The 185-pound draw weight crossbow is only 13.5-inches wide when cocked and has a total length of 35.5 inches. As for speed, the Covert SLS delivers—reaching speeds up to 355 fps.

At around 8.3 pounds, the horizontal Covert SLS features a green anodized flight rail, carbon infused limbs on a mini-parallel CNC machined riser and premium strings and cables. Like the CX2 crossbow, the SLS sports an adjustable forearm and mounting grip to provide a custom fit and feel.

NSSF Report: Hunter Participation Increases, Boosts Economy

Alex Robinson — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:04:49 -0500

The National Shooting Sports Foundation released a report yesterday detailing just how heavily hunting impacts the economy. The report, which collected data through 2011, unveiled some interesting facts: There's been a 9 percent increase in hunter participation from 2006 to 2011 but overall hunting-related expenditures have grown by 55 percent.

The expenditure data for the report were obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, conducted every five years with help from the U.S. Census Bureau. Hunters’ expenditures were then analyzed with the IMPLAN economic model to develop estimates of jobs, tax revenues, and other economic measures, according to the NSSF.

"The major growth in spending by hunters is good news for businesses throughout the country, particularly small businesses in rural areas," said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti.

More stats from the report...

- 13.7 million hunters in the country

- $38.3 Billion in total expenditures by hunters

- $26.4 billion raised in salaries and wages

- $5.4 billion raised in state and local taxes

- $6.4 billion raised in federal taxes

- 680,000 jobs created or supported by the hunting industry

- Hunting expenditures have grown by 55 percent from 2006 to 2011

- Texas has highest number of resident hunters with just over 1 million

- South Dakota had the highest number of non-resident hunters with about 143,000

Read the full NSSF Report here.

Tom Jennings 'Mr. Compound Bow' Passes Away

Alex Robinson — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:54:47 -0500

Tom Jennings, otherwise known as "Mr. Compound Bow," passed away on February 25th. Mr. Jennings was 88. Tom's love affair with archery began early, building his first recurve when he was just 12.

Throughout his life, Jennings was known as an innovator. Jennings was one of the first to recognize the potential of Holless Wilbur Allen's original compound bow design.

As such, Jennings purchased the first license to Allen's patent and is credited as the first to mass produce compound bows.

Jennings' original designs were 2- or 4-wheel models and became the early industry standard for quality, innovation, and performance. Jennings, the quintessential marketer and tireless educator, turned early animosity by traditional archers against the compound bow, into an acceptance and love affair with the compound. As such, the modern compound bow industry was born.

Jennings was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 1999. He was a lifetime member of the National Field Archery Association and had numerous patents for compound bow improvements from the US Patent and Trademark Office.

If you still have an original Jennings bow, we'd love to hear about it in the comments.

Bow Mag: New Broadhead Bullet

Alex Robinson — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:17:44 -0500

So, a hunting buddy forwarded this video to me the other day proclaiming its awesomeness. As for me? Well, I think I must be missing something. I have a hard enough time getting my arrows to fly straight with a 125-grain broadhead and can’t imagine how’d they would fly with what amounts to a 300-grain blunt. Then there’s that nasty habit I have of dropping arrows out of my treestand. In any case, you can judge for yourself.

Best New Bowhunting Gear for 2013

Alex Robinson — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:26:48 -0500

Bowhunting Editor Todd Kuhn hit the Archery Trade Association convention to bring you the best new bowhunting gear for 2013.

New Crossbows 2013: A First Look at the Best New Crossbows of the Year

Alex Robinson — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 09:26:40 -0500

As crossbows grow in popularity, manufacturers are constantly striving to make faster, cheaper, safer, and more accurate bows. Here's a first look at the new crossbows for 2013.

OL Interview: The Duck Commanders on Beards, Hunting Stereotypes and New-Found Fame

Alex Robinson — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:30:22 -0400

Willie and Jase Robertson (left), from A&E's hit show Duck Dynasty, are unlikely TV superstars. And they're still hard-core outdoorsmen at heart.

Willie: Our show, Duck Dynasty, is a family show, and the reaction to it has been overwhelmingly positive. But I’ll tell you what—nobody wrote a manual for this. Nobody wrote a manual on how you run a business while all this is happening at the same time.

Jase: When we go out in public now we’re easily recognized. Basically, when you look like we do—before the show, people kept their distance. People thought I was homeless. Now it’s different. I was in Ohio last weekend, my plane got delayed, and I got there 60 seconds before I was going up on stage to speak. When I walked out, there were two families in the front row and they had “Duck Dynasty” spelled out in paint on their chests. People were cheering and hollering. People were going crazy and I hadn’t even said a word.

Willie: We film six days a week for 33 weeks. The producers basically haul us around. Most of the stuff just happens. They create a few scenarios for us to function in, but it’s all real reactions.

Jase: The producers have an idea. And we try to shape that idea into some kind of story, as far as what’s going to happen in that situation.

Willie: It’s not a hunting show. We’ve made those before, and they’re for a different audience. We’re not trying to push an agenda on Duck Dynasty. We’re trying to open a door. I think Hollywood is open to the idea of hunting, but it’s better in smaller doses. I’m surprised there are a lot of non-hunters that come and hear me speak.

Jase: I want to cast hunting in a positive light. There are some stereotypes in our culture that depict hunters as killing anything that moves. One of the reasons I agreed to do this show was because it showed our family, our business. We do a lot for the animals we hunt and put in the pot, and that shows. So now we’ve kind of established that we hunt without showing it.

Jase: Some people think we’re actors, that we’re making this stuff up. I had a guy come up and ask, “Can I touch that beard to see if you’re real?”

Willie: I have a rule: No man may touch my beard.

A Velvet-Racked Giant Utah Mule Deer Taken on Opening Day

Alex Robinson — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 12:03:00 -0400

It was Aug. 18, opening day of the Utah Mule Deer season, as Brad Bentley made his way through the mountain range knows as the Book Cliffs. The summer had been brutally hot and dry with temperatures in the low 90s. Sporadic cloud cover wasn't going to make this hunt any easier.

Bentley had made several trips to the Book Cliffs before the season to scout the area with some friends and put together a hit list for the upcoming season. There was one buck, however, that stood out to Bentley and other hunters in the area. The big 5X5 was out past his ears with good mass and long tines. The forked G2s were shorter in the back than in the front, giving this buck a distinct look. Bentley estimated the buck was a 170-class mule deer.

He knew of some bigger bucks in the area, but said, “I learned a long time ago that with a bow in your hand [you] don't pass on the first day, what you'd settle for the last day. In other words, take what opportunities are given to you.”

It was early evening when Bentley spotted his target buck and it was time to come up with a game plan and close the distance. “I had reached the point in my stalk when I knew that I should be getting really close to within shooting range. I was hidden against the back edge of a big flat boulder [so] I slowly peeked over and there were two decent bucks feeding at the base of the rocks—one was my target buck," he said. "I had a pretty good idea of how far they were and didn't want to risk taking the extra movement of pulling out the range finder, so as I drew back and started to stand up my eyes met with the smaller buck who had me pegged.”

Bentley watched as the buck ran off through the brush and was overcome with frustration thinking the game was over. He peeked over the edge one last time and was shocked to see the bigger buck still there and looking in the direction of the other buck that had just run off. Without a moment to loose, Bentley drew back, took one step forward and estimated a 40-yard shot before letting the arrow fly.

“My nerves were an absolute mess and my knees [were] violently shaking,” said Bentley. “I couldn't believe what had just happened, I had just finally arrowed ‘my buck’ and was fortunate enough to watch him go down, he was dead before he knew it.”

With the buck down in sight, Bentley made his way to the muley and knelt down beside the deer, wrapping his hands around the heavy, velvet antlers for the first time. It had been five years since Bentley took a buck and he said a sense of accomplishment, appreciation and respect overcame him as he admired the fallen animal. With a green score of 160 inches, Bentley’s muley is a buck any accomplished hunter would be proud of.

Spot-and-Stalk Black Bear Hunting Tips

Alex Robinson — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:37:40 -0400

When most bowhunters think about black bear hunting, they conjure up images of sitting over a pile of bait waiting for a bear to come eat dinner—not that there’s anything wrong with that. But there are many places where baiting bears is either impractical or illegal. That’s where stalking or calling fall bears become the go-to tactics. How’s it done? John Schaffer, from Schaffer Performance Archery in Minnesota, has killed a pile of bears over bait, but when he wants to give his bowhunt a bit of an edge, he puts down some boot tracks.

“Bowhunters looking for a little fun should consider hunting black bears by stalking them,” says Schaffer. “It adds an element of excitement when the animal you are stalking can kill you.”

And that’s a huge advantage for bowhunters. Schaffer believes that because black bears aren’t afraid of much, it’s actually easier to stalk them than animals like deer or elk.

“Bears are high up on the food chain,” Schaffer explains. “As a result, they do things and react to things differently than deer. When they walk next to high brush or boulders, for example, they don’t spend much time worrying about what might be sneaking up on them. As a result, the advantage goes to the stalker.”

The Eyes Don’t Have It
A bear’s eyesight isn’t great, so you can get away with a fair amount of movement when stalking. The wind is what you must pay attention to.

“A bear has a better nose than almost any other game animal, and one whiff of human odor will cause a bear to take off,” says Schaffer. “You must hunt the wind when hunting bears.”

Sounds simplistic, but to spot-and-stalk bears, you must be able to see them from a distance, which means you must be hunting in fairly open terrain—preferably in the mountainous terrain of the West or in Alaska or Canada—where you can get above the bears and see them.

“Stalking black bears provides a great introduction to the world of spot-and-stalk hunting, particularly for bowhunters,” says Schaffer. “The success rate is high. In fact, if you’re hunting in an area with abundant food, you’re likely to see a lot of bears and get several stalking opportunities. When my kids get old enough to hunt, I plan to take them on a spot-and-stalk bear hunt. It’s just plain fun, with an added dose of excitement.”

Call of the Wild
Another bait-less bear hunting tactic that is gaining in popularity is calling bruins in with a predator call. Think of it as a sort of reverse stalk—an animal that could kill you is actually hunting you down. Calling is Peter Brown’s bear hunting technique of choice. Brown, owner of Extreme Dimension Wildlife Calls, regularly hunts black bears with predator calls.

“Calling in black bears in the fall is a killer tactic, especially in the late fall, when bears are hungry,” says Brown. “After all the crops that are harvested in the fall are gone and most of the acorns and other foods available in the woods have been cleaned up, bears get desperate for food, especially just before they hibernate. They need to pack on some pounds.”

First, Brown uses a fawn-in-distress call. Then he grunts like a boar or imitates a bear snapping its jaws. “If you want to outsmart a bear, make it sound as if there is another bear already in on a fawn in distress. A real bear will often come running to investigate,” says Brown. “Calling in bears works well, but remember to work the wind and spray down with some type of human odor eliminator, because bears often come from downwind.” Brown also uses bear urine at his setup to add another dimension of realism.

“I call in bears in the spring and the fall, and even when I am hunting over bait,” he says. “Our sow-in-heat call works well in the spring when hunting over bait because big boars will come in to a bait pile during daylight to see if there is a ready sow on it.”

Regardless of which method you choose, one thing is certain. If you want a hair-raising experience, hunt bears at eye level.

Photo: Donald M Jones

Long-Range Archery Shot: 100 Yards With a Recurve Bow

OL Editor — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 10:25:32 -0400

Modern compound bows are making shots of over 100 yards not only a reality, but something of a regularity. I'm not really into compound bows, but I wanted to see if I could shoot at those super long ranges with my recurve.

Shooting heavier arrows at significantly slower speeds than most modern compounds produce, I knew I would have to hold way over the target, but I wasn't sure how far. To further complicate things, I don't use sights, so it would have to be totally instinctive.

I started off by holding about 15 feet above the target, but my arrows were falling 15 yards short. By the time I got it close to figured out, I was holding nearly 30 feet above the back of the target! It's pretty amazing how dramatically arrows start to drop off at that range. Adding to the challenge of shooting with a recurve, there is no let-off and no help from a mechanical release.

These factors make it extremely difficult to maintain consistency in release to allow for an ethical hunting shot, but it's a lot of fun to try in a controlled environment (like my the backyard), and I actually managed to hit the target with one shot out of about 20!

Bowhunting Tips: How to Spot-and-Stalk Hunt

OL Editor — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:36:50 -0400

If you read outdoors magazines, you’ll quickly realize that one thing their writers are completely intrigued with is how some hunters have the uncanny ability to spot-and-stalk game like hungry mountain lions. Frankly, many of us are mystified by the few who can slip in on a deer or elk without the animal knowing until it’s too late. The truth is, however, that the game of spot-and-stalk isn’t complex. It just requires the hunter to be patient. Sounds simple enough, and to hear successful stalkers tell it, it truly is.

Arizona’s Chris Denham is a master stalker. Denham, editor of Western Hunter Magazine and part owner of Wilderness Athlete, a nutritional products manufacturer, spends a considerable amount of time in the field each year trying to be a ghost.

“Spot-and-stalk hunting isn’t rocket science—it’s really common sense,” says Denham. “You must stay out of the animal’s sight, stay out of its nose, and stay out of its ears. If you can do those things, you can slip in on them. Doing all three requires a healthy dose of patience. Some hunters try to rush, and when they do, they get busted.”

On the Right Track

▶ Big-game animals like deer or elk depend more on their sense of smell than any of their other senses. You can break a twig occasionally, and you can even get caught moving, but if an animal smells you, the hunt is over.

“I obsess over the wind direction,” says Denham. “I always carry a wind detector of some type [like a puff bottle] to make sure the wind is in my favor. As long as it is, I continue hunting. When the wind shifts, I back out until the wind changes or wait until the next day. You can never overcome the wind.”

Having the right spot-and-stalk mindset is critical—think superstar chess masters Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky.

“When you play chess, you are always thinking about your next move and moves three, four, and five,” says Denham. “Stalking is no different. I am always looking ahead for the next rock, tree, or bush to hide behind to get a little closer.”

The correct mental approach will get you far, but rethinking the physical approach is what will seal the deal. This is bow season, so it’s best to leave the half-mile belly crawl for when you’ve got a rifle in your hands. Denham believes standing and crouching are the best options.

“When you crawl, several parts of your body, including your knees, hands, and feet, are dragging across the ground making noise,” Denham says. “Then there’s the complication of having to get into bow-shooting position from the prone position. But when I’m standing, I can see where I am going and what I am doing, and the only thing touching the ground is my feet.” To soundproof those last few yards, Denham relies on Carlton’s Cat Paws.

“Cat Paws are basically large felt pads that attach to the bottom of your boots. They make staying quiet when walking on rocky terrain much easier.”

Whether you’re chasing whitetails, mule deer, elk, or antelope, understand that animals can’t reason like we do. Game animals are dumb and they make mistakes, and even if you haven’t done much spot-and-stalk hunting, you can still fill a tag.

“I’ve had animals see me move and look at me for a minute only to go back to feeding,” says Denham. “Just 14 minutes later, I kill them. When stalking, it is the last 50 yards that are the most difficult. This is when you really must be patient and wait an animal out. Sometimes you have to wait a half hour or more for an animal to get up or turn broadside. Patience and persistence is the name of the game.”

From the September 2012 issue of Outdoor Life magazine.

Photo by Lance Krueger

Eagles Defensive End Trent Cole Talks Hogs, Football, and 500-Pound Bull Sharks

OL Editor — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:10:10 -0400

▶ I grew up outside of Xenia, Ohio. My stepfather was a big rabbit hunter, and I got interested in rabbit hunting with him. I remember being in the fourth grade when I got my hunting license. I started out with air rifles, and then in fifth grade, I got a 12-gauge shotgun for Christmas. That same year I also got a bow—my mom told me if I got good grades, she’d buy me one.

▶ I still go back home and hunt rabbits with my brothers and my stepdad. It’s a family tradition. But there’s nothing like hunting whitetails. Ever since I started deer hunting, it has just exploded as a hobby for me.

▶ I prepare year-round for a three-month fall deal. It’s a big process. I clear trees on my property and plant food plots. I’m always working hard to improve the quality of my properties.

▶ It’s fun to go down South for hogs, and I also like to do some fishing down there. But Ohio is still really my favorite place to hunt. There’s no place like home, no place like Ohio.

▶ I’ve been fishing all my life, ever since I could pick up a pole. I particularly love bass fishing. When I started playing for the Eagles, I started also going deep-sea fishing out East for stripers and sharks.

▶ I got the chance to go down to Jupiter, Florida, to fish. I caught a 500-pound bull shark a quarter mile offshore. That was an experience. I had no chair—I was standing up. It bit on chopped up bonito bait.

▶ Hunting and fishing keep me from getting bored during the off-season.

▶ When I was a kid, my friends and I used to watch TV shows of hunts, then take our parents’ video cameras with us out in the woods to play. When we started to hunt when we got older, we realized that we were harvesting a lot of trophy animals, so why not go ahead and try to film them?

▶ Lucky me, I made it to the NFL, and all my buddies were looking at me like, “Somebody’s got to buy the cameras and equipment.” [laughs]. So I bought some professional cameras and we started filming. We formed a pro staff, and it grew from there into Blitz TV [coleoutdoors.com].

▶ I get three days to hunt every week during the season. I also have bye weeks. Also, Ohio has an extended deer season compared to a lot of other states. I balance it all out pretty well.

From the September 2012 issue of Outdoor Life magazine.

Photo by Drew Hallowell

Archery Earns Top Ratings in 2012 Olympics

Alex Robinson — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:59:08 -0400

The growing popularity of archery is now being recognized internationally after the London 2012 Olympic archery competition. NBC announced a record number viewers for the event in the first few days of competition.

So, who do we have to thank for the sport’s trendy status? Is Hollywood’s recent commitment to bow-toting heroes paying off?

NBC’s Sports Group Chairman, Mark Lazarus, seems to think so. According to the Washington Post, Lazarus “… attributed the interest in part to the popularity of ‘The Hunger Games’ getting young people interested in bows and arrows.”

Not to say we told you so… but we did. Back in March we covered an increase in interest and participation in archery following the movie’s box office success (these stats included a 75 percent increase in traffic at Queens’ two indoor archery ranges, according to The New York Daily). Now, in the wake of other big screen archers in “The Avengers” and “Brave,” a spike in stick and string fans seems like a natural consequence.

But the event wasn’t riding on Hollywood hype alone. Lazarus also told the Washington Post that Brady Ellison (and his boyish charm) is another draw for younger fans.

Still not enough? How about throwing in the prestigious history surrounding the venue, Lord’s Cricket Ground, and a dash of controversy over just how bad South Korean archer, Im Dong Hyun’s, vision actually is?

Whatever the reason, Americans continue to invest their attention in the precise, competitive sport.

Sick of al the newbie’s bandwagoning on the sport? Glad archery is finally getting the attention it deserves? Tell us here!

When Your Job is to Hunt

Alex Robinson — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 10:41:10 -0400

I’m an avid hunter. It’s all I think about 365 days a year. Where to place stands, what food plots to plant, where to hunt, when to take vacation – hunting is my life.

Realtree’s David Blanton (pictured) has been living the dream for as long as I can remember. As executive producer and host of the company’s T.V. show Realtree Outdoors, as well as producer of the infamous Monster Bucks series, Blanton’s job is to hunt and think hunting all year long.

Blanton was recently interviewed on NewsOK.com and shed some light on what really goes on behind the scenes. While he admits he has “an incredibly phenomenal job” it doesn’t come without a cost. Blanton said during the first few years, his job became the most important thing in his life – more important than his family.

It’s something I think a lot of hunters deal with, myself included. With opportunities to bowhunt whitetails from Sept. 15 through Jan. 31, I just about drop off the radar. My friends know it’s hunting season when I stop calling them, my family sees me less and the only reason my fiancé knows I’m still alive is because I come home after each day’s hunt to prepare for the next morning. Hunting isn’t my job so there’s only two weeks when I completely disappear. For most of the season I’m a weekend warrior.

Blanton says he’s gained focus and reshaped his life’s priorities since he started with Realtree. Of course the fall is busy for anyone in the outdoor industry, but Blanton chooses to hunt about 60 days during the season. “I could be gone every day in the fall if I chose to be,” says Blanton. Over the years he’s learned to pace himself and come home to spend time with his family for several days between trips. Not only does it help keep his passion for hunting alive, but also gives him time to spend at home with the people who mean the most to him.

When asked how often he hunts when he’s not filming, Blanton answered, “I don’t.” The only time he really steps into the woods when he’s not working is to take a first-time hunter or child hunting during the spring turkey season.

I think there’s something we can all learn from David Blanton’s experiences. There’s more to life than hunting. Wow, I said it. Sometimes it’s just as important for us to take a step back, take a look around and slow down. We don’t have to be in the woods every second of every day for the entire length of the season. What we have to do is make sure we spend time with our family and close friends. Those are the people who will be there for you when you need their support and they’re the same people you can’t afford to completely abandon each fall.

This fall I’m going to do something different. I’m going to keep my family and friends around during hunting season.

Photo from RealTree

Bowhunting Tips: When to Use a Ground Blind

OL Editor — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 10:44:44 -0400

Most bowhunters like the tactical advantage a treestand offers, but in many situations a ground-level blind is the only way to go.

The Cutover Edge
▶ The Terrain: Given a couple of years, clear-cut swaths of once-tall forest will regenerate in young pines, grasses, and weeds, providing the perfect bedding and transitional areas for deer.

▶ How to Hunt It: Set up where a young cut butts up against a stand of older pines. This creates a perfect edge through which deer will travel all season long. If the cover is only a couple of feet tall, deer will move from the taller tract into the new growth to feed during the early season; if taller, deer will bed in and travel through the young clear-cut all season. The tail of a steep ridge, logging trail, or firebreak along the edge of the cut, a pasture, or a food plot will only make it better and provide more open shooting, even as the cover grows up each year.

The Surrounded Food Plot
▶ The Terrain: Along the same lines as the cutover setup is freshly cleared forestland. Hunters can plant food plots along new logging roads, log decks, or even in cleared spots. As the cover grows thick and nasty over the next 10 years, these food plots act as awesome deer magnets that will draw the bedded animals from the surrounding brush. Because there will be no large trees, a blind is a must in this hunting situation.

▶ How to Hunt It: Plots that are an acre or less in size are best, as the blind can be set up to one side or the other and allow shots all the way across. Cut a path to the blind that will allow you to access it quietly without blowing your scent into the plot.

The Fence Line Funnel
▶ The Terrain: Few things are more frustrating than sitting in a treestand in the Midwest and watching deer move out of range and up and down a fence line in the middle of a field or pasture where there are no trees and little cover. With a blind, however, ambushing deer along this common travel corridor may be possible.

▶ How to Hunt It: Fence lines often form a de facto funnel that enters or exits woodlots at corners or edges. Put a hole in the fence that offers easier egress for wandering deer, and you’ve created a must-hunt spot. Set the blind within bow range of the hole in the fence or a dip in the terrain that will naturally funnel deer past you. This will almost always be an afternoon stand.

The Orchard
▶ The Terrain: The Northeast is littered with orchards that grow deer-attracting fruits such as apples. The problem is, most orchard trees are fairly small in diameter, with branches somewhat low to the ground. And there are a lot of them, making setting up in them or shooting through them difficult at best.

▶ How to Hunt It: Older, neglected orchards or small, non-commercial ones are best because they tend to concentrate deer in smaller areas with greater predictability. Glass in the evenings and run trail cams in various directions in the orchard to best determine access trails and individual trees that seem most attractive to deer. Both bucks and does show preferences for specific fruit varieties.

Illustration by John Philips

Bowhunting: How to Find Your Bow's Maximum Effective Range

OL Editor — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:32:47 -0400

▶ All bowhunters have an effective range, or more appropriately put, a maximum shooting distance that lies within their comfort zone. For some, it’s 30 yards; for others, 60 yards. Compound bows have an effective range too—the distance at which the bow is capable of lethally delivering an arrow.

A bow’s effective range is determined by two factors: arrow speed and the kinetic energy at impact. The laws of physics dictate that as an arrow travels downrange, its trajectory decays as gravity and aerodynamic drag affect its flight. Every compound delivers arrows at a defined speed at certain target distances.

So if you can determine how a bow performs at different distances, you can make an educated decision on how far you can effectively shoot at game. To define your bow’s effective range, we’ll use the sight pins. When we’re done, you’ll know the specific range of distances at which each pin is capable of delivering a lethal shot. A Simple Calculation

▶ The kill zone on a whitetail standing broadside is roughly an 8-inch circle. An arrow placed anywhere in that zone will result in a deadly shot. An arrow delivered outside that strike zone will be non-lethal.

Mark the 8-inch kill zone on your target. Shoot at the kill zone from 20 yards with your 20-yard pin. Your first arrow should hit dead-center in the 8-inch zone, since your pin is sighted in for 20 yards. Now move forward 1 yard and shoot again. Keep moving 1 yard closer to the target with each shot. At a certain distance, you’ll notice your arrow hits above the kill zone. At this distance, you have exceeded your 20-yard pin’s ability to deliver a lethal arrow. Write down that distance.

Now repeat, starting at 20 yards and moving back 1 yard with each successive shot. At some point your arrow will drop out of the kill zone. Write this distance down. Now you have a range of yardages at which your 20-yard pin is capable of delivering an arrow. Repeat this process for each pin.

Photo by Lance Krueger

How to Find the Right Draw Weight

OL Editor — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 11:00:00 -0400

Yanking a heavy bow back is a badge of honor for some bowhunters. However, if you shake like you’re suffering from hypothermia when drawing or holding your bow, consistent arrow groups will elude you. But here’s the good news: Diagnosing an over-bowed archer (one who’s drawing too much weight) isn’t difficult.

▶ Using Too Much Bow? Being over-bowed manifests itself when the shooter is attempting to settle into the end of the draw cycle (commonly called the back wall). Once there, too much draw weight causes the shooter to struggle with the bow, physically fighting to steady it. The sight pin is rushed to the target before the release. Cool weather and the sheer excitement of drawing on game can compound the problem.

▶ What’s the Ideal Draw Weight? If you’re a seasoned archer, it’s a matter of honestly evaluating whether you’re comfortable. If not, the solution is as simple as taking a couple of turns off your limb bolts until you’re drawing steady and holding shake-free. Even when turned down, modern bows are capable of screaming arrow speeds.

▶ Making Adjustments: Compounds are easily adjustable for draw weight, typically in a 10-pound range (depending on manufacturer; see the chart below for guidelines). A 60-pound bow, for instance, in most cases will adjust from 54 to 64 pounds; a 70-pounder, 64 to 74; and so on.

Photo by Lance Krueger

Bow Test 2012: Bear Anarchy

OL Editor — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:19:19 -0400

Bear Anarchy

Long known for producing good-quality bows at entry- to mid-level prices, Bear’s new Anarchy is the bowmaker’s first venture into the premium compound market. A lengthy single-cam chassis (35 ¼ inches axle-to-axle) and long brace height (7 ¼ inches) make this bow tolerant of shooter-induced errors, and the widely adjustable draw length (from 25 to 31 ½ inches) is excellent. Our Anarchy mustered a 315.4 fps speed reading on the 20-yard range.

At 46.41 m/s2 of vibration, this Bear has some bite, but its  87.5 dBA of noise is rather tame. The Realtree APG HD finish is tight, and the 80 percent let-off makes holding the Anarchy at full-draw a cinch.

Test Result
Overall: ★ ★ ½
Price: $899
Performance: B-
Design: C
Price/Value: C
Speed (FPS): 315.4
Weight (LB.): 4.5
Vibration (M/S2): 46.41
Noise (DBA): 87.5
AD/40 (IN.): 17.4
KE/20 (FT.-LB.): 73.9
Company: Bear

Check out the other bows from our 2012 bow test.

Bow Test 2012: Parker Velocity

OL Editor — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:12:08 -0400

Parker Velocity

This 30 ¼-inch bow has a comfortable grip and surprising balance, though it produced an arrow speed of just 305.4 fps and the worst KE/20 and AD/40 numbers of any bow (64.8 ft.-lb. and 20.4 in.). The single-cam eccentric system draws smoothly, with an 80 percent let-off to help settle shooters into the back wall. At 3.9 pounds, the Velocity is a great carry, and it offers a wide brace height of 7 ¼ inches.

The split limbs are top shelf, as is the roller cable guard. A premium Stone Mountain string and cables promise long life. The Velocity’s draw length adjusts from 26 to 31 inches, and the draw weight can be changed from 50 to 70 pounds without the need of a bow press.

Test Result
Overall: ★ ★ ½
Price: $399
Performance: C
Design: C+
Price/Value: A-
Speed (FPS): 305.4
Weight (LB.): 3.9
Vibration (M/S2): 48.03
Noise (DBA): 90.2
AD/40 (IN.): 20.4
KE/20 (FT.-LB.): 64.8
Company: Parker

Check out the other bows from our 2012 bow test.

Bow Test 2012: Mission Riot

OL Editor — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:04:14 -0400

Mission Riot

The Riot blends high-end features with recession-proof pricing. Its adjustability is admirable: The draw weight can be set from 15 to 70 pounds, while the draw length stretches from 19 to 30 inches. This bow’s adjustability is perfect for families of growing bowhunters who can hand down the bow from one young archer to the next. The 7-inch brace height is ideal for those whose form might not yet be perfected.

The Riot, clad in an attractive Lost camouflage wrap, shoots 301.3 fps—not fast, but not unexpected for a bow in this price range. With 47.31 m/s2 of vibration, the Riot does shake; however, it’s quiet at 87.6 dBA. At 4.5 pounds and 32 inches axle-to-axle, the bow handles surprisingly well.

Test Result
Overall: ★ ★ ½ (Outdoor Life Great Buy)
Price: $399
Performance: C+
Design: C-
Price/Value: A
Speed (FPS): 301.3
Weight (LB.): 4.5
Vibration (M/S2): 47.31
Noise (DBA): 87.6
AD/40 (IN.): 19.1
KE/20 (FT.-LB.): 67.7
Company: Mission

Check out the other bows from our 2012 bow test.

Bow Test 2012: Ross Crave DRT

OL Editor — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:55:38 -0400

Ross Crave DRT

Taping 33 ½ inches axle-to-axle, the DRT was one of the longer bows we tested. The 6 ½-inch brace height is manageable, as the bow drew nicely and shot with little punch (35.44 m/s2 of vibration). Our 4.4-pound DRT had a flat-black finish with faux-carbon-dipped limbs. It propelled arrows at a somewhat meager 319.9 fps (with a disappointing 17.3 inches of arrow drop at 40 yards).

As far as amenities, we appreciated the top-of-the-line Winner’s Choice string and cables, and the 80 percent let-off made holding at full draw comfortable. The adaptable Crave is available in 27- to 31-inch draw lengths and 50-, 60-, and 70-pound draw weights. A lifetime warranty rounds out this new offering.

Test Result
Overall: ★ ★ ★
Price: $749
Performance: C+
Design: C+
Price/Value: B
Speed (FPS): 319.9
Weight (LB.):4.4
Vibration (M/S2): 35.44
Noise (DBA): 91.4
AD/40 (IN.): 17.3
KE/20 (FT.-LB.): 75.6
Company: Ross

Check out the other bows from our 2012 bow test.

Bow Test 2012: Darton DS-3900

OL Editor — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:49:28 -0400

Darton DS-3900

The DS-3900 has a distinctive look that sets it apart from most modern bows. While other companies continue to see how low they can go with “parallel limbs,” this bow takes a step back with its pronounced vertically oriented limbs. With a minimal brace height of 5 inches, the compact DS-3900’s long power stroke generates an impressive top speed of 342.7 fps. It also had the least amount of arrow drop at 40 yards, registering a 13.7-inch reading.

At 37.12 m/s2, the bow generates minimal vibration, no small feat considering its relatively light 4.2-pound weight. The contoured cable guard rod reduces bow torque by moving the cables toward the bow’s midline as it’s drawn.

Test Result
Overall: ★ ★ ★
Price: $949
Performance: B
Design: B-
Price/Value: C-
Speed (FPS): 342.7
Weight (LB.): 4.2
Vibration (M/S2): 37.12
Noise (DBA): 88.2
AD/40 (IN.): 13.7
KE/20 (FT.-LB.): 87.5
Company: Darton

Check out the other bows from the 2012 bow test.

Bow Test 2012: G5 Prime Centroid LR

OL Editor — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:27:03 -0400

G5 Prime Centroid LR

At 34¼ inches axle-to-axle, the Centroid was one of the longest bows in the test. That, combined with the 7-inch brace height and 80 percent let-off, helps make it a forgiving and comfortable bow to shoot. A vibration reading of 41.6 m/s2 shows the Centroid has some bump during the shot, and its audible report was loud at 91.4 dBA. At 314.9 fps, we expected more speed from a premium-priced offering.

That said, the Centroid’s drop-forged aluminum riser is the strongest in the industry. The parallel cams are trick and feature a dual string wrap to mitigate cam lean. The flexible titanium cable guard with ceramic insert is great, as are the GORE fiber string and cables.

Test Result
Overall: ★ ★ ★
Price: $999
Performance: C+
Design: C+
Price/Value: B+
Speed (FPS): 314.9
Weight (LB.): 4.6
Vibration (M/S2): 41.6
Noise (DBA): 91.4
AD/40 (IN.): 17.4
KE/20 (FT.-LB.): 73.8
Company: G5 Prime

Check out the other bows from our 2012 bow test.

Bow Test 2012: Bowtech Insanity CPX

OL Editor — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 12:49:21 -0400

Bowtech Insanity CPX

The Insanity CPX—with its pre-loaded limbs—is a fast bow, firing arrows at 341.6 fps, and producing impressive KE/20 and AD/40 readings of 88 ft.-lb. and 13 ½ in., respectively. At 32 inches cam-to-cam, it’s a short bow and has an abbreviated brace height of 6 inches. While the latter should make the Insanity somewhat difficult to manage, we found the opposite to be true. The arrow gets off the string quickly, minimizing shooter error.

An 80-pound-draw model is available for knuckle draggers who relish bows with ridiculous draw weights. The Insanity’s 80 percent let-off is great and the 4.5-pound overall weight is quite manageable. At 43.15 m/s2 of vibration, the CPX trembles some, but that’s expected given its sizzling speed.

Test Result
Overall: ★ ★ ★ ½
Price: $999
Performance: B+
Design: C+
Price/Value: A-
Speed (FPS): 341.6
Weight (LB.): 4.5
Vibration (M/S2): 43.15
Noise (DBA): 89.8
AD/40 (IN.): 13.5
KE/20 (FT.-LB.): 88
Company: Bowtech

Check out the other bows from our 2012 bow test.