DISPLAY UNTIL MAY 2013

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Contents
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Spring
Hunting 101
Backyard
Whitetails 26
MARK KAYSER
Make Your Buck Blossom This Spring
Best of Bill Krenz 28
The Lesson Bear
Spice Up Your
Spring Black
Bear Hunt 34
MARK KAYSER
If you think hunting black bears from
a treestand over bait is exciting, wait
until you try some of these thrilling
bear-hunting alternatives.
Ground Blinds vs.
On the Run for
Spring Gobblers 44
DARRON MCDOUGAL
With two great methods to get
the job done, which poison will
you pick this spring?
Lyme Disease: What
You Dont Know
Can Hurt You 52
BRENDA POTTS
Because we spend more time outdoors,
hunters can be at a greater risk of
contracting Lyme disease. Heres what
you need to know about Lyme disease
before you head off into the woods.
Bowhunting Life 66
BRIAN STRICKLAND
Utah Bruin
Crossbow
Tips & Gear
Great New Gear:
Crossbow Special 22
The hottest new crossbows
and accessories on the market.
Crossbow Report 50
Mission MXB-360
Crossbow
Maintenance Tips
for Better Safety
and Improved
Performance 58
TRACY BREEN
Are you properly caring for
your crossbow? Ensure that your
crossbow holds up to season
after season of use with these
easy maintenance tips.
COVER PHOTO JOHN ERIKSSON/
IMAGES ON THE WILDSIDE
BOWHUNT AMERICA (ISSN 1947-3745) [Volume 11, Issue 1], April 2013 is published 6 times a year (April, June, August, September, October, November) by
Zebra Publishing, Inc., 2960 N Academy Blvd, Suite 101, Colorado Springs, CO 80917 for $19.97 per year. Application to Mail at Periodical Postage Prices is Pending
at Colorado Springs, CO and additional mailing ofces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BOWHUNT AMERICA, PO Box 1092, Selmer, TN 38375.
B O WH U N T A M E R I C A A P R I L 2 0 1 3 V O L U M E 1 1 N U M B E R 1
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Shooting &
Equipment
Shooting
Secrets 20
MICHAEL CORRIGAN
Stop the Creep
Accessory
Spotlight 32
LaCrosse AeroHead
Bow Report 42
Hoyt Spyder 34
Bow Report 56
APA Mamba M5
Bowhunt
America
Publishers Note 12
SHERRY KRENZ
Welcoming Our New Editor
From the Editor 14
DARRON MCDOUGAL
Big Shoes to Fill
Highlights
of the Hunt 18
Exceptional bowhunters
with their trophies.
SPONSORED BY
Marketplace 64
Guides &
Outtters 65
Classied Ads 65
B O WH U N T A M E R I C A A P R I L 2 0 1 3 V O L U M E 1 1 N U M B E R 1
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Continued
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BOWHUNT AMERICA
Welcoming Our New Editor
I
n the premiere issue of Bowhunt America, my husband, Bill Krenz, wrote, Bowhunt-
ing is still a very romantic sport. We still have to get close. We still have to be quiet.
We still have to make the shot. But at the same time, plenty of the core elements of
bowhunting are changing. Tactics, equipment, opportunities, and shooting techniquesto
name just a few of those elementsare all evolving. Thats exciting and invigorating. But
it also gives rise to plenty of questions.
Providing straightforward answers to those questions was why we launched Bowhunt
America in the rst place. While we enjoy reading great hunting stories as much as
anyone, we wanted to publish a magazine specically designed to provide not only
entertaining stories, but also the information other bowhunters needed to create great
hunting stories of their own.
Of course, as Bill wrote in that March 2003 issue, bowhunting continues to evolve,
and Bowhunt America will evolve right along with this sport we all love so much.
To that end, Im pleased to announce that Darron McDougal is the new editor
of Bowhunt America. A lifelong resident of Wisconsin, Darron has been hunting since
he was old enough to buy a license. Although Darron has hunted and taken some
western game animals, his passion is chasing whitetails. And hes had a great deal of
success when it comes to cagey whitetails, having taken over 30 in just over a decade
of bowhunting.
In addition to being an accomplished bowhunter, Darron is also well-trained in the
technical aspects of shooting and equipment. For ten years, he worked as a service
technician and salesperson at Js Archery, a family-owned archery pro shop. The
knowledge and experience he gained working with archery equipment during that
time will serve him well in his position as Bowhunt America editor.
Most importantly, Darron shares the vision that drove Bill and I to create Bowhunt
America. Like us, Darron is interested in providing our readers with more than just
great storieshe wants to provide our readers with answers. He is also committed
to providing our readers with the highest quality content possible.
Welcome Darron aboard by contacting him at darron@zebrapub.com.
Our sport will continue to grow, change, and evolve, and so will our magazine.
But through all the changes, you can count on Bowhunt America to provide you with
information that can help you be successful in the eld.
Sherry Krenz
Publisher
SHERRY KRENZ
Publishers Note
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Big Shoes to Fill
T
wo years ago, a giant earthquake struck the archery and bowhunting industry. Bill Krenz, editor of
Bowhunt America, was tragically taken at just 58 years old. We are left with only the memories of who
Bill was and what he did for this sport that we love so much.
Bill knew archery as well as anyone. His special attention to detail and the technical aspects of archery
drove him to meticulously eld-test products, sharing his ndings through his informative reports. Bowhunt
America readers relied heavily upon Bills wisdom for both equipment answers and ways to become a
better bowhunter.
Besides his expertise in equipment, Bill was a passionate and extremely successful bowhunter. From
Alaska to Africa, his hardcore bowhunting lifestyle took him on numerous adventures. But despite his
success, Bill was never showy or arrogant. Quite the oppositehe was more concerned with how he
could translate his success into how-to articles for others to learn from. What really stands out was his
respect for the animals he hunted. His image as a bowhunter is one that we should all strive for.
Where am I going with all of this? I want you to know that Bill had a vision for this magazine,
and we are following it. The articles we publish always go beyond mere success stories, providing real
answers to help bowhunters become more successful. That is exactly what our readers want and expect.
Having had a bow in my hand for the past 20 years, I share Bills special attention to detail, and I
promise to uphold the quality bow and equipment reports that our readers have come to rely on to
make important equipment decisions.
I also share Bills passion for bowhunting. I have been chasing whitetails since I could hunt. I also
feel privileged to have gotten my feet wet in the West, successfully taking antelope and mule deer. Wild
turkeys are another favorite of mine. While I have taken about three dozen birds, I still get a big rush
when a gobbler comes roaring in.
While my accomplishments dont hold a candle to Bills, I share his identity as a respectful bow-
hunter and equipment-testing specialist. It is an honor to be handed the editor baton of this magazine.
Bill left a big set of shoes behind for me to ll. I weaved him through this whole column simply
because I dont want to forget where we came from with this magazine, and for that matter, where we
are going. Thank you, Bill Krenz. You were a brilliant inspiration.
Darron McDougal
Editor
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DARRON MCDOUGAL
From the Editor
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BOWHUNT AMERICA
b
z
Bowhunt America is a publication
of Zebra Publishing Inc.
Printed in the USA.
Publisher & Founder | Sherry Krenz
sherry@zebrapub.com
Founding Editor | Bill Krenz
1952

2010
Editor | Darron McDougal
darron@zebrapub.com
Associate Editor | Michaelean Pike
michaelean@zebrapub.com
Managing Editor | Jessi Cimafonte
jessi@zebrapub.com
Contributors
Tracy Breen | Michael Corrigan | Patrick Durkin
Mark Kayser | Brenda Potts | Brian Strickland
Associate Publisher
|
Travis Reginek
travis@zebrapub.com | (877) 499-9988 ext. 152
Account Executive | Joe Geanetta
joe@zebrapub.com | (877) 499-9988 ext. 111
Publishers Assistant | Jade Lefer
jade@zebrapub.com | (877) 499-9988 ext. 123
Art Director | Ed Rother
production@zebrapub.com
Associate Art Director | Tara Reginek
tara@zebrapub.com
Accounting Manager
|
Pam Ludlam
pam@zebrapub.com
Credit & Collections Manager
|
Lisa Featherston
lisa@zebrapub.com
Circulation Director | Greg Wolfe
gwolfe@circulationspecialists.com
Circulation Coordinator | Amy Ciccaglione
aciccaglione@circulationspecialists.com
Subscription Services & Change of Address
Bowhunt America Circulation Department
P.O. Box 9019, Maple Shade, NJ 08052
Phone: (800) 322-6087 | Fax: (856) 380-4101
bowhuntamerica@magcs.com
Corporate Ofce
Zebra Publishing Inc.
2960 N. Academy Boulevard, Suite 101
Colorado Springs, CO 80917
Phone: (719) 495-9999 | Fax: (719) 495-8899
www.BowhuntAmerica.com
Contributions: Written queries concerning photographic and/or written
contributions to Bowhunt America may be sent to Darron McDougal, Editor.
Bowhunt America

, Copyright 2013 Zebra Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher
is prohibited. Bowhunt America

is a registered U.S. trademark of Zebra Publishing

Inc. Opinions expressed in by-lined articles or columns are those of the author and
do not necessarily reect the views of the publisher, the magazine or its staff.
Bowhunt America

is published six times per year: April, June, August, September,

October, November.
Submission Guidelines: Zebra Publishing Inc. and Bowhunt America

magazine assume
no responsibility for unsolicited editorial, photography or art submissions.
Contributors submitting articles, photos or art do so at their own risk. Material
will not be returned without a self-addressed envelope with sufcient postage.
No contract, agreement, term or condition provided by any contributor shall be
binding on Zebra Publishing Inc. unless it is signed and returned by the Editor.
Archery, hunting and bowhunting are inherently dangerous activities. Improper use
of hunting or archery equipment may cause serious injury or death. Always follow
state and local hunting safety rules, and get required permits or licenses before
hunting. Zebra Publishing uses reasonable efforts to include accurate and
up-to-date information in our publications; however, we do not make any warranties
or representations as to accuracy or completeness. All information in this magazine
is provided as is without warranty of any kind. Zebra Publishing Inc. is not
responsible for researching and investigating the accuracy of the contents of stories
or advertisements published in this magazine. Readers use the information in this
magazine at their own risk. Zebra Publishing Inc. assumes no liability for any errors
or omissions in the content of this magazine, or arising from use by any person of
the information in this magazine.
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Wade
Christopherson
Wyoming Antelope
Bow: Mathews Heli
m
Arrow: Bloodsport HT2
Sight: HHA
Rest: Schaer
Release: Tru-Fire
Camo: Lost Camo
Nate Giagios
neW yoRk WhitetAil
Bow: Hoyt MagnaTec Arrow: Super Carbon
Broadhead: NAP Shockwave 100 Sight: TruGlo
Rest: Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit
Release: T.R.U. Ball Stinger
Mariah Burtseld
ColoRAdo elk
Bow: Mathews Passion
Arrow: Carbon Express
Broadhead: Muzzy 4-Blade
Sight: Copper John
Rest: Trophy Ridge
Whisker Biscuit
Release: T.R.U. Ball
APRIL 2013
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Joni Kiser AlASkA BRoWn BeAR
Bow: Mathews Jewel Arrow: Easton Axis
Broadhead: QAD Exodus Sight: Spot-Hogg Bulletproof
Rest: QAD Ultra-Rest HDX Release: Scott Rhino
Mickey Lee Roberts II
(9 years old)
WeSt ViRginiA WhitetAil
Bow: Diamond Nuclear Ice
Arrow: Carbon Express
Broadhead: Muzzy 75-Grain 3-Blade
Sight: TruGlo
Rest: Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit
Release: T.R.U. Ball
Randy Peck
AlASkA SitkA BlACktAil
Bow: BowTech Insanity CPXL
Arrow: Easton A/C/C
Broadhead: Wacem Triton
Sight: Spot-Hogg
Rest: Trophy Taker
other: Dont Choke True
Shot Coach
Austin
Burtseld
ColoRAdo elk
Bow: Mathews
Drenalin
Arrow: Carbon Express
Sight: Axion
Rest: Ripcord Code Red
Release: T.R.U. Ball
Clothing:
ScentBlocker
Ken Collins ARkAnSAS BlACk BeAR
Bow: Mathews Z9 Arrow: Carbon Express
Broadhead: Rage 2-Blade Sight: Savage Pendulum
Rest: Ripcord Code Red Release: T.R.U. Ball
An arrow moving slightly forward before the shot shows that creep is occurring. Although creep can
cause a reduction in concentration and decreased consistency, its an easy problem to solve.
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Stop the
Creep
Executing shots with consistent pressure
applied into the draw stops produces
consistent results at the targetwith all
other shooting form elements being equal.
Y
ou can learn a lot from scrutinizing the shooting
form of other shooters. The next time you visit
your local archery pro shop, take a moment to
observe a fellow shooter or two at the indoor shooting
range. Observe from both sides of a shooter and from
behind a shooter. And for a truly unique perspective,
observe a shooter from directly above.
Ive used a web cam mounted on the ceiling to achieve an
eagles eye view. Another approach is to mount a mirror on
the ceiling. This allows you to
check for proper upper-body and
stance orientation.
With a slightly open stance
and while at full draw, the shoot-
ers head should appear centered
between the shoulders. Check
for goose necks. If the shooters
torso is square to the hips as it
should be, you will only see the
tips of the shooters shoes. If
the shooter is improperly twist-
ing to the left or right, you will
see shoelaces on the front foot
or no part of the front-foot shoe
at all. If the shooter is a leaner
and is leaning into the bow, you
wont be able to see any part of
either shoe.
When all is well in the universe of shooting form, you
should be able to draw a straight line starting from the
throat of the shooters bow grip, extending past the tip of
the shooters nose, through the centerline of the draw-arm
hand and forearm bone, and all the way back to the tip of
the draw-arm elbow. This imaginary line should align per-
fectly with the shooters arrow. A draw-arm elbow that is left
or right of center indicates the shooter likely has a bow with
a draw length that is too short or too long.
Observing shooting equipment and components rather
than the actual shooter is also a worthwhile exercise to iden-
tify shooting-form problems. While standing to the side of a
shooter, focus on the arrow while the shooter is at full draw.
Watch for any detectable movement of the arrow in relation
to the arrow rest or edge of the bows riser. If the arrow
moves slightly forward before the shot, you can presume the
shooter is creeping.
Creep (also known as collapsing) is a common prob-
lem among archers. It is a slow implosion of upper-body
shooting form, and often results in reduced concentration
and a lack of consistency at the target. In essence, the
shooter is not maintaining rm contact between the string
cables or harness and the bows draw stops.
Most modern bows made nowadays have rigid draw
stops designed into the cam eccentrics. The result is often
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Shooting Secrets
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APRIL 2013
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described as a back wall. Executing
shots with consistent pressure applied
into the draw stops produces consistent
results at the targetwith all other
shooting form elements being equal.
The phenomenon of creep is typically
the result of lazy back muscles, which
leads to the draw arm and hand moving
forward. If this happens, an observer will
see the shooters arrow creep forward
across the arrow rest just before the shot.
In some instances, the arrow moves
forward and backward across the arrow
rest just prior to the shot. Here the
shooter mentally recognizes that creep is
occurring and quickly makes a correction
by reengaging the back muscles. This
scenario is even worse since the shooter
is shifting mental focus from aiming
back to anchoring against the cam draw
stops. I have observed shooters chroni-
cally creeping back and forth as many
as three or four times prior to executing
a shot. Talk about inefcient! Heck, I
cannot think of a single other shooting-
form aw that could be more disruptive
to shot execution. Back-and-forth creep
interferes with rhythm, relaxation, and
concentration. Once aiming begins, it
should never be interrupted until after
the arrow strikes the target.
Creep is typically a symptom of poor
physical conditioning or shooting a bow
with a draw weight that is too heavy.
Some slangily refer to this as being over-
bowed. Strength training designed to
target the large back muscles can help.
However, simply reducing the draw weight
on any given bow usually does the trick.
Shooting a bow with a perfect draw
length adjusted for the shooter also
helps to resolve creep issues. The large
back muscles are at their most efcient
state of strength and steadiness when
the draw-arm elbow is pointing directly
away from the target.
Issues with creep may also be related
to the shooter failing to utilize the large
back muscles. Shooters new to the sport
of archery are very often guilty of doing
this even with a bow that has a properly
adjusted draw length. If the shooter is
soliciting shoulder and arm muscles to
hold the draw weight of the bow, this
needs to be corrected. Utilizing only the
large muscles in the back requires less
physical exertion and results in a more
steady sight picture. Combined with a
perfect draw length, this technique maxi-
mizes shot efciency.
Being able to recognize awed shooting
form is a necessary step to becoming a
better shot. Learn from other shooters by
observing them as they shoot. In the case
of creep, solving the problem is relatively
easy. Just x it.
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Great New Gear
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Carbon Express Intercept
Gone are the days of adjusting your shooting posture, style, or setup to match your crossbow
the smart design of the new Carbon Express Intercept is made to suit you. The unique Picatinny
platform of the Intercept makes it innitely customizable. An adjustable six-position pull stock
tailors the shoulder mount, and tons of accessory connection pointsincluding 15 inches on the
top rail, 9 inches on the forearm rail, and 4 inches on the stock rail, plus two sling studs on the riser
and one sling plate on the butt stockmean you can attach a new forearm, grip, or butt stock;
mount the quiver on the top or the bottom; upgrade and/or move the scope; and so much more.
The Intercept weighs just over 8 pounds, oers a cocked size of just 13.5 inches, features a draw
weight of 185 pounds, and boasts a 360+ feet-per-second speed rating. For more information,
see your dealer or visit carbonexpressarrows.com.
Carbon
Express
Maxima
Blue Streak
Crossbow Bolt
Carbon Express has a full arsenal
of new bolts for 2013, but rst
on our list is the super-fast
Maxima Blue Streak. Featuring
100-percent carbon construction,
a patented diamond weave for
optimal spine consistency, and
Dual Spine Weight Forward
technology, the Maxima Blue
Streak bolt delivers top speed
and a atter trajectory, trans-
lating into pinpoint accuracy.
Carbon Express never fails to
impress with its technology.
For more information,
see your dealer or visit
carbonexpressarrows.com.
TenPoint Stealth SS
The new Stealth SS from TenPoint has already created a lot of buzz, and for good
reason. Its the shortest and most compact crossbow from TenPoint yet, with a
34.4-inch length and an airy overall weight of 6.8 pounds. XLT bow assembly and
the new Functionally Superior Bullpup (FBS) stock provide match-rie stability
when shooting, and the patented, fully integrated ACUdraw cocking mechanism
makes cocking practically eortless despite the powerful 185-pound draw weight.
This is a perfect choice for hunters looking for user-friendly
design, lethal bolt speed, and superior
maneuverability. The Stealth SS is proudly
made in the USA. For more informa-
tion, see your dealer or visit
tenpointcrossbows.com.
PSE TAC Ordnance
PSE completely redesigned its original TAC 15 crossbow for 2013. The TAC Ordnance
is now more accurate, more ecient, and more durable with a hard anodized-
aluminum nish. It converts most standard AR-15 lowers into an accurate and
powerful crossbow, one able to spit arrows at a blazing 405 feet per second. With a
peak weight of 150 pounds, an axle-to-axle length of 17 inches, and a mass weight
of 7.2 pounds (without lower and accessories), this is one heavy-duty weapon.
If youre looking for a version with a fully adjustable stock and a crisp trigger,
you can also check out the TAC Elite. For more information,
see your dealer or visit pse-archery.com.
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Beman ICS Crossbow Hunter
Hunters looking to take down big game with their powerful
crossbows dont have to look far for the perfect arrow: the new
Beman ICS Carbon Crossbow Hunter oers everything they need.
The combination of ultra-strong, multi-laminate carbon and
proven components makes for a lightweight but advanced arrow
that draws speed from high-performance crossbows. Beman
aerospace alloy inserts are included, and FOC-
enhancing brass inserts can be purchased
separately. ICS Carbon Crossbow Hunters
are made in the USA. For more information,
see your dealer or visit beman.com.
Parker StingRay
For 2013, Parker Bows introduced the new StingRay Bowshing Crossbow,
designed to deliver unheard-of performance for both fresh- and saltwater bowsh-
ing. At only 7.5 pounds, its supremely lightweight for a crossbow. The StingRays
draw weight is adjustable from 100 to 125 pounds without any special tools. This
advanced bowshing crossbow is available in a package that includes everything
you need to get out on the water: a choice of an open sight or a 1X Illuminated
Multi-Reticle Scope; the AMS Retriever Pro Bowshing Reel with 25 yards of
200-pound, high-visibility braided Dacron line; a bowshing arrow with a Muzzy
Gator Getter; and mounting hardware. And like all Parker crossbows, the StingRay
features the EZ Pull System, which reduces cocking eort by over 50 percent when
using a Red Hot EZ Roller Rope Cocker. For more information, see your
dealer or visit parkerbows.com.
Excalibur Matrix 380 Xtra
Speed and power. Those are the key characteristics of Excaliburs Matrix 380 Xtra.
This new crossbow manages to pack a 380-feet-per-second rating and 112.3
pounds of kinetic energy into an impressively compact packagethe Matrix 380
Xtra is a full 6 inches narrower and 4 inches shorter than its cousin, the Equinox,
and weighs an unbelievably light 5.9 pounds. The Guardian Anti-Dry-Fire system,
housed in the scope mount, catches the string and prevents the crossbow from r-
ing without an arrow in place. In addition, a built-in release de-cocks the weapon,
so you dont have to re an arrow when your day is over. For more information, see
your dealer or visit excaliburcrossbow.com.
Barnett Ghost 410
The follow-up to Barnetts incredibly fast Ghost 400 is somehow even faster. The new Ghost 410
features an even more compact, forgiving, and light design, and hurls bolts atyou guessed
ita blistering 410 feet per second. Like its predecessor, the Ghost 410 comes equipped with
Carbon Riser Technology, giving it that incredible speed and a weight of 7.3 poundsnearly a
full pound lighter than the Ghost 400 model. This is the only patent-protected Carbonlite riser for
crossbows, and it comes with a 5-to-1 safety factor. The standard anti-dry-re (ADF) trigger adds
to the safety, and the Crosswire string and cable system also comes standard.
The Barnett Ghost 410 is 38 inches long, 19 inches wide, and has
a 185-pound draw weight. For more information, see your
dealer or visit barnettcrossbows.com.
C
r
o
s
s
b
o
w
S
p
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Wicked Ridge Rope Cocker
A reliable, durable rope cocking aid is one of those must-have
items you might take for granted. But why not
show your high-end crossbow a little love
with an equally high-end accessory like
the new Rope Cocker from Wicked
Ridge? Made with a custom-dyed,
abrasion-resistant, high-tenacity
polyester cord, the plastic handles and
hooks are made with the same sturdy ST801
nylon as one of Wicked Ridges other cocking
mechanisms, the ACU-52. For more information, see
your dealer or visit wickedridgecrossbows.com.
Parker Red Hot Lighted Capture Nocks
Parker has introduced two Red Hot Lighted Capture Nock modelsone powered by
Nockturnal and one powered by Lumenok. The Nockturnal Lighted Capture Nock comes in
red and green, boasts a battery life of over 20 hours, and lights when the arrow is shot.
Red Hot Lighted Capture Nocks powered by Nockturnal will t Parker Hunter arrows,
Red Hot arrows, and other crossbow arrows with inside diameters of .24-.314 inches.
The Lumenok-powered nock also comes in red and green, lasts over 40 hours, and will
t Parker Hunter Arrows and others with an inside diameter of .300 inches. For more
information, see your dealer or visit parkerbows.com.
Winchester Stallion
The heavy-hitting Winchester Stallion packs a mean punch. Reaching speeds
of 340 feet per second, bolts sent from the Stallion are sure to hit their
markthe patent-pending AST-X Cam promises not only lethal power, but
exceptional long-range accuracy as well. The Stallion features an all-black
anodized-aluminum rail and riser, ergonomic
stock, padded Quiet Touch pistol grip
and forearm grip, and a cushioned
cheekpiece that makes this crossbow as
comfortable to handle as it is deadly. Last
but not least, a cool retractable stirrup
makes for compact carrying and storage.
For more information, see your dealer or
visit winchesterarchery.com.
Scorpyd Telson
Featuring split limbs in 130-, 110-, and 90-pound weights, the Telson crossbow from
Scorpyd is a cant-miss option for crossbow hunters. With 130-pound limbs, the mighty
Telson can reach speeds up to 380 feet per second and produces a knock-down 132
pounds of kinetic energy. Available in either black or camo, this is a no-nonsense weapon
that you can trust to take down the biggest game you put it up against. An anti-dry-re
device comes standard on this model, as does, of course, the
proven Reverse Draw Technology Scorpyd is
famous for. For more information, see
your dealer or visit scorpyd.com.
Stryker StrykeZone 350
and 380 in Black Ops
Proving yet again why its a favorite, Stryker has listened to customer
demand and introduced an all-black version of the StrykeZone series
crossbows. Both the StrykeZone 350 and the StrykeZone 380 feature an
ultra-light Kill Switch Trigger and state-of-the-art safety features, including
the Auto-Flip magnetic safety and the Cease-Fire secondary safety plug,
and now its all stealthily cloaked in a sleek Black Ops nish. Both the 350
and the 380 packages come with a ve-arrow
quick-detach quiver, a multi-reticle
scope, a cocking aid, and three (or,
with the 380, ve) 385-grain bolts.
The StrykeZone 380 package also comes
with a carrying sling and string stops. For
more information, see your dealer or visit
strykerxbow.com.
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Octane Thug
The guys at Octane think of everything. The
Thug is a brand new, reusable de-cocking bolt,
made to absorb the energy of shooting impact
without any actual penetration. Now you can
de-cock your crossbow without compromising
your hunting bolts and broadheads
simply shoot the Thug into the ground
and go. Octanes cool new Universal
Nock eliminates nock damage, and the
Thugs thick-walled 7075 aluminum
construction, inner piston, and durable
dampening material mean it can
handle even todays most powerful
crossbows. The Thug is compatible
with any crossbow model that
requires a 20-inch bolt. For more
information, see your dealer or
visit fuelthehunt.com.
Arrow Precision Inferno Hellfre II
Arrow Precisions versatile Inferno Hellre II crossbow is an excellent choice for
budget-conscious hunters who arent willing to compromise on quality. A CNC-
machined-aluminum riser, compressed-berglass limbs, comfort grip, ambidex-
trous auto safety, included rope cocking device, and much more make the Inferno
Hellre II a contender in the booming crossbow market. With a 185-pound draw
weight and an 11.5-inch power stroke, this crossbow reaches speeds up to 310
feet per second. Youll be amazed at its light weight and perfect balance. For more
information, see your dealer or visit arrow-precision.com.
Darton Viper SS Xtreme
Well-balanced, smooth, and fast are words you hear thrown around a lot in
the crossbow world, but the new Darton Viper SS Xtreme actually delivers on its
promises. Reaching speeds of 360 feet per second, with a 180-pound draw weight
and 13.5-inch power stroke, the Viper SS Xtreme is a perfect partner for those
looking to add a little more oomph to their target or hunting adventures. The new
Trackless Barrel Design coupled with the positive limb alignment system oers
improved accuracy, and Darton has also redesigned the Anti-Dry-Fire Safety, along
with a bunch of other features you have to see to believe. For more information, see
your dealer or visit dartonarchery.com.
Kodabow
Kodabow uses a common recurve platform for all of its crossbows, dierentiating between
models by the limbs. The brilliant thing about the construction is that there are no moving parts,
which means less of an opportunity for failure. First, you choose your model type: the Big Rhino
(225-pound draw weight), Bravo Zulu (200-pound draw weight), Koda-Express (185-pound draw
weight), or the Alpha Strike (125- and 155-pound draw weights). Within each model type you
have the option to purchase two variations of optics, or just stick with a bare bow. You can further
accessorize with a Super Pak, which comes with arrows and eld tips, string wax, a sling, a quiver,
and an instructional DVD. But every model comes standard with Allen wrenches, a rope cocking
aid, and a destringer, so you can feel condent that when you choose Kodabow, youre getting an
amazing deal. For more information, see your dealer or visit kodabow.com.
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Make Your
Buck Blossom
This Spring
Whitetail hunters easily overlook the
importance that spring can have on a
whitetail buck. Dont be part of that group.
T
urkey and black bear hunting divert whitetail
attention to other pursuits. Food plot preparation
for hunting plots later in the fall may cloud whats
happening right now with future daydreams. And the
carpet of green bubbling from the dull, brown landscape
may provide self-assurance that your whitetail property
has sufcient nutrition. But does your property have the
right stuff to make your bucks reach their full potential?
What makes a whitetail buck blossom, and how does
spring play into your goal of tagging out in the fall?
First, whitetail bucks need to reach maturity. Next, they
need a nutritional plan designed to meet their needs
throughout the seasons. Lastly, they need a bit of luck
in the genetic department. If these three factors come
together, you may have season tickets to a whitetail won-
derland, as well as the opportunity to tag a trophy this
coming fall. Spring is a strategic starting point to put
this plan into play.
Step One: Age
If you have thousands of acres under your supervision
along with the authority to control hunting pressure,
allowing your whitetail bucks to mature is easy. Okay,
thats a long enough visit to fantasy land. Lets return to
reality. Few of us have this type of land at our disposal,
but that doesnt mean you should begin a yearling buck-
elimination campaign. The right habitat and assistance
from surrounding landowners can make an 80-acre prop-
erty capable of producing mature bucks. Art Helin, owner
of Art Helin Land Management (arthelinoutdoors.com),
manages 300 acres in southwest Wisconsin, and his prop-
erty consistently produces mature bucks. Some are even
close to the jaw-dropping 200 mark. Helin only harvests
mature bucks and focuses on overall habitat, but he believes
developing a refuge is the key to keeping mature bucks on
a given property.
This spring, consider building a refuge into your prop-
erty to provide local whitetails with security and con-
dence. One or two refuge pockets strategically located in
central locations on the property give deer places to bed
without being disturbed. These refuge pockets also give
you the opportunity to ambush whitetails as they leave
cover to visit food plots.
Why have a refuge as centrally located as possible? This
keeps deer smack-dab in the middle of your property,
giving them less of a chance to wander over fences to
be shot. A refuge, combined with food and water, limits
the reasons a whitetail might have to leave your piece of
heaven, regardless of whether your property is 5,000 or
50 acres. Helins property includes several refuges that hes
maximized by stacking slash piles left over from clear-
ing food plot openings. He piles up the slash in front
of brushy thickets and around wooded ridges to provide
screens for deer to hide behind and to block Helins
approach when he moves to and from stands.
Step Two: Nutrition
Security helps deer reach maturity, but nutrition takes that
maturity and makes it noteworthy. Food plots are the an-
swer, but too many whitetail enthusiasts focus on fall plots
Although many bowhunt-
ers focus on fall food
plots, whitetails are
desperate for quality
nutrition in early spring.
Protein-rich perennials
are a great way to give
your whitetails a much-
needed nutritional boost.
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Backyard Whitetails
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and forget about the narrow window in
spring when whitetails are in dire need of
a nutritional jumpstart. Whitetails com-
ing out of a hard winter are stressed and
need to regain body weight quickly for
maximum antler-growing potential and
for a healthy fawn crop. They cant wait a
month or more for food plots or nearby
agricultural crops to sprout. They need
food now!
The answer is to plant at least one
food plot with a perennial, a crop like
winter wheat, or even a winter plot with
lots of refrigerator leftovers. All can
provide ample protein for the rst boost
of much-needed spring nutrition.
The Quality Deer Management Asso-
ciation (qdma.com) refers to these plots
as cool-season options. Perennials
offer several advantages for spring white-
tail nutrition. First, once perennials are
established, you dont need to plant them
every year. With proper management,
they can provide tons of crude protein
in the range of 20 percent or more. Red
or white clover and drought-tolerant
alfalfa all can meet these requirements.
Winter wheat, an annual, doesnt have
as high a protein level, but it does green
up quickly, offering up to 12-percent
protein. Lastly, large winter plots that
havent been overgrazed can also help
bump a whitetail into high gear in the
spring. Brassicas, chicory, and Austrian
winter peas fall into this category.
This is also the time of year to restock
mineral sites where legal. Some regions
shine in terms of natural minerals found
in browse and native soils, but most
locations could use some hunter help.
Calcium and phosphorous are the two
most important minerals. They boost
antler growth and keep the entire herd
healthy. Disperse them in a 2-to-1
calcium-to-phosphorous ratio. Products
like Hunters Specialties Vita-Rack Lick
Site include calcium and phosphorous,
plus additional vitamins and minerals for
healthy deer and even spring tick control.
Step Three: Genetics
Genetics are the wild card because you
have limited ways to manage their out-
come. Whitetail genetics differ regionally,
but you can help boost certain genetic
traits or qualities simply by passing on
younger bucks sporting desirable quali-
ties such as tall brow tines, above-average
mass, and extra points. Passing on young-
er deer and allowing these bucks to breed
and spread genetic traits may increase the
occurrence of these antler characteristics
on your property in future years.
Spring may seem like a season to stray
from whitetail management goals, but in
reality its the time to ensure deer have
proper nutrition and that you have the
right plan in place for success this
coming fall.
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The Lesson
Bear
The stand had been very close to the bait.
The shot had been no more than 10 yards,
but that very closeness had dramatically
changed the downward angle of the shot.
I
t had been a near-perfect bowhunt. An easy spring was
just beginning to assert itself on the Canadian north. It
was that peaceful time, after the ice and before the bugs.
Outtters Ken Fraser and Shelly Paul of Wind Valley
Guiding had arranged a great hunt. Guides Cam Sidam and
Tracy McQuitty ran a tight camp, cooked up a storm, and
knew exactly how to bowhunt spring black bears.
On the third evening of the hunt, Id killed a record-
book bear. I had a second bear tag, but had turned picky.
If I was going to shoot a second bear, it would have to be
noticeably larger than my rst.
All of that was drifting lazily through
my head on the fth evening of the hunt
when a twig snapped behind me.
I remember thinking, upon reaching this
particular bait site, that the stand seemed
awfully close to the bait. But as I looked
around, it became obvious why Cam had
chosen that particular tree. All the other
trees were simply too small.
When a second twig snapped directly
below my stand, I slowly leaned to my right
and looked straight down. What I saw took
my breath away.
Standing maybe 3 feet from my tree was
one of the biggest black bears I had ever
seen. He seemed as broad as a refrigerator, and his head
looked like a bucket. His feet appeared to be the size of
dinner plates. Here was the bear I was looking for.
Moving as slowly as possible, I turned on my video
camera. The autofocusing mechanism seemed outrageously
noisy as it zoomed in on the bear. He froze. I froze. And
the camera quieted down.
Cautiously, he went back to eating. I glanced at the
cameras ip-out screen, smiled when I saw that the bear was
perfectly centered, and began preparing for the shot.
At most bear bait sites, I take the time to arrange fallen
logs and brush into a broad V-shape that opens directly at my
stand. To get to the bait, bears must enter the V, positioning
themselves broadside or slightly quartering-away to my posi-
tion. That positioning offers me the best possible shot angle.
My condence was very high as I came to full draw. A
very big bear, at 10 yards and broadside, seemed like a slam
dunk. The single green pin on my sight found the spot I
wanted low on his broad chest, and the arrow was gone.
Yellow vanes disappeared through black hide.
In an instant he was out of sight. Then I listened to him
run for a long ways out into the thick Canadian bush. And
doubt began to creep into my head.
He hadnt sounded like he was even thinking about stop-
ping. Hed run completely out of earshot.
I was stunned. The shot felt good. It had looked good, too.
I scrambled for the video camera, carefully rewinding the tape
to the point where the bear was eating at the bait. I pushed
Play and watched events unfold on the small screen. The
arrow hit well, just where Id aimed. Well,
maybe a hair low, but it still should have
put him down in less than 50 yards.
But I knew it hadnt done that. He had
run much further and was still running
when I could no longer hear him.
For the next two hours, I didnt make
a sound. I didnt want to disturb the area.
When I heard the approaching jet boat, I
slithered down out of the tree and crept to
the riverbank.
In whispered tones, I explained to Cam
and Tracy what had happened and suggest-
ed we leave the area until morning. With
any uncertain hit, time is your best ally.
No night is longer than one follow-
ing a questionable shot, and that night was no exception.
The food was tasteless, the cot in my tent was lumpy, and
daylight took forever to arrive. In the morning, I rushed
everyone through breakfast, carried everyones gear to the jet
boat, and just generally pestered one and all to get going.
That day was one Id like to forget. We tracked as best
This column celebrates the writing of Bowhunt America Founder Bill Krenz.
This piece is excerpted from the June 2003 issue of Bowhunt America.
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we could, following diminishing specks
of red. We crawled over blowdowns and
wormed our way through dogs-hair brush.
We fanned out and walked in lines. We
stumbled and slogged through creeks and
fought our way far back into the bush
away from the river. And in the end, late
in the afternoon, we had to admit defeat.
I apologized to everyone, hung my head,
and hoped that the bear would recover.
Everything indicated he would. The video
camera had lied. My shot had obviously
not been what it had appeared.
For a second night, sleep did not come.
I lay awake listening to the river and
replaying the sequence of events from the
evening before. His leg had gone forward.
He was not moving. I aimed tight and low
behind the shoulder. The arrow had gone
right where I had aimed. But no bear. No
bear anywhere.
Sometime around two in the morning,
I icked on my penlight and started to
draw. I drew the outline of a bear facing
me and sketched in both lungs. If you
put an arrow through both lungs, even
the biggest bear wont go 50 yards.
As I drew on the paper, a theory began
to form in my head. The stand had been
very close to the bait. The shot had been
no more than 10 yards, but that very
closeness had dramatically changed the
downward angle of the shot. Was it pos-
sible that I had aimed too low, and because
of the abrupt angle, just skidded the arrow
down along the chest cavity, missing even
the onside lung?
The next morning I shared my ideas and
my drawings with Cam and Tracy.
Tonight I want to sit on the same bait
where I hit that bear, I told Cam. And
I plan to sit that bait every night. Maybe
hell come back.
We messed up that area pretty good,
Cam said. We tromped around in there for
hours. You know the chances of that bear
coming back to that area are pretty slim.
I know that, I replied. But the only
way to conrm what I suspect is to kill
that bear. Its the only chance I have to
complete the lesson.
The rst night I sat at the bait again,
little came in. The next evening started
much the same.
And then he appeared.
He came in silently from my right. One
second there was nothing there. Then
he just materialized, 20 yards away and
looking as big as a house. He eyed the bait
suspiciously.
Could this be my bear? I wondered.
Same size, same jet-black coat, same
big head and enormous feet. And hes
unusually suspicious of the bait.
The bear cautiously approached the
bait from directly behind my stacked logs.
Reaching through a narrow opening, he
grabbed a chunk of meat and walked off
into the trees. I could hear him munching
away, barely 20 yards from where I sat. Then
u
he was back, repeating the meat-grabbing
scenario and retreating into the ferns.
Eight times he returned to the back of
my logjam, and eight times he grabbed meat
chunks and slipped off into the brush. My
bow rested across my knees, an arrow ready.
I had to be sure.
I studied him through seven-power
binoculars. Try as I might, I couldnt detect
anything that would positively conrm
that he was my bear. He certainly didnt act
like hed had a run-in with a sharp arrow
just two days before.
Growing frustrated, he nally batted at
the logs, dislodging the top log. As he did,
he stepped up with his front feet on the
remaining logs and stood looking around.
It was crystal clear through the binocu-
lars. In the exact center of his chest, right
at his sternum, was a three-bladed cut. As
I watched wide-eyed, he grabbed a large
piece of meat and ambled off. As soon as
he had disappeared, I let go of my binocu-
lars, lifted my bow, and positioned my feet
for the shot.
Minutes dragged by. Then the brush
parted. He came around the scattered
logs and stood broadside. As his leg
went forward, so did my arrow. Only this
time, I aimed three-fourths of the way
up his back to improve the shot angle
into both lungs.
The arrow penetrated to the vanes.
He whirled and ran into the thick brush
behind the bait. Seconds later I heard a
crash, followed by a death moan. Then
The authors hunt notebook with his middle-of-the-night
drawing of what he thinks happened on his rst shot at
an especially big Alberta black bear.
30
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BOWHUNT AMERICA
everything went quiet. After waiting 30
minutes, I climbed down. The blood trail
was ample, with pink bubbles in the red
drops. I found him stretched out at on
his stomach, barely 45 yards away.
I was almost afraid to roll him over. But
when I did, there was the clean three-bladed
cut my rst arrow had made as it exited
near his breastbone. Parting the thick hair
on his left side, I found the entry point,
just halfway up that side. The rst arrow
had indeed angled down along his chest,
completely missing everything vital.
My second arrow, on the other hand,
had entered much higher and angled down
through both lungs to exit midway on his
right side. The lesson was clear.
On close shots from treestands, take
special note of the resulting shot angle
and the anticipated path of the arrow
through the body. Think of the lungs as
two water balloons placed side-by-side in
the chest. Calculate both the entry and
exit points, and aim so that the arrow will
puncture both lungs. Do that and noth-
ing will go far.
Thats the lesson I learned on shot
angles from an Alberta black bear in the
time after the ice and before the bugs.
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This is the Lesson Bear, the Alberta black bear that took the author to school on shot angles. With bowhunting,
there is always something else to learn. This big record-book bear green scored 19
1
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Best of Bill Krenz
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012
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DARRON MCDOUGAL
Accessory Spotlight
LaCrosse
AeroHead
18-Inch Boot
I
distinctly remember my rst pair of waterproof boots.
They were a pair of cheap boots from a local agricul-
tural store. After just a few hunts, water began leaking in,
drowning and freezing my feet. Disgusted, I quickly located
the source of the problemminute cracks. To make matters
worse, those boots rubbed my heels and toes raw. Discomfort
is unwelcome on any hunt, especially when you have invested
hundreds or thousands of dollars into your entire hunting season.
Anyone who wants to beat the odds and take a trophy
animal deserves apparel that will keep them
comfortable for hours on end, regardless of the
conditions. Feet are probably the most important
part of the body to keep warm and dry. If they
get cold and damp, that frigid bite rapidly climbs
your legs and sucks the warmth out of your
entire body. Aside from extended comfort, a boot
should last a long time, regardless of what a hunter
puts it through.
A Solid Reputation
Even non-sportsmen are familiar with LaCrosse.
People of all walks of life have relied on the superi-
ority of LaCrosse boots since 1897. The companys
reputation of producing quality boots that last is
certainly well-deserved.
After four years in development and over 4,000
miles of testing, LaCrosse has introduced
the tough-as-nails AeroHead 18-inch boot.
This revolutionary boot features patent-pending
AeroForm technology, a construction that combines
the ultimate comfort with enhanced durability. This
means the boot weighs a ton, right? Not a chance!
Each AeroHead boot is over 25-percent lighter
than a traditional rubber-over-neoprene boot.
Rugged Construction,
Comfort Beyond Belief
So how can such lightweight construction yield
such durable results? Simple: AeroForm technology
features a polyurethane shell over a exible, insulating
neoprene core, allowing the boot to t like a glove.
The AeroHead is surprisingly easy to slip on and take
off. No more ghting and tugging to get your boots
off after a long day aeld.
The rst time I slipped the AeroHead onto my feet, I was
astounded by the amazing comfort and control this boot has to
offer. A big problem with most waterproof boots is that they tend
to ride up and down your ankle as you walk. This causes all sorts
of problems with skin chang and is usually due to stiff construc-
tion. The AeroHead eliminates that problem with its exibility
and proven Ankle-Fit technology, which perfectly secures the heel
in place as you walk. I love the fact that this boot doesnt rub feet.
The seams are usually the rst place that boots will crack and
leak, but the AeroHead is seamless around the foot. To comple-
ment its ultra-tough exterior design, LaCrosse seals the only seam,
located on the back of the neoprene core, with Armor Weld, a
protective liquid-rubber coating, which makes leaks a thing of the
past. Tromping through swamps, thick brush, and rocky terrain
wont rip and tear up your AeroHead boots, thanks to its rugged
Brush Tuff material.
Bowhunters come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you have big
or small calf muscles, the AeroHeads adjustable back gusset and
strap ensure a perfect t.
The Aero non-loading outsole offers surprising exibility, a
quality not usually found on a waterproof boot. It also offers
great grip ability, traction, and advanced control for slippery
terrain conditions. An injected PU midsole with integrated
shank is to thank for added comfort underfoot as well as arch
support, particularly while climbing tree steps or ladders.
The AeroHeads interior design offers a jersey-knit liner to
wick moisture and dry quickly for day-after-day usage. The
insole is extremely comfortable, offering top-notch cushion-
ing. On top of that is the warmth factorthe AeroHead
offers pretty substantial warmth thanks to the insulating
properties of the polyurethane combined
with the neoprene core.
Besides all else that the AeroHead
does so well, it looks fantastic. Big
and clunky are things of the past when
you look at LaCrosses line of outdoor foot-
wear. To complement an already appealing boot, the AeroHead
18-inch boot is available in Mossy Oak Innity, Mossy Oak
Bottomland, and new Realtree Xtra or Xtra Green.
Anytime, Anywhere
What I like the most about the AeroHead (besides its amazing
comfort and control) is that it is a multi-application boot. This
eliminates the need to buy separate boots for every outdoor adven-
ture. If you want to take the AeroHead ice shing, go right ahead.
Got some snow to shovel? Shove on the AeroHead and get to
work! Got a turkey tag burning a hole in your pocket? You know
what to do. Whatever your hardcore hunting lifestyle demands, the
LaCrosse AeroHead will go the distance with you.
For more information, see your dealer, call 800-323-2668, or
visit lacrossefootwear.com.
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If you think hunting black
bears from a treestand over
bait is exciting, wait until you
try some of these thrilling
bear-hunting alternatives.
Bowhunting black bears over bait is as standard
as quivers on bows. Bowhunters stock baits days
and weeks before a hunt, place a treestand over
the bait, and wait for Yogi to start showing up
regularly on trail camera photos. Treestands
do offer relative safety from curious bears
and can help keep your scent from reaching
a bruins sensitive nose. As a result, this style
of hunting does produce consistent results
if you have the stamina to stay on bait.
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I took my rst black bear using this tactic while bowhunt-
ing on a semi-guided Canadian black bear hunt. Tedious as
it may have been to wait on stand for hours every day, the
reward was worth the wait. On the sixth day, a monster bruin
appeared below my stand, looked up, and then disappeared. I
was crushed. I had waited the entire trip for an opportunity,
and it had come and gone in less time than it took for a mos-
quito to bite me. But the bear soon reappeared with attitude.
This time he stood below my ladder stand, shook it, and
huffed some angry threats under his breath. Then he dropped
back down and gave me a quartering-away shot that, despite
being high on gallons of adrenaline, I somehow made.
You cant argue that an encounter like that isnt electrifying,
but sitting in a treestand over bait isnt the only way to arrow
a trophy black bear. If you want even more guaranteed thrills,
check out these heart-pumping tactics.
The Ground Assault
Want to really spice up your bear hunt? Drop out of your
treestand and meet bears face to face. Whether you hunt the
swamp and lake country of Minnesota or the far reaches of
Canada, you can amp up your black bear experience by hunt-
ing from commercial or makeshift ground blinds. If you want
to stay grounded, make sure to follow these tips.
If youre bowhunting spooky bears, an airtight commercial
ground blind is the way to go. Try to set up with a backstop
or obstacles to block a backdoor surprise from a curious bear.
Set up with a lake, ledge, cliff, or even a deadfall behind you.
Ive had numerous bears join me in the blind over the years,
and that denitely moves the jolt meter.
Most bear hunters use barrels, cribs, or other containment
devices to hold bait. This keeps a bear in one location while
it eats. For these devices to perform well, they need to be
secured. Chains, nails, and lumber can keep your bait-contain-
ment device in place. And to avoid bears coming to bait from
every angle, build a backstop or place the bait against a debris
pile to guarantee that bears circle around and swipe a treat
with a broadside peek.
My favorite location to take on this challenge is in north-
ern Alberta, where bears abound and have bold attitudes
perfect for a ground-based assault. A recent hunt with Jeff
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BOWHUNT AMERICA
Downing of True North Outtters
(truenorthouttters.net) conrmed my
decision to take on bears at face level.
While Downing and I constructed a
homemade blind from natural vegetation,
a large sow sauntered in, ignoring us. She
grabbed some bait and walked a few feet
away to chow. Minutes later a monster boar
did the same. I knew it was time to put
down the axe and grab my Mathews. The
boar quickly returned to woo the lady, but
he couldnt resist raiding the picnic basket
one more time.
I stood and drew in full view at 9 yards
as the bear glared at me. When he turned
broadside, I dashed a Carbon Express arrow
on its way. The bear tipped over less than 30 steps from where
I stood. That experience proved to me that face to face was a
great way to hunt baited bears.
Calling All Bears
Black bears appear docileeven cuddlybut they still
exhibit predatory characteristics. As omnivores, bears eat
almost anything in their environment. Berries, roots, grass,
insects, carrion, and critters big and small t into their
diets. If you want to experience the slinking, cat-like stalk
or all-out, full-frontal charge that a 400-pound bruin uses
when pursuing game, utilize a predator call. Prey-in-distress
calls pique the interest of all predators from small cats to
large bears, and they can add a dash of spice to any spring
bear hunt.
The predator call market has exploded in the last decade,
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offering more options for both electronic
and handheld calls, plus unique sounds only
dreamed of in the past. This variety of calls
can open the door to an incredibly exciting
bear hunt, one in which you nd yourself
glancing over your shoulder to ensure a
surprise visitor doesnt enter stage left.
Planning a bear-calling hunt requires some
research. First, check state regulations con-
cerning the use of electronic calls. Since bears
are classied as game species in most states
as opposed to the predator status given to
coyotes in many areas, the use of an electronic
call may be illegal.
Next, study up on what bears hunt in the
region youll be calling. Do they focus on
whitetail fawns, elk calves, young moose, rodents, or some
other animal that provides nutrition to bounce back after
a long winter? Remember that spring bears emerge from
hibernation hungry. They may grazeon grass early to jump-
start their digestive systems, but after the salad bar anything
goesincluding red meat.
Finally, nd the highest concentration of bears in the
region. Youll want the most ears listening as possible when
you sing a tune of distress. Game and sh biologists can
provide this information.
Mark Shutey has been outtting hunts for more than
a decade in southwest Montanas Beaverhead-Deerlodge
National Forest through his business, Stockton Outtters
(stocktonouttters.com). Hes also hunted the high country
for elk and bear for nearly three decades. You wont have to
ask him twice what hunt he favors the most: bear hunting
with predator calls.
Years of experience have shown Shutey that bears turn to
meat quickly after emerging from dens. They scavenge at this
time of year on winter-killed animals. They also turn their
focus to fawns and calves. This means they congregate in areas
that have high densities of deer, moose, and elk. The smell of
the herds, along with the odor of the afterbirth, attracts bears.
Shutey cemented his strategy after actually watching a bear
in hot pursuit. While in the mountains one spring I actu-
ally saw a bear killing prey, he said. It was a calf elk, and
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the calf was bawling as the bear turned it into a meal. After
seeing and hearing the attack, I wondered if I could use prey-
in-distress calls to call in bears. After some experimentation
with great success, I turned it into my main tactic for spring
bear hunts.
After locating a high-density bear area, Shutey directs his
attention to nding a bear. He believes his chances of success
are higher if he can spot a bear rst and watch its actions as
it reacts to a call. If the bear reacts sluggishly, he can increase
the franticness of the call, while if the bear is coming fast, he
can slow the calls down to allow the hunter more time for a
clean shot. If he doesnt spot a bear, he picks a high location
in a likely area and sets up to call.
His best advice is to get as many setups in a day as possible
and to always have a backup person to watch the rear door.
Small bears may come in timidly, but dominant bears arrive
with no fear and a hunger that makes them bold and unpre-
dictable. Its denitely a spicy bear-hunting alternative.
Spot and Stalk
As more and more regulations limit the ways in which hunt-
ers can pursue bears, many hunters simply give up. Dont. If
you have any open country at all in your hunting location,
give spot-and-stalk hunting a try. Spot-and-stalk bowhunt-
ing for bears is challenging since you wont have bait or a call
to direct a bears actions. Youll have to study the area, study
bear movement, and, after spotting a bear, plan a stalk to get
within bow range. If that sounds next to impossible you may
be right, but you wont be bored in a treestand swatting at
mosquitoes. Instead, your Spidey senses will tingle during the
last yards of a close-encounter stalk.
If you think you need to hunt the vast, open slopes of the
West or coastal clear-cuts, youre on the right track, but be
creative. Some of the best spot-and-stalk opportunities today
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are along agricultural elds as bears boldly forage in the open.
Ive been tempted to stalk North Country bears in the miles
of pipeline corridors carved out of the boreal forests in Can-
ada. And some of the most successful hunts today are taking
place along the coasts of Alaska, where bears roam beaches
looking for a meal gift from the tides.
In the spring, bears immediately gravitate to open areas for
nutrition. Their rst goal is to graze on any green grass. Why?
They require the grass to activate their digestive system after
hibernation. Once they have the engine running, the open ar-
eas also offer other nutritional alternatives ranging from car-
rion to young animals. With that in mind, look for openings,
meadows, and south-facing slopes to locate bears or at least
be in a neighborhood they might visit.
After arming yourself with information from locals and
biologists on a high-density bear location, set yourself up
for successful spotting. High vantage points overlooking
vast parks, meadows, or elds give you an edge in spotting a
bear. And although it will add more
miles to your stalk, the best location
is across from the targeted opening.
Being on the same playing eld may
work in a few locations, but its best
to set yourself up across a canyon,
scan back, and be able to see the entire
opening at once.
High-quality optics are mandatory.
If youre shopping for a trophy or
trying to distinguish large males from
dainty females, youll probably need
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a spotting scope. Ive ditched my high-end binocular for
the more budget-friendly Nikon Monarch 7. They have the
same quality glass as some of the more expensive binocu-
lars, but if I trash them in a nasty fall, I can easily replace
them without pawning my bow. Of course, lightweight is a
must, so shop for a small spotting scope tripod that doesnt
slow you down with additional cargo pounds.
Once you spot a bear, begin calculating a route of inter-
ception. Consider downwind options and terrain features
that offer concealment avenues. Your binoculars can help
you map a route and detect breezes across a canyon by al-
lowing you to zoom in on swaying vegetation. Also consider
whether you need to go stocking foot or don a pair of
stalking booties such as the eece slipovers sold by Crooked
Horn Outtters (crookedhorn.com).
Bim Blake, owner of Blakes Adventures, Inc., provides a
rst-class spot-and-stalk black bear hunt along the Alaskan
coast. A roomy cabin cruiser provides accommodations and
the jumping-off platform to stalk large black bears as they
cruise picturesque beach frontage looking for their next
meal. Put yourself in front of one of these bruins and you
might have more spice in your hunt than you bargained for.
Combo Hunts: Bait and Calling
If you travel very far north to hunt bears, be aware of one
helpful yet annoying element: daylight. Youll be hunting
some of the longest days of the year and, in extreme north-
ern areas, the sun never fully goes down. That gives you
more hours to hunt, but is it too much time?
Most black bear hunters sit baits only in the afternoons.
Walking in to a bait in the mornings can risk spooking a
good bear in the dim light of dawn, but that leaves you
with hours to put to some constructive use. In some locales,
you can grab a shing rod and pursue pike, walleye, trout, or
bass. Thats perfectly ne if you love shing, but if bear hunt-
ing is all you want to do, consider this option: calling bears
before and during your bait hunt.
Ive used this strategy on several hunts with exciting results.
This past spring, I employed it in Alberta where afternoon
hunts were the norm while hunting with North Alberta Out-
tters Troy Foster (northalberta.com). Foster allowed me to
go in early and use predator calls near baits and while actually
sitting on the baits to increase bear activity. There were so
many bears the calls werent really needed, but it did spice up
the hunt as several young bears walked in looking for fawns
in peril. The bear I eventually arrowed fell to a traditional bait
setup with a 12-yard shot from the ground. But, by incor-
porating calls throughout the week, I was never bored and it
brought the right amount of spice to jazz up my spring black
bear season.
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Hoyt
Spyder 34
M
id-October always nds bowhunters everywhere
checking Hoyts website like its the daily news.
Thats because Hoyt is known for doing things
differentlysometimes very differently. In 2010, Hoyt dropped
the original Carbon Matrix onto the market. Two years later, the
ripples from that splash havent settled.
This year, Hoyt has clearly raised the
bar once again with its agship bow, the
Spyder. This high-performance bow is
available in both 30-inch and 34-inch
models. I tested the Spyder 34. With its
incredible stability and long-range shoot-
ing accuracy, the Spyder 34 is sure to turn
plenty of heads this year.
Love It!
When I rst wrap my hand around a
new bow, I tend to immediately evaluate
the bows balance and weight distribu-
tion. Fit and feel are top priorities
when shopping for a new bow. While
Hoyt is known for balanced bows, the
Spyder 34 blew me away. It was clear
that Hoyts engineers had gone to great
lengths to make this bowwhich
weighs just 4 poundssit in the hand
like a dream come true.
The available Hoyt Pro Fit Grip system
is the icing on the cake. While the Spyder
comes with a standard wood grip, you can
also order wood side plates or the warm-
to-the-touch 180 elastomeric grip. With
these options, you can be sure the Spyder
will t you perfectly.
Oh So Smooth!
When I hit full draw with the Spyder 34 for the rst time, I
let it down and bit my lip, wondering if Hoyt had shipped a
65-pound peak bow by mistake. When I pulled the bowstring
with my scale, I was oored to see the digital screen read 70
pounds. A number of features play a role in creating this silky-
smooth draw cycle.
Hoyt debuted the RKT Cam & System in its 2012 lineup.
Revolutionary ErgoDraw technology on three different cam sizes
affords each cam size a full rotation at the shot, regardless of the
draw length, to maximize the Spyders efciency.
Interchangeable modules can be switched in just minutes to
make subtle, half-inch adjustments without the use of a bow
press. I was pleased that the RKT Cam & comes to a denite
stop at full draw without compromising a reasonable valley. My
shoulder joint felt no stress when I drew and let down repeatedly,
even at 70 pounds. Thats smooth!
The Inner Race bearing design in Hoyts In-Line Roller Cable
Guard certainly lightens the workload during the draw. The combi-
nation of the RKT Cam & System, ErgoDraw technology, and
the In-Line Roller Cable Guard make this
killer incredibly smooth.
Hoyt Tough
No bowhunter plans on running over their
bow with a truck, but it happens. I know
this for a fact, because, after a successful
South Dakota mule deer hunt a couple
years ago, I ran over my Hoyt bow. A
quick diagnostic assessment revealed only
a crushed Teon spacer that separates the
cam from the limb on the axle. No bent
riser, no bent cams, no broken strings, no
broken limbs. Talk about Hoyt tough!
Hoyt puts its risers through its tortur-
ous 1,500 dry-re test to ensure that they
can withstand the roughest bowhunting
conditions and disasters, and the Spyder
certainly lives up to Hoyts legacy of
extreme toughness. The TEC Lite Riser is
connected to the Multi-Layer Laminated
Limbs with Hoyts X-Lite Pro Lock
Pocket, a trim yet rugged design that
decreases mass weight while providing
sustained durability. The integrity of the
Spyder is unparalleled.
I dont know about you, but I like to
see through my peep sight when I hit full
draw on a whitetail buck. Shot after shot,
the Spyders peep sight sits straight in the string, thanks to the
no-creep, zero-twist Fuse strings and cables.
Shhhhhh!
Shooting the Spyder 34 left me slack-jawed. This bow was
unbelievably quiet. The XTS Pro ARC limbs actually go past
parallel at full draw. The up and down motion of the limbs at
the shot cancel out any vibration before it ever begins.
The combination of the powerful RKT Cam &
1
/2 System
and the innovative AirShox makes the Spyder 34 a
silent killer.
Bow Report
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Additionally, the Spyder boasts Hoyts
groundbreaking new AirShox. These innovative
devices are rubber dissipater pads that connect
to the X-Lite Pocket. As the bow is drawn,
the limbs ex away from the AirShox. At the
shot, the AirShox catch the limbs to effectively
kill any leftover limb vibration. To top it off,
Hoyts StealthShot string cushion uses the same
concept as the AirShox to deaden the typical
string twang.
Finally, the rubber Silent Shelf deadens
any noise made when arrow-to-riser contact
happens, and provides a quiet landing spot for
drop-away arrow rests.
On the Range
As soon as I got my pins dialed in, I was
banging arrows together with regularity out to
50 yards. Clearly, the Spyder 34 is extremely
accurate. The bows stable, 34-inch axle-to-
axle length and great balance play a major
role in achieving this accuracy. Just holding
this bow made me feel deadly. That sort of
condence is a huge plus in the eld when the
stakes are high.
If you like speed, the Spyder delivers it in
spades. Powered by the RKT Cam & System,
this silent killer sends arrows down range at
rocket speeds, giving you a high-performance,
at-shooting bow.
Customize It!
Want to customize your Hoyt Spyder?
Just purchase a colored accessory pack-
age. The AirShox, Stealth Shot, and
wood grip are all available in a variety
of color options, including blue, pink, white,
green, orange, red, and yellow. Fuse Strings
are also available to match the various color
options.
Without question, there will be Hoyt Spyders
on the prowl this fall. Thanks to this bow, the
woods are going to be a deadly place!
i
Specifcations
Hoyt Spyder 34

Axle-to-Axle Length 34 inches

Brace Height 6.75 inches
Mass Weight 4 pounds
Test Bow Draw Weight 70 pounds
Draw Lengths 25.5-27, 27-29, and 29-31.A
long-draw model is also available
for draw lengths up to 32.
Draw Weights 40#, 50#, 60#, 65#, 70#, 80#
Colors Realtree Xtra, Realtree Max-1, Black Out,
Half and Half, Vicxen, Realtree Snow,
Realtree Pink, Bone Collector Edition

For more information, see your dealer, visit hoyt.com,

or call (801) 363-2990.
Bow weighed with an Easton Bow Force Digital Scale. All tests conducted with a Spot-Hogg Hooter Shooter Portable Shooting
Machine and a Competition Electronics Pro Chronograph.
Arrow Speed
2013 Hoyt Spyder 34 set at 29 inches (by factory) and adjusted to 70 pounds

Shaft Arrow Kinetic Arrow

28-Inch Test Arrows Gr/In Weight Energy Speed

Easton XX78 Alloy 2512 10.3 448 gr. 80.8 285 fps
Easton Full Metal Jacket 400 10.2 430 gr. 83.7 296 fps
Carbon Express Aramid KV 350 9.8 416 gr. 82.0 298 fps
Carbon Tech Whitetail 65/80 9.5 410 gr. 82.5 301 fps
Carbon Express Maxima Hunter 350 8.9 392 gr. 81.0 305 fps
Beman ICS Hunter Elite 400 8.4 386 gr. 81.9 309 fps
Gold Tip XT Hunter 55/75 8.2 382 gr. 83.1 313 fps
Gold Tip Velocity XT 400 7.4 358 gr. 83.0 323 fps
Easton FlatLine 400 7.4 346 gr. 89.4 341 fps
High Country Speed Pro Max 5.5 304 gr. 80.4 345 fps
New for 2013, Hoyt is oering stylish, colored accessories,
including the grip, AirShox, and Stealth Shot.
Hoyts In-Line Roller Cable Guard with Inner Race Bearing
makes for a friction-free, silky-smooth draw and letdown.
44 | BOWHUNT AMERICA
You
have
ground
the
With two great
methods to get
the job done,
which poison
will you pick
this spring?
The alarm buzzer
jolted me out of my sleep, and I hurriedly
pulled on my camo clothing, shov-
ing my favorite mouth calls into
my pocket. Arriving at my hunting
spot, I traced my way through the
inky predawn blackness toward a
duo of outspoken gobblers. The
piece of public dirt I was hunting
offered two clearings in the middle
of huge timber country, and I sus-
pected that, come dawn, the two
toms would utilize these strut
zones to seduce any nearby hens
with their vibrant feathers. I
placed a hen decoy at the edge
of the rst clearing and began
calling intently.
Not long after touchdown (when the birds
y down from their roost), the toms scored
several dates. They were gobbling and strutting
for their newfound girlfriends in the second
clearing, uphill from my position. Try as I
might, my calling efforts werent enough to
pull the birds into my clearing. It was time to
make a move.
I was hustling down the logging road that
connected both clearings when a sudden
gobble stopped me. I ducked down and froze
as hen heads instantly popped into view.
Peering through my camo facemask, I waited
anxiously until all of the birds disappeared
into the brush above the clearing I had occu-
pied only moments earlier. Then I made a mad
dash back to the rst clearing, where I shoved
my hen decoy back into the earth and dove
into the brush.
After nocking an arrow, I aired out some
convincing hen-talk with my mouth call. In-
stantly, twigs began snapping within 15 yards
of me. I froze, knowing that any sudden moves
would spook the birds into the next county.
In just seconds, three hens and the two long-
beards appeared off to my left in the clearing.
The realization that I was going to kill one of
these toms made my blood boil.
The hens instantly joined forces and charged
my hen decoy, protesting the entire way. The
toms trailed behind them as if on a string. As
soon as their eyes disappeared behind some
pine branches, I yanked my string to full draw.
When iridescent gobbler feathers coasted
into my sight picture, I picked out the second
tom with my top pin and harpooned him.
I knew my arrow had hit the exact feather I
had placed my pin on, and I was abbergasted
when the bird went airborne. I watched the
ying tom until he ran out of gas and literally
died in midair. The loud thud when he met the
ground reassured me that I had indeed made a
perfect shot on this gorgeous gobbler.
I stole my way across the clearing and into the
woods that bordered a nearby county highway.
Scanning the area, I nally spotted the lifeless
bird in the tall ditch grass mere yards from the
highway pavement. I stood in awe of that
beautiful May morning and extended my
gratefulness to the Creator of all that I
had just partaken of.
You may
have heard that
ground blinds are
the only way to bowhunt gobblers, and they
certainly play a critical role in many turkey
hunting situations. Given the circumstances of
the hunt described above, however, a ground
blind would have been extremely inconvenient,
and my prize would have likely lived to gobble
another day. Run and gun was clearly the bet-
ter method in that case.
Both ground blind hunting and run and gun-
ning account for thousands of turkey casualties
each spring. Well review the pros and cons of
both hunting styles, and look at how to choose
the right method for the scenario at hand.
Pick your poison wisely, and you too can bring
home a barnburner of a gobbler this spring!
GROUND BLINDS
Without question, ground blinds are the
cats pajamas for the patient bowhunter. The
Cadillac-quality ground blinds on the market
today are roomy, making longer hunts very
comfortable and allowing you to spend more
time in the woods. You can drink coffee, eat
sandwiches, and stand up to stretch. Ground
blinds can also keep you bone-dry when pre-
cipitation moves in. Whats more, a blackout
interior will hide just about every movement
you make. That makes drawing on a keen-eyed
longbeard a snap. To top it all off, the better
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Retrieving a freshly
arrowed gobbler is a
victorious event, regard-
less of the method you
pick to do the deed.
blinds on the market offer 360-degree shooting, increasing your odds
of getting a shot when a tom comes in from an unexpected direction.
But ground blind hunting for turkeys does have its downsides. First
of all, mobility is very limited. When gobblers roar in the distance, its
awesome to have the option of going after them. Most ground blinds
prevent you from slipping quietly through brush to cut the distance on a
stand-still tom. In addition, setting up a blind and several decoys eats up
time and usually cannot be done without some measure of commotion.
Public and private grounds that are heavily hunted throughout the
spring also make ground blind hunting more complex. Many shotgun
hunters immediately erupt from their blinds when they kill a tom, edu-
cating other turkeys in the area as to what ground blinds are all about.
By the end of the season, gobblers begin avoiding blinds like the plague.
Ive had dozens of encounters with birds that will gobble their heads
off 100 yards from the blind, but wont commit to my decoy spread.
These encounters took place in heavily hunted areas, and ground blinds
frequently seem to be a red ag in such places.
ON THE RUN
I touched earlier on the importance of mobility for hunting
spring gobblers. Hunting on the run with just your bow and
decoys offers unparalleled mobility. My favorite aspect of this
hunting style is the ability to slip in ultra-close to the roost for
an action-packed y-down setup. In my opinion, the closer you
can get to where a gobbler is going to y down, the better your
odds become of actually nailing him fresh off the roost as he
investigates your decoys. If the early morning y-down setup
doesnt seal the deal, you can typically stay on a given bird, mak-
ing move after move until he nally gives in or quits answering.
Of course, run-and-gun hunting has some drawbacks.
Getting to full draw on a gobbler without hiding in the connes
of a ground blind is a tough feat any way you look at it. To
increase my odds of success, I always try to set up my decoys so
that when a gobbler approaches, his head will disappear behind
a tree or other obstacle before he gets to the decoys. This takes
some planning. Before setting up, I spend a few moments evalu-
ating terrain features, what sort of obstacles are available to
conceal my movements, and the most likely route Mr. Tom will
use to approach my decoy setup. Only then do I shove my decoys into
the dirt and begin calling. Calling prematurely can cost you when a tom
pops into view and either busts you or fails to present the textbook shot
you had hoped for. Planning your setup before you start calling allows
you the best chances to close the book on a magnum gobbler when the
opportunity comes knocking.
Another downside to on-the-run hunting is that you are limited
in terms of your movement. You wont be able to stretch or make any
sudden moves like you can when concealed inside a ground blind. In ad-
dition, hunting without a blind puts you at the mercy of the weather.
MAKE THE CHOICE
I choose my hunting method depending upon the scenario at hand.
Now that youre familiar with the pros and cons of each hunting style,
lets dig into a variety of contexts that should ultimately help you make
the right choice for your next turkey hunt.
Ground blinds can be very eective tools to help you bag your spring bird. With a blackout
interior, your movements are practically undetectable.
Left: Mobility can be critical to sealing the deal on a mature gobbler. Know the terrain and carefully plan
each move you make.
Right: Drawing back on an approaching longbeard without hiding in a ground blind is easier said than
done. Pick out multiple obstacles that will momentarily y you out of Mr. Toms radar as you draw your bow.
Bowhunting turkeys on the run is tough. Use a convincing decoy spread so that you are not
in the spotlight.
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I have been privileged to introduce several young bowhunters to
turkey hunting in the past few years. When I am taking someone new,
I always use a ground blind. This enables me to give them the proper
coaching, which at times requires a great deal of movement. Also,
youngsters usually dont sit very still, making a blackout-interior blind
especially important.
If I know some precipitation is scheduled to roll in, I will almost
always include a ground blind in my regimen. Spring temps can be quite
chilly, and getting wet only makes it worse. Western states where the
spring turkey seasons open in March have been known to experience
blizzard conditions on occasion as well. To stay toasty warm, you can
purchase a small propane heater, and the combination of that heater
and a ground blind will keep you as snug as a bug in a rug.
I also use ground blinds when I have patterned a tom and know
exactly where he is going to be and when. These circumstances are rare
where I hunt, but arent out of the question. This ambush style of hunt-
ing can be very effective, but you certainly need to do a great deal of
scouting to ensure high odds of success.
The amount of foliage available also impacts my choice of hunt-
ing style. I usually do most of my run-and-gun hunting in early May
when the forest is booming with brilliant foliage. This denitely makes
distance closing much easier. The areas I hunt in April are usually pretty
barren, making a ground blind setup on a eld a great choice.
In all other scenarios, I hunt on the run. I do most of my gobbler
chasing on public real estate, and birds are tough to pattern in these
spots due to uncontrollable factors such as hunting pressure. If I know
a chunk of public land holds some gobblers, I dont usually bother
scouting beforehand. I simply show up in the morning darkness, wait to
hear a bird gobble, and then cut the distance as much as I dare. Again,
if my y-down setup doesnt end with a tom, I will continue to
follow vocal toms all morning and into midday if that is what
it takes. Run-and-gun hunting gives me that option.
IN CLOSING
It would be unfair to end without a success story from the
connes of a ground blind. The afternoon of Mothers Day in
2010 found me taking a nap in a ground blind, while my then
10-year-old brother, Marc, vigilantly scanned a sunlit dirt eld
for any feathered visitors.
Suddenly Marc whispered, I think a hen or a jake just came
out of the woods. I scrambled to my knees and peered out the
blind window. I saw a big paintbrush beard, so I told Marc to
get his bow. Agitated by our jake decoy, the tom covered 150
yards in seconds. As the huge gobbler ogged the decoy, I told
Marc to draw his bow and take careful aim. As the tom tried
to mount my decoy just 7 yards from the blind, Marcs arrow
drove its way underneath his spine, slicing both lungs. The big
bird covered just 18 yards before collapsing. A limb-hanger
bird for a 10-year-old boy just wouldnt have been possible without a
ground blind.
Ground blinds. Hunting on the run. Both have their place in the
spring turkey woods and are equally effective mediums for notching out
your tag. Evaluate the scenario at hand, and pick the better option for
the given circumstances.
At just 10 years of age, Marc McDougal
harpooned this boss gobbler while it ogged
a jake decoy just 7 yards outside the window
of his ground blind.
Hauling a big tom turkey out of the
woods is not a daily event. Whether you
nail one from a ground blind or while
hunting on the run, enjoy it thoroughly!
The author arrowed this big-bearded gobbler by taking advantage of the mobility oered by
hunting on the run. After a game of cat and mouse, he got into position, called the bird in, and
sealed the envelope with a perfect shot.
Ground blinds are the cats pajamas if you want a comfortable time in the turkey woods. They
will keep you warm and dry and allow you to move around undetected.
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Mission
MXB-360
R
emember the animated Disney lm, Robin Hood? I
still laugh when I recall Trigger, a dimwitted vulture
who totes around an unreliable crossbow known
as Ol Betsy while accompanying the Honorable Sheriff
of Nottingham. Trigger is notorious for his itchy trig-
ger nger. His bolts never seem to nd their mark, instead
ying aimlessly into the unknown. Fortunately, crossbow
technology has come a long way since medieval times.
Mission Archery stormed the
archery market in 2007 with
vertical bows that are affordable
yet packed with technology. Now
Mission has gone horizontal and
entered the crossbow arena in an
effort to broaden its offerings. Say
hello to Mission Archerys new
crossbow, the MXB-360.
How It Handles
As soon as I cut the tape away on
the cardboard box and yanked out
the new MXB-360, I instantly
knew this would be a big hit for
the year. I appreciated the maneuverable design and sleek crafts-
manship of this killer crossbow. And lightMan, is this thing
light! Ive handled many crossbows over the years that elderly
and disabled people would surely struggle to shoot repeatedly.
That wont be a problem with the Mission MXB-360, which
tips the scale at just 6.55 pounds. That feather-light weight will
make it easy to pull this crossbow up to your favorite whitetail
stand on a tow rope, and traversing jagged mountains in pursuit
of a screaming bull elk with the MXB-360 will be a walk in the
park. This crossbow was built to hunt. At just 19.5 inches wide
and 35 inches long, the MXB-360 can be succinctly summed
up with the words compact and controllable.
While size and weight are crucial, lets not overlook balance.
Regardless of a crossbows weight, a proper distribution of that
weight is what affects overall stability while aiming. You can set
the fore-end of the MXB-360 in your open hand, and it will
balance right there without any steadying help from your
opposite hand. This crossbow makes carrying and aiming
second nature.
The tactical design of the MXB-360 would win high honors
in a cosmetic competition. But looks arent everythinga
crossbow still has to perform to prove worthy of being clenched
in the hands of a hardcore hunter. And perform it did. I shot it
from a variety of distances and positions. The MXB-360 didnt
disappoint. In fact, it was not at all uncommon for me to bang
bolts together out to 50 yards.
Some crossbows can be as loud as a freight train. The
MXB-360 was surprisingly quiet, with no noticeable twang
or drawn out ringing. This is due in part to a quality cam
system with great synchronization, and an ultra-tough, quad
parallel limb design that is atypical for crossbows. Whitetails
will have a hard time dodging bolts from this deadly crossbow.
Smokin
With a 14-inch power stroke, the MXB-360 raises numbers
on a chronograph with serious acceleration. When set at 160
pounds, my MXB-360 sent my bolt downrange at a rocketing
361 feet per second.
The Difference
As I handled the MXB-360, I began noticing the key features
that set it apart. The pistol grip offers unmatched comfort and
control when zeroing in on your target. Its trigger is designed
for a perfect t and feel, allowing proper shot execution.
Mission also eliminated the typical foot-stirrup that crossbow
manufacturers have utilized for years to aid in cocking the
string. A built-in, rugged-looking riser grid perfectly replaces
the foot-stirrup and is compatible with really any shoe or boot
I shot the MXB-360 crossbow at various yardages and from several positions.
Its controllability and accuracy were excellent.
Its tactical design makes the MXB-360 a real looker.
But looks arent everything, and the functionality,
accuracy, and reliability prove that the MXB-360
can look hot and drive tacks.
Bow Report
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size for an easy cocking process. A rope cock-
ing device simply leverages off of an easily
identiable, orange composite anchor tucked
underneath the cheek piece of the stock.
The MXB-360 has a manual safety, and it is
important to ick the safety to the On posi-
tion as soon as you hear the string click into
place when cocking the bow. The fore-end fea-
tures a n-like grip which reminds the shooter
to keep ngers out of the string path.
Mission is known for adjustability, and its
new crossbow is no exception. The MXB-360
comes preset at 160 pounds. You can make
adjustments easily with an Allen wrench. Five
counter-clockwise turns on the limb bolts sets
your MXB-360 to 125 pounds. An
additional three-and-a-half
turns sets the crossbow to
100 pounds. Thats adju-
stability at its nest.
Feature-
Packed, Yet
Easy to Use
Despite its tactical,
high-end craftsman-
ship and lengthy list
of purposeful features, the
MXB-360 wont have you scrambling to
check your owners manual every few minutes.
Whether youre new to hori-
zontal bows or an experienced
crossbow hunter, youll nd the
MXB-360 easy to use. Mission
clearly kept simplicity in mind
when designing its rst crossbow.
Customization
via Package Options
The Mission MXB-360 crossbow is available
in three package options: the XB Basic, XB
Hunter, and XB Pro. The XB Basic pack-
age comes with a Hawke 3x32 MAP scope
without any illumination. Next, the XB
Hunter package comes with a Hawke 1x32
SR scope with an etched, illuminated reticle.
And nally, the XB Pro package comes with
a Hawke XB-1 1.5-5x32 scope with etched
reticle, variable speed settings (275 to 425 feet
per second) and two-color illumination. Each
package comes with three tough-as-nails
Mission crossbow bolts and a compact
Mission MX-3 quiver. Each 22-inch bolt
weighs in at 300-grains and features an eye-
catching Mission label.
My MXB-360 came with the XB Pro
package, and I will tell you that
the two-color
i
Specifcations

Length 35 inches
Width Axle-to-Axle 19.5 inches
Power Stroke 14 inches
Draw Weight 160#, 125#, 100#
Mass Weight w/o Accessories 6.55 pounds
Finish Lost AT and Black
22-inch Test Arrow Mission Bolt
Arrow Weight 400 GR.
Kinetic Energy 115.8 Foot-Pounds
Arrow Speed 361 FPS
Arrow Speed

For more information, see your dealer or

visit missionarchery.com.
The power-packed quad limb system oers durability and silence with a laidback,
parallel design, which cancels out vibration. The cam system oers superior
synchronization, incredible performance, and rocket-like speed.
The MXB-360 oers two riser grids in lieu of the typical foot-
stirrup found on most crossbows. These built-in riser grids grab
any size of shoe or boot, making the cocking process a snap.
illuminated reticle with pre-calibrated
hold points can stand up to even the
most demanding hunting conditions.
The Hawke scope also comes with
rain-tight, ip-open scope caps for
those drizzly and foggy hunts.
If you are a crossbow hunter on a mis-
sion to hang some antlers on the wall and
stuff your freezer, nd the nearest Mission
retailer and pick up
your own Mission
MXB-360.
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Unfortunately, the infectious disease special-
ist Billy was referred to did not believe in
chronic Lyme disease and suspected Billy
must have something else. The disease is
called the Great Imitator because it mimics
over 300 other syndromes or diseases, such
as Lou Gehrigs, Celiac, Lupus, and even
HIV, Billy told me.
Billy tested negative for all of the above-
mentioned afictions. The doctor wanted to
send him home with anti-depressants and
pain medications, but Billy persisted.
It is vital that you seek out a Lyme-
literate doctor, he said. So many doctors
disagree on whether chronic Lyme disease ex-
ists and, if it does, how it should be treated.
My dad put the word out, and we got several
calls recommending doctors. Dr. Joseph
Jemsek from Washington, DC, is the most
renowned doctor for treating Lyme disease. I
am fortunate that my doctor follows proto-
cols identied by Dr. Jemsek.
Billy recalls nding two bulls-eye rashes
on his body after a tick bite, a common
indicator of infection. Yet nearly two years
went by before Lyme disease was conrmed,
and by then his symptoms were severe. His
treatment consisted of having a port inserted
into his chest through which intravenous
antibiotics were administered. He went for
treatments ve days a week for nearly ve
months. He also used hyperbaric chambers
and other aggressive treatments to try to get
rid of the infection and toxins.
Billys life has been profoundly impacted
by Lyme disease. I know one thing for sure,
he said. I am not the same man I once was.
Think you know everything there is to
know about Lyme disease? The facts may
surprise you. Just because you were bitten by
a tick and never saw a bulls-eye ring around
the bite doesnt mean you have nothing to
worry about. Lack of the infamous bulls-eye
does not equate to lack of the disease or risk.
This commonly misdiagnosed and sometimes
chronic disease is not to be taken lightly.
Basic Biology of Lyme Disease
First discovered in 1975 in the towns of
Lyme and Old Lyme, Connecticut, Lyme
disease is the most common tick-borne
disease in North America. The bacteria that
causes Lyme disease is transmitted to humans
through the bite of an infected tick. Hard-
bodied ticks of the genus Ixodes, commonly
called black-legged ticks or deer ticks, are the
primary culprits. Most infections are caused
when the tick is in the nymphal stage of its
life cycle. At that stage, the tick is very small
and may feed unnoticed for longer periods of
time. The possibility of infection is stronger
if the tick is attached for at least a day.
A skin rash in the shape of a circle
caused by the hosts inammatory response
to the bacteriamay appear around the bite.
However, the rash may only occur in 80 per-
cent of victims. That means 20 percent will
not see the characteristic red-ring rash.
Early symptoms of the disease include
fever, fatigue, and depression, as well as u-
like symptoms like malaise, muscle soreness,
and headache.
If symptoms lead to an early diagnosis
and treatment with antibiotics, in most cases
the disease is easily eliminated. Delaying
treatment may lead to more serious circum-
stances. Advanced symptoms may involve
the heart, joints, and central nervous system,
and can be difcult to treat.
Not all persons aficted with Lyme
disease will have all the symptoms. The
symptoms are also not specic to the disease,
but mimic many other diseases. Even more
troubling is the length of time for onset of
symptoms, which can vary tremendously.
The incubation period from infection to
symptom may be as little as a few days, but
may also be months or years.
Early Detection, Testing,
and Prevention
Not all tests are 100-percent accurate, Billy
said. There is a 60-percent degree of ac-
curacy in tests commonly used to diagnose
Lyme disease. If you have been bitten by a
tick and notice the circular red rash around
the bite, get treated for Lyme disease even if
the test comes back negative.
New tests are better at conrming infec-
tion, but the results are complicated. Three
main factors and ve co-factors must be
calculated to determine if you have it, ex-
plained Billy.
It is standard for doctors to issue two
weeks of doxycycline to treat Lyme disease,
but Billy strongly recommends six weeks of
this antibiotic treatment to ensure killing off
the bacterias entire life cycle. If the disease
is caught early, doctors are condent this
will eradicate it. Its when you get beyond
the early stages that things get more difcult.
You may need long-term antibiotics and
alternative medicines.
Billy also recommends keeping the tick if
possible. They can test the tick itself for
indications of the disease. Pay attention to
your symptoms after a tick bite; dont merely
dismiss them as something else. Get treated.
Throughout our interview, Billy stressed
that bowhunters should take precautions to
prevent infection in the rst place. The best
thing to do is treat your clothing with Sawyers
or other brands containing permethrin.
The sprays you can put directly on your skin
containing DEET and other ingredients
may not be effective enough. Its important
to spray your clothing in advance and let the
ingredients dry before going to the eld.
A Biological Expert Weighs In
Dr. James C. Kroll is the director of the
Institute for White-tailed Deer Management
and Research at the Stephen F. Austin State
University in Texas. His familiarity with
Lyme disease is personal; his wife, Susie, was
aficted with it.
Susie came down with symptoms suspi-
ciously like Lyme disease (red rash around
what looked like a tick bite, low-grade fever,
joint ache, etc.), Dr. Kroll said. To my
surprise, the doctor would not even consider
Lyme as a causal factor. He felt she had the
u and treated her accordingly. She did not
get better, so I practiced a little medicine of
my own. I had a bottle of doxycycline and
began treatment. The symptoms went away.
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She later tested positive for the disease.
Our doctor was so reluctant to diagnosis
Lyme due to the prevailing opinion among
the Texas medical community that it was not
a serious disease, with some practitioners
even thinking it was not really a disease.
Some patients report having seen as many as
30 doctors without a diagnosis. I became in-
terested in talking with victims, one of which
was a state representative. His condition had
deteriorated to the point where he needed
joint replacement due to the ability of Lyme
to destroy joints through arthritic action.
This led to the formation of the Texas
Lyme Disease Association, whose purpose is
education and legislation. Bill 2975/SB1360,
passed in 2011, created efforts to educate
doctors and nurses about Lyme. In the spirit
of education, we also took on the job of
educating physicians in eastern Texas about
RMSF and Ehrlichiosis. After only one year
of educational seminars at physician meet-
ings, identication of cases of both diseases
increased signicantly, and lives were saved.
Dr. Kroll points out a very serious aspect
of the disease. Lyme disease probably never
really goes away. It has the ability to hide in
various tissues of the body and may reap-
pear years after treatment. Even patients with
long-term, aggressive treatment may still har-
bor the disease. The spirochetes that cause
the disease can hide between certain cells of
the body, reducing antibiotic effectiveness.
The best approach to Lyme is not to be
infected in the rst place.
An Ounce of Prevention
In order to effectively avoid contracting
Lyme disease, it helps to have an understand-
ing of how the disease spreads. Dr. Kroll
was involved in a deer-tick disease study in
eastern Texas for ve years, and the results
surprised him.
Only a small percentage of deer tested
positive for Lyme disease, he explained.
The ticks with the disease tended to come
from small rodents, with deer getting the
blame.
Knowing that rodents are often involved
in the spread of Lyme disease allows you
to better reduce your risk of coming into
contact with Lyme-carrying ticks. Dr. Kroll
offered a number of prevention tips.
Around your house and yard, you can
take steps to reduce mouse and rat habitat,
particularly tall grassy areas. You also can use
safe pesticides periodically to treat the habi-
tat. I like to do a prescribed burn through
areas where we spend a lot of time. We also
supported some research on using ivermec-
tin-treated bait to kill ticks on deer and it
worked very well, but the government has yet
to approach this action in the woods.
Your Best Weapon
One thing is clearLyme disease needs to
be taken seriously. Bowhunters need to take
precautions to prevent infection and watch
for early symptoms of the disease. If you
feel you may have been infected with Lyme
disease and been misdiagnosed with another
ailment, be aggressive. Insist on further test-
ing, seek out other medical opinions, and ask
questions. In the battle against Lyme disease,
knowledge is your best weapon.
I, like Billy Parker, am not the same person I once was physically, mentally,
or emotionally. I have Lyme disease in the chronic stage. Arthritis and nerve
damage have made physical labor many times more dicult than what it
used to be. Despite receiving a round of doxycycline, the symptoms
persisted. For over four years, I have battled Lyme diseases physical
symptoms and, at times, depression. In that time, Ive found a few
alternative treatments that work for me.
A Rife machine is a simplistic electronic box. You hold onto two metal
handles connected to the box, and the Rife machine sends electric
frequencies through your body, shocking the spirochetes and killing them
o before they have a chance to reproduce. The intensity of the electric
frequencies can be changed from one patient to another. You may have to
do some homework to nd a doctor that has a Rife machine, but Ive found
it helpful in treating my Lyme disease.
I have also been taking a natural supplement that contains humic and
fulvic acid, which carry nutrients to your cells, in turn giving your body what
it needs to heal itself and ward o the bacteria. Combined with the Rife
machine, this supplement has made me feel much better.
Above all else, keep your chin up. Depression and physical complications
are tough things to overcome. Be positive and dont let them defeat you!
With or without a bulls-eye rash like the one shown here, it is important to act quickly once you nd a deer tick
attached to your skin. Get tested. Get treated.
Alternative Treatments By Darron McDougal
APRIL 2013
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DARRON MCDOUGAL
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APA
Mamba M5
A
young company rarely drops jaws and entices an
audience. APA Archery is a major exception to that
rule. In fact, its company slogan is, We are NOT
the same. Indeed it is not. Each bow available from APA
Archery has its own distinct APA look not resembling any
other bow on the market. At just 10 years old, APA Archery
has released its share of hot bows in the decade gone by.
This year, APA is bringin the heat with its latest speed demon,
the Mamba M5. Once you lay eyes on the Mamba M5, I am warn-
ing you, it is tough to look away. Without straying from proven
technologies, the Mamba breaks rules by offering more concepts
and different features that put this bow in a class of its own.
The Extra Toys
The Mamba M5 features Riser Fangs, a built-in way to hang
your M5 on virtually any tree limb. This enables you to elimi-
nate pesky rubber-coated bow hooks from your tackle, utilizing
Ma Natures provisions to hang up your bow while sitting in
your favorite whitetail stand.
Probably the most noteworthy feature that sets the Mamba
apart from its competition is
the integrated carrying handle.
Above and beyond its conve-
nience, the carrying handle is
what gives the Mamba its sleek
appearance.
Where the bottom of the carrying handle meets the riser,
youll nd a tool shop on the M5. A built-in broadhead wrench
and carbide sharpener make it easy to solve in-the-eld emergen-
cies. Next to the broadhead tools, youll notice a nock wrench,
which eliminates the need to bite your nocks or use pliers to
rotate them in your arrows.
Cam-lock technology enables you to work on your M5 with-
out a bow press. This provides incredible peace of mind when
youre on a weeklong whitetail hunt in Kansas or traversing the
Rocky Mountains in pursuit of a giant bull elk. A stainless-steel
pin, which ts easily into one of multiple holes machined into
the BM Cam, can be found near the built-in tool center. Squeeze
the bow string and cables together, then simply slide the pin into
one of the holes. The pin will contact the limb, relieving the
tension on the string and cables. This allows you to work on your
M5 in the eld without hauling a separate, portable bow press
everywhere your hunting lifestyle takes you.
The Proven Stuff
Just above the tool shop, you will nd an amazingly comfortable
grip. The M5s grip is actually the riser with wood side plates.
This type of hand-on-riser grip reduces the chance of bow-
torque, allowing you to shoot tighter groups at further distances
despite the Mambas short, 5-inch brace height.
Beneath the grip, a vibration-stomping Sims string dissi-
pater attaches to the riser via carbon rod and kills string twang
in an instant.
Moving up the Mamba M5, an industry-esteemed roller-guide
system allows for friction-free drawing, which also boosts your
string and cable life. The roller guide works smoothly and avoids
corroding by utilizing ball bearings. Like the string stopper, the
roller guide is connected to the riser via carbon rod.
Its Getting Hot in Here
The M5s BM Cam is ery fast and fairly smooth for an aggres-
sive speed cam. However, it goes without saying that to achieve
lightning speeds, the BM Cam is fast to come off the wall at full
draw, thus requiring a rm pull against the back wall at full
draw. This takes concentration and experience, but you dont
have to be anywhere near an expert to shoot the M5 and to
shoot it very well. The M5 redenes the phrase blistering
speed. If raw speed is what youre after, the Mamba M5 is
your killing machine.
According to APAs CEO, Nibal Achkar, the M5 is not
meant to be shot at 29 inches. The M5 performs very well
at shorter draw lengths, which is why we offer it only up to 28
inches, Achkar explained. We tested the M5 in a 29-inch draw
length for an apples-to-apples comparison to other bows weve
run through our Speed Test, and I was pleasantly surprised
when I changed the draw length from 29 to 27.5 inches for the
A built-in carrying handle and sleek riser design topped o
with a comfortable grip make the Mamba M5 a great choice
for a speed demon. This M5 is shown in Snakeskin Stealth
(available at extra cost), a custom color designed by APA.
Powered by the screamer BM Cam, the
Mamba M5 sends light hunting arrows
at blistering speeds of up to and over
350 feet-per-second.
Bow Report
APRIL 2013
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shooting portion of the bow test. It felt much
smoother and easier to handle, just as Achkar
said it would.
Accuracy Despite the Speed
The M5 is a screamer. Now that we have that
established, it goes without saying that speed
isnt everything. You can shoot lightning-fast
arrows, but if youre going to ll the freezer,
you cant compromise on accuracy. With a mere
5-inch brace height, the M5 stunningly stacks
arrows side by side on the range, as my shooting
test results proved. It took me literally
three shots to get sighted-in at 20 yards!
Complementing its rocket speed
and consistent accuracy is the M5s
shockingly quiet shot. I admit I was
very surprised with that since most
other speed freaks Ive shot over the
years have rung in my hand like church
bells. Not the M5. Thanks to parallel
HE 3-stage limbs and a discriminating
riser design, the APA M5 is whisper-
quiet without any noticeable hand
shock. This allows you to focus on
executing the shot properly, not icing
your hand after each shot.
A Whitetails Worst
Nightmare
The Mamba M5 is going to be a hit for
whitetail hunters this season. First of
all, its raw speed and hefty kinetic ener-
gy will deliver the punch to devour ribs
and even shoulder bones. Its moderately
weighted mass is just 4 pounds and its
compact, 32.25-inch axle-to-axle length
makes it perfect for ground blinds and
treestands alike. It is maneuverable and
easy to handle.
Whitetails and other big game animals are
quick on their feet, and the lightning strike of
the new Mamba M5 offers at trajectory, elimi-
nating the need to use a rangender in a lot of
cases. There is little difference in arrow impact
from 10 to 30 yards, and not much more from
30 to 40.
Speeds Not Your Thing?
If you havent fallen into the speed craze, there
is great news. APA offers a variety of less radi-
cal, more forgiving bows that still boast above-
i
Specifcations
2013 APA Mamba M5

Axle-to-Axle Length 32.25 inches

Brace Height 5 inches
Mass Weight 4 pounds
Test Bow Draw Weight 70 pounds
Draw Lengths 23-28 inches
Draw Weights 50#, 60#, 70#
Colors Buckskin Stealth, Matte
Black, Vanish Hybrid
other colors available at extra cost

For more information, visit apaarchery.com

or call (306) 948-5101.
Bow weighed with an Easton Bow Force Digital Scale. All tests conducted with a Spot-Hogg Hooter Shooter Portable Shooting
Machine and a Competition Electronics Pro Chronograph.
Arrow Speed
2013 APA Mamba M5 set at 29 inches (by factory) and adjusted to 70 pounds

Shaft Arrow Kinetic Arrow

28-Inch Test Arrows Gr/In Weight Energy Speed

Easton XX78 Alloy 2512 10.3 448 gr. 89.6 300 fps
Easton Full Metal Jacket 400 10.2 430 gr. 93.6 313 fps
Carbon Express Aramid KV 350 9.8 416 gr. 92.3 316 fps
Carbon Tech Whitetail 65/80 9.5 410 gr. 89.8 314 fps
Carbon Express Maxima Hunter 350 8.9 392 gr. 85.8 314 fps
Beman ICS Hunter Elite 400 8.4 386 gr. 92.2 328 fps
Gold Tip XT Hunter 55/75 8.2 382 gr. 90.7 327 fps
Gold Tip Velocity XT 400 7.4 358 gr. 89.8 336 fps
Easton FlatLine 400 7.4 346 gr. 94.7 351 fps
High Country Speed Pro Max 5.5 304 gr. 88.5 362 fps
Integrated Riser Fangs enable the M5 to be hung on virtually any
branch, an especially handy option for treestand whitetail hunters.
A tool shop? Absolutely! The M5 features APAs built-in broadhead tools,
nock wrench, cam-lock, and carbide sharpener.
average speeds. The Mamba Series also includes
bows with brace heights of 6 and 7 inches. Of
course, even the M7 is no\ slouch in the speed
department, charging downrange with an IBO
speed rating of up to 346 feet per second.
Whatever your cup of tea is, APA Archery
has a bow for you. Bite like a snake! Find
the nearest dealer and shoot APAs lat-
est lightning bolt, the Mamba.
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BOWHUNT AMERICA
re you properly caring for your crossbow?
Ensure that your crossbow holds up to season
after season of use with these easy maintenance tips.
As crossbow legislation has changed across the country, more and more people are turning to crossbows to take
advantage of increased opportunities to hunt. But while learning to shoot a crossbow is fairly easy, things get more
complicated when it comes to maintenance.
A large number of people who are picking up a crossbow have spent most of their lives hunting with a gun, so
they can have a hard time understanding the limitations of a crossbow. For the most part, all you have to do with a
gun is clean out the barrel once in a while. A crossbow, on the other hand, has many moving parts, and those moving
parts require routine maintenance.
We have many people come into our pro shop who have purchased a crossbow elsewhere, Jim Lavin of Hesperia
Sport Shop said. After having it a year or two, they start having problems with it. Many people dont realize that a
crossbow requires upkeep, just like a bow.
Proper crossbow maintenance can make the difference between a successfuland safehunt and a blown
opportunity. If youre shooting a crossbow, make sure you know what you need to do regularly to keep your weapon
hunting-ready.
Purchase the Right Crossbow
Okay, so this isnt technically a maintenance tip. But getting the most out of your horizontal bows starts with select-
ing the right bow in the rst place. A quality crossbow is more likely to perform consistently and have fewer prob-
lems than a less-well-made bow.
When looking to purchase a crossbow, dont buy a crossbow on price alone. Go to your local pro shop and take
the time to shoot crossbows from several different manufacturers to nd the crossbow best suited to you and your
hunting style. Shoot crossbows with cams. Shoot a few recurve crossbows. Shoot through a few different scopes to
APRIL 2013
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determine which crossbow-and-scope combination you like most.
There are a number of great crossbow packages out there that
include the crossbow, scope, cocker, sling, bolts, and broadheads.
These packages can be an extremely convenient and cost-effective
way to purchase a crossbow. However, be careful to evaluate the
accessories included in these packages just as critically as you do
the bow itself. You want to make sure the accessories meet your
needs as well.
Wax the Strings and Cables
Jon DuMars of Mission Archery has spent the last several years
shooting crossbows, and he played an important role in the launch
of the Mission line of crossbows. DuMars has noticed that many
crossbow users dont take care of the strings and cables regularly.
Just as the string is the Achilles heel on a conventional bow, a cross-
bow string that is not properly maintained can cause problems.
Many crossbow hunters dont realize that the strings and cables
on a crossbow must be waxed and maintained, DuMars explained.
The sun, rainy weather, and repeated shooting take a toll on a
string. If strings and cables arent waxed regularly and taken care of,
the string could break at the most inopportune time, which is when
a person is hunting.
Strings and cables should be waxed several times a season. If
regularly waxed, strings and cables should last a couple of years. I
suggest that crossbow hunters take their crossbows into a pro shop
at least once a year to have the strings and cables looked at to ensure
that everything is in working order, advised DuMars. Strings and
cables can be very expensive; taking care of them will help make
them last for several years. If they are not properly cared for, strings
and cables might not last a year.
Oil the Trigger and Lube the Rail
Like guns, crossbows have a trigger and a safety mechanism. Put a
few drops of oil in your trigger mechanism and in your safety slide
at least once a year. A good lubricating oil will keep the trigger
working well and prevent the safety from getting rusty or freez-
ing up. The more the crossbow is used and the more it is exposed
to harsh weather, the more often the trigger and safety should be
lubricated. Lubing the rail will also ensure that the crossbow per-
forms awlessly.
Introducing Kids to Crossbows
Research shows that crossbows are often a great introduction to archery. Kids who start
using a crossbow often graduate to a vertical bow down the road.
Crossbows are a great way to introduce kids to outdoor sports,said DuMars. I
recently participated in a Kicking Bear youth hunt with Ray Howell, and we had a great
time getting young boys and girls into hunting. Guns are often intimidating for kids. A
crossbow doesnt make much noise, and it doesnt take much practice for a kid to really
start hitting what they are aiming at. I watched several girls really get into hunting with
the crossbow.
If introducing your kids or grandkids into outdoor sports via a crossbow sounds like a lot
of fun, remember there are some precautions you need to take to ensure the kids safety.
It is best to have the cross-
bow on some type of stand or tripod when they shoot so their hand isnt up on the
stock where it could get in the way of the bolt when the crossbow is red,DuMars
advised. I make sure the kids hands are on the back of the crossbow and on the
triggernever up where they could get themselves hurt. A tripod or shooting
stick helps the kids remain steady for the shot.
Since crossbow hunting is becoming so popular, many crossbow manufacturers
are making crossbows that are smaller, lighter, and easier to handle to appeal to
women and young shooters. Many companies have lightweight crossbows that
women and older kids can cock by themselves. Some crossbows have adjustable stocks that can be shortened to accommodate woman and chil-
dren. Without question, a crossbow, a pop-up blind, and a few snacks can quickly get a kid hooked on the outdoors.
Continued on page 63
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BOWHUNT AMERICA
Crossbow Scopes
As the popularity of crossbows has grown, so has the popularity of crossbow scopes. A quality crossbow equipped with a nice scope can be
extremely accurate. Below is a list of some of the latest and greatest crossbow scopes.
TenPoint 3X Pro View
Calibrated for crossbows that shoot in the 330-feet-per-second range, this 20-, 30-, 40-, and now
50-yard combo illuminated dot-and-crosshair conguration is housed in a lightweight, 8.5-inch
aluminum tube equipped with fully coated 3x optics. The illuminated dots are positioned at the intersec-
tion of each of the duplex crosshairs. The new fourth dot is freestanding and situated directly below the 40-yard
crosshair. For more information, see your dealer or visit tenpointcrossbows.com.
TruGlo Tru-Brite Xtreme Illuminated Crossbow Scope
The TruGlo Tru-Brite Xtreme Illuminated Crossbow Scope can be calibrated to work with crossbows of speeds any-
where between 225 and 400 feet per second, making it extremely versatile. Like other scopes in the Tru-Brite se-
ries, the Xtreme is packed with useful features. This quality scope features an illuminated glass-etched trajectory-
compensating reticle in two colors. An adjustable scope base and rings make for greater vertical adjustments. For
more information, see your dealer or visit truglo.com.
Excalibur Twilight DLX
This scope was designed for hunters who like to hunt until the last ray of light is gone
in the evening. This scope has a 44mm objective lens for amazing light transmission.
The DLX comes with an adjustable multiplex crosshair system for accurate trajectory
compensation in precise 10-yard increments at any speed between 300 and 400 feet per second. The Twi-
light DXL has 3-6x magnication. For more information, see your dealer or visit excaliburcrossbow.com.
Hawke XB1 1.5-5x32 SR
The Hawke XB1 1.5-5x32 SR crossbow scope is waterproof, shock proof, fog proof, and designed for use with all cross-
bows, even those shooting over 400 feet per second. This scope, designed around a 1-inch mono-tube
chassis for superior strength, oers a 32mm objective bell for a perfect balance of low-light perfor-
mance and low-prole mounting. A new reticle works with the 1.5-5 magnication/speed ring
for increased accuracy. And like all Hawke crossbow scopes, the XB1 features M.O.A . nger-grip
turrets for easy, fast adjustments. For more information, see your dealer or visit hawkeoptics.com.
HHA Optimizer Speed Dial
The new Optimizer speed dial from HHA Archery is perfect for crossbow users looking for extreme preci-
sion, even though its not an actual sight. It is a sight accessory that increases overall accuracy. The speed
dial works with almost any type of crossbow scope. At the heart of the speed dial is HHAs Speed Tape
System. Sight-in at 20 yards and 60 yards, select a provided Speed Tape customized to your bolt velocity
and trajectory, and youll be able to shoot like a pro from 20 to 80 yards. For more information, see your
dealer or visit hhasports.com.
Trijicon ACOG
Trijicon is known for making high-end, deadly accurate rie and tactical scopes. In 2012, the company
entered the crossbow market with the ACOG crossbow scope. This lightweight scope weighs 5.6 ounc-
es, so crossbow users wont notice the extra weight on their crossbows. It has a built-in range-nding
reticle and a Bolt Drop compensated reticle, and it features Trijicons one-of-a-kind ber-optic-tritium
aiming system that is extra bright but doesnt require batteries. This 3x24 crossbow scope is perfect for the
hardcore crossbow hunter who demands the best. For more information, see your dealer or visit trijicon.com.
APRIL 2013
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Select the Right Nock
Another mistake many rst-time crossbow users make is not buying
the right kind of nock for their crossbow. Some crossbows require a
at nock, while others require a half-moon nock, DuMars said. Us-
ing the wrong type could result in big problems. If a person doesnt
use the right type of nock, the anti-dry-re device in the crossbow
might not work, which could result in an injury.
Tighten Things Up
Crossbows vibrate more than the average vertical bow because they are
shooting at such fast speeds. Crossbow users should regularly tighten
all nuts and bolts found on the crossbow. Over time, the vibration
from shooting a crossbow can loosen things up. Scopes, quivers, and
other add-on items are especially prone to becoming loose and falling
off. By making sure everything is tightened regularly, you wont have
to worry about something falling off the crossbow in the eld. Loose
nuts and bolts also create more noise, which, as most of us know, can
increase the chance of an animal jumping the string.
Dont Leave a Crossbow Cocked
Leaving a crossbow cocked when youre not hunting can be a big mis-
take. That puts a lot of pressure on the limbs of the crossbow, which
could result in the limbs of the crossbow shattering. When a person
is done hunting for the day, it is a good idea to shoot the bolt into a
target or the ground to take the pressure off the limbs, said DuMars.
There is a lot of energy in those limbs, and it should always be dis-
charged. Leaving the crossbow cocked is asking for trouble.
Todd Kuhn, an engineer who works with several companies in the
outdoor industry, agreed. Leaving a crossbow cocked when its not
being used is like putting a Corvette in park and putting a brick on
the gas pedal, he explained. Eventually something will go wrong.
If you want the limbs of your crossbow to last a long time, shoot it
after you are done hunting each day.
Practice!
There is no question that when used properly, a crossbow is easier
to sight-in than a bow. There is also no question that being accurate
with a crossbow in your hand is easier than shooting accurately with a
vertical bow. However, like anything in life, if you want to be good at
something, practices does make perfect.
I think many crossbow hunters treat their crossbows like a
gun, said DuMars. They get the crossbow out of the closet a
few days before the season, shoot it a few times, and call it good. I
suggest anyone who is serious about bagging a buck with a cross-
bow shoot it a few times before each day of hunting. The more
a person shoots a crossbow, the more comfortable they will be,
and the better shot they will be. The scope on a crossbow can get
knocked around, and without knowing it, your sight could be off.
Continued from page 60
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BOWHUNT AMERICA
Shooting regularly is always a good thing.
Understand a Crossbow is Not a Gun
One mistake many gun hunters make is thinking a crossbow is more
like a gun than a bow. Although a crossbow does have a trigger and
is shouldered like a gun, a crossbow really is more like a vertical bow
than a rearm.
When you look at harvest data, success rates with a crossbow are
similar to success rates of a vertical bow harvest. A crossbow isnt
nearly as lethal as a gun, DuMars explained. If you research online
or read online hunting forums, you will quickly discover that some
people believe crossbows are accurate to 80 yards and beyond or
that they can easily kill a deer at 50 yards and beyond. As a result,
some hunters may assume that crossbows have a range more com-
parable to a rie than a vertical bow, which could lead to unethical
shots at deer.
In the right hands, there is no question that a crossbow is ac-
curate at 50 yards and beyond, but that doesnt mean the average
person should shoot at a deer with a crossbow at 50 yards or more,
DuMars said. People should practice so they know their effective
range. Their effective range in the backyard and while hunting are
often two different things, especially when hunting with a bow or
crossbow.
In addition, crossbow hunters need to familiarize themselves with
the anatomy of the game theyre pursuing, particularly if theyre
more accustomed to hunting with a gun. Many shots that are fatal
with a gun likely wont work with a crossbow.
The Bottom Line
If you are in the market for a crossbow or youve recently purchased
one, spend as much time as possible getting to know your equip-
ment and how it works. Practice often. Spend a lot of time shoot-
ing at targets. Spend some time practicing from a treestand. Read
and pay attention to what the owners manual says. Perform regular
maintenance on your crossbow. Realize that a crossbow is not a
vertical bow or a sniper rie. A crossbow is a unique weapon that,
when placed in the hands of a capable hunter, can help put trophies
on the wall and meat in the freezer.
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Marketplace
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BOWHUNT AMERICA
Utah Bruin
I
t was coal black under the thick canopy of pines that I was
perched beneath, and to be frank, I was wondering why I was
even still tied to that tree. On the rst few evenings of the hunt
I really never gave my current situation a second thought, but now
that my trail camera revealed that there were in fact a couple of
visitors sampling the jelly-lled goodies from my bait site, I was
questioning the wisdom of my initial plan to head back to camp
under the cover of night.
My buddy and avid bear hunter, Bill Allard, suggested that I
wait until it was dark before leaving the stand, and hes far more
of an expert in this arena than I am or probably ever will be. Over
the years he has killed numerous bears over bait and while stalking.
He readily admits that it is his favorite big game animal to chase
with a bow. He insisted that the big boars typically hit the bait
during the last twinkle of shooting light. He further pointed out
that spooking the bears as they were coming in could keep them
from showing themselves during shooting light, so sneaking out
undetected was the best option if I wanted to ll my limited entry
Utah tag with a hefty boar.
Ive never really been scared of things that go bump in the night,
but darkness does tend to play tricks on the mindas well as the
earsespecially when claws and sharp canine teeth are involved.
You can try to convince yourself that youll be ne and that the
likelihood of having problems with an unhappy bear is as probable
as a lightning strike under a blue sky. But when youre using food to
actually bring bears closer, every odd shadow that moves within the
beam of your LED and every broken twig underfoot can cause the
hair to stand erect on the back of your neck.
Needless to say, once my boots hit the ground and I unhooked
my bow, I immediately began scanning my surroundings with the
aid of my ashlight to nd potential escape routes in the event
lightning did strike. Nearby trees were my rst thought, but when I
envisioned my thick, six-and-a-half-foot, slow-moving frame trying
to wiggle my way off the ground, I knew that a tree was not the an-
swer. Running wouldnt be much of a possibility either. Something
about being as slow as honey in the wintertime would make that
attempt a foolish proposition.
Carrying a gun would also be out of the question since Utah
game laws dont even allow a gun in camplet alone in your posses-
sionif you have an archery-only bear tag in your pocket. I guess
the genius behind that is to keep the temptation of shooting a bear
illegally out of your reach altogether. Pepper mace spray would be
an option, and research has shown that it can be effective, but I hate
the thought of letting a bear come fewer than 10 yards from me
before deploying the spray, which is the typical recommendation.
I had two options: climb down when there was still light and
head to camp, which doesnt seem right regardless of what youre
hunting, or sneak out under the cover of darkness. Well, against my
better judgment I chose the latter, and other than a few hair-raising
moments, which were more from my imagination than anything else,
I survived nearly 10 days in the Utah bear woods.
Before this endeavor I had never hunted bears over bait. Never
really had anything against it, but since the anti-hunting crowd
convinced the majority of Colorado voters to ban such practices in
1992which was the same year I set up stakes in the Centennial
StateIve never really had the chance. Ive stalked bears a few times
in British Columbia and have had the occasional fall bear tag in my
pocket while chasing elk and deer in Colorado. Having had the op-
portunity to pursue them both ways now, I would denitely say each
has its unique challenges, especially when youre doing all the grunt
work of baiting yourself. It is by no means cheating or an easy
way to hunt, as ignorance sometimes blurts out.
He nally showed himself during the last few minutes of daylight
on the ninth evening of the hunt. To be honest, it had been a slow
hunt, with me witnessing only a bear or two during an evening sit on
average. My novice mind thought that a bait site deep in the Utah
woods would have yielded more opportunities, but then again this
was steep, rugged country, and the bear density is just not as high in
such locations.
My trail camera revealed that he had been showing up to sample
the assortment of sweet treats, oats, meat, and grease about an hour
after dark the past three nights, but I guess there was something
enticing there he couldnt resist.
My pulse surged when I rst saw him cautiously easing down the
trail. The long frame and blackish-brown hide told me it was him.
I wouldnt say he was a big bear, but by mountain standards he was
pretty good. Just like mature animals do, he paused before diving into
the bait, and at 20 yards it doesnt take long for an arrow to reach
the 10-ring. Needless to say, I
was well pleased when I
walked up on my
fallen prize.
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BRI AN STRI CKLAND
Bowhunting Life
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