Bowhunter - February 2017 PDF

P.
34
Meet The Worlds First Lady Super Slammer
THE #1 BOWHUNTING MAGAZINE
TAG MORE
WHITETAILS
NORTH
TO
SOUTH!
* Score Big On Canadian Bucks

* Double Down On Desert Coues
* Master Midwest Giants
Stay Patient For
BIG MULEYS
Grow Your Own!
BETTER HABITAT = BETTER BUCKS
PLUS
* Quivers On Or Off? P. 18
* 12 Tools For Postseason Scouting P. 26
* How To Conquer The Cold P. 86
JAN/FEB 2017
Jessica DeLorenzo rolls her sleeves up after arrowing

her rst big game animal west of the Mississippi.
AVAIL | 340 IBO | 30" ATA
14 year old Jackson warms up at

base camp with the 2017 Stoke.
STOKE | 344 IBO | 27 1/4" ATA
Bobby Warners textbook conclusion to a Northwest Territories Caribou hunt.

HALON 32 | 350 IBO | 32" ATA
INTRODUCING THE 2017
HUNTING LINE
H A LO N 3 2
AVA I L
STO K E
Experience the full line at mathewsinc.com
CONTENTS
VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 JAN/FEB 2017
F E ATU R E S
56 Help From Loved Ones
34 Born On The Mountain
62 Join The QDM Revolution
By Bob Ameen
Even the most accomplished bowhunter can learn a

thing or two from others.
By Anna Vorisek
By Mark Stever
Attract and hold more deer on your dirt by following

these helpful tips.
A sheep hunt with her husband sparked a

68 First Light On The Last Day
passion that ended with a Super Slam.
40 Patience
A West Coast bowhunter quickly learns that whitetails

arent as easy as he had assumed.
By Jim Hole Jr.
Knowing exactly when to make his move was

paramount to his success.
74 To Be A Bowhunter
By Jennifer Lindsey
What started as an attempt to prove a point turned into

a lifelong passion for bowhunting.
46 Worth The Wait

By Brian Fortenbaugh, Assistant Editor
80 21ST Annual Youth Hunter Essay Contest
He waited 15 years for a taste of Canadian whitetail

hunting, and boy was it sweet!
50 Homegrown Bucks
By Dustin Movius
Enter our contest and you can win a Wyoming turkey

hunt and other awesome gear.
By Roy K. Keefer
Its incredibly satisfying when you reap the rewards of

managing your own land.
40
18
86
D E PA RTM E NTS
6
12
14
78
84
86
88
2
EDITORIAL By Curt Wells, Editor

BETWEEN BOWHUNTERS Letters From Readers
KEYS TO CONCEALMENT Bowhunter Staff Hunting Tips
WHATS NEW By Brian Fortenbaugh, Assistant Editor
WHERE TO GO/MARKETPLACE Special Advertising Sections
ASK BOWHUNTER Tony J. Peterson On Late-Season Comfort
WILDSIDE By Dwight Schuh, Hunting Editor
B O W H U N T E R / / / J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 017
COLUMNS
16
18
22
26
32
PURE BOWHUNTING By Dwight Schuh, Hunting Editor

NEXT-LEVEL BOWHUNTING By Joe Bell, Technical Editor
THE TRADITIONAL WAY By Fred Eichler, Traditional Editor
TRIED AND TRUE By Tony J. Peterson, Equipment Editor
KNOW HUNTING By Dr. Dave Samuel, Conservation Editor
bowhunter.com Real-World Bowhunting Advice

When considering tactics and strategies for a DIY deer, the source of
your info matters. Find out more at: bowhunter.com/real-world.html
2016
ARMED & DEADLY

Arm yourself with the deadly penetration of Full Metal JacketJoin Team FMJ Today!
Available at dealers now in 4MM, 5MM, and 6MM micro diameters.
NEW Retro Autumn Orange 6MMavailable for a limited time.
E D ITO R I A L
Curt Wells
Editor
The Learning Never Stops

IF YOURE WILLING TO LEARN, THERE IS ANOTHER NEW
SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
An Outdoor Sportsman Group Publication

PUBLISHER
Jeff Waring
EDITORIAL STAFF
EDITOR Curt Wells
ART DIRECTOR Mark Olszewski
ASSISTANT EDITOR Brian Fortenbaugh
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Sally Burkey
FIELD EDITORS
CONSERVATION Dr. Dave Samuel
EQUIPMENT Tony J. Peterson
HUNTING Dwight Schuh
TECHNICAL Joe Bell
TRADITIONAL Fred Eichler
CONTRIBUTORS
NO MAT TER YOUR LE VEL OF HUNTING fififififidfifi,fifivfififififififififififififififiUfiSfifififidfiCfififixfifififififififi,fi fifififififi fifififi fiwfifi ufidfifififififififi
fifiufififi:fi Sfififififififi fiufifi fifififififi fifififi fififififi
fixfififififififififi fififififi yfiufi fifid,fi fififififidfififififi fififi
yfiufifi fixfififififififififi fifivfifi,fi fifififififi fififi fifiwfiyfifi
fififififififififififififififififififi
Hfiwfiwfifififififififififififififififififidfidfifififififififififiyfifififififififififififififidfiy,fiwfifififidfifififififififififi
fifififififififi,fi wfifidfi fififi fifiufifi,fi fifidfi fiufifi fiwfifi
fififififififififi fififi fifififififi ufififi Mfififififififififi fifififififi
fifffifififififififififiufifififififivfifififififiufififififififififiwfifidfifi,fi fiufifi fifififififi dfiyfifi wfifi fififififi fifififiyfi fifififi
fififiwfifidfifififififififififififidfififififiufifififififififififi
fififififififififififififiufifififififififififififififififivfifififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififi fifififi fififififi fifiufifififi fififi dfififidfifi,fi fiufidfifififi fifififivfifififififi fifififi fififififififi fifififififififi
fifififififi fifififiufifififi fififififi wfififififi fififi fifififififi
fiufififififififififiwfifidfifififiHfiwfivfifi,fififififififififiyfi
fifififififififi fififi yfiufifi fififidfi fififi fififififi fififi fifififififififififiEvfifififififiyfiufifififififiyfiufififivfifififififififiufifififififi fixfififififififififi fififififi fifififi fiufififififi yfiufifififi
wfififififififififififiTVfifififivfidfifi,fififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififidfififififififififififiufififififififififififi
fifififififiyfififififififififififiwfifififififififififiufifi,fiyfiufififififi
fifififififififififififififififififiufififififififififififififififififififidfifiwfi
fifififififiwfififififififififififififififififififififidfifififiufififififififi
fifififififififififififf,fiyfiufifififififififififiyfifififififififififififififi
fifidfidfififidfifiwfifififiyfiufiwfiufidfififivfifidfifiwfifi
yfiufifififiwfififififififififiTVfifiufifififififiufifififififiufifiyfi
dfififiyfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififiwfi
fififififi,fififififififififififififififiyfifififiufififiufififififiyfiufifi
ufifififififififi fiufifififi Evfifiyfi fiufififififi,fi fivfifiyfi
fififififififi,fiufififififififiufifiyfififififiufifidfifiyfififififi
fifififififififififivfidfififififififififi,fififififififififififififififififififi
fififi fifififififi yfiufi fififififififififififi Yfiufi fifiyfi fifififi
fivfififififififififififiyfiufififififififififififififi
Tfifi fififififi yfiufi fififififififififi yfiufifi
fiufidfifififi fififiwfifidfififi fifififi,fi fifidfi
fifififififififififififififiyfiufififiwfifidfififififiwfi
fifififiufififififi fififififi fififififidfi MOTV,fi
wfififififi fififi fififi fififififiyfifi fifififi Myfi
OufidfifififiTVfifiWfifififififififififififififififiyfiufifi
fififififififidfivfififififififififififififiufififi,fiyfiufifififififivfifi
fifififififififi fififififififi fififi vfififiufififiyfi fifififi fififififififi
vfidfififi dfifififififififi fififi Thfifi Oufidfifififi Cfifififififi,fiSfififififififififiCfifififififi,fififidfiThfifiWfififidfi
FfififififififiNfifiwfififififiThfifififififivfififi4,000fiHDfi
6
fidfifi fifidfiy,fi fifidfi fififififi fififi fififififififi wfififififi

fififiEfififififiyfiufififivfi,fifififiyfiufififivfififififififififififi
fifififififi,fiyfiufififififiwfififififififififififififififififififififi
yfiufifififififififififiOfifiyfiufififififiufififififififiTfifififi
WfifififiMfifififififiufifififififidfiwfifififidfifififififidfififi
fifififivfifiwfififi,fififififi ufififiHD,fifififififififififiufififififififififidfifififififififiwfifififififififivfifi
Sfi,fi fifififififi fifiyfi yfiufifififi fififififififififi fififi
fififififiufifififififiCfififififidfififiSfifififiyfifififififififi
fififi>fifiwfiufififififi,fififidfidfifififififififififififiwfifi
wfifififififififiufififiWfififififififififififififififiwfifififidfififiyfi
wfififififififififififi Sfifififi fififififififi Yfiufi fifififi wfififififi
fifiufifififififivfidfifififififififififififififififififififiyfiufifiufifififififififi fiufifi,fi wfififififi fifififi fififiyfi fififififi yfiufi
fiufifififidfifiOfifififiyfififiyfiufifififififififiwfiufififififi
wfififi fififi fifififififififi fifififi fifi fififififififi-fifid-fifififiyfi
fififidfiufi,fifififiyfiufiwfifififififififififififiufififlyfififififififififiDfififififififiARfifififififififififififififififiyfiufifiOfifi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
dfifififififififififififiufidfifififi,fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififiyfiufififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififidfififififififififiufifififi
Tfifififififififififififififififififififiy,fifififififiyfivfififififi
fiyfiufidfifififivfififififififidfifififififiufififi fififififififiufifififififififififi-fifififidfififidfififififififififififififi$9fi99fififififi
fififififi,fifiufififififiyfiufififififififififififififififififififififi
fifidfifififiw,fiyfiufifififififififiyfiufififififififififififififififififi
jufififi 99fi fififififififi Afififififififi fififififififivfifi fififi fifivfifi
fififififi fifi fifiyfi fififi yfiufi wfifififi fififififivfifi fifi fififififi fiufifififififififififififififififiyfifififififififififififififiOufidfifififi
SfififififififififiGfifiufififiufifififififififi(fivfififi14fififififififififififififi!)fifififififififififififififififiyfiufifiufififififififififififi
MOTV,fifixfififififififififififififififififiyfiufififififififififidyfi
fiufififififififidfififi,fifififififiBowhunter.
Wfififififi fifififififififiyfi fifififififififi fiufifi fififi fifififi
UfiSfifififidfiCfififidfi,fifififififififififififififiMOTVfifififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififiFfififififiufifi
fifififivfidfifififififififiyfififififififififififi
fifififififififidfifififiufidfififififiwfififidfi
fififi fiufifi fiufifififififi fiuddfifififi fifivfifififififiywfifififififififififififififififififi,fi
fifififi wfifififi fivfififiufififiyfi fifivfifi fififififififi fififi fifififififi
fififififidfififi fifidfi fifiufififififififi fifififi fifififififififififi
Kfifiwfifidfififi fififi fifiwfifi,fi fifidfi fiufifififififiufifi
fiufififififi,fi fififififififi,fi fifidfi fififififififififi ufidfifififififidfififififififififififififififififififififivfifififififififififiWfifififi
MOTV,fifififififijufififififififififififififififififidfifi
Chuck AdamsJoe BlakeChuck Denault

Danny FarrisJeff FreyCameron R. Hanes
Donald M. JonesLarry D. JonesJudy Kovar
Lon LauberPat LefemineFrank Noska
Matt PalmquistJohn SolomonDan Staton
Randy UlmerJohn Lefty WilsonC.J. Winand
ADVERTISING SALES
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Laden Force
(660) 988-3481; laden.force@outdoorsg.com

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER
Jeff Millar
(717) 695-8081; jeff.millar@outdoorsg.com

ADVERTISNG SALES REP
Mark Thiffault
(800) 200-7885; mark.thiffault@outdoorsg.com

PRODUCTION
MANAGER Brittany Kennedy
(717) 695-8089; brittany.kennedy@outdoorsg.com

COORDINATOR Leah Howard
(717) 695-8087; leah.howard@outdoorsg.com
ENDEMIC AD SALES
nationallendemiccsales
Jim McConville (440) 791-7017

westernnregion
Hutch Looney (818) 990-9000

CORPORATE AD SALES
easttcoasttaccounttexecutive
Kathy Gross (678) 589-2065

midwesttaccounttdirector
Kevin Donley (248) 798-4458

westtcoastttmidwesttttmountainnacctttexecutive
Carl Benson (312) 955-0496

directtresponseeadvertisinggnon n endemic
Anthony Smyth (914) 693-8700
www.bowhunter.com
Bowhunterfifi (IfifiNfi #fi 0273fi7434)fi fififi pfififififififidfi 9fi fifififififi fifi yfififififi fififififidfifigfi fifififi
dfififififififififififi;fiJfifi/fififififiMfififififififipfififi/MfiyfifiJfifififi(Gfififififipfififififi)fifiJfifiyfifififigfifififi(Bfigfi
Gfififififipfififififi)fifififipfifififififififiNfiv/Dfififi(Wfifififififififififipfififififi)fififiyfifiUfiDfifififififififififiMfiNfi
GfifiUfififi1040fi6fifififivfifififi12fifififififififififiNfififiYfifikfifiNYfi10018fi3703fififififififidfififififipfifififigfifi
pfifidfifififiNfififiYfifikfifiNYfififidfififififiddfifififififififi fifififififigfifififififififififififififiMfififififi:fifififidfifiddfififififi
fifififigfifi(fififififi3579)fifififiBowhunterfififififififiBfixfi37539fifiBfifififififiIfifi50037fi0539fififififififififi
fifidfififivfififififififiCfififidfififififiddfififififififififi:fi500fififififi46fififififififiCfifififififififiNJfi07011fifiCfififidfifi
fifififififififififififififififififiMfififififigfifififififififiNfififi41405030fi
SUBSCRIPTIONS INQUIRIES:fifififififidfiyfififififififififififififififigfifiyfififififiddfifififififi
fifidfifififififififififififififipfifififififififififififipfifififififipfifififififififififififiyfififififififififififififififififififipfifififififi
yfififififififidfifififififiyfififififififigfiBowhunter,fifififififiBfixfi37539fifiBfifififififiIfifi50037fi
0539fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififiv@fidfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
(800)fi829fi2543fifi BE AWARE THAT BOWHUNTER ONLY ACCEPTS SUBSCRIPTION REQUESTS FROM AUTHORIZED AGENTS! WE MAY NOT HONOR
REQUESTS FROM UNAUTHORIZED AGENTS, AND YOU THEREFORE MAY
LOSE YOUR MONEY IF YOU BUY FROM AN UNAUTHORIZED AGENT.fifiIfifiyfififi
fifififififififififidfifififififififififipfifififififififiBowhunterfifipfififififififififififi1fi800fi829fi2543fifififi
dfififififififififififififififififigfifififififififififififififizfidfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififipfififififi
fififififififipfifififififivfififififififififififififigfivfi
fififififififipfifififififififififififififififififiyfififififififi$23fi94fi(UfififififififififififififififififidfiUfifififipfifififififi
fififififi)fifiCfififidfififiddfi$13fi00fi(Ufififififififidfi)fipfififiyfifififififififififidfififififififififififixfififidfi
Gfififififififififigfififiddfi$15fi00fi(Ufififififififidfi)fipfififiyfifififi
fififififififififififiyfifi fififififififififififififififififififififififififidfififivfififififififififififififipfififififififififififififififi
fififififigfigfifidfifififidfifififivfifififififififififififififififififivfifififififidfififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififidfififififiIfifiyfififipfififififififififififififixfififidfidfifipfififififififififidfiyfififififififififififififiddfififififi
fifififififififidfifififififififififiqfifififififigfifififififififixfififidfidfifififififififififififipfifififififififififififi:fi
Outdoor Sportsman Group 1040fi6fifififivfifififi 12fifififififififififi NfififiYfifikfifi NYfi
10018fi3703fifififififi:fifififivfifiyfiCfififidfifififififi
FOR REPRINTS:fififififififipfififififi/fipfififififififififififififififififig/fififififififififififififi pfifififififi
fififififififi:fiWfifigfifififiMfidfififififififififififififififi(877)fi652fi5295fi
BOOKS, DVDS & BACK ISSUES:fififififififififififi(800)fi260fi6397fifififivfififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififidfifififigfifififi/fifififififi
CONTRIBUTIONS:fiMfififififififipfifififi pfifififigfifipfififififidfififififififikfififififififififififififi
fififififidfififififififififidfififififififififififififififififififififififififififi fififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififipfififififififififiyfififififififififififififidfififigfififififififififififififififidfififififififififififififififififififififidfififi:fi
Bowhunter 6385fififififikfiDfifivfififififififififi800fifiHfifififififififigfififififi17112fi2784fifi
(717)fi695fi8085fififififix:fi(717)fi545fi2527
fifiINfifiDfiINfi
fiHfifiUfififififi
THE
KNOCK
OUT
BLOW.
PSEtknallchallengerandeeatthemithpeed.Nthecmpetitinhateppedintthering
again,andeveeatthemateverythingele!Meetthereigningchamp,thePSEEvlveCamSytem.
Featurednthe2017PSEEvlve,Evlve35,CarnAir34ECSandCarnAir32ECS,thee
EvlveCamarepundfrpundthemthethtingandfatethighlet-
nthemarket.
ThiitheYOUakedfr,andPSEhadeliveredaknckut!

I N T E G R AT E D M E D I A
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Jeff Paro
EVP, GROUP PUBLISHER,

HUNTING & SHOOTING Mike
Carney
SENIOR VP, TV OPERATIONS

GROUP PUBLISHER, FISHING
Steve Hoffman
VP, FINANCE & OPERATIONS Derek Sevcik
VP, CONSUMER MARKETING Peter Watt
VP, MANUFACTURING Deb Daniels
VP, CONTENT DEVELOPMENT Todd Smith
VP, DIGITAL SALES David Plante
DIRECTOR, MARKETING Kim Shay
SENIOR DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION Connie Mendoza
DIRECTOR, PUBLISHING TECHNOLOGY Kyle Morgan
OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN GROUP DIGITAL
Reggie Hudson
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, FISHING Jeff Simpson
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, HUNTING/SHOOTING Randy Hynes
DIRECTOR, DIGITAL AD OPS
For questions regarding digital editions, please contact

digitalsupport@outdoorsg.com
MEDIA
outdoorsg.com
TELEVISION
outdoorchannel.com
thesportsmanchannel.com
worldfishingnetwork.com
HUNTING
bowhunter.com
bowhuntingmag.com
gundogmag.com
petersenshunting.com
northamericanwhitetail.com
wildfowlmag.com
FISHING
bassfan.com
floridasportsman.com
flyfisherman.com
gameandfishmag.com
in-fisherman.com
SHOOTING
gunsandammo.com
handguns.com
rifleshootermag.com
shootingtimes.com
firearmsnews.com
Copyright 2017 by Outdoor Sportsman Group
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without

written permission.
Bowhunter is a registered trademark of Outdoor Sportsman Group in
the United States.
The Publisher and authors make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the information
contained in this publication. Any reliance or use of the information is
solely at your own risk, and the authors and Publisher disclaim any and
all liability relating thereto. Any prices given in this issue were suggested
prices at the press time and are subject to change.
Some advertisements in this magazine may concern products that are not
legally for sale to California residents or residents in other jurisdictions.
Cover Photo: DUSTY LUTT
LEVEL
NEW FOR 2017
VERTICAL DROP
TECHNOLOGY
UNMATCHED CONTAINMENT.
UNMATCHED CLEARANCE.
THE FASTEST WAY TO CLEARANCE IS A STRAIGHT LINE DOWN. Providing longer arrow
support and total clearance for perfect flight, the Trophy Ridge HX, HXL, and
Level arrow rests are ready whenever you are. Only from Trophy Ridge.
LEVEL
HX
HXL
The connection between predator and prey has entered a new age
YOU DONT HAVE TO BE THERE
B E T W E E N B O W H U NTE R S
Letters From Readers
OCTOBER ISSUE IS INSPIRING & BINDING diately turned to the back page and read
Dear Bowhunter,
I have read every issue of Bowhunter
Magazine cover to coversince the very
first one was published in 1971. I have
never honestly felt the need to write to you
until I just finished reading Randy Ulmers article, Bowhunting: Passion, Obsession Or Addiction? in your October
2016 issue. What a beautiful piece of writing genius! Randy has told the story of an
aging bowhunter in such a way that actually brought a tear to my eye. I could relate
to Randys thoughts as I am entering my
51st year of hunting with a bow and arrow,
and I often find myself wondering why I
love this sport so much. I believe Randy
explained it superbly. The actual physical
aspect seems to get a little bit more difficult as the years go by, but as I write this
on the eve of Michigans opening day, I
find myself just as excited as I used to get a
half-century ago. Bowhunter has always
helped me maintain my love and drive for
this sport, and I hope Randy and the rest
of the Bowhunter staff continues to produce the same wonderful articles in the
future that you have in the past. I tip my
camo hat to you all.
Kevin Schultz, Scottville, Michigan
THE GOLDEN SPIKE WITH

HANDCRAFTED LEATHER SHEATH.
The classic American hunting knife,
its reputation built on craftsmanship
and performance, carried with pride by
legions of passionate outdoorsmen.
GRIP A LEGEND
Dear Bowhunter,
Randy Ulmers article, Bowhunting:
Passion, Obsession, Or Addiction? succeeded in striking a major chord in my
personal bowhunting journey. I am 41
years old, and I have two young children
and a wife who calls me a hunting freak
on the good days. Luckily she came from
a hunting background, so she kind of
gets it. Ulmer hit so many points on the
struggles many bowhunters face when it
comes to balancing life and still pursuing your passion. With a young family, I
have faced these issues head-on for years
now, and his article helped me realize
Im not alone in this. Thank you, Randy!
Brent Wheatley, North Carolina
Dear Bowhunter,
When my October 2016 issue of
Bowhunter arrived in the mail, I imme-
FROM THE
FAMILY
Dwight Schuhs, Wildside column. Then

I quickly turned to Dwights story, The
Rabbit And The Spider, about Larry D.
Jones and him. Ive known both these
guys for many years. Dwight and Larry
and their stories have helped fuel my
passion for archery and bowhunting,
and these men have been a great blessing
to our sport for so many years.
Harold McCraven, via e-mail
SOUND GAME-CARE ADVICE

Dear Bowhunter,
Regarding David Drapers response
in your September 2016 Ask Bowhunter,
what are his thoughts on the citric acidbased meat sprays that are said to lower
the pH and subsequently the spoilage?
Also, does Mr. Draper have any experience with the use of black pepper to reduce insect damage?
George Bowland, via e-mail
David Draper responds: I have used
both black pepper and the citric-acid
sprays that are on the market, and Ive
found both to be effective in reducing bacteria that causes spoiling, and in keeping
insects away while Im dressing and hanging big game in the backcountry. A shaker
of black pepper is always in my pack. The
packaging associated with citric-acid
meat sprays is definitely heavier, plus there
is the issue of using precious water to mix
the granulated spray. I wouldnt suggest
mixing it with creek water, unless it has
been purified.
Ive recently heard about a new product on the market from a company called
Koola Buck (koolabuck.com). They are
making antimicrobial game bags that,
according to their marketing materials,
are permeated in a proprietary blend
of all-natural f lavorless acids derived
from fruits and other bacterial inhibitors. I cant speak to whether these bags
are effective, but I do believe the idea is
a sound one.
E-mail your BETWEEN BOWHUNTERS
letters to bowhunter_magazine@outdoorsg.com
Check this out

HECTORS BACK!
Awesome! When
did you get that??
Right now, bro. Scouting
from my couch!
WHAT!! HOW?????
Spartan GoCam
THIS ROCKS!!!!
Take your intel to the next level: remote images on your phone, tablet or computer in near real
time. Add Spartan GoCam to your Verizon data service, re up the Mobile app, then scout,
download, even change settings from anywhere, anytime, undetected. spartancamera.com
vzw.com
I Add to your existing Verizon data plan for $5/month plus taxes & fees*
*Our surcharges (incl. Fed. Univ. Svc of 17.4% of interstate & intl telecom charges (varies quarterly), 21
Regulatory & $1.23 Administrative/line/mo., & others by area) are not taxes (details: 1-888-684-1888);
govt taxes & our surcharges could add 7%-46% to your bill. Activation/upgrade fee/line: Up to $40
IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION:: Subject to VZW Agents, calleing plan & credit approval. Up to
$350 early termination fee; data overage is $15/GB. Coverage, varying by svc, not available everywhere;
see VZW.com Max 10 lines 2016 Verizon Wireless.
By Bob Humphrey
New Technology In Camouflage
TenPoint Turbo GT
w/ACUdraw 50
ecorated in Mossy Oak Break-Up Country,

the TenPoint Turbo GT w/ACUdraw 50
crossbow ($899) is lighter, faster, and shorter
than its very popular predecessors. How light
and fast you ask? How does 6.5 lbs. and capable of speeds up to 360 fps grab you? Thats
pretty impressive to say the least! The adjust-
able Fusion 5 stock and super-compact 13.5"

XLT bow assembly combine to give you an ultraaccurate crossbow thats easy to handle and
highly maneuverable, which makes it a good
choice for both treestand and ground-blind
hunters. Other highlights worth noting include
a 12.6" power stroke, 175-lb. draw weight, and
the ACUdraw 50 cocking mechanism, which is
integrated into the Turbo GT s stock and neatly
stores the ropes inside the units housing. Contact: TenPoint Crossbows, 1-800-548-6837,
tenpointcrossbows.com.
14
Myfififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififiefifififiefififihfififi,fifinfifihfifihfiIfi
fifiefififihfipefififififihfififipefififinenfifi
fififikefi.fiBfifikfifihen,fipefififinfififi
fififipufiefifififififinfifiexfififififinfifi
fififiefifififiufiefififififi.fiWevefifififiefi
fifififingfififiyfififinfiefifihen,fifinfififinfi
fififififififinfifififififikfingfifiufifififivefifi
fiufihfiefififiefi,fififivfinfiefienfifififinfi
fififipufiefifi,fififigfififififiphfififigfifiphy,fi
finfifigfifiphfifififififiefifififififibefingfi
ufiefififififififikefibefingfifinvfififibfiefifinfi
fihefifififififififiufihfiefififiefi.
AfifiMfififiyfiOfik,fifiefififikefi
fiufifififivfingfibyfibfifingfingfiyfiufifihefi
fififififieffefififivefififififiuflfigefipfififiefinfifievefififififie,fififiyfifiBenfiMfikfi,fiSenfifififi
VfifiefiPfiefififienfififinfifiChfieffiMfifikefifingfiOffifiefi.fiThefififipfififiefinfifififiefifievefifipefifi
fihfifiughfiexfienfifivefifinfifiefifififiefifignfifinfififiefififing,fifinfififihenfififiefifiefifiufifingfifihefi
fififiefififigfifiphfififififiefihnfififigy.fi
AfipfififiefiexfifipfiefifififiBfiefikfiUpfiInfinfifiy,fifihfifihfiMfikfififiefifififibefififififififi
qufinfiufififiefipfifinfipfififiefinfifievefifipfienfi.fiFfifififi,fiMfififiyfiOfikfifiefiefifiefifiefiefienfififi
fifikefifiefivefi,fifififibfi,fififififinfififinfifibfifinfihefi,fifififififiefifiefifihefifiefififififififinfifififinfifififififi
nefiefifififiyfifififibfiefikfiupfififihunfiefifififififihfiuefifie.fiTheyfifihenfipfififiefififihfifiefi
efiefienfifififivefififiufififipfiefififiyefififififfifififiufifififififigefififfififififihefifififififififififififiefifiefi
fififiufififififififienfififinfifififiepfihfififfifiefifi.fiIfifififihefifinfiyfipfififiefinfifinfifihefifififikefifi
fihfififihfififififixfififiyefififififfifiefifififi,fififififififigfivefifiyfiufifiepfih.fiIfififififikefiyfiufiefifififinfifingfi
finfifihefifififififififififikfingfibfifikfifinfififififi,fififiyfifiMfikfi.
TfifififififiefifiefienfifiexfifipfiefifififiefiBfiefikfiUpfiCfiunfifiyfifinfifiMfiunfififinfiCfiunfifiy.fi
Thefiffififiefifiufiefififihefifififiefififififigfifififififiefihnfififigyfififififififibfinefifiepfihfifinfifi
fihfififififingfiefiefienfifififihfififibfiefikfiupfiyfiufififiufififinefifififihfififigfififififiyfienhfinfiefi,fi
fififefififizefifinfifiufifififiefiefienfifififinfifififififififififinefififififihefipfiyfiufibfienfififinfififififififififinyfi
envfififinfienfi.fiThefififififiefifiufiefififififififififififiefihnfififigyfifififififipfiufiefifinfififinfififipfifififiefi
Wefifiefinfififiunfififinfiefiefienfififififikefigfifiyfifinfifigfieenfififinefi,fififibfifikgfifiunfifi
fiffififigefifinfififififikfiffififififififinfi,fifinfifififipfinefifiefififiufiufififinfifififinfifefifififieefififififi
enfiufiefiyfiufibfienfififinfifififihfifihefifiefifififinfififfififiWefifiefinfienvfififinfienfi.
P U R E B O W H U NTI N G
Dwight Schuh
Hunting Editor
My Favorite Hunt
WHY WOULD TWO SEEMINGLY SANE, MIDDLE-AGED MEN DO CARTWHEELS
IN THE RAIN AND MUD?
YOU GUYS ARE CRAZY, bush pilot Van Hartley growled

as Roger Iveson and I unloaded the last of our gear
and then started doing cartwheels in the mud as
best as two guys in raingear and chest waders can
in a driving rain and six inches of mud.
But we couldnt help ourselves. We
were overjoyed. Wed been on the river
for two weeks, and had each killed a caribou. Van had met us at a predetermined
point nearly 100 miles downstream to
pick up the caribou. After wed loaded
the meat into the plane and climbed in,
Van said, What do you guys want to do
now? Head back to town?
Even though rain had fallen hard for 10
days straight, the river had risen three feet,
and all of our gear was a muddy tangle, we
would not be deterred. No, take us back
where we started, Roger and I agreed.
So thats what he did, and thats where our
cartwheeling celebration took place. Maybe we were crazy, but we were back on the
tundra with 10 more days to hunt!
People often ask me, Dwight, what
I took this musk ox
during a late-August
hunt on Victoria Island.
It was a great hunt!
AUTHORS PHOTO
16
is your favorite hunt? My stock answer

has always been, The hunt Im on at the
moment, meaning regardless of where
or what species Im hunting, if Im in the
field with a bow in hand, Im quite happy.
So that seemingly flippant answer holds
a lot of truth.
However, in writing a feature for
Bowhunters 45th Anniversary issue recently, I reviewed dozens of hunting logs
and looked through photos from hunts
over the past 40 years, and I concluded
that if I could do only one hunt each
year, it would be a hunt in the Far North.
It could be for moose, caribou, grizzlies,
Sitka deer, or musk oxendoesnt matter. I might be crazy, but as long as Im
somewhere on the tundra, muskeg, or
Arctic mountains, Im a happy camper.
Maybe most important, its the first
style of hunting I read about as a young
boy, so its planted deep in my heart.
Jack OConner probably lit the spark as
he wrote about hunting sheep, grizzlies,
caribou, and other species in Alaska, the
Yukon, and northern B.C.
Many of his hunts took place in the
1940s, when access was a serious obstacle, so OConners hunts were often
30 and 40-day affairs, mostly by horseback. Essentially, he and a guide would
head into the remote wilderness with a
string of horses and a fistful of big game
tags, and would not emerge until the tags
were filled. Imagine!
In the late 1950s, John Jobson, Camping Editor for Sports Afield magazine,
hunted the Yukon three years in a row.

On most of these hunts he killed Dall
sheep, mountain caribou, moose, and
grizzlies, and each year he wrote fulllength features on each species. These
hunts lasted upward of two months each.
There were many others, of course,
but these are the ones who laid the
groundwork for my dreams and goals.
Even in the first and second grade, I
thought, Thats what I am going to do!
With a foundation like that, is it any
wonder that hunting the Far North
would be my favorite hunt?
One thing that fascinated me was
that these guys often hunted territory
that had never been hunted. In that sense
they were truly pioneers, and that was the
biggest appeal to me. To think they trod
in places untouched by modern hunters
seemed like the ultimate thrill to me.
And, in fact, that has not really
changed. Many Far North hunting areas have vast blocks that rarely if ever
see modern hunters. Several outfitters in
The Northwest Territories, Yukon, and
B.C. have told me their concessions contain several thousand square miles they
never touch.
In that kind of setting, you often can
hunt for two weeks or more and never
see another hunter, except those in your
own party. And to top it off, youre often
hunting animals that have never seen or
smelled a human being. With conditions
like that, why wouldnt the Far North be
a favorite hunt?
Some years ago, Cameron Hanes, an
experienced ultra-marathon runner, said,
Dwight, you can fake your way through
a marathon, or even a 50-miler, but you
cant fake it through a 100-miler. Youd
better be prepared, or you wont make it.
Thats how I perceive the Far North
hunt. Its never just a marathon; its a
100-miler. You simply cannot fake your
way through to the end, and if you try, you

could face some serious consequences.
The pure isolation is one reason.
Whether you reach your destination by
bush plane, horseback, raft, boat, ATV,
or shanks mare and backpack, you
could end up dozens or hundreds of
miles from the nearest road and the
nearest help.
On top of that, you can count on horrendous weather. You WILL get hit with
torrential rain, heavy snow, high winds,
fog, and more, and these will alter the
course of your hunt. On more than one
occasion, my two-week hunts have turned
into three-week affairs. Count on it.
Given these realities, your clothing,
gear, communications systems (satellite phone, SPOT device, etc.), and contingency plans must be airtight, or you
could be in trouble.
Is this a shortcoming of Far North
hunting? Far from it. In fact, I consider
this the ultimate appeal. I like expeditions
prolonged events that test preparation,
stamina, commitment, and knowledge.
To me, hunting is all about determination
and self-sufficiency, and no other place in
North America brings those qualities to
maturity like the Far North.
The big game alone would make
Far North hunting my favorite because
theyre all big, and in some cases dangerous. Who would not be awed by an Alaska-Yukon bull moose weighing 1,200
pounds or more? More than that, during
the rut these bulls are fearless, and they
will come after any other moose or
hunter who invades their territory. It
makes for a thrilling, and often scary,
experience.
As does hunting brown and grizzly
bears. Well, this generally involves less
action, because big bears are few and far
between. But when you do see one, its a
sight you wont forget 1,000 pounds of
fur, teeth, and claws. And then you have
to ask yourself, Do I want to get within
bow range of that killing machine?
Caribou may be the most affordable,
and in ways the most spectacular northern game. Few sights compare to that of
a bull caribou on the skyline. Plus, in my
opinion, caribou are the best eating of all
big game (except during the rut).
If these arent enough, you can try
Dall sheep, musk oxen, or Sitka blacktail deer on Kodiak Island. Theyre all
unique to the Far North, worthy of favorite hunt status.
All of the above are well and good,
but are they really the ultimate test for a
favorite hunt? Not necessarily. Since my
first big Alaskan hunt with Roger Iveson

in 1993, I have been on more than 36
hunts in the Far North, many of them
standard guided hunts of 1012 days;
several of 16 days; and a half-dozen,
do-it-yourself adventures longer than
20 days. Some of the longer hunts were
planned, while others were mandated by
blizzards, fog, equipment breakdowns,
you name it... Regardless of circumstances, to me the ultimate test of enjoyment the definition of favorite is my
attitude at the end. Have I had enough,
or do I want to stay for more?
In reviewing all of my Far North
hunts, I have never wanted one of these
In central Alaska,
the beauty and
the possibilities
are endless. No
wonder hunts in
places like this
are my favorite.
AUTHORS PHOTO
hunts to end, nor have I wanted to go

home early. On numerous guided hunts,
Ive seen other hunters fill their tags as
quickly as possible, and then call in a
plane to take them home immediately.
I have never understood this. Why go
to the effort and expense of reaching a
remote and beautiful destination if you
just want to go home?
Maybe you dont need to do cartwheels in the rain and mud to celebrate,
but that response pretty well summarizes my view. No matter the circumstances, life in the Far North is nothing
but good. Call me crazy if you will, but
thats my definition of a favorite hunt.
N E X T-L E V E L B O W H U NTI N G
Joe Bell
Te c h n i c a l E d i t o r
Bow Balance And Quivers

A BOW THAT SETTLES IN YOUR HAND WITHOUT ANY UNNATURAL WOBBLE WILL
PROVIDE THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF SHOOTING PERFORMANCE POSSIBLE.
IM A STICKLER for archery detail, and one area

Ive spent a great deal of time in is analyzing
the effects of a poorly balanced hunting bow.
Like nearly all bowhunters, I began my hunting
career with a quiver fastened to my bow.
shoot in the local mountains, I switched

to my backup bow that didnt have a
quiver on it. Immediately, I noticed how
great the bow balanced and shot prior to
the event. It made me want to shoot more,
which told me something. This got me
experimenting with and without the bow
quiver to determine the effects of quiver
weight specifically the slight imbalance it causes, and how that can influence
shooting performance. In a nutshell, here
are some of the points I recognized during
this time of exhaustive experimentation.
CONSISTENCY
Bow quivers are extremely

convenient and make toting
hunting arrows in the woods a
breeze. However, some quivers
can cause unwieldy side weight,
and an accuracy imbalance.
AUTHORS PHOTOS
Fortunately, I was led to a good model

from the get-go. When I say good, I mean
a quiver that was meant to stay fixed to
the bow while shooting, and not a quickremoval model. Quick-detach quivers are
outstanding for treestand and groundblind hunting, as they are designed to be
detached once the hunter is in his perch or
ground hide, although many new models
are absolutely solid and engineered to stay
fastened to the bow while shooting with18
out rattling, or causing excessive noise.

But back in the 80s, quick-detach quivers
were pretty darn flimsy.
The quiver I started with was a Sagittarius two-piece quiver that clamped
to the bow via limb-bolt brackets. It was
the most solid quiver system of its kind,
and it hugged the bow very well. I hunted
with that system for nearly two decades,
with outstanding results.
Then one day, while attending a 3-D
Familiarity, good shooting form, and

confidence are the real virtues of shooting performance. But, small equipment
adjustments can accentuate accuracy and
consistency, boosting confidence that
much more. Removing the quiver from
your bow does seem to help with this,
mainly because it keeps the bow extremely balanced, without any side weight.
Conversely, keeping the quiver on can
make the bow relentlessly inconsistent
to shoot, as each arrow you remove from
the quiver does change the weight of the
setup a small amount, which can cause a
shift in point of impact.
How much of a shift in impact? Well,
this is extremely difficult to quantify.
However, I tried to accomplish this more
than 10 years ago both by shooting on
the range with my setup, and by using a
controlled process. This meant using a
shooting machine and an indoor-laboratory environment. After various tests,
I concluded that quiver weight does indeed impact accuracy, but to a very small
extent depending on the setup, and how
many arrows are removed from the quiver before shooting a group of arrows.
My tests were conducted at 40 and 45
yards, and with one arrow removed from
the quiver, arrow impacts were slightly
to the left and down for a right-handed

bow and fixed-blade broadheads. With
mechanical broadheads, the change of
impact was almost miniscule a halfinch at the most.
The other interesting note is that as
more arrows were drawn from the quiver
before shooting again, there was much
less of a variance. This test was done
with a drop-away rest, spine and weightmatched arrows, a parallel-limb bow, and
a Spot-Hogg Hooter Shooter machine.
where you must hold your bow at your

side, oftentimes with an arrow nocked,
while tiptoeing through the woods. A
bow with a quiver can be more unwieldy.
Is it a deal breaker? Surely not. But it certainly is a factor that lends itself to a more
efficient handling and shooting weapon.
designs the last couple hunting seasons,

just to see what Im missing. Im not
done with my hip quiver by any means,
but some of the new quivers work very
well in my opinion. And, when using
mechanical broadheads, the consistency factor isnt much of an issue.
POSITIVE OF NEW QUIVER DESIGNS
TINKERING TO PERFECTION
For the last decade and a half, Ive used

In some cases, a little bit of
a hip quiver almost exclusively. However, quiver modification can go a long
this system took a long time to perfect, ways toward better bow handling
and I had to modify and customize my hip and accuracy. Ive found this to be
true with some of the twoQUIETNESS
piece quivers currently on
Besides improved consistency, a bow
the market. Personally, I
without a quiver tends to shoot quieter.
like a two-piece design
Although I consider a well-designed quivoverall, because it makes
er with a snug shaft-gripper pretty darn
the quiver as rock-solid as
quiet (given all the arrows are stuffed in
possible, with zero movethe hood solidly, with the broadhead tips
ment when placing arrows
tight), arrows do tend to rattle loose durin and out of the grippers.
ing practice sessions and long hikes in the
But, some models dont
mountains, causing that dreaded buzz
hug the bow riser so well.
effect when shooting.
When this is the case, it pays
Much of this has to do with the over- A bow without a quiver is easier to hold and
all design of the quiver, though. A good handle, which is why Ive used a hip quiver for to engineer and shorten the
fastening brackets or rods
two-piece quiver, or a long-stem, one- a decade and a half.
to create a more streampiece model (i.e. TightSpot) that clamps
to the bow solidly, can be made to be quiver until I got all the kinks worked out. lined unit that meshes betvery quiet. Remember, a bow that shoots Even then, the hip quiver would cause me ter with your bows centralwith a softer, quieter thump will lessen some grief in certain situations, mainly ized weight. Ive cut and
the chance of string-jumping and an un- when crawling in heavy brush or sage, but filed down the stems on
expected bad hit.
I eventually figured out how to make this Hoyt and Mathews quivsystem work better in those situations, too. ers with great results, being
Even so, the bow quiver reigns in the careful not to overly trim
IMPROVED BOW HANDLING
One thing thats hard to argue with is convenience department, and with to- and cause the hood or arthis: A bow without a quiver is a dream days super-advanced bows that vibrate row ends to collide with
to hold and handle, because it sits in the little, a bow quiver can be made to work the bows limbs or cables.
hand perfectly plumb. This is why trees- very well given you choose a riser- (Note: Altering any bow actand hunters like to remove their quivers hugging design to minimize the side-tilt cessory voids the manufacturers warranty, and can
when they arrive on stand, so the bow is or imbalance issue.
In recent years, bow quivers have cause safety concerns.)
more streamlined, easier to maneuver,
The conclusion here is
and quicker to point and shoot. The same been refined to near perfection. This is
can be said in a still-hunting situation, why I decided to try some of the new this: A balanced bow simply shoots better, with or
without a quiver attached
Improving Quiver Balance
to the bow. It pays to assess
Despite choosing a topnotch bow-mounted quiver,
your current bow setup to
determine if your quiver
some bowhunters still want a perfectly plumb bow for better
is causing accuracy issues.
shooting performance. One way to do this is to add counterweight
If so, consider the alternaor stabilizers to offset a quivers side weight. In recent years,
tives, either to buy a better
many companies have designed systems to fulfill this need. One
bow-hugging quiver, or
example is Arizona Archerys Western Hunter Stabilizer. It uses two
to shoot without one on
your bow. Only you can
stabilizer rods, along with 1-oz. add-on weights, to allow that perfectly balanced
decide whats right for you
sweet spot when using a bow quiver.
based on accuracy testing,
You can also use various types of V-bar accessories or offset brackets, along
your style of hunting, and
with traditional stabilizer counterweights, to better balance your quiver setup. You
personal preference.
can add these to your bows riser via the threaded section below the bow grip (on
the string side of the bow). Such added details can go a long way toward equalizing
your shooting setup and improving consistency.
Todays bow quivers are much more refined

and hug the bows riser better. This translates
into a better handling and shooting bow.
B OWH U NTE R.C O M
19
THE NEW MONDAY NIGHT

DRESS CODE: ALL CAMO
On Monday Night Hunts, our hunters are
always dressed for success. Its an all new
night of stellar American outdoorsmen,
primed and ready for heart-pounding action.
TH
EL
IFE
UIT
RS
PU
AN
GE
LO
NG
R
R
AT
EAT
E
ME
PR
ED
ATO
R
PU
RS
UIT
ALL NEW NIGHT
MONDAY NIGHT
HUNTS
JA
CK
I
CL E BUS
AS H
SIC MA
S N
BEGINS DEC 26
| 8P ET
Presented by
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
thesportsmanchannel.com
T R A D ITI O N A L W AY
Fred Eichler
Tr a d i t i o n a l E d i t o r
Super Special Hunt

THERE ARE CERTAIN ASPECTS OF A HUNT THAT CAN ELEVATE IT TO BEYOND SPECIAL.
SOME HUNTS JUST go down in my memory bank as super

special. Oftentimes its just a small thing that elevates
a hunts status to super special. More often than not,
that super addition has nothing to do with the harvesting of an animal. It may be a random occurrence,
like a hummingbird trying to feed off my pink fletchings because it was convinced it was a flower. It may
be something like the amazingly bright falling star I
saw while looking at the sky one morning.
I saw it while anxiously waiting for

the sky to lighten up so I could actually
see the bull in the meadow that was bugling every few minutes. I know that long,
bright flash could have been a meteor, or
it could have been space junk hitting our
atmosphere. But since I am an optimist, I
am going to call it an amazing falling star.
I never got that bull, but that hunt will always stick out in my mind because of the
screaming bull and that star.
The hunt I am going to share with you
here started out normal, but it ended up
being elevated to super-special status. I
hope some of you relate to why it was so
BefinfififihefiefiwfifihfimyfifionfiJefifi
whenfihefikfilledfihfifififififififififififi
fiamefianfimalfiwfifihfiafififiadfififionalfi
fiowfifififiwhafifimadefifihfififihunfifi
fiupefififipecfialfifofififiofihfioffiufi.
AUTHORS PHOTO
22
archery for more than 30 years now.

Archery you are giving more than
time and expertise, you are teaching life
lessons. The legacy of archery brings with
it, the respect for the land and game, the
appreciation of hard work from practicing,
Ofering expert advice, genuine

customer care, fast shipping, top quality
products, and competitive pricing. Call us
anytime at 866-732-8783, or go online at
3RiversArchery.com to see our growing
and the joy of accomplishment.

At 3Rivers Archery we have been living
selection of archery gear, helpful videos,

product reviews, and easy ordering.
T R A D ITI O N A L W AY
special to me that I had to put super in
front of it.
While hunting at our place in Colorado, my friend Tom Phillips invited our
oldest son Jeb and I to go on a hunt with
a group of guys from Trad Gang. Jeb has
a busy schedule, as he helps around our
ranch and farm, and he also helps guide
our hunting clients when he can. He is going to college for an AG business degree.
Fortunately, this hunt fell over his summer vacation from school, and he was
more than happy to trade out some work
time on a John Deere for a black bear hunt.
We introduced our boys to hunting,
and they naturally took to it like ducks
to water. We also never pushed them to
shoot any type of equipment, and instead opted to let them try every weapon
out there. Then they could decide for
themselves if they wanted to be hunters,
and if so, what equipment they wanted
to hunt with.
Jeb tried it all growing up, and leaned
toward a compound. He has taken frogs
and rabbits with his recurve, but his preferred weapon for big game always been
the compound. He has harvested quite
a few critters now, and we teasingly call
him Lucky Jeb because he just seems to
get the biggest animals out of anyone else
in the family.
Two of our close friends are Mike and
Nancy Palmer, and they have known our
boys since they were pups. Mike and his
father were always avid traditional bowhunters, and they made Palmer recurves.
Mikes father passed on to the Happy
Hunting Grounds, and for Jebs birthday
a few years ago Mike gave Jeb a special gift
his fathers recurve.
Although Tom made it clear that Jeb
could take a compound on the hunt, Jeb
wanted to take Mikes fathers bow. I was
a tad nervous, because I knew Jeb had
never harvested a large animal with a
traditional bow. On top of that, with his
work and school schedule, he would be
hard-pressed to practice much. My worries were partially put in check when I
saw how well Jeb was shooting. He put in
the time, and he was shooting very well
out to 25 yards.
When we arrived at camp in Quebec, Canada, we realized immediately it
was going to be a great hunt. The guys
that were on the Trad Gang hunt with
us were awesome. I elected to sit with
Jeb to film his first big game traditional
bowhunt, and to help him out. He had
killed bears with a rifle on our ranch, but
24
AUTHORS PHOTO
Jeb was more than happy to trade time off from running a John Deere for a spring black bear hunt.
he had never taken a bear with his bow.

Everyone drew for stands, and Jeb
drew one called Moose Tower. We
waited quietly for close to eight hours
our first night in the stand, but nothing
showed up except for a few fat squirrels
that worked on the bait.
The next night near dusk, a bear appeared on the far side of a small clearing, and then disappeared just as fast. At
camp that night, more bears were hanging from the pole. Others were harvesting bears, and the stories were f lying.
Some were probably even true.
We went to the same stand the following day. As silently as fog forming above
the water, a bear slowly and quietly made
its way to the bait. Thats when it started.
Slowly at first, but gradually increasing
in its erratic nature. Jebs Muzzy broadhead the head his grandfather had
invented and named started shaking
and bouncing all over the place. I looked
down at Jeb from my treestand above
his, and realized his legs were shaking as
well. We have all been there. Here was a
20-year-old man, with a bear only eight
to 10 yards away, and he looked like he
was having a seizure I loved it! I wish I
could say I was as calm and cool as an ice
cube, but lets just say I am glad someone
wasnt filming me.
The bear slowly left, and I guess I will
never know if it was because it heard
Jebs Easton shaft emulating a woodpecker on his bows wooden riser, or if it
just decided to leave. Either way the bear
was gone, and it left behind two men
trembling from the excitement of having
a bear in that close. As we snuck out after
dark, Jeb smiled, his teeth glowing white
in the darkness. I got pretty excited,
and I dont think I could have shot even

if I had wanted to, Jeb said. I told him
to stay calm and just focus on making a
good shot if we got another opportunity.
Back at camp, almost everyone had
filled their tags. The stories were as fun as
the hunting, and I am glad there wasnt
a polygraph around. I might have even
told a tall tale or two.
The next evening, we were back in
our same stand. Just like the evening before, a bear silently appeared before us,
and with it so did the shaking. It wasnt
as pronounced as the evening before, but
it was there. I was doing my best to control it, but I was pretty excited. Jebs convulsions seemed to come in little waves.
I was watching his broadhead and using
it as a type of Geiger counter.
The bear was in and out, and I was
biting my lip. There were multiple times
I would have taken the shot, but I knew
Jeb was the only one who could make that
decision. At one point the bear was broadside and Jeb started to slowly draw, and
then he slowly let down. I was going nuts.
A brain aneurysm was a serious concern.
I was having a hard time keeping it together, and I was restraining myself from
yelling SHOOT! I may have temporarily
blacked out from the pressure, but as my
eyes focused I saw Jeb drawing back again.
This was it the moment of truth. The arrow left the bow and my heart was singing.
It was a great shot as good as it gets.
Its hard to say which one of us was more
excited. It would have to be a close call
between Jeb, me, Mikes father, who I believe was with us, or Mike. That is how
a traditional bowhunter is made. That
is why to me, this hunt has a super in
front of special.
KILLER CLOTHING
BROWNING.COM
#BROWNINGSPEED
T R I E D A N D TR U E
Tony J. Peterson
Equipment Editor
Winter Whitetail Work

SCOUTING NOW MIGHT BE YOUR BEST INVESTMENT TOWARD
FUTURE BOWHUNTING SUCCESS.
ITS AN OFT-PREACHED, little-practiced whitetail strategy.

Yet, winter scouting might be the single best way to
understand the comings and goings of fall whitetails. Ill
admit that for quite a few years I didnt fully grasp the
benefit of spending time in the immediate postseason,
trying to divine the secrets of the past seasons bucks.
AUTHORS PHOTO
It wasnt until I felt like I had a shot at

an absolute giant public-land buck that I
started to walk my hunting grounds in
the months sandwiched between deer
and turkey season. What I learned that
year was that the buck I was after staged
on a certain ridge on the property, as was
evidenced when I found one of his shed
antlers. The buck also spent part of the
winter on that public parcel.
What was most impressive to me,
26
though, was what was written throughout the woods in his chosen neighborhood. It was a story of a buck that would
have easily made Boone & Crockett, and
how he navigated a property with intense
hunting pressure. His thigh-sized rubs,
dished-out scrapes, and etched trails
through the swampy lowlands were the
breadcrumbs that showed the clear connection between his backyard sanctuary,
and the land on which I could hunt him.
I didnt kill that buck, but I did arrow

his buddy the following October. If it
werent for hours spent hiking through
the winter woods, Id have never filled
my tag on that particular deer. Since that
experience, Ive devoted much of my
winter free time to hiking through the
deer woods. Its a strategy that has paid
off in several whitetails for me, and honestly, it has taught me more about deer
than I realized I had left to learn.
The reality is that there is no better
time to figure out last seasons sign and
determine why and where it was made
than winter. The terrain is laid bare, rubs
are highly visible, and youre not afraid
to walk through bedding areas and other off-limits, in-season cover. Where I
live, some of the best deer ground is covered in swamps and other wet obstacles,
which are frozen during the winter. That
means I can hike right into the places
that are an absolute pain to get to during
the season.
The key to winter scouting is not simply to take a walk and ogle the rublines
of the previous fall, but rather to use
what you find to make a plan. I like to
identify and mark stand trees whenever
possible, and to run a few cameras to
take inventory of just what bucks made it
through the season. Knowing that a few
deer survived the season and will likely
be around next fall makes winter scouting much more enjoyable. It also allows
you to guess at who made what sign, or
just which buck will claim the best areas.
Winter scouting, along with postseason inventory, requires a few items that
will help you put everything together.
The inventory part is fairly easy, because
it involves running some cameras. To get
my whitetail fix in the postseason, Ive
started using some of the wireless cameras that are available.
Ive spent the most time with HCOs
gressor Wireless ($515). For this year, the

wireless camera uses True GPS to send
the cameras location as soon as its turned
on, which is a great way to track down unscrupulous individuals who might steal
your camera. The HD Aggressor also
Spartan GoCam ($380$470). Setup

with the GoCam is a breeze, and Ive had
excellent battery life even during January and February, when winter weather
tends to sap the life out of a fresh set of
AAs. New for this year, HCO is offering U.S. Cellular and Sprint models to
add to their existing line, which already
includes AT&T and Verizon offerings.
These pay-as-you-go cameras are crazy
addictive, and can be a ton of fun when
placed over a winter food source to
see which bucks survived the gauntlet
throughout the fall.
Moultrie has created a truly economical way to go wireless, with their
new Mobile Field Modem MV1 ($200).
This system is compatible with most
Moultrie trail cameras that were created in 2015 or later, and it works with
the new Moultrie Mobile website so
that you can download the free app and
then log in to check out your images.
The system also sends you an e-mail or
a text to let you know when youve got
new images. With the app, youll also be
able to check and change the settings on
most cameras.
Bushnell has a great inventory option as well in their Trophy Cam HD Ag-
features a lightning-fast, .3-second trigger speed, takes 14MP images, and can be
operated off of a free app.
Feeding deer is a no-no in most
places where I winter scout, so I dont
bother. Thats not the case for everyone,
of course. If you can stay on the right
side of the law and feed your local herd,
there is no better way to take a true sur-
vivors inventory. Redneck Blinds offers

up a perfect choice in their T-Post Gravity Feeder ($100), which is made to hold
80 lbs. of corn.
Inventory is fun, but its the boots
on the ground that will help you understand deer habits better. For this stage
youve got to, well, put some boots on

the ground. Rockys Stratum Footwear
($100$140) is up to the task with its
athletic-shoe fit (so important), rugged outsoles for tricky or icy terrain,
and guaranteed Rocky Waterproofing.

These boots are uninsulated, which may
not sound like the best choice for winter
scouting in northern haunts, but scouting is not hunting, and when youre on
the move, a good pair of socks and boots
like the Stratums are all youll need.
Winter scouting involves a lot of
brush busting, sort of like when hunting
late-season pheasants without a dog. You
have to go into the thick stuff, and that
requires pants that can handle prickly
ash, raspberry tangles, alder thickets,
etc. Cabelas new Instinct Backcountry
Packable Super Warm Down Pants
($200) feature a waterproof seat and
knees, will keep you plenty warm, and
can be stuffed into a pack when not being worn.
T R I E D A N D TR U E
eveflyThThThnfleflflThmeThflflek.ThTheThfiflThflThThThThThThgThThThTh
ThThTh,Th ThThkeTh flheTh neThTh Freescape Camp SawTh
AnThflheflThpThckThbTheThpThflflThThThThmyThThThnflefl- ($59)ThThflThmThGerber.ThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThflflflflflflflfl
ThcThuflThngTh enThembTheTh ThThTh NOMADTh Inte- flflThnThpThflfl,ThTheThflufleThTh12"ThThThThcuflflThngThThuflThThce,Th
grator Shell JacketTh ($125).Th ThThThTh ThufleflTh
ThnThTh TheThghThTh TheThThTh flhThnTh ThTh pThunTh.Th WhenTh

IThfinThThThThThpThflThThnThpflThvThfleThgflThunThThThhefleThITh
ThThnflThThThThflThnThThnexflThThThThTh,ThIThThThnflThThThThflThflThThcuflTh
ThhThThflThngTh ThThneThTh ThnThTh enflflThnceTh ThnThTh exThflTh
flThufleTh.ThIThgeflThThflThThThneThnThTh,ThThnThThflhenThThneThkTh
bThckTh ThnTh eThflThyTh ThummeflTh flThTh ThThTh ThTh flThuchupTh
jThb.ThThThThThmThkeThThflheThpflThceThThThThThThTheflflThngThupTh
ThThquThThThflyThThmbuThhThThThfleThmuchTheThThThefl.Th
TheTh ThflheflTh flhThngTh ITh ThThThThyThTh cThflflyTh ThThTh ThTh
ThheThThTh ThThTh 100%Th ThThfleflpflThThTh,Th ThhThchTh ThThTh Thm- pThckThgeThThThThWhite Reflective Trail TacksTh
pThflflThnflTh becThuTheTh ThThTh yThuTh ThpenThTh enThughTh ($2)ThThflThmThHunters Specialties.ThWhenTh
ThThyThTh flflThmpThngTh flhflThughTh beThThThngTh ThfleThThTh
ThnTh MThflch,Th yThuThThTh geflTh flThThneTh,Th ThnThTheTh,Th ThflTh
ThTheefleThThThnThThflThThThmeThpThThnfl.ThThThThThhThgh-quThThThflyThjThckeflThcThnThbeThflThThTheThThupThThnThThThfluThTheThTh
ThnflThThThThThThypThckThThThThThThThnThThThThflheThThkTheThThcTheThfl.Th
Browning Outdoor ClothingTh hThThTh
fleTheThTheThThThThkThThTheflThThThneupThThThThThppThfleThThflhThflThThThTh
ThTheThThThyThThuThfleThThThThflThflflekkThngThflhflThughThflheTh
flThmbefl,ThThThflhThflheThflThHells Canyon Speed
Hellfire JacketTh($260)ThThThpeflThThnThThThThThvThflThfle.ThThThThThbfleThflhThbThe,ThThnThuThThfleTh,ThThThfleflThThnThTh
ThThnTh-fleThThThflThnflThjThckeflThThThThfiflfleThThThThflhThThThvThflTheflyThThThThpThckeflTh,ThThnThThThflThThThffefleThThThnThThThzeThTh
flThngThngThThflThmThS3XL.
AThThngTh ThThflhTh ThTh gThThThTh jThckefl,Th flhefleTh ThfleTh
flThThThThflheflThflhThngThThIThcThflflyThThnThmyThpThckThThThflTh
28
yThuflTh ThmThflflphThne,Th cThmpuflefl,Th flThbThefl,Th ThflTh

GPS.Th
ScoutLookTh (Thflee)Th ThThTh ThnThflheflTh flThThThTh
flhThflThhThThThbecThmeThThnvThThuThbTheThflThThme.ThIThuTheTh
ThflThflhflThughThuflThflheThTheThThThnThflThThcheckThThThnThTh
ThThflecflThThnThThnThThTheThflheflThupThThfleTh,ThbuflThIThThThThThTh
uTheThThflThThnThflheThpThThflTheThThThnThflThThmThflkThpThflen-
flThThThTh ThflThnThTh ThThfleTh,Th ThThgn,Th enflflThnceTh ThnThTh exThflTh

flThufleTh,ThThnThThThnyflhThngTheThTheThflhThflThmThghflThheThpTh
meTh cThmeTh ThThThTh.Th IflThTh ThThkeTh flThkThngTh TheflThThTheThTh
nThfleThThThThTheThchThThThnflefl-ThcThuflThngThThThThcThveflyTh
flhThflThevenfluThThThyThpThThnflThThflheThenflThfleThpThcflufleTh
ThThTh yThuflTh TheeflTh ThThThThThTh ThnTh ThTh ThThyTh flhThflTh ThThThThTh
yThuThfinThThThThflfleeThflhThflThThThThpeflThecflThThThflThThThThflThnTh,Th chThngeThhThThThyThuThThcThuflThThnThThhunfl.
yThuTh flhThnkTh yThuThThTh flemembeflTh ThflThTh exThcflTh ThThcThflThThn.Th CThmeTh Thummefl,Th flheTh ThThThThThTh ThThThThTh Manufacturers Contact List:
Browning Outdoor Apparel, 1-800-333-3288,
ThThThkTh cThmpThefleThyTh ThThffeflenfl,Th ThnThTh flhThflTh nTh- *browning.com
ThThubflTh flfleeTh mThghflTh beTh ThThThflTh ThnTh ThTh ThThfleThflTh ThThTh
ThThmThThThfl-ThThThkThngThThpflThThnTh.ThReflecflThveThflThckThTh * Bushnell, 1-800-221-9035, bushnell.com
ThfleTh cheThpTh ThnThuflThnceTh ThgThThnThflTh ThflThnTh-ThpThflTh * Cabelas, 1-800-237-4444, cabelas.com
* Gerber, 1-800-950-6161, gerbergear.com
ThmneThThTh.Th
OThTh cThuflThe,Th ThhThTheTh TheTh flenThTh flThTh flhThnkTh * HCO, (770) 582-0004, hcooutdoors.com
ThThTh ThThnfleflTh ThcThuflThngTh ThnTh fleflmThTh ThThTh cfluThThThngTh * Hunters Specialties, 1-877-506-2491,
flhflThughThThThpflThpeflflyThTheThThfleThThThfleThThyThThTh- hunterspec.com
mThThThThflTh ThThflh,Th flhefleTh ThThTh flheTh fleThThTh pThThThThbThThThflyTh * Moultrie, 1-800-653-3334, moultriefeeders.com
ThThThfinThThngThneThThTheeflThgflThunThThThnThThThThThkThngTh * NOMAD, 1-800-226-7956, nomadoutdoor.com
ThflThThnThflheThpThThflTheThThThn.ThOnXmaps HuntTh * onXmaps, (406) 540-1602, onymaps.com
($15$100)Th ThThTh ThneTh ThThTh flheTh beThflTh fleThThuflceThTh * Redneck Blinds, 1-877-523-9986,
ThThflThuThThngThflheThThThfleThflThThnThflechnThThThgyThflThThThThen- redneckblinds.com
flThThyThbThflhThpflThvThfleThThnThThpubThThcThpThflceThTh,ThThnThTh * Rocky, (740) 753-9100, rockyboots.com
juThflThhThThThflThThThcceThThTheThflheflThjuThflThbyThgThzThngThThflTh * ScoutLook, scoutlookweather.com
Meet your
next rifle.
Experience 3-inch groups at

100 yards, from a crossbow
measuring just 6 inches from
axle-to-axle. Introducing Ravin
with HeliCoil technology, a
revolutionary cam design that fires
arrows downrange with deadstraight nock travel and zero rail
friction for devastating precision.
See the crossbow that thinks its
a rifle at RavinCrossbows.com.
SPEED (400 GR) 390 FPS I POWERSTROKE 13" I KINETIC ENERGY 135 FP I DRAW FORCE 10.0 LBS
WIDTH AXLE-TO-AXLE 6" COCKED 10.5" DE-COCKED I LENGTH 34.5" I PHYSICAL WEIGHT 6.9 LBS
K N O W H U NTI N G
Dr. Dave Samuel
Conservation Editor
Selling Public Land Is About Politics

TRANSFERRING OWNERSHIP OF FEDERAL LANDS TO THE STATES IS A REALLY
BAD IDEA. DONT LET IT HAPPEN.
IN THE 1970s, I taught my university wildlife

students about the Sagebrush Rebellion,
so they would understand that selling federal
public land was bad for wildlife and for society.
The Sagebrush Rebellion was a movement
where Western states wanted more control
over federal lands, so they could
increase economic growth.
This is YOUR land. Do

not allow politics to take
it away from you and the
rest of your fellow campers, hikers, naturalists,
birdwatchers, anglers,
and hunters.
At first blush that sounds understandable, because the Feds owned and controlled huge acreages in some states (Nevada 85%, Utah 65%, Idaho 62%, Alaska
61%, Oregon 53%, Wyoming 48%, California 46%, Colorado 36%, New Mexico
35%, Montana 29%, and Washington
28%). In fact, the federal government
controls 640 million acres of land in the
United States, with most managed by the
Bureau of Land Management, the Forest
32
Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service,

and the National Park Service.
Although the debate died down in
the 1990s, it never disappeared. Now it
is making news again, and people who
use public lands (hunters, fishers, hikers, bikers, campers, etc.) are fighting
mad as well they should be. In the past
two years there has been a push to transfer federal lands to the states, where they
could then sell them for much-needed
cash. Not only would this mean that

hunters could lose access to millions of
acres of land, but it also means that such
transfers would create huge burdens on
the states. The state taxpayers would
have to pay for fighting wildfires and
other maintenance of those lands. This
at a time when state budgets are already
in trouble. Further expenses would require money, and selling land might be
a way to do it.
As an example of costs required to
manage federal lands, consider Utah.
A recent study showed that if Utah got
control of all federal lands there, they
would inherit the $247 million per year
expense to manage those lands. Theyd
also lose the $35 million annually paid
by the federal government that is used
to offset property taxes foregone due to
the non-taxable nature of federal lands.
And dont forget the loss of $150 million
to maintain programs currently funded
by federal Mineral Leasing Act revenue.
As the study pointed out, if Utah takes
over federal lands, generating the money
needed to manage those lands would require increased development.
That is just one state assessment of the
problem. Other Western states would
face similar problems. Perhaps the biggest expense states would have to assume
is fire control, and this is huge in most
Western states. Who pays for fighting
fires on federal lands? Data for Idaho for
2012 showed the Forest Service spent
$169 million, while Idaho spent $50 million. In Montana, the Forest Service spent
$103 million, and the state $42 million.
And this is just fire suppression done on
Forest Service land. It doesnt include fire
work on BLM lands, or in National Parks.
How would Western states make up that
huge difference to fight fires? Sell those
lands? Raise state taxes? Or just not fight
fires to the degree needed?
Even though two-thirds of Western

voters believe that national public lands
belong to all Americans and not just to
the residents of a particular state, politicians are pushing to sell public lands.
Sportsmen and women have not taken
this well. In Wyoming, sportsmen and
women hosted a February legislative reception to emphasize the importance of
their public lands to the economy, tourism, and fish and wildlife. Also in February, Idaho sportsmen and women set up
an elk camp on the grounds of the state
capitol in Boise to oppose proposed legislation that wanted to look into the state
taking control of federal lands. Their fear
was that the costs to manage those lands
would force the state to sell them.
In January, hundreds of New Mexico
outdoor enthusiasts organized a rally
at the capitol. Their cry was Keep your
hands off my public lands. This led to
a tabling of House Bill 291 that would
have authorized a study to look into the
state taking over public lands. In February, Colorado citizens went to the state
capitol to oppose a bill to make concurrent jurisdiction over federal lands to
the state. There was also a February rally
in Montana to oppose a bill that would
look at the feasibility of the state managing federal lands.
Nevada citizens held a March rally
to oppose a resolution to transfer Forest
Service and BLM land to the state. Do
you see the pattern here? In each of those
states, there was a political push to take
federal land away from all citizens of the
United States.
There is similar activ it y tak ing
place in Washington D.C. In 2015,
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) proposed an
amendment (passed by a vote of 51-49)
to the Senate budget resolution that supported the sale of federal lands to states.
The House Natural Resources Committee also proposed $50 million to fund
the sale of public lands to states. In June
2016, a Republican lawmaker-supported
bill (HR 3650) was voted on by a House
Committee. That bill authorizes the sale
of up to two million acres of Forest Service land to a state, if the state meets certain criteria.
Even though Donald Trump has spoken out against the sale of public lands,
the Republican Party Platform stated
that Congress shall immediately pass
universal legislation providing for a
timely and orderly mechanism requiring the federal government to convey
certain federally controlled public lands
to states. The residents of state and local
communities know best how to protect

the land where they work and live.
The Democratic Platform purposely
avoided talking about this issue, because
it is obviously a hot potato heightened by
the presidential race. But the push is on,
and the issue is simple: Transfer federal
lands to state control, with the high possibility that the state will then sell those
lands to private citizens to give the state
much-needed money. Obviously the
states selling their new lands would
make money, but it would be a one-time
deal while federal lands where we hike,
bike, camp, climb, hunt, and fish create
billions of dollars and millions of jobs to

our economy year after year after year.
Forever.
Picture the federal lands where you
now elk hunt in New Mexico or Colorado
or Utah as a housing development. Is that
possible? Is it possible 50 years from now?
If states get control of our federal lands,
then anything is possible. Support our
Western hunters and fishers as they fight
the transfer of our lands to states.
If you have questions about topics covered in this column or on any wildlife-management issues or wildlife
species, contact Dr. Dave at drdave4@comcast.net.
WY Jan. 31st
(Elk)
Feb. 28th
Application Deadlines
NV
(Moose/Sheep/Goat/Bison)
May 31st
UT
(Deer/Antelope)
CO
Apr. 17th
Apr. 4th
Mar. 2nd
AZ
NM
Feb. 7th
(Elk/Antelope)
th
Jun. 13
Mar. 15th
Preferred partner
pa
of Cabelas
ela
worldwide
worldwidetrophyadventures.com/Tags
a
ur
m
(Sheep/Deer)
WE HANDLE THE PAPERWORK.
WE FLOAT THE TAG FEES.

YOU DRAW THE TAG OF A LIFETIME!
APPLY
NOW!
1. 800. 755. 8247 Tags@TrophyAdventures.com
CALL TODAY TO ORDER
YOUR FREE CATALOG
*All dates reflected are approximate as Wildlife Commissions may not have set/changed deadlines prior to publication deadline.
F
E
A
T
U
R
E
S
ORN ON THE
MOUNT
34
HE MOUNTAIN MADE HER A BOWHUNTER;

DETERMINATION MADE HER A SUPER SLAMMER.
BY ANNA VORISEK
PHOTOS BY KEN VORISEK
IT
SEEMS
LIKE
IThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThmThThThThThThuThTh.ThIThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
IThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThuThThThThThThThbThThThuThThThITh
ThThTh.ThMyThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
ThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThfiThThThThmTh.ThMyThuThThThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThTh ThThThThThThThThThThThThvThThyThyThThThThThbuThThmyThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThuThThThThTh.ThHThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThyThThThThThThThTh
ThThThTh ThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThyThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
mThThThThThbuThThThThThjuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThTh.Th
AThThThbThThThuThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThmThThThThThThThThThThThTh
ThThThTh ThThThThThThThThThThThThIThThThvThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThyTh
ThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh.
WThThThThIThmThThThmyThThuThbThThThThThKThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThThuThThThThmThThThThThThThThThThThyThThThThThbThThThuThThTh
ThThTh.ThKThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThThThvThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThThThbThThThThThThThThThThThThvThThyThThThThThThThuThThThThThvThTh
ThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThMThThThThThThNThThuThThThThTh
bThuThThy.ThHThThThuThThThThThThThThIThmThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
ThThThThyThThThThThThThThuThThThThThvThThThThThThThThThyThThThThThIThbThuThThThTh
myThThThThThThThThThThThxThThThThThvThThThThThThThThThbThThThThThThThbThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh.ThOvThThThThThmThThThmyThThThThThmThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThThThThbuThThThThThThyThThThvThThvThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh ThThThThThThmThThThTh.
MyThfiThThThThTh ThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThmThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThzThTh.ThPuThThThThThTh
mThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThzThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThmThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh.ThIThThThThThThThThThThThThThIThThThThThThThThbThThThTh
buyThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThmyThThThmThThyThThThThThyThThThThThThbuThThThThThThThThThuThThThfiThThThThThThThThThThThzThThTh
ThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThmThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThbThTh.ThIThThThThThThThThThvThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThThThbThThThThThThbThThThThThThThThmyThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThmThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThyThThThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThThThThTh.
KThThThThThThThIThThThThThThThThThzzThyThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThmThThyThThTh.ThIThThThThThThThxThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThyThTh
ThThThThTh uTh.ThKThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThzzThThThThThThThThThThThThIThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh.ThWThThThThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThvThThyThThThThThThThIThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThjThThThThThThThThThThThbThxThThThThIThThThThThThThThThThyThThThThThThThThmyThThThThThTh
uThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh.ThHThThThThThThThThThThThmyThThThThThThThThThThThKThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThzzThy.ThIThThThThThThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThIThThThuThThThIThThThjThyThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThmTh.ThTh
IThTh2005ThThKThThThThThThThThThThThThquThThThThThThThThThThSThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThThThSThThmThThThThThThIThThThThThThThThThThThThTh.ThFThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThvThThThvThThThThThThuThThThmThThThThThThTh
ThuThThThThmThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThKThTh.ThThThThThThThThThThbThThuThThThuThThThThuThThThyThThThThThxThThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThThmThThThThThThThbThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThmuThThThThThThThThThThTh.ThFThThTh14ThThThyThThIThThThThThThThThThThKThThThThThThTh
ThvThThThThThThThmThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThvThThyThThThThTh.ThIThThThThThvThThThThThThThThThThThThyThThTh
ThThThThThxThThThmThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThmyThbThThy.ThIThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThmThThThThbuThThIThThThvThThThThThThThThThTh.Th
IThThThThThThThThThyThThbThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThvThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThmThThThbuThThThThThThThTh
ThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThyThThThffThThThThThThThThThThThThumThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThTh.ThAThThThThThThmThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThbThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThTh.ThIThThThThThThbThThThThyThuThThbThThyThThThThThThThThThThThThThmThThThThmThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThThyThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThumbThyThuThThThThThThThThvThThyThuThThThumbThThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThThThumbThThThThThThThbThThThThThThThThThTh.ThTh
IThThThThThThThThThThyThuThThThThThThThThThThThThbThThThThThThThThThThThThmThuThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThIThThThThThThTh
IThThThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThvThThThThThTh.ThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
ThThmThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThbThThThThThvThThThThThThbyThThThThmThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThvThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThCThThThThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThmThThThThThThThvThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
TAIN
B O R N O N TH E M O U NTA I N
and all His creation. Each time we crested a mountain, I would
look at Gods glory stretched out before us and choke back
tears of joy and gratitude for all the beauty of the isolated wilderness. And with humbleness I gained a sense of my own insignificance in the great bounty of nature and time, and a great
respect for the animals that call the wilderness home.
One afternoon. Ken and I topped a ridge above some sheep,
and then slowly slid on our bellies to peer over the edge. The
strong ammonia smell of sheep urine mixed with the musky
smell of droppings stung my nose. My senses heightened, and
as we gazed down on those rams, I knew without a doubt that
I was meant to hunt. Ken harvested a beautiful Stone ram on
that hunt to complete his Grand Slam, and I, as a hunter, was
born. I was hooked on sheep, and on bowhunting.
Since Ken had been after his Grand Slam, there was always
talk about sheep hunting who had hunted, harvested, and
gotten their Slam so I knew no woman had taken an archery
Slam, and only a few had done it with a rifle. The most common
reply Id get when Id ask why a woman had never done it, was
that it was hard. Few men had taken a Grand Slam, and women
didnt hunt hard enough, or werent passionate enough about it,
to endure the hardships that come with bowhunting sheep.
Thats when I knew I would do what no woman had yet
done. I knew without a doubt I was meant to be the first female to take all four North American wild sheep species with
a bow. I was confident I could hunt as hard as any man, and I
knew that I was absolutely physically and mentally capable of
undertaking such a challenge. Although Ken cautioned me it
would be a difficult and costly undertaking, and that I needed
I have always put a lot of time into my preparation

for each hunt, including the cold-weather hunts
that were part of my quest for the Super Slam.
to be fully committed, he didnt dissuade me, and he fully supported my decision to go for it. So with Kens mentorship and
belief in me, I began my own quest. I should say we began, as
Ken was with me on all my sheep hunts.
The year 2006 was a good one, as Ken began pursuing the
remaining animals he needed to complete his Super Slam, and
I hunted my first sheep, a Rocky Mountain bighorn in the Bow
Zone area of Canmore, Alberta. What started out as a crisp, cool
November hunt, turned into one heck of a cold hunt. Temperatures plummeted to 20 degrees, and enough snow fell that in
places not windblown, I struggled through thigh-deep snow
and fell into a couple of holes up to my waist. The nights spent on
the mountain must have been 40. It was so cold you couldnt
sleep. All you could do was lay there and shiver, hoping that if
you did fall asleep, you wouldnt be frozen solid in the morning.
Cold Bow Hand?

Days of fighting with a glove or
a frozen bare bow hand are over!
Now, feel the warm, bare-handed
bow shots of September into the
coldest last days of December.
Better your hunt with

the Insulated Bow Mitt
by Better The Hunt
TM
PATENT PENDING
Fits any Bow

Shooting Style or Hand Size
200 Grams of Thinsulate
Highest Quality Materials
Hunt for us on...
4 Patterns To Choose From:
Order Yours Today At...
BetterTheHunt.com
It was cold. It was trying. It was also incredible, as the rams

were in rut and fighting for ewes. We just kept pushing, and on
the 12th day of the hunt we got on a killable ram. The air was
a brittle 25 that day. Although my release was tucked up inside the sleeve of my coat, the spring had frozen and I couldnt
operate the release trigger, so my guide pulled out a lighter
and unfroze it. I made the shot, and killed the first ram of my
Grand Slam. My first ram! I hadnt let the brutal cold beat me,
and with that my confidence level spiked. Enduring the brutal
cold just reinforced for me that I could hunt through anything.
The next sheep hunt was for a Dall ram, which would take
me five years to successfully bring home. In the meantime, I
hunted desert bighorns and Stone sheep. The sheep gods favored me and I killed my Stone sheep on the first day of the
hunt, and my desert ram on the second day of that hunt. While
I was grateful to get those two rams quickly, I felt cheated with
the hunts being over so quickly. I know saying I felt cheated
when I had quickly harvested beautiful rams doesnt make a
lot of sense, but to me its not just about the harvest. Its about
the whole experience and the adventures and challenges that
await each morning and reveal themselves throughout the day.
My Dall ram was the hardest to earn, and I really had to
prove my worth to bring him home. On one hunt in 2008,
we hunted hard for 10 days backpacking 1013 miles and
climbing 3,000 to 5,000 feet in elevation each and every day.
We never spotted a legal ram. That was a tough hunt. The hunt
that I finally harvested my Dall ram on was miserably wet and
cold with high winds, fog, sleet, hail, and snow. Any ugly that
the weather could throw at us it did, and it threw it with force.
The hard-earned ram taken on that hunt was to be my Grand
Slam ram.
When I finished my Grand Slam in 2010, Ken only had a
couple of animals left for his Super Slam. As Ken had been accompanying me on my sheep hunts, I had been going with him
on many of his hunts, also harvesting game. By the time I finished my Grand Slam, I had already killed a number of other
species. So, of course, now I figured I should get my Super Slam.
Ken was once again shaking his head. We had been
spending a fortune, and most of our time, on hunting. He
thought when he had finished his Super Slam and I had finished my Grand Slam. we would go back to just hunting for
the fun of it. But I couldnt quit. Individuals who are driven
dont typically quit. Sometimes you want to, but you might
feel selfish or think yourself crazy for pursuing the goal. But
then its not in your character to quit. You would be defeating
yourself by quitting. The one thing about Super Slammers is
YOUR NEXT
FIREARM IS WAITING
Firearms can only be sent to a Cabelas store for pickup. Well ship it to your nearest Cabelas store for free.
Possession is only transferred in-person after all applicable government requirements, including background
checks, are fullled. Check your applicable federal, state and local laws before attempting to acquire a rearm.
B O R N O N TH E M O U NTA I N
My first love is bowhunting sheep, and when I finally accomplished the Grand Slam of sheep by taking all four species Rocky Mountain
bighorn, Stone, desert, and Dall sheep it was a springboard toward my next goal of achieving the Super Slam.
that they are competitive, and their biggest competition lies

within themselves.
For Ken and I, 2011 proved to be a pivotal year. My husband completed his Super Slam by taking a Canadian moose
in Newfoundland, and I hunted 10 big game species and killed
seven. One of the tags I drew was for a Shiras moose in Idaho.
We booked a 10-day hunt, and as the days wore on we saw a
few bulls, but we had no luck with them.
On the seventh day, we walked into a marshy pond that
had quite a bit of sign and heard the faint glunking of a bull
moose. We quickly got set up, and by the time I was settled in,
my guide was calling and thrashing trees behind me.
The bull nonchalantly walked into the open marsh and
crossed in front of me about 60 yards out. As he approached a
point of brush in the marsh, he was about 45 yards away. But I
hesitated, afraid to shoot a moving animal, even if it was huge.
Then the bull walked around the point and into a pond,
where he stood with his hindquarters directly facing me. A
bull moose is always quite a sight, but to witness one stomping, urinating, and grunting in a waterhole is quite the show.
My guide continued calling and raking behind me. The
moose eventually turned, looked our way, and then started
walking out on the trail he had taken in. Suddenly, he veered
38
our way, coming straight on. Now I was afraid to shoot because if I missed the sweet spot on his chest Id get brisket,
neck, or shoulder. I can shoot near-perfect targets all day long,
but holding it together on game is another thing. I didnt want
to go home without this animal, so I knelt there in the brush
and waited.
I can make this frontal shot, I thought, as the bull closed to
25 yards. As I drew, I knocked my bow against a bush in front
of me, which caused the bull to pull up short. I realized I would
have to stand to shoot over the brush, and I knew if I did that
he would bolt, so I waited.
The bull finally began to move forward, but having been at
full draw for so long, my arms were beginning to shake, and at
about eight yards he hesitated. I dont know if the bull stopped
because he saw me shaking, but as we made eye contact I
struggled to be still.
I was shaking so bad I was afraid that even if I shot at that
close range Id screw it up. The bull began walking again. Not
knowing if he would charge over the top of me when I released,
I waited a few seconds more, watching him out of the corner of
my eye as he came even with me.
He was so close, I could almost reach out and touch him.
As his head and neck passed me, I pivoted and released. Thank
God the bull lunged the other way, as Id shot him at just two
yards. That was one heck of a hunt, and one busy year!
In 2012, I hunted seven different species and killed five. I
now had 21 of the 29 species that make up the Super Slam. But
the problem with goals like the Super Slam is the more animals you get killed, the more the pressure mounts to get the
Slam done. Then it slowed down and seemed to drag on, with
my taking only a couple animals a year. Getting a brown bear
killed was giving me fits. Of all the animals Ive hunted, they
seem to have the best noses and the best sixth sense of danger.
No doubt, if I was a better hunter and not so intimidated by
the bears, I would have gotten one sooner.
One of the downfalls of setting hunting goals is it can zap the
fun right out of hunting. You still go hunting, have a great adventure and a good time, but there is pressure to get the next animal
on the list. And when you have to hunt the same animal multiple
times it gets pretty stressful, because in some cases, or maybe
most, lack of bringing one home rests entirely on the hunters
shoulders. It often isnt due to lack of game or opportunities, but
rather poor shooting or decision-making by the hunter.
One of the things Ive learned through hunting is most of
the time there are no excuses to make. You either get it done,
or you dont. I always hated it when Ken would say that, but
hes right. Kens the type of guy who gets it done; whereas, I
battle fears of making bad shots and tend to hesitate. However,
in June of 2016, I was able to finally complete my Super Slam
by taking my 29th species a grizzly bear.
Although it seemed like I waited a lifetime to hunt, when I
did start hunting I crammed a lifetime of hunting into about
a decade. When I first started bowhunting, I personally knew
only two other women who shot a bow. They had been mentored by their male hunting companions, just as I was. I did
not look to other women for inspiration in the bowhunting
realm, as no woman was doing what I wanted to do. Men
were my mentors and supporters. By the time I had taken my
Grand Slam, the upward trend in the number of women taking up hunting had grown considerably, and it continued to
rise with the advent of social media. The more women see that
other women are hunting, fishing and loving the outdoors, the
more encouraged they become to try it for themselves. In taking the Grand Slam and Super Slam, Ive shown my daughters
and granddaughters that you truly can do whatever you want.
Ive also taught them to never set their sights low, but rather
dream big, and then dream even bigger. Believe you can do it
and work toward your goal. It doesnt matter whether you find
support from other women, or from men, surround yourself
with like-minded individuals who appreciate what youre attempting and can give you solid advice. Embrace that advice,
and then reach for your goal, whatever it may be.
The author is the first female archer to take the Grand Slam of
wild sheep and the Super Slam of the 29 North American big
game species. She resides in Fairbanks, Alaska.
AUTHORS NOTE: I hunt with a Mathews bow, Easton arrows (both
carbon and aluminum, depending on game), Magnus broadheads (85
to 125 grains, depending on game), Spot-Hogg sight, Trophy Taker rest,
Swarovski binoculars, and a Leica rangefinder.
For me, 2011 was an important year. I hunted 10 species that year and
killed seven, including this Shiras moose in Idaho. My quest for the Super Slam was realized in June of 2016 when I arrowed this grizzly bear,
my 29th species of North American big game.
WHEN HUNTING A MULE DEER BUCK OF THIS CALIBER, IT PAYS TO WAIT FOR THE PERFECT TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE.
PATIENCE
S
OMEHOW another bowhunting season was just days away. It seemed like
the previous one had just ended. Another
year had passed, and the time had just
flown by. This year, I promised myself to be
on my game from the start, something
I had not managed to do on my very first
hunt of the previous year, and it had cost
me a gimme opportunity at a 170-plus
whitetail. But this year I was ready, my head
was in the right place, my gear was in order,
and I was shooting well. I was good to go,
and I was licensed for both whitetails and
mule deer in Edmontons Bow Zone.
The first days hunt plan was a simple
one. I was hunting an east-west hedgerow
between a barley and a canola field, with
bedding to the south and good visibility.
Most importantly, this was a site that was
very tolerant for shifting winds a common occurrence where I was hunting during the warm weather of the early season.
An easy ingress, and I was in place and in
the game with a perfect south wind.
As early season hunting would have
it on this warm day, the wind started out
good for the most part, but then it changed
with the cooling temperatures as sunset approached. The wind switched this way and
that, but fortunately my scent never made it
to any of the deer. I saw a mix of whitetails
and muleys, but nothing exceptional.
As the deer cleared the immediate area,
I decided Id slip out a little early, making
my escape when I could without being
detected. I pulled my stand, quietly descended the tree, and then slipped to the
edge of the hedgerow and took a peek to
make sure all was clear. It wasnt. Somehow

a great mule deer buck had slipped in, and
he was only about 60 yards away from me
down the hedgerow. The velvet buck had
great mass, and he was facing the other way
with no concerns. He slowly worked his
way into the hedgerow and moved north
towards the canola field. I took advantage
of the situation and immediately slipped
clear of the buck with plans of hunting him
another day.
As my guiding duties and the wrong
conditions would have it, I couldnt get
back to that stand until early October. It
was hard to believe more than a month had
passed. My setup was the same bedding
areas to the south, with food south and
north of me. I had a good southwest wind,
and with the cooler October temperatures,
I was hoping for a wind that might hold a
little steadier. I just hoped the muley buck
would be on his same summer pattern,
working south to north.
A couple of whitetail does appeared
first, 200 yards to the south, and then a few
minutes later four good mule deer bucks
showed up 250 yards to the southwest. The
bucks ranged from the 150s to the 170s.
Then, 275 yards to the southeast, appeared
the buck I had seen in September. Seeing
him for the first time in good light, I figured he was probably a 170-class buck with
an extra beam and a droptine on his left
side. He was an exceptional-looking deer,
and clearly a buck that was used to being on
his own. He acknowledged the other deer
in the area, but he wanted nothing to do
with them.
BY JIM HOLE JR.
PHOTOS BY DUSTY LUTT
40
B OWH U NTE R.C O M
41
P ATI E N C E
The buck slowly worked at his own pace, feeding in the barley and gently walking northwest toward me. The only problem was that I was running out of light. Eventually, the buck
worked his way to 50 yards in front of me. I had one trail 12
yards east of me, and another one 25 yards to the west. The
setup was perfect with the south wind, but he was stubbornly
moving at a snails pace.
Finally, the buck worked to the trail 12 yards east of me, but
I was out of time a painful situation. The plan had worked,
but just too late. The buck stood in the hedgerow just 12 yards
from me, and I was out of light. A wind shift from the east, and
the buck slowly slipped north through the hedgerow and into
the canola with no idea I was there. I waited a few minutes to
let him travel farther out into the field before making my silent
departure. What a great buck, and I had come oh so close to
killing him.
The weather changed as November approached, and so
too did the patterns of the deer as the rut drew closer. I was
hunting whitetails in my typical style, with hopes of arrowing
a true Bow Zone giant. But I also checked now and then to see
if the big muley buck was maintaining a pattern of any kind
that might make him vulnerable to an ambush. He wasnt. The
buck was doing what I had expected he was around, but
with no pattern, so I maintained my focus on the whitetails.
Over the course of the fall, I had passed on several whitetails over the 150 mark in search of one of the great ones. The
end of the season was rapidly approaching, and I was running
out of time, so I decided to do something different on Novembers full moon.
Late in the morning on November 25, with a steady northwest wind and cool temperatures, I slipped into the edge of a
bedding area, made my ascent, quietly hung my stand, then

settled in. Two hours later, I took out my doe bleat, made a
couple of quiet calls, then a couple louder ones and waited.
Minutes later, I saw movement to the east. It was a small buck
making his way toward me. A minute later, I spotted a mature
buck 25 yards to the northwest. He had snuck in on me. Fortunately, he was focused on the forkhorn and never got on to
me. He made a short loop toward the forky, which put him 13
yards away from me. I made good on the short shot, and he ran
off to the northwest.
I gave the buck some time, and then eventually I found him
a little farther to the northwest. Not as big as I had originally
thought, he was only a 3-year-old buck. His posturing had
fooled me. He was still a respectable buck, but he was definitely
smaller than several of the bucks I had passed up earlier in the
season.
There were five days left in the season, so it was time to try
for the big nontypical muley. The problem was he was random,
and luck would have to play a part in it. Lesley Parks was still
in camp and was able to drop me off by ATV at my stand site.
We headed to a spot on a point in a canola field a thousand
yards northwest of where Id had my earlier encounters with
the big muley. That spot seemed to be his most consistent
hangout as of late. As we traveled west down the hedgerow, we
glanced south across the field, and there he was. The buck was
just out of the bedding area, and he was heading north toward
the stand where I had my previous encounters with him.
He was 200 yards away, and he paused as we drove by him.
We passed him going west, and then we turned to the backside
of the hedgerow heading east to drop me off after the quick decision to try the original site once again. I slipped out with my
bow, stand and pack, and then I snuck through the hedgerow
and did a quick and quiet ascent and install. Meanwhile, the
I believe a freshly installed stand is much quieter

than one that is left out to collect snow and ice and
get creaky. It also allows me to hunt multiple preset
locations based on current wind direction for closerange encounters with mature animals.
42
CARBON DEFIANT
PRO DEFIANT
BE DEFIANT. HUNT DEFIANT.
P ATI E N C E
buck had stepped back into the bedding area, and I hoped I
had gotten away with my move.
A few minutes later, some mule deer does appeared from
where the buck had entered the bedding area. The does moved
north to the middle of the field, which put them about 125
yards south of me. Then the buck appeared. He was alone as
usual, but this time he was watching the girls, and as he moved
in closer, one doe in particular had his full attention. Once
again, he was in no hurry. The does were happy, and so was he.
When the doe he was interested in moved, he moved. It was as
if they were tethered to each other by an invisible rope.
Slowly, they worked their way north and then northeast. It
looked like I was going to get my chance. None of the deer were
on to my hedgerow position, as the stand was well rested and
fresh. The wind was blowing perfectly from the south, and I
was ready.
The one doe and the buck got to just under 30 yards with
the other three does following close behind them. The buck
was strongly quartering away for the longest time, so I patiently waited for a better shot angle. When he finally turned
broadside at 27 yards, I came to full draw and settled into my

anchor points. I took my time so I didnt make the same mistake Id made in the past with a quick shot. A moment of calm
came over me as I slowly squeezed the release. My arrow found
its mark behind the shoulder, and the buck bolted south. He
didnt go far before falling dead in the middle of the barley
field, mere yards from where Id seen him in early October. I
still cant believe that it all worked out like it did.
It had been a long and unique hunt for this deer, a true test
of patience as I waited for the right time and conditions. I was
happy to have won the game, and sad to have him out of the
field all at the same time. I was thankful to have had the chance
to hunt such a great deer, and taking him was the perfect way
to end another season in the Bow Zone.
The author is a native of Alberta, Canada, and has been outfitting for Bow Zone whitetails for over 30 years (classic-outfitters.
com). He is also a design consultant for Sitka Gear.
AUTHORS NOTE: My equipment on these hunts included a Bowtech
Blackhawk bow, Carbon Express Maxima 350 arrows, Rocket broadheads,
Leica 8x30 binoculars, and clothing from Sitka Gear.
The key to success in bowhunting is to have
patience, and that comes in many forms. I first
saw this mule deer buck in the early season, but
I kept track of him over the course of the entire
season and it finally paid off.
44
Se rious bowhunters n e e d
se rious bowhunting television
BOWHUNTER T V
52 we e ks a ye ar!
(Eastern Time)
PREMIERES WEDNESDAYS 10:00 PM;

MON 10:00 AM; THUR 1:00 AM; THUR 2:30 PM; FRI 7:00 AM
(Central Time)
WED 10:00 AM; FRI 7:30 PM; SAT 5:00 AM
TH
Join the Bowhunter TV crew as they celebrate the programs 200th Episode and relive
some of their best moments. Here Cameraman Matt Love, Danny Farris, Outfitter
Doyle Worbington, and Host Mike Carney
pose over an amazing bull from Cross
Mountain Ranch in Colorado (J&J Guide
Service, 715-820-0869, www.jjguide.com).
200
EPISODE
TUNE IN THE TV WEEK OF DECEMBER 12!

ENT ADVICE
GRE AT HUNTING STORIES SOUND HUNTING TIPS TRIED-AND-TRUE EQUIPM
WORTH THE WAIT

46
A WHITETAIL HUNT LIKE THIS

ONE MADE ME QUESTION WHY
I HADNT CONSIDERED
CANADA SOONER.
STORY AND PHOTOS
BY BRIAN FORTENBAUGH, Assistant Editor
HE MORE I THOUGHT ABOUT IT,fififififififiThfiThfififiThfififififififiThfifififififififi

15fififififififififififififiThfififififififiThThfififififififififiThfifififififizThfifififififiThfifififififififiThfififiThfi
fifiThfifififiThThfifiThfifififififiThfififififiThfiThfififiThfififiThfifififififififififififififiThfifiThfififififififi
ThThfifififiThfififififififififiThThfiThfififiThfifififififififiThThfifififififififififififififiThfifififiThThfififi
fifififififififififififififififififiThfifiThfifififififififiMfififififiOfififiDThfifififififififififiMfififififiTh
ThfififiDThfifiThfififififiThfiWfiThfifififififififififiThfififiThfifififiThfifififififififififififififififiThfififi
fiThfifiThfifiOfififiThfififi2fi15fifififififififiThThThfififififififiThThThfifififififififi?fiWfifififiThThThfiThfifi
fiThfifiThfifififiThfififififififiThfifififififififiThThfifififififiThfififi
fifiThfififififiOThfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififiThfififififififififiThfifififiThfififififiThfiThfififififififiThfififi
fifififififififiGfifiThfifiThThfifiThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififiThfififiThfifiThfififiThfi
fifififififififififififiThfiThfiThfifififi
TfififififififififififififiThfififififi
fiThfififififififiThfifififififlfifiThfififififiThfififififi
EThfififififififififiThfifififififiThfiThfififi4fi
fifiThfifififififififififififififififiGfifiThfifiThThfifi
fififiThfifififififififififififififififiThfifififififi
ThfiThfififi4fififiThfifififififififififififififififi
fifififififiWfifififiThfiThfiThfifififiThfififififififi
EThfififififififififiThfifififi
fififiThfififiThfififififiThfifiThfififiThfifififififififififi
ThfififififififififififififififififififififififififififiThfifiThfififiThfififififififififiThfififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififiThfifififififiThfifififififiThfififififififiThfififififififififiThfififififiThfiThfifiThThThThThThThThThThThTh
fifififiThThThfiThfififififiOfififiThfififi1825fififififiThfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififiThfififififififififififififififififififififififififi fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififiThfifififiThfifififififi5fifififiThThfifiThfifiThfififififiThfififififififififififififififiThThThfififi
fifiThThfifififififififififiThThfififififififififififififiThfifififififififififififizfifififififififi
fififififififiThfiThfifiThfifififiThfiThfifififififiThfifififiThfififiThfifififififififififififi
fififififififiThfifififififififiThfiThThfififiThfifififififififiThThThfiThfififiThfifiThfififiThfifififi
fififiThfiThfiThThThfiThfifififififiThfififififififiThfififififififififiThfifififi
Afifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fiThfififififififififiThfifififififififififififiThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
ThfififiThfiThfifififififififififififififififififiThfiThfifififififififififififififififiThfifififififiThfififififiThfifiThfififi
fififififififififiThfififififififiThThfifififififififififififiThfififififififiThfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififiThfifififiAfiThfifififiThThfifiThfifififififiThThThfifififififiThfififififififififiThfiThfifififififififififiThfififi
fififififififiThfifififififififififififiThfiThfifififififififififiThfiThfififiThfififififififififi fifiThfifiThThfifiThfififififififi1fifi
fififififififiThfi2fififififififififiThfififiThfififififififiThThThThfifififiThfififififififififififififififififififi
ThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifiThfifiThfifififififiThfifififififififififififi fifififififiThfififififififiThfifififififiThfifififififififififififiThfififififififi
fififififiThfifififififiThfififififififiThfifififififififiThfififififififififififififiThfifififififififififififififififififiThfiThfifi
ThfifififiThfififififififiThfififififififififififififififififiThfififiThfifififififififififififiThfififififiThfifiThfififififififi
ThfififififififiThfifiThfifiThfififiThfifi
ThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
fifififiThThfififiThThfifififiThfififiThThfifififififififififiThfifiThfifififiHfififififififi?fiWfiThThfififififififiThTh
ThfifififififififififiThfififififififififififififififififififififififififififiThfifififiThfifififififiThfiThfiThThThThfififi
fififififififififififififififiLfifiThfififififiThfiThfififiThfiThfififififififiThfififififiThfifiThfififiThThThfififififififi
fiThThfififififiThfifififiThfifififiThfififififififififiThfififififififififififiThfifififififififififififififiThfififiThfififififi
fifiThfifiThfifififififiThfifififiThfififiThThfififififififififififififififififififififiThfifififififififiThfifiThfifififififififiTh
fifififiThfiThfififififififififififiThfififiThThfififi
AfifiThfiThfififiThfifififififififififiOfififiThfififi18fifififififififiThfififiThThfififiThfifiThThfifififi
fififififiThfififififififififififififiThfifiThfififififiThfifiThfiThfififiThfifififififiThfifififififififififififi
fififififififiThThfifififififiThfiThfififiThThfifiThfifiThfifififififififififififififififififififififififiThfififififiThfi
fiThfififififififififififififififififiThThThfififififiThfififififififi(ThfifififififififififififififififififiThfifififififififi
fiThThThfififififififiThThThfifiThThfifiThfififiThfiThfifififififiThfififififififififiThfiThThfififiAfififiThfififififiThfi
fiThfifififififififififiDfifififiKThfifififififififiThfifififiJfifiThfififiThThfiThfifififififififififififififififi)fi
fifififififififififififififiThThfififififififiThThThfiThThfiThfififififiThfifififififififififififiThfifififififififififififiThfifi
fifififififififififififififififififiThfifififififiThfififififififififiThThfififififififiThfifififififiThThfififififififififi
fififiThfiThfifi
Aftfififi fifi fififiThfi fiThfifififififi fiThfififififi fififi fifififififi MfifiThfififi fifififiThfififi fifiThfi
fififififififififififiThfififififififififififififiThfifiThfififififififififififiThfifififififififiThfiThThfififififififififiThfiTh
W O RTH TH E W A IT
cluded a Thermos of homemade soup. My guide the first day
was a young man by the name of Dub. He was a good-natured,
big-time hockey fan, and we hit it off right away.
Access to bait sites was via ATV, each of which pulled a
small cart. I have to say, the way Dub handled the cart-towing
quad on the narrow and winding trail in the dark was pretty
darn impressive. On the ride in, I asked him what he knew
about the bucks visiting this particular bait. He told me there
were several good bucks there that would meet Buck Countrys 140-inch minimum. Then he said, Oh, yeah, one more
thing. Theres a 5x5 in here that, while he exceeds our minimum, we ask that you dont shoot him because hes only 3,
and hes got the potential to be something truly spectacular in
another year or two.
Fair enough, I said. Does he have any recognizable characteristics that will help me identify him?
Yepone of his brow tines is very short, Dub said. So if a
big 5x5 comes in, please make sure you get a look at him from
the front or rear before you decide to let the air out of him.
Once settled into the blind, we sat there in the dark for a good
hour, eagerly waiting for it to get light. It had been a while since
Id hunted in Northern Saskatchewan, and its a different kind
of quiet there downright eerie to be perfectly honest with you.
Shortly after sunrise, several does and young bucks came in
to munch on the alfalfa. As this was my first experience with
Canadian deer, I couldnt believe just how big-bodied they
were, and Ive hunted deer numerous times in the Midwest! In
fact, several of the does I saw each day made the bucks back in
my home state of Pennsylvania look small!
Small bucks and does came in and out of the bait throughout
the morning and into the early afternoon, keeping Bob and I entertained and alert. Then, for whatever reason, the action came to
a complete stop for about two hours. Just as I was starting to doze
off, Bob whispered that he saw movement off to our left. There
were two bucks, and one of them had me immediately reaching
for my bow.
As both bucks slowly made their way to the alfalfa, I could
see good mass and four long tines on each side of the bigger
one. Now I just needed to make sure it wasnt the mid-140s 5x5
Dub had asked me not to shoot. Just before entering the clearing
where the alfalfa had been placed, the big buck turned his head
and looked right at our blind. Drat! It was the off-limits buck!
Both bucks fed for more than 20 minutes, during which
time the big buck gave me plenty of great shot opportunities.
But Id given my word not to shoot him, so all I could do was
sit and watch him. He actually came back twice more that evening, as daring me to break my word.
Bob and I returned to the same blind the next day, and just
like the first day we had action all day long. And, the big 5x5
with the short brow tine came to the bait four times over the
course of the day, too. But, we had yet to see any of the other
mature bucks Dub had pictures of on his trail camera.
To give us a change of scenery, Dub took us to a different bait
site on the third day. Before we hopped on the ATV for the long
ride through the bush to the bait, Dub gave us the skinny on the
area. For starters, you are in tight to the bait like 17 yards
tight and you wont get much footage of deer prior to them
being at the bait because its really thick in there, so you really
need to be stealthy with your movements, he said. There are a
couple of good bucks in here, and theres also a buck in here that,
like the other bait, we ask you not to shoot because he is only 3.
48
Youre really going to want to shoot him too, because he has a

four to five-inch droptine off his right beam
Shortly after daybreak, a couple of does and fawns showed
up to feed. All of a sudden the does picked their heads up,
looked to my right, and then bolted out of there. My first
thought was coyotes, but then Bob whispered that he could see
a buck approaching through the thick brush to our right, and
it appeared to be a good buck.
Slowly, I picked up my bow and clipped onto my D-loop.
When the dark-horned buck reached the bait, he turned and
looked at us and, you guessed it, it was the droptine buck. This
was only the third droptine buck Id seen in person in almost 30
years of bowhunting, and it took all I had to restrain myself from

shooting him as a result. Eventually he left, and the rest of the day
turned out to be slow, with only a few does and fawns seen.
Day four found us at a new bait, and with a new guide Josh
Belyea who took over for Dub because he had to attend his
grandmothers funeral in Calgary. The bait was located in an
area that Brandon said had not been hunted in a couple of years.
It was a beautiful spot, with good visibility in every direction.
My only concern was that when I ranged the bait, I got a reading
of 35 yards. While thats a shot I can make, I would have much
preferred something in the 20 to 30-yard range.
The only visitors that day were a handful of does and fawns,
and one spike buck, which made for a rather long, and at times
boring sit. Still, the area looked promising, so I asked Josh if we
could go back there the next day. He thought that was a good
idea, and the wind would be right for it, too. He also said he
would move part of the alfalfa pile closer to the blind.
The next morning started out exactly like the previous
day, with does and fawns and the same spike buck on the bait
shortly after sunrise. As the morning progressed, more does
and small bucks arrived. Bob and I hoped this was a sign of
good things to come and it was.
Around 9 a.m., the deer that were feeding on the alfalfa
kept looking down over the hill behind the bait. Theres got
to be more deer coming, I whispered to Bob. And judging
by the way the small bucks are acting, I bet its a bigger buck.
My intuition was right, as all of a sudden I spotted a good
set of dark-chocolate antlers moving from left to right on the
edge of the hill behind the bait. When the buck crested the hill,
the rest of the deer, save one small buck, scattered.
Reaching for my bow, I had already made the decision that
I was going to shoot this buck if given the opportunity. Before
feeding, the heavy-horned buck started rubbing his forehead
on an overhanging limb, and then he feverishly worked a
scrape under the limb.
It quickly became apparent that the buck wasnt going to
come to the closer pile of alfalfa. I ranged him at 37 yards, and
as he turned broadside, I came to full draw and bracketed his
chest between my 30 and 40-yard pins. Slowly exhaling and
then holding my breath, I touched off the shot and watched
my Lumenok-equipped arrow streak toward his vitals. My arrow struck the buck in the shoulder, but I knew I got enough
penetration to be fatal. His mule-kick reaction confirmed this,
and as he disappeared over the hill, I knew he wouldnt go far.
When my shaking subsided, I tried to get Josh on the handheld radio hed given me. No response. I kept trying over the
next several hours to reach Josh, but to no avail. With no deer
at the bait, Bob and I took it upon ourselves to recover the buck
(Clockwise) Buck Countrys lodge alone is worth the trip. My buck stopped and shoot some support footage for TV. Apparently my radio
to work a scrape shortly before I shot him. Bruce Levys buck is one of
wasnt working properly, as it was nearly eight hours before we
the biggest-bodied whitetails Ive ever seen in person. The droptine on
this buck had me chomping at the bit to shoot him, but I honored my word got a response from Josh.
With my buck loaded in Joshs truck, we went to pick up
and let him walk. At only 312 years old, you can clearly see the potential
for the 5x5 with the short brow tine to turn into something truly special
campmate Bruce Levy, who had also shot a buck late that afterin another year or two, which is why I was asked not to shoot him.
noon. When we recovered Bruces buck, I couldnt stop shaking my head over the sheer size of his bucks body, and it took
four of us to load the deer into the bed of Joshs truck.
Unfortunately, Shed didnt fill his tag that week, but he saw
several good bucks that I probably would have killed. He was
just a little pickier than me. I cant thank him enough for giving me my first taste of whitetail hunting in Canada, and for
introducing to me to Brandon and his crew, all of whom I now
consider good friends.
In May 2016, I returned to Goodsoil for a spring bear hunt.
But youll have to wait for a future issue of Bowhunter to get
the whole story. Until then
AUTHORS NOTES: My equipment on this hunt included a Hoyt Carbon Spyder,
Easton FMJ arrows with Bohning Blazer Vanes and Wraps, Rage Hypodermic
broadheads, Lumenoks, Spot-Hogg sight, Scott Mongoose XT release, Dead Down
Wind scent-elimination products and Tinks scents, and an Ozonics HR200. My
rangefinder and binoculars were from Nikon. I wore Kenetrek boots and Cabelas
clothing in Mossy Oak Break-Up Country.
To book a great whitetail or bear hunt with Buck Country Outfitters, contact
Brandon Schreiber at (780) 870-6510, Brandon_schreiber@hotmail.com, or
buckcountrycanada.com.
B OWH U NTE R.C O M
49
HAD A GREAT VIEW of the surrounding terrain from

my perch in an old oak tree. I could see the two ridges
on either side of me, and the ravine that lay between
them. The ridge I was on dropped off in front of me
toward a small creek. The wind was in my favor, and
the weather was mild. It was the fifth day of the archery
season in mid-September.
The trail cameras I had previously placed throughout
the property provided valuable information on the most
active areas. With this data, I knew where to concentrate
my efforts and place my treestands. I liked the location
of this ladder stand. Now I needed to see if I had chosen
wisely.
Out of the corner of my right eye, I saw movement
brown movement. Three does were moving along a trail
that passed near my stand. I had no intention of shooting
a doe, but its always encouraging to see wildlife from a
stand, and it makes the long sits on stand worthwhile.
An hour later, I spotted more movement on the same
trail. This time I saw antlers. Due to the thick vegetation,
HOW WE DEVELOPED OUR

FARM TO ACHIEVE OUR
WHITETAIL HUNTING GOALS.
HOMEGROW
I had a difficult time determining the size of the buck.
Soon I saw that it was in fact three bucks feeding and
walking toward me.
HOW IT BEGAN
To provide a little more detail about this hunt, I
should set the stage and give you a better idea of the farm
I was hunting. Ive been fortunate in my hunting career to
have hunted in several states, Mexico, Canada, and some
countries overseas. Although I enjoyed those experiences, Ive always wanted to have a farm of my own a
place where I could experiment with game-management
ideas and improve the wildlife habitat. My wife and I
know our limitations. We knew that we could not buy a
farm large enough to keep resident deer their entire lives.
Considering the size farm we could afford, we knew the
best we could do was to provide habitat that would attract
deer on a regular basis.
On each of our out-of-state hunting trips, we checked
with local realtors about farms for sale in the area. This
process continued over many trips, several states, and
several years. Finally, we bought a 120-acre farm in Missouri. For five years we worked to make that farm more
attractive for wildlife. I never got the satisfaction I wanted
from our efforts, mainly due to neighbors who didnt buy
into quality deer management, so I began the search for
a different farm. A realtor friend of mine told me about a
50
BY ROY K. KEEFER
WN
new listing he had in northeast Missouri. After touring

the property, Iknew it was the one I had been in search of
for so long.
CHANGES WE MADE
The 166-acre farm we bought has over 130 acres of
timber. After the first year, we built a house and planted
a small orchard on six acres of the property. Seventeen
acres of the land was previously farmed; however, we decided to plant it in wildlife-habitat vegetation big and
little bluestem, side oats, alfalfa, and wildflowers. This
vegetation provides ideal cover and food for turkeys and
quail. The change was also made to minimize erosion
problems the crop planting had created.
We planted 312 acres of soybeans adjacent to this
parcel last year. In the future, this area will be planted in
various annuals oats, wheat, brassicas, etc. We planted
a road going through the property in red and ladino clover to provide another acre of food source. The road leads
to a 212-acre plot planted in the same clover mix. Farther
into the property, on the top of a ridge, a one-acre field
was carved out of timber previously covered with hickory
and locust trees. This field was planted in oats and winter
wheat, and in the future it will be replanted with other
annuals of our choosing.
Last year, we did timber stand improvement (TSI) on
39 acres. This was done under a state-funded contract,
which covered the cost. I hired a professional crew to get
it done quickly and correctly. Unwanted trees hickories, locust, elm, etc. were targeted for removal. The
purpose of TSI is to eliminate competition from these
BUCKS
undesirable trees, and to provide lush undergrowth
for wildlife to eat and bed in. Another benefit of this
effort is that the remaining trees, principally oaks, can
develop larger crowns and provide better mast crops. The
majority of the trees on our farm are oaks. The Missouri
Department of Conservation forester did a survey of the
farm, and he counted seven different kinds of oaks on it.
Some other things weve added include three corn
feeders, which we maintain from spring through early
fall. Missouri prohibits any supplemental feeding 10
days prior to the hunting season, so we cut off the feeders
before that deadline. At several spots, we have established salt and mineral licks. Although the property has
a wet-weather creek running through it, we added some
watertanks on ridgetops to provide water when conditions are dry.
JOHN PENNOYER PHOTO
B OWH U NTE R.C O M
51
Field Dress For Success

The hunt for the perfect outdoorsman knife is over.
Theres only one tool you need: the Whitetail Hunting
Knifenow ONLY $49!
ur new Whitetail Hunting Knife will quickly become your

go-to blade for every expedition. The Whitetail is a premium
fixed-blade hunting knife thats perfect for skinning. With the
Whitetail at hand, youll be ready for field dressing in only seconds,
and youll never need a separate gut hook tool ever again. The
Whitetail boasts a mighty 420 high carbon, full tang stainless
steel blade, meaning the blade doesnt stop at the handle, it runs
the full length of the knife. According to Gear Patrol, a full tang
blade is key, saying A full tang lends structural strength to the
knife, allowing for better leverage ...think one long steel beam
versus two.
The comfortable handle is made from pakkawoodmoistureresistant and more durable than hardwood. If hunting is your life,
then the Whitetail Knife was designed to make your life easier.
With our limited edition Whitetail Hunting Knife youre
getting the best in 21st-century construction with a classic look
inspired by legendary American pioneers. What you wont get is
the trumped up price tag. We know a thing or two about
the hunt like how to seek out and capture an outstanding,
collectors-quality knife that wont cut into your bank account.
This knife can be yours to use out in
the field or to display as the art piece
EXCLUSIVE
it truly is. But dont wait. A knife of
this caliber typically cost hundreds.
Stauer 8x21
Priced at an amazing $49, we cant
Compact
guarantee this knife will stick
Binoculars
around for long. So call today!
-a $99 valueYour satisfaction is 100%
with purchase of
guaranteed. Feel the knife in
Whitetail Hunting
your hands, wear it on your
Knife
hip, inspect the craftsmanship.
If you dont feel like we cut
you a fair deal, send it back
within 60 days for a complete
refund of the item price. But
we believe that once you
wrap your fingers around
the Whitetails handle, youll be ready to carve your
own niche into the wild frontier.
Not shown
actual size.
Offer Code Price Only $49 + S&P Save $30

What customers are saying
PLUS Free Stauer Compact Binoculars
about Stauer knives...
1-800-333-2045
Good value. Great looking.

Your Insider Offer Code: WHK130-01
Sufficiently sharp. Overall
an "A" purchase and
You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.
I ordered three.
Stauer
W., Dept. WHK130-01

14101 Southcross Drive
Burnsville, Minnesota 55337
www.stauer.com
*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed
original Stauer.com price.
I have a fascination with trail cameras. I enjoy checking the SD cards to view
the unseen wildlife that roams our property in the darkness, or when Im not
around. My cameras have captured deer,
turkeys, bobcats, coyotes, coons, squirrels, minks, rabbits, opossums and one
trespasser, who turned out to be a friend.
They give me a good idea of the deer living on, or moving through the farm.
And, more importantly, I can see which
trails are being used on a regular basis. I
currently have 10 cameras in place, and I
plan to add a couple more this year.
THE HUNT CONTINUES
FREE
Whitetail Hunting Knife $79*
HO M E G R O W N B U C KS
B. of Maryland
Rating of A+
5 " 420HC stainless steel blade Full-tang design with gut hook
Pakkawood handle with brass pins Bonus heavy duty nylon sheath
As I strained for a better view, the

bucks came closer and I could see that
two of them were young. One was a
spike, and the other had forked antlers.
The third buck I had previously seen on
trail-camera pictures, and I had hoped
that one day our paths would cross. I had
estimated he was 412 years old. Regardless of his age, he was a magnificent animal. His 6x5 antlers were wide and carried some mass. He had a full-size neck,
and the block-shaped body of a mature
buck.
My hopes of the larger buck offering me a shot opportunity began to diminish as the deer moved through the
woods, going farther to my right. I was
sitting down in my stand, and I shoot
right-handed. If the buck continued on
his current course, I would be unable to
shoot. I didnt want to stand for fear of
being seen. For some unknown reason,
one of the younger bucks moved off the
trail and walked nearly under my stand.
The larger buck followed and poked the
youngster in the rear, moving him along.
This placed the larger buck directly in
front of me at 18 yards.
After drawing my bow and trying to
look through my peep, I realized that I
had made a big mistake in the placement
of my treestand I was blinded by the
sun. I had concentrated on placing the
stand where I thought the deer would
travel, and I had neglected to think
about the location of the early morning
sun in relation to the stand.
Panic-stricken, I struggled to move
my head and bow so I could see. Fortunately, I was able to make adjustments so
I could place my sight pin on the buck.
Once I gained a good sight picture,
my release went off and I heard a loud
thunk as my arrow struck home. The
buck jumped, staggered over a fallen
PROVEN.
POWERFUL.
POTENT.
Time Tested Original
NEW Synthetic Formula
#69 DOE-IN-RUT
Tinks #69 Formulas Attraction is Unmatched by Other Deer Lures

Use with Tinks Scent Bomb for a Powerful and Deadly Combination
Potent Attraction During the Pre-rut and Rut
Hot Shot Bag-In-Can Technology Disperses Only 100% Pure Lure
See more @ tinks.com
HO M E G R O W N B U C KS
tree, and quickly moved over the hill. I
sat in my stand for a while to regain my
composure, and I hoped my shot was
good.
A few years ago, I bought a terrier
pup from a guide friend of mine. This
pup came from a line of deer-tracking
dogs, and was just what I needed. Im a
little color blind to red, so I have a difficult time seeing blood. I wanted a companion that could help me overcome this
problem, and my new dog has fit the bill.
Every year I put deer blood in our freezer, and in the early fall I thaw some of it
to refresh his trailing skills. Now it was
time for his training to pay off.
I called my wife and asked her to wait
an hour and then bring the pup, which
we had named Decker, to my stand.
Soon they arrived, and we put Decker
on the trail. It didnt take Decker long
to find my arrow. My wife then wanted
to go down the hill to find the buck,
figuring that a wounded deer would
travel downhill. But Decker wanted to
go uphill, so we let him lead the way. In
no time, he was standing over the fallen
buck. In all fairness, I must say we would
have found the deer without Decker. But
We planted this soybean field,

along with an Egyptian wheat
shelterbelt.
It was incredibly satisfying for me to kill this

mature buck on a piece of property my wife
and I had spent considerable time grooming
so it would attract and hold deer and other
wildlife. This trail-camera image shows the
buck I ultimately ended up killing.
I can tell you I was really proud of his

performance, and Im glad his training
and instincts had paid off.
My buck was one that didnt display
any ground shrinkage. He was a mature,
trophy animal. My wife and I were really
glad our efforts over the past few years
had been rewarded with a great homegrown buck.
The author and his wife make their home
in Kahoka, Missouri.
AUTHORS PHOTOS
54
AUTHORS NOTE:
My bucks field-dressed weight was 220
pounds. He gross-scored 15168 and netted
140 48. My list of equipment used on this hunt
included a Mathews NO CAM HTR set at 52
pounds, Victory RIP arrows, Slick Trick broadheads, and a TightSpot Quiver.
NE
0
R2
O
F
17
EXCLUSIVE
PERFORMANCE
FOR PREMIUM
DEALERS.
LS
LS
LS
LS
-2
-4
-6
BEARARCHERY.COM
Help
FROM LOVED ONES

T
he last week of December 2014 found my wife,

Lisa, and I bowhunting Coues deer out of our remote deer camp near our winter home in Oracle, Arizona. I sat in Coues B1, while Lisa was in Coues L1
our nomenclature for various treestand locations.
The L in Lisas locations stands for Lung-Shot Lisa.
Her handle held true when I saw her approaching my
stand during prime hunting hours. She wouldnt leave
her stand and come to mine unless she had an arrow
in a buck. Sure enough, there was a blood trail to follow. It took a bit of combined tracking efforts because
of a single-lung hit, but we found Lisas 2014 Coues
buck not more than 100 yards from her treestand.
I filled my tag a few days later at 1 p.m. with what
I thought was a pretty nice buck. He was a 3x3 with
eyeguards, and he had a small dropper to add character. He wasnt as big as my wifes buck, though. When
we finished field-dressing, caping, de-boning and
packing meat back to camp, Lisas campsite banter
started and continued for several rounds. I would not
soon forget Lisas Coues buck was quite a bit larger
than mine, at just over 90 inches. For a year it seemed
every time an opportunity arose, another person was
informed about Lisas buck being larger than mine.
Lisas was a great buck, and she made a good shot, so
she was mighty proud of her best Coues buck to date.
The shoulder mount of Lisas buck now adorns our
Oracle winter home.
The first week of January 2015 found me back at
the camp with my late dear friend Roy Roth. We both
had 2015 Arizona Coues deer tags in our pockets, and
we were anxious to fill them. Roy only had a few days
to hunt before family obligations back in Wasilla,
Alaska, required his return. Neither of us filled our
tags, but the hunt is a cherished memory because it
was the last time I hunted with Roy before his tragic
sheep-hunting accident.
I sat in Coues B1, while Roy switched off between a
couple different stands, including Coues B2. Roy suggested I relocate that particular stand from the top of
the ridge where I had it, to lower in elevation at the bottom of a short swale. There the habitat changed from
56
stunted trees and desert-looking foliage to taller oaks,

pines, and sycamore trees in the bottomland. Roy had
found a huge scrape and several rubs where the swale
emptied into the flatter bottomland. The area did look
good, but I didnt move the stand because I have had
such good luck at Coues B1, that I tend to hunt it exclusively at the expense of Coues B2.
Fast-forward to the last week of December 2015. Lisa
and I were back at Coues camp, and on our first day the
plan was to hunt Coues L1 and Coues B1 as usual.
Although we see most of our deer between 9:30 a.m.
and 1 p.m., we were in our stands by about 7:30 a.m.,
and planned on staying in them until just before 5 p.m.
I saw about 15 deer that first day; however, none of
my sightings were of mature bucks. Lisa on the other
hand, saw a shooter buck at 10 a.m. that she described
as larger than the 90-inch buck she had shot in 2014.
The buck walked into range, but due to morning cold
and elbow issues caused by our ATV ride into the area,
Lisa could not pull her bow back. The buck left without an arrow being loosed. She continued to wait patiently, and at about 3 p.m. another buck showed up in
the same place. This time Ol Lung-Shot had warmed
up and got her bow drawn, but she muffed the 23-yard
shot. I consoled her and said a little buck fever is normal and healthy. My wife did not agree with me.
When we met on the trail, she described that buck
as the largest Coues buck shed ever seen, and probably the largest Coues buck she would ever see for the
rest of her life. Lisa doesnt get very specific with her
buck observations and descriptions. Its pretty much
small, medium, or large. As I recall, this time it was,
He was huge, heavy and wide, and he had points everywhere! I told her shed see him again, and when
she did to just try to be patient and control her buck
fever. Of course, Lisa was convinced shed never see
that buck again, and she was really disappointed in
herself for missing the shot.
We saw several deer the next day, but deer sightings fell off dramatically on the third day. I think our
stands get stale after about two days of continual sitting for over 10 hours each day. That long in the stand
EVEN THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED BOWHUNTERS NEED

A LITTLE HELPFUL ADVICE NOW AND THEN.
BY BOB AMEEN
DONALDMJONES.COM
HE LP FR O M LO V E D O N E S
puts enough human scent on the ground
that deer avoid the area.
On the fourth day of our hunt, Lisa
didnt see many deer, but a mature buck
finally walked into range. True to her
handle, Lisa lung-shot him. Just like the
year before, she was back at my stand
looking for assistance in tracking, fielddressing, butchering, and packing meat
back to camp.
When we found her buck, I stayed to
begin the task at hand while Lisa went
back to camp to gather my backpack, a
tarp, rope, and game bags. When she returned, she said, If I were you, I know
where Id be hunting tomorrow. On her
return trip from camp, Lisa had seen the
monster buck she thought shed never see
again. He was chasing a doe in an oak flat
between our camp and my Coues B1
stand. Since her tag was now filled, my
wife wanted me to tag her giant buck.
When Lisa showed me where she had
seen the buck, she also pointed out the
perfect tree to place my ladder stand.
The tree was 65 yards from where Roy
had advised me to move my Coues
B2 stand the previous year. Like last
AUTHORS PHOTOS
Here my wife, Lisa, is enjoying a good meal

in our homey Coues deer camp. (Below) Most
rubs we find are on thin saplings. This whopper rub was on a five-inch diameter pine tree.
UpperrdUalr
Jawsrgriprtr
JawsrgriprtrUnkr
secUrely
sec
Upperr
DUalrr
alrr
Jaws
return home safe from your hunt

x-stand treestands. Simply Smarter. Simply Safer.
Lowerrr
barkrr
biter
Duall
Dualllowerl
karklkiterl
StakilizerS
Sta
sales@X-stand.com 540-877-2769
year, there were scrapes and rubs everywhere. Rather than the typical one to
two-inch-diameter brush or trees Coues
bucks seem to normally rub, a buck had
rubbed a pine tree there that was about
five inches in diameter.
So I could hunt it the final day of December 2015, we moved my Coues B2
stand before the end of the day. Last year,
I had killed my buck at 1 p.m. on December 31. I had hopes of filling my 2015 tag
in a similar fashion on the last day of the
season. I had the advantage this year of
receiving guidance from two loved ones
Lisa and Roy. Still, I thought it would
be a long shot to have it happen two years
in a row.
I had not seen a thing all morning
long. At just about 1 p.m., I heard deer
running to the west. Scanning the oak
flat to my left, I saw flashes of two deer,
but I could not identify either one of
them. I assumed it was a buck chasing
a doe. The only confirmation of a buck
base of his chest and loosed my best arrow.

Upon impact, I heard what sounded
like a perfect hit. I also thought I saw my
white-crested arrow disappear into his
chest. The buck exploded up the steep
hill in front of me, and in an instant he
disappeared.
It was perplexing to me that the buck
would run up that steep of a hill if Id hit
him as hard as I thought I had. Doubt
entered my mind as I looked back to see
if my arrow was stuck in a tree trunk, or
perhaps one of the heavy oak branches
between me and the buck when I shot.
being present was a very deep tending
grunt I heard several times. I thought
about using my doe bleat, but figured
there was no way Id call a buck off a
doe in that situation. I would be better
off being patient and waiting for the doe
to lead him back in my direction. It had
happened before. I waited a half-hour
without hearing or seeing anything
else. I figured if I didnt see the buck and
doe again within a half-hour, that shed
probably led him off elsewhere and I
wouldnt see them again.
At 2:55 p.m., I saw movement to the
north. I lifted my binoculars and saw
deer legs. The deer was walking down
the swale Roy had advised me to move
my stand to a year earlier. The deer
turned in my direction, and I saw a huge
set of antlers that required no further
identification. This must be the buck Lisa
had seen, I thought.
I couldnt believe it. It was the last afternoon of the 2015 season, and I had a
giant buck 65 yards away, headed in my
direction, and it was primarily due to the
help of Lisa and Roy.
The buck was headed south and would
pass by me to my right. Being right-handed, I needed to get turned around without
the buck seeing me move in order to execute the shot. Being as quiet as possible,
I slowly turned as I shifted my weight and
configured my body for a shot.
Now my back was to the buck, but
over my left shoulder I could see him
plodding along in a slow, deliberate walk
down the trail that would put him adjacent to an oak tree slightly north of me.
Due to the wind conditions, I couldnt
let him get past me. I ranged the oak tree
at 30 yards. In an instant, he reached the
tree and I drew my bow. Still headed in
my direction, I let him come another five
yards to an opening in the oak branches
where I grunted to stop him. I placed my
single-pin sight, set at 30 yards, on the
There was no arrow to be seen. Then I

heard a crash, and then the thrashing of
brush. In a second or two I saw deer legs
and white belly fur rolling back down
the steep hill toward my ladder stand.
There was no need to wait an hour, no
need to blood trail, and no need for any
further doubt. My trophy lay dead 45
yards from the pine tree Lisa had picked
for my stand location.
Overwhelmed, this was nearly the
same result I had experienced a few
months earlier in November 2015,
when I killed a Sitka blacktail buck in
nearly the exact same location where
To break down and pack out a full-size bull I need

a strong, reliable knife that stays sharp through
the whole process. Thats why I carry Outdoor
Edges Razor-Pro. With just one knife and a few
replacement blades, I can finish several bulls and
never worry about my edge going dull. I just push
the lock button, insert a shaving sharp new one and
Im right back to work.
Mike Eastman, Founder
Eastmans Hunting Journals
Pick up a Razor-Pro for your next hunt. You will always have a strong,
surgically sharp knife with blades that change safe and easy,
plus our signature gutting blade that opens game like a zipper.
See your local dealer or call 800-447-3343 www.outdooredge.com
HE LP FR O M LO V E D O N E S
that it was she who had told me which tree to hunt from. All I
could say was, Yes, Dear. Thank you, Dear. I love you, Dear
Youre never too experienced to accept and benefit as a result
of help from loved ones. Age seasons ones perspective. Youthful bowhunters hopefully have not experienced lifes losses the
same as those of us whose fire for the hunt has reached the stage
of embers. Contemplating the passing of a dear friend, his guidance and help from prior hunts, and the help and assistance of
your most beloved, embellishes special life events. Mine happen
to be bowhunting events.
Id watched Roy kill his final Sitka blacktail the year before. I
shot that buck above Roys Saddle, and the deer disappeared
into an alder patch upon arrow impact and then rolled out of
it down the steep slope toward Roys Saddle. I was thankful
for Roys help on that hunt, as well as his advice on the last hunt
we shared here in Arizona.
I climbed down and went to the buck, admiring his large,
symmetrical rack before heading to camp to share it all with my
beloved Lisa. I held my bow high overhead as I entered camp. Seeing that as well as my excitement, Lisa knew I had killed a buck. The author and his wife make their home in Wasilla, Alaska. An
I replayed the hunt sequence for Lisa, and she quickly re- accomplished bowhunter, he has over 100 animals entered in the
minded me it was she who had first observed the buck, and P&Y record books.
AUTHORS NOTES: My buck green-scored 109 inches just under the Boone &
Crockett minimum making him my second-largest Coues buck, but perhaps my
favorite due to the scenario I killed him under. This was a public-land, DIY hunt Lisa
and I have been doing for years.
My equipment on this hunt included a 70-lb. Prime Rival bow, Cabelas Stalker
arrows, NAP Killzone broadheads, Spot-Hogg sight, QAD Ultrarest, and a Kwikee
Kwiver.
AUTHORS PHOTOS
Lisa and I both killed really good Coues bucks on our

2015 hunt. I owe my big buck to the helpful advice of
both my lovely wife and my late friend Roy Roth.
JOIN THE
QDM REVOLUTI
62
By MARK STEVER
ON
If you follow these

tips, you will attract
and hold more deer
on your property
year-round.
mature buck had been calling my small property home for the past
two years, and I seemingly spent every minute in the offseason preparing and planning my ambush. As the rut was heating up, a favorable wind rolled in and I climbed into a stand that Id been saving
for that very day. Even though Id studied the buck for two years, I was
still amazed when everything fell right into place. I stood at my post as
he emerged from underneath a hemlock just 40 yards away. He continued down my shooting lane on a brisk walk, and my arrow instinctively
released at less than 20 yards. In over 20 years, the land I grew up hunting
had never held such a mature buck. Like so many others, I accomplished
this with sound management of deer habitat and low-impact hunting.
At first glance, it may seem that all you have to do is create a luscious,
green food plot under your favorite stand, set up a trail camera, and get
ready for action. Unfortunately, its just not that simple. Before getting
started, I mapped out the property and determined strategic areas for
food plots, stand placement, access routes, and a sanctuary.
The critical first step is to establish a sense of security on the property. The best way to do that is with a great sanctuary. I took a large area
in what used to be the best spot to hunt, and designated it a sanctuary.
It has everything deer need, starting with a large hillside thats loaded
with multiflora rose, which continues down to two adjacent agricultural
fields. The west edge is marked by a ditch and a stream, providing water
and an ideal exit route if needed.
Sanctuary position will obviously be different for every property, but I
may have a different perspective on the layout. My sanctuary is the southern edge of the property, and my food plots are placed linearly along the
west edge, ending at a pond on the north edge. Over time, this has resulted in a very predictable travel pattern through the property.
A popular technique used to establish a deer sanctuary is hinge-cutting
trees. The benefits of hinge-cutting include creating bedding habitat, increasing browse, and deterring trespassers from entering the sanctuary.
Safety must be a priority proper safety equipment and a partner are a
must. The technique is to cut one side of the tree around hip height at an
angle, leaving the other side of the tree intact so the tree stays alive. The tree
falls to the floor, and branches are now available to browse and sunlight
starts reaching the forest floor, promoting new growth. In addition to promoting wildlife habitat, hinge-cutting promotes growth of more valuable
tree species on the property (timber stand improvement, or TSI).
AUTHORS PHOTO
VIC SCHENDEL
Hinge-cutting on the edge of a food plot provides additional browse, can help
direct entry into the plot, and facilitates sunlight penetration. Hinge-cuts for a
bedding area are made four to five feet high to provide travel tunnels.
J O I N TH E QD M R E V O L UTI O N
Low-impact access during hunting season is essential to
maintaining a sense of security on the property. Keeping access
routes short and stands close to the property edge will significantly reduce scent exposure to deer. Access for the stand I hunt
in an east wind is a ditch line and stream running the west edge
of the property. This provides concealment, a quiet entry, and
a vantage point to look into the soybean plot as I approach the
stand. I simply climb out of the ditch and right into my stand.
This type of access, teamed with a meticulous scent-control program, keeps hunting pressure low and deer sightings high.
Planting food plots has become a real passion of mine.
Fortunately I am hunting in an agricultural community, and
available food is not an issue from spring through early fall. I
have planted a series of small food plots along the west edge of
the property to allow for downwind access. These plots supplement their diet in the spring and summer, but in the fall and
winter they are the primary food sources available. The ideal
hunting plot is narrow and irregular in shape, and the plot is
positioned adjacent to a doe bedding area with foolproof access. Placing a food plot adjacent to bedding areas promotes
daytime use of the plot and creates a social gathering area that
cruising bucks will visit during the rut.
Growing a successful food plot in the woods presents several challenges. The first step, of course, is clearing the existing vegetation with nonselective herbicides and brush killers.
When deciding the type of forage to plant, take moisture,
sunlight, fertility, and pH requirements into consideration.
Soil testing to amend nutrient deficiencies and pH is essential.
I have had excellent results getting soil tests with Whitetail
AUTHORS PHOTO
Growing a successful food plot in the timber can be challenging, but

the rewards are well worth the effort required.
Institute (whitetailinstitute.com); they costing only $14 per

sample, plus shipping. Two of my plots are positioned less than
100 yards apart one had a pH of 4.7, the other 6.1. Both plots
required large amounts of additional potash (0-0-60). There is
no way I would have guessed right on either plot.
Cultivating a timbered area harboring hundreds of years
of accumulated weed seeds, and then creating near optimal
growing conditions with lime and fertilizer, can give you one
impressive weed patch. Using nurse crops like a grain (oat,
wheat, and rye) can help initially, but weeds will inevitably encroach upon your plot. There are selective herbicides available
THE
THE MOST
MOST INNOVATIVE
INNOVATIVE CAMO
CAMO PATTERNS
PATTERNS EVER.
EVER.
for clover, alfalfa, and soybeans. Whitetail Institute distributes two selective herbicides for use in clover and alfalfa plots.
Slay is a selective broadleaf herbicide, and Arrest is a selective grass herbicide. Some varieties of soybeans are Roundup
Ready, and can be sprayed with glyphosate.
After experimenting with a wide variety of food-plot crops
I have developed two personal favorites agricultural soybeans and chicory.
AGRICULTURAL SOYBEANS
Soybeans were first introduced into U.S. agriculture for silage, and they yield up to 40-percent protein content in their
forage. Later, the value in soybean grain was discovered, which
produces similar protein levels and an additional 20-percent
oil content. In early winter, I was drawing deer to my property from every direction. From midsummer through winter,
agricultural soybeans continue to attract, hold, and feed deer,
making it a true year-round food plot.
When it comes to choosing a variety of agricultural soybean to plant, certain genetic traits incorporated into these
plants deserve attention.
Soybeans have a climate zone rating. This represents the
number of days in a growing season needed to reach maturity and complete pod (bean) formation. Seed distributors will
usually designate the seed variety that is best suited for your
climate zone.
Glyphosate tolerance is a Roundup Ready trait. Spraying
a plot with 41-percent glyphosate when beans are four to six
inches tall will kill competing weeds. Further weed growth is
later suppressed when the beans canopy. Be sure to read labels
when choosing herbicides. If Roundup contains Diquat, this
Many Trophies
AUTHORS PHOTO
These are Roundup Ready soybeans several weeks following herbicide

application with 41-percent glyphosate. Agricultural soybeans provide a
year-round attractive and nutritious food source for deer. This plot was
a major draw come winter.
could kill the soybeans. This chemical causes direct plant tissue death, and can destroy a Roundup Ready soybean plot.
Shatter resistance is a trait that will prevent the bean pods
from opening, or shattering, when the plant dries out in the fall.
You want your pods to remain intact well into the freezing winter months. On my property, I use a product distributed by Real
World Wildlife Products (realworldwildlifeproducts.com). Their
soybean blend is 20-percent forage and 80-percent agricultural
bean seeds. They are glyphosate tolerant, and shatter resistant.
There are a few special considerations when planting a soybean plot. Ideally, you should fertilize with a zero-nitrogen
fertilizer, as soybeans are inoculated with bacteria to form
nitrogen-fixing nodules and do not require any supplemental
nitrogen. They are also much more vulnerable to early browse
One Solution
Buy Now At: SKULLHOOKER.COM
Table Based Trophy

Mounting System
J O I N TH E QD M R E V O L UTI O N
I will often start off a perennial or brassicas plot with a spring planting
of forage oats. This provides an early summer food source, and in late
summer I will spray the plot with glyphosate and plant no-till clover,
chicory, or brassicas in early fall.
AUTHORS PHOTO
than other crops. The cotyledon is the seedlings first leaves after germination. If the deer move into your plot and eat below
this structure, the plant is dead. The recommended plot size
is at least one to two acres for this reason. After germination,
I spray PlotSaver (mixture of putrescent egg, rosemary, and
peppermint oils), which allows the plot to establish.
CHICORY
My first plot was a solid stand of chicory. What I found most
interesting is that deer immediately developed a palate for this
plant. There is a wild variety of chicory, but it has very little forage and I have not seen any evidence that my deer consume it.
As soon as forage chicory was planted, it was a magnet. Another
interesting observation on my property is the seasonal preference for chicory. In the spring and summer, the browse pressure is moderate. But by late-September the plot is getting much
Creating better habitat and providing supplemental nutrition

via food plots on my property have resulted in more resident
deer and mature bucks like this one.
AUTHORS PHOTO
66
more attention, and at the end of November its eaten to the

ground. This is an outstanding hunting plot for archery season.
Commonalities among perennials (clover, alfalfa, and
chicory) are excellent nutrition, with protein levels in the
30-percent range. They are attractive, palatable, and highly digestible. That said, chicory is my favorite, and heres why:
1) Chicory is drought tolerant. It has a long taproot, allowing it to flourish in the dog days of summer.
2) Anti-parasitic effects have been shown in sheep (not sure
if this applies to deer, but it cant hurt).
3) Excellent delivery of soil minerals through its forage, and
it has been suggested to promote antler growth.
4) Tannins present in chicory facilitate digestion of protein
in ruminants, further enhancing its nutrient value.
5) Chicory is a very large plant, establishes quickly, produces impressive tonnage, and tolerates acidic soil (chicory
growing in acidic soil will have reduced palatability, so still
lime appropriately).
My preferred method for seeding chicory plots is to no-till
over an oat plot in September. I till the plot in the spring, make
soil amendments, and seed oats. By midsummer, you will have an
excellent crop of straw and grain. Spray the plot with glyphosate
after the oats seed, but before the weeds seed. In early September, I
no-till spread chicory seed and give it a boost with a nitrogen-rich
fertilizer. When soil is cultivated, you are inadvertently planting
weed seeds that were dormant. By following the aforementioned
process, I have produced nearly weed-free plots. The same process can be used for any small-seeded crop, with excellent results.
It is recommended that chicory be mowed to maintain a
height of six inches. This preserves nutrition and palatability.
Several of my plots are now a mixture of clover and chicory,
which make nice companion crops, but I go much heavier on
the chicory than most marketed seed blends.
I have developed a passion for habitat management that
equals the enjoyment I get from archery hunting the majestic
whitetail deer. My property has evolved from a location that
deer would enter on occasion, to a place where several deer
make their home. I now watch deer from my stands every day,
and I was able to harvest my first mature whitetail buck on
my property. I am confident this is the result of my habitatmanagement efforts and low-impact approach to hunting. I
would encourage anyone who shares my passion for whitetail
deer hunting to try some of these tactics, and hopefully you
will reap the same rewards I have.
The author is a physicians assistant and steward of the land he
hunts. He makes his home in Cato, New York.
CARBON DEFIANT
PRO DEFIANT
BE DEFIANT. HUNT DEFIANT.
FIRST LIGHT ON
AFTER TWO YEARS, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO SEND MY
It was November 21, 2014. This easy whitetail hunt was killing
me. Seven days of waking up at 4 a.m., with single-digit temps
every morning negative double digits with the wind chill
had turned my eyeballs into ice cubes and my fingers into permanent popsicles. At the end of the day I had the thousand-yard
stare, and moderate to severe levels of reduced cognition.
I hadnt considered hunting whitetails until my dad started
going on semi-guided hunts in Kansas. He would tell me stories,
and it always sounded like a blast. In my naive mind, it would be
an easy break from the mule deer hunting I was used to out west.
Just climb into a stand and shoot, right? So when he invited me
to join him for my first whitetail hunt in 2014, I was ready to go!
Many record lows were broken that year, along with my ego
and spirit. After enduring the weather already described, and
being outsmarted at every level by those over-evolved deer, I
needed a break. And whether it was from some deep indomitable human spirit thing, or a disturbing level of masochistic
disorder, I also needed revenge.
I took my hunt
down to the wire
before making a
good shot on this
mature Kansas
nine-pointer.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
DUSTIN MOVIUS
68
THE LAST DAY
DAD THE TEXT I HAD SO BADLY WANTED TO SEND.

I flew out of San Diego, California, on November 6, 2015,
at 6:30 a.m., and met my dad in Kansas City that afternoon.
There wasnt an icy shear trying to rip out my breath or freeze
my eyes in their sockets. This was a good start. I jumped in my
dads truck and we started the two-hour drive south to where
we would be hunting.
Since this was a semi-guided hunt, we first met up with Glen
from Ridgerunners Guide Service. He gave us maps of the areas we would be hunting, drove us around to show us some new
properties, and told us how the deer movement had been lately
and what strategies he thought would be our best bet. We
crashed at the hotel that night, pumped to start hunting.
DAY ONE
Since it was our first day on stand, we felt an all-day hunt
would offer us the best opportunity right out of the gate. We
spent 14 hours on stand that day. The first few hours went by
quickly, but after about 11 a.m., each hour was longer than the
Affififififififififigfihfifififififikifigfi
fifffififi,fimfifidfidfiwfisfi
fififififififififififififififififififififififi
fihisfigfifififififiufik.
F I R ST L I G HT O N TH E L A ST D AY
previous. We saw a few deer, including some young bucks, and
one very lucky coyote. Reality was sinking in. Theres no easy
hunt.
DAYS TWO FOUR

CRP fields and timberlines became my classroom. I started
pouring doe urine over my boots the last 100 feet to my stands,
testing to see if it drew anything in, or at least covered my own
scent a little. It seemed to work on a couple of small bucks. If a
doe walked past, I tested small movements to see what I could
get away with in case a buck was following her. Hours of random thoughts interspersed with moments of hyper awareness
and jolts of adrenaline kept me awake and aware.
Then I heard the sound all bowhunters live to hear the
rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs made by an approaching animal. I slowly turned to look in the direction of the
sounds and saw nothing. My arrow was nocked, and I was on
high alert as I continued scanning the area for movement. Finally, I saw the source of the sounds. It wasnt an approaching
deer, but rather a possum. Momentarily disappointed, I was
again awake and at the ready.
Thats an amazing truth about hunting theres really no
such thing as a bad day spent in the woods. You may see nothing all day, but youre still out there, observing nature at work.
Watching a possum root around a log, a coyote hopping in a
field after mice, hawks surfing the wind. Youre an insignificant addition, an extra on the set, and everything would continue like it is whether youre there or not.
The mountains, the trees, and the wind they dont ac-
knowledge you, and thats ok. Sometimes youre even grateful

to be ignored. Its an incredibly humbling yet transcendent
sense of participation and fulfillment. At the deepest level, you
are where you belong.
Suddenly, I heard more steps in the dry leaves on the forest floor. Again I slowly looked for the source of the sounds,
and this time I spotted a doe traveling with her two yearlings.
I knew this doe well, as she visited me regularly the previous
season, when her yearlings were clumsy fawns. As the trio
calmly fed past me, I silently congratulated the doe for being
a good mother.
DAY FIVE
The weather reports predicted heavy rains and gusty
winds, so we decided to skip the morning hunt and slept in
instead. Maybe we just needed a little break, and sleeping in
one day can work miracles for ones morale.
After spending the morning strategizing, Dad and I came
up with a plan to hunt two stands that were deeper in a more
timbered piece of property than our previous locations. Hopefully, the deer would be holed up there given the windy conditions, and maybe the wind would be mitigated for us there as
well.
Even before sitting down, I spied flashes of grey drifting
through the trees. It was at least two bucks and a couple of
does. I tried grunting at the deer, hoping to draw the bucks in
so I could get a better look at them. The deer ignored my calling, so I turned around and got settled in my stand.
There was a big, dead cottonwood limb hanging right over
my head. Gusts of wind rocked the limb back and forth, and
I feared that it would break and come crashing down on top
This is the view from my

treestand on a truly beautiful
autumn day in Kansas.
70
C A B E L A S E . C . W . C . S . B AS E L AY E R
HANDLES MOISTURE AT A
PRICE YOU WONT SWEAT
CABELAS E.C.W.C.S. CREW. ITS MADE OF POLARTEC POWER DRY, WHICH MEANS THE BREATHABLE FABRIC PULLS
MOISTURE AWAY FROM YOUR SKIN. ITS ALSO LIGHTWEIGHT, ULTRAFLEXIBLE, AND CONTROLS ODOR. AND FOR 60 BUCKS,
ITS NO SWEAT OFF YOUR BACK. NOW THATS PRACTICAL.
OUR PROMISE
60 EVERY DAY
LIFETIME GUARANTEE
PRICE IS SPECIFIC TO MENS POLAR-WEIGHT CREW. FOR ADDITIONAL STYLES AND PRICING, VISIT OUR STORES OR GO TO CABELAS.COM
F I R ST L I G HT O N TH E L A ST D AY
of me. While I really hate leaving a good spot prematurely, I
would not have minded an excuse to get out from under that
murderous limb. Then I got that excuse in the form of a text
from my dad.
Just hit a big one, but not good, I think. You see one run
by? was Dads message.
Finally! I met my dad and he showed me the impact scene.
Dad shot down on the buck as it faced away, and while the angle was not perfect, the sign indicated it was a lethal hit.
We tracked the buck for three-quarters of a mile, much
of the time on hands and knees, before it got dark. We found
encouraging sign, including several places where big pools of
blood indicated the buck had bedded down. The gusty wind
scattered the leaf litter in all directions, making it almost impossible to predict the bucks direction of travel, so we backed
out for the night with plans to return first thing the next
morning to resume tracking.
DAY SIX
With our limited time, I continued hunting while Dad and
Glen tracked his buck. I was in a promising new stand on the
edge of a cut cornfield, but I only saw three does right at dawn.
At noon, I climbed down, and I was sorry to learn that Dad and
Glen had not yet found the buck and had lost the blood trail.
I helped with trying to pick up the trail for a few hours
without any success, until Glen told me he had a perfect spot
for me to hunt that evening. I wished Dad good luck in finding
his buck, and then I went off to the stand.
Halfway into the evening hunt, I got a text from Dad telling
me theyd found his buck. Perseverance and a determined
tracking effort led to this recovery, and it was a huge relief.
With an hour of light left, a nice eight-point walked past
me at 50 yards. The buck was moving in and out of some thick
brush and I couldnt get him to stop, so I decided not to risk
taking a shot. Still, it was more action than I had seen in a
while, and I left the woods that night feeling pretty pumped.
DAY SEVEN
I was down to my last day. It had already been a successful
hunt, with lots of game seen and a big buck killed by my dad,
but I still had room to ramp it up.
Climbing into my stand, the optimism I try to cultivate
on every hunt was spreading a little thin. This was a stand Id
spent days in last year, and it never produced. It always looked
so good though, and the sign was there. Still, I climbed into my
stand that morning not expecting much.
As 6:25 a.m. crept up, and the monsters of dawn morphed
into bushes and trees, I had yet to spot my prey. Then the
frosty undergrowth whispered a little, just enough to alert my
senses that something was moving behind me. The buck was
approaching quickly when I spotted him a classic Kansas
nine-pointer. His head was down and swinging right to left
with every step, and he seemed to care about nothing but getting to cover to rest up. As long as he continued on his course,
he would pass within range to my left.
My arrow flew straight and true. The buck mule-kicked
when my arrow hit home, and then he took three casual leaps
and stopped and stood as if he wasnt sure what had just happened. Then he jumped a fence 20 yards from the point of impact and disappeared.
I waited in my stand for 20 minutes, absorbing the mo72
The blood-stained grass at the point of impact indicated my buck

would not make it very far.
ment. I could not believe it happened that way. It was my last

morning, and I had been hunting from what I considered to
be my worst stand site. It was perfect unexpected, but absolutely perfect! I had to text my dad.
Shot one! Think hes hit good! I wrote in the text I had
been waiting to send him for two years.
At the impact site, bright-red blood stained the tall grass,
clearly spraying out both sides from a clean pass-through with
the Rage Hypodermic broadhead. I felt confident that the
buck was close by. Then we spotted him through the CRP, 40
yards from where Id shot him.
The sight of that buck lying in that Kansas field, chocolate
antlers classically whitetail, in a bed of frosty grass with the orange dawn highlighting the trees and our breath coming out
in a fog is a memory that will be forever branded in my mind.
I cant wait for next year!
The author is a diehard bowhunter from San Diego, California.
AUTHORS NOTES:
My equipment on this hunt included a PSE Brute X bow, Gold Tip arrows, Rage
Hypodermic broadheads, and a Trophy Taker SmackDown Pro arrow rest.
I cannot thank my dad enough for these experiences. It has been more than I
can express, and I hope you understand that. Thank you. And thanks also to Jay
and Glen from Ridgerunners Guide Service (ridgerunnersguideservice.com). The
encyclopedic knowledge you share and hospitality you show us every time keeps us
coming back.
Speed
Draw Weight
Weight
ATA
ATA @ Draw
Power Stroke
Length
K.E.
335 fps
125 lb
9 lb
18
15.1
14
34.5
99.3 ft-lb
BRUZER
FFL
TM
A ready to hunt package including the Trophy Ridge XF425 Scope, 3 Trophy Ridge
X-Ray arrows and points, picatinny mount quiver, cocking sled, and rail lube.
BEARARCHERY.COM
TM
To Be A
Bowhunter
As I started to breathe againftftftdftftftftlftzftdft
whftftft hftdft jusftft hftppftftftd,ft ftftftftsft ftftmftft ftoft myft ftyfts.ft Imft ftoftft
suftftftfthftftdoftftftftftlftzftdftwhftftfthftdftjusftfthftppftftftdftftftfthftft.ftShftft
slowlyftwftlftftdftftbouftft20ftyftftds,ftbftddftdftdowftftftftxftftftoftftftftftftft,ft
ftftdftwftftftftftoftslftftp.ftIftsftftftftftftmyftftftftftsftftftd,ftwftftfthftftftftfthftftlftfftft
blftftdftouftftoffthftftftftftdftftftyftftftftftoftuftdftftsftftftdftftxftftftlyftwhftftftIft
wftsftfftftlftftftftftftftfthftftftmomftftftftftftxftftftftmftftftftftftdftsftdftftssftovftftft
myftfiftsftftft ftll.ftIftftlsoftfftlftftftftsftftsftftofftpftftdftftovftftftftftftftftftomplftshmftftftftIftwftsftftftsuftftftwftsftftoftftftftftofthftppftft.ftftft
TwoftyftftftsftlftftftftftIftsftftftftftftfthftftftsftmftftsftftftd,ftoftftfthftftsftmftftpftftvftftftftfftmftlyftlftftd,ftftftdftftftftwftsftbuftfts-oftlyftftftftMftftftftsoftftftfthftftft
fftll.ftIftftwftsftdftyftsftxftftftftoftfthftftsftftsoft,ftftftdftftftftwftsft80ftdftftftftftsft
wftfthft ftoft wftftd.ft Ift wftsft swftftftftftft,ft swftftftftftftft mosquftftofts,ft ftftdft
ftftftwftsftsftftftftftftftftftoftftftftftdftftft.ftIftsmftshftdftftftfftwftmoftftftbuftsftftftdft
wftsftfthftftftftftftftfthftftftftmft,ftwhftftftIftftlftmpsftdftsomftfthftftftftovftftft
myftshouldftft.ftIftftwftsftftftbuftft,ftftftdfthftftspoftftftdftmftftsoftIftfftozft.ft
Thftftbuftftftsftftftftdftftftftmftftfoftftftftloftftftftftmft,ftftftdftfthftftfthftftftooftft
ftftsftftpftftftdftsftftftftftdftftuftftftftftftftofthftftdftbftftftftftftftoftfthftftftoftftfiftld.ft
Hftfthftdftftftftftftsoftftftoftbftftftftuftftous.ftOftftopftftftftftftdftyftIfthftdftshoftft
ftftftftftftowftjusftftuftdftftfthftsftfthftsft.ft
Aftftftftsftudyftftftftmyftftftftft,ftfthftftbuftftftdftftftdftdftftoftftoftftftftuftft
oftfthftsftoftftftftftftlftftouftft.ftWhftftfthftftwftsftdftftftftftlyftbfthftftdftmft,ftIft
dftftwftmyftbowftftftdftwftftftftdftfoftfthftmftftoftftppftftftftoftftmyftofthftftft
sftdft.ftHftftpftusftdftftftsftdftftfthftftfiftsftftftowftofftftoftft,ftftftdftIftftooftftftftm.ft
Imftusuftllyftftblftftftoftftftmftftftftpftftftftyftftftlm,ftbuftftfthftsftbuftftfthftdft
mftftftftftvous.ftIfthftdftftlftftftdyftmftssftdfthftmftoftftftftftftwftftftftftftftlftftft,ft
ftftdfthftftftftftwftIftwftsftfthftftft.ftIftwftsftpftobftblyftftoftftftoftftftftftoftsftftft
hftmftftftftftftftftfftIftmftssftdftfthftsftup.ftIftlftftftmyftftftftowftfto,ftftftdfthftftdftsftppftftftftdftsoftfftsftftIftwftsftftftsuftftftftffthftftwftsfthftftftoftftftoft.ftIftftouldftftft
fiftdftmyftftftftow,ftsoftIftftftftftuftftftdftmyftdftdftftofthftlpftmftftlooft.ft
Wftftdftdftftftfiftdftmyftftftftow,ftbuftftwftftftvftftftuftllyftpftftftftdftupftftft
bloodftftftftftl,ftftlfthoufthftftoftftftftftftftlftsftftoftftftoftft.ftAftftftftftftftftftftftftft
Archery and bowhunting have

given me a greater appreciation
of so many things in life.
Replace Image
The journey to becoming a bowhunter is

full of ups and down, with many rewards
to be reaped along the way.
By Jennifer Lindsey
AUTHORS PHOTO
74
portive and encouraging. I dont know

how many pep talks my husband gave me
that year. I couldnt give up and stay home
though, because something kept pulling
me back out there. I kept thinking maybe
today will be the day I get the perfect shot.
It wasnt about bringing home a deer; it
was about not being a quitter. It was about
putting my mind to something and succeeding at it.I didnt care that I only had
one field lesson from my dad. I didnt
want anyone holding my hand. Although
I got a bunch of advice, I wanted to learn
on my own and do it myself, even if that
meant the hard way.
Laundr
I was so afraid of taking a bad shot that

I let several deer walk right by me. It was
feeling more like deer watching than deer
hunting. At one point I did take a shot,
and we tracked the doe for several hours
in a cornfield the next day before watching her run off and jump over a fence with
just a slight limp on her front shoulder.
That made me even more afraid to take a
shot, so I spent the rest of the season freezing in subzero temperatures as opportunities kept on walking by.
On my last day, I was determined to
take a shot if I had a chance. I took an
easy shot at a buck, and I completely
ne
Hygie
In-Field
the buck for a while, we started hearing

deer moving around us, so we decided to
quit for the night.
I didnt sleep well that night, as my
mind kept going over what had happened again and again. The next morning, we found the buck approximately 30
yards from where wed stopped tracking him, dead from an accurate lung
shot. My arrow did not pass all the way
through the buck, which was why we
didnt have a great blood trail. It felt good
to let go of all the stress and anxiety, and
celebrate my first buck.
My family has always been into hunting, but I never had much interest in it.It
was a guy thing,and I wasnt a killer.
That changed three years ago when my
husband, Michael, wasnt able to bring
home a deer for the freezer. Me with
my sassy attitude said, Well, I guess Ill
have to do it myself next year.How hard
can it be?I thought. You take a bow and
an arrow, you get all dressed up in your
cute camo clothes, you hide in a tree, and
when a deer walks by you shoot it. It falls
over dead, you haul it home, and then
you eat deer meat all winter, right?
Oh, how wrong and naive I was!
What started out as my trying to prove
that a woman can be just as good at
bowhunting as a man, or even better, eventually turned into a passion
of my own. It became less about proving that girls could do it too, and more
about earning the respect of my fellow hunters both men and women.
It was so much harder than I had anticipated. There were so many little details
that could go wrong. Ive been a farm
girl my whole life, but I was the type to
nurture something back to health rather
than try to take its life. One winter when
I was a kid, there was a wounded fawn in
the grove, and I brought it corn and water for several days before it disappeared.
Now I was going to take aim and shoot a
deer? I didnt know if I could do it.
Was I good enough? Was I ready?
These thoughts were always in the back
of my mind that first season. There were
so many times that I made a rookie mistake that year. It seemed like something
always went wrong, or I was making excuses not to shoot.I had several opportunities that turned into mistakes, and
if I had been a better, more experienced
hunter, theywould have turned into success instead.
There were times I came home crying
over how frustrating it was that nothing
ever seemed to work out right.Thankfully, I had family and friends who were sup-
your
3
and
FIRST LAST
Line of
Defense.
deaddownwind.com
T O B E A B O W H U NTE R
missed him. Devastated, I thought I messed up for the last
time, and I was really feeling like a failure. Then some does and
fawns came by. I drew my bow back on a large fawn, but I just
couldnt bring myself to shoot it.
For that first season, I had been using an old, borrowed
bow. But knowing now how much I loved bowhunting and
that I was going to stick with it, I decided to invest in a new
bow setup for my second season. Quality equipment made a
huge difference in my accuracy and confidence.
With my second year as a bowhunter came some new obstacles to work around. My husband is a farmer, and he is always busy with harvesting crops during deer season. Then, a
week after the season opened, we adopted a newborn, and now
with two young children at home it became really difficult to
find time to hunt. We were so happy, but I was only able to
hunt three times in the first seven weeks of the season.
My priorities were different, but there werent a lot of deer
in the area to get me excited either. I stuck with it though, determined not to be a quitter. I took the first and only shot at a
doe that I got. She ran off with my arrow in her, but she didnt
make it far before she fell. Despite my success, in some ways I
felt shorted that season because I didnt get to go out nearly as
much as I would have liked to.
Im still very much a rookie, but Ive learned so much about
life from bowhunting. I found patience and persistence in myself that I didnt know was there confidence in those quali-
After a sleepless
night, it felt so
good to celebrate
my first buck.
AUTHORS PHOTO
This doe was my first-ever kill, and its hard to describe the feelings I
experienced when I shot her.
ties has become necessary with now three little boys at home. I
learned the power of a positive attitude in the outcome of a hunt.
I learned that I cant control everything like the weather, the way
the deer react and behave, or other surrounding circumstances
during a hunt. I learned to let go of trying to control everything,
and that tomorrow is a new day filled with new opportunities.
Before I even went hunting, I fell in love with shooting a
bow. I cant describe it, but shooting an arrow into a target
just feels so good.There are so many things in life I cant control, change, or force to go the way I want them to.But when
I pick up my bow, I can make my arrow hit the center of the
target.I can control that. I clear my head, focus my aim, and
succeed.And there is something empowering about that.
I feel bad now that I gave my husband a hard time all those
years about the time and money he spent hunting. I understand
it now. We have two adopted boys, James (3) and Ethan (1), and
are foster parents for a two-year-old boy. James is at the age now
where he questions everything, and it makes me happy to hear
him so interested and beginning to understand hunting. I see
lots of great adventures in the future for me and all my boys.
I also learned that time is not wasted if youre happy.I always used to tell my husband what a waste of time hunting
is.You go sit day after day, and bring nothing home.I didnt
realize how much time you have to put in, waiting for the
chance when everything is right for success. But is it really
time wasted?Is it really even about bringing home a deer? I
have truly enjoyed my time sitting in a tree all bymyself, admiring nature and the creatures God created.I dont consider
it wasted time.Would my time have been better spent at home
on Facebook, watching TV, oreven cleaning the house?The
chance to clear my head for a couple of hours is time much
better spent, even if it means coming home to toys, laundry,
and dishes scattered everywhere.It makes me a better mom
and wife. Sometimes we need to slow life down and just sit and
be in nature.Since you have to be watching and listening constantly when hunting, its different than just taking a timeout
to go for a walk or enjoy some fresh air. Youre more connected
to it in a special sort of way. You become a part of nature, rather than just being an observer of it.
The author, her husband, and their young children make their
home in Hardwick, Minnesota.
AUTHORS PHOTO
76
AUTHORS NOTE: Quality equipment makes a difference, and I love my Mission

Flare bow, IQ Bowsight, and QAD Ultrarest.
The redesigned Craze II, featuring new F.I.T. Cam technology, is lighter, more ergonomic, and as always,
adjustable to fit virtually anyone, any age. This means you won't have to reach for your wallet
every time your child grows an inch. Learn more at missionarchery.com.
W H AT S N E W
BRINGING YOU THE LATEST IN BOWHUNTING GEAR
2
4
5
1 MATHEWS HALON 32
Enhanced string angle and superior stability
Crosscentric Cam for a smooth draw & improved accuracy
True-center nocking point for straight & level nock travel
Archery. The roller-sear design gives you a smooth, crisp trigger

pull. A one-piece, forward-knurled trigger maximizes draw length.
With the NCS Hybrid Connector, you can adjust the Blitz to fit any
shooter, and the Connector also eliminates release torque. Lastly, the
design of the swiveling, ergonomic head allows for full release rotaThe Halon 32 ($1,099), at 32" axle to axle, is powered by the
tion. Contact: Scott Archery, (606) 663-2734, scottarchery.com.
Crosscentric Cam, which uses a partially concentric string payout
and AVS technology to give you a stealthier draw and better
4 NIKON MONARCH 7i VR LASER RANGEFINDER
consistency. Capable of speeds up to 350 fps, its outfitted with a
FlatBack Grip, and the Harmonic Damper and Harmonic Stabi- VR (Vibration Reduction) Technology for steadier ranging
lizer ensure a whisper-quiet shot. Three versions are available 6X optics and 1,000-yard range
Halon 32 5 (5" brace height, 24.5"30.5" draw length), Halon 32 ID (Incline/Decline) Technology for uphill/downhill compensation
The waterproof Nikon Monarch 7i VR ($399.95) is the worlds
6 (6" brace height, 25.5"31.5" draw length), and the Halon 32 7
(7" brace height, 26.5"32.5" draw length). All three are offered first laser rangefinder with a vibration-reduction feature that
in peak draw weights of 40 lbs., 50 lbs., 60 lbs. and 70 lbs., and compensates for your bodys inability to hold perfectly still. This
in a number of new finish options. Contact: Mathews Archery, technology provides users with a stable image, while also stabilizing the activated laser for a faster, more precise range reading.
Inc., (608) 269-2728, mathewsinc.com.
Hold the ranging button down, and you can continuously scan
for eight seconds. It compensates for angles, giving you the only
2 TROPHY TAKER BY TINKS HEAT
number (horizontal) you need to make the shot. It has a range of
Synthetic pre-rut & rut buck lure
81,000 yards (displays in .1-yard increments), and has various
Powerful, long-range attraction
Target Modes. Contact: Nikon Sport Optics, 1-800-645-6687,
No-mess gel
nikonsportoptics.com.
Synthetic ingredients designed to create a sexual response in
whitetail bucks is the secret behind Trophy Taker by Tinks HEAT
5 RAVIN CROSSBOWS R9 CROSSBOW
gel scent ($14.99/4-oz. bottle). The time-release formula keeps
it active longer. Apply it directly to natural and mock scrapes (and Superior accuracy & handling
HeliCoil Technology for perfect cam balance
on the licking branch), or on the bark and leaves of your stand
Frictionless Flight System quiets shot & improves string life
tree where it works as both a lure and a cover scent. Contact:
Ravin Crossbows R9 Crossbow ($1,549.99) is powered by
Tinks, 1-800-624-5988, tinks.com.
HeliCoil Technology, which enables the cams to rotate nearly 340
degrees while keeping them level when drawing and shooting.

3 SCOTT ARCHERY BLITZ
This results in a 100% free-floating bolt when shot. Overall axle
Compact, lightweight, single-caliper design
width when cocked is 6. The Trac Trigger Firing System consists
Infinite-length strap to fit every archer
of a built-in trigger sled that slides forward in the rail, and clasps
Ergonomic head aids in drawing & anchoring
directly on the center of the string. The Versa Draw Cocking SysThe Blitz ($59.99) is the latest single-caliper release from Scott
78
Brian Fortenbaugh
Assistant Editor
8
7
6
tem allows for easier cocking/un-cocking. Draw weight is 195

lbs., and it is capable of speeds up to 390 fps. Contact: Ravin
Crossbows, 1-800-382-2337, ravincrossbows.com.
6 HOYT PRO DEFIANT

Vibration-killing Offset Riser Technology
Smooth & fast DFX Cam & system
Dual Cable Stops create a solid back wall
10
8 BETTER THE HUNT INSULATED BOW MITT
Adjusts for any hand size or shooting style
Built-in adjustable wrist strap
Available right and left-handed
The Insulated Bow Mitt ($79) from Better The Hunt is the solution to keeping your bow hand warm on those late-season hunts.
Whether you shoot with an open or closed hand, the Bow Mitt will
fit you. Warmth is provided by 200-gram Thinsulate Insulation. If
you need your hand to be a little toastier, you can put a chemical
handwarmer in the Mitts finger pocket. Its machine washable.
Contact: Better The Hunt, (208) 941-3795, betterthehunt.com.
Hoyt is billing the new Pro Defiant ($1,099) as their most

advanced aluminum bow to date. At the heart of it are the DFX
Cam & system and UltraFlex limbs, which work together to
produce speeds up to 331 fps, as well as keeping your head in
the proper upright position at full draw. At 30" axle to axle and 9 HUNTERS SPECIALTIES INSTIGATOR DEER CALL
weighing 4.2 lbs. its a very easy bow to maneuver in tight spaces. Ultra-realistic deer sounds
The 7" brace height makes for a very forgiving, accurate bow. Ro- Easy to use design
tating cam modules allow you to adjust draw length from 24"30" Ideal for challenging whitetail bucks
without module replacement, or a bow press. Its available in peak
Simple is usually best, and thats exactly the case with Hunters
weights of 40 lbs., 50 lbs., 60 lbs., 65 lbs., 70 lbs. and 80 lbs., and
Specialties Instigator Deer Call ($9.99). The two-position slide adin a number of cool camo and solid-color finish options. Contact:
justment lets you quickly change from young buck grunts to mature
Hoyt, (801) 363-2990, hoyt.com.
buck grunts. The Instigators authentic tone and volume is sure to
bring dominant bucks in looking to defend their territory. Contact:
7 OUTDOOR EDGE WILD-LITE
Hunters Specialties, (319) 395-0321, hunterspec.com.
Six-piece, field-to-freezer combo set

Total kit weighs 1 lb., 2 oz.
Comes with a carbide/ceramic sharpener
The Outdoor Edge Wild-Lite ($44.95) has all the right tools
(six to be exact) for field-dressing and processing big game.
Included in the set are a full-tang 2.5" caping knife, 4" gut hook
skinner, 5" boning/fillet knife, two-stage carbide/ceramic sharpener, and game-cleaning gloves all in a hard-side carrying case.
The blades are made of 420J2 stainless steel, and the non-slip
rubberized handles are blaze-orange, so you wont lose them in
the field. Contact: Outdoor Edge Cutlery Corp., 1-800-4473343, outdooredge.com.
10 BARNETT CROSSBOWS WHITETAIL HUNTER

Composite stock & custom composite laminated limbs
CNC-machined 78 Picatinny rail
Crosswire String & Cable System
Weighing 6.2 lbs., Barnett Crossbows Whitetail Hunter ($449)
boasts speeds up to 340 fps and 103 foot-pounds of kinetic
energy. Finger reminders and a pass-through foregrip are there
for your safety. The butt pad is adjustable, and it comes with a
4x32 multi-reticle scope, rope-cocking device, and a three-bolt
quiver and three 20 bolts. Contact: Barnett Crossbows, (727)
234-4999, barnettcrossbows.com.
B OWH U NTE R.C O M
79
2017 YOUTH HUNTER

ESSAY CONTEST
Brought to you by Bowhunter Magazine and Nelson Outfitters
Bowhunter Magazine has joined with Nelson

Outfitters (Dave Nelson, 307/751-2262,
huntwyoming.com) and a topnotch group
of bowhunting equipment manufacturers to
sponsor our 2017 Youth Hunter Essay Contest
(see the list of sponsoring manufacturers below).
This is our 21st annual essay contest, and we hope
youth participants will make it another memorable one! Last years 1st Grand Prize Winner,
Chloe Wolf, and her dad, Greg, from Sawyer, Kansas, spent three days chasing longbeards in South
Dakota, and Chloe killed her first-ever turkey
with a bow. Congratulations to young Chloe, as
well as to the rest of the prizewinners from last
years contest who we are confident are putting
their new gear courtesy of our generous friends in
the archery industry to good use. If you are in the
market for new hunting equipment, please show
your support for these companies and buy their
products. They understand just how important
youth hunters are to our sport.
Is social media an appropriate place to share your hunting

experiences and, if so, how can it be done correctly?
Youth hunters, dont pass up this opportunity to

enter Bowhunter Magazines 2017 Youth Hunter
Essay Contest! Heres how
Entrants must be between the ages of 12-17 as of March 1, 2017. Each entry must be accompanied by a cover
letter telling us about your bow-and-arrow experience and interest in bowhunting. Youll also need an adult
sponsor who will include a letter formally nominating you for the contest. The sponsor must also be willing
to accompany you on the trip. Travel expenses for both of you will be covered.
WIN A 3-DAY
SPRING TURKEY
HUNT IN WYOMING
MAY 48, 2017!
Last years Grand

Prize Winner, Chloe
Wolf, and her dad,
Greg, are all smiles
over Chloes first-ever
turkey with a bow.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO ENTER?

To be eligible for the 2017 Youth Hunter Essay Contest, entrants must submit a
300-word essay on the following subject:
Thanks to the following archery industry manufacturers who have donated bowhunting equipment to this contest. They share Bowhunters passion for inspiring
youth to bowhunt. (Be sure to check out the prize listing in the Official Rules for a rundown of the outstanding equipment that these companies have donated.)
80
For free catalog of our complete line

of traditional bows and accessories
write or call:
Black Widow Custom Bows

1201 Eaglecrest
P.O. Box 2100
Nixa, MO 65714
PH (417) 725-3113
FAX (417) 725-3190
www.blackwidowbows.com
B OW H U N T E R . C O M
67.1/15/10
OFFICIAL RULES
1. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning.
2. Eligibility. Bowhunters 2017 Youth Hunter Essay Contest is open to teenagers who are between the ages of 12 and 17 as of the contest deadline
of March 1, 2017, and who are legal residents of the fifty (50) states of the United States and the District of Columbia (excluding territories), and
Canada (excluding Quebec), and who have an adult sponsor. Each entrant must be able to show certificate of having completed bowhunting
education and safety training and be proficient with using a bow and arrow for hunting. Employees of Bowhunter, Outdoor Sportsman GroupIntegrated Media, and Nelson Outfitters (The Sponsors), and their subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies and their family
members and/or those living in the same household are not eligible to enter. The winner and adult sponsor must reside in the United States
(excluding territories) or Canada (excluding Quebec) at the time the prize is awarded.
3. Entry. The entrant must write and submit an original short essay addressing the subject, Is social media an appropriate place to share your
hunting experiences and, if so, how can it be done correctly? together with a cover letter detailing the entrants bow-and-arrow experience
and entrants interest in bowhunting. In addition, entrant must have an adult sponsor. The adult sponsor must write and submit a letter of introduction for entrant, in which the sponsor formally nominates entrant for the contest and explains the sponsors own experience in archery/
bowhunting. The sponsor also must agree to accompany the entrant on the bowhunting trip, should the entrant become the Grand Prize Winner.
All essays and letters must be typed and double-spaced. Essays must be no more than 300 words in length. All letters must be no more than
one page in length. The letters and essay must contain the name, address, and telephone number of the writers. In addition, the entrants cover
letter should provide the entrants birthdate.
All submissions should be mailed to: Bowhunter, Youth Hunter Essay Contest, 6385 Flank Dr., Suite 800, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17112.
All submissions must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2017, to be eligible. Limit of one entry per person. All entries become the property
of Bowhunter and they will not be returned.
Bowhunter assumes no responsibility for lost, illegible, incomplete, mutilated, late, or misdirected entries, or those with inadequate postage, all of which will be void.
4. Selection of Winners. The contest will take place under the supervision of Bowhunter. Eligible essays will be considered by a panel of judges
(the Bowhunter Magazine editorial staff), who will score each entry and select winners based equally on essay content, grammar, theme, and
presentation. Participants agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of the judges, whose decisions are final. Winners will be selected by
April 3, 2017, and they will be notified by first-class mail by April 17. Any alternate winners will be selected according to a schedule determined
by the judges. The decisions of the contest judges regarding the method of selecting the winners are final and may not be challenged. To obtain a
list of winners, after April 17 send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Bowhunter, YHEC, 6385 Flank Dr., Suite 800, Harrisburg, PA 17112.
5. Prizes. 1st Grand Prize Winner will receive a 3-day Spring Turkey Hunt with Nelson Outfitters in Sheridan, Wyoming, on May 4-8, 2017, with
round-trip coach airfare for the winner and winners adult sponsor to Billings, Montana (from gateway airport nearest winners and adult sponsors respective residences). A guide, whose decisions on all matters relating to the hunting trip are final, will accompany them on the hunting
trip. Bowhunter and Nelson Outfitters (The Sponsors) make no warranties with regard to prizes. Prizes are not transferable. No substitutions
of prize allowed by winner, but The Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value. Prizes are not redeemable by winner
for cash value.
The estimated retail value of the hunt is $1,000. Winner and winners adult sponsor must provide their own hunting tackle and clothing and
are responsible for all expenses not expressly stated above to be part of the prize, including all applicable taxes, meals, tips, ground transportation,
game care or taxidermy, shipping fees, incidentals, and personal expenses. The prize may not be substituted and is not refundable, transferable,
or redeemable for cash.
In addition, (77) runners-up will receive equipment prizes donated by sponsors. Prize distribution will be based on the final scores
second highest will receive First Prize, third highest will receive Second Prize, and so forth. 1st Prize: A pair of S7 8x30 Binoculars from Styrka
valued at $599.95. 2nd Prize: Gen-X Camo Hunting Bow with Kit from Genesis Archery (includes 3-pin fiber-optic sight, Whisker Biscuit rest
and detachable quiver with 4 carbon arrows) valued at $300. 3rd Prize: A pair of 10" Grizzly Insulated Pac Boots from Kenetrek Boots (available
mens whole sizes 515, winner selects size) valued at $275. 4th Prize: A Ripcord Ace Standard Arrow Rest from Ripcord Technologies valued
at $139.97. 5th Prize: A pair of ThermaCELL Heated Insoles valued at $129.99. 6th Prize: A Limb Driver Pro-V Arrow Rest from Vapor Trail
Archery valued at $129.99. 7th Prize: A Rush FPRU3 3-pin Bowsight from Black Gold Premium Bowsights valued at $117.95. 8th Prize: A Blazer Helix Jig, 36-pack Blazer True Color Vanes, 13-pack Neon/
HD Wraps (standard size), Fletch-Tite Platinum, and a Bohning Hat from The Bohning Company, Ltd.
valued at $112.32. 9th Prize: A Complete Scent Kit from Apparition Scents valued at $100. 10th Prize:
A Sample Pack of Lethal Products from Clean Control Corporation valued at $100. 11th Prize: A Set
of Custom Strings from Vapor Trail Archery valued at $100. 12th 13th Prizes: An Ultra Lite 3-pin IQ
Bowsight from FeraDyne Outdoors valued at $99.99 each. 14th 15th Prizes: A PURR-FECT PAIR
Combo Turkey Decoy Set (a MISS PURR-FECT and a JAKE PURR-FECT) from Montana Decoy Co.
valued at $99.99 each. 16th Prize: A Rocky Stratum Two Layer Jacket valued at $99.99. 17th 19th Prizes:
A Base Camp Multifunction Stand from H2Smart LLC valued at $99 each. 20th Prize: A 10" Feather
Lite Hunting Stabilizer in Lost Camo from Specialty Archery, LLC valued at $97. 21st Prize: A Hoodie
and Cap from Plythal Lethal Layering System valued at $95. 22nd 23rd Prizes: A Bowmaster Set (includes a Bow Press G2 and a set of Split Limb L Brackets G2) from Prototech Ind., Inc. valued at $80
each. 24th Prize: A C-10 Release from Winn Archery valued at $75. 25th 30th Prizes: A Bowhunter
Magazine Prize Pack valued at $50 each. 31st 33rd Prizes: A T-shirt, Cap, and Personal App Tutorial
from ScoutLook Weather valued at $50 each. 34th 35th Prizes: A 3-pack of Rage Hypodermic +P Mechanical Broadheads from FeraDyne Outdoors valued at $49.99 each. 36th Prize: A 4-lb. bag of Imperial
Secret Spot from Whitetail Institute valued at $42.95. 37th Prize: A 4-lb. bag of Imperial Bowstand from
Whitetail Institute valued at $42.95. 38th 42nd Prizes: A 3-pack of Spitfire 100-gr. Broadheads from
New Archery Products valued at $39.99 each. 43rd 46th Prizes: A 3-pack of Ramcat 100-gr. Original
Broadheads valued at $39.99 each. 47th Prize: A Small BARK Silencer from Stealth Outdoors valued at
$36.99. 48th 49th Prizes: A 3-pack of Nockturnal S Lighted Nocks (Green) from FeraDyne Outdoors
valued at $27.99 each. 50th Prize: A Stealth Strip Climbing Stick Silencing Kit from Stealth Outdoors
valued at $25. 51st 52nd Prizes: A Grand Slam Kit from Dead Down Wind valued at $24.99 each. 53rd
64th Prizes: A ThermaCELL MR-GJ Mosquito Repeller valued at $24.99 each. 65th Prize: A Stealth
Strip Treestand Silencing Kit from Stealth Outdoors valued at $20. 66th 67th Prizes: A Power Scrape
Combo Pack from Tinks valued at $19.99 each. 68th 77th Prizes: A 3-pack of Camo Face Paint from
Carbomask valued at $12.99 each.
6. Sponsor Rights. All entries and requests become the property of The Sponsors and will not be acknowledged or returned. The Sponsors will have the right to photograph the winner. Entry constitutes
permission to use the winners name, picture, likeness, and city and state or provincial residence for
purposes of trade, publicity, or promotion for no additional compensation.
7. Parents or Guardians. The winners parent or legal guardian and adult sponsor will be required to
execute an affidavit of eligibility, compliance with contest rules, and release of liability. All taxes on
prizes are solely the responsibility of the winners.
8. Liability Release. All entrants release Bowhunter, Outdoor Sportsman Group-Integrated Media,
Nelson Outfitters, and any manufacturers who donated prizes, their affiliates, subsidiaries, directors,
officers, employees, agents, and all others associated with the development and execution of this from
any and all liability from injury, loss, or damage of any kind resulting from participation in this promotion or acceptance or use of any prize.
9. Claiming Prizes. Prizes must be claimed by April 30, 2017. Failure to execute and return any
requested document within 10 days of postmark, or return notification of prize as undeliverable
may result in forfeiture of prize. Alternate winners will be selected at the sole discretion of The
Sponsors. All reasonable effort will be made to contact winners.
10. Void Where Prohibited. This contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. All federal, state,
provincial, and local laws and regulations apply.
81
OPENING A
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
12" TOOL BAG
SAVE
66%
ITEM 61467 shown

62163/62349
Customer Rating
$ 99
$ 99
Tools sold
separately. comp at
$14.99
LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling

800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior
purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt.
Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be
presented. Valid through 4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
WOW
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
1/2" ELECTRIC
IMPACT WRENCH
ITEM 69606/61173
68099 shown
$3999
SAVE
$109
49
99
comp at
$149.88
VALID NOW ON 5,000 + ITEMS
20%
OFF
ANY
SINGLE
ITEM
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item
purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the
following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended
Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item,
automotive lifts, compressors, oor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets,
chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Badland, Bremen,
CoverPro, Creekstone, Daytona, Diablo, Doyle, Drummond, Earthquake,
Franklin, Hercules, Holt, Jupiter, Lynxx, Maddox, Portland, Predator,
Quinn, StormCat, Union, Viking. Not valid on prior purchases. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/6/17.
3 GALLON
100 PSI OILLESS
AIR COMPRESSORS
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO A
A. HOT DOG
ht.com or by calling
our stores or HarborFreignt or coupon or prior
LIMIT 4 - Good at
with other discou
used
be
t
Canno
67.
with original receipt.
800-423-25
from original purchase
purchases after 30 days last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be
Offer good while supplies4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
presented. Valid through
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
ITEM 69269/97080 shown
B. PANCAKE
ITEM 95275 shown
60637/61615
Customer Rating
1000 LB. CAPACITY

MOTORCYCLE LIFT
SAVE
59%
ITEM 69904
68892 shown
SAVE
$874
Lift range: 7" - 30"
Customer Rating
299
99
429
$1173.99

R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
12" SLIDING COMPOUND

DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW
WITH LASER GUIDE
SAVE
$259
$
$
comp at
ITEM 69684 shown

61969/61970
Customer Rating
139
comp at
59
$98.62
Not for
overhead
lifting.
3/8" x 14 FT. GRADE 43

TOWING CHAIN
SAVE
63%
19999 $399
comp at
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
R
PE OONN
U
S UUPP
CCOO
ITEM 43768 shown

60792/61372
Customer Rating
45 WATT
SOLAR PANEL 10 PIECE KIT
ITEM 62443
68751 shown
SAVE
88%
$ 99
$ 99
comp at
$17.97

Customer Rating
129
99 $
179
SAVE
$119
99 comp at $249

Customer Rating

TORQUE WRENCHES
Customer Rating
YOUR CHOICE
Accuracy
within 4%
comp at
DRIVE
1/4"
3/8"
1/2"
$119.99
WOW SUPER COUPON

5 mil
thickness
Customer Rating
Item
68498
shown
POWDER-FREE
NITRILE GLOVES
PACK OF 100
SIZE
MED
LG
X-LG
SAVE
62%
YOUR CHOICE
580 lb.
capacity
ITEM
2696/61277
807/61276
62431/239
99 7 comp at
$ 99
$15.99
26", 4 DRAWER
TOOL CART
SAVE ITEM 95659 shown

$219 61634/61952
Customer Rating
99
99
99
$
159
comp at
$319.01

2199
comp at
$29.99
Item 239
shown

R
PE ON
U
S UP
CO
SAVE
70%
ITEM
68496/61363
68497/61360
68498/61359
ht.com or by calling
our stores or HarborFreignt or coupon or prior
LIMIT 8 - Good at
used with other discou
800-423-2567. Cannot be from original purchase with original receipt.
purchases after 30 days last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be
Offer good while supplies4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
presented. Valid through
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
$999
SAVE
66%

39
$60.95

89
ITEM 61258 shown

61840/61297/68146
comp at
99 $159.99
8999
99

INDUSTRIAL EAR MUFFS
comp at
5400 lb. capacity
54
99
SUPER
COUPON
SAVE
$60
2199
$
SAVE
$105
3-1/2 Pumps Lifts

Most Vehicles
Weighs 34 lbs.
97711 shown
99
2500 LB.
ELECTRIC WINCH
WITH WIRELESS
REMOTE CONTROL
RAPID PUMP 1.5 TON

ALUMINUM RACING JACK
Customer Rating ITEM 60658
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
WOW
Customer Rating
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
3999 $5999
99

R
PE ON
U
S UP
CO
We have invested millions

of dollars in our own
state-of-the-art quality test
labs and millions more in
our factories, so our tools
will go toe-to-toe with the
top professional brands.
And we can sell them for a
fraction of the price because
we cut out the middle man
and pass the savings on to
you. Its just that simple!
Come visit one of our
700+ Stores Nationwide.
ITEM 69252
68053/62160
62496/62516
60569 shown
99
How Does Harbor Freight

Sell GREAT QUALITY Tools
at the LOWEST Prices?
NEW STORE
8" HUNTING KNIFE

WITH SURVIVAL KIT
ITEM 61733
90714 shown
$ 99
Customer Rating
9 $27
$ 99
comp at

R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
SAVE
71%
80 PIECE
ROTARY TOOL KIT
ITEM 97626 shown
63235/68986/69451
$ 99
$ 99
comp at
$24.15

3 DAYS
EVERY
ER N
P
O
SU UP
CO
Go to
HarborFreight.com
For Locations
4000 PEAK/3200 RUNNING WATTS

6.5 HP (212 CC) GAS GENERATORS
SAVE
$179
700+ Stores
Nationwide
SUPER
QUIET
ITEM 63080/69729/69676/63079 shown

ITEM 69675/69728/63090/63089
CALIFORNIA ONLY
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
FREE
33999
99 $3
289
$469
comp at
Wheel kit sold separately.
60", 4 DRAWER
HARDWOOD WORKBENCH
ITEM 69054/93454
63395/62603 shown
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
ITEM 69052 shown

69111/62522/62573
$ 97
VALUE
LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior

purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by
calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping
& Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through
4/6/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
SAVE
$255
Customer Rating
159
Customer Rating
500 LB. CAPACITY

STEEL CARGO CARRIER
SAVE
$88
5
99
ITEM 69623
66983 shown
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
ITEM 90018 shown

69595/60334
1500 lb.
capacity
SAVE
$110
comp at
ITEM 63091/69331
63248/68998 shown
Customer Rating
SAVE
66%
7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6"

ALL PURPOSE WEATHER
SAVE
RESISTANT TARP
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
64%
ITEM 69249/69115/69137
69129/69121/877 shown
Customer Rating
$ 99
comp at
4$8.48
$ 99
comp at

700+ Stores Nationwide

Lifetime Warranty
On All Hand Tools
$133.12

$7999 9999
$189.99
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Over 30 Million Satised Customers
No Hassle Return Policy
130 PIECE TOOL KIT

WITH CASE
64

R
PE ON
U
S UP
CO
99
44
$
99
comp at
$34.99
SUPER-WIDE TRI-FOLD
ALUMINUM LOADING RAMP
SAVE
$70
Customer Rating
comp at
$109.99

3 WATT LED RECHARGEABLE

CORDLESS SPOTLIGHT
HarborFreight.com
800-423-2567
ITEM 61960
61777 shown
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
Customer Rating
$
No Gas
Required
14
comp at
99
99
$34.40

R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
AMMO BOX
Customer Rating
SAVE
66%
$ 99
comp at
ITEM 61849/62719
68887 shown
99
11
99
$
3999 $89.98
90 AMP FLUX
WIRE WELDER
SAVE
$50
Customer Rating
2999

99
39
$
99
54
$1799.99

$ 99
comp at
$79.99
comp at
SAVE
65%
$699
R
PE ON
U
S UP
CO

ITEM 69395
67681 shown
4999
20-60 x 60MM
SPOTTING SCOPE
WITH TRIPOD
99 $79999
R
PE ON
U
S UP
CO
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
$395
42292 shown
SAVE ITEM69594/69955
82%
Customer Rating
99

$49.21

SAVE
1100
comp at
AUTOMATIC
BATTERY FLOAT
CHARGER
39
1999

Customer Rating
comp at
13999
99
56", 11 DRAWER INDUSTRIAL

QUALITY ROLLER CABINET
1699
Customer Rating
Tools sold
separately.
SAVE
50%
SUPER
COUPON
ITEM 69651/62868
62873/68239 shown
SAVE
65%
Customer Rating
WOW
18 VOLT CORDLESS
3/8" DRILL/DRIVER
WITH KEYLESS CHUCK
Includes one
18V NiCd
battery and
charger.
3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHT

NINE LED ALUMINUM
FLASHLIGHT
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
ADJUSTABLE SHADE
AUTO-DARKENING
WELDING HELMET
WITH ANY PURCHASE
70 dB Noise Level
10 hours run-time
@ 50% capacity
Low oil indicator / low oil shutdown
Heavy duty 1" steel roll cage
UL listed circuit breakers
R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
$ 99
comp at
$14.99

R
PE ON
U
P
S U
CO
MECHANIC'S
SHOP TOWELS
PACK OF 50
SAVE
47%
ITEM 46163 shown

69649/61878
61837
99
109 $149.99
comp at

At Harbor Freight Tools, the "comp at" price means that the same
item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or
above the "comp at" price by another retailer in the U.S. within the
past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location.
No other meaning of "comp at" should be implied. For more
information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
$ 99
Customer Rating
1299 $18.98
comp at

WH E RE TO GO
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ADVERTISING IN THIS SECTION, PLEASE CONTACT MARK THIFFAULT
AT 800-200-7885; INTERNATIONAL/CANADA 949-248-4400. E-MAIL: MARK.THIFFAULT@OUTDOORSG.COM
BOWHUNT
NEW ZEALAND
MACMILLAN RIVER ADVENTURES YUKON, CANADA

Bowhunter Editor Curt
Wells (left) with Don Lind
(center) and Steve Cross
EXCLUSIVE BOWHUNTING for Red

Stags, Wapiti, Fallow Bucks, Water
Buffalo, Arapawa Rams & more
Email:
tim@wvestate.com
Phone:
+64 6 3466 544
www.wvestate.com
}
Hunt for Stones & Fannin Sheep, Alaska-Yukon
Moose, Mountain Caribou, Grizzly & Black
Bear, Wolves, Wolverine
}
Horse camp, boat camp,
or backpack hunts
}
Remote camps, 1x1
hunts, high success rate
DON LIND (780) 536-5554

don@mrahunts.com
www.mrahunts.com
Hunt Alberta
Black Bear
Two Bear Area
SilverFoxOutftters.com
CO LO RAD O
West Central Colorado Elk, Mule Deer, Bear.
5,000 acres private land. Gunnison National
Forest/BLM. Bow or rifle. Summer pack trips.
Hubbard Creek Outfitters, 970-872-3818;
www.hubbardcreek.com Reg. #1115.
1-800-899-5064
GAMEMASTERS INC., Quincy. 217-221-9300,

kelsey.taylor@gamemastersinc.com
MN MD
3JS ARCHERY, Mechanicsville.

301-472-1933, info@3jsarchery.com
ARCHERY SPECIALISTS, Maple Grove.
763-493-3070. archeryspecialistsmn@gmail.com
SD
IL
AM E R I CAS
B E ST
PROSHOPS
DEADWOOD GUNS, Deadwood.

605-920-0229, info@weaponconcepts.com
For info on joining this select group,

please call 1-800-200-7885.
84
SW COLORADO Elk Mule Deer Bear. Several

private ranches or San Juan NF/BLM with bow or
rifle! Silver Peaks Outfitters, 11461 Road 22, Cortez,
CO 81321. 970-565-4778. www.silverpeaksoutfitters.com. Reg #786.
ILLI N O I S
GRAHAM Outdoor Adventures, Illinois. Huge
trophy whitetail deer. Archery only! Fair Chase.
Privately owned and managed. 17373 Prairie
Lawn Rd., Carlinville, IL 62626. 217-825-6552.
www.grahamoutdooradventures.com.
MISSOU RI
Self-Guided Northeast Missouri Hunts - Fourday spring turkey $350.00. Six-day archery deer
$900.00. Five-day rifle deer $1,100. Nemohuntingcompany.com. 660-216-0439
NE B RAS KA
BOW and muzzleloader trophy Whitetail hunts in
southeast Nebraska. Also, excellent Spring turkey
hunts. All private land. dK Outfitters, 402-852-6471
Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation

(Required by 39 USC 3685)
1) Publication Title: Bowhunter
2) Publication Number: 0273-7434
3) Filing Date: 10/1/16
4) Issue Frequency: Published nine times a year, including one double
issue: Jan/Feb, Mar, Apr/May, June (Gear Special), July, August
(Big Game Special), September, October, Nov/Dec (Whitetail Special)
5) Number of Issues Published Annually: 9
2017!
9) Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor,

and Production Manager:
Publisher: Jeff Waring, 6385 Flank Drive, Suite 800,
Harrisburg, PA 17112-2784;
Editor: Curt Wells, 735 Richland Street, Wahpeton, ND 58075
Production Manager: Brittany Kennedy, 6385 Flank Drive,
Suite 800, Harrisburg, PA 17112-2784
10) Owner:
Outdoor Sportsman Group, 1040 6th Ave., 12th Floor, New York,
NY 10018-3703. Stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or
more of the total amount of stock: None
11) Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders
Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds,
Mortgages or Other Securities: None
12) Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to
mail at nonprofit rate): The purpose, function, and nonprofit status
of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax
purposes: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months
M A R K E TP L A C E
R EVO LUTIO
N EW
P
N A RY
R O D U C T!
NEVER MISS AGAIN!

Use the
right pin
every time.
SIMPLE TO USE
QUIVER ON OR OFF
NO EFFECT ON SHOOTING
SHOOT IN A SECOND
MAKES CARRYING EASY
RIGHT OR LEFT-HANDED
ORDER NOW AT WWW.BILLSLING.COM

C O N S U LT I N G S E R V I C E S
Improve
your
accuracy
on bows or
crossbows.
Large, easy-to-read distances from

15-70 yards.
Easily installs on sight pins in just minutes.
$19.99 with free shipping

www.feldeye.com
(844) 231-0849
BO W GEAR
BowReGuarD protects your bottom cam and string.
"Its not just a bow accessory, but a bow necessity."
www.stonehillarchery.com; 217-720-5490
6) Annual Subscription Price: $23.94 US

7) Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication:
OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN GROUP
Contact Person: David Madrid, 323-791-7190
1040 6th Ave., 12th Floor
New York, NY 10018-3703
8) Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business
Office of Publisher:
OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN GROUP
1040 6th Ave., 12th Floor
New York, NY 10018-3703
CONSULTANT NEEDED Seeking archery

industry Executive or Engineer familiar with negotiating major licensing agreements and royalties for
compound bow designs and components. Contact
Jennifer Keffer @ Dewsnup King & Olsen, 801-5330400/jkeffer@dkolaw.com
FOR SALE
Ozone generator, ultimate scent destroyer.
Best buy, plug in unit. No batteries needed.
906-875-3800 or www.xterminator.us
WO R K FR O M HO M E
$500 WEEKLY ASSEMBLING PRODUCTS
from home. Free information available.
Call 860-357-1599.
13) Publication Title: Bowhunter

14) Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Oct 2016
Average No.
of Copies
Each Issue
During
Preceeding
12 Months
No. Copies
of Single
Issue
Published
Nearest
to Filing
Date
15) Extent and Nature of Circulation

a) Total Number of Copies............ 165,237............. 165,639
b) Paid and/or requested
circulation
1) Paid/requested
outside/county mail
subscriptions stated
on PS Form 3541.......................... 116,515............. 117,440
2) Paid in-county subscriptions........ 0........................ 0
3) Sales through dealers
and carriers, street
vendors and counter..................... 7,499................. 8,000
4) Other classes mailed
through USPS............................... 0........................ 0
c) Total paid and/or
requested circulation.................... 124,015............. 125,440
d) Free distribution by mail
1) Outside-county as
stated on PS Form 3541............... 598.................... 641
2) In-county as stated
on PS Form 3541.......................... 0........................ 0
3) Other classes mailed
through USPS............................... 0........................ 0
4) Free distribution
outside the mail.............................267.................... 0
e) Total Free Distribution................... 864.................... 641
f) Total Distribution........................... 124,879............. 126,081
g) Copies not Distributed.................. 40,358............... 39,558
h) Total...............................................165,237............. 165,639
i) Percent paid and/or
requested circulation.................... 99.3%................99.5%
16) Electronic Circulation
a) Paid Electronic Copies..............1,747................. 1,696
b) Total Paid Print Copies +
Paid Electronic Copies..................125,761............. 127,136
c) Total Distribution + Paid
Electronic Copies.......................... 126,626............. 127,777
d) Percent Paid (Both Print
& Electronic Copies)......................99.32%..............99.50%
17) This statement of ownership will be printed in the Jan/Feb 2017
issue of this publication.
18) Signed by Peter J. Watt, Vice President, Consumer Marketing:
Date 10/1/16. I certify that all information furnished on this form
is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes
false or misleading information on this form or who omits material
or informtion requested on the form may be subject to criminal
sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil
sanctions (including civil penalties).
B OW H U N T E R . C O M
85
ASK
With Tony J. Peterson, E q u i p m e n t
Editor
QUESTION
I love late-season bowhunting, but I hate the cold. Do you have any advice for
how to stay warm on stand during the last days of the season?ThThThT. Burkey, via e-mail
ANSWER AThThThThlThThThlThThgThThThThThdThThThThThThThMThThThThThThThThThThIThcThThThThThThThlThThThThThTh
ThThThThThIvThThThpThThThThquThThThThThThbThThThThThThThThThThThwThThkThThgThThThThThThThThThpThThblThThThThThThThlTh.ThMThThThThThThThThThThThThThcuThThwThThThThThThThcThThThThThThThThThThThThThThgThwThThThThThThvThlvThThTh
bThThThThThThdThThuThThThThlThThThThTh.ThWThThlThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThThuThThThThdThquThlThThThThcThThThTh
lThThThThThThThThThThwThllThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThllThThThThThThwThllThThThThpThThThThThThThThdThblThckThThThThTh
wThThdThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh.
AThThThThThThwThThThThThThThThpThThThThThThThThThglThThThThThThThThgThThThThThvThThThThgThThThTh
ThThThThdThwThThThThThThThThThThThThwThThdThThThThblThwThThgThThThdThThThThThThThThpThThThThuThThThThThThThTh
ThlThThThThThgThw ThThThThz ThThThThk ThThwThThTh ThThThThTh ThThThTh ThThThThThbThdThThpThThThThThThThThgThThThcThldTh
ThThThThThlwThThThThThThuThThThThThdThThThThdThThThThTh.ThTThThThThThuThThbThThThlThThThThThThThThThThThThgTh
cThThThThThThThblThTh wThThThTh ThThThTh bThThThThThlThTh cThldTh ThThvThlvThThTh ThddThThThThThThgTh ThThuThTh
ThxThThThThThThThThTh.Th
KThThpThThgThThThuThThThThThdThThwThThThThThThThThThThThlThThThThThThThThThThThThpThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThThThThThjThbThThThThThThThThThllThwThThgThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThzThThThclubThTh
ThThThThcThThdThThThThThThuThThThThThThTh.ThAThgThThdThThThThdThuffThThThThThThThuThTh.ThIThThThThvThThTh
bThThThThThThThThThThThuThcThThThThThuffThThThcThThThThcThlThThThThdwThThThThThThThThThThwThThThThThThThThThTh.Th
IThdThThpThThThThwThThThThThgThThThglThvThThThThThThThThThThlThThThThThThThThdThThThThThIThThThThdThThThThThpThTh
ThThThThThThThThThvThThThThglThvThThThThThThThThbThwThThThThdThThThThdThThThThThThThThThThThlThgThThwThThgThThTh
Most of your bodys heat loss is
through your head, which is why a
good hat is a must. My go-to hat
is Sitkas Fanatic Beanie, which
I pair with the companys fleece
Neck Gaiter.
AUTHORS PHOTO
86
Nothing will cut a lateseason hunt shorter

than cold feet. While
they are a little pricey,
Kenetreks Northern
boots are the best
cold-weather boots
Ive ever worn.
glThvThThThThThThThThThThlThThThThThThThThd.ThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
ThThThThThThdThThThThThThThThThThThThThThuffThThThdThThThThThThThgThThThThThThTh.Th
FThThThThThThThThThThdThffThThThThThThThThThThTh.ThGThThdThbThThThThThThThThThwThThThThuThThThThdThubThTh
ThThThThbThThThThThpThThThTh.ThKThThThThThThkThThNThThThThThThThThbThThThThThThThThThThThThThbThThThThcThldwThThThThThThThThThThThwThThThThIvThThThvThThThThuThThThcThThThTh.ThThThThThThThThThThThcThThThpThThbuThTh
ThThThThTh ThThThTh wThThThThTh ThvThThThTh pThThThThTh gThvThThTh ThThThThThTh 6ThThTh lThThThThThTh (ThThThThvThblTh)ThTh400-gThThThThThThThThulThThThThIThThulThThThThThThThThThdTh3ThThThThThThwThThlThThThlTh.Th
ThThThThThThThThllThwThllThThThdThgThThdThThbuThThwThThThThThThkThThThThThThThNThThThThThThThThbThThThThTh
ThThThThdThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThlThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThxThThThTh600-gThThThThThThThThulThThThThIThThulThThThThThThThThThThThwThThpThThThThThuThdThThThuThThThThThThThThThThdThThThThThThThThcThThpThThThThThThThThwThThl-ThThlThThThThThThlThThuThdThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThTh.Th
PThThThThdThwThThThThThThThThThThgThThThThThckThThThThThThThThThbThThThThThwThllThkThThpThThThuThThThThThThTh
wThThThThwThThThThThThThThThThThcuThThThThThThkTh.ThBuThThThThuThThThThThwThThThThThThThThThkThThThThThThTh
ThThThpThThuThThThThThThThThThThIThdThdThThThThThwThThThThThThThThgThThwThThThThIThThpThThThThThThvThThThlThdThThThTh
ThThTh ThThThThdTh ThThTh ThThThThThThThThTh WThThcThThThThThTh duThThThgTh ThThThTh lThThThTh dThThThTh ThThTh ThThThTh
ThThThThThTh.ThThThThugThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThpThThThThuThThThbThThThlThTh
bThThkThThThbThvThThzThThTh.ThTThThThuThvThvThThThvThThThThThThThwThThThuThThThThThThThThThThdThwThThThThuThTh bThThThgTh ThThThThThThblThThTh ITh uThThdTh ThThThThThCELLThTh HThThThThdTh IThThThlThTh.Th ITh
lThkThThThThThThThThThucThThbThThThThThThThThThThThcThThThThcThlThThThTh-wThThThThThThThThbThcThuThThThITh
cThThThcThThThThThlThThThThThThThThThThThThdThThThlThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThwThThThThIThThThThdThThThThTh.Th
OThcThThThThuvThThgThThThThThuThThThThThdThThThThdThThThThThThThThkThThThcThThThThThThThThThThullThThThThdTh
ThThThThddThThThThThThThuThThThThThd.ThQuThThThThThThbThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThwThThlThThThThlThThvThThThuThThvThThTh
ThuThThdThThThThThThThThdThThThThThThThThkThThThThThThThThThgThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThl.ThSThThkThThThFThThThThThcTh
BThThThThThThThThThThThThgTh-ThThThThThThdwThThThThThThThThThThThThlThThThThThThThThThTh.ThNThThThThThlThThdThThThTh
ThThThThThbThThThThThThkThThpThThThuThThcThThThThuThThThThThThThThThThThThThThgThThvThThThTh buThThThThThThThlThThTh
dThThThgThThdThThThThThllThwThThThThThThThThThlThThuThThbThThThucThThdThThThThThThThg.ThPThThThThThThThwThThThTh
SThThkThThThflThThcThThNThckThGThThThThThTh(ThThThThThpThThThThThTh)ThThThThdThThThullThbThThThThTh.Th
NThThuThThllThThTh ThThThTh vThThThlTh ThThTh kThThpTh ThwThThThThThgTh ThThTh ThThTh ThbThThluThThTh ThThThThThuThThwThThThThThThThThkThThgThThThThThThuThThThThThThd.ThOftThThThThThThThThduThThThgThlThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThIThuThThThThThlThThgThThbThckpThckThThThThThThThThThdThThThgThThdThThThThThWThThThThThThTh bThckcThuThThThThTh ThuThThTh.Th ThThTh ThxThThThTh ThThThThThgThTh ThpThcThTh ThThThThThTh pThckThTh
ThllThwThgThvThThThThThThThThThThcThThThcThThThThThcThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThuThThThThlThThThThThThThThdTh
ThccThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThpThThThThwThThThThuThThThvThThThThThThThThg.ThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThgThThThThThThwThllThcThThlThThThuThThffThquThckThThThThThThThThgThThThThThgThThwThThThThdThupThThThThdTh
ThThThThThThThThThThThgThThThThThThThlThThThThThThThThThuThThThThThThdThThThThblThThd.Th
AvThThdThThThThThThThThThdThThvThThdThlThThThThThgThThThuThThThxThThThThThThThThThThgThThThThThThThcThldThTh
ThThdThThThullThbThThThblThThThThThThThjThThThThThThThThThlThThThThwThThThThThThdThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThThTh
ThucThThThThThTh.ThGThThdThluck!
E-mail your ASK BOWHUNTER questions to bowhunter_magazine@outdoorsg.com
WILDSIDE
Dwight Schuh
Hunting Editor
Farther, Harder, Longer

WHEN A FRIEND DIES, YOU RECOGNIZE AND
CELEBRATE HIS IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE.
IT ALL STARTED in the first grade 65 years ago probably

first with the rubber-band fights in Dons bedroom, followed
by BB-gun wars on English sparrows. Those werent unusual
for young boys, but what was unusual was Dons approach.
Don turned everything into an epic adventure. He was relentless and just would not quit until we were either out of ammo,
out of daylight, or out of our parents patience. At that young
age I was timid and would have quit much sooner, but Don
wouldnt let me. He made me go farther, harder, and longer.
Don Hummel (left) and I

got together recently in
the Oregon Desert,
the place where Don
introduced me to
bowhunting some
50 years ago.
Were holding
two samples
of Dons
artwork.
AUTHORS PHOTO
That continued into high school as

we got drivers licenses and started hunting ducks and deer on our own. Among
our group of friends, nobody hunted like
Don. He was always the first out in the
morning and the last one to quit at night.
Countless times I sat in my truck long
after dark, waiting for Don to come in
from the field. In a way I hated him for
this because he was always making me
late for dinner and other evening plans.
At the same time, I admired and emulated him. His approach excited me. He
88
was the adventurer I always wanted to be.

And he didnt need anyone to support
him. If you wanted to do it his way, fine, tag
along. If not Didnt matter, he would do
it anyway. He was the pioneer, the scout.
He did not follow. He led. His way of doing
things excited me. Why couldnt I be more
like that? Farther, harder, longer
After high school, life took a more
serious turn for us as the Vietnam War
was heating up. Don joined the Marine
Corps, I the Army, and we each served
the obligatory year in Vietnam. I re-
turned home unscathed, but Don suffered major injuries in an explosion, and
PTSD from his war experiences.
In 1969, Don was recovering from his
injuries and settling back into civilian life,
and I had just been discharged and had a
couple of months before college, so Don
invited me to go bowhunting with him in
eastern Oregon. I had never bowhunted,
so Don loaned me his 53-pound Bear
Cub longbow, and I was a bowhunter.
During our three days in the desert, I
saw more big bucks than Id seen in my
entire life, and I had more fun than Id
ever had deer hunting. That trip transformed my life. Thanks to Don, I was
instantly a lifelong bowhunter.
And thanks to him, I became a different hunter. Recently discharged from the
Marine Corps, Don climbed the hills like
a goat. As always, he hunted long, far, and
late, and he left me panting in his dust. It
was humiliating. It made me angry, and
I vowed that would never happen again.
Whether Don inspired or shamed me,
Im not sure. But without question he influenced me to become a fitness fanatic
the foundation for my bowhunting success and enjoyment for 50 years.
He also lived true to his values. After
the military, Don became a full-time
artist, painting waterfowl and big game.
He was fanatical in his devotion to detail and truth. He deeply believed his
artwork was an outpouring of his thousands of hours in the field, and he was incensed when some nonhunting phony
painted a pretty hunting scene to turn
a quick buck. Consistent with his view,
I have always tried to write only about
things I have done personally and know
intimately. Truth.
With the passing years, Dons health
deteriorated as the trauma of war ate his
body and mind. The same passion that
had driven him his entire life carried him
farther and harder to Alaska and then
Reno, Nevada, but finally he could go no
longer and he died on September 9, 2016.
From our first rubber-band fights at
six years of age, I saw something special
about Don. Often his actions perplexed
and even enraged me, creating many
conflicts between us. But there was always
that trait farther, harder, longer that
excited and attracted me like a magnet.
And it still does. Even as Don withered
and died, the trait I had witnessed in him
65 years ago farther, harder, longer
continued at work in me, carrying me on
adventures from Alaska to Africa. Without Don Hummels role in my life, that
might never have been. Thanks, Don.
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Torch 6
Torch 8
Torch 10
(8.2 oz.)
(8.4 oz.)
(8.6 oz.)
Carbon Torch available in Realtree Xtra, Max-1 and Black Out.

Stealth Discs and Shock Rods available in 9 different colors.
TORCH EVERYTHING YOU

KNOW ABOUT STABILIZERS.
Holding steady is a key factor in whether your next arrow pierces lungs or
cuts grass. The Carbon Torch stabilizer is a sure way to bloody fetchings
on the hunt or 12 rings on the range. A 3 oz base weight and two 1 oz
weights offer perfect mass and are kept completely silent by Stealth Disk
spacers placed between each weight. The Carbon Torch is illuminating
the path to a new standard of accuracy and consistency.
www.fusearchery.com
"As a kid, my Dad always

told me to show up..
be passionate..
and do what you say.
Well Dad..
youre going to love Rage.
- Melissa Bachman
SURGICAL:
- BLADES
- ACCURACY
- PENETRATION
- WOUND CHANNELS
Hypodermic +P
Available in 100 grain.
Sweeping blade angle reduces

friction which increases penetration
Shock Collar ensures

proper blade retention
Tough, .035 razor sharp

stainless steel blades
Steel ferrule designed for

peak performance
Exclusive hybrid tip
Includes free practice head
RAGEBROADHEADS.COM
LEADING THE EVOLUTION IN LETHAL TECHNOLOGY SINCE 2006

Bowhunter - February 2017 PDF

Transféré par

Informations du document

Titre original

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Bowhunter - February 2017 PDF

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

P.

Meet The Worlds First Lady Super Slammer

THE #1 BOWHUNTING MAGAZINE

* Score Big On Canadian Bucks

Stay Patient For

Jessica DeLorenzo rolls her sleeves up after arrowing

14 year old Jackson warms up at

Bobby Warners textbook conclusion to a Northwest Territories Caribou hunt.

INTRODUCING THE 2017

Experience the full line at mathewsinc.com

VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 JAN/FEB 2017

56 Help From Loved Ones

34 Born On The Mountain

62 Join The QDM Revolution

Even the most accomplished bowhunter can learn a

Attract and hold more deer on your dirt by following

A sheep hunt with her husband sparked a

A West Coast bowhunter quickly learns that whitetails

By Jim Hole Jr.

Knowing exactly when to make his move was

What started as an attempt to prove a point turned into

46 Worth The Wait

80 21ST Annual Youth Hunter Essay Contest

He waited 15 years for a taste of Canadian whitetail

Enter our contest and you can win a Wyoming turkey

Its incredibly satisfying when you reap the rewards of

EDITORIAL By Curt Wells, Editor

PURE BOWHUNTING By Dwight Schuh, Hunting Editor

bowhunter.com Real-World Bowhunting Advice

ARMED & DEADLY

NEW Retro Autumn Orange 6MMavailable for a limited time.

The Learning Never Stops

An Outdoor Sportsman Group Publication

fidfifi fifidfiy,fi fifidfi fififififi fififi fififififififi wfififififi

Chuck AdamsJoe BlakeChuck Denault

(660) 988-3481; laden.force@outdoorsg.com

(717) 695-8081; jeff.millar@outdoorsg.com

(800) 200-7885; mark.thiffault@outdoorsg.com

(717) 695-8089; brittany.kennedy@outdoorsg.com

Jim McConville (440) 791-7017

Hutch Looney (818) 990-9000

Kathy Gross (678) 589-2065

Kevin Donley (248) 798-4458

Carl Benson (312) 955-0496

Anthony Smyth (914) 693-8700

EVP, GROUP PUBLISHER,

SENIOR VP, TV OPERATIONS

For questions regarding digital editions, please contact

Copyright 2017 by Outdoor Sportsman Group

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without

Cover Photo: DUSTY LUTT

YOU DONT HAVE TO BE THERE

THE GOLDEN SPIKE WITH

Dwight Schuhs, Wildside column. Then

SOUND GAME-CARE ADVICE

Check this out

New Technology In Camouflage

ecorated in Mossy Oak Break-Up Country,

able Fusion 5 stock and super-compact 13.5"

YOU GUYS ARE CRAZY, bush pilot Van Hartley growled

is your favorite hunt? My stock answer

hunted the Yukon three years in a row.

way through to the end, and if you try, you