Petersen's Bowhunting - February 2017 PDF

2017 Bow Tests: HOYT PRO DEFIANT & PSE EVOLVE 35
THE MODERN BOWHUNTING AUTHORITY
FINISH
STRONG!
Keys to Late-Season
Success p. 30
Patterning Heavily
Pressured Bucks p. 56
5 GREAT DIY
DESTINATIONS
Awesome & Affordable
On-Your-Own Adventures p. 48
Whitetails Americas Most

OTC
Accessible Trophy States
King The Quest
Toppling
for an Ohio Giant
p. 64
p. 60
www.bowhuntingmag.com
JAN/FEB 2017
VOLUME 27
ISSUE #9
F E ATU R E S
G E AR
30
28
TECHNICAL BOW TEST
72
TECHNICAL BOW TEST
74
FIELD TESTED
78
NEW GEAR
36
Buzzer Beater
Understanding the Keys to
Late-Season Success
BY BILL WINKE
2017 Cold-Weather
Gear Buyers Guide
BY DREW PELLMAN
42
My Masters Keeper
48
56
Big Bucks After

the Big Bang
68
PSE Evolve 35
BY BOWHUNTING EDITORS
Cabelas, Wildgame Innovations

An expanded look at bowhunting products
p. 74
p. 28
p. 78
Theres Nothing Like Self-Guided

Bowhunting Adventure
BY JOHN DUDLEY
Solving the Riddle of

Post-Gun Season Success
BY DON HIGGINS
64
BY JON E. SILKS
The Life & Times of Lulu Claypool

BY EDDIE CLAYPOOL
Feel the DIY High
60
BY JON E. SILKS
Hoyt Pro Defiant
Toppling the King

The Secret to Ohio Bowhunter
Chad McKibbens Success?
Hard Work.
BY BRAD FITZPATRICK
Over-the-Counter Whitetails
Four Options for Accessible, Affordable
Deer-Hunting Adventure
BY TRACY BREEN
Social, or Successful?
Social Media and Great Bowhunting
Dont Always Mix
BY GREG STAGGS
D E PARTM E NTS
4
FIRST SHOT
BY CHRISTIAN BERG
Archery Adventure On Demand
10
THE INBOX
12
TAGGED OUT
Readers speak out about their sport and magazine

Your Trophies, Your Photos
14
CHANGING THE GAME
BY LEVI MORGAN
Achieving Perfect Balance
18
WHITETAILS
BY DR. GRANT WOODS
Why Paper Cuts Kill Deer
20
BOWHUNTING 101
BY BILL WINKE
The Budget Bowhunter
22
BETTER BOWHUNTING
BY RANDY ULMER
12 Equipment Tips for Extreme Accuracy
26
CROSSBOWS
BY BOB HUMPHREY
Shoot Better: Part 2
80
FACES OF BOWHUNTING
BY MARK DEMKO
Melissa Casias
PETERSENS BOWHUNTING
01/02 2017
2016
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FIRST
BY CHRISTIAN BERG
SHOT
Archery Adventure On Demand
ets face it; theres nothing better than spending a day afield with
bow in hand. Whether chasing backyard whitetails, bugling bull elk
or exotic African species, the dawn of each new day brings unlimited
possibilities for adventure and heart-pounding encounters with game.
Unfortunately, archery seasons
seem to pass in the blink of an eye,
leaving diehards like us far too much
time to plan, prepare and dream
about future hunts.
Like many fellow archers, I rely
on outdoor television to help keep
my bowhunting fire burning during
those slow times. So, theres nothing
more frustrating than flipping the
channels only to find an assortment
of off-topic programming. Theres
nothing wrong with waterfowling or
fishing, mind you. Its just that Im a
bowhunter, and when I need a bowhunting fix, I need it now! Im guessing many of you can relate.
Try MyOutdoorTV
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For a limited time, BOWHUNTING
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To sign up, visit www.myoutdoortv.
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Thanks to MyOutdoorTV a new

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I can now access the bowhunting
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and Sportsman Channel, MyOutdoorTV is like Netflix for outdoorsmen. And with content available to
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you can watch what you want, when
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even offers a Take With Me feature that allows you to download

episodes for offline viewing on the
plane ride to your next hunt or even
a slow afternoon on stand.
As a MOTV subscriber, I can tell
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content available through the service is amazing, featuring full seasons of top shows such as Archers
Choice, Bowhunter TV, Bow Madness,
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In addition to full-length
TV episodes, MyOutdoorTV offers a vast collection of short videos featuring expert hunting, fishing
and shooting tips and scores of recipes and cooking demonstrations for
turning your next trophy into prime
table fare.
Finally, every MOTV subscription
comes with a bonus subscription to
your choice of Outdoor Sportsman
Group magazines, a selection that includes Petersens Hunting, Bowhunter,
Guns & Ammo, Shooting Times, Firearms News, Handguns, Wildfowl, Rifle
Shooter, Gun Dog, In-Fisherman, Fly
Fisherman, Florida Sportsman and all 28
of the regional Game & Fish/Sportsman
titles. The subscription cant be for a
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but otherwise the choice is yours.
Watching someone elses hunt
will never be a replacement for doing it yourself. But with the long,
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the corner, MyOutdoorTV can at
least keep a wealth of bowhunting
adventure at your fingertips.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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EVP, GROUP PUBLISHER,

HUNTING & SHOOTING Mike
Carney
SENIOR VP, TV OPERATIONS

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01/02 2017
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THE
INBOX
Dont Forget Us
Hello from New Jersey! Ive been
a subscriber for several years, and
I enjoy your magazine from cover
to cover. I do feel, however, there
is one demographic [you] could
stand to recognize more often the
weekend warrior fighting to maintain his claim on some corner of
public land. While a regular monthly department may be unrealistic,
an occasional feature would be nice.
Its sometimes difficult to relate to
stories of glassing from hilltop to
hilltop across thousands of acres
of valley floor, or maintaining vast
food plots with the option of sitting
in one of two dozen stands during
some six-day hunt.
Im lucky if I can get out every Saturday to one of three stands I have
hung on over-pressured state land.
I do hang a few cameras here and
there, but its difficult to dedicate the
necessary amount of time to truly
pattern a decent buck. In Jersey, the
term decent is used loosely.
Now, I can imagine what youre
thinking: Even with limited time
and resources and land, it is possible
to get the job done. Plenty of hunters
in Jersey are quite successful. You
would be correct in thinking that.
But it would be nice to occasionally
read about those tactics in Petersens
BOWHUNTING. How does a bowhunter increase his odds with limited time and less-than-favorable
available land? Id be willing to bet
a good portion of your readers are in
my position. Thanks for your time
and consideration.
hunters and subsequent articles Ive

read debating these two ways of
bowhunting I found to be puzzling
and hypocritical.
Send your comments to

Petersens BOWHUNTING
Dept. Reader Mail
6385 Flank Dr., Suite 800
Harrisburg, PA 17112
or e-mail your submission to
bowhunting@outdoorsg.com
What Ive found to be true is an
elitist, arrogant attitude from bowhunters who openly criticize and
demean crossbow hunters. Their beliefs stem from the ease of harvesting
game animals with string guns
equipped with scopes and stocks,
but their memory is short lived. Id
like them to consider the debates that
erupted between traditional longbow
and compound bowhunters when
compound bows were first intro-
COMING SOON!
Americas most
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New Archery
Hunting Products
Al Beauchamp, Andover, Conn.
Leaving Your Ropes
Adam Paladini, N.J.
Enough is Enough!
Im writing in response to the letters printed in the April/May 2016
issue where readers responded to
Bob Humphreys crossbow article.
I began hunting in my late 40s and
have fully committed to providing
game meat for my family. My first
year of hunting I was blessed with
harvesting two deer with a bow, and
the feeling of accomplishment was
incredible. The following year, due
to a hand injury, I was able to use a
crossbow. The response from fellow
10
duced, along with peep sights, sight

pins, mechanical releases and various
other accessories that greatly gave the
advantage to compound bowhunters
over the traditional longbow.
Be it longbow, compound bow,
crossbow or any other bow for that
matter, the disciplines and challenges of archery hunting remain
the same scouting, scent control, wind direction, putting in the
time and energy and waiting for
the game animal to come in range.
No matter what the equipment you
have, if these factors are not respected you dont have anything to put
in your freezer or hang on your
wall.
We have enough to contend with
just to be able to hunt in the first
place the continued challenges in
finding properties to hunt, the declining numbers of hunters and the
prejudices and ignorance against
hunting from our elected officials
as well as the public. Add to that
the continued pressures to provide
game meat for our families.
Im making a call for unity and not
divisions among us. To continue this
pointless criticism and debate only
serves to divide us and dissuades
new ones from enjoying the incredible privilege of hunting. Enough is
enough!
New Gear Guide

on sale
February 7, 2017
Im responding to the article about

taking down ladder stands. I agree
to a safety rope and harness, but you
would have to leave your rope attached above the ladder to descend.
This would be costly to leave those
ropes. The way I get this done is tie
a rope on one side of the stand to go
around the tree down over the seat.
Then have someone hold or hitch
around another tree. This holds the
ladder in place while you climb
down. The rope comes down with
the ladder.
I would hope your good ropes
that should have a tensile strength
greater than 5,000 pounds are not
left in a tree. Thanks.
Larry Sturgis, via e-mail

01/02 2017
TAGGED
OUT
YO U R TROP H I E S, YO U R P HOTOS
OUT IN THE OPEN

I shot this bird from the ground with no
blind on April 9, 2016. I was carrying a
Hoyt Nitrum LD, and utilizing G5 broadheads, Realtree camouflage and a Carter
release.
Tony King, Kansas,

via bowhuntingmag.com/photos
The next time you tag out, share your

success with the BOWHUNTING community by
adding your photo and story to
our online gallery at:
www.bowhuntingmag.com/photos
All online submissions will also be considered
for inclusion in our monthly Tagged Out
page here in the magazine.
BUCKET LIST BULL
SHOW ME A RECORD
I had spotted this turkey the night before and watched the direction he went
so I could get set up in the morning.
Sure enough, after daybreak I heard him
fly down and knew he was close. I had
my bow already in hand and I just sat in
my treestand like a statue, listening to
my heart pound until I caught a glimpse
of him out of the corner of my eye as
he walked into a food plot. As soon as
he put his head down, I drew my bow
and sent an arrow flying. It pinned him
down and he flopped twice and that
was it. I joked with my dad about possibly breaking the state record for weight,
but I was stunned when it actually happened for beard length. Ive hunted with
a bow for whitetails for years, but this
was my first attempt at a turkey with
one. The next day was Thanksgiving
and I had no problem saying what I was
thankful for that year! I had forgotten
that I put a trail camera on that food
plot, and the turkey flopping from the
shot along with my dad taking photos
of me with the bird was all documented
from a second-hand view, which was
pretty neat as well. Beard length measured 12 inches.
Everything happened so fast that I only

remember seeing that red pin on his
chest and the arrow piercing his hide.
The wind was really blowing hard and
it pushed my arrow back a little too far,
but I got the liver. After a short time, this
bull, which had been standing about
75-80 yards in front of me not knowing what happened, slowly walked over
the opposite ridge of the little gully.The
outfitter, Tyler Willis, and I hustled over
there so I could get another arrow in the
bull. As I cleared a big boulder with my
bow drawn, the bull got up and started
to slowly trot straight away from me.No
shot! Tyler was quietly updating me on
the distance as that bull headed up the
hill. Ill never forget it,Tylers calmly saying, 30 yards 40 yards Then, at
50 yards, the bull turned a little more
up the hill. I put my 50-yard pin on his
opposite shoulder and hoped my shot

was true. At that extreme angle, the
arrow hit just behind the ribs, punched
through the liver right next to the first
shot and into the right lung. The bull
made it another 30 yards before piling up. I was about as excited as Id
ever been. My bucket list bull was
on the ground, and he was gorgeous!
Bruce Holt, Woodland, Wash.,

via e-mail
Andy Shore, Missouri,

via bowhuntingmag.com/photos
12
01/02 2017
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Achieving
Perfect
Balance
If you are reading this magazine,

I assume you are a bowhunter.
Maybe you are new to bowhunting and trying to learn everything
you can. Maybe, however, you have
been a successful bowhunter for
years and are simply reading this
because you are addicted and cant
get enough. Either way, we all want
to be better shots, and if you say you
dont, Id say youre not a passionate
hunter.
There are many things that make
up a great archer, and I plan on talking about all of them. But no one
thing is more important than having
a perfectly balanced bow. The overall goal of finding perfect balance is
to be able to draw the bow with your
eyes closed, settle in and open your
eyes to a perfectly centered bubble
on your sight level. This takes away
human influence or torque that is
necessary to level your bow otherwise. Proper balance will better your
aim in all areas. Better aiming then
leads to improvements in every aspect of your shot and can even cure
most forms of target panic.
To achieve perfect balance, you
will need a front stabilizer bar (Id
recommend at least 10 inches), a
V-bar bracket that will allow you to
Using weighted front and rear stabilizers to perfectly balance your hunting
bow will add considerable weight, but world champion target shooter and
avid bowhunter Levi Morgan believes the extra ounces are well worth
carrying in exchange for added accuracy.
adjust side to side and up and down,

and a rear stabilizer bar thats at
least 8 inches. In addition, you will
want a few weights to play around
with.
First, you will need to put the stabilizers on and level the bow from
side to side. I would recommend trying 4-5 ounces of weight on the front
bar and 10-15 ounces on the back
bar. You can fine-tune the weights
from here, but this is a good ratio to
start with.
Next, draw the bow with your eyes
closed, anchor with a relaxed grip
and open your eyes. If the bubble
on your sight is not level, then adjust
the rear stabilizer accordingly until
you can repeat this process and your
bow is perfectly level from side to
side.
Leveling your bow front to back is
a little different, because you will adjust by adding or removing weights
rather than adjusting the bars from

side to side. To level your bow front
to back, come to full draw aiming at
a horizontal line. If your pin wants
to dip or bounce below the line
then add weight to the back bar or
take weight off the front. If your pin
bounces above the line, do the opposite. After this step is complete,
your bow should be very close to
balanced. While you probably wont
be aiming perfectly still, your aiming
pattern should be centered on that
horizontal line, not bobbing up or
down.
Obviously, we all want to be the
best bowhunters we can be. I believe
we are only as good a hunter as we
are an archer; balancing your bow
properly will help you tremendously.
Some people say balancing your bow
makes it too heavy, but Id rather
carry a few more ounces and hit
where I aim.
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WHITE
TAILS
Why Paper Cuts Kill Deer

A deer must lose a third of its blood to die,
and the best way to accomplish that is by
using a very sharp broadhead and making
an accurate shot that creates a low exit
wound.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WACEM ARCHERY
ost of us tune our bows and practice shooting all summer

in anticipation of getting a shot at a good buck. We invest
thousands of dollars and countless hours in hopes of
having a great experience! But all our work is for naught if we
dont understand why paper cuts kill deer.
Almost all deer killed by archery equipment die as the result of massive
hemorrhaging, or blood loss. Hunters often ask, How much blood must a
deer lose before it dies? This is a very difficult question to answer given the
number of variables such as body size and gender of the deer, physical condition, level of excitement when shot, etc.
A Lot to Lose
The blood volume of most animals is approximately 7 percent of body
weight. So, a 200-pound buck should have about 14 pounds of blood, or 224
ounces. (A fluid ounce of blood weighs approximately 1.1 weight ounces).
A deer must lose about a third of its blood to go into a state of shock or die.
So, in our example, the buck would need to lose around 74 ounces of blood.
A deer can lose this blood internally if the arrow doesnt pass through, or if
the wound is such that it pools or collects in the body cavity. Deer with such
wounds can be difficult to trail unless they fall within sight of the hunter or a
tracking dog is used.
There are approximately 600 drops of liquid per ounce. Obviously, this is highly variable and depends on the drop size, thickness of the blood, etc. For the sake
of this illustration, lets be conservative and reduce this to 400 drops of blood per
ounce. If a buck needs to lose 74 ounces of blood to die, then it needs to lose 29,600
drops of blood! That would be a long blood trail if only droplet-size sign is found!
To illustrate this another way, consider that a gallon of paint applied in a very
thick coat covers about 400 square feet. The 74 ounces of blood loss required
18
for a 200-pound buck to die is 58 percent of a gallon. So, if all 74 ounces of

blood were left as sign, there would
be 232 square feet of blood on the
ground and/or vegetation.
Whew! That means if a deer left
a solid blood trail two inches wide
and the equivalent of a thick coat
of paint, the trail would stretch for
1,392 feet, or more than a quarter
mile in length!
Even if our illustration is a bit off,
the point is clear: a deer has to lose
a lot of blood to die and will leave
a lot of sign unless the blood pools
internally. Knowing this certainly
makes it easier to understand why
some deer are able to travel considerable distances even after being
mortally wounded.
Did You Know?

A deer shot by a bowhunter must
lose a third of its blood before it
expires. For a mature, 200-pound
buck, that translates to 74 ounces,
or well over half a gallon.
Sharp Is Deadly
The best way to ensure that a deer
shot with an arrow leaves plenty of
blood on the ground (rather than
pooling inside the body cavity) is
to create a low exit wound. It is also
very important that hunters employ
razor-sharp broadheads at the end of
their arrows.
This is where the paper cut from
the title of this article is relevant. Have
you ever noticed that if you get a cut
from trauma, such as mashing your
thumb with a hammer, there usually
isnt much blood loss but if you get a
small paper cut it seems to take forever to stop bleeding? The reason cuts
that result from blunt trauma dont
bleed as much as wounds from sharp
01/02 2017
BY DR. GRANT WOODS
cuts is because the trauma stimulates

the release of Thromboplastin. This is
a plasma protein that rapidly aids in
blood coagulation.
A dull broadhead will cause trauma and stimulate the release of more
Thromboplastin compared a broadhead that is razor sharp. Both a dull
and razor-sharp broadhead may kill a
deer if it passes through vitals or major blood vessels. However, there will
typically be more blood loss in a shorter period of time if the broadhead is
razor sharp. This reduces the deers
survival time and the distance it can
travel before expiring. Shorter blood
trails make for much easier recoveries!
BOWHUNTING has published
several broadhead tests over the
years, including a test of the most
popular mechanical styles in this
years September issue. These tests
include data on the sharpness of
broadhead blades, and this data
provides very meaningful information to bowhunters! In case you
missed it, the five sharpest heads in
this years test were the G5 Havoc,
WacEm 2-Blade EXP, Innerloc Shape
Shifter, Muzzy Trocar HB and Rage
Hypodermic +P.
Even after purchasing an extremely sharp broadhead, however, there
are still several things to consider regarding how those heads are
handled and used prior to heading
afield. I prefer to keep broadheads
in the factory packaging until Im
ready to test and use them. To test,
I weigh each broadhead to ensure
theres almost no variation among
the broadheads and the practice
heads Ive been using. I then spin
test each broadhead on the actual
arrow shafts Ill use to hunt. Finally,
I make sure these arrows are stored
in a container or quiver that protects
the sharpness of the blades. I prefer
quivers that grip the arrow shafts in
two locations to hold them solidly
and quietly with a hood that protects
the broadhead without touching the
blades. These steps and making a
good shot almost always result in
a short blood trail, an easy recovery
and fresh venison.
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BOWHUNTING
101
BY BILL WINKE
The Budget Bowhunter
hristmas is just around

the corner. You need to
put something on your
list or you may get socks and a
tie again this year. I have some
ideas for you!
It is nothing to spend $800 or even

$1,000 on a bow and another $500 on
accessories and arrows. Fortunately,
you dont need those high-dollar setups to kill just about anything that
walks on this planet.
Todays bargain bows were yesterdays barnburners. Just five to 10
years ago, the highest-performance
bows on the market were on level with the budget bows of today.
They were fast enough and accurate
enough then to grab headlines and
make us yearn to buy one. The deer
and elk havent changed, so if that
level of performance was top shelf
back then, you can be sure it is still
more than adequate for effective
bowhunting today.
Sure, buying the latest and greatest
gear is fun. But it is not always practical and definitely not necessary. If
you shop carefully in todays market
you can piece together everything
you need to upgrade your current setup, or get into the sport from ground
zero, with a budget from $400-$700.
Budget Bows
Machine time is one way manufacturers price their bows. Fortunately, you
dont need an intricately machined riser to shoot a fast and accurate arrow.
Lower-priced machined bows and bows with cast risers will do just fine. Ive
killed a lot of deer with cast-riser bows over the years!
Speed is another way to segregate the market. The fastest bows tend to cost
the most. However, even those a step down from the top are still more than
fast enough for effective bowhunting. An IBO speed in the range of 310 fps is
very doable on a budget and plenty fast, especially by historical standards.
Many solid bows are now retailing for around $400. For example, you can
get the Bear Wild for right at $400. And for $499, you can get a Bowtech Fuel
with the companys R.A.K. (Ready. Aim. Kill.) package that includes an arrow rest, sight, quiver, stabilizer, wrist sling, peep sight and nocking loop. Kit
bows are the very best deals on the market. Of course, you give up the ability
to choose exactly what accessories you select, but the ones that come with the
kits are functional. Some companies, such as Mission, offer kits at different
price ranges with slightly upgraded accessories as the price goes up.
Used Bows
Maybe I am overly trusting, but I would not hesitate to buy a used bow
20
The Bowtech Fuel is an example of a

high-quality hunting bow available at an
affordable price. The Fuel comes fully
outfitted with Bowtechs R.A.K. accessory
package for $499.
At just $29.99 per half dozen (after $10

mail-in rebate), Bemans ICS Bow Hunter
is an affordable, quality arrow that will get
the job done in the field.
as long as the seller was reputable

and the bow passed my three-point
inspection.
There are many places online
where you can buy used equipment.
I have bought lots of camera equipment from these sites over the years.
I think this makes sense for bows,
too. Expect to pick up a good used
bow for around half of current retail for the same (or a similar) model. Used bows are often sold with
a money-back return provision, so
you need to know what to look for as
soon as the bow slides from the box.
Here are the typical trouble spots:
The edges of limbs can crack with
years of use pull the bow back
and look carefully at the edges of
the limbs for any place where the
fiberglass is separating. While this
doesnt automatically mean the bow
is not safe to shoot (I have used some
bows for years that had small feathering along the edges) it is definitely
a warning sign. In general, if you see
limb damage of any kind, dont buy
the bow, or ask for a discount that is
deep enough to allow you to buy a
set of replacement limbs.
Cam lean is a problem when it
occurs because it causes poor arrow
flight and can be very hard to elimi01/02 2017
You dont need to spend a fortune

to get a quality sight. The Apex Gear
Tundra offers everything needed to
hunt successfully for just $45.
nate. Draw the bow and look at how

both wheels turn. They should stay
vertical. Look at the bow from the
end, sighting down the string. Ideally, the cams should line up perfectly
with the string, not tilted or canted.
Check the cam bushings too. The
cams should roll smoothly with no
grinding sounds. With the bow undrawn, physically try to wobble
the cams back and forth with your
fingers. If there is more than a very
slight amount of play, the bushings
are starting to wear out. I would not
buy that bow. It is possible to replace
the bushings, but it is best left to a
bow technician. At the very least,
seek a discount.
Strings and cables are going to
wear out on any bow, no matter how
carefully you maintain it. Inspect the
cables and string for signs of abrasion or cut strands. Unless they are
obviously in good shape, it is a good
practice to replace them immediately upon purchasing a used bow. You
should consider a new string and cables to be an added cost when buying a used bow. If they are sound,
then count that as a bonus.
Affordable Arrows
Only four aspects of a bow and its
accessories really matter. The string
has to be reliable and stable. The rest
has to position the arrow consistently
and eliminate fletching contact. The
broadheads have to be durable, accurate and sharp. And the arrows have
to be consistent in every way possible.
Of the four, arrows are the most
important. You will see top shooters
experiment with arrows more than
any other accessory. As noted, consistency is the key to a great arrow.
There are many good carbon arrows on the market now and most
will do an adequate job of killing
game, but there are differences. Ive
witnessed testing where I saw a wide
variation in critical specs (straightness, weight, spine stiffness) across

only one dozen shafts. Stick with the
better carbon shafts on the market
unless you just need a dozen shafts
to shoot at stumps or woodchucks.
If you are going to skimp on shafts, I
would still stick with the most reputable brands but drop down to shafts
with a slightly wider straightness tolerance. As the straightness tolerance
opens up, the price drops. A straightness of +/-.006-inch is fine for good
accuracy at all bowhunting distances.
FIND, TARGET & KILL

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Quality Sights
You can get a good bow sight
without spending a fortune. Set
your budget at $50 and look for the
following qualities:
Pin-locking systems are one of the
most important aspects of any sight,
especially if you are shooting a moderately fast bow. The vibration will
quickly rattle a cheap system loose.
Three pins are all you will need
unless you are planning on hunting
out West or will take shots past 40
yards. It will be less expensive than a
sight having five pins. Pin protection
is probably the most important aspect of any sight. Be sure the colored
pin fibers on the sight you select are
fully enclosed and protected all the
way to the aiming point.
Conclusion
Like most people, I want to own
the newest gear whenever I can. But
there is also something to be said
for saving enough money on bowhunting gear to afford that taxidermy bill I hope to pay each year! You
can put together a very functional,
solid bowhunting set up for as little
as $400-$700. With the fine equipment now available, you can actually
upgrade and still stay on a budget.
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21
BETTER
BOWHUNTING
12 Equipment Tips for Extreme Accuracy
If your primary goal is accuracy, pay attention to what the target archers are doing.
Many of the things they do to when selecting, setting up and tuning their equipment
can be replicated on your hunting rig. This
was the target from the final round off
Randy Ulmers annual 100-yard hunting
bow/broadhead contest. The accuracy is
not far removed from that of world-class
tournament archers.
owhunting success can be elusive. Most factors that

determine the final outcome of any hunt are not under our
direct control. So, we should strive to make everything we do
control as close to perfect as possible starting with our bows.
Nearly everything that makes a bow shoot fast and makes it easy to handle
in the woods also compromises its accuracy. If extreme accuracy is your goal, it
must take priority throughout the selection and setup of your new rig.
I get a new hunting bow every year. And with each new bow comes the challenge of trying to be just a little more accurate than I was the year before. No matter how good my last setup may have been, I always believe I can make the next
one a little better. When choosing and setting up my hunting bow, I always seem
to follow the same steps to make sure it is extremely accurate. Ive written about
each of these topics separately on these pages before, but I thought it would help
you to see them all at once. Heres what you need to do to make your bow as
accurate as it can be:
The Deadly Dozen

1. Perfect Arrows: Arrows must be straight to fly accurately. They also must
be consistent in both spine and weight. All nocks must be identical in all ways
and aligned properly. The arrow needs to be small in diameter to minimize wind
drift and maximize downrange penetration. The fletching should be as small
as possible while still providing good steerage. The arrow should have enough
weight in the front end to provide adequate front-of-center balance (more is
usually better).
2. Low-Turbulence Broadheads, Aligned Perfectly: We all know the broadhead needs to be perfectly aligned with the shaft, but that is not the only thing
that matters. Broadhead design has a great deal to do with accuracy. I cant emphasize this point enough. Ive spent literally hundreds of hours experimenting
with broadhead-tipped arrows. I shoot them out of my bow by hand as well as
with a shooting machine. All broadheads are not accurate! Thats inversely proportional to the amount of turbulence they create in flight. Large blades and lots
of structure translate into lots of turbulence and poor accuracy. Look for a head
with a very low profile and no structure that interferes with smooth airflow.
22
3. Heavy Mass Weight: This is a

tough one for me, because I do a lot
of hunting in extreme terrain. I do
not like to carry a heavy bow up and
down mountains. My target bow
weighs a full 3 pounds more than my
lightest hunting bow. The reason is
simple: the higher the mass weight,
the harder it is to get the bow moving in another direction. So, a heavier
bow will shake less and remain more
stable as the arrow launches. You
must determine the right compromise
between weight and accuracy.
4. Reasonable Draw Weight: Simply put, most archers can shoot more
accurately with a light draw weight
than with a heavy draw weight. Find
the maximum draw weight you can
handle comfortably and stick with it.
5. Longer Axle-to-Axle Length:
Bows have become very short over
the last 10-15 years. These short bows
are much more forgiving than before
because of technological advances.
However, you cant completely
escape the basic laws of physics; a
longer bow is going to be more stable
and provide additional advantages
in terms of string angle and inertia.
All else being equal, a longer bow is
always more forgiving than a shorter
bow.
6. Higher Brace Height: The advent of string stops has allowed us to
shoot bows with extremely low brace
heights. Here again, the basic laws of
physics come into play. Everything
else being equal, a higher brace height
bow will always be more forgiving
than one that has a short brace height.
7. Moderate Arrow Speed: With
any modern hunting bow, you can
01/02 2017
BY RANDY ULMER
choose to shoot a fast arrow or you

can shoot a slower arrow. Speed is a
function of arrow weight. There are
some extremely lightweight arrows
and broadheads out there. If you
want the ultimate in accuracy and
precision, you are better off easing
up on the throttle a little. Any given
bow will shoot more accurately and
be more forgiving when shot at moderate speeds as opposed to extreme
speeds. We know that many of the
features that make a bow fast make
it less accurate. However, here I am
purely talking about arrow speed
itself. I believe a there is a component
of accuracy that is purely a function of
arrow speed.
8. Small Peep Aperture: Most
hunting peep sights have a huge
aperture. This big hole will serve
you well in snowy, rainy or low-light
conditions. However, the bigger the
peep aperture, the less likely you are

to keep your pin perfectly centered.
Extreme accuracy requires that you
keep the pin exactly in the middle
of the peep. A small peep also keeps
both the pin and the target in better
focus. If you are going to be hunting
in a sunny area and extreme accuracy
is your goal, I would advise using a
peep with a small aperture.
9. Perfect Bow Balance: The bow
should rest in your hand at full draw
and after the shot without a predisposition to rock forward or back or
to lean left or right. It should be a
stable, unmoving platform as the arrow leaves. Bow balance is purely a
function of weight distribution. You
can achieve this perfect balance using a combination of stabilizers and
weights attached to the bow in strategic locations.
10. Well-Made String: For me,
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.
this means a custom string. I use

Winners Choice strings, though
there are plenty of other good custom options available. A well-made
string will not stretch or rotate, and
the serving will not shift or separate.
The string will remain unchanged for
thousands of shots.
11. Precision Sight: Your sight
must be rugged yet precise. It must
never move unless you are adjusting
it. It needs to be precisely adjustable.
For the ultimate in precision, it needs
to be moveable. This allows you to
hold point-on at any distance.
12. Perfect Tune: Your bows cams
must roll over smoothly, in perfect
synchrony and they must not lean.
The arrow must be pushed out of the
bow in a straight line. It must leave
the bow with as few gyrations as possible. Anything less will cause inconsistency downrange.
CROSS
BOWS
Shoot Better: Part 2
n the last issue, I offered

some tips on how to improve the accuracy and precision out of your crossbow,
primarily by ensuring all is in
proper working order and selecting the right and best components. In this installment,
well pick up where we left off
with equipment before moving
on to you, the shooter.
The use of a rope cocking aid helps

ensure your bowstring is drawn back
evenly every time. When cocking by
hand, it is easy to overload to one side,
which can negatively impact windage
(left/right) accuracy.
you can make minor adjustments in

blade alignment to tune your bolts.
The other is a hybrid head, and there
are numerous options. They may
require a tad less tuning, and you
get fixed-blade reliability (not that
you should have to worry about mechanicals) combined with the extra
cutting surface of a larger expandable blade that wont negatively
influence bolt flight.
Bolt Components
Before running out of space last
time, I was discussing bolts and the
importance of choosing the right
length, weight and quality. Once
youve done that, the next step is to
choose components that are also up
to the task.
Nocks are a critical component that
can really make a big difference. For
starters, you want the right ones for
your rig; the two most common types
being flat and half-moon. Again,
your best course of action is to consult your crossbow owners manual
for recommendations, as they sometimes vary. If not properly indexed,
half-moon nocks can be loaded incorrectly, which may result in the bow
not firing (because the anti-dry-fire
mechanism remains engaged). Flat
nocks can be fired from most bows,
except those with acute string angles.
Not only can using the wrong
nock type affect results, it could void
your bows warranty. If youre still
not sure, TenPoints Omni-Nock was
designed with six micro-grooves
that form three bowstring channels.
This eliminates indexing problems
so they can be used in virtually any
bow. And if you really want to finetune precision, consider Carbon Express LAUNCHPAD Lighted Nocks,
which feature a precision-aligned
nock barrel so theyre perfectly
aligned with the center or throat of
the nock, and a concentric design
that ensures the nock will center itself in the shaft more consistently.
26
Shock and Awe
What you put on the business end

of your bolts also matters. Well start
with weight. Id venture to guess
most folks are shooting 100-grain
broadheads, and thats fine; I do.
Depending on your crossbow/bolt
combination, its possible you might
gain a slight advantage going to a
heavier, 125-grain head. Youll retain
more kinetic energy and boost FOC
(the forward of center balance point)
with the heavier head, but the difference is small enough that Id stick
with 100-grain heads if thats what
you are comfortable with and you
are happy with the results.
More important is style, and Im
not talking about the camo finish
or the look. At the risk of offending
a few hunters and manufacturers,
I strongly recommend mechanical
broadheads. The primary reason is
simplicity. Once you sight in with
fieldpoints, theres no need for further tuning. The only caveat I would
offer is that you pick a head that is designed and/or rated for the additional
speed and energy of a crossbow.
If youre a fixed-blade fanatic, you
have a couple options. One is to add
a rubber O-ring behind your head (if
it doesnt already come with one) so
Lets go back to our crossbow for a

bit and discuss a few more items that
were once options but are increasingly becoming standard, at least
with higher-end models. No system
is perfect, but crossbow makers have
directed considerable effort toward
addressing some of the more common complaints among crossbow
users, specifically shock, noise and
trigger stiffness.
Though theres really no recoil
from a crossbow, the noise and vibration from releasing that much energy
into a mass of metal and plastic can
be somewhat disconcerting to both
shooter and target, when the latter
is alive. Even the fastest crossbows
are shooting well below the speed
of sound, but you can minimize
the surprise the same way you do
with a compound bow by adding
suppression. First, there were limb
tamers. Now theres more vibrationreducing technology on risers, stocks
and barrels. And increasingly more
crossbows are coming with string
stops. You can add any or all of these
features if your crossbow doesnt
already have them.
An alternative is to simply choose
a reverse-limb crossbow. In addition to providing better balance and
a more stable shooting platform
(which also positively influences
01/02 2017
BY BOB HUMPHREY
Tip of the Month:
accuracy), the reverse-limb design

effectively cancels out vibration in
much the same way as parallel-limb
compound bow designs.
Crossbow Broadheads
Whoa, Trigger
If you plan on shooting

mechanical broadheads,
make sure you select one
designed for the faster speeds
and higher energy of your
crossbow. Crossbow-specific
broadheads typically have
stronger components such as
springs and/or retention bands
to ensure blades do not open
prior to impact. They may also
have stronger blades and/or
ferrules to withstand greater
impact forces.
Unless and until youve used a

high-grade trigger, youll never appreciate how much it can positively
influence accuracy and precision.
Exceedingly stiff triggers have long
been one of the big knocks on crossbows, but manufacturers have made
tremendous strides in recent years.
Several now boast trigger weights under four pounds, and some such as
Browning and Killer Instinct have
incorporated after-market technology
from TriggerTech that uses a roller system to eliminate sliding friction that
causes creep and heavy pull weights.
If theres one available for your crossbow, you should strongly consider
installing an aftermarket trigger.
Now that we have the best components, all in good working order
and ready to use, its time to cock
your bow another area where
you can have a fairly significant
influence on both precision and accuracy. Not only should you use a
cocking device, you should make
sure its the one designed specifically for your bow. I have several
that occasionally get mixed up, and
there certainly are differences. This
ensures the string remains centered.
Otherwise you could load too much
weight on one side or the other, reducing accuracy; and youll never
pull it back by hand the same way
twice, which reduces precision.
Well, it seems weve run out of
space again, but this should give
you at the very least a good start. Be
sure to check future issues for more
ways to improve crossbow accuracy
and precision.
TECHNICAL
BOW TEST
Hoyt Pro Defiant
oyt has expanded its

Defiant series for 2017
with three new models
the Pro Defiant, Pro Defiant
34 and Pro Defiant Turbo.
The Pro Defiant features Hoyts
DFX Cam & system, UltraFlex
split limbs, Pro-Fit laminated wood
grip, Offset riser design, Fuse custom string and cables and more.
Specialized Engine
To the delight of many Hoyt fans,
the company is bringing back its popular DFX Cam & system, which is
flexible in terms of draw length and
the feel of the back wall. Three base
cams and a rotating module cover
draw lengths from 24-26 inches, 26-28
inches and 28-30 inches. System letoff
is advertised at 75 percent. Dual cable
stops offer a firm back wall, and for
those wanting an absolutely rock solid back wall, there is an optional limb
stop for the top cam.
One of the more unique features
about this cam system is how the
Hoyt engineers positioned the cams
at full draw to lengthen the overall
footprint, which changes where the
string comes off the cam. Through
this configuration, the string angle
is opened up to allow the archer to
maintain proper form without having to reach your head forward to
meet the peep sight. The result is less
string pressure, less facial contact, less
shooter stress and less eye fatigue,
all of which leads to more shooting enjoyment and tighter groups.
Stacked Riser
A Riser Tunnel on the bottom half
of the riser broadens its width at a
point that optimizes rigidity and
strength. Also featured is Hoyts
Offset design above the sight winHoyts 2017 Pro Defiant is home to the companys popular DFX Cam & system, which
clocks in at an advertised 331 fps IBO. Complementing the cams is a set of Hoyts
UltraFlex split limbs that reach a beyond parallel position at full draw for a quieter shot with
reduced hand shock and bow vibration. The new riser has an aggressive look and features
a tunnel configuration on the lower half for optimized stiffness and stability.
28
dow that works in tandem with the

Tunnel to create a stiffer platform by
independently running the front and
back surfaces off the centerline for a
wider stance. Hoyts Perfect Balance
Stabilizer system places the stainless
steel stabilizer insert part way down
the Tunnel to counter to the weight
of a quiver and sights. This results in
improved overall bow balance and
steadier aiming.
Hoyt finishes out the riser package with the one-of-a-kind ZT (Zero
Torque) Cable-Guard System that
employs a reverse-flex arm to reduce
side-loaded torque and the laminated
wood Pro-Fit grip, which is designed
to produce a neutral wrist position
and is interchangeable with wooden
side plates and an elastomeric option.
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Hoyt Archery, 801-363-2990;
www.hoyt.com
Model: Pro Defiant
Cam System: DFX Cam &
Weight: 4.2 pounds (advertised); 4.3 pounds (as
tested)
Brace Height: 7 inches
Axle-To-Axle length: 30 12 inches
Letoff: 75 percent (advertised);
78.5 percent (as tested)
Draw Weights: 40, 50, 60, 65, 70 and 80 pounds peak
Draw Lengths: 24-30 inches, in half-inch increments,
on three base cams and a rotating module
Riser: Reflex, Offset, aluminum
Limbs: UltraFlex multi-layer laminated, parallel
split limbs
String (#3 base cam): FUSE Custom, 57.63 inches
Cables (x2) (#3 base cam): FUSE Custom, 32.5
and 34.38 inches
Grip: Pro-Fit, one-piece laminated wood
Finish: Buckskin (shown), Realtree Xtra, Realtree
Max-1 and Black-Out, plus other options
Advertised IBO Speed: 331 fps
Suggested Retail Price: $1,099
Comments: A high-quality bow featuring a
consistent draw cycle and great balance.
01/02 2017
BY JON E. SILKS
SPEED & ENERGY

ARROW
SPEED
375-GRAIN 296 fps

ARROW
425-GRAIN 279 fps
ARROW
KINETIC DYNAMIC
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
72.97
82.4%
foot-pounds
73.48
foot-pounds
DRAW-FORCE CURVE
Editors Note: All our Technical Bow Tests are conducted using the same standardized procedures and professionally calibrated
testing equipment. Bows are tested with a draw length of 29 inches and a draw weight of 65 pounds, unless otherwise noted.
Hoyts UltraFlex Split Limbs are

made to withstand in excess of 1,000
full dry fires at 80 pounds and a 30inch draw length, which is more
than 104 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. Let your melon marinate on
that for a few seconds; if these limbs
can withstand such harsh punishment while shooting blanks, how
confident can you be when loading
three counter-pressure control points

on each limb, super-tight tolerances and a dual-rocker system, that
combine to control the split limbs
throughout the draw-weight adjustment and shooting processes.
Impressions
83.0%
Split Strength & Precision
up a hunting arrow? The laminated,

pressed and machined multi-layer
limbs are matched into sets based on
deflection values. Archers can choose
limb sets with peak draw weights of
40, 50, 60, 65, 70 and 80 pounds.
The interface between the riser
and the limbs (the limb pocket) is extremely critical to stability, mechanical function and accuracy. Hoyt puts
its Ultra-Lock Pocket to work using
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.
Hoyts Pro Defiant is a prime

example of the high-performance
shooting achievements the company makes year in and year out. At
the range, the test bow demonstrated the super consistent draw cycle
weve come to expect from Hoyt. At
the shot, a jump in the handle was
followed by very light and shortlived vibration. Both the jump and
the vibration were absolutely killed
by adding my favorite Fuse stabilizer to the setup.
Handling the Pro Defiant was a
pleasure, thanks to the well-formed
grip and excellent balance. I cannot
imagine anyone ever regretting a
Hoyt Pro Defiant purchase.
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BUZZER BEATER
Understanding the Keys to
Late-Season Success
By Bill Winke
he late season normally offers at least one

great day of hunting each year. Sometimes
you can get lucky and enjoy more than one,
but if you know what to look for and how
to hunt it, that one day may be enough.
In this article, I am going to take you
through all the small steps that can lead to big success
during the late season.
T
CHARLES ALSHEIMER PHOTO
Be Realistic
30
Before you get the idea I am blowing smoke when I

say I love the late season, you need to understand what
is required for this period to produce. Not every bowhunter has the ability to enjoy great late-season hunting.
It requires a specific set of conditions.
At the very least, you need an area with no more than
moderate hunting pressure during the firearms season
and very limited pressure thereafter. If the deer where
you hunt have been pounded day in and day out during
If your area experiences heavy gun-hunting pressure, the likelihood of good late-season hunting is much reduced. It will take at
least two weeks from the end of the firearms season before the
deer will start to relax, and then any additional pressure will push
them back into nocturnal patterns.
01/02 2017
the firearms season, your late-season

hunting is going to be mediocre at
best, no matter how much food you
have or how cold it gets. And if others are hunting the same area as you
during the late season itself, it is going to be very hard to keep the deer
from knowing they are being hunted
long enough for them to relax and
start showing daylight activity.
If high-pressure hunting is your
reality, this article will be more of a
curiosity to you than anything else,
since you wont see the things I am
going to write about. You wont see
them because the bucks are either
dead, gone or strictly nocturnal. That
is just the way it is; you cant grow
corn in a desert and you wont have
great late-season bowhunting in areas that get heavy hunting pressure.
So, your late-season success

starts with the right property one
with modest pressure. If you cant
arrange that, you need to have
realistic expectations. With hardhunted bucks, the late season can be
very discouraging.
Find the Food

If you find the food, you will find
the deer. Eventually they will gravitate to the best food sources. If your
current hunting area doesnt have
any food, but is next to a good feeding area, you can still enjoy good
late-season hunting because the deer
will likely travel through your area
as they go to and from the food.
If there are no good food sources
in your area, things will be tough;
but with some planning you can
change that. It is too late to grow a

food plot now, but now is the perfect
time to start thinking about how to
create a food source for next year. My
friends and I have become very good
at producing what we call the Poor
Mans Plot.
I have written about these sweatintensive projects in the pages of
BOWHUNTING several times in
the past, but to summarize, you can
make a good food plot with only
hand tools and a limited budget.
Many bowhunters are now making
these plots on farms where they only
have permission to hunt. If you have
a good relationship with the landowner, there is nothing lost in asking
if you can plant something in areas
of marginal ground (and even in
CRP fields with correct paperwork).
Having access to an unpressured food

source is the foundation of great lateseason hunting. Add an approaching cold
front into the mix and you could be in for a
very memorable outing.
31
BUZZER BEATER
If you are serious about improving
your late-season hunting, you need a
reliable food source that you control.
These Poor Mans Plots are the perfect starting point.
Though hard to plant in a Poor
Mans fashion (it is expensive to
grow), your best late-season food
source will be an unharvested cornfield. Deer flock to these from a long
distance. Other good options include soybeans, any harvested crop
fields, food plots comprised of brassicas (a family that also contains turnips) and green plots such as winter
wheat. The latter two are classic Poor
Mans Plot crops.
Find the Bucks

If you have a food source, you
know the deer will eventually start
to use it, but two questions remain.
Both require a trail camera for the
easiest answer.
Question one: is there a shooter
in the bunch? If there isnt a buck
you would shoot coming to the food
source, you should not hunt the spot
(unless you are also looking to harvest does).
It makes no sense to educate the
deer in that area (they are already
very skittish from the gun season) if
there is little hope for a shooter buck
to show up. In the meantime, you
are better off scouting other areas
or possibly even doing some chores
around home to clear your schedule
for when the time to hunt is right.
In the late season, even more than
in the early season, you have to hunt
smart, not hard. A few (maybe as few
as one or two) well-timed hunts are
much better than a dozen wild goose
chases. Dont hunt without a target.
Question two: is the buck killable?
When a buck you would shoot finally does show up, you will be chomping at the bit to go after him. Having
a shooter using the food source is
great, but you still need to be patient.
The second decision you will need
to make revolves around whether
the buck is killable. Again, dont risk
educating the deer using the food
source needlessly. If the buck isnt
killable, you have to wait until he is.
I will cover this decision in more detail in the next section.
32
The very best food source for late-season hunting is standing corn. This crop is high
in carbohydrates, and the deer look for this energy source when the temperatures dip.
Watch for the Triggers

There are three things to look for
when deciding if a buck is killable.
The most obvious green flag occurs
when the buck is showing daylight
activity on your trail cameras. Even
coming out to the plot shortly after
legal shooting time is reason for hope.
In order to learn this, you will
need to place at least one camera
on the edge of the food source (possibly more than one) and set it to
the time lapse or field scan mode so
that the camera takes photos at set
intervals during the last hour of
daylight. Most good cameras now
have this feature.
If you dont have a trail camera
or choose not to use them for other
reasons, you will have to manually
scout the food source from a distance
to learn what is happening there. You
will be tempted to just wing it and go
hunt the spot, hoping for the best. I

have done this way too many times.
It almost never works. You usually
end up watching the wrong trail or
spooking deer that get downwind.
The whole while you think you are
scouting you are actually educating deer when the buck you are after
isnt coming out in daylight yet.
Second, if you have a weather front
coming you need to be in your stand
or blind to greet it and you need to
hunt the next day or two also, if possible. If a reclusive buck is going to
break with his nocturnal ways, it
will be during this two-day window.
I have killed otherwise unkillable
bucks this way in the past. Most recently, this happened in 2012 when
I killed a buck the day after a cold
front went through in late December. Even though I had trail camera
photos of that buck for three years,
01/02 2017
the evening I killed him was the first

time I had actually seen him in daylight. Had I waited for daylight photos before making my move, I would
have been too late.
Deer move best on big temperature swings during the late season
breaks in the weather. It doesnt
necessarily have to be a cold front
after days of warmer weather. It can
also be a warm front after days of
brutal cold that triggers their daylight feeding.
Finally, your stand or blind location needs to set up for undetected
hunting. This is the hardest of the
three triggers to control. Basically,
you need to have some hope that
you can set up for the buck you are
after without spooking the other
deer that get to the field before him.
This can be easier said than done
and one of the reasons I love hunting from blinds during the late season. Normally, I can close all but one
window (which I crack) and run an
Ozonics inside to keep all deer
including those downwind from
smelling me.
This doesnt ensure I can sneak
out cleanly, however. For that I need
Even after you identify a key food source

and confirm a shooter buck is using it, you
need to be patient. Running right in and
hunting will likely result in educating nontarget deer such as does and young bucks
without ever seeing the shooter. Instead,
rely on your trail cameras to reveal daylight
activity from the buck you are after and
hunt immediately once you find it.
someone to drive up to the field in a

vehicle or ATV to move the deer off
so I can slip out of the blind without
them knowing I was ever there.
Controlled Aggression
You have to make your move as
soon as you get a green flag. This
can be the most challenging aspect
of late-season hunting. You have already used your vacation on the rut;
you are stuck with weekends now.
Unfortunately, your green flag may
come up on a Wednesday. Saturday
may be too late.
Late-season patterns dont last
long. Weather changes quickly. A
cold snap may only last two days or,
if it does last longer, the deer start
adapting to it and go back to nocturnal patterns.
Also, the bucks are so skittish at
this time that they can melt away
with minimal disturbances. A smallgame hunter, a farmer checking
fence, a neighbor out for a walk; all
of these can unknowingly send your
buck right back into the dark.
So, when you see daylight activity you have to move quickly. I have
taken this to extremes when hunting
Late-season hunting without a good food source can truly test your patience and
endurance. It is possible to be successful in this setting, but you will need a food source
nearby (even if you cant hunt over it) so your stands will at least cover trails leading to
and from the feeding area.
33
BUZZER BEATER
a specific buck I really want to kill.
Back in 2011, I checked my cameras
(two of them set to time-lapse mode
on one plot) every single day at midday to see if the buck I was after had
been there the evening before in daylight. If so, I would hunt that very
evening not waiting a moment
longer. I ended up getting a shot at
him the first evening I went after
him, but messed it up!
My situation is obviously different from many of you who have to
go somewhere to work. I do work
(contrary to what many people may
say), but I do it at home on my own
schedule. This allows me to get daily
feedback on what the bucks are doing in a few areas and then go hunt
that very afternoon if it makes sense.
If not, I head right back to my office
and keep waiting. It is a privilege I
never take for granted.
The more flexible you can make
your schedule during the late season,
the more successful you will be. If
you are at work the day the cold front
goes through and the day after, your
Even if the buck youre after doesnt show

up on your trail cameras during the day, he
might show up during a passing cold front.
Field Editor Bill Winke shot this 7-yearold buck the same one shown in the
previous trail-cam photo on a food plot
during a late-December cold snap. This
buck was known for being almost entirely
nocturnal his entire life.
chances are much lower than those of

the bowhunter who was able to hunt
those days. If possible, try to set up
your schedule with as much flexibility as possible during this time. Hunting weekends only can be very hit or
miss and lead to frustration.
You are probably starting to get a
feel for what it takes to be successful during the late season. I hope you
have the right situation, because this
can be some really fun hunting. But,
maybe you have realized it is not for
you. These pieces of the puzzle are
not in your box. Or maybe you will
need to find a new hunting area.
Possibly you can add food to the one
you have. Late-season success stories may still be a year away for you
as you make the necessary changes.
Either way, I hope this article
opened your eyes as to what is required, and what is possible. The
Late-season hunting can be a good time to fill the freezer. Even if you arent optimistic late season can be a very good time
about filling a buck tag, any deer shot at this time should be considered an accomplish- to shoot a mature buck, and it is defiment and an important protein source for you and your family.
nitely worth the effort.
34
01/02 2017
By Drew Pellman
The Under Armour Ridge Reaper 13

Late Season ($224.99; www.underarmour.
com) jacket features ColdGear Infrared
technology, which uses a soft, thermo-conductive inner coating to absorb and retain your
own body heat. Its constructed of windproof
materials to keep you shielded from the
elements, and has a bonded two-layer
wool-blend material with a brushed inner layer
for additional lightweight warmth. Durable
nylon also gives hunters extra protection to
their forearms and shoulders. The jacket is also
equipped with Anti-Odor technology and has an
adjustable bungee cord hem.
You dont have to look any further than your

nearest Cabelas to keep yourself warm in
the field. The Instinct Backcountry
Packable Super Warm Down Jacket ($220;
www.cabelas.com) and Pants ($200) are sure
to add time to your stationary hunts with
windproof down insulation. The jacket packs
into its own pocket while the pants pack into
an included stuff sack. Made from 100-percent
woven nylon, both garments are designed to
trap body heat and come available in O2
Octane camouflage. Additionally, the pants
feature a waterproof seat and knees.
The ultimate hooded layering top and

bottom is how NOMAD describes its
Dunn PrimaLoft Jacket and Pant
($199.99 each, www.nomadoutdoor.com). Both
garments are insulated for the late season, are
windproof and water-resistant and feature the
SilverZ Scent Suppression System. Each area
of the jacket has a specialized weight fill for
maximum warmth, and it also features a
classic fleece insert at the articulated
three-piece hood to maintain audio clarity.
Pants have an auto-adjust elastic waist,
removable adjustable bibs and zip rear and
cargo pockets.
36
ScentLok wants its customers out in the

field when others are calling it a day.
Thats why it brought the new Cold
Blooded Jacket ($239.99; www.scentlok.
com) and Pant ($199.99) to the market. The
jacket is constructed with a dual-layer design
that includes a zip-out internal fleece vest to
maximize warmth. The outer shell is durable,
waterproof and windproof to keep you warm in
any situation. The pants have seven pockets,
elastic and adjustable side waist buckles for
custom fit, an inner thigh gusset and
articulated knees. Both garments also are
equipped with the companys Carbon Alloy
technology for odor adsorption.
01/02 2017
Cold-Weather
Gear Buyers Guide
5
An extremely lightweight boot that is

both flexible and well insulated is very
difficult to come by, but Irish Setter
has come up with the solution in the new
VaprTrek LS ($179-$199; www.irishsetterboots.
com) models that feature RPM technology.
Hunters can choose which 9-inch version fits
their needs the best 600, 800 or 1,200
grams of PrimaLoft insulation. Other notables
include the Cushin Comfort Tongue that offers
long-lasting comfort for your shins, and the
Armatec heel and toe protection against
ground hazards. Stable Step a technology
that cups the heel and arch for more support
and stability under your foot a ScentBan
lining and UltraDry waterproofing rounds out
the package.
The Hells Canyon Speed Hellfire

Jacket ($259.99; www.browning.com)
and Pant ($249.99) from Browning starts
off with Body Mapping technology. This varies
the weight of PrimaLoft insulation in strategic
areas through the body, sleeves and hood to
provide maximum warmth without robbing you
of mobility. Featuring a 3-Layer soft shell
construction, there are handwarmer pockets
with zippered closures, an adjustable and
removable hood, as well as fabric that is
windproof, breathable and water resistant with
a soft, stretchable fleece lining. Available in
A-TACS AU and FG camo.
ThermaCELLs Heated Insoles have saved

many precious days afield over the past
few years by keeping our feet warm on
frigid days. Now, the new Heavy Duty
ProFLEX Insoles ($199.99; heat.thermacell.
com) are even easier to use without the
presence of a remote control. Controlled by a
Bluetooth connection and an iOS or Android
app, now bowhunters can control the three
different heat settings 111, 100 and 90
degrees on their smartphone. Made from a
durable material that will hold up well past one
million steps, youll enjoy continuous heat for
up to 8.5 hours.
6
37
If youre a bowhunter, gloves can be your

best friend or your worst enemy. Sure, the
warmth is sometimes needed, but theres
simply no way to adequately feel your release
aid with them on your hands. Enter Standmitts ($24.95; www.standmitts.com), the
fur-lined, water resistant, oversized mitts that
provide you with a simple solution. Bowhunters
can simply strap them to their thighs with a
32-inch stretchable elastic belt, or fasten them
to the safety rails of a treestand via two Velcro
tabs. Either way, the warmth you covet is
always close by with the ability to slide your
hands out silently when a shot opportunity
comes about.
Rockys Stratum collection has a

number of items that you might want to
take along on your next coldweather hunt. The Packable Jacket ($149.99;
www.rockyboots.com) features 100-gram
PrimaLoft insulation, as well as a DWR
water-repellent coating, ScentIQ Atomic
technology and burr-resistant fabric. The
Stratum Insulated Glove ($29.99) has
Rocky ThermalGuard insulation, a PVC palm for
added warmth and dexterity and a silent cuff
adjustment system. Like the jacket, the glove
also features the same burr-resistant fabric
and scent-control measures.
10
Sitka Gears Mountain Series is

exactly what you need when all
systems are go for a trek up and down
the mountain. The Jacket ($269; www.
sitkagear.com) and Vest ($169) feature a
WINDSTOPPER Laminate finish to keep the
core of your body warm at all times. Zippered
mesh and chest pockets are present on the
jacket, and you can also find hand pockets on
the vest. Meanwhile, the Pant ($189) has a
two-way Stretch Woven Nylon construction
that promotes fast and silent movement during
the mid- and late-seasons. Includes removable
kneepads for increased comfort and dexterity.
11
For your hunts that require maximum

stability and support, as well as an
ample amount of insulation for
plummeting temperatures, look no further
than the Mountain Extreme 1000 ($495;
www.kenetrek.com) from Kenetrek. With
1000 gram Thinsulate insulation, your feet
will stay nice and warm no matter the harsh
38
10
01/02 2017
11
conditions youre trudging through. Uppers

are 10 inches tall and 2.8mm thick with
premium full-grain leather. Other features
include 7mm nylon midsoles for extra
support, a reinforced rubber sole guard and
a Windtex waterproof, flexible and breathable membrane.
12
13
Warmth is a top priority to all

outdoorsman, but staying mobile at the
same time is just as important. With
that in mind, Plythal has unveiled its
Prima-Heat Lite Hoodie ($219.99; www.
plythal.com) a garment built with the
highest insulation while still being able to
move around freely. Lightweight and packable,
its constructed with four-way stretch panels
to ensure that you can wear it as an outer
layer, or use it for layering purposes. The
jacket is filled with PrimaLoft Hi Loft Silver
insulation, and features a non-impeding vision
hood.
13
14
12
After practicing all summer without

gloves, archery season rolls around
and bowhunters find themselves
attempting to shoot with them on during cool
days afield. Thanks to The Insulated Bow
Mitt ($79; www.betterthehunt.com) from
Better The Hunt, this transition will no longer
be an issue. With 200 gram insulation to keep
your bow hand warm and ready for the next
shot opportunity, you can feel free to leave
your bulky gloves in the truck. Designed to fit
any bow, the mitt has two adjustable webbing
straps so it will fit any shooters hand and grip
style. Fabric is water resistant and machine
washable.
14
The Insulator Jacket from Pnuma

($140; www.pnumaoutdoors.com) can
be worn as an outer layer in the early
season, and a mid-layer you can count on as
the temperature drops in the late season.
Combine the jacket which features 3M
Thinsulate 700 fill power featherless insulation
for lightweight warmth and ease of movement
with the Insulator Pant ($140) and youll
have a deadly combination during the best time
of the season. And if you choose, you can also
add the Insulator Vest ($110) to the ensemble.
All three garments feature SilverStrike
anti-microbial odor control to keep you stealthy
in the field, and are guarenteed for life.
39
The connection between predator and prey has entered a new age
YOU DONT HAVE TO BE THERE
My
Masters
Keeper
The Life & Times of Lulu Claypool
By Eddie Claypool
Preface
Ive been through a lot of bowhunting buddies over the years, and
my current partner far surpasses all
the rest combined my dog Lulu!
Loyal to a fault, upbeat beyond
measure and energetic far above
the call of duty, Lulu is my constant
companion in the field. Whether
Im bowhunting for bears, turkeys,
elk or pronghorns, Lulu is a dedicated follower of my old philosophy no arrows in the air, no arrows
in the hair, bowhunt till you drop! A
more-than-willing participant in all
my outdoor junkets, Lulu travels an
average of 20,000 miles a year with
my wife Peggie and I. Lulu is one
redhead who is always ready for
adventure, casting a sense of excitement over all our endeavors.
This month, Id like to take a
look at my myriad bowhunting
adventures through the eyes of my
number one fan and chief big-game
guide my best friend Lulu.
Field Editor Eddie Claypool has never
managed to outwalk his faithful
companion Lulu, though hes tried many
times. Eddie says Lulu is usually patiently
waiting on him, always eager to explore
new horizons.
42
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My Masters Keeper
Your Highness
When my dad and mom came to
get me, I was more than ready to get
away from all those other commoners
that surrounded me at that animal
shelter I dont know what I was
doing there in the first place, as Im
clearly of a much higher calling/
bloodline than that. Besides, my creative abilities were terribly muffled
by all the other hoodlums that inhabited my former abode; it was sure
good to get away from the inner city
and head for wide-open spaces with
mom and dad. Ever since that great
day of my liberation, Ive been able to
bloom into the perfect creation that I
am, and Ive never looked back. For
me now, life is better than good, with Lulu is never shy about accepting her share of the credit for a successful bowhunt!
adventures galore. Let me tell you a Here, she poses with Field Editor Eddie Claypool after one of the many successful
turkey hunts they have shared.
little about some of them
Pursuing Big Bird

Shortly after arriving at my new
home, I heard dad talking to mom
about going on a hunting trip for
turkeys. Not sure what this was all
about, I could nevertheless sense excitement in the air count me all-in.
Loading into dads truck, mom and
I smiled as the miles drifted behind
on a warm, springtime day; I could
hardly wait to see what was up.
Camping along a nice stream that
evening, I was nearly overcome with
the smells of all things new. As mom
and dad went about their busy routine, I explored the nearby woods,
finding all kinds of critters to chase.
Taking a swim in the river, basking
in the warm breeze, while watching
squirrels skitter about, I was in heaven. Had I died? Wondering what dad
and I would be chasing the next day,
I returned to camp to find out.
It soon became quite apparent that
dad had other plans for me the next
day, as I would be assigned guard
duty over camp, and mom. Not
wanting to risk hazard to the worlds
greatest mom, I gladly embraced my
chore, while at the same time cooking
up a few plans of my own.
Over the next couple of days, dad
went afield fruitlessly while I harvested a couple of real trophies within sight of camp a packrat and a
skunk! For some reason, mom wasnt
44
really happy with my aroma after my

skunk harvest, thus I was taken to the
creek for numerous swims to settle
the matter. Hey, if that was her idea of
punishment, I was going to be getting
into a lot trouble in the future!
Over the next few days, I learned
a lot about rattlesnakes and porcupines, neither of which did I like.
Dad almost never got all those porcupine stickers out of my face, and as
for those rattlesnakes, well, they are
demon-possessed little s@*^s! Dad
was having no luck at catching anything, and I heard him complaining
to mom about having to eat something called tag soup. It was at this
point I knew dad needed help, and I
was determined to be there for him.
Graduation
With a few more trips under our
belt, we all began to realize that our
little outings were sheer utopia. Furthermore, dad soon began to take me
afield with him on his scouting forays, finally trusting mom to her own
means. We both agreed that she could
probably keep herself from getting
lost or snake-bit while we were gone,
so to hill-and-dale we went!
On our first trip afield, I was confused at dads aimless wandering,
seemingly confused by all the various
forms of vegetation and fauna. As for
me, well, I was following my nose to
all kinds of great ambush locations

field mice trail over here, coon crossing over there. And I nearly caught
another porcupine, but better judgment got the best of me this time
I could tell that dad was glad about
that. While I was busy flitting to-andfro in my pursuits, dad was busy
placing a tent in a meadow maybe
we were going camping out soon.
Early the next morning, dad and
I hiked out to the spot where hed
placed the tent previously, and we
climbed inside. Rather bored, I assumed a place in the back corner of
our hide and took a nap. Later, I was
awakened by the approaching sound
of game, and dads excitement level
quickly rose. He gave me the stinkeye, and I knew Id better play it cool,
as something interesting was about
to happen. Lying low, I watched as
a curious set of events unfold over
the next few minutes. Shortly, we
were quickly exiting our hide so that
I could take a pee. Or, so I thought.
Actually, dad was chasing a large
bird through the nearby brush. He
soon caught that sucker, and to say
that I was impressed would be an
understatement. We finally had our
first kill together, and when dad petted me on the head and told me how
good Id been, knew that Id graduated into the big-time. Ive been
guiding him ever since.
01/02 2017
Lulu thoroughly enjoyed her August 2015

scouting trip to southwest Colorados high
country, where she frolicked in flowerfilled meadows and swam in crystal-clear
mountain lakes.
Life Is Good
Just this past summer, Dad decided
hed like to make a trip back to the
area in Colorado where he had hunted elk for the first time. I could tell he
was feeling that he was getting old
and needed some time alone to reflect
on the good things of life. Since Im
his greatest helper, I strongly hinted
that Id like to go along as his therapist. So, off we went! And since we
were going to spend a week climbing
up and down 13,000-foot mountains,
mom opted out of this trip.
When we arrived in the alpine
country of southwestern Colorado,
I immediately knew why dad loved
this area so much. The air was clean
and fresh, cold streams were everywhere and meadows full of flowers
were in abundance this was my
kind of place! And I could tell that
dad was at complete peace also, as
45
My Masters Keeper
could tell he wanted to come back
here one day, to hunt again, and I
let him know I was all for it. This
place was paradise! As we prepared to leave, a herd of elk came
out of the trees far below us, and
dad smiled this was a very good
day for us.
By the time we made it back to the
truck, it had been dark for a long time
and I was very glad there was a bright
moon in the sky to help dad find his
way off that mountain. I could tell
pop was at the end of his rope, as
hed certainly overdone it a little this
day. But even though he was spent, I
could tell that he was reflecting back
on times when he was young and invincible, no mountain too high. And
Game animals arent the only things Lulu
Claypool hunts. Here, she is seen with honestly, I was rather glad he wasnt
Peggie Claypool during a successful like that anymore, because actually I
was at the end of my rope also; I was
morel mushroom hunt.
truck and headed for Montana. Dad

was going to chase elk, and mom
and I were in charge of keeping base
camp in order a task at which we
were now very proficient. And even
without my help, dad finally caught
an elk late one evening well,
almost. It actually got away from him
somehow. So, early the next morning, he took mom and I back with
him to where the fight had occurred
he was determined to find his
adversary.
Not wanting to seem too bold, I
allowed them to search fruitlessly
for a long time before Id had all
I could take. Finally, I led them to
their quarry, which amazingly, was
dead. I dont know how dad killed
that thing, but he sure gained some
of my respect that day that was
a big sucker! When we got back to
Lulu Claypool doesnt mind sleeping on the floor of

the truck or the camper just as long as she isnt
left behind!
his spirit was smiling. Setting our

camp in a quiet and private spot, we
headed for a trailhead to shake off
our flatland filth.
With the passing of time, we
climbed ever higher, soon breaking
out into a land of marvel. We were
on top of the world, and I loved
this place; the peace and solitude
were amazing. Dad sat down on
a knoll overlooking a small lake,
and we had some lunch together
hed even brought me some PupPeroni! I lounged in the shade of a
boulder as dad meditated on good
times past. I could sense there was
both joy and sadness in his heart
as we rested there that day. I also
46
dead-dog tired! As we climbed into

the truck and headed back to camp,
I was looking forward to climbing
into my memory foam bed under the
kitchen table and passing out. Imagine my surprise, however, when arriving back at camp, dad made a
campfire, pulled up a chair and simply sat there enjoying the night. Not
wanting to be a stick-in-the-mud, I
curled up beside my master and simply provided support we were at
complete peace. This was my favorite trip ever.
camp that evening, dad gave me an

extra-special dinner and petted me a
lot. I could tell he was very thankful.
This big dog had finally gotten off
the porch!
Conclusion
All the way around, my family

and I are blessed we make life
good for each other and are determined to make the most of our time
together. When other humans meet
me, I can tell that they are thinking,
What a lucky dog you are. And
Ill go along with that, but the truth
Fast Forward
is, mom and dad are the lucky ones.
Soon after our Colorado com- After all, a dog like me only comes
mune, dad and I threw mom in the along once in a lifetime!
01/02 2017
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Feel the DIY
VIC SCHENDEL PHOTO
T
48
en years ago, I set out on a quest that totally

changed my life. I had just walked away from
what I thought was my dream job and was
given a months severance pay. It was early
September, and as I sat on my deck trying to
wade through the stress of life, I got a bright idea to go
on a cross-country bowhunting trip.
So, I packed my truck with all the hunting gear I had,
pointed it west and just drove with a determination to stop
wherever I could find a place to hunt and a tag to fill. I
called that year My DIY. It was an amazing trip covering
new country, knocking on doors, scouting totally unknown
ground and thankfully wrapping tags around some fur.
That trip changed me as a hunter. Truth is, although

I love hunting with outfitters or on managed places
with trophy animals, there is nothing more rewarding
and satisfying than a successful do-it-yourself hunt.
I believe everyone needs to try it, and I want to give
you the all the tools needed to craft a memory of a
lifetime.
Set Your Goals

One of the most important aspects of anything in life
is setting goals, writing them down and having a clear
vision of what you want to achieve. A DIY hunt is the
perfect reason to set new goals for yourself. For example,
High
Theres Nothing
Like Self-Guided
Bowhunting
Adventure
By John Dudley
Setting out on your own to

chase a new species of game
in unfamiliar territory can be a
daunting challenge. However,
there is no better way to expand
your bowhunting horizons and
nothing more satisfying
than DIY success.
if you have always wanted to elk hunt, your goal should

be to get in your best cardio shape in years so you
know you can physically tackle your hunt. If you have
always wanted to shoot an antelope, your goal should be
to shoot your best off your knees or a chair. You may also
need to set a goal to be willing to sit in a blind from sunup
to sundown without getting out of your blind. For mule
deer, your goal could be training to shoot at longer distances than you ever have for whitetails. You have control
of what your goals should be and what will make this DIY
hunt a true accomplishment for YOU and you only.
My goal that year as I set out on my monthlong journey was to hunt in places I had never gone before. I set
a goal to shoot every day for practice and be sure to be

at my best but also to knock on a new door each week
in a new area. During that month, I was able to shoot an
elk, antelope, two whitetails and a turkey. I also missed
a muley and filmed a friend shoot a DIY mountain goat.
From that year on, I have made it a point to make at
least one DIY hunt part of my yearly schedule. Here are
my top recommendations to get you going in the right
direction:
Valuable Resources
When it comes to getting started with a DIY hunt, there
are some very valuable resources you need to use. First
49
and foremost is the state wildlife department for the area youll be hunting. Although some hunters have a
bad taste in their mouth from dealing
with game wardens and game laws,
this is something you simply need to
get over. I have to credit much of my
success through all my years of hunting to the local wardens and wildlife
biologists I have talked with. Im
serious when I say that the wardens often cover more of the public
hunting areas than anyone else on
the road. They are trusted advisors
for learning what areas have good
amounts of game, manageable land
access and possibly what landowners are looking for hunters to manage their herd numbers.
Another tool that is almost priceless is a smartphone app called onX
HUNT. For a small fee, this mapping
tool will show you all the borders
of public and private lands, roads,
walk-in access areas, hunting unit
boundaries and much more. I used
it this year, and since it uses my
phones GPS, it was so easy to make
sure I was on the right properties
and state lands. It was awesome!
Once you have a good idea of
where you want to be, then the next
tool is using the Internet to do more
research on those areas. Small things
such as checking the weather conditions can go a long way in being prepared for a DIY hunt. I cant stress
enough how much a handheld GPS
unit can help you when elk hunting.
The new ones make it easy to mark
waypoints, waterholes or any other
landmark.
Lastly, be sure to do some research
on packable food and hydration.
If you are in the backcountry, food,
water and shelter are a must! Now
that you have some valuable assets,
lets get into some of my favorite DIY
hunts.
Elk
A DIY elk hunt is among the
most popular Western hunts. I
have done DIY elk hunts in several
states, including Montana, Idaho
and New Mexico. My destination
changes over the years based on
costs and also success rates. Idaho was one of my favorite areas
50
The onX HUNT app from onX MAPS

combines the GPS in your smartphone with
proprietary mapping software to show you
valuable information such as public and
private land ownership, hunting unit
boundaries and more. This is an extremely valuable tool for securing access to
hunting ground and ensuring you stay in
the right areas during your hunt.
To be successful
on elk, you will
most likely need to cover
ground each day and try to find elk
or fresh sign of elk.
because of the ease of access and
also the vast terrain. The tags were
over the counter and easy to get,
which was nice for a last-minute
elk hunt if I didnt draw a desired
unit in another state.
The basic gear needed for elk
hunts is fairly simple. Nothing
helps an elk hunt like a good pair
of worn-in boots that are waterproof
and have good support. Clean, dry
socks are a must! To be successful
on elk, you will most likely need to
cover ground each day and try to
find elk or fresh sign of elk. Dont be
afraid of scouting during the dark
either. Elk talk more in the darkness
and often times listening for elk
in the darkness can get you on the
right track.
Since most DIY hunts require you
to cover a lot of ground to find elk,
its nice to carry everything you need
for a spike camp on your back. That
way, you can sleep close to the action
and dont have to waste a lot of time No meat tastes better than that earned
moving your base camp every time during a grueling DIY hunt in the backthe elk move.
country!
01/02 2017
Feel the DIY High
On my last DIY elk hunt, I spent

many days chasing elk around but
eventually found success simply by
spending the midday hours sitting
on freshly used waterholes or wallows with good sign. Most animals
frequent water when its hot.
On another hunt, I had success by
shaking some hands in town. I was
hunting several days without luck
and went to town one evening for fuel
and a meal. It was there that I met a
local landowner who told me he had
a lot of elk eating too much of his alfalfa. Although he didnt let me hunt
on his land, he did give me permission to access public ground through
his property. That got me much closer
to the elks bedding area and proved
to be the access I needed to fill my tag.
When it comes to calling elk, dont
be too worried if you dont know
how. Its a long drive out west and
you have plenty of time to practice
in your truck on the way. Remember though, most herd bulls are shot
from sneaking in on them and not
calling them over.
Antelope
Speed goats are possibly my favorite DIY hunt, and I have traveled all
over the West hunting them. Equipment needs for an antelope hunt are
minimal; all you need is your bow, a
blind, a chair and a decoy. Once you
have that, you can set up for antelope.
Western South Dakota is probably
my favorite state because it has so
much walk in public-access land
that is marked and easy to find. Tags
are also available with a virtually
guaranteed draw. You have to apply
online, but you will get an archery
tag.
As far as hunting tactics for antelope, I normally stick to three techniques that have consistently worked
for me. First is to sit in a blind on a
waterhole. If the weather is hot and
dry, simply find water and wait
there all day. If it is mid-September
and the bucks are rutting, then decoys work very well. For this there
are two ways. First is to have a buck
decoy, then glass a buck and wait for
him to get into a perfect location so
Although far from the largest elk he has

ever taken, author John Dudley said this
DIY bull was among the most rewarding
of his life.
you can sneak in close, pop up the

buck decoy and wait until he sees it
and charges in. This works well but
you have to be mindful of the wind
because they do follow their nose
once they are close. Lastly is to set
up a blind with doe decoys around
the blind so that a lone buck sees the
does in need of a man to lead them.
He will likely come running to look
at the ladies and you will have your
shot. Ive had great DIY antelope
hunts using all three of those tactics.
If you are in antelope country,
dont be afraid to knock on doors and
ask for permission on private land. I
have received more invitations than
Ill ever be able to hunt myself just by
being friendly to farmers.
Whitetails
You may think Im crazy for saying this, but when it comes to DIY
51
Fifteen years ago, John Dudley tried his

first DIY antelope hunt and hasnt looked
back since.
whitetails I really think you should

give Iowa a try! Although it will take
you several years to draw an Iowa
non-residsident archery tag, this DIY
hunt offers very high odds of taking
a buck of a lifetime.
Although I am now an Iowa resident and own my own hunting
ground, I continue to hunt public
land and have had great success
there. I still spend lots of time scouting public ground each year and
have seen some of the biggest deer
in my life there. Our Department of
Natural Resources plants food plots
and manages many of the public
hunting areas to have food sources
and prime habitat and cover just
like an outfitter would. I know several wardens in the state, and every
one of them has openly helped nonresident hunters get into areas where The only things you need for a successful, DIY antelope hunt are a ground blind, some
they can have success. One of my self-made decoys and the patience to sit and wait for your opportunity.
52
01/02 2017
Feel the DIY High

good friends came here many years
ago from Colorado and actually met
the local warden in Walmart. They
started talking about hunting and
an hour later the warden was driving him around, showing him some
great spots. Later that week my
friend shot a great DIY buck.
For whitetails here in the Midwest,
key in on the days before Halloween
until the later part of November.
They are great times to be in a tree
with a grunt tube and rattling antlers.
Turkeys
If a turkey is on your bucket list for
a DIY hunt, then look into Nebraska
or Kansas. These are awesome states
with lots of public hunting ground
in addition to tons of farmers who
dont mind turkey hunters. You can
get multiple tags over the counter,
and the seasons open much earlier
than other parts of the country.
Several years back, I drove around
the northern areas of Nebraska scouting for turkeys a few weeks prior
Although it will take several years to secure a non-resident archery tag, Iowa offers
tremendous opportunities for DIY whitetail hunters in the form of accessible public land
and a carefully managed deer herd. John Dudley knows from personal experience that
the odds of tagging the buck of a lifetime in Iowa are high.
Feel the DIY High

to the season. I found some huge
flocks, knocked on a few doors and
got permission to hunt. I have now
shot nine Nebraska gobblers in the
last three years, and Ive met a lot of
great farmers who are also starting
to warm up to the idea of letting me
deer hunt.
DIY turkey
hunts are also a
great time
to look for shed
antlers and also
find new areas
for deer in
the fall.
If you arent an experienced turkey hunter, Nebraska and Kansas are

great states because the terrain offers
limited cover and roosting trees for
turkeys. This makes figuring out
where the birds are relatively simple.
You can set up blinds and decoys
along the creek bottoms and cedar
draws and consistently get shots at
turkeys during the early season.
DIY turkey hunts are also a great
time to look for shed antlers and also
find new areas for deer in the fall.
Before I moved to Iowa, I came here
during turkey season to scout for
deer sign and ask around for a spot
to hunt for deer. It proved to be a
valuable investment and helped turn
one DIY hunt into two.
The Private DIY

The last DIY opportunity I want to
mention isnt for a specific species.
Rather, its a style of hunt. I have
done several DIY hunts I would otherwise never have been able to afford
by asking landowners for a trespass-only hunt. By this I mean I
offered minimal cash for the privilege to hunt on private land without any guiding or assistance at all.
These are what I call a private DIY.
In many areas, farmers are OK with
letting you hunt as long as they dont
have to get in the middle of it.
One of my favorite mule deer
hunts ever was done several years
ago on private property owned by
someone I met in eastern Montana.
We took care of our own camp, food
and scouting yet we were able to
access a large ranch. All of us were
able to get bucks.
If you are on a limited budget but
have your doubts about hunting
public land, then do some research
on this topic. The Internet makes it
really easy to find landowners like
this now. This past year, I had several
friends who paid a small trespass fee
to chase elk on a DIY private-land
hunt. They were super happy with
this experience.
Reap the Rewards
I want to conclude by saying a

successful DIY hunt of any kind is by
far the most fulfilling to a hunter. It
requires careful planning and preparation and tests all your skills in the
field.
My advice is to look at these DIY
hunts as a quest and an adventure to
meet new people. If you are courteous, treat people with respect and
offer appreciation to those who help
you, you will certainly be rewarded.
I have so many hunting spots now
simply because I was mindful of borders and respectful to farmers crops
and livestock. Show interest in their
families and make an offering of a
meal or fresh meat if you are successful because of someones help. This
gesture will echo for miles in many
of these small Western towns where
the hunting is the best and you will
be welcomed back!
Lastly, show support to these
small communities and farmers by
giving them your business with
food, gas and hopefully taxidermy.
These simple things have all multiplied tenfold on how awesome my
When it comes to DIY bowhunting for turkeys, it is hard to beat Kansas and Nebraska.
Both states offer over-the-counter tags, large turkey populations, plenty of public land hunting has gotten each year since
and additional walk-in access on private ground. John Dudley killed these two birds starting with nothing but a tag in my
pocket!
during a recent DIY outing to Nebraska.
54
01/02 2017
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BRUCE COCHRAN ILLUSTRATION
When bowhunting the late season, one of the biggest keys is simply identifying pockets of cover that gun hunters have overlooked.
As author Don Higgins notes, oftentimes the biggest bucks are hiding in plain sight.
ith the early Illinois firearms season

ending the day before, I headed to my afternoon stand with discouragement borne
from years of failure at hunting this part
of the archery season. I had long ago given
up hunting whitetails with a gun, but my
success as an archery hunter after the gun hunters had
their turn had been abysmal to this point. I knew very
well that some good bucks always survived the orange
onslaught, but thus far in my hunting career my efforts
to find them after firearms season had been mostly futile.
On this afternoon, I decided to hunt a small property
with a limited amount of cover situated right behind the
house and barn of an elderly couple. Early in the season I
had located some good sign in this thicket in the form of
big rubs and tracks but had yet to lay eyes on the buck that
made them. This patch of cover was just a few acres; small
56
enough that I was pretty sure the buck was not there during my earlier hunts or I would have likely spotted him
had he rose from his bed and moved even a few yards.
My thought was that with the rut winding down
and the recent hunting pressure from gun season,
maybe the buck had returned to the spot where he had
obviously spent time earlier in the fall. With this patch
of cover being so small and located so close to a house
and barn, I also reasoned that the gunslingers had
likely not been there. This might just be the perfect
place for a mature buck to slip through the cracks and
survive. And if my hunch was correct, he was likely
still hiding there.
The wind was perfect for hunting the only stand I had
on the property, and a drainage ditch made a stealthy entry
possible. As long as I could slip up the bank and up the tree
without being spotted, I thought my hunt had potential.
01/02 2017
Big
Bucks
After
the BIG
BANG
LANCE KRUEGER PHOTO
By Don Higgins
When faced with the intense hunting pressure of gun season, mature bucks will seek
sanctuary in whatever undisturbed cover exists, regardless of how small or how close to
human activity. Woodlots and swampy bottoms as small as an acre or just a stones throw
from a home, barn or business can harbor trophies during this portion of the season.
I soon was settling into the stand

and began reminiscing of past seasons
when my buck sightings fell off drastically once firearms season had passed.
In fact, most seasons I would not get a
single legitimate opportunity at a decent buck after gun season. It wasnt
for lack of trying either. I was determined to figure things out and kept
plugging away in spite of any hurdles
or hardships that came before me.
With the setting sun starting to
hit the western horizon, doubt was
slowly creeping back into my mind.
Would this season be a repeat of so
many seasons before when I had
enjoyed plenty of buck sightings
Solving the
Riddle of
Post-Gun
Season
Success
from opening day of early archery

season until the first day of gun
season and then buck sightings
would come to an abrupt halt?
With maybe 10 minutes of shooting light left, I caught movement in a
briar patch 60 yards away. I watched
as a 140-class, 8-point buck stood
from his bed and looked around. My
heart skipped a beat as I slowly rose
and grabbed my bow. In the process, I glanced at the big rubs and
faint trail just 20 yards away. Surely
the buck was headed my way. I was
about to end my post-gun season
dry spell and finally tag a good lateseason buck.
57
Overlooked Areas
That hunt took place nearly 25
years ago and was a real turning
point for me. As mentioned, to that
point my success after gun season
was dismal. Some seasons I would
not have a single buck within range
of my stands after firearms season
closed. Starting with that hunt, however, things started to come together
and I went on a string of several consecutive seasons when I saw a good
buck from a stand on the very first
hunt after gun season.
Much of my success as a whitetail hunter has come through closely paying attention to details, both
when things went right and when
they went wrong. Over time, and
with a growing list of mature buck
encounters, I slowly put together
enough data in my mind to increase
the number of opportunities I get at
mature bucks. Essentially, I now try
to replicate the details and common
denominators from mature buck
encounters on future hunts.
Lets look at this hunt and see what
lessons it provided that led me to filling a number of tags with good bucks
after firearms seasons have ended.
Clearly, location is everything. But
what specific details make one loca-
58
After
Like many bowhunters, author Don

Higgins struggled with late-season hunting
for many years until he learned to concentrate his efforts on small patches of cover
that other hunters had overlooked. This
approach completely changed
Higgins late-season fortunes.
Higgins killed this 140-class
buck in the mid-1980s two days
after the gun season ended.
tion so much better than another?

Some hunters seem to
think that once the orange
army invades the deer
woods, mature bucks vacate
the area and relocate to safer places. Research has proven this
almost never happens. Instead, they
shrink their range to those places the
orange army overlooks while greatly
curtailing or eliminating daylight
movement. Simply put, mature
bucks know their home range as well
as we know our own yards. They
dont run to unfamiliar areas when
hunting pressure picks up. Instead,
they hunker down at home and find
those pockets of cover that are overlooked by the gun-hunting crowd.
These hidey holes are often small
and in out-of-the way locations but
they can also be places that are just so
obvious other hunters simply dont
bother looking there. The key is lack
of human intrusion, not the size of
the cover. A buck would rather have
one acre of undisturbed cover than a
1,000 acres where he may encounter
a hunter. I am the same way. I would
rather hunt small tracts of cover
and have them to myself than share
a larger tract with even one other
hunter, simply because I know my
odds of encountering the quality of
bucks I am after is far better.
On this particular hunt, I went
back to an area where I was certain
the BIG
BANG
Small patches of cover such as woodlots

adjacent to housing developments can
hold big bucks during the late season.
Whitetails especially mature bucks
know their home ranges extremely well
and quickly learn to seek refuge in those
few pockets of ground that are not pressured during the firearms season.
the buck had spent time earlier in the

season based on the sign I had found
there. Furthermore, this cover was
small enough and located so close
to an occupied dwelling that I felt
it was very likely overlooked by the
firearm hunters during their recent
season. I feel pretty certain that had
a single gun hunter walked through
this cover just one time during the
season, this buck would not have
been there on my hunt after the gun
season closed.
Tight Quarters
As mentioned, these locations are
often very small, sometimes less than
an acre. This in itself requires some
special forethought and planning. You
cant just slip in that close to a bedded buck and put up a stand and start
hunting. I have a number of these sorts
of locations that I hunt, and in each
01/02 2017
BILL WINKE PHOTO
The buck stood statue-still for a

couple minutes before walking a
few feet to the edge of the briars.
He stopped again and surveyed his
surroundings. Before him were two
faint trails; one led past my stand, the
other just out of bow range. My heart
sank as he picked the wrong path and
slowly walked away, never knowing I
was there. Once he got to the thickets
edge, he stood within the cover looking across the open agricultural prairie until the fading light prevented
me from seeing him any longer.
As darkness overtook the thicket,
I sat quietly in my stand for several
extra minutes to be sure the buck
had moved on. Then I climbed down
and slipped away. I was disappointed I did not get a shot at the buck but
pleased with the consolation prize of
knowing I had come so close. As an
aspiring trophy buck hunter, it was
another small step on the path to
consistent success.
Big
Bucks
of them I have a stand in place well

before the early archery season ever
opens. You have to prepare each location well ahead of your hunt.
On these post firearms-season
hunts, mature bucks will move very
little during daylight. You absolutely
must know where they are bedding
and then get as close to them as possible. I cant remember all the times
I have climbed into my stand and
looked down to see a buck bedded
only yards from my tree. Other times
I have had bedded bucks hidden so
well within the thick cover near my
stand that I didnt see them until
they stood from their beds within
bow range. Make no mistake; this is
close-range hunting in thick cover!
Stand access is another major issue
that must be addressed. In the hunt
I described earlier, I had an excellent access route to my stand via the
drainage ditch. The tree holding my
stand stood within a few feet of the
bank of the ditch. Even with the buck
bedded 60 yards away, I was able to
slip into the tree undetected. Over
time I have gotten to know the areas
I hunt so well that I have a very good
idea of exactly where I expect deer to
be bedded. I go so far as to put my
tree steps on the backside of the tree
When hunting in small tracts of cover, the
ability to sneak in and out of your stand is
paramount. Because of that, author Don
Higgins recommends choosing stand sites
adjacent to creeks, drainage ditches, bluffs
or other terrain features that will allow you
to enter and exit without being spotted by
deer that could be bedded nearby.
This 170-class buck is one of several fine whitetails author Don Higgins has tagged
during the late season by focusing on areas overlooked by other hunters and carefully
planning his stand sites and entry and exit routes to avoid alerting deer.
and managed property, you can forget about hunting food sources and
open feeding areas after gun season.
Once the gun hunters have hit the
countryside in full force, deer quickly learn to stick to the cover during
daylight hours. Most of the time any
deer you see will be during the first
few or last few minutes of daylight.
Mature bucks, especially, will still be
within the security of bedding cover
or more rarely right on its edge.
While I do have access to some
managed properties today, I actually learned the trick of getting mature bucks within range after gun
season long before I had this luxury.
It is not nearly as easy as it is during the rut or early season but it
is possible, and its even possible
to do it on a fairly regular basis. It
does, however, require a lot more
Real-World Hunting
thought, effort and attention to deIf you are hunting in the real tail than many bowhunters are willworld versus on a strictly controlled ing to put forth.
If your buck sightings dwindle
after the gun hunters have hit the
woods, I urge you to not give up.
Figure out where the mature bucks
in your area go when the heat is on,
set your stands in those areas months
in advance and then fine-tune your
plan to slip in and slay a giant. The
satisfaction of tagging a good buck
at a time when few other bowhunters are even still in the woods is well
worth the extra effort.
Illinois bowhunter Don Higgins is an
accomplished freelance writer and professional deer-management consultant.
He can be reached through his website
www.higginsoutdoors.com.
so that as I climb, the tree itself blocks
the view of nearby bedded deer that
might otherwise see me.
To be successful, you must stalk
your stand and then sneak into it,
not just march in and plop down.
I even have some locations where
an afternoon hunt is simply not
possible because there is no good
entrance route to keep deer from
seeing me. In those locations, I only
enter my stand in the pre-dawn
dark for morning hunts.
Each location should be carefully
analyzed and the best plan for success
devised. A mature buck will stack the
odds in his favor when he selects a
bedding location. His life depends on
it. In each situation you have to play
the hand you are dealt, not push your
luck and bet the pot on every hand.
59
Toppling
the
King
The Secret to
Ohio Bowhunter
Chad McKibbens
Success?
HARD WORK.
n the late summer of 2013, Ohio bowhunter Chad

McKibben
began
collecting
trail-camera
photos of an exceptionally wide, heavy 9-point
buck on the fringe of his hunting area. The
property was comprised of open agricultural
fields and pastures carved up by creek bottoms and old
timber, primarily oak and ash trees. It was a prime
location to find a mature buck dense bedding areas
and plenty of feed, with low hunting pressure and plenty
of escape cover so it was no surprise when the big
deer began making regular appearances in front of
McKibbens camera.
McKibbens neighbor nicknamed the buck King, and
the story of McKibbens pursuit of the buck isnt all that
different than the experiences many of us share as we try
to outwit and outmaneuver big deer. McKibben planted
and tended food plots and set out mineral licks in the
area where the deer appeared, and under the cover of
darkness King would appear on camera, his rack hardening as the velvet was cast off in early September. There
was a period in the early fall of 2013 when King disap-
60
This small notch in Kings left ear was the

distinguishing mark that allowed McKibben
to identify the buck throughout the year.
So closely had McKibben tracked the deer
that he knew through trail-camera photos
the date on which the buck lost his left and
then his right antler the year before.
By Brad Fitzpatrick
peared completely, only to reappear later that year as

mysteriously as he had vanished.
By the time the rut rolled around, McKibben had a
fairly impressive amount of intelligence on King and
held out high hopes he would get a chance to knock the
buck off its throne sometime in November. As it turned
out, McKibben did see the deer tending a doe, his massive antlers somehow even larger than they appeared
in the trail-camera photos. But McKibben didnt get his
shot, and as the terrible winter of 2013-2014 closed in on
the Midwest, King continued to elude McKibben, who
eventually shot a smaller though still very impressive
165-inch, 11-point buck in below-zero temperatures
during Ohios late muzzleloader season. King was safe
for nine more months.
Ohio bowhunter Chad McKibben flashes an extremely satisfied

smile after fulfilling a two-year quest to put his archery tag on a
mature buck known as King. McKibben credits his success to the
vast amount of time spent planning and preparing for the hunt.
01/02 2017
Giving a Little Extra

Most serious deer hunters, at one
time or another, have collected data
on a big buck and still failed to connect with the deer. In McKibbens
case, he managed to harvest the big
buck that eluded him the year before
in November 2014. But the real story
here may not be the kill, the inches
of antler or the sense of accomplishment when the big deer was finally
on the ground that sets the McKibben buck apart. Its the preparation
or rather the overpreparation
that led to McKibbens success. We
all know that providing high-quality
food sources for a deer ups the odds
of success, and most serious hunters have a battery of cameras in the
woods to surveil the movements of
the local deer. We all know that a
good stand is critical to success, and

we know that practicing with our
bow is elemental. And, of course,
spending time on stand is important,
too.
But how much extra effort are you
willing to put in to up your odds of
success? Five percent doesnt sound
like a lot, does it? Five percent of an
hour is only three minutes, and five
percent of a dollar is just a nickel.
But that same five percent, that little
bit extra, can make all the difference.
So often we look at deer hunters
that are consistently successful and
wonder, Why cant I do that? We all
love hunting big bucks, and everyone would like to harvest a monster
deer, but a select few manage to do it
year in and year out. The process is
no different for McKibben and other
highly successful hunters than it is

for the rest of us; we scout and pattern deer, identify food sources and
bedding areas, plant food plots and
hang stands. We know that the bucks
will be trailing does during the rut,
and we know to keep our scent away
from the deer. But if everyone knows
this, and these are the methods by
which we kill big deer, do guys such
as McKibben have a secret?
The answer, quite frankly, is no.
McKibben and those like him are
what Ive come to refer to as the 5
Percenters the 5 percent of hunters who put in the extra 5 percent
effort and consistently collect the 5
percent of bucks that score over 160.
For McKibben, the process of killing King started before the last day
of the hunting season in 2013 and
continued right up until that day
in early November 2014 when his
chance at this big deer finally arrived. But rather than focusing on
the moment of the kill, its important
to understand the timeline and the
time required to kill this big buck.
Because, ultimately, that is the secret
to success.
When I first saw McKibben in the
spring of 2014, one corner of his garage bore a strong resemblance to
the officers barracks at the edge of
a war zone. Black-and-white photos
taken with infrared cameras lined
the counter and a detailed map with
a series of color-coded pushpins
traced photos and sightings of the
deer. In early February of 2014, McKibben managed to capture a photo of
King with only one antler, and the
next night he secured an image of
the buck with both antlers gone. It
was McKibbens wife, Lyndsey, who
recognized that the deer had a notch
cut in one ear, an identifying mark
that allowed him to be identified
throughout the year whether he was
wearing his unmistakable headgear
or not.
It was clear McKibben was taking
the hunt seriously, but if you knew
McKibben that might not surprise
you. In high school, he was an excellent baseball player who went
on to play infield for Mount Vernon
Nazarene University. After becoming a high school teacher, he began
61
traveling to Ohio universities teaching courses on leadership and personal development. He can tell you
how to approach your boss for a
raise and how many stitches there
are on a baseball. If theres an archetypal big buck hunter, its McKibben.
Always in the Woods

I cant say for certain, but Id bet
McKibben had a bad case of poison
ivy that spring. There are two reasons for this; hes highly allergic, and
hes always in the woods. For McKibben, the spring of 2014 was all about
setting cameras to monitor Kings
growth and movements, patterning
the big buck month by month, planting food plots and hanging treestands, just the same as thousands of
other hunters across the country.
McKibbens hunting property has
plenty of flat agricultural land upon
which to grow a food plot, and any
one of these places would have been
easier to access than the open patch
of bottomland that required dragging
equipment down into the valley piece
by piece, a back-breaking and timeconsuming chore. Based on the planting zone and region, McKibben took
the time to select a food blend that
worked well in his part of Ohio, and
he added the proper amount of fertilizer to ensure the soil was capable
of producing the best crop possible.
Herbicides were added and the plot
remained open and clean. Because of
the location, every step in the process
required extra effort to reach this hidden patch of earth that would, ultimately, become the place where McKibben arrowed the monster buck.
Many of us, myself included, tend
to find a likely hunting spot and select the tree that best suits us. McKibben (and other hunters Ive known
like him) dont operate that way.
They find the best possible stand
site in the absolute best location and
make it work, even if that means a
long, hard climb and a lot of limb
clearing. In the case of McKibbens
buck, that meant cleaning the entire
side of a massive eastern red cedar
tree. The process was long and grueling, and even getting into the tree
required extra effort. Manipulating a
bow up through the broken branches
62
Toppling
the
King
From scouting to shooting and planting food plots to hanging treestands, preparation
was they key to McKibbens success. He left nothing to chance and dedicated as much
time as possible to eliminating every variable to ensure a perfect outcome when his
opportunity finally arrived.
was a chore, and it required a great

deal of patience. The stand itself
opened up on a valley and the food
plot McKibben had planted, and I
actually ascended the tree myself to
check out the view, which, from 28
feet above the valley floor, is quite
impressive. The cedar branches
wrapped around the stand, trimmed
far enough back to offer a clean shot
and allow for plenty of movement
but still dense enough to offer plenty
of concealment.
McKibben used the summer months
to not only shoot his bow but to make
sure that it was tuned with the right
arrows and at the right draw weight.
He took his bow to a local archery
shop and discussed arrow weight and
spine stiffness options and left noth-
ing to chance. Arrows by the hundreds

went downrange from different shooting positions and elevations.
All the while, the surveillance on
the buck continued. Inch by velvety
inch, Kings antlers were growing as
the days stretched during the summer
solstice then began to shorten during
the dog days of August with hunting
season just a few weeks away.
Sticking with the Plan

Before the season opened, McKibben cleared a trail into the stand that
would allow him to beat the prevailing wind without being seen or
spooking deer. Hunting clothes were
washed in scent-eliminating detergent and hung outside to dry, and
for a full month before opening day
01/02 2017
AFTER-HOURS SCOUTING
xperienced bowhunters know scouting

is critical to success, but how many of
us actually go sit in the woods at night
to keep tabs on deer when they are most
active? As mentioned in this article,
McKibben employed a Scout handheld
thermal imaging monocular from FLIR to
monitor local deer movements after hours
and used that information in planning his
hunting strategy.
The FLIR Scout III ($1,899-$3,499; www.
flir.com) displays images created from the heat
signature of animals and terrain. Depending on
the model, the Scout III is capable of detecting
deer at ranges from nearly 400 yards to more
than 1,200 yards. The unit offers a variety of
brightness and color settings to maximize
visibility in varying conditions on the 640x480
LCD display. In addition to being a great
he showered with scent-eliminating

body wash. Food plots and food
sources were maintained all the way
through the season, and McKibben
kept watch over feeding sites, trails
and funnels via trail cameras. At
night, McKibben used a FLIR Scout
thermal-imaging monocular to determine where deer were moving
and the trails they used to and from
food sources.
As in 2013, King vanished once
again in September of 2014, and for
a time McKibben feared the buck
might have been poached or killed
by a car. But later in the month the
big deer reappeared on trail cameras,
setting McKibbens mind at ease.
With food sources established,
movements documented, equipment
checked and scent eliminated, McKibben headed into his stand for the
season opener. He spent every available opportunity in the stand, sitting
mornings when he could and evenings when he couldnt. His preparation had been, by most standards,
slightly over the top. Its hard to express the amount of time and effort,
but by the season opener McKibben
knew he had eliminated every variable possible.
Still, eliminating variables doesnt
always lead to success, and it took
FLIR Scout III
scouting tool, the Scout III is also very useful for

tracking wounded game, since heat from blood
and even a deers hoof prints on the ground are
visible for a period of time. The Scout III
measures less than 7 inches long, weighs just
12 ounces and operates up to 5 hours via the
included, rechargeable lithium ion battery.
plenty of stand time to connect. But
when youve prepared like McKibben and you have the data to verify
your stand is the right stand, you
dont need to switch. All the intelligence he had gathered pointed
to the cedar stand, and every time
wind conditions allowed for a clear
approach McKibben hunted in that
tree. Then, at last light on Nov. 6,
everything came together.
It was very late in the evening

when a single doe slipped out of the
darkening woods and stepped lightly
through the Bio-Logic food plot. She
moved silently down the leafy green
rows, head rising and falling as she
fed. Then she stopped. Turning over
her left shoulder, she watched a stand
of skeletal white sycamores. Underneath the trees McKibben saw, for only
the second time in person, King. With
one, heavy-shouldered bound the
buck entered the field, his head low.
He gave a grunt and followed the doe.
There was only time for me to
see the deer, recognize him and grab
my bow, McKibben said. He came
to full draw, planted the pin on the
bucks shoulder and let the arrow fly.
It struck with a hollow thump, and
the buck turned and disappeared
over the hill. Seventy yards from
where hed been hit, King toppled
over and expired.
Two years worth of work culminated in an encounter that lasted
less than 10 seconds. For many
hunters, those 10 seconds may
have been all that mattered, but not
McKibben. For him, it was all those
extra hours and all that extra effort
he put into the hunt that made Nov.
6 so special.
Could he have done the same
thing with less time and effort?
Maybe, but I doubt it.
McKibben and hunting buddy John Copas admire King after loading him up into the
back of the pickup truck. The buck green scored in the low 170s and that was with
two broken tines!
63
Four Options for Accessible,

Affordable Deer-Hunting
Adventure
By Tracy Breen
64
Whitetails
LINDA ARNDT PHOTO
Over-the-Counter
any bowhunters want to go on an

out-of-state whitetail hunt, but far fewer want
to wait several years to draw a coveted nonresident tag for Iowa or a top unit in Kansas. If that applies to you, there are several
good reasons to consider hunting a state that
doesnt get as much attention as more popular options, such
as readily available tags, less competition with other hunters
and outfitted hunt prices at a fraction of what they cost in
the glamour states.
Here are four great options for high-quality whitetail road
trips that wont bust your budget:
OTC
the first night of my two-day hunt,

so this is a hunt virtually anyone
can afford.
The Eastern Shore doesnt offer a
lot of public land, but bowhunters
looking to try their luck using DIY
tactics should consider Millington
Wildlife Management Area in Kent
County. This management area is
made up of thousands of acres, holds
many deer and may produce a nice
buck if a bowhunter is willing to
work hard, Johnson said.
I enjoyed my Maryland hunt so
much I intend to hunt whitetails
there again someday. I truly believe
for the money, Maryland is hard to
beat.
Non-Resident License Requirements: Hunting License ($130) and
Archery Stamp ($25)
Season Dates: Archery season
generally runs from the first weekend in September through January.
More Info: www.dnr.maryland.
gov
North Dakota
Jay Reeves, a youth bowhunter from Maryland, took this great buck on public land.
Maryland
One state that rarely gets much national attention for its whitetail hunting is Maryland. Although whitetails
inhabit the entire state, the heavily
agricultural Eastern Shore is of particular interest due to the size of the
bucks this region produces and numerous options for guided hunts.
Several years ago, I hunted the
Eastern Shore with Tyler Johnson
from Quaker Neck Gun Club. On
Johnsons highly managed ground,
several 140-150-inch bucks are taken
each year, and bucks approaching
180 inches have been taken. Maryland is really starting to produce

some nice bucks, said Johnson, who
noted that antler-point restrictions
implemented in 2014 are helping
further improve the states buck age
structure.
You might think a guided hunt is
outside your budget, but the cool
thing about Quaker Neck is they
charge $250 per day for hunting,
which includes lodging and meals.
You can pay for one day or five
days. The choice is yours. I killed
a Pope and Young-caliber buck on
North Dakota is No. 15 all-time

and in the last five years when it
comes to Pope and Young recordbook entries, so its clearly a top spot
for bowhunting. Tags are easily obtained through a simple application
process, and a combination of public
and publicly accessible private land
offer visiting hunters plenty of options.
Shooting a 140-150-inch buck
there isnt very uncommon, and getting permission from a landowner
isnt extremely difficult either, said
Joel Maxfield of Mathews, who has
successfully hunted in North Dakota
on multiple occasions.
North Dakota has a program
called PLOTS, which stands for Private Land Open To Sportsmen. Each
year, the state publishes a PLOTS
guide that shows the property locations. Not all these tracts are large;
many are only a few hundred acres,
but finding a good piece to hunt that
isnt receiving a lot of hunting pressure is highly likely.
65
Over-the-Counter
Whitetails OTC
To avoid hunting pressure, I

suggest hunters consider going on
a late-season bowhunt, Maxfield
said. North Dakota gets pretty cold,
which deters many hunters. The last
buck I shot in North Dakota was
when the weather was cold and there
was a lot of snow on the ground.
The public-land, do-it-yourself
hunter should consider the northeast corner of North Dakota in the
Cheyenne
National
Grassland,
which offers more than 70,000 acres
of hunting ground. North Dakota,
like many Plains states, is made up
of large grasslands with small patches of timber. The beauty of hunting the prairie is that finding where
big bucks travel isnt as difficult as
it is in the Midwest where there are
large sections of heavy timber, said
Maxfield. If a bowhunter works
hard and looks for the travel routes,
chances are they are going to find the
deer.
Non-Resident License Requirements: Non-resident Deer Bow license ($250), Habitat License ($20)
and Hunting Certificate ($2).
Archery Season Dates: Archery
season generally runs from early
September through the first week of
January.
More Info: www.gf.nd.gov
This monster Ohio buck was taken by Gil Gard. Ohio ranks fourth all-time in the number
of Pope and Young whitetail record-book entries.
Ohio
One state that gets a fair amount

of hunting pressure but isnt hunted
like Iowa or Kansas is Ohio. A license
in Ohio can be purchased over the
counter and there is ample public
land for do-it-yourself hunters. According to Rick Mowery from the
Pope and Young Club, Ohio is one
of the top states for whitetails even
Joel Maxfield of Mathews with a nice buck though Wisconsin and Illinois get
he took during the late season in North most of the attention.
If you look at the top Pope and
Dakota.
66
Young entry states since 1961, Ohio

is fourth, Mowery said. In the
last five years, Ohio has moved up
to the third position, yet it still isnt
discussed as much as other states,
which is a good thing for publicland, DIY bowhunters.
Unlike many other states that are
made up of largely private farm
ground, Ohio has a lot of rugged
public land, especially in the southeast part of the state. I hunted around
Clendening Lake several years ago.
This area is very mountainous and
full of old strip mines. As a result,
many hunters never travel more
than a few hundred yards off the
beaten path. I accessed a large section of public land using a pontoon
boat. Very few hunters were willing
to boat to the other side of the lake,
so my buddy and I had the area to
ourselves. We saw several nice bucks
even though we never let an arrow
fly. In fact, one member of our hunting party saw a 180-inch buck on
public land.
Over the years, I have interviewed
several game biologists from southeast Ohio and they all said the same
thing: the public land gets hunted
01/02 2017
hard a few days a year but hunters

willing to get away from the roads
and put in their time will find nice
bucks. Obviously, the Pope and
Young numbers speak for themselves. Tags in Ohio are reasonably
priced, and even leases are reasonable, so blue-collar bowhunters will
find plenty of opportunity in Ohio.
Non-Resident License Requirements: Non-resident Hunting License ($125) and Either-Sex Deer
Permit ($24)
season generally runs from late September through early February.
More Info: www.ohiodnr.gov
Pope and Young Club Record-Book

Whitetail Entry Rankings
he chart below shows the Pope and Young Clubs top whitetail entry states all time (since
1961), as well as the top states from the last five years (2011-2015). Studying this data may
help you choose which state to hunt next, though Pope and Young spokesman Rick Mowery
advises hunters to put the information in proper context.
Some of the states that rank near the top do so because they have a ton of hunters in the
woods. As a result, they kill a lot of quality bucks, Mowery said. Those states might not always be
the best states to go to if a guy doesnt want to compete with hunters and wants to find a trophy.
Some other states listed on the chart dont receive as much pressure but still have a fair amount of
entries. Those states might be the sleeper states worth checking out.
Top 20 States All Time
Top 20 States last 5 years
1. Wisconsin
2. Illinois
3. Iowa
4. Ohio
5. Kansas
6. Indiana
7. Minnesota
8. Missouri
9. Texas
10. Michigan
11. Pennsylvania
12. New York
13. Kentucky
14. Nebraska
15. North Dakota
16. South Dakota
17. Maryland
18. Oklahoma
19. West Virginia
20. Georgia
1. Wisconsin
2. Ohio
3. Iowa
4. Illinois
5. Indiana
6. Kansas
7. Minnesota
8. Missouri
9. Kentucky
10. Pennsylvania
11. Texas
12. New York
13. Nebraska
14. Michigan
15. North Dakota
16. South Dakota
17. Georgia
18. Arkansas
19. Mississippi
20. Oklahoma
12,381
7,943
5,081
4,067
3,356
3,090
3,033
2,377
1,959
1,875
1,753
1,603
1,503
1,268
1,058
1,033
892
746
645
613
1,903
681
661
660
543
516
367
352
325
289
267
237
194
193
170
168
153
152
128
124
Outdoor Writer Steve Flores lives in West

Virginia, and as you can see has no trouble
finding large bucks.
West Virginia
When people think of big-buck
states, West Virginia isnt one
that typically rolls off the tongue.
However, West Virginia holds
some big bucks, largely because
much of the state is very steep and
rugged, making it a great place
for bowhunters willing to invest
some sweat equity into finding the
sweet spots.
Accomplished West Virginia bowhunter Steve Flores recommends
focusing on the states numerous
bow-only counties. Logan, Mingo,
McDowell and Wyoming counties
are all southern counties that hold
some pretty nice bucks, but hunters
will have to work for their deer. Getting back in is where I kill most of my
bucks, Flores added.
Flores finds the best way to find
big deer is by hunting deep in publichunting areas or by leasing. Leasing
ground isnt very expensive here,
Flores said. For a few hundred dollars, a person can often find a decent
lease.
Non-Resident License Requirements: Non-resident Hunting License ($119), Archery Stamp ($32)
and Conservation Stamp ($13)
season generally runs from late September through December.
More Info: www.wvdnr.gov
67
SOCIAL,
OR
Successful?
he icon alerting me I had an instant message

lit up as innocently as all the other times
it ever had when someone messaged me
through Facebook. I stole another glance to
my left and identified the squirrel shuffling
through the crisp November leaves, periodically burying its nose deep enough to hide its
eyes from the still morning air. A pair of wood ducks raucously lifted off the slough to my right, and I scanned the
waters edge with extra care, looking for an animal that
may have spooked them from their floating perches.
Satisfied I was alone for the moment, I turned my focus
toward the phone in my hand and tapped the little button
to open my messages. A few seconds later, that aforementioned innocence was gone. Hey man, I think Im pretty
sure I know exactly where that spot is. Good luck to you.
Or something like that. It could have said I want
to send you a million dollars; frankly, I couldnt
see past I know exactly where that spot is
Like a lot of hunters these days, Id started
sharing more and more information on social
media. The ability to connect real time with
my friends across the country was infectious.
For years, Id been texting close friends from
my stand with such innocuous observances as,
All settled in; feels like a good day today! or
Just had a doe walk by. But those short little
phrases that served to connect me to a handful
of buddies gave way over time to posting pictures from the stand on Facebook.
I suspect well over two decades of immersing myself into one of the most solitary pursuits in the outdoors bowhunting had
left me craving just a bit of interaction with
68
Social Media and

Great Bowhunting
Dont Always Mix
By Greg Staggs
69
people, and social media was the

perfect tool! I was still alone with my
thoughts. I really didnt have to share
my best hunting spots with anyone,
yet I could talk with friends noiselessly and pass the time until it got
to be THAT time we all wait for. It
seemed so harmless. Then, it all
changed with that one message.
Sharing Too Much

Im not the only one scaling back the
amount of hunting-related information they share on social media. Ryan
Hatfield, editor of Western Hunter
magazine, recently shared the following on his Facebook page: One of the
bummers of Facebook is having some
really beautiful, spectacular scenery
photos that youd love to share with
people, but you dont dare because
you know that people will Google
Earth the crap out of them and meet
you right there next year. Oh, what the
heck, heres one that doesnt show too
much skyline. His picture? A closeup of a rock. As in really close. So close,
in fact, that you couldnt see the edges
of it in the picture.
T.J. Ash, a successful Kansas bowhunter, has observed the trend as
well. With todays convenience of
immediately sharing on social media
outlets of everything from the mornings sunrise to your latest treestand
selfie, its hard to miss, he said.
While fun to participate in perhaps difficult to resist it doesnt
come without its drawbacks.
Ash shared with me an incident
that forever changed how he would
use Facebook and other social media
in the future.
A few years ago, after having
harvested a record-book whitetail,
I learned just how fast social media
works, Ash said. Not only did pictures of the buck and me spread like
wildfire, but speculation and rumors
as to where it was killed went even
faster. Couple that with living in a
small Midwestern town and it was
a recipe for disaster. Between the
small-town talk much of which
also occurred via social media outlets and a few of the pictures in
the field, it didnt take long for it to
be common knowledge where the
buck was taken.
70
Although a bit unhappy about

that, it would be a few months before I truly learned the consequences I would feel from the attention
it garnered. Throughout the following spring and summer I continued
to freely post trail-camera photos of
bucks as they were in velvet. Often
times these picture generated quite
an online discussion. While never
being directly asked for a location,
thanks to my success the previous
fall, many people already knew not
only where I had taken my buck
earlier, but also the location or
at least general location of my
other properties. Now they had location (mistake 1) and they knew
the quality of the animals there
(mistake 2).
for them to become discouraged

and give up the chase. None made
the effort to return the following
year, although the damage was
done for that season. Lesson number one was in the books: no more
trail-camera pictures!
Keep It to Yourself
Fortunately, I never shared the
single trail-camera picture of the big,
split G-2 buck I captured a few years
back. I had wanted a big buck with a
kicker for years, and the fact that he
possessed the dark chocolate rack Id
also coveted made for a no-brainer
At right is the buck Kansas bowhunter

T.J. Ash mentioned in the article.
Sharing photos of his success on
Facebook, along with additional trailcamera images of good bucks the following summer,resulted in numerous other
hunters moving into the area and creating
all sorts of headaches for Ash.
That fall proved to be one of

the most aggravating seasons I
have ever had as a bowhunter.
Trespassers, poachers and people
throwing cash around for access
to neighboring properties not only
created a headache for me personally, but caused the wildlife to also
feel the struggle, in turn changing the entire dynamic of the area.
The plus side I found is those who
go to such lengths or perhaps I
should say shortcuts also seem
to not have much patience. When
they didnt find a big buck walking by them every time they went
afield that fall, it didnt take long
target buck. On the morning of Nov.

11, crashing sounds from down the
draw caused me to instantly rise
off my stand seat and grab my bow
off its hook in one motion. I peered
intently towards the commotion as
its volume rose. The panting doe
bounding towards me suddenly
changed course and veered out, taking her on a path 40 yards from my
stand. I had no time to identify the
huge buck dogging her every step,
other than to think to myself he
would not get a free pass.
I grunted as he passed through my
first shooting lane, and he continued
on without pause. When he entered
01/02 2017
After capturing a single trail-camera photo

of this public-land buck with a split G-2,
author Greg Staggs resisted the temptation to share his discovery on social media.
Staggs was able to tag the buck later that
fall and partly credits his success to the
fact that few other hunters were aware of
the bucks existence.
Two years after taking the split G-2 buck, author Greg Staggs was able to connect
on this big 6-pointer. Although Staggs said he enjoys sharing parts of his bowhunting
experience with others via social media, he decided against posting any photos of this
buck because he believes it is more valuable to maintain the privacy of his hunting area
than it is to receive congratulations from online friends.
SOCIAL, OR Successful?
my second opening, I grunted louder
still; he never broke stride. When he
was just about to hit the last spot I
would have to be able to launch an arrow at him, I did something Id never
done: I yelled at him. Hey!! I virtually screamed. He skidded to a stop
and seemed to give me a quizzical
look. A second later, my Muzzy MX-3
sliced cleanly through his heart as he
stood looking at me 43 yards away.
I proudly showed off the big,
5 -year-old, public-land monarch
to my friends, one of whom later
shared a second trail-camera photo
of him that he had. Im betting that
if Id shared my trail-camera photo
on social media, Id have had a little
more competition for the beautiful
pedestal mount that now looks out
across my living room.
Two years and a day later, I was
mentally kicking myself for choosing
the wrong spot. I had snuck in tight
to a bedding area so thick the deer
only navigated it by a series of trails.
I had climbed high enough to peer
into a large area of it, and the breeze
gently hit me in the face as I strained
to hear any footfalls. Darkness began
enveloping me as a stick breaking
to my left caught my full attention.
I watched intently as the mature doe

picked her way along the edge of the
bedding area before shifting focus to
the soft grunts of the large-bodied
buck carefully shadowing her.
The doe tiptoed her way to the base
of my tree and sniffed where I had
wrapped my climber around the bark.
I resisted the temptation to look directly into her eyes as she peered upward,
searching for the source of the trace
amount of scent that had piqued her
curiosity. Satisfied after a few seconds,
she shuffled off before I drove another
Muzzy into a giant of a 6-pointer at a
scant three yards. I never shared his
picture on Facebook, ever.
Sharing your trail-cam photos, hunting memories and trophies on social
media is definitely fun. After all, who
doesnt like all those likes? The question is, what experience is more important to you: the sacredness of a great
hunting spot youve got all to yourself,
or the hubris that comes with knowing
you can share so many images of beautiful countryside and big critters with
friends and followers instantly?
Go ahead and post away if you
like. Just dont be surprised if you
end up seeing some of your friends
there on your next hunt!
71
TECHNICAL
BOW TEST
PSE Evolve 35
SE is an archery industry
icon, and the 2017 Evolve
35 is proof that the company continues to innovate
even after more than 40 years
of success.
The Evolve 35 generates great
speed via PSEs Quad-Track dualcam system, Wide-Track 982 Series
limbs and Americas Best Bowstrings.
Limbs are aligned to the long riser
with the Wedge-Lock Speed Pockets,
and multiple vibration-dampening
accessories partner with the parallel
limb position to tame the shot.
Smooth & Adjustable

The new Evolve dual-cam system
features four separate tracks that
play host to the string or cables at
some point in the draw cycle. Each
cable locks into one cam directly and
then is tied to the other through the
use of a yoked cable, with each end
wrapped around a small-diameter
disk on either side of the main cam.
The wider stance creates stability,
which reduces cam lean, while the
tracking and anchoring forces each
cam to operate in lock-step with
the other. This allows the cams to
automatically compensate for small
changes that would normally cause
tuning issues in an old-style dual-cam system.
Each cam features a rotating inner
adjustment module that is easily set
for draw lengths from 26 inches (L setting) to 31 inches (A setting), in halfinch increments. An easy-to-read sight
window shows the letter that corresponds to the draw length to eliminate
any confusion about positioning. The
system is advertised to generate IBO
speeds from 332-340 fps on a 6-inch
brace height, and system letoff is adjustable from 80-90 percent.
PSEs Evolve 35 feature a long, stable platform and a pair of Quad-Track cams that
produce a super-smooth draw and advertised IBO speeds between 332 and 340 fps.
PSEs integrated B.E.S.T grip creates a functional interface between bow and shooter,
while the Wide-Track 982 Series limb system and several vibration-dampening accessories
tame the shot.
72
Wide Stance
The Evolve 35 is outfitted with the
newest member of the X-Tech limb
technology family. The 982 Series split
limbs are heavily pre-loaded and reach
well beyond parallel at full draw to reduce shock, vibration and noise. Also
fighting noise and vibration are a series
of Riser Dumbbells and Shock Mods.
Limbs are available in peak draw
weights of 50, 60, 65 and 70 pounds.
PSEs Wedge-Lock Speed Pockets
precisely secure the limbs in alignment with the riser, cradling the last
couple inches of each limb piece. The
wedge secures each limb tip to the
front of the pocket while also providing precise parallel alignment.
Rigid Platform
The Evolve 35s aluminum riser is
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: PSE Archery, 520-884-9065;
www.pse-archery.com
Model: Evolve 35
Cam System: Evolve Quad Track
Weight: 4.6 pounds (advertised); 4.45 pounds
(as tested)
Brace Height: 6 inches
Axle-To-Axle length: 35 inches
Letoff: 80-90 percent, adjustable (advertised);
86.33 percent (as tested)
Draw Weights: 50, 60, 65 and 70 pounds peak
Draw Lengths: 26-31 inches, in half-inch
increments, via rotating inner cam
Riser: Reflex, aluminum
Limbs: Wide-Track split limbs
String: Americas Best, BCY 452X, 62.5 inches
Cables (x2): Americas Best, BCY 452X, 32.625
inches with 15.75 inch harness cables
Grip: Wide B.E.S.T., fully integrated
Finish: Mossy Oak Break-Up Country, plus other
options
Advertised IBO Speed: 332-340 fps
Suggested Retail Price: $999.99
Comments: Extremely smooth and stable on
target.
01/02 2017
BY JON E. SILKS
tem torque and enhanced efficiency.
SPEED & ENERGY

ARROW
SPEED
375-GRAIN 302 fps

ARROW
425-GRAIN 283 fps
ARROW
KINETIC DYNAMIC
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
75.96
86.6%
foot-pounds
75.60
foot-pounds
DRAW-FORCE CURVE
86.2%
Editors Note: All our Technical Bow Tests are conducted using the same standardized procedures and professionally calibrated
testing equipment. Bows are tested with a draw length of 29 inches and a draw weight of 65 pounds, unless otherwise noted.
first forged and then machined into

its final form, which is reflex in configuration. The riser has what PSE calls
an angled plane sight window transition. Basically it means that the front
and back of the riser do not follow
each other through the transition to
the upper part of the riser. This wider
stance enhances stiffness, making the
platform more rigid important for
improved consistency and accuracy.
Angled bridging runs through the
large cutouts in the riser to preserve

strength while reducing overall
weight. Another unique feature on
the Evolve 35 is the Flex Slide 2 cable-containment system with Roller
Glide. The Flex Slide flexes during
the draw cycle, while the Roller
Glide rolls on the slide and a separate
roller cradles each cable. In short, the
rollers and the flexing action reduce
friction and promote proper positioning of the cables for reduced sys-
Impressions
The highlight of shooting the
Evolve 35 was the smoothness of the
draw cycle. In fact, it was so smooth I
actually re-checked the draw weight
just to be certain it was really set at
65 pounds!
Some notable hand shock was detected upon release. This was partially
reduced by adding a good stabilizer.
The B.E.S.T. grip is functional and
comfortable at normal temperatures.
However, since it is integrated into the
riser itself, you may need gloves or a
wrap when it gets cold.
As you might expect with a 35inch axle-to-axle rig relatively
long by todays standards the
Evolve 35 demonstrated excellent
stability and overall balance, holding like glue on the target. This kind
of steadiness at full draw will make
you seriously consider switching
back to a longer bow.
73
FIELD
TESTED
A Picture-Perfect Ending
Preparation is the key to bowhunting success, and
thats doubly true when hunting with children. Simply put, kids lack the finely honed hunting instincts
that come through years of experience. So, helping a
youngster punch a tag typically requires getting a little
closer to their quarry and allowing a little more time
to prepare for the shot. This past fall, my 10-year-old
son, Timmy, was determined to tag his first whitetail.
And considering what I just said, you better believe I
was determined to do everything in my power to put
him in the best possible position to succeed.
The first half of the equation was preparing Timmy
for the shot. Given his age, lack of experience and low compound bow draw weight, a crossbow was the logical weapon of
choice. A search of youth-oriented models quickly led me to the
Cabelas Brood by TenPoint ($499.99, 800-237-444;
www.cabelas.com). Measuring less than 34 inches long and
weighing just 5.9 pounds with all accessories installed, the
Brood is compact, lightweight and well balanced. And while the
Brood has a relatively short 10.5-inch power stroke and modest
(by crossbow standards) 150-pound draw weight, it still generates bolt speed up to 300 fps and has more than enough kinetic
energy for deer hunting. Timmy was in love with his crossbow
from the moment he saw it! Part of that was the handsome black
finish with yellow branding accents,
but Timmy also appreciated
the Broods easy-to-maneuver
dimensions and the fact he is
strong enough to cock the
bow himself via the
integrated
ACU52
rope-cocking
aid.
The included TenPoint 3X multi-reticle
scope was easy to dial in,
and it wasnt long before Timmy was shooting
out to 40 yards with deadly accuracy. Clearly, the
ability to make a shot wasnt our limiting factor.
The second half of the equation was scouting out
the right spot for our hunt. Thankfully, our family has
permission to hunt a farm not far from home, and it
didnt take me long to identify a likely hotspot at the
intersection of corn and soybean fields. The sheer
amount of crop damage told me deer were frequent
visitors to the area. Still, I needed to know exactly when they were visiting. A trail camera was the
obvious tool for this job, but in this case, not just any
trail camera would do. You see, I needed to place
the camera right in the beans, where the deer could
approach from any direction. Plus, there were no
trees, fence posts or other places to mount a traditional camera. In this particular application, the 360
Cam from Wildgame Innovations ($199.99,
800-847-8269;
www.wildgameinnovations.com)
was just the ticket! This unique, 12MP camera has
74
the ability to take pictures anywhere around it literally 360 degrees via the six-zone motion detector and motorized flash/lens unit that rotates to
wherever motion is detected. Plus, it features an integrated T-post mounting system that allowed me to
easily stake it right in the bean field about 30 yards
away from the ground blind I placed in the area.
At midday on Pennsylvanias Oct. 1 archery season opener, I pulled the SD card from the 360 Cam
and hurried home to review the footage. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see a group of antlerless deer feeding directly in front of the blind the previous four evenings at exactly 6:20 p.m. Just to be safe, I
made certain Timmy and I were settled into the blind by 4:30,
and we enjoyed a visit from a flock of wild turkeys before the
witching hour arrived. At 6 p.m., I advised Timmy to prop his
crossbow on his shooting stick and be ready for action. And at
exactly 6:18 two minutes ahead of schedule the first two
deer stepped out of the standing corn to our right and fed their
way through the beans toward the blind. I advised Timmy to focus
on the second deer a mature doe and take his time as he
swiveled in his seat and slid the Brood
into position. Moments
later, with the doe standing just 15 yards out the
window, Timmy squeezed
the Broods trigger and
became the proud owner
of a punched deer tag. And
I became the proud parent of a new
deer hunter with the picture-perfect smile
to prove it! Christian Berg
01/02 2017
WH E R E
TO G O
For more information or to place an order, call Mark

Thiffault 1-800-200-7885 (Canada & international
949-240-2315). Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted. Or email at mark.thiffault@imoutdoors.
com
GUIDES AND OUTFITTERS
Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation

(Required by 39 USC 3685)
1) Publication Title: Bowhunting
2) Publication Number: 1049-9768
3) Filing Date: 10/1/16
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5) Number of Issues Published Annually: 9
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SilverFoxOutftters.com
1-800-899-5064
2017!
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.
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.
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76
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Average No.
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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............ 155,451............. 154,145
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circulation
1) Paid/requested
outside/county mail
subscriptions stated
on PS Form 3541.......................... 116,775............. 117,559
2) Paid in-county subscriptions........ 0........................ 0
3) Sales through dealers
and carriers, street
vendors and counter..................... 6,109................. 5,000
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requested circulation.................... 122,884............. 122,559
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1) Outside-county as
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& Electronic Copies)......................99.49%..............99.51%
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01/02 2017
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01/02 2017
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
FACES OF
BOWHUNTING
BY MARK DEMKO
Melissa Casias
Q:
Its well known that women are

the fastest-growing segment of
the hunting community. Are you seeing
that in your guiding business and at
the 3-D shoots you take part in?
A:
Name: Melissa Casias

Home State: New Mexico
Occupation: Hunting Guide & Outfitter
Years Bowhunting: 12
Current Bow: Hoyt Spyder 30
Favorite Animals to Hunt: Elk and
Mule Deer
Q:
Melissa, you and your husband,

Mark, are co-owners of Blue Creek
Outfitters, located amid some of New
Mexicos best elk country. In addition to
handling all of the business details, how
often do you guide others during the
course of the season?
A:
I hunt a lot with Mark and the clients. A lot of clients are return hunters who have become friends. They are
like family, so I am in camp as much as
possible. I guide four to five groups a
season.
Q:
A:
How do you feel you approach

guiding differently than your male
counterparts?
Well, I feel I am a lot easier on the

clients than the guys. Since I have
been hunting with Mark for a lot of years
now, I know a lot of the honey holes, so
I usually end up with first choice in the
prime areas.
Q:
There arent many female hunting

guides. Are your clients surprised
when they find out youre leading them
afield?
A:
Yes and no. The new clients are

surprised and dont know what to
think. Our return clients like to hunt with
me, especially the older gentlemen
theyre the smart ones.
80
Melissa Casias took her biggest bull elk

ever a 348-inch giant in 2012. The
hunt was particularly memorable because
it happened alongside her husband Mark
and daughter Sierra, shown next to her
mother here.
Q:
A:
Youre also a seven-time state 3-D

archery champion. What got you
interested in archery?
I always had an interest in hunting,
but when Mark started taking me
out with him and I saw how close we
were able to get to the animals, it was
something I felt I had to do. When we
first got together, Mark took me with
him back East to hunt whitetails; on our
way home we stopped at Cabelas and
he bought me my first bow. From that
moment on, I was hooked.
Q:
A:
Over the years, youve taken some

big bulls with the bow. Whats your
most memorable experience?
September 2012. Mark, my daughter Sierra and I were all together. We
hiked a few miles into the backcountry.
There were elk bugling around us and
we were trying to get to one specific
elk we heard. On our way to that bugling bull, we heard another bull that was
really close and coming to the calls. It
was a quick scenario. We were stuck in
the spot and he was coming. He came
in at 50 yards and was feeding his way
toward us. There was only one chance
to pull my bow back without him seeing
me, and it seemed to take forever for him
to give me a good shot. He was at 40
yards when I was able to take that shot
and I got him. This bull happened to be
the biggest bull I have ever harvested.
He scored 348, and I won the Big Bull
Contest at our local archery shop.
Yes. When I first started shooting

there were some women at the 3-D
shoots, but most did not hunt. Now, I
have seen an increase in the number
of women shooting 3-Ds and they are
hunting, too. Even 10 years ago, hunting was still considered a mans sport.
Now, [it seems] there are as many
women hunters as men in our area.
Q:
According to the 2011 U.S. Fish &

Wildlife Service National Survey of
Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife-Associated
Recreation, only about 1 percent of the
Latino population hunts. As a Latina,
how do you see this sport gaining popularity with this demographic? What
ideas might you have to get more Latinos involved?
A:
That must be throughout the nation.

Here in New Mexico there are a lot
of Latinos hunting. We actually know
more Latino hunters than non-Latino
hunters. In New Mexico it is still our
heritage and a way of life.
Q:
Theres a cool YouTube video of

you taking a nice bull elk with the
bow, with your daughter right by your
side. How old was Sierra when you
first took her afield, and what advice do
you have for parents who want to get
their kids involved in the sport?
A:
Sierra was 3 months old when

we took her on a javelina and
ibex hunt in the southern part of New
Mexico. She is the only daughter
living at home now and so she is
with us everywhere we go, and that
includes hunting. She took her first
mule deer and elk in 2015, along with
her older sister. My advice is to start
your kids early. Get them enrolled in
hunter safety so they get to know the
basics and take them hunting with you.
In the off-season, take your children
out to learn to identify the animals they
will be hunting, learn their tracks and
habitat. 3-D shoots are a great start
for kids. We have had Sierra shooting
a bow since she was 2, and she won
her first 3-D championship at the age
of 3 . Its great family time!
01/02 2017
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
CARBON DEFIANT
PRO DEFIANT
BE DEFIANT. HUNT DEFIANT.

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2017 Bow Tests: HOYT PRO DEFIANT & PSE EVOLVE 35

THE MODERN BOWHUNTING AUTHORITY

Whitetails Americas Most

TECHNICAL BOW TEST

TECHNICAL BOW TEST

Big Bucks After

Cabelas, Wildgame Innovations

Theres Nothing Like Self-Guided

Solving the Riddle of

The Life & Times of Lulu Claypool

Feel the DIY High

Hoyt Pro Defiant

Toppling the King

Archery Adventure On Demand

Readers speak out about their sport and magazine

CHANGING THE GAME

Achieving Perfect Balance

BY DR. GRANT WOODS

Why Paper Cuts Kill Deer

The Budget Bowhunter

12 Equipment Tips for Extreme Accuracy

Shoot Better: Part 2

ARMED & DEADLY

NEW Retro Autumn Orange 6MMavailable for a limited time.

Thanks to MyOutdoorTV a new

even offers a Take With Me feature that allows you to download

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SUBSCRIPTIONS INQUIRIES: Should you wish to change your address,

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

hunters and subsequent articles Ive

Send your comments to

Al Beauchamp, Andover, Conn.

Leaving Your Ropes

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duced, along with peep sights, sight

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OUT IN THE OPEN