Bowhunter brings you expert advice from legendary Bowhunters! Each issue is filled with updates from major bowhunting organizations, coverage of bowhunting locations across North America, complete coverage of the sport and much more.
ONE OF THE GREATEST skills a hunter can possess is the willingness to ask questions. Why are the deer not moving today when they were so active yesterday? Why is it that every time I see a mature buck, he’s walking that ridge in the distance? Why are the elk not using the waterhole I’m hunting? Why do I always get busted when I sit in this stand with a northwest wind? How could that muley buck have spotted me from so far away? Why did the buck I had trail camera photos of all summer long suddenly disappear? Why…well, you get the idea. It’s amazing how many hunters passively accept the reality without wondering about the why. Oh, the deer just aren’t moving today. The elk aren’t bugling, might…
AWESOME AUGUST ISSUE! Dear Bowhunter , Every year I look forward to your August/Big Game Special because I love to read about adventure bowhunts (most of which I’ll never be able to afford, but it won’t stop me from dreaming), and this year’s was simply spectacular. First, I’d like to say congratulations to Editor Curt Wells for finally breaking his brown bear curse, and in doing so, I’m sure realizing one of his own dreams. Second, I really enjoyed Frank Noska’s take on the difficulty of each of the 29 species of North American big game, and the fact that he believes nothing is tougher than a cagey old whitetail buck. Lastly, kudos to Pedro Ampuero on his world-class ibex, and for some absolutely stunning photographs. Anyway, keep doing what…
AS BOWHUNTER MAGAZINE looks toward its 50th Anniversary with anticipation — with a very special edition planned for October of next year — it seems appropriate, especially now, when we all seem to be taking personal inventory of what matters most, to begin recognizing those important individuals who made our history possible. Of course, there will be plenty of time to celebrate those key folks who founded the magazine and charted its decades-long course for us, but we owe a tremendous amount to our industry partners and friends, many of whom were true pioneers in their areas of expertise and product development, and who made the very industry possible. Let’s be honest, we live in a time when age and experience are rarely celebrated; but the absolute truth is that…
MOST ARCHERY HUNTERS know the basics of tuning a bow and arrow. I’ve written about tuning through paper in this column before, and companies like Hoyt and Easton offer directions on how to adjust and “tweak” their products. But I rarely encounter a hunter who knows the fine points of manipulating arrow configuration for perfect accuracy on targets and game. I was inspired to write this column just two weeks ago when a friend gave me a call. He had purchased a topnotch bow and pristine aluminum/carbon composite shafts. Yet he was not satisfied with his accuracy, despite his best tuning efforts. This fellow’s setup was typical of many that readers and acquaintances describe to me. With a perfect shooting situation — solid aim, smooth release, no wind, calm nerves…
BIG GAME HUNTING TIP Arrow Clearance With Your Bow One tricky accuracy problem can be collision between arrow and bow. Most commonly, fletching impacts the rest, handle riser, or cables. This ruins clean flight and creates more game-spooking noise. Modern drop-away arrow rests reduce the chance of such a problem, but shaft and fletching interference can still occur. To make sure your shafts and fletching completely clear the bow, you can smear lipstick on the fletching to see if any has rubbed off on the bow or rest after a shot. Another option is dusting the rest and surrounding area with talcum powder. If arrow impacts bow, there will be telltale scuffs in the powder. A shaft too weak or stiff in spine increases the chance of impact with your…
THE TERRAIN WAS gnarly for a caribou hunt — 50-degree inclines, shale slopes, rocky cliffs, and huge crevasses that all needed careful navigation in order to reach prominent ridgetops. This is where these surefooted caribou escaped the misery of black flies, which were so prevalent in the willow-thick valleys below. For several days in a row, and dozens of hard-walking miles later, my guide and I hadn’t seen much more than a dozen or so of these tall-racked nomads — with zero shooting opportunities. For many reasons, I felt like I was on a Dall sheep adventure, not a caribou hunt. So, when one nice bull suddenly materialized out of nowhere — nearly a mile away — I knew this was the one. After all, I hadn’t flown 2,500 miles…
