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.
I KEPT HEARING the same word. “Did you see the new compounds? My buddy just bought a compound. Do you have one yet?” It was the buzzword of the day. Then one late fall day in 1980, my brother-in-law, Gary Fischer, killed a buck with a compound. I was happy for him — but wildly jealous. I was a gun hunter, but this compound thing was calling my name. I went to the local newsstand to begin some research, and there she was: The glossy, full-color cover of a magazine called Bowhunter , staring at me — flirting like a gorgeous woman making deliberate, lingering eye contact. It was love at first sight. I read every word, even the ads, and subscribed immediately. This was a strange, new world, and…
SIMPLY AWESOME! Dear Bowhunter , Your August/Big Game Special issue never ceases to blow me away, and this year’s was nothing short of astounding. Pedro De Ampuero’s article, “Beyond Your Limits,” stuck out in particular (much like other articles from him in past August issues). For starters, his photographs are beyond words. I’m not too shabby with a camera, but good grief… my stuff is nothing compared to his. Second, I know some hardcore, adventure bowhunters, but what Pedro did on that particular hunt not only to put himself in position to get a shot but then to recover his chamois? All I can say is, “Wow! I’m not worthy…” He’s either not married, or his wife is the most understanding woman on the planet! Great job, Pedro, and the…
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT to the many great bow companies in today’s archery industry, if there’s a bowmaker with a better pedigree than Hoyt, we’re not aware of it. Started in 1931 by the St. Louis, Missouri, based father/son tandem of Earl Hoyt, Sr. and Jr., the start-up business quickly earned a reputation for building high-quality cedar arrows and remarkably straight-shooting stickbows. By the mid-1940s, Hoyt Archery Company, driven by Earl Hoyt, Jr.’s pure engineering genius, had begun to incorporate the superb, dynamically balanced, equal-length bow limbs that would set their target bows apart. A decade later, semi-pistol and then full pistol grips, plus the first true bow stabilizer, would lead to the industry’s most successful line of competition bows in history — think gold-medal-winning recurves (they took their first…
AS MANY READERS KNOW, I prefer do-it-yourself bow-hunts, unless a guide is legally required. But guides are mandatory in most places in Canada, for some species in Alaska, and on some federal lands for nonresidents in states like Wyoming. Given a choice, I would rather hunt with buddies on a non-client basis. But when a guide is necessary, I prefer someone I’ve known for a long time and who might be a personal pal as well. I do not like to gamble on an unknown guide when I do not have to. As an example, consider my good friend Duane Nelson. We met 36 years ago in a hunting camp for Dall sheep and mountain caribou. Duane guided me to both species, and big ones at that. He was skillful…
Plan Tactics With Your Guide Communication between client and guide is one key to a pleasant and successful hunt. It is wise to discuss strategies on the phone before you ever reach camp. This helps to avoid confusion and frustration later. Don’t take anything for granted, especially if you have not hunted with the same individual before. At the very least, plan a face-to-face chat with your guide the day before you enter the field. Do you want to stay ahead with your guide behind, so you can stalk or still-hunt solo? Or would you prefer the guide to stay at arm’s length and directly call the shots? If you have options like stand versus hike, or call versus silence, you need to set the ground rules ahead of time.…
ONE MINUTE my buddy Jeff and I were trudging up a steep slope in the rugged California mountains, the next we were watching deer flush from the thick understory like a covey of quail. Our panicky hearts grew with excitement as five does and one buck suddenly stopped to gawk about 40 yards away. My friend was shooting a barebow setup and preferred closer-in shooting, so he gave me the firm whisper to shoot. I quickly pulled up my bow, drew, and snapped the sight pin on the buck’s chest. I didn’t squeeze the release’s trigger — I believe I smashed it. The arrow clattered against brush and rocks — a clean miss. I grew disgusted with myself but persistently followed the trotting deer up and over the steep terrain.…
