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.
IN SOME WAYS, it’s fitting that this Editorial, my 100th as the Editor of Bowhunter Magazine, lands on our annual DIY Special. As a rookie bowhunter back in 1981, I would never have dreamed of being in this position today, but I believe much of the credit goes to my long history of DIY hunts. My bowhunting roots are deeply embedded in those early years, when all my adventures were cultivated by two things: The knowledge I gleaned from reading Bowhunter and other resources; and my alliance with like-minded bowhunting buddies. We banded together, did the research, shared the preparation, the costs, the effort, the excitement — and most importantly, the rewards. We learned about decoying pronghorns, ambushing whitetails, calling elk, and baiting bears. We took breathless breaks on mountaintops,…
“WE’RE PROUD TO BE WORKING TOWARDS OUR 10 MILLIONTH LIGHTED KNOCK!’”— CURT PRICE, PRESIDENT TRUST ME WHEN I SAY it’s tough for the Bowhunter Magazine & TV team to imagine a time when we couldn’t thrill at the sight of a Lumenok-equipped arrow glowing down range, but it really wasn’t that long ago… “Actually, my inspiration came early one morning in the fall of ’98, when I’d rattled in a nice 10-point,” Curt Price began. “That buck bought it hook, line, and sinker, but then he busted me trying to draw. I was still able to get an arrow off, and I thought that maybe I’d shot high, but I wasn’t sure. Dad always said, ‘You’ve got to find the arrow!’ So, I climbed down and searched, and searched, and…
WHEN I LOOK BACK at my last two decades of bowhunting, the majority of the shots I encountered were pretty rapid. In other words, I didn’t have a lot of time to analyze and prepare for the shot. In those instances where I responded quickly but smoothly, I achieved success; when I didn’t, I blundered the opportunity. Nowadays, when preparing my equipment and mind for hunting season, I plan for worst-case shooting scenarios. This means striking fast — and accurately — when the situation calls for it. Here are some details I think about to improve my success at the moment of truth. Practice For The REAL DEAL During the off-season, I enjoy shooting my bow in the backyard. My routine is to shoot two to three arrows at each…
ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO, I was conducting archery seminars at a sports show in Northern California. Just before I went on stage, a gentleman walked up with a book in his hand. It was a leatherbound first edition of Saxton Pope’s 1923 classic, “Hunting With The Bow And Arrow.” The man opened the cover, and there was Pope’s original signature, plus a sheaf of yellowing papers that appeared to be arrow-testing notes handwritten by Pope himself. I was shocked when this fellow told me he had found the book in a local pawn shop and purchased it for $10. He wanted to know what it was worth. I had a seminar to give, but I asked him to meet me after the presentation. My excitement faded when the fellow failed…
ARCHERY ARTIFACTS are like gold — they are wherever you happen to find them. But if you wish to own a piece of bowhunting history, there are excellent ways to get on track. Nice collectibles, including Fred Bear items, are regularly advertised online. As I write this, for example, a fairly low-number Fred Bear Signature Takedown Bow is being offered on eBay. Fewer than 300 of these consecutively numbered bows were produced in the 1980s before Mr. Bear passed away. Each was signed by Fred and features a flawless finish, 22-carat gold-plated hardware, and a handsome hardwood presentation case. If you Google “archery collectibles” or similar phrases, you might be pleasantly surprised at what’s available. Estate auctions and other auctions also can be good bets. One of the niftiest collectible…
I KNOW LIFE isn’t all rainbows, sunshine, and lollipops, but there is no reason your bowhunting opportunities can’t be. I’m always looking for fun, reasonably priced adventures to have with my bow when most of the big-game seasons are over. Bowfishing is often my go-to for helping fill the void between spring turkey and fall deer season. However, while bowfishing is a blast, it can get repetitious. So, what are some more fun options for traditional bowhunters during the slower times of year that will also provide some great meat for the table, if successful? Alligator hunting is one of my favorites, because it’s so different. I’ve heard some folks refer to it as “bowfishing on steroids,” but I personally feel it’s more like bowhunting than bowfishing for the simple…
