Bowcountry.com E-Journal

Finding Your Place To Hunt Approaching Land Owners

Early Season Weekend Monster Grass Carp

Trail Camera Review Primos Truth Cam 60

The People Behind The Keyboard Patdouglas22 Interview

!"#$%&'%()*+&&",%-.%"(

Editorial Editorial Staff Editor in Chief Chris Maroldy-Swamp Fox

Managing Editors Mike McCombie & Jeff Sagehorn

contributing Editors Jon Burgess Brett Mcguire Jay Francis Kevin Engler Christian Gittens Ted Evans Jessica Calaway Mark Lee

“Jon” “btmdeerslayer” “Bluecat” “TxHunter” “Hunter_orange” “Hunter” “Farmgirl” “BAA” “XJCraver” “AWMILLER”

Contributing Companies Bowfishingcountry.com American Eagle Bows Bowfishingassociation Gulf Coast Archery 5150 Bows Bowcountry.com Eagle Eye Archery

Cover Photo by Jay Francis

bowcountry.com

A New Beginning W

elcome to the New Bowcoutnry.com E-Journal!

The BC E-Journal is a collection of stories, tips, and gear reviews put out one hundred percent by itʼs members. No big media company putting out what they are paid to print/advertise, no bias opinionated writers, nothing but real archery enthusiast sharing their stories, travels and real world experiences with you the reader.

Inside youʼll find Tech Tips from an experienced archery shop owner, Do it yourself articles from creative outdoorsman much like yourself, and outdoor stories from around the country. And although you may see ads in this publication we do not sell advertising. Instead we help promote companies putting out great products and reliable service to the hunting community. These companies have proven to produce some of the finest products in the outdoor world and feed our addiction to the great outdoors.

I wanna take a second to thank all the Bowcountry.com members that helped make this new E-Journal possible. It takes a tremendous amount of effort put something like this together and without your help and commitment this would have been nothing more than a pipe dream. And I just want to say the new E-Journal is open to all members.

You do not have to be a professional writer to be a part of the E-Journal. All members are invited to share their pics and stories with us and the world!

I also want to Alex (Owner and big brother) for all heʼs done for our country.com families. Without his dedication to these communities I never would have met so many of my now very close friends.

I also wanna give a big thanks to Jeff Sagehorn, long time friend and colleague without you I we couldnʼt have pulled this together. And last but not far from least, my country.com families. I consider many of you my close friends and extended family in some cases. Without your support and willingness to help make these sites grow we would not be here.

So without running off any further, I give you your new Bowcountry.com E-Journal. I truly hope you enjoy it.

Mike McCombie Co~Founder & Managing Editor

s e r u t a e F s n m olu

15 21 23 27 31 41 50 51 57 56

C

Lever Addiction

By Justin Harris

Hot Products

By Bowcountry.com

BC ~ Do It Yourslef

By Brett Mcquire

BC ~ Tech Tips

By Jon Burgess

AW’s Beer Review

By Awmiller

Behind the Keyboard

By Jon Burgess

On The Wall

By Jeff Sagehorn

Bowfishing~Early Season Weekend

By Josh Hether

5 9

3d Primer

25 33 37 45

Finding your place to hunt

55 59

How I got into Bowhunting

By Hoyt’em

The most amazing shot I almost saw

By Jay Francis

By XJCraver

Bowfishers of Arkansas

By Mark Lee

Turkey Whisperer

By Kevin Engler

One The Road To The Southern Triple Crown

By Jessica Calaway

By Christian Gittens

Dream Season 2010 Part I

By Mark Lee

What’s Cooking

By Jeff Sagehorn

Spy Cam Pics of the Mnth

By Mike McCombie

Photo by Mike McCombie

Cover Photo Contest To submit photos for cover photo contest send your photos to : chris@swampfoxcommunications.com by submitting photos you authorize the Bowcountry.com to reproduce them

Bowcountry.com

By Hoyt’em

Honing Your Archery Skills A good number of archers already know what 3Dis, but for those that donʼt and are game for a new challenge, this will be for you.

What is 3D? 3D consists of shooting life-size foam animal targets, placed at random distances through various settings. Itʼs a game, but it really has a few serious bonuses for the archer along the way. It provides an opportunity to hone your archery skills, meet up with some great folks, and learn how to judge unknown distances to the target. This last point is where all the good ju-ju is.

For hunters, the benefits of practicing range estimation are obvious. For archers of all degrees of competitiveness, seeing the range properly is as important as shooting accurately.

Shot scenarios can range from platforms simulating elevation from a tree stand, to shooting in open fields or semi-thick woods, to a host of variations in-between. The shot settings are predominantly determined by the terrain in the area. You can expect a lot of uphill or downhill shots on some ranges, and not many on others. The ranges themselves will each offer varying degrees of difficulty, typically by providing three or four stakes to shoot from.

Each stake marks a different distance from the target. Depending on which stakes you choose to shoot from (or club rules) shots can be from as little as 3 yards clear out to 50 yards.

The targets themselves can be the size and shape of a woodchuck, on up to a grizzly bear

bowcountry.com

and everything in between. My Hoyt’em experience is that you will find a good mix of North American animals with a few African species mixed in. There are many variations on targets from each 3D target maker, adding to the realism of the shot and to the fun of game itself. Donʼt be surprised when you develop a sudden distaste for particular targets that always seem to have your number. (Read that as “Turkeys stink!”)

Each club or sanctioning body may have specific rules for each stake distance or shooter category (known as a “class”) so be sure to check with the organization on what equipment is allowed. Some are more stringent than others and like to keep a class separation for awards at the end of a shoot. Typically, the classes are distinguished by the equipment the archer uses.

This is so the full-blown target rigs with clicker sights and all the bells and whistles arenʼt competing against “hunter class” bows and gear, UNLESS the hunter class shooter chooses to perform in a tougher class (one where shots are longer).

Typical classes at club shoots break down into Youth stakes, Bowhunter stakes, and Open stakes. Most of the club shoots keep the shots to a maximum 15 yards, 30 yards and 50 yards respectively.

The shoots that are “sanctioned” are a whole ʻnother game, certainly not to be shied away from just because theyʼre a step up the ladder from regular “club shoots.” Sanctioned shoots

can provide an archer with an enormous amount of information and opportunities to learn. Attendees at these shoots will range from some buddies getting together for a weekend of flinging arrows, to families enjoying time together, to some of the best archers in the world getting serious.

rig as you could get. Three-pin sight, small stabilizer, a bunch of arrows (hey, I was scared to lose ʻem!) and my binoculars.

My current rig has progressed to a bow loaded with nearly the whole shebang, and more specialized gear than I care to list. 3D is just a little bit addicting.

The two most well-known sanctioning bodies are the IBO (International Bowhunting Organization www.ibo.net) and the ASA (Archery Shooters Association www.asaarchery.com). They each have different rules regarding equipment and classes, and they can be researched at the respective web sites.

One thing thatʼs nice is that you wonʼt need to get a group together to attend a shoot. Show up at a club bow in hand and ask if you can join a group heading out. More than likely, you will be welcomed with some handshakes and friendly banter.

Most archery clubs have shoots on weekends throughout the summer, and occasionally host a league during the week. Two places to find information on the when and where of shoots are the local archery shop, and at www.3DShoots.com.

3DShoots has an excellent search engine to narrow down your particular preferences.

What can I gain from 3D shooting?

First off, itʼs a great time, and a chance to meet some new folks and spend time with your friends and family. Not to mention that if you have kids, I canʼt think of a better way to introduce them to archery!

Secondly, you will become very familiar with your

equipment. You will learn where you have potential durability issues, and also the strong points of your gear.

Your skill as an archer will improve, both by shooting more and by learning how to judge random yardages. By practicing during the spring and summer months, you are preparing well for hunting season.

Here are a few recommendations for someone attending a shoot for the first time: * Bring bug spray or a ThermA-Cell: the skeeters will be as thick as molasses at times. * Waterproof boots in the springtime are highly recommended. * Sandals and flip flop arenʼt going to cut it in the woods. * Choose a method to carry arrows that works for you (hunting quivers will work, hip quivers are much better).

Good luck to you, and see you on the course!

How to get started?

The equipment needed to compete can be as simple as what you normally take with you to hunt, minus broadheads (heavily frowned upon) and your stand.

Personally, I started out going to these shoots with my hunting bow, and some arrows that were lighter in weight than my hunting arrows (so as to flatten my trajectory). That setup was as typical of a hunting

Bowcountry.com

Bowcountry.com

Bowcountry.com

The Most Amazing Shot I Almost Saw

By Jay Francis (bluecat)

I

was in north-central Nebraska for a spring turkey archery hunt with my buddy, bow hunting mentor and Nebraska native, Andy Glidden. Andy is a humble and soft-spoken man who spends much of his time outdoors with his friends. He is as comfortable and as folksy as your next door neighbor and as highly-skilled a hunter and fisherman as you will likely ever meet. He is a traditional archer and prefers simple methods and procedures. He would always tell me, “Itʼs the how, not how many.”

I met Andy years ago when I was seeking advice to begin my archery journey. The old saying, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear,” was certainly true. Andy was there: always patient, eager to help. Andy measures his outdoor success in friendships, encounters and memories. Weʼve certainly created a few memories together over the years.

On this hunt, we returned to an old farmstead where we had had some close calls with several big birds two days prior. We thought we would give them a day or two to forget about us before we made another attempt. I had shot a jake earlier that morning with Andy on another property, and now it was Andyʼs turn.

Armed with fresh knowledge from our hunt there two days ago, we set up in a new location. We would be hunting a cedar belt on the side of a sloping hill: cedars on one side, fallow cornfield on

Bowcountry.com

the other. We thought perhaps the turkeys would seek the warmth and protection of the cedars during the cool spring afternoon. We spent our time in the blind telling stories, catching up and waiting.

Several hens came by and poked around our decoys, but no toms. Where were the toms today?

Evening approached, and it was evident that the boys had moved on. We had a little bit of a drive ahead and a bird to clean, so we began the trek back towards the truck. We crossed the cornfield neighboring our cedar belt, and moved south to an east-west barbed wire fence. Once through, I paused in the sanctity of the shadows and took one more glance north toward the corn field as if saying goodbye to an old friend. I wouldnʼt likely see this place again for another year.

Suddenly I recoiled. “Were those fence posts?” I hadnʼt remembered seeing fence posts at the top of the hill. I paused.

“Andy, are those…?” my voice trailing off.

Before Andy had time to answer, more “fence posts” began to appear over the crest. It was a flock of about 10 turkeys, moving toward us in loose formation. The boys were back! They had spent the afternoon to the north and were now coming back to roost. They were 100 yards out and walking directly at us.

Bowcountry.com

Andy and I had been in similar situations before. We were formulating a game plan in our minds as we hurried west down the fence line. We would look for a likely ambush location from which to intercept the birds, one which would allow an unobstructed shot through the fence into the cornfield. This was full-combat turkey hunting at its finest. Could luck be on our side?

We moved silently and swiftly, using the woods as cover on the south side of the fence. It

Bowcountry.com

was then I noticed the wind had really picked up.

Hunting the protected cedar belt all afternoon had shielded us from signs of any weather changes.

It was starting to gust from the north with authority.

We ducked into a small pocket just big enough for the blind, and that also provided a shot to an opening to the fence. I began dancing with schoolboy urgency waiting for Andy to ready the hub-style pop-up.

Watching the birds getting closer and closer as Andy expanded each panel was excruciating! They were 80 yards now and still coming.

Finally the last panel popped into place and I charged in. I put my bow and pack against the north wall to provide

additional support and to allow as much room for Andy to maneuver and shoot as possible. Andy quickly set a jake decoy just outside the blind.

As he was making his way into the blind, I did a quick reconnaissance. The north window view was choked with trees and shrubs and would not allow a shot. I glanced out the northeast window. This was the only unobstructed window that looked out across the cornfield to the fence and the rapidly approaching turkeys.

Sixty yards.

To my horror I saw a large fencepost several yards outside the window. The barbed wire was affixed to the top of the post and the top strand was taut – the type of fence that has humiliated many an archer. The top wire intersected the airspace where the arrow

would need to go. The space between the 3rd and 4th strand seemed too low for anything but a turkey at close range.

Forty yards.

To make matters worse, I saw a formidable wishbone-shaped branch that had broken loose, fallen, and snagged itself on a lower branch. It hung upside-down above the fence, forking tendrils reaching low and sweeping the area in

front of the fence, back and forth with metronome-like regularity like the pendulum of a grandfather clock.

“Thatʼs about right,” I said sarcastically under by breath. This had all the makings of a miniature golf course.

On my knees, I glanced to the north once again. The turkeys were now 30 yards out and beginning to veer to the east. I turned to check on Andyʼs progress and saw only his back. He was adjusting the door of the blind.

Did Andy not understand the situation or was he just being his meticulous self?

I looked back toward the north as I reached out and grabbed a handful of Andy and levered him toward me.

“They are RIGHT here!” I whispered emphatically.

At that moment a gust of wind almost lifted the blind. I grabbed at the walls and held on. I looked again at Andy. He had nocked his crested arrow and crossed in front of the northeast window, readied for the shot.

My job was downgraded now from turkey scout to structural engineer. I backed into the northwest corner, sat down, grasped a handful of blind in my right hand, a handful of blind in my left hand, and dug in my heels.

I saw the shield-shaped fletching exit the shoot-through mesh and arc toward the turkeys. I caught a glimpse of the arrow as it traveled back through my windowed view during its descent. I remembered thinking how insignificant and harmless the arrow looked when silhouetted against the sky. I wanted to be in on the action, but today I would take one for the team.

A brief second later, Andyʼs excitement heightened, his voice wavered.

“Just missed him…Might have clipped some feathers.”

I witnessed the all-too-familiar struggle: snatching arrow from quiver without taking eyes off target. I heard the clatter and watched Andy fumble excitedly, hands shaking. Finally he disengaged his glance long enough to lift and nock in one effortless motion.

Again Andy positioned himself between window and watcher and readied for the shot. Again he paused at full draw, something that I had not witnessed in all the years hunting with him. I saw the second arrow leave the bow and held my breath.

“Got him!” Andy exclaimed.

Bowcountry.com

I sat in disbelief, letting his words linger and then become consumed by the wind. What had I just witnessed? I scrambled to my knees, still trying to keep the blind grounded. At the next lull in the blow, we embraced with our congratulatory bear hug ritual. My mind slowly began to fill with questions.

“Was it a big tom?”

“Did he go far?”

“Was he the bird you wanted?”

one minute later? How had the arrow made it through the shoot-through mesh and missed the swinging gate? How had the arrow traveled between the top two strands of barbed wire with enough height and angle to reach the tom? How had Andy negotiated all of the variables on a moving bird in the teeth of a squall with a stick and a string? Iʼll never know. But I was there. Iʼd like to think I played a small part in his success, if by nothing more than as a witness to this incredible feat. I do know it was more than luck.

We collapsed the blind to avoid becoming air-borne. I stood now with my friend in our little corner of the woods and tried to mentally reconstruct the shot.

Andy must have read my mind as I stood looking at what he affectionately called “the swinging gate.”

“Andrew?” I began.

“Had to time it.”

Andy said matterof-factly.

“But how did you shoot over the top strand?” I countered.

“Shot between the strands.”

The arrow found Andyʼs tom 36 paces from the blind. The two-blade broadhead had center- punched his back and made a quick kill. He had not gone far. With turkey now in possession and pictures taken, I slowly began to believe what I had “almost” seen. It just didnʼt seem possible.

If you ask Andy about the hunt, he will only modestly reply that he “killed a big bird that day.”

Itʼs the how, not how many.

I still think about that afternoon and our chance encounter. What if we had crossed the cornfield

Bowcountry.com

East Texas Archery

Bowcountry.com

By: Justin “Anonym” Harris, AREA 5150 Staff “Lever Action” bows have been around since the early inception of the compound bow. From the first patent issued on September 21, 1976 when I was just a little over 8 months old, to John Islas for the Mohawk “Laser”, this design has evolved into what most consider the best bowfishing platform today! We plan to explore the design, both past and present, and discuss tips and tricks for you, the lever-action bowfisher, to best enjoy the benefits of this mechanical marvel.

The name “Oneida” is practically synonymous with the lever-action bow, for it was Oneida Labs, Inc., located in upstate New York, which brought this design to the masses back in 1982. Oneida has gone through a handful of ownerships and relocated about as many times, but they have remained true to the original “H-Series” bow concept that was released almost 3 decades ago.

Since then, only a few other companies have ventured into the lever-bow market, but none have yet been as successful as Oneida. Regardless of the manufacturer, whether it is Oneida Labs, Firebrand Technologies, C.P. Oneida Eagle Bows, Monster Bows, and soon to be AREA 5150 Bows, the fact that the older models are still in the hands of archers and bowfishermen everywhere is a testament to the ingenuity of Mr. Islas so many years ago.

Our first column would like to cover one basic function of the lever bow that all owners should be familiar with – draw weight adjustments.

Draw Weight Adjustments: All lever-action bows are capable of a wide range of draw weight

Bowcountry.com

adjustment, typically in a 20pound weight span. The weight range is determined by the thickness of the “power limb”, which is the inner limb attached to the riser of the bow by a pivot and limb bolt assembly. Although actual weights achieved are influenced by a few variable factors, such as cable lengths, limb lengths, age, and amount of use of the limbs, they were produced in weight ranges of 25lbs-45lbs, 35lbs-55lbs, 40lbs-60lbs, 50lbs-70lbs, and 60lbs-80lbs sets.

If the limb sticker which indicates the weight range has been removed, you can still determine the weight range of the limb by identifying limb thickness, shape, and/or by a series of markings on the limb bolt-end of the limb. Charts are available from online sources as well as service shops that can decipher this information if needed.

Without removing the bolt from the threading,

WARNING: Although the bow is capable of being adjusted below the listed weight range of the limb, it is not recommended to shoot the bow without sufficient tension on the power and yoke cables!

Once you know what weight range youʼre working within, adjustment within that range is extremely easy to do by yourself!

There are two acceptable methods to adjust the draw weight of any lever-action bow. I will discuss both methods and the “pros and cons” of each. Slight variations as to the locations of items mentioned may be found between right and left-handed models.

proceed to Step 2 Step 2: Turn the 5/16-18 limb bolt equal turns per limb to the desired weight. Tightening the bolts will increase the draw weight, while loosening the bolts will decrease the draw weight. It is recommended that each limb bolt is turned a maximum of 2 turns per limb before alternating to the opposite limb, always maintaining an equal number of turns per limb.

You will achieve an approximate 5 pounds of draw weight adjustment per one full turn of the limb bolt.

Step 3: Check tiller for each limb, adjust as necessary by loosening the limb bolt of the side measured to increase length or tightening to decrease length.

Method 1: This method is what is included in the ownerʼs manual and recommended by C.P. Oneida and their factory repair shops.

Step 4: Once tiller is set, tighten the timing wheel bolt, check draw weight to verify correct adjustment, and proceed to stick fish!

Step 1: Loosen the timing wheel bolt located on the lower cam assembly. This is a 10-24 socket head bolt that attaches the lower cam to the lower timing wheel through a slot in the timing wheel. On older models, this bolt is inserted from the outside of the timing wheel and threaded into the cam. On newer models, this bolt is inserted through a hole in the cam, through the timing wheel, and threaded into a tensioning hub on the outside of the timing wheel. The head of the bolt is sometimes painted orange to help identify it.

The “pros” to this method is that you never risk damage to the timing system of the bow. The loose timing wheel bolt allows the timing system to equalize tension while adjustments are being made.

The “cons” to this method is that the loosened timing wheel bolt requires the extra step to verify/ set the tiller of the bow. With this method, it is possible to get the cams slightly out of sync,

Bowcountry.com

which can affect the bowʼs tuning, resulting in inefficiency and increased noise level.

Method 2: This method is used by many veteran lever bow technicians with great results, and is the preferred method of Richard “Boar” Vance at AREA 5150 and Gulfcoast Archery. It is essentially identical to Method 1, except the timing wheel bolt is not loosened.

The steps are as follows: Step 1: Turn the 5/16-18 limb bolt equal turns per limb to the desired weight. Tightening the bolts will increase the draw weight, while loosening the bolts will decrease the draw weight. It is recommended that each limb bolt is turned a maximum of 2 turns per limb before alternating to the opposite limb, always maintaining an equal number of turns per limb. You will achieve an approximate 5 pounds of draw weight adjustment per one full turn of the limb bolt. (This is identical to Step 2 from Method 1).

Step 2: Check tiller for each limb, adjust as necessary by loosening the limb bolt of the side measured to increase length or tightening to decrease length. (This is identical to Step 3 from Method 1).

Step 3: Check draw weight to verify correct adjustment and proceed to more critters!

Justin Teaching the next generation

The “pros” of this method is that you will never risk your bow getting out of tune by keeping the cam systems locked in sync with the timing system. Once the tiller is verified, all components of the system automatically equalize and your bow is back to the original tuning.

The “cons” of this method is that there is potential to damage the timing system if adjustments are not made per the manufacturerʼs 2-turns per limb recommendation.

Damage may be a stretched timing cable, requiring additional adjustment, or a broken timing cable, requiring replacement. The timing cable is capable of withstanding much more tension than what can be generated following these recommendations, so the likelihood of damage is extremely minimal.

Summary: The best part of the lever-action bow is that the design allows for the owner to adjust and maintain the bow with some basic knowledge and without requiring any special tools. We hope you have enjoyed sharing in our “lever addiction” and will join us again in the next episode of the Bowfishing Association of Americaʼs E-Journal!

You can follow more of Anonymʼs exploits at www.BowfishingCountry.com

bowcountry.com

On Saturday June 25th. 2011 the Seventh Annual Youth World Bowfishing Championship will be held at Toppers Boat Ramp just outside Wagoner, Oklahoma. Ages 1 thru 18 allowed for this event however kids that were 18 years of age on Jan. 1st 2011 will be allowed to shoot this tournament so you can be 19 and shoot this tournament. We have 3D targets for the youth just to small to bowfish but remember its a bowfishing championship so if a division lets say 4 thru 6 a youth takes a fish but no others in that division takes a fish the youth that took a fish is first place the other places will come off the 3D range. Our age groups are 1 thru 3 , 4 thru 6, 7 thru 9, 10 thru 12, 13 thru 15, 16 thru 18 years of age.

Then we have divisions champs with all the girls together then division champs with all the boys together, We also have 4 species of big fish with 3 places in each for Gar, Drum, Carp and Buffalo. Then we have the big part overall World Champs this is all the youth shooters together we give away 1st thru 5th. places. Time is from 7:00 am till 4:00 pm then shooter have till 4:30 pm to check-in. Last year we had 8 states shoot this tournament with 379 shooters we fed over 1200 people. The cost is FREE!!!!!!!! Thats right it cost nothing to enter and nothing to eat come on down this year and join the largest youth bowfishing tournament in the nation.

For better outdoors take a kid hunting & fishing it's our future. Randy

!"#$%&'%()*+&&",%-.%"(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVvYkx8vX0M Bullet With Your Name On It!!

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Katherine M. Solano

Bowcountry.com

Your world.

See the brilliance.

Welcome to color. mauijim.com

For more information or for a retail location near you, please call 1-888-Maui Jim (1-888-628-4546) or visit us at mauijim.com

Bowcountry.com

Fuse Archery Carbon Pilot M-Series

Carbon Pilot M-Series sights give diehard bowhunters and discerning target archers the accuracy-boosting benefits of amazingly precise and repeatable micro-adjustment. With all the innovative carbon construction and features of the G-Series sights, plus the added benefits of second and third axis leveling for pinpoint accuracy, the Carbon Pilot M-Series is an innovative, customizable choice for serious hunters and competitors. Also available is a hunter configuration that features an .029" top pin and .019" descending pins for precision aiming at longer distances and fast target acquisition up close.

Mathews Z7 Xtreme Aggressively compact, the Z7 Xtreme offers a rare combination of size and agility for all hunting situations. With a generous brace height of 7 3/8” the Z7 Xtreme provides superior forgiveness and helps produce tighter groups at all distances. With speeds up to 330 fps the Z7 Xtreme will enhance your effective shooting distance and create more kinetic energy. Equipped with a ZX ™ Cam and the revolutionary Reverse Assist™ Roller Guard, the Z-Series™ has earned a reputation as the smoothest-drawing bow ever designed.

When the moment of truth finally arrives, we can unexpectedly be forced to improvise, stretch our abilities, and do the slightly impossible. Face your challenges with confidence and Experience the Xtreme.

Draw Lengths 24" - 30" IBO Rating Half Sizes Up to 330 fps 24.5" - 29.5" Axle-to-Axle String/Cable Length 28" String: 82 7/8" | Cable: 30 Brace Height 1/2" 7 3/8" Draw Weight 40, 50, 60, 65, 70 lbs Bow Weight 3.98 lbs** Let-off 80%

Bowcountry.com

Mosquito Repellent Appliance The Mosquito Repellent Appliance is convenient to carry. Or clip one to your belt or backpack using the optional Appliance Holster with Clip, to make this a clip on repellent. Other accessories include an LED clip on light.

• • • • • • • •

Repels up to 98% of mosquitoes Also effective against black flies and no-see-ums Creates a 15 x 15-foot zone of bug-free comfort Safe to use: does not contain DEET and has no open flames No smelly lotions, sprays, or oils Compact, easy-to-carry size Weighs only 0.7 lbs.

Mosquito repellent operates on a single butane cartridge (included) The butane heats an insect repellent mat and releases allethrin ◦ Allethrin is a synthetic copy of a natural repellent found in ◦ pyrethrum flowers Four color options: olive, gray, woodlands camo, Realtree APG™ camo Olive and Realtree APG™ camo models available with a quiet on/off turn dial Includes: 1 reusable Mosquito Repellent Appliance, 1 Butane Cartridge (lasts up to 12 hours), 3 insect repellent mats (each lasts up to 4 hours) Mosquito Repellent Refills sold separately Holster with Clip, Holster with Strap and Buckle, All Purpose Swivel Light, and other accessories sold separately

• • •

RAGE Broadhead

• •

RAGE's streamlined 3/4" dia., along with its HexFlat™ design, make it fly like a field-tip. The machined aircraft aluminum body features HexFlat™ design for stable flight, with a stainless steel instant-cut tip. The camdeployed rear blades follow the tip without grabbing or deflecting, even on an angled hit, and are guaranteed to deploy before entry, maintaining full kinetic energy.

RAGE 2 Blade: • • •

Huge, gaping entry holes Wider cutting swath Dramatic bloodtrails

Bowcountry.com

BUILDING YOUR OWN TREE STAND

By Brett McGuire (BTMdeerslayer)

hunter knows that having a great E very spot is the key to success in hunting.

Having a good stand under you when you go to make that shot of a lifetime is also important. You could go to any one of your hunting stores or online places and buy one, or you could take some time and have some fun building your own, and that makes the harvest just a little bit more special. I know it does for me.

Being a welder by trade, I have the option of building out of metal. I prefer steel stands over aluminum due to the availability and price of material. You always want to think about how you are going to build your stand as well as what kind of tree youʼre going to set your stand in. I know most guys donʼt think that far ahead but if youʼre going to build your own, every little bit helps.

I tend to stick with the hang-on style of stand. Itʼs much easier to build than a climber.

The first thing is to never forget about safety!!! If you have a finished product and test it out at ground level (which I highly suggest) and you donʼt trust it…donʼt use it!!!!! I canʼt stress treestand safety enough.

OK, so youʼre ready to get started: Take a couple of minutes and think about the last stand you bought at the store. Were you comfortable in it? If so, you have a guide to start from: length, width, material thickness and mounting straps. Iʼm a big guy, so I like to make my stands roomy. Most stands have a platform that is at least 18” wide. I tend to go to at least go to 36” wide. The length of the platform is up to you. Just remember the bigger the stand, the more itʼs going to weigh. How much you are willing to carry?

Now that you have a place to start, make a print or draw a plan so that you have an idea of what you are going to build.

I choose to build my stands out of thin-wall square tube steel of .060 to .090 thickness. A lot of people donʼt have welding equipment, but they do have access to a cutting tool of some sort (sawz-all, grinder and cut-off wheel, hacksaw, etc.). If this is the boat youʼre in, you can buy your parts, cut them yourself, and then take them to someone who does have the necessary equipment and experience to put your stand together for you.

I always try to cut all my parts so that when everythingʼs assembled, there are no open ends in any tubing Iʼve used. I donʼt want materials exposed to the weather unnecessarily. I assemble my platform and square it up before any welding begins. You should start with the outside frame and move on to the support pieces of the platform that will hold you up.

Next, fabricate some kind of claw device that is going to dig into the tree when you tighten your ratchet straps. I use two pieces of flat steel and cut large teeth into them with an angle grinder. Those teeth are the next thing to get welded to the stand platform. I weld mine to the bottom of the platform for extra strength. Make sure they are centered and they have a good angle for biting into the bark of a tree (take into consideration that tree barks differ in thickness).

Bowcountry.com

After Iʼve finished with the platform teeth, I move on to the seat and supports. A length of 18” is pretty good for the seat posts for a comfortable sitting position. Check one of your favorite store-bought stands to see if something different might be right for you. I like to take the posts and drill both ends so that the seat and platform can have pivot points to fold flat for transporting or for storing. To mount those seat posts, I always use a 3/8” bolt and nut with a couple of washers for a better pivot. Youʼll also need a couple pieces of angle iron. You have to drill those before welding them to the stand platform. One piece per side is how I do it. (You can find angle iron at some home supply stores, and local welding shops or shelving businesses should have some.)

Hereʼs how I do it: My seat support angle brackets are 1”x1” drilled with a 3/8-inch bit. I drill the angles so that the holes are centered and then I drill the seat supports 5/8-inch from each end, all the way through both ends of the tube. You need a total of eight 1” x 1” angles drilled on one side to mount the seat support to the platform and the bottom of the seat frame. I set and clamp angles approximately 1 1/16 inches apart (one and one-sixteenth inches apart) to have room for the supports to pivot (holes away from the platform, of course). I weld on three sides leaving the area for supports open. Then you can bolt the supports to the platform and the bottom side of the seat.

As for making the seat itself, itʼs going to be personal preference as to what makes you comfortable. I tend to go as wide as my backside and run the seat length to just under the center of my leg. Cover the seat with whatever you like. I use a piece of plywood for a base and some foam that you can pick up in any crafts store.

Now you have to find a way to keep the seat and the platform 90 degrees to each other while you are sitting. The best thing that I have found so far is some 1/8” -3/16” cable that I acquired at a flea market for about one dollar a pound, and when I got it the clamps came with it. (I had to wheel and deal for those.) Standard cable clamps that you can get at any hardware store will work. Just double them up on each side.

This is very important for safety! To attach them, you can use some round tube, or something as simple as a nut from a hardware store. Again, double-clamp each end of the cable so that they form tight loops after running them through the round tubes or nuts, whichever you choose to use. Attach the cables for the platform to the outside edges, on top of the platform, as far forward as possible. Then attach the cables to the top of the seat post under the seat. You want to try to keep the angle of the cables as close to 45 degrees as possible.

Straps for mounting your stand should be nylon, with a good, solid ratchet mechanism. Buy new straps initially, and replace them regularly. One-inch straps are plenty, and I like to use two: one at the top and one at the bottom of the seat supports. Make sure your straps have hooks on each end, and make sure they attach to the stand securely. You can use nuts welded to the stand to make using the strap hooks easier.

Finally, all ya got to do is paint your new stand! Basic olive-drab green works just fine, and all you really need is a spray can. If you want, you can go crazy with your favorite camo pattern.

Bowcountry.com

By-XJCraver

D

eer season is a distant memory. Turkey season has come and gone. Itʼs starting to get hot out, and for most of us hunting is pretty low on the list of priorities. But for those of us who are looking for a new place to hunt, right now is the season to find our spots to spend the fall. Here are some tips Iʼve picked up along the way that I hope will help you in the search.

If weʼve been in the game for more than a couple years, itʼs a sure bet that most of us have done the dreaded “cold call” on a complete strangerʼs front door, asking for permission to hunt. While this is a worthwhile

Bowcountry.com

tactic-- and grossly underutilized in my opinion--itʼs likely not as easy for some as it is for others. Iʼve found that doing your research and gathering a list of potential access-grantors before going to the door is a much better approach for most.

The first thing you need to do is talk to everyone you know about your desire to find some land to hunt. Your family, friends, and neighbors are obvious, logical choices, but youʼd be surprised how many of them donʼt know youʼre actively looking for places to hunt. They

might assume youʼre all set where you are, or they might not understand the difficulty of finding a ground in the first place. By letting everyone know to be on the lookout for you, you increase your inventory of potential landowner contacts immensely. Then itʼs time to start looking for people outside your sphere of daily interactions, and set them on the next rung in your search.

If youʼre already in a rural area, the mail carrier you see every day can be immensely helpful.

The mail carrier knows

everyone, and will know which farm lane already has pickups sitting in it during hunting season. Heʼll also know which ones donʼt! Meet him at the mailbox, and have a chat. For you townies, this isnʼt quite as easy, but rural carriers are pretty hard to miss when theyʼre in their mail cars and out and about. Strike up a conversation with the next one you meet at the gas pumps or the coffee shop.

Your local Conservation Officer can be of great value to you as you search for a piece of ground, as well. He or she will have had contact with many more landowners than you could ever hope to, and will in all likelihood know best where to steer you. Your county Sheriff can guide you, too, perhaps even more so than the C.O., because of his more frequent contact with the public. Be aware, though, that both of these offices require the individuals to spend a lot of time at work, so try to pick a time to talk that is convenient for them.

The Cooperative Extension office of a state university is another excellent resource. Each office typically has a Farm Advisor or similar person whose primary duties include meeting with the area farmers. As such, this person is particularly suited to help you in your search for landowners to speak with, and could possibly guide you to more contacts than any other person you might meet. Donʼt underestimate this angle!

placed (with permission) on the bulletin board could net you more phone numbers than you know what to do with. You might also chat up the manager while youʼre there, just to bend his ear and let him know youʼre on the lookout. Give it a try.

All of these people (and many more that arenʼt listed, such as your preacher, grocer, barber, mechanic, etc.) can yield positive results in your search. But donʼt forget that the single most important tool you possess for this job is you, yourself.

Put your best foot forward. The crucial things to remember are that everyone you talk to is a potential helper, and that youʼll never hear a “Yes” if you donʼt let people know youʼre looking for access, and if you never ask for permission to hunt.

If youʼre serious about finding a place in the woods and fields, use every available opportunity to bring your quest into your everyday conversations. Be polite and courteous, and just ask. The answers you get might surprise you!

Good luck, and good hunting.

Next, a local grain elevator is a veritable goldmine of farmers/ landowners. I wouldnʼt necessarily advocate trying to talk with them while theyʼre waiting in the grain line, but a professional-looking flyer

Bowcountry.com

9.Scissors

Got A New Bow! Now What?

-Installing AccessoriesHi Folks! Weʼll start off the first BC Journal Tech Tips article with something everyone should know: initial set-up of a new bow. Iʼll assume for this article that you have already picked out the bow and your draw length is figured out. In a future article, Iʼll get into the different types of bows and how to determine draw length.

Please take into consideration the fact that there are many different ways to accomplish the tasks I will write about. I do things one way where another technician might do them another way. As long as the basic fundamentals are achieved, the end result will be the same. There are right and wrong methods, however, and Iʼll try to show you one of the right ways to get things done on your bow.

For todayʼs tips, you will need the following tools and small parts in addition to the bow and accessories: 1. Bow press 2. Allen wrench set 3. Bow-Square tool 4. Nocking pliers 5. String loop material 6. Serving thread 7. Cat whiskers 8. Lighter

BowCountry.com

You will first need to install the arrow rest. This needs to be done first so the nock point on the string can be set afterwards. Proper installation of the rest will ensure that the arrow will sit correctly and consequently will leave the bow cleanly when shot. Most rests available today come supplied with the proper installation hardware which includes one (sometimes two) screw(s) and all brackets to attach the rest to the bowʼs riser.

The first thing to do is attach the bracket to the riser by threading the supplied screw into the “Berger Button” hole on the riser. The hole is called the “Berger Button” hole because, in the past, bows designed for finger shooters were accessorized with an arm and springy button that absorbed arrow flex after being shot. The designer of this item was Vic Berger.

When installing the rest, you want the bracket that the screw passes through to be perfectly square and level. Once the rest is installed, youʼll have to ensure the arrow holding device (consisting of prongs, arms, bristles, or whatever) is positioned properly. The easiest way to get the rest positioned properly is to place an arrow on the rest and adjust it so the top of the arrow shaft is approximately even with the top of the Berger Button hole.

Once this is accomplished, youʼll need to get the rest adjusted for basic centershot. Centershot adjustment is ensuring the arrow is pointed straight when leaving the bow. If the arrow leaves the bow anything but straight, down-range flight will be less than desirable. There are tools to set centershot, but there is nothing available on the market that will work on every bow on the market, so using your calibrated eyeball is still the best tool on the market since you will be adjusting after the initial setup anyway.

A good way to get centershot adjusted very close to where it needs to be is to hold the bow while resting the bottom cam on your foot and look straight down the front of the bow with an arrow nocked. Pay attention to the limb bolts and try to line them up with the arrow being directly in the middle. Some people will tape a string between limb bolts and line the arrow up that way; either way will get you very close. Once all these adjustments are completed, tighten down everything snugly so nothing will move, but remember that some adjustment to the rest likely will be needed when tuning the bow.

Now that the rest is properly installed, you are ready to set the arrowʼs nock point. Grab your bow- square tool and install it on the string so the bottom of the arm is lying gently on the arrow rest.

A general rule of thumb for initial setup would be setting the nock point 1/8” above square. Most bow- square tools have graduated marks etched into them indicating different increments, making this simple. Now you have the correct location for the nock.

I will now show how to install a string loop. (If you are a fingers-shooter, you would use a crimp-on brass nock here.) Installation of a string loop is fairly simple once you understand the concept.

Cut a 5” piece of string loop material and burn one end until it turns into a small ball. While it is still hot, press the end against the metal part of your lighter to make it larger and flat. Allow this end to cool before proceeding. Be very careful not to touch it while itʼs hot-- it will get your attention!

Now that you have the end flat, make the loop material into the shape of a “U” but allow one end of the “U” to be longer than the other end. Hold this in your left hand and wrap it around the string from behind the bow while it is either in the press or in a bow vice. The long tag end of the “U” should be on the bottom cam side of the string and just above the spot where you figured the nock point should be. The “U” should be upsidedown so that you can wrap the tag ends around

BowCountry.com

the string and feed them back through the loop of material. Once this is done youʼll want to cinch it snugly and make sure the flattened end gets pulled up tight against the string and loop.

(Describing this on paper is very difficult, so hopefully the video helps drive the process home.)

Youʼre now ready to finish the loop by taking the long tag end and making a short hump over the string and looping the material behind the bow string and then back over, going behind the material and crossing it above the string. To finish, youʼll bring the loop back under, and tuck the tag end into the loop you just formed. Now youʼll have to size the loop to your liking and burn the tag end as you did in the beginning. Using a pair of needle-nosed pliers is how some folks get the knots tight. I donʼt like pushing anything against the string, though, so I just use my release and pull against the string while holding it to tighten the loop knots. Clear as mud I bet! Watch the video; itʼs pretty simple.

Now you are ready to install your sight. This is very easy. Place the two screws included with your sight into the riser, holding the sight secure to the bow. Adjustment of the sight will happen during tuning.

Peep sight installation requires the use of a bow press to relax the string so the peep can be positioned within the strands. Before you start, back the limb bolts out a few turns from maxed out so you donʼt compress the limbs beyond a safe range. Install the peep in the approximate location you need. Exact positioning will be done when everything else is complete.

The kisser button (if required) is a simple install: snap the kisser into position and crimp on the cclips with your nocking pliers.

Adding a set of cat whiskers is a great idea for keeping the bow quiet. The minimal speed loss that might be involved is well-worth the quietness achieved, and you can get colored cat whiskers to

jazz up your string. There are several different ways to install them. I like to roll the material over the string and tie it in with some serving material. Cutting them to length is simple: just pull one side while cutting with scissors. The size of the whiskers can be personalized for your own needs.

Installing a quiver and stabilizer requires very little skill. The quiver can be as simple as two screws into a bracket that attaches to your sight, with the quiver sliding into the bracket. Some models will differ but are equally simple. The stabilizer install is the simplest: Screw the stabilizer into the threaded hole on the front of the riser--- righty tighty!

My hope is that this article can be an archive for folks looking to learn how to perform basic bow maintenance. I will choose a new topic for each edition of the BC Journal that you will be able to refer back to when you have related questions. If you have specific questions that could benefit the audience to learn more about, feel free to submit them to me at eagleeyearchery@aol.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFL6fVWj_pE

Setting up your Bow Video

BowCountry.com

2011 BAA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOWFISHING TOURNAMENT “LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER!” (LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!)

July 23rd from 6pm – 8am

•

Location:

•

C&M Fuel Docks Lafitte, Louisiana

•

•

•

Trailering Allowed 10 Gator Gar Limit per team for big 20.

Redfish will not count or be weighed Entry fee gets your team entered in both divisions 2 or 3 person

TWO FORMATS: CAJUN ARCHERY NUMBERS AND AMS BIG 20 MUZZY OVERALL BIG FISH POT(OPTIONAL) *Teams will leave in the order they register *Entry fee is $200.00 Per team (up to 3 people per team) *An optional $25-per team big fish pot for the largest fish of the tournament will be collected separately. *A minimum of 3 places will be paid back in each division and a winner crowned in both. *Participants may win both divisions

Bowcountry.com

Green Flash Double Stout Green Flash Brewing Co. | Vista, California USA Purchased @ Lone Star Beverages - Carrollton, Texas USA Style: Imperial/Double Stout ABV - 8.8% My personal notes: Definitely one of the best tasting stouts around! This brew poured up a near-black body with a one-finger bubbly head with amazing retention and lacing effects on the glass. Aromas of rum, vanilla, chocolate, espresso, dark fruits (plums, figs), roasted malts. Flavors of the same but are so well-balanced. Medium- to Full-bodied, rich and thick, smooth and creamy. Refreshingly clean finish with no harsh aftertastes whatsoever. Personally I would enjoy this brew all by itself; but if paired up for a meal it would be smoked ribs, venison, or wild boar.

Bowcountry.com

Bowcountry.com

By Mark Lee Around the time of the formation of bowfishing organizations were coming together, there were a few already in existence, one being the Bowfishers of Arkansas (BOA). These were guys who enjoyed the sport of bowfishing and wanted to get together every so often to try their skills against each other in a friendly competition for a night to see who was the best for that event! As word spread, and people were seeing boats rigged with lights and generators in aluminum boats heading out for the night, more and more people were getting into the sport of bowfishing in Arkansas.

When the BOA was formed and was growing with each year, there was no internet, only form of communication was by word of mouth. There were some that would travel from state to state to shoot different tournaments with different people who shot usually only locally. This was the way basically people got word as to what was happening in other states with bowfishing. Although these guys didn’t realize it at the time, but they were very instrumental in forming the laws regulating bowfishing today, as well as forming the grass roots of State and National Organizations of the promotion of the sport of bowfishing.

Bowcountry.com

The Bowfishers of Arkansas was formed in Little Rock, Arkansas close to 30 years ago with tournaments being held in different parts of the State. They were also instrumental in getting night time bowfishing legalized in Arkansas. As with all clubs, they grew quickly, and became very competitive. Arkansas has always been known to harbor some of the best competitors in the Country, and it still holds true today. BOA members perfected the fan boat to the point of having boats built by F & F, with weight in mind, and also fine tuning fans to the amount of push they had given various weights placed with both fan mounts and fuel weight for tournament purposes. In the earlier days, some of the best in the country were Bob Brown, Danny Nichols, Lance Sullentrop (Sully’s bowfishing stuff), Mark Woods, to name a few…. Today we have Shawn Holezeman, Nick Sanders, Josh Dunkle, Jason “Gibby” Gibson, Jeff Jester, Craig Wardlaw, Marcus Hays among others who are helping to hold the tradition of being the Best of the Best in the Country by winning the World Championships over the last few years.

Back in the late 90’s, as with all clubs, the BOA was suffering from lack of participation, with only 5 boats showing up at every tournament, as opposed to 25 or more in the early 90’s, due to what we call the cyclic effect of the BOA. People come in all excited in starting a new sport, and after a couple of years venture on to other sports. No real issues with as far as why they leave bowfishing, just either It’s too late at night with too much recovery time the next day, or family reasons to as much

as just moving on to other hobbies. We have noticed that people come and go and come back with bowfishing, especially in Arkansas with the BOA. We tried different things to accommodate new people getting into the sport with tournaments to help us grow again with our participation over a few years, some working, some not. One of the best ideas born was to split the divisions from the experienced tournament shooters from the ones just getting into the sport. We would lose new people who would show up for their first tournament coming in with 30 or so fish in a 6 hour shoot, only to see the experienced ones coming in with over 200 fish in the same timeframe on the same waters.

Needless to say the new guys didn’t want to come back since they felt they could not compete, felt that they had no chance to win, and felt that their equipment and boats were not able to compete with the airboats and equipment used by the experienced tournament guys. What was decided was to split the experienced shooters into their own category and the new guys coming in into their own category, with each placing their entry fee into their prospective group. Within one year we doubled our boats in competition. We started off with 5 teams in the “open division”(experienced) with 4 airboats and one fan boat (Jim Bebee and myself in the fan boat), and the “sportsman division” (new teams, fans, and trolling

motor boats excluding me and Jim) with 5 teams coming to shoot each event. In two years we had over 15 sportsman boats compete and 5 open. It became apparent that although we were all in a 6 hour tournament together, the competition was prevalent more so with the sportsman, with as little as a few fish making the difference of placement . The open division guys were competitive, but we travelled to different states on a regular basis, and we are all good friends, so tournament time, we would end up in pockets together, and would fish out of each other’s light fields, check out each others barrels to see who was doing better throughout the night, and basically cut up. There were times that people would see shawn and nick following within a few feet behind jim and I shooting the fish that we missed, and times that when jim and I broke down, nick would come up into our light field and shoot all the gar out of it, then see what we may need to get going…Jim and I would point out the ones that they couldn’t see from our angle and when they felt that they had shot all the gar out of our light field, they would come up and help. After a few tournaments, the sportsman guys realized that a lot of the tournament was not so much competition, but more of guys getting out and having fun! In the process, they learned that the guys in the open division were competitive, but also good friends,

Bowcountry.com

and we do things away from bowfishing. Most of the modifications on boats were done by the guys that we shot against within our open division, and also that there was a tight bond with whatever is needed to help each other in out of state shoots. Prime example is the number of times other teams have come by the house and parted something from my airboat for a tournament. The Latest was a carburetor for the last shoot, but I have had lights removed, generators, as well as arrows and line, and reels. A lot of times I have to work on the weekends we have tournaments, and /or my bowfishing partner also has an airboat, so mine is left sitting defenseless in the driveway. I have gone to tournaments and seen parts of my boat show up, with a smile on the owners face, snickering as they pull up, saying ……thanks!!! They always put it back, but it has become a habit over the years…and with airboat parts, sometimes you can’t just get them right then, especially in Arkansas, so you borrow….and I cannot tell you how often I have heard possession is 9/10ths of the law……or stealing only counts if its not returned within 30 days….my all time favorite is ……hey…..at least a “Part” of your airboat will be with a winning team…..something its been wanting all its life…

As of 2011, we now have 3 classes in the BOA. Open, Sportsman, and Traditional. Traditional is for the new guys getting in with small boats with trolling motors, and we only use this class when we have enough guys with these types of rigs to form a class. Usually taking around 3-5 showing up to form this class. We have 12 airboats in the open class, 5 Alumitech’s, 4 Silver Dollars, Red Rivers, 2 Diamondback’s, and 1 Air-Ranger.

Bowcountry.com

We also have some of our guys who volunteer their airboats for any rescue/hazardous water conditions when needed, as well as the club offering use of our airboats for the same to city/state/government in our area. Our first tournament every year usually has over 25 teams enter with over 17 teams competing throughout the year on average in all divisions. The BOA has grown both with guys and gals now with every BOA shoot with teams consisting of up to 3 man teams. Women and kids are encouraged to shoot with teams, and are free in tournaments and not counting against the number towards a team. In other words a team consisting of 3 guys and 2 kids will only pay entry for the 3 guys, and their team mates numbers will officially count as 3 guys to allow kids 16 and younger, and wives the opportunity to shoot without penalizing a team. This has worked well for the club, with some really good shooters coming about from some father /son teams, and husband/wife teams being able to join. We also have a women’s only tournament with kids invited one night a year, with the guys driving them all night, but not being able to shoot, or assist. ( I don’t trust my wife and son with my airboat!!!! I’ll never get it back if I do!)

In all the BOA is a great group to be a part of with long time friendships formed from it, and the airboat part of the club can be linked to Lance Sullentrop, and Danny Nichols for going that route in the 90’s with our club, and Shawn Holezeman and Randy Messina bringing them to Central Arkansas in the early 2000’s and fishing most tournaments. Our yearly dues for the Bowfishers of Arkansas are $40.00 per year, with teams being able to fish 2 tournaments before joining, and the entry fee for our local tournaments are $15.00 per person up to a 3 man team, divided out as $10.00 for entry, $5.00 for big fish. For more information about the Bowfishers of Arkansas, go to www.bowfishersofarkansas.com or contact the President Josh Duke at 501-882-9380, or the Vice –President(Owner-Agent of the BOA) Shawn Hoelzeman at 501-269-1714 .

Bowcountry.com

By Kevin Engler (TXHunter)

I

ʼve been hunting since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and my hunting exploits have been dedicated to the primary big game Texas animals.

Those would be deer and hogs, with the occasional javelina, raccoon, jackrabbit, and squirrel thrown in to keep things interesting. I have taken one and only one of the fabled Rio Grande turkeys found all over this great state, but have hunted them on and off throughout my hunting career. They are my white whale when it comes to bowhunting.

I took the first and only turkey that ever made it into my freezer twenty-five years ago when I was in middle school. My best friend, Wade, lives on about 450 acres with his family just outside of town. I have spent countless hours out there as a youth and adult hunting, fishing, and just driving around enjoying the Texas Hill Country.

One Friday evening when we were out there piddling around, we heard some turkeys and decided that a hunt the next morning was in order. I went home and asked my Grandpa if I could borrow one of his turkey calls. He had two--one for him and one for Grandma-both old wood box calls. After a brief lesson on calling basics and hunting tactics, I was outfitted with a call and my go-to rifle, Grandmaʼs .243. It was going to be “on” in the morning, and I was pumped.

I talked myself into a ride out there at 5:45 in the morning. Neither of my parents was all that thrilled about waking up early on a Saturday morning after a long week of teaching, but Dad evidently lost the coin toss and took me out to the ranch. Wadeʼs parents were both up, and the kitchen was drenched with the smells of bacon, coffee, homemade biscuits, and fried eggs. We ate our fill, and with happy bellies headed out to the back pasture where weʼd heard the gobblers the previous evening.

Our set-up was simple. We were in the middle of a cedar brake on top of a big hill that looked down into the back part of the pasture. There were some big

Bowcountry.com

oaks on the edge of the brake, and we figured that the turkeys were roosting there. We knew nothing of camo patterns or ground blinds. Wade and I were both in jeans and flannel shirts and conscious of only two key points: sit still, and move slowly.

As the sun crested the horizon, I lit up that box call just like Grandpa had shown me. A series of loud yelps, and then we waited. And waited. And waited. Another flourish of calls yielded the same results: silence from all involved parties. We came up with a game plan to give it one more shot, and then call it a morning, because those biscuits were really good and his mom had a bunch left over…and some fresh honey.

We both held our breaths and I unleashed a volley of yelps, putts, purrs, cackles and any other sound I could get out of that call. We almost passed out when we heard the unmistakable “gobble, gobble, gobble” of a tom in response. I yelped back. He gobbled back, and was closing the distance. Success! The biscuits would have to wait.

All of our senses were trained on the dark interior of the cedar brake where my adversary was slowly approaching. We had a conversation of yelps and gobbles over the next 15 minutes and then my heart stopped for a split second when Wade leaned over and whispered, “I see him! Get your gun up!”

I strained to see what he was looking at, and then I saw it: the tell-tale bobbing head of a turkey. Iʼd never heard of “turkey fever.” Iʼve had my share of buck fever, but until that moment had not experienced this new affliction. As the gobbler stepped into a small clearing, I could see the long beard hanging from his chest. He was close, maybe 50 yards, when Wade purred on the box call. He stopped, inflated to full grandeur, and gobbled one last time. Grandmaʼs .243 barked and I saw nothing but feathers flying through the scope as the bullet found its mark in the gobblerʼs chest.

“Heʼs down! Ya got him!” whooped Wade with a big slap on my back. We packed up and picked our way through the brush and undergrowth to where my trophy was lying. He was a magnificent bird, with a gorgeous fan and nearly a nine-inch beard. I never really appreciated how truly heavy turkeys are until I had to lug that beast down one hill and up another really big one on the way to the truck. His long legs made great carrying handles, but at 22+ pounds, he flat-out beat me up by the time we finally made it out.

We got him plucked and cleaned, and in the oven the next weekend. Though I can honestly say that he was no Thanksgiving bird, he sure tasted like sweet success to me.

Now, fast-forward a couple of dozen years and the same two boys are grown men sitting in a high-dollar ground blind with state-of-the-art archery gear. Turkey season has arrived yet again, and I still have that old wood box call from my grandpa, complete with the old piece of chalk he had wrapped up in a Kleenex that was stored inside. It had been a great archery deer season, and I had venison in the freezer for another year; time to round out the hunting year and fill a turkey tag.

Once again, as the sun began to rise, I fired up the old call with a more refined series of sexy enticements than I could have managed when I was in middle school, and we waited. We nearly fell out of our seats when we heard the reply. It sounded like weʼd gotten the attention of a whole flock of gobblers!

They were burning up the creek bottom to get to the top of the hill where we lay in ambush. The decoys were out, the kill zone was set, the call was working, and the gobblers were hot! I was imagining how we would set up the photo shoot with the trophies in just a few minutes.

The flock crested the hill and made a beeline for the poor jake decoy, which stood no chance against the five (yes, five) long-bearded toms that encircled him in an attempt to bully him away from their (fake) future girlfriend sitting about 10 yards away.

I nocked my arrow, and waited for Lover-boy Number One to drop strut and head over to the hen.

Finally one obliged me, and I settled the 20-yard pin above the top of his drumstick and squeezed the shot off.

I never found that arrow because it was a long way to the bottom of that hill and when I missed, it sailed clear

into the big cedar brake along the creek. No big deal: the arrow that had buzzed just millimeters over his back didnʼt seem to faze the lovesick bird, so I loaded up for a second shot.

I retrieved that shaft later, but the broadhead remains to this day a permanent addition to a hundred year-old oak tree at the top of that big hill. Again, a clean miss.

Needless to say, my old friend turkey fever had unceremoniously crept back into my life.

Arrow number three, and the gobbler was at full strut now. The best shot Iʼve heard of for this scenario is when the bird is facing directly away from you: aim for the “vent,” to put it politically correctly. So I did.

I recovered that arrow as well, broadhead and all, along with a few souvenir tail feathers that got chopped off as the arrow hit high yet again. My quarry had finally had enough with that final volley, and he and the rest of his buddies left the scene in a hurry.

The white whale lives.

Turkeys may not be the easiest critters in the world to take with archery gear, but Iʼm hooked on trying. Iʼve been after them with my bow for the last five or six years now, and can only hope that my first turkey with an arrow will be as memorable as the first-ever gobbler, the first one I got with Wade, out there in the cedar when we were kids.

TXHunter, Chillin And Grillin (Not cooking Turkey)

Bowcountry.com

by Swamp Fox

Tactical Bow Holder System from Tactical Archery

For a quick solution when you donʼt have an extra hand for your bow, look to Tactical Archery Systemʼs HipBone bowholder. A simple ball-andsocket design holds your bow securely when you need to glass, fiddle with your gear, or when itʼs time to let go of some of that morning coffee.

Most other bow carriers this side of full-blown slings are a little goofy, or flimsy, but this one looks like a winner. The socket slips over your belt without the need to remove said belt, so you can wear the gizmo on either side of your body and switch back and forth quickly. This is nice, because personal preference and changing circumstances both will determine how you carry your arrow-flinger.

You also have the option to carry the bow by the stabilizer or by the cable guide rod. If you shoot a bow with a roller guard system, you will be limited to the first method. I find that carrying by the stabilizer puts the bow and particularly the bowstring too close to underbrush and even the ground for my tastes. However, if this is what you want to do, just make sure your stabilizer has a

Bowcountry.com

5/16-inch mounting hole in the front, and then itʼs a simple matter to screw in the ball unit for a secure carry.

TAS includes a ball with two set screws for cable rod mounting, so you will have the tools for both carry options. One word of warning: Do not over tighten the set screws. This plus the stress of firing the bow could crack the rod. Donʼt ask me how I know.

The good news is that once youʼve mastered the subtleties of “righty tighty,” putting the ball in the socket or taking your bow out of the hip bracket is

easy, quick and silent with either the stabilizer or the cable rod method.

I see Cabelas is selling a HipBone package for $19 and change. The picture shows only the stabilizer mount, and there is no mention of the need for a stabilizer with the proper mounting hole, nor of the cable guard mounting option. If I were going to order from Cabelas, I始d make a phone call and ask a few questions before plunking down my credit card. I know I paid significantly more when I bought directly from the company, perhaps even more than the $29+ that TAS is charging these days for the package that includes both mounting options. I can始t remember.

I don始t know what any of that signifies, but the important thing is that you do as say, not as I do. Check out the HipBone.

Bowcountry.com

Real Name: Patrick Thompson Nickname: Pat (BC Handle: patdouglas22) Age: 29 Home State: Kentucky States you hunt: I have only hunted Kentucky so far with the exception of chasing a few squirrels in Southern Ohio when I was younger. I have hunted about two thirds of the state here, however. I definitely plan to branch out to other states and chase new animals, I just feel that I have barely scratched the surface with the quality hunting opportunities and what I can learn here in my home state in the deer and turkey woods.

Years hunting: I’ve only been hunting big game for three years now. I decided to take up turkey three years ago this spring. I had some buddies that hunted turkeys and were quite experienced, and I just picked their brains as much as I could and watched a lot of turkey hunting on the Outdoor Channel. Opening morning, I somehow got a gobbler to come straight off the roost, run straight to the decoy and get shot. Perfect scenario and I was hooked.

Tell us about yourself. I graduated from the University of Kentucky and still live here in Central Kentucky, but was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains in Eastern Kentucky. I enjoy pretty much any sport, a good Saturday cookout with good drinks and good friends, and pickin’ a little guitar here and there. I played basketball with some football and baseball sprinkled in from the time I was in Kindergarten all the way through high school. I played intramural and corporate league basketball up until about a year ago. I have been an avid bass fisherman almost all of my life. I just recently fell in love with bowhunting a few years ago and have picked up playing a little golf, too. Also, I just married a girl that is way too pretty for me last September, and she has been great.

Any heroes? I don’t want to be cliché but I would have to honestly say my dad. He quietly and subtly taught me to respect the outdoors and respect other people without even preaching the message he was conveying. My dad never was much of a big-game hunter, partly because we didn’t have deer and turkey in the area where I grew up, at least not in any kind of decent numbers until here recently. But my dad and I have bass fished for about 20 years together and probably have only kept maybe one mess of bluegill. All the other thousands of fish we caught together have been released. My dad never ragged on anyone for keeping and eating anything that was within the law and neither will I. He just had and still has so much respect for the gamefish that he was chasing that he didn’t want to kill a single one. That and the way that he always has put others before him have really rubbed off on me.

Any role models? Besides my father I don’t really have anyone specific. Since I have only been hunting for a few years instead of a lifetime, I would just say that my role models in the hunting world would be hunters who really respect the animal that they are hunting and who do things right. Hunters that fall under this category could be meat hunters or trophy hunters,The reasons we hunt can be different across the board. So many hunters seem to want to shoot at everything they see no matter what kind of shot the animal offers, or what kind of

Bowcountry.com

experience they have with their weapon or with that shot. I know personally that I made what really felt and looked like a really good shot on a broadside buck from about 15 yards during my first season bowhunting, and despite my best efforts I was unable to make a recovery. That’s a feeling that I wish to do everything in my power to avoid in the future.

What/who got you started bowhunting?

Once I picked up turkey hunting a few years ago it really got into my blood. After the season was over I found out that I could hunt turkeys from September to January if I had a bow. That really piqued my interest so I started looking at bows to see what I could get one for. I went to the a little archery shop in a small town about an hour from here and I couldn’t really afford one just yet, but I happened to find an old PSE that was my draw length and was affordable. The guy let me try it out, and when I hit that release and watched the arrow fly across the range I can’t explain the feeling that came over me. It was awesome.

Does any of your family hunt or fish? I come from a fishing family. My mom will sit all day as long as she has a bobber and meal worms, my sister loves to fish when she has time, and my dad is the ultimate super-patient softplastic fisherman. He is taking up turkey hunting this year, which I am excited about. I hope it spills over into archery and deer hunting like it did for me but time will tell. I also have a couple of uncles who enjoy small game hunting and a little big game hunting but their knowledge in deer and turkey only goes far enough to allow them to be the gun men. That’s fine with me, however. I’d rather take somebody like this hunting and let them get one than harvest an animal myself.

Do you have any favorite memories or kills that stand out? I don’t have a great number of kills under my belt being early on in my bowhunting career, but I do remember the first deer I ever saw while bowhunting a few years ago. My setup was awful! I was sitting in a fold-up turkey chair on public land here in Eastern Kentucky, in a spot where I thought at the time that I was hidden very well. I must have been daydreaming or something, but I looked up and there was a huge doe standing at about 8-10 yards with no timber or anything between us. From the angle I was sitting, she was towering over me instead of the other way around. Turns out I was hidden well enough to not be seen but not near enough to draw or even get my bow up. She hung around for so long and so close that I began to get doe fever instead of buck fever and started to get the shakes. She caught a glimpse and ran out to about 85 yards and spent the next half-hour blowing and stomping just to be sure that none of her friends got shot by the worst bowhunter in history. I learned several things about bowhunting right there on the spot, and in addition I may be the only person to ever have doe fever.

Do you remember the first deer? I remember my first deer very vividly. It was late season and I was using a borrowed Marlin .30-.30 with iron sights that my hunting buddy had loaned me. It was so cold that all a person could do was lay the gun on his lap and try to bundle up. I had been hunting all day except for the short break to head to town for lunch. When I crossed my arms and tried to get warm I must have gotten too cozy because I dozed off for a good piece. I was sleeping like a baby. When I opened my eyes I just saw a head bobbing up and down about 40 yards out. I slowly raised my rifle and fired. Twenty to thirty yards later he was down. It ended up being a big button buck which was a little bittersweet, but it felt pretty good considering the hours I had logged on stand.

Bowcountry.com

What is your favorite animal to hunt? I don’t think that anything in hunting can beat being in a stand and seeing antlers coming your way from a distance. Having said that, my favorite animal to hunt has to be the turkey. There is so much action and strategy involved in the turkey woods that there is hardly ever a dull moment. Whether it is hearing a gobble in the distance and spending the whole morning weaving through the woods, calling to him and strategizing with your partner on the fly about how to set up on him, or it’s hitting your call and being shocked when a gobbler that you didn’t know was there sounds off basically in your lap, the turkey woods have the ever-so-slight edge for me.

Do you primarily hunt private or public ground? A year ago I would have said public mostly, but it seems like I’ve spent more time on private land starting at about early bow season last year. I hunt private ground back in Eastern Kentucky where my parents live, as well as quite a bit of private farmland here in Central Kentucky when I hunt with a friend of mine, which is often. My parents don’t have a great deal of property in Eastern Kentucky, but I know everybody in the area having grown up there and have permission to hunt lots of acreage in the Appalachian Mountains. In addition, I really actually enjoy hunting some public land and pride myself on being a public land warrior. The challenge is great but I try to always follow a rule that I don’t hunt a spot on public land unless there is a creek or some kind of rough terrain barrier between me and most other hunters.

Can you tell us a bit about your preferred equipment combo? I shoot a Martin Mag Cat with a 29- inch draw @ 70lbs with a Whisker Biscuit and pretty standard Tru-Glo sights. I’m currently shooting Beman ICS arrows and just started using G5 expandable broadheads.

Do you normally use anything like scent covers or attractants, camo or calls? I sort of keep it basic with the camouflage and use mostly Realtree AP. I have started buying a couple of the new Vertigo pieces, however, and am anxious to try those out some more in the stand. I definitely use calls for turkey. I usually use slate or box calls with a little bit of diaphragm mixed in when I feel safe to use it. I use scent covers and scent-free detergent for deer, and although my repertoire of carbon clothing isn’t as large as I’d like it to be just yet, I try to use it when the situation is right for what I have. I don’t do a lot of calling in the deer woods. I usually try to play the food angle more than anything. When the does spend the whole fall and winter feeding in your area, the bucks will be there looking for them during the rut. I have the grunt, bleat and rattling antlers but don’t use them much. I know they work for other hunters, but I am not extremely confident on a personal level using these tactics.

Do you do any small game or waterfowl hunting? I used to do a lot of squirrel and rabbit hunting when I was younger.

I also hunted grouse and had relatives with pointing dogs but more times than not I was alone and would just try to kick them up myself and shoot them before they got out of range if they didn’t startle me too much first.

What is the one piece of advice you would give a new hunter to aid him on his hunting ventures? I know I preach the same thing all the time but the first piece of advice I would give would be to do it right. If you take great pride in being an ethical hunter, your experience will be much more rewarding. Also, something I am just now learning--and you hear it all the time--but patience is key. I used to think that I could take a shortcut and raise my bow before it is time or maybe move a little and possibly get lucky and walk up on something. But haste never pays in the woods: be patient and things will fall into place. Lastly, when hunting big game always be ready and have a plan. A valuable lesson that I’ve learned is that it’s much harder or impossible to get ready once an animal comes in to your setup. You have to have a plan as to how to get your weapon in position without spooking the animal, and make sure that there are no obstructions and you know where your shooting lanes are.

Do you have any hunting goals or plans for the immediate future? Not really other than to build some extra stands and blinds at my parents’ place back in Eastern Kentucky. The low amount of hunting pressure makes the area very hot for bucks, and I’ve neglected to give myself enough hunting areas to make it effective for the whole season up to this point. I have stands in a great spot for the rut but am not adequately set up for early bow season patterns. I plan to change that this year.

Where is the one place you would really just love to hunt? I live in a great state for whitetail. I’d really like to hunt out west, however. Maybe Montana or something like that. When a person can go out and see whitetail, mulies, elk and other big game critters all in one hunt, that has to be a bowhunter’s paradise.

Tell us what your dream hunt would be. My dream hunt would actually be a spring tour in an attempt to get a Turkey Grand Slam. The weather is just starting to turn nice, everything is greening up and it’s your real first opportunity to be outdoors for an extended period of time and be comfortable since early bow season. I haven’t hunted anything but Easterns to this point, but to take some time and really get around to tangle with all the different breeds of turkeys we have here in the US…There would be hunt camps and good times in many different places in the US. It wouldn’t just be a dream hunt, I suppose, as much as it’d be a dream season.

Bowcountry.com

If you frequently camp or travel a few hours over the road to your hunting grounds, you sooner or later have to develop a fairly sophisticated packing system-- probably more than one depending on what the main activities will be once you hit the great outdoors. Thereʼs only so much room in the vehicle, and some things can stand to be outside in the elements with the bears, pack rats, coons and possums, and others canʼt. Some things need to be gotten to quickly, possibly in bad weather, and others can be tucked away to be retrieved only if you really need them, or leisurely once you get settled in camp.

All this and more is what makes loading up for long or frequent trips a challenge. Thereʼs nothing worse than packing, unpacking, and then having to do it all over again when the time for the next trip arrives. Smart sportsmen often choose to stay packed to avoid a lot of the hassle of living in two worlds, one where you need to have your dutch ovens, gun oil, climbing sticks and broadheads with you, and one where you need room in the truck for the wife or girlfriend. (A little advice: donʼt try to make room for both of them at the same time!)

One of the best gear-haulers for outdoorsmen has to be Planoʼs 1819 XXL Storage Trunk, which I now have four of. They are stackable, feature wheels for heavy loads, and seem immune to torrential rain, though Plano does not claim that they are waterproof. (They will not withstand total immersion.) I had two on the front cargo rack of my truck out in the driveway from mid-December through early March, though, and had nary a drop of water in either of them when I finally got around to putting my deer gear away and exchanging it for turkey and camping gear.

These boxes are perfect for hauling muddy boots, wet waders, tents and sleeping bags, cooking gear, supplies for the rifle range and almost anything else you can think of. I like to carry Lone

Wolf climbing sticks in them so theyʼre not taking up room in the back of the Bronco. I canʼt keep them nested in the Plano, but can stash at least two sets of four sticks each with little effort. If you need to keep bait, seed, fertilizer or minerals out of the weather and away from bugs and critters, these boxes will do a good job.

The Plano is constructed of high-impact plastic with rustproof cam latches. There are three places around the lid for padlocks (not included) and the unit is airline-approved for cargo. Molded grooves on the bottom team with recessed areas on the lid to make these units securely stackable. Recessed handles work with the wheels on the bottom edge to make moving the trunk easy, even when it's full.

Dimensions are 37-3/4"L x 18-1/4"W x 14"H with a capacity of 3.7 cubic feet. Weight is 9 pounds, 3 ounces, and the trunk comes in black or “camo.”

You can marry the lid to the body via a snap-hinge system, or leave the top unhinged if thatʼs what you prefer. I can find these trunks at home supply stores like Home Depot for about $25 each, and you might be able to do better on rare occasion on the web. Plenty of places, including Cabelas, sell them for a bit more.

Yes, I have had an empty trunk fly off the cargo rack at 30 miles an hour when I had a brain fart about whether I had taken it off the truck or not.

Three of the trunkʼs four latches remained fully closed, and one was just barely opened by the impact. The trunk itself was unharmed.

Tough stuff, if these trunks can survive Camp Swampy….and thereʼs no reason to think they canʼt , so far.

By Jessica Calaway

A

fter attending two of the Southern Triple Crown shoots sanctioned by the International Bowhunters Organization(IBO), one thing is clear to me: the IBO isn't as popular in the South as it is in the North.

Fellow shooters at both the first and third legs of the Southern Triple Crown said that the ASA (Archery Shooters Association) is far more popular in the Southern states. (The third leg of the STC, in Cedartown, Georgia, might not have had as high a turnout as a Northern

Bowcountry.com

event, anyway.) While it was a smaller crowd than I expected, it was great to get out and enjoy the nice weather shooting up some foam.

On the first day at Cedartown, we rolled into the parking lot to find only a few cars. It could have been warmer for midApril, and the wind was certainly going to be a factor that weekend. Tornado warnings and watches were forecast for most of our stay.

You never know what might happen on a road trip four states away!

We got paired up with a man who was from Ohio, just as we were. We traveled that many miles to shoot with someone who has hunted literally five minutes from my house!

Officials told us to head for safety if we heard an air horn around the time we reached Target Number Ten. This was also the target with the maneating size hole in it. My friend shattered one of my arrows on a gator target. (He shot after I did, hit my arrow, and his went sailing into the pond somewhere to never return

again. It was a pretty neat thing to watch and it all seemed to happen in slow motion.) Then we got lost after the last target‌ and that was all in day one. You can prepare and practice, but you never know what to expect.

On Day Two, torrential evening rains had turned the parking area into a mud bog. The Ford Focus was no match for it: good on gas for a road trip but bad for mudding. The day

didn't look promising. My friend and I were split up, and I was put into a group with a youth and two cubs along with four parents. We looked like a mob walking through the course. It was still windy, but the sun was shining and I was flinging arrows, so life was good. The youth shooter and I became fast friends since we were the lone wolves of the group.

The kids did fine. I was shooting well, and had a decent score heading into Target 19. Things were looking good until I stood in a soft patch of dirt for too long and found out what fire ants are.

They reached my thighs in mass numbers before anyone noticed. It was at this point I became grateful to the two women of our entourage who were from the South. They rescued me from the foreign

pests. Manual removal and bug spray held up our group for fifteen minutes, but we got all the little menaces off my boots, socks, and the inside and outside of my pants. I finished the last target with the cuffs of my jeans around my knees and my cowboy boots fully visible. I looked good, let me tell you!

As we packed it up for the day, one of the women turned to me and said, “Well at least your legs were nice and smooth for strangers to have their hands all over them!"

As I said, you never know what to expect.

Recurve Learning Curve

by Tom-Wisconsin A 30# bow is the ideal weight to learn with.

Form is the first thing to learn. Many beginners make the mistake of starting off with a bow that has too much poundage. Find a consistent anchor point. Focus on form and accuracy. I found the book "Become the Arrow" by Byron Ferguson to be very useful. There are other good books out there also.

Bowcountry.com

PRIMOS TRUTH CAM 60

By Ted Evans (Hunter)

Primos’ introduction of its Truth Cams last year came at just the right time for me.

Even though I am a devoted “Moultrie guy,” I was slightly disappointed in my Moultrie I60’s nighttime range. I could only barely make out shapes in photos taken in the dark under my feeders. So, I was on the hunt for a camera that had extended range for after-hours shots.

That was when I ran across an ad for the new Primos Game Cameras. The Truth Cam 60

Bowcountry.com

was heralded as having an extended 60 ft. infrared range for nighttime applications: just what I was looking for. I must admit that I was a little apprehensive about buying from a company that was just getting into the game-camera business, but I decided to give it a try.

Now, approximately 8 months later and after one full scouting season and a full hunting season, I feel comfortable that I can recommend this camera.

Here are the pros and cons: First off, it is of average size height-wise (about 9 inches) but maybe a little thinner. It also has a concave back that makes it sit tighter against a tree than many other models. It comes in a green camo and has a six-foot, inch-wide web strap

with a cam lock. This makes it very easy to attach the camera quickly to almost any tree.

I had one problem right out of the box: the camera would not recognize a SD card being inserted, which forced me to return it to Primos. Customer service was satisfactory in that they immediately sent me a return authorization when I called, and they did tell me up front that they were temporarily out of stock. They estimated that it would be about a week to get me a replacement. It ended up being two weeks, but all follow-up calls along the way were answered and I was kept up to date on when my new camera would be shipped. I know others have had problems with Primos’ customer service, but I can’t complain.

Once I received the new camera, it worked as advertised in terms of ease of use. It’s very easy to set up and turn on. It will accept up to an 8GB SD card, and uses four DCell batteries.

I used it heavily this past season, and it has been in the field every day these past 8 months. I can say that I am very happy with the quality of photos that it takes. The extended nighttime range which Primos promoted has

This picture illustrates the camera’s motion sensitivity. I use it on its low sensitivity setting.

(It has options for high, medium and low.)

not disappointed me, as I can now see all the game under my feeders at night. The pictures below give a good example of what I am talking about.

One of the things I don’t like about the camera is the delay settings. They start at 5 seconds, then offer 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 30 minutes and finally 60 minutes.

For a camera set up on an active feeder, I prefer to have a 5 minute delay. One-minute delays usually end up giving

too many pictures of the same deer or hogs.

Another small problem is that the SD card, inserted into the bottom of the camera, is covered by a rubber seal. I foresaw this rubber piece as a not-so-long lasting part of the camera and was proven right. It

only lasted a couple of months before it broke off. However, this doesn’t affect the operation of the camera and the SD card is somewhat protected by the lip of the front cover of the camera. I guess ants could get into the camera this way, but I have had no problems.

As far as battery life goes, it’s not bad. Just not as good as my Moultrie I60. (But the Moultrie runs on 6 D-cell batteries.) I would say I average 3 weeks on a set of batteries with the camera out and operating 24/7.

I think part of that is because of the short one-minute delay, which results in more shots than I am used to on a feeder location, and most of those are at night which results in more battery drainage than if the camera were primarily shooting in daylight.

One final small irritant is a barely audible clicking sound

Bowcountry.com

when picture is taken. That along with the red infrared sensor does get a deer’s attention. But I haven’t detected any “fright and flight” from this. The animals treat it more as a curiosity.

Overall, I would have to say that I am satisfied with the Primos Truth Cam 60. It has been the answer to my extended nighttime range need, and the rest of its operation has been comparable

to other game cameras that I have owned over the years.

This is just one old hunter’s recommendation. As with all brands of cameras, you will find people who like one particular brand and who dislike others. This Primos just happens to meet my demands.

Using Your Optics for Hunting Deer in the West

by Ventilator Optics are a critical tool for hunting in the western states. A lot of eastern hunters on their first trip out do not realize this until it’s too late. Good optics could make or break your open-country deer hunt.

The best tip I can give is to use your first day in your hunting area glassing from your truck or from a high vantage point overlooking agriculture and/or creek bottoms. The best thing is to arrive a day or two before the season opens or your hunt begins to do this. I like to watch alfalfa fields from high bluff areas to see where the deer go back into the bedding areas shortly after daybreak in early September. At this time, most bucks are grouped up and away from the does. This makes for all-or-nothing action on the hunting. That’s why it’s critical to observe and find the general travel routes. A couple hours glassing in the morning can be more valuable than two or three days in the wrong stand.

I use 10x42 binos and sometimes a 20-40x spotting scope. Most of the time I’m using my binos. Take the best optics you can possibly get your hands on so you will be able to make the most of your glass time.

Cheap glass causes headaches and you will miss deer that may already be bedded down. The more quality time you can spend behind the lenses, the better.

Once you find the travel routes to the bedding area, it’s just a matter of waiting until the deer have bedded, and then moving in to set your stand strategically along the path. Make sure the wind is right and hunt the set the same day. If you have the option of getting to the stand well before light without spooking deer, that’s even better. I’ve found that prairie bucks will travel up to two miles from the alfalfa fields to bed. If you spook does when setting your stand, it’s usually not a big deal as the bucks will never know.

Bowcountry.com

William

v Tra

sk

i

Jeff

On The Wall Submission Send photos to: jeffs@bowcountry.com mike@bowcountry.com

BGKYarcher

Mike

Bowcountry.com

An Early Season Weekend

By Josh Hether

Here I am setting in my forest fire management class and all I can think about is the upcoming 4 day weekend. It has been 3 weeks since I have had a weekend off due to military obligation and I was really looking forward to this one. A couple hours on the water here and there wasn’t cutting it.

My longtime friend Matt that is stationed here in NC, not 2hrs from me was coming up Saturday night to join me for a night fish sticking. The weather hasn’t been the greatest in NC this month with all the normal spring rains.

Last weekend we were hammered by some historical storms that produced over a dozen tornados across central and eastern NC. It just some happens that my buddy Matt had gotten caught in the middle of the worst one.

Matt, His Wife and 7month old Son had just walked in the Tractor Supply Company in Stanford, NC when everything had gotten really

Bowcountry.com

loud. He explained it as a very loud roar just seconds before the roof of the building was ripped off above them. His wife dropped to the floor covering their son Hunter and Matt covered them both.

Matt said he held tight as he saw watched 50lb bags of feed being ripped out of the store front along with shelves and other things around the store. From his voice you could hear the fear and adrenaline that was felt. When it all came to an end just a couple min later the few ppl in the store stood up in complete shock. Matts Military instinct kicked in and he assessed the situation. Quickly he hurried over to help a woman from underneath a shelf and made sure everyone was ok.

The biggest shock was when they walked out the store and Matt’s truck was on the other side of the parking lot, upside down and completely totaled.

They had parked not but a few yards from the front of the store. Some of you may have seen this destroyed Silver GMC on Good Morning America and several other news stations around the Country.

I thank God that everyone was ok.

Material things can be replaced but lives cannot.

With all of this, I was looking forward to getting my

buddy on some fish and showing him a good time.

Friday night I took another Mclovin as we call him, out to a reservoir north of me and ended up having a bit of success with a fish that would soon haunt me. As we rounded a shallow shoal, Mclovin took a shot at a good sized common and missed. At that time, I caught glimpse of a fish to my left coming straight at me.

When I released what It was I quickly reacted but instead of making the shot, I knocked the long barbed tipped Cajun yellow jacket arrow off of my string and the fish bolted right under the boat and out the other side as he headed to the next county. My jaw dropped as I estimated the behemoth grassy to be 55-­‐60lbs. I was sick.

The rest of the night all I could think about is what I could have and should have done different. That occurrence was like your first time on stand and blowing the chance at a Pope n Young Whitetail in the first hour of the hunt( which I have done as well ). Just my luck!

We ended that night and fished the next at a different lake but all I could think about was that fish. My buddy Matt rescheduled until Easter Sunday night because of the rains we had had. My plan was to take him back to the Reservoir to see what we could make happen. This place doesn’t produce numbers but makes up for it in pounds.

Sunday came, Matt rolled in my driveway precisely at 5pm. I hooked up the boat and off we went, on the 50mi drive north. We arrived early enough to check out the rest of the miles of water that we planned to explore as darkness fell.

Cruising around on full plane, the G3 was purring at 32mph yet all I could think of again was that missed opportunity on that trophy fish just two night prior.

The sun settled below the horizon, I fired up the generator which lit up the water with 4000 watts of light.

We slithered around the shallows with keen eyes awaiting that ever so familiar glow of the big ol’ common carp or slender silhouette of a long nose gar. With no success in the first cove I anxiously lifted the troller and fired up the outboard to go and try the shoal where my misfortune found me just the other night.

As The boat slowed and the wake settled I dropped the troller with my Area 5150 Angler in hand. We made quick work of the first cove and moved to the point of the shoal where we spotted movement in the grass. Keeping an eye on the moving grass, we were n stealth mode creeping ever so closely. To our surprise and excitement there was yet another huge grass carp that was all of 50lbs. Matt shaking with excitement, He was ready to sling an arrow. I quickly said WAIT, we need two arrows in this fish. I said, “Lets inch forward and count 1, 2, 3”. Moving in, the fish never knew we were there. Ready?, “I said” 1….2…..3 GO! Both Cajun arrows met there

Bowcountry.com

mark in the back of this huge fish as it completely flipped out and raced toward deeper water as they often do.

Me being the most experienced Bowfishermen, I told Matt to let it run and don’t horse the fish.

After just a few minutes we had it tired out and close enough to gaff. Matt grabbing the gaff with his free hand, sunk it into the underside of this behemoth fish and pulled him aboard. A quick look at each other and the high fives started flying.

We could not believe what had

Bowcountry.com

just transpired in front of our eyes. This was the biggest fish that Matt had ever held in his hands and he made that VERY clear with the smile on his face.

I don’t know if this was the same fish as last Friday night but my dream of another chance was answered. I was ecstatic to just be able to experience this with my longtime friend, especially after the stress that he and his family had yielded this past week.

The rest of the night proved to be a good time as well.

We boated some good fish and had an action packed short night. I can’t wait until Matt and I can share another night on the water.

THOSE WHO KNOW BOWFISHING

KNOW CAJUN!

Bowcoountry.com

How I Got Into

By Dallin Gittins (Hunter Orange)

S

even short years ago, a good family friend convinced my dad to try something new. This man is very convincing, and is one of the nicest people I have ever met. He decided to invite my father and a couple of their friends to go on a deer hunt. My dad had never hunted deer before, but decided to give it a try. He invited me, a 4th grade young man. If only he had known what he started, he might have done it differently!

October finally came around. As the opening day was getting closer, I was excited. Buying basic hunting supplies for the first time really got me into the hunting mood. Starting a few days before, with deer on my mind, I couldnʼt sleep! I didnʼt know what to expect on opening day.

We finally went out into the hills to hunt mule deer.

My first Deer Camp was a good experience Iʼll never forget. Even though I didnʼt get the jokes being told, I just laughed along. The next morning, my old man and his friends all had their deer tags and rifles handy. I was jealous, because I was not yet old enough to hunt big game in Utah. As I hiked to the knob atop the rise we call “Heck Hill” I was panting, but the people around me kept me going. I had no choice but to keep up!

When the sun rose, I got to see one of my dadʼs friends shoot a smaller buck. That deer changed my future! I felt the adrenaline run through me, and I got charged up when the buck hit the ground. I

Bowcountry.com

Bow Hunting

knew I wanted to do this again.

When the next deer season came around, I begged my dad to take me. He agreed, and off we went. This time I got to see all three tags filled, and witnessed my dad with his first deer. That will be a memory I will never forget!

My dad had noticed how much I loved deer and deer hunting. One day, during the off-season, he brought home a deer proclamation for the following year for me to read. It said that if a youth hunter holds a special tag, he could hunt the archery season, muzzleloader season, and even the rifle season. But he could only harvest one deer. I was so excited, and showed my dad to make sure I wasnʼt daydreaming!

When he assured me that it was real, I was skyhigh with anticipation and wanted to get a bow, because my dad already had a muzzleloader and a .30-06. This was in the days when my parents would pay us $100 at the end of the school year if we did not miss a day of class, $75 if we missed one day, and only $50 if we missed two days, etc.

As June rolled around, I was excited to get my $75 that Iʼd worked hard for.

We went to a local pawn shop, and I noticed a Browning Summit Suza II compound bow sitting on the floor with everything needed to hunt. I was pumped! I had to pitch in some more cash along with my attendance money, and I pestered my mom into it, but it finally happened! At ten years old, I couldnʼt even pull the bow back when I bought it. I didnʼt know what the draw length was. But it was my bow, and my way of spending more time hunting in the future, doing something that I love— chasing mulies!

After I worked my puny muscles out a little harder and my neighbor helped me lower the draw length and weight, I was shooting my bow constantly! I tried to shoot every other day, but only because I would be too sore to shoot more often. At about this time, I stumbled across the BowCountry forum online. I started reading all I could, and would stay up late drinking in other peopleʼs success stories. I finally joined, but only to ask questions. I continued to try to shoot my bow every other day all summer long. I started to improve, but very slowly. As the summer wore on, my aluminum arrows started to get bent, but I still shot as much as I could, even with only one arrow at times.

After some research, I bought some carbon arrows, a new sight and a new string. Because of my practice, I felt confident in my equipment, and I was set for the following hunting season. Even though I only felt good to 30 yards, I was hoping to sneak up on something within my range. Unfortunately, I never did get a shot at a deer that season, but I kept with it.

Now, Iʼm 17 and a bowhunting addict. I spend a good majority of my time and money bird hunting, scouting, shed hunting, shooting and spot-and-stalk mule deer hunting. I have upgraded my bow to a nicer and newer one (I bought it from OKY, one of the regulars on BowCountry), and I am constantly working hard to afford new hunting tools. I am hunting a variety of things now. I chase a lot of waterfowl (thanks to the same man who convinced my dad to deer hunt) and upland game.

I still look forward to the October deer season with my dad and his friends. But now I find myself more excited about an even more addicting form of hunting: toting a bow in the backcountry, attempting spot-and-stalk missions with my friends. Because of how I got into archery, Iʼve had to learn a lot by trial and error, but I also got as much help as I could on Bow Country. The members on-line gave me all the guidance I could ask for, and I always found something interesting and something new. I owe all the guys a “thank you” for helping me out. Because of all their assistance, I am hunting these days with more excitement than ever.

Now my family constantly calls me a slave to hunting, and that is the absolute truth!

Cornstarch To The Rescue

by Swamp Fox One fannypack item I do not go without when the weather is warm and I will sweat is cornstarch. Keep a little container such as a large aspirin bottle in your pack along with some TP to fight "monkey butt."

There are other terms for it, mostly relating to swamps, but I will not go there.

On longer treks, I will carry more. For summer scouting and work days on the happy hunting grounds, I keep a rather large container in the truck.

This is a miracle cure, whether you can eventually access a shower and some AC or not.

If you live in a cool, dry climate, I dare you to challenge me on this. We'll see who laughs last.

Bowcountry.com

Stovetop Squirrel Pot Pie

by Woodsbaby This is my much-applauded version of squirrel pot pie to feed the masses with no soggy crusts! I bring this dish to wild game dinners 驶n始 such... I just add things together so the amounts are not exact...

This recipe you have to start way ahead, as the squirrel needs to cook for a while.

What you need: 1 box puffed pastry (or crescent rolls) Enough squirrels to make 1.5 to 2 pounds of pulled meat A cup or so of squirrel broth (see below) 1/2 tsp. salt---- pretty sure I use more, though 1/4 tsp. pepper 1.5 cups milk Lots of butter(3 to 4 Tbsp.)

1 onion(chopped) 1 cup chopped celery 1/3 cup flour 2 cups frozen mixed veggies (thawed out)... or fresh Some fresh parsley chopped (1 tsp. maybe) 1/2 to 1/3 tsp. dried Thyme A couple bay leaves Before you begin the sauce-cooking part of recipe, read instructions on pastry package. It usually says to leave out for a bit... but not too long or it gets too doughy and it始s a PITA to unfold. I unfold it as soon as it thaws enough... doesn't matter if it cracks.

1... Place squirrels in crockpot or big pot with some water, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Cook til tender and let cool...

Don't let it get too tender or it won't hold together in the pie.

2... Pull meat from bones and reserve squirrel broth.... Mix broth and milk til you get about 2.5 cups or so of the mix. Set aside...

3... Melt butter in a large pot and add onions and celery. Saute for a few minutes.... add flour til blended... stir in broth mixture

Bowcountry.com

and let simmer and stir constantly til sauce thickens.

Careful with the thyme! Too much ruins the batch... Keep warm on low heat.

5... Unfold both pastry logs... use a pizza cutter to score pastry into triangles... throw into oven according to box instructions... when cooked the scored pasty will easily break into triangles for eating..

6... Ladle some pot pie filling into bowl or on plate... throw some pastry triangles on top and you have a pot pie with no soggy crusts that始s easy to dish up for big events!

TXHunter始s Bread Pudding with Butter Sauce

By TXHunter Bread Pudding This is hands-down the best bread pudding I've ever made (or had anywhere).

The recipe came from my Grandpa.

BREAD PUDDING 4 eggs 1 cup sugar 4 cups milk 2 tsp. vanilla 1 1/2 loaves bread, cubed 3 oz. raisins 1/2 cup brown sugar In bowl, beat eggs and white sugar. Add vanilla and milk and beat. Add bread and raisins. (Use challa bread if you want to kick things up a notch. It will make your eyes roll up in the back of your head!)

Mix well and put mixture in two 9x9x2-inch loaf pans. Sprinkle the tops with 1/4 cup brown sugar each. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until pudding has risen to top of pan. Serve warm, topped with Butter Sauce.

BUTTER SAUCE 3/4 cup sugar 3 beaten egg yolks 3 Tbls. Melted Butter 2 Tbls. Cornstarch (dissolved in 1/4 cup water) 1 1/2 cup boiling water 2 tsp. vanilla 1/8 tsp. salt In double-boiler, cream sugar, eggs, and butter. Add starch mixture. Then add boiling water slowly. Cook over hot water until thickened, stirring constantly. Add vanilla and salt.

Bluecats Jerky

By Bluecat I use this recipe and am constantly tweaking it here and there. Works equally well for whole muscle meat or ground meat. Notice there isn't much salt in the recipe as soy sauce has plenty in it. You can be creative with this recipe and add some heat or other spices.

For strip jerky, slice meat uniformly at 3/16" thickness. Cutting with the grain will produce a longer strip but it will be more chewy. It doesn't matter: it's jerky!

Place meat slices in plastic bag or storage container with the spices. Marinate in the refrigerator at least overnight, turning occasionally. If you need to add a little more liquid to ensure your meat is well-marinated, use apple juice, Coca Cola, blackberry brandy, etc. Add just enough to distribute the spices.

That始s it! You始re ready for the dehydrator or the oven. My dehydrator will do 5 pounds of meat in 4-5 hours at 140 degrees. If you do your jerky in an oven, try a temperature setting of 150, and use wire racks that you can get in any kitchen supply aisle to allow air to circulate around the meat.

Per pound of meat 1 Tablespoon soy sauce (lite) 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 Tablespoon honey 1 Tablespoon brown sugar 1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1 teaspoon ground pepper 1 teaspoon Worchestershire 1 teaspoon Tabasco 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Bowcountry.com

By Mark Lee

A

s many of you know, there is a TV hunting show titled “Dream Season”, and my son likes watching them when he is here on my weekends……

BUT….he has started living them with the start of 2010! Now, this is not that we are gonna be on a hunting show coming up or that we even record the hunts. This is what he is getting to experience this year!

I am one of those fathers who gets his child every other weekend, and until recently, I was not afforded that opportunity until this year, and of course a few lawyers being involved. Since all this has transpired, we have had a great year! He of course started off with bowfishing on a local lake by the house and harvested his first fish bowfishing, one being a grinnel that weighed 10 pounds! We purchased him a Mathews Genesis, and of course he did start out fishing off an airboat…gotta have handicaps…. Then low and behold, Arkansas opened up squirrel season from May 15th to February 28th! We got through the summer this year bream fishing on the same local lake that he harvested his grinnel, averaging 30 bream per trip!

Bowcountry.com

Finally, Labor day weekend came! First dove hunt! Well, that failed miserably…..no doves, so we sat there for about 20 minutes, and decided to go squirrel hunting! As soon as we got to the woods and starting walking down the road, we saw eight squirrels in different trees! Now our deer lease is in East Arkansas with a Wildlife Management Area starting directly south of our property, and the WMA is roughly 15,000 acres of hardwoods, full of squirrels and deer, and it’s a bow hunting WMA only except for permit draw with Muzzle loader, and permit draw with Modern gun, both running 5 days each. We eased up to the first tree with 3 squirrels in the top of one of the oak trees, and I got Monty propped up against the tree, and he fired and harvested his first squirrel of the season! He began with a .410 gauge back two years ago, but we never got the opportunity to go except for one morning when he was eight for about an hour before church, and he harvested his first fox squirrel, but this morning, he has progressed up to

a Stevens single shot 20 gauge, the one I started hunting with almost 40 years ago! With the first fox squirrel on the ground, of course all the others are running away from us, and we ease down the road about 100 yards, and there are two more cat (gray) squirrels on the ground back and forth from tree to tree. We ease up behind a fallen tree, and he positions up again against a tree, and misses! This went on for about 1 ½ hours with a total harvested of 3 squirrels! Dad had to shoot once….or twice…… ok….maybe 3 or 4 times, but I got one!!! We go back to camp to clean the squirrels, and there are doves all along the power lines, not hundreds, but twenty or so. Did I mention the dove field was at camp? Once we clean the squirrels, and head into the camper, Monty is watching the doves come across the field about 100 yards or so behind us, and is wanting to go dove hunting. So of course, we ease out there by one of the ponds and sit down. Less than 10 minutes pass till a dove flies straight at Monty slow and easy. I have him ease up the 20 gauge, and tell him when he’s ready, fire….and as you all know as soon as you mention the word fire……BAM! Folded up his first dove and it fell within 15 feet of him! We sat out there for an hour or so, and on his first ever dove hunt, he harvested 4 doves! Needless to say he was pumped about both squirrel hunting and dove hunting, with a total combination of 3 squirrels and 4 doves!

Now, Arkansas Muzzle load season opens here on October 16th this year, and this is Monty’s first year

to be able to hunt on our lease due to the combination of flooding we experienced here in Arkansas last year, ( we are in a flood plain area, which means that when the river reaches a certain level, they close deer season until the river drops below that certain level again), and me not having him on the weekends when we were not flooded.

We get out to our property 30 minutes before daylight, and park within 80 yards of the box stand.

As daylight approaches Monty spots a doe and yearling coming down the road and feeding right behind the Suzuki! As we watch them, there are 3 more that come out to our immediate left, and 2 more in front of us! I hand him the CVA Optima .50 cal loaded with 150 grains of powder and 200 grain shockwave bullet, and he finds the biggest doe out there at about 90 yards. I watch her with the binoculars while he scopes her. She finally gets perfectly broadside and I give him the go ahead on the shot. She ran 30 yards and fell out in the field!

One down! I reload and we wait a while, and the does start coming back out again. We have another doe get out there broadside about the same place as the first one, and he gets the go ahead again…..this one he shot right under! We ease out to confirm the miss, and gather up his doe and head back to camp.

When we get to camp the other 2 people hunting that morning both had a doe with them, and josh had missed his first one also, but hit his 2nd one. We ended up with 5 harvested on Saturday, and 3 on Sunday for a total of 8 does on opening weekend!

Monty shot again Sunday Morning, but we were not able to retrieve that doe. Now he’s asking for a

Bowcountry.com

Muzzle loader! I finally told him that everybody else was only shooting 100 grains of powder, and he was shooting 150, and he did not even care and really did not notice the kick! The Area that we deer hunt is as mentioned earlier in this article is in a flood plain, and the WMA was closed as well as us last year for more than ½ of the deer season, including bow season which is 5 Months long. The harvest numbers last year were not near what was needed, and this year the WMA added 100 permits to both gun and muzzle load, and they are needing the does thinned out. We used Muzzle load season on the lease for a doe harvesting, and have about 15 more tags to use this year. We also have an antler restriction self imposed on the lease, but Monty is allowed to harvest a nice 8 or 10 point, so with gun season opening up November 13th, we plan on getting him his first nice buck by the end of the

Bowcountry.com

season! On opening weekend, November 13th, Monty and I invited a friend of ours who has a 5 year old son to come sit with us in our 4x6 stand with corn planted by it. Todd is wanting to get his son a deer hunting experience and we will be all sitting there so todd’s son will be able to get his first deer hunt in! This stand during Muzzle load season usually had around 30 deer around it with one decent 10 point and one 8 point, with lots of does and yearlings, and at least 3 spikes roaming around, so hopefully he will get to see some deer and experience a great first hunt! Todd said he is not ready for his son to shoot yet, but Monty will have his youth .243 there, so if they change their minds, he may harvest his first deer! Currently, I am the only one who has not harvested a deer on the lease this year, but as long as Monty has the desire to go and trust me, I can’t hardly get him to leave the stand, we will be out there as much as we can this year, and I probably won’t have the opportunity to get a deer down as long as he is there!

This is what hunting and fishing is all about!

This child has been exposed a little to the outdoors over the last few years, but very little until now, and he doesn’t want to watch t.v., he doesn’t want to play his game boy, he wants to hunt, and he wants to get out into the woods and water! I am hoping to get him on his first duck hunt this year, and hopefully a turkey hunt this next spring!

AT RED NECK AIRBOATS WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE THE BEST BOAT POSSIBLE TO THE CUSTOMER. What we build -Airboats-Flats Boats-John Boats-Fan boats-Any custom aluminum boat hull you can design

We offer boats built to the customers specs. We can provide bare hulls or fully rigged boats to meet your needs.

Custom options include

Red Neck Airboats, LLC Sales Team: Garrett B. - 817-319-9522 Chad C. - 817-312-9245 Management: Shawn - 405-514-5836 Deanna - 903-357-0604

-light rails-side or center consoles-seats-walk arounds-fan stands-aluminum tanks-front steering-

Bowcountry.com

Bowcountry.com

Bowcountry.com