Canada’s own

Six Homegrown Archery Companies On The Cutting Edge

BOWHUNTERS LOOKING FOR new archery gear have more options today than ever before, and that includes innovative products developed or made here in Canada. Lower shipping costs and no duty fees are just two benefits of buying Canadian-made archery products. They also potentially perform better in northern climates because they were conceived here in the first place. Excalibur Crossbows is probably the best-known Canadian archery company—it’s been producing industry-leading bows for 40 years now—but these other Canuck outfits are also hitting the mark in the archery world.

Apa Archery

Located in Biggar, Saskatchewan—home of Milo Hanson’s worldrecord white-tailed buck—this bow builder defines ingenuity. Surf through the company website and you’ll see built-in accessories that just make sense. I noticed 25 unique technologies that archers may have never thought of, but would certainly appreciate. Some of the innovations built into APA’s bows include a camera mount, a riser fang for hanging the bow, an integrated bow winch for treestand safety, a broadhead wrench and a sharpener. These bows are lightweight, easy to draw, accurate, consistent and intuitive. Learn more at www.apaarchery.com.

Black Widow Innovations

Founded by engineers who are also hunters, Peace River, Alberta’s Black Widow Innovations makes high-quality broadheads at affordable prices. Founded in 2017, the company’s first product was a tough, sixblade broadhead for big game that was designed to maximize the total cutting area without compromising durability. In 2018, Black Widow purchased PX2 Archery, another Canadian company, bringing a solid two-blade head to the brand. In total, it now sells five fixed-blade broadheads to cover any hunting scenario; a new mechanical broadhead with a single bevel and moulded fixed blades is in development. Learn more at www.blackwidowinnovations.com.

Bulldog Targets

Winnipeg, Manitoba’s Bulldog Targets is so confident in its products that many of its models are guaranteed for life. Buy one of the targets in the Lifetime Series, for example, and you can “shoot the heck out of it,” says Bulldog. “If you wear out the face, the inside, or any other part of the target by shooting at it, we will replace it for the rest of its life.” The company makes a variety of target styles and sizes, from bigger units suitable for the range to portable models you can carry into the field. All of the targets are made for field points, while the XL models have extra stopping power and promise easy “two finger” arrow removal. Learn more at www.bulldogtargets.com.

CUSTOM ARCHERY SUPPLIES LTD.

Several bowyers across the country are making custom longbows, recurves and strings, but most are not commercially available. These are the little gems known in smaller circles, but worth seeking out by inquiring at your local fish and game club, archery range or bow shop. One of Canada’s most renowned bowyers is Sherwood Park, Alberta’s Jack Kempf, who builds custom traditional bows (pictured, left) from his home workshop. These days, most of his work is donated to archery organizations or programs for fundraisers, so if you want one of his creations, you have to win a raffle or bid the highest at an auction. Learn more at jackkempf.peteward.com.

GRIZZ TARGETS & ARCHERY INC.

Renowned for the durability of its targets, Forestburg, Alberta-based Grizz Targets & Archery makes its products on-site and ships across Canada. Ranging from blocks to large wood-framed units with replaceable layers, these targets are made with dense or compressed foam to stop standard or micro-diameter arrows, or both. There’s even an indoor target designed for low-poundage bows, so shooters can practise year-round. Customers can also order targets with custom logos and designs. Learn more at www.grizztargetsarchery.ca.

KILLIN’ STIX

Archery addicts who grew up in the outdoors, Alberta’s Jason Acorn and Calvin Buckler wanted premium arrows at a competitive price, so they started Killin’ Stix nine years ago to make their own. Today, there are 10 carbon arrows in their catalogue, including target and tournament arrows, crossbow bolts, micro-diameter options, and value-driven hunting arrows. The pair’s commitment to premium quality, precision shooting and value prices makes Killin’ Stix another great Canadian archery brand. Learn more at www.killnstix.com. OC

BRAD FENSON OFTEN BUYS NEW GEAR FROM CANUCK ARCHERY COMPANIES.