Waxing your bow string is an essential part of taking care of your bow.  This applies to all types of bows including crossbows, compound, traditional and long bows.  Waxing your bow string will not only extend the overall life of your string, it will keep it from getting frayed, damaged by water or debris and will help to keep the strands from becoming dried out and less flexible. Waxing your bow string is pretty simple to do and only takes a few minutes of time.  Here are the steps outlined on how to properly wax your bow string.]

Step 1:  Make sure that your bow string is clear of any dirt or debris.  This can be done by using a clean dry cloth, or using a soft brush.

Step 2: Take the wax(usually in a tube) and apply the wax to the bow string.  You want to apply a good amount but you don’t want to overdo it.  The key here is just to make sure the wax covers the string with a thin coat.

Step 3: Take your finger and thumb and just rub the wax into the string.  The friction will cause the bow wax to melt and make it easier for the wax to leak into the crevices and cover the whole bow string.

Step 4: Take a dry cloth and just wipe and remove any excess wax that has built up at the top or bottom of the string or at the arrow serving points.

That’s it you have successfully waxed your bow string.  You should remember to do this regularly especially when and if your archery bow is getting a lot of use.  Taking these steps will ensure that you are protecting your investment and maximizing the life of your bow string.

One of the most common ways to bowhunt is in a tree stand due to the need to get closer to animals in order to take a shot.  Tree stands can bring a lot of successful hunts but can also be very dangerous if not handled properly. Every year bowhunters are injured and even killed while setting up, moving around on or getting onto their tree stands. Common injuries include bruises, cuts, broken bones, strains, concussions and more.  Here are some common guidelines on how to stay safe this hunting season so you can see the next.

Read the Instructions

I know that as men we don’t like reading instructions, or directions or anything else that may help to speed up the process of doing something (I am definitely guilty as charged).  However, when it comes to tree stand safety it is absolutely imperative that you know the ins and outs of your tree stand before you try putting it up.  The upside to this is that these days a lot of products come with videos so you only have to watch and learn.

Choose the Right Tree

This sounds like it would be an obvious point however, it is not uncommon for you to get lost in the moment of finding that “great hunting spot” and decide on using a tree that is a bit less sturdy because it gives a better shot area.  The tree you use should not only be able to hold your weight it should also be sturdy enough that it does not excessively rock or sway when it is windy.  If you notice that a good portion of the tree is dead or dying this could be an indication that the roots are dying and the tree could look and seem stable but could come down in a strong wind.

Use a harness

This is an absolute must.  Most if not all deaths are due to falling out of your tree stand. You need to wear a harness when setting up, climbing onto, on your tree stand and when you get down from your tree stand.  It is a bit annoying and can get in the way sometimes however, it can save your life should you suddenly lose your footing and fall.

Use a Rope to Bring up Equipment

Getting up into a tree stand can be a chore in itself, let alone trying to carry your equipment up at the same time.  One of the best ways to keep yourself from getting hurt is to tie your equipment to a rope that is tied to your tree stand.  Once you are in your tree stand and have a solid footing start pulling your equipment up to you.  This will help to curb accidental falls, equipment hitting you or getting snagged on branches.

Apply Grip Tape to Stand and Steps

Some of tree stands do come with anti slip material on the stand and steps however, if your tree stand does not have any type of non slip material, it is definitely something you should think about.  Many times out hunting there will be rain, snow or dew that can greatly increase the chances of slipping.  Grip tape is not very expensive and can help to keep you safe and alive to see the next hunting season.

Tree stands are a great tool and asset when it comes to bowhunting and can really help to improve your chances of success in the field.  It is just very important that you treat them with respect and that you don’t take any unnecessary risks as they can become harmful very quickly.

The bow string is a very critical part of your archery setup. Obviously without your bow string it would be impossible to shoot arrows from your bow.  It is because of the critical nature that you make sure that you are taking care of your bow string and ensuring that it is in good condition each and every time you shoot.  Eventually however your bow string will need to be replaced due to wear, dry rot, or damage.  Replacing the bow string is a normal part of archery however there are things you can do in order to maximize the life of the string and cables on your bow so that you can go longer in between replacement periods. Here are some archery tips that will help you to maximize your bow string.

1.Wax your String

This tip here is one of the best ways to keep you bow string in tip top shape longer.  The purpose of the wax is to put a coating over your string to keep it soft, flexible and dry.  It also helps against fraying of the string.  You should wax your bow string fairly often and really work it in so that it can penetrate into the strands of the bow string.

2.Use a String Loop

A string loop mainly helps against destroying your serving, which in turn will destroy your bow string.  A string loop is a small piece of cord that is tied to the bow string around where the arrow nock is attached.  The release is then placed on the loop instead of the bow string serving which greatly reduces the damage to the serving.

3.Don’t Dry fire your Bow

The fastest way to destroy your bow string is to dry fire your bow.  The act of dry firing a bow is basically just drawing and releasing the bow string without an arrow.  Dry firing a bow in most cases will snap your bow string, possibly your cables and has a good chance of cracking your bow limbs.  This is obviously a very costly mistake and one that should be avoided at all costs.

4.Store your Bow away from Sharp objects

A lot of  archers store their bows in hard cases along with a lot of their bow accessories and other items that they use while out on a course, or in the field.  It is important that if you are going to do this that you store any sharp objects such as tools or broadheads in hard plastic containers or separate from your bow altogether.  It is common for items to move around and become entangled with your bow string, this could cause cutting, scraping or creasing of your bow string which will reduce its life.

5.Clean the Cams and Wheels

If you are a bowhunter or you shoot competitively on a course where there are trees and shrubs all around it is important that you check your bow over for any twigs, small stones, dirt or other debris that could have found its way into the cam or wheel tract where the string lies.  This debris can over time wear down your bow string and can cause it to snap or wear out long before it should.

Your bow string can last you a good long time if you are willing to take care of it, and take the necessary precautions to ensure that it does not become damaged through carelessness.

Anybody who has ever shot an arrow into an archery target whether it be a regular square target or a 3D animal has more than likely experienced a situation where it is a struggle to pull the arrow from the target.  This is especially true for newer targets.  Instead of pulling muscles and wrenching your back there are easier ways of getting your arrow out of the target without having to get hurt.  Here are 3 tips that will help you to easily pull your arrow from targets in this situation.

1. Use Arrow Lube

Arrow lube works wonders and is a great preventative measure that you can take to help reduce the chances of your arrow becoming bound up and stuck in the target.  It is important that you only place the lube on the first 4 inches or so otherwise will cause too much of the arrow to become slippery making it hard to get a good grip on it.

2. Twist then Pull

This is actually a great way to remove an arrow that has become stuck in a target with ease.  The key is to twist to break the “seal” and then pull on the arrow. When using this technique it is important that you have a good grip on your arrow and that you are twisting and pulling the arrow without bending it.

3. Use an arrow puller

One of the major keys to the above technique or to pulling an arrow from a target in general is to have a good solid grip on the arrow.  There are plenty of “arrow pullers” out there that you can buy that work very well, however if you’re like me and want a cheap arrow puller use that rubberized foam matting that you would place under objects to keep them from moving.

Pulling an arrow from a target should not be and doesn’t have to be a strenuous task.  If you use the above tips it will make pulling your arrows from targets a whole lot easier and faster.

In the world of archery the primary goal to being a great archer is accuracy. It goes without saying that the more accurately you can shoot your bow the better you will score in a competition, or the more kill shots you will deliver while hunting. Improving your archery shot accuracy comes down to three main factors – Proper form, Consistency and Practice.  The more you improve at any of these 3 factors the more accurately you will be able to shoot and the better Archer you will become.  Here are 5 archery tips that you can use to greatly improve your archery shot accuracy.

1. Use 2 anchor points instead of one

An anchor point is a point usually on your face where you can consistently place the bowstring or a part of your hand so that you know that you are pulling the bow back to the exact same point every time.  Commonly archers will use touching the bowstring to their nose, or placing the knuckle of their index finger in front of their ear lobe, or they may have a kisser button that hits the corner of their mouth.  Using an anchor point produces consistency and will therefore help to increase the overall accuracy of your shot.  By using two different anchor points it further solidifies this consistency and narrows the chances of slight differences in the placement of your first anchor points.

2. Tune your Bow

Tuning your bow can greatly increase your archery shot consistency.  Tuning your bow and the equipment on it will ensure that the arrow is being launched as straight as possible out of the bow.  It will also stop or greatly reduce the amount of arrow fletching contact on your bow accessories which can cause inconsistent and erratic flight of your arrow.  The best way to tune your bow is to use the [paper tuning method].

3. Don’t punch the Trigger

Punching or pulling the trigger on a release when you fire the bow can cause bow torque, flinching and inconsistent shot patterns.  When releasing your bow string it is important that you concentrate on aiming at the target and while doing this slowly start squeezing the release until it suddenly lets go of the string.  It should almost be a surprise to you when it releases the string.  In doing this it will allow for a more calm and smooth release which means more shot consistency and accuracy.

4. Follow your Shot Through

A lot of archers including myself have been guilty of not following through when the arrow has been released.  This is the same idea as golf and keeping your head down.  After releasing the bow many archers will drop the bow and look to see where their arrow went.  This can cause the arrow to drop, or can cause the arrow to hit equipment causing very erratic behavior in the flight pattern and consistency of your arrow.  It is very important that you keep your shot form, and the bow up until after your arrow has hit the target.  This will ensure that the arrow is making it out of the bow before you start bringing it down.

5. Shoot a Comfortable Draw Weight

Shooting a bow can be very tiring especially when you are pulling back more weight than you are used to.  If you are struggling to draw your bow then you will end up tiring out your muscles before you even start trying to steady and aim your bow. This will obviously cause you to start shaking or wavering and will cause inconsistent shots.  Try reducing the amount of weight you are pulling and increasing that weight slowly as you build up muscle and stamina.

Archery is definitely a sport of skill and patience and will become more fun the better you begin to shoot.  Improving your archery accuracy will take time and dedication but if you adopt the above tips you will begin to notice your shooting accuracy improve.

The bow and arrow has been used for millenia as a weapon of war, hunting and sport.  The bow and arrow consists of basically as the name states a bow and arrows.  The bow which is the projectile launching weapon is often made of wood, aluminum, carbon fiber or a mixture of these components and is available in different types as listed below.

Traditional Bow

This type of bow is usually made of wood and consists of different layers that make up the bow riser (middle part) and the limbs.  This type of bow is more along the lines of what was used all throughout history.

CrossBow

The crossbow is usually made of aluminum and carbon fiber. This type of bow is similar in style to a gun as it has a stock and a trigger.  Crossbows are basically just a traditional bow built to shoot like a gun (although does not have the power of a gun).

Compound Bow

The Compound Bow is newer style of bow that features cams, and/or wheels on the limbs.  This allows for greater arrow speeds, smoother draw cycles, and the possibility of let off making it easier to keep the bow at full draw for a longer period of time.  Compound Bows are usually made of aluminum and carbon fiber, and allows for additions of many types of accessories.

Arrows are the second part of the bow and arrow combo.  The arrows are the actual projectiles and while they used to be made of wood, these days they are more commonly made of carbon or aluminum.  This allows for greater accuracy, durability, and ability to customize with different arrow heads.

The 2 main uses for bow and arrows today are for hunting and sport. In general bows are pretty universal and can be used for both hunting and sport, however like any other sport there are companies that tailor compound and traditional type bows specifically for sport/competition.  These specific bows are usually lighter and more accurate.

Bow and Arrows can range widely in price anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars.  The price of a bow and arrow is dependent on factors such as the company name, materials used, popularity, and quality of the bow.  It is important to be said that Archery is an expensive sport to get into however once you have the equipment it is not very expensive to maintain and upkeep your equipment.  The key to getting a quality bow and arrow for a decent price is to shop around and do your research.

With most bow and arrows today there is a need for certain accessories that will help to make it easier to shoot.  These accessories include the following components:

Sights

Bow sights are often made of plastic or metal, and include metal or fiber optic pins that help you to be able to accurately aim at your targets, instead of eying it up like traditional archers used to have to do.

Rest

Bow rests come is all different types, shapes, sizes and materials and helps to support your arrow.  It used to be that the arrow would rest on the shelf however, the arrow often tends to move and travel side to side which can cause very inaccurate shots.  Bow rests however help to curb that behavior and allow for more accurate shots and less arrow movement.

Release

A bow release is a mechanical accessory that grabs onto the string or string loop and assists you in pulling back the bow string so that you do not have to use your fingers.  This is a great help as with a lot of bows today you are pulling 50 to 70 lbs and this can really work to damage the joints in your fingers.

Vibration Dampners

When any bow is shot there is always vibrations from the string that can often be thrown into the bow riser and can be felt in your hand.  This can be virtually removed with the use of vibration dampners.

Where to get a bow and arrow?

Bow and Arrows can be bought many places including Ebay, Kijiji, pawn shops, classifieds and many other 2nd hand type places.  However these places offer as is equipment that may not even fit you properly or work properly.  If you are new to the sport and don’t know what to look for it will be worth your while to go to an archery shop.  These shops have experienced archers that can help educate you and get you archery equipment that fits you at a good price.

Archery is a very challenging but fun sport that can be enjoyed by everybody in the family. For this reason The bow and arrow is quickly gaining in popularity and will continue to do so.  So I encourage you to get out there get yourself a bow and arrows and start enjoying the great sport of archery.

Bowhunting season is closing in fast and before you know it, you’ll be heading out for trophy animal this season.  Bowhunting is not cheap and it takes a lot of time effort and dedication to be able to pull off a successful hunt.  In order to make your chances of being able to bag your trophy animal this coming season here are a few top bowhunting tips to improve your chances of a successful hunt.

Know the Area – This tip may seem obvious but it really isn’t enough to know of the general area.  In order to get a chance at a shot this season you need to know where the animals are, how they travel, where they feed and drink etc.  The more you know about the area you will be hunting the better your chances of having a successful hunt.

Know your Game – Bowhunting is all about accuracy and making sure that you take a shot that will land in the kill zone of the animal that you are hunting.  It is important to study where the kill zone(heart and lungs) is on the animal you will be hunting so that you don’t end up losing the animal or having to track it for hours because has been wounded.

Don’t Forget your Tools – Nothing and I say again nothing is more upsetting than getting all the way out to your hunting spot and realizing that something has become loose or has broken and you have no tools to be able to fix it.  Remember that out in the bush anything can happen and it is best to be prepared.  Make sure to bring Allen wrenches, pliers, and a pocket knife.

Spares are a Must – When hunting there is no telling when Murphy will show up to give you a bad day so it is always a good idea to keep a spare sight, rest and string/cable on hand should any of your others break.  That being said if your string does break, get cut or anything else that makes it unsafe to shoot you should also have a portable bow press on hand as well.

Use yardage markers – Regardless of whether you’re shooting from a treestand or on the ground making use of yardage markers will make it a whole lot easier to guess the yardage of the animal when it comes in to shot range.  These markers can be logs, rocks, grassy patches, corn patches or whatever.  Obviously natural things that are already in the area are best because the animals will already be used to them.

Give your Bow a Tune up – Before you step foot into the bush you should take some time to tune your bow.  Tuning your bow will ensure that your arrow is flying true and straight out of the bow and that you are getting the max kinetic energy out of your arrow when it hits the animal. In order to properly tune your bow you should make use of paper tuning.  This will give you a graphic representation of how your arrow is flying out of the bow and will help you to make the appropriate adjustments.

Remember bowhunting is not just about venturing out into the wild with a bow, finding a random spot and sitting there all day until an animal comes along.  It takes a lot more than that to be consistently accurate and to have a truly successful hunt.
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Peep sights have been and are being used by most of the archers out there today, however what many archers don’t know is that by ditching that peep sight and learning how to shoot your bow without its use you can dramatically improve not only the accuracy but also the consistency of your shots. For any of you who are currently using a peep sight or who have used one in the past there are a few negatives about them.

1. Twisting – Peep Sights are notorious for twisting and shifting position on the string. This is a huge problem when you are at full draw and you are unable to see through your peep sight.

2. Hole Blocked – With a peep sight you may notice that after traveling through the bush or maybe during a light rain that the hold can become blocked by drops of rain, dirt, sticks and whatever else you may encounter while hunting. This can leave you fighting to see your target or spending time trying to clear away the blockage.

3. Reduced visibility – Due to the small hole, and design of most peeps it can really restrict the amount of light that is allowed through the peep sight thus greatly reducing your visibility especially in the early morning or evening when the sun is less bright.

These are just a few of the more common problems that archers normally experience with a peep sight, however shooting without a peep sight takes all of these disadvantages away and once you have learned how to shoot without it, you will notice that your accuracy and consistency will have improved.

How to shoot without a Peep Sight

Shooting your bow without the use of a peep sight can take some getting used to however, the concept is very simple. The biggest key to shooting without the use of a peep sight is your anchor point(s). Usually its best to have 2 anchor points that you can hit every time you draw your bow. This is literally the biggest most crucial part of shooting your bow without a peep.

Next when you draw the bow you will notice that the string will be in your line of sight, this is completely normal so what you have to do is simple tilt your head a bit to the right or left so that you can just see your pins on the left or right side of the string.

That is really all there is to shooting without a peep sight. As long as you sight your bow in and shoot your bow with the exact same anchor points each and every time, and looking to the same side of the string each and every time, you will be able to shoot without a peep sight.

SPECIFICATIONS -CPX
Speed:	355 FPS
Axle to Axle:	32″
Brace Height:	6″
Draw Length:	25.5″ – 30″
Draw Weight:	50, 60, 70, 80 LBS
Overall Weight:	4.3lbs
Let-Off:	80%
MSRP	~$999.00

SPECIFICATIONS -CPXL
Speed:	340 FPS
Axle to Axle:	35″
Brace Height:	7″
Draw Length:	27.5″ – 32″
Draw Weight:	50, 60, 70, 80 LBS
Overall Weight:	4.4lbs
Let-Off:	80%
MSRP	~$1049.00

After months of anticipation and secrecy Bowtech released their pride and joy at this year’s 2012 ATA show. The 2012 Bowtech Insanity was one of the top most anticipated attractions this year at the show and as expected drew a large crowd. The 2012 Bowtech Insanity comes in 2 models the first being the Insanity CPX which is a 32″ axle to axle bow with IBO speeds of 355fps, and the other model is the CPXL which is the 35″ axle to axle model shooting IBO speeds of 340fps.

The 2012 Bowtech Insanity bows have a few great features that are sure to grab the attention of bowhunters this upcoming year. Among these features include the Center Pivot Extreme Technology, which helps to provide more forgivness and accuracy in the line of shooter torque. OverDrive Binary Cam system to help prevent cam lean, and create a smooth draw.

I was fortunate enough to be able to shoot the Bowtech Insanity this year at the ATA show and I found that it had a very smooth but aggressive draw, the bow felt very light and had a good feel to it when pulled back enough to activate the entire let-off. Upon releasing the arrow it doesn’t take long to realize the true power and energy creating that gets thrown behind the arrow. I did notice some vibration within the bow, as well as a very slight kick however it’s important to note that this was a bare bow setup and I am confident that if set up with a good stabilizer this would remedy these minor issues.

All in all this is a great bow with a lot of great features, the only thing I have to complain about is that in my opinion compared to the other competing bows out there the price for the 2012 Bowtech Insanity is quite steep, and may end up hurting sales in regions where the economy is not the greatest.

SPECIFICATIONS
Velocity:	330 FPS
Power Stroke:	200 LBS
Mass Weight:	6.3 LBS
Overall Weight:	37.4″
Arrow Length:	20″
Arrow Weight(gr.):	350 Grains
Stock Type:	Thumbhole
Finish:	Black Carbon

Excalibur has released information about their new crossbow for 2012. The New 2012 Excalibur Eclipse XT is set to be released in “early 2012″ as posted on Excalibur’s website. The New Eclipse takes a look at the darker side of Excalibur with its black carbon finish and tactical look. This crossbow is based on the popular 200lb thumbhole stock platform and it built with the hunter in mind.

The New 2012 Excalibur Eclipse XT boasts speeds of up to 330 FPS with a 350 grain bolt, and deliveres pin-point accuracy and enough kinetic energy to cover the wide range of game all over North America and weighs in at only 6.3lbs. The Eclipse XT also comes sporting Excalibur’s S5 sound and vibration control system and matching cheek piece to further increase your shot conmfortability and consistency.

The 2012 Excalibur Eclipse XT will with an included package that will feature Excalibur’s Shadow-Zone scope and mounting bracket, 4 firebolt 350 grain arrows attached with field points, Excalibur’s 3 arrow quiver bracket and matching quiver. This whole 2012 Eclipse Crossbow package is estimated to run about $920.00.

It will be interesting to see how this years new crossbow from Excalibur fare’s against its competitors like the New Carbon Express CX2 or the TenPoint Carbon Fusion CLS