Arrow Archery

I've always been drawn to bow hunting because of the challenge. No offense to you gun hunters, but I just don't get a rush from shooting a deer with my Remington .270. Even if it is a nice buck. There was a time when I did, but as I've taken more and more deer through the years, gun hunting just doesn't turn me on.
My bow is another story though. It is definitely more of a challenge for me. I like the primitive aspects of harvesting a deer with an arrow. The close quarters action adds to that rush.
When the gun season comes around in Kentucky, I still grab my bow when I head to the stand. I'll bow hunt while my buddies gun hunt. I tend to get razzed by them a bit, but it is what I prefer for the reasons that I have already stated. Yes, I have seen some nice bucks during the gun season that were out of range of my bow. I really doesn't bother me that I wasn't able to harvest those deer, although I'd love to have the confidence to take a 50 or 60 yard shot, but I don't see that happening.
In a recent conversation with one of my hunting buddies, he told me that I should consider getting a crossbow to use for the upcoming gun season. The idea had never really crossed my mind, so I took a closer look at some this past week. I have to admit that there are some pretty impressive crossbows on the market today. Some of these things have 225 - 300 lb draw weights, and blaze their bolts at 300 - 350 feet per second. With the scopes that come of some of these crossbow packages, my buddy was saying that 60 yard shots were no problem.
While a crossbow is definitely more primitive than a rifle, the definitely seem much more advanced than a bow. I'm finding my interest is peaking in these new crossbows, and it has me conflicted. The primitive nature of bow hunting is what has really compelled me to become an avid bow hunter. If I drop $600+ on one of these hot new crossbows, am I going to still find that same rush that I get from harvesting a deer with a bow? Or will I feel the same, well no rush, that I get from harvesting a deer with a rifle.
What do you think about crossbow hunting from the perspective of a bow hunter?

I just placed an order for the Moultrie I45 digital game camera. Of course, it is on back order, so there is no telling when I will get it. I have read so much about this new game camera from Moultrie, that I am very excited to get it. I feel like a kid waiting on Christmas to get here.
Hopefully, I will have some new pics and videos to share soon.

If you own a Moultrie I45, I'd love to hear from you. I'm very interested in seeing some pics and videos, and hearing what you like and don't like about this game camera.

I have to say that I am very excited for the Kentucky bow season to start. It seems like it has been a long time since I was in a stand, even though it was only this past January. What I'm not excited about though, is hunting in warm weather.
I look forward to that first cold snap of the fall. The deer start moving so much better, and you tend to have longer periods of movement after dawn and before dusk. As your hunting opportunities increase with cooler weather, so does your comfort level.
With the cooler weather, working up a sweat (and your scent) heading in and out of the woods becomes less of an issue. With the proper attire, cool weather hunting is definitely the way to go for me.
One thing that I have learned through the years though, is that as you add layers of clothing or more bulky clothing to compensate for the cooler weather, you run the risk of throwing your shot off. So as the cool weather comes in, it is a good idea to throw on your bibs and your heavy jacket, and spend a little time in front of your target again. You may find that your shot is thrown off a bit. This is often due to the fact that your anchor point or stance may be altered to compensate for the bulk of the heavier clothing.
Shoot a lot of practice arrows and make a mental note of where your arrows are consistently hitting the target. Don't alter any of your pins until you see consistency in where your shots are landing.

Crimson Talon has some of the meanest looking broadheads on the market today, and it's an image they proudly portray in their packaging and marketing. They offer a line of fixed blade and mechanical broadheads to suit every need.

Crimson Talon broadheads make use of a patented Spin-Tite Airfoil Technology™ that improves ballistics by spin-stabilizing the arrows from the front.  This is the same concept as using helical vanes to increase arrow spin and stabilization, only doing this at the front of the arrow via the broadhead, instead of the rear vanes.  The helical vane approach increases drag, and you suffer a loss of speed due to the drag.  Crimson Talon claims that you will see a 4 to 8 foot per second increase in arrow speed when using their broadhead lines.

One other big benefit of the Spin-Tite Airfoil Technology™ is that Crimson Talon broadheads inflict a spiral wound channel.  The wounds inflicted by their broadheads will not close or clot.  This results in more trauma, shorter blood trails, and increased game recovery.

CRIMSON TALON XT

The Crimson Talon XT broadheads are available in 100 grain and 125 grain weights. Both of these models have a 1-1/4" cutting diameter from the .024" thick blades. They incorporate the Spin-Tite Airfoil Technology™ to achieve a high speed spin and an arrow that flys true. They inflict massive wounds and will provide you with an easy to follow blood trail.

CRIMSON TALON HYPERSPEED

If you are searching for a broadhead designed for crossbows, or for very fast compound bows, then look no further than the Crimson Talon Hyperspeed. In addition to the Spin-Tite Airfoil Technology™, this broadhead makes use of 11 airfoils in the point to ensure that spin-stabilization occurs. They use the same .024" thick blades and offer a 1-1/4" cutting diameter. They are available in 100 grain weights, and inflict the same spiral wounds as its cousin.

CRIMSON CUDA

If you are in the market for a mechanical broadhead, then the Crimson Cuda is the one for you. This is the only mechanical broadhead on the market that has the patent-pending Spiral-Kut Tip™.  That's right, a mechanical broadhead that inflicts the same Spiral Wound Channel™ as the fixed-blade broadheads from Crimson Talon.  They use very thick, .036" surgical steel blades.  Mechanical broadheads are known for flying like field-points.  They open instantly on contact, but you will want to use the replaceable O-rings to ensure they stay closed during flight.

CRIMSON CROC

What makes the Crimson Croc broadheads unique, is that the main blades are coated with Teflon to reduce friction on penetration, and to provide more passthroughs. You get the same spin-stabilized arrow flight from the Crimson Croc, with the added benefit of four cutting surfaces. The main blades are serrated to inflict a wound that will have the buck down quick. The main blades are a thick .040". They are available in two weights; a 100 grain model with a 7/8" cutting diameter, and a 125 grain model with a 1-1/8" cutting diameter.

CRIMSON VIPER VENOM

This fixed blade broadhead offers an impressive cutting diameter. The 100 grain model gives you a 1.25" cutting diameter. The 125 grain model gives you an impressive 1.5" cutting diameter. Combine that cutting diameter with the devastating patent-pending Spiral Wound Channel™, and you have a combination that can put your game down quickly. The variable degree axial flow airfoil technology spin-stabilize your arrow from the front, giving you tight groups. This is yet another impressive offering from Crimson Talon.

Crimson Talon offers one of the most unique broadhead lines of any manufacturer on the market. They have implemented impressive features and innovative technology across their entire line of broadheads. And they have managed to do all this and offer their broadhead line at prices that are comparable to inferior broadheads.

I've hunted a lot of places where you just can't use a treestand. Whether it's a hot trail through a thicket, a fence row on the edge of a field, or just a section of woods that doesn't have a good, straight, mature tree to hang a stand in, conditions like this will force you to a ground blind.
The cream of the crop when it comes to ground blinds has to be the Eastman Outfitter Undercover Pro 360. This blind uses a camouflage mesh shell that gives its user complete 360 degree vision, without the need to open windows to peer through. This is a truely innovative idea that you can appreciate if you have ever hunted from a traditional ground blind. No more opening windows, and peering from side to side on the lookout for approaching game. No more being surprised by a deer that approaches from a direction where you didn't have line of sight through an open window. These are all drawbacks of traditional ground blinds that are solved by the Undercover Pro 360.
This blind also has realistic 3D leaves that cover the entire blind, helping it to blend in better with the surrounding cover. It has a total of 11 windows that open with silently to give you access to numerous potential shooting lanes without spooking your game. Eastman has also integrated brush loops that allow you to attach brush and vegetation from the surrounding area. This will allow the Undercover Pro 360 to disappear in the surrounding vegetation as it takes on the look of the existing area.
They have also added a built-in carbon lining that reduces odor and human scent to help you beat a deer's nose. While you can easily see out of this mesh blind, the game can't see in. The shoot-through mesh is ideal for bow hunters.
This blind can be set up and taken down in seconds, and has a backpack carrying bag for easy transporting to and from your hunting area. When set up, the Undercover Pro 360 is approximately 6.25 feet long x 6.25 feet wide x 5.5 feet tall.
This blind is more than roomy enough for a comfortable hunt. If you don't like heights and prefer not to get into a treestand, then a ground blind is the way to go.