Illinois Outfitters

Copper's Creek Outfitters

Located near beautiful Illinois City, in Rock Island and Mercer Counties, Copper's Creek Outfitters offers one of western Illinois' best areas for trophy turkey and monster whitetail. Owners Beau and Tom Carlson provide first-class guided hunts, lodging and great memories to those who want the best out of turkey and deer seasons.

THERE IS A PLACE...

Where the Mississippi River turns south and the rolling timbers of western Illinois are only divided by corn, soybean fields, and of course, the hunger and anticipation of harvesting a trophy whitetail slicing through the crisp fall air.

It is here, in Rock Island and Mercer Counties, that we have lived and farmed for over 50 years. It is also here that several of the country's largest trophy bucks and boss gobblers, which Illinois is known for, call home.

Your "Chance of a lifetime," is our everyday priority. Are you looking for an outfitter to provide you and/or your group with an experience that has not been commercialized, like so many of the rest? Are you tired of "being a number" at the camp? Are you wanting to eliminate regret from your next hunting adventure? If so, then remember...

THERE IS A PLACE...

We can put you in place to take big spurs, long beards and trophy deer. We like to say, "We've been planning for next year's hunt for years," meaning that we put in the work to get the game ready for a long time before we took on any hunters. And now we think that we, the whitetails and the turkey are ready!

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Golden Triangle Whitetail

Experience a quality whitetail hunt in the heart of Illinois' big buck country with Golden Triangle Whitetail. We manage our 13,000 acres of private land with one goal in mind—to put you on the buck of your dreams!

Illinois is home to monster whitetails bucks. And Golden Triangle Whitetail is located in the heart of big buck country—Adams, Brown, and Pike counties—the west-central portion of the state. These countries are known as deer hunting's "Golden Triangle" because they have dominated the Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett listings in recent years. That's why you've read about them in your favorite hunting publications. If you're a serious hunter, you owe it to yourself to experience a hunt in the Land of Lincoln.

We strictly manage each farm for trophy whitetail. We do this in several ways. First, we only buy or lease farms that hold a lot of deer, and have the habitat to produce quality bucks year after year. Second, we don’t start hunting until the third week of October, or the pre-rut phase. No one sets foot on these farms before hand to ensure minimal pressure. Third, we limit the amount of hunters we take on each property, not the amount of bucks we harvest. We do expect our hunters to only harvest a mature 140 + buck. However, we also tell them if it’s the biggest buck you have ever seen, shoot it. Remember, this is not supposed to be only a hunt, but an enjoyable experience. We treat it as both.

Turkey Hunting: An abundant turkey population provides the spring hunter with the utmost challenge. It is not uncommon to see flocks of 20 to 30 at this time of year.

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Illinois Ohio Valley Trophy Hunts

Illinois Ohio Valley Trophy Hunts is located in the southernmost part of Illinois in the fertile Ohio River Bottoms, also known as the deer capital of Illinois. We offer the ideal environment for harvesting trophy whitetails. The natural make-up of our land coupled with the extensive time and effort put into enhancing our property provides you with the best trophy hunting opportunity.

We have almost 11,000 acres of private land consisting of crop lands, white-oak acorn forests, swamps and sloughs around the old Ohio River bottoms. In addition, a fertile soil has allowed us to produce rich food plots creating a sanctuary for reclusive monster bucks. A multitude of secret food plot mixes are interspersed throughout our properties which serve to maintain and enhance our big buck population. Our area has produced giant bucks scoring up to 208 typical inches and Boone and Crockett, 250-plus inch non-typicals. Only Pope and Young bucks scoring 130" and larger may be taken which allows for optimal maturation of bucks.

In addition to this big buck refuge, our land is scouted thoroughly throughout the year to maximize your chances for a successful hunt. We have up to 300 or more lock on and ladder stand sites ready and in position. Currently we use the top ladder and Loc-on Stands on the market. Over the years our guides have found that close tree steps that hunters can reach and ladder sticks are appreciated by our hunters. We try and position a majority of all stands between 17 and 20 feet in height. Our guides are ready and willing to work for you while you are in. If you see a large animal across a field and ravine we will try and help you move to get on the animal. Our guides are family and friends that have grown up and lived in the area all their lives!

Illinois Ohio Valley Trophy Hunts guarantees the work ethic and dedication required to provide you with the hunt of a lifetime. We have a high return rate on past hunters. Our hunters are not only impressed with the bucks on our land but also the extraordinary quality and management of our food plots. Our overall acres and those of high protein food plots continue to amaze our hunters each year.

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Performance Outdoors

Performance Outdoors: Known for the BUCKS, but the GOBBLERS are hot too!! Although West-Central Illinois and Southern Iowa are mostly known for Trophy Whitetail Bucks, we also have some of the best Wild Turkey hunting in the nation. Performance Outdoors offers guided and self-guided turkey hunts on the same farms and quality habitat that has made us the premiere outfitter for Monster Whitetails.

At Performance Outdoors, we hunt a mixture of rolling hills, pastures, crop fields, and river bottoms. These hunts are with all the amenities you would expect from Performance Outdoors. The hunts include: guide (optional), maps and directions to farms, property aerial photos, comfortable lodging and accommodations. All non-residents must apply for turkey tags and this
happens in the beginning of January of each year. Many hunters desire to hunt Illinois and Iowa on the same hunt. We can help you customize a hunt. Quaker Boy has been hunting with us for years. Quaker Boy pro staffer, Bob Wozniak says “The hunting is some of the best in the nation. It’s unbelievable. To date, I have had a 100% success on the client I have brought to Performance Outdoors for Spring Turkey Hunting.” Spring Turkey hunting is also a great time to learn some of the land you could hunt Giant Whitetail on. You might even be lucky enough to bump into a giant whitetail shed.

West-central Illinois is home of world record class Whitetails. Famous bucks, such as the Bryant Buck (304 inches) & the Macomb Monster (293 inches), were shot a stones throw from many of our farms. We hunt the best land of the top producing counties: Fulton and Hancock. Licenses are acquired through a DRAW, but since 1997 we have had nearly 100% success rate. We take away the headache of getting tags yourself, Performance Outdoors will get your tags for you. We offer archery, limited firearm, and combination hunts. Most farms have a minimum buck size of 125” for archery and 140” for gun. Hunters arrive in camp at 3pm the day before the hunt begins and hunt through the last day. Clients depart the next morning by 9am. Hunts are either Smart Scouter, guided (GUIDED CAMP) or semi-guided (DROP CAMP). RUT dates book very early so we advise booking as soon as you have made your decision to hunt with us. Performance Outdoors will also try to accommodate for special scheduling circumstance when possible.

Southern Iowa is well known to any serious Trophy Whitetail Hunter. This area is home the current World Record (Lovstuen Buck, 304 7/8). Performance Outdoors operates in famous zone 5. Tags are by applications and draw only and it usually takes 2 years to get the tag. Iowa works on a preference point system, which means the more points you have the better your chance of getting drawn. Because of this, we recommend purchasing a point the years you do not plan to hunt Iowa. (Not actually applying for tag) Each applicant can purchase one point per year. This sets you in line for the year you want to hunt. Once you have accumulated enough points to get the tag, we will get you applied and scheduled for the hunt. Applications are due in May. Per- formance Outdoors can take the headache out of applying, by booking your hunt in advance.

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Xtreme Management Hunts

Xtreme Management Hunts offers fully-guided and semi-guided trophy whitetail and turkey hunts. We operate in Pike County, Illinois and southeast Iowa -- The midwest's premier trophy whitetail hunting locations.

Firearm hunts and archery hunts are offered on a limited basis to maintain low hunting pressure. Maintaining year round nutrition with various food plots and initiating extensive managment practices ensures our trophy whitetail deer and turkey develop to their full potential. We are now using the same conservation and trophy management techniques that have proven successful on our Illinois deer hunts to enhance the hunting opportunities on our exclusive Iowa trophy hunts as well.

Iowa whitetail hunts provide exposure to similar trophy whitetail deer and turkey. Iowa deer hunts are limited due to the availability of permits from the state so contact us today about these exclusive hunts. We operate our Illinois deer hunts in the northern part of Pike County along the Mississippi river valley. Field crops are plentiful along with hardwood timbers. We plant additional crops of clover, oats, alfalfa and brasicas to maintain nutrition over the entire year. Intensive management is key to our success. We maintain very low whitetail and turkey hunting pressure, offering our hunters a great chance at a successful harvest. Doe harvest is maintained by offering every hunter harvesting a doe a chance at a free hunt. We maintain a strict limit of 140-inch (gross) Boone and Crockett score on our mature bucks. These guidelines enable us to continue offering quality Illinois whitetail trophy hunts. Stands are pre-hung in pre-scouted areas ready to hunt the first day of your hunt. Our hunts usually begin with your arrival on Sunday morning for orientation of your hunting area and stand locations. You can hunt Sunday afternoon through Friday morning and depart on Friday evening.

Iowa deer hunts are available in southeast Iowa on a limited basis. Join us for a great Iowa muzzleloader hunt. Permits are on a draw and very limited; it usually takes a bonus point from the pervious year to draw.

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Illinois Ohio Valley Trophy Hunts - Illinois

Illinois Ohio Valley Trophy Hunts is located in the southernmost part of Illinois in the fertile Ohio River Bottoms, also known as the deer capital of Illinois. We offer the ideal environment for harvesting trophy whitetails. The natural make-up of our land coupled with the extensive time and effort put into enhancing our property provides you with the best trophy hunting opportunity.

We have almost 11,000 acres of private land consisting of crop lands, white-oak acorn forests, swamps and sloughs around the old Ohio River bottoms. In addition, a fertile soil has allowed us to produce rich food plots creating a sanctuary for reclusive monster bucks. A multitude of secret food plot mixes are interspersed throughout our properties which serve to maintain and enhance our big buck population. Our area has produced giant bucks scoring up to 208 typical inches and Boone and Crockett, 250-plus inch non-typicals. Only Pope and Young bucks scoring 125" and larger may be taken which allows for optimal maturation of bucks.

In addition to this big buck refuge, our land is scouted thoroughly throughout the year to maximize your chances for a successful hunt. We have up to 300 or more lock on and ladder stand sites ready and in position. Currently we use the top ladder and Loc-on Stands on the market. Over the years our guides have found that close tree steps that hunters can reach and ladder sticks are appreciated by our hunters. We try and position a majority of all stands between 17 and 20 feet in height. Our guides are ready and willing to work for you while you are in. If you see a large animal across a field and ravine we will try and help you move to get on the animal. Our guides are family and friends that have grown up and lived in the area all their lives!

Illinois Ohio Valley Trophy Hunts guarantees the work ethic and dedication required to provide you with the hunt of a lifetime. We have a high return rate on past hunters. Our hunters are not only impressed with the bucks on our land but also the extraordinary quality and management of our food plots. Our overall acres and those of high protein food plots continue to amaze our hunters each year.

For more information on available dates and price quotes go to the Illinois Ohio Valley Trophy Hunts link below.

Illinois Ohio Valley Trophy Hunts

Buffalo County Buck Connection - Wisconsin

Buffalo County Buck Connection is a hunting outfitter that specializes in providing semi-guided hunts for trophy whitetail deer. We also offer spring turkey hunts.

Our hunting property consists of approximately 3,300 acres of privately owned land in the heart of Buffalo County -- Absolutely no high fences; this is a fair chase hunt!

The state of Wisconsin is known as one of the best places to hunt deer in the country and Buffalo County is recognized as one of the best trophy buck regions in the nation. Buffalo County is located in Wisconsin along the upper Mississippi River valley. After many years of Quality Deer Management, it has earned a well deserved reputation for producing trophy whitetail bucks.

During the September through December seasons, we offer semi-guided hunts. You will be hunting wild whitetail deer in their natural habitat on 3,300-plus acres of privately owned land in a Quality Deer Management area, the trophy whitetail heart of Wisconsin known as Buffalo County.

Your hunting package will include the hunt, lodging, all meals, tree stands and the knowledge of experienced hunters and outfitters, Jeff and Dave Peil.

For more information on bowhunting trophy whitetails visit the United Outfitter Association.

Free Manitoba Archery Whitetail Hunt Giveaway

To show our sincere appreciation to the sportsmen and sportswomen who visit and contribute to our Web Site and Talk Forums, Monty McKenzie of Manitoba-based McKenzie Outfitters and the United Outfitters Association - FORAHUNT.com have teamed up once again to announce another FREE Hunt Giveaway.

Our registered and contributing Talk Forums members have the chance to win a Fully-Guided, 2010 Manitoba Archery Whitetail Hunt. New and Existing Members are both eligible to win Free Hunt.

One lucky United Outfitters Association - FORAHUNT.com Talk Forum Member will be randomly selected to bow hunt trophy whitetails (including waterfowl and upland bird hunting at no extra charge) during the 2010 Manitoba Archery deer (waterfowl and upland bird) season(s) with Monty McKenzie of McKenzie Outfitters and Steve Peters, founder and President of the United Outfitters Association – FORAHUNT.com.

Registering is simple and easy. You just fill out the registration form and a confirmation E mail is sent to your E mail address -- Be sure to check your junk or bulk mail folder for the confirmation E mail as certain mail programs filter the confirmation E mail. You will then be able to post on our forums.

New Members Register By Clicking Here: Register

Best of Luck!!

United Outfitters Association - FORAHUNT.com Staff

Bowhunting Whitetails: Scout Now, Score Early

The temperatures in summer are hot and humid. Biting bugs swarm. Clothes stick. Sweat beads. Why would bowhunting whitetails be on your mind, you ask? Well, if you’re like me, hunting whitetails with archery gear is a way of life. And, part of my living depends on the discussion of hunting. So, bear with me and before long, you just may find yourself daydreaming of thick-racked bucks and the heart-pounding magic of a crisp fall morning.

The turn of the seasons sparks a desire in many bowhunters to head for the nearest hills in search of the elusive whitetail. As the heat of summer surrenders its stranglehold on the deer woods, whitetail bucks become highly visible creatures. A short drive down any country road during the month of August should produce the sighting of at least one decent set of antlers. The trouble is finding that set of antlers after the bow season opens. Therein lies the dilemma of bowhunting early-season whitetails. Let’s take a look at a few tactics that can increase your chances of scoring.

Low-Impact Scouting

Many hunters make the mistake of tromping blindly through prime whitetail habitat in search of the ultimate stand site. Whitetails are extremely sensitive to human intrusion, making it very difficult to conceal one’s movements. This is especially true of big bucks. If not careful, you will unwittingly announce your future intentions to the resident deer herd. And, once a mature whitetail feels threatened, he will move to a totally different locale or become primarily nocturnal. I don’t have to tell you what that will do to your odds of arrowing such an animal. Then, what’s the answer, you ask?

That’s simple. Get yourself a good set of high-quality binoculars or a spotting scope and do your scouting from a safe distance. Crop fields should be your main focus at this time. Lush rows of alfalfa, soybeans and corn draw deer for miles. But before making a mad dash to the nearest “Back 40,” take heed of a few ground rules. Keep disturbance to a minimum. Set up in a row of trees or along a brushy fence line to screen your silhouette. Also, be sure to keep the wind direction in mind when investigating an area of interest. Always set up with the wind in your face, or downwind, so not to contaminate the area with human scent. A few afternoons spent along a verdant field edge should prove beneficial when pinpointing a location for your stand.

By careful and persistent observation, you will begin to learn the travel behavior of several bucks. Once you have established the daily routine of each buck, you will be able to plan a strategy. Start your reconnaissance by skirting the edges of fields during midday. Look for trails that receive a high amount of traffic if you are interested in tagging smaller deer. A large set of tracks found along a less-noticeable trail normally indicates that a trophy buck is frequenting the area. A sharp eye and a basic sense of deer behavior can lead you to these types of trails. Concentrate your efforts in a location that will afford the best chance of taking the class of animal you desire.

There are other low-impact methods of scouting that can produce results as well. Incorporating topographical maps, aerial photographs and computer-mapping programs into your scouting repertoire can lead you to areas that you otherwise might overlook.

Feeding Trails and Funnels

Setting a stand along a trail linking a bedding area to a crop field or other food source can be deadly in the first few days of the early archery season. In fact, the very first week of the season is usually an opportune time to arrow a cruising animal. During the latter stages of summer and into early fall, big bucks routinely travel between these two areas.

If you are interested in seeing a lot of deer around your stand, find a “funnel.” This is any type of natural or man-made structure that consistently forces deer to move through the same section of woods. The operative word here is “forces.” Deer become susceptible to death by broadhead whenever their movement is restricted to a certain part of the woods. It can be as simple as noticing a missing or broken strand of barbed wire where deer cross a fence from one piece of property to another. Or, it can be a fallen tree that forces movement to one side of the trail or the other.

Man also plays a significant role in the creation of funnels. Development is a common cause of funnel production. A new home, road or drainage ditch are all factors that can alter deer movement in some way or another. Basically, deer are lazy by nature. They will seek out the path of least resistance when traveling through an area. Keying on these habits can spell early-season success.

Here’s the Rub

If you set your sights on a buster buck, it would be in your best interest to locate as many fresh rubs as possible. Only antlered animals make rubs, and usually the bigger the rub, the bigger the deer. No other type of sign is more conclusive that a buck is visiting your stand site than a rub.

Locating fresh rubs isn’t as difficult as you might think. The edges of crop fields are a good bet. Deer that visit a field at night will usually leave a rub on the edge of the woods when exiting the field in the morning. Rubs typically face the direction of travel. The best scenario is finding several rubs along a trail system. Several trees will be clearly marked and will receive similar damage if the same buck is doing the majority of the rubbing. This is a relatively easy way of keeping tabs on an individual buck. Set your stand within 15 to 20 yards of the rub line and on the downwind side of the trail.

Observation Stands

If all of your attempts at locating deer fail during the open season, I suggest choosing another effective method of scouting -- placing a stand in a promising area simply to observe deer movement. You can opt to exchange your bow and arrows with a set of binoculars and a notebook for spotting and documenting your findings. If the spot looks promising, bring your bow just in case. Remember you are on a serious fact-finding mission, so exercise as much caution as you normally would practice when bowhunting active stand sites. Take a shower, sneak into the stand location, only hunt when the wind is favorable, wear rubber-bottomed boots, etc. You do not want to alert the deer to your intentions.

It should only take a few sittings to record and identify the travel habits of the deer in the immediate area. Be sure to choose a location where visibility is unobstructed. You need to be able to see a great distance in order to cover as much ground as possible. Pay close attention to how and where the deer move when passing through the area. Your observations will assist you in future stand placement.

Summary

OK, I’ll admit it. Getting fired-up about scouring the countryside in search of deer sign when the season is a few months away is difficult. It’s even worse when the thought of staying at home in front of the television in air-conditioned comfort enters your mind. But, no one ever said bowhunting was easy. So remember, in order to achieve success at bowhunting early-season whitetails, you will have to put in your time long before the season opens.

For more information on bowhunting whitetails go to the United Outfitters Association - FORAHUNT.com web site.

Nebraska Whitetails: Bowhunting The Cornhusker State

The sound of leaves crunching in the distance alerted me to the slow progression of several deer approaching my stand site. My heart began to flutter in anticipation of their arrival, as the staccato rhythm of advancing footfalls grew louder and louder. The first deer to appear on the scene was a medium-sized doe, followed by an 8-pointer and a much larger buck whose unique-looking rack sported a small sticker point, and a broken left brow tine. As I embraced the magic of the moment, a surge of deep concentration took over my thought process. My eyes immediately centered on the bigger of the two bucks. After casting a few quick glances in his direction, I instantly determined that he was a “shooter.”

My position was ideal. A strategically placed ladder stand blended in well with the surrounding terrain. The stand was located approximately 15 feet above the ground in one of several large oak trees that overlooked a gradually sloping hillside. This particular area was a virtual haven for white-tailed deer. It offered an assortment of natural attractants that appealed to bucks of all shapes and sizes, including the most dominant and mature. The presence of a nearly impenetrable cedar thicket to the south served as a secure sanctuary for their daytime bedding area. In addition, a small creek bottom and a recently picked cornfield nestled below the stand of oaks provided an inviting buffet of food and water. Also, large family groups of female deer commonly gathered on the hillside oak flat at sundown to feed, which further increased its allure.

From my elevated perch, I watched the 8-pointer vigorously work over a large scrape and its helpless overhanging branch. Meanwhile, the bigger buck appeased his appetite by devouring a healthy amount of acorns. He was also quite intent on analyzing the actions of several does that were now lurking in the nearby shadows. Since it seemed obvious that he had no idea I was in the immediate area, I figured it was safe to try tickling his auditory nerve. I assumed that I could prey upon his natural impulses as his attitude clearly indicated that he was ready to start the breeding ritual. After slowly reaching for my grunt tube, I followed with three short tending grunts in an attempt to lure him into bow range. It seemed to work as he stepped out from a patch of thick brush and started heading in my direction.

I was bowhunting trophy bucks in southeastern Nebraska. It was the latter stages of October and the pre-rut phase of the whitetail breeding season was just starting to heat up. Although the drive from my then home state of Wisconsin had been long and tiresome, the prospect of hunting new territory kept my spirits high along the way.

Arriving later than expected, I quickly made plans for an early evening hunt. There was only enough time left in the day to purchase my license and to take a quick nap before making my freshman debut as a Cornhusker State bowhunter. After some much needed rest, I headed for the woods. Needless to say, I was eager to start my five-day instructional course in Nebraska Whitetail Hunting 101.

The last minute appearance of a large doe was the only action I experienced on that first afternoon. After coming within easy bow range, the lone deer occasionally stopped to browse in a nearby milo field. A sense of bittersweet consolation swept over me as the last seconds of legal shooting hours slowly ticked away. Undaunted by the outcome of my first encounter with a Nebraska whitetail, I sat back and enjoyed the peace and tranquility of nightfall. The gradual decent of the sun dissolved into a wash of vibrant colors, setting the night sky on fire. It was a show of natural artistry that I will not soon forget.

Once the doe was out of my sight, I quietly climbed down from my stand, walked out to the main trail and waited for my hunting partner to pick me up. Sitting alone in the darkness, I heard the eerie yips of several coyotes echoing in the distance. From one predator to another, I wished them all good hunting as I silently devised my own plan of attack. Although I never raised my bow from its hanger, it had been a good first day of hunting.

Unfortunately, the temperatures turned unseasonably warm for the month of October, resulting in tough hunting conditions. On the second day of my hunt, the mercury consistently hovered near the middle 70s. As one can imagine, good buck activity normally slows down during warmer weather conditions, but I had done my homework by conducting several intensive scouting missions just prior to my hunt. I knew if I was willing to spend some quality time at one of my many ambush sites, I would have an opportunity to take a good buck. Given my positive attitude, it was still surprising to have a good buck within effective bow range so soon into my five-day hunt.

The sound of my bogus grunts infuriated the buck. As the bruiser slowly worked his way toward my stand site, he answered back in bold defiance. Continuing his show of aggression, he stopped every few feet and pawed a fresh scrape on the ground, tearing at the earth with each ruthless thrust of his hooves.

Now strutting past at a mere 12 yards, urine dripping from his hind legs, the husky stag presented me with a perfect broadside target. Seeing the window of opportunity open, I slowly moved into position for the impending shot. Just as I started to feel the string’s tension on my finger tab, the twist of fate decided to rear its ugly head. At that very moment, the small 8-pointer came dangerously close to my stand tree, slamming the window shut.

Fearing that any movement would tip my hand, I elected to wait it out. And, wait I did. Standing stone still, afraid to even exhale, I could literally hear the ticking of my watch as seconds of time turned into minutes of agony. With the indiscriminate force of nature directing the show, the battle of wits ensued.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, the smaller buck moved off leaving his superior and I to finish the high stakes chess match on our own. The big 9-pointer was now facing directly away from me. He had moved out to 23 yards while I was busy performing my best impression of a tree trunk. As I waited for a shot opportunity, I silently reminded myself to pick a spot.

The buck began slowly moving to his right in what seemed like slow motion. Without hesitation, I brought my 78-pound Hoyt Vectrix XL back to full draw and waited for him to complete his turn. Suddenly, he paused and looked back in my direction. I patiently waited for him to look in another direction, but that look never came. Minutes passed as I pleaded with the heavens for a favorable outcome. I knew I had to act quickly or all would be lost. Realizing that I could no longer hold my pose, I forced myself to focus on a spot behind the buck’s shoulder blade and released the string from my stiff fingers.

My arrow found its mark in less than the blink of an eye. I watched the broadhead-tipped shaft penetrate the brute’s tough exterior as a crown of crimson instantly formed around the fletching. Fatally wounded, the buck fell to the ground within sight. Struggling to regain his feet, the big deer made a staggering exit, toppled over a ridge and came to rest at the bottom of a steep ravine. Hours later, in the radiant glow of the moon, I knelt at his side and gave thanks to the Great Spirit above while praising him for his courageous effort.

After conducting an early morning photo session and visiting a cold storage plant, I made arrangements to employ the services of a local butcher. It was during this time that I had a chance to reflect on the hunt. I quietly mused over the buck’s potential as a record book candidate and what may have caused him to break off one of his brow tines. After a fair amount of conjecture, I came to the conclusion that he lost it while defending his breeding rights. I surmised that another buck had invaded his territory and was competing for the amorous attentions of the local doe population, when a routine woodland scuffle turned ugly. In any event, I was one happy hunter to have harvested such a fine trophy.

As it turns out, the decision to end my hunt after only two days afield was somewhat prophetic. The temperatures continued to climb into the high 80s, causing most breeding activity to occur under the cover of darkness. As a result of Mother Nature’s fickle mood swing, daytime buck sightings became few and far between.

My only regret is that I didn’t spend more time in the woods chasing an even bigger buck that was caught on videotape in late August by some local hunters. Nicknamed “Heart Attack,” the huge 12-point typical is a true jaw-dropping monster. Maybe that Cornhusker State giant and I will cross paths sometime in the future, but that’s another story. Until then I'll set up an appointment with my cardiologist, and keep my bow fingers crossed.

For more information on bowhunting tips, tricks and strategies go to the United Outfitters Association - FORAHUNT.com web site.

Choosing a New Compound Bow

There are many different types of bows on the market today, but choosing one is not an easy undertaking. The bow-manufacturing industry has been flooded with new innovations and developments in the last decade. Compound bows have gone through many alterations in appearance and architecture, with a number of drastic changes occurring in the past few years. Justifying the purchase of one bow over another these days requires more than just a large wallet filled with greenbacks and plastic. Fortunately, there are a few guidelines and procedures to follow that will help simplify the process.

Choosing the latest advancement in primitive weaponry begins with a decision to shoot a certain type and brand of bow. Draw length, draw weight, accuracy, wheel and cam design, reflex and deflex riser geometry, brace height, let-off, speed and price are all things to take into account when selecting a particular bow. Other factors to consider are its use. Will it be a hunting bow or a target bow? Will the majority of your shooting be indoors or out? Will it require a camouflage finish or not?

Once you have come to these conclusions, the next step is to visit a local pro shop or surf a favorite web site to obtain more information. A bow must “fit” its shooter. Having a qualified individual measure your draw length is the most important aspect of deciding to purchase a particular bow. Most bows offer multiple draw length options and adjustments.

Draw weight is yet another matter of importance. Draw weights are also adjustable and allow for various settings in 3- to 5-pound increasing and decreasing increments. Peak draw weights normally range between 45 and 90 pounds. Taking the time to shoot several bows will provide answers and can help determine the significance of each of the aforementioned considerations. It’s wise to test shoot as many bows as possible before laying down your hard-earned cash.

The current trend in manufacturing designs is to create bows with short axle-to-axle dimensions, reduced mass weight, low brace heights and high let-offs. Many companies have shied away from producing bows that feature round wheels, moderate let-offs or measure over 40 inches from axle-to-axle. This is in direct result of the present demand for more compact bows that possess the ability to boost arrow velocities, increase kinetic energy levels and extend downrange efficiency.

Of all the different makes and models of bows in existence, compounds certainly offer the widest variety of choices for today’s archer. Single-cam string and cable harness configurations, split limbs and ultramodern risers forged from high strength multi-composite alloys are just a few of the available upgrades in current production.

There are many advantages to owning a bow with a contemporary look and feel. As mentioned previously, split-limb and single-cam models significantly reduce mass weight. This quality is beneficial to those adventurous hunters who hike into remote backcountry in search of elk and mule deer. Also, in comparison to their two-cam and two-wheel counterparts, single-cam bows are relatively easier to tune and maintain.

In addition, the lightweight aluminum and carbon material used in the limbs, handles and risers, and the fabric used in the strings and cables of new age bows contribute to overall speed and weight reduction. If speed and weight reduction are the determining factors, choose your bow accordingly. These types of bows are better suited to those who utilize a release due to the sharp angle created in the string when a short-limbed bow is fully drawn.

On the other side of the equation, longer axle-to-axle bows are more accurate and forgiving, although this trend is starting to change with ongoing improvements in bow design. If the main concern is supreme accuracy, choose a bow that offers a longer brace height, a riser with deflex geometry, a moderate to low let-off and as long an axle-to-axle length as possible. Deflex risers generally reduce hand torque and are normally found on the most accurate bows. A low to moderate let-off will also yield more accuracy. Those who shoot with a finger tab or a glove require bows that create less of an angle in the string at full draw. This will greatly reduce accuracy problems associated with “string pinch,” which occurs at full draw when an acute angle in the bowstring causes extreme tension on the arrow.

Compound bows have one distinct advantage over all other bows -- let-off. Let-off is measured by a percentage of the draw weight that is reduced when the wheels or cams roll over at or near full draw. During this process, a fraction of the peak draw weight is decreased or “let-off.” The amount of let-off will not only affect accuracy, but also the personal satisfaction of the shooter, and quite possibly, trophy-book consideration. Much controversy has arisen from the limitations that the Pope and Young Club has placed on the amount of let-off a bow can possess. Sixty-five percent is the cut-off point. Any amount of let-off over 65 percent disqualifies an animal from being entered into the archery record book. Some bows offer higher let-offs in the 75- to 80-percent range. Be aware that a legitimately harvested trophy may not be eligible for record book recognition if the bow you choose has a let-off that is prohibited by the club.

Note: The Pope and Young Club currently lists animals taken with bows having a higher let-off than 65 percent. An asterisk is placed next to the name of the individual who harvested the animal. The asterisk denotes that a bow with a higher let-off than 65 percent was used to harvest the animal.

Limb selection is no longer limited to solid one-piece models. The appearance and performance of bows changed dramatically with the inception of split limbs. However, both types of limbs have advantages and disadvantages. Solid fiberglass and carbon limbs are inherently more durable than two-piece limbs. Nevertheless, split limbs not only reduce weight, but also transfer and distribute energy from the bow to the arrow more evenly. Some archers appreciate the appeal of a split-limb bow while others favor the traditional shape of solid limbs. The option of choosing straight limbs or recurved limbs is also available on most bows in production today. Straight limbs are generally faster while recurved limbs are more forgiving. With the overall differences minimal in comparison, personal preference normally plays the biggest role in limb selection.

These are just a few examples of what state-of-the-art engineering has to offer in bow design. It also illustrates the dilemma one will face when attempting to reach a final decision on which model to purchase. Only research and a healthy amount of leg and arm work will assist an archer in the quest for choosing the “right” bow.

For more information on bowhunting and bowhunting techniques go to the United Outfitters Association - FORAHUNT.com web site.