When push comes to shove, I prefer to bowhunt on foot. The buck was nibbling low bushes below a dinosaur spine of rock, the wind direction was right, and he was obviously not interested in water. I backed out of my blind and ducked in a brushy ravine. The deer was less than 400 yards away.

Successful stalks often happen fast. This one certainly did. I slipped behind a ridge, hustled uphill, and peeked beyond the top of the granite crest. Elapsed time was less than 10 minutes.

The buck’s antlers were bobbing at close range. I snapped a reading on the rack with my Bushnell ARC rangefinder—35 yards. I drew low, rose cautiously, and took one more step up the slope. The buck never knew what hit him. My Easton arrow drove deep from the 75-pound Hoyt bow, knocking the deer off his feet as it smashed the far shoulder. A rifle would not have done a more spectacular job.

The vast majority of bowhunters wait for game in a treestand or ground blind. Most are after whitetail deer. Black bear and pronghorns are also hunted from ambush most of the time. Over bait or near a waterhole, such tactics are deadly on bruins and antelope.

But day in and day out, foot hunting with a bow is more versatile and more deadly. Of the 29 North American big game varieties recognized by Pope and Young, only the three I just mentioned are vulnerable to stand hunting a majority of the time. All others, including elk and mule deer, are less predictable and more likely to be shot by a truly sneaky bowhunter.

Foot hunting, when properly done, is very effective and it also raises the level of challenge. I enjoy hunting from a treestand or ground blind as much as anyone, but I also know the difference between waiting and actively pursuing game. Sitting in ambush is checkers, and stalking critters is chess.

Every type of bowhunting turns me on, but I especially enjoy the intricate challenge of foot hunting game like a coyote after a rabbit.

Most bowhunters underestimate their ability to weasel close to animals. But I am here to tell you some amazing things can be accomplished. One of my best-ever stalks occurred on public land in Montana a few years ago. Unlike the Montana mule deer I stalked from the waterhole, the pronghorn on that fateful day presented an almost impossible challenge. But I had stalked and shot several antelope in the past, and knew anything could happen with patient sneaking and good luck.

It had been a dismal bowhunt until I spotted the big buck near the end of my trip. He was bedded along a slight prairie rise with a harem of does. Those eight-power eyeballs were peering in every direction, including toward me. I risked a quick look from my Toyota pickup, felt my heart jump as I sized up the buck’s very high horns, and continued driving out of sight into a dry wash half a mile from the “goats.”

I crawled to the edge of the draw and glassed again through a fringe of sage. Like most pronghorns, these did not concern themselves with the distant vehicle. They were still lying with heads up and eyes peeled.

I am a firm believer in camouflage clothing. My faded Realtree outfit was the same one I wore to shoot the mule deer described earlier in this column. But camo alone cannot fool a wary critter’s eyes—especially those of the open-country antelope.

At its best, stalking is all about angle management. You study contours of the land and plan an approach that keeps you below solid dirt, rock, or foliage. If you need to belly-crawl to achieve this, so be it. Staying one inch below where your quarry can see is all you need to succeed.

In the case of the mule deer described earlier, angle management was easy. I hiked behind a ridge and shot over the top. But the big pronghorn was more difficult. As I studied the terrain, I realized I would have to make a giant circle, crawl along a shallow cut, and hug the base of the hill where the antelope were resting. Like most stalks, there was no telling in advance whether terrain angles would let me wiggle close. The antelope might not even be there when I arrived. I would have to try it and see what developed.

Hours later, with knees and elbows full of cactus spines, I slithered across one last stretch of dry wash and peeked through a bush. The afternoon breeze was fanning my face—a must even with average-nosed animals like antelope. I do not believe anyone can mask their human odor from game as they hike or crawl and perspire. If the breeze blows from you to your quarry, chances of success are nil.

The ears and noggin of a doe pronghorn broke the horizon barely 20 yards above me. Another set of ears flicked flies a few yards to her right. The buck was nowhere to be seen, but I knew he was there.

Then another antelope appeared, literally out of left field. This female angled toward me, growing larger and larger until she stood less than five yards away. She looked uphill, over my head, and then stared down into my face.

The doe’s eyeballs seemed to double in size as she recognized my horizontal human form. She snorted, whirled, and galloped back through the herd.

In an instant, the buck’s big horns rose into the sky some 30 yards away. I rolled to my knees and drew the bow as he stared directly away from me. Only from this angle was I hidden from his view. If you can see an animal’s eye, that animal can surely see you.

Thirty yards, I thought as the sights lifted toward the antelope’s orange-brown ribcage. He turned slightly, and I dumped the string. The arrow hit a split-second later with a watermelon plunk! The buck vanished over the rise in a cloud of red prairie dust, but I knew he was mine.

My Montana antelope was terrific, with handsome forward-thrusting beams that measured a touch over 16 inches on each side. Prongs and mass were average, but the horns still green-scored over 75 record-book points. Even on animals traditionally hunted from a blind, a careful stalk can sometimes get the job done!

Idly shifting a diaphragm call from one cheek to the other and cradling a box call in my lap, I resisted the temptation to force the action with some calls of my own. Late-season turkeys are much more reluctant to call than their early season counterparts after being hunted for a month or two, so bowhunters should follow suit.

Eventually the sun cleared the trees on the eastern horizon and bathed the meadow in rich, warm light. Songbirds darted through the timber along the edge of the open field, geese honked noisily from the pond, and a lone whitetail doe made her way slowly along the timber’s edge en route to her daytime bed, yet still no turkeys sounded off. Finally I’d had enough of the silence and positioned the latex call on the roof of my mouth and gave a few soft yelps. The results were immediate and dramatic!

One second all was calm around my ambush site and the next a thunderous gobble erupted from just inside the trees only a few yards away. How the tom had gotten so close without making a sound I’ll never know, but here he was strutting out of the trees less than 25 yards away and closing fast!

Dropping the box call quietly onto my day pack, I eased into position and gently gripped the 57-pound longbow with my left hand. Risking a peek out the back window of the blind, I could see that the huge gobbler had cut the distance in half and was locked on to the hen decoy I had placed out in front of my blind. As he strutted steadily closer, I slipped my fingers around the string and concentrated on the blind’s window opening that faced the faux hen.

Booming and spitting nonstop, the big bird closed the distance in a flash, stopping only twice to shatter the countryside with a pair of roaring gobbles, and finally was so close that his fan was actually brushing the east side of my blind! Now, I love a pointblank shot, but this was ridiculous!  In fact, the bird was too close, and I had to wait until he cleared the blind and started toward the decoy six yards distant before I made my move.

Turkey hunting with traditional archery equipment has surged in popularity in recent years, and rightly so: Pound for pound, turkeys offer some of the most exciting bowhunting available, and there’s nothing quite like a fully inflated tom charging in to pointblank range! Turkeys are also one of our nation’s most incredible wildlife success stories, with populations of birds increasing and spreading to all corners of the country and even southern Canada, offering stickbow enthusiasts opportunities like never before.

For myself, I was slow to warm to the thrill of spring turkey hunting. But once I tried it I was hooked, and I now chase birds in two or three states every spring. Unlike a large number of turkey hunters though, who jockey for rights to hunt undisturbed birds during the first or second week of the season, I regularly wait until the last few days of available hunting to try to arrow a trophy tom. Here’s why.

When
When to chase late-season gobblers will depend on where you’re hunting, because seasons vary considerably from state to state. Here in Minnesota our season runs for about two months, which is fairly common across the wild turkey’s range, coming to a close at or very near the end of May. While most hunters apply for the first or second season of the year, when birds will presumably be easier to hunt and respond better to calling, I like to wait for the end of the season to get serious about birds.

Why
The “why,” is twofold. First of all, there are far fewer hunters in the woods, hunters you will have to compete with for birds and even places to hunt. Early in the season it can seem like there’s a hunter calling from every patch of timber, but by the tail end of the season, the majority of turkey hunters have either bagged their bird or given up and moved on to other pursuits, like fishing.

If you make it your choice to bowhunt late for toms, you will likely have the woods all to yourself. And fewer hunters around also makes the woods safer, and significantly less likely that a two-legged predator will stalk into your setup.

The second reason to chase birds late is that pretty much all the hens will have been bred already, and these females will be spending most of their day tucked away on a nest somewhere, leaving amorous toms frustrated and on the prowl.

While flocks of birds will still roost together in a preferred stand of timber, and also fly down to feed in these groups, by midmorning the hens will slip away to their nests, leaving the gobblers alone and looking for love. My best late-season hunting often occurs between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

A couple years ago on a trip to Kansas I shot my biggest gobbler to date at 1:30 p.m., a 26-pound brute with an 11-inch beard and 1½-inch spurs, just as a thunderstorm rolled across the prairie. Even though I was in my blind before first light, this was the first and only tom I saw that day, but definitely worth the wait!

How
All the early season tactics you normally employ will work for late-season toms, but I like to tweak things just a bit to improve my odds of success. First, instead of setting up in large, open fields or pastures with lots of visibility, I prefer to set up in hidden openings in the woods. Remember, the birds have been hunted for at least several weeks, and they will be shy and reluctant to call or show themselves. Small, hidden meadows inside the timber are perfect locations to ambush birds.

Second, I like to plan my hunt as an all-day endeavor. Early mornings are tough during late season because the flocks will be together and suspicious of almost everything after having been pushed hard by other hunters. But after the hens disappear the gobblers will be cruising alone, looking for a last minute date.

A top-quality blind with lots of room is a must, as is a comfortable seat, some food and water, and a good book to help pass the long hours. But if you can hunt all day, you will greatly increase you chances of success. A few years back I drew a late-season tag here in Minnesota, and was in my Primos Double Bull well before daylight.

And while I heard birds off and on all day long, it wasn’t until an hour before the end of legal shooting time that a big gobbler made the mistake of following a jake into 18 yards and taking a perfect arrow from my 60-pound Prairie Panther longbow. Success has a way of helping you forget the long day in a blind…and your sore backside!

Finally, I call a bit differently later in the spring season. As mentioned, late-season birds have already heard their share of hunters lighting up the woods with all manner of turkey music, so I like to call very softly and sparingly on late-season hunts. Forget aggressive yelps, cutts and gobbles, and instead confine your calling to very soft yelps, clucks, and purrs. Turkeys have excellent hearing so you don’t have to call loudly, and even calls that are barely audible to you will bring in a gobbler from quite a distance.

I also idle things down where decoys are concerned, preferring a single hen positioned six to 10 yards in front of my blind and facing directly away from my ambush. While hunting earlier in the season, I almost always use a strutting tom decoy because I love the aggressive reactions as the real thing charges in, but later in the year the birds will be much more cautious, making the softer approach to decoying and calling more successful.

It was actually my wife, Kim, who deserves an assist on my 2012 Minnesota bird. After a frustrating season in Kansas and Minnesota, I had been throwing everything into the woods except the kitchen sink, including using strutting gobbler decoys as my season wound down.

But before I went out on my last morning, Kim told me to leave the tom facsimile at home and just set up a single hen, which leads us back to the opening story.

The above is my introduction to any farmer or landowner whose door I knock on or meet while the individual is laboring outdoors. In that half-minute, the property owner learns my name, where I live, what I do for a living, and why I am standing there. That person’s response can then take three forms: “No, sorry;” “Well, I don’t know;” and “Yeah, that would be all right.”

I have standard replies to each of those responses. For the negative one, I don’t try to change the farmer’s mind.

“Not a problem, sir. If the situation ever changes, here’s my business card. And, do you know of any neighbors that might let me bowhunt their places?”

For the indecisive comment, here’s my rejoinder.

“Besides being a teacher, I’m also an outdoor writer, so I don’t have much free time. I have a lot of farms where I have permission to hunt, and where I try to help the landowner control his deer population. If you let me bowhunt here, I may not be able to come over but three or four times after school the whole season. I hunt over at [insert the names of nearby neighbors], so please feel free to check what kind of guest I’ve been if you want.”

The goal of the above is to give the landowner a little more information about me, how many times I am likely to visit, and some potential references. I can’t remember a time when permission has not been granted in this case. For the affirmative response, here’s what I say.

“Great, thank you so much. Here’s what I need to know: where your property boundaries are so I don’t trespass on your neighbors’ land, places where you want me to hunt and that are off limits, where you’ve been seeing most of your deer in the evenings and what time, and restrictions on what I can’t shoot. We can talk about these things now, or I can come back later if you want.”

This response to the landowner’s granting of permission gives even more information about what type of hunter I will be. It’s crucial that any farmer maintain good relations with his neighbors, and I show that I am aware of that need by mentioning my desire not to unwittingly trespass. Many farmers have certain sections where they don’t want hunters to venture, and I likewise show that I’m aware of that likely requirement.

Most landowners that I have encountered are eager to talk about where they often glimpse whitetails and enthusiastically reveal where I can put up a stand based on their observations. The final topic, restrictions on what can’t be shot, is something that usually requires a great deal of discussion. But it is also something about which bowhunters should be absolutely certain that they are following the property owner’s desires.

For example, one landowner I contacted quickly agreed to my request to hunt, told me that I could kill any age or sex of whitetail, to feel free to come anytime, but, to my amazement, forbid me under any circumstances to ever shoot one of his coyotes. He informed me that he was fascinated with this predator and loved watching them.

He added that I could shoot turkeys if I had a chance, and then ended our conversation with the constraints that I could not kill any foxes or bobcats either. Can you imagine how angry this gentleman would have been if one evening I had downed a coyote, proudly brought the dead creature to the man’s door, and then watched him erupt with rage and yank my hunting rights?

I have permission to hunt 13 properties within 10 miles of my school, plus 20 other properties in surrounding counties, in nearby West Virginia, and even some homesteads in Tennessee and North Carolina. And like the coyote enthusiast, many of these folks have greatly differing requirements for what I can and cannot kill, and even when they want me to come.

For example, several individuals do not want me to kill any fawns of either sex. I usually try to kill several doe fawns every year, as no four-legged creature tastes better in my wife, Elaine’s, opinion. But I make sure that on these lands, I only harvest mature whitetails.
As one would expect, many landowners don’t want underage bucks shot, except for one couple who plant pines (many of them exotic) of many different species on their tract. I have been told repeatedly, as the twosome constantly complain about how many of their trees have been rubbed, that they would prefer that I kill any buck I see, regardless of his age.

The question of when I can visit is another topic where landowner desires vary greatly. One farmer, on whose property I have hunted since 1990, has told me that he would rather that I not call when I’m coming or that I even call to renew my annual permission to hunt. He says he is exceptionally busy, and that maybe once or so a year while he is out in his fields, I should drop by and give an update on what I’ve been seeing.

In contrast, another landowner wants me to e-mail him two months before the season begins, request all the dates that I want to come, allow him time to coordinate those proposed dates with the three other hunters that he allows on his property, and then before the season starts he informs all of us when we can come for the entire autumn. This person only permits one hunter at a time on his 110-acre spread in order, he says, to ensure that each of us has a quality experience.

More Perspective
I recently went hunting with my friend Fred Cox, who operates Grand Slam Turkey Calls. Like me, Cox is a schoolteacher. He has two jobs, and does much of his hunting after work.

“I recommend that hunters never call a landowner they haven’t met,” Cox said. “It’s too easy to turn someone down over the phone. Visiting someone in person gives you a chance to make a positive impression, and show that you are sincere about wanting to be a good guest.”

If he is granted permission, Cox gives the landowner a “permission to hunt form,” for him or her to sign. He has already filled out the form (so as not to waste the landowner’s time) with his name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and the make, model, and license plate number of his vehicle. “I want to make it as easy as I can for the landowner to get in touch with me and have all my contact information in one place,” Cox said.

I never ask if I can bring someone else with me, especially on an initial contact, and after retaining permission for several years, I then bring up the subject. I prefer, though, to let the landowner offer to let me bring someone. However, Fred brings up the subject as soon as permission for him to go afield is granted. And he also wants to know how many other people are allowed on the land, and whether more than one person will ever be there. On small properties, say those under 50 acres, Fred tells the landowner that he will only come on those evenings when he will be the only individual afield.

Another way that Cox and I have similar approaches is on the subject of giving gifts.

“I try to give every landowner a gift of food every Thanksgiving,” Fred said. “The gift might be a turkey breast or a deer ham. I will also send a thank-you card.”

With permission to hunt some three-dozen farms, I can’t give presents to all of these landowners. But what I do present is a loaf of my wife, Elaine’s, homemade bread every time I kill a big game animal. I have actually had landowners call me, say how much their family enjoyed a previous loaf, and request that I come back soon to hunt.

Keeping Permission
Besides the gift of bread, I also have several customs that help me retain permission to hunt. Never open a gate. I never drive through gates, or even open them to walk through. I climb over or crawl under every gate. If a cow escapes, or someone in a vehicle ruts up a wet field, I can honestly tell the landowner that it is impossible that I committed those acts.

Never hunt when family members are afield. I try to find out when family members are going to hunt a property and promise to stay away then. I never want a close relative telling the landowner that I ruined his outing. Never wear out my welcome. I’ll rotate among farms the first two weeks of the season, and then narrow down the list to only the best locales and stand sites. Even so, I try never to visit a property more than three or four times a season.

Never be a problem creator, be a problem solver. Several years ago, I came to the gate of one of my favorite farms to bowhunt after school, and found that the gate had been torn down or had fallen down. I propped up the gate so that the beef cattle could not escape, and called the landowner to report what I had found and done. He was extremely grateful. It’s none of my business if another hunter had done something to cause that gate to fall.

Regardless, that landowner received the impression that I am a help to him, not a hindrance. Never downplay the fact that you are a bowhunter. We are obviously quieter than gun hunters, and therefore less intrusive. In all sincerity, one of the biggest problems I have is visiting all the farms I have permission to hunt. Last year I had to apologize to several landowners that I was unable to visit them, but will try to make it up to them this year. And the invitations to hunt other farms keep coming in. The word does spread if we are safe, ethical sportsmen.

I don’t want to say that bowhunters will never have to lease land if they follow my precepts, but I have never paid a penny to hunt anywhere and don’t plan to ever have to do so. You, too, can possibly have this kind of success at securing access.

The author is a resident of Troutville, Virginia. He writes a weekly outdoors-themed blog.

State-to-state regulations vary greatly, but a common thread throughout most is that bowfishing is largely encouraged on public waters. This means that unlike big-game hunting, the best spots are wide open to all of us. I’ve arrowed a variety of rough fish in situations that are as different as the scaly targets themselves. Plus, if you do it right, you can have a multispecies trip without having to try too hard.

For instance, I spent my college years along the Mississippi River, which meant that I could potentially skewer common carp, suckers, bowfin, buffalo, gar, and others on the same trip. Better yet, if the carp were uncooperative, there was no shortage of other species willing to offer up a shot—and shoot we did.

Bowfishing is also a great first step for beginners to go from punching paper to living targets. Perhaps due to some engrained anthropomorphism in all of us, it can be difficult for a newbie to arrow a furry creature, yet running a fish arrow through a whiskered, scaly bottom-feeder is no problem.

If you do use bowfishing as a gateway endeavor to introduce a newcomer to our sport, you’ll quickly realize that what you take for granted as safety concerns will become very prevalent. Attaching line to a fish arrow changes the pre-shot routine, and just like checking the safety on your 12-gauge religiously as you walk a cattail slough while pheasant hunting, it’s imperative to make sure that the line is hanging free and not wrapped around anything that might hinder its operation.

That and being cognizant of safety on the water are the two main issues that come up with bowfishing, otherwise it is inviting to everyone interested. Part of the reason for this come-one-come-all invitation is that bowfishing does not have to be cost-prohibitive. If you’ve got a bow already, you’re almost ready to bowfish. If not, there are some quality rigs on the market that will not break the bank. Several companies offer bowfishing bows, while many even offer packages that contain all you need to get on the water and start shooting.

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AMS Bowfishing Retriever Pro

In the realm of bowfishing reels, I’d be remiss if I didn’t cover AMS Bowfishing’s Retriever Pro. This reel, along with earlier versions of it, have accounted for a lot of dead fish over the years. Unlike other bowfishing reels, the Retriever Pro is built to release line without the push of a button, meaning to quickly retrieve line it’s necessary to engage the reel. Each Retriever Pro comes standard with 200-lb. Hi-Vis Dacron line, two AMS Safety Slide Kits, and replacement nocks for your arrows.

Price: $90

Bohning Carp-ivore Rest

An often-overlooked aspect of rigging up for bowfishing season involves rests. I prefer to bowfish with traditional bows most of the time, so I end up shooting off of the shelf. However, this spring, when I opt for a compound, it will be outfitted with the new Carp-ivore Bowfishing Rest from Bohning Archery. The Carp-ivore combines a capture rest with a roller rest, utilizing the best of both styles. Additionally, each Carp-ivore can be mounted for left and right-handed shooters and features vertical and horizontal adjustment for fine-tuning.

Price: $50

Cajun Hornet LITE Arrow

Long known for producing an entire line of topnotch bowfishing equipment, Cajun Archery is now part of the Bear Archery and Trophy Ridge family. Consequently, you can assume there are good things in the future for Cajun. For right now, they still make everything you need to hit the water, with their Hornet LITE arrow giving youths a chance to outshoot their older bowfishing counterparts. The Hornet LITE weighs 600 grains, which is nearly half the weight of traditional bowfishing arrows. This aids low-poundage shooters in penetration and accuracy. The Hornet LITE is 28" long and specifically designed for setups with draw weights of 40 lbs. or less.

Price: $5 (bare), 15 (complete)

Innerloc Grapple Points

Quality bowfishing reels are important, but they are useless without the right arrows and points. Enter the Grapple Points from Innerloc Broadheads. Available in a 2 Barb, 3 Barb, and 3 Barb Gator option, Innerloc has got heads for every bowfishing situation. Designed to reduce planing and increase penetration, Grapple Points open to a full 2.75" to ensure that no matter how fierce the fight, any fish you impale will end up in the boat.

Price: $14-17

Muzzy Xtreme Duty Reel

If you’ve already got a suitable bowfishing bow, then it would be wise to check out the new Xtreme Duty Bowfishing Reel from Muzzy. The Xtreme is built for bowfishing, which is evident from the extra-large spool, stainless-steel hood and pushbutton cap, and automotive disk drag. To accommodate left or right-handed shooters, each Xtreme is convertible for either preference of retrieve.

Price: $53

PSE Wave

A great package from PSE Archery contains all you need to kill everything from common carp to stingrays and even alligators. The new-for-2013 Wave is a 32", 3.4-lb. bow with up to 30" of draw length. Its 6.5" brace height and 40-lb. draw weight make it the perfect option for all-day, or all-night shooting. Each kit contains an AMS reel, PSE Snapshot rest, and two bowfishing arrows.

Price: $380

Quick Draw Bowfishing Arrow Rest

Quick Draw Outdoor Gear also makes a full-containment bowfishing rest that will enhance a day on the water. Their Quick Draw Bowfishing Arrow Rest is designed for shooters of all skill levels. To aid in quick reloading, which is something that is sure to be appreciated during periods of frenzied fish-shooting activity, each Quick Draw has a rubber gate that allows you to quickly slip your arrow into place and fire away. The Quick Draw is available in silver or pink.

Price: $45

Rhinehart Carp Target

Anyone who has spent any time shooting into the water understands that it’s easy to miss. Light refraction and the sheer challenge of knowing just how low to aim cause plenty of on-the-water whiffs. If you’re interested in cutting down on the misses though, check out the Carp from Rinehart Targets. Designed to be shot at steep angles and simulate a true 50-lb. bottom-feeder, the Carp is perfect for diehard bowfishermen.

Price: $200

RPM NOS Point

Another quality offering in the point category comes your way from RPM Bowfishing. Their NOS Point is a wicked stainless-steel point that features twin serrated gripper barbs to cut down on lost fish. If you spend any time shooting around rocky shorelines or bowfishing spawning suckers on smaller interior rivers while they pile into the rapids, you’ll appreciate the NOS’s hardened bullet tip, because it resists deformation and stays true even after serious abuse.

Price: $10

Wiley X Saint

Naturally, none of these products matter if you can’t see into the water. Over the years I’ve spent a lot of time and money trying to find polarized sunglasses that cut surface glare and give me the chance to arrow more fish. Through that process I’ve ended up relying heavily on Wiley X eyewear. Their new Saint is available in their Changeable Series, which gives you the ability to customize lenses.

Personally, I prefer the Polarized Smoke Green lenses when I’m bowfishing. After stepping on a pair and crunching them into oblivion, I now opt to store them in the hard zipper case when I’m not wearing them. Aside from looking cool and functioning well, each Saint meets high-velocity and high-mass-impact safety standards to offer eye protection—something everyone on your boat should have.

Price: $75-130

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Bowfishing Gear for 2013

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The only problem with shooting indoors, or only when the weather is nice, is that it doesn’t really simulate true hunting conditions. For example, I used to use the puffy, yarn-type string silencers when I first started shooting a recurve. They were great. They silenced my bowstring twang and I thought they looked cool. I never had any problems shooting them during nice weather or indoors.

The first time I had an issue was when I shot outdoors in a pouring rainstorm at a deer. Water leaped off my puffs like an explosion from a depth charge trying to blow up a submarine in one of those old Navy movies. Surprise! The lesson I learned was that puffs can gather water and make your bowstring heavier, and your arrows react differently than when the puffs are dry. Oh yeah, and you may get temporarily blinded by the water spray. From that I learned to twang my string by drawing it a few inches and letting it go during a rainstorm. That kept the water from building up too badly.

Another time, while hunting in a snowstorm and watching a nice deer, I really wasn’t paying attention to my string silencers. I drew my bow and shot. At first I thought my bow had blown up. Hard ice had formed on my puff, adding a ton of weight to my string. That caused my arrow to fly goofy, which (stay with me here) is the reason I missed.

The loud crack was some of the ice slinging off my puff and slamming into the belly of my limb. Some snow and ice also flew into my eyes, which caused a temporary loss of vision. The only good thing about all that was I thought, for just a few more seconds, that I might have actually hit the deer. Unfortunately, the ice shards melted because of the heat from my warm eyeball, and I saw my arrow sticking in the snow, absent of any hair or blood…Surprise!

I’m not saying don’t shoot puffs. I’m just saying it would have been nice to not get surprised by my equipment in a hunting situation, especially on things that could have cost me two deer. I know it sounds silly to practice in bad weather, but that’s exactly what I do occasionally to check out my gear. I figure it beats learning about issues when I am out hunting.

The advantage to practicing in bad weather, be it rain, snow or just cold temperatures, is that you get to test your archery equipment and your clothing as well. I practice with my hunting clothes on, from my boots to my headnet. If my clothing seems loud when I draw, it gets changed out or put underneath a quieter garment. Same with bulky clothing. If my bowstring is slapping my jacket on the chest or arm, then it is time to do a little custom work. I have used rubber bands, armguards, and even small tight shirts over bulky clothing to keep it closer to my body. I know my words don’t paint a pretty picture, but it works.

I try to fine-tune all my gear during bad-weather practice so when I am out hunting I am not surprised at how my gear responds. I have even gone so far as to freeze my recurve and arrows in a large walk-in freezer to test them before going on a polar bear hunt. Interestingly enough the bow shot fine, but the excess wax in my Flemish string made it very stiff. I used lacquer thinner to take out the excess wax, and everything worked fine.

Other things I have learned include the effect of snow and rain on my feather fletching. For example, I was hunting during a nasty day out west, one of those days that starts with rain and then it turns to snow and freezing cold. My feathers had gotten wet from the rain, and when the temperature dropped my feathers froze. When I took a practice shot, my arrow jumped off the shelf, pushed by the rock-hard feathers, and flew terrible. Lesson learned: Use a fletching cover.

I am still a big fan of a fletching cover in rainy or snowy weather. However, the truth is that there are situations where because of the amount of rain or snow, a fletching cover just won’t keep the weather out. To combat that, I now often carry one or two arrows fletched with plastic vanes if I am expecting bad weather. I know that a traditional shooter with plastic vanes on an arrow doesn’t sound or look right, but it works.

If I am hunting in a downpour, I don’t worry about my feathers and I nock my vaned arrow. I advise small vanes only, three or four inches long. Practice to make sure they will fly well for you. You may have to turn your nock some to get them to fly well, but in a downpour, one arrow fletched with vanes may save your hunt.

Of course, there is always the option of just hunting in nice weather and not worrying about bulky clothes, freezing temperatures, rain or equipment issues in bad weather. But then again, if you’re a traditional archer, odds are you’re half a bubble off level anyway, and you will be out there hunting no matter what.

At the same time, if you crave a do-it-yourself Alaskan hunt but can’t afford moose or caribou, Sitka deer may be the answer. By Alaskan standards, the cost is reasonable, you can bag multiple deer, and the animals are small enough that you can pack the meat without killing yourself.

Now is the time to think about planning. While I’m no authority on Sitka deer, I have hunted them in several regions with reasonable success. Here are my thoughts on adding the Sitka deer to your Deer Slam dreams.

Biological Facts
As a subspecies of mule deer, Sitka deer have forked main beams like mule deer, although much smaller. The Pope and Young minimum for Sitka deer is 75, for mule deer 145; Boone and Crockett 108 and 195, respectively. Average mature Sitka bucks have three antler points on the main beams, exceptional bucks four. Antlers may or may not have brow tines.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) says average live weights are 80 pounds for does, 120 pounds for bucks. I’ve never weighed any whole deer, but of the eight boned-out bucks I weighed on Kodiak Island, the largest boned out at 70 pounds, the smallest 60. Figuring that boned meat equals roughly 40 percent of whole weight, those bucks would have weighed 150 to 175 pounds on the hoof.

The P&Y and B&C record books define the range of Sitka deer as Southeast Alaska (Game Management Units 1-8), plus the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia. At these northern latitudes, populations fluctuate radically in response to winter weather. For example, hunters in the know tell me that recent hard winters have reduced deer numbers on Kodiak Island by as much as 80 percent. A recent e-mail to me from Bowhunter Editor Curt Wells reflects the results: “In six days of hunting…we spotted exactly zero bucks. Saw maybe 15 does and fawns… Met Frank Noska at airport and he hunted a week and didn’t see a single deer of any gender…”

In short, before packing your bags, do your research and schedule your hunt after a couple of mild winters when deer numbers are high and bucks have survived to two or three years of age.

Kodiak Island
No doubt Kodiak ranks as the No. 1 destination, partly because the south half of the island is virtually treeless. On good years you can see two-dozen or more bucks a day, and you generally don’t have to fight jungles of brush as you often do in Southeast Alaska.

The two most popular timeframes are August and November. In August, velvet-antlered bucks with brown summer coats are easy to spot on the higher slopes of the numerous small mountain ranges, setting up ideal spot-and-stalk hunting. In early November you can stalk or ambush rutting bucks, and you also can pull them within bow range with decoys and calling. My friend Bob Ameen introduced me to the decoy hat, a baseball cap with ears and eyes like a doe deer. It works amazingly well to pull rutting bucks within range.

To hunt Kodiak Island, you fly from Anchorage to the town of Kodiak, and from there you take a bush flight to your destination. That could be a large fishing vessel parked on a remote bay. On boat hunts, you eat and sleep on the boat at night, and then go ashore each day to hunt. The obvious benefits are comfortable sleeping quarters, good meals, and meat storage offshore, away from bears. On the downside, boats key on certain areas, and the deer can get hit pretty hard around these focal points. You may have to do some serious hiking to find good bucks.

Another option is to fly to a river or lake. In 2006, Alaska resident Roy Roth and I flew to a river on the south end of the island, where we set up a base camp and then hiked to surrounding mountain ranges to hunt each day. Starting on October 28, we saw rutting bucks every day for two weeks, and by stalking and using decoy hats we killed eight bucks. I killed my limit of three, and Roy filled his own three tags plus two proxy tags for his neighbor.

A third option is to hunt out of a lodge. Several lodges operate on Kodiak Island, and you can either hunt directly from the lodge or boat to outlying areas.
Severe weather and brown bears present the biggest challenges on Kodiak. You must prepare with indestructible four-season gear, and you must learn — and practice — the principles of hunting safely among giant bears. Your life depends on it.

Southeast Alaska
Some of the biggest bucks come from the Prince of Wales (POW) archipelago, where most bowhunters hunt during August in alpine terrain. In some areas, you can drive to or near the alpine and then backpack from the end of the road, or you can fly to a high lake and hunt out from there.

Or, as Bob Ameen and I did a few years ago, you can boat to an isolated beach and then hike 1,000 vertical feet through ferns, alders, devil’s club, and big timber to reach timberline. Bob has a cabin on POW Island and a boat we used to reach our destination, but you also can rent boats and cars on the island. Bob killed a beautiful 106-inch 4×4 buck, and I killed a small buck. We worked hard for those deer, because we not only had to pack our camp to the top of the mountain but pack our deer meat back to the beach. But in the long run it was worth the effort for a true Alaskan adventure.

Black bears are numerous on POW and neighboring islands, so you must take precautions to protect meat from bears. However, these islands have no brown bears, which makes the atmosphere a little more relaxed than on Kodiak and many Southeast Alaska islands such as Admiralty, Baranof and Chichagof that are crawling with brown bears.

Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia
These islands lie just south of POW Island. I have not hunted the Queen Charlottes, so I talked with Neil Summers, owner of Bowhunting Safari Consultants. As Summers explained, “The Queen Charlottes are entirely forested, so you can’t hunt in the alpine as you would on POW. We hunted primarily by spotting and stalking in logging blocks that we accessed by driving logging roads. Fortunately, we hunted in November during the rut. In the thick vegetation, it would be very hard to hunt if the deer were not actively moving around.

“My partner Tom Vanasche and I shot two bucks each. We saw lots of deer but no big ones. You would have to look over a lot of deer to see a Pope and Young buck there,” Summers said. “I would define the hunting as high density but low trophy quality.”

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A Trip Worth the Prize

The average mature Sitka buck has three points on the main beams and short eye-guards. This buck, which author Dwight Schuh shot on Kodiak Island in early November, measures about 85 P&Y inches.

Two for the Road

Author Dwight Schuh made the trip with his partner, Roy Roth, who also had success tracking down a Sitka deer. The adventure is always more enjoyable if you have someone else to share it with.

Flying In

The south end of Kodiak Island is relatively open, making it ideal for spot-and-stalk hunting throughout the long season. From the town of Kodiak, author Dwight Schuh's partner Roy Roth and he flew by bush plane to a river and hiked from their base camp to neighboring mountain ranges.

Raft Right In

Most boat operators and bush pilots are transporters, not outfitters, meaning they can only place you in good areas. They cannot legally guide you, give you advice on where or how to hunt, or help you pack or butcher game. If you need more support, you can book guided hunts throughout most of the Sitka deer range.

The Sitka Deer Range

To hunt Sitka deer, you have to travel to Alaska or British Colombia, destinations that can stretch the budget and the imagination. At the same time, if you crave a do-it-yourself Alaskan hunt but can't afford moose or caribou, Sitka deer may be the perfect answer for you.

Queen Charlotte Islands

These Queen Charlotte Islands are heavily timbered from beach to mountaintop, so most hunting takes place in logging blocks. There is no alpine hunting as there is on most Alaskan islands (photo courtesy of Neil Summers).

A Northern Adventure

Hunting Sitka deer in Alaska is a great adventure. If you're hunting Kodiak Island, you fly from Anchorage to the town of Kodiak, and from there you take a bush flight to your destination.

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Hunting Sitka Deer on a Budget

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But as important as the presents themselves are, there’s a lot to say about the wrapping. In a word, it’s about presentation.

At the 2013 ATA Show in Louisville, Ky., Bowhunter was on hand to watch as all the big players revealed their flagship products for the new year. And there was a lot to see, as companies like BowTech pulled out all the stops for their new Experience bow. Custom built motorcycles, a country music concert and free tattoos were just part of the ensemble for their new product launch.

As a part of our exclusive coverage of the 2013 ATA Show, we’ve put together five great marketing campaigns that made it to the trade show floor.

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BowTech

Like most years, BowTech went out of the way to make its presence felt at the 2013 Archery Trade Association (ATA) Show in Louisville, Ky. With the Locash Cowboys on hand for a 30-minute rockin' concert, a custom built Harley Davidson to escort the new Experience bow into the limelight and a big screen countdown clock center stage, the real question is, what didn't BowTech do?

If you think they forgot about having a pair of tattoo artists there to engrave anyone who wanted with a free BowTech graphic, you'd be wrong. They did that too. And yes, there were plenty of takers. If each year is bigger and better than the next, what does 2014 have in store?

Easton Archery

Easton Archery was another company that brought in the big guns, with walls of arrows artistically arrayed, couches in the center of their pad and the company of three olympic heroes—the silver medal U.S.A. archery team.

Easton welcomed Jake Kaminski, Brady Ellison and Jacob Wukie to show off their silver medals and talk archery with a pretty sizable crowd. It probably didn't hurt that Easton also had a stable of great new arrows to show off, including the HEXX and da'Torch, which are as visually pleasing as accurate.

PSE

When you bring in a full-size semi trailer that's decked out with every bow tool under the sun and fully covered in state-of-the-art graphics, you tend to catch a few eyes.

PSE was on hand to reveal their DNA and Prophecy bows, which according to them are some of the fastest and smoothest yet. Great bows, great people, a great big semi trailer and a great marketing campaign for 2013.

ScentBlocker

Although bowhunters don't usually spend too much time hanging around fashion runways, they did this year at the 2013 ATA Show. That's because ScentBlocker brought a cast of models and a full-size runway to show off their new line of clothing for 2013.

Fresh in the mix was the SpiderWeb bibs, which integrate the Tree Spider harness system into a ScentBlocker bib. It may not have been a fashion show in Milan, but it was impressive nonetheless.

Wildgame Innovations

Not only did Wildgame Innovations unleash the new Razor Series trail cameras, they also brought a custom built motorcycle that would make any bowhunter drool. Fender wells made out of arrows, a chrome rack to adorn the front handlebars and a camo/blaze orange paint job—what's not to like?

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5 Best Marketing Campaigns for 2013

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Click here for more ATA Show coverage.

One of the most unique introductions at the ATA Show this year was the Toxic broadhead from Flying Arrow Archery, while industry champions like Rage improved upon their classic model with the new Hypodermic. With a patent-pending shock collar and two inches of cutting diameter, the Hypodermic made a big splash at the show.

As a part of our exclusive coverage from ATA, Bowhunter brings you 10 new broadheads for 2013.

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Innerloc tunable B.A.T.

Innerloc’s tunable B.A.T. (Blade Alignment Technology) broadheads allow you to align your broadhead blades to your fletchings and index them identically from arrow to arrow for more consistent arrow flight.

The exclusive broadhead tuning system makes quick work of producing matched sets of carbon arrows, helping to tighten broadhead groups from today’s fastest compound bows. They also include Innerloc’s Center Locking System to keep blades locked tight in the ferrule even after the most punishing hits.

The Endure Edge blade honing process keeps cutting edges sharp all the way through the wound channel for increased hemorrhaging. New for 2013, the Deep Slice offers all of these features in a Deep Six ferrule design compatible with Easton’s Injexion arrow shafts.

MSRP: $40 per 3

NAP Killzone

New Archery Products’ rear-deploying, two-blade Killzone—a design allowing both blades to open in unison and using no O-rings or rubber bands—has been expanded for 2013.

In addition to the original, 2-inch, 100-grain model, NAP has added: 125-grain models with either cut-on-contact or Trophy Tips; a 1 1⁄2-inch cutting diameter, 100-grain KE head for low kinetic energy bows; a 2-inch crossbow version available in both 100 and 125 grains; and a 2 3⁄8-inch, 100-grain Maxx version.

Each package includes a free practice head. The 125-grain models offer instant F.O.C. boost, the KE model is designed for low-poundage or short-draw bows, the crossbow heads are designed for increased launch speeds, and the Maxx is made for bows with draw weights in excess of 60 pounds. Replacement-blade kits are offered for all.

MSRP: $40-$45 per 3

Rage Hypodermic

The all-new Rage Hypodermic series of two-blade broadheads features the company’s signature SlipCam rear-deploying blades in tandem with a new, one-piece, machined stainless steel ferrule for superior accuracy at even longer ranges.

Hypodermic broadheads have a 2-inch cutting diameter and also feature Rage’s new, patent-pending shock collar for super secure blade retention both before the shot and during flight. Hypodermic heads are available in 100 grains only, for both standard inserts and Easton’s new Deep Six insert system.

MSRP: $49.99 per 3

RedHead Blackout

The RedHead Blackout 100-grain fixed-blade broadhead from Bass Pro features a sleek, technically advanced design with the convenience of replaceable blades.

The Blackout’s precision ferrule is all stainless steel, configured using patented MonoFlow technology to ensure superior strength and flight performance. The super-sharp, German steel blades are .030-inch thick and securely locked into the ferrule to withstand even harsh impacts. A cut-on-contact tip aids in deep penetration, while a 1 1⁄16-inch cutting diameter provides an ample blood trail.

MSRP: $29.99 per 3

Slick Trick Nuke

The spanking-new Slick Trick Nuke mechanical broadhead is a revolutionary, patented design offering fieldpoint flight from the fastest bows and a 1.8-inch cutting diameter for nasty entrance and exit holes.

The 1.3-inch, in-flight blade position makes it impossible to create an entrance cut less than 1.3 inches wide, though the EZ Open Blade design also makes it impossible for the head to fail to expand to full diameter.

Should you bump the blades while stalking or removing from a quiver, however, they immediately spring back into flight position. Set back blades eliminate “kick-outs” on angled hits, the cutting tip and spooky-sharp blades assuring pass-through devastation.

MSRP: $40 per 3

Spot-On Laser Bowfish Assassin

Clean Shot Archery’s revolutionary Spot-On Laser Bowfish Assassin features an internal laser that automatically activates at full draw using a bow-mounted magnet.

The laser makes bowfishing aiming easier, because the adjustable-for-impact laser light bends in the water just like daylight to provide spot-on aiming at any reasonable water depth. No more aiming low to beat Snell’s Law of Refraction, making bowfishing easier for every shooter. It’s especially useful for beginning bowfishermen, and for bowfishing guides to help teach clients where to aim on submerged targets.

MSRP: $50 each

Steel Force Phathead

Steel Force’s Phathead cut-on-contact mini broadheads have proven a big hit with bowhunters due to accurate flight from the fastest bows combined with uncompromising ruggedness on the most formidable targets.

And while plenty of game has fallen to the original 1 1⁄8-inch cutting diameter Phathead, many bowhunters wanted more cutting action. The new Phathead HP (High Profile) gives you a wider, 1 3⁄16-inch cutting diameter and serrated trailing edges to spill more blood. They’re offered in 100- and 125-grain models, with aircraft aluminum ferrules, patented blade-retention system and .08-inch thick blades—still the phattest in the business.

MSRP: $36 per 3

Toxic

Flying Arrow Archery is a new company out of Montana with a brand new broadhead like nothing you’ve seen before. The 100-grain, fixed-blade Toxic holds three “half-moon,” “coring” blades set through the middle of the aircraft-aluminum ferrule to add strength and structural integrity.

The curved blades combine to provide nearly five inches of cutting surface, all honed to a surgical sharpness. RCS (Radical Core Decompression) and RWD (Reduced Wing Drag) technologies provide field-tip accuracy from the fastest compound bows, while creating devastating wound channels on the biggest game. The bone-splitting chisel tip starts penetration out right.

MSRP: $45 per 3

Trophy Taker Ulmer Edge

Trophy Taker Ulmer Edge mechanical broadheads offer fieldpoint accuracy and two super-sharp, rear-deploying blades that open as one on impact, pivoting around bone and folding forward to expose rear-sharpened edges as needed.

The blade-retention system assures blades won’t open prematurely, and they can be locked into practice mode without damaging targets or blades. New for 2013, this amazing head will be offered in slimmer 100-grain, 1 1⁄2-inch-wide and 125-grain, 2-inch-wide designs for Easton Deep Six inserts and other slim shafts (such as Victory’s VAP) with standard threads. All include one-piece steel ferrule with chisel tips.

MSRP: $45-$50 per 3

Wasp Archery Queen

Catering to the growing cadre of female bowhunters (500,000 last year, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association), Wasp Archery introduces the new Queen broadhead.

The Queen weighs 75 grains to balance lighter, shorter arrows shot from bows with draw weights less than 55 pounds. The head includes a 1-inch cutting diameter, cutting Stainless Smart Tip (SST) and three razor-sharp stainless blades to assure deep penetration and reliability. The aerodynamic, stainless steel ferrule is anodized bright pink to set it apart as a woman’s accessory. Each three-pack also includes two sets of replacement blades.

MSRP: $34 per 3

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10 New Broadheads for 2013

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Instead of spraying down with Armani or Christian Dior, we spend our time trying to find the best doe urine, attractant or lure to reel in that monster buck we’ve been dreaming about. It’s a bit of an obsession, but as any whitetailer will tell you, scent matters. Because we know all about it, we at Bowhunter tracked down the latest and greatest deer scents and attractants from the 2013 ATA Show just for you.

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Harmon Scent Stick

Harmon Scents has packed some of its popular scents into rub-on sticks that are easy to use and effective. The sticks can be used for all manner of applications, including on clothing, scent wicks or on natural features such as rocks, stumps or vegetation.

Available in an applicator that won’t spill, leak or break, the sticks are available in 10 varieties, including Triple Heat, Dominant Buck, Bear-Cinnamon, Coyote, Fox, Doe Pee and Herd Blend-whitetail.

MSRP: $9.99

Hot Trails Scented Hunting Candles

When working in a candle factory, Hot Trails founder Bill Moore thought about how scented candles continued to put out strong aromas whether lit or not.

Moore created a candle using a Doe in Heat scent and the Hot Trails Scented Hunting Candle was born. The scent from the burning candle can travel up to 500 yards and each candle can last for more than five hours.

Including a package of Scented Hunting Candles and a Mini Lantern, the Hot Trails starter kit includes everything a hunter needs to get started with this dynamite scent dispersal system.

MSRP: $29.99

Imperial Whitetail EDGE

With a combination four appealing perennials, Imperial Whitetail EDGE can help hunters create food plots that will establish quickly and draw and hold deer year around.

The two primary components of EDGE are sainfoin, a cool-season legume, and the proprietary Persist forb, which is the main perennial component of the Whitetail Institute’s popular Whitetail Extreme.

Edge also includes X-9 grazing alfalfas and WINA-100 perennial forage chicory. The combination is drought resistant and cold tolerant.

MSRP: $39.99 (3 pounds)

INVISIB-OIL

Humans constantly shed skin cells, and those cells are a constant source of alarm to wildlife. By lubricating the skin, INVISIB-OIL significantly reduces the loss of those dry skin cells and therefore reduces the risk of alerting scent-conscious wildlife.

INVISIB-OIL relies on the same time-tested technique used by Native Americans, who used bear grease to lubricate their skin and to increase their hunting success, which was critical to their survival. The all-natural INVISB-OIL, which is available in a 2-ounce spray bottle, is infused with a light fragrance designed to mimic a hunter’s natural surroundings and to help them remain undetected.

MSRP: $5

M.E.E.N. GREEN Fertilizer

New from Mossy Oak Biologic comes M.E.E.N. GREEN fertilizer spray. M.E.E.N. (Maximum, Essential, Effective, Nutrients) GREEN fertilizer is highly effective, water-soluble and easy to apply.

With an NPK ratio of 15-40-5, it provides a formulation that is effective anytime, but which is especially productive for new seedlings. The water-soluble formula enables a much higher absorbtion rate—up to 95 percent—than can be expected from granular formulas.

Rack Rub

New from Code Blue, Rack Rub Licking Branch Gel is a fantastic curiosity attractant designed to give hunters an edge in the early season when bucks are working scrapes.

To mark their territory, bucks deposit forehead gland and pre-orbital scent on low-hanging “licking” branches over scrapes. Using Rack Rub Licking Branch Gel, which is available in 2-ounce bottles, on branches above scrapes and on antler-rubbed trees, represents an infringement on a buck’s territory and is sure to bring the area’s dominant buck in looking to run the intruder off his turf.

MSRP: $10.95

Tink's Hot Shot

New from Tink’s is a scent-dispersal system designed to put spray attractants out at super long distances. The company’s Hot Shot line comes in a bottle with a specially designed tip that emits a super-fine mist when the tip is depressed.

That fine mist drifts wider and farther than traditional mists. Hot Shot lure attractants are available in several popular Tink’s varieties, including Tink’s #69 Doe-In-Rut, Tink’s #1 Doe-P, Trophy Buck, Moose, Rabbit (for predators) and Glazed Donuts (for bear).

MSRP: $9.99

Tink's Salad Dressin'

Everyone knows a tasty dressing is the key to any salad. Tink’s new Salad Dressin’ takes that concept to the deer woods.

Available in a tasty honeysuckle blend, the sweet-tasting spray not only features a taste deer can’t resist, it puts off an aroma that calls deer in. Hunters simply spray the formula on vegetation near their setup.

The formula crystallizes on contact, which means it can last for more than a week. It also can be used to sweeten supplemental food sources, such as corn.

MSRP: $12.99

Vita-Rack 26 Gorge Attractant

With 28 percent protein, Vita-Rack 26 Gorge from Hunter’s Specialties is not only a powerful attractant, it’s a supplement that provides for increased body weight and better antler growth.

Available in granular and liquid form, the Vita-Rack 26 Gorge can be poured directly on the ground or placed in a trough. Liquid Gorge also works well when applied to stumps or mineral blocks.

The granular form comes in 5-pound bags, while the liquid is available in 1-gallon jugs. Eight flavors, including white oak acorn, persimmon and sugar beets, are available.

MSRP: $14.99

XCellerator

Based on a decade of research, development and real-world testing, XCellerator premium whitetail mineral supplement from Rack One is a product that will both attract bucks to your property and help them maximize antler growth.

Designed for use from late winter through early fall, XCellerator consists of roughly 50 percent sodium, along with many vitamins, minerals and other nutrients growing bucks and pregnant or lactating does need. An XCellerator mineral pit will quickly become a hotbed of deer activity in your hunting area.

MSRP: $14.99 (5-pound bag)

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Deer Scents and Attractants for 2013

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