ATA 2018: Top New Traditional Bows

January 12, 2018 By Darron McDougal

Recurve Your Way

Featuring the original Earl Hoyt geometry is Hoyt's Satori recurve riser. It includes Hoyt's exclusive shelf module and center-shot alignment plates. This gives you off-the-shelf shooting, but in a rig that you can fine-tune for optimal shooting accuracy. Shooters can also remove the plates and module to install a flipper rest. Satori risers are available in 17-, 19-, and 21-inch lengths weighing 2.25, 2.40, and 2.54 pounds, respectively. Finish options are Black Out or Buckskin, and Satori risers can be paired with Carbon X-Tour or standard Satori limbs. Seven limb finishes ensure a flavor for everyone.

www.hoyt.com

Unleash the Static

Bear Archery's smooth and stylish Static K-4 is a 64-inch static-tipped bow reborn from the 1950s. It features an exquisite African bubinga riser with black and white fiberglass tips. "Static" means the tips retain their shape when the bow is drawn, improving energy and packing a punch. The Static K-4 is available in right- or left-handed models. The right-handed model comes in 35-, 40-, 45-, 50-, and 55-pound variations, and the left-handed model in 40-, 45-, and 50-pound variations. Its grip is tastefully detailed with Bolivian rosewood, implying notions of quality and class.

MSRP: $600 | www.beararchery.com

Meet the Mustang

PSE's premier hunting recurve is the Mustang. The bow features a convenient take-down design, and measures 60-inches for the ultimate shooting stability. The Mustang's brace height is 7-7 ½ inches, and its available in 40, 45, 50, and 55 pounds (when drawn to 28 inches). The Mustang boasts rugged beauty that any traditional bowhunter can appreciate, and it's made from hand-selected wood to ensure class and quality. Available in left- and right-handed models, the Mustang also has a threaded stabilizer bushing.

MSRP: $219.99 | www.pse-archery.com

Black Widow staked its claim in the traditional-bow market long ago, and its reputation for building high-quality bows continues today. The KB recurve is essentially a one-piece rendition of the PCH take-down. The bow is available in four compact lengths: 54, 56, 58, and 60 inches. It features an extended radiused shelf, which makes it great for off-the-shelf shooting. The KB is also lightweight. For example, the 58-inch model weighs just 2 ½ pounds. The riser's deflexed design exudes stability, and the Dyna Flex Trapezoid Limbs are vertically stacked with tapered laminations bolstered by a woven glass core. All metal components are solid brass. The KB is available in five different wood types. Included with each KB are Flemish-twist DynaFlight 97 string, bow stringer, Spider string silencers, bow tip protector, calf-hair shelf rest and strike plate, nocking points, and DVD and hardcopy owner's manuals.

MSRP: $1,075-1,275 (varies by wood type) | www.blackwidowbows.com

England Meets America

The Union Jack by Belcher bows blends English craftsmanship with American Ingenuity. Length options are 64, 66, 68, and 70 inches, and wood combinations are black glass with bamboo cores and rosewood riser, clear glass with yew cores and Bacote riser, or green glass back with white glass belly and bamboo cores complete with Concobulo riser. The Union Jack can be built as a one-piece or two-piece take-down (add $120) bow. Peak weights are available from 29-65 pounds, with higher weights available at additional costs. Build time is 10-12 weeks for this Howard Hill-style longbow. Bowyer Jim Belcher deems the Union Jack his go-to hunting bow.

MSRP: $750 | www.belcherbows.com

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Browning Pro Scout Max with AI Technology

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Browning Pro Scout Max with AI Technology

Curt Wells of Bowhunter TV stops by the Browning Trail Cameras booth to discuss the new AI technology on the popular Pro Scout Max with Chief Design Officer John Traywick. What this essentially means is that users can now control which pictures they'll see and which pictures they won't by telling each cameras what images it should transmit. Gone are the days of having to sort through every picture that features a squirrel, raccoon, crow or any other critter that you don't wish to view. They also take a look at some new accessories — a solar panel with a built-in lithium cell, as well as a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack.

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QAD Archery: Integrate Mounting System Updates

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QAD Archery: Integrate Mounting System Updates

Bowhunter TV's Curt Wells stops by the QAD booth at the 2025 Archery Trade Show for his annual visit with Kevin Fry. By now, most bowhunters know all about the integrate mounting systems that nearly every bow manufacturer has incorporated into their flagship rigs. QAD has a pair of rests to fit those molds — the Ultrarest Integrate MX2 with micro-adjudt capabilities, as well as the Ultrarest Integrate R2. For archers that still wish to shoot an Ultrarest on an older bow that doesn't feature the integrate mounting system, fear not — QAD still offers a full lineup of Berger Button mounted models, including the Ultrarest HDX among others.

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Bowtech's 2025 Bow Lineup

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Bowtech's 2025 Bow Lineup

North American Whitetail's Blake Garlock stops for a chat with Bowtech's Bryan Hodakievic at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis. The brand launched the Virtue on the first day of the show, which features the AeroMag magnesium riser — resulting in a mass wright of just 3.7 ounces. DeadLock Technology also returns, allowing for cam adjustments without the need for a bow press. This bow will hit the market with a price tag of $1,999. Additionally, the pair also discuss the other new Bowtech models for 2025 — the Proven 34 and the Solution LS.

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The Technology Behind BLOCK & GlenDel Targets

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The Technology Behind BLOCK & GlenDel Targets

Curt Wells of Bowhunter TV visits with Chris James of FeraDyne Outdoors at the 2025 Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis, where they discuss the innovative technologies behind two of the most well-known target brands on the market — BLOCK and GlenDel. BLOCK, of course, features layered foam technology, essentially stopping arrows with friction instead of force. Not only is that easier on your arrows, but also results in easier arrow removal. What's not as known by archers is that the same layered technology is also used in the GlenDel 3-D targets under an added overmold.

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New Easton FMJ Max & 5.0 Arrows

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New Easton FMJ Max & 5.0 Arrows

Gary Cornum, Marketing Director for Easton Archery, shows Bowhunter TV's Curt Wells some exciting new offerings for the new year at the annual Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis. It all starts with the latest version of the popular Full Metal Jacket arrow — the FMJ Max. Built on a lighter-weight platform than regular FMJ's, you can now get the heavy-hitting benefits of the FMJ while going a bit lighter in the form of the FMJ Max. Additionally, the new Easton 5.0 is an all-carbon arrow built on the lightest-weight platform the company has every produced.

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Ripcord Arrow Rest Options for 2025

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Ripcord Arrow Rest Options for 2025

Ripcord's Jeff Baker talks through their latest arrow rest lineup for 2025 with North American Whitetail's Black Garlock at the 2025 Archery Trade Association show in Indianapolis. There are three options to choose from this year, inlcuding the RAK — a cable-driven rest with standard adjustment — as well as the Ratchet line, which comes in either a cable-driven or limb-driven design. This line comes available in standard or micro-adjustable options, and the limb-driven Ratchet also feature the whale tail launcher.

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Prime Form Hunting Bow

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Prime Form Hunting Bow

One of the most innovative products at the 2025 ATA Show came from the G5 Outdoors booth. In this video, Bowhunter Editor Chirsitan Berg gets the lowdown on the 2025 Prime Archery Form from Brand Manager Brian Anderson. The Form is the world's first hybrid carbon/aluminum bow, essentially aiming to place the right materials in the right places. In other words, Prime created a lighter, stiffer rig by placing both carbon rods and aluminum exactly where it needs to be. This method increased overall stiffness by 47.5 percent, while decreasing weight to just 4.1 ounces — the lightest bow Prime has ever taken to market.

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Saddle Hunting Era Set to Begin at Hunter Safety System

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Saddle Hunting Era Set to Begin at Hunter Safety System

Hunter Safety System, long known for their top-notch safety harnesses and lifelines for traditional treestand hunters, has made a big leap into the saddle hunting world for 2025. Here, Bowhunter Editor Christian Berg talks to Michael Wydner of HSS about that transition at the Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis. He also gives us and in-depth demonstration of the new individual products, such as the Defender Saddle, Legend Platform, and the SlapStrap system.

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Kenetrek Elevated Extreme Saddle Hunting Boots

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Kenetrek Elevated Extreme Saddle Hunting Boots

Bowhunter Editor Christian Berg visits with Joe Jacks of Kenetrek Boots at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis. For the new year, Kenetrek has launched the new Elevated Extreme boots, specifically with the saddle hunter in mind. With a 7mm full-length midsole, these boots are built to neutralize platform soreness so that you can stay comfortable all day long. Additionally, Kenetrek's Grapon outsoles give you exactly what you need for the hike out, without the worry of getting your feet caught up on your platform when in the saddle.

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Rage Hypo 2 Broadhead

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Rage Hypo 2 Broadhead

Chris James of FeraDyne Outdoors gives Bowhunter TV host Curt Wells an introduction to the new Hypo 2 broadhead at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis. The Hypo 2 follows a long, successful tenure from the original Hypodermic. Rage fanatics will immediately notice a couple of things. First, the Hypo 2's will come in a 4-pack instead of the standard three, as well as a re-designed Shock Collar system that now allows for each collar to be shot three different times. It didn't take long to garner some attention on the show floor either, as the Hypo 2 took the hardware as the "2025 ATA Best New Broadhead."

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New Traditional Bow Additions from Bear Archery

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New Traditional Bow Additions from Bear Archery

Nobody takes as much pride in their traditional offerings as Bear Archery, and that's as true this year as its ever been. Here, Bear's Neil Byce visits with OSG's Lynn Burkhead at the 2025 ATA Show to discuss the what's new in their traditional world. It starts with the new Hammer Grip on the Fred Bear Take Down — the most popular traditional bow in the world. The new grip option provides a low-profile alternative for a more relaxed, comfortable hold, and is available in both A- and B-length risers. The other addition discussed is a new 64-inch option on the beloved Super Kodiak bow, which will greatly benefit taller bowhunters.

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Trophy Ridge New-for-2025 Accessories

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Trophy Ridge New-for-2025 Accessories

OSG's Lynn Burkhead checks out the latest and greatest from Trophy Ridge at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis. Design Engineer Andrew Hughes shows off a number of impressive bow sights, including the Digital React — available in both single-pin and three-pin models — and the SWFT Duo, a pair of models that will surely solidify Trophy Ridge's place in the industry for yet another year.