Eight Must-See Products from the ATA's Innovation Zone

January 12, 2012

The Innovation Zone showcases a variety of products that just might be the next big thing in the Bowhunting industry.

The Switch Ground Blind

Another company that produces a litany of quality blinds is Ameristep. I've been using one of their Tom Taker blinds for years and am truly excited about their latest offering, The Switch Ground Blind ($299). The Switch allows you to adjust the blind height from 60" to a full 88", which will accommodate standing bowshots. The Switch weighs 25 lbs., features a versatile window/shooting port system, and is compatible with several different Realtree camouflage shells for ultimate customization.

Down-N-Dirty Haint

Down-N-Dirty also makes calls and their Haint ($50) gobble call promises to change the way we turkey hunt. The Haint call produces a loud, resonating gobble meant to challenge dominant longbeards. Combining this call with a full strut tom decoy is a great way to weed out jakes and two-year-olds to concentrate on boss birds.

Dirty Mouth

I like to combine a quality pot call with a diaphragm call to simulate two different hens calling at the same time. Flextone's double-reed Dirty Mouth ($7) is the perfect call for just such a one-two punch. Both of the Dirty Mouth's reeds have dual splits on each end to produce clear yelps, clucks, cutts and purrs.

G5 Outdoors Havoc

Another broadhead that will prove bad medicine for big gobblers is G5 Outdoors' new Havoc ($48). First and foremost, the Havoc boasts German Lutz Blades, which are the sharpest blades on the market. The Havoc features the new Posi-Lock blade retention system and Balanced Blade Deployment for perfect performance. Available in 100 and 125 grains, the Havoc offers a cutting diameter of over 2".

Mathews Monster Pro

Gorilla Gear also has their hand in the blind business with their Mathews Monster Pro ($499). The Mathews Monster Pro features 22 windows for maximum shooting opportunity and the option of 360-degree visibility, a removable floor system, gear storage cargo pockets with silent hooks, and an interior that is fully sealed with adjustable ShadowBlocker material. Weighing in at 24 lbs., the Monster Pro measures 64" X 64" X 72" tall.

Heads Up Decoy Tom Turkey

Once you've got your blind set up and ready to go, it's time to consider another integral part of bowhunting turkeys -- decoys. The Heads Up Decoy Tom Turkey ($30) from Smoky Hill Hunting Products is a versatile choice whether you sit in a blind or want to stalk a hung-up gobbler. Each decoy is packable, realistic-looking and quiet, and when paired with a real turkey fan (not included), much easier to tote around than a full-bodied tom decoy.

Huntmore 360 Chair

Another blind chair that makes sitting all day much easier is the latest incarnation of the Huntmore 360 Chair ($219), which just keeps getting better. This highly adjustable, dead quiet chair features one of the best options a blind chair can have -- adjustable lumbar back support. The Huntmore 360 weighs 11.5 lbs., sports a large bottom seat pad (19"x 19"x19"), and is fully collapsible for easy transport.

Metal Yell

One particular company that produces a few of those calls is Knight & Hale. Their Metal Yell ($35) is designed with an aluminum pot and aluminum striking surface, a combo that allows for calls ranging from soft purring to aggressive and loud yelps.

Magnus Bullhead

If shooting turkeys through the body isn't your thing, try out the Magnus Bullhead ($40/3 pack) in either 100 or 125 grains. Bullheads are razor sharp and designed to relieve unsuspecting gobblers of their heads. These highly effective broadheads greatly reduce the loss rate of wounded birds. For 2012 Magnus is also offering Bullhead Kits ($50), which contain two Bullheads and two Victory VForce arrows.

Primos Double Bull Double-Wide Door Blind

Of course, you'll need a blind to set up. This category has blown up ever since the Double Bull boys took their idea to fruition and changed the way we think of turkey hunting in general. Their company ended up in the hands of Primos Hunting, and the new Primos Double Bull Double-Wide Door Blind ($399) is a great option. This blind allows for easy entry through its oversized, zipper-less door and measures 60" X 60" X 67" tall. A Silent Slide Window Adjustment System, Power Hub Framework, and Cotton/Poly canvas framework culminate in a durable blind that will last for years, and if it doesn't, don't fret -- Primos Double Bull Blinds also feature a lifetime warranty that covers quality and service.

Rage Turkey Broadheads

To up your odds of a quick kill it's important to select a broadhead with as much cutting surface as possible. Fortunately, that choice has never been easier. For starters, Rage Broadheads has entered the fray with their Turkey Broadheads (2-Blade/$45; 3-Blade/$45). Designed specifically to waylay gobblers, the 2-Blade Turkey Broadhead features a 2.25" cutting diameter while the 3-Blade has a 1.75" cut. Blades on both heads lock into place with the new ShockLock blade-retention system until the moment of impact.

Freestyle720

Easily one of the most overlooked aspects of blind hunting from sunrise to sunset is your seat. Fortunately, the folks at S4Gear offer the Freestyle720 ($140). The Freestyle720's tripod design, coupled with its large footprint, allows users to silently move into position to shoot through any port. Combine the Freestyle720 with the Chair Back ($50) and you've got one of the most mobile and comfortable blind chairs on the market. Just make sure to stake the chair down or you might end up with a mouthful of dirt, trust me.

The Temptress

If you're in the market for a hen decoy, check out The Temptress ($24) from HS Strut Decoys by Delta. The Temptress is easily packable due to its flexible polyethylene construction and will fool the wariest of longbeards with its hand-painted detail and taxidermy-quality eyes.

Browning Pro Scout Max with AI Technology

Gear

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.

Gear

QAD Archery: Integrate Mounting System Updates

Gear

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.

Gear

Bowtech's 2025 Bow Lineup

Gear

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.

Gear

The Technology Behind BLOCK & GlenDel Targets

Gear

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.

Gear

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.

Gear

Ripcord Arrow Rest Options for 2025

Gear

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

Gear

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.

Gear

Saddle Hunting Era Set to Begin at Hunter Safety System

Gear

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

Gear

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.

Gear

Rage Hypo 2 Broadhead

Gear

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

Gear

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.