New Hunting Optics for 2014

Nufletch Archery also offers archers an easy way to fletch arrows, provided they take a little extra time in the preseason to prep shafts. Their APE Tails require the removal of 2.75" off the nock end of each arrow, followed by the installation of RPS inserts. After that, APE Tails can be screwed in and set to use. Milled slots on APE Tails mean if any of your vanes get beat up or torn, you can simply remove the nock cap, extract the old vane, and slide in a new one. Price: $40 per 6 pack

Another unique product comes your way via Outer Limit Archery. Their one-piece, molded Blood Vanes fit shafts ranging from .280" to .306" in diameter, and adhere with a few dabs of cyanoacrylate glue (gel-type adhesives are not recommended). Blood Vanes weigh 31 grains, meaning they won't throw your FOC off-kilter, and they are ideal for anyone looking to carry some extra insurance into the backcountry or on a destination hunt. Even though it seems like any of these products can be used in a pinch to fletch arrows, there are a few extra details that should be taken care of. The first is that if you truly want the best arrow flight possible, it's necessary to square the ends of your shafts. Factory saws, even on top-quality arrow offerings, can be out of square, and that can lead to disastrous arrow flight. Although spine orientation is often fingered as the culprit of poor arrow flight, out-of-square arrow ends (especially the nock end), can produce the same erratic results. There are a few squaring tools on the market; however, it's hard to find one that lets you square fletched arrows as opposed to bare shafts. Price: $20 per 6 pack

Bohning also produces a line of products that will make your fletching chores easier, including their Blazer Stretch Fletch. Blazer Stretch Fletch is the easiest way to fletch arrows with shafts measuring .293" to .306" (outer diameter). Each Stretch Fletch features three of the popular Blazer Vanes set to three degrees of helical, which is just right for promoting tight downrange groups and for getting the most in accuracy from broadhead-tipped arrows. Also available is the Blazer QuikFletch, which simply requires a pot of boiling water and a few minutes to fletch a dozen arrows. The beauty of NAP's and Bohning's QuikFletch is that they allow for up-to-the-minute, exact fletching. I take a package with me on every single hunting trip, just in case something happens to my arrows and the vanes get banged up. I know that as long as I can start a fire or find a stove, I can heat water and re-fletch arrows. Ditto for NAP's SpeedFletch and Bohning's Stretch Fletch, which are field-friendly as long as you remember to pack along a tube of glue. Price: $19 per 6 pack

Easton also has a line of QuikFletch products designed specifically for bowhunters and target archers who shoot Easton ammo. The Easton QuikFletch Crests are available in hunting models that are outfitted with Blazer Vanes, or target models fitted with 3" Diamond Vanes. Price: $20 per 6 pack

Burt Coyote's F.A.S.T. (Fletched Arrow Squaring Tool) does just that, and at $39, it could be the cheapest insurance you can get for better arrow flight. Each F.A.S.T. is made from aircraft-grade aluminum, can handle shafts made from all materials, and comes with four adhesive, abrasive disks to cover dozens of arrows. In addition to squaring arrows, it's always a good idea to clean the shafts before fletching or wrapping. Whether you've just purchased a dozen new arrows from a pro shop, or endeavor to revive some battered ammo after season's end, shafts that are clean and free from any and all residue will be much easier to work with. If you're ready to take arrow building, or at least vane maintenance into your own hands, consider some of the easy-to-use options on the market. Not only will they give you a little more free time, they might also save the day on a destination hunt when the nearest fletching jig is far from camp and the clock is ticking. Price: $39

When I first used QuikFletch, I thought it was too good to be true. So I stuck to my older ways of fletching my arrows with a jig. As I've mentioned, becoming a father caused me to give QuikFletch another try this past year, and of the six deer I shot with QuikFletched arrows, none made it farther than 80 yards before expiring. That kind of accuracy is good enough for me. To further enhance the fletching process, NAP has expanded the QuikFletch line to include a host of options like their new QuikFletch Wraps, which lets you quickly wrap your arrows and then fletch them with a traditional jig. Price: $N/A per 12 pack

My first forays into the easy-fletching universe involved products like New Archery Products' QuikFletch. QuikFletch is an ingenious product that is comprised of a wrap, adhesive, and vanes in one package. Simply align the QuikFletch on your clean arrow shaft, and then dip the nock end into boiling water until the wrap shrinks tightly. Price: $17-$25 per 6 pack

NAP also offers the new SpeedFletch, which requires adhesive and about 10 seconds of free time. Simply slide the SpeedFletch to the desired position on the arrow shaft and then lock it in place with fast-drying glue. Each SpeedFletch features NAP's Twister vanes at a two-degree offset. Price: $13 per 6 pack