Check your bowhunting gear lately? Need a few upgrades? Here’s a short list all bow-benders need to consider.
Trapper John’s Ultimate Buck Lure by Wildlife Research Center. Looking for an effective lure you can use not only during the rut, but all season? Look no further. Trapper John’s Ultimate Buck Lure ($29.99/4 oz. w/magnum Key Wick) is a tribute to late WRC founder John Burgeson, made with a secret recipe that had been locked in a vault for 30 years. It’s part of WRC’s premium new line of Micro Brew Craft Scents and combines old forgotten secrets from trappers of long ago, including highly attractive oils and super premium doe urine with estrus secretions. This premium lure line is carefully crafted in small batches, to optimize their strengths and attraction qualities.
Tink’s PeeFuser Scent Diffuser. Most scent options on the market require target deer to be quite close to get a reaction; Tink’s new PeeFuser ($29.99 w/.5 oz. scent bottle) is changing the game. This ultrasonic scent diffuser converts deer urine into an irresistible long-range mist, with the ability to be used on the ground or hung from a tree limb. The battery-powered PeeFuser (3 AAA batteries) diffuses scent for 30 seconds every 2 minutes; a .5-oz. bottle lasts up to 7 hours. PeeFuser bottles are available in #69 Doe-in-Rut Natural & Synthetic.
Outdoor Edge RazorBone. Field dress, skin, debone and prepare big game cuts, all with one knife? That’s the beauty of the new RazorBone replaceable blade knife ($64.95). Included are three different blades: a 3.5-inch drop-point blade, a 5-inch boning/fillet blade and a new gutting blade, to offer the ultimate solution to processing big game from start to finish, with a single knife that never needs sharpening. The patented RazorSafe exchange blade system means the perfect blade for the job is merely a button push away. Included are three 3.5-inch drop point blades, two 5-inch boning/fillet blades, one gutting blade, a nylon belt sheath and polymer blade box to store the spare blades. The RazorBone is available in blaze orange or gray (shown).
Work Sharp Benchstone Knife Sharpener. Get all your knives ready for the season. This handy design ($44.95) offers coarse and medium diamond abrasives that make quick work of dull blades, and a fine ceramic stone that hones knives and maintains a razor edge on working blades. Angle guides are included and offer 20- and 25-degree ramps for angle consistency when sharpening. The Tri-brasive stone can be secured to the base with a locking lever or released, allowing the stone to pivot and follow the curve of the blade. No oil or water is required, keeping set up and clean up time short.
ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Bow Pack. This sweet multi-featured design ($99.99) is ideal for keeping your bow secure and stowed, and your hands free, when climbing or trekking through rugged terrain. The lashing straps, along with the expandable bow pocket, make a great combination to securely keep your bow in place. You’ll find a large main pocket, large front pocket, and lower side mesh pockets to keep your gear organized. The waist belt is padded so when you’re carrying a little bit of extra weight, the comfort level is still going to be top of the line. A blaze orange rain cover is included; the Pursuit is offered in Realtree Mossy Oak and new-for-2020 Coyote Brown (shown).
G5 Montec M3 Broadhead. Improving on the company’s best-selling fixed-blade Montec head was no easy task, but the new 100-grain Montec M3 is now stronger, sharper and quieter. Maybe most impressive? This exciting new head took home the Editor’s Choice Award in our 2020 Ultimate Broadhead Field Test, with an impressively
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consistent, all-around performance of accuracy, penetration and more. The M3’s unique non-vented one-piece design has created increased strength, and removed the possibility of whistling during flight, resulting in extremely quiet, consistent arrow flight. The 100-percent stainless steel design is not only stronger and more durable, it also has a higher Rockwell than any previous Montec. This allows the broadhead to carry a much sharper edge, and it can easily be re-sharpened on a flat diamond stone or with a number of other common broadhead sharpeners. The Montec M3 is also available in a crossbow version (both versions $46.95/3) SEVR Titanium 1.5 Mechanical. SEVR built this fine head ($41.97/3) for discriminating vertical bow and crossbow hunters who prefer a 1.5-inch cutting diameter and a more swept-back blade cutting angle for maximum penetration. Maybe most impressive? This
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two-blade head took home the Silver Award in our 2020 Ultimate Broadhead Field Test, where it set a new Field Test record for accuracy by posting a three-shot, 50-yard group measuring just 5/8ths of an inch—and if you need a visual that group is smaller than a dime! SEVR says this head that offers lock-open blades is ideal for hunting large thick-skinned, heavy-boned animals, and is also great for lower-poundage and/or short-draw shooters, where reduced cutting effort and added penetration is particularly beneficial. Wasp Mortem Broadhead. This compact three-blade fixed head ($33/3) is not only nicely affordable, but we also found it deep penetrating and deadly accurate, during its Best Value Award-winning performance in our 2020 Ultimate Broadhead Field Test.
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The Mortem has a one-piece stainless steel ferrule topped with a solid, one-piece hardened stainless steel trocar tip. Three stainless steel blades (.032) yield a razor sharp 1 1/8-inch cutting diameter.Mathews VXR 28 & VXR 31.5. Back in January we got a glimpse at these exciting new bows and we’ve since found that all the hype around these sweet-shooting models proved accurate indeed; as you might have seen the Mathews VXR 31.5 (shown above) took home the coveted Editor’s Choice Award in our 2020 Ultimate Compound Bow Field Test.
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It came after an impressively accurate, smooth-drawing, no-hand-shock performance that we also found impressively fast; the bow won our speed test. Available in both 28- ($1,099) and 31.5-inch ($1,199) axle-to-axle lengths, these bows are powered by the award-winning, efficient and accurate Crosscentric Cam system, producing speeds up to 344 fps. Its SwitchWeight Technology allows shooters to change peak draw length and draw weight in 5-pound increments via the cam’s module instead of changing limbs. Available in 60-, 65-, 70- and 75-pound peak weights, each set of mods is programmed for an incredibly smooth draw and maximum efficiency. Mods are available in 80- or 85-percent letoff for further customization. A cool new feature for 2020 is the option to add the new Silent Connect System (SCS). This optional kit enables hunters to attach Mathews’ new bow rope and bow sling in the field quickly and silently. You’ll also find a dovetail mounting system designed to attach the UltraRest Integrate MX by QAD, and a new Ambush Green finish option, along with seven other solid and camo options. Bowtech Revolt X. Well known for the consistent performance of its award-winning flagship bows, for 2020 Bowtech turned it up a notch with the new 33-inch axle-to-axle, 6.5-inch-brace height Revolt X ($1,199) that’s built to deliver an IBO speed of 340 fps. Even more impressive is that this shock-free, super-adjustable bow took home the Silver
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Award in our 2020 Ultimate Compound Bow Test, backed by reasons aplenty. Maybe the biggest story is the patented new DeadLock Cam System designed for the ultimate in shot-to-shot precision, and the confidence that comes from knowing your bow is permanently tuned for peak accuracy. How does it work? Just move the cams left or right on the axles with a turn of a screw to position all the energy directly behind the arrow. Then lock it down for permanent, repeatable accuracy. You’ll also find Deadlock locking limb pockets and Deadlock cable containment, and your choice of 13 bow finishes that include new Woodland camo (shown).Elite KURE. Elite knows bowhunters can’t achieve ultimate accuracy without a well-tuned bow, and arguably, no company has made it easier to achieve for 2020 with its new S.E.T. (Simplified Exact Tuning) Technology found on the new flagship KURE compound ($999.99). We found this bow and its ground-breaking adjustments to be the most-adjustable in our 2020 Bow Test, where it claimed our well-deserved Best Value Award.
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The KURE measures 31 13/16 inches axle to axle, weighs 4.6 pounds and delivers speeds to 335 fps. S.E.T. enables micro-adjustments to the cam attitude (at the limb pocket!) to achieve perfect arrow and broadhead flight. Paired with Elite’s new Vibe X limb dampeners, the KURE is built to deliver a smooth, quiet and shock-free shot. You’ll also find the all-new Elite ASYM Tri-Track Cams with Versa Mod System rotating modules, which offer Elite’s famous high letoff and smooth draw cycle, but now with the ability to adjust draw length, cable stops, and limb stops.Mission SUB-1 XR Crossbow. Known for its speedy, push-the-envelope designs, for 2020 Mission continues its impressive roll with the new SUB-1 XR ($1,699.99 to $1,899.99) that’s built to deliver up to 410 fps and rifle-like groups at 100 yards, with dramatically less noise and recoil. Ultra-premium performance starts with Benchmark Fire Control technology that includes a 3-pound match grade
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trigger. You’ll also find an Easy-Load bolt retention arm and the ability to safely de-cock with the push of a button. The compact frame is 9.1 inches axle-to-axle and just 30.5 inches long. The entire SUB-1 series feature 80-percent high letoff cam systems to deliver controlled acceleration, and the CNC machined flight tract eliminates vertical nock travel, resulting in unparalleled accuracy. The letoff also allows for easy cocking and de-cocking.Ravin R29X Crossbow. How is Ravin redefining premium crossbow performance? With the new R29X, the answer is including a fully integrated Silent Cocking System and speeds up to a staggering 450 fps, all while maintaining Ravin’s legendary compact size and extreme accuracy. Ravin test-fires each bow that leaves its facility a minimum of three times before sending it out, ensuring that it shoots
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at or above its advertised speed with a 400-grain arrow. The new R29X is 29 inches in length, 6 inches axle-to-axle when fully cocked, and weighs 6.75 pounds. The 12.5-inch power stroke produces 180-foot pounds of kinetic energy. Customers can choose the standard R29X ($2,649.99) or upgrade to the R29X Sniper Package ($3,049.99), which features a Tactical Crossbow Scope, Scope Level, .001 Arrows and the Jack Plate Adjustable Elevation Mount.TenPoint Vapor RS470 Crossbow. TenPoint isn’t mincing words with its newest creation, calling the Vapor RS470 the world’s most technologically advanced crossbow ever produced. The company says it will deliver speeds up to a mind-numbing 470 fps; it also features the new ACUslide cocking and de-cocking system that TenPoint says is the first safe option to de-cock a crossbow with a crank. More good news? The Vapor RS470 measures an ultra-narrow 6.5-inches wide and weighs an impressive half-pound less than previous TenPoint flagship models. While de-cocking with the ACUslide, the user can remove their hand from the handle at any point, with no other action required, and the handle will stop in place. Available in Veil Alpine camo ($2,999.99) or Graphite Gray ($2,899.99), with a Ready-To-Hunt package that includes an Evo-X Marksman Precision Scope, STAG Hard Crossbow Case, six EVO-X CenterPunch Premium Carbon Crossbow Arrows (.001 straightness), six EVO-X Lighted CenterPunch Premium Carbon Crossbow Arrows (.001 straightness), three EVO-X CenterPunch Rear-Deploying Broadheads, Sling, Integrated String Stop System and new 6-arrow Tech Quiver.
Bear X Constrictor Crossbow. Can a crossbow deliver plenty of head-turning premium features at a price that will make you look twice? The nicely affordable new Constrictor ($599) features an ultra-narrow 10-inch profile when cocked, along with blazing speeds of 410 feet per second. You’ll also find an ambidextrous top-mount 5-arrow quiver that sits on a 360-degree
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pivot, allowing you to position the quiver on the right- or left-hand side of the crossbow and parallel to the bow. More nice touches include an adjustable cheek pad, anti-dry fire device, and 3 inches of trigger pull adjustment. The Constrictor is available in Veil Stoke and TrueTimber Strata camo patterns, and comes ready to hunt with three Bear X TrueX arrows, top mount 5-arrow quiver, illuminated scope, sling, cocking rope, and rail lube/string wax.