June 2019

Specifications Arrow Speed

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Martin Archery ANAX 3D set at 51.2 pounds at 30 inches

Axle-to-Axle Length 29-INCH ARROWS/ SHAFT *FINISHED KINETIC ARROW
35 inches
(Short Draw) and LD (Long Draw) Helix 100-GRAIN TIPS GPI ARROW WT. ENERGY SPEED
Cams provide a 25- to 29-inch and 28- to 31- ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
inch draw length, respectively. Draw weight –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
is easily adjusted in 5-pound increments. Brace Height
7 inches BLOODSPORT IMPACT HUNT 350 10.2 462 GRS. 66.5 FT. LBS. 254.5 FPS
Long-Riser/Short-Limb Formula
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The ANAX 3D follows the trend of short,
parallel limbs (10 ½ inches) set on a long, Mass Weight EASTON 6MM FMJ 400 9.7 454 GRS. 64.8 FT. LBS. 253.5 FPS
straight riser (31 inches). This geometry cre- 5.29 pounds
ates a highly stable platform that’s condu- –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
cive to extreme forgiveness and accuracy. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The straight riser and dual-point limb an- ALLEN ATOMIC 350 9.8 443 GRS. 66.5 FT. LBS. 260.0 FPS
choring actually set the grip throat in direct Let-Off
line with the limb pivot points—another de- Up to 65-85 percent –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
sign feature that offers forgiveness and in-
herent shooting ease. Strategic cutouts from –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BLACK EAGLE SPARTAN 350 8.0 445 GRS. 67.3 FT. LBS 260.9 FPS
the sides and edges create a remarkably
well-balanced rig. This bow effortlessly sits Available Draw Lengths –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
level in the hand at rest and at full draw, 25 to 31 inches, via two cam sets
which allows for more relaxed shooting and VICTORY VAP 400 7.1 422 GRS. 65.4 FT. LBS. 264.1 FPS
aiming. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Beneath each limb pivot are RRAP Bal- Available Draw Weights
anced Bow Technology rubber-suspended 40-50, 50-60 and 60-70 pounds BEMAN WHITE OUT 340 8.8 415 GRS. 65.1 FT. LBS. 265.7 FPS
weights that provided custom balance
tuning. Of course, the ANAX 3D includes –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
a standard front stabilizer tap (steel
sleeved), but it also has two rear-facing Available Colors CX MAX RED 350 9.1 402 GRS. 63.8 FT. LBS. 267.3 FPS
stabilizer taps along the lower, outer edges White, Black, Red, Sharkskin Blue
of the riser (7 ½ and 11 inches from the ar- and Sharkskin Grey, Early Seezyn, –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
row shelf) to offset the mass of sights, rests
and quivers mounted on the opposite side Late Seezyn and Ambush camo K&K BLACK SHADOW 400 8.5 393 GRS. 64.3 FT. LBS. 271.4 FPS
of the riser. These handy taps let users add
short/stubby rearward-facing stabilizers, –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
as well as a V-bar or side-bar for even more
customized balance. The riser has two sets MSRP EASTON DA’TORCH 330 7.9 386 GRS. 64.1 FT. LBS. 273.5 FPS
$1,080
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

CX WHITETAIL 350 7.8 370 GRS. 64.2 FT. LBS. 279.5 FPS

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BLACK EAGLE CARNIVORE 350 7.5 365 GRS. 61.9 FT. LBS. 276.3 FPS

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

LIBERTY ARCHERY 320 5.9 292 GRS. 60.3 FT. LBS. 305.0 FPS

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Arrow speeds established using a Caldwell Shooting Supplies Chronograph G2.

*Denotes steel insert/outsert

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (608) 370-8016, OR VISIT MARTINARCHERY.COM.

of sight taps for additional vertical mount-
ing latitude, and the grip includes hand-
some hardwood side plates.

The ANAX 3D is quiet right out of the box.
In addition to those RRAD modules, which
also act as riser dampeners, it holds a ful-
ly adjustable string stop with a LimbSaver
NAVCOM rubber bumper. There are also
LimbSaver wedge-lock limb silencers on the
top and bottom, and a friction-free roller
cable slide/guard. The string stop and slide/
guard ride on vibration-absorbing carbon-
fiber rods. The super-stiff riser design and
parallel limbs also undoubtedly contribute
to this bow’s quiet nature.

Martin Archery is back. The company is
still proudly based in Walla Walla, Wash-
ington, but Martin is also assembling its
target and high-end hunting bows at its
facility in Havelock, North Carolina, under
the direct supervision of Martin’s design
engineer, Scott Romero. All told, the com-
pany has the staff and determination to
climb back to the top of the industry. Mar-
tin Outdoors has also devised clever ways
to finance both individual buyers and new
dealers, making it easy to get a Martin bow
like the 2019 ANAX 3D—an ideal choice for
the one-bow shooter who enjoys fall bow-
hunting as much as summer 3-D.

The ANAX 3D features Tri Loc Technology, which WebXtra ■ Take a look at
includes the Tri Loc Axle Cap, Tri Loc Roto Cup and Tri Loc
Limb Pocket to ensure precision limb alignment and the Martin Archery ANAX 3D in action
provide a high degree of adjustability.
at insidearchery.com/martinanax3d

JUNE 2019 INSIDEARCHERY.COM 51

GREALEMASEESC&HSATANBIGLIIZNERGS

By: Patrick Meitin

52 INSIDE ARCHERY JUNE 2019

I n the beginning, shooting a bow was pretty straight- their initial appearance on target bows, adding noth-
forward. You had a stick, string, arrow and God-given ing more than balance to help direct arrows into the
fingers. odern bowhunting, on the other hand, includes small X in the center of targets and later - 12 rings .
many more moving parts, and all of them operate in con- Bowhunters viewed them as cumbersome and heavy, but
cert to produce ever-more predictable results. Depending they began to show more enthusiasm for stabilizers when
on which archer you ask and what archery activity they they started actively sucking up vibration and noise from
hold most dear, more emphasis will be placed on one complete bowhunting outfits. ore recently, bowhunters
part of the equation than another. These preferences have have adopted more prominent hunting models in order
slowly evolved over the years as bowhunters adopted to steady their aim and extend their maximum effective
accessories that were once considered to be in target- range.
shooting territory.
So even though releases and stabilizers remained on the
Release aids and stabilizers epitomize these trends the fringe for many decades, today both accessories have be-
most emphatically. Not so long ago, very few bowhunters come mainstream hunting gear and steady sellers. Both have
employed releases. Today, however, some 75-80 percent of also continued to evolve. Notable refinements have made
bowhunters use a release to cut the shot. With 12-15 percent them more hunting friendly, allowed archers to assemble
of bowhunters shooting traditional equipment (shot with tighter groups at any range, and extended bow capabilities
fingers the finger compound shooter has become rare to ranges that were once considered out of bounds. With
indeed. that in mind, come along as we investigate the latest
developments in these important bowhunting categories.
tabili ers fit into this category as well. They made

Releases Its knurled grip offers more control, and adjustment holes 3/16-inches apart for
the popular feather-light, non-collapsing various draw-length settings. Learn more
T.R.U. Ball Releases trigger remains. Models are offered with at truball.com.
XT 1 forward and XT 2 relaxed triggers. Both
Bowhunting-release favorite T.R.U. Ball re- include a single travel adjustment screw Carter Enterprises
leased two new models for 2019: the Beast with a lock. The quick-loading, open-hook
XT and Assassin XT. The Beast XT has a new design is ideal for string/D-loops. The As- Carter has long been known for producing
sassin XT mirrors the features of the Beast world-class target releases that are used
ergonomic in-line body that XT, but it includes dual independent caliper by some of the top spot and foam
keeps all parts of the shoot- jaws for quick bowstring hookup and ulti- shooters around. More re-
ing equation on the same mate accuracy. The strap connection, like cently, Carter used that
plane to eliminate torque. the Beast XT, makes these releases easy to precision expertise to
create a better bow-
T.R.U. Ball Beast XT tuck into a sleeve while not in use. hunting release.
and Assassin XT Both come with Globo- The Like Mike
wivel trap, a five- is a sleek,
hole connection in-line
strap with

Carter Like Mike

JUNE 2019 INSIDEARCHERY.COM 53

index-finger-triggered release with a wrist wrist strap. The Pursuit borrows from target line. A wide degree of trigger travel is
strap. The double-sear design adds reli- Scott’s target technology, and its multi- possible through fine, precise ad ustments.
ability and accuracy. It also has less trigger sear design delivers an exceptionally crisp or customers who prefer an index-fin-
travel than any Carter release that came trigger feel. The release ships with three- or ger/wrist-strap design, Fletcher offers the
before it, and there is minimal over-travel four-finger extensions. Trigger position is letch ook. It is infinitely ad ustable, and
after the shot is cut. The release features 5 highly adjustable for pitch and angle, and it’s available with a removable, knurled
pounds of trigger-tension adjustment that’s so is trigger travel. The attachment rope is trigger sleeve. It’s offered in two wrist-
controlled through a single screw. The open length adjustable via a streamlined clamp strap styles. The open jaw/hook is string/
jaw (hook) allows for silent, fast and “no- system that’s attached to the buckle wrist D-loop ready and features a roller system
look” loading with today’s popular string/D- strap. Learn more at scottarchery.com. for smooth operation. The forward trig-
loops. The Like Mike comes standard with ger helps maintain true draw length with
the Scott Adjustable Leather Buckle Strap Fletcher Archery string loops, and the model accommodates
for superb comfort and a repeatable fit. left- and right-handed shooters. Learn
Learn more at carterenterprises.com. In business since 1960, Fletcher Archery is more at etcherarchery com
now under the Escalade Sports umbrella
Scott Archery (along with Trophy Ridge and Bear Ar- TRUGLO
chery). New for 2019 is the Swift, a hand-
After 36 years, Scott Archery has become a held T-handle with a thumb trigger. Its TRUGLO’s Nitrus Release is a quiet, fast
touchstone in hardcore bowhunting circles. three-finger handle and crisp trigger pro- and accurate index-finger-activated
Under The Outdoor Group’s management, vide added accuracy. The stainless steel, wrist-strap design, and it’s also offered
new refinements have continued to roll knurled trigger is adjustable to shoot left- at a reasonable price. It includes dual
out of this innovative company. The recent or right-handed—regardless of hand size stainless steel, wear-free jaws and an
Scott Pursuit features a “hammer-throw” or the trigger travel desired. This makes it ultra-smooth, micro-adjustable trigger
thumb-button design with an attached equally welcomed in the field and on the pull with a crisp feel and no unwanted

Spot-Hogg
Wiseguy

Fletcher Swift
and Fletch Hook

Scott
Pursuit

TRUGLO Nitrus Release Stanislawski
Xtinction
54
.30-06 Outdoors
Black Horse

INSIDE ARCHERY JUNE 2019

GAME CHANGING

RELEASES & STABILIZERS

trigger travel. The streamlined jaw and aluminum, and the super-smooth trigger more at spot-hogg.com.
head design is easy to load and compatible produces a fast and clean aw release. ike
with string loops. The stainless steel fir- other products from . 0-06, this release Conquest Archery
ing mechanism provides this release with comes with an affordable price tag. Learn
increased durability and consistency, and more at 30-06outdoors.com. onquest s nuckle- nder is a back tension
the forward trigger helps maintain true trigger-less release. It has a special spot on
draw length. The 60-degree rotating head Spot-Hogg the underside of the handle for the ring fin-
eliminates bowstring torque, and the pre- ger, and this feature makes it easy for the
mium wrist strap is long lasting and com- The proven iseguy release from pot- ogg archer to reach full draw without worrying
fortable. It also includes the BOA system for now includes a BO wrist-strap improve- about a misfire. The nuckle- nder is made
faster, more secure closure. Learn more at ment. The BO system allows for faster clo- of 6061 aluminum, and it s anodi ed in red,
truglo.com. sure and removal, and it gives archers the blue, black or silver. Its smooth operation
ability to dial tension for optimized comfort. is sure to impress, and it has a custom feel
.30-06 Outdoors It is also quieter than standard hook-and- that makes it feel like part of your hand.
loop wrist straps. The iseguy is an auto- This release is equipped with patented
The Black Horse Adjustable Bow Release reloading, open-hook release that s perfect micro-ad ustable ial-a am and am- oc
from . 0-06 Outdoors—part of the Blood- for string -loops. It allows for fast hookups features for quick and easy cam ad ust-
line ignature ompact series—includes without taking eyes off the target. The for- ment. The nuckle- nder also has a spring
the lide- ock Technology connection sys- ward trigger design helps maximize draw system that automatically returns the head
tem to fit any archer from adult males to length and boost speed. The connection to the “ready to load” position after firing.
women and youth shooters. The no-torque shank includes meshing “gear” surfaces that Learn more at conquestarchery.com.
cord can be length adjusted and securely allow hunters to micro-tune for length and
locked in seconds. The aw head is su- a desired feel, and the trigger mechanism Stanislawski (STAN)
per compact and milled from ultra-light is ultra smooth with a clean break. Learn
STAN, a mainstay for many serious target

Conquest Archery TRU-FIRE
Knuckle-Under Clutch

Hot Shot 55
Haze
JUNE 2019 INSIDEARCHERY.COM

archers, brings bowhunters a feature-packed webbing, and it also includes the Snap-Back provides added support while the archer is
index-finger-activated, wrist-strap design. hard connect strap design to keep the release drawing, and its length can be adjusted with-
The all-new Xtinction blends target-grade out of the way when not in use. The patented out tools. The a e includes a unique “ ero-
performance with field-ready simplicity with attachment system is infinitely ad ustable noise” internal actuating system, and it has
its quiet 30:1 load-reduction Sear & ½ Technol- and reliably secure to achieve that ust-right an auto-closing jaw that hunters will appre-
ogy. T is renowned for clean, crisp breaks feel. Learn more at ishootastan.com. ciate. It also includes a lifetime warranty.
and extreme reliability, and the tinction Learn more at hotshotmfg.com.
delivers both in a carefully conceived pack- Hot Shot Manufacturing
age. It has independent trigger travel and TRU-FIRE
tension ad ustments with ero trigger travel. The new ot hot a e and eld Release
The Xtinction has an open-jaw/hook design with Wrist Strap creates the best of both TR - IR s lutch dual-caliper release is
that’s perfect for fast hook-ups while using worlds by offering target-grade accuracy with an index-finger triggered, wrist-strap de-
string -loops, and it opens away from the the hunter in mind. It offers an answer for sign that utilizes metal-injection molding
face to eliminate interference. The compact bowhunters who want to try a hand-held re- for more streamlined geometry. The trig-
head is attached to the comfortable leath- lease but have become accustomed to the se- ger includes a . -ounce pull and a single
er buckle wrist strap with forgiving nylon curity of a wrist strap. The ergonomically ad- setscrew that increases or decreases trig-
vanced handle comes in three- or four-finger ger travel. soft-touch pad covers the back
X-Factor Balance of the forward-positioned trigger for more
versions, and it s com- comfortable engagement. recision aws
fortable even with the are polished to eliminate wear, which is
heaviest draw weights. ideal for direct bowstring hookup and also
The ultra-crisp trigger
with adjustable tension -loop compatible. The one-piece steel body
boosts accuracy, while includes a durable metal-coat finish and
the 360-degree adjust- 60-degree swiveling head with 5/8-inches of
able thumb barrel fits length ad ustment. nhanced ergonomics
any shooter s hand for and TR - IR s black-leather, buckle-strap
extreme comfort and with FoldBack and TrapTab technologies im-
control. The comfort- prove comfort and function. Learn more at
able leather wrist strap era yne com trufire

Trophy Ridge
Hitman & Sidebar
Mounting Bracket

Dead Center Archery Products
Dead Level Hunter V2

CBE TorX Easton
TRUGLO Cadence Contour CS
Mathews Flatline

56 INSIDE ARCHERY JUNE 2019

GAME CHANGING

RELEASES & STABILIZERS

Stabilizers alignment to absorb vibrations on multiple planes. The light-
weight, low-profile shaft cheats wind and optimi es balance
Mathews by placing weight away from the riser. The -inch, -ounce
model includes black TR -TO soft-feel technical finish that
athews latline tabili er sports the company s proven dampen- further reduces vibration, and it also won t shine during inti-
mate bowhunting encounters. Learn more at truglo.com.
ing technology in a new ano configuration for added vibra-
X-Factor Outdoors
tion taming and enhanced stabili ation. latline tabili ers come in
ew for 201 , - actor Balance tabili ers come in 6-, -, 10-
black, ost amo , Optifade levated II and ubalpine, Ridge Reaper and 12-inch lengths. Bar end caps are secured with thermoset-
ting polymer epoxy—similar to what is used in golf clubs—to
Barren and orest, and Realtree dge. They are available in 6-, -, 10- ensure lifelong durability. ach stabili er includes ounces
of end weight, and additional 1-ounce weights can be ordered.
and 12-inch lengths. The ano has a high-modulus carbon-fiber atented -Tech rubber BT technology gives them excep-
tional vibration and noise control. ightweight shafts are set in
shaft and precision-machined end-cap weights. Both help to create milled-aluminum connectors to place weight forward for add-
ed balance. These 100 percent merican-made products also
a rigid and ad ustable system, as well as a balanced setup. ewer include a 100 percent manufacturer guaranty. Learn more at
xfactoroutdoors.com.
to the athews lineup is the d ustable -Bar, which allows archers
Custom Bow Equipment
to attach a rear stabili er for further balancing options. It includes
Tor unting stabili ers from B have a main shaft that s con-
an anti-walkout washer, laser-engraved ad ustment marks, quick- structed from high-modulus, lightweight carbon. They also include
a proven oinker -Bomb rubber dampener and 2-ounce Black
disconnect clamp system and drop-stopped shelf. Learn more at

mathewsinc.com.

TRUGLO

The new adence tabili er from TR O has a dual dampening-disc
design that minimi es vibration and noise. The affordable adence
has a minimal profile, but it delivers big noise and vibration reduc-
tion, in addition to optimal bow balance. The dual discs are molded
from high-energy-absorbing material and placed in perpendicular

BowJax Silence Saver Tactacam 5.0 Conquest Archery
Stabilizer Dampeners Smacdown .625
Hunting Bars

Bee Stinger Micro Hex 57
Hunting Stabilizers
JUNE 2019 INSIDEARCHERY.COM

Nitride stainless steel end weights. They are carbon design is offered in 6-, 8- and 12-inch pink to help accessorize a wide variety of
offered in 7- and 10-inch lengths and designed lengths that feature Trophy Ridge’s classic bow setups. A three pack retails for less
not only to increase the stability of any bow, Quick Disconnect system for fast removal than $10. Learn more at bowjax.com.
but also to greatly reduce vibration and shot during transport or storage. The system in-
noise. The Tor unting tabili er it includes cludes two removable 1-ounce weights, and Tactacam
both a 7- and 11-inch TorX stabilizer, as well as it’s available in multiple kits. Learn more at
a TorX bow mount. The mount attaches to the trophyridge.com. The Tactacam 5.0 isn’t exactly a stabilizer,
front or rear of the riser, and it allows archers but it works as one. The Tacacam 5.0 is a POV
to ad ust the angle of both stabili ers to find Easton Archery camera that was designed for hunters who
that just-right bow balance. Learn more at want to record their own hunts, and it has a
custombowequipment.com. Easton’s proven Contour CS stabilizer sys- stabilizer-mounting option that makes it easy
tems are now offered in three exciting new to install on any riser. The newest 5.0 ver-
Dead Center Archery colors. These aerospace-grade graphite-fiber sion features many other mounting options,
Products stabilizers offer an extreme stiffness-to- and it also has high-definition resolution,
weight ratio. Vibration-taming Easton Tri- 8X zoom capabilities and a highly sensitiv-
The Dead Level Hunter V2 from Dead Cen- Modulus design soaks up excess vibrations ity 360-degree microphone. Upgrades from
ter Archery was conceived in the pursuit and steadies every shot. The slim profile previous models include three customizable
of bow-balance perfection. The complete cheats wind and keeps carry mass to a mini- preset modes, one-touch operation, zoom ca-
stabilization package includes a Diamond mum. CS target models are offered with 27-, pabilities, remote sync for multiple cameras
Series combo mount, vibration-squelching 30- and 33-inch “Main Rods” and 12- and 15- and the ability to live stream. Learn more at
Dead Silent Hunting Series Carbon V2 stabi- inch “Side Rods.” They have original white/ tactacam.com.
lizers and six Custom Balance 1-ounce end carbon, red, blue and yellow finishes. on-
weights. Combined, the kit allows for near- tour Hunter models are offered in 8- and 11- Bee Stinger
ly infinite ad ustments. sers can easily inch lengths, and finished in Realtree ax-1
tweak stabilizer position and weight con- and Xtra. Learn more at eastonarchery.com. Bee Stinger Micro Hex Hunting Stabiliz-
figuration to create custom bow balance ers feature micro-diameter shafts with
for optimum aiming. its are offered with BowJax exclusive Countervail technology. The low-
6- and 8-inch or 8- and 10-inch stabilizers. diameter shafts defy the wind, and Coun-
Learn more at deadcenterarchery.com. BowJax is a major force in bow silencing, tervail is a built-in proprietary material
and the company’s Silence Saver Stabilizer that offers quicker dampening and reduced
Trophy Ridge Dampeners were designed to make exist- recoil for quieter and smoother shooting
ing stabilizers even quieter. These proprie- without added weight. Micro Hex stabilizers
Trophy Ridge’s 2019 Hitman Stabilizer tary-rubber “donuts” are offered in 5/8- and are available in matte black, Lost Camo XD,
adds quiet balance to any bowhunting rig. ¾-inch sizes to stretch over stabilizers that Mossy Oak Break-Up Country, Sandstorm,
The all-new design was engineered to re- measure more than an inch in diameter. Green and Red in 6-, 8- and 10-inch lengths.
duce vibration and improve balance at full They can be moved up and down the stabi- Each includes three independent 1-ounce end
draw. The new side-bar mounting bracket lizer shaft to add balance or help tune out weights for custom balance. New for 2019,
provides counterbalance to other accesso- specific equipment hums. They are avail- the Micro Hex Counterslide—in 10-, 12- and
ries—especially a fully loaded quiver. The able in red, black, green, silver, purple and 15-inch lengths—rides on an offset bracket

LimbSaver Spartan Pine Ridge Archery .30-06 Outdoors Evo
Nitro Hunter Stabilizer INSIDE ARCHERY JUNE 2019
58

GREALEMASEESC&HSATANBIGLIIZNERGS

to counterbalance the weight of other acces- Pine Ridge Archery
sories like sights, rests and especially quiv-
ers. They include rubber dampeners on both Pine Ridge Archery’s Nitro Hunter
ends, and they are adjustable for perfect bal- Stabilizer offers affordable bow balance and
ance. Learn more at beestinger.com. vibration control. These eye-pleasing sta-
bilizers are offered in 5 ½- (5-ounce) and 7
Conquest Archery ½-inch (6-ounce) models, and they include
Sawtooth vibration-dampening technol-
Smacdown .625 Hunting Bars are some of ogy. Vibration-destroying Sawtooth blades
the quietest, most forgiving, fastest-recov- are held in a lightweight aluminum body
ering hunting stabilizers around. This is to tame the most radical speed bows. They
a true 5/8-inch, wind-cheating bar made come in a variety of colors, including black,
with 100 percent ultra-high modulus car- red, blue, orange, lime green, pink, purple
bon. Smacdown .625 Hunting Bars include and yellow. They are also available in camo
an exceptional stiffness-to-weight ratio options of Mathews Lost and Next G1 Vista.
and incorporate an aerospace composite Learn more at pineridgearchery.com.
dampening material called SmacWrap for
unsurpassed dampening and shot recov- .30-06 Outdoors
ery. The system comes in three versions,
including front and rear stabilizers. All in- The Evo 8-inch Stabilizer from .30-06 Out-
corporate adjustable weights and an offset doors has a dynamic blade design with
knuckle, as well as quick-disconnect ends. contoured cutouts, so it is affected mini-
Learn more at conquestarchery.com. mally by crosswinds for steadier aiming.
The body is milled from high-grade alu-
LimbSaver minum to be rigid, and it includes a three-
piece Mathews Harmonic-Damper-style
New for 2019, the LimbSaver Spartan is system for maximum vibration control.
made for bowhunters who want to keep One dampener is located adjacent to the
things simple and streamlined, or for those riser. Standard and heavier dampeners are
who regularly hunt in confined spaces. The located at the far end to create ideal weight-
vibration-control experts at LimbSaver de- forward balance. They are offered with
signed the 4.25-inch, 4-ounce Spartan to be black, carbon-fiber, irt Road amo, uddy
compact, but it also offers excellent noise
and vibration control for smoother shots irl amo and now amo finishes. Learn
and less hand shock. It includes a one- more at 30-06outdoors.com.
piece, three-tiered and radiated design that
was molded from Sims NAVCOM rubber— Viper Archery Products
with no parts to work loose. Learn more at
limbsaver.com. Viper X-Strike stabilizers are lightweight but
highly effective. They feature rigid carbon
Viper X-Strike shafts with vibration-deadening qualities
and weight-forward 1.5-ounce triple alu-
minum end weights. The feathery shaft—
combined with the outboard weight—adds
exceptional balance without excessive mass
to carry in the field or on the - range. us-
tom color weights and decals are available
in black, white, red, stone grey, yellow and
green, so users can create their preferred col-
or scheme. The shaft includes a matte finish,
so it will not spook game, and X-Strike stabi-
lizers can be used for hunting or target shoot-
ing. They are offered in 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, 18-, 24-,
26-, 28- and 30-inch lengths. Learn more at
viperarcheryproducts.com.

JUNE 2019 INSIDEARCHERY.COM 59

Recent

Trends in

Youth

and Competitive

Archery

The growing popularity of recreational archery—
especially among the younger generation—continues to
be welcome news for the industry. Across the country and
around the globe, more young shooters have fallen in love
with the flight of an arrow with each passing year.

Many industry members associate this spike in youth
participation with “The Hunger Games Craze,” which be-
gan in 2012 with the first film and peaked around 201
with the final installation of the series. ro-shops, ar-
chery clubs and manufacturers all greeted this devel-
opment with opened arms, and adjusted their various
offerings to suit this growing demographic. Good times
were had, and optimism was abundant.

But where do things stand now, roughly years later
Well, that depends on who you ask. Some will say that
recreational and youth archery participation has con-
tinued to grow, and that it has also become a more valu-
able and reliable aspect of their business. Others will re-
call it with bittersweet fondness, and chalk it up as a fad
that has a minimal effect on today’s business.
An informed opinion lines up more with the former
perspective. Youth participation might not seem as ex-
plosive as it was a few short years ago, but it’s still grow-
ing steadily and shifting the landscape of the industry at
large. Likewise, recreational and competitive participa-
tion among adults is also growing. Archery’s “fun factor”
is still clicking with people of all ages, and this means
good things for the industry’s future.

60 INSIDE ARCHERY JUNE 2019

JUNE 2019 INSIDEARCHERY.COM By Inside Archery Staff

61

Recent

YouthTrends in

and Competitive Archery

oncise numbers and data in support of these statements are difficult to pro-
vide, but a quick look at a few prominent organi ations and tournaments paints
a very clear picture.

NASP Takes Center Stage

It probably goes without saying that is a powerful and rising force in the

industry. In fact, this organi ation s growth is nothing short of spectacular.

was established in 2002, and the organi ation s first official tournament hosted

0 student-archers from 21 schools.

Today, can be found in around 1 ,000 schools. The organi ation s long list

of sponsors has some of the biggest names in the industry, including athews,

ission, aston, oyt, B , eradyne, Rinehart, orrell Targets and ancaster

rchery upply.

ccordingly, s recent tournaments have casted massive shadows over

the attendance numbers from that first humble tournament in 2002. s

201 estern ational Tournament, which took place in late pril, hosted 1,2 2

student-archers from 2 states. That s impressive on its own, but it s even more

Children of all ages have a variety of impressive when compared to last year s estern ational Tournament, which
programs and events to show them the
enjoyable nature of archery. hosted 6 young competitors. In ust a single year, participation doubled, and

this certainly isn t the only tournament with staggering participation num-

bers.

The 201 astern ationals, which took place in early ay, also exceeded last

year s participation numbers. n incredible 1 , 6 archers attended, and this is

still an admirable increase from last year s 1 ,1 participants.

ombined, s 201 astern and estern ationals served as a stage for

16,1 young shooters. This is a 10 percent increase from the previous record of

1 , , which was set in 201 .

The industry’s top manufacturers have created a whole new generation of
gear for youth and recreational archery.

62 INSIDE ARCHERY JUNE 2019

U.S. Olympians Jake Kaminski, Brady Ellison and Jacob Wukie won a silver
medal together at the 2016 Rio Games. Young shooters around the country
were undoubtedly inspired by their success.

or s leadership, figures like these graders were the most prevalent at this

are simply expected. ere s what Roy year s event. This shows that there is still

rimes, president and O of , said heavy participation among young teens

in a recent press release who have many more years of the pro-

“It is very rare when the number of gram ahead of them, and this is another

student archers attending ation- welcome sign for the future of the sport.

als doesn t set a new record. Regular ll together, is clearly doing what

record-breaking attendance is due partly it set out to do. The organi ation is expos-

to generous program sponsors, who make ing young archers to both the fun and

it possible for new schools to receive competitive aspects of archery, and the

equipment grants as they adopt the pro- results are as clear as they are inspiring.

gram. ith about 60 percent of schools ucky for us, also isn t alone in its

oining in some type of archery competi- mission.

tion, it makes sense that archer numbers Other Organizations and

qualifying to attend nationals will con- Tournaments on the Rise

tinue to grow. any think ation-

al tournament participations will reach nother organi ation that s on the tip of

20,000 students in the near future.” many tongues is cholastic - rchery

ith 201 s participation numbers in , which was established in 2012 to

mind, it s easy to agree with this assess- serve as a transitional program for young

ment. ids and archery simply seem to adults who want to continue pursuing ar-

click, and is putting bows in young chery after participating in other youth

hands to continually encourage this con- programs like or - . is part-

nection. nered with numerous organi ations and

emographic information from s manufacturers, and its goal is to foster,

latest events also provides valuable in- educate and guide young shooters in the

sight. articipation at the estern a- areas of - archery and indoor outdoor

tionals, for instance, was split fairly target archery.

evenly between boys and girls—with 66 In terms of numbers, the is also

male shooters and female shooters. having a strong 201 . In early arch, the

This further proves something that indus- organi ation worked in coordination with

try members already knew. amely, that the ational ield rchery ssociation to

archery s even playing field and simple host the th ational Indoor ham-

mechanics have a “gender-neutral” ap- pionship in incinnati, Ohio. ore than

peal. The age ranges that participated at 1,000 archers from clubs and 22 states

this year s estern ationals are also took part in the competition.

worth noting. is offered to students or s sponsors, numbers like these

from th grade through 12th grade, but are a big source of enthusiasm for the pro-

the organi ation reported that th and th gram and its mission. One of s most

JUNE 2019 INSIDEARCHERY.COM 63

Recent

YouthTrends in

and Competitive Archery

adamant sponsors is Bear Archery, and we S3DA is helping to introduce young archers to the foundations of bowhunting.
reached out to Bear’s director of product
management, Ryan Shutts, to learn more products and philosophy,” Shutts contin- an environment to grow and succeed with
about this legendary company’s mindset. ued. “For many years, we have proudly archery. Many of the nation’s pro-shops
offered a full line of youth bows with a have embraced JOAD with open arms,
“S3DA is very near and dear to us at Bear wide range of price points, and that’s be- and they’ve created a lot of highly skilled
Archery, so we support the organization cause we have always wanted to make young archers in the process.
quite a bit,” Ryan Shutts said. “There’s no it easy for everyone to try it and get in-
doubt that other programs like NASP and volved. Archery is fun; everyone who tries Meanwhile, family-focused events like
JOAD are very important. They serve as an it knows that. But you have to actually try Rinehart’s R100 have continued to attract
excellent gateway for kids to try archery, it to know it’s fun, and that’s where S3DA massive crowds. By appealing to begin-
and that is positive for everyone. But the comes in. It shows them the fun side, and ners, experts and everyone in between,
thing we really admire about S3DA is how it also gives them a foundation for bow- R100s have steadily attracted hundreds of
it largely focuses on 3-D archery with a hunting in adulthood.” archers. Families and friends get to enjoy
compound bow, which is really good prac- 3-D archery together, and local archery
tice and exposure for bowhunting. S3DA is also far from the only other or- clubs and pro-shops get good exposure
ganization and competitive environment as a result. The R100, as well as smaller
“S3DA also lines up perfectly with Bear’s that’s growing. USA Archery’s Junior Olym- local 3-D events, are also excellent ven-
pic Archery Development (JOAD) program ues for new archers to try the sport in a
continues to provide barebow, recurve and welcoming environment.
compound shooters from ages 8 to 20 with
Adults are also clearly getting in on the
General fun. Tournaments held by the ASA and IBO
demographic continue to thrive, and many events have
information attracted more than a thousand passion-
shows that ate archers. Likewise, the 2019 Vegas Shoot
boys and girls shattered its own attendance record again
are equally with 3,767 competitors from 50 countries.
attracted to Compare that to the 2015 Vegas Shoot with
recreational 2,578 participants, and it’s easy to see that
archery. something special is happening among all
ages of archers.

Olympic Optimism

The 2020 Summer Olympics will kick off
next August, and archers from around the
globe will gather in Japan to shoot for gold
on the world stage. The Olympics might not
translate directly into pro-shop sales dol-
lars, but it certainly provides some of the
best press that the industry could receive.
After all, it’s a highly renowned internation-
al event, and archery’s exposure in it will
surly create a residual effect on viewers.

Gary Cornum, marketing manager for

64 INSIDE ARCHERY JMUANYE 2019

Easton Technical Products, has seen the 1
effects that many pervious Olympics have 2
had on the industry, and he has high
hopes for 2020.

“At Easton, we have seen clear and con-
tinued interest in recreational and com-
petitive archery, and I think the Olympics
will go side by side with another surge,”
Cornum said. “Part of it depends on the
country that wins. A national hero natu-
rally creates a high level of attention and
awareness, but I think there will be an
increase of interest regardless. It’s really
just a pop-culture thing. When archery
is seen on that big stage, there is always
more interest. It looks fun, and people
want to try it. My opinion is mostly based
gut feeling, but I think it’s a safe bet—es-
pecially since recreational and completive
archery has already been garnering more
interest than I’ve seen in the past.”

With Japan’s cultural relationship to ar-
chery, perhaps there’s also a good chance
that archery will receive prominent airtime
and coverage. Either way, though, archery
will be celebrated internationally, and it’s
hard to imagine a world where that’s a not
a good thing for the industry at large.

And here’s the best thing: If the Olym-
pics do inspire more young archers, then
those archers will have a wide variety of
incredible programs—like NASP, S3DA and
JOAD—to help them get started and grow.
Later on, organizations like the ASA, IBO
and Vegas Shoot will give them more fuel
for their competitive fire.

All considered, it’s certainly safe to say
that archery has a long future ahead of it,
and youth and competitive archery will
certainly be a key part of it.

1. 3-D events are on the rise, and 3
archers of all ages and skill
levels are getting involved.

2. Indoor tournaments are
also seeing steady growth in
participation numbers.

3. A whole new generation of
future bowhunters are using
today’s incredible youth
equipment to hone their skills.

4. Many recreational archery
events have become a
family-focused affair.

MJUANYE 22001199 IINNSSIIDDEEAARRCCHHEERRYY.C.COOMM 4 65

INSIDE THE INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 5Q

Five Questions with Rhino Blinds
Rhino Blinds has undergone steady growth and notable improvements since it was purchased are realistic enough to get close to any ani-
mal, so hunters can take a shot at 10 yards
by Outdoor Product Innovations in 2015. We spoke with Dan Reaser, CEO of Outdoor Product or less, and they don’t have to deal with the
strange angles that come with hunting from
Innovations, to learn more about the company’s recent changes and future plans. a treestand. Hunters also aren’t limited by
finding the right kind of tree. They can hunt
W hat factors went into your decision What improvements and changes have any animal, anywhere, and they can also do
to purchase Rhino Blinds in 2015? you made in the past 4 years? ■ A few it safer.
■ I’m one of the co-hosts of a show things have changed drastically. When we
How does Rhino Blinds help its indepen-
called “The Outdoor Option,” and Rhino first acquired the company, it only had one dent dealers succeed? ■ Our products are in
the middle of the road in terms of price, and
Blinds approached us in 2015 to be a spon- model and one camo pattern, Predator. we also have price-point blinds from $30 all
the way to $300. So if a dealer wants to carry
sor. We only accepted sponsors who made We immediately brought three Mossy Oak blinds, they can get everything they need
from one place. Like previously mentioned,
products that we used and we believed in, patterns into the mix, and we expanded they can also always replenish their inven-
tory with us to make more sales. We know
and Rhino Blinds was one of those brands again by adding additional Realtree pat- that dealers order what they think they
need for the year, and they try to use up that
that we had experience with and trusted. terns in 2018. We have also introduced inventory by a certain time. Sometimes,
though, someone will come in after they’ve
We had a conversation with them about many different sizes and thicknesses to our run out, and with us they won’t miss those
extra sales. They can always call us and we
sponsorship, but it eventually turned into a blinds, and we now have over 12 different will always have them covered. The bottom
line is that dealer relationships are of the
conversation about Rhino Blinds’ future and models with multiple camo patterns and utmost importance to us—we learned that
from our last business. By supporting deal-
potential acquisition. I worked in manu- window configurations. Today, we basically ers, we create a stable platform for them
and us to have serious growth.
facturing for another industry for 40 years, have a one-stop shop for ground blinds. We
You’ve done a lot in the last 4 years. What
and I had wanted to apply my expertise in have a configuration and pattern for any can industry expect in the next 4 years?
■ I believe that the growth we’ve had over
manufacturing, marketing, production and kind of terrain and animal—as well as any the last 4 years will continue and acceler-
ate in the next 4 years. We are continuing
distribution to this industry, so I ended up price point. to develop new products, and our parent
company, Outdoor Product Innovations,
acquiring the company. Another really important change was is going to continue acquiring companies
that we believe in and trust. In addition
What really stood out to me was the making sure that we have inventory all to Rhino Blinds, we have the LiDCAM+
Action Camera, Outpost Feeders and
heavy-duty nature of the company’s blinds. year long. When dealers need to replenish, Capsule Game Feeders. We know that list
will continue to grow, and we will be very
The first flagship blind—which is still our they know they can call us anytime and aggressive in every new market we enter.
We also have a lot of big, new things that
flagship today—is made with 600-denier we will have inventory to ship them. Other are happening right now, and they will be
announced in late fall and early January
fabric, and it uses a printing technique blind companies generally bring inventory of next year. Along the way, we are going
to keep supporting our dealers in a major
called “wet printing” instead of heat trans- in at the beginning of the year, and when way. The industry can definitely expect big
things.
fer. Since it’s wet printed, it doesn’t shine or they run out, it’s gone for the year. We
WebXtra ■ Learn more about Rhino
have glare, and more importantly, its pat- always have inventory, and we try to make
Blinds at insidearchery.com/rhino5q
tern doesn’t fade. All together, its printing sure that orders always ship the next day.

process and thick material allow it last for That keeps dealers from missing out on

many years. I had used all the competitors’ sales, and it’s been a big key of our contin-

ground blinds, and none of them lasted like ued growth.

a Rhino Blind. In fact, I still have the first

one I purchased back in 2011. That kind of Do you think there are specific regions that

performance made us strongly believe in are better for ground-blind sales, or do you

the product. think dealers across the country can turn
a profit on them? ■ I think they can

turn a profit on them from

coast to coast. Our dealers

are pretty evenly distributed

across the country. We have

as many in the West as we

do in the East, but I would say

that some states understand

ground blinds better than oth-

ers. States like Wisconsin and

Michigan make more use of

Rhino-150 in them because those hunters
Realtree Edge want to stay out of the cold
weather, but we have no-

ticed more and more hunters

starting to use them in other

climates, too. Our patterns

66 INSIDE ARCHERY JUNE 2019

JUNE 2019 INSIDEARCHERY.COM 67