www.insidearchery.com MARCH 2023 ®
4 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 26 38 40 50 52 64 84 INSIDE ARCHERY (Volume 26, #2) ISSN #1940-3879, USPS #024-412 is published 10 times per year (Jan / Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep / Oct, Nov, Dec) by Apollo Creative Inc. PO Box 15827, Colorado Springs, CO 80935. Periodical postage paid at Colorado Springs, CO 80935 and at additional offices. Postmaster please send address changes to INSIDE ARCHERY, P.O. Box 986, Levittown, PA 19055-9998. INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 | VOLUME 26 | NUMBER 2 People Custom Bow Equipment The Secret’s Out By Michaelean Pike Market Trends Gear Report Helix Broadheads 2023 Hottest New Bows Here are the new bows your customers will be asking for by name in 2023! By Josh Honeycutt Gear Report Omega Sights Hawkeye Bow Report Prime Revex 4 Crossbow Report Ravin R29X Sniper XK7 2023 Standout Products Products that stand out so far in early 2023 By Inside Archery Staff 6664 52 38 26 84
8 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 12 20 18 16 98 46 66 54 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 | VOLUME 26 | NUMBER 2 66 Inside the Industry Inside Track So Much to Look Forward to Kinsey’s Business Blueprint Top 5 Must-Have Events & Promotions Your ATA Insights Can You Handle a Dry Fire? By Kurt Smith / ATA ATA Action 5 Tips for Training Younger Staff By Cassie Gasaway / ATA Leading Archery Manufacturer BIGshot Targets Manufacturer Profiles Detailed information on the top manufacturers in the industry 2023 ATA Trade Show Review A visual recap of the annual gathering of the industry Industry 5Q Five Questions with Chris Wotrang and Scott Marty from NEXCAM 20 64 50 5250 40
INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 Inside Archery Digital Edition Now Inside Archery can be delivered to your door, viewed on your computer, AND on your smartphone or tablet. VISIT INSIDEARCHERY.COM/DIGITAL insidearchery.comOnline Exclusives WebXtras: “Gear Report” tries out Helix Broadheads and Omega Sights Hawkeye; “Bow Report” takes a look at the Prime Revex 4; “Crossbow Report” examines the Ravin R29X Sniper XK7; and “5Q” chats with Chris Wotrang and Scott Marty from NEXCAM How To Kill A Turkey With A Bow After putting arrows through 80-some spring gobblers while bowhunting, Inside Archery’s Executive Editor gives some practical advice on how to score this spring, including tricks of the trade and choosing the right gear to make it happen. How To Make Your Spring Black Bear Bowhunt a Reality Whether booking an outfitted hunt in Canada, or planning a DIY hunt in a Western state like Idaho, Washington or Wyoming, putting your tag on a trophy bruin is never a slam-dunk endeavor. Here’s how to prepare and make the most of your efforts. Wild Hogs, The Ultimate Springtime Warmup Big game seasons are months away, but in many regions of the country wild hogs offer wide-open spring-hunting opportunities that help ferret out equipment issues and keep you honed for fall seasons to come. Here’s where to look and how to succeed. Everything You Need To Know To Enjoy Spring Bowfishing No matter where you live, odds are good you have some form of bowfishing opportunity available. Patrick Meitin fills you in on the gear you’ll need, what species to target and how to make the most of your time on the water. Successful Bowhunting Bowfishing Fresh content daily on social media! INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 | VOLUME 26 | NUMBER 2 Spring Bowhunting Successful Bowhunting
INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 So Much to Look Forward to ith Spring approaching, show season has wound down, annual inventory is completed, and winter is finally releasing its icy grip on most of the country. It’s still essentially winter where I live in northern Idaho, but light can be detected at the end of the tunnel and nice days outnumber nasty. This is a time of happy anticipation for most bowhunters and archers as there is so much to look forward to. It can also signal the end to the post deer season sales slump most archery and sporting goods shops suffer through. Impending turkey seasons are an obvious event that bring bowhunters into your shop. Bowhunting turkeys has become hugely popular with pop-up blinds, aggressive mechanical broadheads, and precise equipment turning what was once considered a parlor trick into a high-odds affair. If you operate in turkey country, stocking up on assorted calls, ground blinds and blind chairs, tick spray, and hunting vests helps feed this rage. Add spring black bear to the equation, which is available in many northern and Rocky Mountain states, and the new-gear list might include treestands/saddles, spare tree steps, and attractant products. Bowfishing is another highly anticipated event for many bowmen. Bowfishing’s popularity peaks and troughs, but there is no denying there is more quality bowfishing gear available to consumers today than ever before. So-called trash fish such as carp, buffalofish, gar, and such are found across the country and in a surprising variety of waterways, so odds are your customers have access to something at which to direct barb-tipped bowfishing arrows. Availability in your area may dictate stocking a modest to full array of the heavy-duty bowfishing arrows, barbed points, safety-slide systems, reels/seats, and specialized line needed to enjoy this healthy sport. And by the way, there is no better way to get kids hooked on bows and arrows than to take them bowfishing, allowing them to romp in muddy shallows during warm spring and summer days, stalking spawning non-game fish. Spring obviously kicks off the most anticipated outdoor 3D tournaments, a social or family outing for most, serious business for others. These warm-weather shoots come with special gear needs shared by both recreational shooters and those seeking the podium. These include tournament-style hip quivers or shooting stools that make the pastime more enjoyable, removing quivers from the bow for superior balance, and holding spare gear, arrow pullers, water bottles, extra nocks or points, and binoculars, while providing a handy place to stash score cards. You will also see more serious customers seeking specialized target arrows, stabilizers, sights, and perhaps even a 3D-dedicated bow model. Even without these activities, recreational archers and bowhunters alike are more apt to dust off their equipment and engage in more frequent shooting, if simply to enjoy warming spring weather. Targets are worn out or destroyed by winter weather, arrows lost and broken, and a good number of shooters are looking for New Year upgrades to existing setups. Are you prepared? Patrick Meitin, Executive Editor W INSIDE THE INDUSTRY INSIDE TRACK
INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 Inside Archery® is a publication of Apollo Creative Inc Printed in the USA. Publisher Apollo Creative Inc Executive Editor Patrick Meitin • [email protected] Associate Editor Michaelean Pike • [email protected] Copy Editor Kat Ainsworth Stevens Contributors Kurt Smith | Cassie Gasaway | Josh Honeycutt Sales & Marketing Director Stephen Mack • [email protected] (814) 341-9313 Design & Production ER Graphics / Ed Rother • [email protected] Graphic Designer Tara Bondar Social Media Manager Jason Ashe Video Editor Marc Balistreri Account Manager Pam Ludlam • [email protected] Subscription Services & Change of Address: Inside Archery® Circulation Department Inside Archery, PO Box 986, Levittown, PA 19055-9998 Phone: (844) 862-9286 • Fax: (888) 965-9961 [email protected] Publication Office Inside Archery® / Apollo Creative Inc P.O. Box 15827, Colorado Springs, CO 80935 Phone: (719) 495-9999 • www.InsideArchery.com Inside Archery founded in 1998 by Bill and Sherry Krenz Inside Archery® Copyright © 2023 Apollo Crreative Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Inside Archery® is a registered U.S. trademark of Apollo Creative Inc. Opinions expressed in by-lined articles or columns are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, the magazine or its staff. Submission Guidelines: Apollo Creative Inc and Inside Archery® magazine assume no responsibility for unsolicited editorial, photography or art submissions. Contributors submitting articles, photos or art do so at their own risk. Material will not be returned without a selfaddressed envelope with sufficient postage. No contract, agreement, term or condition provided by any contributor shall be binding on Apollo Creative Inc unless it is signed and returned by the Editor. Archery, hunting and bowhunting are inherently dangerous activities. Improper use of hunting or archery equipment may cause serious injury or death. Always follow state and local hunting safety rules, and get required permits or licenses before hunting. Apollo Creative Inc uses reasonable efforts to include accurate and up-todate information in our publications; however, we do not make any warranties or representations as to accuracy or completeness. All information in this magazine is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Apollo Creative Inc is not responsible for researching and investigating the accuracy of the contents of stories or advertisements published in this magazine. Readers use the information in this magazine at their own risk. Apollo Creative Inc assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this magazine, or arising from use by any person of the information in this magazine.
16 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 INSIDE THE INDUSTRY BUSINESS BLUEPRINT Top 5 Must-Have Events & Promotions Target shoots ■ Running target shoots at your store is another great way to draw in customers throughout the year. You can encourage people to come out by offering prizes for hitting different targets or giving away free goodies like bowstrings or arrows! This type of event allows customers to test their skills against one another in a fun and competitive environment. It is also a great opportunity for them to hone their shooting skills with expert help from experienced archers who work at your store. Workshops & Clinics ■ Workshops and clinics are excellent opportunities for educational engagement, as well as customer retention. Whether you offer workshops on how to properly maintain your bow or fletch arrows, or clinics on proper shooting form, these are guaranteed ways to keep people coming back for more information about archery every month. Not only that, but it gives you an opportunity to showcase what kind of knowledge base you have as an archery retailer— showing off your expertise will only make people trust you more when selecting equipment from your archery shop. These workshops and clinics can be held year round but are especially effective in the off-season. Social Events ■ Social events are another great way to attract new customers as well as build relationships with existing ones. Hosting barbecues, s an archery retailer, there is a huge opportunity to attract and engage your customers yearround. By offering seasonal events and promotions you can create an inviting atmosphere and increase sales at your store. Let’s explore our top five events and promotions you can offer your customers throughout the year. Archery Tournaments ■ Hosting tournaments throughout the year is a great way to bring more customers into your store. You can organize tournaments for beginners and experienced archers alike. This will give customers of all levels a chance to compete and show off their skills. Plus, it creates a fun atmosphere in which customers can engage with each other while also learning from one another. If you are not able to organize or host your own event, that is totally fine. Look to sponsor a local archery event, or a regional ASA, IBO, NFAA, or Total Archery Challenge event near you. Promotion Days ■ Take advantage of special days like National Archery Day, National Bowhunting Day, or National Hunting & Fishing Day by offering discounts on certain items in your store. This is a great way to introduce new products or services to customers who may not have otherwise been interested in them. Customers will feel appreciated when they receive exclusive deals that are only available on certain days of the year. A archery movie nights, youth archery day, friends and family events, or any other type of social event at your shop will allow people with similar interests to get together outside of just buying equipment from you. These social events are also a great way to get people who are archery-curious into your store. At the end of the day, everyone will be able to relax and bond over shared interests while enjoying some fun, food, and fellowship. With these five events and promotions under your belt, you now have everything needed for success as an archery retailer throughout the year. From hosting tournaments and target shoots, offering promotion days, running workshops and clinics, hosting social events, you’re sure to draw in more business than ever before. Keep up with current trends in the industry so that you can always stay ahead of the curve when it comes time for marketing events at your shop—your loyal customer base will thank you later. IA Kinsey’s is the leading distributor to the archery and outdoors industry. Carrying items from your favorite brands, in-stock and ready-to-ship, the well-established company offers domestic and international retailers a wide array of products and services. Kinsey’s also owns innovative consumer brands including Alpine Archery, BlackHeart, Fin-Finder, Elevation, and October Mountain Products. For more information, please visit KinseysInc.com Presented by
18 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 Can You Handle a Dry Fire? hwap! We’ve all heard the unmistakable sound of a compound bow dry fire, and if you’re like me, you cringe a little bit before surveying the damage. I recall a recent trip to the local indoor 3D range with my niece. She’s shot a bit, but she’s still learning. I watched from behind as she drew and pulled through the release, unaware that she hadn’t nocked an arrow. Thwap! I walked up and asked her to count the arrows in her quiver. None were missing. I made certain she was unharmed and then looked over the bow. Not surprisingly, it was fine, with no damaged cams or cracked limbs. The string didn’t even come off the idler wheel. She’s shooting a Genesis GenX, the same Genesis bow that’s used in school and camp programs across the country, but beefed up a bit to provide a draw weight of up to 40 pounds. That bow is used by thousands of new shooters and is built to withstand dry fires. How does this have anything to do with you and your business? Many businesses experience a “dry fire situation” when they are caught off guard and then find themselves cringing a bit and surveying the damage. A big mistake that lets a customer down, an unexpected change in the market, or a sudden employee departure could all leave you with this feeling. What happens next, though, is dictated by how well your business is built to take the dry fire. The Big Letdown ■ Customers put trust in you to follow through with everything, from shipping product to completing repair work and lots of tasks in between. At some point, you or your staff will let something fall through the cracks. Depending on what it is, the mistake could mean lost revenue and a very angry customer. So, how can you build up your business to handle the mistake and bounce back? INSIDE THE INDUSTRY YOUR ATA INSIGHTS T BY KURT SMITH, COURTESY OF THE ATA First, establish defined processes for tasks that utilize electronic record keeping and reminders whenever possible. In addition, make sure everyone understands the role they play in each business process. From taking the order to entering the PO to getting it in the customer’s hands, each step is equally important. Having systems in place will reduce the chances of that sticky note with a special order jotted on it becoming misplaced, but mistakes can still occur. The best advice here is to be up front and honest with the customer about what happened and ask them how you can make it right. It is up to you as a leader to build a culture of accountability in your business but do it right and you will have a business that can handle this dry fire and move on while maintaining customers. Late to the Game ■ An unexpected change in the marketplace can be a short-term catastrophe. Learning about a new game-changing product only after a customer asks to purchase it is a surefire sign that you are going to lose out on some early sales. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in this case. It’s not always easy to keep track of every new and exciting opportunity that is on the horizon, but it certainly helps to try. An idea that came up in a recent Archery Industry Masterclass discussion was “keep your eyes up.” In other words, don’t get caught keeping your head buried in the work of your business so long that you don’t see big things coming. If you don’t see this dry fire coming before it’s too late, communicate with your customers and let them know you’re working diligently to get the best gear into their hands. Losing the Key Player ■ I’ve seen this scenario play out multiple times. A pro shop builds a reputation of being “the place” to have equipment set up and tuned, only to then have its lead bow technician pursue other career opportunities. A shop that is built to handle this dry fire is one whose leadership has invested time and resources into training all its employees to give customers the best service possible. This shop may lose some business in the short term, but customers will quickly see it is still “the place.” A shop that won’t survive the dry fire is one that rides the reputation of that single bow technician and leaves it up to chance whether or not other employees improve their skills. In this scenario, customers will leave in droves looking for a new place to meet their needs. They will tell their friends, and the loss in business could prove dramatic. Your business will experience a dry fire scenario at some point. While keeping your eyes up and avoiding unnecessary obstacles will surely be beneficial, building up your business and staff to handle the inevitable dry fire will ensure you can do a quick survey of the damage and move on. As a leader, set the tone of being open and honest with customers, encourage everyone to stay up to date with market trends, and invest as much time and resources as you can into your entire team. Doing these things will insure you are prepared when you hear that thwap! Looking for ways to improve your leadership skills or the skill set of your team? Check out our MyATA Learning Center to see programs like the ATA Bow Technician Certification program and the Archery Industry Masterclass. These programs are built for you and offered to ATA members at reduced prices because we know stronger ATA members equal a stronger archery industry. Questions? Contact me via email at [email protected]. IA
20 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 5 Tips for Training Younger Staff BY CASSIE GASAWAY INSIDE THE INDUSTRY ATA ACTION ARCHERY TRADE ASSOCIATION archerytrade.org demonstrate their skills and growing knowledge base. These five practices will help you bring younger staff up to speed in a meaningful and engaging way. 1 • Conduct comprehensive onboarding Help young adults see the business’ big picture. Give them the layout of other staff and their responsibilities, as well as an overview of your company’s goals, your typical customers, and standard operating procedures. Providing that insight helps younger staff understand brand objectives and internal conversations, which helps them connect with the team and company. Then, start training sessions on core tasks before branching into specific technical skills or advanced sales techniques. If you hired a bow technician, enroll them in the ATA’s Bow Technician Certification Course so they learn the safe use of a bow press, draw board, and other shop equipment, as well as how to perform a complete compound bow setup. Visit archerytrade.org/bow-technician-certification to learn more. 2 • Provide incremental education Education motivates younger employees. Providing a few minutes of education each day keeps employees excited and engaged. Share additional details about processes they already know or teach them new facts about products, brands, events, partners, or customer preferences. Consider getting them certified to teach archery if you plan to have them instruct a class or run your range. The ATA offers archery instructor certifications at the annual ATA Show or you can sign up through USA Archery. 3 • Assign a dedicated mentor Your new hire should work with and report to one person after their initial onboarding. A one-on-one learning environment is typically more productive for young adults because many of them are prone to being overwhelmed and overstimulated. Working with the same person each day eliminates confusion, streamlines the learning H elp the youngest members of your team reach their full potential with these training tips. High schoolers, college students and recent graduates are often good employees because they’re ambitious, eager to earn a paycheck, and ready to apply what they know in a real-world setting. But they may be intimidated by older adult customers and worse, those customers might not trust their knowledge or experience. Neither scenario is productive to your workplace. To reduce employee turnover and set younger staff up for success, you must help them become experts about your products and company, while giving them opportunities to test and Continued on Page 22 UNITING THE INDUSTRY Help the youngest members of your team reach their full potential with these training tips. PHOTO © ATA.
5 Tips for Training Younger Staff
process, and creates an environment where young workers feel comfortable asking questions and requesting help when they need it. Mentors should provide clear expectations, ongoing feedback, coaching when their mentee fails, and praise when they succeed. The consistent connection builds trust and develops a close professional relationship, which helps retain new hires. The setup also helps mentors stay relevant and reminds them to model good behavior and avoid shortcuts. 4 • Ask lots of questions People in their 20s are typically shyer than the 30-plus crowd because they lack experience in the working world. Asking the new hire regular questions prepares them to answer a customer’s questions and is a good way for both parties to track progress. If the young worker answers incorrectly, they will know what to work on. If they answer correctly, they will gain confidence and prove they are ready to move on to something new. Asking general questions also shows the new employee you value their opinion and feedback, which stimulates growth and education. 5 • Model professionalism Remind your young employees to be professional throughout the training process, and lead by examPair a new employee with one experienced staff member so they’re receiving one-on-one training. PHOTO © ATA. Continued on Page 24 INSIDE THE INDUSTRY ATA ACTION Continued from Page 20
24 ple. Don’t slouch, curse, roll your eyes, talk behind a customer’s back, or wear inappropriate clothing. If you have downtime, show them they can dust shelves, reorganize products, clean the bathroom, or step up to help other employees. Managers and current employees set the tone for impressionable new hires who observe and mimic their superiors’ behaviors. The Takeaway As you are training capable, goal-oriented young adults, remember to be patient and positive. You should also be open with your customers and mention you are training a new staff member. Explain that you oversee and inspect their work to ensure the customer receives top-notch customer service and equipment care. Approaching new hires with a comprehensive company employee training program gives you, them, and your customers confidence in the process, while building your brand’s reputation as a great place to work. IA Model the behavior you want to see in your employees. PHOTO © ATA. INSIDE THE INDUSTRY ATA ACTION Continued from Page 22
“I think our stuff is the best-kept secret in the industry,” CBE Pro Staff Coordinator Darrin Christenberry said to me during our interview. It’s not that dealers and consumers haven’t heard about Custom Bow Equipment. After all, it’s a legacy brand well known for its target sights. 26 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 By Michaelean Pike But target sights aren’t all CBE has going for it. Not only has CBE expanded into premium hunting sights, but the company now offers best-in-class accessories in a number of categories, all focused on delivering value for both the consumer and the dealer. Maybe some people still associate CBE strictly with target sights, but Christenberry, along with Chief Operating Officer Josh Sidebottom, Vice President of Sales Paul Guillot, and the rest of the CBE team, are working hard to change that. And that’s good news for the archers and retailers who take advantage of everything CBE has to offer. An In-Demand Sight From the very beginning, CBE was synonymous with quality and reliability. The husband-and-wife team of Joe and Sandy Maisano began manufacturing target sights in their home in Dudley, Massachusetts, and promoting them at archery tournaments. “They didn’t advertise a lot,” Christenberry said. Not that the couple needed to advertise—they never had any shortage of demand. “Joe started out building 1200 sights a year, and then eventually was able to produce 1400 a year, and that’s all he could build. When they sold out, they sold out, and you weren’t getting any more until the next year. It was a small operation that was in high demand. They were just neat, clean, simple, effective sights.” Christenberry should know. Although he studied graphic arts management briefly in college and then worked for General Electric and a line voltage company, archery was the one constant in his life. He dreamed of being a professional archer, though in the beginning he had to make do with shooting competitively in his spare time. His sight of choice? CBE. It’s no surprise that CBE sights were so popular. Beyond their reputation for producing quality sights, the brand had another important distinction: it had created an entire sight category. “CBE was the first company to offer a multi-pin hybrid sight, meaning a mover sight, a sight that you can adjust the yardage on with multiple pins in the The Secret’s Out
MARCH 2023 27 INSIDEARCHERY.COM housing,” explained Sidebottom. “It’s a sight you can dial from 20 to 100 yards,” Guillot added. “It puts ar - chers in a position to be proficient at any yardage they could run into. All the companies copy it now. There’s lots of good stuff being built today, but we’re the originators.” The combination of quality and in - novation attracted the attention of release manufacturer Scott Archery, which announced its acquisition of CBE in early 2008. “We want to be the best, not copy the best, and the CBE product is known in the industry as a premier target sight,” Scott explained in a press release regarding the decision. Scott moved production of CBE sights to its facility in Clay City, Kentucky, and be - gan selling the sights through its dealer and distributor network. That meant retailers could purchase both premium releases and top-of-the-line sights from the same company. Then, in 2012, The Outdoor Group, par - ent company of Elite Archery, acquired Scott and CBE. Today, The Outdoor Group encompasses several legacy brands— Scott, CBE, Winner’s Choice Bowstrings, and Slick Trick Broadheads—in addi - tion to Elite. Obviously, CBE has undergone a number of changes in the last 15 years. But what hasn’t changed is the quality of the products. In fact, the company’s reputation is what drew the interest of The Outdoor Group in the first place. “I think it was their commitment to quality that aligned with The Outdoor Group,” said Sidebottom. Like Christen - berry, Sidebottom began using CBE sights years before joining the company, having been introduced to them by his wife, Hol - ly, a target archer. During that time, he also regularly used Scott and Elite prod - ucts. With a degree in mechanical engi - neering, Sidebottom eventually worked his way up to director of engineering at Bear Archery. As he moved up the lad - der, he continued to shoot Scott and CBE with his target bows. “Scott is the biggest name in releases. Everyone has shot a Scott. And the precision and quality of
“We are archers building archery products for other archers,” Paul Guillot (below, left) said. Like Guillot, Josh Sidebottom and Darrin Christenberry (below, left to right) are passionate about archery and bowhunting—which is reflected in the company’s purposeful features and technologies. 28 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 as though there was opportunity to bring the quality and design features that we offered in those sights into other categories as well. We put a plan together and invested in engineering resources and projects to expand that line, which we did in bringing more offerings at different price points. CBE was really unattainable for some people back then because of the cost. So, we designed and built some lower-priced sights to bring people into the brand. And then we evolved the product at the high end also, to add more features and updated technology, but still built around the core of what CBE has always been as far as a hybrid-drive, multi-pin mover sight.” Although the CBE lineup includes several options for budget-conscious consumers, it was critical to the brand to ensure that the sights offered at those lower price points didn’t compromise in the areas that matter—quality and reliability. “We don’t go all the way to the bottom of the price-point category,” Sidebottom explained. “I believe at that point you are sacrificing some quality in order to get down into those price points. But the middle price-point category is where we start, and we want to build a product that our dealers can be profitable on. We keep that in mind as we’re going into it. It’s about keeping it simple and reliable and robust at those entry price points. They’re not going to have all the features a high-end sight will. It’s going to be more simplified, but we maintain the fit and finish and the reliability that we look for in all of our products.” The end result is a sight lineup with something for everyone. “We touch every person in the industry,” Christenberry said. “We have a sight for every bowhunter and we have a sight for every target archer. If you’re looking for an entry-level sight, we have the Tactic series. For midrange shooters, we have the Tactic Micro and Tactic Hybrid. And then we have the hybrid drives with the Trek and Trek Pro series.” The Trek and Trek Pro series were introduced in 2022, taking the place of the Engage line of sights. The Trek Pro has quickly become a best seller for CBE and serves as a prime example of how the company is able to pack purposeful features and technology into a sight offering a great deal of value for the price. “If you were to look at the CBE brand and say, ‘What is the product CBE would be known for currently?’ I would say it would be our Trek Pro sight,” Sidebottom said. “It’s our high-end multi-pin mover sight with all the bells and whistles: carbon dovetail extension bar; first-, second- and third-axis adjustment; micro-adjustable pins. You can get it in a one-pin, three-pin or five-pin, in .010 or .019 fiber. It’s the ultimate featured hunting sight. It’s got a sliding fiber cover to help adjust your fiber brightness in addition to the rheostat light. We try CBE’s sights, known throughout the industry, was another attractive draw.” More to Love Maintaining that quality was important to The Outdoor Group. But the company didn’t want to just add CBE’s target sights to their line. They wanted to expand on them. And the first step was applying CBE’s technology to hunting sights. “We wanted to take all of that history, the technology that really made it special, and deliver it to the hunter as well,” said Guillot. “We wanted to maintain the tradition the Maisanos built for the target space and introduce the same quality to bowhunters. If it’s important to be accurate on a piece of paper, it’s certainly important to be accurate when you’re shooting at a live animal. You want to be ethical. We took all that technology and condensed it down into these phenomenal hunting sights.” “We put a plan together about five years ago to really evolve CBE’s product offering,” said Sidebottom. “At the time it was really just the target sight and a couple of high-end hunting sights. I felt
MARCH 2023 INSIDEARCHERY.COM 29 to include everything somebody might want in a high-end hunting sight. “To get a product that stacks up with a Trek or a Trek Pro from a competitor, you’re going to pay more to get the fea - tures we’re offering. That’s really where CBE stands apart. We bring value in all the products that we offer.” And CBE continues to look for ways to make its sight line even more inclusive. In 2023, the company has several excit - ing new offerings. “We expanded the Trek and Trek Pro line to include some new options for vertical pins,” Sidebottom said. “All the Trek multi-pin sights have been hori - zontal pins up until now. We have three new offerings with vertical pins. We’ve got a Trek sight with a single vertical pin with two fibers on it, which allows you to have the sight picture of a single-pin sight while you have a second aiming reference at a fixed distance from your top pin. And we have that offering in a Trek and a Trek Pro version. We also have a three-pin in the Trek Pro version, which is a vertical-pin sight where the middle pin is fixed and the first pin and third pin are moveable. It’s micro-adjustable. That is in a vertical configuration as well. Then we also have a new target sight called the Axis. We’re excited about it. We unveiled it at the Lancaster Archery Classic and also showed it at Vegas. The feedback’s been really positive. It has what might seem small but significant improvements in the functionality of it. We’ve also included micro-adjustable in - dicators, which is something we haven’t had in the past. It’s a really solid platform. Rigid. Easy to adjust. And easy to use.” “It’s probably the best target sight we’ve built to-date,” Christenberry added. Beyond Sights CBE may have gotten its start thanks to one amazing sight, but these days the company has much more to offer. “CBE is so much more now,” Chris - tenberry explained. “The sights were the foundation, but now we’re into quivers and stabilizers and quick disconnects. CBE
left: The CBE engineering team strives to design products that are reliable, that meet the needs of archers and bowhunters, and that offer great margins for retailers. Shown here, from left to right, are Nick Green, Dustin Nickerson, and Josh Sidebottom. 30 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 is a much bigger brand than just sights. I think sometimes that’s overlooked by con - sumers. When people say CBE, they think of sights because of what Joe and Sandy built. But now it’s a much more inclusive company. It’s grown tremendously.” “CBE is Custom Bow Equipment—it’s not CBE Sight Company,” Sidebottom pointed out. “So we had an opportunity to add arrow rests and quivers. Probably the biggest addition along with the sights is our stabilizer line, which has done in - credible for us. We offer carbon-fiber stabilizers in various lengths and diam - eters, in kits and single units. Anyone who’s looking to add some stabilization to their bow should check out the CBE Torx line because it really offers anything somebody would need, from mounts to weights to dampers, micro and standard diameter, in all kinds of configurations.” For 2023, CBE is introducing an excit - ing new drop-away arrow rest called the Defy Micro. “It’s the first drop-away for CBE,” Sidebottom said. “As with pretty much all CBE products, we tried to include all the features and benefits anyone could ask for in a high-end product without overcharging our consumers. It’s not an inexpensive rest—it’s $169—but it has the features of some $250 rests. It’s got micro-adjustable windage and eleva - tion. It’s a cable-driven drop-away that locks in the up position. It’s got internal bounce-back protection. All machined aluminum. The launcher arm’s ma - chined aluminum. It’s really sleek and compact so it fits really compact to your riser and doesn’t prevent you from keep - ing your quiver tight to the bow. We spent quite a few years working on some different arrow rest concepts un - til we had one that we were happy with. We’re really excited about it.” Continued on page 32
www.OmegaSights.com
32 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 ing archery products for other archers,” Guillot said. “At every level of our company, we employ people who use the products. They understand the purpose of what they’re building because they use it. It’s not just something they’re putting together. They know the importance of what they do and what the end result is for the person who ends up buying it.” “I have a hard time wrapping my head around how someone who isn’t a user of the products would be able to design the products,” Sidebottom added. “We give our design engineers a lot of freedom creatively to take the outline of what we’re looking for and put their own spin on it. You really need to understand what people are looking for in the product.” Boosting Dealer Profits Throughout our interview, all three men kept coming back to the same goal: ensuring CBE’s dealers are as profitable as possible. For Guillot, protecting archery’s dealer base is not only important, it’s also personal. When he was young, he mowed When asked what sets CBE apart from other companies, Sidebottom didn’t need to think long about the answer. “It’s our total offering of accessories while maintaining premium features,” he explained. “When you compare CBE to some of our competitors, I think we have a more well-rounded offering, and we’ve been able to bring comparable or better features into our products at a better price. That’s been accomplished through our design process and by being fair with our dealers and consumers. Our products are by no means cheap. But to get a product that stacks up with a Trek or a Trek Pro from a competitor, you’re going to pay more to get the features we’re offering. That’s really where CBE stands apart. We bring value in all the products that we offer.” Designed by Archers, for Archers Part of what allows CBE to develop and manufacture superior products is that the CBE team is made up of die-hard archers. “One of the cool things about The Outdoor Group is that we are archers buildgrass for two years in order to be able to afford his first bow and still remembers what his dealer said to him at the time. “He told me, ‘You’re going to be the best archer in the world. You just keep practicing.’ And I believed him,” Guillot recalled. After a stint in the Marine Corps, he became a broker, a career he found stifling. “I was the guy running around in a coat and tie every day in a bow shop on my lunch break,” he said. Having experienced first-hand the benefits of a knowledgeable archery dealer, Guillot takes his responsibility for CBE’s dealers seriously. “The dealers are the backbone of my business,” he explained. “They’re the backbone of archery. The sport doesn’t exist as it does today without the dealers. Because the archery culture of a community lives in the dealer. Look at my childhood—this sport changed my life, and to be able to feed the source of that sport through the dealer is super important to me. It’s a privilege to be able to support the dealer and the sport on that level.” Continued from page 30 Continued on page 34
34 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 To that end, CBE strives to supply its retail partners with products that make them competitive in an increasingly challenging market. “How do dealers separate themselves from the internet?” Guillot asked. “Qual - ity brands matter. For us at The Outdoor Group, we have a portfolio of legacy prod - ucts: CBE, Scott, Winner’s Choice, Slick Trick. Elite is becoming one. We offer in - novation and best-in-class products.” CBE also works with its customers to make sure the products it develops are what the market is looking for. “We listen to a lot of feedback from customers and dealers,” said Christen - berry. “And we build products that con - sumers want.” “A lot of our dealers have input in our products,” Guillot added. “I ask them, ‘What do you need? If you could walk into our factory, what would you build? How can we be a better partner for you?’ It’s exciting to be able to deliver some - thing back to the market that was re - quested. That’s super rewarding. Because those people know someone’s listening to them. We want to continue to do that and even get better. We want the dealer to know they have a voice, their opinion matters, and we listen.” Attractive brands and in-demand products are great, but a dealer’s bottom line is just that—the bottom line. And that’s where CBE shines. “We operate from a place of strength in terms of being able to support their business,” said Guillot. “From a margin standpoint to an innovation standpoint. We’re in a position of strength to give these dealers the ability to give them - selves the pay raise they’re looking for.” Besides delivering great margins, CBE also offers great programs. “We’ve created programs that are an easy path to best pricing,” said Guillot. “A lot of companies try to get you to invest all your available capital into their pro - grams to get their best pricing. I don’t. I make it easy for them. You can come into one of our programs and order 24 releases, 24 packs of broadheads, and a Continued from page 32 Continued on page 36
36 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 small amount of CBE, and you get best pricing. I want it to be easy for them.” “Dealers are in archery because they love the sport, but ultimately they need to be profitable to be successful,” added Sidebottom. “And we offer that to our dealers. The way that our programs are structured, it allows the dealers to be successful, which is our goal—to partner with them and build a relationship that allows them to grow. And then there’s the convenience of doing business with us as a whole. With CBE, Scott, Slick Trick, and Elite all being under one umbrella, it’s one phone call, one rep, one customer service group. You can get the answers you need. You can get free shipping as you combine your orders across the brands. There are a lot of benefits in our program. And working with CBE in concert with our other brands brings even more value to the dealers. We have our CBE programs, but if you program with our other brands there are additional benefits. We probably weren’t always this way, but there’s been a definite effort over the last five years to make it easy to do business with us. Keep the programs simple. Be fair. We focus on trying to be a good partner to the dealers, supporting them with what they need, and making it easy to work with us.” Looking to the Future Today, CBE, along with the other brands under The Outdoor Group umbrella, is housed in an 80,000-square-foot building in West Henrietta, New York, and operated under the direction of CEO Anthony Steil. Long-time employees like Director of Operations Tommy Gomez ensure the brand remains true to its legacy. But there’s much in store for CBE in the future. “Custom Bow Equipment could literally be anything archery,” Christenberry pointed out. “The sky’s the limit for that brand.” Guillot and Sidebottom agreed that archers and dealers can expect to see new products in new categories from CBE—as long as those products meet the brand’s exacting demands and prove profitable for the company’s retail partners. “We’re continuing to evolve and grow and find new products and ways to make our dealers lives easier and more profitable,” Sidebottom said. Christenberry had one final request as we wrapped up the interview. “When people start with a brand, they become brand loyal,” he said. “I see that day in and day out. Whatever the brand might be, people have their blinders on. I get it. I’m brand loyal too. Just go shoot our products with an open mind. Look at the benefits we offer our customers and our dealers with our technology. I just think people should go out and explore what we have to offer. Give us a chance.” As more consumers do just that, I think it’s safe to say the secret’s out. IA Continued from page 34
38 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 MARKET TRENDS GEAR REPORT T BY PATRICK MEITIN Helix Broadheads WebXtra ■ For a closer look at Helix Broadheads including the FJ4, check them out at insidearchery.com. area for straight flight. The rear flare provides the cutting diameter necessary to open blood-letting wound channels. This blade is held in a milled aluminum or steel screw-in ferrule— depending on finished weight—and anchored by a quality steel Torq screw. Tim Strickland introduced singlebevel edges some years ago, available in left or right bevels to compliment left- or right-hand fletchings. The single-bevel design not only works with fletchings in flight, but improves penetration by working with the arrow’s twisting momentum to create devastating spiral wound channels and break encountered bone through the mechanical leverage imparted by the twisting action of the beveled edges. If the Helix had a shortcoming, perceived or otherwise, it was its simple twoblade design. Some believed—rightly or otherwise—this limited hemorrhaging and blood-trail density. For those seeking a larger wound channel, Helix Broadheads answers the demand with the new FJ4 Broadhead— a Helix Broadhead with a short bleeder blade slotted through the rear of the ferrule and including tabs that screw inside the insert for additional anchoring assurance. The bleeder is engaged after approximately 1.10-inches of total he basic Helix Broadhead design has been around awhile, previously owned and operated by Tim Strickland under the Strickland’s Archery label. More recently Helix was acquired by America’s Best Bowstrings (ABB), where the brand lives on as Helix Broadheads. Helix has many welcome attributes. It’s a modern cut-on-contact design made to penetrate exceptionally and provide accuracy from today’s high-performance compound bows. The main blade holds a long-tapering point that penetrates approximately 0.83-inches of the total 1.5-inch mainblade length before merging abruptly into a wider flaring rear section. The front taper initiates deep-driving penetration and minimizes blade surface penetration. The 100-grain example on hand includes a mainblade cutting diameter of 1.12 inches, the bleeder-blade 0.94-inches wide, which Helix calls a 2.0625-inch cutting surface. According to my reloading calipers, the main blade is 0.60-inch thick and the bleeder 0.42-inch thick. That translates into one of the thickest main blades in the business and promises reliability. All cutting edges are single beveled, including trailing edges. The rear tabs of the bleeder screwed tightly into the steel ferrule of my hunting arrows but maintained true alignment. One shot from my PSE Archery Mach 34 from 30 yards centered my aiming point, so I touched up the edges with a diamond steel and added that arrow to my quiver. It is destined to Texas for an early-spring hog hunt. This is another benefit of the cut-oncontact design; edges are easily resharpened after target practice or a missed shot while hunting, eliminating the need to purchase expensive replacement blades. The Helix FJ4 is currently offered in 100- and 175-grain versions with 2.0625- inch total cutting edges, 125- and 200 with 2.125-inch total cutting edges and 150- and 225-grain with 2.25-inch. This covers every customer, no matter equipment carried or game pursued. Check them out at helixbroadheads.com. IA
40 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023
MARCH 2023 41 INSIDEARCHERY.COM W e thought 2022 offered the best to come in the realm of hunting bows. At the time we were right, but the 2023 lineup is even more impressive. Companies are cranking out their best offerings and the stiff rivalries between businesses continues to drive innovation. Plus, in an age where the retail space is increasingly competitive, archery shops and general hunting retailers must stock items customers want that won’t gather dust. The following bows are ideal options for those looking to quickly move inventory in a year that threatens an economic recession. Mathews • Mathews’ Phase4 is the company’s flagship bow for 2023. This model features spanking-new Resistance Phase Damping (RPD) Technology—bands of dampening material embedded in each quad-limb set to drastically reduce vibration. It is also built to incorporate new Mathews Bridge-Lock Stabilizers, which offer improved balance, enhanced stabilization, and superior dampening qualities. RPD minimizes vibration and its innovative design decreases excess energy in the limbs, which significantly deadens and silences post-shot vibrations. This model is available in 29- and 33-inch axle-toaxle lengths. Peak draw weights include 60, 65, 70, and 75 pounds, and let-off is 80 or 85 percent. The Phase4 29 pushes arrows to 340 fps, and the 33 to 336 fps, IBO. The 29 has a 6-inch brace height and accommodates draw lengths from 25.5- 30 inches, the 33 a 6.5-inch brace height and draw-length span of 27 to 31.5 inches. The 29 weighs 4.48 pounds and the 33 has a weight of 4.68 pounds. These bows are available in eight finish options. Visit mathewsinc.com to learn more. Elite Archery • Elite’s Era combines advanced manufacturing techniques, highmodulus carbon fiber, and tight tolerances to create a foundation with precision control, forgiveness, and customizable comfort. This bow’s riser is molded from premium carbon fiber, which also incorporates Elite’s signature dual cage riser. This design, like Elite’s advanced machined aluminum risers, adds rigidity throughout key transition areas. Additionally, Elite’s highly acclaimed, revolutionary S.E.T. Technology (Simplified. Exact. Tuning.) ensures precise arrow flight and improved accuracy. The cam system allows fine tuning let-off within a 70 to 90 percent range. Specs include a 31.25-inch axle-to-axle dimension and forgiving 7.25- inch brace height. Draw weight ranges from 25.5 to 31 inches in 0.25-inch increments, with peak draw weights of 40, 50, 60, 65, and 70 pounds offered. The Era weighs a feathery 3.95 pounds. And thanks to the bow’s new synchronized, high-performance SP Cam, it propels arrows to 336 fps. Visit elitearchery.com to learn more. Bear Archery • Bear’s Legend XR RTH offers a great hybrid cam system that delivers a smooth shooting experience. It checks in with a 32-inch axle-to-axle length, and 85 percent let-off via the new DHC-XR cam and 6.25-inch brace height. These specs make the Legend XR forgiving and comfortable on the range or in the field. The XR can accommodate draw weights from 14 to 70 pounds, and draw lengths from 18 to 31 inches. This translates into more adjustability than any previous Legend model. The new Legend XR also offers an immense value with its offset string suppressor and KILLERwave in-limb dampeners. In addition, it can be purchased with a complete suite of Ready to Hunt accessories from Trophy Ridge, including a four-pin sight, Whisker Biscuit V, 5-Spot quiver, stabilizer, peep sight, and D-loop. Visit beararchery.com to learn more. Athens Archery • The Athens Elevate is new for 2023 and loaded with top-shelf features. These include the new Low Profile molded grip, providing more comfort for the shooter, and the RT-X Cam system updated with the Rev 2 module to improve draw length and holding weight adjustability. This bow’s draw stop is 55 percent larger, which firms up the back wall, and allows for 70 to 90 percent let-off. The riser accepts QAD’s latest Integrate dovetail mounting system, and includes a front
42 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 Picatinny rail for the newest sight systems. Other features include proven Tunable Cable System (TCS) roller guard and Limb-Lok Pocket System. Brace height is 6 inches, axle-to-axle specs 32 inches, with cams handling a 24.5- to 30.5-inch draw length range, with 40- to 70-pound peak draw weights available. The Elevate launches arrows up to 345 fps. Visit athensarchery.com to learn more. Prime Archery • The all-new Prime REVEX Series brings refined technology to the table in a three-bow lineup, including the Revex 2 (32 inches axle-to-axle), Revex 4 (34 inches axle-to-axle) and Revex 6 (36 inches). These bows incorporate Primes’ well-balanced and straight-shooting center-grip riser design, effectively giving the REVEX increased stability and promoting quicker target acquisition. It also features Prime’s cam-balancing technology, which brings the strings and cables in line with each other and creates balance throughout the draw cycle. Additionally, Prime’s CORE Cam System features draw-length-specific mods that allow the REVEX to reach maximum efficiency at each draw length, which range from 26- to 31.5-inches. These 2023 bows also feature a new carbon string stop that eliminates sound and vibration and Prime’s exclusive Nano Grip. The Nano Grip utilizes NASA-developed materials to create a warm-to-the-touch grip ideal for cold-weather hunting. The REVEX Series also incorporates two new accessories designed to integrate into the bow—a tight-fitting TightSpot/Prime quiver, which attaches directly to the riser via a special mounting tap/block, and a limb-driven Hamskea Epsilon rest that integrates directly into the riser. These two customized accessories elevate performance and accuracy potential. The REVEX is available in two new finishes. Visit g5prime.com to learn more. APA Archery • The APA Black Mamba 29 expands on that series for 2023. This ultra-compact, ultra-lightweight, ultrahigh-performance compound is loaded with APA’s exclusive features. It also incorporates a generous 6.25-inch brace height that introduces additional forgiveness. This 29.125-inch axle-to-axle bow comes in 40-, 50-, 60-, or 70-pound peak draw weights and a draw length range of 24 to 30 inches. It produces an impressive speed of up to 355 fps (IBO) through an 80 percent let-off, dual-cam system with EZ-Tune mods. The bow weighs only 3.55 pounds and includes standard APA features such as the riserintegrated Tool Center, Reverse Carry Handle, slim Twin Flex limbs, and the ability to change bowstrings and buss cables in the field. Also new is APA Archery’s integrated Bow Winch, which provides a spool of stout cord integrated into one of the Black Mamba’s distinctive cutouts. The integrated Bow Winch holds 24 feet of cord, meaning bowhunters will never again arrive at a stand without a pull-up rope. A hand crank allows winding the MATHEWS PHASE4 ELITE ERA BEAR LEGEND XR ATHENS ELEVATE
MARCH 2023 INSIDEARCHERY.COM 43 line back into the compact storage spool when not in use, the unit helping to improve bow balance and reducing sound and vibration. Visit apaarchery.com to learn more. Obsession Bows • The Obsession XBR is a true speed bow, pushing velocities of up to 340 fps (IBO). It measures 30.5-inches axle-to-axle, and includes a 6.375-inch brace height. It has peak draw weight options from 50 to 70 pounds and drawlengths span 24.5 to 29.5 inches. The bow weighs 4.6 pounds. The XBR riser is available in 16 colors, and string/ cable options are available in nine colors. Overall, the Obsession XBR is fast, smooth shooting, and inherently accurate. Visit obsessionbowsrefueled.com to learn more. Martin Archery • The MTX moniker of Martin Archery’s latest offering stands for Martin Technology Extreme. This bow is fast, registering 347 fps IBO. The design was engineered to maximize arrow speed and minimize cam lean. The riser holds angled, dual rear stabilizer mounts and the MTX Cam features dual module stops, dual limb stops, and can be set up in either configuration for maximum adjustability. It features a lowtorque roller guard and the Martin riserembedded mass weight system, which distributes weight for improved in-hand balance. The cam system proves easy to tune and the riser holds a removable molded grip. Drilling deeper, the MTX measures 29.375-inches axle-to-axle, has a 6.125-inch brace height, and sports 90 percent let-off. Draw weight ranges include 45-55, 55-65, and 65-75 pound options, with draw length ranging from 25 to 28.5 or 28.5 to 30 inches, depending on cam/module chosen. The MTX 29 weighs 4.9 pounds. Visit martinarchery.com to learn more. PSE Archery • The PSE Mach 34 is the company’s first all-carbon bow to also include the Full Draw Stability system. This pairing provides a highly stabilized bow and helps reduce torque at full draw for better stability and more accurate shooting. In addition to increased stability, this bow also offers more power. The Mach 34 delivers peak draw weights of 50, 60, 70, or 80 pounds. Looking at variations, the E2 has a 7.125- inch brace height, draw length range of 29 to 33 inches, and a speed rating of 335 fps. The S2 has a 6.75-inch brace height, draw length range of 26.5 to 30.5 inches, and shoots 340 fps IBO. Overall, this is a stable and forgiving 34-inch axle-to-axle bow weighing just 3.65 pounds. Plus, the Mach 34 allows for quick bow tuning and cam lean adjustment via a set of new EZ-220 snap spacers, which can be easily removed and repositioned in precise increments. The new, revolutionary axle system even prevents overtightening, which is a primary cause of bearing wear. Visit psearchery.com to learn more. PRIME REVEX APA BLACK MAMBA 29 OBSESSION XBR MARTIN MTX
44 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 Gearhead Archery • For customers looking for something slightly unorthodox, and decidedly more compact, the Gearhead P30 has a lot to offer. The P in P30 stands for Pivot. This bow incorporates a rotational limb support system integrated into the shoot-through riser design. This takes stress off the limbs throughout the draw process. Draw length ranges from 26.25 to 31.875 inches. Peak draw weight ranges include 40-55, 50-65, and 60-75 pound options. Grip options include standard, flatback, standard slider, and flatback slider. The P30 is available in eight different finishes. Visit gearheadarchery.com to learn more. Xpedition Archery • The XLite by Xpedition Archery is made from the proprietary alloy Magnite. According to Xpedition, this makes it stronger than carbon and 33 percent lighter than 6061 aluminum. This also creates a dead-in-thehand shot experience, thanks to 20 times more vibration dampening than commercial-grade carbon and three times more vibration dampening than 6061 aluminum. The XLite includes an all-new XB1 cam system, which offers a silkysmooth draw cycle. This bow is available in 31- or 33-inch axle-to-axle models. The 31 has a 6.5-inch brace height, 25.5- to 30.5-inch draw length range, 50-, 60-, 65-, and 70-pound peak draw weights, 80 percent let-off, and weighs 3.75 pounds. It includes an IBO speed rating of 336 fps. The 33 has a 6.5-inch brace height, 26- to 31-inch draw length range, 50-, 60-, 65-, and 70-pound peak draw weights, 80 percent let-off and weighs 3.85 pounds. It propels arrows to 338 fps IBO. Both bows are offered in five riser, five limb, two ancillary part, and six string colors. Visit xpeditionarchery.com to learn more. Darton Archery • The Darton Prelude E 32 and its improved patented cam technology produces speeds up to 347 fps. It is a well-balanced bow, thanks to patented Equalizer Cable System technology (a.k.a., E System). The new riser design increases strength and stability, while the split yoke system equalizes and stabilizes limbs and reduces the load on cam bearings for a smooth shooting experience. The removable draw-length module allows 0.25-inch draw length adjustments, with three sets of draw-stop tabs providing eight different holding weight options. With dual cable stops and adjustable roller guard, it offers even more control over draw length and let-off. It includes custom made bowstrings by Team Darton. This 32-inch axle-to-axle bow has a 6-inch brace height, and 80 percent let-off. Draw lengths range from 27 to 30.5 inches, and peak draw weights are 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 pounds. It shoots up to 342 fps IBO and weighs 4.9 pounds. Visit dartonarchery.com to learn more. Bowtech • For those seeking the feathery mass, dampening, and insulating qualities of carbon, the Bowtech Carbon One offers a new option. This bow pairs PSE MACH 34 GEARHEAD P30 XPEDITION XLITE DARTON PRELUDE E 32
a carefully-engineered carbon riser with Orbit Dampeners, which virtually eliminate felt vibration during the shot. The Carbon One also implements an Integrate Mounting System dovetail for use with IMS-equipped arrow rests. This model also comes with the DeadLock Cam System, which is a great way to improve arrow flight and consistent ac - curacy. Looking at the specs, this bow measures 30 inches axle-to-axle, has a 6.63-inch brace height, sports a 25.5- to 30.5-inch draw length range, and 50-, 60-, and 70-pound peak draw weights. The 4.5-pound bow propels arrows up to 335 fps IBO. Visit bowtecharchery.com to learn more. Hoyt • Hoyt’s VTM is the result of endless hours of R&D. It was made to build on past Hoyt successes and infused with new, groundbreaking features. During testing with Hoyt InLine accessories, the VTM showed a significant vibration reduction. Furthermore, it was built not only to seamlessly integrate with accessories but also engineered to be a bet - ter bow with these accessories mounted. Those who shoot it will see the incredible impact this new system offers. Overall, the VTM 31 measures 31 inches axle-to-axle and has a 6-inch brace height. It shoots 342 fps and weighs 4.65 pounds. The VTM 34 measures 34 inches axle-to-axle and has a 6.25-inch brace height. It shoots 334 fps and weighs 4.8 pounds. Visit hoyt.com to learn more. IA BOWTECH CARBON ONE HOYT VTM
INSIDE THE INDUSTRY LEADING ARCHERY MANUFACTURERS 46 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 for them, which he soon delivered during a local 3-D shoot. More archers saw the target and Perelli received seven more orders. Things quickly snowballed from there. The BIGshot name was soon devised, derived from the fact the target was BIG and could withstand a lot of shots. Perelli and his sons began to haul trailer loads of assembled targets to subsequent 3D shoots and sell them to locals, and word soon spread to dealers. By 2004 dealers were contacting Perelli to request targets. BIGshot Archery LLC was on its way, and today has emerged as one of the largest archery target makers in the world, now offering a full he BIGshot story begins in 2003. Al Perelli had made the switch from mechanical to fixed-blade broadheads while seeking greater bowhunting reliability, but while testing various options while making his choice quickly destroyed his layered target. Perelli also yearned for something larger, so he and his young boys could spend more time shooting and less time looking for lost arrows. A large, layered-foam target just wasn’t in his budget, so he set out to build his own. Following weeks of trial and error, Perelli eventually discovered a material and design that met his needs. Friends were so impressed by the design they asked Perelli to make targets T BY PATRICK MEITIN line of field point, broadhead, commercial range, and 3-D targets. BIGshot continues to expand, now serving hundreds of dealers across the country, with their original goal of providing quality targets that solve real problems for archers, archery pro shops and archery clubs still firmly intact. Simultaneously, BIGshot is creating jobs, economic improvement, and recycling opportunities in the Northeast. Innovative Products Part of BIGshot’s continued success is remaining abreast of technological developments and meeting the demands of today’s higher performance bows and crossbows. One easy BIGshot Targets
MARCH 2023 47 INSIDEARCHERY.COM example is BIGshot’s Iron Man Kinetic 650 High Kinetic Energy Target. This is their answer to today’s most powerful and super-fast crossbows—or highpoundage compound bows—providing the extreme stopping power needed to capture bolts traveling at velocities in excess of 450 fps. In fact, the Kinetic 650 is rated to 650 fps. This is facili - tated with BIGshot’s proprietary Iron Man stuffing and a five-stage multilayered Aramid core. The high compression field-point target allows easy bolt removal combined with longlasting value. The target face holds 95 shooting points and measures 20-by20-by-13 inches. For archers who don’t require quite this level of stopping power, but still demand a hugely reliable backstop, there is the Iron Man 24-inch Xtreme 500 High Kinetic Energy Crossbow Tar - get with Weather Cover. This is another field-point target allowing super-easy bolt/arrow removal, but also a 500 fps
INSIDE THE INDUSTRY LEADING ARCHERY MANUFACTURERS 48 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 speed rating—or as fast as the speediest crossbow currently being produced. The 25-by-25-inch target offers the perfect answer to honing long-range shooting skills. This Iron Man Extreme Series target includes a fortified shell provid - ing extreme compression of BIGshot’s proprietary military-grade fibers and best-in-class multi-directional woven ballistic core. BIGshot’s Iron Man 18-inch Crossbow High Kinetic Energy Target provides a more compact option perfect for haul - ing to hunting camp or for customers with limited storage space. It also offers a great value. This Iron Man is designed to withstand the harshest conditions, including ultra-tough filler material packed into a rigid frame to maintain high compression and withstand thou - sands of shots. The American-made target has a speed rating of 475 fps, wrapped inside a portable 18-by-18-by10-inch package. Whether shooting a powerful compound or crossbow, the Iron Man 18-inch Crossbow High En - ergy Target can be counted on to last many seasons. BIGshot’s Pro Hunter 18 Broadhead Target is ideal for archers who wish to practice with both field points and broadheads. This 18-by-18-by-13.5-inch, 17.5-pound target is speed rated to 425 fps, so is compatible with crossbows and powerful compounds. The Pro Hunter 18 is molded from BIGshot’s newest Elas - to-Flex foam, which combines reliable stopping power with easy arrow or bolt extraction whether using field points or broadheads. This target includes a ta - pered profile, which saves space during travel or storage, but also positions the target face perpendicular to a standing shooter, which also better positions the target face for elevated shooting prac - tice. The target holds five unique target faces for more engaging practice and to spread wear around for longer life. Another great foam target compatible with field points and broadheads is the new Titan 10X HD, which is molded with BIGshot’s easy-pull foam. Easy extrac - tion is guaranteed even while shooting the fastest crossbows. The Titan 10x HD gets its name from its 10-sided design, an industry first. The target was de - signed specifically for TenPoint Cross - bows’ Nitro 505 model, which fires bolts in excess of 500 fps. BIGshot’s HD foam formula provides maximum stopping power and durability, but also easy pull - ing using a twist-and-pull approach. The target offers maximum value through the super-durable foam formu - la, and its 10 purpose driven shooting faces and 150 aiming points, which helps spread shooting abuse around and prolong the target’s practical life. The 10X HD measures 17-by-17 inches for long-range shooting confidence. Finally, for your customers seeking an affordable yet versatile 3-D target, BIGshot offers the Pro Hunter Double Duty Buck. This target offers realistic practice on a lifelike, full scale 3-D deer, plunking arrows into the easy pull vital core with its universal ASA score rings. Yet the target also offers a broadhead tuning grid found on the buck’s hind - quarter. The Double Duty Buck provides shooters with two targets in one. The target is given a UV resistant coating to help it last longer when left outside, and to help decretive paint details from fading or cracking. The target includes solid foam legs and a stout back to make the target tough and long lasting. This 3-D target is rated to 375 fps. These are just examples of the excit - ing targets available from BIGshot, the company also offering a menagerie of bag, foam, and 3-D targets, plus a full array of target accessories and faces. All follow BIGshot’s original goal of solving real-world problems for archers of all skill sets and persuasions, and helping dealers thrive. We encourage you to have a look by visiting bigshottargets.com. IA Iron Man 24-inch Xtreme 500 High Kinetic Energy Crossbow Iron Man 18-inch Crossbow High Kinetic Energy Pro Hunter 18 Broadhead Titan 10X HD Iron Man Kinetic 650 High Kinetic Energy
50 INSIDE ARCHERY MARCH 2023 MARKET TRENDS GEAR REPORT A BY PATRICK MEITIN Omega Sights Hawkeye WebXtra ■ For a closer look at the Omega Sights Hawkeye, check it out at insidearchery.com. shooters to see clearly and aim confidently in extreme low-light conditions or after dark. This feature will make it incredibly popular with a growing cadre of nighttime wild hog and predator hunters, allowing them to own the night. If this isn’t enough to sway buyers, the Hawkeye also includes the practical feature Omega Sights calls “CompanionSharing.” This feature uses the magic of an integrated WiFi processor and free “Omega Sights Companion-Sharing” app that allows someone sharing a hunt to view what is seen and heard through the Hawkeye video camera on a smartphone screen and in real time up to 10 feet away. The app also allows recording events to an Android or IOS cellular device for later viewing or sharing. More importantly, I see this as an important tool for helping talk a young or inexperienced hunter through the stressful process of the shot, offering advice on shot timing or all-important bolt placement to ensure clean, quick kills. This feature applies during both daylight and nighttime night vision scenarios. The Hawkeye also features instant in-the-field video playback for post-shot analysis, a great tool for determining how to follow up after a hit on game. The night vision technology uses an IR s advancing crossbow technology made ever-longer shots more feasible, the scramble began for better crossbow sighting systems to keep pace with improving performance. Omega Sights emerged as not only one of the best, but also the most affordable. It was also the first all-in-one digital sighting system, continuous laser rangefinder, and HD video camera to appear on the market. Since its introduction, the Omega has undergone steady refinements to the original features. Omega Sights introduced another upgrade for 2023—the flagship Hawkeye. The all-in-one features mentioned above remained. What is gained is the Hawkeye’s new night vision feature and 50mm super Sony hi-resolution camera and processor, allowing crossbow flashlight for after dark viewing, an accessory that includes a quick-release/detachable mechanism. With the IR flashlight, targets are easily acquired 200-plus yards away. The Hawkeye uses an integrated battery pack, which is rechargeable and provides several hours of continuous use. A Hawkeye quick-release supplemental cylindrical power bank is also available as an accessory, providing up to 10 hours of additional power. Most importantly to a technophobe like me, the Hawkeye is easy to set up, including its six adjustable crosshairs that can be adjusted to any yardage in red, green, black, or white. A 1x to 4x power zoom and easy-turn focus knob makes target acquisition nearly automatic. The unit weighs just 18 ounces, and measures 5.75-by-2.25 inches, and quickly attaches to any Picatinny or Weaver rail. The LCD screen includes a built-in collimating lens and the viewfinder measures 1.5-by-1.25 inches for easy viewing even with failing eyesight. The sight comes with a charging/ downloading USB-C cable, 32GB microSD card, two-pack integrated rechargeable battery, two-button detachable remote control, and free Omega Sights Companion-Sharing app. For more information contact [email protected]. IA