By popular demand, today’s article is the best deer hunting bows. There are a lot of options out there. Some are fantastic—but others fall short of the mark.

We’ll start with a quick “buying guide” of features you’ll want to keep in mind when selecting a bow, then we’ll jump into our reviews that inspect a range of bows for hunters of all skill levels. We’ll finish off with what we consider to be the best-performing deer hunting bow overall.

Deer Hunting Bows: Quick Picks

Here’s a quick list of the bows we’ll discuss:

TIDEWE Compound Bow: Thanks to its adjustable draw weight and high let-off, it’s a good choice for beginners and experts alike.

PSE Archery Mini Burner RTS Compound Bow Package: We suggest this model for youth who need a smaller bow but still want enough power to hunt with once they learn the ropes.

Diamond Archery Edge 320: With blistering arrow speeds and a quiet shot, this compound bow is a good way to take down that elusive trophy buck.

Bear Archery Cruzer G2: One of our longtime favorites, this Bear model’s lightweight design and adjustable draw weight makes it hard to beat.

Diamond by Bowtech Deploy SB R.A.K.: Our new all-around favorite, this bow has incredible power while still being lightweight and consistent.

How to Select the Right Deer Hunting Bow for You

If you’re new to bowhunting, here are the factors you’ll want to consider when selecting a bow for deer hunting. We’ll start with the first—and perhaps most important—question:

Choose Your Bow: Recurve vs. Compound

This is your first decision when you’re selecting a bow to hunt deer with: do you want a recurve bow or a compound bow?

Generally speaking, more hunters use compound bows to hunt game, and that’s probably a good thing: they’re easier to draw, easier to aim, and they’re usually a lot more powerful than recurve bows. As a result, you can take accurate lethal shots at longer distances and with less practice beforehand. For all these reasons, if you’re new to hunting and looking for a bow, we’d suggest you start with a compound bow.

If you are going to choose a recurve, though, you’ll have fewer features to consider—recurve bows are far simpler than compound bows, and if you have a well-made, quality bow, the main feature you need to think about are the draw weight, partly because in most states, you’ll need a bow with a draw weight of 40 pounds or more hunt game like whitetail deer. You may also consider a bow sight, though many recurve hunters forgo this accessory altogether since they prefer a more bowhunting experience anyway.

A high quality bow with a draw weight of 40 pounds or more and a bow sight (or not!) is all you need to hunt deer with a recurve—but again, if you’re just starting out, we’d urge you to use a compound bow to hunt because they’re easier for new hunters to use, and you’re more likely to put down an animal rather than just wounding it, which is more ethical.

Bottom Line: If you’re new to bowhunting deer, it’s usually better to go with a compound bow, rather than a recurve bow.

For those opting to use a compound bow to hunt deer, here are the features you need to consider:

Sound Quality (The Less, the Better)

Deer are light and agile on their feet, and if they hear a sound they don’t like, they bound away instantly. That’s true for mule deer out west, but it’s especially true for whitetail deer out east.

The first time you see it, you’ll be amazed—aside from being quick, they have excellent hearing.

Consequently, the amount of sound that your bow makes is important. Luckily, this is one of those features that manufacturers have really worked on over the last decade or two—probably because deer hunters kept telling them, “THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO IS MAKE A QUIET BOW”—and we’re happy to announce that all of the bows we review in this post are quiet enough for hunting deer.

Keep in mind that no bow is totally soundless, and there will always be some noise when you release your bowstring and let an arrow fly. That said, the only time your bow may make a loud “twang” or “thwack” sound is if it is improperly tuned (and your local archery shop or range can help you with that), or if there’s a problem with your draw. One good work-around is a string silencer, which can gobble up a lot of the vibration from your string and dramatically quiet things down. We like Limbsaver Dampeners.

Bottom Line: Bows are a lot quieter than they used to be, but higher-end bows are usually quietest; if you’re having noise problems, a sound dampener may do the trick.

Important: Feet per Second (FPS)

Over the last decade or so, you might have noticed that all of the big bow manufacturers have been knocking themselves out to make faster bows. There are a couple main reasons for that.

First, due to physics, for the same arrow weight, a faster arrow speed equates to more kinetic energy on impact. This makes your shots more lethal and more capable of punching through tough tissue like cartilage and even bone.

More importantly, faster arrows mean more accuracy. That’s because they can travel farther for a given amount of drop, so over a fixed distance, say 20 yards, their trajectory will be straighter. That makes it easier to aim, and it increases your accurate range so you have more opportunities when hunting.

Most compound bows have a range of arrow speed from 270 fps on the lower side to about 330 fps on the higher side. You might imagine the arrow speed is vitally important, but it’s not the end-all feature to consider.

For example, if you’re hunting from a tree stand at short range, less than 20 yards, an increase in arrow speed is going to provide a marginal improvement in accuracy. Nonetheless, many hunters sacrifice other important features just to get higher arrow speed.

Arrow speed is more important when hunting long distances since it increases accuracy over a longer range. For this reason, still hunters hunting elk out west may find arrow speed to be their primary concern, but casual whitetail hunters should balance it with other aspects of bowhunting.

Bottom Line: Arrow speed measured in fps is important, especially if you’re hunting over long distances. Nevertheless, you should not prioritize it over other important features.

A Crucial Tool: The Bow Sight

We mentioned traditional archers above, those who shoot game without the use of bow sight. That’s an incredible ability, and it’s important to remember it’s a SKILL. It takes years of practice to aim at a target with the naked eye and hit it. For the rest of us, particularly beginners, that’s where bow sights come in.

Most compounds come with a basic bow sight included, and for the most part, a basic bow sight will do you just fine. As long as it has three pins, you should be able to adjust it to aim at targets up to about 40 yards away, and most hunters seem to set their three-pin bow sights at 20 yards, 30 yards and 40 yards. That’s especially true on the east coast where deer hunting is done in dense forest, so things are a little more “up close and personal.”

If, however, you’re going to be aiming at targets more than 40 yards away—and that happens frequently in the broader expanses of land in the western United States—then it can make sense to get a five-pin bow sight, and set your pins at 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 yards. Remember, though, if you’re shooting at a deer 30 yards away or farther, you want to be very confident in your abilities. There’s a lot that can go wrong aiming at a target that far away, and it’s not ethical to take a shot at that distance if you’re not sure you’re going to hit it.

Bottom Line: A good bow sight is important, and for close-range hunting, a 3-pin sight is usually fine. For longer-range shooting, a 5-pin sight is usually a better idea. Also, remember—if you find a bow you really like but don’t like the bow sight, you can usually replace it with one that you like more.

Axle-to-Axle Length: Not as Important as It Used to Be

For the longest time, bow manufacturers insisted that if you wanted to go hunting, you wanted a shorter bow—one that had a small axle-to-axle measurement. The thinking made sense: bows with shorter axle-to-axle lengths usually shoot faster arrows, and they’re easier to lug through the woods during a hunt, a huge benefit if you’re still hunting and doing a fair amount of walking.

The trade-off, though, is that bows with a shorter axle-to-axle length aren’t as accurate as longer bows. That’s why target archers in competitions tend to have super long bows—they’re easier to hold in a single position, and they can prove to be a little more accurate.

All that said, in our humble opinion, the length of the bow isn’t the most important thing in the world, and if you’re fairly new to bowhunting deer, it might make sense to get a slightly longer bow because it can provide some added stability and aim. If you’re a pro and your marksmanship is on point, a shorter bow with a shorter axle-to-axle length can be a good choice because it can offer a lot of speed.

Bottom Line: If you’re an inexperienced archer, a shorter axle-to-axle length may be challenging and a mid-length bow can be a good bet. If you’re an experienced archer, a shorter bow can provide some extra speed.

Rest: Biscuit vs. Drop-Away

Some bowhunters swear that drop-away arrow rests are the be-all end-all whereas plenty of other bowhunters say a regular old whisker biscuit performs just fine. That’s our experience, too. A drop-away arrow rest offers a little more accuracy because it allows the arrow to be shot without any interference whatsoever, but the truth is, we’ve had no problem maintaining accuracy using a whisker biscuit.

The one verifiable difference is that a whisker biscuit offers better containment for an arrow, so if you let off arrows from all sorts of weird angles—maybe you’re bent over at a weird angle in a thicket, or all wrapped up in a ghillie suit and hunkered down in some brush—a whisker biscuit may be a better choice.

Bottom Line: Either is a good option, but if you find you end up shooting from odd angles and need some arrow containment, a whisker biscuit will hold your arrow steadier as you aim.

Draw Weight and Let-Off: Your Top Priority

This is arguably the most important feature, and we’ve saved it for last: the draw weight of the bow and the let-off of the bow.

In most states, your bow must meet or exceed a minimum draw weight in order for you to hunt game. That makes sense if you think about it because if the draw weight on your bow is too low, your arrows won’t travel with enough force to properly penetrate the animal and put it down humanely. Your bow needs to be strong enough to shoot arrows that will penetrate, and usually, for deer hunting, the minimum draw weight that states require is 40 pounds (although you’ll need to check with your state to make sure).

Here’s what we’d advise: if you’re new to bowhunting, a bow with an adjustable draw weight can be a great feature. You can practice on lower draw weights, gain skill and musculature, and then move up to higher draw weights that’ll send your arrows flying at higher speeds and with more kinetic energy.

If you’re a pro and you’ve been shooting for a number of years, and you know exactly what your draw weight is—and your draw weight meets your state’s minimum requirement for the game that you’ll be hunting—then it can make sense to buy a bow with a set draw weight.

The let-off is important too. When you pull the string of a compound bow all the way back, you’ll feel the draw weight suddenly decrease. That decrease is called let-off, and it’s usually measured as a percentage. If you were pulling a 100-pound compound bow that had 80-percent let-off, when you’re at full draw, the draw weight you will feel will be 20 pounds. 80% of 100 = 80. 100 – 80 = 20.

That’s an important feature when you’re hunting because if you see a deer and pull the bow string back, you might need to wait a little while until you get a clear shot. Having a bow with significant let-off can be a great thing to have, particularly if you’re shooting a high-poundage bow.

Bottom Line: Most compound bows provide significant let-off and should suit most bowhunters; if you’re shooting a bow with a very high draw weight, a high let-off percentage is an important factor.

The Best Deer Hunting Bows: Options We Like

Now that you have a clear idea of what to look for, here are the bows we consider good options for deer hunting:

Best Deer Hunting Bow for Beginners: TIDEWE Compound Bow

Our Verdict: We highly recommend the TIDEWE Compound Bow for beginners because it has a highly adjustable draw weight and high let-off that makes it easy to aim and practice with. However, its power and accessories make it a good model for any whitetail hunter.

Pros:

• Highly adjustable draw weight 0-70 lbs

• Adjustable draw length 18-31 inches

• 315 fps arrow speed

• Let-off up to 80%

• 5-pin sight included

Cons:

• Assembly required

• A little heavy

We like the Tidewe compound bow for deer hunting primarily because of its incredibly adjustable draw weight, one of the most adjustable out there. You can tune it all the way from 0 to 70 lbs.

We really like this for beginners since you can start with a lighter draw weight and practice until you can handle 40 pounds or more for hunting. That said, the high amount of power is great for anybody. It produces arrow speeds of up to 315 fps which gives you good accuracy over a good range as well as penetrating power that increases your chances of a kill.

Additionally, the high let-off of 80 percent helps beginners who might not be used to holding back heavy bowstrings. However, it will help any bowhunter. The lighter the bowstring, the easier it is to hold steadily, and that means a more accurate shot, especially if you have to hold your aim for a while.

The included accessories are great for beginners too, though any bowhunter can benefit. They include a stabilizer and release as well as six carbon arrows. Best of all, you get a five-pin sight. This lets you take advantage of the bow’s speed and power and shoot accurately over a longer range.

Best Deer Hunting Bow for Youth: PSE Archery Mini Burner RTS Compound Bow Package

Our Verdict: Getting the appropriate bow can help youth learn correct archery practices and start bowhunting with the right skills. That’s why we recommend this compound bow and its mid-range draw weight that’s good for learning but still enough for hunting.

Pros:

• Accessible draw weight 5-40 lbs

• Smaller draw length for youth

• Ready-to-shoot package

• Stabilizer included

• Lightweight 2.7 lbs

Cons:

• Only 65% let-off

• Only 3 arrows included

The PSE Mini Burner is perfect for a teenager new to bowhunting because it has a mid-range draw weight. Starting at an easily manageable five pounds, you can still adjust it up to 40 pounds, which is enough to hunt with in most states. In other words, a young archer can start small and work their way up until they’re confident enough to hunt.

Similarly, the draw length is appropriate for an adolescent archer or even a small adult. It’s adjustable as well, from 16 inches to 26.5 inches. This means a young archer can continue to use it even if they’re growing.

One thing to note: the let-off is low, just 65 percent. It’s not much of an issue because the draw weight is low anyway. However, it does mean the bowstring requires 14 pounds of force for 40 pounds of draw weight, so it’s important that a young archer work their way up and not go for high draw weights until they’re ready.

Last of all, the Mini Burner is good for beginners because it comes in a ready-to-shoot package. This means basic accessories are included, such as a three-pin sight, arrow rest, quiver and, best of all, a stabilizer. This way a beginner can hit the range right away without having to worry about finding compatible accessories.

We just wish it came with more than only three carbon arrows. Beginners are likely to lose arrows while hunting or practicing. Plus, the included quiver is extra large with room for five.

Best Deer Hunting Bow for Mature Bucks: Diamond Archery Edge 320

Our Verdict: For dominant mature bucks, you need speed and power as well as stability and silence. That’s why we recommend the Edge 320 and its 85% let-off for taking your trophy this whitetail season.

Pros:

• Quiet shot

• Binary cam system

• Adjustable draw weight 7-70 lbs

• 320 fps arrow speed

• Impressive 85% let-off

• Adjustable draw length 15-31 inches

Cons:

• Slightly heavier than other models

• Limited camo options

If the dominant buck in your area has been giving you the slip season after season, it might be time for a high-quality bow that has a fast but quiet shot that can penetrate his tough body. That’s the Edge 320.

What we really love is the synchronized binary cam system that produces up to 70 pounds of draw weight. That’s a lot of power and can produce arrow speeds up to 320 fps. Bucks are usually pretty suspicious, even in the rut, and you may need a longer shot to take down a mature one. A higher bow speed will help with that.

Similarly, it’s hard to beat the 85-percent let-off. That means you only have to hold around 10 pounds at full draw. Again, due to the intelligence and caution of a mature buck, you need to hold your bow steadily with little motion. The high let-off really helps with that.

A last side note on this bow, it has an adjustable draw length up to 31 inches. That makes it good for taller archers with longer wingspans. Though arm length varies by height, it should likely work for archers up to around 6’3″ unless they have particularly long arms.

Best Deer Hunting Bow Runner Up: Bear Archery Cruzer G2

Our Verdict: A great choice for a hunter looking to commit to bowhunting, it offers a blistering 315 fps of arrow speed along with a four-pin sight for longer-distance shots, and it even has a RockStop string suppressor that dampens sound and vibration during the shot.

Pros:

• Adjustable draw weight 5-70 lbs

• Lightweight at just 3 lbs

• Included string suppressor

• 4-pin bow sight

• 315 fps arrow speed

• Multiple camo options

Cons:

• Needs tuning

• 70% let-off is a bit low

What’s great about the Cruzer G2 is that it fits a wide range of bowhunters. It’s worth looking at regardless of your skill level and whether you’re hunting mature bull elk or small whitetail does. The reason is that the draw weight is highly adjustable, from five pounds to 70 pounds. Tune it as you like to get power, distance, manageability, accuracy, etc.

Additionally, the Bear Cruzer has a few other advantages over other popular models. For example, it produces a maximum arrow speed of 315 fps, and it comes with a four-pin bow sight. Combined, that really allows you to increase your range and push the limits of your current skills.

The only place the Cruzer G2 lags behind is the 70-percent let-off. This isn’t bad, per se, but for a bow of this quality, we’d expect a little more. 70 percent means that with the maximum draw weight, you’ll be holding back 21 pounds on the bowstring. Again, not too bad, but you may find that you can’t hold your aim for as long as you’re used to.

Perhaps our favorite feature, though, and the one that earns the G2 a place amongst the best bows for deer hunting, is the RockStops offset string suppressor. Deer can hear incredibly well and react quickly. A noisy shot could cause a quarry to jump, ruining your shot. Plus, it’ll scare off any other game in the area. The RockStop feature gobbles up a lot of the sound and minimizes that problem.

Finally, we love the wide range of camo options the Cruzer G2 comes in. This helps you blend in in your specific local environment. For example, go with the greener Toxic option if you’re in the south where plants stay green through deer season, but consider TrueTimber Strata if you’re in the Midwest where everything is brown by the rut.

Best Deer Hunting Bow Overall: Diamond by Bowtech Deploy SB R.A.K.

Our Verdict: With eye-popping arrow speed, 80% let-off, and advanced accessories included, it’s our all around favorite bow for hunting deer in any climate or situation.

Pros:

• Lightning-fast 330 fps arrow speed

• Maximum 70 lbs draw weight

• Binary cam system

• 80% let-off

• Advanced accessories included

• Lightweight carbon riser

Cons:

• Top-shelf price

The Deploy SB is an advanced model, and it shot up the list of our favorite deer hunting bows this year because of those advanced features. Admittedly, it’s a pricier compound bow as well, so when considering its power and specialization, it’s best for serious bowhunters who have a few seasons under their belt and know what they’re doing.

First, just consider the lethal power of this bow. You can get it with a maximum draw weight of 70 pounds that produces an arrow speed of 330 fps, one of the fastest you can get on the market today. That means serious kinetic energy and better penetration, even at long distances.

Be aware that this draw weight is not especially adjustable. You can get a version adjustable from 50 to 60 pounds or 60 to 70. Frankly, this is better for experienced archers who consistently use the same draw weight. It means the bow is more structurally sound and likely to last you more seasons. This is in addition to a binary cam system that requires less tuning to remain accurate.

Meanwhile, the let-off is a full 80 percent. Regardless of the draw weight you use, the Deploy SB is much easier to hold at full draw. This gives you a more accurate aim, even if you have to wait a long time for a quarry to come into range or turn for a good shot.

Finally, though this is a top-shelf model with the corresponding price tag, the full “Ready Aim Kill” kit increases the value for your money. This includes accessories like a four-pin sight, brush arrow rest, stabilizer and a quiver with room for five arrows.

Happy Deer Hunting!

As with all our product review posts, we try to educate as we discuss bows, so hopefully there’s something here that will illuminate the art and science of deer hunting. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We’re always open to ideas for new articles and reviews.

As always, be safe, have fun, and happy hunting!

Comments: Pros: Decent action, nice paint job, cast well, Con: Floats, had to add 3 suspend dots.

From: Aaron: 4/10/22

Comments: I’m ordering more. I catch bluefish, spanish mackeral, ladyfish, and flounder on the 3 3/4 inch 1/2 oz model. Can’t wait to try it on speckled trout and red drum soon. I prefer single saltwater hooks so I change out the trebles with singles. Works better for me. Great hard bait with great action. Fish slam it.From: Unknown: 9/30/20

Comments: Very nice action and durability. I’ve caught 2 dozen fish or so on one of these bad boys and the finish and hooks still hold up. Highly recommended.From: Unknown: 3/14/20

Comments: Excellent action, it will hunt side to side with the right twitch cadence. Mine had a VERY slow sink but changing hooks to a smaller size would make this lure simply hover indefinitely in the right water temperature.

From: Unknown – 1/4/19

Comments: Picked up some of the larger models in all the colors, tried them out in the salt. they swam great, but float. I know items are more buoyant in salt water, so I picked up some lead dots and plan to adjust them accordingly. if I can get these to suspend, im sure ill nail the Calico bass, as these lures have a great finish

From: Unknown 8/29/17

Comments: Threw this off a dock just to test it. Had a real good darting action and suspended pretty good. It did have a very slow rise but I was using 14lb mono and the water was upper 80s. The lure looked well built and hooks seemed to be good.

From: Ruff: Missouri 7/26/17

Comments: I was using the 5.5″ in Black scale and it worked great!! I caught a 5.62 lbs Largemouth on it. The Hooks don’t need to be changed, they are 9/10, 9/10 because when I was unhooking that bass one of them bent, but it was easy to fix.

From: Elliot 5/8/17

Comments: I’ve been throwing the 5.5″ in Silver Prism and Silver Back for the past few months. It is a certified big fish bait. Stuck numerous fish ranging from 4-7lbs. My hat is off to Baker Lures. Fit and finish on this jerkbait is excellent. High quality paint and components. Hooks are beefy and nasty sharp. This bait is a steal for the price. Pick a few up, you won’t be sorry!

From: Jake H.: Wentzville, Missouri 4/5/17

Comments: I use the baker jerk baits all the time for small & large mouth bass. They are awesome baits, suspend perfectly and catch tons of bass. I start using them once water is below 60 degrees.

From: Jim: PA 11/25/15

Comments: Baker lures is one of my favorite jerk baits now. I caught bass all day with the coral opal ice color and the black scale color. They are built with very quality products and the main thing is you can afford to throw these guys in places where you wouldn’t the 28 dollar megabass lures. Another great thing about the Baker lures is they do what they say they will. You had better get you some before the price goes up and the word gets around about how great they catch fish.

From: William: Hohenwald, TN 5/17/14

Comments: These jerkbaits are a winner. Of the many “suspending” jerkbaits that I own, the Baker is one of the very few that actually hangs in place, neither rising nor sinking.From: MA

Comments: i used the baker jerkbaits this spring! They worked really good for smallmouth bass. Water temp was 43-53 degrees. I caught them on 5 different colors in clear water. i was impressed.From: PA

Most air gunners know that shooting in cold weather has its challenges. The air is thinner, so the pellet loses velocity faster. But what exactly happens to an air gun in cold weather? Here’s a breakdown of how different types of air guns are affected by the cold.

CO2

CO2-powered air guns use small cartridges of pressurized CO2 to propel the pellet. These cartridges are sensitive to temperature changes, and can actually freeze in colder weather. When this happens, the gas inside the cartridge expands and can rupture the cartridge. So, if you’re using a CO2-powered gun in cold weather, be sure to keep extra cartridges on hand in case your gun freezes up. It’s also a good idea to keep your cartridges in an insulated pouch close to your body to keep them warm.

Spring-piston (springer)

Guns with steel springs are commonly used for hunting and target shooting because they’re very powerful. But that power comes at a price—namely, these guns are very sensitive to changes in temperature. Cold weather can cause the metal spring inside the gun to contract, which decreases the power of the shot. So, if you plan on using a steel spring gun in cold weather, be sure to sight it in at the range first so you know how much compensation you need to make for the reduced power.

Gas springs

Gas springs are similar to steel springs, but they’re made from a high-strength alloy that is less affected by temperature changes. However, gas springs can still lose some power in colder weather. They also tend to be louder than steel springs, so if you’re hunting in cold weather, be aware that your gas spring gun may give away your position if you take a shot.

Precharged guns (PCP guns) and other pneumatics

Precharged pneumatic (PCP) guns are powered by compressed air or nitrogen instead of a spring or gas cylinder. This makes them much more resistant to changes in temperature since compressed gases don’t expand or contract as metal springs do. PCP guns also have fewer moving parts than other types of air guns, so they tend to be more reliable overall. If you plan on doing any shooting in cold weather, a PCP gun is your best bet.

For more on the best PCP air rifle on the market, see this post

Introduction

This best-of list isn’t your typical top ten. It lists fifteen OTF knives that are the best in their respective categories. I’ll cover more than just our choice for the Best EDC OTF and Best Tactical OTF. Have you ever wondered what the Best OTF for Fidgeting is? Or the Best Weird OTF? What about an OTF hidden gem?

In addition to stating why each knife was chosen, they will be rated on a scale from 1-10 on the six points below.

• Blade Steel: The quality of the blade steel.
• Ergonomics: How comfortable the knife is to hold and use.
• Fit & Finish: The quality of the build and the parts.
• Operation: How practical, comfortable, and easy it is to open and close the knife.
• Lockup: How tight the blade lockup is when the knife is open.
• Affordability: How accessible the item’s price is.

The higher the rating, the better! Each knife will be given a total score to help you compare these models.

Without further ado, in no particular order, the 15 best OTF knives by category:

1: Best OTF for EDC: Guardian Tactical RECON-035Score: 48/60

Fit & Finish: 9 Blade Steel: 10 Ergonomics: 8Operation: 9 Lockup: 8 Affordability: 4

The RECON-035 was the first knife to feature Guardian Tactical’s patented ultra-smooth slide mechanism. The mechanism consists of a thumb-friendly steel slide that moves up and down a polished steel plate on ceramic bearings. The result? The smoothest and most comfortable thumb slide operation on the market. Couple that with the 035’s fantastic blade-to-handle ratio, edge geometry, and premium American craftsmanship, and you have the perfect OTF for EDC. It’s user-friendly, the ideal medium size, and has reliable, satisfying action.

2: Most Accessible OTF: Kershaw LivewireScore: 48/60

Fit & Finish: 9 Blade Steel: 10 Ergonomics: 7 Operation: 10 Lockup: 7 Affordability: 5

The Livewire, designed by Matt Diskin, is a hot pick for both longtime knife users and those new to OTF automatics. Not only is it extremely accessible, boasting a mechanism that anyone can comfortably use, but it comes with premium materials and premium craftsmanship at a very reasonable price! It makes a unique statement with its styling and angled pocket clip but doesn’t do so at the expense of user comfort. Kershaw’s USA team has been positively electric lately, and the Livewire is taking things to the next level.

3: Best Selling OTF: Microtech UltratechScore: 47/60

Fit & Finish: 10 Blade Steel: 10 Ergonomics: 8 Operation: 7 Lockup: 9 Affordability: 3

The Ultratech is an OTF so iconic you could call it the OTF. Microtech has a reputation for excellence and constant improvement. Since the Ultratech’s release in 1999, it has undergone iterative upgrades, turning it into the precise, reliable cutting tool it is today. It’s great for EDC and tactical situations, with Microtech’s signature X-Button ensuring your thumb always gets enough purchase when deploying and retracting the blade. The Ultratech’s premium quality and unparalleled fit and finish are two of the many reasons it’s the best-selling OTF knife ever. Pick from a vast array of colors and blade shapes to get the Ultratech configuration that’s perfect for you.

4: Best Tactical OTF: Benchmade InfidelScore: 42/60

Fit & Finish: 9 Blade Steel: 6 Ergonomics: 9 Operation: 7 Lockup: 9 Affordability: 2

The Benchmade 3300 Infidel is a Bill McHenry design-the guy who designed the AXIS Lock with Jason Williams. The knife has reliable double-action, a grippy thumb slide, and solid lockup. Its double-edge blade is perfect for self-defense and can be perfectly controlled with its anodized aluminum handle. A pocket clip keeps the knife securely by your side until it’s time to deploy. The Benchmade reputation is one of enduring American quality and lifelong satisfaction, and the Infidel lives up to it completely.

5: Best Budget OTF: AKC F-16Score: 42/60

Fit & Finish: 6 Blade Steel: 5 Ergonomics: 7 Operation: 8 Lockup: 7 Affordability: 9

The F-16 by AKC is a Taiwanese double-action OTF knife that brings a load of value to your EDC lineup. It boasts the unique design feature of having the thumb slide double as the Italian stiletto-style guard. If you want some awesome OTF action in your life and aren’t worried about getting the best of the best, look no further.

6: Best Premium OTF: Hawk Knife Designs Deadlock (Model C)Score 51/60

Fit & Finish: 10 Blade Steel: 10 Ergonomics: 10 Operation: 10 Lockup: 10 Affordability: 1

The Deadlock, engineered by father and son duo Grant and Gavin Hawk, is a double-action OTF automatic knife with no blade play. That’s right: the blade doesn’t move at all when it’s deployed. Aside from that, it has an ergonomic handle, superb action, and a unique hinged pocket clip. If you need the best of the best and price isn’t an issue, this is the OTF for you—if you can get your hands on one.

7: Best Mini OTF: Microtech UTX-70Score: 46/60

Fit & Finish: 10 Blade Steel: 10 Ergonomics: 7 Operation: 7 Lockup: 9 Affordability:3

Why is this the Best Mini OTF knife? Because it’s literally a scaled-down version of the best-selling OTF of all time-it’s a mini Ultratech! The UTX-70 gets its name for being 70% the size of the Ultratech. The two knives are congruent, apart from the lanyard hole that appears on the pocket clip of the Ultratech. It’s a super fun, cute, even novel knife, but it’s built like a tank and features all the positive traits of Microtech’s other OTF automatic knives. Without a doubt, it’s the best choice if you want a premium, fun-sized OTF knife.

8: Best Large OTF: Guardian Tactical RECON-040/Heretic Cleric II/Microtech Combat Troodon

It’s a three-way tie for the Best Large OTF knife: The Guardian Tactical RECON-040 is the biggest and most user-friendly, featuring Guardian Tactical’s patented thumb slide system; the Heretic Cleric II is the best long OTF, featuring a slender profile and a blade stretching over four inches long; and the Microtech Combat Troodon is the OG big-boy OTF. All three are excellent options. Pick the one that suits your style. Are you looking for big and accessible? The 040 is for you. Want something agile and sleek? Try the Cleric. Want all-around beefiness and unparalleled quality? Go with the Combat Troodon.

9: Best Single-Action OTF: Para-XScore 46/60

Fit & Finish: 10 Blade Steel: 8 Ergonomics: 9 Operation: 6 Lockup: 10 Affordability: 3

The Para-X was the knife that got Paragon off its feet before the introduction of the Warlock gravity knife. Paragon recently took its knives to the next level with help from Hypercut Manufacturing, and the newest version of the Para-X is hands down a masterpiece. The action is smooth and powerful, the button is responsive, and the blade locks firmly in place when deployed, ready to meet your cutting needs. Single-action OTFs are a dying breed, mostly due to requiring two hands to close, but the para-X proves they are still desirable today!

10: Best Gravity OTF: EXO-MScore: 48/60

Fit & Finish: 10 Blade Steel: 9 Ergonomics: 8 Operation: 9 Lockup: 8 Affordability:4

The Reate EXO-M is a more EDC-friendly version of the fan-favorite EXO gravity knife, featuring a pocket clip, a safety lock to prevent the blade from opening or closing unintentionally, and a slightly shorter overall length. The EXO-M is a joy to use: Sliding its blade in and out with nothing but gravity is addictive!

11: Best Spring Assisted OTF: Smith & Wesson OTFScore: 39/60

Fit & Finish: 7 Blade Steel: 4 Ergonomics: 5 Operation: 4 Lockup: 9 Affordability:10

Spring-assisted OTF knives were created as a workaround for the Federal Switchblade Act. Initially, this made them more widely legal. A nudge on the blade via a switch pushing the blade passed a detent so the spring can carry it the rest of the way open. A big perk of Smith & Wesson’s assisted OTFs is that they’re affordable and come with much of the fun you want when buying an OTF. Closing the knife gets a little complex, but its satisfying blade deployment easily offsets that.

12: Best Manual OTF: Boker Plus SlikeScore 39/60

Fit & Finish: 7 Blade Steel: 6 Ergonomics: 5 Operation: 6 Lockup: 6 Affordability:9

The Boker Slike is an extremely lightweight manual OTF knife. It has a button lock that can secure the blade while it’s all the way out or just halfway out, making it a fantastic utility cutter. It has a tough D2 steel blade, a secure pocket clip, and a wicked-sharp double-edge blade. The Slike is perfect for those wanting a low-profile utility knife with some gangster flare.

13: Best OTF for Fidgeting: GTX-025Score: 49/60

Fit & Finish: 9 Blade Steel: 10 Ergonomics: 7 Operation: 10 Lockup: 8 Affordability: 5

When I first got my hands on one of these, I knew I was holding something special. The Guardian Tactical GTX-025 has that same buttery action that the RECON-035 and the RECON-040 have, but it’s on a much smaller knife that uses a lighter spring. The result is fidget heaven. It’s hard to stop flicking the blade in and out once you start. And the best part is, it’s not just a fun OTF; it’s a premium one that will hold up for years and cut like a chainsaw. If I had to pick one knife on this list that I recommend the most, without a doubt, it would be this little guy.

14: Best Weird OTF: Heretic ROCScore: 45/60

Fit & Finish: 10 Blade Steel: 10 Ergonomics: 8 Operation: 6 Lockup: 9 Affordability: 2

Looking for a non-standard or “weird” OTF knife? Check out the Heretic Knives ROC: it’s curved! The karambit-style blade shoots in and out of the curved handle with snappy automatic action. It seems like it should be impossible, but it works like a charm! If you want a real conversation starter that doubles as a serious cutter, the Heretic ROC is here for you.

15: Best Underrated OTF: Hogue CounterstrikeScore 49/60

Fit & Finish: 8 Blade Steel: 10 Ergonomics: 10 Operation: 8 Lockup: 9 Affordability: 4

Last but not least is the Hogue Counterstrike. This hidden gem is the perfect size for EDC, has a textured handle that’s very tactilely pleasing, boasts a removable glass breaker, has a discrete pocket clip, and has fantastic lockup. It disappears into your pocket when it’s not in use but comes out with a bang when it’s time to work. When I first handled this knife, I was instantly impressed. Well done, Hogue!

Conclusion

So, you ask, is there really one overall best OTF? Maybe there is (looking at you, Ultratech), but I think the answer is more complicated than that. Different types of OTFs fill different roles. I hope that by perusing this list of the best OTF knives by category, you better understand the sort of knife that will meet your needs and scratch that OTF itch.

You may not agree with our list, but now you know the types of OTF knives out there and the features you might be looking for in your next (or first) OTF knife buy.

So…which one will it be?

Once again this year, every lilac in Southcentral seems to be showing signs of the latest surprise invasion. They are each harboring lilac leaf miners. Those brown patches on most leaves contain a caterpillar, one of the life stages of the pest. These eat tissue between the leaves and then use a silk thread to roll up the leaf and create a cocoon so they can pupate.

After a week, the caterpillars are transformed into small, fingernail-size moths. You may have seen them on your lawns. These will lay eggs, which will hatch into caterpillars, and the cycle will repeat. I am not sure how many cycles these moths have here in the summer, but elsewhere there are several. Let’s keep an eye on untouched leaves for the rest of the season and see what happens. Citizen science at work.

Fortunately, we are getting flowers before the leaf damage is visible. And, usually these kinds of population explosions work themselves out as natural predators take care of the problem. I have my fingers crossed.

Perhaps it is best to just see if nature will do her thing. Still, will someone remind me to suggest spraying lilacs with Bt next year just before these guys start eating? You might consider spraying this year if your leaves have not rolled up. And, you can squish the brown patches, but you will be working all day to do just one decent-size shrub.

Speaking of leaves, slugs are always around once eggs hatch early in the season. They have just gotten big enough lately to be seen easily. You know the routine. Trap them outside your gardens with beer or yeast in shallow containers they can get into and drown.

Every year I am asked if our slugs can be eaten. They can, but be careful, as slugs can carry a parasite gained from eating rodent feces which causes a form of meningitis in the human brain. If you are going to eat your slugs, you have to cook them. You also might want to purge their waste systems. I don’t recommend the practice. There are plenty of other strange things to eat out there.

Like mushrooms! The wet weather has caused the annual August explosion of fungi. I shouldn’t have to tell you to not eat any you cannot identify — just like no one needs to tell you to mask up because you already do — but I will! You need a good mycological identification book and, preferably a real experienced guide as well before you eat even the four or so that are all over, easily identified and delicious.

Some folks expend a lot of energy picking them. I leave my mushrooms in place. They are fruits of an extensive underground network, and you are not going to eradicate them. In fact, you don’t want to! Most of the mushrooms that pop up this time of year are fruiting bodies of the vast mycorrhizal fungal network that is feeding our trees. Those amanita? They support the birches in your yard.

You may not know that moose love mushrooms. So do squirrels and other animals. Treat them like summer bird feeders, only look for mammals.

Two question about the ability to grow peonies from seeds collected from plants that are now beginning to produce pods. What a loaded question!

First, seeds are not ready yet. Let the pods develop and collect them in September. These may or may not be true to the parent because they may have cross-pollinated with a different type.

Outside, these seeds are planted in a bed someplace that can be watched and maintained for the four-year-or-so wait for a decent plant. The seeds need a couple of warm months and then the chill of winter. We may or may not get enough warm time before winter here, so you can plant them indoors starting in October.

And finally, should you cut back peony plants to prevent diseases? First, of all, don’t do anything right now. Let your plants continue to grow and feed the root system. I know the standard advice is to remove peony leaves from the garden in the fall. I never have and have not had problems. If you do remove the leaves, make sure to mulch the remains to replace what you took away, and mark where the plant is so you will know next spring. Without this year’s stems it may be hard to find.

Jeff’s Alaska garden calendar

Alaska Botanical Garden: I know you read this, but have you joined, checked the website, gone to a Thursday socially distant picnic and generally taken advantage of this great institution? You should. alaskabg.org

Lawn pattern contest: Keep those wonderful lawn pattern photos coming in. It is not too late to mow a pattern into your lawn. Winner gets an autographed copy of one of my books.

Tomatoes and cucumbers: Cloudy, raining days mean no pollination, unless you be the bee.

Kohlrabi: How long are you going to wait to harvest yours? Baseball, not softball size is the way to go.

Butter and eggs: Their flowers are opening. When you encounter them, pick and remove from the landscape.

Dahlias, delphiniums: Stake yours. Those flowers are heavy when wet.

[Because of a high volume of comments requiring moderation, we are temporarily disabling comments on many of our articles so editors can focus on the coronavirus crisis and other coverage. We invite you to write a letter to the editor or reach out directly if you’d like to communicate with us about a particular article. Thanks.]

Knowing what basic turkey talk sounds like and being able to mimic these sounds will make the difference between a fan bobbing over your shoulder and tag soup.

by Scott Haugen

As I write these words, spring turkey season is only a few days away. Where I live in the Pacific Northwest, it’s believed to be our most harsh spring conditions since the early 1980s. I’m scouting for turkeys daily, and what I see is far different from last season.

Many hens and juvenile birds are still in large family flocks. Several toms are in bachelor flocks of the same age class, and their strutting and gobbling have been very subdued. We’re supposed to have freezing temperatures and snow the next few days, which may further delay turkey courtship and breeding activity.

Knowing this, I plan on hunting on opening day in some extensive stands of Douglas fir timber. We’ve had constant rain for days, and this is where many of the turkeys have been seeking shelter. The hens spend a lot of time preening, and because they’re in family flocks, the birds are vocal when there’s a break in the weather.

On opening day, I plan to emulate what I hear from turkeys, such as soft hen yelps with more kee-kees than I usually use this time of year. I’ll also use deeper-sounding tom yelps, which I’ve detected on my Stealth Cam trails cam video clips lately. For my decoy setup, I’ll use a new Preening Hen from Dave Smith Decoys and possibly an Upright Hen if birds hang out in big numbers and the rain continues to fall.

I’ve been fortunate to hunt turkeys in many places around our great country, and I base much of my calling on what the birds do at the time and place I’m hunting.

One season began in Florida in 80-degree temperatures, and I also hunted on a 16-degree day with snow in Washington state a few days later. Knowing what sounds turkeys make, and more importantly, what they mean, has dramatically impacted my nearly 40 years of turkey hunting.

While turkeys are vocal all year long, here are some sounds to tune into this spring.

Hen Yelp

The hen makes the most commonly heard sound in the turkey woods, called a hen yelp or plain yelp. Toms and jakes also yelp, but it’s louder, raspier, and usually more drawn-out than that of hens.

The hen yelp is an introductory call and the most straightforward sound. I’d say 80 percent of the toms I’ve called in — and seen called in — have come to a hen yelp. These sounds are usually delivered in a series of one-note tunes and occur when turkeys are within sight of one another. It sends the message that everyone is safe and lets one another know where they are.

Yelps can range from three to seven notes, even up to nine or ten as hens get more excited. The pitch and volume remain constant, with three to four notes created per second and each burst lasting up to .10 seconds. The sequence is simple and resembles a chirp, chirp, chirp, or a yup, yup, yup sound.

Yelps are easily made with box calls, slates, diaphragms, and push-pull calls. The yelp is a good call to bring birds in close, whether you can see them or not. Should birds appear edgy, plain yelps can help calm them. Yelps will also bring in hens, and toms will likely follow them.

The Cluck

The cluck is one of the most basic sounds in the turkey woods, but it still carries a strong meaning. The one to three-note sequence goes like tuck…tuck,…tuck. Its purpose is to get another bird’s attention or reassure an approaching tom that a hen is waiting. It’s a pleasing, attention-grabbing, simple, yet powerful sound when bringing in a tom.

Clucks are made up of one to three single, staccato notes, usually separated by two to three seconds. A cluck’s sharp, crisp sounds are mainly used when an approaching tom hangs up in sight of your setup.

Often, hens are called in with clucks, and I think this is because when turkeys cluck, they like hearing others respond in the same way; it’s their way of saying, “I’m here, and all is safe.” This is true with hen yelps, too. Clucks are not as intense or abrupt as putts, which is an alarm call.

When birds feed, clucks are often made in conjunction with purrs. Clucks and purrs send a message that all is safe and the birds are content, especially in a flock situation. Clucks and purrs, together, sound something like tuck, tuck, errrrr…..tuck, errrrr…tuck, tuck, tuck, errrrr, tuck. Using the cluck and purr together is natural and convincing if looking to pull in wary toms or hens. They’re also good, calm sounds to stop a tom for a shot.

The Purr

As with the cluck, purrs can easily be made on slates, box calls, and push-pull calls. Purrs are tougher to make with diaphragm calls but are worth mastering when you find yourself in the open and need to call hands-free to bring a tom in closer or stop him for a shot.

Purrs are relaxing, almost bubbly sounding, reassurance calls. They send the simple message that birds feel safe. When a flock of birds spreads out, feeding in early spring, purrs can continually be heard. Purrs are soft sounds that roll in a smooth, calming fashion, thus, are not very loud. The purr is a single, drawn-out note that sounds like, errrr. This is a great call to offer when toms are close, especially if they seem nervous.

Kee-Kee

The kee-kee is a call commonly associated with fall turkey hunting. But I’ve had great success with it early in the spring when conditions are cold and wet, and birds are in large flocks. The purpose of the kee-kee is to reassemble broken flocks, and the sound is largely made by young birds who’ve lost track of the congregation and are looking to reassemble with adult birds. Adult birds, primarily hens, also make variations of these sounds, and this is what toms will often respond to.

The kee-kee is usually made up of three relatively coarse and somewhat unevenly spaced kee, kee, kee sounds that, in total, last just over a second. The key to making this call work is sticking to the magic three-note sequence, not extending it. As birds mature, the kee-kee sounds become slightly raspier, which is what you’ll hear in early spring.

The Cutt

Cutts are a series of loud, insistent, fast-paced, single-note sounds turkeys use to announce their presence, often hoping to hear another turkey’s response. It says, “If you hear me and are ready to breed or simply socialize, come find me.”

Cutts are easy sounds on a box or slate call, but diaphragm users may find it challenging due to the complex, stop-start, and rapid pace. Cutts are made in fast bursts of two or three notes, usually followed a second or so later with more of the same. The sequence sounds something like; tut…tut….tut, tut, tut, tut…tut…tut…tut…tut. tut. tut, tut, tut. The sequence varies widely, so if offering these sounds, don’t feel like they have to be exact.

Many hunters like using cutts to locate toms by getting them to shock gobble early in the morning. I use cutts any time of day, all season long, because they are natural turkey sounds used to announce their presence and because they are loud and carry well in the big terrain of the West where I do much of my hunting.

There are other sounds turkeys, and turkey hunters make, many more. But the ones we’ve looked at here are the basics hunters should be able to recognize in the woods and create on their own at any moment.

This turkey season, listen closely to the birds in your area. Know that their sounds — especially in the early season — can vary daily, even hour to hour on those stormy days with momentary sunlight breaks. Being equipped with the right calls, and making the right sounds at the right time, can make a big difference when bringing in a boss tom.

The best bow release for archery is just a click away, you just have to do your research. Luckily, we’ve done it for you. Through a variety of testing, we’ve come across and studied the best archery releases.

Here are the top 10 best bow releases for archery:

1. Spot Hogg – WiseGuy Release
2. Carter Enterprises Wise Choice Release
3. Tru-Fire Edge 4-Finger
4. TruFire Patriot Archery
5. SCOTT Release Little Goose
6. Tru-Fire Hardcore
7. TruFire Foldback Adjustable
8. Hot Shot Vapor 4-Release
9. Tru Ball Archery Fang
10. Truglo Detonator Ultra-Smooth

My Top 10 Picks Of The Best Bow Releases

1. Spot Hogg – WiseGuy Bow Release

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Design: Full Radius Handle

Weight: 2.4 ounces

Dimensions: 11.1 x 5 x 2.3 inches

Out of the different archery releases that I tried out, the Spot Hogg was definitely one of my favorites. It was lightweight, but heavy enough to have some substance to it. The design itself was more slim that I anticipated from the pictures, but this was a plus when I got to shooting. The padding on the handle itself was pleasant and it didn’t cause any chaffing.

Adjusting the strap was fairly easy, but I don’t think that it’s something that you could do on-the-go. You would have to stop for a few seconds to fix it, but that’s to be expected

To get a good idea of the efficiency of the design, I experimented with the self-reloading hook and forward trigger. I don’t really have any complaints, since it was so easy to use and relatively smooth. The open jaw was also a plus because it allowed me the fire pretty quickly.

2. Carter Enterprises Wise Choice Release

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Design: 3-Finger Release

Weight: 4.8 ounces

Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 1.5 inches

If you’re looking for something a little more elegant and sturdy, this release by Carter Enterprises may be perfect for you. The 3-finger release is simple, but fully functional. I tried shooting with it and didn’t find anything to complain about.

But while this release is perfect in many senses, I’m not sure that it’s coloring would be the best for hunting. I would have preferred camouflage or something darker that wouldn’t be so noticeable in the woods. However, with this in mind, this isn’t something that would stop me from buying. Because it really is such as lovely piece, it would do well for those that shoot with still targets.

Overall, while this product may initially seem a little pricey, this piece is definitely worth the money. As opposed to buying several inexpensive, perhaps mediocre, releases, this high-quality release would be the one that lasts.

3. Tru-Fire Edge 4-Finger Bow Release

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Design: 4-Finger Release

Weight: 4.8 ounces

Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches

The first thing that I immediately noticed about the Tru-Fire Edge 4-Finger release was its feel. Holding in my hand, it felt comfortable and it was much like something that I would buy myself. The body of the release felt durable and I could tell that it was well-made.

When shooting, my favorite thing about this release was that I could rotate it a full 360 degrees. While this isn’t something that I would purposely look for myself, it was definitely a plus when shooting. Something else that I noticed is that the release comes with an adjustable thumb, which made it pretty easy to shoot from both hands.

Overall, I think that this release would be good for still-target shooting, hunting, or anything in between.

4. TruFire Patriot Archery

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Design: Full Radius Handle

Weight: 0.32 ounces

Dimensions: 10.5 x 5.2 x 1.8 inches

From looking at the picture, I wasn’t immediately sold on this product, but since TruFire Patriot Archery was an Amazon best seller at such a ridiculously low price, I decided to give it a shot.

After trying it out and shooting with it for a bit, I can understand why this product sells. To be honest, it’s not the best in the world, but I can’t say that it’s a terrible product either.

The release itself does the job and I think that it’s a perfect starter for people who are just getting into archery. However, I’m not sure that it would be great for everyone and I, for sure, wouldn’t buy it for hunting. While the strap was easy to adjust, the velcro was fairly loud and would surely spook any animals.

Beyond this note, the full 360 rotation was quite nice and, like the release above, it was easy to switch between hands. Overall, I would recommend this product, but more for beginners who are not yet ready to invest a ton of money into equipment.

5. SCOTT Releases Little Goose

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Design: Full Radius Handle

Weight: 4 ounces

Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches

While I didn’t know what to expect, the Scott Little Goose had a few innovations that really exceeded my expectations and impressed me. The first thing that I noticed about the release was how amazingly sensitive it could be. I played around with the trigger, since it had a few different sensitivities that you could try out, and was pleasantly surprised. The soft trigger was pretty fun to use and it would probably be good for hunting.

Another innovation that I found on this product was the design of the length adjustment. In order to change the length of the release, I had to take out a little screw, slide the trigger up, and then put it back. While it was a little confusing at first, it was pretty simple once you got the hang of it.

6. Tru-Fire Hardcore Bow Release

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Design: Full Radius Handle

Weight: 6.4 ounces

Dimensions: 10.5 x 5.2 x 1.8 inches

The TruFire Hardcore release claims to have over 2 times the padding of other traditional bow releases. I’m not sure if I agree with the statement, but I will admit that it was pretty comfortable. The slightly wider and rolled edges were are a nice touch, but I wouldn’t have thought too much about it if they hadn’t mentioned it in the product description.

What interested me more about this product was its trigger, which can be adjusted from 3 ounces to more than 16 ounces. I tried it out and found it on par with the Little Goose release, despite the different design.

Shooting-wise, I tried firing with both hands and it was quite a pleasant experience, so I have no complaints.

7. TruFire Foldback Adjustable Bow Release

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Design: Full Radius Handle

Weight: 4 ounces

The TruFire Foldback Adjustable Release had a similar feel to the Little Goose. The leather was pleasant and did not slide, so it was very comfortable. In fact, it was possible for me to shoot with one hand and work with the other simultaneously. And while I didn’t do any extensive training with it, I’m sure that it would be perfect for climbing or hunting.

The release was also quite versatile with an adjustment length of about an inch, making it perfect for hands of all sizes.

Like the release above, this one also has a head that pivots either left or right buy a full 20 degrees. I found that this was effective at reducing torque. In addition, I did not have any trouble with the swept-back trigger and it was effective in not letting the string slip.

8. Hot Shot Vapor 4-Release

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Design: 4-Finger Release

Weight: 1.6 ounces

The Hot Shot Vapor 4-Release has been quite popular among the archery community. Though a few reviews have mentioned this release getting stuck or releasing prematurely, I personally didn’t have any of these problems. And luckily, from the looks of it, most people only had positive things to say about this released.

In my experience, the release was crisp and it was easy to adjust the trigger tension, trigger level, and angle. It was also very quiet, so it would probably be perfect for hunting.

9. Tru Ball Archery Fang

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Design: 3-Finger Release & 4-Finger Release

Weight: 4 ounces

The Tru Ball Archery Fang is similar to the Hot Shot and is an amazing release at a slightly higher cost. I shot with both the 3- & 4-Finger release and found the pinkie a bit weak. For this reason, I preferred the 3-Finger.

Some people in the comments have stated that it didn’t fit with larger hands, so this is something that you might want to consider when purchasing. Other than that, this was a good release, but not much different from the one above.

10. Truglo Detonator Ultra-Smooth

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Design: Full Radius Handle

Weight: 5.8 ounces

Dimensions: 12 x 7 x 2 inches

The Truglo Detonator Ultra-Smooth Release was another one of my favorites out of the releases that I tried. It was streamlined and pretty easy to use. The strap was comfortable and well-padded, so it didn’t cause any chaffing. The hook at the front also made it easy to load it up quickly.

My favorite part about this release was the stainless steel jaw, because you could tell that it was high-quality and built to last. The 360-degree rotating head was also a plus, but admittedly, I didn’t use it that much.

Why Should You Use A Bow Release For Accuracy?

Shooting without a bow release can be painful. Repeated use can hurt your fingers, so much so that they can get worn, calloused, or numb. Since the string puts a lot of pressure on your fingers, there are a lot of benefits to using a bow release.

You’ll find that with a bow release, your shots will be cleaner and more consistent. You’ll also find that it will improve your accuracy. There will be less slip-ups and as a result, you can use better arrows.

In this Penn Conflict II Spinning Reel Review, we’re presenting one of the lightest weight spinning reels ever to hit the market from Penn.

This reel was released in 2017, and it is available in the 1000-5000 range. The Conflict II is ideal for lightweight anglers looking for a high performing freeshwater reel. This is the lightest reel in the Penn family, and when you stack it up against some of the previous reels from Penn, there is no comparison.

If you enjoyed the Conflict spinning reels before, you’d love this one because of it’s lightweight and durable design. The reel looks great, and it features a super smooth and strong HT-100 drag system. Along with that, they pair in a wide assortment of other features that are unique to this reel, and we’re going to dish them out for you.

The Bottom Line

• A solid choice in the medium priced spinning reel category
• Proven HT-100 carbon fiber drag system
• Solid reel that is not to heavy
• Very durable anodized body

The Penn Conflict II is a solid choice and is available HERE.

The Penn Conflict II has a smooth HT-100 carbon fiber drag system that has been proven in many other Penn models such as the famous Penn Battle II and the much more expensive Penn Clash

The Conflict II is the lightest reel from Penn to this day, and there are a few different reasons for that.

First, you have the RR30 Rigid Resin body and rotor that make up a majority of the weight. This material is incredibly lightweight and durable. It’s even 20% lighter than the original Conflict. If you felt that the first-generation was a little bulky or too heavy, you’ll love the weight and feel of the newer Penn Conflict II.

If we take you inside the reel, you’ll find Penn’s CNC gears using a 7+1 stainless steel ball-bearing system with an aluminum pinion and main gear. These reels offer the ultimate in lightweight inshore fishing while still providing resistance to saltwater.

You also get the Conflict Superline Spool which takes mono backing out of the equation due to a rubber gasket that keeps the line from slipping on the spool. In many reels you will need to use mono to go from the spool to the braid line as braid has a tendency to slip on the spool, this solves this problem.

Something else that really separates the Conflict II from the original model and most other reels for that matter is the lightweight braid Leveline System. The reel provides a slow oscillation system which ensures that your line lays evenly on the spool.

This feature also prevents friction on the line, and the result is one of the longest casting spinning reels on the market today. With this feature, they recommend using a lightweight braided line only for the Conflict II.

Features

Rigid Resin RR30 Techno-balanced rotor – Penn is able to dramatically reduce the weight of this reel compared to the original Conflict primarily due to the design of the body. Using their RR30 Rigid Resin, they lower the overall weight of the reel by 20% which makes this the lightest Penn reel on the market today. Along with weight reduction, the Rigid Resin is also durable and long-lasting.

CNC Gear Technology – They continue to impress with their CNC crafted aluminum pinion and main gear found on the 1000-4000 sizes. The Penn Conflict II 5000 features a brass pinion and aluminum CNC machined main gears.

These are durable and paired alongside high-quality stainless steel ball bearings. Put it all together, and you have a great inshore reel worthy of large trout, redfish, and even sea bass.

HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers – The carbon fiber drag system is the epitome of smooth even when battling larger fish. Having the HT-100 Versa drag washers in the spool allows Penn to use both sides of each washer providing the angler with higher max drags, improved range, and smoother start-ups when stacked up against the original Penn. These washers receive a coating of Penns proprietary grease for longevity.

Heavy-duty aluminum bail wire – The thick aluminum bail wire is durable and long-lasting. It perfectly rounds out an already strong reel.

Superline spool – Another feature that is unique to the Conflict II is the Superline Spool. This design eliminates the need for backing because of the rubber gasket that keeps your line from slipping on the spool. The end result is improved line capacity and a smooth retrieval and cast.

Leveline system – In addition to the superline spool, you also get the Leveline system. The feature differs from the original model by providing anglers with a slower oscillation to improve the way your line lays on the spool. The line creates less friction this way and provides you with a longer cast. Penn states that the Conflict II is the longest casting spinning reel on the market.

Features at a Glance

• Rigid Resin RR30 Techno-balanced rotor
• CNC Gear Technology
• HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers
• Heavy-duty aluminum bail wire
• Superline spool
• Line capacity rings

The Penn Conflict II comes in six different sizes starting with the 1000 series and working it’s way up to a 5000 series. They don’t have a 6000 or anything higher, and that is why they primarily recommend this reel for inshore fishing only.

For the 1000 model, you get a max drag of 9 pounds and a gear ratio of 5.2:1. The reel weighs in at a measly 6.3 ounces, and it has a braided cap of 160/6, 130/8, and 110/10. You’d want to pair this reel with an ultralight rod like the St. Croix Trout Freshwater spinning rod or the St. Croix Mojo Inshore for inshore fishing.

Next, we have a 2000 model which has a max drag of 10 pounds, and it weighs in around 7.4 ounces. You’ll get a braided cap of 210/8, 180/10, and 165/15. For this reel, it comes with a gear ratio of 6.2:1. You’ll still want to pair this reel up with a lightweight, fast action rod to give you the most pop and the greatest level of sensitivity.

For the 2500 model, you have a max drag of 12 pounds, a gear ratio of 6.2:1, and a reel that weighs just below 8 ounces at 7.9. With a 10 pound braid, you’ll get 240 yards of line, and I’ve had much success pairing this reel with the St. Croix Mojo Inshore.

Something incredibly impressive and it speaks volumes for this reel is stacking the previous Conflict up against the Conflict II. The same 2500 model that offers the same max drag and line capacity weighs two ounces more. The Conflict I 2500 weighs 9.8 ounces. As you get up in the models into the 4000 range, the weight of the reel becomes significant but not with the Conflict II.

Even at the 4000 mark for the Conflict II the reel still weighs less than the Conflict 2500. When they say that they took steps to reduce the weight of their premium reels, they were not kidding.

For those of you who want all the details I have provided the chart below.

ModelMono Cap (yds/lb)Braid Cap (yds/lb)BearingsMax Drag (lbs)Gear RatioLine Retrieve Weight (oz) CFTII1000275/2 135/4 105/6160/6 130/8 110/10895.2:1226.3 CFTII2000240/4 180/6 125/8210/8 180/10 165/158106.2:1317.4 CFTII2500255/6 175/8 140/10240/10 220/15 160/208126.2:1337.9 CFTII3000200/8 165/10 120/12240/15 180/20 130/308156.2:1359.1 CFTII4000270/8 220/10 165/12360/15 260/20 185/308156.2:1379.5 CFTII5000225/12 200/15 135/20420/20 300/30 240/408205.6:13814.4

Over the years, I’ve leaned more and more about my lighter tackle gear. I’ve had a lot of success with reels like the Shimano NASCI 1000 and the Daiwa Fuego LT. I was incredibly excited when I saw that Penn was going to design a reel to replicate the original but at a fraction of the weight.

When I think of Penn reels I think “heavy” and now there is a model that I do not have to feel that way about.

For inshore fishing, I prefer to fish for trout, redfish and flounder. I’m somewhat young, but even I have fond memories of fishing trips with rods and reels that looked like my dad dug them out of a cave man’s chest. With the incredible growth in technology, manufacturers are able to make reels much lighter while actually making them stronger as well.

The Penn Conflict II is a reel that maximizes the amount of strength and durability it provides. It doesn’t compromise your comfort and enjoyment with a big bulky and uncomfortable reel that feels like you have been fishing it all day even though you just got on the water.

I favor a 10 to 15 pound braided Berkley Fireline with whatever live bait I can get my hands on. It might be more of a pain, but it pays off in the long run for me: the trout and redfish hammer finger mullet and eels like crazy around the waterways of South Carolina.

Pros

• 20% lighter than the previous Conflict
• One of the bestter inshore reels on the market
• Leveline system maximizes casting distance
• Proven HT-100 drag system

Cons

• Bland appearance; nothing flashy
• Not the lightest in its class for the price

Alternatives

If you’re still looking for some different options, we’ve got them. Sticking with Penn, we’ll look at the Penn Battle II. This reel is going to save you some money, but you’re going to pay for it in the weight of the reel. Each reel model weighs about two ounces more with the Penn Battle II. Read the complete Penn Battle II Review HERE.

Next, we have the Penn Clash. If we were comparing the Clash with the original Penn Conflict, we’d have to give it to the Clash. The whole theme of this review is weight, and even though the Penn Clash is more expensive than the Conflict II, it still weighs more by about an ounce.

With the Clash, you might see a slight improvement in smoothness during the retrieval due to an extra bearing, and you also get the leveline oscillation system and CNC gear technology. Read the complete Penn Clash Review HERE.

If you’re looking to go more affordable with your reel, you could opt for the Daiwa Fuego LT. You can get this reel for under $100, and the weight is even less that the Conlict II. The Daiwa Fuego LT is smooth and offers plenty of corrosion resistance and waterproofing features such as the Mag sealing making it one of our favorite reels. Read the full Daiwa Fuego LT review HERE.

Rolling along we’re going to hit you with a reel that is as light as the Penn Conflict II, and it’s more affordable. So what’s the catch? It’s an Okuma. The Okuma Helios SX is a good quality lightweight reel with a carbon fiber drag, eight corrosion-resistant bearings, and a lightweight carbon frame.

For the price, it’s hard to go wrong, but it doesn’t have the durability and presence of a Penn reel. For the complete Okuma Helios SX, review CLICK HERE.

The last comparison we have is the Shimano Stradic FK. This spinning reel is one of the best inshore reels priced below $200, and it competes with the Penn Conflict II in the weight department. It cost a little more than the Penn Conflict II but for you Shimano fan biys and fan girls its a great reel. For the complete Shimano Stradic FK, review CLICK HERE.

In Conclusion

Overall, the Penn Conflict II is a serious step up from the previous reel. They’ve taken all of their best models and combined it into one to make this reel. While doing that they’ve also incorporated a lot of new technology and features that make this one of the best inshore spinning reels available on the market today in this medium price point.

The first day of deer rifle season is a tradition in Pennsylvania. Whether you enjoy archery or muzzleloader hunting, everyone marks the opening day of Pennsylvania’s rifle season on their calendar. All that hype, anticipation, and year-long excitement is over in one short day. Prepared, and lucky, hunters, will have one hanging at the end of the first day but many more will have to re-evaluate and adapt their deer hunting strategy if they want to harvest a late season buck in the Keystone State.

Late Season Deer Hunting Opportunities in Pennsylvania

Deer hunting the late season starts the beginning of the second week of rifle season and runs all the way to the conclusion of deer hunting in Pennsylvania, which is the last day of flintlock season.

Deer Hunting Season in Pennsylvania

Deer firearms season: November 26 – December 8.

• Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2B, 5C and 5D both antlered and antlerless deer can be harvested with each required license.

• WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B are antlered harvest only November 26 – November 30 except for those hunters having a DMAP antlerless permit, who can harvest an antlerless deer in a DMAP zone. From December 1 – December 8, both antlered and antlerless deer can be harvested.

Deer flintlock and archery after Christmas season: December 26 – January 12.

• One antlered or antlerless deer can be harvested with a buck tag and additional antlerless deer can be harvested with each additional doe tag.

All Pennsylvania deer hunting season and bag limit regulations.

Late season deer hunting in Pennsylvania can be split into two distinct phases. The first is the second week of the deer firearms season. Deer hunting on public land in Pennsylvania has been overloaded with hunters the first week of rifle season and now hunting pressure is slowly decreasing. These last few days of rifle season can be productive if you know how to hunt deer.

The second phase of the late season is the after Christmas flintlock and archery season. Roughly 3 weeks after the end of the rifle season, late season flintlock and archery season provide hunters one last chance at Pennsylvania deer hunting. Hunters are restricted to using traditional flintlock muzzleloaders or archery setups during this season. It takes a completely different deer hunting strategy during these weeks, however, to score a last minute buck.

Deer Hunting Strategy for the Last Week of Rifle Season

If you are not seeing any deer while hunting the second week of rifle season, it may be time to adapt your deer hunting tactics. Here are four tips to up your deer hunting strategy in the second week.

1. Still-hunt bad weather days – The rifle season only lasts for two weeks in most WMUs in the state so you have to hunt when you can. This includes bad weather days. Still-hunt along ridges and on old logging roads where you can stop and glass often. The weather (rain, snow or wind) will allow you to sneak quietly and possibly make something happen and spot an unsuspecting buck. A good deer rifle scope goes a long way here if you have to take a long shot at a buck.
2. Re-visit your opening day plan – A buck that has been pushed from his core area on opening day will come back as pressure subsides in the second week. Go back to your opening deer hunting strategy and wait for him to come back.
3. Use any hunting pressure to your advantage – Some more mature bucks will go nocturnal during rifle season. The only way they will move in daylight hours is by getting bumped. Don’t be afraid to hunt where others are hunting. Let them move around and spook up a buck to your position.
4. Try some rut tactics – In some areas, bucks will still be in rut mode. Either late estrous does or second rut action can be found in the second week. It is not a bad idea to have your grunt call, doe bleat and even rattling horns with you. Be cautious, however, as rattling and blowing a grunt call in areas with a lot of hunting pressure may yield unwanted hunters to your area.

How to See More Deer While Hunting after Christmas

Some of the same deer hunting tips used in the second week of rifle season can also be effective in the after Christmas flintlock season. Although, deer are now back into predictable patterns, particularly their winter patterns. This deer hunting season in Pennsylvania requires more attention to basic deer needs and less around hunting pressure. Consider these three deer hunting tips and strategies when hunting the flintlock season.

1. Hunt mid-day – Winter will be in full force and even the deer will notice the cold temperatures. With reduced hunting pressure, bucks will move more during mid-day when temperatures warm. You want to be hunting when the sun is the highest and bucks are taking advantage of the few extra degrees of warmth.
2. Focus on late season food sources – Deer will be back into feeding mode trying to recover from the rut and maintain themselves during the cold. Groups of deer will usually gather around remaining food sources like mast producing ridges and remaining agricultural fields with leftover crops. Both of these locations are ideal ambush spots for late season deer hunting. Having quality hunting clothing will help you sit over these areas in the evening as temperatures drop.
3. Key in on deer sign – Deer sign is probably more important now than any other time of the year besides the peak rut. In winter deer are not traveling great distances. They are going from bedding areas to feeding areas and back again on a fairly consistent pattern. Areas with fresh deer sign mean deer are in the area and will be back through at some point. Hunt fresh sign and hope one of the tracks or pile of scat you find belongs to a leftover buck.

Don’t get discouraged if you have not filled your buck tag yet. There are many more days left for deer hunting in Pennsylvania besides the first day of buck season. Focus and adapt your deer hunting strategy during the second week of rifle season and during flintlock season to tag out a late season buck.