2005

GSCO GOES INTO THE CONVENTION BUSINESS

With the vote of the board in early 2004, Campbell, Hollis and two new employees, along with some very dedicated volunteers, went to work preparing for the first GSCO convention to be held in early 2005. The venue chosen was a beautiful facility, the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi.

To say that the first GSCO convention was successful is really an understatement. Truthfully, it was wildly successful, which is extremely uncommon for international conventions. Every square inch of convention space was filled to the limit with exhibitors, and the banquets were packed. The auctions raised well over $500,000 to not only help GSCO stabilize financially but to make it possible to expand conservation efforts.

It had already been decided that the GSCO convention would stay at the Beau Rivage for at least two years. Mother Nature decided to change those plans in a rather dramatic way. Hurricane Katrina all but obliterated the Gulf Coast, including the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, in late August 2005, and suddenly GSCO had to go on an emergency shopping trip to find a location for the convention that was to take place six months later.

The search committee was very fortunate in simply moving further up the Mississippi River to Tunica, which was a relatively unknown location but had experienced extreme growth as a gambling town. GSCO signed a two-year contract with the Grand Hotel and Casino in Tunica. The facilities were not nearly as lavish as the Beau Rivage, but were sufficient and obviously GSCO had very few choices at the time.

The 2006 and 2007 conventions in little Tunica, Mississippi, were also amazingly successful. GSCO experienced huge growth in all aspects of a hunting convention. It became apparent that if GSCO wanted to continue to grow, it had to “go west.”

GSCO signed a contract with the Riviera in Las Vegas for 2008 and had a fantastic convention there … the largest and most successful to date. The next two years were spent at Bally’s, also in Las Vegas. The 2011 convention at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas was very successful as far as monies raised, but that hotel was far too expensive and had so many hidden costs that it created a big dilemma for GSCO.

GSCO was very fortunate then to sign a contract for a much more convention-friendly city, Reno, Nevada, for 2012 through 2015. These years were great, as the Grand Sierra facility there was absolutely perfect for a convention the size GSCO had chosen to hold. The staff at the Grand Sierra and its facilities were as good as one could ever hope to have. Also in 2015, GSCO renamed what had formerly been its “Hunter and Outfitter Convention” to the more comprehensive “Slam Quest Convention.” (More about the Slam Quest name later.)

However, the Grand Sierra went through several management changes during GSCO’s years there. By 2015, it became apparent that they could not continue with the Grand Sierra and the other venues in Reno were not conducive to a GSCO-sized convention.

GSCO was very hesitant to move back to Las Vegas because of being burned in 2011 by the Paris facility. But with a lot of negotiations, the leadership was able to secure an amazing contract back at the Riviera again for 2016. This facility was old but had been remodeled, and was a perfect size. The leadership and staff were stable and easy to work with. GSCO signed a multi-year contract with them.

However, before that 2016 convention could take place, GSCO found itself in almost the same circumstance as back in 2005, when the hurricane hit the Beau Rivage. The Riviera was purchased by the city of Las Vegas and closed later that year. This turned out to be extremely fortuitous for GSCO.

The Westgate Hotel, just down the street from the Riviera, decided to honor the contracts of its now-closed rival. In fact, much of the Riviera management simply transferred to the Westgate. GSCO was able to not only get the same financial contract with the Westgate, but improved upon it. The Westgate is an upscale Las Vegas facility and much better than the Riviera in every way. It was “the place” for a GSCO convention, which has been held there each year since 2016. In fact, GSCO has signed with the Westgate through 2020. Maybe a hurricane will not hit Las Vegas and change those plans!

I see the debate of how far out to put the target almost every time I go to a range during public hours.

Put it too close and it doesn’t look very “cool.” Put it too far and it would be embarrassing to miss.

Should I put it at 21 feet because of the “21-foot rule?” Should I put it at 11 feet since half of law enforcement fatalities happen within 11 feet?

Should I put it at nine feet since an “average” self-defense encounter happens within three yards, lasts three seconds, and three rounds are fired?

The answer is a little simpler and a little more flexible than you may think.

There are a couple of distances that are important.

The first distance is six to 10 feet.

Six feet is about as close as you can get to a hanging paper target without the muzzle blast from normal self-defense rounds moving the paper too much. Six to 10 feet is close enough that any gun/ammo combination can shoot 1” or better groups.

Drilling holes flat footed at the six- to 10-foot range is an indication that you can align the muzzle properly and press the trigger without disturbing muzzle alignment.

Any flyers or problems that show up here will be magnified with distance, stress, speed, and movement.

Grip, stance, breathing, and follow-through all help, but muzzle alignment and trigger press are the only two things that are vital.

This seems like it should be simple, but what I’ve found over time is that only about 10% of shooters who carry regularly…including military, law enforcement, competition, and concealed carry permit holders…can actually shoot a five-round 1” group at 6-10 feet with perfect lighting and no time constraints.

If you’re in the 90% who throw an occasional shot at six to 10 feet, it means is that you’ve got some of what I call “low-hanging opportunities for improvement” that will be magnified with speed, distance, movement and stress. Work that you do here gets incredibly high leverage results and will impact all shooting that you do, regardless of the gun, distance, or speed.

Once you’re drilling holes at six to 10 feet…then what?

It depends on what phase of learning you’re in; whether you’re building a basic skill or trying to make it resilient.

If you’re trying to build skill, you want to aim for a distance where you’ve got a 75 to 90% success rate, regardless of the size of the target, speed of shooting, stress level, or speed of movement.

That may be slow fire at five, 25, 50, or even 100 yards, rapid fire, shooting while moving, or whatever combination of speed, accuracy, stress, and movement that puts you in that 75 to 90% success range.

That means that you’re hitting your intended target seven to nine times out of 10 and the misses tell you where the edge of your performance envelope is.

At first, you want to focus on perfection and a 99 to 100% success rate, but once you’re dialed in, you want to start expanding your performance envelope.

For IDPA, “success” might be -0 hits. For USPSA, it might be A-zone.

But, depending on what you’re doing, you might need/want to relax your definition of success. As an example, if you’re shooting at 50 yards, shooting fast, or training for self-defense while moving laterally off-the-x, you might call success anything in the -1 or B zone (reduced silhouette), or it might be any hit on target.

But the goal should always be to make precise hits faster, fast strings of fire more accurate, and do it under more and more challenging conditions.

The way you want to structure your practice is to start with drills where you’re shooting at a 99 to 100% success rate, push conditions until you’re at 75 to 90%, and then end with 99 to 100% again.

I like to think of it as a sandwich.

Start with a sure thing, push it, and then end with a sure thing.

As we cover in Praxis, this will optimize learning speed and give you the most bang-for-the-buck for your training time and training dollars.

If you’ve got the skill built and you’re working on making it resilient to stress…by whatever means of stress inoculation you happen to be using…then you might want to push things to the point where you’re only succeeding 25% of the time…but you still want to dial stuff back to where you know your performance envelope where you can succeed 75 to 90% of the time and end with a win.

How’s this play out at the range?

Start with a few rounds at six to 10 feet with sterile conditions, push time, distance, speed, movement and stress until you’re in the 75 to 90% success range, and then end with a few reps at six to 10 feet again.

As you see, no matter how fast and cool or how tactical you want to be, it all comes back to a solid foundation of the fundamentals…muzzle alignment and trigger press.

Get those down as a solid foundation and the sky is the limit.

Skip over them in an attempt to get to the “cool” stuff quicker and it’s like driving a sports car with the parking brake on and a clogged air filter…it’s simply impossible to shoot up to your potential. And that’s why shooters at all levels…from new shooters to guys retiring from tier I and special mission units go through our training and report dramatic improvements in performance.

Ravin introduced the Ravin R500 as their 2021 flagship model during the 2021 ATA Virtual Show Lancaster Archery hosted back in January. Unfortunately, it was pretty hard to get our hands on a Ravin R500 crossbow, so we couldn’t write a review any sooner than today.

Ravin introduced their new proprietary cam system; the HexCoil cam system. During the ATA virtual show, Ravin claimed it breaks the 500 feet per second barrier. Today we’ll be taking this crossbow out to the range and giving it a full review! Hopefully, we can see our first ever 500+ fps rating on our chronograph!

Ravin R500 Crossbow Specs

First Impressions

Wow! Does this …thing still qualify as a crossbow? Ravin did an amazing job at designing the R500! It’s extremely narrow because of their brand new HexCoil cam system and this new tech was also key in making this a 500 feet per second crossbow.

The crossbow can be cocked entirely electronically by the push of a button, but it can also still be cocked manually with a detachable draw handle.

Ravin introduced this crossbow with 2 different scopes. The cheapest option comes with a 100-yard illuminated scope that’s speed rated at 550 feet per second. The more expensive option comes with an “Adjustable Turret Scope”. You might be thinking what the heck may that be, but we’ll explain it all in the #OPTICS section.

The Ravin R500 only comes in the color option “Slate Gray”, but it looks incredible!

Ravin ships the R500 and the R500 Sniper fully assembled and pre-tuned.

Design and Durability

With a length of only 28 inches, the R500 is slightly longer than Ravin’s most compact crossbow the R26. Because of Ravin’s new HexCoil Cam System that can rotate 360 degrees, the width of this crossbow is a lot narrower and comes in cocked at 3.6 inches and uncocked this crossbow has a width of just 7.6 inches.

Weighing around 10 pounds, the Ravin R500 isn’t the most lightweight of crossbows. High-performance crossbows require stronger materials and this often results in a heavier weight. Actually, for what you’re getting, this crossbow isn’t even that heavy and it has a comfortable hold.

We do think that the Ravin R500 crossbow feels a bit front-heavy. After an hour or so in our range test, we already got used to it. When taking this crossbow out to the range, we recommend using a tripod.

Optics

As we mentioned earlier, Ravin offers the Ravin R500 with 2 different scopes. The “basic” R500 comes with an illuminated 100-yard scope that’s speed rated for crossbows up to 550 feet per second. This scope has a range of 30 to 100 yards and features red or green illumination. Fully multi-coated lenses, waterproof, fog-resistant, shockproof, and recoil-proof is what makes this scope an excellent option for this crossbow.

As for the more expensive option, the R500 Sniper package, Ravin installed an adjustable “Turret Scope.” This is currently the best scope Ravin has to offer. It might not be as advanced as the Garmin XERO X1i that TenPoint installed on a couple of their crossbows, but it’s the best non-electronic scope you can currently get. You can adjust the yardage via the top elevation turret and it includes all the premium features you could ask for.

Cocking

With the Ravin R500 you’ll be able to cock the crossbow with the push of a button:

Ravin equipped the R500 with their new “VersaDrive Cocking System” that utilizes a new dual screw-driven system. The VersaDrive cocking mechanism is driven by an electric cocking motor that includes a removable battery and a charger. “The internal clutch within the VersaDrive System eliminates over-cocking and allows the cocking and decocking process to be stopped or resumed at any time.”

When we first emailed Ravin about the battery pack, they replied that we should be able to get about 50 cocking/decocking cycles from 1 full charge. Depending on temperature and weather conditions, a battery may perform worse and in a new promotional video, Pete Scobell mentions a battery life of 30 to 50 cycles.

If the battery is dead, or if you’d rather cock it manually, you can simply attach the removable draw handle. The manual cocking effort is just 17 pounds with the R500 draw handle.

Performance

Now that we’ve covered the features of the new Ravin R500, we can take it out for a test and rip some arrows down the range!

With a Powerstroke of 15 inches and kinetic energy of 222 FT-LBS, Ravin claims this is the first crossbow that breaks the 500 FPS mark. As we’re confident that Ravin properly pre-tuned the crossbow, we’ll be placing a target at 100 yards and shooting a couple of test groups first.

Ravin includes 6 Ravin .003 Arrows & Field Points with all R500 packages. There are no broadheads included and currently, it’s extremely difficult to find broadheads that are speed rate for up to/over 500 fps. We’ve found 1 set of broadheads that mentioned handling speeds of up to 500 fps and those are the Thorn RIFT 2.2” expandable broadheads. We’ve ordered a couple of sets and are testing these as well!

After the first couple of shots and a couple of small adjustments, we got an extremely tight grouping. The Ravin R500 with adjustable turret scope is insanely accurate. It’s the most powerful crossbow we’ve ever fired! The arrows were buried deep inside the target, even with the Iron Man 24″ Xtreme 500 target.

We did get some issues with the nocks of the arrows. We started the day with six arrows and ended the day with two undamaged arrows. We’ve contacted Ravin and we’re waiting for new nocks to arrive. We’ll update this section once we’ve received and tested the new nocks.

When we took the R500 out to the range it was a pretty cold day and after about 36 shots our battery drained and we had to manually crank-cock the crossbow for the rest of the day. If you’re planning on going to the range on a cold day, we advise bringing an extra battery pack.

Do not shoot arrows with broadheads when shooting at targets. Your targets will wear out very quickly and it’s not worth it. Use the field points that Ravin includes with the package instead and use your broadheads for a hunt!

Recommended Accessories

Because of the insane amount of power the Ravin R500 generates, you probably need some more durable accessories. We had a hard time finding the more durable crossbow accessories, but we’ve compiled a list of accessories we recommend for this crossbow.

Arrows & Broadheads

Ravin includes 6 Ravin .003 Arrows & Field Points with the R500 packages. It’s best if you just use the Ravin arrows. If you want to take this crossbow out for a hunt, you’ll probably want some broadheads. There aren’t many broadheads that are speed-rated at 500 fps, but we’ve found a couple. We’ve tested the Thorn RIFT 2.2” expandable broadheads and they hold very well. Another set of broadheads that work very well is the Ravin Titanium broadhead.

Special 500+ FPS Targets

We tested the R500 with the Big Shot Iron Man Extreme 500 Target. This high-quality and durable crossbow target is rated for crossbows up to 500 feet per second and stops the arrows from the R500 quite well.

Another target we can recommend is the SpyderWeb ST-24XL High-Density No Speed Limit. This crossbow target does not have a speed limit. We reviewed the smaller one, the ST-18XL, this target also stops the arrows surprisingly well.

Storage and Transportation

As always, we only recommend using the official case for the crossbow unless the manufacturer doesn’t offer a case for the crossbow. Using the official case guarantees a snug fit and a properly secured and protected crossbow.

Ravin suggested we use the Ravin Soft Case R26/29/29X or the Ravin Hard Case R10/R20 for the R500 crossbow. This seemed a bit odd to us, but these crossbows almost have the same dimensions. We can confirm that the Ravin R500 fits in both cases.

Final Verdict

FAQ About the Ravin R500 Crossbow

Hey there my fellow fishing enthusiasts and welcome to my post discussing an important question when it comes to fishing… can you eat Walleye? Now, the short answer is absolutely, if fact, it is one of the most popular and sought after fresh water species to consume…

So let’s check out the ins and outs of eating Walleye below…

So, before we start, let’s just quickly recap what we are talking about here. Walleye are a freshwater gamefish native to the United States and Canada. Also known as also called the yellow pike or yellow pickerel, they live predominately at the bottom of lakes and rivers and are known as one of the most prized freshwater table fish you can catch.

Walleye have a long, thin body that is primarily gold and olive in color with a white belly. They posses two dorsal fins on the top of their bodies with a large mouth and sharp teeth. Their name comes from their eyes which are cloudy-looking which is caused by a reflective layer of pigment.

They generally live for around 15 – 20 years depending on their habitat and can reach sizes of up to 80 cm (31 in) in length.

Note: Due to their popularity as a sport fish and for consumption, many States and jurisdictions have seasonal restrictions or slot limits in place. To avoid fines, always check local regulations before hitting the water.

In short, absolutely they are. In fact they are one of the most popular and sought after freshwater table fish in the U.S. Their flesh is clean, sweet and extremely versatile. However, as with most freshwater species (such as Largemouth Bass etc.), the following should be considered:

• They will take on the flavour of their surroundings – so avoid eating if they are caught in murky, stagnant or dirty water.
• The older varieties tend to taste a lot stronger or ‘fishier’ so if you are planning to keep one for dinner, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the biggest one you catch.
• Larger varieties are also more susceptible to worms, parasites and increased absorbsion of waterway contaminants.

In most cases, as long as the water is clean and you are within your slot limit, then you are generally good to go.

As with most white meated fish, Walleye do not need to be bled upon capture however if you plan to consume it, then it is always a good idea to place them on ice as soon as possible after it is landed. Many use an ice slurry in a cooler which is generally a ratio of 2 parts ice to 1 part water for this purpose.

Due to their eating habits, freshwater fish must be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed prior to consumption. From here, preparation will be determined by how you plan to eat it. If they are to be eaten whole then you will need to clean and scale them beforehand. If you plan to pan fry, then you can either scale and fillet or fillet and skin. Keep the meat refrigerated or on ice at all times before and after preparation.

Can you freeze uncooked fillets?

Yes – Raw Walleye fillets can be frozen for 6 – 12 months. It must at the very least be gutted and cleaned and placed in an airtight bag (ziplock bags are good here – try to remove as much air as possible) prior to being placed in the freezer. They will last longer (up to the full 12 months) if vacuum sealed instead.

Can they be eaten raw?

Technically yes, if it is caught in clean water and prepared with the utmost care until eaten then it can be ok – although the taste does not match that of saltwater species such as Tuna, Salmon and Kingfish. The issue here however is that freshwater fish tends to contain more bacteria and parasites which are killed off by cooking.

To be honest, if sashimi is your meal of choice then I would look for a species such as Striped Bass or those listed above and leave the freshwater catches for the frypan.

At the end of the day, due to its white flesh and versatility, Walleye can be prepared in the same manner as most other fresh or saltwater species in that they can be:

Grilled

Walleye fillets can be cooked over charcoal or gas grills with any and all spices and seasonings as you see fit. Below is a common recipe:

1. Heat a grill hot but not smoking.
2. Pat fillets dry then spread butter or oil over the non-skinned side (or both if fillet is skinned) along with salt and pepper.
3. Grill fillets until just cooked (fillets start to flake) – Do not overcook as the meat will go dry.
4. Consume with salad or grilled vegetables.

You can of course use any other herbs or spices on the flesh to taste.

Pan Fried

As above, but in a pan – I like to add garlic to the butter when I pan fry white fish fillets with the salt and pepper as well. I have seen many Walleye recipes with Asian spices or Italian herbs used too so that is also worth a try. Of course, they can also be crumbed as well which entails:

1. Gather three bowls and in the first, place some flour, eggs (beaten) in the second and breadcrumbs in the third.
2. Pat dry each fillet (skin on or off to preference) and then cover in flour.
3. Sink the flour covered fillets into the egg mixture and then cover in breadcrumbs
4. Shallow fry in the oil of your choice in a pan large enough to hold the full size of the fillet.
5. Spritz with lemon juice and consume with fries (chips), salad or whatever else takes your fancy.

Note: For extra flavour, add salt and pepper to the flour or even some grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs. I have even seen some good recipes using BBQ rubs on the fillets as well.

Baked

For this last option, the fish is cooked whole in the oven. A cooking example is as below:

1. Make sure the fish is cleaned and scaled.
2. Score the skin with a sharp knife (This will stop it shrinking too much from the heat).
3. Cover the outside with a lubricant such as butter or oil.
4. Fill the cavity with whatever takes your fancy (common options are garlic, herbs, spices, lemon, tomatoes or mustard).
5. Bake in the oven until just cooked – again, it will dry out if left too long.

Note: Based on my research over a number of recipes, a 1.5lb Walleye will take around 15 – 30 minutes in a 375F oven.

And there you go – my response to the question of whether you can eat Walleye. I hope it has been helpful and as usual, please let me know of your experiences – or recipes – would love to see your recipes below too.

Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections, or would like me to check anything else out for you.

Until next time

Have fun

Paul

In the early days of my spring turkey hunting career, the early morning gear assembly centered around making sure I had my shotgun, a box of shotshells and the right call. Or more accurately—since I’m a confirmed gear junkie—the right calls, since my vest was likely to contain several on any given morning. Yeah, I’m a marketer’s dream, which might explain why my vest was so heavy and my back ached so much after a day spent running and gunning in the North Texas woods.

But after a close encounter with a big old Texas rattlesnake one April morning, wearing the proper boots became a matter of pressing concern. As the years have gone by and I’ve encountered cold conditions, wet days and just wanting a little more comfort, my garage shelves now contain several turkey-hunting boot options. If you’re looking for the perfect boot for spring turkeys this year, here are several options to consider:

Danner Sharptail Snake Boot

Upland bird hunters might recognize the Danner Sharptail lineup as a great option for hiking across the New England grouse woods, sharptail country in Montana, or South Dakota cornfields for autumn roosters. But the veteran footwear manufacturer also has a winning snake-proof boot that will work for turkey hunters in the spring. With a full-grain leather and 900 Denier nylon upper, this boot is tough on the outside, and with 360-degree Snake Guard protection, you don’t have to worry about rattlers in Texas, water moccasins in Florida, or copperheads in the Carolinas.

Snake protection and rugged durability are only a couple of this 17-inch boot’s features. Add in a removable OrthoLite Footbed, the famed Danner Sharptail Outsole and TERRA FORCE platform, a side zipper and lace-up front, and a 100-percent waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex membrane, and this boot is as comfortable on the inside as it is heavy duty on the outside. And with other Sharptail boot options available, the entire lineup is great to consider for hunting spring turkeys and fall upland birds. danner.com | $330

Irish Setter MudTrek Boot

No matter how wet and slippery the hunting conditions are in the spring turkey woods, the Irish Setter MudTrek boot will keep you climbing muddy hillsides, walking through shallow creek bottoms, and having dry socks and feet on a dew-soaked morning. Checking in as a 17-inch pull-on rubber hunting boot, this model features vulcanized rubber for waterproof construction, as well as a rubber mudder outsole that provides stability and traction in rough-and-tumble terrain thanks to an aggressive lug pattern. With unisex sizing that will work for men, women and youth, this boot also has a Mossy Oak Country DNA camo upper along with ScentBan scent control. And with easy-on-easy-off leg and ankle openings, this stylish and comfortable boot can work in the turkey woods, back at the cabin, or in a late October treestand as the whitetail rut approaches. irishsetterboots.com | $199

LaCrosse AeroHead Sport Boot

If you hunt in the swampy low country of South Carolina, need to cross a rain swollen creek in Tennessee, or have to negotiate some muddy terrain in Western Merriam’s country, a rubber boot might be a preferred option for spring hunts. The AeroHead Sport from LaCrosse is a game-changer in that department, turning to a shell made from extremely durable, lightweight and insulating polyurethane, the same material used to insulate refrigerators and freezers. That helps to keep hunters light on their feet in this 16-inch boot that checks in with a weight of just five pounds.

Hunters don’t have to worry about their socks getting wet either from pesky holes and boot punctures, since the AeroHead Sport features lightweight neoprene uppers and uses Brush Tuff material on the outside to stand up to unforgiving brush and briers. That results in another winner from LaCrosse, an abrasion-resistant boot (there’s also a shin guard for extra protection without adding bulk) that is lightweight, comfortable, durable and waterproof. It’s the complete package in a hunting boot when wet conditions exist. lacrossefootwear.com | $240

LaCrosse NWTF Grange Boot

Dubbed the official boot of turkey season, LaCrosse has taken its famous Grange rubber boot and added Mossy Oak camouflage and a partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation to keep the spring woods filled with gobbles for many years to come. Using 100-percent waterproof rubber construction, this 18-inch boot has a nylon fabric lining to aid getting into and out of the boot, as well as a fiberglass shank, EVA footbed, adjustable top strap and Lacrosse’s revolutionary ankle fit.

With the NWTF logo adorning the outside, these stylish boots also support conservation since LaCrosse gives a portion of each sale back to the NWTF to support wild-turkey conservation efforts. That’s a win-win in the turkey woods. lacrossefootwear.com | $120

Merrell Moab 2 Timber Waterproof Boot

Not every turkey hunter needs or wants a rubber boot, or something tall and snake-proof. For those who like to hunt run-and-gun style by hiking through prickly pear flats in Texas, the rolling terrain of the Rocky Mountains, or the pine and oak forests back east, the Merrell Moab 2 Timber Waterproof boot is a great choice for turkey hunting.

With Merrell’s ComfortBase footbed and midsole technology for superior shock absorption and cushion on rugged terrain, this eight-inch boot feels like a top-end hiking boot. Add in a full-grain waterproof leather upper, a waterproof membrane inside that keeps H2O at bay and still allows the foot to breathe, and this is a comfortable and dry boot all day long.

And with Merrell’s Air Cushion in the heel to absorb shock and add stability, not to mention a slip and oil resistant durable rubber outsole, and this boot is comfortable and steady no matter how rugged the terrain you’re hiking through while trying to strike up a gobbling bird on a fine spring day. merrell.com | $175

Rocky Sport Pro Pull-On Rubber Snake Boot

Rocky is one of America’s leading footwear manufacturers for hunters and the Rocky Sport Pro Rubber Snake Boot is another winner from this longtime Ohio bootmaker. With 100-percent waterproof protection, vulcanized rubber construction, rubber outsole, and steel shank and removable footbed, this boot is tough in the woods where rainfall or other water encounters are a definite possibility.

And if there’s a chance you might see a venomous snake, this boot has you covered there, too, thanks to 16 inches worth of snake-proof protection.

Add in Rocky’s Briar & Thorn Guard, and you can walk through briars, brush, and cactus flats without any worries. And to top it all off, the boot comes in the stylish Realtree Edge camo pattern, so you’ll look good back at camp in the skinning shed, at the dinner table telling hunting stories, or around the campfire while celebrating another hard-won gobbler. rockyboots.com | $187

Thorogood American Heritage Crazyhorse Boot

On some rare April mornings down South and across the East, it can be quite chilly and damp as frost coats the ground. Further north in New England, across the Great Lakes states, and out into Merriam’s country in the Rocky Mountains, freezing temps and even late-season snow can be the culprit, causing cold toes and damp feet. If you might need a warm-and-dry boot for such conditions, keep the eight-inch waterproof and insulated Thorogood American Heritage Crazyhorse boot in mind when it becomes available later this year. With Crazyhorse full-grain leather and 400 grams of waterproof insulation, your feet will stay protected, warm and dry even if April snow showers threaten May wildflowers.

Add in a composite shank, slip-resistant Vibram 1275 Olympia rubber outsole, Goodyear storm welt construction and removable Ultimate Shock Absorption inserts, this boot provides rugged protection, lots of traction, and keeps a hunter’s feet cushioned on the move. And with American-made construction, this boot scheduled to appear this year will be a winner for hunters in many types of terrain and hunting seasons. thorogoodusa.com

Twisted X Snake Boot

The Twisted X boot lineup is popular for many, featuring stylish construction and lots of features that hunters like in and out of the woods. This 17-inch snake boot in Mossy Oak Bottomland camo features a full-grain leather upper, leather pull-on tabs, waterproof lining, Viperguard technology snake protection, nylon/glass fiber shank, superior CellStretch cushioning in the forefoot and heel areas, compression-molded EVA midsole that actually has molasses integrated into it, and an oil- and slip-resistant molded rubber outsole. The boot also is environmentally friendly, coming with a 17-inch shaft made with an EcoTWX fabric blend that is made from an average of 13 recycled plastic bottles per pair of Twisted X boots. twistedx.com | $289.95

There are many versions of archery release aids, but the four most common types are: wrist strap index finger release, handheld thumb trigger release, handheld hinge release and the handheld resistance/tension type release. The features and best use of each release vary and there is a ton to consider when choosing an archery release aid. In this article, we will spend some time talking about the pros, cons, and scenarios for when you might use one over another.

Index finger releases

The most popular release aid among bowhunters is the wrist strap index finger style. A major advantage of this type of release is that it’s familiar to most hunters. Most people begin hunting with a rifle where a trigger is pulled or squeezed to activate the shot. An index finger archery release is similar in that it has a trigger that has to be pulled to fire the arrow. It gives the archer the ability to control the shot precisely. Its commonly called “command shooting,” meaning that the archer commands the trigger, pulling it when the pin sight sits exactly on the spot where they want the arrow to hit. This can be a real advantage in a hunting situation where an animal is moving through timber and you need to pick your spot and fire an arrow at an exact moment or when a breeze is blowing and you need to execute a shot when your pin is precisely in the location you need it to be.

Another advantage of most index finger releases is that they commonly come with a wrist strap (either a buckle or velcro strap). This ensures you always have your release ready at hand when you need it. You may also find that a wrist strap helps you to pull your bow back easier than some other release options because you can utilize your wrist and muscles in your arms and back to pull.

There is a lot to like about index finger releases, but, for many of us, using an index finger release can eventually lead to “target panic.” The trigger itself isn’t the issue, but, rather, our tendencies and how we use it become the issue. Any time you have a trigger involved in activating the release you are inducing the conscious desire to fire the arrow when the pin is over the dot. Most people have a very hard time both aiming with the front half and executing a command shot with the back half. Trying to do both can lead to target panic. Target panic can be explained as the learned connection between the eye, brain and our release hand—the eye sees the pin cross the target, the brain triggers the fire reflex and the finger punches the trigger. Over time, we begin to anticipate the shot and that causes anxiety and flinching. Then, to ease the anxiety, subconsciously, we begin to aim and freeze outside of the intended target. Whatever the case the symptoms are the same: freezing off target, inconsistent shooting and flinching. If you want to continue shooting an index finger release you may need to rethink how you have it set up and how you shoot it.

Overall, index finger releases are easy to use, economical, and allow you to execute a shot quickly when you need to, but you may have to learn or relearn to shoot it a bit differently to get the most out of it. If you are dealing with target panic issues, check out the Tru-Fire Panic X release in the goHUNT Gear Shop which is specifically designed to help with that issue.

Let’s talk about the different index finger options. We carry several models of the Carter index finger releases: the Lucky, Quickie 1 Plus, and the Rx1. All three have hook style heads, which are great in a hunting situation because they are simple and quiet to “hook” to your D-loop. The Spot Hogg Wise Guy release is similar with a hook design head. Each of those offers something slightly different: trigger shape/angle, size of the head and trigger tension adjustability.

We also carry several closed jaw type releases. Obviously, one advantage of those is that your D-loop is enclosed and there is no way it can come out other than opening it with the trigger. The Scott Echo and Recon are excellent options as is the Hot Shot Nano, which is near the $50 to $100 price point.

You will also notice that several of the index releases have nylon straps that connect the body of the release to the wrist strap itself. These nylon straps can easily be adjusted in length to find the best fit for each archer regardless of hand size. They also are flexible, allowing for some variations in anchor point and reducing torque. The downfall of these is that they can flop around a bit. We also carry some solid arm options like the Scott Recon, Rhino or Spot Hogg Wise Guy. Those are rigid or may offer a fold back locking option to keep them back when you don’t need them. The point of this type of release is that it won’t flop around and you’ll easily have it in your hand when you need it. Personally, I prefer the nylon strap types because of the adjustability it provides, but it truly is a personal preference.

Handheld thumb trigger/button releases

I’ve often heard this type of release referred to a “thumb button.” Whether you want to call it a button or trigger, it’s the same thing. Essentially, it’s a handheld release that is activated by pulling the trigger with your thumb. Handheld thumb trigger releases seem to be growing in popularity with hunters, perhaps bleeding over from their prominence among target archers. There are some pros for handheld thumb releases. For one, I personally find that they are easier and more consistent to anchor with. The hand position utilized with a handheld release allows me to split my jaw bone between my first and second finger/knuckle. It provides an easy, comfortable, and more consistent repeatable anchor point than an index finger release. If you feel like your anchor point floats and has some inconsistencies, a handheld release can help solidify your anchor point. Most handheld releases also have closed jaw clasps that are handy when you are sitting in a tree stand or ambush hunting. Simply close the release over your D-loop and it’s hooked up and ready to go anytime you grab it. Your draw hand is free to use an elk call or stick in your jacket pocket on a cold morning.

I often overhear other bowhunters state that are switching to a thumb release so they can deal with their tendencies to punch the trigger on an index finger release. If you do it, switching releases can provide you the opportunity to relearn how to activate your release, but what I often see is that people pick up a handheld thumb release and start to punch the trigger on it, too. Target panic issues can continue or start just as easy with a handheld thumb trigger release as they do with an index finger release. This can be one negative of a thumb release unless you do some research and learn how to shoot a thumb release with back tension and relaxation through the hand, wrist, and draw arm. Another negative with a handheld release is that you have to keep track of it since it’s not attached to you although most do have a hole that you can attach a wrist tether to. One other potential downside is that many thumb releases have an audible click when the clasp is closed; however, the click is typically not loud enough to disturb an animal within range. One final negative is that in comparison to index finger releases, handheld thumb releases are quite expensive. A good thumb release can cost you a couple hundred dollars.

All around, thumb releases are great for target archery and hunting, but, if you decide to try one out, I would recommend that you take the opportunity to learn to properly shoot with one so that target panic issues don’t continue or develop. One of my favorite thumb releases is the Carter Chocolate Addiction. It has tons of adjustability, including trigger tension, trigger travel, and trigger location.

Hinge style releases

Another type of release is the hinge release or what some may refer to it as a back tension release. It’s the type of release you may have tried to use and punched yourself in the mouth with as it went off halfway through your draw circle. It’s intimidating to a lot of us, but, in reality, it’s fairly basic and user-friendly with some tips and practice. A hinge is basically a handheld release that does not have a trigger and is only activated by the slight backward rotation of the release. When the handle rotates, it causes a searing mechanism to slip and the hook opens and the bow fires.

So how do you shoot a hinge release and why would you?

When you draw your bow with a hinge release, you draw with the weight on your index finger with very little tension on the rest of your fingers. You wrap your thumb around the thumb peg, utilizing the thumb peg as leverage to help you pull back. When you settle into your anchor point and begin your aiming process you will begin to pull through with your rhomboid back muscles, squeezing your draw arm shoulder blade back while relaxing your release hand, wrist and arm. As tension builds, the angle of the release changes, the sear slips, and the string fires. The major benefit of learning to shoot a hinge release is that it allows you to develop a subconscious surprise release. This might not sound like that much of a benefit, but, in essence, what you are doing is removing one variable from the equation and leaving only one thing to focus on…aiming! A hinge release can be a great tool for getting over target panic, but, once again, it will require commitment and learning to shoot one properly. Like the handheld thumb releases, a handheld hinge release also helps to establish a solid repeatable anchor point.

Most top-tier target archers shoot a hinge release, but what about hunting with one?

I personally hunt with a hinge release and have for the past eight years. I had a bad case of panic and I almost quit archery all together. Fortunately, with the help of a friend, I learned to shoot a hinge and have rarely shot anything since. I will say that a hinge is not ideal in all hunting situations. For example, executing a very precisely timed shot is not as easy as it might be with a thumb or index finger release. Hinge releases are also handheld, which means that you have to keep track of it. It’s not as common to have a hole drilled in one to attach a wrist tether to and even on the ones that do I don’t find it comfortable to shoot with a wrist tether. So I carry it in my pack hip pocket and I absolutely have to keep track of it. Most hinges are a hook head design, which is great for quiet and quick hook-up to a D-loop, but I also can’t hang it from a D-loop like you can with many of the handheld thumb releases. So why shoot one for hunting? The best answer as to why I hunt with one is because I believe it helps me execute my best shot. Here’s an example: I was already at full draw on a 330” class bull in Wyoming when I used a cow chirp to stop him. His head swiveled, staring a hole in me as I stood out in wide open space. As my pins floated around on his vitals my inner voice was screaming, “Shoot! Shoot now! He’s going to run!” But I didn’t then; my body did exactly what it had done thousands of times, tension built, the release was a surprise when it went off and I watched the arrow hit exactly where I wanted it to. I watched the bull go down within a hundred yards. I don’t know if the outcome would have been the same had I rushed the shot. Hinge releases may not be for everybody, especially for hunting, but they are a good tool for learning a tension activated release and as a means of dealing with target panic. If you learn to shoot one and become very very comfortable with one, I personally feel that they are great for hunting and will help you make the best shot when it really counts.

Tension or resistance releases

The last release I will touch one is a tension or resistance activated release. It’s similar to a hinge, but has a built-in safety mechanism that allows you to draw the bow without fear of it firing. The Carter Evolution Plus is an example of this type of release and we just added it to our Gear Shop. It also feels more like a traditional handheld thumb trigger release and is an awesome training tool for transitioning to a thumb release. The Evolution does not have a trigger and you can’t punch it. The Evolution is fired by increasing resistance, meaning you must pull through the release for it to fire.

If you look at the Evolution, it appears to have a trigger, but that peg where the trigger typically is on a handheld release is actually a safety that allows you to draw the bow without fear that the bow will misfire. Once you get to full draw, you find your anchor point, take your thumb off the safety and then begin to execute your shot by pulling and building pressure on the back wall of your draw until the release fires. You can set up the Evolution at roughly five to seven pounds over your hold weight at full draw. This will allow you to release your thumb off the safety, and then build pressure to make the release go off. This type of release is truly a game changer for archers who are struggling with target panic or even archers who just want to progress and improve their shooting abilities. It can be frustrating when you initially make the switch. The most common feedback I get is that the release seems to fire sometimes and at other times the archer cannot get it to go off no matter how hard they feel like they are pulling into the backwall. In those cases, the issue is not the release; rather, it is an inconsistency with the shooter. If you will commit to it and learn to shoot it and execute the shot the same way every time, it can be a very helpful tool. In due time, it allows you to develop a subconscious, smooth, surprise release, which, in turn, grants you the opportunity to focus only on aiming. There are not many who use an Evolution for hunting, but I do know a few who have gotten proficient enough that they feel comfortable to hunt with it. Most hunters are using the Evolution to learn to shoot with back tension and then switching to a thumb trigger release to hunt. A handheld thumb release like the Carter Chocolate Addiction or the Hot Shot Vapor can be used in the same manner as the Evolution by seating the barrel of the thumb trigger on your thumb and then utilizing a relaxed hand, forearm, bicep and back tension to pull through the release to activate it. An Evolution resistance release is a great tool for any bowhunter.

In conclusion

Every archer is on a different spectrum when it comes to their experience and goals. Hopefully, everyone that reads this will find some value and direction that will help them take the next step in their progression and find a release that will help get them there.

A Petersburg resident has set a new world record for the largest mountain goat harvested by bow in North America. The hunt in Southeast Alaska was the first time Kaleb Baird had ever been out targeting a mountain goat. KFSK’s Angela Denning talked with him and has this story:

Before Kaleb Baird set off on his solo hunt, he did his homework. He had never been hunting for mountain goats before. But he grew up bow hunting deer and birds in Kansas. He knew the importance of being prepared. So, he spent half a year just researching.

“Studying maps and talking to the experts,” said Baird. “I talked to some biologists. I found a really good contact, a fella that used to hunt this population and lived down in that area for a number of years.”

Baird is not from this area. The 33-year-old had visited Petersburg for many years where his dad commercial fished but he didn’t become a permanent resident until last year. That opened up his options to go after a unique, isolated herd of mountain goats on the Cleveland Peninsula between Wrangell and Ketchikan.

The odds were not in his favor. This particular hunt is a lottery draw.

Baird: ‘“I think there was about 150 total hunters that applied and two winners,” Baird said.

KFSK: “So, you were lucky.”

Baird: “Yes, extremely lucky.”

That was in February. Fast forward to September and Baird is climbing the mountains of the peninsula with eight days of food on his back and more supplies stashed near the beach.

Baird: “I could’ve used a rifle on this hunt but growing up a bow hunter, I’ve just kind of been a bow hunter my whole life. There’s some incredible equipment out there anymore with regards to compound bows, which is what I shoot. But comfortably, me shooting at an animal, I’m usually 50 yards and inside. And on a hunt like this, 40 and closer, where you’re looking at uneven terrain, and big tough critters, you want to make a good, clean ethical shot.”

KFSK: “That is really close, 50 yards is really close.”

Baird: “(Laughs) Yeah, yeah, no kidding.”

KFSK: “So, it’s all probably strategy on how to do that?”

Baird: “Yeah, utilize the terrain, and wind, and sun and a number of things. Usually, it’s a patience game trying to get them bedding in the right spot and then you can decipher the rest and try to get in tight.”

KFSK: “When did you know that this could be a world record billy?”

Baird: “So, I killed him and I found him that day-I think it was day four of the hunt—and he dropped off of a pretty significant avalanche chute. And he lost about 7-800 foot in elevation from where I shot to where he died and probably did it in a manner of seconds. He basically dove off an avalanche chute. Took me a couple of hours to get down to him. Finally did, and the way he came to rest, his right horn was buried in some gravel in this avalanche chute and initially I thought it was shattered. But I lifted his head up and certainly, like I said, this is my first specifically targeting mountain goat hunt. I mean, I knew a little about size but not enough to really like lift up and say, ‘Oh man, this is going to be the world record’ type deal. I knew he was big just by putting my hands up to him and kind of taking some just some little guesstimates as to how long he was. That type of deal. But I didn’t really know until I got him back and checked him in with Fish and Game.”

KFSK: “So, what does being the world record holder mean to you? What has it mean so far?”

Baird: “Right now personally, I’m still kind of trying to wrap my head around it. It’s pretty surreal. Like I said, this was my first time. It wasn’t like I went up there—I did joke over the summer with some friends and family, I think, that I was going to shoot a world record but that was (laughs) completely in jest. I didn’t really think that that was ever going to be a possibility.”

That was just the beginning of a long process. The horns were measured ten ways by an official measurer and scored at 53-4/8 inches. A panel of judges in Arizona with the bow hunting organization Pope and Young confirmed the new record on December 5th.

Baird doesn’t know how much the mountain goat weighed because he quartered him and carried all the meat down the mountain. He also saved the head and part of the hide, which he plans to mount.

Depending on the pandemic, Baird could be recognized in April in Reno, Nevada at a convention that brings together a thousand bow hunters from around the world.

Baird’s mountain goat is the largest one ever harvested by bow in North America. A slightly larger mountain goat, measuring 57-4/8 inches from British Columbia holds the record for one harvested by rifle.

By Jason Vincent

The world is full of ugly rifles…and so is my gun safe.

The truth is, I like them. I appreciate the durability of synthetics, I value a weather resistant stainless barrel and, in the field, the practicality in the shape of a more tactical stock opens up more shooting positions.

But these are not my favorite rifles.

My favorites all have classic lines, wood stocks, and blued barrels. I’m willing to forgive them a little if they’re not surgically accurate.

The Winchester Model 70 has always been my favorite sporting rifle and I’ve been chasing deals on the pre-1964 versions for a long time now. These guns were designed right, built right, and they almost always offered surprising accuracy.

And then Winchester bastardized them in 1964 to cut costs and compete with Remington’s cheaper and less refined push-feed Model 700 -which they were having huge success with.

Model 70 purists – guys like my grandad – vomited as they lost their reliable control round feed actions and watched Winchester’s overall quality take a nose-dive. But the side effects only lasted a short 28 years before Winchester listened to their customers and in 1992, the company started producing control round feed actions again.

Today, the Winchester Model 70 may be the best rifle the company has ever made. They beat the pants off anything Remington has ever produced, and they’ve turned many of us into believers in their rifles again.

I own several of these newer guns.

Before our last trip to Africa, I sent my current catalog model .30-06 M70 Supergrade off to a company that manufactures and installs iron sights. I like hunting with irons when I can get away with it and the lack of them on most of the new M70’s bothers me.

When I got back the rifle back, the crew that did the work clearly beat my Supergrade up in the shop. There were scratches in the bluing and even a small gouge on the barrel. Mind you, these rifles are designed to be head turners, so I wasn’t thrilled with the way they treated it, but I don’t own safe queens and I knew I’d be putting new scars on it soon.

I’d shot this beauty before having the sights installed and knew it to be an accurate rig, but while it was off being thrown around the sight installer’s workshop, Unknown Munitions sent me some 180gr Barnes loads for our safari. When the rifle came back, I mounted a Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8×36 in Talley quick-release rings and hit the range.

I’d never tried 180’s in this gun and with a max power of 8x in the optic I had to look through my spotting scope to see my first 3-shot group.

I knew at first glance that the cluster had to be ½” or less. I let things cool for a few minutes then shot again. Slightly larger group but still less than the ¾” mark. I zeroed the scope and dead centered the bullseye. I fired one more round to confirm zero and then packed everything up.

I went back to the office and used the velocity info from the doppler I set up on the shooting bench to update my Sig Kilo 2400ABS rangefinder with the data that would allow me to stretch the Supergrade out in the field. Since first using this system a few years ago, I haven’t taken a trip without it.

Fast forward to the shooting range in safari camp. We all uncased our rigs to check zero before hunting. I center-punched the target with two rounds and put the rifle away. Almost everyone commented on how good looking the rifle was and I think I was the only hunter in camp that didn’t need to make scope adjustments on the bench.

Over the next two weeks, the Winchester took a beating in the Landcruiser between the shots that downed game from 60 yards to 332 yards. The last round I fired was on a smaller animal at 470 yards. The blesbok died with a single round to the heart while my buddies drank beer and watched.

Several people have tried to buy this rifle from me since.

It will never be sold.

Summary:

The current Winchester M70’s are rifles to own. People bitch about the newest models being made in Europe these days, but I don’t want to hear about it. My Portuguese models are as good or better than anything Winchester has ever put their name on. If I have one gripe, it’s the lack of iron sights on all but the Safari Express models. Winchester really should make a series of the rifle in .270 and .30-06 to mimic the classic pre-64 design. They’d sell the hell out of them.

Pros:

Beautiful. Accurate. Control round feed for ultimate reliability.

Cons:

They need iron sights for us purists.