PSE ARCHERY

PSE’s Dream Season Decree pushes all my “good” buttons. First, it weighs in at a grin-inducing 3.7 pounds – light by any standards – but especially on the light side for a PSE bow. The 313⁄8-inch axle-to-axle length is right in my wheelhouse – compact, but not overly so. Same goes for the 75-percent letoff and the 6-inch brace height – both generous enough to be friendly, but not so generous as to compromise speed. The 65-pound peak weight option will appeal to a lot of bowhunters, and with a top IBO speed approaching 355 fps, the definition of “long shot” creeps out a little further. At the heart of the Decree is the new Inertia Cam. Also new, despite the familiar appearance, is the sideplate-style third-generation B.E.S.T. Grip, equally effective but even more comfortable than the ones that came before it. The oversized cams, flared riser and past-parallel limbs contribute to an aggressive overall appearance to make the Dream Season Decree among PSE’s sharpest-looking bows. Peak draw weights are 50, 60, 65 and 70 pounds, with draw lengths running from 24.5 to 30 inches. Available finishes include Mossy Oak Break-Up Country, Skullworks and Black. With PSE’s offsetting scarlet grip, cable-guard slide and logos, all three look great. The Decree retails for $950.

Last year’s Source is back with a whole new cam – the HD hybrid cam – which makes it a whole new bow in my book. With no fewer than 13 new bows in its Pro and Mainline Series, PSE can make a bow to fit every want. The Source HD is PSE’s new Pro Series bow for the hunter who wants a slightly longer but still fairly compact bow that hits the sweet spot between more-than-adequate speed and extreme shootability. On the more-than-adequate speed side of the scales, the Source tops out at 335 fps; on the shootability side, it’s smooth drawing with a friendly 7-inch brace height and an easy-to-hold 80-percent letoff. Mass weight is comfortable at 4.1 pounds, while draw lengths cover the range from 25.5 to 31.5 inches with peak draw weights of 60 or 70 pounds. The Source HD boasts a lot of high-end PSE features and looks great in Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity, Skullworks or Black. One other sweet spot this bow hits: a price tag of $700

Another bow deemed HD-Cam-worthy for 2015 is the Premonition HD. In part thanks to a brace height reduced from the Source’s 7 inches to a slightly skinnier 6.25 inches, the Premonition HD reaches a cool 345 fps despite its 80-percent letoff. For the growing number of bowhunters who prefer compact bows, the Premonition HD fits the bill nicely at 305⁄8 inches axle to axle. Peak draw weights are 50, 60 and 70 pounds. At 3.9 pounds it’s on the light side, and it covers draw lengths from as short as 24 inches out to a full 30 inches. Everything about the new Premonition HD shouts PSE from the pre-loaded, past-parallel quad split limbs to the now-familiar red sideplate-style grip to the trademark Limb Bands and cable dampers. Finish options are Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity, Skullworks and Black. Among the best features of this bow is undoubtedly the $600 price tag.

For more information, visit www.pse-archery.com or call (520) 884-9065.