This monster 16-point buck was taken by Dave Edwards in Apulia Station, NY on December 11th. After a week of constant snowfall, Dave headed to an old apple grove on the family farm where QDM was practiced. Fighting his way through two feet of snow he finally arrived at the stand at 6:45 a.m.

Since Dave had never hunted this particular stand before he decided to sit on the ground until it got light enough that he could see what condition the stand was in. A little while later he was up in the stand and scanning his surroundings when he caught some movement in the distance.

As he raised his binoculars to see what it was, Dave knew this was a buck of a lifetime. The deer worked its way in and at 45 yards Dave put the buck down with a slug from his shotgun. He could not believe his eyes when he walked up to the buck and saw the massive 205" beast lying there. It truly was a buck of a lifetime.

Here's the link to the full story on Petersen's Hunting: http://www.petersenshunting.com/content/empire-state-mind-ny-hunter-drops-16-point-trophy-buck/1

Here's a promo video that just came out on the Muddy Bloodsport that I wrote about after seeing it at the ATA Show in Indianapolis. Check it out it's pretty cool.

And here's the link to my write-up on the Bloodsport: http://www.nybowhunter.com/2011/01/muddy-outdoors-bloodsport-hang-on.html

BOW SPECIFICATIONS
FPS (IBO) 366
Axle-to-Axle 33 5/8"
Mass Weight 4.35 lbs.
Brace Height 5 1/2"
Draw Lengths 26" - 30"
Draw Weight 50-70#
Cam UF Cam
Let-Off 70%


MSRP 
$949.99


It's PSE's fastest bow and at 366 feet per second it's all about speed. For those that want to push a bows limits and have the flattest shooting arrow - this is a bow you want to check out.


The PSE Omen Pro has a 33 5/8" axle-to-axle length to help keep the bow stable when shooting longer distances. On the other hand, the speed comes at a cost - a 5 1/2" brace height. I personally prefer a 7" brace height so I'm worried about what a 5 1/2" brace height would do to accuracy at longer ranges, but I know this wouldn't be a forgiving bow. Proper form would be an absolute must at all times - something you can't always achieve in a hunting situation.


PSE used its new Planar Flex Riser on the Omen Pro as well as Centerlock Pockets to form a solid system with minimum vibration. For a speed bow, the Omen shot with minimal shock which was surprising.


If PSE could make a bow this fast with a longer brace height so that the bow was more forgiving I'd consider it for hunting. A flatter shooting bow is really nice when you don't have time to range an animal and the best you can do is estimate the yardage.


The PSE Omen Pro is shown above with the optional PSE X-5 Quiver that retails for $99.99. This quiver is made by TreeLimb and is a high quality quiver that's silent when it mounts to the bow because it has no moving parts.


Here's a close up of the Backstop string stopper on another PSE. Notice how the Backstop comes out of it's main tube on this PSE that has a longer brace height. On the PSE Omen the rubber end of the string stopper is right at the base of the main string stopper tube. It's that little amount of difference that can really change the forgiveness of a bow and you only really see the true benefit of a bows forgiveness when you're shooting your worst and that's something a lot of people forget.

It started off as a typical day at the office. Grab a cup of coffee, turn on the computer and take a look out the window while the computer boots up. This morning, however, there were three deer in the small one-acre patch of woods behind the office.

I've seen deer back here before, but today I noticed that one of the deer was a buck! This was the first buck I had seen in the small woodlot and it looked like it was either a big six pointer or an eight pointer that was just inside it's ears - not a bad buck!

I observed the deer and watched as they worked through the open woods feeding on buds and other browse. Then I watched the buck run off the fawn that was with the doe. The fawn ran away, but didn't want to loose sight of it's mother.

A little while later the doe bedded down and the buck bedded down beside her - this was interesting.

Almost three hours later the buck got up from his bed and began thrashing some nearby saplings. It seemed kind of odd for a buck to make such severe rubs at this time of year when they're supposed to be focused on feeding and conserving energy. The buck looked to be making the rubs and thrashing the saplings out of frustration.

After destroying the young trees, the buck walked towards some tall grass and thick brush when I saw another deer run out - it was the fawn. Again the buck made sure that the fawn was not invading his space.

As the fawn ran off, the doe stood up. Quickly, the buck made his way back towards the doe as she held her tail straight out. As the buck scent checked the doe, he knew she had come into estrus and was ready to be bred, and just like that it happened.

In 16 years of hunting I've never witnessed whitetail deer breeding and given the amount of hours I log each season in the woods it's incredible that the one time I do witness it, I'm in the office!

What really struck me about this though was the time of year it was occurring. This was on January 25th more than two months past the peak of the rut and a month past the "second" rut. So does this mean there's a third rut? I wouldn't hold out for the "third rut" and I didn't see any rut activity while hunting the January season in CT, but it does go to show you that some does don't get bred during the rut or the "second" rut. These does will continue to cycle until they are bred by a buck and that's what I witnessed today.

Maybe you have to be a whitetail nut to appreciate it, but today I was given a closer look into the mysterious and secluded life of the whitetail deer.

BOW SPECIFICATIONS
FPS (IBO) 345
Axle-to-Axle 32 1/2"
Mass Weight 4.4 lbs.
Brace Height 6"
Draw Lengths 25 1/2" - 30”
Draw Weight 50-70#
Cam Axe+
Let-Off 75%

MSRP
$849.99


The PSE EVO is the evolution of X-Force Revolution - that's a mouthful, but shooting the PSE EVO is a highly enjoyable experience.


PSE's new Planar Flex Riser is designed to flex front to back instead of side to side for increased accuracy. One thing you'll notice with PSE is that they're not following the rest of the industry with parallel limbs which counteract each other to cancel out vibration.


Without parallel limbs, I expected some vibration while shooting the PSE EVO, but only a minimal amount of vibration was noticeable - well within the expected range for a speed bow like the EVO.


The PSE EVO utilizes Center-Lock pockets to pin the limbs in three places. This provides for a solid connection point between the limbs and the riser providing increased consistency.


The Axe+ cam provides a nice smooth smooth draw and the solid wall makes this a bow that's easy to hold at full draw while you settle the pin on that big buck's vitals. What I thought was pretty cool about this cam is its rotational inner cam that allows you to adjustment the draw length of the EVO without a bow press. You can get up to six inches of draw length adjustment in half-inch increments. The half-inch draw module is stored in the cam so you never have to worry about loosing it. Sealed ball bearings keep the elements out and the cams rolling smoothly while cushioned stops provide for a solid wall.


Before the ATA Show I had never shot a PSE before and honestly it was more because I didn't really care for the way they looked more than anything. After the ATA Show and shooting all the bows by virtually every manufacturer I've finally changed my ways and I'm glad I did. They say never judge a book by it's cover and that couldn't be more true.

PSE makes great bows and I was blown away after shooting the EVO. The EVO is super smooth, quiet, easy to draw and anchor, and it was very consistent. To top it off the PSE EVO was one of the fastest bows I had a chance to shoot at the ATA Show. Speed, smoothness and consistency is something you rarely find in a speed bow. This was a bow I could shoot all day long and if you have a PSE dealer near you I'd strongly suggest giving a few of their bows a try, especially the EVO.

DEC has adopted a rule prohibiting the deliberate and intentional feeding of black bears. The incidental, indirect feeding of black bears is also unlawful after a written warning has been issued by the DEC.

In recent years, black bear numbers have increased and bears have become more widespread throughout New York. Since most human-bear conflicts can be eliminated or greatly reduced by removing food attractants, DEC's standard message is "Do Not Feed Bears." Previous regulations only prohibited the intentional feeding of bears that occurred in proximity to certain locations.

This new regulation establishes a comprehensive, state-wide prohibition on intentional and incidental feeding of bears as a prudent and reasonable measure to reduce bear habituation to human foods and thereby reduce potential for human-bear conflicts. 

This new regulation establishes a comprehensive, state-wide prohibition on intentional and incidental feeding of bears as a prudent and reasonable measure to reduce bear habituation to human foods and thereby reduce potential for human-bear conflicts.

The regulation also updates the conditions under which hounds can be trained and used to help manage bear problems. The use of bear hounds is one of the most effective tools for reducing bear damage to farm crops, especially corn.

The regulation description and public comment summary (http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6960.html#Feeding) can be found on the DEC website.

I came across these pictures the other day of some beautiful bucks from Staten Island. There's some nice ones out there. There's also a few nice ones out on Fire Island. Maybe one day they'll open these spots up to hunters and we'll have some monsters to chase!

Enjoy the pictures:

INDIANAPOLIS — The 2011 ATA Trade Show attracted a business-ready crowd of more than 8,000 industry professionals last week, with archery and bowhunting manufacturers reporting heavy booth traffic and order-writing.

The annual event — held Jan. 6-8 in the Indianapolis Convention Center — boasted a record-sized Show floor featuring 513 exhibitors who rented 167,550 square feet of space, including a record 55 shooting lanes, 11 more than in 2010. In addition to booth space occupied, there were 2,989 dealers, buyers and distributors on the Show floor during the three-day event. Like last year, the ATA will unpack the Show numbers and release a complete registration report featuring a breakdown of attendance numbers, exhibiting trends and geographic attendance patterns. The report should be finalized later this month.

“It was gratifying to see the strong response of the industry’s dealers, buyers and other folks who came to Indy,” said Jay McAninch, ATA CEO/president. “When every company comes together in one city, under one roof, business opportunities are maximized and the cost of doing business is minimized. The ability of our industry to unite and get to work deserves applause and a thank you to each company represented at the Show this year.”

Bob Miller, owner of BKIII Archery in Waterford, Wisconsin, said dealers truly cannot afford to miss the Show. “The Show has been great for us,” he said. “The amount of money we’re able to save by attending allows us to stay in business.”

One of the broader goals of each Show is to strike a balance between bringing back those Show features that benefit member companies, while allowing the Show to evolve and adjust as industry needs change. This year, attendees relied on the proven online registration platform introduced at the 2010 Show and the ATA express pass kiosks, Big Buck Tags returned to deliver discounts to dealers, while serving as a marketing beacon for participating exhibitors. Meanwhile, for 2011, the ATA introduced the interactive floor plan and directory, You Are Here, and the well received Beer and Gear Exchange.

“I think that’s one of the things the ATA staff and Board always come back to,” said Kurt Bassuener of Mike Wieck Sales. Bassuener also serves as the Trade Show’s committee chair on the ATA Board of Directors. “We can’t get stale, we have to gather feedback, be considerate and thoughtful based on what we hear and act on what we learn. Our industry has always been good to guide and speak up about what they’re after. So the clues were there for us to act on and, based on how our members embraced You Are Here and the sizable crowds at the Beer and Gear Exchange, the Show benefited from member feedback and we’d like to think our members benefited too. Now, the challenge is to refocus, emphasize this approach for 2012 and deliver.”

On the order-writing front, manufacturers at the Show reported increased optimism from archery-shop owners visiting their booths. “We had a lot more dealer traffic in our booth, and in talking with them you sense the economy is rebounding,” said Ben Guttormson, a national account manager with Black Gold. “You sense that if you’re a dealer and you made it through the past couple of years, the sun’s on the horizon. They’re well-organized, know what they want, and they’re here taking advantage of the Show’s deals.”

Brian Park, co-owner and president of Strother Archery, said his company wrote more orders and signed up more dealers than anticipated in their second year at the Show. “We took out a 20-by-30 booth because we had so much traffic last year,” Park said. “We made sure we could accommodate even more dealers this year, and we succeeded.”

Isaac Aleman, sales manager for Badlands Packs, said, “We were constantly busy writing orders. This is one of the better shows for dealers. We picked up some new international accounts and met a lot of Eastern dealers. That’s important for Western companies like ours.”

The deals weren’t a one-way street. Steven Wagnitz, president of Lakewood Products, and Aleman were just two of many exhibitors and retailers who snapped up specially priced hotel rooms the ATA arranged near the convention center.

“ATA’s hotel discounts definitely help,” Wagnitz said. “We stayed right across the street at the Hyatt, and could walk over here without going outside. You can’t beat the price or convenience.”

Lisa Endicott, co-owner of the Bow Rack archery store in Springfield, Ore., said she has learned to book their hotel room as soon as the ATA opens registration. “The rooms go fast and you can see why,” she said. “The ATA rates allow you to stay in hotels that are nicer than what we’d normally stay in. You can’t beat the prices they negotiate. We haven’t even paid for taxis here because we took advantage of the airport shuttles.”

McAninch said the ATA is now focusing on the Show’s return to Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 12-14, 2012. “We’re working hard with the Columbus folks to ensure next year’s Show is just as successful for our members,” he said. “Indianapolis always sets the bar high, and it’s our job to make sure all host cities make the Show pay dividends for our members.”

For more information about the 2011 ATA Trade Show or information about the 2012 ATA Trade Show in Columbus, please call (866) 266-2776 or e-mail info@archerytrade.org.

About the ATA Trade Show: The ATA Trade Show is the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and most inclusive show. The member-driven event promotes commerce within the industry, and is owned and operated by the ATA. As the only industry show that funds archery and bowhunting growth, the ATA invests in state agencies to coordinate introductory archery initiatives such as National Archery in the Schools Program and the After School Archery Program. To date, the ATA has invested and pledged nearly $2 million to bring archery shooting facilities and introductory programs to U.S. cities. Meanwhile, the ATA also fights for bowhunting rights in courtrooms across the country. The show is closed to the public and is an order-writing event.

About the ATA: Since 1953 ATA has been the trade association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. ATA is dedicated to making the industry profitable by decreasing business overhead, and reducing taxes and government regulation while increasing participation in archery and bowhunting. ATA owns and manages the ATA Trade Show, the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and longest running trade show worldwide.

This year I did something I've always wanted to do - head out to the Midwest to hunt giant whitetails! It wasn't something I was originally planning on doing, but I'm glad it happened because it's an experience I'll never forget. I headed out to Kansas for Halloween weekend and hunted for 5 1/2 days with Doug Arnold, owner of Verdigris Valley Outfitters in Neodesha, KS.

Hunting in KS is so different from hunting the suburbs of New York and Connecticut as I'm used to. I had the chance to observe whitetails in their natural settings, undisturbed by the mailman, kids riding their quads through the woods and the neighbors dog.

Throughout my hunt my hopes were high despite the unfavorable weather conditions. Time and time again I was told that you never know when a monster buck is going to step out in Kansas and that's the truth! I passed up several bucks in the 100 class range that would have been shooters back home and some were bordering P&Y.

On the afternoon of day four I headed to my final stand and I just had a feeling that this was going to be where it happened. That afternoon I saw several bucks including a beautiful 140 class 9 pointer that I caught sneaking through the brush just as he passed my shooting window. I tried rattling and grunting to get him to come in, but he just stood there until he had enough and vanished into the cedars.

The final morning of my hunt was filled with anticipation and high hopes of seeing a true Kansas giant! As day began to break I noticed a group of three deer making their way down the fence line towards my stand.  I could tell that the one in the back was much larger than the other two and I knew it had to be a buck. When I was finally able to make out the deer my jaw dropped - this was the largest buck I had ever seen, this was a Kansas giant!

Choosing the right base layers sets the foundation for you hunting system. Base layers are there to regulate your body temperature, provide warmth, wick away moisture and ensure you're comfortable while in the field. The proper base layers allow you to focus on hunting instead of worrying about how cold you are.

There are several options when it comes to base layers so it can be a bit overwhelming when you're in the market for a new set and you realize that there's an endless amount of options at your disposal.

I bowhunt for whitetails in temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the single digits which means I need different base layers for different settings.


In early September when the temperatures are high I like to keep my clothing light and use something like the Core Zip-T by Sitka as a base layer. In fact, sometimes this base layer doubles as outerwear when the temperatures are high. The Core Zip-T does an excellent job of wicking away moisture and also features silver lining to help eliminate human odor, a real benefit when hunting whitetails whose nose is their first line of defense. The zippered front of the Core Zip-T really helps you regulate your body temperature which is a nice feature. The only other thing I would have liked to see on the Core Zip-T would have been thumb holes which would have been a great nice-to-have feature when layering.


As the temperatures begin to drop from mid-October through November I switch from the Core Zip-T to my Traverse Base layers. The Traverse Zip-T has a heavier weight to it than the Core Zip-T, also features a zippered front to regulate body temperature and has thumb holes so you don't have to worry about your sleeves riding up your arm when you put the next layer on - I like this! I also like that I can wear my gloves over my Traverse Zip-T to prevent any skin from being exposed to the elements. Warm wrists are happy wrists!


The Traverse Bottoms are perfect for when you need that little bit of extra comfort on those cold November mornings. The Traverse Zip-T and Bottoms run true to size and are very comfortable to wear on all day sits.

When December rolls around it's time to go all out. At this time of year I'll wear my Core Zip-T followed by my Traverse Zip-T and Traverse Bottoms and then top it off with a Kelvin Vest before putting on my outerwear.


The Kelvin Vest is a polyfill vest that provides extra warmth for when the temperatures drop into the twenties and teens. I've hunted with both the Kelvin Jacket and Kelvin Vest and prefer the Kelvin Vest over the Kelvin Jacket. I just couldn't get comfortable with the Kelvin Jacket under my Stratus Jacket and it felt too tight around the arms for me (I tried layering the Kelvin Jacket in size L and XL under my Stratus Jacket (XL) and ended up going with a Kelvin Vest in XL).


The Sitka system has allowed me to stay comfortable in the field all season long so I can spend time focusing on hunting instead of worrying about being cold. Choosing the right base layers is essential for extending your time afield. Choosing a quality base layers like those from Sitka will help you stay in the field longer and hunt harder.

NYB Disclosure: cmp.ly/6/c5jhwl

Consider recording the number of wild turkeys you see this winter to help DEC monitor trends in New York's wild turkey populations. Snow and cold temperatures negatively affect wild turkeys, particularly young birds ("jakes" - young males and "jennies" - young females). Your observations will help DEC calculate wild turkey numbers prior to the spring breeding season. The survey runs from January 1 through March 31 and participating is easy. Visit the Winter Wild Turkey Flock Survey (http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/48756.html) webpage where you will find an electronic form with further instructions. Also, take a look at the 2010 winter flock survey results (http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/66526.html) to learn what your observations told us about turkey populations last year.

Along with weather conditions during the spring and early summer nesting season, winter conditions (e.g., days below freezing, snow depth, etc.) can significantly impact wild turkey populations, particularly young birds (jakes and jennies). The Winter Wild Turkey Flock Survey is conducted from January through March and is used to monitor trends in relative abundance of turkeys statewide and within major regions of the state. This survey helps us assess the general health of the wild turkey population prior to the breeding season in the spring.

A pilot survey was conducted during winters 2006 through 2008, and the first formal, standardized winter survey was conducted in winter 2009. Our goal is to collect observations from every county in the state. This is an opportunity for people interested in wildlife to partner with DEC to help monitor wild turkey populations.

If you would like to participate in the winter 2011 survey, print or download a Winter Wild Turkey Flock Survey form. You can use this form to record the number of wild turkeys you observe from January through March. More detailed instructions can be found at the top of the data sheet. You can also view, print, or download a map of Wildlife Management Units to assist you in completing your survey

It's been over two months and through two seasons that I've put my Sitka Gear through the ultimate test - bowhunting for whitetail deer. Back in November, I was fortunate enough to be invited down to the GORE facility in Maryland to put GORE Optifade Forest to the ultimate test - the eyes of a whitetail deer. We were outfitted with Sitka Gear in the Optifade Forest pattern and asked for our opinions on how it performed in actual hunting scenarios. The result? Well, you'll just have to read ahead for that!


The Bandit is the perfect piece of gear for keeping your face concealed during the early season. It can be worn with a hat so all that is showing are your eyes. I really like the idea of the bandit and it's a quality product, but I found it to be too tight around my nose when I was wearing it and that made it uncomfortable for me. I guess if you're nose is a little smaller than mine, you'll be alright! This is a try before you buy product to make sure it fits right.


I'm very picky when it comes to choosing a bowhunting glove and I need a glove with as much dexterity as possible to ensure I can anchor properly against my face and feel the trigger as I set to release an arrow. What I really like about these gloves is the long cuff on them which allows me to put my release on over the cuff instead of behind it which causes the release push the cuff of the glove forward causing an annoying and uncomfortable situation. What I don't like in a glove is a big rubberized grip which puts unwanted torque on the bow. The Core Glove is the perfect lightweight glove for bowhunters. It does have some grip on it, but not enough to cause any negative side effects when shooting a bow. I put these gloves through a lot of abuse including climbing trees with a climber, setting climbing sticks and hang-on stands, dragging deer and pushing brush out of the way. After two months of hardcore bowhunting I had very little if any of the grip left on the gloves, but that was the only real sign of wear. The material itself was still intact - no rips or holes - and the stitching held up very well. I was extremely impressed with these gloves and plan on having a few extra pairs for next season.


The Stratus Glove is a mid-weight glove with GORE Windstopper which prevents any wind from reaching your hands. Sharing the same lining as the Stratus Jacket and Stratus Bibs, the Stratus Gloves are fitted to increase dexterity while providing warmth when the temperatures drop. With leather palms these gloves are my workhorse gloves and are perfect for setting new stands and clearing brush. If you're a gun hunter, these will be excellent gloves for handling a firearm and will allow you to easily operate the bolt or action. The high dexterity of these gloves means your trigger finger will be able to feel the trigger of your rifle, shotgun or bow release. While I was impressed with the Stratus Glove, I did find that it changed my anchor point too much for my liking so I did hunt with these gloves because I was not comfortable shooting my bow with them on. How you anchor your release hand will determine if these gloves will work for you as a bowhunting glove.


The Stratus Hat has a GORE Windstopper membrane - a soft, warm lining that is very comfortable to wear. The breathable GORE Windstopper prevents precious heat from being lost to cold winds and is breathable so you don't end up with a wet head from perspiration. Like all the Sitka Gear I've tried, the Stratus Hat has a great fit and finish and is an essential piece of gear for keeping you focused on the hunt instead of being focused on how cold you are.


I've taken three deer so far while wearing my Sitka Gear in GORE Optifade Forest and I can honestly say that this clothing did make a difference when it came to my success. Having the right system has allowed to me focus on the hunt instead of worrying about how much longer I could sit in the stand. The cut of these garments is second to none and I'm able to move around as I wish without worrying about making a sound. The GORE Optifade Forest pattern is the perfect compliment to the Sitka system and time and time again I've watched as deer look right through me instead of at me. Choosing the right system is essential for success in the field and Sitka Gear featuring GORE Optifade Forest concealment is the right system for me.


NYB Disclosure: cmp.ly/6/c5jhwl

PROS: Exceptional cut of fabrics for minimal bulk and limited fabric-on-fabric noise, functional with pockets in all the right places, warm liner with GORE Windstopper to prevent wind from taking body heat, integrated hood, GORE Optifade Forest concealment

CONS: I found the Stratus fabric to have a slight velcro noise when I leaned back in my treestand against the bark of a tree and then went to stand up (I spoke with Jeff Simpson, Sitka's Midwest Manager, about this at the 2011 ATA Show and he showed me the updated Stratus Jacket and Bibs which are now made with a new fabric that eliminates this noise issue)

MSRP
Stratus Jacket $249
Stratus Bibs $229

Well it's been nearly two months since my trip down to the GORE facilities in Maryland where I learned about the science behind GORE Optifade concealment and did some field testing with a set of Sitka gear that included the Stratus Jacket and Bibs.

The clothing I was given to field test by Sitka was like nothing else I had ever worn previously. I didn't even know that my old hunting clothes were bulky and not designed with the bowhunter in mind. Sitka takes their gear seriously and there is a reason they make "specialized wear and equipment." The first time you put a piece of Sitka gear on you'll instantly understand what all the rave is about.


When I first tried on my Sitka Stratus Jacket in size Large I realized that this clothing was designed and cut with minimal excess fabric. This made for a more fitted garment and I had to exchange my Large for an Xtra-Large (for reference, I'm 6' 1" and 215 lbs). The same pattern seems to follow throughout Sitka's outerwear line so I would suggest going one size up with outer wear. Base layers seem to fit fine in your standards size. Try before you buy to see what fits you best.

The Stratus Jacket is a little longer than your standard jacket and sits in length between a normal jacket and a parka. This is especially nice when you're wearing pants instead of bibs as it helps cut down on any heat escaping through the back. The GORE Windstopper is worth its weight in gold when it comes to hunting on a windy day. The winds can blow all they want, but they won't cut through the Stratus Jacket and that keeps you focused on hunting instead of how cold the wind is.

I found the adjustable cuffs on the Stratus Jacket very comfortable, but again they're fitted so don't expect to get your hand through them with your release on. You'll have to put your arm through the jacket first and then put your release on.

I really like the fact that there is a collar and a hood on the Stratus Jacket. This keeps you warm and when the wind pics up or a light rain starts just pull the hood over and you'll stay warm and dry. There is also a large chest pocket to keep gear close at hand and movement to a minimum.

The Stratus Jacket has a soft and quiet feel to it, but when I pulled away from the tree to stand up I noticed a Velcro like sound as the fibers of the Stratus Jacket stuck to the tree and were ripped off - not something you can get away with when you're hunting weary whitetails. I raised my concerns about this with Jeff Simpson, Sitka's Midwest Manager, and he said that the Stratus Jacket and Bibs have been updated for 2011 and are now made with a different fabric that eliminates the problem.

During the course of the season I hunted in my Stratus Jacket from temperatures anywhere from 50 degrees down to 14 degrees. This is a good mid-season jacket for hunting whitetails and I was most comfortable when the temps ranged from the 30s to the low 50s. When the temperatures dropped into the teens I was cold, even when I layered up with my Core Zip-T, Traverse Zip-T and Kelvin Vest.


The Stratus Bibs are the perfect compliment to the Stratus Jacket. Personally, I prefer to hunt in bibs over pants, especially during the late season. I find them more comfortable and warmer.

The Stratus Bibs have the same soft lining as the Stratus Jacket and GORE Windstopper to keep the wind from stealing precious body heat. The shoulder straps are easy to get on and off and have a rubberized grip on the underside of them so the straps don't slip off your shoulder.

A large chest pocket is perfect for storing your hunting license, a game call, or any other accessories you might have. The Stratus Bibs have lined pockets on each side and a zip fly for when nature calls. You'll also find two cargo pockets on the Stratus Bibs, but it's not until your sitting on your treestand and you reach for something in the cargo pocket that you'll really appreciate the side zipper pockets. When you're sitting down the zipper is on the top which allows go in and out of the pocket without having to worry about anything falling out of the side and dropping 20 feet below your treestand.

If you wear a big pair of rubber boots like I do then you'll also find the side zippers on the legs useful. I would have liked to see the zippers go up to the knee, but the zippers go up high enough to allow you to get the bibs around your boots and easily zip them back down.


Overall I was very impressed with the Stratus Jacket and Bibs from Sitka. I was equally impressed by the GORE Optifade Forest, which is designed specifically for deer hunting from a treestand. Time and time again the Optifade Forest has deer looking right through me instead of at me. I'm excited to see what Sitka comes out with in the future and I know I'll be wearing my Sitka gear for many years to come.

NYB Disclosure: cmp.ly/6/c5jhwl

Archery season sadly came to an end in New York on December 31st. That means it's time to get in the woods and start scouting for next year, but before we get into that I wanted to congratulate all of our participants in the 2010 Deer Hunting Contest!


Mathewshunter, as he goes by on the NYB Forum, had a great season this year and took two fine bucks, one of them was this big 7 pointer. A little grunting and rattling after school brought in the big 7 pointer and after a 20 yard broadside shot he didn't make it too far!


Steve had passed on several bucks waiting for the big one. Just before 9:00am Steve heard some crashing behind him and got ready. A doe came trotting in followed by the big 8 pointer. As the deer worked their way closer to Steve he picked out a shooting lane at 30 yards and stopped the deer. The arrow hit a little low, but a persistent Steve was able to stick it out and find this beautiful buck.


Kurt was after "Moose" a non-typical with palmation on both sides of his rack. It was during the last hour of light when the action picked up and Moose headed down the trail right in front of Kurt's stand. After getting Moose to stop behind a 12" beech tree, Kurt had to wait for the deer to move to another opening and then crouch down for the shot. Moose took off and 45 yards later was on the ground.

Congrats to all of the hunters and their great deer! 2010 was a tough year and the 2011 season will be back upon us before we know it!

Mountain Mikes had a wide range of reproduction mounts and displays at the ATA Show in Indianapolis. The Skull Master can be used for deer and elk and allows each antler to be fixed to the reproduction skull. This also allows you to mount shed antlers.


The Skull Master is available in classic white along with dipped models in wood grain, fall camo and snow camo. For those that want to use their original skull plate (to qualify for P&Y or B&C) there is the Record Keeper. A similar design, except you use the original skull plate to attach to the reproduction skull and then putty to blend the two together.


The Rack Plaque is new for 2011 and features a Bone Collector leather cover for your antlers along with a Brotherhood plaque. This is a quick, simple and great looking way to display your antlers!


One of my personal favorite additions for 2011 is the Bear Collector. The Beard Collector also features a Bone Collector logo on the front and allows you to mount one turkey tail fan, one set of turkey legs and five beards!

One of my all time favorite arrow rests is the QAD Ultra HD rest by Quality Archery Designs. This year at the ATA Show in Indianapolis, QAD introduced their new HDX full containment drop-away arrow rest.


The new Ultra-Rest HDX is QAD's top of the line model. It features a sleek new design and some upgrades from the HD rest. One of the first things you will notice is the new curved capture bar which helps to contain the arrow and prevents the arrow from falling off the rest at full draw.


The vertical of the HDX has also been redesigned for more versatility. You'll notice some new markings on the rest to help with vertical alignment.

Target archers will appreciate the new custom colors including florescent green, red, pink and blue. Camo patterns include Realtree APG and Lost Camo.

Newark, DE – January 6, 2011 – W.L. Gore & Associates, a leading manufacturer of advanced technology products including GORE-TEX® branded products, today announced that three new partners will offer hunting gear featuring GORE® OPTIFADE® Concealment patterns in 2011. Backpacks from Mystery Ranch, bow sights and stabilizers from Archer Xtreme and arrow rests from Trophy Taker will all feature Gore’s scientifically-formulated concealment patterns based on animal vision.

“Visual concealment based on animal vision is the most advanced concealment option for the serious athlete hunter, and we are proud to expand our partner base to offer GORE® OPTIFADE® patterns on an even greater variety of gear,” commented David Dillon, Hunting Category Leader at W.L. Gore & Associates. “We selectively partner with companies that share our commitment to improving outcomes in the field and will continue to find superior products to feature the OPTIFADE pattern – providing a total gear solution for those focused on performance.”

Mystery Ranch Packs
Bozeman, Montana-based Mystery Ranch will offer its NICE Frame and Crew Cab, Longbow and 6500 NICE backpack options as well as its Dragon Slayer backpack in GORE OPTIFADE Concealment Open Country pattern. The variety of Mystery Ranch backpacks available in OPTIFADE are suitable for day hunts, scouting, backpack hunting, load hauling, and extended expeditions.

Archer XTreme Sights
Archer Xtreme is a new archery company developing performance gear for experienced bow hunters. They will offer their Archer Xtreme Carbon Carnivore and Primal XD sights in GORE OPTIFADE Concealment Open Country and Forest patterns. The Carbon Carnivore is a blend of advanced metals and a high-modulus carbon for superior strength, resulting in a precise, lighter and lower vibration sight. The Primal XD provides top quality components in a rugged design and a tool-less micro-pin adjust system for fast individual pin adjustments. Archer Xtreme will debut its line of accessories at the 2011 ATA show in Indianapolis.

Trophy Taker Rests
A leading manufacturer of archery accessories for more than a decade, Trophy Taker will offer its line of Smackdown™ and Extreme Full Capture and Slot Adjust fall away arrow rests in GORE OPTIFADE Concealment Open Country and Forest patterns. Trophy Taker rests feature all metal construction, bullet-proof no-nonsense design, and an unconditional lifetime warranty.

These new partners join Sitka, BowTech and G5 as select providers of gear featuring the OPTIFADE patterns.

Before the development of GORE OPTIFADE Concealment, visual concealment had been designed from the perspective of the human eye. To create OPTIFADE, the team at Gore worked with a panel of scientific advisors and employed the latest research in animal vision science, camouflage science and computer technology to create proprietary new concealment patterns. In contrast to mimicry camouflage, which attempts to make the hunter closely resemble his environment, Gore’s digital patterns aim to prevent the animal from recognizing a hunter as a predator, even if the hunter is detected. The Forest Pattern, which launched in 2010, is optimized for hunting deer from a tree stand in a forested environment. The Open Country pattern is optimized for spot and stalk hunting in more open terrain.

For more information about GORE® OPTIFADE® Concealment, visit www.optifade.com.

Bowtech was giving away an invasion at it's booth yesterday at the ATA Show and even though I didn't win one, I did have a great time shooting this bow. There are a lot of technologies in the bow that make it easy to shoot considering it's a short axle speed bow.


The Bowtech Invasion has a generous 7" brace height which makes this bow more forgiving considering its size and speed. The Carbon Rod String Stop (pictured above) is positioned directly in line with the stabilizer to effectively transfer vibration from the string to the stabilizer. This optimizes bow balance and dissipates noise and vibration efficiently. When I shot this bow I was very impressed by how quiet it was and at the lack of vibration after the shot.


The new OverDrive Bianary Cam system uses a split buss cable harness to keep the cams in sync and maximize stability. The cam was very smooth drawing and the transition into the wall was noticeable, but not harsh. What retailers are really going to like about this cam are the rotating modules. This means you never have to wait for replacement cams or modules that are draw specific. The Bowtech rotating modules allow you to adjust at least four inches of draw length.


The FLX-Guard cable containment system addresses the tuning effects of extreme cable tensions and inflexible cable guards found on most bows. As the bow is drawn, the FLX-Guard flexes inwards absorbing cable guard torque that would normally be transferred to the riser. The result is a substantial reduction in lateral nock travel.


The two piece wood grip on the Bowtech Invasion is extremely thin allowing for a torque-free shot. The grip is ergonomic and very comfortable. The red and black finish on the grip was also very appealing.


At 31 1/32" axle-to-axle the Bowtech Invasion is a short bow. I personally prefer longer ATA bows in the 34" range, but this bow was easy to shoot despite it's size.


I was very impressed while drawing back the Invasion. The pounds build gradually over the course of the draw until the bow reaches its peak and the cams roll into a solid wall. Getting to full draw is easy and once you're at full draw it's easy to hold this bow and concentrate on the shot. There's no fighting with the bow at full draw, it wants to stay there and it's something bowhunters will really appreciate.


I squeezed the trigger until the bow fired and watch the arrow bury into the target. There was some vibration after the shot, but that is to be expected on a bare bow. I also noticed that the bow was slightly bottom heavy and the top of the bare bow would lean back towards the archer after the shot.

Get to a Bowtech dealer near you and make sure you give the Invasion a try!

For specs on the Bowtech Invasion check out our review here.