Bow Hunters - Best new gadget

davlandrum · July 21, 2008, 12:12 PM

I know there are a lot of bow hunters here as well as rifle hunters.

I am having a hard time finding any new bow hunting gadgets that I "must have" for this year. Anyone ran across something profoundly cool?

I sent my Oneida Black Eagle in for a complete rebuild at the factory this winter and am very happy with the job they did.

I know "if you don't need anything, don't get anything", but I like to have something fun and new to play with each year...

rantingredneck · July 21, 2008, 12:41 PM

Do you have a bowmaster portable bow press?? I see that as a must have personally.

I keep one in a pack in my truck. If I lose a peep sight or something it makes field replacement so much easier.

I think I paid around 40 bucks or so for it.

http://www.prototechind.com/

BTW, it ain't exactly new. I've had one for 2 or 3 years.

Scorch · July 21, 2008, 01:01 PM

I just read about the next "must have" gadget for bowhunters: a camera mount for your bow so you can photograph or record your shot.

birdshot · July 21, 2008, 01:49 PM

i never enjoyed practice until i got a longbow.

davlandrum · July 21, 2008, 05:38 PM

Scorch - I looked at those (OK, quit laughing...). The problem is, the way I read the Oregon regs, it would be illegal (specifically prohibits any electronic device attached to your bow...)

RR - won't work on my bow, as mine has limb ends like a recurve (yes, I realize this is the price I pay for having an Oneida..., but I wouldn't trade the sweet shooting for anything).

Might have to just get some new camo and some new calls...but where's the fun in that.

Birdshot - I almost talked myself into getting another recurve, but the $$$$$$ they want now is just beyond insane.

rantingredneck · July 21, 2008, 07:21 PM

I sometimes regret selling my Fred Bear Alaskan recurve.........

davlandrum · July 22, 2008, 12:17 PM

RR - at least you chose to sell it, even if you regret it.
I had a Martin Hatfield T/D recurve, 75#. Got stole out of a storage unit during a move...along with a Barretta 92F, a 7mm Weatherby Mag, a 30-30, couple of .22s, about 1/2 dozen bass fishing rods and reels.....absolutely one of the worst days in my entire life.

Mark Milton · July 22, 2008, 01:07 PM

The only archery gadget invented since the compound bow worth owning is the Whisker Biscuit.
Everything else is just crap.

With the Whisker Biscuit you can fire your bow hanging upside down if you had to, and it doesn't get any better than that!

The modern Compound Bow is fast on it's way to becoming like a 1911 pistol in that everybody and his half witted brother is coming out with bolt on aftermarket crap that does nothing but clutter up the product.

davlandrum · July 22, 2008, 01:25 PM

Mark

+1 on the WB -- only rest I shoot. I wasn't really looking for junk to strap on my bow, just generally for bow hunting.

rantingredneck · July 22, 2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

The modern Compound Bow is fast on it's way to becoming like a 1911 pistol in that everybody and his half witted brother is coming out with bolt on aftermarket crap that does nothing but clutter up the product.

Well said. I still hunt with a PSE Nova or when I'm feeling really retro a Martin Warthog Magnum. Parallel limbs ultra fast whizbangs they are not..........

But they put meat in the freezer with ease.

davlandrum · July 22, 2008, 02:22 PM

RR - that is why I sent my Oneida in for a refit/refurbish. It still works fine, just needed new cabling (and a new grip).

Other problem with new bows is they are all designed for release shooters. I swear they get shorter axle-to-axle every year.

I went through my release phase long ago, and have no interest in going back. Last thing I need in the heat of the moment as I am desperately trying not to fall down a canyon is to be monkeying with a release.

hogdogs · July 22, 2008, 03:01 PM

I think a little correspondence with DNR regarding the camera on the bow would get you an retro active exemption letter for this year and a clarification for next... I think they may mean red dots, lasers, and the like... not digis. That would be cool though to have a high qual film of your shot, arrow flight and MISS (likely my result) or THWACK.... and down deer!
Brent

davlandrum · July 22, 2008, 03:06 PM

Brent - probably right. Honestly, I would be surprised if LE would cite me for it, as it is clearly not against the intent of the regs.

Of course, I am not willing to stake my status as a Hunter Ed instructor on that....

TPAW · July 24, 2008, 09:43 PM

Let me date myself, a Berger Button........

July 21, 2008, 12:12 PM	#1
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	Bow Hunters - Best new gadget I know there are a lot of bow hunters here as well as rifle hunters. I am having a hard time finding any new bow hunting gadgets that I "must have" for this year. Anyone ran across something profoundly cool? I sent my Oneida Black Eagle in for a complete rebuild at the factory this winter and am very happy with the job they did. I know "if you don't need anything, don't get anything", but I like to have something fun and new to play with each year... __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

July 21, 2008, 01:01 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I just read about the next "must have" gadget for bowhunters: a camera mount for your bow so you can photograph or record your shot. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 21, 2008, 01:49 PM	#4
birdshot Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: north platte nebraska Posts: 344	longbows i never enjoyed practice until i got a longbow.

July 21, 2008, 05:38 PM	#5
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	Scorch - I looked at those (OK, quit laughing...). The problem is, the way I read the Oregon regs, it would be illegal (specifically prohibits any electronic device attached to your bow...) RR - won't work on my bow, as mine has limb ends like a recurve (yes, I realize this is the price I pay for having an Oneida..., but I wouldn't trade the sweet shooting for anything). Might have to just get some new camo and some new calls...but where's the fun in that. Birdshot - I almost talked myself into getting another recurve, but the $$$$$$ they want now is just beyond insane. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

July 22, 2008, 12:17 PM	#7
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	RR - at least you chose to sell it, even if you regret it. I had a Martin Hatfield T/D recurve, 75#. Got stole out of a storage unit during a move...along with a Barretta 92F, a 7mm Weatherby Mag, a 30-30, couple of .22s, about 1/2 dozen bass fishing rods and reels.....absolutely one of the worst days in my entire life. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

July 21, 2008, 12:41 PM	#2
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	Do you have a bowmaster portable bow press?? I see that as a must have personally. I keep one in a pack in my truck. If I lose a peep sight or something it makes field replacement so much easier. I think I paid around 40 bucks or so for it. http://www.prototechind.com/ BTW, it ain't exactly new. I've had one for 2 or 3 years.

July 21, 2008, 07:21 PM	#6
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	I sometimes regret selling my Fred Bear Alaskan recurve.........

July 22, 2008, 01:07 PM	#8
Mark Milton Junior member Join Date: January 30, 2006 Posts: 504	The only archery gadget invented since the compound bow worth owning is the Whisker Biscuit. Everything else is just crap. With the Whisker Biscuit you can fire your bow hanging upside down if you had to, and it doesn't get any better than that! The modern Compound Bow is fast on it's way to becoming like a 1911 pistol in that everybody and his half witted brother is coming out with bolt on aftermarket crap that does nothing but clutter up the product.

July 22, 2008, 01:25 PM	#9
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	Mark +1 on the WB -- only rest I shoot. I wasn't really looking for junk to strap on my bow, just generally for bow hunting. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

July 22, 2008, 02:22 PM	#11
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	RR - that is why I sent my Oneida in for a refit/refurbish. It still works fine, just needed new cabling (and a new grip). Other problem with new bows is they are all designed for release shooters. I swear they get shorter axle-to-axle every year. I went through my release phase long ago, and have no interest in going back. Last thing I need in the heat of the moment as I am desperately trying not to fall down a canyon is to be monkeying with a release. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

July 22, 2008, 03:01 PM	#12
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	I think a little correspondence with DNR regarding the camera on the bow would get you an retro active exemption letter for this year and a clarification for next... I think they may mean red dots, lasers, and the like... not digis. That would be cool though to have a high qual film of your shot, arrow flight and MISS (likely my result) or THWACK.... and down deer! Brent

July 22, 2008, 03:06 PM	#13
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	Brent - probably right. Honestly, I would be surprised if LE would cite me for it, as it is clearly not against the intent of the regs. Of course, I am not willing to stake my status as a Hunter Ed instructor on that.... __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

July 24, 2008, 09:43 PM	#14
TPAW Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Posts: 2,860	Let me date myself, a Berger Button........