I don't think any of us got away from the booth as much as we would have liked. We did shoot a few bows. Talked with our industry friends and saw a few new things that were interesting. But I'm not sure any of us saw more than 25% of the show or shot even half the new bows. Hopefully D-Rock and MLB will chime in and share what they liked.
For me the biggest surprise was how nice the new Sims target bow shot. I heard a few talk about not liking the grip. It is rather square and not the most comfortable to place in your hand. But for me comfort falls far behind consistency when it comes to bow grips. I intentionally tried to grip it wrong and torque the shot on most my shots. I found it more difficult to shoot it poorly than I did shoot it well. Didn't even set out to shoot the new Sims. Only giving it a few arrows because one of the guys grabbed me as I walked past and darn near forced me into shooting it. I'm glad they did - That was fun!!
Other things that shined in my limited escapes from working;
BearX - The new crossbow by Bear Archery makes me want to shoot a crossbow
Great, great, great product!!
Also at Bear the Escape and BR33 take back seat to NO ONE! The improved grip is getting a lot better. Balance is better. Shot vibration better. Target acquisition better. I had to order one of each for my play days. I'm looking forward to spending my spring throwing arrows down range with both.
I had shot the Bear Marshal and Wild before the show but had to do it again because I felt the need to see if what I remembered was as good weeks later. For the price conscious bowhunter on a budget they still remain high on my list. I'm so impressed with that bow I've even thought about shooting one for 2016 hunting season just to make a point that $299 can still buy you a world class hunting bow. Neither is the bow the BR33 is, but they trail the 2016 headliner by very little!
Best bow of the show may just be a Hoyt! I can not remember the last time I said that out loud.
I think the last time I thought this highly of a Hoyt was before the ATA started doing a show. My preference is the aluminum Defiant 34. But if the Carbon Defiant were priced the same it would be so close a comparison I'm not sure I could choose a winner. Cosmetically there is zero comparison as the Aluminum Defiant is a Victoria's Secret model - Sexy, sexy and maybe even a little sexier than that!
RipCord continues to stride above and beyond the competition in fall away rests. We did find out that the rumors of Montana Black Gold, Tight Spot and RipCord being sold to Bowtech were true. So who knows how that might effect what has become the best service in the industry with RipCord. But in talking with Keith it sounds like RipCord will operate independent of Bowtech for the foreseeable future. That's good news for those wanting their outstanding products that just keep improving every year. Since both Lorraine and I are planning to shoot Easton's Deep Six arrows this year we need a new fall away rest. So, I picked up two new rests from them. One for the wife's new Hoyt and one for my new hunting bow...which every that ends up being come turkey season.
Just as Hoyt was my "Top at Show" pick after more than a decade Easton/Beman also has risen to the top of my excitement scale for "Best at Show". The 6mm FMJ is something I have wanted to see for quite some time. They not only did it, but they did it in a package that looks like some of my favorite Easton arrows from years past. Made me think of the old Dougerty arrows I shot so religiously in the late 80's. The Deep Six ACC may not be as fabulous as my prized ACC Pro Hunters, but at least us Pro Hunter fans have something close. Whackmaster and I are certainly going to be putting a few through some animals in 2016!
And finally, after WAY, WAY, WAY too long Beman has once again started offering a precision ICS shaft. The Beman ICS Elite was, at one time, my "Go To" all carbon arrow. I spent years searching for a replacement when they stopped making that shaft. New from Beman this year will be the
ICS Precision Hunter. This shaft is basically the old ICS Elite with a new face lift. The wife's Kobalt and Bear will be wearing this shaft in their quivers as soon as I can get them off the fletching jigs. I like it when great products find their way back to the market.
I left the show feeling positive about what the industry is giving bowhunters for 2016. It's a good time to take up hunting with stick and string! I'm getting excited for all my new toys to show up. Christmas looks to be coming early this year!
