TOWER CITY — Today’s archers drive a competitive outdoor marketplace, where only the best and most efficient equipment makes the cut.
As a result the archery industry is forever evolving, with engineers and designers constantly improving gear to meet the needs of growing bowhunter demands. That means outdoors retailers need to keep up with the progress to give their customers a vast array of gear options for bow season, especially the latest in archery accessories.
“We keep a pretty good bead on the hottest new gear for each season,” Eric Minnichbach, co-owner of Stony Gun and Archery of Tower City, said. “Between word of mouth, our sales reps and the multiple trade shows we attend each year, we try to provide a fresh variety of products for our customers.”
That lineup this year includes some of the most in-demand and revolutionary archery products on the market. Minnichbach and co-owner Jeremy Lengle recently assembled 10 of their top items for an inside peek at the hottest bowhunting products of 2015:
• Bowtech Prodigy — This 32-inch axle-to-axle compound bow offers lightning-fast speed of 343 fps, weighs just 4.2 pounds, is available in 50-, 60- or 70-pound pull with a draw length range of 25-30½ inches, uses Power Disc Technology to adjust draw smoothness and is offered in three different camo patterns or Black Ops finish.
“I haven’t bought a new bow since the Bowtech Invasion in 2011, so when the Prodigy came out, I was so excited that I got one for myself,” Lengle said. “It shoots really well and I’ve been nothing but pleased.”
• Parker Enforcer — This redesigned model of an already reliable crossbow now has split limbs and rubber string stops, making it faster and quieter than ever before, shoots between 300-315 fps, and comes with choice of a 4x multi reticle or 3x power illuminated scope.
• SKB iSeries Bow Case — Made in the USA, this waterproof, lockable bow case offers plenty of protection for prized hunting investment on long, bumpy destination trips and holds two bows.
• Rinehart Targets Rhino Bags — Built tough like a rhino, these easily transportable targets will take a beating, have two strong grommets where the target can be hung for repeated practice on the double-sided alternating shot faces and are available in 26- and 22-inch sizes.
• Grim Reaper Hybrid Broadheads — Available in 100-grain points, this four-blade mixed breed boasts a 1 3/16-inch cutting edge fixed blade and a 1½-inch cut mechanical blade all wrapped up in one lethal broadhead.
“I am most excited to try these,” Minnichbach said. “I’ve had great success with Grim Reapers in the past, but I want to give the Hybrids a shot because they’re unique in that they’ve combined the reliability of a fixed blade with the cutting efficiency of a mechanical tip.”
• Grim Reaper Razor Tip X-Bow Broadheads — Created specifically for heavy-hitting crossbow bolts, the Razor Tip X-bow edition mechanical heads offer a 100-grain tip with a 1½-inch cutting diameter and a practice tip is included.
• Carbon Express Crossbow De-Cocking Bolt — Now hunters need not risk shooting one of their good bolts into a rotten stump to safely release their crossbows at the end of a day with this rubber-tipped doinker.
• Big Dog Bearcat Treestand — This affordable fixed-position, hang-on treestand provides a new, larger, padded flip-up seat and built in footrest to keep hunters comfortable in the tree longer.
• G5 Havoc Broadheads — Two-blade expandable Havocs are constructed of 100 percent stainless steel, are touted to have field point accuracy and boast an impressive 2-inch cut in their 100-grain tips for both compound and crossbow models.
• Carbon Express Maxima Red Arrows — These shafts offer the ultimate in broadhead hunting performance due to their breakthrough red-zone technology which controls the exaggerated effect of arrow flex in flight, resulting in tighter groups when using broadheads and greater accuracy when it matters most.