So far this year we’ve set up shop at quite a few sports expos and trade-shows. We’ve had the opportunity to see the latest and greatest in traditional bows and camo, but one thing that has been swiftly gaining popularity is crossbow hunting. While crossbows were originally designed to assist disabled individuals while hunting, due to their increasing popularity many states are changing their laws to permit crossbow hunting during the general bow hunting season or during the general firearms season.

Another reason people are beginning to love crossbows more and more is their learning curve. Unlike a traditional or compound bow, learning to properly aim and fire a cross bow is much simpler making the learning time much shorter. Add in the fact that they generally have great overall performance and it is not surprising they are swiftly rising in the ranks of preferred hunting methods.
There are most definitely some great pros and some serious cons about using a cross bow. So, let’s check them out:

Pro: No Draw Time
Unlike with a traditional or compound bow, there is no need to concentrate on making a full draw while maintaining your aim to make your shot. Once a crossbow is cocked, a mechanism maintains full draw until the trigger is released. This not only conserves energy for the hunter, it allows him to focus solely on his or her target and properly aiming their shot, increasing overall accuracy. Though it is always good to consider the potential for a poor shot, or for nature to rear her head whenever you’re on a hunt.

Con: They Can Be Heavy
Traditional and compound bows are generally relatively light-weight, making it easier to carry them while you hunt. Unfortunately, while there have been many advances in overall construction to make crossbows lighter, the reality is they are still quite heavy. While all the complex parts and pieces give the crossbow quite a bit of power and make aiming more accurate, it also makes it significantly heavier than a traditional bow.
The increased weight also tends to make crossbows much louder, and in a sport where stealth is your friend this is a big disadvantage. Luckily, we noticed at the ATA show this year that manufacturers have been hard at work improving the overall designs and decreasing the weight, making them much quieter. A great example of this can be seen in Ravin Crossbows.

Pro: High Velocity
Thanks to the mechanical systems in the crossbow, these guys are little, but mighty. While a traditional or compound bow will have a draw of around 70 pounds, crossbows often have draw strengths of at least 100 pounds with some of the newer models slinging arrows with up to 200 pounds of draw strength. This increased strength also means an increase in velocity, allowing your arrows to fly at up to 450 feet per second. Higher speeds and more power also means deeper penetration, increasing your odds of a kill shot. However, you should always be prepared in case you have a poor shot or nature decides to rear her head.

Con: Long Reload Time
With traditional and compound bows, a good hunter will have an incredibly short reload time, allowing them to send off several shots within 1 minute. Since the only requirement to reload a bow is to slip the knock onto your string and draw, you are not only able to maintain aim while reloading but can reload with just one hand. Reloading a crossbow has many more steps. You must set the shaft, pull the draw until it locks, raise your crossbow, sight in your target, correct your aim, then you are able to let off another shot. This more involved process can easily cost you your animal.

Final Thoughts
Crossbow hunting may not be for everyone, but they most definitely have their place. Providing novices, younger individuals, and those who are disabled with a reliable, and accurate, method to bow hunt is amazing. We welcome any additions to our hunting community that allow a broader range of people to experience one of our favorite past times. Though, we do concede it is very important to research the crossbow you wish to purchase to make sure it coincides with your skill levels and abilities. With any luck, more advances can be made in the upcoming year to further improve upon this awesome hunting addition!

The weather outside may be frightful, but our annual Top Presents list is so delightful! This year was rife with tons of amazing hunting gear, which made narrowing our list down both fun and difficult, but narrow it down we did. So, if you’re still searching for that perfect present for the hunter or huntress in your life, check out our top picks below to help make sure your aim is true this holiday season!

1. The Pro-Tracker, Ultimate Tracking and Recovery System. Our patented, innovative tracking and recovery system is a must this season for any bowhunter. Not only does our system aid you in tracking your animal if your shot goes awry, the trail runs cold, or the weather turns, but it does so without negatively impacting your shot. Our system boasts an aerodynamic design that allows for the weight of the transmitter to be carried through the shaft to ensure your aim stays true, add to that a 12 hour battery life after your shot, a range of up to 2 miles, rechargeable batteries, and a water resistant transmitter in up to 12 inches and you’ve got a system that will help your hunter or huntress have successful hunts for years to come! Pro-Tracker, Ultimate Recovery System, $499.99 and up.

2. SAS Archery Multi-Wrench Tool. We picked this little guy up at the start of the year and it quickly became a staple in our hunting gear. Not only is this small and compact, but it works amazingly well either at home or in the field for those last minute adjustments. Plus, with a price so low you really can’t go wrong with it as a thoughtful but inexpensive gift, or a great stocking stuffer. Amazon, $6.99.

3. The On-X Hunt Map. We know, an app on a Christmas list seems really odd, but this is no ordinary app. This recently updated app gives your hunter an amazing amount of information. Not only does it give a great topographical map for their preferred hunting are, it documents up-to-date landowner data to help them make sure they don’t stumble from BLM land onto private land. Plus, you can also purchase a package that includes trophy animal stats from other hunters for each area in all 50 states. onXMaps.com, $29.99-99.99

4. Rhinehart Rhinoblock Target. There are tons of block targets out there that are great. In fact, we had a few runners up (Like the Morell Double Duty or the Block Targets Block 6×6), but this guy was the winner. This block is a bit pricey, but with how easy arrow removal is in addition to how resilient this target is we declared it the winner. We used the heck out of ours this season, and it still looks barely used. This one is a great investment and we definitely recommend it as a Christmas gift! Amazon, $169.97

5. Outdoor Edge Game Processor Kit. Every hunter needs a great set of knives in order to field dress their animals, and this one gives you a quality at a great price. Since it comes in a nice, sturdy case, you can toss it in your vehicle or strap it to your pack without worrying about damage. We do recommend hand-washing though, so make sure to keep that in mind when you purchase this kit. Amazon, $55.42.

That’s our list for this year, we hope you guys like it! We also wanted to take a minute to wish each and every one of you a Happy Holiday Season. May the upcoming year bring you great joy, great laughter, and some great game!

If you’ve been reading our blog for awhile, you guys are probably aware of our love for turkey. If not, we here at Pro-Tracker LOVE us some wild turkey. Homemade turkey bacon, turkey burgers, turkey jerky; chances are if anywhere in the contents it include wild turkey we have at one point or another tried to stuff it in our collective faces. That being said, one of our favorite traditions is going on a fall turkey hunt for our Thanksgiving turkey. Unfortunately, when you tell your family you’re going out to bring home a key aspect of your holiday feast there are expectations that you will, in fact, bring home a beautiful bird. This pressure can sometimes throw you off your hunting game, but fear not friends. We here at Pro-Tracker will help save the day by offering you our Top 5 Fall Turkey Tips to help make sure you’re bird is the highlight of this year’s fantastic feast!

1. Charge that Pro-Tracker! Did you know that you can even use our Pro-Tracker, Ultimate Recovery System on small game, like a turkey? Well, you certainly can! This is incredibly helpful in case you get in a bad shot and your bird takes flight, or as tricky turkeys often do, launches into the air or speedily flees into some heavy coverage brush. No one wants to come home empty handed because they had a bad shot and their turkey had little or no blood to follow.

2. Do not underestimate the need for scouting. Pre-scouting in the fall is an absolute must. As there is less food, the flock will need to cover a much broader area in order to find sustenance. Turkeys as a whole are often a lot quieter in the fall as well, so knowing what to look for is important. You’ll want to keep a keen eye out for turkey scratching, feathers, and droppings. The more scratching, the more likely that that area is frequently traversed by the flock and would be a good place to set yourself up.

3. Do not underestimate the power of calling. Especially in the fall, a lot of people tend to rush in and break up groups of birds, similar to flushing out a pheasant, in the hopes that the birds will go in all different directions and then slowly trickle back to your location to regroup. While this can work, it’s tricky business and doesn’t guarantee that they birds will break properly or that they will actually return to your location. Rather we’ve found that if you exhibit some patience you’ll have much more success. Set up in a good location, where you’re hidden but still have a clear view of an area where there is evidence of a flock, and just begin to call. Make sure to start your call off in a plaintive manner and then try to match the tone/cadence of any responses to be extra convincing. Chances are it will draw some birds into your area. Don’t shoot the first ones though unless they look like a winner; since turkeys like to flock where one turkey goes, others are soon to follow.

4. Embrace the dummies. Turkeys are a bit odd in that they like to flock, but are also quite territorial and a bit aggressive. This means that once you shoot a turkey, the likelihood of another turkey hopping on top of them like they are playing ‘king of the mountain’ is pretty high. Play off of this aspect of their nature by placing a few dummies out in prone or weakened positions on the ground. Once your birds come in from your amazing calls, there is a good chance one or two will set up camp on top of your dummies and will also help to give you a great shot.

5. Aim for closer range and use the right tip. Using a blind can be helpful this time of year, especially because if you want your best chance to hit your bird you’re going to want to be within around 20 yards. You’re also going to want to make sure your point is geared towards turkey hunting so that you don’t unintentionally decimate your dinner due to too large of a tip.

Our last tip is to remember to be grateful. Life gets so hectic from time to time that many of us forget to take time to look around and realize all the blessings we have around us. So, this Thanksgiving, remember to stop and smell the roses, to smile at your kiddos crazy antics, and to enjoy your Thanksgiving feast; even if the bird is a little burnt and Uncle Fred forgot the stuffing. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, from our family to yours!

Winter is fast approaching, and for many hunters that means the end of their season. We can’t blame you; we know that while lots of people love winter that it is most definitely some people’s least favorite season. In fact, we have a few people in our offices who grumble every time someone mentions that winter is coming (and we have one who makes obscure Game of Thrones references every time this phrase is uttered). Regardless of your feelings on winter as a whole, there is one amazing benefit to winter: Winter Buck Hunting. If you’ve never been winter buck hunting it is an experience that everyone should enjoy at least once in their lifetimes. It has many challenges, but once you get your buck the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment makes everything worthwhile. However, winter hunting is a unique experience with unique challenges. Here are some of our favorite tips and tricks to help make your winter hunt successful.

1. Bring your fully charged Pro-tracker, ultimate recovery system. We made this number 1 on our list because it can literally be a lifesaver. Winter weather is temperamental at best. Often times the weather report will show clear weather, only to have a spontaneous blizzard come seemingly out of nowhere in the middle of your hunt; or maybe you’re a hunter who loves to hunt mid-storm. Regardless of your timing preference in regards to winter storms, there are a myriad of challenges in the snow. Sometimes you have a great blood trail that later goes cold, sometimes you have no blood trail at all, and sometimes the terrain can become slippery and dangerous unexpectedly. This is where our system can help to save you. Our system can help track your animal so that you can recover it quickly in case of an emerging blizzard or to help you find it during a blizzard to help you get home safe with your animal in tow.Get yours here!

2. Do not rely on your deer stand. While deer stands are a reliable way to get a buck during the main season, this is not the case for a winter hunt. Since food is scarcer, the bucks move around significantly less so the likelihood of one wandering by your stand is slim to none. If you want a winter buck, you have to rely on your skills as a tracker. This aspect of winter hunting is why the reward is so, so good; you have to put in some serious work.

3. Look for food. This one seems pretty obvious: in winter food is harder to come by, so you’re likely to find them close to a food source. However, this is a key aspect of winter hunting; particularly if there is sleet. Sleet penetrates a deer’s coat, so they tend to hunker down in between trees near their main food sources prior to or after ice or sleet storms. That means if you perch in a spot with a good view your chances of snagging a beautiful winter buck are much higher.

4. Pay attention to the wind. It doesn’t matter how good of a tracker you are if the deer can smell you a mile away. Winter winds can be notoriously strong and harsh, so you need to position yourself accordingly. You will constantly be changing your position to suit the wind in order to be successful. Wind is also important because bucks tend to use trees to act as blocks from particularly strong, chilly winds. If you know the direction the wind is blowing, you can usually pinpoint 2-3 locations near you that would make a good wind block and therefore will know a good place to bust out your binoculars and glass for bucks that are bedded down.

5. Carry your bow in a shoot ready position. Since your hunting on the move, most shots will need to be made quickly in order to be successful. Having to shift your bow to a shoot ready position can cost you precious time causing you to lose your animal. The fact that winter buck hunting does require swift shots is another great reason to bring along your Pro-Tracker; often times swift shots are not as accurate as one would hope and our system can help you recovery your animal in case you have a poorly placed shot.

Those are our top 5 tips for hunting winter bucks. We hope they help you to bag an awesome winter buck and help you enjoy your winter hunting experience! Don’t forget to send us pictures of your winter trophies or stories about hunting with your Pro-Tracker, ultimate recovery system because we love when you share your stories with us! Happy winter hunting!