Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

HIVIZ® Shooting Systems, the premier manufacturer of high quality tritium/fiber-optic and fiber-optic sights for shotguns, handguns and rifles, is thrilled to announce their latest innovation—the FastDot H3®.

HIVIZ has raised the bar for firearm enthusiasts, by introducing a reliable sight that is bright, easy to acquire and fast when you need it most.

The FastDot H3 provides the user with faster sight acquisition out of the holster and positive sight alignment feedback through conventional sight alignment. Instead of a traditional blade centered in a notch, this sight uses a circle within a circle. As the user brings the front sight into alignment with the rear, the front red sight disappears behind the rear sight leaving behind a glowing green circle to alert the user of positive alignment.

Features of the FastDot H3 include:

“Since 1996, HIVIZ has sought to improve the art of shooting through simple, yet innovative products for rifles, pistols and shotguns,” said HIVIZ President and Founder, Phil Howe. “With the popularity of red dot sights increasing over the last decade we saw an opportunity to use our expertise in iron sights and bridge the gap between traditional iron sights and red dot sights. That’s when the FastDot H3 sight set was developed. This sight set offers the simplicity of a red dot sight system while eliminating the bulk, it doesn’t require batteries and allows for faster sight acquisition right out of the holster. It is quickly becoming a favorite among many who require simplicity and speed from their sight sets!”

A new era in crossbows has arrived with the launch of the highest-performing crossbow in the industry

Ravin, the leading innovator in crossbow technology, debuts its new, category-redefining DuoMax Cam System with the launch of the all-new Ravin R50X, setting a new standard in precision and performance. Designed to enhance and extend the overall user experience, the DuoMax Cam System powering the all-new R50X, combines technological advancements that revolutionize the crossbow hunting experience. 

“As we unveil the all-new DuoMax Cam System, equipped within the most advanced and efficient crossbow on the market, we’re not just setting a new standard – we’re defining a future where precision meets performance seamlessly,” said Russ Rowan, Chief Brand Officer at Ravin Crossbows. “With this launch, we proudly present the pinnacle of performance, delivering a crossbow that offers the most innovative features on the market.”

DuoMax Cam System
Crossbow shooters will experience the perfect combination of power, precision and a remarkably smooth shooting process with the DuoMax Cam System. This groundbreaking technology not only harnesses more power and extends string life, but also significantly reduces vibrations, ensuring comfort and control with every shot. This industry-first, dual-track system achieves a perfect rotational balance, resulting in blistering speeds and increased accuracy that instills users with a newfound level of confidence. Developed with the most innovative dual-loop string construction on the market, the technological pairing of the cam and string systems transfer efficient energy through the power stroke and into the arrow, virtually eliminating any antagonistic rotational forces. With enhanced string life, users gain more time to focus on their season, target and the shot, making the DuoMax Cam System the crest of the wave in crossbow technology.

Ravin R50X
The DuoMax Cam, a pioneering technology in the industry, collaborates seamlessly with advanced string technology to achieve an impressive 360-degree rotation. This entirely new system transfers massive amounts of harnessed energy with maximum rotational stabilization. The combination of the two will reduce limb wear, increase string life and extend effective shot count. The R50X delivers a staggering 505 FPS speed with a 400-grain arrow and boasts a sleek axle-to-axle width of 4 inches when cocked.

HeadHunters NW, the leading executive recruiting firm specializing in talent acquisition for the international small arms, shooting sports, and defense industries, presents the next episode of the HeadHunters NW Podcast. Hosted by Shaylene Keiner, President of HeadHunters NW, this segment features an insightful discussion with Kenyon Gleason, Executive Director of the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW).

In Episode #025, Keiner delves into the pivotal role NASGW plays in representing distributors and wholesalers and fostering success in the two-step distribution model. “With a focus on building strong relationships between distributors and manufacturers, NASGW indirectly serves a network of retailers, contributing to the industry’s vitality,” says Keiner.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of the annual NASGW tradeshow as a platform for foundational relationship-building among businesses of all sizes. “Despite technological advances, the handshake remains the crucial element in the industry, offering an opportunity for genuine, unplugged interactions,” Keiner explained.

Keiner highlights the role of NASGW’s SCOPE program, a comprehensive data collection initiative that offers a view of market trends and sales channels. By incorporating point-of-sale and retail components into the data, SCOPE enables stakeholders to trace a product’s journey from manufacturing to the end customer. “This transparent approach empowers businesses to make informed decisions, optimizing inventory and mitigating risks,” she added.

“We encourage the industry to stay tuned for NASGW’s upcoming initiatives, ranging from advocacy to banking, as well as an array of informational resources,” says Keiner. 

For Otis Technology and Shooter’s Choice at Booth #12254

Lyons Falls, NY: Otis Technology and its family of brands is excited to announce its attendance at the 2024 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor (SHOT) show in Las Vegas on January 23th – 26th.  Otis Technology and Shooter’s Choice can be found at booth #12254 in the same location as last year.

Otis Technology, known for its premium, innovative gun care solutions, encourages attendees to stop by their booth to learn about their products. Shooter’s Choice was acquired by Otis in 2018 and features a line of cleaners, lubricants, protectants, and all-in-one CLPs.

Buyers are encouraged to stop by the booth and learn about new product offerings as well as place reorders to stock their shelves. New and existing dealers are eligible to take advantage of the show special, where they can receive up to 20% off on select items from Otis & Shooter’s Choice.

Following their ongoing tradition, clear your calendar for Wednesday and Thursday’s Happy Hour (and a half).  Stop by the booth for a beer and light snacks from 4:00pm – 5:30pm.  The Otis and Shooter’s Choice staff look forward to meeting and chatting with show attendees about the company and its products.

Barnett® has set a new standard in 2024 for youth archery, ensuring that the journey of budding archers is exciting and filled with the latest advancements in the sport. Barnett understands the needs of the aspiring archer and builds compound and recurve bow models for kids of all ages. Get ready to embrace the future of youth archery with Barnett’s refreshed compound bows and brand-new models, where passion meets precision for the archers of tomorrow.

The Vortex Hunter G3 Compound Bow grows with the teenage hunter’s needs, having a fully customizable draw weight of 45–60 lbs (with 60-70% let off) and a draw length of 26–30 inches. This right-hand bow features adjustable Bright Glo Fiber Optic Sight Pins, brush retainer arrow rest, front mount stabilizer, and Fast Action quiver. The Vortex Hunter G3 is clad in Veil Camo to hide from the wary game.

The Vortex G3 Compound Bow grows with young hunter’s needs, having a fully customizable draw weight of 29–45 lbs (with 60-70% let off) and a draw length of 22–27 inches. This right-hand bow features adjustable Bright Glo Fiber Optic Sight Pins, brush retainer arrow rest, front mount stabilizer, and Fast Action quiver. The Vortex G3 is available in a black finish.

The Vortex Lite is a solid choice for a starter compound bow. This ‘lite’ version of Vortex includes many of the same features, including a three-pin fiber optic sight, brush retainer arrow rest, and Soft-Touch reinforced grip. Its adjustable draw length grows with young shooters. The ambidextrous bow has shooter-friendly features that instill good habits from the start.

The Banshee G3 Compound Bow is an ambidextrous option for young archers. This compound bow features many of the same options in Barnett’s Youth Archery G3 Series, including adjustable fiber optic sight pins, a soft-touch reinforced grip, and adjustable draw length. With a draw weight of 25 lbs, the Banshee G3 is perfect for beginners.

As Day 2 starts to wind down, Showgoers at the 2024 ATA Show in St. Louis continue to buzz about the 150-plus new products launched at the Show, numerous opportunities to make new and improve business relationships, and ATA’s Bow Technician Certification courses for compound bows and new for 2024, crossbows.

James Pucket, owner of Archers Corner in Lawton, Oklahoma, has attended the ATA Show for 20 years and said this year’s Show has been extremely beneficial for his business. 

“I write 85% of my orders for the year at the ATA Show,” he said. “This year everything has been easily available, well organized and I’ve found everything I needed to find for my business. When I was hunting for things I wanted to expand into, I found a couple of options in every case. The Big Buck Tags coupon book has been helpful and saved me money. It’s been a really good Show.”

Exhibitors are also enjoying the Show this year and many love the diversity of retailers from across the country because they’ve been able to gain new accounts, while renewing long-term relationships and securing orders.

“Overall, show attendance is good,” said Randy Kitts, owner of Black Eagle Arrows, LLC, Booth #305. “I’m glad to see people are back out. There’s a lot of optimism and hope in the industry and at the Show. Of the attendees here, I’d say 60% are new or we haven’t seen them in a long time. It’s refreshing to get the opportunity to be in front of all these new prospective customers.”

The results are in for the 2023-2024 JROTC Three-Position Postal Air Rifle Championship. The competition was facilitated by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), running from September to December.

The JROTC Postal Championship is a three-position competition where high school sporter and precision air rifle athletes from across the country fire upon official targets at their home ranges and return them to the CMP Headquarters for scoring. Teams and individuals are ranked against one another, with top competitors moving on to the JROTC Service Championships – set to be held in Utah, Alabama and Ohio in February 2024.

A total of 5,875 junior athletes competed in the Postal event. Finishing as the overall sporter competitor in the JROTC Postals was Celeste Guerrero, 17, of Buda, Texas, with a score of 285-14X. Kameron Wells, 18, of Granbury, Texas, was the leading precision individual with a score of 298-25X.

Other leading athletes and teams from the JROTC 2023-2024 Postal include:

Army:

New for 2024, Barnett Outdoors® introduces the Gamecrusher Hybrid Broadhead, explicitly designed for today’s crossbows and high-velocity compound bows. For eons, hunters have debated the pros and cons of using fixed versus mechanical blade broadheads, leaving lingering doubts about selecting the right broadhead for various hunting scenarios and game. With the Gamecrusher Hybrid, that debate is over. The Gamecrusher Hybrid provides the best of both fixed/mechanical worlds with a four-blade design that includes two mechanical broadheads and two fixed broadheads, resulting in maximum accuracy, consistent flight, and deep penetration. 

Each Gamecrusher Hybrid 100-gr. Broadhead comprises 100% stainless steel blades and a 420-grade stainless-steel ferrule to ensure zero bends upon impact and consistent, damaging pass-throughs. At the end of each Hybrid is a strong tanto tip that achieves true cut-on impact and is less prone to curling, creating superlative bone-splitting penetration. The Gamecrusher Hybrid Broadhead has a massive, 2-in., expandable cutting diameter, causing significant hemorrhaging and blood loss, neon-like blood trails, and quick recoveries. The result is a technologically advanced broadhead that flies like a field point, leaving deadly results in its wake. When deciding on fixed or mechanical broadhead choices, the choice is simple: Go with the Gamecrusher Hybrid.

Gamecrusher Hybrid Broadhead Features:

Gamecrusher Hybrid Broadhead Specs:

About Barnett Crossbows

Elevating expectations in the world of accessible crossbows, CenterPoint proudly presents the AT400 – an advanced and feature-packed addition to its renowned line of high-performance crossbows. Specifically created to provide hunters with the ability to enter into the crossbow market without sacrificing power or performance, the AT400 sports competitive features that redefine the standards in its class. 

Priced at $349.99, the AT400 delivers a competitive velocity of 400 fps while maintaining an efficient, lightweight design that tips the scales at a nimble 7.5 pounds. Crafted with an all-composite rail and stock, the AT400 ensures durability for extended use. Equipped with precision optics in the form of a 4x32mm scope, a 15-inch power stroke for optimal performance and a compact size measuring 14.5 inches when cocked, the AT400 provides hunters with a versatile and agile partner for various hunting scenarios. The inclusion of a detachable silent crank, adjustable foregrip, roller retention spring and advanced safety features further solidify the AT400 as a top choice for entry-level and seasoned hunters alike.

“Our mission goes beyond crafting innovative crossbows. We are dedicated to welcoming newcomers into the world of hunting with accessible options that give hunters what they need to be confident and successful in the field,” said Russ Rowan, Chief Brand Officer at CenterPoint Archery. “The launch of the AT400 introduces high-end crossbow features to new crossbow shooters and we could not be more proud to be leading the charge.”

Key Product Features

MSRP: $349.99

New for 2024, Barnett®, the leader in archery and crossbow technology, has introduced a new addition to its legacy of crossbows with the Demun Handheld Crossbow Series. The series features three models: the Demun Accu Strike PRO, Demun Accu Strike, and the Demun Tri Strike. The Demun series is characterized by its compact and lightweight design, making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts seeking power and convenience.

Leading the Demun Series, the Demun Accu Strike PRO is a powerful starter crossbow designed to explore the fun of crossbow shooting and hunting. What distinguishes the Demun Accu Strike PRO apart from the rest of the series is its impressive speed of 210 FPS! The patented two-stage break-action reloading mechanism decreases draw weight by approximately 50%, allowing quick and effortless reloading for hunters. With its diamond knurl grip and Red/Green Illuminated Reflex Sight, the crossbow offers unparalleled control and feel, maintaining deadly accuracy. Hunters of all ages can rely on the Demun Accu Strike PRO to be highly accurate, user-friendly design, and deliver power with every shot!

Demun Accu Strike PRO Specs:

Features:

The Demun Accu Strike is a high-quality break-action pistol crossbow tailored for mid-level beginners eager to delve into the excitement of crossbow shooting and hunting. The Demun Accu Strike is equipped with a foldable foregrip for personalized comfort and control, an adjustable fiber optic sight for superior accuracy, and a single-stage break-action reloading system that reduces draw weight by around 50%. Be ready to confidently and precisely target objects or small prey in crossbow adventures with the Demun Accu Strike Handheld Crossbow!

New for 2024, the Wildcat CRX crossbow from Barnett Outdoors® reaffirms the company’s commitment to producing technologically advanced, deadly, effective crossbows that will not drain hunters’ wallets. 

As its name suggests, the Wildcat CRX is powerful and stealthy and will bring down the biggest game in the moment of truth. The simple, recurve design makes it easy to operate while also being full of advanced features typically found in much higher-priced crossbows. With an uncocked tip-to-tip length of just 25.5 inches, the CRX is ideal for young and female hunters who want a highly maneuverable crossbow as it takes a big bite out of prey at close range. 

Before the shot, arrows are held secure with Barnett’s Soft Lok Floating Bristle Retainer System, ensuring accurate and reliable shots. The Wildcat CRX also has an Anti-Dry-Fire Trigger system and finger safety reminders above the pass-through foregrip to provide safety, precision ergonomics, and comfort for unparalleled shooting experiences. In addition, the CRX has a quality, Metal Injection Molded trigger with no creep, ensuring shots hit their mark in the most stressful hunting conditions. 

The Wildcat CRX bares its claws using a compact, 12.25-inch power stroke that fires 380-grain arrows up to 280 FPS, ensuring deep penetration and quick recoveries! These features add up to an unrivaled recurve that gives hunters a safe crossbow that’s simple to use and delivers deadly performance in the field. With over 60 years of experience designing and building the best crossbows for hunters from all walks of life, the Wildcat CRX will surely keep Barnett on top as the world’s No. 1 crossbow manufacturer.

Wildcat CRX Features: