If there is one thing true about sighting in a bow sight, it’s that there is more than one way to skin a cat. I recently acquired the Spot Hogg Fast Eddie 5-Pin and had to of course get it all sighted in and ready for season. While I was doing this, my buddy was also tackling the same task with the same sight and had some questions. So, I figured if he had questions, there are others that do too. Naturally, I decided to make a video of the process, as I think this is way easier to digest visually than through reading.
There are no shortage of questions that come with being a new backpack hunter. Many of them revolve around the gear side of things, and rightfully so. There is SO MUCH out there and knowing what to bring and what not to bring can seem confusing. Within that gear the Backcountry Sleep System gets a ton of attention. I’m referring to shelters, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags/quilts. It is your home away from home essentially.
In order to help paint a more clear picture, for new backpack hunters especially, I’m going to lay out my own backcountry sleep system. This is not only what I’ve used for years, but what I’ll be using for the 2024 hunting season.
Eagerness flowed through my veins as I stared through the steam of my coffee. It was January in Arizona. A beautiful time of year to be a bowhunter. Bucks were rutting does like mad and I couldn’t wait until the sun climbed its way up the horizon. At this point in my bowhunting journey, I hadn’t yet touched an animal with my arrow. I had a lot to learn back then some 10 years ago from now. One lesson that sticks out the most to me, which was a turning point in my success, was falling victim to paralysis by analysis. From my experience, the biggest mistake of new bowhunters.
I made shirts! This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and finally got around to it. At the moment I have two designs, but there is more merch to come. So, keep you eyes out for that. Until then, let me give you the skinny on the Dialed in Hunter Shirts available now in The Shop.
At the time of writing this, it’s late July 2024. This time of year always makes me think of one thing, besides the unrelenting heat in my great state of Arizona. It’s Fall black bears. Our archery season starts at the end of August and I just returned from my first scouting trip of the year.
If you caught my Custom Arrow Build 101 post, you saw that I got new custom arrows built up from Evolution Outdoors. Right there in the owner Dale’s shop, I was impressed with the build and the level of detail that went into making sure they were all top-notch. Looks are one thing and results are another, though. I just got back from the range with these arrows and I’m liking what I’m seeing so far.
It’s hotter than heck out, tags are arriving in the mail, and I’ve been shooting my bow as often as I can. We are knee-deep in the pre-season of hunting, otherwise known as, at least to me, the refining season. Along with shooting my bow, I’ve been trying to refine not only my shooting skills but my equipment, and arrows are a massive part of that. I do believe I have found my best arrow build to date and I’m gonna share it with you.
In March of 2020, I wrote my very first book, Becoming a Backpack Hunter. As an avid writer, this is an accomplishment I don’t take lightly in the least. I’m extremely proud of how that book turned out and even more grateful for the amount of positive support it received and still receives to this day. On this day, July 1, 2024, it brings me an immense amount of pride and joy to tell you my second book Becoming a Bowhunter – A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Archery Hunting is now officially for sale. I wish I had this when I started bowhunting.
It was about an hour before dark and I spotted a nice black bear feeding along the edge of a bluff. Quickly, I scaled the cliff I was sitting up against and scurried my way over to him. If everything worked out, I’d be able to come in from above and have a steep downhill shot at the bear. That’s exactly what happened and exactly where I learned a harsh lesson about my 3rd axis adjustment.
Serious bowhunters will likely have at least one story similar to what I’ve laid out above. I’ve been burnt more than once by 3rd axis and it’s stung each time. In order to try and save you some “sting” I’m going to give you the nitty gritty on your 3rd axis adjustment in the video below. If you’re not paying attention to 3rd axis, you’re asking to fail. Whether you’re bowhunting from a treestand or spot and stalking in the west, this applies to you.
I’ve had the pleasure of using a pile of index style releases. Some are great and some I wouldn’t care to try again. And over the last few years I’ve really come up with a certain criteria for myself on what makes a good index style release for me and my style of hunting. Usually that recipe costs a pretty penny. I just recently found a release that shatters that standard. The Stan SoleX is everything I need in an index style release aid, but with a much more affordable price tag.
I hope you enjoy the video review. If you do, please subscribe to the channel, leave a comment, you know the routine.
If you’ve used this release, I’d love to know what you think. I’m currently carrying this SoleX in my backpack as a backup release. I still prefer the Carter Like Mike II, simply because it feels more beefy than the Stan does. The Stan is every bit of functional though, and I have the same impact points with both releases. My brother uses this SoleX as his main release and he loves it. All in all, this is a fantastic index style release aid for anyone looking to get a full hook around their trigger and a surprise shot. From beginner to vet, the SoleX is a winner in my book.
Want to learn more about backpack hunting? Check out my book Becoming a Backpack Hunter: A Beginner’s Guide to Hunting the Backcountry.
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