Author: Ryan Fair

There is something about a new crossbow season that brings out the kid in every hunter. The anticipation of opening morning with my daughter in hopes of tagging her first deer, the smell of fresh leaves, the sound of a crank handle turning in the dark before daylight, those moments never get old. When Barnett announced the new Hyper Raptor T-REX, I was immediately interested. On paper it looked like the next logical step in the Hyper Raptor line: more speed, more refinement, and a handful of features designed to make life easier for real hunters. I had already spent…

There are some pieces of hunting gear that take time to grow on you. You shoot them, mess with them, make a few adjustments, and eventually decide whether or not they are worth keeping around. Then there are a few pieces of gear that tell you pretty quickly what they are all about. The TenPoint Titan X De-Cock was one of those crossbows for me. I have shot quite a few crossbows over the last several years. Some have been extremely fast. Some were compact and some had all the bells and whistles a person could ask for. But not all…

The Barnett Hyper Raptor BCX is a high-performance crossbow that combines speed, precision, and versatility, and is designed for both seasoned hunters and newcomers. It delivers impressive speeds of over 400 feet per second and exceptional accuracy. Ideal for hunting trophy bucks or practicing at the range, this crossbow meets the demands of any scenario. In this review, we’ll cover everything from assembly and scope options to performance with Hyperflite arrows, along with pros and cons, user feedback, and where to buy the Barnett Hyper Raptor BCX and compatible accessories like the Buk Ops rangefinding scope. Dive in to discover…

Walk down any hunting aisle today, and it’s obvious: choosing the best deer attractant isn’t as simple as grabbing the first bottle or block you see. From mineral rocks and flavored granular mixes to doe estrus, buck urine, electronic scent vaporizers, and high-octane deer feed, the options can feel endless—and confusing. In this guide, I break down the best deer attractant products on the market by category so you can match the right tool to the right season and strategy. Whether you’re building long-term mineral sites, juicing up mock scrapes with proven scents, or looking for feed and alternative attractants…

With crossbow hunting surging in popularity, finding the best crossbow bolts has become essential for accuracy, consistency, and ethical harvests. Gone are the days of relying solely on factory-included bolts. Today’s hunters can choose from a wide array of high-performance options tailored to their crossbow’s specs and their hunting style. Whether you’re a beginner looking for reliable gear or an experienced shooter fine-tuning your setup, this guide breaks down everything you need to know—from bolt length and material to speed ratings and broadhead compatibility. We’ll cover key decision points and highlight the top crossbow bolts available today to help you…

When I first started to hunt whitetails, it seemed ground blinds and ladder stands were the go-to ways to hunt deer. Back then it was nothing to have a handful of ladder stands in the timber each set up for different wind directions and different hunting scenarios. Ground blinds came into play when the perfect spot to hunt didn’t have the perfect tree. While I still have a handful of both ladder stands and ground blinds, I find myself spending more time hunting from more modern mobile ways. Not only do they allow me to be more versatile they are…

Pairing the right equipment with your ground blind Crossbows are perfect for someone unable to draw back a compound bow. The same goes for ground blinds when someone is unable to climb. They each have more benefits than some people realize. When my daughter got to the age, she wanted to find out what deer hunting was all about, I was ecstatic. I couldn’t wait to take her to the woods with me and teach her everything I knew about hunting. But she was only 5, anybody that has a 5-year-old knows exactly what I mean. I didn’t want…

When it comes to crossbow hunting, every part of your setup is important. From your best crossbow selection to the crossbow scope, bolts, nocks and even the sling you use, it’s all important. However, nothing is as important as the broadhead you choose. Without the best broadheads, you can make the perfect shot and still never recover your game. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do is wound an animal only because I didn’t do my research on selecting the best broadheads before the hunt. Believe it or not, there are broadheads designed just…

There is nothing like that first cool, spring morning when you are heading to your blind after roosting a tom the evening before. The dew on the ground, the smell of fresh dirt, the peace and quiet. As you set up your decoys by moonlight, the anticipation builds. You know a tom is close by and the minutes to sunrise keep clicking closer. You get situated in your blind, knowing you still have 20 minutes until sunrise. Just then, a tom lets off a gobble that wakes the woods. Two other close-by toms repeat this. They are all within hunting…

Why choose a crossbow? For many hunters, the answer comes down to simplicity, accuracy, and accessibility. Crossbows make it easier for beginners, younger hunters, and anyone who may struggle with a compound bow to enjoy the challenge and excitement of archery season. With the ability to stay cocked, use a scope, and deliver excellent accuracy with less movement at the moment of truth, a crossbow can help hunters build confidence and make ethical shots. Whether you are new to hunting or looking for a practical alternative to vertical bows, understanding why choose a crossbow can help you decide if this…