Author: Ryan Fair

Quick take: Use minerals during spring and summer, scrape scents through the early season and pre-rut, estrus scents during the rut, and alternative attractants when you need a specialized delivery system or food-based draw. Here is a rundown of the best deer attractants. Before using deer attractants: Check current state, provincial, and local regulations. Rules governing bait, feed, minerals, and natural deer urine vary by location and may change. Jump to a Section (Click to jump) Top Picks When to use each type Best Minerals Best Mock-Scrape Scents Best Buck Scents Best Doe Estrus Alternative Attractants FAQs Shop Packages Our…

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…

Quick take: The best bolt is the one that matches your crossbow’s required length, nock style and minimum finished weight. Our category winners make it easier to choose between speed, penetration, material, accuracy and price. Crossbow hunting continues to grow, and bolt selection has expanded far beyond the shafts packaged with a new bow. Hunters can now choose among aluminum-jacketed designs, durable carbon shafts, high-speed factory-specific bolts, heavy hunting setups and carefully matched target options. That choice is useful, but it also creates room for expensive mistakes. A bolt that is the wrong length, too light for the bow or…

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…