Every fall when the leaves turn and the air gets cool, millions of American hunters take to the woods with archery tackle in hand to pursue a variety of game. Archery in the last decade has exploded in popularity, it is estimated that 18.9 million Americans enjoy archery and bow hunting. Looking at the evolution of equipment in the world of archery in that time is astounding. We now have bows that shoot well over 300 fps, come in every space age material and are manufactured with record speed. It’s amazing to look at how archery came from humble natural beginnings to the amazing machines that are modern day compounds.

The Bow Spider is the ultimate solution for bow hunters who want to keep their bow secure and easily accessible while on the go. The lightweight and durable design allows for easy attachment to your belt or backpack, and the long bolts provide multiple options for securing your bow. With new color options, you can now choose a Bow Spider that matches your hunting gear and personal style.

Elite Archery has teamed up with First Lite to bring you the ultimate hunting bow in SPECTER Camo. Elite Bows are known for their precision and accuracy, and now they come in a camo pattern that will help you blend in seamlessly with your surroundings. The SPECTER Camo pattern is designed to break up your outline and provide maximum concealment in any hunting environment. This bow is perfect for the serious hunter who wants to take their game to the next level.

When you meet people who enjoy and love the same interests as you a lifelong friendship is sure to follow. Upon meeting Sean on a spearfishing trip, he took to the Big Island (Hawaii island) it didn’t take long before we were sharing old stories and we couldn’t stop talking about how we needed to get into the woods with bow in tow during the next axis deer rut on his home island of Maui. The months couldn’t fall off the calendar fast enough, but it was time to get packed and fly over. I invited my dad, who at the time was working so much and wasn’t able get to spend as much time out of the office than he would’ve liked. I threatened him with a good time and said “You have to go, no ifs, ands, or buts!!” and thanks to my mom’s words of encouragement we went.

These days, YouTube has become a treasure trove of information and entertainment for every topic under the sun. It’s easy to lose a few hours here and there to a YouTube rabbit hole, exploring all that the platform has to offer. Even Tom Hanks is prone to going on YouTube binges, having recently rediscovered the commercials of his childhood through the platform.

Outdoor recreational hobbies like hunting have also exploded on the platform, leading to a wonderfully diverse range of content options for every outdoor enthusiast. There’s never been a better time to explore hunting on YouTube than right now, from do-it-yourself solo creators to multimedia production companies, you can find almost anything you could think of about hunting; however, just like with all modern media, the field is oversaturated and some of the content just isn’t worth people’s investment. It’s important to separate the wheat from the chaff to ensure you’re getting the most out of your time with the platform. To that end, iSportsman has rounded up some of the best hunting YouTube channels out there for your viewing pleasure. 

If you’re an avid deer hunter looking for a new challenge, try your hand at axis deer. They are a highly sought after exotic species, and extremely difficult to hunt: They tend to stay in thick cover and have excellent eyesight and sense of smell. Not only do they have incredible trophy potential, due to their majestic nature and rareness, but they also have the best tasting venison in the world. On top of that they also have different yearly cycles compared to other deer, with peak rut in the middle of the summer, and are usually available to hunt year-round due to their status as an invasive species, making them a good option for the typical off-season. 

Made in the USA, Swagger Bipods incorporate high-performance with quality. The QD42 bipod is no different, combining the Quick Adapt Technology from the original Hunter Series and the Quick Detach design from the QD series, the QD42 offers the most versatile shooting system on the market.

This waterfowl season, I introduced a couple of new hunters to the sport: my roommate, Evan—who would see me come home with piles of birds and fresh breasts in the freezer and wanted in on the action— and my girlfriend, Hannah—who had voiced interest in learning to hunt, but I suspect really just wanted to be with me the three days a week I was gone for four months out of the year.

Water recreation can be a great way to have fun outdoors, but it’s vital to know the safety measures you should exercise.

The Coast Guard realizes boating can be a great way to recreate as the weather improves, but when you do this, please think of the Coast Guard crews and other first responders who are called out to conduct rescue missions.

Summer fishing season is right around the corner, and there’s no better time to get a fishing license or renew an old one. It’s important to find the best deals when it comes to fishing licenses, and many active-duty servicemen and veterans don’t make use of all the benefits available to them. Did you know that nearly every state offers some form of discount or exemption for fishing licenses? We’ve gathered some of the best deals accessible to those who served in our distinguished military.