Bowhunting has a problem: we argue about arrow builds like it’s personal philosophy, then we expect broadheads to land true when the shot is rushed, the footing is bad, and the wind is doing what it wants. The 2026 Arrow Ballistic Study is the cleanest attempt I’ve seen to replace that noise with real measurements using a precision shooting machine, Doppler radar, chronographs, and an independent acoustic chamber, then sorting the results with regression analysis so we can separate what actually matters. 

We walk through what they tested and why it’s credible, then translate the big concepts into plain language: drag (trajectory and wind drift), lift recovery (how fast the arrow corrects after a bad launch), and accuracy at 70 yards with both field points and broadheads. On broadheads, the data again favors mechanicals for aerodynamic forgiveness, while fixed blades show a measurable flight penalty that gets worse when the human element shows up. We also talk about speed, because the high-speed testing suggests fast setups do not automatically pay a big accuracy tax if the components are solid. 

Then we get into the surprise most hunters overlook: sound. Broadheads and vanes were measured the way deer hear them, and the results point to a “system” mindset where broadhead design and vane choice work together. Finally, we introduce the new FOC protocol and the headline finding: higher FOC predicts tighter broadhead groups, with the real limits coming from dynamic spine and trajectory, not accuracy falling apart. 

If you want to build a quieter, more forgiving, more accurate hunting arrow with less guesswork, listen through and then go explore the linked data for yourself. Subscribe for part two, share this with a buddy who’s rebuilding arrows right now, and leave a review. What are you shooting for broadheads and what FOC are you running today?

See James Yates article on the study here: https://westernhunter.net/information/the-2026-arrow-ballistics-study-results/

See the interactive data from Precision Cut Archery here: https://www.precisioncutarchery.com/research/arrow-study-2026

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Target panic isn’t a theory when you’re standing on a steep mountain, pin floating, heart rate up, and your release hand refuses to finish the job. After Total Archery Challenge at Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, we’re giving a full after-action report on the Prime course, the moment my shooting fell apart, and why it nearly made me want to quit archery on the spot.

We talk through what it actually felt like to hit the click and freeze, why uphill shots exposed a “slightly long” draw feeling on a 35-inch ATA bow, and how mental pressure turns small misses into a spiral. Then we get practical: adjusting bow let-off to increase holding weight, fine-tuning D-loop length and anchor position, and shifting back toward a hinge release. I’m also committing to blank bale work, shoulder mobility, and a more intentional shot process so I’m not relying on luck and adrenaline at long range.

You’ll also hear what I learned from better shooters at TAC and why the advice kept coming back to the same fundamentals: shoot paper, build reps, and earn distance. We wrap with lessons from the RMEF course, gear considerations like peep and aperture size in changing light, and why the TAC community and vendor village can be one of the best places to learn fast.

If you’ve ever battled punching the trigger, freezing at full draw, pin float, or confidence crashes on 3D archery targets, this one will hit home. Subscribe, share it with a buddy who’s struggling, and leave a review so more archers can find the tools to work through it.

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One bad bow shop experience can change how you think about your gear forever and it’s happening more often as fewer quality archery shops remain in some areas. So we get practical about what it really takes to build a DIY home archery shop that helps you tune your compound bow, build better arrows, and stop waiting on the busy-season backlog for every small change. 

We start with the overlooked foundation: your workspace. We talk about why a flat, heavy workbench matters, how lighting saves you from tiny-hardware disasters, and why dedicated storage is the difference between a smooth workflow and a frustrating mess. Then we break down the real “must-have” tools for home bow tuning: a safe bow press, a dependable drawboard, and a bow vise that lets you level your bow, set center shot, tie D loops, and work hands-free. We also share what to inspect and maintain so your equipment stays safe over time. 

If you’re not ready to jump straight into full tuning, we map out the best on-ramp: arrow building. We cover arrow saws, squaring tools, arrow spinners, fletching jigs, and the glue and primer basics that make builds repeatable. We also share a simple rule that prevents costly mistakes: build and test one arrow first, then commit to the dozen. Along the way, we touch paper tuning, levels for third axis, and when it still makes sense to lean on a reputable shop for peace of mind and warranty support. 

If you’ve started your own DIY archery setup, share what you bought first and what surprised you most, then subscribe, leave a review, and send this to the archer who’s tired of guessing.

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One upgrade can make your bow feel brand new, and it is not another stabilizer or a fresh set of strings. It is the bow sight you trust when a whitetail steps out at 28 yards and when TAC puts a target at 110 on a steep angle. I’m breaking down the premium 2026 archery sights that are driving the biggest shift I’ve seen in years: micro-adjustable vertical three pin slider sights that work as a true hybrid setup for hunting, 3D archery, and Total Archery Challenge.

We dig into Spot Hogg’s Boonie and the new ROTI housing, including the PRIZ prism accessory that can move your sight picture up and unlock serious extra travel without changing your arrow build. I also talk through the real trade-offs, like what happens when you add glass in wet weather and why housing size can limit distance. If you want bright pins without relying on a sight light, rugged durability, and a system you can move from bow to bow, this part will help you decide fast.

Then we get into two of the biggest movers this year: the HHA NYTRX XV3 Pro and the Dialed PRUF. I cover what makes a slider feel “crisp,” how good indicators save you when dialing under pressure, why removable wheels and dual sight tapes can be a big deal, and the setup steps that separate a great sight from a frustrating one. We also hit the fundamentals that matter more than brand names: leveling first, second, and third axis, setting peep height to maximize travel, and trueing your sight tape by actually walking it back.

If you’re building a hybrid bow setup for 2026 and you want fewer mistakes at full draw, subscribe, share this with your bow buddy, and leave a quick review. What sight are you running this season, and why?

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A bow hardly anyone is talking about just took the top spot, and it didn’t win on hype, sponsorship, or a spec-sheet race. We walk through Outdoor Life’s 2026 Bow Of The Year results and explain what actually matters when seven flagship hunting bows get pushed through a three-day test with three different shooters and 50-yard accuracy on the scoreboard.

We break down the full methodology, from the close-range feel scoring (draw cycle, back wall, grip, post-shot feel, and features) to the long-range grouping that decides the final winner. Then we unpack the real-world takeaways for bowhunters: why raw speed like the PSE Sicario’s numbers can come with a forgiveness cost, why ultra-light bows can feel jumpy until you add weight, and why details like valley feel and grip repeatability can make or break your confidence under pressure.

The biggest theme is shootability. We talk Hoyt’s standout grip and back wall, Mathews ARC 34’s smooth draw cycle and grip swap conversation, Darton’s push toward tuning without a bow press, and the Elite Varos features that helped it separate when groups got tight at 50 yards. If you’re searching “best hunting bow 2026,” “Outdoor Life bow test,” or “bow of the year,” this is the grounded breakdown that helps you walk into a pro shop with a smarter plan.

Subscribe for more practical archery gear talk, share this with a buddy shopping for a new rig, and leave a review with your pick: which 2026 bow would you rank #1 and why?

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I've been a short bow guy my whole life — 30, 31, maybe 32 inches max. But after hunting and shooting TAC events with my Mach 33 this past year, something shifted. This episode breaks down exactly why I've changed my mind on longer ATA bows, what finally pushed me over the edge, and whether the trade-offs are actually as big a deal as I always thought they were. 

We get into string angle, draw cycle, speed vs. forgiveness, arrow tuning sweet spots, what bow I'm building out for TAC this year (hint: it's a Mach 35), and which long ATA bows are worth looking at right now — including the new PSE Sicario 35. I also break down who the longer bow makes the most sense for and when sticking with a shorter ATA still has its place.

If you've been on the fence about trying a longer bow, this one's for you. 

Head over to extremeoutfitters.com for all your archery gear — use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% off your order. Listen to the full episode now.

Key Topics Covered 

- Why Zakk changed his mind on long ATA bows after years of shooting 32" and under 

- The Mach 33 hunting season breakdown — 6-7 animals, all great shot placement 

- Ground hunting with a 33" bow and why the maneuverability concerns are mostly in your head 

- String angle: the single biggest reason to go longer - Speed vs. forgiveness — why chasing IBO numbers is a trap for most hunters 

- The 280-295 fps sweet spot for tuning and broadhead flight - Why 80 lbs on a long ATA bow draws completely different than a short bow 

- The Mach 35 TAC build: HHA Nitrix XV3, Epsilon rest, plans for Shrewd TRAK bars 

- Shooting the Mach 35 at TAC Tennessee with zero bars — and still shooting lights out 

- Bow-by-bow breakdown: PSE Mach 33/35, Hoyt RX10 Ultra, Mathews ARC 34, AX 333, Darton Tri-Tech 33/35 - New PSE Sicario 35 — longer brace height, more draw length options, same speed platform 

- Who should shoot long ATA and how draw length factors into the decision 

- Budget option: PSE Alaskan Pro at ~$700 as an entry-level long ATA bow 

- TAC Pennsylvania preview — Extreme Outfitters booth, custom arrow building on-site 

Gear & Products Mentioned - 

PSE Mach 33 - PSE Mach 35 (FDS cam, 80 lbs) - PSE Sicario 33 - PSE Sicario 35 (new) - PSE Alaskan Pro - Hoyt RX10 Ultra - Mathews ARC 34 - Mathews AX 333 - Darton Tri-Tech 33 - Darton Tri-Tech 35 - HHA Nitrix XV3 (vertical 3-pin, .019) - HHA Tetra - Hamskea Epsilon rest - Easton 5.0 arrows (~435 grains) - Easton FMJ Maxes (465 grains, hunting setup) - Shrewd TRAK bars (front and rear) - PSE 2-piece quiver 

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Your bow didn’t “just stop shooting” overnight, and the fix usually isn’t a mystery product or a random twist of the rest. We take a stack of listener questions and turn them into a clear troubleshooting path for the most common accuracy killers: drop-away rest timing that’s ripping fletchings, cam timing that’s out of sync, and setups that drift so far off-spec you end up chasing one paper tear after another.

We also get into what modern speed is doing to real hunting and 3D setups. If your new rig is so fast that your 20 and 30 yard pins are basically touching, you’re not stuck. We talk through smarter pin-gap configurations, how to “change the zero” without overthinking it, and how to validate your holds with practice so you’re not guessing when it matters. Along the way, we break down when paper tuning is non-negotiable, why it gives immediate feedback, and how it can even help spot equipment issues beyond your form.

On the gear side, we cover sidebars and bow lean at full draw, why grip repeatability matters more than bolting on stabilizers, and how to think about arrow builds for Total Archery Challenge and hunting. We share practical ranges for total arrow weight, point weight, and typical FOC, plus thoughts on durability with low GPI shafts, inserts vs half-outs, and when carbon vs aluminum risers really comes down to feel, sound, and balance.

If this helped, subscribe to the show, share it with a buddy who’s fighting a paper tear, and leave a review with the tuning problem you want us to tackle next.

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Your legs are burning, the target is steep downhill, and a line of shooters is waiting while you try to range, dial, and execute a clean shot on uneven rock. Total Archery Challenge doesn’t just test how well you shoot a bow, it tests whether your process holds up when terrain, fatigue, and pressure all hit at once.

We walk through the biggest TAC pain points we see every season and the fixes that actually move the needle. That starts with angle shooting fundamentals (draw and anchor first, then bend at the waist) and the often-missed detail that can wreck steep shots: third axis leveling on your bow sight. From there we get practical about rangefinding with angle compensation, bringing spare batteries, and using the same rangefinder you used to sight in so your sight tape matches reality.

Next we go deep on gear and performance: why you must true your sight tape at longer distances, how to build a repeatable shot process when crowds and congestion make you rush, and how to find stable footing on off-camber ground. We also cover TAC arrow strategy (durable carbon, sensible arrow weight, small diameter options for mountain wind), stabilizer choices that balance holding steady with carrying your bow for hours, and the endurance side most people underestimate: hydration, electrolytes, snacks, and broken-in boots that won’t destroy your feet in heat, rain, and slick climbs.

If you want TAC to feel like smart bowhunting practice instead of an expensive arrow hunt, hit play and take notes. Subscribe, share this with your shooting group, and leave a review, then tell us in the comments what tip helped you most.

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Buying your first hunting compound bow should feel exciting, not confusing and expensive. We see tons of new archers get stuck comparing brands, speed ratings, and “flagship vs budget” arguments, then end up with a bow that never feels right because it was not fitted or tuned correctly. So we go straight at the real problem: how to choose a compound bow you can grow with, and how to make sure it actually shoots the way it should.

We dig into the sweet spot of the mid-price bow market, where bows like the Hoyt Enduro and other standout models now include features that used to be reserved for top-tier releases. We talk through what matters most when you’re shopping, including draw length, draw weight, grip feel, draw cycle, and the tuning systems that can make ownership easier. We also answer a classic dilemma: should you take a brand new mid-priced bow or an older flagship bow at the same price? The decision comes down to performance expectations, durability, warranty coverage, and whether the seller is truly reputable.

We also get practical about archery shop service. You should be able to test shoot bows without paying a fee, and you should feel welcomed even if you bought your bow somewhere else and just need professional setup and tuning. If a shop makes you feel rushed or dismissed, that’s your sign to keep looking. Subscribe, share this with a new archer, and leave a review, then drop your questions and tell us what bow you would choose and why.

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A turkey can look huge in the field, right up until you try to thread an arrow into a tiny vital zone on a bird that never stops moving. That’s why broadhead choice matters more for archery turkey hunting than most people want to admit. Zach from Extreme Outfitters sits down with JR Gettler to sort through the real tradeoffs between mechanical broadheads, fixed blade broadheads, and guillotine or decapitation broadheads, with a focus on what actually helps you recover a bird.

We talk through body-shot setups that keep things simple and forgiving, including why a bigger cutting diameter can be your friend and why many hunters like mechanical heads that fly close to a field point. Then we get honest about fixed blades: reliable, yes, but often smaller cuts and less margin for error, plus more tuning demands. JR also shares what it took to get a guillotine style head flying well, including slowing the rig down, running a longer arrow for clearance, choosing the right arrow spine, and adding more steering with fletching so the front end doesn’t act like a propeller.

You’ll leave with a practical checklist for bow tuning, broadhead testing, and setting a hard max range that matches your skill, your blind or run-and-gun style, and your ethics. If this helps, subscribe, share it with your turkey hunting group, and leave a review so more bowhunters can make cleaner shots this season.

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