Pine Ridge Archery

Post-Rut Deer Hunting Strategies for Late-Season Success

As the rut winds down, deer behavior shifts dramatically. Bucks that were bold, daylight-active, and constantly cruising begin to retreat into survival mode. For many hunters, this marks the toughest phase of the season—but it doesn’t have to be.

Unlocking Maximum Accuracy and Power

Archery accuracy doesn’t come down to your bow alone—it’s the entire system working together. If your arrows aren’t built to fly consistently, you’ll lose both accuracy and kinetic energy before they reach the target.

Two overlooked but critical components are arrow glue and vanes. With Pine Ridge Archery Instant Arrow Glue and Nitro Vanes, you gain a proven system that:

• Locks vanes securely in place

• Increases arrow stability and spin

• Reduces drag for more speed

• Maintains energy at longer ranges

This pairing means tighter groups, flatter trajectories, and deeper penetration—whether you’re shooting at foam targets or big game.

How to Set Up and Use the Kwik Stand Tri-Pod: A Simple Guide for Bowhunters

Get all the step by step details of setting up the New Kwik Stand Tri-Pod from Pine Ridge Archery. Wether you purchased the new Tri-Pod Leg that works with any existing Kwik Stand, or the complete Kwik Stand Tri-Pod package follow these steps to keep your cam out of the dirt and your bow standing upright.

Bowhunting Spring Turkeys: Proven Tips to Beat Their Eyes and Make the Shot

Killing a turkey with a bow is one of the toughest challenges in bowhunting. Turkeys have incredible eyesight, they spook at the slightest movement, and they rarely travel alone. Drawing a bow unnoticed—let alone making a clean shot—can be extremely difficult. But with the right setup and strategy, you can drastically improve your chances this spring. For reliable bowhunting accessories to complete your setup, visit Pine Ridge Archery.

Before the season starts, practice shooting from a seated or kneeling position. Many bowhunters take shots from the ground or from inside a blind, where mobility is limited. Preparing ahead will help you feel confident during the real moment of truth.

Use Decoys—The Right Ones

Decoys are one of the best tools for bowhunting gobblers. Using two or three decoys helps draw attention away from you and onto your setup.

Many experienced hunters—including industry veteran Joel Maxfield of Mathews Archery—swear by using a strutter decoy with a real fan. “A strutter decoy with a real fan looks extremely realistic and does a great job of pulling in mature toms,” Maxfield says. Blinded by aggression, a tom focuses so intensely on the strutter that it gives you time to draw your bow.

Pair your decoy spread with accurate arrows equipped with NITRO Vanes from Pine Ridge Archery for better control in tricky shooting angles.

Perfect Decoy Placement

Shot opportunities improve when toms approach your decoy from the right direction. One easy trick: face your tom decoy toward you. When a real gobbler moves in to challenge the fake bird, he will circle around to square up—giving you a perfect broadside or quartering shot.

Place hen decoys far enough away so the real tom has room to strut and move. Crowded decoys can make him hesitant to commit.

For quick, adjustable bow support during setup, use a Kwik Stand from Pine Ridge Archery.

Use a Blind for Better Concealment

Pop-up blinds have long been a bowhunter’s best friend, but recent lightweight, three-sided blinds may be an even better option. They offer:

• Shoot-through mesh

• Wide visibility

• Portability

• Fast setup

These blinds hide your draw motion, which is often the most difficult part of turkey bowhunting. If you run mobile gear, keep accessories light and dependable—such as stabilizers, slings, and arrow wraps from Pine Ridge Archery.

Aim for the Drumsticks

Shot placement is critical. The most effective aiming point on a turkey is just above the drumsticks. This hits both the chest cavity and the legs, preventing the bird from flying or running off.

Turkeys have incredibly small vitals—about the size of a softball—so practice often and stay patient.

Choose a Large Expandable Broadhead

Because turkey vitals are small, a large-cutting-diameter mechanical broadhead (2 inches or more) increases forgiveness. Big blades help create massive internal damage, shorten recovery time, and make marginal shots more effective.

To help ensure your arrows fly true with large broadheads, tune them with the Arrow Inspector and other tools from Pine Ridge Archery.

Final Thoughts

Bowhunting turkeys is difficult—but that’s what makes it exciting. With realistic decoys, smart placement, a reliable blind, correct shot placement, and the right broadhead, you can dramatically increase your odds of success this spring.

For vanes, stands, arrow tools, and other bowhunting essentials, visit Pine Ridge Archery today.

Bowhunting the Whitetail Rut: Why Close-Range Encounters Make This Season Unforgettable

For most deer hunters, the whitetail rut is the most anticipated time of the entire season. Bucks begin cruising for does, chasing happens without warning, and that “buck of a lifetime” could step into view at any moment. Whether you hunt with a firearm or a bow, the rut brings unmatched action—but bowhunting makes the experience even more special because every opportunity requires close-range encounters that you simply don’t get with a rifle.

If you’re preparing for rut hunts this season, make sure your setup is tuned and reliable. Stabilizers, vanes, arrow wraps, and bow accessories from Pine Ridge Archery can help you stay ready when the moment happens.

A Morning That Defined the Rut

In early November, I had a hunt that reminded me why bowhunting during the rut keeps me coming back year after year. The morning was perfect: temperatures in the low 30s, a slight frost sparkling on the ground, and barely a whisper of wind. By daybreak, I could hear deer already moving nearby.

Not long after, a young eight-pointer cruised past at about thirty yards. It was the first sign that the woods would be alive—and I didn’t have to wait long.

Deer Everywhere—Classic Rut Chaos

Before I knew it, deer were moving in every direction. Does, yearlings, young bucks, and several mature bucks filtered in and out of view. Some were within fifty yards, and others passed directly beneath my stand. Several bucks grunted, pushed does, and chased throughout the morning. The rut was at full throttle.

My bow was ready, and with so much activity, I expected a shot opportunity at any moment. Having gear prepared—like a sturdy Kwik Stand from Pine Ridge Archery—keeps your bow upright and instantly accessible during times like this.

The Encounter I’ll Never Forget

A little after nine, I spotted movement in an overgrown field to my left. A big set of antlers swayed just above the cover. I grabbed my bow and softly grunted, hoping to pull him into range. He answered with a loud snort-wheeze but didn’t budge.

I grunted again. Same response—another aggressive snort-wheeze. He shredded a nearby tree with his antlers, but still wouldn’t commit. One more grunt, one more snort-wheeze—and then he vanished in the opposite direction.

I never released an arrow, but that close, raw interaction made the hunt unforgettable. These are the encounters that only bowhunters truly experience.

For moments like these, accuracy matters. Vanes, wraps, peeps, and arrow components from Pine Ridge Archery help ensure your setup performs when a buck hangs up just out of range.

Why the Rut Is Magical for Bowhunters

Bowhunting the rut offers something unique—you’re up close, listening to grunts, hearing hooves crunch leaves, and watching bucks posture and chase. It’s an intimate, thrilling experience that makes you appreciate these animals even more.

And when everything finally comes together—your scouting, practice, patience, and setup—harvesting a mature whitetail becomes even more meaningful.

To prepare for your rut adventures, build confidence with reliable gear from Pine Ridge Archery.

Written By: Tate Carter

Public Land Hunting Whitetails

Top 3 Archery Christmas Gifts for 2022: Gear Every Bowhunter Will Love

STRAIGHTER ARROWS FOR HALF THE COST

STRAIGHTER ARROWS FOR HALF THE COST

Over the last year, everything has gone up in price. Food, gas, and even bowhunting gear. Many bowhunters will find themselves trying to cut corners this year in an attempt to stay on budget. For instance, many might decide this is not the year to buy a new bow. Others may decide that this year they are not going to buy new hunting clothing. One thing bowhunters should not skimp on is arrows. Many of us, including myself, have tried to get an extra year or two out of old arrows, but often that results in arrows that are not as accurate or as tough.  The good news is there are a few things bowhunters can do to save a little money on their arrows.

ARE HIGH END ARROW NECESSARY

When bowhunters are shopping for arrows, most will notice that arrows come in .001, .003 and  .006 straightness. The straighter the arrow, the more expensive it is. The .001straightness arrows are considerably more money than .003 or .006 straightness arrows. Most bowhunters will buy the most expensive arrow, thinking that having the absolute straightest arrow is a must. The truth is for many bowhunters, it doesn’t really matter.

GET AN ARROW INSPECTOR

A lot of bowhunters practice at 20-30 yards and their average shot in the field is 30 yards and under. At this distance, almost any inexpensive arrow will perform flawlessly. One way to ensure each arrow in a quiver is worthy of the woods is to use a Pine Ridge Archery Arrow Inspector. An Arrow Inspector is an arrow spin tester. If each arrow is spin tested before it is ever shot, a bowhunter can quickly see if the arrow will fly accurately or if it has a wobble in the shaft. The wobble in an arrow shaft is usually at the ends. If a bowhunter buys a dozen arrows, chances are an arrow or two will have a wobble in it. The cheaper the arrows, the higher chance that a few of the arrows will not fly perfectly.

CUT OFF THE WOBBLY END OF THE ARROW

For those who don’t want to break the bank but want a perfectly straight arrow, consider buying arrow shafts and spin testing them and having an inch or two cut off the wobbly end of the arrow. YouTube celebrity Average Jack Archery recently did a video on how to get the most out of a cheap arrow. In the video, you can see him cut an inch or two off the ends of cheaper arrows. By doing this, the shaft that is left is straighter and flies more accurately. Watch the video by clicking the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUzYCJ_4D_E&t=435s

SAVE $$$ WHEN BUYING ARROWS

How much can the average bowhunter save when buying arrows? About 50%! You read that right. Box store brand arrows are often made by the top end arrow manufacturers. The arrows are decent in quality but not as good as high end arrows. For most hunters, the box store brand arrows will do a good job at the range and in the field.

SPIN TEST EVERY ARROW

Regardless if you purchase high end arrows or a less expensive arrows, all arrows should be spun on a spin tester. Sometimes the ends of the arrow are out of spec and wobbling which means the ends should be cut off, other times an insert is glued in improperly. Sometimes a certain type of broadhead can cause an arrow to not spin so well. Spin testing all your arrows before season is always a good idea and spin testing all new arrow shafts is a must.

Bowhunting Longbeards: Proven Tips to Increase Success on Tough Spring Turkeys

Bowhunting longbeards is one of the most exciting challenges in spring hunting. Turkeys have incredible eyesight, tiny vitals, and an uncanny ability to detect movement—making bowhunting them far more difficult than gun hunting. In fact, the bowhunting turkey success rate in most states is under 10%. But with the right strategy, the right setup, and the right tools, you can dramatically increase your odds this spring. For gear that helps you stay ready in the blind or the field, explore Pine Ridge Archery.

Use a Realistic Decoy

A high-quality decoy is one of the most important pieces of gear for bowhunters targeting turkeys. Cheap, unrealistic decoys rarely fool gobblers. A realistic, lifelike decoy:

• Draws big toms closer

• Keeps their attention off you

• Allows easier, closer shots

Most bowhunters prefer strutting tom decoys because they trigger aggression. A mature gobbler sees a strutter and often charges in to fight, giving you the perfect moment to draw your bow. When a tom is body-slamming or circling a decoy, he’s distracted—this is your best opportunity for a clean shot.

Pair your decoy setup with bright arrow wraps or durable vanes from Pine Ridge Archery so you can follow your arrow’s flight in low-light woods.

Use a Mechanical Broadhead

Turkeys have vitals about the size of a baseball. That’s why a large cutting diameter mechanical broadhead is ideal for bowhunting gobblers. Heads with a 2-inch or larger cut give you a little forgiveness if your shot isn’t perfectly centered.

Mechanical broadheads also create massive internal damage, often taking out the entire chest cavity and leading to very short recoveries. This is especially valuable when shooting birds in thick brush or early morning shadows.

Aim for the Drumsticks

Shot placement is everything when bowhunting turkeys. While many hunters aim broadside or try for head shots, one of the most effective aiming points is slightly above the drumsticks:

• Breaks down the legs

• Hits the back half of the chest cavity

• Stops birds from running or flying off

This “one-two punch” often results in turkeys dropping right where they stand.

For precise aiming every time, consider tuning your bow with consistent stabilizers, peep sights, and accessories from Pine Ridge Archery.

Use a Kwik Stand for Fast, Easy Shots

Whether you’re inside a ground blind or tucked under brush, having your bow upright and ready is a huge advantage. The Pine Ridge Archery Kwik Stand makes this possible. The jaws clamp onto your bottom limb, and the extendable legs keep your bow standing vertically.

This allows you to grab your bow quietly and quickly when a tom steps into range. No fumbling. No extra movement. No noise.

You can pick up a Kwik Stand in multiple colors at Pine Ridge Archery.

Final Thoughts

Bowhunting longbeards is tough—but that’s what makes it so rewarding. With realistic decoys, the right broadhead, smart shot placement, and tools like the Kwik Stand, you can tip the odds in your favor and punch your gobbler tag this spring.

For bowhunting accessories that help you stay ready and shoot accurately, visit Pine Ridge Archery today.

Why Nitro Vanes Deliver Faster, Quieter, and More Accurate Arrows—Backed by Science

When it comes to improving arrow performance, every bowhunter wants the same things: more speed, less noise, greater durability, and tighter groups. The good news? Nitro Vanes from Pine Ridge Archery deliver all four. In fact, the science proves that Nitro Vanes consistently outperform competing vanes in nearly every major category. If you’re serious about elevating your shooting setup, check out Pine Ridge Archery to see the full Nitro lineup.

The latest video from Pine Ridge Archery breaks down exactly what sets Nitro Vanes apart—and the results speak for themselves.