The archery industry starts off the new year in Indianapolis, IN. Jan. 10-12 nearly 7,000 buyers, distributors, exhibitors, and media attended the 2008 ATA trade show to take advantage of new programs and unprecedented deals. With the endless amount of new products and equipment to see, touch, and evaluate I knew that this was going to be an interesting couple of days for the critic. As I entered the Convention Center I began to wonder where I was going to start. Do I breeze through once and then go from there? Do I start at one end and work toward the other? With so many new products, how do I even begin to find the ones that stand out?

I decided to press through the booths, checking out every new product I could lay my eyes on. While making the rounds I got to shake hands with TV personalities such as Michael Waddell, the beautiful Tiffany Lakosky, and long time buddy Jimmy Houston. I even thought about double legging former UFC heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia but he had a Bowtech bow in his hand and I didn’t want to accidentally hurt the bow.

After picking up a number of 2008 products I tried to narrow it down to five that really struck my attention. Don’t get me wrong there were tons of new products being showcased that were worthy of recognition but these five I am definitely looking forward to testing out this year.

The General is engineered to distribute limb pressure evenly, providing maximum performance with perfect balance. Add to that our proprietary CenterTrac Binary Cam for a draw that’s more forgiving than your pastor’s grandmother. Finally, throw in a combination Roller Guard/ShortStop string suppressor, and you have a bow that leads the way in silence and shootability.

All that attended the ATA show were able to pick up about any new bow and take it for a couple test shots. I was very impressed with the way this bow preformed. If you get a chance go test shoot the General at your local Archery Shop. You can also check it out at www.bowtecharchery.com

The Hooyman Extendible Saw… the first truly compact extendible folding saw. Each section of the telescopic extension arm locks down individually, creating an incredibly sturdy say that can extend up to 5 feet.

There seems to always be that limb that’s just out of reach. With the new extendible saw that’s made to fit in my pack, I know I’ll be a tad more confident when going into a new set-up. Make sure you look for the new Hooyman Saw in stores this summer.

Rocky’s new Scent IQ Atomic and Prohunter Synergy apparel are created for maximum stealth while stalking or sitting a stand. Garments are constructed of Silent Hunter Microfleece to reduce rustles and sound when moving. The jackets feature windproof lining, yet remain highly breathable and quiet.

Rocky’s new line hung from hangers in their booth. Aside of myself many other interested eyes felt and tried on the well designed hunting gear. Check out their full line at www.rockyboots.com

The X-treme FC fall away rest from Trophy Taker is the ultimate in accuracy, silence and secruity. We combined the response and accuracy of our legendary fall away rests with full containment secruity. We then dampened any potential noise by coating the X-treme FC with a specially developed rubberized polymer.

There are tons of arguments between rests. It’s hard to find one that’s perfect in every catagory. I am looking forward to doing a full review on this rest. Take a look for yourself at www.tropytaker.com

Smoke Broadhead has launched it’s signature broadhead, “Smoke”. A broadhead that flies like a field point with nothing protruding outside the diameter to cause windplaning. The Smoke opens in .050 of one inch on impact, thus creating a devastating entry wound. No passthrough…No problem! Blades are sharpened on front and rear to cut as the arrow exits target, creating a backcut.

Interesting concept and definitely worth looking into. Make sure you check out the Smoke Broadheads at www.smokebroadheads.com

HONORABLE MENTION!
Send a shock wave through the paintball course with the Airow Gun from Bowtech. You got to check this out to believe it. I spent a lot of time in the Airow Gun booth testing them out. Awesome! I will definitely be getting me one of these. Take a closer look at www.airowgun.com

Scent Stalker© is a patented all inclusive scent system that allows you, the hunter, to dispense, collect and store your favorite liquid scents and attractants.

On Target- Scent Stalker has taken the use of scents to a new level. With the new innovative system I’m able to snap on the thermal leg pouch, adjust the amount of scent I want laid down and walk to my stand with ease. No more pulling a drag line out of a zip lock bag and reapplying scent to it every 50 yards as I walk to my stand.

And that’s not all I get with the Scent Stalker system. It acts as a scent bomb once I get to the stand and it comes with the tools needed to extract my own scent from a hot doe I’ve taken.

Off Target-  When opening my Scent Stalker System I thought to myself “You’ve got to be kidding me”. I’m pretty good about pulling a new surround sound system from a box and setting it up with no instructions but this was going to need a couple forum posts, watching the instructional DVD, and a little trial and error. At first it seems tough but it’s really not. I suggest watching the instructional DVD first. It would be nice to have some written instructions for us hunters who don’t carry a DVD player along on some of our hunts.

I think it’s a great system and with the new additions and adjustments 2008 should be a great year for Scent Stalker. Read more about the Scent Stalker System at www.scentstalker.com