Alpine Jim Shockey Series Yukon

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Long time bow manufacturer Alpine Archery has teamed with noted outdoorsman Jim Shockey to introduce the Jim Shockey Signature Series Yukon Bow. If you know anything about Jim Shockey, you know he loves the Yukon Territory. So, it's no wonder a bow he endorses would bear that name.

Alpine's Yukon is powered by their popular 3G Velocitec Cam system and features parallel split limbs, VX limb pockets, vibration- and sound-reducing accessories, Stone Mountain strings and cables, an African rosewood grip and a black reflex riser.

Built For Speed
Knowing the types of animals Shockey likes to pursue, Alpine turned to the speed and power of its Velocitec Hybrid Cam system. Both top and bottom cams ride on dual, sealed ball bearings that are set relatively far apart to add stability. There are two buss cables, each of which is anchored to a post on the cam then threaded through the cable slide and anchored again to a yoke. A second, smaller section of cable wraps around the yoke and connects to two payout grooves that wrap around the axles. Anchoring to the rotating cam grooves works to eliminate common timing issues.

The upper and lower cams are then linked together in a way that offers little opportunity for an out of sync situation. Another plus to this system is an even distribution of the string above and below the center point of the riser, which means any string stretch is likely to be equal, so any negative effects will be cancelled out. All this is just a long-winded way to explain that if you decide to take your Yukon to the Yukon or other remote area, you shouldn't have to worry about tuning issues or performance problems.

Alpine's string suppressor helps battle vibration and game-spooking noises while also promoting accuracy and stability.

The width of the yoke, coupled with the spacing of the payout grooves on each cam, serve to balance the eccentric system, further reducing the chance of cam lean. An adjustable draw stop allows the archer to fine-tune draw length and the feel of the valley.

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The Velocitec eccentric system has an 80-percent letoff and offers a wide range of draw lengths with two basic cams and a set of modules. The large cam covers 28-31 inches, in half-inch increments, while the small cam handles draw lengths from 26-29 inches, also in half-inch increments.

Stealth Plus Performance
First and foremost in the fight against shock, vibration and noise is a set of parallel split limbs. Parallel limbs move in equal and opposite directions at the shot, thereby cancelling much of the vibration-causing energy left over after propelling the arrow. The reduction of vibration generally translates into a reduction in shot noise. Alpine makes its limbs from Gordon Power Tuff material, which is known for toughness and durability.

Limbs are attached to the riser by a unique, pivoting limb pocket design split into two individual pieces on either side of the riser. This essentially creates a separate pocket for each split limb. A quiet nylon bed cradles the limb on the top, bottom and inside surface, effectively isolating it from the riser and much of the aluminum pocket. Limbs are drawn together like a vise with a pair of bolts to eliminate any movement in this critical area.

Further focus on stealth can be found with the inclusion of Alpine's cable guard dampener, Mach 5 cable slide, Limb Dampeners and a string suppressor that is outfitted with a Sims Decelerator Module. Sims String Leeches also come standard.

More Than Just Looks
Alpine has decked the Yukon out with features that couple aesthetics with performance.

A polished, African rosewood grip has Jim Shockey's initials and a checker pattern engraved on the heel. The grip looks great and performs well by seating your hand consistently and comfortably for the shot. The riser is finished in a Black Wrinkle powder coat that offers good looks with effective concealment. Limbs have the Jim Shockey Series logo on the face and are film dipped in Realtree's Hardwoods HD camo pattern.

Brown anodized hardware, a Jim Shockey medallion and Fiberlok shelf pad round out the package.

Editor's Note: Our standardized High Grade testing includes the use of the same equipment and test methods. All bows are tested with a draw length of 29 inches and a draw weight of 65 pounds. Speed tests are conducted with two different arrow weights — 375 grains and 425 grains. For more detailed information on the testing parameters, go to www.bowhuntingmag.com and click on "Bow Testing Parameters."