The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection

It's a scene that plays out every winter in pro shops across America. The year's new archery equipment arrives, and eager bowhunters rush through the doors. We ogle the sleek new bow designs, hail the whiz-bang accessory features and get positively giddy when we step over to the range and let a few arrows fly from these marvels of modern engineering.

In our technology-induced stupor, we look at each other and boldly proclaim, "Surely, this is the ultimate bowhunting rig!"

And it is -- until next year.

Well, welcome to next year and BOWHUNTING's 2011 New Gear Guide, the industry's earliest and most comprehensive collection of new bowhunting gear. The nearly 300 products contained in this special issue serve as proof positive that just when you think modern archery gear can't possibly get any better, it does.

Honestly, that really shouldn't come as a surprise. Just as we continually strive to better our bowhunting skills, the archery industry is filled with brilliant people who work tirelessly to improve the gear that plays such a critical role in our success. Though they'll never have the name recognition of celebrity bowhunters such as Bill Winke or tournament champions such as Randy Ulmer, these inventors, engineers and basement dreamers are the unsung heroes of our sport, and the 2011 New Gear Guide is a tribute to the fruits of their labor.

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Of course, there's no category of bowhunting gear that garners more attention than the bows themselves, and there's no doubt the trend of hunting bows getting stronger, lighter, faster, quieter and more accurate will continue in 2011.

Hoyt is expanding its innovative use of carbon-riser technology with the impressive Carbon Element (p. 22). Mathews is taking single-cam efficiency to unheard of levels with the new Z7 Xtreme (p. 23). PSE is re-defining shootable speed with its 366 feet per second Omen Pro (p. 30). Mission Archery is packing an unbelievable combination of price and performance into its new, $299 Craze (p. 25). And G5 Outdoors is certain to turn plenty of heads with the ingenious Parallel Cam Technology on its brand new Prime bow line, which promises to dramatically boost accuracy by eliminating the many problems associated with cam lean (p. 23).

The list goes on and on, and that's just one of nine product categories included in the 2011 New Gear Guide. You'll also find the latest and greatest product information about: crossbows; arrows and broadheads; bow accessories (sights, rests, quivers, stabilizers, etc.); treestands and blinds; attractants, calls and decoys; field wear and packs; optics and scouting gear; and useful tools (a catch-all category that includes everything from archery targets and bow cases to knives, camping gear and ATVs).

So, read on, enjoy and prepare to be amazed. But before you make any bold proclamations about things being as good as they possibly can get, let me remind you that "next year" is only 11 short months away!