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This year, Easton unveiled a new, lightweight arrow in its 6.5mm product line. Utilizing Easton's Acu-carbon process, the 6.5 Matrix is an ultra-lightweight design, with a carbon-fiber braid visible on the outside of the shaft. This process promises to result in a more consistent spine and weight tolerance across every production run, meaning the arrows are easier to tune, and offer better accuracy on the range and in the field. The arrows come with Microlite premium nocks, which shorten the distance between shaft and bowstring for improved alignment and reduced weight; 6.5mm inserts, with a 4X thicker shoulder adding weight front of center, where it counts; and Bully premium vanes. The arrows come in packs of six, with spine sizes of 300, 340, 400 and 500. For more information, check out eastonarchery.com. MSRP: $79.99/pack of six
Leupold & Stevens, Inc. has launched its LCO Pro F2 red-dot sight, combining optical clarity, reliability and purpose-built features in a full-sized red dot.
I am heartened by this year’s entries. In addition to fabulous photographs, almost all of you delivered exceptional narratives of your hunts. We used your very words wherever possible because it’s an honor to see you all rise to such an occasion as sharing a special moment with your fellow hunters. You now know a little bit about what drives an outdoor writer. —J. Scott Olmsted, Editor in Chief
On July 17 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published a proposed rulemaking change on the Federal Register that, if approved, would allow western states to better manage their grizzly bear population. Despite their burgeoning population the big bruins remain on the “endangered” list under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a fact that has paralyzed regional conservation efforts, impacted other wildlife populations and dramatically increased human/bear conflicts.
ALPS Mountaineering has released its Micro Air portable air pump. Compact and convenient, this pump packs a punch of inflation and is small enough to be hooked to a keychain without sticking out. This air pump delivers plenty of power without worrying about a battery going dead because it is connected to an external power bank.