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InTheBite InTheSight: Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail Ranch

October 7, 2019 By InTheBite Editor

Enjoy an InTheBite exclusive look into the World Class Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail Ranch in Corsicana, Texas.

A family run business for the past 33 years, owners Robert and Stephen Gegenheimer, have produced some of the top whitetail and exotics in the State of Texas. The ranch includes an 8000 square foot lodge that features six bedrooms all with private baths, cable TV and internet.

“If you like hunting and being treated like family, then Cotton Mesa Ranch needs to be on your list. Robert, his son Stephen, and the entire ranch staff are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They go above and beyond to make sure your experience at Cotton Mesa is one you’ll never forget.”— InTheBite Publisher Dale Wills.

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Filed Under: Dock Talk, Featured Stories, General News, News Tagged With: bass fishing, cabin, Captains, corsicana, cotton mesa trophy whitetail ranch, crews, deer, exotics, fishing, gear, hunters, hunting, InTheBite, inthesight, Mates, ranch, Sport, sportfishing, texas, wild

The Ultimate Sportsman

June 25, 2019 By InTheBite Editor

lessons and perspectives from outdoorsmen

by Elliott Stark

The intersection between hunting and fishing runs deep. Both pastimes take place outdoors. Each can provide the excuse for relaxing with friends and getting away from it all. Fishing and hunting are also both pursuits marked by uncertain outcomes. Whether it’s venison or tuna for dinner, both fishing and hunting are about much more than filling the freezer. Beyond these similarities there are also a number of lessons taught by each activity that can crossover to the pursuit of the other.

To better understand the intersection of hunting and fishing, we here profile three men who are skilled practitioners of both big game hunting and big game fishing. Their perspective is valuable whether you enjoy fishing and or hunting – whether you make a career on the water or have been thinking about planning a hunt. More than anything, perhaps, reading about the men who have crafted careers that combine chasing the most powerful of the ocean’s creatures and matching wits with the craftiest of animals in some of the world’s most rugged country provide proof that the world really is what you make of it. Whether it’s a bugling elk or a marlin on the teaser that drives your vacation planning, there just might be something in these perspectives that will make you a better sportsman.

Captain Wade Richardson

With apologies to the rest of my contact list, Captain Wade Richardson is perhaps the most broadly talented person I have ever met. Wade is far from a look-at-me guy and never one to toot his own horn – in fact, he might shoot me for writing this. But were you to create a checklist for the ideal sportsman, it would likely look quite a bit like his resume. Richardson has nearly 20 decades of experience at the helm of sportfishing vessels, holds a degree in diesel mechanics from a technical institute in Wyoming, is a graduate of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, is an accredited paramedic, and is an accomplished pilot (holding fixed wing ratings land and sea and a commercial helicopter rating).

Wade also knows his way around the back country of Idaho and Montana as well as a mule deer. Were that not enough, Wade is married to one of the best wildlife and fishing photographers in the world. If you’re lucky enough to catch a marlin with Jessica Haydahl Richardson on the boat, she could well turn it into a magazine cover.

captain wade richardson

The many hats of Captain Wade Richardson – flying, fishing and hunting.

The centerpiece of Wade’s fishing experience was running a private mothership/gameboat operation in the Pearl Islands for 15 years. The operation consisted of a 94’ mothership and two game boats – the Hooker, the legendary 48’ G&S, and the Picaflor, the second Merritt ever built – a 42’ classic. In addition to a pile of The Billfish Foundation Top Release Captain for Black Marlin and other awards, Richardson compiled a list of fishing stories that is second to none. Shooting a 50” corvina off the swim step of the mothership? Yep. How about the time a 160-pound yellowfin free jumped through the tuna door as his mate was scooping runners off a bait ball? That happened, too. Wade is currently overseeing a ground up refit of the Picaflor at the Merritt yard in Pompano Beach.

These days Wade is involved in a number of business ventures in Montana. A fourth-generation rancher, Wade runs beef cattle and flies the backcountry of Idaho and Montana. He is a regular with Richie Outfitters (www.richieoutfitters.com) in the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho. Wade also hunts elk and deer at his family’s ranch in the Big Hole of northwestern Montana.

Captain Brad Philipps

Since the days of Ernest Hemingway billfish and dangerous African game have been recognized as the ultimate. Captain Brad Philipps is a master of both. A native of South Africa, Philipps is not only a longtime professional safari guide, but a sportfishing captain whose skill, focus and ability are the stuff of legend. Just how legendary are Captain Brad Philipps’ fishing exploits? He has caught more billfish (north of 35,000) than any captain in history. He captained the first sportfisher driven to Ascension Island (he would return the vessel to Brazil on one engine). He has also fished in many of the world’s most prolific fisheries – Bom Bom, Cape Verde, Nova Scotia, Australia, New Zealand and more.

While Philipps makes annual trips to fish in other destinations, Guatemala is his base of operations. With his wife Cindy, a former Miss Guatemala, Brad owns and operates Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures (www.guatbilladv.com). Fishing out of the 40’ Gamefisherman Decisive, Philipps targets sailfish and marlin on fly and conventional tackle. The numbers he posts are incredible. In his best year, 2016, Philipps released an incredible 3,711 billfish, a record breaker of sorts for sure. His best day produced 91 sailfish releases. Personal bests for single angler releases were 73 sails on conventional tackle and 51 on fly.

captain brad phillipps

Captain Brad Phillips career in the outdoors would be at home in a Hemingway novel.

Growing up in a ranching family, Philipps has been exposed to wildlife conservation, hunting, and safari all of his life. Holding a dangerous game professional hunting/guiding license since 2002, Philipps has guided and hunted in many African countries – South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia. These days, Brad and Cindy Philipps own and operate Toro River Lodges in the Kruger area of South Africa (www.tororiverlodges.com). From their base of operations, Philipps offers all-inclusive fully guided, completely immersive safari options that allow guests to experience South Africa’s diversity of wildlife and natural wonders.

Toro River Lodges offer a variety of experience and it may well be one of the most beautiful areas in Africa. Located in a non-hunting area, the Lodges place emphasis on photo/viewing safaris and first-hand interaction with the wildlife and its incredible biodiversity. Philipps is able to tailor each safari to his guests’ desires as he has some of the best areas throughout Africa, whether to pursue a purely viewing/photographic or a hunting safari.

Captain Travis Butters

Captain Travis Butters has a nose for fish. A native of Islamorada, Florida Butters grew up chasing the many fisheries available in the middle Keys. As captain of the Que Mas, a 70’ American Custom, Butters won InTheBite’s Captain of the Year Award in 2008 after winning tournaments throughout the Bahamas and Bermuda. From the grander he caught in Bermuda to an extended Pacific campaign throughout Panama and Costa Rica, Butters’ 20-year run on the Que Mas was one not frequently matched. These days he fishes along with Captain Randy Gendersee aboard the Sodium, a 75’ Weaver, throughout the Caribbean.

In addition to an innate ability to seemingly catch fish anywhere, Butters spends each September in Colorado’s Flat Top Mountains of Colorado guiding elk hunts with River’s Bend Outfitters (www.riversbendoutfitting.com). His specialty is calling in bull elk for archery hunters, though he is no stranger to the rifle. The operation consists of nine camps situated amongst private land and in the White River National Forest. Trips are six or seven days, with everything packed in and out on horseback.

captain travis butters

Captain Travis Butters is right at home anywhere there is saltwater or bull elk.

Beyond the skill and perception necessary to read conditions in the mountains or on the water, Butters possesses a natural charm and ease in conversation. In addition to being handy with rope, and comfortable with stock, Butters ability to spin a joke or launch into a story make him perfectly suited for leading groups of people into the Colorado backcountry or the waters on the North Drop.

Shared Experience and Perspective

At first glance an article profiling the overlap between hunting and fishing would be a strange story for an offshore fishing magazine. There is, however, a body of directly relatable experience between the two. The skillset and outlook necessary to keep clients safe in a remote area are similar – whether it be a mountain side in the middle of nowhere or in a prolific, remote billfishery far removed from Palm Beach. In each case the responsible party must be self-sufficient, knowledgeable in the behavioral patterns of his quarry, understand the many possible eventualities – being prepared for the good and bad alike.

The other interesting intersection between the two is what comes over the client when success happens. Catching your first blue marlin or sailfish is a bucket lister for most anyone who ever picked up a fishing rod. For those who have grown up hunting – whether it be for deer or dove, the chance to shoot an elk or other big game animal may well be the result of years or decades of planning, hoping, and dreaming. Both creatures – billfish or big game animals – represent much more than some meat in the freezer or a mount on the wall.

stories of hunting and fishing

There is a shared charm in hunting and fishing. The stories and experiences are great – and if it all goes right you get a photo like this.

Stories of anglers rendered frozen by the appearance of a marlin on the teaser are matched only by the hunters whose buck fever shakes lead them to shoot trees. For many, the adrenaline released in the moment is much more than something caused by only what is happening before them. For even captains with decades of experience, no matter how many dorado or sailfish or marlin you’ve caught, you can always remember a time when seeing one was magical. It is such for clients who turn to hunting or fishing guides to provide access and opportunity to experience the stuff of dreams. With the animal of your dreams in the site or at the end of your line, the pressure of the buildup can be palpable. The emotion and excitement uncontrollable. It is awesome…really full of awe.

The Effects of Adrenaline

“There’s a lot of similarities. You’re always looking at the conditions – the weather, the wind, the moon. It’s a lot like charter fishing. You take people out, you entertain them and you get to know people you would have never met otherwise,” says Captain Travis Butter when speaking of guiding hunters in the mountains of Colorado.

The outfit that Butters works with in Colorado operates nine camps that are accessible only by horseback. The average stay in camp is six or seven days. Hunters can anticipate walking between three to six miles per day – all at 10,000 feet of elevation. Beyond the chance to harvest the animal of a lifetime, the physical setting – the altitude, the sleeping in tents, the forest – produce anticipation and build that results in some great stories.

“Some of the funniest stories are the people who miss. Guys will miss at three or four yards. Some guys won’t shoot because it’s too close,” Butters says, describing the experience of calling in a bull elk during the rut. He’s had hunters draw back to shoot a bull elk, only to have forgotten to first load an arrow in the bow. “I had a guy draw back and shoot. I asked him, ‘Did you hit him?’ He said, ‘Yeah, it was only 20 yards.’ I followed the direction of the arrow where the bull was. The arrow was 20-feet up a tree!”

“I called in a bull and some cows,” Butters begins. He placed his hunter ahead of him and began calling from behind. The idea was to draw the bull elk to the sound of the call, placing the hunter in position for a shot. “The guy is under a tree. All of a sudden, I see elk run all over the place. He said, ‘They almost ran me over!’ He was shaking real bad. Turns out a cow had run right by him and taken the arrow off his bow. We found the arrow 15 feet away, with hair on the broadhead.”

Imagine how many similar scenarios unfold with anglers on big marlin. The ability of a marlin to induce backlashes, tangles, and san cochos is the stuff of dockside lore. The psychological effects of hunting and fishing can be very similar.

Preparation and Self Sufficiency

Captain Wade Richardson is a master of preparation. When asked about the importance of captains being able to work on their boats, he says, “If you can’t fix it, you probably don’t have much business running it.” When it comes to taking care of people and equipment (from boats to aircraft, and even livestock) in remote areas, Richardson’s emphasis lies in preparation. “Inventory of parts is important. It’s good to keep a handle on how everything is feeling – where all of your systems sit and what’s going on. Service intervals are very important too, especially when getting parts into a remote place can be a challenge” Wade says. “As a general rule, it’s good to be prepared for anything. Plan for the best, prepare for the worst. If you think it’s not going to break, it’s probably going to break.”

Richardson

Richardson is often found looking for birds – be them frigates or sage grouse.

This approach served Richardson well. The mothership/gameboat operation he directed for 15 years was quite literally in the middle of nowhere. He would provision the boat in Panama City and remain self-sufficient for months at a time. “We never missed a day due to maintenance,” he says. He one time had an engine room fire while running out… but he was back fishing by 10:30 in the morning the same day.

The importance of preparation is also important when it comes to the back country of the American west. “You can never be too prepared. If you are getting ready for a trip, it pays to invest in good equipment – boots and rain gear, particularly,” Wade describes. If all you have is what you bring, it is best to bring what will serve your needs. “A hunting trip into the mountains is a good way to find out how good of shape you are in. It’s also a great way to find out what level of uncomfortable you are comfortable with. You can be wet, cold, or hot or sore from walking – you never really know what might happen.”

Guiding the Experience

When it comes to a combined big game hunting and fishing resume, it is hard to imagine anyone with a more impressive body of experience than Captain Brad Philipps. Beyond simply providing access to some of the sporting world’s most majestic opportunities, Philipps believes that an outfitter’s role is to make the process inclusive for the client. For most people, getting up close and personal with a blue marlin or a cape buffalo is the apex of a life’s passion – they want to feel involved in how it happens.

“One of the big things is communication – making a client mentally prepared for what they’re doing. It’s important to let them know what their job in the process will be and what to expect before it happens. Whether it be for dropping back to a marlin or on safari, physical and mental preparation are equally important,” provides Philipps. “The best guides are inclusive. They make the safari goer/angler included in the decision process from the time he or she books the trip.”

Communication and knowing what to expect is important on the photo safaris at Toro River Lodges as well. “A lot of the photo safaris are on foot. The client must understand what guests can and can’t do in certain situations. You can’t run – and you must trust your guide. This involves teamwork and is built with trust. It is always so special to get on foot in a wild area and learn about Africa.”

brad phillips

“There is a lot of crossover clientele – fishing guests who want to Africa. It’s important that the guide knows the guests and the clients. The guide must always remember that it’s always the client’s trip,” Philipps provides insightfully. “In my early days, I built my career on talking with guys before the trip. What may happen – what to do in certain situations. The ifs and thens. If the lions come from this direction… If there is an elephant over there… If the marlin does this…”

“Mental strength is one of the most important considerations. The more extreme and wild the adventure, the more it may test your mental state and experience level. It is important to prepare the client for as many eventualities as you can. Pre-talking is very important,” Philipps says. It is easy for a captain or outfitter who hunts or fishes for a living to forget that the experience may be a once in a lifetime type event for the client. A great guide or outfitter will utilize his or her experience and knowledge to provide the client with a roadmap of what might happen and how to interact with it. This is as much about imparting confidence and understanding as it is anything else.

“A guide must have the basics – a good adventure sportsman first, but he must also be able to communicate and be inclusive. This is what separates the good guides from the great ones,” Philipps says. “A lot of young guides guide for themselves. When you progress you realize that the whole thing is about what’s best for the client. The guide, then, acts as a catalyst to provide the experience the client is looking for.”

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Filed Under: Crew, Featured Stories, General News, News, People Tagged With: Captain Brad Philipps, Captain Travis Butters, Captain Wade Richardson, hunting, outdoorsman

2019 SHOT Show: New Products for Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Enthusiasts

January 30, 2019 By InTheBite Editor

Attention Shooting Sport enthusiasts. The annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (aka SHOT Show) just wrapped up in Vegas and we thought we would share a few of the new products coming to a retailer near you in the near future. Enjoy InTheBites InTheSight finds.

Bushnell XRS II Riflescope 

Bushnell has seriously improved its game in the last couple years, bringing innovative designs to the table at a great price point. For the long-range shooter, its XRS II with the illuminated G3 reticle has everything you need and nothing you don’t. The 4.5-30X magnification covers just about every shooting situation imaginable, and the 34mm main tube and 50mm objective lens gives a bright picture and allows for plenty of elevation adjustment. The G3 reticle provides enough useable reference points to place an accurate shot at any distance, without looking like you’ve got some sort of physics equation in your scope. Now that Bushnell offers the option of the illuminated G3 reticle in the XRS II, it may be one of the best values for the long-range shooter on the market.

Swagger Bipod – Telescoping Field Support For Hunters

The new Swagger bipod replaces a conventional bipod as well as shooting sticks. With a huge adjustment range from 6 3/4″ to 29″, the Swagger is ideal for western hunters, spot-and-stalk situations or anywhere long shots from the ground are likely. Notably, you can switch from a rigid attachment to a flexible attachment. And you can angle the legs forward, rearward, or to either side. When needed, remove the rubber footpads to use spiked feet for more “grip”. The Swagger’s telescoping legs fit inside a polymer housing mounted to your rifle’s forearm. Assembled weight is 23.6 oz, complete with Nitride finish springs/spring housing and reinforced bungee.

Glock G48

This year, Glock is targeting the concealed-carry market with one of their new offerings. The new G48 comes in 9mm, and is essentially the size of the ultra-popular G19, but in a slim size. This should be great for both comfort and concealability, as well as folks who don’t care for the thicker double-stack models. It features beveled edges, front slide serrations, and a silver nPVD coated slide. It has a magazine capacity of 10 rounds. This should be a great option to bridge the gap between the standard sized and compact models. MSRP: $580

Colt King Cobra .357

Following the re-introduction of the Cobra last year, Colt is bringing back the King Cobra in .357 Magnum. You won’t find any new frills in this revolver, but it’s a solid, duty-fit revolver with a 3-inch barrel, that’s ready to live up to the name. It’s handsome stainless steel construction doesn’t cut corners and would be just as suited for life in a holster as in a collector’s case. MSRP: $899

Mossberg 590 Shockwave Shock ‘n’ Saw

Another of the new firearms from Mossberg is the Shock ‘n’ Saw. Built on a 590 receiver, not-a-shotgun firearm uses the same kind of top grip that Mossberg debuted on its Saw shotgun about 10 years ago. This 12 gauge gun handles 2 3/4″ and 3″ shells from its 5 round tube. It has a barrel length of a little more than 14″ with a breacher-type end. Mossberg set the price at $560 for this one. (As with the other not-a-shotgun firearms, I have to stick them somewhere, and this one wound up in the handgun section.)

Mossberg 590 Shockwave with Crimson Trace Laser Saddle

For 2019, O.F. Mossberg & Sons expanded its line of Shockwave firearms. One of the more useful additions to the line is this 590 with a Crimson Trace Laser Saddle. Many people like to point shoot these guns, so adding an aiming laser that does not need a traditional sight alignment and picture can be a real benefit.

Other aspects of this gun I like is that it is based on the 590 platform – as solid shotgun platform as any other. It holds 5 shells in the tube and can chamber both 2 3/4″ and 3″ shells. The corn cob style forend on the pump has a hand strap to ensure a solid hold on the front of the gun during recoil and movement. The suggested retail price is $595

Remington 783 Varmit

Remington Arms expanded the Model 783 line to include a Varmint rifle. The guns feature a 26″ heavy barrel that is free floated, a Picatinny rail on the receiver for a scope, an oversized bolt handle, a brown laminate stock with a SuperCell recoil pad and the company’s Crossfire adjustable trigger. The MSRP on these starts at $625. Initial models will be chambered for the .223 Rem, .22-250 Rem, .243 Win, 6.5 Creemoor and .308 Win.

Thompson/Center Impact!SB Muzzleloader

Thompson/Center launched a new line of break open muzzle loaders. These entry level, .50 caliber guns are called the Impact!SB. These new guns have a hand removable triple lead threaded breech plug, fiber optic sights, the company’s Quick Load Accurizor and an aluminum ram rod. Composite stock finishes include black, Realtree Edge, Mossy Oak Bottom Land and Mossy Oak Break-Up Country. The metal is offered in both blued and Silver Weather Shield. Depending on your finish options, pricing will run from $263 – $324.

Winchester Wildcat .22 LR

Winchester Repeating Arms rolled out a new rimfire rifle for 2019. The Wildcat is a brand new semi-automatic .22 LR. Winchester calls it “light, rugged, accurate and ultra-reliable.” Here are some of the details:

  • feeds from Ruger 10/22 compatible magazines – it ships with one 10-rounder
  • the lower receiver is removed by pressing a single button; no tools required
  • the action can be locked open
  • 18″ chromoly steel barrel with a target-style crown
  • ghost ring rear sight, ramp post front
  • Picatinny top rail for an optic
  • concealed Picatinny rail on forend for bipod or other accessory
  • skeletonized polymer stock

MSRP: $249.99

Winchester 350 Legend

Winchester Ammunition rolled out a new cartridge called the 350 Legend. Using a straightwalled .223 Rem case with a .357 caliber bullet, Winchester states this will produce more energy that the .30-30 Win, .223 Rem and 300 BLK for superior hunting – especially in areas with straight walled deer hunting. The company states it also produces less recoil than the .243 Win and 450 Bushmaster.

The new cartridge will be available in the company’s Deer Season XP, Super X, Hog Special, USA White Box, Power Max Bonded and Super Suppressed lines. Bullet weights range from 145-180 with the Super Suppressed line using a heavy 265 grain bullet. Here is an introductory video on the cartridge from Winchester:

Winchester Ammunition Xpert Snow Goose

Winchester Ammunition announced its new line of Xpert Snow Goose ammo for 12 gauge shotguns. The company is producing it in both 3″ and 3 1/2″ shells. The two 3″ loads offer either 1 1/4 oz of BB (@ 1,475 fps) or 1 1/4 oz of a #1 & #2 blend (also at 1,475 fps). For the 3 1/2″ shells, you get either 1 3/8 oz of BB or 1 3/8 oz of a #1 & #2 blend. Both of the longer shells are sending their loads at 1,550 fps. Winchester Ammunition states the loads are shipping now.

Browning TSS Tungsten Turkey Ammo

Browning Ammuniution announced a new shotshell load: the TSS Tungsten Turkey. Available to the public in the Spring of 2019, the new ammo line will offer a total of 7 new loads with something for 12 gauge, 20 gauge and .410 bore hunters.

The offerings for 12 gauges are:

  • 3″ shell, 1 3/4 oz #7 tungsten shot
  • 3″ shell, 1 3/4 oz #7 & #9 blend of tungsten shot
  • 3 1/2″ shell, 2 1/4 oz #7 tungsten shot
  • 3 1/2″ shell, 2 1/4 oz #7 & #9 blend of tungsten shot

In 20 gauge, the load choice comes down to one of two 3″ shells: 1 1/2 oz of #7 shot or 1 1/2 oz of a #7 & #9 blend.

If you are taking turkey with the .410, you have but a single load: a 3″ shell loaded with 13/16 oz of #9 shot.

Kent Cartridge TK7 Penetrator Turkey Load

Kent Cartridge announced a new load for 2019 called the TK7 Penetrator. Designed for hunting turkey, it uses #7 tungsten pellets, buffered shot and a special loading process to deliver tight patterns of dense shot with more pellets on target than similar #6 loads.

The company will offer both 12 and 20 gauge loads. Muzzle velocities are the same with either – 1,100 fps – with the 12 gauge sending a 1 5/8 oz load and the 20 gauge delivering a slightly lighter 1 3/8 oz load. These will be packaged 5 shells to a box. No word yet on pricing.

PSE Evoke Series

PSE hit a home run 2 years ago with the launch of the Evolve 35, and now the company has taken that original platform and improved upon it with three new flagships: Evoke 35 SE, Evoke 35 EC and Evoke 31. All three new bows promise outstanding shootability thanks to the proven Evolve Cam System (right). A notable upgrade from Evolve to Evoke is the stiffer and stronger next-gen caged riser platform.

Hoyt Redwrx Carbon RX-3 Series

This high-end bow is an expansion of the Redwrx series, and it brings new carbon riser technology for a rigid, lightweight shooting experience that has dampened down vibration considerably. An all-new grip system allows left-to-right adjustability for the shooter, increasing tuning ability and center shot alignment for personalized accuracy. And shock pods dampen vibration even further. This is a bow designed to be quiet, smooth, and powerful.

The RX-3 Turbo shoots up to 350 fps, making it one of the fastest bows in the lineup. Across the series, you can find bows at draw lengths from 25″ to 32″ and weights from 30 to 80 pounds. Axle-to-axle heights are available at 30.5″, 31″, and 34″. And at 3.9-4.1 pounds in hand, you’re looking at a lightweight shooting experience. This bow is the most expensive in the lineup, but the variance allows you to dial in to your specifications. MSRP $1699

Matthews Vertix

The 2019 VERTIX is the peak of versatility and performance. Switchweight modules allow you to change peak draw weight in 5 pound increments. Available in 60, 65, 70 and 75 pound peak weights, each set of mods are programmed for an incredibly smooth draw. The new Engage™ Grip interface was designed to ensure consistent hand placement, reducing torque and increasing accuracy. While more versatile than ever, silence and efficiency remain king, and with 20% less vibration than the TRIAX, the VERTIX delivers an experience that is both unexpected and unforgettable. MSRP $999

Bear Divergent

Designed with the whitetail bowhunter in mind, the Divergent offers amazing performance in a short 28″ axle-to-axle bow without breaking your wallet. With speeds of 338 feet per second, the Divergent’s compact platform and hybrid cams give shootability a whole new meaning. MSRP $700

PSE Carbon Air Stealth 35”

PSE added the 35″ to its line at the request of its customers, and it’s a badass-looking bow. This is the lightest 35″ bow in the lineup, with the carbon adding up to a featherweight 3.5 pounds. The upgraded carbon monocoque riser is not only light but stiff and strong for a smoother shooting experience. It features the Evolve cam system.

This bow shoots at 342 fps, with a 90 percent letoff. The draw length measures out at 26.5-31.5″, and it’s offered in 60- and 70-pound versions. MSRP $1499

Bowtech Realm SS & SR6

Bowtech adds to its Realm line with the SS and SR6. The SS stands for “Super Smooth,” and Bowtech took to the laboratory to cut down on breakover and vibration for this particular model. At 32″ axle-to-axle with a brace height of 6″, this bow provides a stable but packable platform for treestands or spot-and-stalk. The 337 fps is quick, and three available draw weights (40-50, 50-60, and 60-70 pounds) plus a 25-31″ draw length provides variability for a multitude of shooters.

The SR6 is “Speed Redefined,” and it adds a new level of speed and power to the Realm line. A speed of 352 fps is fast, fast, fast, and it’s also a 32″ axle-to-axle with a 6″ brace height. The same three draw weights are offered in the SR6, but the draw length is 25.5-30″, so a little less variance there. Weighted overdrive binary cams combined with a front-heavy draw cycle allow for an increase in speed and power while remaining smooth on the draw. MSRP $1099

CZ Bobwhite G2

Back by popular demand — and at a very nice price! The updated version of our traditionally-styled Bobwhite, the G2 gets a CNCed receiver and modern internals that slim the action while increasing longevity and reliability. With double triggers and an English-style straight grip, quick choke decisions can be made on the fly.

Finished in our hardy black chrome from head to toe, the Bobwhite G2 will resist rust much better than a blued gun while still looking classy. Its 28″ barrels are threaded for choke tubes and it ships with five flush chokes spanning from Cylinder to Full.

Built on gauge-specific frames, the Bobwhite G2 is available in 12, 20 and 28 gauges. MSRP $655

Berretta A400 Xtreme Plus

For 2019, Beretta’s excellent A400 Xtreme now comes in a new Plus version, enhanced for waterfowl hunting, and the best part is that you get a bunch of new features that you don’t have to pay one penny more for. These include a stepped rib with a middle bead, a lengthened forcing cone, a recoil- and vibration-reducing rubber comb, enlarged bolt and magazine releases, and a loading port that’s been ground open for easier loading. It also has the shock-absorber-like Kick-Off recoil reducer, which does a very effective job of taming magnum recoil (the gun will shoot everything from very light target loads to 3½-inch shells). The new Xtreme Plus retains one of my favorte gadgets, too—a magazine cap the releases with a push and half a turn, like a child-proof cap. $1900; beretta.com

Winchester SX4 20-Gauge

The next level of performance. This Super X4 follows on the heels of the most successful Winchester autoloader ever: the Super X3 Black Shadow. There would be no point to the new SX4 if it did not take function, handling and egonomics to the next level. And it does. This is a dedicated hunting machine with it’s all-black exterior that is definitely non-glare to prevent spooking game. Critical functional controls are larger and easier to operate — a real benefit in damp weather and cold conditions.

The feel is right. You will need to go to your dealer to prove this to yourself, but the grip area has been totally redesigned for improved comfort and pointability. It feels thinner and it feels right. The same goes for the forearm. Both have gripping panels positioned to help prevent slipping and the texture feels good against your hands especially when you are not wearing gloves.

Filed Under: Featured Stories, General News, News Tagged With: bows, camo, enthusiasts, game, guns, hunt, hunting, InTheBite, las vegas, magazine, new products, Outdoor, Shooting, Sport, sportfishing, sportman, Trade Show

InTheBite Dock Talk: Oceans East Bait and Tackle

October 1, 2018 By InTheBite Editor

Ocean’s East is a major source for all things fishing and hunting in Virginia Beach. From custom tackle to electronics to everything you need to gear up for marlin tournaments, see why the team at Oceans East has you covered in this edition of InTheBite Dock Talk.

Filed Under: Dock Talk, Featured Stories, General News, News Tagged With: custom tackle, Dock Talk, hunting, InTheBite, magazine, oceans east bait and tackle, sportfishing, virginia beach

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