Bow Shing Manufacturers Serve Fun, Growing Segment

From Factory to Field by Jason Herbert Bow shing Manufacturers

Serve’ll never forget the sight. Fun, My son, wooden Growing deck near the bow of the boat shiningSegment a spotlight down at the water. some buddies and I were driv- drew back and red an arrow. e When they see a sh they’re after, usu- Iing home late one night after an water erupted and the archer quickly ally a type of carp, gar, bu alo, etc., they uneventful steelhead shing trip. As got to work ghting the sh. “ ey’re draw back and shoot. A bow shing we came up on a local lake, the coun- bow shing,” I said. arrow is connected to line with some try road became curvy, meandering “ at looks like fun,” my son’s sort of reel that attaches to the bow. around all of the bays and inlets. We friend chimed in. “Aim low” is the motto of bow sher- noticed a boat on the water with a “It’s supposed to be a riot,” I added. men due to the refraction of light in the huge spotlight out front, illuminating Ever since then, I have been inter- water, which makes it so sh are usu- the water below. We were all curious ested in bow shing. ally lower than the archer realizes. If a and my son asked out loud, “What are I called the only guy I know sh is hit, the barbed arrowhead passes they doing?” who bowfishes: JR Neidlinger at through the sh and prevents the arrow We immediately slowed down to Bear Archery. At the time, Bear had from being pulled out. At that point, the watch the show. As if he were waiting recently bought Cajun Bow shing and sherman hangs on for dear life and for us, an archer standing on a large Neidlinger couldn’t have been hap- hand lines the sh in or gets it on the pier. “Man...it’s like reel for the recovery. Most bow sher- shing and hunt- men use a type of spincast reel. From ing wrapped in what I saw online, the action is fast one...it’s a blast!” and furious and I could see why people Neidlinger said, choose lightweight draws for bow sh- explaining to me ing. Neidlinger added, “After a good how bowfishing night of shooting, you’re tired...espe- works. In a nut- cially if you’re after big sh that require shell, bowfisher- strong bows. ere are times where we men use a light- leave at dusk, shoot all night and are weight bow with just coming in as the bass shermen 40 to 50 pounds are coming out the next morning.” of maximum draw I asked Neidlinger why bow shing weight. Usually, has continued to be so popular and he they’re out at night, answered, “A lot of it is the invasion of in shallow water, Asian Carp in the Midwest. People hate

All carp, including gold sh, are fair game for bowfishermen. Considered invasive when released in the wild, the common gold sh is a worthy adversary for a bow- sher. Small and quick, gold sh are not easy to hit. Here, Michigan Sta Shooter Brandon Kramer is all smiles with his Sucker Punch RTF bow setup and golden prize. JR Neidlinger and these kids are all smiles after a successful shoot. Popular in the south for years, Here, Neidlinger is holding two nice silver carp. Extremely invasive, bow shing is catching on in the silver carp are also dangerous. As silver carp are capable of leap- north. Invasive species are moving ing long distances and attracted to the wake river boats create, north, archers want an excuse to bow shermen always have to be on the lookout for these 30 pound get out and keep shooting and, as ying missiles! JR Neidlinger put it, “It’s a blast!”. 52

Sept15AT052-056T-R-A.indd 52 7/21/15 2:48 PM Bow shing can certainly be done alone but it’s more fun Here, the Monster Outdoors bow shing boat is ready for action at the with a buddy. Here are Tyler Paul, left, who just shot a big recent U.S. Open Bow shing Tournament in Spring eld, Missouri. The at carp and his buddy Matt Schillinger, about to try and help front deck is lined with lights and has a center mounted bow hanger. Gas land it. Many times, bow shing partners take turns navi- powered and fan driven, air boats are perfect for the sport. Bow shing gating and shooting. But when the action is hot, multiple boats need to be fast and able to navigate shallow water without problems. shots are possible. Bow shing reels help keep the line In certain situations, outboard gas propeller engines will hang down too under control and also aid in quick recovery, which often low in the water, causing all sorts of issues and limitations. leads to another shot.

these things and want to do their part to access to lakes and rivers.” Neidlinger’s Safety stop the problem. Plus...it’s fun! You’ll reasons had me sold. As with anything, there are dangers get shots. Like how duck and goose Manufacturers are also catching involved in bow shing and we wanted hunting is becoming popular, people on to the popularity of bow shing and to address them rst. e obvious is want to shoot things. Also, bow sh- seeing a need to continue to innovate. boating accidents. Bow shermen are ing is pretty inexpensive compared to Although I haven’t had a chance to try not immune to boating accidents, archery deer hunting...deer hunting is it yet, bow shing is now on my bucket so when bow shing, always follow starting to become a rich man’s sport... list. And I’m not the only one! Everyone all marine laws and common sense. with leases and such to get on a good at ArrowTrade is curious about the Another lesser known danger is “arrow deer. With bow shing, everyone has sport as well. at’s why we wanted to snap-back.” Neidlinger explained focus on bow shing for this month’s “snap-back” as well as the industry’s edition of Factory to Field. safety mechanism, safety slides: “If you tie line to the back of the arrow, it

Here is a close-up of a Cajun Archery safety slide: a very important piece of safety gear. The safety slide system serves two pur- poses. First and foremost, the free oating safety slide holds the string away from all possible tangles, ensuring the string will not get mixed up with other gear and cause the arrow to snap back upon release. Second, the stopper prevents the arrow from completely passing through the sh, It didn’t take long for AMS shooter Daniel Parker to get this carp in. With the AMS allowing for quicker recovery and protec- retriever reel, a bow sherman can quickly utilize the gear ratios and leveraging handle tion of equipment. crank to quickly get an active sh on the reel. 53

Sept15AT052-056T-R-A.indd 53 7/21/15 2:48 PM allows the line to get tangled up, which AMS Bow shing, we can cause the arrow to come back point make everything you rst. e slide and stop keep the string need for the extreme in front at all times and prevent this sport of bow shing.” from happening. Snap-back can also He went on to elabo- occur if drag is not set on a spinner. rate and ll me in on However, most of the time, the line how many things the will break.” Snap-back does happen too company has created often, resulting in injury and, in some for the sport: “We extreme cases, death. I did a bit more are the founder of research and learned that safety slides the 310, 610, 611 and do a lot to keep line from getting tan- the speedy 610 TNT gled as well as prevent pass throughs retrievers. We also on sh, aiding in quicker recovery. make arrows, points, safety slides, combo AMS Bow shing kits, bows, arrow Traditionally associated with rests, oat systems for southern waters, the bow shing giant big game bow shing, AMS hails from a northern state. A tactical lights, cross- legend in the sport, AMS Bow shing is bow bolts, crossbow located in Stratford, Wisconsin. Almost adapters to mount smack dab in the middle of the state, our reels to, ga s, n- The AMS SwampIt Tournament Series Bow is everything the the company currently operates at the ger tabs and more.” serious bow sherman needs. With light poundage and a smooth local industrial park but will not for I could tell from draw cycle, the SwampIt can easily be shot repetitively. Tim Morines has tweaked his SwampIt a bit, adding a tactical light long. In August, AMS will be moving talking with Je that for nighttime shooting. Once the bow is red, the line easily feeds to its new facility near the site of the the company really out of the Retriever reel, waiting for its turn in the action. old one. AMS Bow shing has been takes great pride involved with bow shing since the late in its work and its quality control is of this independent philosophy was 1970s and early 1980s, when Founder second to none. Every single arrow shown when Je told me about AMS’s Jack LaSee introduced the Retriever is checked for straightness and must bow shing points: “We started to man- to the bow shing world. LaSee was meet certain tolerances. It seemed to ufacture our own bow shing points the owner of All Metal Stamping. He me that over the years, if AMS couldn’t so we had better control of the overall also operated a side business selling get something it needed from another product. All AMS points are made of the AMS Retrievers. In 1997, LaSee’s source, the employees just decided to 400 series stainless and the tips are daughter Cindy moved the bow shing make it themselves. A good example sent out to get heat treated to add more operation to Stratford. Between LaSee and Owners Je and Cindy Braun, AMS Bow shing has over 100 years of com- bined bow shing experience. In the very beginning, AMS employed four full-time employees and two part-timers. As its business has grown over the years from the introduction of new gear and the growth of the sport, it now has 25 employees. Many of the processes for AMS’s products are done in its own facilities, including assembly of products, machining of parts, packaging and shipping. AMS Bow shing still works closely with its sister company, All Metal Stamping. All Metal Stamping does much of the injection molding and metal stamping of component parts. Co-Owner Je Braun shared with me, “We strive to have all our parts and products made Bow shing is popular with both the young and the old. Here are AMS’s Matt Schillinger in the USA.” and his bow shing buddy Brad Jordan with a giant carp Jordan shot. The AMS Retriever reel can easily mount to a crossbow as well with help from the company’s Sleek-X I asked Je what AMS o ered for Crossbow Mount. Crossbow shing is a great way to introduce someone new to the sport. the bow sherman. He said, “Here at A well-placed crossbow shing bolt won’t let a sh get too far. 54

Sept15AT052-056T-R-A.indd 54 7/21/15 2:49 PM the future of the sport. “Over the last few years, we have seen an explosion in the sport of bow shing with the younger generation. We are seeing kids in the age brackets of 15 to 20 really jumping on board and getting bit by the bow shing addiction. You do not need a high-tech bow or a $40,000 boat to hit the water,” he said. I heard similar feedback from the other compa- nies I spoke to as well. e sport of bow shing is really gaining in A trophy of a lifetime for one lucky bow sherman, this gigantic Alligator Gar was taken at the U.S. Open popularity amongst Bow shing Tournament some time ago. Now it proudly rests at the Bass Pro Shop in Spring eld, Missouri. young people. The Archers need to travel south for a shot at a fabled “gator gar,” which is considered a prize bow shing trophy. facts that it doesn’t cost a lot to get started strength.” I was impressed with AMS’s full line of Retrievers are hands down and sh to shoot at are plentiful cer- Retriever reels and how the company the simplest to use and can stand up tainly help as well. has modi ed the gear ratios and lever- to the rigors that a bow sher can hand Similar to those of other manufac- age of the handle crank system for out.” turers, AMS bows have draw weights quick reeling action. Je added, “Our Je and I also talked a bit about between 30 and 50 pounds depending

Sept15AT052-056T-R-A.indd 55 7/21/15 2:49 PM on the model. As Je told me, the AMS of the cornerstones of today’s archery Bohning product.” Retriever looks very simple to use and industry. Greg Misner described the The Bohning Company was with the introduction of the AMS Safety company’s mission to me: “Bohning is founded in 1946 by Rollin Bohning. Slide, as Je put it, “You can safely hit committed to developing and market- A research chemist and avid archer, the water and enjoy the sport.” To learn ing only the highest quality solutions Rollin had become dissatis ed with more about AMS Bow shing, please for the problems experienced in the the cements available to bond broad- visit http://www.amsbow shing.com. industries we serve. It is our compa- heads to hunting shafts. He started ny’s rm conviction that the bene ts of tinkering and ended up developing his Bohning growth and the con dence and respect “Bohning” is another name synon- of the people and rms we serve can ymous with archery and bowhunting. only be achieved by maintaining or In fact, the Bohning Company is one improving the quality of each and every

The B.A.R. (Bohning Aqua Reel) is a bow shing spinning reel that is the rst of its kind. It Bohning’s Stronghold shing tip is a per- features a cable-activated bail that opens automatically on the draw with an adjustable fect blend of old school bow shing gear drag and is spooled with 50 yards of 80 pound test line. The B.A.R. contains a gear ratio of and today’s top technology. Made with 5.1 to 1. The mounting system is reversible for left- or right-handed users. Once the sh is three stainless steel barbs, the mechanical hit well with the B.A.R., instead of laying down the bow to hand line the sh, the archer will shing tip will expand upon impact with become a sherman and grab the reel to begin the ght. a 2-1/2 inch holding diameter, anchor- ing the sh to the arrow. Upon retrieval, the barbs will reverse on themselves for easy removal. This tip should be glued and REACH NEW QUALIFIED BUYERS pinned to the shing arrow shaft. Over 93% of attendees buy at our Expos!

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Sept15AT052-056T-R-A.indd 56 7/21/15 2:50 PM own adhesive, Ferr-L-Tite, for adher- facilities are located 1 mile apart. company outings and picnics. Many ing hardware to wood and alumi- Each department at Bohning employees have worked for Bohning num shafts. Misner shared this with consists of a close knit group of sev- for over 20 years. is dedication is me about the hot melt adhesive: “ e eral employees in which every team attributed to the positive relationships product formulation has undergone member plays a vital role in the suc- that Bohning employees have with several changes over the decades but cess of Bohning. Due to the products each other. Ferr-L-Tite is still the industry stan- Bohning produces, departments are Bohning takes its bow shing acces- dard today.” dependent on each other to succeed sory production very seriously and puts roughout the late 1940s and early and to run smoothly. Misner added, forth a lot of e ort toward the develop- 1950s, Rollin continued to develop suc- “Bohning employees share the com- ment of its bow shing line as well as cessful solutions for archery related mon core belief that they provide qual- other archery and paint products. e issues for himself and friends such as ity products to their customers with company organizes a bow shing spe- Doug Easton and Fred Bear. e col- prompt production times and service.” ci c pro sta that plays a crucial role laboration between those three led to is family atmosphere resonates in in the development and testing of new the development of Bohning Fletch- Tite etching cement, a product that, in the current Platinum version, is in just about every archery tool kit today. In the early 1970s, Rollin semi- retired from the growing company and Wicked without the width! Colby and Martha Johnson became chief administrators. ey guided the company throughout the 1970s and most of the 1980s, during which time Bohning Fletch-Tite Vanes were intro- 22" Cocked duced. Larry Gri th became presi- (25.5" Uncocked) dent of the company in 1987, when the Johnsons semi-retired. Misner used the term “semi-retired” because Rollin and the Johnsons were still very passionate about the company and they all remained involved after they passed on the torch. Bohning vanes continued to The new 26.25" Cocked evolve and in 2004, the Blazer vane was has a limb width (30.62" Uncocked) introduced. Misner shared that “ e Blazer vane has been at the top of the of just 25"! arrow vane industry since its concep- Recurve-limbed crossbows have always tion. Bohning prides itself on customer been more reliable, more accurate, more service and providing our customers powerful, lighter weight and virtually products that solve many of the problems in the industry in which it serves.” maintenance free. They were also Bohning calls northern mid-Mich- wider. Not anymore! The new 29.75" Cocked igan home, located northeast of Lake Excalibur Micro, at just 25" wide, (36" Uncocked) City. Lake City is a small, rural northern is comparable to compound crossbows! Michigan town nestled on the shores The most e cient Excalibur ever (79.5% e cient) of Lake Missaukee. Wildlife, such as GEN II Compact Recurve Technology turkey, deer and an increasing number Feather-Lite Skeletonized stock Reduced vibration and noise of bear, is commonplace. Bohning has R.E.D.S. Recoil Energy Dissipation System been at its present location since 1946. Guardian Anti-Dry Fire System In fact, the original building is still used today for cycle testing of new products and houses the sales department. Bohning’s facilities are divided into two 270 lb. 335 FPS† locations: the North Plant, which holds 9.5" Power Stroke At just 25 inches wide, Micro 335 is every bit as maneuverable as any the manufacturing process equipment compound crossbow, yet offers all of the durability and performance and the Main Plant, which consists of advantages of a recurve crossbow. Micro 335 touts an off-the-charts 79.5% efficiency rating which means you get more speed with less cocking effort. the packaging, shipping, quality con- It’s also incredibly quiet, deadly accurate and loaded with features. trol and assembly departments, as well Learn more at www.excaliburcrossbow.com as the administrative o ces. e two 2335 Shirley Drive, Kitchener, Ontario, N2B 3X4 Canada Bus: (519)743-6890 [email protected] † Velocity @ 350 Grain 57

Sept15AT052-056T-R-A.indd 57 7/21/15 2:52 PM products. e products go through an the packaging.” To learn more about the 70s but in 1976, it changed things intensive development process before Bohning bow shing products, please up a bit and bought the right to manu- reaching retail shops. New products are visit http://www.bohning.com. facture the Sting-A-Ree Bow shing Tip. rst developed in the concept/devel- Knowing there was a growing market opment stage. Next, the product is pro- Cajun Bow shing for bow shing and other segments of duced in the form of a prototype and As the name then tested. During these two steps, the implies, Cajun product is critiqued and enhanced to Bow shing started create a more nished product. Once in the Deep South. a more de nite prototype is made, it is In fact, according eld tested. After eld testing is com- to the company’s pleted and the appropriate modi ca- website, “Cajun tions are made to the prototype, rst Bowfishing’s his- generation production occurs. At this tory in the out- point, the product is eld tested again door industry runs to ensure proper function. Once nal as deep and long modi cations are made, nal produc- as the Mississippi tion occurs. After production, the n- River.” William ished product is packaged and shipped “Billy” Amentor to Bohning’s customers. founded the com- Bohning makes every accessory a pany way back in bow sherman could use, from bow- 1963. e compa- shing arrows, reels and nocks to rests ny’s initial product and points. I asked Misner speci - line consisted of cally about using Bohning’s bow sh- an extensive line of ing gear in the eld. He said, “Our both hardwood and bow shing products are user friendly. cedar arrows. Cajun Cajun Bow shing is serious about passing love of the sport on Each bow shing product that we focused on arrow to the next generation. Here at a recent U.S. Open Bow shing Championship tournament in Spring eld, Missouri, Cajun’s Gary produce includes instructions with production through Lewis is teaching a few youngsters the tricks of the trade. At the tournament, there were a few retaining ponds set up with shooting decks for people to test new equipment. Rinehart Targets provided a gar and carp oating target for each station and Lewis was busy all day helping kids of all ages.

Good ol’ southern boy Jake Jones holds a beautiful carp he recently shot with Cajun equipment. Jones’ boat is well set up, with diamond plate metal, giant spotlights capable of aiming in all directions and a center mounted bow holder. Cajun uses the help of several sta shooters like Jones to help promote the brand. The relationship with the shooters is mutually bene cial, as they get the newest and best gear to use and abuse and the company receives great promotional help at tournaments. 58

Sept15AT052-056T-R-A.indd 58 7/21/15 2:53 PM archery, Amentor continued to diver- sh is shot. Quick Draw containment rest and the sify. Cajun started to o er other archery A good bow shing bow needs to be Cajun Roller rest. accessories, such as bow wax, sh tips, ready for action at a moment’s notice When I talked to Neidlinger arrows and tools. Cajun Bow shing is and still be tough as nails. As Pickerill at Bear, he explained to me what currently focused on manufacturing put it, the bow “needs to be built to be an archer looks for in a bow shing the highest quality bow shing equip- thrown in the bottom of a Jon Boat.” bow. Neidlinger believes that Cajun’s ment money can buy. Today, the brand Cajun o ers the Sucker Punch bow sh- Sucker Punch is the perfect blend of specializes in bowfishing arrows, ing bow as a standalone or in a Ready traditional bow shing essentials and points and line as well as various types to Fish package. e standalone bow today’s top innovations. e bow itself of reels. is just that: simply the bow. Most bow- weighs 3.2 pounds, which is nice e ownership of the company shermen don’t use sights. ey do, and light for hours of action. It has a has changed over time and Cajun is however, need rests and Cajun o ers shorter 32.25 inch axle-to-axle length, now owned and operated by another three: the Fishing Biscuit (very similar along with Blister Buster nger pads to familiar company in the industry: to Trophy Ridge’s Whisker Biscuit), the avoid nger pinching. Cajun’s hybrid Bear Archery. Jason Pickerill, market- ing director at Bear, shared with me, “We’re committed to carrying on the strong name that Cajun has earned for itself over the years. We also know the TWO INDUSTRY sport of bow shing is evolving and we have a lot of new, great ideas that we’re excited to put into place.” Today, with corporate headquar- LEADERS ters based in Evansville, Indiana and UNITE TO FORM THE production in Gainesville, Florida, the Cajun name is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds in the outdoor industry. As bow shing is becoming more popular, Cajun is evolving as well. Cajun makes everything the bow sher needs, such as bows, arrows, points, reels, rests and various other accessories. e company even o ers short berglass shing rods to attach to the bow for a more authentic ght after a

Bear Archery’s JR Neidlinger (right) and Bear/Cajun Archery Engineer Gary Lewis are all smiles with these two gigantic big- head carp they shot. As shown in the back- ground, these were not the only two sh the men shot but they were by far the biggest. Avid bow shermen, Bear Archery team members like Lewis and Neidlinger were thrilled when they found out their company would be acquiring Cajun Archery. In fact, Lewis and Neidlinger “volunteer” to work the weekends in the R&D department. Invasive carp such as bigheads and silvers are always at the top of the bow shermen’s STRYKE NOW™ “hit list.” 360 FPS ULTRA QUIET 3.5LB TRIGGER SMOOTH SHOT59

Sept15AT052-056T-R-A.indd 59 7/21/15 2:54 PM StrykerAd_2015_475x7375.indd 1 1/27/15 10:28 AM New Shock Stopper for Oneida Bows #1094

Works as a Limb Dampener and a String Suppressor all in one. These dampeners fit Oneida bows from 2003 until present. Super Speed String Sleeves #1037b Here is Eva Shockey at the 2015 Muzzy Classic bow shing tournament. This Muzzy boat has all the bells and whistles a bow sherman or woman could ever ask for. Shockey is holding the Muzzy Alcatraz compound bow shing bow.

bow shing bottle style reel comes in it’s important for a bow shing bow to the package, as does the Fishing Biscuit have deep grooved cams so derailing The Super rest. e hybrid reel itself is a rather isn’t a concern.” Speed String Sleeves are new concept. When shooting giant sh, e guys at Bear are all very excited a new edition to the BowJax it is important for the bow sherman for their future with Cajun Bow shing. String Silencer Category. to be able to get the sh under control In fact, Pickerill told me that many • Silence your bowstrings and ght it accordingly. Most people of the sta were bow shermen long • Help give that little bit of lay the bow down in the boat and hand before they acquired Cajun. He added, added speed you need line the sh in while some prefer to “A lot of our innovations are com- • Weigh 26 grains use the reel. When shooting smaller ing from guys who nally have their sh, it is much quicker to hand line the chance to tweak what they want in their Silent Tamer sh in and be ready to shoot again at a bow shing gear. We’re all archers and moment’s notice. With Cajun’s hybrid some of these bow shermen are really Stabilizer Dampener bottle reel, archers can have the best coming up with some great, practical #1052 of both worlds. Most bow shermen ideas.” I asked him what Cajun had in use un etched berglass arrows and store for us next; he said I would have sharp, wire pronged shing tips. ere to wait and see. To learn more about are mechanical bow shing tips as well Cajun Bow shing, please visit http:// and Cajun o ers both. www.cajunbow shing.com. I saw on Cajun’s website that a talking point of the company was its “deep Muzzy grooved” cams. I asked Pickerill why Industry stalwart Muzzy is also a Silent those were important. He said, “When veteran in the bow shing business. Tamer Stabilizer Dampeners provides an you are at full draw and a 30 pound Muzzy made its rst bow shing arrow extra level of dampening to Asian Carp jumps out of the water and and point around 1987 with the help your stabilizers. These innovative hits you, you don’t want to deal with of archery addict John Musacchia Sr. dampeners are just the right a derailment. When bowhunting for Musacchia was an avid outdoorsman weight to work effectively. They deer, usually, a hunter can come to full and loved all aspects of archery. He fit ¾” up to1¼” stabilizers. draw and not have anything hitting his always wanted to be innovative and string. If he bumps a twig or something, o er dependable products. ere were a short grooved cam could possibly very few bow shing manufacturers at cause the string to become derailed. In the time and he was unable to pur- a bow shing bow, when an archer is at chase the types of products he wanted. full draw, all sorts of things are happen- An entrepreneur and innovator, ing; sh may be jumping, other guys Musacchia saw this as an opportunity 208-762-3692 [email protected] are moving in the boat, who knows... and started Muzzy Bow shing. Muzzy 60

Sept15AT052-056T-R-A.indd 60 7/21/15 2:55 PM grew business slowly and after 10 years, quickly. He said, “Bow shing is just I asked him if there was anything it still only o ered a small bow shing plain fun! Everyone should try it at else he wanted me to know. He said, selection. At that point, it purchased some point but be careful; it is highly “Feradyne is committed to growing the the Ever-True Arrow Company, which addictive.” He went on to tell me that Muzzy Bow shing brand by provid- allowed the company to o er a much Muzzy’s bow shing products can be ing cool and innovative products. Stay larger bow shing selection. Since that mounted on any bow but usually, an tuned for what is to come from Muzzy point, Muzzy has been one of the big- older bow that can be turned down Bow shing and we hope to see you gest suppliers of bow shing gear in in poundage or a recurve is preferred. at the 2016 Muzzy Classic, our own the industry. Land added, “Once you have a Muzzy bow shing tournament.” To learn more Muzzy Bowfishing is one of reel and rest on the bow, grab an arrow about Muzzy Bow shing, please visit Feradyne Outdoors’ brands, so it shares and start shooting sh. It is the perfect http://muzzy.com. a facility in Cartersville, Georgia with combination of hunting and shing My conversations with AMS, the production and assembly of Muzzy together: the best of both worlds.” He Bohning, Cajun and Muzzy all got me Broadheads, Nockturnal Lighted Nocks also explained the concept of the safety curious! I’m going to try bow shing and Rage Broadheads. Cartersville is slides: “ e biggest thing to know is if as soon as I get a chance. I’ll cer- located just north of Atlanta on I-75. you are using a spincast style reel like tainly keep an eye out for AMS, Muzzy, A small town with a lot of industry the Muzzy XD or XD Pro, you do not Cajun and Bohning at the 2016 ATA and farming in the surrounding areas, need a safety slide on your arrow but Show. I think bow shing is going to Cartersville is a nice blend of rural liv- rather you can tie to the back of the become my newest addiction and I ing with the amenities of a city close by. arrow directly. However, if you use a know I’m not alone! is old sport is Mark Land, bow shing guru at Muzzy, hand wrap or bottle style reel, always getting new life breathed into it and is described the community to me: “ e use a safety slide. e reason for this growing in popularity by leaps, bounds people are all very friendly, hardwork- is that on a spincast style reel, the line and splashes. ing and loyal. ey love being part of used will break easily if it becomes Editor’s Note: Jason Herbert is a a company that produces a product tangled on something. e line used in school teacher, an outdoor writer and a people are so passionate about, which bottle reels does not; it is very elastic father of four. His Factory to Field busi- really gives them a feeling of accom- and acts like a rubber band. Also, if you ness pro les appear in each issue of plishment when we see world record shoot a safety slide on a spincast style ArrowTrade magazine. sh taken with our equipment.” reel, you can actually draw the bow Production at Muzzy Bow shing is and release the similar to that at the other facilities we arrow without the have focused on. Muzzy is proud of the spool being open. THE POWER OF THE BEADS fact that it has many “senior” employ- is will result in ees, some with over 28 years of service damage to the reel to the company. During peak seasons, or a lost arrow. Muzzy hires additional help, includ- However, if you are ing college students. Each temporary tied to the back of employee is paired with a full-time the arrow, the reel Muzzy team member to continue to drag prevents you guarantee high quality and standards. from drawing the

e company receives most of its raw bow without the NEW material in the form of “bar stock.” spool being open. FOR 2015 e 12 foot long round stock bars get us, you cannot fed into one of Muzzy’s various CNC shoot it without machines. e CNC machines, with opening the spool. help from their operators, work their Following this magic and create all sorts of Muzzy advice will extend products, such as shing points, tips the life of your and other small pieces and parts that equipment and end up as part of a system in bigger make things much products. e pieces are all heat treated more simple.” SCRAPE BEADS or anodized, making Muzzy’s products I learned a BLACK WIDOW LURES OFFERS DEALERS A NO-LOSE PROGRAM. as durable as possible. After that, it’s lot from Land. * STOCK A COMPLETE LINE OF PRODUCTS WITH NO MONEY TIED UP. on to assembly. Land put it best: “Our Actually, I learned * AT THE END OF DEER SEASON RETURN ANY UNSOLD PRODUCTS TO assemblers bring the parts and pieces a lot from all of the BLACK WIDOW FOR A FULL CREDIT AGAINST YOUR INVOICE. * ONLY THEN WILL YOU PAY FOR THE PRODUCTS SOLD. to life to provide the nished product people I spoke to. that you see on the shelf.” Before my con- IT’S A WIN-WIN !! I asked Land why he felt that the versation with FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US: sport of bow shing was growing so Land was over, (423) 638-2825 OR [email protected] 61

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