Tag Archives: best bow sight

Bwana Bubba’s Equipment – Bow Sights – Single vs Multiple

May 5, 2014 Frank Biggs 1 Comment

I like to start with humor or some kind of story line in a hunting or equipment article.

We all remember the Wild West movies of the past, with rifles & Six Shooters blazing away with very few Homo sapiens hitting the hard deck. Maybe the rifles or six shooters weren’t very accurate or maybe the shooters weren’t focusing on the target at hand! As we know though, most were accurate up the distance warranted. Take a minute to think about the sights on most of those rifles and Six Shooters, even going into the 21^st Century! Rear V and Front Post!

Tell if this wouldn't make you focus! — You would have to focus to hit the target!

There are very few bow hunters or archers that don’t have a firearm in their arsenal of hunting or target shooting equipment. In all shooting, it is about hitting the target or game with the utmost accuracy and being able to do that we have to be focus in depth on the target. This is not always about the amount of time to do so, but the accuracy of having all coming together in the moment.

Just think about any other sport that may include a single ball and getting the ball into the hoop, a hole in the ground or into the hands of a wide receiver. The shooter has to focus mentally or have the natural talent to target the target…

My mind comes to two instances! I saw this happen, years ago with Brian Henninger hitting balls during a golf tournament practice session. He was deliberately hitting a tent within inches of the same spot every time at about 260 yards. One fellow said, “man” he is missing the pin”, little did he know that Brian was having fun. Brain was quite focused on hitting the spot on the top of the meeting tent.

What about this year (2014) with the Portland Trailblazer player with .6 tenths of a second to get an inbound shot off and doing so and making the 3 point throw and winning the game for the Trailerblazers. There was nothing about luck, but a man that was in the zone of focus!

Over the years as I have said before I have had the privilege to shoot with many different bow sights and optics on rifles. (What the heck, I have the privilege to use lots of hunting and shooting items over the last 40 years)

To this day I still have Duplex Crosshairs on all my rifles, forcing me to focus to the center. Knowing your weapon of choice and how it shoots is most likely the most important thing. With the speed of the modern day compound bow we have a greater advantage to make shots at greater distances with less drop of the arrow in flight.

As I write about optics – sights that attach to the rifle, guns, crossbow (legal states) and bows, there are so many that have multiple pins in the archery side and in the rifle or gun side we have tactical reticles and BDC Turrets (bullet drop compensator) which are all great. I find the BDC and multiple dot reticles in the firearm side to be great when you have time to dial in the yardage out to great distances or a bench shooter working on fractions. Otherwise most will have a favorite yardage to go by when setting up. As for bow sights I personally feel in the days of slower bows the multiple pins were my choice, yet I would have my 40 yard pin, the one pin that was different in color, it was my go to pin to get the job done when I was in the combat field mode of hunting for big game without the rangefinder. I guess it is good thing I have played some golf in my life.

Those that have shot target bows at the 20 yards with 3 spot & 5 spot targets indoor normally always had a long adjustable bar (extension) with a head and globe sight with a single dot or pin. We could fine tune the sight to make the X’s!

I shot this Martin Scepter Pro series for many years using Mel Stanislawski globe sight. Note the single dot in the 4X magnifier reticle!

To win one must have all 10's, so this was the equipment to help make it happen! — To win one must have all 10’s, so this was the equipment to help make it happen!

In my days of shooting small bore indoor rifles (22LR Caliber) at 50 feet competitively, it was all about the International or Olympic globe sights that usually had a circle aperture on the front sight you would have the bull (target bull) centered. You learn to breath, focus and make sure before squeezing the trigger that the bull was perfectly centered so you could make an X.

This is what my Anschutz Model 64 22LR Target Rifle had on the of the barrel! — This is what my Anschutz Model 64 22LR Target Rifle had on the end of the barrel!

In 2013 I was introduced to the HHA Sports Optimizer Bow Sights and was I able to shoot the 5519 model after an old hunting buddy told me about the sights. What is great about the sight, as I chose this particular model as it is a pendulum style adjustment, though HHA Sports has a dial style also, is that it is a single pin on a moveable pendulum and I can shoot accurately from 10 yards to 80 yards. If I know the yardage I do not have to anything other than move the lever up or down to the marked yardage on the sight with my thumb, yet not lose my grip on the bow. Otherwise I leave it at 40 yards in the field and 30 yards in a treestand.

The RDS TECHNOLOGY to setup the sight is made easy:

What is R.D.S. TECHNOLOGY

“R.D.S. is a patented sight in tape system that eliminates the need for multiple pins or crosshairs to shoot various distances with vertical bow, crossbow or firearm. It allows you to focus on a single dot or reticule, dial to the distance of the target and shoot. The clutter and confusion of 3, 5 and 7 pins on a bow or 5 or 6 lines in a scope are removed and replaced with one aiming point. This results in increased accuracy and higher confidence in the field and on the range!”

The system works on every bow I have setup! Many happy hunters know success over this system

If I haven’t said it before it is always about the optics on any weapon or shooting device. If the weapon or shooting device is sound, the only reasons not to be able to a hit a “shootable target” is the shooter or the sight for the most part in shootable conditions.

Take the movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played”, you’ll see in the movie how the golf gallery disappears and the golfer sees only the ball in flight to the hole! As one of my work buddies says “See it before it happens”.

Try one of the HHA Sports sight system on your bow, rifle, gun or crossbow and you won’t be sorry, you might even be able to make that shot you passed up the year before, if the occasion arises! It will take the complexity of out of the picture and allowing you to focus to the target and accomplish your Mission!

This hot stuff for the rifle and gun enthusiast!

Bwana Bubba aka Frank Biggs

Archery Talk - Posts, Hunting Equipment, Successful Hunters 2013

Bwana Bubba’s 2013 Willamette Valley Archery Blacktail Hunt

December 9, 2013 Frank Biggs Leave a comment

The opportunity arose, take the shot or pass?

The opening weekend of the general bow (archery) season in Oregon had past by two weeks. After the opening the bucks had become scarce. Two of the other hunters Mark S. an Oregon State Trooper Game Division and my son Frankie had taken bucks on the opening morning with great one shot kills. The bucks for both young men were their first bow kills for bucks and also the privilege of taking Blacktail Bucks, that are very difficult to harvest in the best conditions.

This was taken on 09-07-13 on the cam in the draw. He only came around 3 times in 6 months!

I had gone out to the vineyard a 90 acre of un-fence land in rural Oregon City – Canby, Oregon area in Clackamas County, Oregon and had sat in the tree stand numerous times in vane. The year prior it was common to see at least 2-4 bucks during the archery season any given morning or evening. Even the crop of spikes and does were not coming anywhere near the draw, bewildering mind set.

Frankie my son came out to the vineyard a couple of times. On Monday the 9th of September he came out with me to hunt again. He had also been lucky enough to draw the Oregon Willamette Valley 615 Deer Tag, which allows you to hunt from September 1st, through to February 28th, the following year. On this Monday night I would work from the tree stand with Martin Onza 3 that has proven itself well the year before, but this year the bow sight would be the H H A Sports Optimizer with the single pin on the pendulum system. A sight that forces one to focus on the pin and the target. With the speed of the bow, I usually leave it set for 40 yards when I am going to stalk and 30 yards when I am in three stand. If I have time for a rangefinder, I can easy move the pin up or down on yardage with my thumb quickly.

Frankie would be packing his recently bought rifle in a 308 caliber. He would work through the timber and see if he could drive a buck my way. If a buck were bust in a different journey then he might get a chance to get his 615 tag filled.
Both us seemed to get bored without the sighting of any deer during the evening hunt. With about 15 minutes of light left Frankie came out of the blackberries on the northern sector of the vineyard and I had setup myself working the tree line just west of the tree stand in the draw.

One should have a camera that will take a picture in low light!

Frankie’s new rifle came with combo setup scope that would prove to be a problem! He should have taken out his Weatherby MK V with good optics! You can have a rifle that is over the counter and inexpensive, but one should always have good optics for the conditions which includes the scope mounts!

He texts me that there is branch buck cutting through the grapes (12″ plants) and he just can’t get on him. At that time I spot the buck, but he is 80 yards from me and just walking along. I work in to get closer to him and when the buck was at 60 yards broadside, I decide it is to late to get a bow good shot. Even with the greatness of the Optimizer and the Onza 3, I would have not gotten it done.
Both Frankie and I could not get on him and get a clean shot!

The positive of this, we did see a branched shooter buck, though the buck was not a resident buck to the area. Thus ended the night of the 9th of September with the sighting of one shooter Blacktail Buck only!

On the Tuesday the 10th, I got off early from work and headed out to the vineyard. Again vineyard is a un-fenced 90 arce parcel of land that is just outside of Canby and Oregon City, Oregon. The deer come and go from many parcels of urual lands in Clackamas County. I have seen the same bucks when scouting on lands that are about 1-2 miles line of sight feeding in the fields.
I decided to give the tree stand another go and within an hour I decided I needed to do another spot and stalk. The deer just weren’t working the draw like they were the year before.

A different perspective of the this buck!

The taking of a buck in the draw during the opener and gutting the buck near the draw might have caused a problem? I can’t see why as the coyotes and buzzards had cleaned the bones and any other evidence of the kill within days.
There was not much shooting light left so I decided to place myself next to the treeline that lead out into the grapes plants (young 1st year plants). As I sat there, glassing, range finding spots that I though figured a buck might emerge from, I got this feeling that I had company and not of the human form. Everyone has had the feeling that there is something close and in many instances we don’t take advantage of the sense! In this case I moved my head and noticed a branched buck working almost in the same area that the buck the evening before. In this case I had a bit more light and knew if I did blow the movement I could get a shot off.

In one fluid motion I move from my sitting position and swung around into the kneeling position. (The buck had his head down the whole time he was moving through the plants.) He never made notice to my movement and with ease I pull back my Martin Onza 3 at 72#, the HHA Optimizer single pin sight was set at 40 yards and the pin focused just below the spine. The buck did not jump at release, as the Onza 3 very quiet! His reaction when the arrow hit was that of a rock. He just went down instantly and quivered for just a few moments. The arrow had gone through his heart! In my lifespan of hunting I have had this only happen twice before on bucks and both of them had been Blacktails also! The Blacktail buck most likely didn’t even know he was dead at impact! It doesn’t happen like this very often, but I will take it anytime I can. One never likes to have to track game in the dense cover of Western Oregon during the evening into darkness. A deer can go a little ways and disappear in the Blackberries, which make for difficult recovery on evening hunts. I have to say when there is a spark of adrenalin, old bones can move without pain!

Though the buck was only a 3 x 4 with the single eyeguard and most likely three (3) year, I would do it again. After opening day it had been tough and one should never have two legal tags. It makes it tough when your trying for the local stud buck. The rack is a very tight rack with the main beams almost touching. His brother the other 4 X 3 with two (2) eyeguards still roams the property. It appears that he will take up residency on this parcel and surrounding properties. He is a bit bigger and will make a good buck in 2014!

Since this writing I was a fortunate to harvest the Even 3 X 3 in November of this year!

Even 3 X 3 Blacktail - November 2013 — Even 3 X 3 Blacktail – November 2013

Bwana Bubba aka Cobra

Archery Talk - Posts, Hunting Equipment

Optimize your bow hunting chances with the “Optimizer”

February 26, 2013 Frank Biggs 1 Comment

Bwana Bubba’s Newest Hunting Advantage

The Ultimate Bow Sight

” Optimizer”

Over the course of some 50 years of shooting bows, from the first re-curve to my latest bow, which is the fastest that I have ever had the privilege to shoot, I’ve also had a number of bow sights during this time span.

This article will be about the new bow sight that is now mounted to my new bow!

I now decide to go to more modern fiber optic 5 pin bow sight. I had it dialed in from 10 yards to 80 yards, using the 60 yard pin based on holding approximately a foot above an animal’s back to make the hit at 80 yards.

Ironic that during the 2012 deer season when I did a spot and stalk shot and estimated the yardage and did not use the pin for 60+ yards, but used the 40 yard pin as it was a different color and became the focal point on the animal which was later measured at 63 yards. I instinctively judge the yardage to be more than 50 yards and put the 40 yard pin above the deer’s back at approximately 4-5 inches over his back.

The point being I was able to focus on one pin as it stood out, I knew what it was set for, making it easy for me to make the shot.

As some of use get older it can be difficult to always make the right call on pins as they blend in with low light. In the State of Oregon lighted bow sights or pins are not allowed.

Another thing that happens when hunters get older the eyesight does change on most. Some have to have bi-focal, tri-focal, reading glasses, wear glasses for correction near and far. Then there are those that have to take off their glasses to see up close, causing with rifle sight and bow sights some conflicts when using.

I would have to say I have found an answer that will help many with the problem caused by the aging of the eyes.

At the first of the year I contacted HHA Sports Inc., on the recommendation of an old hunting partner who the year before had decided he needed a change. I sent a letter to HHA Sports and asked them about their movable sight. At first I thought I still wanted multiple pins on the movable sight. I am very thankful that a left handed multiple pin sight was not available. I thought to myself of the hunt that I had in 2012, said to C.H. “a single pin is what I really want.”

Thus a new HHA Sports Optimizer Single Pin Movable Sight shows up at my home. The sight is very easy to set-up on the bow with two (2) screws holding it on the bow and two (2) screws holding the fiber optic surround scope on the bracket. Another big deal with the Optimizer is that the quiver bracket attaches to the sight bracket and the screws were in the Optimizer packaging. Outstanding! One more thing to think about is the fact that only two (2) different Allen Wrenches attached the Optimizer to the Martin Onza 3.

The sight can be sighted in old school by marking the shooting yardages on the bracket as you shoot the normal yardages that one is shooting. Or you can use the scientific sight-in system that HHA Sports gives you in the package with sight-in tapes. One would shoot the bow at 20 yards and dial the bow in, then work your way out to 60 yards and dial the bow in. With the sight-in tape you would subtract the numbers on the tape and come up with the tape by number that will have you dialed in from 20 up to 80 yards depending on the bow.

Many of my GPS hunters are very technical and would have a great day setting up a new Optimizer sight on their bow.

After getting the first sight-in done at 20 yards it is very easy to understand the advantage to the single pin movable sight. First advantage is that you focus on one pin, without thought. It allows the perafel part of our eyesight to take in the object you are shooting at, yet stay focus at the point of impact aim.

Once the sight is dialed in, there are so many advantages to using the single pin movable sight for me that I will make the shots that I take count. If using a tree stand and have the target area sighted in for set-up of taking your game, you can set the single pin for the yardage. Thus you will be focused on a single pin and single animal, leaving nothing to distract the eye.

Now if I am going to do the spot and stalk method which I prefer, I will have the sight set at 30 or 40 yards, knowing what my bow will do from that yardage in or out on the target. Practicing at different distances with either yardage pin will give confidence on the shots that I might not be able to range finder in. Another words I will be back to being able to shoot instinctive when needed. Being able to be in combat mode without great thought one can get the job done. It is no different with the Optimizer sight than it is with a rifle scope with a duplex or mil-dot reticule. The eye focuses to the center of the reticule, with the Optimizer the eye centers to the pin.

Even with the younger generation, it is a plus to learn how to shoot instinctive for conditions that don’t allow the time to range find in your target. The Optimizer for bow hunters is just the solution to success in the field!

The HHA Sports Optimizer Bow Sight have been rated the Number 1 movable bow sight in the world for 9 years from the readers of Bow Hunting World. I fully understand why it is rated the Number 1 in just the ease of set-up and construction of the Optimizer.

HHA Sports does build the Optimizer with multiple pins for those that what to shoot with multiple pins. I suggest that everyone that is an archer or bow hunter to check out the HHA Sports web-page and take the Optimizer challenger and increase your success in the field. The Optimizer has a 100% Lifetime Warranty!

Whatever your needs are, HHA Sports has the sight that will fit your needs in the field!

In closing when using the Optimizer Bow Sight and having a great bow, if we miss it will always be operator error, as the equipment is without flaw in my option.

Video: HHA Sports Optimizer Bow Sight Made in the U.S.A!

Bwana Bubba aka Frank Biggs

Bwana Bubba Adventurers