As I mentioned earlier, when the main part of bowhunting.com comes online in the next month or so we will be focusing on selling some products in an online store. Our goal is to only carry the "best" bowhunting products on the market. We're not Cabela's and we're not going to stock every product available simply because it's not feasible at this time. So we need some help in picking out the top 20 products that you guys can't live without, recommend to other bowhunters, and generally think are "cool." I'm looking at stuff in the $50-$200 range. In addition to those products Todd and I are picking out our own personal favorites and products we think will sell well in addition to a good selection of bowhunting DVDs, and Bowhunting.com apparel (hats, shirts, arrow wraps, mugs :D, etc.) We will be trying our best to perform real-world product reviews on most of the gear we sell with plenty of photos and some video as well. So chime in with some recommendations. I want to know what you guys think.
Camo....Just the basics. Pants and uninsulated jacket or something. Something in 3D would be awesome. Basic bow repair tools. Or maybe even a bow repair kit, one that easily packed with you while you're hunting. I put my own together, but having a pre made kit would be pretty awesome. Nocking pliers, nock sets, an extra cable slide, maybe a portable bow press (bowmaster), allen wrenches..that sort of thing. Arrow building supplies. Jigs and clamps, fletching, vanes, glue...maybe some cresting equipment or something. Dip tubes, that type of stuff. I'll prolly think of some more stuff as we go....Love the site so far guys. Really. I'm just not very creative when it comes to things to do with it,but I'm thinking....
Two broadheads, Rage and Muzzy should cover most tastes. A rangefinder, no bowhunter can live without one!! A climbing treestand and a lockon, and maybe some climbing sticks with ratchet straps A good brand of Rubber Boots. A good supply of scent control/eliminating products(shampoo, sprays, soaps, wipes) The Butt Out Tool
Gotta have the VaporTrail Limb Driver rest, one thing I noticed is that not enough on-line stores carry them. Muzzy broadheads would probablly be a big seller.
Octane Hostage Pro Copper John Sights Get a supply of wraps from onestringer or some source. Some type(or a couple) of string suppressors Targets-the 18 in 1, block 4x4, & a quality bag target. That archery software everyone talks about KME sharpeners for broadheads & replacement blades.....seriously this is an absolute for the sharpeningly challenged.
Well.. I see it this way. You have to think of it in terms of what a deerhunter needs each time he/she enters the woods. Rage broadheads (as an example) is just unrealistic gents.. not that there not great heads.. but It's just not what everyone needs. There are many other heads that get it done. With that said.. look at it this way.. what do you carry into the woods with you everytime you head out. A bow.. a treestand.. bino's.. treestand safety harness.. arrows.. backpack.. bow hoist.. tree saw... Now break it down further if you get the idea. I suggest for the bowhunting.com staff.. -A great pair of highly rated bino's that run about 150-200 dollars. The best in that price range that suits all the needs of a bowhunter who doesn't want to take the time to know everything about bino's. -The people at treehopper (i think) make that awesome little pair of hand snips for limbs. -The tree saw we were discussing the other day Justin that telescopes from like 12" to like 6'.. VERY cool. -Those toe warmers you used last season Justin sounded pretty cool. -A top-rated pack that holds everything a bowhunter needs while in the woods.. I'm talking a top-rated one for the money and well built. -Maybe the bino holder that goes around your body.. holding the bino's tight to the hunter (i forget the name). -A great little LED flashlight. Low energy needs.. great battery life.. optional colors for the beam.. hand sized.. but needs a powerful beam for help in initial blood trailing that a hunter gets to enjoy by himself just after the shot when recovering the arrow. I hate going into any sort of magazine where it shows 100 different flashlights.. I don't want to spend hours picking out the right one. I want a place that reviews the products it has and puts it out there for all to see. -A great and top-rated knife. A knife that folds up.. can be carried into the woods easily in the pack and gets the job done easily. -Possibly a top rated rangefinder for the bowhunter. One thats in that relative price range of 150-200 dollars.. but I know thats an iffy one. -A great headlamp. I am a public land hunter and I set alot of stands in the dark.. I want one thats great not good.. inexpensive yet durable.. great battery life.. LED.. and optional beam color light. These are just some of the items I'd like to have with me each day I venture into the woods. It would be nice to see it all under one roof with a great reviewing of it.. and more importantly an unbiased one.
I favor: G5 broadheads and peeps Carbon express arrows Octane hostage pro rest Vapor trail limbdriver Sword sights Leupold optics (wide range of pricing) Just a few suggestions.
Kwikee quiver Kwikee quiver caddy (this one's a big one, as they can be somewhate difficult to find and work with any and all quiver systems) face paint for when Wash Hunter gets invited over Gray Wolf Woolens gear
Well, to keep it really simple, a good no-tangle hoist rope. There is nothing that sucks more than getting to your stand and realizing you don't have a hoist rope, or having to spend several minutes untangling the mess of a cheap hoist rope. Bushnells Trophy bino's are at a good price and they are o.k. quality. For the average hunter they would be amazing. Just a plain ol' Buck Knife A deer drag wouldn't be a bad idea either.
How about a good all around limb saw like Gerber's Exchange-A-Blade...........I never leave home without it
The essentials that everyone uses. String wax, serving, fletching glue, a good selection of fletchings and feathers. Maybe some string silencers and limbsavers. A decent pair of nocking pliers?
Justin IMO I would focus in the 20% the big box stores leave out. This is the marketshare that is the smallest, but spend the most money. A good quality Fleece suit in Predator, ASAT, Ultimate Camo would be awesome. Jacket Hat Gloves Panta Focus on what the big guys don't offer
I like what Germ is saying. Cabela's, Bass Pro, Gander Mountain, etc. are all the same, carry the same stuff and would be difficult to compete against. Carrying stuff you can't find there or products branded to your site built by hardcore bowhunters for hardcore bowhunters would be ideal. Camo offerings that you can't get in the big box stores such as Ultimate Camo. Maybe partner with them to expand their line or co brand some hunting clothes. A cost effective series of field dressing tools. Binocs and rangefinders that are reliable but not necessarily name brand that one would pay outrageous cash for. Arrow wraps and arrow building stuff, maybe even closeout arrow shafts. Comfortable rubber boots that aren't so clunky and poor fitting. 3d shooting targets that are more affordable. Fun stickers like the little cartoon guy peeing on PITA. Cool hunting t-shirts, fitted hats etc. Here is one that might sound cheesy but can be a great way to make money while still selling products for great prices. Find shops that are closing and buy out their inventory, this can often be done for .10-.20 on the dollar and would give you a bargain bin that blows away the big box stores. I used to do this when I ran a Snowboard shop and was able to turn a good profit while getting people great products for low low prices.
