2025 Cold Bow Challenge

[Moosehunter]

User Name: Moosehunter
Bow brand: Bowtech
Bow model: Revolt x
Sight: black gold
Broadhead: qad exodus full
MER: 60
Hit (X/3): (3/3)
Ill call that center circle for simplicity. Shooting this with elk in mind, altho I may shoot a few whitetails for meat.

Day 1: hit. Nerves had me a little not gonna lie. Calm and sunny. Shot broke in the middle so I'm happy.

Day 2: hit. Overcast and calm. Felt good, impact high and right but still in there.

Day 3: hit. Boy I was nervous, got lucky. Another calm overcast day. Great for shooting.

 

[awcopeland]

User Name : awcopeland

Bow Brand : Bowtech

Bow Model : 2019 Realm SR6 29-1/2” 70lbs performance

Sight Brand : Black Gold

BH Brand : Sevr

MER : 50 yards Arrow: Victory VAP 300, 28” c2c, Easton deep 6 nock, Iron Will 3 fletch, Easton match grade inserts ~452gr total coking out at ~283fps

Hit (X/3) : 0/3

Day 1: Conditions & Time: ~65* left to right winds 5G10mph. Sunny. ~3pm
To simulate the stress of elk hunting, I decided I would run down to my wood pile and back 3 times (~50yards each way to total 300 yards). I missed POA by 5" right. No bueno.

Day 2: it was roughly 50* sunny and calm 10:15am.
Today I threw on a pack with a 70lbs sandbag in it and I hiked up and down my side yard 4 times (~400yds and maybe 120’ elevation gain). It yielded a shot that was ~6” high and right. This isn’t looking last week’s prep on a flat range.

Shot 3: Saturday 17 May. No special running around to get the heart rate up. It was the calm before the storm. We had 3 seasons in 1 hour. Pretty neat. I still missed to the right.

Now that the challenge is over for me I’m definitely checking the tune on my bow. Something is off (could very well be me). Life has been busy lately between school, life, and work. School is almost over so I’ll have more time to shoot. Especially if we stop getting blasted by wind.

 

[Camel titties]

User Name : Camel Titties

Bow Brand : Elite

Bow Model : impulse 31

Sight Brand : black gold

BH Brand : swhacker 100gr

MER : 45

Hit : 2/3 Day 1 - Hot, almost 90 degrees out and no breeze. Had not touched the bow for two years up until a couple weeks ago. Excited to participate in the challenge, practice more and extend out that MER. Shooting in the suburbs lol… standing in my driveway shooting through garage door all the way to back fence.

Day 2 - 70 degrees and 25mph wind. It was a hit but the wind gave me trouble getting steady. Love this challenge is getting everyone fired up to knock the dust off their bows!




Day 3 - 5/13 8am
Cloudy and overcast. No wind and about 55 degrees outside. Rushed my shot because I was standing in my driveway and getting funny looks from the neighbor getting their kids in the car for school lol. Missed the center ring.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

User Name : ResearchinStuff
Bow Brand : PSE
Bow Model : Mach 1
Sight Brand : spott hogg Tommy hogg
BH Brand : qad exodus 100 gr full
MER : 60, deer and elk
Hit (X/3) : 3/3
Rip tkos, tac driver 4 fletch, 435 gr



Day 2 is better, but still more right than I'd like to see. Conditions were perfect today.


Day 3, breezy, left to right. Smidge high, but in the 8 ring for a hit.

 

[Bill V]

User Name : Bill V
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : Lift 75 lbs
Sight Brand : HHA
BH Brand : Iron Will S125
Arrow: Iron Will RIP TKO 250 Spine
Rest: Hamskea Trinity
MER : 100 Yards

This year I have a brand new Rinehart Elk Target at 100 yards. Been wanting one of these for a long time. Love it! I don't plan to shoot at an animal past 80 yards, but would shoot to 100 on a follow up if needed.

Shot 1: Beautiful day in Colorado. Cross wind about 5 mph left to right. 10 ring.




Shot 2: Swirling winds mainly at my back, but harder to hold steady. Cut the line for the 10 ring.




Shot 3: No wind. 10 ring. Bring on elk season!








Moments later I found another use for the S125 broadhead:



Decided to give it a try with my recurve also. I'm really only confident at 20 yards at this time.

Bow Brand : Hoyt
Bow Model : Satori
BH Brand : Iron Will S125
MER : 20 Yards

Trad Shot 1:



Trad Shot 2:




Trad Shot 3:

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

User Name : Turkeygetpwnd38

Bow Brand : Stalker Stickbows

Bow Model : Coyote 62"

Sight Brand : None

BH Brand : 150g Magnus Stinger

MER : 25 yards

Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Day 1
I've been working on taking the recurve a bit more seriously. Target is the 9in circle insert, conditions warm and stable.


Day 2
75 and raining, rushed the shot and hit high


Day 3
Finished up with a good shot. Sunny and calm. I’ve been trying to shoot 3 under for about a year, went back to split finger and got a lot more consistent. Happy with the progress. Now to try and get the compound in.

 

[darrenk75b]

User Name : darrenk75b
Bow Brand : Hoyt
Bow Model : Alpha-X 2, 32
Sight Brand : Axcel Landslyde
BH Brand : Sevr 100, 1.75"
MER : 60
Hit (X/3) : 2/3

X-impact 350s with my own 3D printed 2.3" 4-fletch vanes.

Day 1: Weather was warm (93) and calm. Shot broke pretty cleanly. Of to a better start than last year.






Day 2: Cool and breezy. Misjudged the wind. Height was good- missed just to the left.


Day 3: Sunny, mild. Very still wind. Elevation was good. A bit right, but still a hit.

 

[idelkslayer]

User Name : idelkslayer

Bow Brand : PSE

Bow Model : Stinger

Sight Brand : Rocky Mountain Horizon 5 pin

BH Brand : G5 Striker V2

MER : 50 yards

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

Target is 8"x12".
Shot my first practice shots of the year yesterday. It's been a couple years since my last archery hunt. 40 is a more comfortable distance but I wanted to challenge myself.

Day 1 no wind. The red pins refract in my glasses and make me hit left (the green pins refract to the right). My 50 yd pin is red so some of the near miss can be blamed on that, but I didn't want to put in contacts and the difference is only half the distance from center that hit. I'll have to compensate tomorrow.



Day 2, overcast and wind coming from behind and to the right. I also tried to hold a couple inches right to compensate for the refraction of my glasses. I waited for the wind to die and drew back, released when it was pretty calm.


Day 3, wind in my face and raining but my 50 yard position is under a tree so I had some shelter from the worst of it. I felt really good upon release and scored another hit.

It's clear that I would have missed on day one if I had chosen a round target.

 

[Crowmangler]

User Name : Crowmangler

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : Lift 33

Sight Brand : Black Gold Pro HD 5-pin (S&S custom)

BH Brand : QAD Exodus 3 blade 100 gr

MER : 50 yd

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

Day 1: Perfect conditions, 70 deg, no wind
Target is 8" dia. circle
If my eyes were better & I could actually see a clear target I might shoot better lol



Day 2: overcast 61 deg



3rd day 73 degrees, no wind

 

[NEPkaspot]

User Name :NEPkaspot
Bow Brand :Black Widow
Bow Model SA IV Carbon, 52#@31”
Sight Brand : na
BH Brand :RMS Cutthroat 3 blade, 150 grn
Easton Eichler Legacy 400, 575 grains TAW
MER : 40 yards, need to hit inside replaceable vitals.
Hit (X/3) : 1/3
Same MER as last year. Rushed shot, same as last year. Wind didn’t help. Lost tension and missed low and right.

Day 2
Better execution but not perfect. Beautiful morning, 70 and calm. Hit low left from aiming point just outside 10 ring.

Day 3
Humbled by the archery gods again. Really poor shot execution. Missed low under the target. Thanks to Rokslide for putting this on, I really need more pressure shooting opportunities.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bigbuckdj]

User Name : Bigbuckdj

Bow Brand : Elite

Bow Model : Remedy

Sight Brand : Black Gold

BH Brand : Rage 100 Original Trypans

MER : 60

Hit (X/3) : 1/3

Elite Remedy 70# 29.75” draw, black gold pro custom 3 pin, A3 strings, TAP stabilizers, Hamskea Trinity rest, UV button release.

438 grain Altra centrum premier 350s, air razr 26s, homemade vinyl wraps, aae ip nocks, rage original trypans, 283 fps.



Day 1 : 5/10, 68 degrees, light crosswind. first shot wasn’t great but I cut my 7” circle line. I wasn’t expecting to be nervous. But just starting at 60 with the Broadheads with no warmup or nothing, knowing I was going to post the results. I definitely was nervous and my shot execution wasnt great. I’m excited to see how my next two shots go.



Day 2 : 5/11 stronger wind today but mostly at my back. Felt the pull left and missed my circle. I didn’t put a dot in the middle on purpose and I’m feeling myself trying to guess if I’m in the middle, the nerves, the questioning on if my shot yesterday was me or my sight, it all got me. Looking forward to better focus and a better shot tomorrow.



Day 3: 5/13 the wind was excruciating at 0 miles per hour and we had nearly a foot of sunlight. It was perfect conditions and I missed low on what felt like a decent shot. More embarrassment.



This made me realize how often I just go out and fling arrows and ignore the ones that don’t hit with the group. Or how often I work into some good groups after some warmups. I can’t believe I missed the whole plate in the last one. More work needed.

 

[Mish-pop]

User Name: Mish-pop
Bow Brand: Elite
Bow Model: Energy 35
Sight Brand: Rocky Mountain 5 pin
Arrow: Scheels Vendetta Pro
BH Brand: Sevr 1.5 hybrid
MER: 55 yds (9 inch circle in middle of target)
Hit (X/3): 0/3

Been shooting well to 55-60 yards recently and nailed a cold bow 55 yard last night after sunset with less than 5 mph wind.

Day 1: wind was 11 mph L to right straight crosswind with gusting 15-20. I would normally not shoot that far in that much wind with the gusts as it's difficult to time it but I wanted the 55 MER. Wind was pushing my bow and bit and punched trigger, which was dumb. I got my first shot in because wind is supposed to be blowing 20-30 mph or more for the next week and not less than even 15 mph over night. In those winds I'm gonna get closer and 40 yards is max. I do have a backup shooting spot that I can get out of wind using trees if it's from the right direction. I'm going to use backup place for 55 MER this week to try and mimic good conditions and in hunting scenarios with wind I will get closer. I thought I could beat the wind for some reason but I should know better. Like this challenge and it will humble you

Day 2: wind actually dropped down to 12 mph right at dusk with gusts of 15-20. Thought I would try and wind shot again instead of waiting for calmer day or finding spot out of wind. Same result as day 1 and actually missed it by an inch more. I wonder if im pulling the shot a little as well. Not looking good ATM.

Day 3: changed my shooting direction to face directly into 12 mph wind. Low and right but far better than my other two.

Lessons learned - more practice needed at distance and more practice in the wind.

 

[NMBigGame]

User Name : NMBigGame

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : Lift 33

Sight Brand : Axcel

BH Brand : Sevr Hybrid

MER : 70yds elk inside 5 ring

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

First shot felt like a hunting situation as I was racing daylight to get it done. Burning rubber getting to the range and jogged to my shooting position after placing the target. No wind, dusk. First time putting the sevr on my arrows not to mention shooting them. Really think they were a good purchase.




Day 2 - Evening, no wind. Shot felt good. Had the surprise release. Both shots to the left. Thinking of adjusting my sight for tomorrow's shot.


Day 3. No wind, 5 mins before legal shooting light ended. Adjusted my windage from the previous two day's results. Felt great. Very happy with shot.

 

[KevinInID]

User Name : KevinInID

Bow Brand : Hoyt

Bow Model : RX-8 Ultra

Sight Brand : Axcel Driver

BH Brand : Evolution Outdoors Hyde 100gr

MER : 50 yards

Hit (X/3) : 2/3 Easton Axis 300, AAE Max Hunter three fletch. Arrow weight 453 gr. Vitals are the 5.5" black circle. Day 1: 50 yards, calm wind, dusk. Conditions were good. Trying to get the shot in before putting the kids to bed. First broadhead shot of the year, had some uncertainty, but shot felt good. Looking forward to tomorrow. Day 2: Shot at sunrise, wind dead calm. Got it done before everyone is up for Mother's Day. Glad to participate in this year's Cold Bow Challenge. Day 3: Inspired by other posters taking more challenging shots, I took an elevated shot with the right side of the target obscured by tree that was halfway between the target and myself. Angle was 6 degrees down. I could sense the tree on the right and of course pulled the shot left. This CBC has been great practice, thank you Rokslide!

 

[Stache Attack]

User Name :stacheattack

Bow Brand :Bowtech

Bow Model :revoltx

Sight Brand :black gold 5pin slider

BH Brand :sever 1.5 & 1.75

MER :55

Hit (X/3) :3/3

Main circle of 18:1 the larger main faces I think around 8”. Chose 55 so I have to split pins, shooting night/morning/mid day to simulate all types of sun and how I shoot in each(I commonly struggle in the mornings). Easton axis 340 silent knight 3”, ripcord ace.

Day 1. Carter total control release hinge(yes I hunt with it have shot 4 whitetails on the ground with it same settings click and all) 70 degrees 5 mph wind(hour ago was real windy here had a cloud/wind storm come by) sun setting, beautiful really, facing north west, sun setting almost straight west. Low light I am happy with the shot inch out of the middle dot. Shot felt good besides pin split blurred most of the target.
Day 2, got it earlier than yesterday but couldn’t get out in the morning then we had hail and lightning storm. 45 degrees winds were 12-15 at my back today. Really happy with the shot. A bit annoyed it’s still low because it felt so good.
Day 3 the morning shot. Threw on the flip flops after answering some calls and planning the day. Glad to end on this. Slight breeze from my left, wouldn’t call it wind, very bright sun rising with only high up clouds around, 62 degrees.

Glad I participated this year after a poor indoor league I got new strings from A+(a great old timer who’s built strings out of great falls for world champs. Brought my 5 year old bow back to life, I had shot them in and was enjoying shooting again.

Thank you Rokslide and Robby for doing this shoot!

 

[MC2FS]

User Name : MC2FS

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : Triax

Sight Brand : MBG 5 pin

BH Brand : Ironwill s125gr

MER : 55yds (center hex)

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

Day 1-
65 degrees, 0mph wind




Day 2-
41 degrees, 2-3mph right to left wind.
I blame me for holding to long.



Day 3-

68 degrees, 0mph wind
Pulled left again

 

[BigSkyHntr]

This will be my 3rd yr. doing the challenge. I’ve gone back 5 yards every year for my MER, so will shoot 70 this year. Thanks for putting this on Rokslide!

UN: BigSkyHntr
Bow: Hoyt Rx1 turbo
Sight: Spot Hogg Fast Eddie double
Stabilizer: Fuse 10”
Rest: Qad
Release: Spot Hogg wiseguy
Arrow: Victory Rip Tko/ Podium Archer 50 gr. inserts. TAW @440 grains.
Broadhead: Sevr 1 3/4” 125 gr.

MER:70yds. Kill zone will be the vitals on the ole deer target. (Even though they are backwards haha)

Hit X/3: 1/1 1/2 2/3

Day 1: shot at dusk dead calm. Shot felt good and hit decent.
2nd shot: Had 10-15 Mph wind, mostly in my face but some right to left as well. Probably shouldn’t have shot! I kind of punched it between wind gusts and obviously didn’t compensate enough. Missed about 2” left.
Day 3: Sorry about the delay guys, between windy weather and life I haven’t gotten off the 3rd arrow til today..
Had a bit of a breeze in my face but a beautiful day in MT and shot felt good and hit perfect! (Even though I was barely in according to the vital lines on the target lol)
Happy to have gone 2/3.. thanks again Rokslide and sponsors!

 

[Ryan K Sanpei]

User Name : Ryan K Sanpei

Bow Brand : Toelke

Bow Model : Pika

Sight Brand : No Sight

BH Brand : Magnus

MER : 20yds

Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Day 1: May 10. Helping my friend with his bow today, so I got to take my first shot in this backyard. Wish it was my backyard!!! Nice afternoon with only light tradewinds. Kneeling shot from 20yds.


Day 2: May 14 Helping my friend with his broadhead flight from his Bowtech. Took a break and took my shot at 20. Wind blowing from left to right. About 15mph. Shot ended up just on the outskirts of what I consider a kill zone. I’m calling this a miss.


The view from the back of the house.

Day 3: I posted a video on my Instagram. Rokslide reposted on their stories. Need to figure out how to post here. Went hunting for my third day cold shot. Couldn’t find anything at 20, ended up shooting at a 6" piece of foam that I packed. Hit within my kill zone.


Screen shot of Day 3’s video.

 

[Mag_7s]

User name: Mag_7s
Bow Brand: Bowtech
Sight Brand: Spothog
BH Brand: Grizzly Stick Massi 125gn
MER 40 yards
Hit (x/3) 1:3

Day 1: Light wind (2-3) left to right. Little hight and to the right, but still in the kill box.

Day 2: zero to 1 mph wind left to right. Hight left and outside the green, so I'm calling it a miss.

Day : 3 5 to 7 mph wind left to right, light drizzle. The shot was hight right, it's another miss for me to end the CBC.

 

[TheCougar]

User Name : TheCougar

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : VXR 75# modules

Sight Brand : Black Gold Pro 5 pin slider

BH Brand : QAD Exodus 3 blade swept 125gr Arrows: BEA Spartan 300, AAE Max Stealth 3 fletch, Arrow weighs around 482gr and speed is around 285.

MER : 60 yards

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

Shot #1: Perfect conditions, 70 deg, no wind
Target area is insert, aim point is 11 ring. Clean release and I thought it was just about the perfect shot. I had some elevation issues yesterday shooting 3D with @Billy Goat and I think my pin may be off a touch.


Day 2: calm, raining. Not hard, but a steady drizzle. Other environmental factors include a luchador trying to throw me off my game. It worked. The release was poor. My son was trying to get in my head and I wasn’t settled on the 11 ring when I touched it off. Athlon Rangecraft chrono showed 295, which is very suspect. I think that’s between 5-10fps fast.







Day 3: calm, 70%, 200% humidity. We got 5 inches of rain in 24 hours. I’m a little frustrated. This was a perfect shot - pin was on, surprised release, and high again. Ironically, it hit in the exact same spot as yesterday (and I thought I shanked that shot). I really think my 60 pin is off.