Rokslide 2026 Cold Bow Challenge

[robby denning]

Be sure and subcribe at "Watch" upper right to receive updates, prize announcements... there is a QnA thread open here

This challenge is designed to test your realistic Maximum Effective Range (MER).

The Challenge will start Saturday, May 9th AT 8:15 AM MTN TIME on this thread.

You shoot one arrow each day of the 3-day challenge with no warm up or follow up shots and no practice between days *, hence the name, Cold Bow Challenge. Broadheads or Expandable Broadheads only--no field points.

Below are the entry rules. READ THEM ALL OR DON’T PARTICIPATE (they’re long because Roksliders are pro’s at finding loopholes )

We delete ineligible posts without notice. If you have questions or comments, post those on the Q&A/Comment thread here so this thread stays clean.

1) Please shoot and post in real time! Start a post in this thread after you shoot (one post per shooter) on your first shooting day (you don't have to start on day one, but you do have to be done within 4 weeks (June 5th) or within a few days when 100th shooter finishes to qualify for prizes. *No reserving post slots! Most years, you need to shoot within the first week to have an open slot.
(*Except for those who shoot the @CO Backcountry Precision course to help defeat the Colorado Fur Ban here. See "How Points are Counted below)

2) Call range that you think is your REALISTIC maximum effective range (MER). You must shoot your personal MER, so if it’s 60 yards, you can’t shoot 20 because that's all you have in your backyard! Push yourself and make the effort--that's the spirit of the challenge.

3) With no warm-up shots, shoot one arrow with broadhead or expandable (no practice heads) at your MER (you do NOT have to shoot 3 days consecutively, but there is NO PRACTICE between shooting days)

4) Post a photo of that arrow's placement on a target that represents the kill zone size of your intended species. It's a three-day/three-arrow challenge, so post a photo each day in your original post so all arrows appear in one post. Copy/Paste the table below and fill in blanks

5) Be sure and mention the conditions, wind direction, and it’s fine to call your shot (“pulled left" for example) and give us a quick summary on your equipment.

6) To qualify, you must be a member posting on your own account. If you want your kids to shoot, they need to post on their own account. (Sorry, just too messy for the judges to figure out what’s going on.)

All Traditional and Compound shooters are welcome (but there will not be separate divisions). You can shoot both Traditional for three arrows and Compound for three arrows to double your odds, (put all 6 arrows in one post and it's OK to shoot both bows on the same day—this is the only exception to the “1-arrow/day” rule, *except Colorado Fur Ban fighters )

How Points are Counted:

--Every qualified participant who finishes the challenge, gets ONE name in the hat

--For every member who has at least 300 posts (on the day we qualify you), we'll give you an additional name in the hat -it pays to be an active member!

--Anyone who attends the May 6/7 Colorado Wildife Commission meeting in Grand Junction receives an extra name in the hat

--Anyone who shoots the @CO Backcountry Precision course any day between Th. May 7-Sun May 10 gets an extra name in the hat. Send a DM to @realunlucky with a time stamped pic of you at the course.

Please copy/paste this template into your post:

Each Shooter will need to copy/paste this completed table into his post:

User Name :

Bow Brand :

Bow Model :

Sight Brand :

BH Brand :

MER :

Hit (X/3) :

This is not a competition, but because we're generous and we have some great sponsors, we’ll be DRAWING for some killer prizes for our qualifying members (Rokslide staff, family can shoot but can't win the prizes).

Our staff will be watching the thread to make sure entry rules are followed. If you don’t fix your post in a reasonable amount of time, we’ll delete it (sorry, we don’t have time to chase!)

We will draw from those who complete the challenge according to these rules posted above

 

[robby denning]

Grand Prize is a new pair of Zeiss 12x50 SFL Binocluars! HERE

Read all about them in @Matt Cashell 's review: https://www.rokslide.com/zeiss-sfl-12x50-review/


Iron Will Outfitters is in for a 3-Pack of their Custom Engraved Broadheads HERE


SKRE just put up a head-to-toe clothing kit: Venture Flex Pants (shown), Torrid Hoodie, SKRE Hat


@Wiser Shane from Wiser Precision is in with their BA-7 Sparrow Bino Adapter here


G5 is back for 2026 with an Expandable prize pack of thier
T2 Two Blade Broadhead 3 Pack here & Megameat 3 Blade Broadhead 3 Pack here


Phone Skope is probably our longest term sponsor of the CBC and is in for a Phone Skope Bundle valued at $150 here



No CBC would be complete without a subscription to @onX Hunt Elite 1-yr membership here

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Alright Rokslide, looks like I'm first in the ring for CBC '26.

Decided to push my range to the distance I'd probably take a crack at a giant mule deer, no matter what MER I told myself was true beforehand, so 35 yards ( Tradbows, am I right?) kill zone is the 8x8 square on the Rinehart but I will be disappointed in anything that doesn’t get the green.

User Name : Trumpkin The Dwarf

Bow Brand : TallTines

Bow Model : Stickflinger

Sight Brand : Mark 1 Eyeball

BH Brand : QAD Exodus (Swept) 125 gr

MER : 35 (oops )

Hit (X/3) :2/3

Day 1, muggy AF, 75 degrees on this fine foggy Texas morning. No wind. I hurried through my grip sear just a touch and nearly payed the price. Still got the line, and a fist pump! (Would like to apologize for the lack of a zoomed out picture... apparently I didn't actually hit the red button on the zoomed out image first).






Day 2:
Kinda struggled with my right eye focusing this morning. I suspect this was due to the sight picture as I was looking into the rising sun. Barely clipped the edge of the black square.



Day 3:
Flat out set my aim too low. I was second guessing my new arrow tune. Shot was nice and controlled, but shot just under the target.

 

[well_known_rokslider]

First year taking part in the challenge. Love this @robby denning

Day 1: Hit. Perfect conditions. 52 and and sunny here in southern Wisconsin. Slight tail wind. Distracting chickens are distracting.

Day 2: Hit. Another nice day, 59 degrees, 10ish mph winds L>R. Timed the shot between heavier gusts. Day one jitters gone, pin settled so nicely and shot broke clean.

Day 3: Miss. 80 and breezy. Gorgeous day. 4 Briskets smoking, drank a few. Tried to add some additional challenge. Pretty epic fail. Hard pull left. Pride before the fall and what not. Broke the shorts out for @dylanvb.

Day 3 provisional (does not count): I’m an idiot and did the goofy shot first. Dumb.

User Name : well_known_rokslider

Bow Brand : Hoyt

Bow Model : Nitrum Turbo - 70lb - 30in

Sight Brand : Black Gold - Ascent Mountain Lite

BH Brand : Sevr 1.75 100gn

MER : 60y - 8” paper plate

Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Day 1 Trad: Hit! Got jealous of all these guys getting to shoot twice a day so decided to break out the stick bow. Beautiful weather, dead calm evening. Target is the square face of an 18-1.



Day 2 Trad: Miss. Breezy. Sunny. Beautiful.


Day 3. Hit. 80, sunny, breezy, gorgeous. And managed the hit.

User Name : Well_Known_Rokslider

Bow Brand : Bear

Bow Model : Montana Longbow 50#

Sight Brand :

BH Brand : NAP Thunderhead

MER : 20y - Rhinehart face

Hit (X/3) : 2/3

 

[jonesn3]

User Name : jones3

Bow Brand : Bowtech

Bow Model : RevoltX

Sight Brand : Black Gold Ascent Verdict Assault, 5 pin, dual indicator

BH Brand : Iron Will 125 SB

MER : 70 yds

Hit (X/3) : 1/3 (complete)

AW 511.8 gr, Easton Axis 5mm 300, standard insert, 25gr IW collar, about 13% FOC, 3 fletch max helical left

Target 8.5-9” diameter insert

Day 1: HIT
Date: 05/09/26
Time: 07:15 am pacific
Weather: Sunny/clear
Temp: 63 deg F
Wind: none
El. 666 ft

V0 (BH) 272.3 fps (avg), V0 (day1) 270.5 fps

Write up: first shot, morning sun slightly in eyes, but no wind, level ground, shot broke OK, used site tape mark 71.5 using field point site tape, shooting for top target, impact center circle about 2.5-3” left, good height

Day 2: MISS
Date: 05/13/26
Time: 6:15 pm pacific
Weather: Sunny/clear, breezy, left to right 5 mph
Temp: 76 deg F
Wind: 5 mph left to right
El. 666 ft

Write up: second shot, float felt OK, wind didn’t feel too significant while I leveled the bow, perfect height, but either torqued the bow a little bit or the wind pushed me off a little bit to the right (probably shooter hand/grip torque tbh), caught the line on thr “bump out” part of the insert, going to consider this one a miss, but I feel good about the site tape and elev hold.



Day 3: MISS
Date: 05/29/26
Time: 7:45 pm pacific
Weather: Sunny/clear, no wind
Temp: 68 deg F
Wind: none
El. 666 ft

Write up: had some time before dark, jumped out to the ranch for a shot, felt not the greatest but found foam, still a miss. Will have to focus on this a bit more leading up to next year! Lately I’ve had my head deep into the rifle and reloading (aside from chores and all kinds of other stuff at home lately lol). Still feel good about this setup just need to practice and work up the archery muscles through the summer

 

[Chad E]

Im back in again this year. I love participating in this challenge it's changed the way I practice and evaluate where im at going into the season over the years.

Ive been shooting some this spring and Ive switched several things up with my arrows and built a new set. Did a bunch of tinkering with vanes and helical earlier in the year. The bows tuned well right now so im really going to push my MER. Im calling it at 70 yards and trying to keep arrows in the insert circle on my target

User Name : Chad E
Bow Brand : Hoyt
Bow Model : Axis Ultra
Sight Brand : Black Gold 5 pin slider
BH Brand : Day six Evo 125 grain
MER : 70
Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Day 1
Dead calm 48 degrees really nice spring morning. Shot felt good. Hit



Day 2
50 degrees, overcast with no wind. Shot broke clean. Hit



Day 3
74 light overcast slight breeze in my face. Shot felt good but ended up just out. I think the blade cut the insert but I wouldnt call it a clear hit



Overall happy with my shooting this year just wish that last one would of went dead center.

 

[dylanvb]

User Name : dylanvb

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : Vertix

Sight Brand : Black Gold

BH Brand : Grim Reapers

MER : 40 yards

Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Alright first shot felt great but I knew the wind was gonna push my shot. 15mph blowing left to right. My duct tape square is 14”x13” so anything within that I will be happy but definitely will be working on getting it closer to my black duct tape.


Day 2 breakfast is HUMBLE PIE. Aka Miss, cow pie lol missed right, when the shot broke I honestly didn’t know where my pin was and it shows.

Day 3, better than yesterday. Shot felt great, no wind, no excuses today.


Trad Bow

User Name : dylanvb

Bow Brand : Hoyt

Bow Model : Satori

Sight Brand : God/my eye

BH Brand : Dirt maps

MER : 25 yards

Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Great shot, the wind just played with me.


Day 2 Miss, my clicker came off and instead of trying to fix it I just went with it and paid the price. I need to work on getting my anchor point locked in the same position

Day 3, another good shot, felt real good on the last day.

 

[brentr9]

User Name : brentr9

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : Lift 33

Sight Brand : HHA Tetra

BH Brand : SEVR 2.0

MER : 50

Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Day 1: overcast and calm in South Georgia. Goal is to keep them in the black(7”x 6”). I plan to continue to improve on my MER. I’ve been fighting target panic for a while. Hope to add 10-15 more yards by the end of summer



Day 2: calm, overcast. A lot of pin wobble today but shot broke clean.


Day 3: shot this evening rather than in the morning. Wasn’t focused in enough and dropped my bow arm. Shot broke low. Left and right was consistent all three shots which is encouraging. Time to work on my tune and extend my MER. Thank you to the sponsors and @robby denning for putting this on every year.

 

[Austin Kaufman]

User Name : Austin Kaufman
Bow Brand : Tbow
Bow Model : satori clone
Sight Brand : instinctive
BH Brand : magus black hornet
MER : 22 yards
Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Day 1 hit wind blowing about 15 mph right to left no issues with the stick bow

User Name : Austin Kaufman
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : lift 33
Sight Brand : spot hogg 7 pin
BH Brand : sevr 1.75
MER : 60 yards
Hit (X/3) : 1/3

Day 1 blowing 15 mph right to left and missed low

Day 2. Calm as can be this morning. Both shots felt good but missed their mark. I guess not shooting since December isn’t helping. Stick bow missed just low and compound missed left.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Day 3. Calm as it gets again this morning. Broke a clean shot with both bows and both hit right where I was aiming. Glad to end on a good note with two hits.

 

[doverpack12]

Look forward to the challenge every year. Gets you working on shot execution early. I served my cables this year in February after new string and cables in January or February 2025. Had to make a few small adjustments when I started shooting in March.

User Name : Doverpack12
Bow Brand : Elite
Bow Model : Synergy
Sight Brand : Black Gold
BH Brand : Iron Will solid 100 grain SB right
MER : 60 yards moving in from 67 in prior years
Hit (X/3) : 3/3

Good shot for day 1. Sunny light breeze 50 or so. Drew back settled and shot broke well with good follow through.

MER kill zone is the center hex module on the Matrix for Elk vitals. It’s a little small but provides some margin for error and nerves on a real shot.

Day 1




Day 2, really nice shot. Execution was good, broke easy, no doubt when the shot broke where it went.



Day 3, little warmer maybe 60, sunny and a downdraft right to left wind 7-10 mph estimated. Held just off right edge of the white dot. Good shot execution.

 

[evan97]

Jumping in! Looking forward to it!

User Name : evan97

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : Lift XD, 32in draw, 70lbs

Sight Brand : Axcel Driver with Dark Owl Archery Scope

BH Brand : Sevr Hybrid 1.5 125grains

MER : 70 yards

Hit (X/3) :3/3

Shooting a classic Rinehart face, picture of scale. Only seriously chasing elk this year, so counting the green as a hit.

Day 1 here in sunny Colorado, slight breeze right to left, but not bad. Returned my rangefinder to Leupold after a warranty issue, so I guessed on yardage based on previous practice shooting spots. Would guess I was within a yard.

Bummed I couldn't make it to Grand Junction, but little kids make it hard to get away sometimes.

Day 2, no wind and sunny. The shot felt a little shakier than yesterday, gotta build the muscle back up before the season. Just snuck it in there. Happy mothers day

Day 3, finished well. No wind, I probably dipped slightly or need to tune a little. Hit just inside of the hit yesterday. Looking forward to seeing how everyone else finishes up

 

[king402]

User Name : king402

Bow Brand : Darton

Bow Model : Tritech 35

Sight Brand : Axcel Driver 5 pin

BH Brand : SEVR 100 grain

MER : 70

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

Darton Tritech 35 RH, 72 lbs
Axcel Driver 5 Pin slider sight
Goldtip Airstrike 300 arrow, 4 fletch AAE and Halo nock
Hamskea R7 rest
SEVR 100 grain broadhead
Stan SoleX Clicker release

I’m really liking this setup.

Shot 1:

Perfect conditions here in SE Idaho. No wind. Elevation good, 4” left.



Shot 2

Windy this morning. I could see my arrow fish tail a little trying to stabilize in the wind. Arrow hit a little low and left but better than I expected considering the wind.



Shot 3

Perfect conditions. This shot felt the best of my 3 shots. I really like how the SEVR broadheads fly.
Practice mode with the set screw on those is a great feature!


Time to get the sight tape printed and lots more shooting. Bring on September!

 

[stank.243]

Update: All shots are taken. First time doing the cold bow challenge and it was a lot more fun than I thought it would be! Shooting at 7 yards all winter apparently did help me stay a little ready. My only question is: What size AGC harness will fit the Zeiss?

User Name : Stank.243
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : Lift X 33
Sight Brand : Black Gold Dual Trac
BH Brand : QAD Exodus 125 gr
MER : 60 yards
Hit (X/3): 2/3

I haven’t shot much at distance and just broadhead tuned last weekend. New setup for me this year, so we will see how this goes!
The black circle, about 5”, is my main focus on the target but the 10” yellow cube is what I’d call “elk vitals”


Day 1: 48*, virtually no wind. Very happy with the result



Day 2: 52* and again no wind. I could get used to no wind


Day 3: 70*, 13 mph left to right wind. The wind snuck up on me today after 2 calm days. My blades didn't touch black so I'm counting as a miss...

 

[Bill V]

Shooting 100 yards at a full size elk target
Bow: Mathews ARC 75lb
Arrow: Iron Will RIP TKO 250, Iron Will 2.5 Vanes, Iron Will HIT & Impact Collar, 520gr TAW
Broadhead: Iron Will Prototype
Sight: HHA XV3
Rest: Hamskea R7

Shot 1: 100 yards, light wind, 10 ring, double lung




Shot 2: 100 yards, no wind, 10 ring, top of heart




Shot 3: 100 yards, light wind, 10 ring, double lung, bring on elk season!





Trad Bow time:
Bow: Black Widow PMA, G10 riser, carbon limbs, springy rest, 53lb
Arrow:Victory Trad, Iron Will HIT & Impact Collar, 550gr TAW
Broadhead: Iron Will S125
MER: 20 yards

Shot 1:


Shot 2:


Shot 3:

 

[Wheels]

User Name : Wheels

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : Lift 33 28/70

Sight Brand : Black Gold

BH Brand : G5 Striker 100 gr

MER : 60 yds

Hit (X/3) : 3/3 Beautiful morning, slight R-L wind. Shooting an old G5 Striker(I think) that I found in the pile that spins true. Day 2: Another nice morning, slight wind from L/R. Should have walked down to the target, my 6” circle was curling from the rain last night. Hit a little low but cut the circle with one blade. Day 3: Had the coffee shakes this morning. Another beautiful morning, 5mph wind R/L. Was able to calm the shakes and made a clean release.

 

[ThickPines]

Excited to participate for my first time! Light, steady rain, slight left to right wind, 69 degrees out, shot felt great, 6” circle. My old bow still gets it done!

User Name : ThickPines

Bow Brand : Bear

Bow Model : Assault

Sight Brand : Extreme

BH Brand : Muzzy 100 4-blade

MER : 40 yards

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

Day 2:
77 degrees and painfully sunny with the target in the shade. When the shot broke, I had a bit of panic because I wasn’t quite fully stable yet, but still made the hit on my 6” circle.
Day 3:
79 degrees and cloudy with wind gusting from right to left. I need to work on my grip; I got a bit of string slap on my arm, but still got hit #3.

 

[CorbLand]

User Name : CorbLand

Bow Brand : Elite

Bow Model : Impulse 34

Sight Brand : Black Gold

BH Brand : Montec M3

MER : 50

Hit (X/3) : 0/3

Truly cold bow this year as I haven’t shot my bow since last year. You can see the results of that. Think next year we can get someone to donate a shed door replacement?



Apparently I am testing penetration this year.



3 times is the maximum before the arrow breaks.

 

[patagonialuke]

User Name : patagonialuke

Bow Brand : Elite

Bow Model : Terrain

Sight Brand : CBE (Trek)

BH Brand : Iron Will (SB125)

MER : 40 yds

Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Target: vital zone of 1/3 elk

Shot 1: Hit, just barely. 10-15 mph headwind. When it broke, felt like I was pushing a bit too much with the heel of my palm.


Shot 2: Hit, but even closer to missing. 10-15 mph tailwind. Physically, this shot felt better; quicker target acquisition, steadier aim, not fighting my level as much. But mentally, I rushed it.


Shot 3: Nope. 5-10 mph L>R wind. Don't know what was up with me today, but I was way off. Confirmed afterward by sending 1 FP completely over and 1 FP under. But now I can get back to practice and tuning work. Thanks to everyone who makes this challenge happen!

 

[robby denning]

Was nervous the second I picked up my bow!!!! Geez.

User Name : Robby Denning

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : Phase 4

Sight Brand : AXEL Accustat II

BH Brand : SEVR Ti 1.5”

MER : 60 YDS on a 9” vital

Hit (X/3) : 1/3

Day 1: Vital is middle hex. Light wind, standing, hit back wall and squeezed through the shot.


Day 2: light wind, kneeling, fell out of the bottom right as she broke. Amateur move.


Day 3: Light wind, seated, out

So in two years of shooting at 60, I am four hits out of six shots. So I am definitely a little outside of my MER shooting at 60. But that’s why I do this stuff so I know. Good luck everybody on your remaining arrows.

 

[Okie-hunter]

User Name : Okie-Hunter

Bow Brand : Hoyt

Bow Model : VTM 31

Sight Brand : CBE

BH Brand : QAD Exodus 100g swept

MER : 60 / 8.5” circle

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

Day 1: Hit
Sunny with minimal wind. Shot felt & looked good. If I would have started this challenge 3 days ago I would have missed every shot as I discovered I was hitting about 5”-6” low @60. Now to get the other 2 shots on paper…

Day 2: Hit *barely*
Squeaked a blade into the vitals. Not happy with this shot. Overcast & calm with a light drizzle. Plenty of improvement to be made before deer season gets here.

Day 3: Hit.

Sunny. Light breeze left to right. Took my time breaking the shot & arrow flew true. Added some fun to this one with the spotter & phone skope!