Rokslide 2026 Cold Bow Challenge

[kylem]

I’m going to call 60 yards my MER this year. I’ve been shooting a little this spring so hopefully it goes well! I’m calling my vital zone the square face of my 18-1 target which is 8.5”x8.5”.

Username: kylem
Bow Brand: Hoyt
Bow Model: Lazertec
Sight Brand: Spot Hogg Fast Eddie XL
BH Brand: Evolution Outdoors Hyde
MER: 60 yards
Hit X/3: 2/3




Day 1: No wind and the shot felt really good.


Day 2: A little wind left to right. Barely caught the edge of what I’m calling a hit.


Day 3: A little wind left to right, but not enough to make me miss……. Guess I just need to shoot more!

 

[kopmantrey]

User Name : kopmantrey
Bow Brand: pse
Bow Model:mach34
Sight Brand :HHA optimizer
BH Brand : Wasp drone
MER : 65 yards
Hit (X/3) :3/3

Day1: light breeze left to right. I Hit the 8 inch square portion of the target that I'm using to represent vitals.

Day2: 15mph wind just squeezed in a hit with a line cutter.

Day3 15mph wind at my back another hit a little close to the edge for comfort though.



User Name :kopmantrey
Bow Brand :homemade
Bow Model :longbow
Sight Brand :none
BH Brand :wasp boss
MER :20yards
Hit (X/3) : 0/3

Day1: light breeze. Missed 2 inches left of target I haven't shot this bow since high school when i used it to hunt whitetail with it. I decided to break it back out and see if I might be interested in trying for a deer again with it.

Day2:15mph wind miss again although much closer.

Day 3 15mph wind at my back clean miss either time to hang up the trad bow again or really start practicing.

 

[Archerichards]

2026 CBC
Been looking forward to posting again in the Cold Bow Challenge. It’s my fourth year in a row.

User Name : Archerichards, Age 67. Charlotte NC
Bow Brand : Hoyt
Bow Model : RX9-Ultra 31” draw and ~60lbs
Sight Brand : Spot Hogg Boonie sight + AAC Prophecy rest
BH Brand : SEVR 2.0s, mechanical
MER : 35 yards, shooting from a Tree Saddle. 4” target spot on a 6' square.
Hits: 3/3

OTHER:
Arrows are Victory RIP TKO 250s, ~455 grains. 150gr up front. 3-fletch w Flex Fletch 360 vanes.
Release: Old Scott Longhorn Hunter hinge.
Broadheads are SEVR 2.0s, mechanical.

VIEW FROM THE SADDLE


LOOKING DOWNRANGE AT TARGET IN THE WOODS



DAY 1— mild, quiet day here today. Shooting in the backyard and wind not an issue. I am never as steady from the saddle as I want to be (that's a 4" green circle I am shooting at).




DAY 2— Morning. Breezy. I knew it was low when the shot broke. Looks like my Windage is right though.



DAY 3— Clear, cool morning. No wind. Shot broke well but I am still a little high and right. Not sure why I cannot hit the 4" spot, but there it is.

 

[bergie]

User Name : bergie
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : V3 draw length 28.5" @ 75 lbs
Sight Brand : Spot Hogg Fast Eddie Triple Stack
BH Brand : Sevr
MER : 70 yards
Hit (X/3) :1/3

OTHER:
Arrows are Victory RIP TKO 250s, 472 TAW. 3-fletch left with AAE Max Stealth vanes.
Release: Nock 2 it, orange because I lost my green one last year at an archery shoot...
Broadheads are SEVR 1.75" 125 gn with practice screw installed
Target size 8.5" square. This is about the kill zone of a deer/antelope and much smaller than an elk but I find shooting at a large target much more settling than shooting at a half dollar size 10 ring. I'm trying to put meat in the freezer, not get on the podium (said in my best guy who doesn't win any 3d shoots voice, which sounds eerily similar to my regular voice)
Footwear: crocs

Day 1

71 degrees no wind. Haven't shot my bow much lately but the pin was steady. Shot was a complete surprise, not in a bragging way but since I haven't shot as much as I usually do leading up to September I apparently forgot how much pressure it takes. Pin was on the target when the bow went off but if I am being honest I was happy to hear it hit and had no idea where impact would be. Happy with the results and would be thrilled if every shot I take is that much of a surprise.

Day 2

Sunny and 68 degrees. No wind to blame my poor shooting on either. Pin was holding pretty steady and release felt good but a swing and a miss.

Day 3

Just finished raining and the sun came out with a little bit of wind. 45 degrees. Shot felt good but missed left.


Sprayed them all over the place this CBC. Got me thinking my MER is not 70 yards. Also got me thinking why I thought it was 70 yards after not shooting much since September. My best guess is my MER is truly around 70 by end of summer when I have been shooting a bunch( I plan on doing this again on my own end of August to verify that suspicion) or did I pick 70 because I feel like I need to push the limits to fulfill some portion of this challenge? Both are probably true. But I am certain that I shouldn’t be shooting at a critter at whatever my MER is until I can hit the kill zone 3/3 times on a cold bow shot.

 

[Jpsmith1]

Guess I will try to be one of the Cool Kids...

Since everyone likes data and details.

Hoyt RX10 set 28" drawing 75# Spott Hogg Fast Eddie QAD rest and Bee Stinger stabs.

Black Eagle Rampage 300 spine shafts cut 28" with 75Gr brass HITs and 20 gr Easton collars. 4 vane 90° Bohning heat vanes.

Day 1. 54° no wind. A bit chilly to be shooting in shorts. I love this bow. Hold was good and the shot broke perfectly.

User Name :Jpsmith1

Bow Brand :Hoyt

Bow Model :RX10

Sight Brand : Spott Hogg

BH Brand : Sevr 2.0

MER : 40 ish. I chose not to use a rangefinder, just drop the block around 40. As an Eastern Bowhunter my vital is about 8" on a whitetail.

Hit (X/3) : 1/3

Day 2 was a pretty hard whiff and I have zero excuses.

Perfect conditions. Weather a touch warmer than yesterday but still not hot. Maybe mid 50s. No wind to speak of.

I did range my block at 41.4 yards today.. maybe tomorrow will be better.

Day 3. Again. Perfect conditions. So nice my dog decided to hang out... and again, a whiff.

 

[Ethan Jolma]

User Name :Ethan Jolma

Bow Brand :Elite

Bow Model:Era

Sight Brand :HHA

BH Brand :NAP Killzone

MER : 70 yards / 8.5 inch circle

Hit (X/3) :2/3 Rest : Hampskea epsilon v2

Day 1. Little to no wind. 48 degrees and clear skies. Hit circle but low of center.

Day 2. Again not much of a breeze at all. 35 degrees outside. Had to quick let one rip before leaving for work. Felt low right when it broke. That’s where it hit. No excuse just thought it was similar feeling I get when shooting at a critter and feeling like there’s not enough time.

Day 3. 17 mph winds this morning from my right to left. 55 degrees. Accounted for wind by holding to the right a bit. Hit the right edge of circle so musta held a little too much for wind drift but it did cut the paper.

 

[jlong17]

User Name : Jlong17

Bow Brand : PSE

Bow Model : Stealth Carbon Air

Sight Brand : Spot Hogg Fast Eddie

BH Brand : Iron Will 100 g

MER : 45

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

Day one: 1900. Winds were calm out of the west. Temperature was sunny and 75.
The shot felt like I hadn’t let one fly for a bit, and the impact was low right.




Day two: 1200. Sunny and 70, no wind. Felt shot great, and made a the placement was even better


Day three: 1600. Sunny and 70 with a steady breeze from left to right. Shot felt good, impact drifted a touch right.

 

[Mag_7s]

User Name :Mag_7s

Bow Brand : Bowtech

Bow Model : Insanity CPX

Sight Brand : Spothog Hog-it

BH Brand : Grizzly Stick

MER : 40

Hit (X/3) : 2/3 complete Day 1: Hit. Windy conditions, estimated close to 8-10 from 6 o'clock. Moving me around a little, plus I suck so thats most of it. Just FYI, target was rotated to not see my ugly shadow. I didn't shoot towa4ds the house in the background.

Day 2: Hit, but not ideal again. Light and variable wind right to left ~3-5. I had to let down once, couldn't manage my movement on target. Draw again, target panic set set in pretty bad as i punched the ever living snot out of the trigger. Very surprised I even hit foam.



Day 3: Miss. Steady wind close to 5mph. I held a couple inches left, but must not have been enough.

 

[bricketts]

User Name : bricketts

Bow Brand : Prime

Bow Model: Centergy

Sight Brand : Black Gold Ascent 3 Pin Slider

BH Brand : Beast Mechanical 125gr

MER : 30 yards/8 inch circle

Hit (X/3) :2/3 Completed Day 1: I haven’t shot my bow since the first of the year I don’t think, I’ve wanted to shoot all spring but have been holding off to really make my first CBC as cold as it can get! I was super excited and a little nervous when I got it in hand. There was an ever so slight breeze, negligible, really. Knocked my arrow, drew back with ease, and steadied in my target. Release broke with the perfect amount of surprise it felt like, perks of not shooting in so long. My arrow hit about 3” high but well within my 8” circle, so it’s a hit and I’ll take it for my first one in 5+ months. Day 2: Same weather conditions as yesterday, unintentionally shot at the same time of day as well. No wind. Meant to shoot before dinner while it was hotter and I was more exhausted from work, oh well. I was much less “jittery” today, but was once again all too familiar with my trigger. I was steady on target but could feel my mind too consciously applying pressure to the trigger. I talked myself through the shot, but still punched the trigger last second, my brain won this time. Still a solid hit, about 2.5” left and an inch high, well in the kill zone! If I were calling my shot, my arrow landed exactly where I would have called it, that is exactly where my pin was fluttering when I punched the dang trigger! Day 3: I decided to shoot in the morning before leaving for work at first light to add some pressure to myself to mimic a more in the field scenario. 5:30am, light had just reached shooting light conditions, 50 degrees and no wind. I hurriedly grabbed my bow and knocked an arrow, as I was running a little behind this morning. I also decided to shoot from a kneel after my last 2 shots had gone so well, I wanted to throw as many twists as I could into my final shot. Well I asked and I received! Totally dropped this arrow. Im exactly an inch outside my circle. I honestly was surprised when the release broke and thought my shot rang true. So I would have called this one totally wrong. This challenge was so fun to participate in and very eye opening. Thank you Rokslide for putting this on, I already can’t wait for next year

 

[Stache Attack]

User Name :Stache Attack

Bow Brand : Hoyt

Bow Model : ax3 33

Sight Brand :axcel landslyde 5 pin

BH Brand :sevr 1.75

MER :50

Hit (X/3) :3/3 Day 1: 7:20 pm light wind out of northwest around 5, new to me bow 3 weeks ago Hoping for the green ring. Got lucky and just caught it. I’m out of shooting shape. Need to work on pulling.

Day 2- just before 9 am, 14 mph winds coming from my 10 o’clock, just about out but in the circle. Struggle to hold on target in the wind


Day 3- 8:50 pm 20 mph wind from my 7-8 o’clock. Better than I figured when the shot went off thought it was out to the left, need to work on pulling. Shot these three all with the hinge, total control.


Started a day late due to our Judith basin archer’s annual shoot, got word back today and it was a success even with low attendance, due to a drizzle! Have to keep these small ranges open!! Support your local clubs and neighboring communities! Thanks for hosting this Rokslide

 

[ztc92]

User Name : ztc92

Bow Brand : Elite

Bow Model : Remedy

Sight Brand : MT Black Gold

BH Brand : QAD Exodus 100g

MER : 40 yards, 8” target

Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Excited to try this again and hoping for some redemption after struggling last year. I learned a lot in last years challenge, which led to revising my setup including new arrows with a heavier spine to better handle broadheads.

Obligatory photo of my setup:



Day 1: Mild 5-10 MPH wind from the west (left to right on target). Very comfortable at 60 degrees in the late evening. Was pretty nervous as I haven’t shot since September but broke a good shot and happy with the result.



Day 2: Miss wide right. Had a VERY long and stressful day at work, got home just before dark and rushed to get this done before the sun went down. My mind was on other things and I jerked the trigger pretty hard. Glad I didn’t fully whiff but need to work on shot execution…



Day 3: Couldn’t help but think about how my first 2 shots were well right, got me in my own head thinking my setup may be off. Struggled not to aim left, shot hit exactly where I aimed as a result. Cut the line just barely so calling it a hit.





Overall, happier with my performance this year compared to last but still have a lot of work to do…

 

[MrsHunter]

User Name : MrsHunter

Bow Brand : Poison Dart

Bow Model : longbow 1 piece

Sight Brand : gap shooting

BH Brand : 200gr RMS Cutthroat 3 blade

MER : 15

Hit (X/3) :1/3

I am an extremely new archer and am shooting my husbands bow for this. I am looking to be inside the circle made by the white dots on the outer hexes (~15” I think). If that’s too big of a target or if I have too close of an MER to be in the drawing then feel free to consider this entry just for fun. It’s going to take a LOT of work before I’d feel comfortable hunting with archery equipment, but I have been having a lot of fun!

Day 1 - Beautiful day in WY! Shot was okay and landed inside the white dots, so 1/3 so far.



Day 2: Right at the line, looks like a miss. Hopefully I’ll do better on day 3!



Day 3:
Another miss. I’m going to work on adjusting my aim and canting so I’m stop shooting consistently left of what I’m trying for.
This was a nice way for me to see where I’m at now and make a plan for improvement. Thanks for putting the challenge on!

 

[CM]

User Name : CM

Bow Brand : PSE

Bow Model : Omen Pro

Sight Brand : Spot Hogg Fast Eddie Double Pin

BH Brand : Ulmber Edge 100 Grain

MER : 65 yards 8 inch circle

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

Day 1: No wind, about 50°, shot felt great and was right in there!


Day 2: No wind again, it was warmer today, and I couldn't shoot until this evening. It was probably 80°, A little bit of head-on wind. Shot broke clean and was right in there.


Day 3: I didn't wake up quite early enough so I was shooting right into the sun (I shoot to the east), the glare was pretty bad. There was a ~10mph wind from about 10:00 but I managed to sneak the arrow in there.

 

[Meshnasty]

User Name : Meshnasty

Bow Brand : Elite

Bow Model: Ethos

Sight Brand : Black Gold 5 Pin Slider

BH Brand : QAD Exodus 100gr

MER : 60 yards/7 inch circle (Got smaller shooting at the other target)

Hit (X/3) :1/3 Day 1 - Basically no wind, humid, 73 degrees. Missed 5.5" from desired POI. I was holding a bit to the right as it's hard to see the sticker at 60. Day 2 - Sunny, no wind, 76 degrees. Missed right again. I thought I saw the slightest bit of porpoising in my arrow but I was shooting with a high sun and there are some shadows the arrow flies through. The shot broke clean and sight picture was good. Day 3 - Sunny, slightest breeze but nothing that would effect my hold or arrow flight, 78 degrees. My pins were moving a bit faster then normal but the shot broke extremely clean - basically felt as good as it could. Hit the circle with a blade, but barely. I changed the arrow after the last two hits to the right to see if it something was going on with the other arrow. I will have to check with field points and put it in the draw board later this week as the arrow change didn't seem to matter. I haven't changed anything on my bow since I confirmed my broadheads a week ago (the last shot I took with broad heads at 60yards is visible in the yellow bullseye on the first picture) but I did go bear hunting on Saturday where I had my bow strapped to my pack with sticks to check a bait and then I went glassing the rest of the afternoon. I don't have a bow holder in the sxs so I strapped the bow into the passenger seat like I do in my truck. It's not ideal as the sight did end up resting on the center console since the trails got a little wild. That said I've never had a rest or anything else shift while hunting other than when I knocked a bow out of a tree a long time ago. User Name : Meshnasty Bow Brand : Martin Bow Model: Locust - 50@28 drawing to around 27.75-28" Sight Brand : Instinctive BH Brand : VPA 3 Blade 200 gr MER : 20 yards/8 inch circle (between the center of the diamonds) Hit (X/3) :1/3 Day 1 - Hit high 6" above the center of the target. I normally don't range my targets when shooting the recurve as it gets in my head so we will see how the next two days go. Day 2 - Missed high again. Nothing notable on the shot. Day 3 - Snuck this in one the bottom for a hit. Felt like the shot went off a touch before I anchored which is an issue I spent a lot of time working on over the winter. It seems to be if I anchor to long I start to aim which has never worked out for me whereas if I keep to mostly instinctive with a touch of split vision I shoot much more consistently horizontally speaking. My goal in life is to get good enough to hunt/kill with a recurve and then get a Stalker after I've proven myself.

 

[Dennis]

User Name : Dennis

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : Lift 33

Sight Brand : EZ-V

BH Brand : Ranch Fairy Tuffhead 200 grain

MER : 55 yards

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

65 lbs, 29" draw, 638 grain arrow 24% FOC

Day 1 - kill zone - 10 1/4". Target animal elk


Day 2


Day 3

 

[Bohunter33]

User Name : Bohunter33

Bow Brand : prime

Bow Model : rvx 34

Sight Brand : black gold

BH Brand : grim reaper

MER : 60 yards

Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Day 1 - paper bowl 7.5” diameter. Wind 10mph off the left. Single blade hit came through for me.



Day 2 - wind from my left again about 8mph. Hit.




Day 3 - wind was off the left again blowing a little harder. Miss right

 

[lak2004]

User Name :lak2004

Bow Brand :Hoyt

Bow Model : Pro Defiant

Sight Brand :Montana Black Gold

BH Brand :Sevr 1.75"

MER : 55 yards

Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Day 1: Drove to the lake where I have a spot with a decent backstop and setup. Target is set at 55 yds, pink circle is 8". Wind was at my back and swirling all over. I held center and hoped for the best.

I cut the edge of the paper but I'm calling it a miss. I should have held for wind.

Day 2
No wind, set the target on an uphill slope. Shot felt good but I'm having a little trouble hovering my pin over the target at 55 yds. Hit though!


Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

Day 3
No wind, 730pm and 70 degrees. I need to adjust my stabilizer or something, I keep finding myself holding low and having a hard time holding higher. Hit low, but on the paper. I suck and need more practice!

 

[limpet]

Late start this year. Last week of college has had me focused on other things. Shot my recurve tonight and will shoot my compound after work tomorrow.
Recurve

User Name :limpet

Bow Brand : galaxy

Bow Model : sage

Sight Brand :na

BH Brand : g5

MER :15

Hit (X/3) :2/3

Recurve shot 1 barely out

Shot 2 barely in. I need to figure out how to get impacts to the right.

Shot 3: wrapped it up with another barely in. I think I started to collapse at the shot.
Compound

User Name :limpet

Bow Brand : quest

Bow Model : thrive

Sight Brand : black gold

BH Brand : g5

MER :50

Hit (X/3) :3/3

Shot 1. Got out tonight before dark. It was dark enough that I couldn’t see the circle I painted on the target so I think I held too high. In but barely.


Shot 2 with the compound. Dappled shade made seeing the target tough but much better than last night. 1” high of center.
Shot 3 with my compound. Super windy conditions switching between right and left 15-20 mph. Shot felt good and connected. First time going 3 for 3 in the cbc

 

[BRTreedogs]

User Name : BRTreedogs

Bow Brand : Hoyt of course

Bow Model : RX1 Ultra

Sight Brand : Spott Hogg It

BH Brand : Sevr 1.5 Hybrid

MER : 60

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

Day 1 Sunny, clear, 50 degrees, No wind

Day2 Overcast, early, turbulent wind/gusts to about 15mph
Good thing im shooting expandable cause id need on for that hit.
Day 3 sunny, clear, no breeze, chilly.
Good kill shot

 

[Jmoore]

User Name : Jmoore
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : V3 27
Sight Brand : Trophy Ridge SWFT
BH Brand : Muzzy Trocar HBX
MER : 60
Hit (X/3) : 1/3

Day 1
89° and no wind just like Texas bow season.
Took a stick to the left eye yesterday so no contacts today. Just rolling with the eye glasses.
KZ is spray painted orange.
9 week old sidekick Tillie for moral support.

Day 2
93° light south wind
Moved to turkey target aiming for vitals.
Off season prep for TAC 3 weeks ago has me shooting better in off season for sure.
Son’s pup, Nala, came with us today.



Day 3
95° good south wind so not to bad.
Shooting down the 2 track into the wind. Kill zone is deer vitals on block target.
First shot and the one that counted was a couple feet short.
Not sure what I did but shot a 2nd since challenge is over for me and was where it needed to be.
Pups were preoccupied chasing rabbits.




Enjoyed it again and thanks again for the opportunity boys.