The next step in my archery set-up was choosing and installing an arrow rest. As I’ve written in other posts, hunting mule deer in the West requires an accurate, forgiving set-up that is fast enough to compensate for errors in range estimation (can’t depend completely on a rangefinder) and is a pleasure to pack in the backcountry. You must be able to deliver a killing arrow to 65 yards or you’ll have to let some good bucks walk. If you’re just tuning in, review those posts below (and get entered to win an Athen’s Convixtion Bow).
Let’s Go Deer Huntin’ (and win an Athen’s Bow) and Black Gold Bowsight: The Ascent
Choosing an arrow rest for this project was easy. I bought my first Ripcord Arrow Rest in 2003 on the advice of my archery pro-shop, Archery Idaho. This was my first drop-away rest. Moving from a full contact to a drop-away rest improved my accuracy immediately. I’d recommend it for any archer.
As I’m a multi-weapon hunter, I don’t shoot as many arrows as the really hardcore bowhunters, but I do shoot 1,000-2,000 per year. That means my original Ripcord has launched around 10,000 arrows with not one malfunction or worn out part. Just as important, the rest has traveled hundreds of miles by horseback and foot without a single issue. To choose another arrow rest for this project would have felt sacrilegious!
The version I’m shooting now is the Ripcord Code Red.
The rest has a fast fall-away which is imperative for accuracy. Laying in the hot sun on a 45-degree slope for three hours waiting for a bedded buck to stand doesn’t promote the best shooting form. Trust me, you want a forgiving set-up in this situation.
I realize most hunters are using some sort of drop-away rest but for those that aren’t, you will see a definite improvement in arrow flight and grouping if you’ll use one. Obviously I’d recommend the Ripcord Code Red. Subsrcibe to the Rok Blog (upper right under Fitness/Other) so you can follow me into the field with this set up come last summer.
Below is a short video on what I expect from myself and my archery equipment before I step foot in the mule deer woods.
My wife and I both shoot rip cord rests. i have an old one pre code red, and she has the code red. No problems to date with either one of them.
Robbie, I noticed you use long 3 fletch arrow set ups. Have you tried a short tall 4 fletch set up? I asked some of the professional shooters like Tim Gillingham, Randy Sewell what they shoot as far as fletching, and I have had 3 or 4 of them tell me 4 fletch blazer style vanes. I switched to this setup several years ago and it seems to have improved my shooting especially with broad heads. I just switched over to the Goat Tuff Opti-Vane http://www.goattuffproducts.com/index.php?op=12 and so far really like them. I will be shooting them at the NW Mountain Challenge this weekend. I am able to hit a 3’x4′ target at 125 yards with this set up, so they seem to do ok. If I could figure out how to attach a pic, I would show you a 7″ group from 100 yards Gold Tip Kinetic arrows, 4 fletch 2″ vanes. Shooting a Hoyt Spider 34 Turbo, rip cord drop away, MBG ascent 3 pin sight, Bee stinger 10″ pro hunter stab and Carter 4 finger chocolate light release. Give em a try and see what you think.
HI Bruce,
yes, I’m still shooting feathers. Just a carry-over from all those years of shooting a full-contact rest. Very forgiving and last longer in the sense that you can tear them up and still get good quiet flight unlike plastic. However, I’m switching in the next few weeks for the same reasons you mentioned and will give you all a full report. I’d like to see those pics. I know you can post them if they are on the web somewhere (or photobucket, etc) by clicking the picture icon located at the top of this text box when leaving a comment and pasting the link.
Thanks!
How are you liking your Convixtion? I have been shooting athens bows for about 3 years now, and I have let other people shoot it. They are amazed at how smooth the draw is and how quite the bow is.
Jeff, I’m really liking the Athens Convixtion for the reasons you said and it’s a joy to pack. I don’t know if you saw the post on the Convixtion that I did, but Athens is giving one away to a Rokslide member. Check it out and tell those friends, someone’s going to win. Here’s the post:
http://www.rokslide.com/let-s-go-deer-huntin-and-win-an-athen-s-bow
Thanks
Question re the Ripcord: Does it lock down on the shot? In other words, is there a chance it could bounce back up off the shelf and contact the arrow/fletching on its way by the rest?
Pardon for answering my own question. Just went to the Ripcord website and it does, in fact, lock down.
Mark, yes it does as their website says “Innovative Drop Dead Brake System™ keeps launcher from bouncing back up into the arrow as it leaves your bow improving arrow flight”
I don’t have a slo-mo camera but I can attest by my arrow flight that nothing seems to be hitting that arrow after I release. I’m getting 5-arrow 7″x6″ groups at 90 which is great for my skill level. Also at that distance and in the right light I can see the arrow is flying great. Thanks!
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