N1 N-tune nock tuning arrow wrap on arrow in target

Should I Use Arrow Wraps? | Here’s What To Consider

If you participate in the sport of archery or bowhunting, at some point you may wonder, “should I use arrow wraps or not?”

Well, you’re certainly not alone. Arrow wraps have been a topic of discussion by archers and bowhunters for years.

Wraps are typically used to add visual appeal to arrows… but what else are they good for? Is there a downside to using them?

N1 Outdoors N-Tune nock tuning arrow wraps on arrows

If you’re currently trying to decide whether or not to use them, you may want to explore the pros and cons of wraps and consider how they impact your arrows visually, as well as their potential impact on performance, how they affect visibility and how they could potentially affect your arrow’s performance.

So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using arrow wraps!

Pros of Using Arrow Wraps

  1. Enhanced Visibility: Arrow wraps come in and endless array of colors and designs. Choosing a bright, or high visibility arrow wrap or tracer can make it much easier to spot your arrows in the field, especially in areas of tall grass or brush. After all, arrows are expensive! This can also be particularly useful in hunting scenarios where quick recovery of arrows is crucial to properly trailing and harvesting your game animal. Arrow wraps and tracers can be made in fluorescent and even reflective material, making it much easier to find your arrow, even in low-light conditions.
  2. Easy Customization: With wraps, you can easily customize your arrows to reflect the bowhunter’s personal style. You can also use them to match a particular color pattern or look of your target archery or bowhunting setup. Customization can also help in distinguishing your arrows from other shooters’ arrows when shooting in a group setting.
  3. Improved Arrow Durability: Wraps can help protect your arrow shaft from scratches, dents, and other damage that can occur during shooting or in the harvesting of a deer or other animal. This can prolong the life of your arrows and keep them in better condition for longer.
  4. Faster Fletching Replacement: If you need to replace or adjust your fletching, having an arrow wrap can make this process quicker and cleaner. If you don’t use wraps, you may end up frustrated from having to scrape the glue from the previous fletchings from your arrow shaft. (arrow shafts are expensive, remember?) Wraps can be replaced without damaging the underlying arrow shaft, and they often provide a clean surface for reapplying fletching, which is a huge benefit.
  5. Help With Nock Tuning: Some wraps help with nock tuning your arrows by providing reference points for turning the nocks when nock tuning. The N-Tune Nock Tuning Arrow Wraps and Tracers do just that.
Do you know your arrow’s kinetic energy?

>> Check out eye-popping arrow wrap pad designs HERE!

Cons of Using Arrow Wraps

  1. Added Weight: Depending on the material and thickness, wraps can add weight to the back of the arrow. This could affect the arrow’s FOC.
  2. Adhesion Issues: Sometimes, wraps can peel or come loose if not properly applied or when exposed to extreme conditions. So, it’s important to always take time to apply arrow wraps correctly.
  3. Increased Cost: While not overly expensive, wraps are an additional cost. For archers and bowhunters on a tight budget, this could be a consideration, especially if outfitting multiple arrows.
  4. Maintenance Considerations: Over time, wraps can accumulate dirt or become scuffed or worn. Some bowhunters and archers may not enjoy removing them and reapplying and refletching, just to keep the arrows looking good.
Check out the N1 Outdoors YouTube Channel!

>> Check out tons more archery and bowhunting t-shirts HERE!

Field Logic Black Hole Archery Target 18"
Field Logic Black Hole Archery Target 18"
$69.99
Buy Now
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/21/2024 02:07 am GMT

Final Thoughts

Arrow wraps can offer significant benefits in terms of visibility, customization, and shaft protection, but they also come with potential drawbacks related to weight, adhesion, and cost.

The decision to use them will depend on individual preferences, shooting conditions, and specific needs of the bowhunter or archer. As with many archery accessories, the key is to weigh the pros and cons in the context of your own shooting style and objectives.

Whether you decide to use wraps or not, enjoy the awesome sport of archery!

polarized sunglasses for hunting and fishing

Why Anglers and Hunters Should Prioritize Polarized Prescription Sunglasses

Anyone who has ever been in the field or out on the water on a sunny day knows the importance of a good pair of sunglasses. And, for hunters and anglers who rely on prescription glasses for clear vision and eye protection, having polarized prescription sunglasses can be a game changer.

man fishing with prescription polarized sunglasses

In this article, we’ll look at the characteristics of these sunglasses to, help you make the best choice to protect your eyes, as well as boost your performance. Doing so will highlight why polarized prescription sunglasses are a must-have for hunters and anglers alike.

For anglers, the glare of the water is no match as polarized sunglasses help to see clearly beyond the surface and spot fish. Similarly, hunters who need prescription glasses can leverage the advantages of polarized bifocal sunglasses to locate and track targets in the field.

But, what features should avid outdoorsmen look for when it comes to polarized prescription lenses?

The importance of polarized Rx Sunglasses

There are plenty of benefits of prescription sunglasses beyond vision enhancement in nature.

Have you ever squinted through the water’s shimmering surface, struggling to spot that elusive catch? While traditional sunglasses might offer some relief, prescription fishing sunglasses take it to the next level.

With prescription lenses tailored to your vision, and polarized lenses to cut through distracting glare, you’ll see fish and lures with exceptional clarity. It’s like having an underwater viewfinder, giving you the edge you need to make the perfect cast.

By reducing glare and enhancing contrast, they make it possible to see better and detect movements, whether it’s a largemouth bass swimming past your boat, or a buck taking cover in the bushes. Enhancing contrast is one of the essential sunglasses features that hunters and anglers should prioritize, because it helps to make things stand out more clearly against their backgrounds.

>> More great fishing shirts HERE!

man hunting with sunglasses

It’s really quite simple; better contrast can boost your accuracy by making the difference between objects and their surroundings more obvious.

Try spotting an animal through thick brush and leave, or locating fish under the water’s surface with a cheap pair of non-polarized shades, and you’ll quickly realize it’s just much more difficult that not using polarized lenses.

Best Southeastern U.S. fishing spots HERE!
Custom Rod Building Starter Supply Kit FSB-2
Custom Rod Building Starter Supply Kit FSB-2
Buy Now
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Essential features for outdoor enthusiasts

Improved vision and clarity are among the most obvious benefits of polarized sunglasses, but polarized shades with RX lenses also greatly improve safety. You’ll more readily be able to see any rocks, stumps, or other obstacles onshore or in the water.

Plus, there’s no more fumbling as you switch between your regular sunglasses and prescription glasses. This adaptability ensures that you can maintain focus on your task without unnecessary interruptions. Talk about a great two-for-one!

Test your fish anatomy knowledge with THESE diagrams!

Fortress Against the Elements

The sun isn’t your only adversary on the water. Wind, dust and flying hooks/lures can all pose a threat to your eyes. RX fishing sunglasses act as a protective shield, keeping your vision safe from debris and harsh UV rays. Many are also impact-resistant, providing an extra layer of security for those unexpected moments.

Protecting your eyes from UV rays isn’t just about comfort in the short term. Studies show that long-term sun exposure can increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. By blocking 100% of UV rays, RX fishing sunglasses are an investment in your long-term eye health.

So, ditch the squinting and blurry vision. RX fishing sunglasses are the ultimate companion for any angler who wants to see sharper, fish longer and safeguard their precious gift of sight.

 

slick trick standard review header image2

These are Super Slick! [Slick Trick Broadheads Review]

In this review, I test a classic… It’s a broadhead that hunted with many years ago, many, many times. I’ve taken quite a few animals with it.

But, I realized I had never done an official test on it, and that is the Slick Trick Standard.

So, let’s dig on into it and I’ll show you all the features and then we’ll test it!

For this test, I used the Elite Era bow for most of the shooting. For the flight test, I used the Killer Instict SWAT X1 crossbow. And, then, I used Bishop FOC King Arrows for most of the shooting and Bishop FAD Eliminators for the really hard impact shots. [And for the crossbow stuff, I used the Bishop Bolt called the GOAT.]

Slick Trick Standard 125-grain Broadhead

Let’s take an up close look at the Slick Trick Standard 125 grain head…

slick trick standard profile

Here’s a good look at the Slick Trick Standard. And man, this is just a nice-looking broadhead. It’s hard to believe this was kind of revolutionary when it first came out with its super short design as it is, but so much to like about this broadhead!

slick trick standard short profile

First of all, the materials, you’ve a one piece steel ferrule. They call it a super steel. It’s like this super hardened steel there. And then you got the blades that are 0.035″ thick. The cutting diameter is 1″ so pretty small cutting diameter. But you got 4 blades so you’re getting 2 total inches of cut. Really short design. That was what was kind of revolutionary in the beginning. Its length beyond the edge of the arrow is 1.1″. That’s just going to aid in flight as well as penetration.

slick trick standard blade sharpness

For resharpening these blades, the best way to resharpen them is to use a Stay Sharp Guide replaceable blade sharpener. And you can use that for pretty much all of the Slick Trick replaceable blades. They work really well with that.

Man, the Slick Trick Standard 125-grain head is just a no-nonsense design. Typically, these fly very well, penetrate very well, and hold up really well in durability. But I was eager to put this to the test and see how it performed…

Slick Trick 125 Flight Test

In this test I shot 1 field point and one broadhead from 30 yards, using a Killer Instinct SWAT X1 Crossbow and 375 gr Bishop Bolt at 300 fps):  

slick trick standard flight test field point

Here’s the shot with the field point…

slick trick standard flight test broadhead

And here’s Slick Trick Standard… a bulls-eye!

THESE tips will make you a deer hunting ninja!

Initial Sharpness Test

In this sharpness test, I check to see how many grams of force it takes to cut a copolymer wire.

slick trick standard sharpness test 1

It took 166 grams of force to cut through the wire which is a 10 on a 10-point scale!

How do I know which broadhead I should use? [answers HERE!]

Penetration Test 1 – (2/3″ rubber foam mat, 1/2″ MDF, FBI Gel):   

slick trick standard ballistic gel mdf test

The Slick Trick Standard penetrated 9-1/4″, which is one of the deepest I can remember, especially when the blades are so close to the tip.

Slick Trick Broadhead 1 1/8" Magnum 4 Count (Pack of 1)
Slick Trick Broadhead 1 1/8" Magnum 4 Count (Pack of 1)
$49.99
Buy Now
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/21/2024 02:03 am GMT

Edge Test 2, Edge Retention (sharpness after Penetration Test 1):

slick trick standard sharpness test 2

It took an additional 82 grams of force to cut through the wire, which is an 8.36 on a 10-point scale.

Penetration Test 2, (layered cardboard):

slick trick standard layered cardboard test

The Slick Trick Standard penetrated through 61 layers of cardboard.

Durability Test 1, (3 shots 1/2″ MDF):

slick trick standard 3 shots into mdf

The head is in excellent shape after the three shots through the MDF.

Bowhunter’s knowledge test [parts of a compound bow]

Durability Test 2 – (2 shots 22 gauge steel plate):

slick trick standard after steel plate test

And here it is after the two shots through a steel plate. It’s just in perfect condition, except the tip got slightly blunted there.

Durability Test 3 – (1 shot into cinder block):

slick trick standard after concrete block test

Here’s the Slick Trick Standard after all the durability testing, and it did just very well as expected. Did very well through the MDF and then very well through the steel plate, and very well into the cinder block as well. Still spins very well.

Should you use arrow wraps? [pros and cons HERE!]

Final Thoughts on Slick Trick 125 grain Broadhead

So, what do you think of the Slick Trick 125-grain broadheads?

Man, these are awesome heads!

slick trick standard lusk scorecard

Check out the score for the Slick Trick 125 grain head… 10 golden arrows… wow!

I mean, no wonder I used it for so many years out in the field. It just performed extremely well in every area and it got one of the highest scores of any head I’ve tested, and close to the the highest of any fixed blade head. Really, really impressive!

John Lusk archery goat
John Lusk of Lusk Archery Adventures