First, a little background on me. I picked up my first bow in 2020, because my son wanted to learn to hunt. It's funny, now that I think back a bow was the first place my mind went as opposed to rifle hunting (I do both now). I was drawn to the beauty and organic nature of archery hunting. So I had a friend helped me get a used bow before I invested money to make sure it was something I truly wanted to do. Heard my first elk bugle and the rest was history.
Fast foward to the summer of 2022 I I knew it was time to make the investment in my first bow. I remember shooting it for the first time, thinking what was I doing with that used bow all this time!?! My journey of self-teaching myself to hunt and learn how to use a bow completely changed that summer.
I watched on social media and followed all of the things you could get for your bows. Everything I used up until this year has been factory on my bow because as a new hunter I was slowly acquiring new gear and making the investments little by little. I constantly kept coming across Dialed Archery on social media. I honestly blew it off, thinking it was the next trendy thing and was not probably worth the money. I was definitely attracted to the look of them and the option for customization.
In 2023 I spent more hours hunting then I had any other year. Putting my boots on the ground and hours shooting on my home range was where you could find me. I had a huge fear of adjusting my sight once I had it set. I had a fixed three pin set up. I kept my range at 40 an under and just continued to work on my skills witht that as that was really the range for hunting I was planning on using anyways. I had a strong desire to push myself out further but constantly moving my sight was just a lot of work to me within my schedule of work, dreams, and raising my four boys.
I didn't really at that time no anyone that was shooting and ventured into the shop on occassion. Archery Idaho, I can't say enough good things about them and all the questions they have answered for me over the years. On top of that, not once making me feel inferior for not knowing or being a newbie. I for the first time learned heading into winter that we had an indoor range locally which would allow me to shoot all winter. I was beyond ecastatic about being able to continue shooting not only to get better but shooting really is a form of therapy for me. It brings me joy on even the hardest of days. The indoor range fell within my sight and so I didn't plan on making any changes.
Then I met Scott Bakken at the Western Hunt Expo and learned more about his journey with starting Dialed Archery with his business partners. I had no idea who he was or the story behind them actually when we met. If you don't know the story and their journey it is a beautiful one. The story is one of dreams, perserverance and straight grit and a story that is not even close to being done. The stories that leave me walking away inspired and ready to go after my own dreams. I have a deep sense of loyalty when I learn the history of companies. There truly is something beautiful about chasing that dream. And the story of Dialed Archery is a special one and on top of that they are made in the USA. A rare and difficult task these days with everything being outsourced for cheaper outside of the United States, the work they put in for that alone makes their sight worth it.
What I was so incredibly appreciative of from Scott was his patience in teaching and talking me through the importance of the sight and it's abilities. Being so new when people talk hunting and gear, I want to hear it all. But I also want to hear from people that are not just trying to sell me something. People that genuinely believe and understand what they are doing and truly want your success with or without what they thing you should get. Sometimes what works for one might now work for the other. So without knowing honestly what I was getting myself into I thought I would give this new Arxos Sight a try.
Their sights are definitely a hot commodity and worth every second of the wait but we will talk more about that soon. My sight arrived two weeks before I left for Hawaii. Looking back I should have waited until I got back to get it on, but my excitement won. Like I said, I learn things on my own and did not have the time I needed to devote to sighting it in right before along with other things going on in my life. I did go to my local shop, Archery Idaho, and they got it put on for me. This was a huge help and looked mangeable but something I wanted to take the care from the experts.
After Hawaii, it was time to get ready for Total Archery Challenge. Now remember, with my previous sight I was set on 40. I went and got a new rest and retired the ol' Whisker Biscuit thanks to the knowledge from Courtney Prete with Her Outdoor Journey. So it was time to ge the sight set for good. Scott talked me through setting at 20 yards and then at 60 yards, and then matching to the tape that fits.
When you order your sight you get a instruction sheet and different tapes to switch to on the ring that match your markers. You use the the already put on tape to start getting your sight Dialed and then mark the number it is out for where you range on the cardstock one provided. For example, once you feel good with your 20 where you know you are ranged, you mark it on the included card with the number on the ring. Then you do the same for 60.
Once your markers are set on the card, you match up the tapes provided and swap it out on your ring. I was probably not the most graceful with this task but I got it done. Once that is done, setting your pins is so easy. You turn the dial to the exact number and there you are. Real quick before I left for TAC..I was like let's test this theory. So I ranged in my yard at 70, turned the Dial and shot. Dead center first try. I was in shock and in love with my new sight.
Going into Total Archery Challenge I was nervous, I had no idea what to expect and would the sight deliver the way it did at home. On top of it, I had never shot a 3D Target. But I knew I was surrounded by an incredble group that would help and talk me through it all. I felt incredibly confident, more than I every have with the sight. I almost talked myself into moving up at targets and Elena looked at me and said do it. So I did and I shot better than I every have.
Walking up to every target hearing that THWACK! The ladies were throwing out compliments and I told them to be quiet, that I was in disbelief and we would talk about it later. I was so blessed to be surrounded by women that were so encouraging, patient and all around freaking amazing shooters! We literally tore up these courses!
With each harder target, I just turned the dial and we were set. The winds were high both days and definitely played a part in my accuracy. But I walked with only losing a couple arrows, which let's be real I thought I would be coming home with none.
My furthest shot to date at 85 yards on the first try! The sight is the difference and I am so excited to head into elk season with gear that I couldn't feel more confident with. Head on over to check out Dialed Archery at www.dialedarchery.com and build your site today! You will not regret it. Any questions you have feel free to reach out to me or them directly and they will get you taken care of!
**Huge thank you to Chelsee Dery for her incredible skils on these pictures. She is a gem and a true talent.
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