SMOKE & ARROWS
This week on The Revolution with Jim and Trav, the boys and their panel of distinguished pros are talking Smoke & Arrows - all things black powder, bowhunting, the skill and gear they require, plus the capable vehicles needed to get you in the field. Joining us will be Nicole Reeve from “Driven with Pat & Nicole”, then Melissa Bachman, host of “Winchester Deadly Passion”, Yamaha's ATV and Side-by-Side Marketing Manager, Steve Nessl, and Travis Calhoun, Ford Motor Company’s F-150 Consumer Marketing Manager. Jim and Trav’s Smoke & Arrows broadcast is presented by Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Networkand MyOutdoorTV.
Muzzleloading with Melissa Bachman
Many hunters who have never tried using a muzzleloader before are hesitant because of the perceived complexity of the firearm. However, a little organization and instruction can go a long way to help build confidence for new muzzleloader hunters. Melissa Bachman is the host of Winchester Deadly Passion on Sportsman Channel and she joins The Revolution this week with tips for muzzleloading. When it comes to powder, Melissa says that pellets are great, however the downside is that they are incredibly dirty and require you to clean your gun very frequently in order to avoid mishaps in the field. Melissa tells Jim and I that she shoots loose powder, as she finds it to be cleaner and more accurate. The thought of trying to measure out your powder in the field is off putting to many hunters, but Melissa says that planning, preparing and being organized before your hunt can make this task simple. She tells Jim and I that she premeasures her powder into tubes and keeps the primers close by to make for quicker and easier reloading while in the field. Being prepared and organized reduces the chance of fumbling and making a mistake with your reloading equipment which can lead to consistency issues. Melissa also stresses the importance of reloading immediately after every shot which will help set the hunter up for a quick follow up shot, should they need one. She’ll also highlight the importance of getting to know your firearm. Melissa says for those who are new to muzzleloaders, they should practice loading and shooting frequently until they are at a place where they are comfortable enough to load and shoot quickly, even in high pressure scenarios afield. Be sure to tune in as we talk all things muzzleloaders with Melissa Bachman.
A couple quick notes:
1) In case you didn’t know, Melissa has an awesome dog, a Boston Terrier named “Pork Chop” that goes on all her hunting adventures with her and poses with virtually every animal she tags. Pork Chop with an alligator, check. Pork Chop with a bear, check. It’s great, make sure to follow both
Melissa and
Pork Chop on social media.
2) Melissa is an awesome role model and advocate for the up and coming generation of outdoorsmen and women out there. She’s really invested in teaching kids and youth about the outdoors. We need more people like her out there mentoring our youth. Kudos, Melissa!
3) You can watch “Winchester Deadly Passion” with Melissa Bachman on Sportsman Channel every Sunday, 11:30 am ET.
Nicole Reeve: Archery Hunting and the all-new Driven Hunter
Pat and Nicole Reeve hosts of “
Driven with Pat & Nicole” on Outdoor Channel, Tuesdays at 9:30 pm ET, are familiar faces in the outdoor landscape and accomplished hunters. This week, Nicole Reeve joins The Revolution to talk archery hunting and some exciting new things they are launching, including an all-new
DrivenHunter.com.
To kick things off, Nicole talks about the over emphasis that is often times placed on draw weight when hunting with archery equipment. Nicole tells Jim and I that with advanced technology and great equipment, the heaviest of draw weights aren’t necessary to kill an animal anymore. Reasonable draw weights make archery participation more inclusive for all. Nicole says that when getting someone started in archery, it’s really important that you choose the equipment that is appropriate for them. More specifically, she’ll touch on the way that bows in shorter frames and lighter draw weights are helping kids get into the sport. Once you have a bow that fits you, it’s all about practice. It doesn’t matter how much weight you can pull and how fast you can send that arrow down range, if you aren’t accurate. Nicole highlights the importance of frequent practice in order to train your bow muscles and become more precise. Your shooting form is important, and she’ll explain how cold muscles can affect your ability to draw flawlessly on cold sits in the late season. In addition, she’ll highlight how important it is to understand the anatomy of the animal you are pursuing and know where the vitals are in order to make a good shot.
Sticking around for a two-part interview, Nicole rejoins us to talk about the all-new
DrivenHunter.com. The Reeve’s have revamped their brand - a new logo, new website, new
YouTube channel and tons of new content that hasn’t been seen before. Nicole says that there is only so much you can put into a 30-minute television episode and a tremendous amount of information and footage gets left behind. Now, they will be able to take a lot of that content and share it with viewers and give them the opportunity to watch and learn. One of those new elements is “Driven in the Kitchen”. Nicole says that she was raised hunting and eating wild game and has always found the kitchen to be where people come together to bond and make memories. The “Driven in the Kitchen” videos showcase her passion for cooking and preparing the food that they hunt, tag and bring home from the field. She’ll also highlight “Pat’s Tips in the Field”, short video tips that are season specific that highlight how-to’s like creating watering holes, planting food plots, summer trail camera strategies and more!
Check out
www.DrivenHunter.com and see all the new things Pat and Nicole Reeve have happening. And watch “Driven with Pat and Nicole” on Outdoor Channel, Tuesdays at 9:30 pm ET.
The Yamaha Wolverine X2: It conquers terrain that takes intestinal fortitude to explore.
New for 2019, the Yamaha Wolverine X2 is the apex choice for hunters, anglers and trail exploring junkies, alike. In technical, challenging areas, the Wolverine X2’s 847-cc DOHC eight-valve parallel twin-cylinder engine with forged pistons and connecting rods, overcomes deep woods and backroad obstacles with ease, luxurious comfort and unprecedented quietness.
Returning for a midsummer off-road radio interview, Steve Nessl - Yamaha’s ATV and Side-by-Side Marketing Manager - says, “If you don’t need more than two seats and if you’re looking for the ultimate in capability from a task standpoint, the Wolverine X2 is where you should be looking.”
Steve, and the entire Yamaha crew, are at the leading edge in conceptualizing and building, “Proven Off-Road” vehicles for exploring places where few dare to go. From Moab’s White Wash Sand Dunes, to the Piney Woods in Texas or a mud bog down your street - you know, the sort of place that is filled with things that can eat you - Yamaha has the right ATV or Side-by-Side to suit the job.
The all-new 2019 Wolverine X2, however, was, above and beyond, a labor of love. Yamaha spent years prototyping and meticulously integrating groundbreaking technology and advances, as well as their customers’ requests, into the X2. Steve admits, pretty much anything their customers could imagine, they incorporated. Yamaha’s customers wanted maximum towing, so Yamaha gave them a 2’’ receiver that’s capable of pulling a 2000-Ib load. Their customers asked for a dumping cargo bed, and Yamaha replied with a 600-lb rated piston-assist dump bed with an automotive-style single-hand operated tailgate. Their devoted customers inquired about cabin noise suppression, and Yamaha supplied them with a rubber-mounted and counterbalanced engine that’s whisper quiet.
The Wolverine X2 also features an On-Command 4WD system that allows you to switch from 2WD, limited-slip 4WD, and a fully locked differential 4WD. Plus, you’ll enjoy its class leading Electronic Power Steering, its smooth throttle response that’s provided by its Chip Controlled-Throttle, and KYB shocks that will 100% absorb unwanted potholes and dips all the while providing a sporty and stable platform for wide open pleasure or through deep rock crevasses.
Further into the interview, Steve will touch on their Yamaha Adventure Pro GPS Powered by Magellan. The Adventure Pro is mind-blowing cool and its Android-powered Magellan TRX7 tablet comes preloaded with 115,000 OHV trails and is protected in a waterproof, weather resistant case. Here’s the kicker though, not only does the Adventure Pro have navigation and mapping power, but online adventure planning, social sharing abilities, an onboard camera, it can be paired to your home computer, be loaded with other apps, and easily transferred from your Wolverine X2 docking station to your truck or wherever you desire.
Of course, Yamaha currently has plenty of accessories to outfit the new Wolverine X2 with. Full cab enclosures, a heater, radio, light bars, upgraded wheels and tires, winch kits, and so much more. Yamaha’s engineers made integrating these accessories a breeze by creating an ergonomic dashboard and center console that accepts each additional component, flawlessly. I guess you could state, the Wolverine X2 can go anywhere. And wherever it goes, it’s the coolest Side-by-Side in the neighborhood.
Lastly, Steve will mention their innovative Yamaha Adventure Travel & Rental program. Yamaha has diligently worked to sign and prospect nearly 30 locations across the U.S. where you can plan a trip for off-roading without actually owning an ATV or Side-by-Side. Steve says they are trying to facilitate the message of, “Get outside, have fun, take your family!” Yamaha is going so far as to provide a plug and play experience where they can offer cabins and a set number of vehicles to accommodate your family or party size. Steve expresses that Yamaha’s endgame is to break down barriers and help people get out from under a roof, and back into nature.
Be sure to tune in this week for a fun and in-depth look at some of Yamaha’s newest offerings with ATV and Side-by-Side Marketing Manager, Steve Nessl.
