Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, hunters of all ages… It is my pleasure to introduce to you (drum roll please)….  Winchester Archery!  That’s right! You heard me correctly..  I said Winchester Archery!  One of the best known firearm manufacturers is now in the archery business!

While the ATA show is always clouded in mystery and secrecy due to all of the companies trying to keep their new products a secret, this one took the cake. A task filled year in the making, Winchester surprised everyone with their division and their completely new line of compound and crossbows.

We spoke at length with Christina Petrock, one of the people at Winchester Archery that has spent the last year not only being incredible busy but very quiet about what they were up to.  She filled us in, very proudly I must say, on everything it took to get this new division off the ground and ready for presentation at the 2011 ATA show in the great city of Indianapolis, Indiana.  While I wont go into all of those details, just know that what they pulled off in one year was nothing short of a miracle.  They went from an idea to a complete and quality archery division ready to do business in what has become an increasingly competitive industry in just under 12 months.

While I am not one to just copy and paste items from a website,  taking shortcuts so to speak, I think what they have written on their website says things better than I ever could.

From the winchesterarchery.com website:

"This coming year, the archery community will have a brand new but well recognized member exhibiting at the ATA Show in Indianapolis. Winchester Archery!

You can be sure that every consumer in the archery industry has been touched in some way by the Winchester brand and that recognition is going to be a major selling point of the new archery line. However, in today’s market of savvy and well educated bowhunting consumers, name alone won’t be enough. That’s why Winchester Archery is inviting every attendee to come by their new 20x40 booth (#3047) and dual demo area to try the new Winchester Archery products for themselves.

Entering the market with 5 new compound bows from $299-$799 retail and 3 new crossbows from $699-$899, Winchester Archery will have something for everyone. The compound bows feature patent pending eccentric technology, ultra quiet, vibration free shooting and the industry leading arrow speed of 343 fps from an ultra forgiving 7" brace height and 34" axle-to-axle bow. Crossbows will feature brand new trigger technology similar to that found on rifles, new optics technology, and also patent pending cam technology. Crossbows will also showcase beautiful new stock designs and the high quality level of fit and finish typically found on all Winchester products."

As you can see from their own words, they are definitely serious about this new line of archery products.  Now our job at ATA was to bring you, the reader, information about new products but how do you put an entire new company and all of their new products into one article?  Simple.. you can’t.  That’s why I encourage you to visit their website at www.winchesterarchery.com just as soon as you finish this article and see for yourself what they have to offer.

Christina took the time to show us each of the models, including the ladies and youth bows but the one that really impressed me was the QuickSilver 34. This bow looked and felt awesome and with specs like I have listed below, Winchester has definitely thrown their hat into the archery world and done so in a big way!

The QuickSilver 34

Axle to Axle - 34"
Brace Height - 7"
Speed - 343 fps
Draw Length - 27" - 30"
Draw Weight - 50-60-70
Mass Weight - 3.9 lbs.
Let-Off - 55% - 80%

(from their website) "Never before has this much speed been contained in such a shootable package. 343 fps of raw power made completely usable with a generous 7” brace height is truly a first of its kind. But smokin’ speed is just the first of a long list of features setting this bow apart from the crowd. This speed is possible only by using the patent pending Accu-Speed Technology (AST) eccentrics, a true 2-Track system that allows the premium Stone Mountain rigging to positively synchronize one cam to the other allowing both to fully exploit the energy stored in the ultra light split limb system. This power delivery system is then supported by a tremendously strong compression forged and 100% machined aluminum riser designed to enhance strength and reduce weight. Stainless steel components are used throughout the bow in a statement of dedication to quality and practicality; no more rusty screws after a rainy day hunt. All that power is launched by what may be the quietest and softest recoiling bow you’ve ever had in your hands.

Assembled by Winchester Archery craftsmen to our exact standards, the Quicksilver 34 becomes the finest hunting bow you can buy. We can guarantee you’ve never experienced a bow like this before."

Again, take the time to visit their website and check out their full line of bows and crossbows. They have bare bow packages as well as fully outfitted packages to get you going right away!  winchesterarchery.com

By Robert Householder

Robert was introduced to hunting by his uncle, Jeff Hendricks, at a very young age. He grew up in the outdoors, hunting and fishing at every opportunity. He started, as most boys do, with hunting squirrels and rabbits but was soon deer hunting with his uncle and thus started a true love for deer hunting. Jeff and Robert were two of a kind and stayed in the woods or on the water as much as possible until his uncles death in 2007.

Robert was introduced to turkey hunting by a close friend, Jerry Golden, and soon developed a passion for hunting this elusive bird. It remains one of his favorite game to hunt.

Robert has branched out of just hunting in Alabama to include states like Iowa, Mississippi and Georgia. He hopes to continue to hunt game in other states in the future. Robert is a veteran of the first Gulf war and served in the USAF for a total of 7 years, including assignments in Germany, Nebraska, Texas and Illinois.

Robert is the owner of an IT Managed Services company (www.gtinow.com) in Greenville, Alabama and is the founder of TalkHunting. He has been married to his wonderful wife, Annette, since 1985 and has 3 grown children, 2 sons and a daughter. He also has one grand daughter, (Katie) and one Grandson (Jake). Robert is also a hobbyist beekeeper.

God, Family and the outdoors are his life.....

Comments(2):

1. Nice!

   Whoa! This one was a shocker! Who would have thought Winchester would start an archery division? but a pretty brilliant idea given their longstanding record of excellence. I'm anxious to see reviews of their new bow line.

   Friday, February 11, 2011 Duane

2. A standard....

   If they shoot half as well as my Model 94 30-30, They will be great. I love my Winchester Rifles and have come to expect great things from them.

   Sunday, February 13, 2011 Brent