Articles

Matt McPherson of Mathews, Inc.

2012-02-02T16:36:38Z

Many companies today espouse various corporate values. Some companies value creativity, some pride themselves on their adaptability and some promote honesty above all else.

Of course, developing a set of corporate values is fairly easy. Maintaining those values—especially in the face of an uncertain or downright bleak economic climate—is another thing altogether.

So you can’t blame companies for losing sight of their stated values. A company that puts customer service above everything else might have to cut a few corners in that area to boost profitability. And a company that claims its employees are its most important asset may have to cutemployee benefits just to survive. But that’s certainly understandable. When you’re running a business, you sometimes need to make sacrifices. Those carefully worded values may feel warm and fuzzy, but clinging to them too tightly can just drag a business down.

Or so we think—incorrectly, as it turns out. In our own industry, we have an example of a company that is succeeding because of—not despite—its core values. That company is Mathews, Inc., and its core values of integrity, innovation and impact have been driving the company’s success for 20 years.

Mathews’ founder and CEO Matt McPherson has been shooting bows since he was a child.

“My father was a small town preacher and he was looking for ways to save money,” McPherson recalls. “He decided that he was going to hunt deer to get some meat for the table. But my mother was petrified of guns and worried that he could get hurt. So my father went out and bought a bow. Not long after he got kid bows for my brother Randy and me. We absolutely fell in love with bows.

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Bear Anarchy

2012-02-02T16:15:24Z

Excellence breeds excellence. It’s an undeniable fact, and Bear Archery is proof of it. Bear Archery is a company on fire. With an ongoing focus on building quality bows, Bear is satisfying the needs of bowhunters.

A true stunner, the 2011 Bear Carnage was coveted by bowhunters. The Carnage was the complete bowhunting package—balanced, accurate, fast and quiet. Its innovative 4x4 Roller Guard greatly reduced cable friction, giving the bow a particularly smooth draw, and its distinctive Dual Arc Offset String Suppressors were anything but run of the mill.

Easton Carbon Injexion and New Archery Products Deep Six Broadheads

2012-02-02T15:59:34Z

New gear wonders claiming to change the face of archery seem to be everywhere. Many of these hot new products create a buzz, but when compared to truly revolutionary game-changers—the first compound bow, laser rangefinders, parallel-limb design, digital scouting cameras, scent-containment clothing, carbon bow risers—it’s clear that most of them fall short of the hype. While they may be good products, they don’t become coveted bowhunting gear. It takes something truly special to do that. Something like Easton’s new Carbon Injexion arrow.

Bowhunting Spring Gobblers

2012-02-02T15:40:56Z

With a new year upon us, many bowhunters are thinking about the warm days of spring and with that, the gobble of the wild turkey. Turkey hunting with a bow is a real challenge, and one I’ve enjoyed for many years. I have taken 25 wild turkey grand slams, many of those with a bow. This is truly one of my most favorite times of the year.

To me, there are three key elements to successful spring turkey hunting: scouting, decoys and blinds. Equipment and shot placement are also important, but if you don’t pay attention to these three elements, the others won’t matter because you won’t be releasing many arrows.

Not So Easy Africa

2012-02-02T14:59:09Z

The sun was high in the sky when Marius placed his hand on my shoulder and whispered, “Slowly grab your bow.”

The windows of the blind limited my visibility, and my heart rate peaked as I wondered what African prize was approaching. All I could see were Marius’ eyes looking hard to our left. I followed the professional hunter’s gaze, and then I saw them: two gorgeous springbok, South Africa’s national animal. Cautiously the two springbok began drinking from the water tank just 20 yards in front of our blind.

Bill Krenz Receives Fred Bear Award

2012-01-24T16:14:41Z

Jan. 9, 2012, Columbus, Ohio--The Fred Bear Archery and Bowhunting Communicator Award, created by the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), recognizes outdoor journalists who make significant contributions to the sports of archery and bowhunting, excel at their journalistic craft and mentor up-and-coming outdoor journalists.

Hunter Safety System

2012-01-06T17:31:13Z

Spend just a few minutes speaking with anyone from Hunter Safety System, and it quickly becomes apparent that the company’s motto—“Dedicated to Saving Hunter’s Lives”—isn’t just a feel-good tagline. The people behind Hunter Safety System, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, genuinely care about preventing treestand accidents and ensuring that every hunter who climbs into a treestand returns safely to the ground.

The Edge

2012-01-03T21:48:41Z

I was nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, trying to dig my long, boney fingers into any crevice the nearly 65-degree rock face would offer, when it hit me like a stiff headwind: I really wasn’t prepared for this hunt. As much as my male bowhunting ego hated to admit it, I wasn't physically, mentally or emotionally ready to handle such an extreme hunt. That’s a tough thing to admit on many levels, and it was especially difficult when I was faced with a 40-foot free fall into what would be a bone-busting rockslide.

2012 Hoyt Carbon Element RKT

2011-12-13T15:41:08Z

Wicked Tree Gear Wicked Tough Hand Saw

2011-12-13T15:30:51Z

2012 Mathews Helim

2011-12-13T15:21:55Z

2012 Bear Anarchy

2011-12-12T15:26:03Z

Chapin Outfitters BioLogic Sprayers & Spreaders

2011-12-11T19:18:04Z

From Canada to Mexico, whitetail junkies are obsessed with food plots—and for good reason. Food plots deliver vital nutrients to deer throughout the year, meaning hunters can expect more, bigger and healthier deer on their private tracts.

Chapin Outfitters is meeting the application and spraying needs of food plot addicts. Launched in 2011, Chapin Outfitters is a division of Chapin International, a leader in lawn, garden and construction sprayers worldwide since 1884. Chapin’s introduction of its BioLogic sprayers and spreaders, the result of a partnership with food plot powerhouse Mossy Oak BioLogic, has been met with enthusiasm by consumers. Designed for hard-to-reach plots in challenging terrain, BioLogic sprayers and spreaders provide the ultimate in versatility and durability.

Honing in on Hogs

2011-12-01T20:46:44Z

My bow season had been a relatively short one the previous fall. It had started with an opening-day Colorado elk kill in late August, which was followed by a two-day whitetail hunt in early October in the Sooner state. My so-called good fortune followed me to Kansas in November where, on the second day of my hunt, I slipped an arrow through the ribs of a pre-rut buck as he doctored a scrape.

2012 G5 Prime Centroid LR

2011-12-01T15:32:56Z