Game & Fish/Sportsman Readers Tell Us What They Like
OutdoorHub 01.03.14
Hunters select winners in 18 categories, including popular guns, ammo and optics, in Game & Fish/Sportsman magazines’ Readers’ Choice Awards
Game & Fish/Sportsman readers revealed their favorite new deer gear in the annual Readers’ Choice Awards, and editors will present awards on behalf of the voters at the 2014 ATA and SHOT shows.
“Our readers are hardcore hunters,” said Peter Gross, Game & Fish/Sportsman publisher. “That’s why we’re extremely interested in their opinions about what works in the field.” Nearly half of the participants who gave their opinion hunted more than 25 days last season, and more than half consider themselves advanced or expert deer hunters.
“With this deep level of expertise, we were very interested to see the results,” noted Gross, “and it was fascinating to see why they chose what they did.” This annual survey also solicits personal opinions from those surveyed, adding a deep level of insight from the country’s most avid hunters.
Opinions were sought from both magazine readers and gameandfishmag.com site visitors. Participation in this year’s Readers’ Choice survey jumped 66.3% over previously fielded questionnaires.
Game & Fish/Sportsman asked manufacturers to submit new-gear nominees in 18 categories, from rifles, shotgun and ammo to binoculars, trail cams and tree stands. Gear must have been introduced in the last three years to be considered “new.” The magazine then queried subscribers and e-newsletter recipients to determine their favorite gear and equipment. Game & Fish/Sportsman magazines, which is ABC audited, has more than 400,000 monthly subscribers.
Results of the voting are now online at gameandfishmag.com/2013-readers-choice-hunting-awards. Results are also published in the July-August issues.
Winners in each category include:
1. Rifles
Browning X-Bolt Hunter, 18.8%
Remington 50th Anniversary Model 700, 18.7% (statistical tie)
Winchester Model 70 Featherweight, 10.1%
2. Riflescopes
Nikon ProStaff, 51.9%
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD, 17.2%
TruBrite Xtreme Illuminated, 7.2%
3. Centerfire cartridges
Federal Premium Vital-Shok Trophy Bonded Tip, 25.0%
30 Remington AR, 22.5%
Winchester PowerMax Bonded, 21.8%
4. Shotguns
Benelli Super Black Eagle II, 27.3%
Remington 870 Express, 23.5%
Mossberg 500, 11.7%
5. Shotgun slugs
Hornady SST, 38.5%
Remington Premier AccuTip Bonded Sabot, 30.2%
Federal Premium Vital-Shok TruBall Rifled Slug, 13.5%
6. Muzzleloaders
Traditions Ultralight, 27.1%
Thompson/Center FireStorm, 21.9%
CVA Accura MR, 21.3%
7. Bows
Mathews Creed, 38.8%
Hoyt Carbon Element G3, 18%
BowTech Insanity CPX, 12.6%
8. Arrows
Carbon Express Maxima, 22.4%
Carbon Express Maxima Blue Streak, 20.1%
Easton Carbon Injexion 2, 17.3%
9. Fixed broadheads
Muzzy MX3, 60.3%
NAP Thunderhead, 16%
Readhead BlackOut, 10.3%
10. Mechanical broadheads
Rage X-Treme, 42.7%
G5 T3, 31.7%
NAP Spitfire, 17.3%
11. Crossbows
TenPoint Titan Xtreme, 26.8%
Horton Havoc, 23.6%
Excalibur Matrix 380 Xtra, 18.2%
12. Crossbow arrows
Easton FMJ Crossbow, 29.2%
Carbon Express XB Maxima Hunter, 27.6%
Excalibur FireBolt, 17.8%
13. Crossbow broadheads
Excalibur BoltCutters, 22.5%
Parker Broadheads, 21.9%
NAP Spitfire Maxx, 17.8%
14. Binoculars
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 8×36 Camo, 26.7%
Nikon Monarch 7, 22.5%
Nikon Monarch 5, 16.8%
15. Spotting scopes
Bushnell Trophy XLT, 29.1%
Zeiss DiaScope, 28.7%
Nikon EDG VR 85 Fieldscope, 26%
16. Laser range finders
Nikon Archers Choice, 27.6%
Bushnell Scout DX Realtree Xtr, 23.8%
Nikon 1000, 20.4%
17. Tree stands
Rivers Edge Relax, 22.2%
Hunter’s Elite System, 21.4%
Summit Viper SD, 17.3%
18. Trail cams
Moultrie M80, 19.8%
Cuddeback Ambush IR, 18.8%
Bushnell Trophy Cam HD, 13.7%
