The TAC 15 from PSE will take your ordinary AR-15 and turn it into the crossbow of your dreams.

From the Coolest-Thing-I’ve-Seen-in-a-While file comes the TAC 15 from PSE. Nope, it’s not a rifle. It’s not a compound as we know it and it’s definitely not you’re everyday run-of-the-mill crossbow. So what is it? Well, it IS a crossbow. It just happens to be a crossbow that fits onto any AR-15 platform. Yes, you read correctly. It’s actually an accessory to an AR-15 rifle.

The concept is remarkable. People love their ARs. They swear by them. By the same token, people love their bows. They swear by them, too. So why not marry the two concepts? The stability of a rifle with the ease of use of a crossbow. That’s innovation at its finest.

But, the innovation doesn’t stop there. PSE didn’t merely settle for a crossbow that would fit onto an AR platform. Rather, they took the concept to the next level, producing the fastest, most accurate crossbow on the market. Starting with the X Tech limbs on a compact platform, the twin-cam design shoots 412 fps and you definitely can’t shoot the same spot twice, unless you really like buying bolts by the crate.

“The TAC 15 is truly revolutionary,” said Blake Shelby, marketing director at PSE. “Not only is it an innovative idea, but it uses amazing engineering and technology to create the best crossbow on the market.”

To switch from the rifle to the crossbow, all you do is remove the rifle and put the TAC 15 on. Simple as that. There’s even a place to fit other accessories on the TAC 15 platform, just like with the AR. Need a grenade launcher to compliment your TAC 15? There’s a place for that.

No matter where you stand on the whole crossbow debate, you’ve got to admit this is cool. Not only is it forward thinking, it’s accuracy, design and speed at its finest. Hats off to the design team.

To see a video of the TAC 15 in action and find out exactly how it works, check out http://tac15.com.

Yes, you read the title correctly. On my first hunt of the season last week, I parked in a field where, literally, everything looked the same. Not thinking when I headed out to my blind, I didn’t count the number of rows I crossed before I reached my hunting spot. So, once settled in, it dawned on me that I had no idea where I parked.

I tried retracing my steps mentally, but my mind wandered and I got to texting and completely forgot about it. Needless to say, it was an interesting walk back to the truck. Luckily, the “lock” button on the keyless entry makes the horn beep, so as I walked each row, scanning to the left and right, I pushed it continuously. I raised it up high, down low, to the side, you name it, I tried it hoping I could somehow make the radio waves – or however they work – reach my truck and give off its location.

It reminded me of the people you see in the airport parking garage who forgot where they parked, so they walk the end of each row of cars depressing their keyless entry devices hoping to find their car. Now imagine someone doing it clad in camo from head to toe, carrying a bow, with a camo backpack and camo folding chair. Great picture, isn’t it? I always felt a bit of superiority when I saw someone doing this as I walked all-knowing to my parked vehicle. Not anymore.

Obviously, I did find the truck even if it was well after dark and in the rain. And no, I didn’t see anything. The best part of the trip, however, was the fact I found a tremendous travel route and now have a better idea where the deer are entering and exiting the field. Hopefully, that bit of information will help me bag one of the many deer I know are on this farm, unless, of course, the beeping horn scared them out of the zip code.

Today is the first day I get to bowhunt this season. It’s raining, the deer probably won’t move and I’ve never hunted the spot I’m going to and I can’t wait! Granted, I’ll be sitting in a Double Bull formerly known as Mr. BG’s, but I’m about as excited as when the Girl Scout cookies are delivered.

In preparing for my first hunt, I had a conversation – via text of course – with Mr. BG. My thoughts were these: The most fun of any hunting season has to be in the preparation. The night before your first official trip you find yourself going through every piece of clothing, Tupperware container and shelf in your garage trying to find one piece of gear you KNOW you put somewhere you would remember. Though you finally find that one piece of gear – usually something small like a facemask or pruning shears – you almost always find gear you forgot you had. It’s like Christmas all over.

And although the first hunts of the year are just as exciting as when the acorns start to fall, when there’s a long season like South Carolina has, those first hunts almost serve as a trial run. For instance, Mr. BG said he’s put four different quivers on his trad bow before he found the one that works perfectly for him when he’s hunting. No doubt I’ll be tweaking what I’ve got in my pack to hopefully make it quite a bit lighter, but without a long season, I would just have it figured out by the time season ended.

If you’re a bowhunter, you’re already a member of the MBBA: the Muddy Broadhead Bowhunters Association, even if you don’t know it. Officially formed and given its proper name and “bylaws” last year by a friend, the association has technically been around since people began stick-and-string hunting. If you’ve ever missed when bowhunting, (and if you haven’t, then I need to see your credentials) you’re a member.

The rules are pretty simple and the bylaws are anything but strict, so there’s no reason not to “officially” join. The best part of the organization is it celebrates your misses so everyone can suffer in your misery – or give you lots of grief. Either way, it makes missing almost bearable because as we all know, it’s a fact of life when you bowhunt.

So, here are the rules:

• First and foremost, there has to be honesty. Since bowhunting is mainly a solitary sport, the honor code is in full effect.

• The MBBA is an inverted system. If you miss when hunting, you move up the proverbial executive ladder. President/CEO is the highest rank and is reserved for those who miss the most. The lowest (or best, depending on how you look at it) ranking is general member. In between are the usual: Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.

• Executive staff changes as needed. You may be president one day and general member the next if someone in your group misses while you’re at your kid’s soccer game.

• A compound miss is multiplied by three over someone who shoots trad gear. For example, if a trad shooter and a compound shooter miss on the same day, the compound shooter would hold a higher office than the trad shooter. Highest score wins – or loses in this case.

• There are no dues, official meetings or compensation for anyone in the organization.

• The only stipulation for membership is you must be a bowhunter.

Joining the MBBA is as simple as it gets: Let someone know you want to be a part of it. There are no forms to fill out, nothing to buy and no dues to pay. Simple.

If you don’t have a chapter in your area, start one. Or, you can join ours; just shoot me an e-mail at matt@sportingclassics.net. Either way, don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of an organization you’re already a part of anyway.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m anything but relaxed. Even when I’m “relaxing” I’m moving. I just don’t like sitting still, but I love to hunt. The two don’t really go hand in hand, especially during deer season.

Thankfully, technology helps me quite a bit. Enter my BlackBerry. I think the sole reason I have one is not for business or for checking my e-mail – I don’t even have the e-mail feature hooked up – but for texting. I know, I know. Traditionalists will say I’m missing the entire reason for being in the woods. But the beauty of texting is just that: I can enjoy the sounds, smells and visuals that go hand-in-hand with hunting and still keep myself occupied. For me, it’s the best of both worlds.

People in my address book know when I’m hunting. I put my phone in silent mode and type away. Football scores? Got somebody who gives me updates. Weather? Somebody for that, too. Want to know how the boys are doing? My wife will happily oblige in a short text. (For the record, she hates to text.) Not to mention the beauty of hunting the same piece of property with a buddy who’s as much of a textaholic as I am. We keep each other updated on when the deer start moving, what we’re seeing and tell jokes to pass the time.

All in all, today’s technology allows me to enjoy the woods more, even if I am trying to “relax.” And if you’re in my address book, consider this fair warning: Deer season starts in less than a week.

After shooting religiously every night for the past three months, I think I’ve hit a burnout phase. I used to get home in the evenings and no matter how hot or how many mosquitoes were buzzing, I’d sling at least a couple dozen arrows.

Recently, however, I’ve found I have to make myself shoot. It’s no longer something to look forward to, it seems more like a chore than a hobby. And my accuracy and consistency is suffering because of it. I shot last night for the first time in a couple days and the difference a day makes is uncanny.

When I was shooting regularly, I typically knew my arrow would hit where I aimed. That’s the point, right? Now, however, it seems I’m all over the place. One shot low right, one shot low center and one dead on. And we’re not talking 60 yards here. More like 20.

So, in the interest of my own mental wellbeing, I consulted my bow guru, Mr. BG, to get some basic tips on how to beat the bowshooting burnout.

“Once you know your bow is tuned and dialed in and your pins are set for your broadheads, less becomes more,” Mr. BG said. “Now is the time to really concentrate on making that one perfect shot. Walk out before work and shoot one arrow or shoot one right when you come home and the kids are screaming, the dog’s barking, the neighbor’s mowing the yard and your spouse is hurrying you to get the chicken on the grill. Your stress level at times like this is high and shooting under pressure is what you’ll be doing in the woods.”

Mr. BG also suggested not shooting so much you get frustrated, don’t enjoy it or start getting sloppy and picking up bad habits.

“If you notice you’re jerking the trigger on your release or dropping your bow hand, move to shooting blind bale. Blind bale is just shooting with your eyes closed at a very close target with a safe backstop. This trains your mind on how a good shot feels. By taking away your sight you’re not trying to aim and hit the trigger at the same time. You’ll be surprised what this will do for your shooting.”

If you begin and end each shooting session this way – or if this is all you do for a few days – it can’t do anything but help. Your form will improve, your accuracy will improve and in return, you may just get over the bowshooting burnout.