P.J. Reilly
Bowhunting expert; Writer
P.J. Reilly has been hunting and fishing his way across North America for the past five decades, which is not too much longer than he’s been writing about those adventures. At his core, he is a dyed-in-the-Woolrich, Pennsylvania bowhunter—the toughest deer hunters in the world. “If you can kill a deer with a bow here, you can kill a deer anywhere.” When P.J. isn’t in the woods or on the water, he’s evaluating and experimenting with new archery and bowhunting gear as part of his job as Lancaster Archery Supply’s technical writer and video host.
Hunting
Whitetail E-Scouting: Read New Ground Before You Hunt It
Whitetail e-scouting can reveal property boundaries, habitat edges, bedding cover, terrain funnels and access routes before you ever enter the woods. Here’s how to use satellite imagery, LiDAR and mapping apps to narrow down the places worth scouting on foot.
Archery
August Recon: What Late-Summer Deer Sign Can Tell You About Fall
Late-summer whitetail scouting is about more than hanging trail cameras. Learn how truck scouting, backtracking trails, map study and mock hunts can help turn August deer movement into useful fall hunting intel.
Archery
Speed Ain’t Free, So How Much Do Bowhunters Really Need?
Faster arrows fly flatter, but every extra foot per second comes with tradeoffs. P.J. Reilly explains how draw weight, brace height, cam design and arrow weight affect speed—and why a hunting bow you can shoot accurately beats one built simply to chase the chronograph.
Fishing
How to Fish a Frog for Summer Bass—and Why Crazy Topwaters Work
Learn how to work a frog across grass, pads and open water, avoid setting the hook too soon and choose the right tackle—plus see some of the strangest topwaters bass will attack.
Archery
Why a Three-Pin Slider Is the Best Bow Sight for Hunting
A three-pin slider may be the best bow sight for hunting because it gives bowhunters quick fixed-pin aiming references and the ability to dial precise yardage when time allows.
Fishing
How to Rig a Wacky Worm for Shallow Summer Bass Fishing
A weightless wacky rig is one of the simplest ways to catch shallow summer bass. Here’s how to rig it, where to throw it and why the slow fall works.
Archery
Why Most Bowhunters Are Using Stabilizers Wrong — And How to Fix It
Most bowhunters either skip stabilizers or use short rubber models that do little for balance. Here’s how real bowhunting stabilizers can help steady your shot when it matters most.
Fishing
Fly Fishing for Rising Trout Starts with One Perfect Cast
A rising trout may give you one clean shot. Here’s how to make the first cast count before the fish gets suspicious.
Archery
Long-Range Archery: 4 Ways to Get More Distance From Your Bow
These long-range archery tweaks will help you flatten trajectory, gain sight clearance and make distant targets fun instead of impossible.
Fishing
Topwater Bass Fishing in May: Baits and Tactics for Heart-Thumping Strikes
Here’s how to work buzzbaits, poppers and frogs when May largemouths are primed to explode through the surface.
Hunting
Spring Deer Scouting Reveals the Best Fall Stand Sites
Spring deer scouting, before vegetation fills in, reveals hidden cover, overlooked deer travel routes, and better fall stand sites.
Archery
3D Archery for Bowhunters: The Closest Rush to the Real Thing
3D archery not only helps bowhunters practice; but when conditions are right, it's the closest thing to the rush of a hunt.
Fishing
Best Trout Lures for Spring: 3 Proven Picks for Cold, High Water
If you're looking for the best trout lures for spring, start with these three proven picks for cold, stained water.
