A Livingstone eland is a fantastic trophy, and I really wanted to take a mature bull that would weigh nearly a ton. However, this beast has a chest three feet thick and I needed maximum penetration to take one ethically. Since I shoot just 55 pounds, I needed to bump the power beyond that margin.
That’s why I opted for a Mathews Creed XS (at 70 pounds) and the Draw-Loc. I’ve seen the product advertised, yet had never tried one until setting up for a plains game safari in Namibia with Agagia Safaris. I teamed the Draw-Loc up with the Creed XS, Easton Injection shafts, and the aggressive Big Nasty broadhead. Here’s how things worked out.
First, traveling with the gear was a breeze. Instead of using a hard bow case, which always raises suspicion of a firearm, I padded the Creed, wrapped the Draw-Loc in Styrofoam, and flew my gear in a duffle-style roller bag.
Secondly, that monster eland didn’t want to be part of this test. Fortunately, it seemed to convince a couple of other critters to take its place. My first opportunity was a mature warthog that came along for a drink during my second day in the blind. Putting the TRUGLO sight pin squarely on the shoulder and squeezing the trigger sent the shaft right on target. The beast went just 25 yards and crashed, the result of a perfect shot.
The true test came the next day at a different hide, when a herd of black wildebeest came to drink. As is typical, the dominant male used his harem as a protective shield, but eventually stepped into the clear. The 20-yard shot went just as planned and resulted in a handsome trophy, a batch of meat for the camp, and (soon) a tanned skin that will last my lifetime.
I was impressed with the simplicity of the Draw-Loc; it delivered every advantage as promised. I was able to shoot the 70-pound Mathews repeatedly with little difficulty and, with practice, put a broadhead on a two-inch bull with consistency.
This device is perfect for anyone who has difficulty pulling their bow at hunting weights or for someone who wants to shoot a heavier bow than they normally can handle. However, it isn’t an instant hunting instrument, and an ethical hunter should practice with the Draw-Loc until he can shoot it with accuracy and consistency. For the person who wants to stay with the vertical format instead of shooting a crossbow, this gear is for you.
For more information, visit drawloc.com.
