Whether they’re in the woods or on the podium, Hoyt’s Pro Shooters represent Hoyt to the fullest. And Hoyt.com is the only place where you’ll find behind-the-scenes info about their recent success stories, their travels, their favorite Hoyt bows and accessories, and other details that any true Hoyt fan needs to know.
HOYT: How long have you been on Hoyt's Pro Staff?
CASEY: I started as a co-op shooter in the early '90s, and was put on the Bowhunting Advisory Staff in 1996.
HOYT: Which bow are you currently shooting? What do like most about it?
CASEY: I'm shooting the AlphaMax 35. What an awesome bow! It has great speed, a 7” brace height and it's unbelievably light. Plus it's very tough, accurate and dependable.
HOYT: You're known for having great success on big game. Tell us about some of your more memorable recent hunts.
CASEY: Some of my more memorable hunts in 2008 were my San Carlos elk hunt and New Foundland caribou hunt. I had a Dry Lake tag on the San Carlos, and on the 14th day of the 15-day hunt, I was eating my lunch and got stung on my tongue by a yellow jacket. My mouth was swollen and I thought my hunt might be over that day. We decided, though, to go to one of our favorite spots. I couldn't call due to the swelling, so Collin, my guide, did the calling ... and the fourth bull to come in was the bull I ended up harvesting. It was my 50th bull with a bow and had a gross score of 439 3/8” on a massive 8 x 7 frame. Then in October, I went to New Foundland to hunt woodland caribou and had an awesome hunt. Bob Efford flew my father, my cousin Alfredo and me into a remote tent camp by float plane. On the first morning of the hunt I harvested a great bull with one very lethal shot from my Katera XL, another great bow. That bull should end up in the top five Pope & Young. When I booked this hunt, I was just hoping to see some caribou because of the rapid decline of the herd. We all harvested Boone & Crocket bulls. I saw lots of animals and the time spent with my father and cousin made this a very special hunt for me.
HOYT: You've definitely worked hard and enjoyed great results. To what do you attribute your success?
CASEY: I attribute my success to a very understanding wife. I also depend on friends who have been on hunts with outfitters or in areas where I believe I can harvest quality animals. Most important in the field is my equipment. I've shot Hoyt since 1987 with not one malfunction. I've been in ultra-cold to extremely hot weather, and my bows have never given me any issues. I once was cutting blackberries while hunting blacktail deer in Oregon, and I hit the leading edge of my XT2000 limb with a machette. I pealed a sliver off the limb and still harvested two more bucks with that bow! I can’t say enough about Hoyt’s durability and accuracy.
HOYT: How did you typically prepare for your hunting season? How much off-season shooting do you do?
CASEY: I prepare for every hunting season by booking hunts, applying for tags and crossing my fingers. I practice shooting as much as my time allows. I shoot various shoots throughout the year, but have a very busy off-season with my family. That is one of the great things about Hoyt ... I can pick up my bow and be dialed in within a very short amount of time.
HOYT: Which hunts are you most looking forward to this fall?
CASEY: This year I'll be hunting on the San Carlos for elk, Oregon for elk and deer (two deer tags), Canada for moose, goat, Dall sheep, and Washington for deer ... and I may book a brown bear hunt also. We’ll see.
HOYT: You're not afraid to work hard and invest a lot of time in your hunts. Tell us about a memorable time when you pursued - and tagged - a particular animal.
CASEY: I've been on many hunts in my 28 years of bowhunting and some are more special than others. In 2007, I was hunting a blacktail that I had located the year before but didn’t harvest. The buck was back, even bigger, with a massive 4 x 5 frame and 5’ eye guards. I had two years of photos of this buck and only two were daylight photos. So I knew the odds were not good. On the 13th day of the hunt, I harvested this great buck on the ground at 10 yards. The buck gross scores 158” with a net score of 143 6/8” Pope & Young. All the hard work preparing and scouting had paid off. This buck is one of my most memorable trophies.
HOYT: Who got you started in bowhunting?
CASEY: My father got me started. He was an avid bowhunter and I would go with him on hunts as a very small child. I got bit by the bug early in life and that has never gone away. Twenty-eight years after my first bowhunt and I'm still getting after it. Now, I'm teaching my two boys about the sport.
HOYT: Anything else you'd like Hoyt.com readers to know about you?
CASEY: I'd like to thank Hoyt for all their support throughout the years, and I wish everyone a great 2009 season!