Broadhead Blues

[Cisco]

I've got a question for you crossbow hunters. I bought a crossbow for my 9 year old son. It's a Barrnett 150lb. It shoots 16in. bolts and has a red dot scope. I don't much care for the scope, only because I like to be persice on my shot, but I knew it would be perfect for a young'un! I took him the other day, last friday evevning to be exact, and he got the opportunity to shoot a medium size doe! She was 15 yards, broadside, and never knew we was around! He done so well with the settin up, He was calm and cool, and I am super proud of him!!!! When he shot, I thought I saw the arrow hit right in the shoulder( yes I know a shoulder shot is not the best shot) but after inspecting the arrow, it didn't have alot of blood on it, but it had blood on the fletching(the arrow was not covered just here and there) We had a faint blood trail at first, but it did get heavier on down the trail. She was only bleeding out one side for sure. And we jumped her once about 100 yards from were he shot. I trailed for another 75 yards and that was it! I'm using Easton 100 grain fixed broadheads(Walmart Brand) and am thinking of getting some Cut on impact expandibles! Any suggestions for this heart broke Daddy? That would had been his first deer also!

 

[basser#9]

first let me say i'm sorry for your son on his almost first deer. as for the exspandable broadheads i myself do not like these. i prefer the fixed thunderheads, reson being i tryed those expandable's and every thing that could go wrong (DID}. as for the blood on the bolt, i would say he might have hit it a little far foward when the broadhead hit it turned and the fletching trailed and touched the wound. if it hit the brisket most times they will bleed and keep on going. emoSorry emoBawl thats just my 02 cents worth

 

[Cisco]

Thanks Basser#9!!! I'm like you, I prefer fixed over expandibles only because of stories I've heard about them. I'm sure they're hunters out there that like them over fixed. BUT..... I am going to a cut-on-impact broadhead because of my Step-mom. My dad and step-mom go to Pike County Illinois every year (they're up there right now the stinkers) and she was using Thunderheads. She shot a nice 8-pointer but the arrow didn't penetrate like it should've! The guide told her next year to use cut-on-impact blades. she shot a 20 inch 10 pointer score around 135 behind the shoulder and came out it's neck!!!!!!! She's only pulling around 50 to 55 pounds! That's why I'm switching to em!

 

[smokinblue]

Ok my turn...I havent hunted long with a bow (of any kind) but I got my first deer with my crossbow opening evening. My dad had bought some "Rage" two blade cut on impact heads for bear hunting and wanted to try them out to see what the would do. We messured them earlier and from blade tip to blade tip it was two and a quarter inches. When I pulled the trigger on her she was at eight yards. I hit the center of her body right at her back bone. She dropped like a rock. After finishing her off we check the damage... I could put my whole hand in the exit wound and three fingers in the entrance!!! It cut the backstraps and the tender loin slap into!!! They also make a three blade havent tried those. But for me and my buck fever its "RAGE"!!!! (caution their something like fourty bucks for a three pack.)

 

[hoggerhead]

Sorry bout your sons luck, but i would not buy the expandable broadheads. In the same scenario, the expandables would not have done any better. They are made for more cutting damage than anything. At fifteen yards with a crossbow, the bone should have been broken!emoScratch A buddy of mine shot a 8 pt 3 years ago in the shoulder with a MUZZLELOADER, and we tracked blood for 200 yds With no deer in sight! We never found him! A shoulder shot is tough either way you look at it. I wouldnt dump the money into expandables.

 

[jason]

Ditto to smokinblue's comment on the Rage broadheads. The entry hole is comparable to a 30-06 exit wound.

 

[SpurHunter]

I only use expandables, and love them. They fly better, and make wicked wounds. Keep in mind, what can go wrong with an arrow hit, wil go wrong. The very best in the hunting biz have the same thing happen to them....it just want meant to be this time. Please tell him not to get discouraged, and his time will come! Kill-um all!

 

[churly]

Anyone who enters the woods to hunt with archery tackle, has to be prepared to loose a deer every once in a while. its just something that happens to all of us, even the pros will admit it, they just dont show you the film.

My $.02: Dont go for the expandables! I have heard too many weird things about them! I shoot G5 Montec's, but the Muzzy's, and good ole thunderheads are as good as you get. If you jumped a deer 100 yards from where you shot her, you did'nt get a good hit! If you make a double lung shot, or heart shot they will drop! If the arrow just penetrates one lung, the deer can run forever! with the other one. Alot of times because of our shot angle in the trees, we tend to hit just one lung.

The key here is to not let the child get discouraged! Let him know that anyone who bow hunts has lost a deer and that he will get him a good one if he is will to practice and be patient.

 

[Liveliner]

I have been sold on Muzzy broadheads since they have been on the market and bucks on the wall to prove it.  I shoot a Ten Point Pro-Elite crossbow.  I removed the fine broadheads equipped on my new arrows and installed 115 gr 4 blade Muzzys.  I fully trust the tried and proven cutting power of the Muzzy.</p>

My hunting buddy who is brand new to the sport of hunting went out and bought a Ten Point Phanton crossbow (just to better up on me. hee-hee). He is using an expandable three blade arrowhead.  Yesterday, We both shot deer.  I have not lost a deer in many years, but just like Churly said, we all can expect to loose one every now and then. I could no find mine with excellent tracking and trailing skills.  However knowing how most bucks do after being shot, I was able to find my buddy"s buck.</p>

 

[Cathooker]

I am glad that you have the young man in the field. Tell him to keep at it and the deer will come. I agree with the others that it was probably a bad hit that went too far forward and sliced the briskett. I have done it myself.

Cisco - 10/21/2007 2:04 PM


I am going to a cut-on-impact broadhead because of my Step-mom. My dad and step-mom go to Pike County Illinois every year (they're up there right now the stinkers) and she was using Thunderheads. She shot a nice 8-pointer but the arrow didn't penetrate like it should've! The guide told her next year to use cut-on-impact blades. she shot a 20 inch 10 pointer score around 135 behind the shoulder and came out it's neck!!!!!!! She's only pulling around 50 to 55 pounds! That's why I'm switching to em!

If she did not get the penetration that she should have with a Thunderhead broadhead it was not the fault of the head. It was probably shot angle / placement or dull blades. I killed 20 to 25 deer with Thunderheads shot out of a 60 pound bow and never had a problem. I switched to Muzzys because I started traveling with the Muzzy team to hunting shows and working with them in their publication relations booth. I got my broadheads from them for free hence the reason for switching. I have killed a couple of wild hogs and probably 50 deer with the Muzzys and if I put the arrow where it was supposed to be I always got the results I needed....a dead animal. These type heads are easier to tune than the so called cut on impact types. Cut on impact heads was probably just that particular guide's personal preference. I will however choose cut on impact over the expandables.
My take on expandable broadheads.....Jesse Moorehead and I were having a discussion one day about archery in general. He and I both agreed that in bowhunting Murphy's Law comes into play more times than not. Murphy's Law : If it can go wrong it will. We both talked about and lived by the KISS rule. "Keep It Simple Stupid" was my motto. The fewer moving parts you have on a bow the less problems will arise. Expandables are mechanical, they have moving parts. The professional bowhunters that hunt in extreme conditions will not use expandables. An expandable in freezing conditions will not open properly. The bottom line is that while an expandable is easier to tune and can be shot accurately with target vanes they are prone to fail. A fixed head will not fail unless the hunter is lazy and does not keep the blades at their sharpest.

 

[djbogle]

In my opinion, the mechanical broadheads would probably perform better with a longer shafted arrow (more weight behind it), although they will still have a hard time penetrating as well as a good, fixed-blade, chisel-point broadhead. Although crossbows are heavier in poundage, they utilize shorter shafts, thus, less weight behind the broadhead. Longer shafts would be heavier and should carry more punch at the point of impact. Try a 100 gr. 3-bladed Muzzy with the crossbow. They're pretty wicked.

 

[cooperjd]

I've never hunted with a crossbow, and good for you for getting your son started in lifestyle of the outdoorsman. it will keep him out of trouble later on and spending time with his dad will be wonderful for both of you.

but on to broadheads. i've hunted with thunderheads, spitfires, muzzys, and lately g5 montecs. i was reading an article on a forum recently praising the cheap heads from walmart. i think for deer sized game its more about shot placement, though i do prefer a fixed blade head. i had fantastic results with the montecs on elk recently.

i was thinking that i read some heads are better suited for crossbows due to their smaller darts and faster speeds, although i'm not sure. i'd say if you have a sharp broadhead that flies true, go with it. just keep it sharp. and good luck.

 

[Cisco]

I sure appreciate the responses gentelman!! I myself have been hunting for 25 years and no stranger to bow hunting, but never a crossbow! I knew(well guessed) the short arrows(bolts) would not keep their energy like a 28 or 32 inch arrow out of a compound. BUT....stupid me didn't do his homework like I should had and went out and bought some cheaper blades(not saying those blades would do the job if it was put in the right place)! I've also used Thunderheads, Muzzys, and also Sattelites. But seeing those little bitty blades made me think they should fly well out of the crossbow just like a expandible. I'm pretty sure it was just a bad hit in that shoulder!! I have 3 wonderful boys a 13, 9, and 5 year olds, and they love to hunt and fish, BUT the best thing about them is they love our Lord and Savior!!! I try my hardest to teach them the best of my ability! The 9 year old is a true fisherman and has caught some good fish including a 27 pound blue cat and a 30 pound drum. My oldest is the deer hunter, he's harvested 5 deer so far and is ready for this weekend. My baby he's whatever the others are doing! Sorry for talking about my young'uns, but this is one super proud daddy!!!!emoBigsmile

 

[Cathooker]

AMEN Cisco....you should be proud of yourself for taking such an interest in teaching your children the wonderful things that God has given us in nature. You have been truly blessed with the children and they with you.

 

[djbogle]

Well said, Cathooker. Alas, I have no sons, but I do have a great-nephew that I'm working on.

 

[Cathooker]

I love that picture...reminds me of the good times my son and I had when he was a little feller....

 

[FIREFIGHTERA149]

SORRY FOR YOUR SON'S LOSS ON HIS 1st DEER MY PRAYS GO WITH HIM FOR A BIG BUCK I'VE BEEN HUNTING FOR MANY YEARS WITH BOTH A GUN AND A BOW (SHOT A LOT OF DEER W/A GUN BUT NONE YET W/A BOW) SO GOOD LUCK AND GET A BIG ONE VIC FROM SODDY

 

[Guest]

thunder heads are my ticket , i have jumped around to just about everything made and they are by far the best for me. if your sons deer was at a angle and he hit a bone it sounds like it turnded out on exit. dont guess well ever know, it happens to the best of hunters. shot one last week i had blood tons of blood for 200 yds. lost the blood but about 25 yds away the deer had crawled into a blow down and died , why no blood to there cant tell you????? good hunting and be safe.