Mechanical Broadheads?

CombinationLicense · 01-17-2009, 06:47 PM

First off, let me state that I support bow hunting but am not a bow hunter. That being said, I need some help from bow hunters to fully understand the issue surrounding the use of mechanical broad heads. They are currently illegal in Oregon, evidently because of the perception that they are less efficient than a "regular" broad head. They are legal in some states and I have seen hunting shows that feature them. I would really like to hear opinions from bow hunters that have actually used them in states where they are legal. Technology has obviously changed in the last few years so is your experience good, bad or indifferent? Would you go with the guys on TV that tout them as effective for quicker kills or have you experienced more wounding? I understand a good shot is a good shot, but what is the actual bottom line?

"CL"

WapitiBob · 01-17-2009, 07:38 PM

There is no bottom line. They are illegal in Or. because they are perceived to be too modern for a primitive weapon hunt. This was the case when first brought up and again a few years ago when looked at again by ODFW.

Fixed vs mech
recurve vs compound

always somebody willing to tell you what you need to be using.

I've killed bulls with both. I prefer the Spitfire mechs. More blood and faster kills vs fixed over the last 25 years of killing bulls. Shoot what you're comfortable with, have experience with, and forget what everybody else thinks you should hunt with.

lor · 01-17-2009, 07:55 PM

Since we are talking about legal issues, lets be clear on the regulations.

Quote:

Broadhead blades must be fixed, unbarbed and at least 7/8” wide (except for western gray squirrel). It is illegal to hunt with or possess

mechanical or moveable blade broadheads when hunting game mammals except western gray squirrel.

Clearly, they are not illegal, just not legal on big game.
Secondly, if you look at every mechanical broadhead on the market.
The blades form a type of barb when pulled backward thru an animal.

CombinationLicense · 01-17-2009, 08:10 PM

I'm not really interested in arguing over semantics regarding mechanical broadheads and thought the question was pretty clear. I was specifically talking about their use on big game since that's what is illegal in Oregon. I may not be a bow hunter but I know what a broadhead is and how it works. I also know what a mechanical broadhead is and how it works. What I specifically was interested in learning was the actual performance differences of the mechanical broadhead vs. a fixed blade broadhead. Given the wide variety of experience amongst IFISHers, it seemed that there would be someone that could offer an opinion based on their experience using both types.

"CL"

TubeFly · 01-17-2009, 08:20 PM

This same question came up a couple months ago. I never used these myself as a hunting partner did and he wounded two different 6 point bulls at close range while using mechanicals. The angles weren't terrible and if he had been using fixed blades he would have two more book sized bulls to his name. He was so sick over the losses which were back to back that he quit bowhunting all together. They are illegal for more reasons than just not being primitive enough...........

KingSlew · 01-17-2009, 09:15 PM

Not to address CL's question, but mechs also legal in Oregon for turkey and all game birds. (page 12 Game Bird Regs)

WapitiBob · 01-18-2009, 08:53 AM

Combo, I killed a bull with the Slick Tricks between kills with the Spitfires.
again, Noticeably quicker kills and more visible blood in the trail. Does it have anything to do with shot placement and penetration? Of course, But I've watched every bull fall over that was hit with my Spitfires. Not the case with the other heads.

CombinationLicense · 01-18-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TubeFly

This same question came up a couple months ago.

Thanks for sharing the info Tubefly, I must have missed the earlier thread - I'll look it up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WapitiBob

Combo, I killed a bull with the Slick Tricks between kills with the Spitfires. again, Noticeably quicker kills and more visible blood in the trail. Does it have anything to do with shot placement and penetration? Of course, But I've watched every bull fall over that was hit with my Spitfires. Not the case with the other heads.

Thanks for the info WapitiBob. Any other IFISHers have experience with mechanical broadheads on big game?

"CL"

skahorse · 01-18-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CombinationLicense

I'm not really interested in arguing over semantics regarding mechanical broadheads and thought the question was pretty clear. I was specifically talking about their use on big game since that's what is illegal in Oregon. I may not be a bow hunter but I know what a broadhead is and how it works. I also know what a mechanical broadhead is and how it works. What I specifically was interested in learning was the actual performance differences of the mechanical broadhead vs. a fixed blade broadhead. Given the wide variety of experience amongst IFISHers, it seemed that there would be someone that could offer an opinion based on their experience using both types.

"CL"

Ease up CL. You may have known the intentions of your questions, but others do not. You are speaking to a forum, and the reader of your first post may interpret that ALL mech broadheads are illegal in the State of Oregon, which is not the case. No one should get jumped for clarifying the law. Especially when blanket statements are made like "They are currently illegal in Oregon". Also, nowhere in your original post was Big game mentioned.

Possession of them is legal. Target practice with them is legal. Hunting squirrel (and non-game species) is also clearly legal.

Thanks for clarifying the legalities lor.

--Ska

CombinationLicense · 01-18-2009, 01:40 PM

Whatever Ska - I hope that made you feel better

"CL"

beardbuster · 01-18-2009, 04:59 PM

I wish the were legal for Big Game in Oregon. Like anything, when used correctly and to it's potential they are extremely lethal. We have used them on pigs and turkeys and they put animals down in short order.

4th_Point · 01-18-2009, 07:16 PM

I have not hunted with mechanicals....

But, from what I understand from other hunters that do use them is that there 'can' be problem with "pole vaulting". This happens when the angle of entry is far from perpendicular (oblique angle). A quatering shot for example. When the broadhead makes contact and releases the blades, its possible for a single blade to catch and "pole vault" the entire arrow. This applies to broadheads that unfold from front to back.

With the variety of fixed broadheads and the speed of today's bows I don't really see the need for mechanicals. I can understand the reasons for using them however. One is that they are more aerodynamic, and two they have larger cutting surfaces than fixed blades.

To each their own

beardbuster · 01-18-2009, 07:48 PM

There are quite a few new one that do not expand as they did traditionally. Now, they expand as the arrow enters and the blades expand through the feral outward instead of flipping open.

I have seen some awesome shots made with modern broadheads. I would like to see them legal in Oregon. The majority of bowhunters will probably stick to their original broadheads due to the rising cost of equipment and how many they currently have in their bow box, but some will make the transition.

Times are changing and it's time we got our state up to speed with the rest of the archery world.

oregonoutdoors · 01-18-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beardbuster

There are quite a few new one that do not expand as they did traditionally. Now, they expand as the arrow enters and the blades expand through the feral outward instead of flipping open.

I have seen some awesome shots made with modern broadheads. I would like to see them legal in Oregon. The majority of bowhunters will probably stick to their original broadheads due to the rising cost of equipment and how many they currently have in their bow box, but some will make the transition.

Times are changing and it's time we got our state up to speed with the rest of the archery world.

BB I agree with you about some of the newer mechanicals. In the past I have used mechanicals on a few deer and they killed like lightning. Then I had a very bad experience on a buck shot almost perfectly with an older mechanical design. I never recovered the buck, but I think he probally died a slow death due to the broadhead not performing properly. Some of the newer models (like the rage brand) look to be a very good head. The problem with making expandables legal is two-fold in my opinion. One is that design and function vary so much that there will be some guys out there hunting with broadheads that are not up to the task. The other problem is that here in oregon we have elk which are a much stouter animal than a whitetail. If you add problem one to problem two you end up with alot more wounded elk imo.

BrianMaguire · 01-18-2009, 09:56 PM

To me they are illegal in the same spirit as some of the muzzle loader stuff is illegal. I heard once the muzzleloaders need to be careful or they are going to invent the cartridge. Although not a great analogy for bow hunting its the same spirit. It takes more to learn how to shoot broadheads, take that away and its just easier, why not use a cross bow, then add mechanical broadheads?

nakoa · 01-19-2009, 08:02 AM

i have never used them, but after listening to the guys on bowtalk and watching hunting shows, to me they make a bigger intree hole, so to me that would mean a faster kill.

DogZilla15 · 01-19-2009, 09:39 AM

A large entrance hole is secondary to penetration. Those big blades catch a lot of bone and we know what that does. Consider that all big game is not deer sized or smaller. I know I'm old school and lots of stuff is killed with everything on the market but a solid, one piece, cut from the point head like the Zwickey is tough to beat when big bones are encountered. Elk have big bones.....