Another Perspective On Mechanical (vs.) Replaceable Blade Fixed Broadheads

I am going to post an article by Gary Clancy who writes for the Sportsman's Guide. The article concerns itself with selecting either mechanical or replaceable blade broad heads and their respective pros and cons. I am dating myself, however I go back to starting out with recurve's and the Bear Razor Head and eventually stepping up to the compound and currently shoot a Bear Instinct set at about 58 pounds. My arrows are tipped with Red Head replaceable blade 100 grain broad heads. I have had great luck with these and though from time to time, I do consider going to a mechanical, I have NOT yet done so.

I am more of a gun hunter than a bow hunter, however none of the deer I have ever shot with a replaceable blade fixed broad head have been lost. I started out years ago with the original 3 blade Wasp head and have since also used Muzzy 3 blade heads and now I have settled in on Red Head replaceable blade heads. I took a decent buck a few years ago in Madison county with the original three blade Wasp Heads. There is a Bass Pro within 40 min drive of my home and they are easy to obtain, scary sharp and fly well out of my bow.

One factor that I think some guys overlook is that if you are shooting UNDER 60 pounds like I am, mechanicals are NOT your best bet. They are also EXPENSIVE compared to heads like the Muzzy and Red Head backout. I also like the replaceable blade feature of the the Red head. I am adamant about changing blades every season and starting with scary sharp blades.

Anyway, here is a LINK to an excellent tell it like it is article by Gary Clancy:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/Outdoors/Subject/SubjectRead.aspx?
sid=0&aid=151524&type=A

EXCERPT:

Broadheads For Deer: Mechanical Vs. Fixed Blade

By Gary Clancy

Not being quick to change something that is working, mechanical broadheads did not interest me when they first came on the scene. My replaceable-blade broadheads had been doing a good job for me for a long time. Besides, many of the first mechanical heads on the market were of very poor quality. Horror stories, most of them true, abound of blades, which failed to open, blades that broke off at impact, or other mechanical failures that resulted in either lost animals or very long tracking jobs. And more than a few outfitters made it very clear that hunters shooting mechanical heads were not welcome in their camps. Gary Clancy Many bowhunters, myself included, refused to even try them. Why would I want to try something, which may not work, when I know that what I am currently shooting will do the job, I asked myself. But mechanicals survived those early days and today's mechanical heads are no longer prone to the failures that those first mechanicals were so infamous for. Mechanical Head Users Are Lazy Still you might ask, why would anyone want to shoot a mechanical broadhead instead of a fixed blade, if they know that the fixed blade or replaceable-blade head they are currently shooting will do the job for them? As I see it, it boils down to laziness. I know that a statement like that will rile some bowhunters, but the main reason why hunters shoot mechanical broadheads is because mechanical heads fly just like field points. Sight in your bow and practice with 100-grain field points and when it is time to hunt, screw in a mechanical head of the same weight and you are ready to go. The point of impact does not change with a mechanical head. Rarely is that the case with a fixed blade or replaceable-blade broadhead. Those exposed blades act like little wings, which cause the arrow to fly differently with the broadhead attached than with the field point. This means that hunters must tune their bow to shoot broadheads accurately and must practice with broadheads before the season. This is especially true with some of the faster compounds. Mechanical heads eliminated the tune-up hassle, so bowhunters bought into the quicker, easier way. Finally Tries Mechanical Heads As mechanical heads improved, I came under increasing pressure from manufacturers, magazine editors and fellow hunters, to give mechanicals a try. After all, they argued, how can you write about something without ever having used it. So finally, I gave in and agreed to do some of my hunting with mechanical heads. For me, that turned out to be a mistake. Here is why. The advantage of using a mechanical head is they fly like field points. I hunted with mechanical heads for parts of three seasons. During the three seasons, I shot 15 whitetail deer while bowhunting. Nine of the deer were does, ranging in size from about 100 pounds up to probably 145 pounds. The other six were all bucks in that 175-pound to 230-pound class. I shot three of the does and all of the bucks with the Rocky Mountain replaceable-head broadhead and recovered all of the deer. Of those nine deer shot with a replaceable-head broadhead, seven were hit perfectly. And none of them went over 100 yards. One of the bucks I hit high and spined him, dropping him where he stood. I quickly put another arrow into his chest. On one of the does, my shot was a little forward of my aim point and I hit the doe square in the shoulder blade, instead of a few inches behind it where I had been holding. The arrow blew through that shoulder blade, took out both lungs and exited through the off-side shoulder blade. This has been my experience with shoulder shots on many other deer over the years. That deer too went down where she had stood. She was dead before I could slap another arrow on the string. Results On Mechanical Head Shot Deer On the first three does I shot while using mechanical broadheads, the shots were classic broadside shots. The arrow passed through all three and the blood trails were among the best I have ever seen. I've got to admit I was impressed by the results of those first three kills. The next doe I shot with a mechanical head was from a ground blind. The doe was quartering slightly away from me at a range of about 12 yards. The arrow went right where I was aiming, but lodged in the off shoulder and did not exit. Even without an exit wound, however, the deer left a good blood trail and I saw her go down about 60 yards from the Double Bull blind. Doe number five, I hit in the near shoulder blade. It was late evening and I could tell that penetration had been poor, so I left the deer until the next morning. Two hours after taking the track the next morning, I found the deer about 300 yards from where I had shot her. She was dead and judging by how stiff the carcass was, I would guess she had died early the previous evening. When I field dressed her, I found that my concern about poor penetration the previous evening had been well founded. The mechanical head, obviously slowed considerably by punching through the shoulder blade, had managed to penetrate only one lung. A deer can go a long way on one lung. The last doe I shot was captured on professional video and both the cameraman and I agreed that the shot had been "dead-perfect." We did not see the doe go down, but we were sure that we would find her within 100 yards. Unfortunately, before we could climb down and look for her, a tremendous thunderstorm blew in. Lightning, thunder and torrential rains hammered us for one-half hour. Did The Blades Open? When I pulled the arrow out of the dirt, I was dismayed to see that both of the mechanical blades were tucked back flush with the head. I hoped that the blades had folded back when they had struck the dirt, not the deer. We tried to track her in the heavy rain, but it appeared that the rain had washed away all of the blood. I found that strange, because I have tracked animals in the rain and after a rain before, and while rain certainly does dissipate the blood and make it more difficult to see, I had never before seen rain completely wash away what should have been a very good blood trail. The author says he tried mechanical broadheads, but believes a replaceable-blade broadhead is more reliable. Failing to find the deer, we returned later with six men and grid searched the area, but failed to come up with the doe. Three weeks later, I got a call from the landowner on whose property I had been hunting. It seems that another guest had shot a doe not too far from where I had hit the doe just prior to the thunderstorm. The doe the other guest shot had a healed-over hole in it's hide high on the left side behind the shoulder, and another mid-way down the body on the right side. My friend told me that when they skinned the deer, it was plain to see that if it was the same doe I had shot, that the blades had either never opened, or had opened and then folded back on impact, because the hide was only punctured, not sliced. "It looked like the deer had been shot with a field point," were my friends exact words. Of course I cannot prove that it is the same deer, but it seems like a long-shot coincidence to me, that it would not be. I'll be the first to admit that having shot such a few number of animals with mechanical heads is far from a conclusive test. But it is darn sure good enough for this bowhunter. Will Pass On Using Mechanicals Mechanical heads are certainly much improved over what they were just a few years ago and I am certain that manufacturers will continue to make improvements upon them. It appears to me, from my limited testing and from my conversations with others who have shot mechanical heads for many years, that mechanical heads do the job when the shot is perfect. That is what concerns me most. No matter how much you practice, no matter how many 3D tournaments you win, no matter how cool you may be when drawing down on a big buck, there are still going to be times when the shot is less than perfect. There will be times when you pull the shot just a little ... when you are shaking from cold or a touch of buck fever ... when your arrow just nicks an unseen twig, or when the deer "jumps the string." Those are the times when it appears to me, that a fixed head or replaceable-blade broadhead has a better chance of getting the job done. This bowhunter will be sticking with replaceable-blade heads. I will gladly spend the extra time it takes to ensure that my broadheads fly true in exchange for the confidence I have in these heads doing their job when the shot is a little less than perfect. For a fine selection of Broadheads, click here. Gary Clancy writes a weekly column for sportsmansguide.com. Gary has hunted whitetail deer in 20 different states and provinces. He has harvested many record-book animals, and presented hunting seminars from Tennessee to Wisconsin. Gary also has authored or co-authored six hunting books, four on whitetail hunting.

Fletching Your Own Arrows Made Easy

I probably have enough arrows right now to last my bow hunting adventures for the rest of my life. That being said, a few of them from time to time need NEW fletching. I have been aware of the new technology that exists to make it easy to fletch your own at home simply and quickly. I have NOT yet used it, however it looks so simple that probably even I can do it right the first time.

QuickFletch from New Archery products (NAP) makes it easy.  You remove the old fletching and clean the shaft first. Then using the three vanes which come pre-attached to a shrinkable tube, you simply slide the 3 vane shrinkable tube over the shaft to the desired position and then dip the shaft with the fletching on it into boiling water for 10-15 seconds. Remove the shaft from the water, shake off any excess and stand it in the corner to let it cool down. That is all there is to it.

The vanes are NAP's 2 inch twister and Quick Spin vanes featuring NAP's patented kicker and micro-grooved combination. They are reputed to spin up to 300 percent faster than conventional vanes. They also give better accuracy and tighter groups than conventional  fletching. They work well with target points and broad heads. What is NOT to like?

Here are links to the process:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCAozVghAKg

Here is a LINK to BassPro NAP's Quick Fletch kits

http://www.basspro.com/New-Archery-Products-QuickFletch-2-Twister-Vanes/product/99938/

Dan

New Rac-Em-Bac Bow mag Bullet Broadhead

Got an email today with a new broad head being marketed. It will hold a .38 special or .357 Mag bullet inside of a screw on cylinder where a normal traditional style or mechanical broad head would screw onto the arrow. Expected marketing date for this new broad head is on May 1st of 2013.

Interesting concept, however not sure of the legality in most states for actual hunting purposes.

Watch the video here:

http://www.racembac.com/bowmag.html

EXCERPT:

See the Incredible Bow Mag in Action!

A Revolutionary New Bow Product

1 MAY 2013 IS THE PLANNED SHIP DATE!

The Bow Mag arrowhead holds a .38 or .357 bullet. It turns your compound bow or crossbow into an even deadlier hunting tool. The Bow Mag has the most lethal killing power of any arrowhead on the market for big game and nuisance animals. Bring the magnum punch of a bullet directly to your target.

• Holds any .38 or .357 bullet
• Lethal killing power
• For big game and nuisance animals

Tim's 8 Point Buck Taken With An Oneida Eagle Bow

I wanted to do a post on my younger brother Tim and the nice 8 point he got with the bow on October 20th around 6:10PM EST. The buck was taken in Madison County in NYS.

In Tim's own words, here is a little background on the deer and his equipment:

Dan wanted me to write a bit about my little 8-point buck I took with my old bow this year.
The bow is a "Strike Eagle" by Oneida Eagle and is about a 1992 vintage so around 20 years old. Oneida bows were made in Syracuse back in the day. I believe it since has been sold and moved out of state. The bow was considered very fast 20 years ago at around 210 fps. Pretty slow by today’s standards. I chose it because I liked the idea it was made locally and in the USA. Also the fact that it had no cables in the way.
 I shot it instinctively with fingers and no sight for many years since it was "so fast" but unfortunately old age and failing eyesight has persuaded me to go back to a sight and release. In fact I think it might be getting time to upgrade to a newer bow. I had the Eagle turned down to a 50lb draw weight at the time as my left elbow was giving me some trouble. I normally have it set at a 60lb draw weight. The arrows are carbon fiber "Blackhawk Vapors" with Muzzy 100 grain 3-blade broadheads. Arrows are 28” in length and weigh about 450 grains including broadhead.
The buck was harvested Oct 20, 2012 about 6:10 PM after watching him for about 10 minutes. I had to wait for him to get into range and clear of some tree limbs.  He came out late in the afternoon to feed in my field of sunflowers. Sunset was at 6:13 PM that day so not much time left. The shot was taken at about 25 yds. broadside from my brother’s ladder stand that I had set up on the edge of my field. The arrow got both lungs but I did not get a pass through shot. Suspect that was due to the low draw weight at the time and perhaps my broadheads were not as sharp as they should have been. Dan lectured me about that. Still he only traveled a total of 50 to 60 yds. leaving a very good blood trail. I didn’t start trailing him for about an hour and found him after dark only 25 to 30 yds. from where I had last seen him stumbling. He probably weighed about 150 lbs.
That all happened a couple weeks ago. I had venison tenderloin for dinner tonight. Sunflowers apparently make a tasty deer! They certainly ate enough of them!
Tim

Below is a picture of the buck taken the next day and an original ad for the “Strike Eagle”.

This would be a great place to point out one of the major differences between my brother Tim and I. Tim is a GENIUS. He must have been born with talent I never possessed. He can build a house from scratch,  frame it, do the plumbing, do the wiring etc. He can disassemble a truck or car, fix what is wrong with it and put it back together and it actually works. (I always have parts left over no matter what I take apart and put back together)  My only talent is after years of trial and error, I am smart enough to know "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", and if it is broke take it to someone who knows how to fix it.  Tim also has his own website, entitled, "Tim the Toolman Wafer". IF you are into old tractors, trucks, farm equipment, aviation or ATV's etc. you will enjoy Tim's site. Even if you are NOT, you will still enjoy his website.  Like I said, he is a very talented guy.

Dan

Here is the LINK to his site:

http://www.timwafer.com/index.html

EXCERPT:

Tim the Toolman Wafer

---

My Collection I enjoy restoring old and unusual equipment and vehicles and also enjoy flying Radio Controlled Aircraft. Included below is a page describing the restoration of a 1939 Farmall F-14 tractor. My current project is a 1951 Farmall H and I just added a page devoted to that. Future projects include a 1969 SkyTrak forklift, a 1954 Tucker Sno-Cat, a 1941 Caterpillar D2 and several unusual ATV's. A Passé Par Tout, Alsport Tracker and a Max IV. The PPT and Max are both in good shape right now but the Tracker is also undergoing a full restoration but is currently on hold. I have added some pages detailing the restoration projects on several of the vehicles. I will be adding pages for each machine as time permits. Thanks for visiting and check back for further updates!

Another Crossbow To Consider

This is a Crossbow that I have NOT seen tested in any of the outdoor mag's crossbow test and they are made by our neighbor to the south in West Chester, PA. Please examine the attached links. Ruger has decided to back and invest in the KODABOW crossbow. They are reputed to be very accurate, and feature a crisp trigger pull and low maintenance. You can change the string in the field yourself and DECOCK THE BOW without firing an arrow at the end of your hunt. You can check them out at kodabow.com or call then currently at 484-947-5471. One thing that impresses me is that these crossbows ARE MADE IN THE GOOD OL USA.

http://news.kodabow.com/2012/07/ruger-invests-in-kodabow-crossbows.html

EXCERPTS:

Ruger Invests in Kodabow

Pictured is our good friend, Rick, who lives in Michigan with a few of his favorite shooting tools. Nothing says Made in America like a Ruger .44 Magnum, a Ruger M77 in .30-06., and a Kodabow Big Rhino crossbow.

Long ago, when this writer was 16 years old, Dad and I walked into a sporting goods store and picked out a Ruger Standard Mk I semi-automatic .22 caliber handgun. I marveled at the design and how it always functioned perfectly. It was the first of many Ruger firearms that would grace my collection. A .22 handgun is an odd choice for a youngster but I was an accomplished shooter at 16. It was a simpler time with no Internet, Facebook, cell phones or text messages. The kids I knew best spent every moment camping, hunting or playing high school sports. Trust, Safety and Responsibility when it came to firearms was expected. Yes -- we actually left school and hunted on the way home. The 60's and 70's were just different. That Ruger .22 served me well and its a testament to its flawless design that it is still in production decades later. The next Ruger turning point occurred in the Navy when a fellow officer took me under his wing and taught me how to properly and safely reload ammunition. There was only one brand of revolver that he suggested I purchase - a Ruger .357 Magnum. Today, and many Ruger firearms later, one of my favorite Ruger pistols is the Single Six Convertible that allows the shooter to switch the cylinders between .22 Magnum and standard .22 Long Rifle. It is admirable when a company steps out and makes differentiated products they believe should be made. Bill Ruger took that approach and it was even recognizable by a 16 year old. After selling well over a million guns in the past year, Ruger continues to deliver innovative products that consumers demand. Rugged and Reliable Firearms - Ruger.

Naturally, the Kodabow Team was very pleased when Ruger chose to make an investment in our company. We do share common values. We make our product right here in the US and we are not afraid to do things differently. Bill Ruger dared to be different and you find that same spirit at Kodabow today. The same qualities you expect in a fine Ruger firearm are built into each and every Kodabow. Here is the announcement. Enough said.

My best,

Chuck

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. Invests in Kodabow Crossbows
June 26, 2012 Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is proud to announce that it has purchased a minority interest in Kodabow, Inc., a crossbow manufacturer based in West Chester, PA. Ruger's investment will help Kodabow accelerate its business plans and expand its infrastructure.

"This investment reflects our interest in participating in one of the faster growing segments of the hunting market," said Ruger President & CEO Michael O. Fifer. "Crossbows are increasingly becoming a new and exciting choice for outdoor-oriented consumers as they bridge the gap between traditional archery and firearms. Crossbows are gaining broader acceptance and more states are adopting crossbow hunting seasons. We have watched Kodabow make steady progress with its innovative crossbow platform and USA-based manufacturing. We expect that Kodabow will have a bright future and this Ruger investment will assist the company in moving forward," he concluded.

"We are extremely pleased to have an association with Ruger," said Chuck Matasic of Kodabow. "Ruger shares our vision that delivering dependable and innovative hunting products made in the USA will drive industry leadership and success. Ruger's investment validates our business model based upon high quality and customer satisfaction, and most of all, crossbow products that are accurate and reliable - qualities very evident in Ruger firearms," he concluded.

To learn more about the extensive line of award-winning Ruger® firearms, visit www.Ruger.com. To learn more about Kodabow crossbows, visit www.Kodabow.com.

(MY INPUT) I have long been a fan of Ruger firearms and have owned several of their rifles and handguns over the years. I especially appreciated their integral rings on their rifles which I have always said is one LESS THING TO GO WRONG in the field.

http://crossbowchoice.com/brands/kodabow/

Kodabow's are designed and manufactured to be more dependable that the average hunter would ever need. This durability is important for those tough times in the field where having a crossbow you can count on makes the difference between taking home the game or going home empty handed.

History

In 2010, Chuck Matasic started Kodabow. Like most in the crossbow industry, Chuck began life as a vertical archer. A passion for the outdoors drove Chuck towards employment in the outdoor industry. Chuck had a great deal of experience with both archery and firearms. Several years ago, Chuck noticed that States were shifting to allow the use of crossbows as a viable hunting and game management tool. He also wanted to provide an exceptional youth model crossbow. He saw the need for crossbows that use more of the high quality/high tech materials available in today's world to provide a better product.

Made in the USA

At Kodabow, they also feel that "Made in the USA" is heard much less frequently than it should be. Hunters are defined by the sport they love and knowing how and where the components are produced is important. That's why Kodabow's and their components are "Made in the USA."

Technologies and innovations

Kodabow is gaining a following among hunters who want something that they can depend on no matter what the situation is. Their crossbows are fast and accurately built for the hunt no matter where the chase leads.

The first thing that you notice about Kodabow's is that it uses a high-tech recurve design. This Dynamic Flex Energy Storage uses new concepts in physics to create a better transfer of power. These limbs were chosen for their dependability and durability. Its proven design works everywhere every time. After picking it up, you get the feel of a finely crafted hunting tool.

Another innovation is their advanced trigger group, the Cam Following Trigger System. This system provides an extremely clean crisp trigger break. It's the same kind of trigger you would find on a high quality firearm.

The Kodabow uses a machined riser with anti dry fire mechanism. It also has a Solid Rail Technology, which allows you to use more accessories are standard on Kodabow's.

Quality product line

All of these features are built into this premium crossbow line. Four different draw weights are available from the Alpha Strike at 155lb draw weight shooting 272fps to the Big Rhino pulling 225lbs and shooting 355fps. Priced from $800 and up Kodabow's, are quality products for hunters.    

http://kodabow.com/

EXCERPT:

Accuracy Basics

Accuracy Basics
Some shooters are very focused on accuracy. Here is a checklist that might help your shooting results.
1 - The scope must be mounted correctly. One quick way to check your scope is to place a carpenter's level across the top of your limb pockets and orient the crossbow to a perfectly level position. Use gravity to help by tying a string with a weight from a tree limb about 20 yards out. Determine if your vertical crosshair is aligned "up and down" with the plumb bob hanging from the tree. (We have tied our cocking rope to a tree in camp when in a jam.) If not, loosen the scope rings and rotate the scope until you achieve perfect alignment. Your shots will move either left or right as range is increased if the scope is not 100% vertically correct. Naturally, hold your crossbow level when shooting. Target shooters will mount a leveling glass on their crossbow to ensure the bow is absolutely horizontal.
2. Pull your limbs back evenly. When cocking the crossbow, make an effort to pull both limbs back together using the cocking rope without twisting or loading one side of the crossbow more than the other. If you have left and right variance with the same arrow, the cocking procedure is suspect. If there is "up and down" variance with the same arrow, check to see if your scope or fasteners are loose in any way.
3. Use a rangefinder. Until laser rangefinders made their way into the commercial hunting market about 15 years ago, archers had to visually estimate range or pace off distances in advance to shoot well. Today, for just slightly more than the cost of a full tank of gas, a laser rangefinder can be in the backpack. For crossbow hunters who are also rifle hunters, obtain a rangefinder with a rating for 1,000 yards and it should work perfectly well for both archery and firearm requirements.
4. Know your crossbow ballistics. A crossbow is a system consisting of the crossbow, the scope and the selected arrow. We are often asked what is the best crossbow. The answer is one that you can cock easily without creating variance and have the confidence to hit your aim point regularly. For most hunters, this is our 185 lb or 200 lb crossbow. After the trigger is pulled, it is all about ballistics. Typically, the 200 lb Bravo Zulu will shoot the 6 aiming points in our scopes very precisely when using the supplied arrows with 100gr heads. (There are 4 crosshairs in the scope but the top and bottom posts provide 2 additional aim points.) It works out nicely for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 yards. The Koda-Express works equally as well with a slight adjustment. For this 185 lb bow, typically sight in 3/4" high at 20 yards and the ballistics adhere to the scope reticles at 30, 40 and 50 yards with the last aim point coming in at just under 60 yards. Confidence goes up as yardage decreases for most hunters. There are less obstructions to deal with (trees, bushes, twigs) and fewer environmental effects (wind, sound, animal movement) so a 20 to 30 yard shot with a Kodabow should be a deer hanging in camp 100% of the time. That is providing you take your time, know your deer anatomy, and avoid a case of "buck fever." Remember when shooting uphill or downhill, your aiming point must be lowered vs. the normal flat, level surface that you might have used in practice. Study your angle/ballistic charts or use one of the compensating range finder devices that calculates angle adjustments.
5. Shoot from a rest. Even the best rifle shooters avoid taking game without using a rest. Shooting sticks are the norm in Africa. Smart rifle hunters will find ground or external support to steady their aiming point. Crossbow hunters should do the same. For this hunter, the last three animals taken were from these positions: - Prone, - Sitting with knees as support, and again, Sitting with knees as support. We love that sitting position!
For tree stand hunters, consider using your rail or a monopod.
6. Think about what you are doing. A good friend called one morning complaining about his crossbow. He said the crossbow shot fine last year but now he can't get the crossbow scope sighted in at all. He pulled his bow out for the upcoming deer season and it was shooting way off. He said he required some major scope adjustments just to get on target at 20 yards but when he stepped back to 30 and 40 yards, it was no where close to the target (shooting very low) until he finally gave up in frustration. It seemed the more he shot, the worse it all became. We spoke for a few minutes until it became clear that the poor fellow started the morning off using the bottom 50 yard reticle at 20 yards.
(He got mixed up should have been using the uppermost reticle.) Every adjustment he made after that was hopeless. After the few dozen clicks changing his former 50 yard aim point to 20 yards, when he stepped back to 30 yards, he was even further off because he was basically using his scope upside down. We had a few laughs. Take your time. Don't rush to judgement and if something isn't acting right, also consider that the shooter just might be the problem. Looking forward to a great season! Another friend said, "Be early to rise and stay in the woods until last shooting light if you want to take the the big buck." Good advice..... My best, Chuck

TOP Rated Broadheads Fixed and Mechanical

Every year I take a look at the current crop of broadheads to see if I should make a switch or stay with what I have. For three years now I have used the Redhead Black Out fixed blade in 100 grain weight and still see no logical reason to make a switch at this time.

The mechanical Swhacker broad head won the mechanical blade test.

Every year brings a fresh crop of both fixed and mechanical heads. If whitetail deer were the ONLY game in town and one could always place their broadhed dead center on a double lung shot and avoid glancing blows, shoulder shots etc. we likely would not need to do any further looking. Both the Swhacker mechanical and the Redhead fixed blade will  fill the bill rather nicely for most of us.

http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/whitetail-deer/bowhunting/2012/08/best-broadheads-mechanical-and-fixed-blade-?photo=6#node-1001357400

EXCERPT:

Best Broadheads: Mechanical and Fixed-Blade Broadheads Tested

We tested and ranked the 5 best mechanical broadheads and 5 best fixed-blade broadheads on the market.

Photo Gallery by Todd Kuhn

Enlarge Photo

Bear Instinct Compound Bow Review

The Bear instinct compound bow was rated as a BEST BUY in the annual Outdoor Life bow test issue either in 2006 or 2007. I purchased this bow back then and have been very happy since then. I came across an informative bow test of this model and thought I would post it here. The bow is no longer available as a stock item of course, however it you find a used one or an odd bow left on a dealer's shelf somewhere, you won't be disappointed. Here is a little nostalgia concerning the bow. Mine still works like a charm. Dan

http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publish/BalazsBearInstinct.shtml

BOW TEST EXCERPTS:

When I was young, I was given a fiberglass recurve bow that was made by Fred Bear. I never did shoot at much with it, but that was not the bows fault. You see, I think I lost the arrows that came with it; the same day I got it. Although I never had any arrows, I would still tote it up the mountains of Colorado, looking for a stick that would substitute. My grandfather had given me that bow, and I still have it today. Yet, even with the scratches and nicks that a kid growing up in the "Wild West" could put on it, my kids still shoot it in the back yard and it performs just like it should.

Over the last ten years the archery industry has gone from one extreme to another. The process of "keep up or get out of the way" really applies in today's industry. If there is an archery company that does not want to conform to what the hunters want, then the profits of that company plummet. Bear archery has conformed and made the transition into the 21st century. One thing that Bear Archery has done is, implemented 21st century technology and quality, but only attached a 20th century price tag.




Riser

The new Fred bear bows are made with vertical limb technology. This allows the bow to have a longer riser. The Instinct's riser is 22 inches and made from machined aluminum, which adds strength and speed.
There are 9 cutouts that reduce the overall weight of the whole bow, which has the mass weight of 4.1 pounds.
The brace height of the Instinct is 7 ½ inches. Another great thing about the new vertical limb bows is the extended brace height. This makes the shorter bows more forgiving and easier to shoot.
The grip is a two-part grip that also includes a grip material to ensure that your hand does not move.

Limbs

The Instinct is outfitted with compression molded quad limbs that are solid and give very little. That is what is great with the new vertical limb bows on the market. With little to no limb travel the manufactures can make their limbs more rigid for increased speed, yet there is not an increase in vibration or shock.

Cam

The Perimeter Weighted Single Cam System adds speed along with a smooth draw. The weighted cam increases your strings speed, which increases the arrow speed and nock-down power. The cams have modules that let you increase or decrease your draw length, but the let-off is capped at 75%.

Dampening:

Every Bear bow comes with factory installed Simms vibration laboratory limb savers and string-leach set. Simms is the number one vibration dampener on the market and it goes to show that when you put two quality items together, nothing but a good thing can happen.

Testing



Testing was done outside at distances from 10 to 20 yards. First thing I did was put the bow in my press made by Archery Custom Extremes. After loosening the string and installing a peep sight, I moved the bow to my R. S. bow-vice leveling system to install the rest. This bow-vise has made my life easier when it comes to setting up a bow for shooting. After installing a whisker biscuit and tuning it using the levels that come with the R. S. System, I was ready to shoot.

The bow was sent with the draw length set at 29" and poundage at 68. When drawing the Instinct, it was smooth throughout and once you reach the wall, it does not give anymore. When you are at full draw with this bow, you can feel the power that it harnesses. I attribute this to the short axel-to-axel length of 31". With a 29" draw I am almost drawing the length of the bow back. This gives you a real feel of control and allows the bow to rest firmly in your hand.

Now it was time for the speed test. First I wanted to shoot an arrow that was as close to the IBO weight of 350 grains. I cut my arrows to 28 inches using my Apple Archery Arrow cut off saw. After installing the inserts I weighed all my arrows using a pocket scale. After weighing all my arrows I pulled out three that weighed 360 grains with field points. I shot all three arrows through my Chronograph made by Competition Electronics and found my speed to be 262 FPS. I thought to myself, "Wow that was fast and this is with using a Whisker Biscuit rest." Now I wanted to see how it performed with a little heavier arrow, so I bumped up my field point weight to 125 grain. Now my arrow weighed 385 and I shot three more times. The outcome was still good with the average speed of 255 FPS. While shooting, the noise level was very quiet. I think we can contribute this to the SIMS vibration dampeners that came factory-installed on the bow.


When I shoot a bow I am very critical of how the grip feels in my hand. I usually install a custom grip on all of my hunting bows. Most grips on the newer bows are just to skinny, which results in torque or improper hand placement. The Instincts grip is perfect for my hand. It is like the case of the three little Bears, neither to skinny nor to fat, but just right. On the back of the grip is a "non-skid" type of gripping tape. This does not allow your hand to slip at all and gives you that perfect placement, every time.

Category - Rating - Comments

• Grip - 10 - Like holding nothing very natural
• Maneuverability - 9.8 -31" Perfect for stalking or blind hunting.
• Speed - 9.0 - Nice and fast
• Quality/Workmanship -9.5 - Great construction and quality
• Shock/Vibration - 9 - Even shooting without a stabilizer there was little jump
• Noise Level - 9.5 - Not much at all
• Draw - 9.7 - Easy draw with a solid wall
• Shootability -9.7 - When at full draw you feel at one with the bow.
• Over all impression - 9.7 - Highly recommended!
• Affordability - 10+ - The Instinct has 2006 quality but the price is that from 10 years ago.

Total Score - 95.9 - Out of possible 100

Conclusion
I was very impressed with the quality that Bear Archery has put into their newer bows. I am a true believer in the vertical limb technology and can honestly say it increases your speed with out adding the shock. Bear has brought us a product that is as good as the best bows on the market, yet they have given it a price tag from a bow 10 years it's junior. For right around 400 dollars you can reach amazing speeds with out sacrificing brace height or added noise and for that, they have my thumbs up!!

2006 Fred Bear Instinct Specs:

• Brace height- 7 ½"
• Draw Length - 26" - 31"
• Draw weight - 50, 60, 70
• Axle to Axle - 31"
• Mass Weight- 4.1 lbs
• Let Off - 75%
• IBO Speed - 305 fps
• MSRP - $399.00

Crossbows 2012

In a recent post I indicated I am mildly interested in crossbows for hunting. That is not entirely true. If it fires a projectile, I have always been interested. I guess currently I am frustrated with NYS's position on when they will allow crossbow hunting.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/68802.html


SEE Excerpt:

Crossbow Hunting

Features

• You may only use a crossbow during the early bear season, regular firearms seasons for deer and bear, late muzzle loading seasons for deer or bear, and the special firearms season for deer in Suffolk County.
• Crossbows cannot be used in "bow hunting-only" areas of the state or during bow hunting seasons.
• You will need to possess a signed "Certificate of Qualification" (available on our Sportsman Education page) while hunting afield with a crossbow.
• There are no special provisions for the use of crossbows for disabled hunters or for hunters 70 years old or older.
• Hunters with either temporary or permanent physical disabilities should refer to the Modified Longbow Authorization for information on use of specially equipped longbows or compound bows.
• The crossbow law expires on December 31, 2012, unless the Legislature and Governor agree to an extension.

  The Basics of New York's New Crossbow Law

  Question: What is the new law?
  Answer: During the 2010 Legislative Session, Assembly bill 924-e/Senate bill 6793-b was passed. Governor Paterson signed this bill into law on September 17, 2010. The bill may be read in its entirety by going to: http://assembly.state.ny.us/ and using the bill search feature to look for "A-924-e" or "S-6793-b."
  Question: When does the new law go in effect?
  Answer: The changes went into effect on February 1, 2011. This means that a licensed hunter can use a crossbow during the 2011 and 2012 big game hunting seasons. The law will expire on December 31, 2012, unless the Legislature and Governor decide to extend it.
  Question: Is a new or separate type of license required to use a crossbow?
  Answer: There is no special crossbow license or tag. You will need any DEC license that allows big game hunting and carry a certificate of qualification (some training is required, see below). If you are using a crossbow during the late muzzle loading seasons, you will need to have the muzzle loading privilege.
  Question: Is a crossbow and a bolt defined in the new law?
  Answer: Yes. The crossbow shall consist of a bow, string, and either recurve or compound limbs, having a minimum width of 17 inches (tip of limbs, uncocked), mounted on a stock. The stock shall have a trigger with a working safety that holds the string and limbs under tension until released. It shall have a minimum overall length from the butt of the stock to the front of the limbs of 24 inches and be able to launch a minimum 14 inch arrow/bolt, not including the legal arrowhead. It shall have a draw weight of 100 to 200 pounds.
  

  Use of Crossbows

  Question: When can I use a crossbow to hunt?
  Answer: Crossbows may be used only during the early bear season, regular firearms seasons, late muzzle loading seasons, and the special firearms season in Suffolk County for the 2011 and 2012 big game hunting seasons.
  Question: May I use a crossbow during a bow hunting season?
  Answer: No. Crossbows may not be used during any bow hunting season.
  Question: I have a note from my doctor regarding an injury that prevents me from using a regular bow. May I use a crossbow during the early bow hunting seasons?
  Answer: No. The new law does not allow a hunter with disabilities (temporary or permanent) to use a crossbow during any bow hunting season. Hunters with physical disabilities should refer to the Modified Longbow Authorization for more information.
  Question: I am 70 years old (or older). May I use a crossbow during the bow hunting season?
  Answer: No. The new law does not allow a senior hunter to use a crossbow during any bow hunting seasons.
  Question: May I use a crossbow in the "bow hunting only" areas of New York, such as Westchester County, parts of Albany and Monroe counties, and Suffolk County?
  Answer: Crossbow use is not allowed in any season in Wildlife Management Units 3S (Westchester County), 4J (part of Albany County), and 8C (Monroe County). For Wildlife Management Unit 1C (Suffolk County), crossbow use is not allowed during the regular season, but it is allowed during the Special Firearms Season in January.
  Question: May I use a crossbow during the early bear or early muzzle loading seasons in the Northern Zone?
  Answer: Crossbows may be used during the early bear season, but crossbows may not be used in the early muzzle loading season in the Northern Zone.
  Question: May I use a crossbow to hunt small game, such as wild turkeys?
  Answer: No. Crossbows may only be used to hunt big game (deer and bear).
  Question: Are the restrictions on the use of crossbows the same as a firearm or bow?
  Answer: Yes. A crossbow may not be loaded in or on a motor vehicle, it may not be discharged within 500 feet of an occupied building or school, it may not be discharged across a highway, or in areas where the discharge is presently prohibited for a bow or firearm.
  Question: When is a crossbow considered unloaded?
  Answer: A crossbow is considered unloaded when the bolt/arrow is removed, regardless whether the crossbow is cocked or uncocked.
  Question: What tags would a crossbow hunter use to tag their deer?
  Answer: During the regular season, a crossbow hunter could use a Deer Management Permit (DMP - antlerless only), Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP - antlerless only) tag, or their regular big game tag (antlered deer only). During the late muzzle loading season, crossbow hunters could use a DMP, DMAP tag, or their special season muzzle loading tags (either-sex or antlerless only). Additionally, crossbow hunters could use their unfilled regular season tag for deer of either sex during the late muzzle loading season. In order to fill any tag in the late muzzle loading season, the hunter must have the muzzle loading privilege.
  Question: Are Junior Hunters allowed to use a crossbow to hunt deer or bear?
  Answer: 14 and 15 year old Junior Hunters may hunt deer or bear with a crossbow once they complete the crossbow safety training (see below). Junior Bow hunters (age 12 and 13) may not use a crossbow to hunt big game.
  Question: What kind of broad head may I use on my crossbow?
  Answer: You must use the same type of broad head lawful for hunting big game with a longbow. The broad head must have two or more cutting edges, it may not be barbed, and it must be at least 7/8 inches wide across the cutting surfaces.
  

  Special Training Requirements

  Question: Do I need to take a special sportsman education course to hunt with a crossbow?
  Answer: No. However, you must have completed the basic hunter education course, and hunters planning to use a crossbow to hunt deer or bear will need to complete training in the safe use of hunting with a crossbow and responsible crossbow hunting practices.
  Question: Where can I obtain this training?
  Answer: Training will be included in all basic hunter education courses now being offered. If you completed hunter education in the past, information on safe and responsible use of a crossbow can be found within the Crossbow Hunting Qualifications and Certificate located on our Sportsman Education page and in the 2011-2012 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. After completion of the training, all potential crossbow hunters will need to complete and sign a crossbow 'Certificate of Qualification' and possess this while hunting afield with a crossbow.

I would like to see either allowing us to use our choice of recurve, long bow, compound or cross bow during the regular archery season or perhaps have a 3 day separate cross bow season. I think some of the reluctance is lobbying from the archery folks (OF WHICH I AM ONE). I am not lobbying or protesting against cross bows...........I simply participate in the the archery season with a compound.

I have listened for years as to how the move from longbows, to recurves to compounds will decimate the deer herd, provide an unfair advantage to the compound users etc. NONE OF WHICH has manifested itself.

I listened to the same arguments during the special ML seasons from folks who felt the same way about allowing projectiles other than round balls, allowing scopes on muzzle loaders, the switch from flintlocks to percussion caps to musket caps to 209 shot shell primers, in line technology etc. These fears were also Unjustified. We now have in line muzzle loaders that will print respectable groups at 200 yards using rifle scopes and no apparent harm to the deer herd at large.

I personally believe the cross bows should be allowed for hunters with disabilities in NYS and for older hunters who may be unable to pull back their compound bow any longer. In case you haven't looked around, there are a lot more grey haired or white haired hunters and we are not getting any younger. We need to do what we can to promote the sport and hold the interest of younger hunters coming into the sport. Despite any one's best efforts, technology is going to continue whether someone approves of it or not. My opinion's are my own and I am not trying to talk you out of yours.

I am NOT looking for an argument and everyone has a right to their own opinion and conclusions.

That being said, here are some crossbows you might want to consider if your in the market:

Field and Stream magazine had regular guys like you and me, test (4) crossbows through an entire hunting season. The Carbon Express Covert CX1 at $500 suggested retail held down the number one spot. Testers agreed it took first place for the best combination of speed accuracy, and reliability. Fit and finish were praised and the bow was easy to cock. Negatives: "The trigger was too heavy". Never-the-less it earned the participants ***** award and for $500 it is worth a look.

The Barnett Penetrator also for $500 made **** 1/2 stars. Pluses were the bow was compact, comfortable, fast and accurate. There was concern over the foot stirrup designed to help anchor the bow during cocking has potential to risk fouling the mechanisms with mud or snow. There was also a concern over durability of the plastic bolt retainer.

Two other Cross bows were tested with the Wicked Ridge Invader at $550 earning a **** rating and the Excalibur Axiom SMF at $500 earning a *** 1/2 star rating.

All four of these were manufacturer's ENTRY LEVEL cross bows and not meant to compete with other models running the gamut up to $1,699 for a Carbon Elite XLT, a Scorpyd Ventilator at $1,349 and several other models in the $700 - $800 range.

Outdoor Life as mentioned also tested 11 crossbows in the $499 to $1,699 price range. Both magazines had excellent articles and fair informative tests. I suggest picking up a copy of each magazine at your new stand today (IF) you are not already a subscriber.

The unknown factor in all of these tests is your own personal opinion on the looks of the bow, how it feels in your hands and what features you consider important.

I would personally visit a Cabela's, BassPro, Gander Mountain or similar store near you to take a test drive at their indoor ranges before you lay down your hard earned cash.

Dan