Has this ever happened to you...??
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Horicon Wisconsin US
Posts: 62
Has this ever happened to you...??
I'm into my fourth year of bowhunting. My first year I shot a doe and a nice 8-pointer with both shots being pass-through's. The next year I shot a smaller 8, and again a pass through - all 3 double lunged and expired within 100 yards. Last year I never got a shot off...which brings me to this year. About a month ago a respectable 8 pt came by quartering away..turned at the last second and I missed clean. Two weeks later another 8 pt came within 10-12 yds and i stuck him high and never found him. Tonight another 8 pt (not huge but a shooter for me) was hot on a doe and as it turns out I got yet another shot at about 10 yards. The arrow bounced off of him like he was robo-deer. I know it was a little low and I was trying not to make the mistake I made on the last deer, but I didn't think it was a terrible shot. The more I think about it the deer's front leg may have been back enough so that the blade was farther back. There was no blood on the broadhead(maybe a drop) and no blood on the ground. I know I hit him because he had a pretty good limp and I saw the arrow hit him. I guess I don't know if I am looking for advice or just venting. Thanks for listening.
#2
RE: Has this ever happened to you...??
If you are looking for advice then I would question what type of setup you are shooting...?
For an arrow to bounce off of a deer your setup has to either be low in kinetic energy levels (and hit a shoulder blade), improperly tuned or, if you shoot expandable heads....then it didn't open properly.
Would you be kind enough to expand on this subject further?
For an arrow to bounce off of a deer your setup has to either be low in kinetic energy levels (and hit a shoulder blade), improperly tuned or, if you shoot expandable heads....then it didn't open properly.
Would you be kind enough to expand on this subject further?
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 1,086
RE: Has this ever happened to you...??
something has definitely gone out of whack on your setup. SHoot with a partner to see if they can tell something is wrong. Try retuning your bow to see if something went out. There are a lot better guys with the technical stuff than me here to help out.
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 2,568
RE: Has this ever happened to you...??
Gutpile, I had an arrow not stick two years ago in a similar situation. A cam on my bow had broke, and while it was being repaired I decided to use my wife's bow which is maxed out at 55 pounds. I practiced all week until I was shooting great groups at 25 yards. The first afternoon I hunted with it, I had a nice broadside shot at an 8 point at 25 yards. Right as I released the arrow, the buck stepped back with his left leg, moving the shoulder blade further back, the arrow hit the shoulder blade and it sounded like a baseball hitting a wood bat. The buck took off, the arrow was stuck in the shoulder blade for a few seconds and then fell out. Upon retrieval of the arrow, the very tip of the point had blood and was actually bent a little like a fish hook. The arrow did not penetrate but a 1/4 inch.
#7
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Horicon Wisconsin US
Posts: 62
RE: Has this ever happened to you...??
Rockeytop, I can relate to that sound of a baseball hitting a wood bat. That is a great way to describe it. And the blades were not bent like a fishhook but were wrinkled pretty good. Thanks for the input.
#8
RE: Has this ever happened to you...??
I presume you are shooting fingers because 2316's are very heavy and stiff arrows to be shooting at 55-60 lbs., even with fingers. Just my opinion Ok but.....I have no idea how your arrows are "not" shooting left even at close range before straightening out. I just suspect your arrows are flying very much left at close yardages due to overstiffness and the broadheads are not hitting head on, causing deflections. If you shoot a release you are definitely shooting too stiff an arrow! I hope I don't sound like I am berating you, I am not.....just trying to help.
#9
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Horicon Wisconsin US
Posts: 62
RE: Has this ever happened to you...??
I am far from a professional bowhunter and I am not positive about the 2316, I will have to check at lunch. I am shooting a release, and I was set-up 4 years ago by a professional archery shop that was highly recommended by some of my buddies. Again..I'll have to check on that arrow size.