The new guy needs advice
 

As the subject says, I'm new to the forum and to bow hunting. Just got a Drenalin a week and a half ago, and I love it.
I need advice on two fronts. First, I'm shooting 400 grain arrows. That's only 5.71 grains per pound. A lot of what I've read says I should be shooting at or over 6.5 grains per pound. I know I'd sacrifice speed, but there'd be more kinetic energy, right? Somehow, it's hard to imagine a 400 grain arrow sizzling at 300 fps not doing the job.
Second, I'm red-green colorblind. Surely there are some of you gurus out there who have this problem. How in the world can I ever track a blood trail? Do they make anything for this short of those spools of string for tracking, or am I restricted to hunting with someone I can call after I shoot?

RE: The new guy needs advice
 

Ok...first, welcome to the forums. Glad to have you. IMVHO, your arrow weight is about perfect. There is a point of diminishing returns when you talk about speed, weight and KE......Yes, a heavier arrow has more momentum, no quetion. But here's the way I see it. There comes a point when the arrow is too light to carry enough KE, and there is a point where the arrow is too heavy to carry enough speed. In the case of the arrow that's too light, you add weight to the arrow decreasing speeda little but increasing KE....But then there's a point where the gain isn't worth the loss, and IMO that is around the 5.8-5.9 gpp mark. Others are going to disagree, but that's the way I see it. At around the 6-6.1 gpp mark, yes, the KE does increase, but not as much as before that point. AND, your speed is decreasing. I personally shoot for the 5.8 gpp mark everytime. It's a great compromise of speed and energy.

I have a friend that's red color blind, he tracks deer w/ no problem at all. You can see a stop light, right? Though you may not be able to see that it's red, you can still see it. Same w/ the blood. You may not be able to tell that it's red, but you can see it. Even better, can you see your finger bleeding after you cut it? Same same....

RE: The new guy needs advice
 

Thanks for the input on the arrow weight. As to the colorvision, at night, I can't see the difference in the red and yellow lights or the green lights and the street lights. The last time I killed a buck with a rifle, I was looking for the blood splatters that I knew had to be there. The deer was dead at my feet. It wasn't until my brother showed up and pointed out the spray on the trees and leaves that I could see it.

RE: The new guy needs advice
 

I'm a fan of a little heavier than lighter. Your setup will be fine as is, but I feel a heavier arrow gives you a little better penetration and will also quiet your bow.
As far as the color blind thing you can carry a spray bottle of peroxide, it'll foam on blood. It may help you.

RE: The new guy needs advice
 

Wow. That must be a tough world to live in....I'll admit I can't relate, I am fortunate to not have that problem......But like I said, my buddy tracks deer just fine, but it appears you may have a tougher time at it.....

RE: The new guy needs advice
 

LittleChief, I have been studying the arrow deal for 2 weeks now, as I am going to order arrows fit for my bow. I agree with everything mobo has said, as far as what I have learned .... shoot 'em with confidence!!!

Oh, and welcome to the forums!!!:D

RE: The new guy needs advice
 

Peroxide in a spray bottle,you will be able to find blood with ease.;)


Your arrow weight is great.


There is a point of dimineshing return but it is wayup there.You could shoot 12 gr/lb and still have a decent increase ke and huge increase in momentum,but a big drop in speed,which is overated in the first place.Actually,it is blown WAY out of proportion.[:-] And I am not reccomending 12 gr/lb,just using it as an example.


I think your set up is fine the way it is.

RE: The new guy needs advice
 

Hydrgen peroxide will foam up when sprayed on blood spots or splatters.

RE: The new guy needs advice
 

WOW,alot posted while I was typing.

RE: The new guy needs advice
 

OK, I didn't even think of that....That's a cool idea right there.....Even for those of us that aren't color blind.....Sometimes that blood is just darn hard to see.....Good idea.