Fixed-Blade Broadhead Tuning

The first time I saw the effect of a broad head on the flight of a arrow it cost me 3 arrows and 2 goats. I new that high speed bows tended to cause different behavior from your broad-heads compared to field tips  but i had not expected an 40cm right hand change at 42 meters! So I started asking around about it and to be honest no one gave me an answer i was happy with, or that I felt truly answered the issue. 

I had been told to re-sight my pins and that basically you where either a target shooter or a hunter. I was also told that some guys have broadhead/hunting sights and a separate target/field tip sight. None of this actually explained why high energy compound bows cause fixed blade broad heads to take a different flight path. So I researched it and called a few experts namely the technical team at PSE and this is what I was told.

WHY BROAD-HEADS FLY DIFFERENTLY.  

Arrows with broad heads are far more likely to be susceptible to wind planeing. This is because the broad-head blades act as “wings”. 

As the arrow leaves the bow if the broadhead is not dead center the blade will act as wings and catch more air flow on one side (up, down, left, right). 

This is not something paper tuning will always detect with field tips as the adjustment is far more subtle. Furthermore this is exaggerated as the broadhead reaches the peak of its trajectory and begins its downward arch the wind can catch the “wings” (blades) and push it downward or sideways  causing erratic flight. (Arrows drift right, left, down or even up.) 

 

Adjusting the arrow rest usually corrects the problem.

(This is assuming you do not have spine or FOC issues and that your bow has been paper tuned.)

How To Do It

If the broadheads are not flying the same as field points the arrow rest needs to be tuned.  For example broadheads fly high and left of zero for field points. This tells that the broadhead tipped arrows are coming off the bow a little high and left.

You must tune or move the broadhead shot to the field tip shot.

To correct first move rest to the right until broadheads are hitting straight high. Secondly move the rest down. Continue adjusting until broadheads and field points hit the same spot.

Sights may need to be adjusted. That is fine because broadheads and field points are now hitting the same spot.

   Video on how to tune your broad-heads

Other notes

• As the strings/cables age and creep (stretch) this tuning may need to be repeated.
• Broadhead flight may vary from bow to bow.
• Older slower bow models do not produce as much energy thus field points and broadheads may have flown consistently. 
• In addition variation in manufacturing tolerances of broadheads affects flight.

Thames Valley Deer Stalkers - 3D shoot

This was the most fun i have ever had with a bow. (non-hunting days that is) 

I had been chatting to Bill the club Secretary over the past few weeks trying to arrange for our fledgling Raglan Archer club to come over, Bill was brilliant with plenty of friend advise on getting our club up and running. I was really taking back when Bill called on the Saturday to confirm that we were still attending.

The day started pretty early at 0530, well early for a Sunday that was not in the bush, as we headed over from Raglan to Paeroa. I was impressed from the minute we arrived it would be one of the best set up hunting associations I have set foot in. The trophy room is breath taking with the best game heads from the most sort after species around the world - Thar, Moose, whitetail, and i think i saw a Kudu there.

The guys that volunteer at TVDA are top blokes, friendly from the minute you set foot in the place and they went out of their way to make us feel welcome. This was a good start to the day as i really hoped it would be.

We got stuck in and helped the guys set up the 3D targets and then sat in for the briefing. then it was into groups and off for a shoot. What a course! i think they told me they have a total of 80 acres of land with the club, well however much it is it is beautiful. Sitting on a steep hill side overlooking the plains and north Waikato, with a great mix of native bust and grasslands..

The course was really challenging and the guys had spent the time planning the target locations. A deer sitting perfectly XX (i am not telling you the distance!) meters away in a little pine grotto with the morning sun peeking over the bank behind - i have never seen my peep sight look white with glare and so bright!

Lunch was a great little "pot luck" affair with everyone bringing in a little something and there being plenty for all.
 We did a second round after lunch and by that time I was grinning ear to ear at the day I had experienced. When I thought it was time for a beer I was in for another surprise.
 TVDA have set up an archery target that takes the sport to another level (video attached) THE RUNNING BOAR. Its a 50 meter shot over a bush valley at a mechanical life sized Boar, and its a great challenge that brings out the best in every archer.
We all headed back to Raglan tired and smiling. It was a great day, our recurve members picked up some pointers from other recurve shooters, as did I from Tony the local compound sharp shooter.

I whole heartedly recommend all archers to contact TVDA to get a spot at their next shoot (every second Sunday of the month) it’s a day you will talk about for a long time.

Ghillie suit test 1

I know many of you reading this will be shaking you heads and wondering if i have watched too many youtube videos of keen Paintball players. But I had to know if Ghillie suits where worth the trouble.

first test was a walk up in bush to a mob of Goats I knew was in the area but may have no cover for the final 50-100m of stalk. So as you would imagine they are fairly hot and these suits, the Jackal by Camo Systems, are loud rustling suits. thankfully we had wind and it was a southerly so cool and sound cover.

When i got these suits they were at the top end of the price range and they are made fairly well, but i have a mate with one that was a third the price which is silent and nearly as invisible, but its made from wool type yarn which catches all the bush around you. Shop around do your research, and give some serious thought to making your own.

With the Jackal I had to cut most of the loose attached camo on the inside of my left arm and chest to free up the bow string. the head gear has had no real hunting design thought, as its loud and hugely obstructive to your vision and your hearing. I have drastically cut the head gear and chopped  2 huge holes for my ears. its now just acceptable for bow hunting but i hate wearing the head gear as it effects anchor points and hearing.

ok I have got my moaning out of the way. these suits are actually ok for stalking. Where i am learning to love these things is final approaches where you have limited to no cover. I have stepped around a corner to unexpectedly see a herd of goats i had been stalking looking at me from 15m. because i froze as they turned none saw me actually move, they all just starred at me. i think they where trying to recall if that "shrub" had always been there.

so the stalk in these pics was definitely aided by the suit as i had to step out of cover for the shot. However at 45m my field tip sighted pins where to high and right for the 100grain Muzzys and i duffed the stalk.         

So far i am all for Ghillies when the cover is sparse, as long as your game doesn't see you move (quickly) you seem to have a great advantage. its a bit like a mobile maimai but no place to put your coffee. I am keen to try these on Canadian Geese.

Good West Coast Pig.

I got very lucky in the weekend. I took another keen bow deer stalker out on Sunday. The wind was blowing westerly and strong maybe 20 knots. We stalked in on a big herd and had a nice ridge to approach right into about 30m. wind was running across us so good for the stalk.  We both popped up (I had my bow for a change) and the herd had move very close to our spot while we where stalking. My hunting guest was a new archer he was a little slower in deciding on which goat to take, I let my arrow go onto a nice nanny. What should have been a good take down actually it hit a fence wire and deflected up, the herd then took off before my fellow bowman could fire a shot.

Well that is life in hunting but I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw two wild pigs 157 meters away (range finder). They were lying down in the sun.    It was an easy stalk in terms of sound as it was grass and the wind was providing good background noise, but absolutely no cover. Only a fence line running striaght to the pigs, at least it was a little cover but not much.

Long story short, my fellow bowman was kind enough to give me the stalk. I took very the stalk slowly, although it was fast if compared to bush stalking, but i had no cover for 110 meters so closing the gap quickly before the pigs moved or looked my way was important. Got to the last 40 meters and was then able to drop under a bank into position and pop up for an easy 25 meter shot. we didn't weigh him but felt like around 60kg.  happy days!

Lambing starting

With the onset of lambing some of our hunting locations cant be accessed to avoid miss mothering the new lambs. However we still have plenty of locations and the turkeys are looking good. i am currently experimenting ghillie suit hunts. This is a lot of fun and although they do make you “invisible” in the open, if you are seen moving the game is still up. But in terms of getting into position without cover they are brilliant. They do pose some issues unique with archery hunting anchor points and string and arrow slaps. However this can be overcome with the added time the concealment factor gives you to take a shot. If anyone reading these blogs is interested or has experience with ghillie suit hunting I would like to hear from you. Cheers Johnny

BLOOD TRAILING WITH DOGS

ABOUT BLOOD TRAILING WITH DOGS 

When dogs were domesticated by man, they have been used not only in bow hunting, but also in the retrieval and recovery of game. We all know a dog can out smell its owner so this line of work for man best friend is only natural.

 A wounded animal often leaves only a faint trail with little visible blood to follow, it makes sense to incorporate the use of a dog---especially one that is trained specifically to follow the faintest blood trail of a wounded animal.

Every Bow Hunter has a responsibility to do all within his means to recover an animal that has been wounded. When it is obvious that an animal is unable to be trailed and recovered by a visible blood trail, there is definitely another option. When faced with the loss of a trophy (coupled with a genuine concern to minimize the suffering of the wounded animal) the employment of a highly-trained blood tracking dog is the most ethical choice. As a matter of fact, in some Scandinavian and European countries, all Bow Hunters MUST have access to an officially titled and registered blood tracking dog in order to legally hunt deer or moose.

 Keep in mind that success is not automatic just because a good tracking dog is called in. The first thing a dog has to do when he is put on a wounded animal trail is to work through the area that has been tracked up by the Bow Hunter. The toughest part of the tracking process is usually at the point where the Bow Hunter loses the blood trail. This is generally the area where the Bow Hunter's search has been the most intense, so obviously the area with the most amount of Bow Hunter disturbance---from tramping around looking for blood evidence on every leaf, twig, or blade of grass. A blood trailing dog will have to work through this contaminated area.

  The behaviour of the animal itself can create serious difficulties in tracking also. Sometimes a wounded animal will make sharp directional turns or even appear to back track. In such cases, an experienced dog is needed to work out the trail. Other animals will also have an influence on the blood trail. A track laid several hours earlier will have many cross-trails of uninjured animals. These animals will not only be altering some of the tracking and scenting conditions, but they will also be offering tempting smells to a dog that is not disciplined to stay on the track of the wounded animal. A good blood trailing dog must be trained to discriminate and focus only on the specific wounded animal that is being sought.

 The wounded animal will often flee immediately after the shot at full speed, and it may have bled very little. Training a dog that is disciplined to handle such difficulties and distractions is an exhaustive, time-consuming and expensive project. It may take years to develop a top blood trailing dog. From my own personal experience as a hunting guide, I have learned that you should never assume a miss! If a shot is fired, you must treat the animal as if were hit. I have tracked and recovered animals that Bow Hunters thought they either missed or felt confident that it had not been a non-lethal shot. On the other hand, some shots may appear to be lethal, but the animal is actually still healthy enough to travel a great distance with apparently no physical limitations.
Determing the true condition of the animal after the shot is critical. A wounded animal should never be rushed. Wounded game that is pushed too early will often flee---on survival instinct and adrenaline alone---causing it to distance itself in such a manner that it is almost impossible to recover by any means. Moderate rain or snow on the scent line is not nearly as bad as dry, windy conditions---which can make trailing difficult or even impossible.

All wounded animals are not recoverable! The animal being trailed has to be seriously injured if the dog and handler are going to catch up to it. A dead animal is not going anywhere, so there is usually not any hurry to get to him. If the animal is not dead---a reasonable amount of time will only allow it to get weaker and hopefully lay down. If the wound is not sufficient to slow up, and eventually bring the animal down, then the moderate waiting time will have no bearing anyway. So if tracking conditions are favourable it may be better to wait at least an hour or two to start a dog on any trail of wounded game.

  The age of the track is important, but the nature and severity of the wound has more bearing on the recoverability of that particular animal. Atmospheric conditions will play a part, but that is a factor that cannot be manipulated or changed by the Bow Hunter or dog handler. The type of animal will also have some influence on the difficulty of the trail to be followed by dogs. A non-rutting deer will obviously leave much less scent than a stinky old mature wild boar. A small animal like a bobcat will be much harder to trail than a black bear. Hopefully there is enough blood---along with various body scent and fluids---present on the trail to be sufficient for the dog to follow (whether the blood is visible to the Bow Hunter or not). Sometimes a wounded animal will have to be trailed for some distance to determine whether or not it is recoverable. Some mortally wounded animals do not bleed at all, but they will leave other scent evidence of a wound that only a dog can detect and follow.

  The entrance or exit wound of a pig will often close up due to the extra amount of fat and thick hair. A pig hit high in the torso may not show any blood for up to 100 yards. A mortally wounded animal will eventually get weak or sick and start leaving a trail that indicates its weakened condition. If there is no visible blood or track that leads to this point, the animal will not be retrieved by even the most proficient tracking skills of a Bow Hunter or guide. Trailing a wounded animal is a fun and exciting sport in its own right. But it can be just as challenging and sometime just as un-productive as any type of hunting can be---however---having a well-trained blood dog will always tip the scales in your favour!

MY NEW HUNTING BOW - PSE OMEN MAX

I was not going to get a new "fancy" bow until i took my first deer with my current 12 year old PSE Carrera. Well I mistakenly thought “what’s the harm in looking at trademe?” and what do you know but there was 2013s fastest bow on the planet selling for nearly half price! I checked the bank account, double checked all my bills. Slept on it. Checked bills again. And thought bugger it I will get it!

Well I have had it two weeks now and I am impressed! The arrows come out at blistering 366 ft per second (IBO) and hit the target with eye watering power. At 50m on a 430grain arrow and tip my PSE Carrera penetrated the target with half an arrow length. Same distance same arrow the PSE Omen Max shovels the arrow into the same target up to its fletching!
When I shoot this bow in the rain the arrow leaves an impressive twirl like “vapour” trail of water, as it flys off the spinning projectile. This speed bow makes me smile every shot., it quiet, accurate and very powerful.

Yep the small brace height is rather unforgiving on poor form. I have found it has widen my 50m groups from 6-7ins on the old Carrera to 12in groups at 50m, I guess shooting an equally unforgiving Carrera for so long put me in good stead for this bow but i will need to tighten up.
I haven’t put 100 arrows through the Omen yet (cruse this weather) but I will be doing just that this weekend. Then its off to christen the Omen on a lucky goat.

  

PSE omen MAX

PSE omen MAX

http://pse-archery.com/c/pro-series-compound-bows_omen-max

my new toy...

welcome to Waikato bow huntuer - who would have thought i am blogging

Well firstly let me say that i didnt think i would ever write a blog, or have the time. But here i am and here you are reading my blogged thoughts on blogging. Welcome to the site as well. I don’t think i have much to say but in order for this to be a decent read for you i will have to change that aspect of my personality. I will try and keep it short and interesting.
I have started this site for other bow hunters who are like me. When i started bow hunting i was really hard pressed to know if i was doing the right thing, looking in the right places or even walking in the right way. If i could have gone on a trip like the ones i offer here i would have jumped at the chance to learn while with someone. How many times have we all wondered if we are wasting our time in the bush?!
Plus it took me years to find the land and the spots, to learn each piece of land too. This is for those chaps who love archery and bow hunting but their location and life does not let them get out as much as they would like.
Lastly i wanted to offer something that is not once in a life time, but 2 or 3 or 4 times in a year! Not helicopter and 7-10 days in the bush but drive, hike and for 1-2 days. Don’t get me wrong those helicopter 10 missions are life changing and often worth every shinny penny, but i wanted to offer something that could be done often and easily.

Not hunting trophy’s but sports bow hunting with meat for a curry at the end.

Cheers
JW