Are arrows really enough for deer?

[killzone]

Try the long bow

It is a lot more fun and you get the most out of the bow hunting experiance by doing the treditional stuff. I'm sorry but I just like to say it like it is; if you give up the gun you might as well do it right and get yourself a good ol' Long bow that is much better in some ways(altough its less power) will make you feel more like a hunter.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I have tried long bows back in the day and they are a hoot to shoot.

 

[Kingcreek]

I love hunting with my longbow and cedar shafts with turkey feather fletching. The guy that helped me make my bow is pressuring me to go to flint points but I'm not yet ready for that much handicap. those old zwickey Back Diamonds still cut like crazy if I do my part.
It might be easier to kill deer with the modern compound bow, but it's more rewarding to kill them with a longbow.

 

[GMAN]

There is a program on the Mens channel an satillite TV called "Guns and Gears" They took 4 gal milk jugs full of sand stacked next to each other, One shot with a 30-30 at 40 yds didn't go thru first jug, they then shot it with a 60lb compound at 40 yds and the arrow went thru all four jugs with the broadhead out the rear and the fletch sticking out the front. Quite enlightening!

 

[newfalguy101]

I am not a bow hunter, but I believe I can safley say that there have been MORE deer killed with the sharp sticks thrown by bows than by firearms. PERIOD.

So to answer your question, YES, arrows are plenty enough for deer, given proper shot placement

 

[H&Hhunter]

I beleive the question was "Is an arrow really enough for a deer."

I am not a very experienced bow hunter however I have killed several animals larger than a deer with a bow. All of the animals below are about the same size as a bull elk and MUCH tougher than a deer.

I shot this zebra at about 20 yards the broad head was a G-5 monotech the bow is a Matthews 70Lb Q2 the arrow passed all the way through the zebra and was hanging out the back side by the fletching. Shot was behind the shoulder. Zebra ran about 500 yards in a big circle and died



This kudu was shot at 18 yards behind the shoulder. Arrow passed through the and exited landing about 10 yards behind the kudu. he went less than 30 yards layed down and died.



This Kudu was shot at 32 yards. I actually hit him to far forward. the arrow went through the shoulderbone andjust the point of the broad head was sticking out the back side behind the off shoulder. This kudu litterally took three bounds and hit the ground dead.



It is actually very scary to how deadly that little stick can be. And the blood loss is amazing. It's all about shot placement with a bow so the number one thing is learn how to shoot and then shoot well.

 

[adobewalls]

There are some good articles about how arrows kill on the internet, but basically it does boil down to razor sharp broadheads and the skill to place the shot.

Modern broadheads are designed with three or four cutting edges so that the wounds will not close easily. Think about it, have you ever cut yourself with a razor or a sharp knife? Think about how you freely you bled. Compare this to hitting your finger with a hammer, even if you do break open the skin, much of the bleeding is delayed because of the blunt force traumaand the massive tissue distruption around the immediate wound area.

The arrow, instead of causing bruising trauma, slices cleanly through the tissue, opening it to free bleeding, and due to the geometry of the cut, the wound takes some time to start its clotting. Plus the more the animal moves these tissues the more they bleed.

Many long years ago I killed a 200# pig with one arrow from a a 50# recurve. The Bodkin three bladed arrow hit the pig behind the shoulder and passed completely through leaving a visible red spot. The pig did not drop immediately, I followed it for about 100 yards before it keeled over - both lungs perforated. A few years after that, I downed a 400+ # pig with one arrow. By this time I was using Thunderhead broadheads and a 60# Bear compound. The big pig walked within 8 feet of where I was set up, and as it passed me, I planted an arrow behind the shoulder and angled forward and down. The pig took four steps and fell over. The arrow was buried in the pig up to its nock and had put a perfect triangular hole in the top of the pig's heart - it bled out in seconds and the pig never knew I was there or it was hit. Such experiences are not uncommon with bowhunting.

 

[1911 guy]

My humble opinion

First, an accurately placed arrow is enough for deer. Second, practice until you can place one accurately out to 40 yards. That may need to be extended for newer bows, mine is an old Proline that hits my acceptable velocity just after 50, so I limit myself to 40.

As far as tips for accuracy, I can only give you generalizations because you didn't say too much about what equipment you're using and what ranges you want to reach out to.

First off, don't use those gloves with leather fingertips to protect you fingers from the string. They get grooves worn into them and cause the string to roll rather than release straight foreward. Use a shooting tab or a release. You'll perfect your form if you use a tab then advance to a release. You'll get adequate form if you start with a release.

Second, get a stabilizer. You should be able to hold your bow with the thumb and forefinger wrapped around the riser and not have it tilt backward. All your fingers squeezing the riser will cause erratic movement at release.

Third, focus more on doing everything right than putting arrows into the bull. That will come after you do everything the same way every time. Use your back and shoulders to hold the bow at full draw, breath like you're shooting a rifle. When you notice your attention drifting in practice, put it away. It's too easy to give yourself bad habits.

Fourth, have your bow tuned by a pro before you start any of this. Most archery shops also have some form of instruction, take advantage of that or a friend who shoots to get you the basics and point out any glaring errors in your form.

Fifth, if you've noticed I've said "form" a lot, there's a reason. Form is everything when shooting a bow.

 

[Lonestar.45]

I shoot my compound set at 65lbs. With XX75 2413's and Satellite Mag 125's, I've had complete pass throughts on nearly every deer I've taken. The blood trails are phenomenal, much much more blood than my .270. I've never lost a deer with my bow, and most go only 30-50 yds tops. I did have an arrow stick in the far side of the rib cage on a doe, but she didn't go far at all and had expired by the time I could get out of my stand and walk to her. Don't expect them to drop immediately like they do with a rifle, and know what you're doing when blood trailing. It's a good skill to learn.

I've had full pass throughs on hogs and javelinas as well, though on the bigger hogs they do tend to stick on the far side of the rib cage. That is actually better than a pass through, because as they run, (not to get too graphic, but...) the broadhead is churning their vitals like a blender.

The key, as in anything, is shot placement. If you are not comfortable with your accuracy, do not go until you're ready. If you are not comfortable with the shot presented, do not take it. Archery is an extreme excercise in self control. Don't take 40 yd shots from a tree stand if all you've practiced at is 20 yds on the ground. Don't take shots with a 15 mph crosswind unless you've done it before and know what affect it will have on the arrow.

Are arrows good enough for deer? Well, if an Indian 500 yrs ago could take buffalo and bear with them fashioned out of sticks and sharpened stone, I'd say my compound bow and some broadheads are up to the task. Question is, are you up to the task?

 

[Harve Curry]

QUOTE: "Well, if an Indian 500 yrs ago could take buffalo and bear with them fashioned out of sticks and sharpened stone"

One of the neatest things that I've had happen is finding a Indian arrow head when bow hunting, crossing a high mountain saddle with a bull elk bugling ahead, then almost stepped on this beautiful white stone arrow head.

That said I think the bow is good for Deer and is way to marginal for Elk, to many wounded get away. I like and use bow hunting tactics alot, but I prefer a weapon large enough to cut the margin for error down on wounded Elk.

 

[Cindog]

That said I think the bow is good for Deer and is way to marginal for Elk, to many wounded get away.

There is nothing about a bow and arrow that makes it too marginal for elk. If it were, then somebody better tell Howard Hill who has killed 3 elephants, a buffalo, a crocodile, and just about every other species of African big game with a long bow. Better also tell Chuck Adams who holds too many archery big game records to list including biggest elk, or better yet, look at post #31 by H&Hhunter with pictures of African game he killed with a bow that are the same size as a bull elk.

It all comes down to shot placement and being proficient with your weapon. I can't think of a single animal on this planet that has not been killed by a bow and arrow.

 

[Lonestar.45]

I can't speak personally as to Elk with a bow. I sure wish I could--that is one hunt I have always thought would be challenging. I would suppose it all comes down, once again, to the individual more so than the equipment. A good lung shot is a good lung shot. I'd think as long as a person had the patience and self-restraint to take good, clean shots at elk with a bow, then there wouldn't be too many lost animals. I can imagine the problems would come when an inexperienced elk hunter with a bow pays big bucks and spends a week or two of vacation for a dream hunt, and is NOT willing to pass up a 40 yd shot in a cross-wind at the only elk they saw on the last day of a hunt. I bet that happens too often.

If it were me, and I had one shot at a dream elk hunt, as much as I'd like to take one with a bow, I would prefer a good rifle.

 

[zahc]

A good broadhead through both lungs will kill a deer very fast and humanely. My largest deer was killed at 9 yards and ran 30 yards before collapsing. As fast as deer run, that is less than 5 seconds. My string was barely done vibrating when I heard it collapse.

If you can't get the arrow where it needs to be, then no, it won't kill the deer very well at all. Bowhunting requires dedication and restraint. For me bowhunting involves practicing throughout the year, almost a lifestyle. My maximum hunting range is the range at which I can be almost certain of making a clean kill. That might be 7 yards or 30, or zero. There are many times in bowhunting where you just don't have a shot. Wishing you did won't change that. I personally don't think anyone has any business shooting at deer past 35 yards with a bow.

Equipment in archery is a very personal thing and only practice and dedication will get you where you need to be with it. I like a fairly long bow, 55lb, medium letoff, caliper release with a string loop, custom string peep sight, a single pin adjustable site with the carbon fiber pin removed (yes REMOVED), carbon arrows heavy enough to get me down (yes, DOWN) to ~250 fps, 3, 4" real turkey feathers in a bright color with full helical fletching, and nothing else but muzzy broadheads. when I was hunting I could shoot pie plate groups at 50 yards but would never shoot at a deer past 25.

Due to an immature fixation on power and pride, the majority of bowhunters have bows that are too heavy for them. You should be able to hold you hunting bow back for minutes. Not seconds. And you should be able to draw it in an awkward position wearing odd clothing and after having sat still for hours. Be honest with yourself. I can draw a 65 pound bow smoothly in the bow shop.


My current lifestyle no longer permits me the time to keep my skills and body and equipment in shape, so even though I have the time to bowhunt, I really don't.

Crossbow hunting offers some of the same up close action and excitement of bowhunting without the time investment.

 

[Harve Curry]

Howdy Cindog,
Arrows are marginal for Elk because the shooters to often botch the shot, even at bow ranges.
Sure there are exceptions like those folks you mention, they are in a class by themselves.
The fact is around here (sw New Mexico) for every Elk killed there's one or more wounded or died later unretrieved.
I know because for 30 days a year I am out hunting Elk, that's not counting scouting days or tracking wounded Elk. Sorry but that's the way it is.

 

[Cindog]

Harve,

I think if you re-read your post you actually make the same point that I did with my last post -- it's not the arrows that are marginal, it's the shooters. Plenty of people in New Mexico are killing elk with bow and arrow and are doing so with a 27% success rate compared to a 30% success rate for muzzleloaders and a 44% success rate for rifle (See here for stats). I do agree, however, that there are some people who go out in the woods with their bow (or gun for that matter) without spending enough time becoming profecient with their weapons which gives us all a bad rap.

 

[GunGoBoom]

And people shoot elk too far back and too high (with both bow and gun). Their vitals are lower and farther forward than a deer, just above the top of the front leg. I've never shot one, but I have this on good information from those who have killed several elk with bows.

 

[Mannlicher]

For an experienced hunter, a bow works fine. However, I see a lot of guys who are bow hunting just for that short season preceeding general gun season. Most don't know squat about woodscraft, or shooting a bow. There is a high percentage of wounded animals during bow season here on Florida.