I was thinking about this the other day and decided to post this after reading FrankM's thread about pig hunting with 50 lbs. It is really all just common sense. Here is my personal list of the most important things needed to kill an animal in order of importance.
1. Hit it in the right place. Nothing else is as important.
2. Have a sharp tip. If it's dull it won't cut and it won't penetrate as good which is #3.If it ain't sharp stay home until it is.
3. Use a tip that will penetrate to the other side of the animal. If you are hunting cape buffalo you better have a two blade head(single bevel is preferable). If you are hunting rabbits, just about any tip will do. I like two blade tips and 55 pounds of bow with my 30 inch draw for elk. It's a personal preference. Another important aspect of penetration is arrow flight. If your arrow is wobbling in flight it won't penetrate very good. You are wasting large amounts of the available energy when you hit something with an arrow that is wobbling.
These to me are the most important. I will not use expandables because they are fragile and limit penetration. I also think the closer to the 3 to 1 ratio on the tip the better. I also like my arrow to weigh at least 600 grains and have shot a lot of 700+ grain arrows. If I were hunting elk with 45 lb. bow I would use a narrower two blade like a zwickey eskimo.
I read Dr. Ashby's report and think it is very informative. He has a list like this also. It is more complete and more descriptive. I like to keep it simple.
Gary
Imo bow hunting and shooting are a joint effort,and some things are common sense.But in order to shoot and hit your mark you need the basic skills involved with shooting (form,set up,and practice).And hunting you need knowledge of the land, wind and movement of the animal you hunt.To a newbie these may not be common sense items.Once you learn them they are the basics.But what you suggested are items that every hunter should have to be effective.
I have to agree, as a newbie to archery hunting, I am focusing on form, skill and lots of practice. A little later in the spring, I will extend the learning to broadheads and arrow penetration.
I figure if I can't hit what I am aiming at EVERY time, I have no business flinging sticks at an animal that deserves my respect. I compare it to guys hunting with large caliber guns that can't hit a 6" pie plate at 100 yds. It doesn't matter how hard you hit an animal, if it is in a non-kill zone, suffering ensues and we get a bad reputation.
Learn the craft, shoot enough arrow to complete the job. Enjoy Dinner.
Your well on your way Jon S. Refreshing to see a newbie not overthinking things and concentrating on whats at the core of it all. Good job!
Yes ,, It's really not that difficult ,, I think we just get bored ...