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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: bigb3303 on November 13, 2013, 07:11:00 PM

Title: Deer penetration test!
Post by: bigb3303 on November 13, 2013, 07:11:00 PM
So I have always wondered if I could get a pass thru on a deer with my 45lb recurve. So today after hunting I saw a doe laying in the ditch, and had a crazy idea! I took her home and proped her up against a tree. She was unfit to eat has been hit by a car so what the heck. I stepped back to 14yards, and took a shot. I hit her square in the front shoulder, and to my amazement the arrow buried to the feathers! Right thru the center of both shoulder blades. I now have upmost confidence in the bow and my broadheads on deer. Just figured I would share .   :archer2:
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: pamike on November 13, 2013, 07:17:00 PM
Great idea. Was thinking about doing the same thing. Same me the trouble!!!

What broadhead and arrow did you use?
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: bigb3303 on November 13, 2013, 07:36:00 PM
I shot a full length goldtip 3555 with a 150 grain slick trick. I take two blades off to make it just a two blade.
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: Bud B. on November 13, 2013, 07:40:00 PM
Be careful about picking up carcasses. Game Wardens can nit-pick the laws as it's illegal to tamper with them in some states.

But, good test subject. What broadhead were you using and what was your total arrow weight?
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: Mike Vines on November 13, 2013, 07:45:00 PM
All I can think of after reading this is the thread where that guy did the arrow head testing on the dead cow.  Everyine knows you can't kill a dead cow with a field point.  That thread brings a smile to my face everytime I think of it.

Glad your test results were positive.  Bud is correct, better be careful with picking up roadkill depending on where you are at.
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: Blaino on November 13, 2013, 07:55:00 PM
I'm glad you have some more confidence, but I believe we worry way too much about penetration with deer.
"Shooting through deer is like shooting through a paper bag filled with shaving cream that has a few tinker toys in it" - Terry Green
That really sums it up for me.
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: Blaino on November 13, 2013, 07:57:00 PM
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: joe ashton on November 13, 2013, 08:00:00 PM
only a dedicated  bow hunter would drag a road kill home to test broad heads...  Good job I'm proud of you.
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: huntingarcher on November 13, 2013, 08:09:00 PM
COOL...   :archer2:
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: bigb3303 on November 13, 2013, 08:15:00 PM
Here in Tennessee it's legal to take road kill if you call the twra of police department .  But I returned it to the wild so didn't call anyone. I figure cayotes got to eat to!
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: Tall Paul on November 13, 2013, 08:15:00 PM
Excellent test!
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: Tall Paul on November 13, 2013, 08:17:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by joe ashton:
only a dedicated  bow hunter would drag a road kill home to test broad heads...  Good job I'm proud of you.
X2
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: T Sunstone on November 13, 2013, 08:32:00 PM
I have done the same thing and have always blown through the shoulder blade on a dead deer but it's a different story on a live deer.  I think the deers reaction is so fast that as soon as the arrow touches the animal it's in gear moving and takes a lot of energy out of the arrow.  It's like shooting something sitting still or moving at 60 mph.
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: Tradtical Commando on November 13, 2013, 08:49:00 PM
Thats what I am talking about!
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: Mudd on November 13, 2013, 09:35:00 PM
Mike I believe that was one of the most hilarious threads I ever read.

I thought I had a copy of it but it must have been on a previous computer.

I am attempting to research it. If I can find it I'll send you the link.

God bless,Mudd

PS: I also watched a U-tube video of stone tips being test on a deer carcass. Impressive!!!
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: ChuckC on November 13, 2013, 10:47:00 PM
Yup, it will do it, I have also had a deer stop an arrow from a 68# bow.  Lot depends on, well, everything.

ChuckC
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: Bobby Urban on November 14, 2013, 07:33:00 AM
Good for you but I have to agree - live is much different than dead when it comes to penetration and I believe it has to do with movement as the arrow is shot and hits the deer.  Kind of like those that shoot through the fileted shoulder blades and think they can do the same on a live animal.  Maybe/maybe not but you are comparing apples to oranges at best.
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: ddauler on November 14, 2013, 08:25:00 AM
Here is a link to a real 45lb test in progress notice the broadhead used. Case closed in my opinion.

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=774717
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: KentuckyTJ on November 14, 2013, 09:09:00 AM
Brandon, I have come to believe that when a fleeing deer tenses its muscles and drops or twists to get away after a shot has a lot to do with penetration also. But with that said you need not worry about your setup. It will work any deer sized critter for sure.
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: 4 point on November 14, 2013, 02:17:00 PM
I hear people talk about shooting thru shoulder blades all the time. It's 99% luck and not the set up. A inch one way or the other is the difference between a dead deer or a deer running off with a broadhead in its shoulder. Even a high poundage compound with a heavy arrow won't blow thru the lower part of the blade. That being said, sounds like your setup has plenty of punch for any deer walking the woods.
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: JamesKerr on November 14, 2013, 03:57:00 PM
99% of the time most hunting weight bows will penetrate far enough to kill a whitetail even if ribs or scapula is hit unless you hit the scapula right at the base of it where it connects to the humorous and then there is not an arrow or bow set up that will guarantee adequate penetration that shot boils down to luck. But to throw a loop in everything I shot a deer this weekend with a 60# Black Widow longbow 652 grain arrow tipped with a 4 blade zwickey delta. The arrow hit the shoulder blade due to the angle I shot it at and the deer ducking and spinning at the shot. The arrow proceeded to deflect upward instead of going on down through the shoulder blade and into the chest cavity. I think what has been said earlier. The movement of the deer or other animals upon the shot is what seems to cause me to have the most problems when I have any.
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: nineworlds9 on November 14, 2013, 04:16:00 PM
Shooting a dead deer!  I LOVE IT.  That my friends is dedication bordering on obsession.  My kinda fun.
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: Osagetree on November 14, 2013, 05:00:00 PM
I just started typing and in one or two minutes I came up with some penetration variables noted below.

It's a wonder we ever bag one,,, but we do! :smileystooges:  

Arrow flight
Bow weight
Bow lenght
Draw lenght
Arrow weight + head
Shot angle
Distince to game
Sharpness of broadhead
Type of broadhead/stone/steel
Style of broadhead/sngl or double bevel/2vs3blade
Shot placement
Wind speed
Wind direction
Game movement/reaction upon impact
Hair, hide and bone density/age of game
Obstructions/twig/leaf before impact
Title: Re: Deer penetration test!
Post by: Caleb the bow breaker on November 14, 2013, 05:18:00 PM
No kidding Osage, and trad archery is supposed to be simple.     :knothead:    :knothead:    :knothead:    :knothead:    :knothead:      


C