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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: robin on March 15, 2014, 09:12:00 AM

Title: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: robin on March 15, 2014, 09:12:00 AM: Hi,I have been hunting hogs for close to 10 years now. My set up is 50lbs long bow and two blade broad heads.

I normally shoot from confident distance of 15 yards in. Most of my shots are aim at the lungs and low. Most shots achieve pass through both lungs.

I am really frustrated as I have very low recovery rate. Maybe 2 out of 10 being shot. I track most of my shots to normally 30 to 50 yards, there on I have. Very little or no blood trial to follow through.

Can some one share with me if there is anything wrong with my setup of am I using the wrong BH. I heard that using 3 blade BH will result in better blood trial, I have also tried that but have poor penetration maybe due to using three blade setup.

Can some one advise me how I can increase my rate of recovery. ? Oh , I normally shoot from the ground stalking and behind a blind.

Thanks for your help and advise. RT
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: last arrow on March 15, 2014, 09:24:00 AM: Never hunted hogs but you can't go wrong with a Grizzly broadhead as I don't think you can find a head that penetrates better. I agree that three blades with a 50 lb bow may not give the penetration you want on a large animal. Once you have settled on a head, sharpness and tuning are critical.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Guru on March 15, 2014, 09:27:00 AM: Look at the sharpness of your broadheads....

Are they just sharp, or are they extremely scary sharp?? Very important!

Shot placement is paramount to everything....you simply need to hit them right!!

Just my thoughts....
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Izzy on March 15, 2014, 09:28:00 AM: If you actually puncture both lungs you should be recovering more than 20%. Something is wrong with this equation.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Izzy on March 15, 2014, 09:28:00 AM
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Todweelz on March 15, 2014, 10:16:00 AM: RT, look at the shot placement thread, low and in the lungs sounds like you might be missing vitals all together? need to keep the shot up tight on the shouler leg junction for a pig ? just a thought, Todd
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: dragonheart on March 15, 2014, 10:44:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by Guru:
Look at the sharpness of your broadheads....

Are they just sharp, or are they extremely scary sharp?? Very important!

Shot placement is paramount to everything....you simply need to hit them right!!

Just my thoughts....
X2!!!
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: dragonheart on March 15, 2014, 10:45:00 AM: http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=108224
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: dragonheart on March 15, 2014, 10:47:00 AM: I would suggest if you can get it, a quartering away shot. I have had the best recovery when I have shot hogs in a quarter away and wait for the front leg to be forward. Better chance of hitting the vitals and avoiding the shield.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: topGUN on March 15, 2014, 10:51:00 AM: Besides broadhead sharpness and shot placement as mentioned above, the only other thing I can add is are you confident your arrows/broadhead setup are properly tuned to your bow. If not, you could be losing penetration if not properly tuned.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: daveycrockett on March 15, 2014, 11:05:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by Izzy:
If you actually puncture both lungs you should be recovering more than 20%. Something is wrong with this equation.
x2 They can't go far with no air. :campfire:
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: cacciatore on March 15, 2014, 11:10:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by dragonheart:
I would suggest if you can get it, a quartering away shot. I have had the best recovery when I have shot hogs in a quarter away and wait for the front leg to be forward. Better chance of hitting the vitals and avoiding the shield.
When I have a quartering away angle they are down within 30 yards.
Anyway in these days I like to use the huge Simmons Tree Shark,incredible blood trail everytime.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: CRS on March 15, 2014, 11:19:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by Todweelz:
RT, look at the shot placement thread, low and in the lungs sounds like you might be missing vitals all together? need to keep the shot up tight on the shouler leg junction for a pig ? just a thought, odd
I would say this and try quartering away. Look at the hog shot placement thread.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: ChuckC on March 15, 2014, 11:50:00 AM: Please review the shot placement threads up top. I taught hunter safety for years and that was one area that most of my students just really didn't know well. All of them were very certain where to aim.. they had all been told many times, but that place was not correct and leads to bad hits.

If you put a sharp arrow solidly thru both lungs, the animal should not go very far. If you center the lungs, there is a very good chance you will also take out or damage some of the heart's major plumbing as well.

We all need to review the pictures of actual, honest to God, animals with organs exposed so we know where to shoot. PLUS, understand that not all critters are put together the same, so you need to study first.

ChuckC
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Bow man on March 15, 2014, 11:55:00 AM: ACE!!!!! super tough
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: killinstuff on March 15, 2014, 12:11:00 PM: I'll go against the grain here and say any arrow into a hog equals a dead hog except for high on the shoulder and low in the gut. If folks always wait for quartering away you're not going to get many shots. Now extra large boars are a different animal then a 75# sow but giant hogs are not what most guys shoot at so IMHO, if you get a shot, shoot. And if you are only recovering 1 out of 5 pigs it's not the shot or the broadhead, it's you. Even an OK sharp BH is a killer. Maybe not the best but still works. I'd say you need to work on your tracking skills. Or get a dog to track. You're killing hogs, just not finding them.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: pdk25 on March 15, 2014, 02:04:00 PM: Lots of issues here, IMHO. I would agree with earlier comments regarding where you believe you are hitting the hog, and a review of hog anatomy may be in order. Another issue telling exactly where you hit the hog in the heat of battle is a difficult proposition. You said that most shots achieved complete penetration of both lungs, but that can only be said with confidence for the animals that you recovered.

It would also be nice to know the size of the animal you are shooting, as well. Most people shooting hogs don't get a complete pass through, but having two holes makes a huge difference in the blood trail, IMHO. I have shot complete pass through with well placed shots on large Texas hogs already and had a scant blood trail, so there are no guarantees. A friend of mine had a quartering away shot that grazed the heart earlier this year, and the hog still went over 200 yards. Fortunately, there was snow on the ground and he was able to track it. One hole doesn't always give the best blood, especially on a shot where the entrance is below the diaphragm and can clog up with fat. I am not going to turn this into a heavy versus light debate, but having a little more energy in your setup would give you a better opportunity for two holes as long as you can shoot it accurately. Another thing to consider, if you are able, is a tracking dog. If you are sure that you are making lethal hits but are getting a poor blood trail, a tracking dog can be an invaluable tool.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: JB74nola on March 15, 2014, 02:29:00 PM: I've heard tell of a hog that took an arrow in the eye, ran off with said arrow, only to return to the SAME feeder the next day with the broken shaft still protruding from its face. Last week a friend was in Texas hunting javies and a javie with 3 arrows in it trekked over a mile and wedged itself backwards into a rock cleft where he put 2 more arrows in it as it clattered it's teeth threateningly. If you ask me, pigs are some of the toughest animals on the planet, proper shot placement is key in recovery!
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: pdk25 on March 15, 2014, 03:10:00 PM: I guess I should get back to the topic, though. I know that in theory a 3 blade should put more blood on the ground than a 2 blade, but I have not found that to be true, although I have only shot a few hogs with 3 blades. In my limited experience, it is hard to beat the simmons style heads for a combination of good penetration and good wound channel/putting blood on the ground. Something about the 'puckering' it does on entrance widens the wound channel and seems to help keep it from clogging up. Have had complete pass through with big 3 blade broadheads using my buffalo setup that didn't do any better. For your setup, I would not think that a 3 blade would be in your best interest. Another good 2 blade broadhead is the magnus 1 broadhead. Inexpensive, can be made very sharp with nothing but a file, and has a very sharp tip for getting the cutting started through that tough hair and hide. An underrated broadhead for hogs, IMHO.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: habujohn on March 15, 2014, 03:53:00 PM: Just returned from West Texas desert hunt for Javelina and hogs. I was very lucky to shoot a really nice hog on this hunt. Used a Eclipse Super two blade at 175 grains and a 57# longbow. Got complete penetration behind the shoulder on a broad side shot with decent blood trail. Hog only went about 80 to 100 yards and died on the run. I shot a 50# Javelina through both shoulders on the same hunt. The little bugger went at least 150 yards and came out in an opening 15 minutes later. Stalked down to him and put one more into his lungs from behind, he lasted only a few seconds. Talk about a tough critter. By the way I had a dozen people look at this first shot after skinning him and they could not believe how long he lived. Both lungs and both shoulders were busted up.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: JB74nola on March 15, 2014, 07:56:00 PM: I have Magnus classic 2 blades on my hunting arrows I can make them scary sharp.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Wudstix on March 15, 2014, 08:10:00 PM: Magnus Mag I, Ribtek, ACE all in 160 grain version. Last two pigs with MMI; first hit in the ham at about 8 yards, she hit the afterburner just as I released, and ran eighty yards before slowing to a walk for about forty more. Finished her with a BK 5. (@100#) Second was hit at about 4 yards in a briar patch and never made it more then ten yards, lung shot. Went down at five yards and then growled at me as I walked over to her. Knife stick followed, and she jumped up and ran five more. Down again as my buddy tried to grab her out of the briar patch she went for his hand so I put the BK 5 in the other side. That did the trick, tough hog, (@140#) Both pigs on ground within a hour first one dressed out.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2:
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: BOHO on March 15, 2014, 09:05:00 PM: I would suggest you use bleeders instead of just a plain 2 blade head. 50# is plenty for pigs as long as your using an arrow close to 500 grains. Have you looked at the DRT heads from Dirt Nap Gear? They have a thick main blade thats razor sharp and good strong bleeders.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: dragonheart on March 15, 2014, 09:17:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by killinstuff:
I'll go against the grain here and say any arrow into a hog equals a dead hog except for high on the shoulder and low in the gut. If folks always wait for quartering away you're not going to get many shots. Now extra large boars are a different animal then a 75# sow but giant hogs are not what most guys shoot at so IMHO, if you get a shot, shoot. And if you are only recovering 1 out of 5 pigs it's not the shot or the broadhead, it's you. Even an OK sharp BH is a killer. Maybe not the best but still works. I'd say you need to work on your tracking skills. Or get a dog to track. You're killing hogs, just not finding them.
Well I guess the suggestion for a quartering shot is to help him with his recovery, as the quarter shot, from experience, I have recovered way more hogs and allows you to get into the vitals easy.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: bendotwood on March 15, 2014, 09:19:00 PM: I like grizzly kodiaks. Great penetration, pretty tough, super easy to sharpen, meets ashby criteria.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: robin on March 16, 2014, 12:56:00 AM: Thank you all for your valuable feedback. Yes, I do agree that the bigger hogs 90 to 150 lbs hogs don't normally stay long at the feeding station. Thus waiting for a quarterly shot has limits.

Having said that, I do get a high percentage of broad side shots and with my setup am 80% successful on a both lungs pass thru shot.

But when there is little or no blood trials at all, then tracking is real challenge. Yes. A tracking dog is an option but I would like to explore all options first in achieving good blood trail first.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: killinstuff on March 16, 2014, 09:28:00 AM: Just wondering, you're hunting Singapore? Can you expand a bit on what that's like, game available and popularity? I have a book somewhere on hunting south asia I've read and reread many times and find it interesting to hear about hunting in different places around the would. Tracking in semi-tropic places like Florida and Georgia swamps is a bit more difficult than arid places like Texas IMHO. Maybe Jim from True South Adventures and RC can give some tracking advise having followed up 100's of shot hogs in thick jungle like conditions.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: katman on March 16, 2014, 11:37:00 AM: Good broad head for hogs, a SHARP one. Your 2 blade setup is getting pass thru's so make sure it is sharp and review the shot placement thread as mentioned earlier, low and back is not good. The hogs I hit right usually go down in site with a 2 blade head.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Wudstix on March 16, 2014, 12:07:00 PM: Wll hit hogs do go down relaticely quickly, unless they are pressured. Then they run until there is no more oil in the engine, then they might jump up and run again as you approach. Tough critters and don't give up easy. I like two blade heads, but a three blade Snuffer really does a number. The bigger the hole the better.
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: robin on March 17, 2014, 05:24:00 AM: can some one please share with me why quartering shots are highly recommended?

How different does a quartering shot compared to a broadside pass through?

In comparison to the damage caused to vitals for the Hog?
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Biggamefish on March 17, 2014, 09:46:00 AM: A quartering AWAY shot is more likely to hit important vital like lungs and heart. You have to aim at pigs differently than deer. If you are shooting them like a deer you are to far back and the pig will die but you won't get a good blood trail after a few yards.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Robertfishes on March 17, 2014, 10:00:00 AM: If broadside I try to shoot them straight up the front leg about 1/3 up the body. I have taken lots of quarter away shots too..hogs have small heart and lungs for their size. I have used 2,3 and 4 blade heads. I try to shoot small hogs less than 100lbs. At this time I prefer a razor sharp 3 blade broad head.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: dragonheart on March 17, 2014, 10:43:00 AM: http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=108224

Here is a link to great info. The vitals are way more forward in comparison to deer. The quarter away gets the arrow going into the vitals. Even a "hard" quarter away with enough penetration, hog will not go far. Many people shoot them just like a deer and think that they double lung the animal and in reality shoot outside the vitals. I did that also on the first hogs I shot many moons ago. Really good info in the thread link above.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: tarponnut on March 17, 2014, 10:58:00 AM: If a guy can hit a grapefruit size spot every time then take those broadside shots(straight up the leg, not behind, 1/3 of the way up).Dead hog every time within 100 yards.
I prefer our clients take quartering away shots because it gives them more margin for error with shot placement, that's assuming they have a heavy arrow and very sharp broadhead. Pretty much any hit in the body will kill it from that angle. We mostly hunt over feeders so that quartering away view nearly always happens.
I could see where stalking, not so much.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: tarponnut on March 17, 2014, 11:03:00 AM: I like broadheads that even I can get scary sharp; Woodsmans, Magnus, Zwickey, Bear.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: SlowBowinMO on March 17, 2014, 11:14:00 AM: How big is the average hog where you are hunting there in Malaysia?
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Chuck Jones on March 17, 2014, 04:18:00 PM: Hogs are tough. A perfect hit in both lungs can result in the pig running over 100 yards at full speed. He may only live a few seconds; but that is enough to get out of sight.

I use scary sharp Tuff heads on pigs. Last week I shot a nice boar with a 25 yard shot from a 41#@26" Black Rhino 52" recurve, drawn 28". The Tuff Head went through the 3/4" shield and both lungs. Stopped against the other shield. I found good blood, still more than 100 yards from the shot, even with just 1 hole. I also shot a 100# sow with a 45# longbow and Tuff Heads with a complete pass through. Good blood trail all the way. Double lung hit, but 100 yard trail.

Shot placement is the key, but expect them to run farther than a deer. Both pigs ran in a straight line as hard as they could go, and died in seconds.

Here is a picture of the shield inside the hide, on a 130 pound boar. It takes a good, sharp broadhead to cut and penetrate far enough with lighter bows. Also, the lungs on pigs are much smaller than deer, and harder to hit.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/13226844165_0170cc3cbf_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/13226844165/)
P3120526 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/13226844165/) by okawbow (http://www.flickr.com/people/20524843@N03/) , on Flickr
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Izzy on March 17, 2014, 05:03:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by tarponnut:
If a guy can hit a grapefruit size spot every time then take those broadside shots(straight up the leg, not behind, 1/3 of the way up).Dead hog every time within 100 yards.
I prefer our clients take quartering away shots because it gives them more margin for error with shot placement, that's assuming they have a heavy arrow and very sharp broadhead. Pretty much any hit in the body will kill it from that angle. We mostly hunt over feeders so that quartering away view nearly always happens.
I could see where stalking, not so much.
Ive only killed a few hogs but quartering away really put them down fast and right there. Broadside was 50/50 between long distance and short distance blood trails.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: robin on March 17, 2014, 09:56:00 PM: BraveHeart, the wildboars here ranges from 55 to 140lbs, any bigger and they arent good eating.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: arrow flynn on March 18, 2014, 06:11:00 PM: Ithink adog would be an advantage leave him back at camp or your truck then go get him to find your hog did it many times hunting in Harris ca.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: michaelschwister on March 18, 2014, 06:25:00 PM: Shoot WAY LOW and through or IN FRONT of the front leg. Also, BH should pop the hair off of your arm. If you had a heavier setup I would recommend snuffer 160s, but any sharp cut on contact head will do.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Todd Cook on March 18, 2014, 06:57:00 PM: Some have probably already said it , but low and TIGHT to the front leg is lethal quick. Low and too far back is bad news. Hogs lungs are wider at the front of the animal and narrower further back. Straight up the front leg is hard to beat.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: beaunaro on March 25, 2014, 03:56:00 PM: I like the quartering away shot, aiming below mid body for the offside shoulder, or the imaginary grapefuit between their two front legs.

We have had too large a percentage of broadside "center punched" hogs this year. Our records show it's often not the trad archers who miss.

That results in long nights, scented up hunt areas, extra noise and lights...and is a product (I feel) of archers who don't practice enough.

Our property is small compared to Texas and other places.An extra long tracking job can result in a ruined hunt day tomorrow.

A heavy arrow from a tuned setup with most any truly sharp head will do the job.

And tracking dogs (as a last resort) may work but don't plan on hunting the same area for a good while. Hogs hate the smell of a dog.

I'm not an expert....JMHO.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Bjorn on March 25, 2014, 05:50:00 PM: I prefer broadside shots up close with a sharp 2 blade on the end of my wood arrows-wood makes it easy to get the right weight. For me the fun is in the stalk. A lone hog is easier to sneak up on as long as you have the wind. A group of hogs will bust you much more frequently. Have you noticed how you often get 'made' by young hogs? I firmly believe the younger hogs are being trained to spot danger and they will get you! LOL
I stay away from places that feed or have feeders they make me 'feeder dependent'.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: JamesKerr on March 25, 2014, 07:33:00 PM: Vpa's, zwickey no mercy 4 blade, woodsman or any of the Simmons broadheads
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: TexasStick81 on March 25, 2014, 10:28:00 PM: I love hunting hogs. I've not shot as many as some on here but I've shot enough to offer a few thoughts I think. I agree with many of the sentiments offered already. I shoot about 3-4" up the leg maybe a hair back of the leg. I use either VPA's or No Mercy 4 blades. I hunt them at night a lot so it's often difficult to tell until I find them exactly where I hit them. I always inspect the vitals and I'm always amazed at how a 200 boar can have lungs and a hear that fit in my little hands. The ones that I hit really well seem to go down pretty quick, others I've trailed for 300-500 yards until the blood just runs out. Many of the ones I've found had no blood trail and I've lost hogs that seemed to be dumping buckets of blood. I tend to think that it's all about shot placement. If I get a blood trail that's great but often between the fat, hair, and layer of mud there just isn't much. If you are hunting them from an elevated stand you really want an exit wound or you have a downward angled entry that's probably higher than you think because of their barrel shape.

My number one suggestion: String Tracker!
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: Fletcher on March 25, 2014, 10:51:00 PM: My first thought matches Guru's on page 1. I don't find much difference in trails based broadhead style. What seems to matter most is placement and sharpness. Your placement sounds good so that leaves sharpness. There are some good tutorials here and find someone who can help. A KME and a phone call to Sharpster will have them splitting hairs. Clear out some freezer space.
Title: Re: Good broad heads for hogs
Post by: DaveT1963 on March 26, 2014, 08:01:00 AM: Simmons 205 grain Safari non-vented works for me... that and as heavy as a bow as you can shoot stright with. KE was a term used often when I got into archery long ago that is seldom discussed - want good penetration - get and keep KE up.