Another discussion, I want to hear others thoughts on this topic.
I have come to a belief in several things. Of course we are not good enough to pick and chose exactly where we hit but, consider the following:
I think... if you hit a deer with a stick, whack him good and roll him a bit, he will run like hell, get outta Dodge. That is what deer do.
If something pokes them, or smacks them a bit but isn't traumatic or violent, a deer will often kick and look around to see what just happened, and often go back to feeding or just move off a bit to assess.
A sharp arrow, going thru flesh does not hurt much at all, according to folks who have been on the receiving end of it.
I have seen that an arrow going thru a deer's rib cage or other areas with minimal bone strike will cause minimal response.
I have seen that an arrow going thru a deer's ribcage, but hitting bone (ribs, leg) causes more trauma and more response. In this case, the deer might run for 20 - 80 yards, then stop in cover and watch it's backtrail, often bedding there and dying there.
I have seen that a deer hit poorly due to a deflection (i didn't miss..did I ) with a resultant broken bone, especially a leg bone, causes all out panic and a run for a long time.
Does it stand to reason then, that a somewhat slower, heavier arrow, with a cut on contact head would likely cause less initial trauma (barring the broken bone scenario) to the deer and maybe a bit less reaction / trailing need ?
Whereas a much faster lighter arrow, fronted by an expandable head, would cause much more initial trauma (don't confuse this with damage) and maybe resultant response from the deer ?
What do you think ?
ChuckC
I've found no two deer react exactly the same when hit.
I've had 3 blade cut on contact heads and (pre-conversion) 3 blade expandable kills on deer that were calm and deer that were slightly stressed. I haven't been able to pick up a trend yet.
However, I also haven't killed a deer with a plain two-blade head yet (I'm trying this year!)
I think that it's only logical that the greater the trauma, the greater the reaction.
If I'm sitting around and a fly bites me, I say ouch and try to slap at the punk. --- If I'm sitting around and a hornet stings me (just the other day :eek: ), I jump up and run away from that spot.
Sure seems to me that a mid to high lung hit on a relaxed deer gets ALOT less reaction than a heart shot. If the deer is already spooked they will almost always run...Just what I've noticed on deer that I've shot...BeauJ
What do you mean by trauma Chuck? Certainly, IMO, the faster arrow does not cause hydrostatic trauma like a bullet. Both cut holes and if a larger cut better chance of hitting rib.
well, I was thinking blunt force, fast little dude with a head that has to open so it expends some of its force on entry, while the other just cuts thru.
ChuckC
Thanks, Chuck,
I also think the quieter bow plays a part.