Always a fun time hunting with bow with good friends.

I've always had the opposite problem. I always shoot the first legal deer I see. I've hunted in low deer density areas since I was a boy, so I guess that's why I've always done that. I'd likely kill bigger deer if I was more patient.

I've always wondered how's it be like to hunt in an area with high deer populations. One of these days...

I shoot VPA 200 grain 3 blades , 1-1/8" cut , awesome blood trails. Also have a few 1 -1/4  200s they penetrate just as well and bleed just as well. I just like the longer ones.

As said you can make them really sharp. I black the edges and (now no gasping) mounted on an arrow, pull them from back to point lightly on my 6" fine wheel bench grinder . Watch the blackened edge and go slow. when you have it cleaned up, I have a handifile by Nicholson I think , use the single cut side, 3 light strokes,then 2 then one  barely touching the broadhead.

Shave in about a minute and shoots thru deer into the dirt (usually)with 42-46 lbs

YMMV

Since we no longer sell leather goods, I figured I would share our design pattern...as we have had several people ask about them.

Your experience sounds like one I had hunting with one of my platoon mates near his home in WI. I had the opportunity like you but held out for a bigger buck I had seen but was too far away for a shot. That old guy never did come close enough. I would bet that anyone who has spent anytime in the woods has a similar story. I refer back to Murphy's law on situations like this.

The upside is you're in the woods with your bow, hunting and seeing deer.

My entire hunting season has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. The frustration is maddening.

There's always next season, God willing.

Quote from: Walt Francis on Today at 04:56:58 PM

Quote from: Undomesticated on December 06, 2025, 04:50:47 PMYou won't get a 3-blade as sharp as a two blade (more on that at the end!)

Think about it. Those Iron Wills are 19 degrees per side for 38 degrees total. When you sharpen a 3-blade flat on a stone, you end up with a 30 degree per side angle, 60 degrees for the entire cutting edge. More than a 20 degree difference between the two. That's substantial. 3-blades have a pretty blunt edge. They can still be gotten plenty sharp, of course.

But for those that are perfectionists, there is a solution. You need to sharpen the heads on a rounded surface. There are some commercial options out there, or you can just use something like a coffee can with sharpening film or sandpaper adhered to it. You can get a 3-blade really, really sharp this way.

Correct, due to the angle a three blade will never be as sharp as a two blade.  However, three blades are sharp enough to slice any flesh or hide and hold a better edge when encountering a bone because of the angle. That said, penetration is more of a concern if you shoot a light weight bow. If you get adequate penetration they are sharp enough and most peoples time would be better spent practicing putting the arrow where it should go.

Spot on, plus a reason to tanto shape the somewhat delicate needle point, to beef it up.

As previously mentioned, it appears to be either alignment or the arrow is stiff for your setup.

Quote from: Undomesticated on December 06, 2025, 04:50:47 PMYou won't get a 3-blade as sharp as a two blade (more on that at the end!)

Think about it. Those Iron Wills are 19 degrees per side for 38 degrees total. When you sharpen a 3-blade flat on a stone, you end up with a 30 degree per side angle, 60 degrees for the entire cutting edge. More than a 20 degree difference between the two. That's substantial. 3-blades have a pretty blunt edge. They can still be gotten plenty sharp, of course.

But for those that are perfectionists, there is a solution. You need to sharpen the heads on a rounded surface. There are some commercial options out there, or you can just use something like a coffee can with sharpening film or sandpaper adhered to it. You can get a 3-blade really, really sharp this way.

Correct, due to the angle a three blade will never be as sharp as a two blade.  However, three blades are sharp enough to slice any flesh or hide and hold a better edge when encountering a bone because of the angle. That said, penetration is more of a concern if you shoot a light weight bow. If you get adequate penetration they are sharp enough and most peoples time would be better spent practicing putting the arrow where it should go.

Great story!!! Sorry you did not have an opportunity at a bigger buck, but when you pass on a decent one there is no guarantee you will have another opportunity at a larger buck. Wishing your good health and hunting for next year.

Great hunts thanks for sharing. It's a tough call to drop a string or not at time. Lots of my Huntin buddies have hunted Kentucky so I know the potential of seeing shooters. If nothing else you taught yourself another lesson in restraint. A good future is ahead don't beat yourself up.