I shot my first trad deer about a week ago, but wouldn't ya know I hit a rib and so long doe!   how do you not hit ribs more often? they cover the whole vitals, so I guess it's just luck weather you do or not.  please give your oppinion
also, here's a pic or rib structure
thanks
lm   :confused:            

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://skinnymoose.com/tailsandtrails/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/deer-anatomy.jpg&imgrefurl=http://skinnymoose.com/tailsandtrails/%3Fm%3D2007 06&usg=__8dKWg2SO6mtin_qAhD77dcLSgjA=&h=532&w=650&sz=31&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=9ZfvUCUVl_ypLM:&tbnh=112&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwhitetail%2Banatomy%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

dang picture wont post!!
http://skinnymoose.com/tailsandtrails/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/deer-anatomy.jpg

cant get picture to post, so if you want just click a link

i havent shot any animle with trad gear yet but if hitting a rib stops penatration or causes a glancen arrow i think there is someting very wrong arrows should almost always go thru ribs if i learn this to be a big problem im putting the trad gear away

Not to hard to bust thru a whitetails rib. What setup are you shooting? bow and poundage at what draw length/arrow weight/broadhead.

Luke,

I think most of us know where the rib cage is on a whitetail.

If you hit a rib and didn't get any penetration- you didn't cripple anything.

Deer run through thick forests at night and are "stuck" all the time- sticks, saplings, trees macheted for survey markers, fenceposts- any number of objects are found inside deer- completely encased in cartilidge and the animal is none the worse for wear.

I've killed deer with broadhead arrows in them that way- healthy and with a thick layer of fat.

Your question gives away that you may lack experience. If you hit ribs and bounced off, you need to work on your setup. light arrows matched to a lightweight draw bow are a disaster in the making.

I'd be happy to help you analyze your setup through PM's.

My arrows are close to 600 grains shooting close to 60# and i have blown through both shoulders blades on hogs before, ribs dont even slow the arrow down. If your arrows are stopping because they hit a rib somthing is wrong.

Take Ray up on his offer and PM him he will help you out.

I agree with the prior posts.  It sounds to me like you are shooting really light arrows.  ANy arrow from 500 grains on up should blast right thru a deers ribs.  It will cut ribs on both sides of the animal and usually keep going if you shooting over 50lbs.  Post you set up and tell us what angle the shot was from and what range.

Didn't read any of the replies...

Deer Ribs are pixi sticks(chump change) for normal hunting weight bows and arrows....2,3, and 4 blades should be no problem at all.  Something is amiss.

Here's a rib I cut clean in two from a 64# longbow and a 580 grain arrow.  260 pound GA Ten pointer, and a Sasquatch wide head.  I heard the rib snap like a stick.

I've busted deer ribs for years....and NEVER had one stop a arrow...or cause a none pass through even if I busted one going in or going in an coming out.

     

   

   

   

   

   

 AGAIN....if your set up is not getting through a deer rib...something is wrong!

I agree And I must say wow that sure is one heck of a buck! If ya need a hunting partner let me know.          

I shot my first three trad deer with a 45lb recurve and sub 500grn arrows and two shots were complete pass thru's with broken ribs on both sides. Somethin ain't right. Take the advise of the guys one here and I gurantee that won't happen again.

Either to light an arrow or bad arrow flight with broadhead.

Bad arrow flight will cause bad penitration. With a tuned bow and the right arrow even a moose should not stop your arrow.  Steep angled broadheads at odd shooting angle may be an issue as well.

Ray, I do speak from a lack of experience, I was shooting easton carbons, but they were super light. I have changed my setup to heavier eastons and broadheads. I shoot a 45# longbow at 25 in draw, But I get about 40# at my draw. youre right, that deer will likely heal, but I'm just curios how many deer are wounded/not retrieved for every kill? is it really just luck if you hit a rib or not (minus heart shot)?
thanks for the advice

my arrows were about 340 gr with 100 gr head.
I guess the heavy arrow concept is accurate, and I am converting

Your set up is too light.....yes, you will need LUCK, but you DON'T have to have luck to get through a deers ribs.      

Not only can you up your arrow weight, but with a little work you can up your bow weight....and I bet you can even lengthen your draw length by an inch minimum....and possibly as high as 2 and a half. Might find out how on the Shooter's Forum.    

You're probably pulling around 38# @25".  That's putting about the same amount of energy into the arrow as a 25# @28" bow.  Coupled with the light arrows... Terry described it right: rolling the dice.

I broke 2 ribs and it went out though the liver, I am shooting a 58# Longbow and a 735 gr arrow dynamics arrow. Terry is right, deer ribs are easily broken.

Nice buck Terry!