how does the arrow strike affect the rest ?

[ChuckC]

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

[reddogge]

I've found no two deer react exactly the same when hit.

[CoachBGriff]

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.

[Beau J]

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

[katman]

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.

[ChuckC]

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

[katman]

Thanks, Chuck,
I also think the quieter bow plays a part.