Barbed definition?

[Brandywine]

If the rear edge(s) of single bevel broad heads are sharpened, is the head classified barbed for hunting, please? If so, which states might be involved? Thanks.

[Pat B]

I think "Barbed" refers to the angle of the back edge of the arrowhead and not whether it is sharpened or not. Each state is different so you better ask the powers to be in your state to see what they say about it though.
 A few years ago I called the head of law enforcement for the NCDNR to get his take on barbed heads. He thought for a few seconds and replied that it could not look like a fish hook. I told him that none of my broadheads looked like fish hooks. He thought another few seconds and said..."you had better ask the officer that will be writing you the ticket".   Actually I don't think they really know.

[Doc Nock]

Law Enforcement seldom writes the laws or definitions, (or lack thereof) from what I've heard...

And as Pat shared, the sad truth is it often amounts to whatever the bush cop thinks at the moment you and he are in conversation.

Tried and true, avoids the blues!  

In PA,(only PA and that was some years back) if the back "edge" of the head was not affixed to the ferrule, (free standing) it was long considered "barbed".  Rediculous, but hey... play by the rules dealt or do a ton of research and go to court armed with "precedence" to support taking a risky position.

[wingnut]

Barbed is generally defined as angling towards the tip on the back edge of the broadhead.  Sharpening the edge should have no effect on being barbed.

Mike

[maineac]

Guess I still can't picture it, or why it would be on a law book.  On Doc' definition I can picture some of the of the Simmons broadheads like the landshark,  Pat's definition the new Zwickey Cliff comes to mind, and I can't think of a single bh that fits Mike's definition of angling back toward the point.  I am glad Maine has no wording about barbed heads.

[Friend]

Click on 'X' to have you question effectively adressed.

[Jeff Strubberg]

Noone intentionally makes a barbed head anymore because they are illegal basically everywhere.

The purpose of a barbed head is to keep the arrow in the wound and prevent any kind of healing on a non-lethal hit.  Since that's the opposite of what modern conservation wants, illegal.

Sharpened or not doesn't define barbed.

[maineac]

Perfect  Scott.  The new Zwickey Cliff might be added to that list.

[lpcjon2]

In NJ if the back edge is more than a 90 degree angle from the shaft its barbed.

[Doc Nock]

See how many different "reports" we already have?

I kept trying remember which head I mentioned above...I think it was one of my early Simmons...the back edge wasn't brazed fast.. it just missed touching the ferrule... our local Game Protector told me that was considered a "barbed" head in PA!
  :eek:  

Now I just learned here that if there is a sharp angle to the trailing edge, it can be considered barbed, depending on the State, or the Enforcement officer on site!  
Too many good heads out there that don't raise a question.  I just use Tuskers, or STOS or the like... and make sure they're sharp, thanks to KME gear, I now can.

[Converml]

Is there any reason why you would sharpen the back edge?

[old_goat2]

Originally posted by Converml:
Is there any reason why you would sharpen the back edge?

To cut going in and cut some more if it comes back out the way it went in if you don't have a passthrough  Magnus Stinger line is that way, downside to that is cutting yourself on back of the blade if they aren't  buried completely in your quiver, been there dome that.

[flinter]

Washington State regs state " It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with a broadhead blade unless the broadhead is unbarbed and completely closed at the back end of the blade or blades by a smooth, unbroken surface starting at maxium blade width and forming a smooth line toward the feather end of the shaft and such line does not angle toward the point." I'm not sure but I don't think the new Grizzlys are legal in Washington. It will depend on the game agent.

[Bill Sant]

Barbed, using the 90 degree definition is illegal in Alaska.

[Converml]

Thanks old goat.  I couldn't see how it would cut going in but makes sense if it cuts while getting drug back out while crashing through brush etc.

[old_goat2]

here is a good example of a barbed

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=106378#000000