A case for a large broadhead...

[kiamichi kid]

Like many folks on here, I like to play with different broad heads on the market. I have limited opportunity shooting deer with them, but I like to play with my set-up to get what I feel is the best possible option for my hunting needs. In September, after some tuning issues,  I bumped my field tips up 25 grains to 200. This of course meant that my old broadheads would no longer suffice and that I would have to buy new ones (I wasn't disappointed). After looking over the classifieds for a few days I picked up a some Snuffer 160's and glued in some inserts to get them to 200 grains.  Now, I must admit, I was skeptical. They almost looked like a novelty item when they came in the mail. I figured I would use them for Turkey but for deer I may look for a different option. I shoot a Striker Stinger longbow 50 @ 28 with 2016's. Despite what I had read on this site, I was still unsure as to whether or not I would get the penetration I needed out of my setup with an 1-1/2" 3 blade.

I got them out in the yard and, to my surprise, they flew great. On top of that, with my questionable sharpening abilities I was able to get them to shave. At that point, I figured, "I'll give em a shot." So into the quiver they went.

Fast forward to last week. I sat and watched buck walked within 15 yards of my stand. I rose, drew, missed. No spot was picked and no animal taken....I resharpened the head and tried it again this week. This time, the same buck appeared. It was hard enough for me to believe he was back, but what was harder to believe is that he was headed to the same spot I had missed him last week. I stood, drew, PICKED A SPOT, and released. Upon release I saw my arrow hit a hair forward of its intended mark. I knew I had  hit some part of the shoulder. Whats worse is that he bounded off and after 2 steps, my arrow broke off...3 inches behind the broad head. I knew there was no way I was finding that deer. I was sick. Immediately I began rethinking my choice of broadhead. I was in the process of mentally ordering new broadheads when I heard a crash. "Surely not", I thought.  I climbed down and backed off the spot and when to get tracking help. I knew it would be a long trail if I did find him.

Upon my return to the spot, I found the broken arrow which was way too long for my liking. I proceeded in the direction I last saw him disappear and to my disgust, no blood. I went another 30 yards and saw glassed over eyes shining back at my light. He hadn't run 40 yards from where I shot him. I was as shocked as I have ever been in the woods. As I began the field dressing process I did a quick autopsy. The arrow had gone in just behind the shoulder bone and ended up "bouncing" off the offside shoulder (He was cut to the shoulder bone but the arrow didn't lodge there). Before the arrow made it to the offside shoulder, one of those big blades of the Snuffer completely severed the wind-pipe. It was no wonder he had expired so fast....even If I did miss the lungs and heart.

After all was said and done, I had my first buck with traditional gear on the ground and what I feel is a great lesson learned in equipment choice: Shooting a largest broad head your set-up can handle can have great benefits when the shot doesn't go like you planned. I'm not saying that a smaller broadhead would not have put him down. But I believe that in a scenario like mine when the shot is not where it was intended to be, it can help the recovery time tremendously.

Thanks for reading!

God bless

-Trey

[Caughtandhobble]

Beautiful buck Trey!!!

Those big sharp broadheads can and will make a difference.  

[glenbo]

Congrats on a fine deer Trey

[JMG]

Congratulations on a great buck & story!! Thanks!!  

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Terry, Congrats on a fine deer sir.

[Friend]

Nice harvest!!!

[Warden609]

Congrats!!

[Roger Norris]

A great example of how a properly constructed and sharpened broadhead saves the day. Great job preparing your gear. Too many folks get things "good enough". Looks to me like you paid special attention to tuning and broadhead sharpening. Graet work!  

[Bud B.]

Perseverance pays off too  

Great story and a hearty congratulations Trey!

[ISP 5353]

Great story and congrats on a beautiful deer!  

[Jerry Russell]

Very nice buck.

[bowtough]

Rodger knew what he was doing when he designed the Snuffer! It is a killer for sure!  

[ChuckC]

Nice deer, congrat's

ChuckC

[inthere10x]

Nice buck, congrats.

[Gen273]

Congrats on a nice buck, and I agree with your thoughts on a large broadhead.

Congrats on your buck!

Bisch

[long time archer]

Nice buck...good shot. I always use the 160 gr Snuffers when I bear hunt. Three bears later, none have run farther than 15 yards before expiring. Now I have let many walk away because they did not present the angle I want in a bear...I'm picky.  :-)  With the Snuffer and the right angle, it looks like you've driven a pipe through the 'boiler room.' I like big broadheads and an arrow weight that give the 'whomp!' I want down range. Keep up the good work.

[long time archer]

Nice buck...good shot. I always use the 160 gr Snuffers when I bear hunt. Three bears later, none have run farther than 15 yards before expiring. Now I have let many walk away because they did not present the angle I want in a bear...I'm picky.  :-)  With the Snuffer and the right angle, it looks like you've driven a pipe through the 'boiler room.' I like big broadheads and an arrow weight that give the 'whomp!' I want down range. Keep up the good work.

[rick7]

congrats and good shooting

[Butch Speer]