Hey y'all.
I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were concerning poundage of a bow vs game being hunted. I've hunted cottontails with both 55# limbs and 35# limbs on a takedown recurve. Using field points, neither combo will kill the animal outright: the little "rabbit kebob" starts to run and you have to catch it and conk it out. Had to get the dog out twice to help me find injured bunnies. Since then switched to the g5 heads or my friends makeshift version "the clobberhead" (a field point with wire threaded through drilled holes) which worked just as well. -Both infinitely better and more humane than field points.
On another note, a broadhead tipped arrow shot from my 55# limbs went through a bunny and into a cornfield where it ruined the tire on a crop sprayer 3 weeks later... whoops!! hdslp (It was a coop machine, so I didn't have to cough up the $$$ thanks goodness). Moral of the story, over penetration can be troublesome.
My friend's bows are both 45 pounders and that seems to be the sweet medium for small game. Had a good racoon hunt with him chrrs
So what poundage do you guys use for small game, or would use if you had the choice?
We always used "Dum Dums", a .357 or .38 casing glued on for a tip. Or small game blunts are also available.
what Dogshirt said thmbsup
On a rabbit poundage is almost irrelevant. Higher poundage helps to shoot a flatter arc and usually improves accuracy ... to a point.
However, the above-mentioned 'dum-dum' heads or, better yet, a judo point with wire extensions to stop the arrow from ricocheting off into the middle of the pasture are usually more effective on small game.
The tip is more important than bow strength! A small cheep broad head with crossed wire back a couple inches will kill, and not overpenetrate! For a magnum dum-dum use a 30-30 or .308 case! Just be sure ta find out where it shoots! Had a lota fun as a kid! Good Ol Days! (susp) hntr
Have only missed rabbits hdslp so it doesn't matter to me. blah
I do know that rubber blunts from a 40lb doesn't seem to bother raccoons too much. It just looked at me and walked away..... (susp)
Whatever I put on the front it us usually FluFlu on the back... that might have something to do with it also.
Flu-flus were developed mainly for wing shots. The parachute-like feather arrangement really slow the arrow down after 10-20 yards. I don't think that's a valid comparison for what's on the front end.
My friend made a blunt tips with spent .357 sig brass, boy did they look cool! Ok, so I found out tonight that the worst tip is no tip. I plugged an insert full of flesh and bone taking a shot at a raccoon tonight. Shot him up in the tree with a small game head and it started raining blood. I looked like dexter by the end of the ordeal.
I've never tried judo points, perhaps I'll get those next, as the g5 heads are expensive!
I love flu flus! Taking that shot tonight up into the tree with a 50 lb bow and plastic vanes... you can kiss your arrow and head goodbye practically.
Thanks for the inspiration dogshirt, I'll have to find some brass and make some "dum dums"
And Sweed, I reckon these will become "the good ol' days" in my memory before I know it!
thmbsup Attaers right youngun!!! Enjoy um while ya can so ya got some memorys later!!!