Changing from shooting practice field points to using broadheads for actual hunting is usually the only transition hunters make before hunting season. Unfortunately, most broadheads don’t make the transition very well.
A hunting buddy of mine manages an archery pro shop, I spend a good deal of time in there before the season, I’m stunned every year, it’s unbelievable how many people would come in the day before season, buy a set of broadheads, screw them on and go hunting. They were shocked when they realized that their hunting arrows didn’t group well, or on the rare occasion that they did make contact with an animal. Broadheads have come light years in the past 5 years thus making this step easier but you still have to start this step before the season is upon you.
The main causes for the difference in flight are the large surface area of broadheads compared to field points (more exaggerated with fixed heads than with mechanicals) and the different balance point of the arrow. Of these factors, broadhead wind resistance is by far the largest cause of inaccurate shots, even if you are shooting a mechanical broadhead. I shoot mechanical most of the time and it’s still a must they just don’t fly the same as a field point.
Field points have minimal surface area to “catch” the wind, and even a poorly tuned bow can appear to shoot well with them, making most people assume their bow is tuned. However, broadheads bring out the worst in out-of-tune bows. Make sure your bow is punching perfect holes through paper before you try to track down poor arrow flight problems. Paper often tells a lot, essentially creating a snapshot of the arrow in flight. This is one of the many steps it use every year to insure I hit my mark. Good luck this fall and may your arrow hit their mark!!
Don’t forget the Lumenoks
