I scheduled a Bison hunt in NE for Dec 2012 and am looking for some advice/opinions on a good setup for that awesome animal.
The outfitters does archery hunts for Bison all the time but has never had any taken with a crossbow, so hopefully I wil be the first. He told me he would probably limit the shot to about 35 yards.
I've been hunting with a crossbow for about 15 years (Horton Legend SL), but this year after yet another bout of "maintenance" I got fed up and bought an Excalibur Vortex. Wow, what a difference. I will never go back to a compound crossbow. I shot a nice heavy bodied 10 pointer this year in OH, and the Vortex performed great.
I am currently shooting Rage 2 blade, 100 grain heads on top of Horton Carbon Strike bolts, with the stock half moon stocks. I know this is not optimal, but I have a bunch of these bolts and broadheads and did not want to just toss them......although I might sell them when I sell the Horton. I do not plan to shoot this combo going forward. I switched to mechanicals after many bouts with accuracy out of the Horton, but I prefer fixed blades. I have also been playing around with all sorts of combos from stuff I have collected over the years. Messing with FOC, broadhead tuning - you name it.
My initial thought for the bison hunt is:
replace the Excel string with a Fast Flight or Boo string
Excalibur Boltcutter 150 grain broadhead
20" Firebolt
but I am wondering if this arrow is just a bit on the light side.
I am an engineer by trade - so I am not afraid of excruciating details (OK so I kind of like it. I say "detail -oriented" but my wife has another word for it), so bring on the setups and steps for achieving killer accuracy. I'll test what I can and report results as I get them.
Thanks everyone in advance and Merry Christmas!!
Setup for Bison Hunt
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- nchunterkw
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Setup for Bison Hunt
Keith
Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths; where the good way is,
and walk in it and find rest for your souls. - Jer 6:16
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Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths; where the good way is,
and walk in it and find rest for your souls. - Jer 6:16
Micro 335 & 355
deerboyarchery.wixsite.com/trinitystrings
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- one shot scott
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Re: Setup for Bison Hunt
That sounds like a heck of a hunt you have booked! I wont dare offer any advice as to what combo may be best for ya since i have never taken one myself..just wanted to say Welcome to the forum man! The vortex you have is a very low maitenance machine
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- nchunterkw
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Re: Setup for Bison Hunt
Thanks Scott! I can't believe tell you how much more I like te Vortex than the Hortons. I'm a total convert. Had a new string put on one of my Horton's this year and on about the 15th pull back it blew up in my hands. I was very lucky I didn't get hurt and no flying pieces hit anyone else. That was the last straw.
I shot a bison last year with a rifle. They are an awesome animal and TASTE GREAT! You really have to see one up close to truly appreciate all that they are. I figure a setup good for moose would work, but I also think the bones are stronger.
I shot a bison last year with a rifle. They are an awesome animal and TASTE GREAT! You really have to see one up close to truly appreciate all that they are. I figure a setup good for moose would work, but I also think the bones are stronger.
Keith
Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths; where the good way is,
and walk in it and find rest for your souls. - Jer 6:16
Micro 335 & 355
deerboyarchery.wixsite.com/trinitystrings
[email protected]
<{{{><
Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths; where the good way is,
and walk in it and find rest for your souls. - Jer 6:16
Micro 335 & 355
deerboyarchery.wixsite.com/trinitystrings
[email protected]
<{{{><
Re: Setup for Bison Hunt
I shot one in Tx a few years ago, same platform as yours. 20 yds, 440ish total weight arrow at 295-300 fps.
Slick Trick mag 100 gr bhead. Arrow went in between two ribs and cut one in half on offside. Stuck out 3" on offside.
If I ever go again I'd [a] use same setup get more hamburger made!
Good luck on your hunt.
Slick Trick mag 100 gr bhead. Arrow went in between two ribs and cut one in half on offside. Stuck out 3" on offside.
If I ever go again I'd [a] use same setup get more hamburger made!
Good luck on your hunt.
"Eze 18:21"
- nchunterkw
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Re: Setup for Bison Hunt
awshucks....that makes me feel better. Those ribs are my main concern. Nice to hear you busted one. The carbon Firebolts with a 150 gr head only puts me around 415gr. total wt. I was thinking of trying some Carbon Express Magnum Hunter bolts, but I gotta check out the weight.
Keith
Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths; where the good way is,
and walk in it and find rest for your souls. - Jer 6:16
Micro 335 & 355
deerboyarchery.wixsite.com/trinitystrings
[email protected]
<{{{><
Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths; where the good way is,
and walk in it and find rest for your souls. - Jer 6:16
Micro 335 & 355
deerboyarchery.wixsite.com/trinitystrings
[email protected]
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Re: Setup for Bison Hunt
Welcome to the forum!!!
I've never shot a critter with my x-bow bigger than a 200lb boar hog...but i know Bill T has killed some big ones with boltcutters & firebolts so my guess is you should be fine.
You may want to be careful using half moon nocks, excal recommends flat only...string may slip over/under the arrow.
Good luck on your hunt!
I've never shot a critter with my x-bow bigger than a 200lb boar hog...but i know Bill T has killed some big ones with boltcutters & firebolts so my guess is you should be fine.
You may want to be careful using half moon nocks, excal recommends flat only...string may slip over/under the arrow.
Good luck on your hunt!
Bulldog m380 blackout
Micro 355
Matrix 350LE
Vixen II
Proud member of the Georgia Meat Hunter's Association
"Shooting tomorrow's trophy's...today"
Micro 355
Matrix 350LE
Vixen II
Proud member of the Georgia Meat Hunter's Association
"Shooting tomorrow's trophy's...today"
Re: Setup for Bison Hunt
hankenhunter wrote:Welcome to the forum! Check out the video of Bill T. dropping an elephant with his Excal on you tube. That should help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJokpxvMmvA
Copy and paste.
Happy Holidays,
Hank
There's also another video of Bill T. on a Bison hunt as well.
http://www.backwoodstv.com/play.php?vid=142
The meat don't fry if the arrow don't fly!
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Matrix 355
Exocet 165
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Matrix 355
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Re: Setup for Bison Hunt
Moon nocks w/ an Excal mean you just have to pay a little more attention than you might be used to w/ flat nocks.
As for bigger game, on the elephant, Bill used a 900 gr arrow set up and stock Emax.
My 440ish arrow was an older Gt, nla, [+25 gr]w/ wrap [+ 10 gr] total: 35 gr more than 'new' Gt's.
Imho, the answer to those ribs is more weight than new Gt's or Firebolts provide w/ 100 gr points.
If/when I run out of the 'old' doz customs I got years ago [gettin close] I'll go to new Gt's, w/ 2" Blazers and 125 gr slicks, fwiw.
As for bigger game, on the elephant, Bill used a 900 gr arrow set up and stock Emax.
My 440ish arrow was an older Gt, nla, [+25 gr]w/ wrap [+ 10 gr] total: 35 gr more than 'new' Gt's.
Imho, the answer to those ribs is more weight than new Gt's or Firebolts provide w/ 100 gr points.
If/when I run out of the 'old' doz customs I got years ago [gettin close] I'll go to new Gt's, w/ 2" Blazers and 125 gr slicks, fwiw.
"Eze 18:21"