Blood trails

[DuckHunt]

It goes without saying that larger cuts tend to produce better blood trails. But there really is a lot more to it than that. In my opinion, shot placement and sharp blades is what makes a good blood trail more so than the broadhead being used. Even a monster cut broadhead will produce a skimpy blood trail if the shot placement is questionable. I've shot a lot of different brands and models of broadheads, both mechanical and fixed. I have my favorite mechanical and fixed heads. For the last two seasons I've only sent fixed heads downrange and last year I only used a small 1" cut fixed head in my crossbow and compound bow.

The video below is the blood trail on a doe taken with a small 1" broadhead. When watching, keep in mind that this wasn't a complete pass through.

https://youtu.be/iEO4aLn4JM8

I'm not saying I won't shoot another mechanical head, but I'm not sure I'll ever need to.

Are you guys getting blood trails you're happy with using your current setup?

[Carnivorous]

Outstanding blood trail!

The blood trails from using the swat xmag and swat titanium heads are truly impressive as well. Deer and bear usually don't go far with a well placed shot.

This spring I'll be using the tooth of the arrow XL solid head in 125gr for bear.

Is it spring yet?

[Boo]

It is better in many ways to place your arrow lower. Blood trails sooner and insurance in case the deer drops.

[Reinyrooster]

Nothing wrong with that blood trial. I'm sure many of us have had to follow with much less and have been on our hands and knees looking for drops..

[IronNoggin]

Looks relatively easy to follow that trail.

I always use 125 grain Spitfires.
Trials are wide & short in most cases.

Cheers

[papabear1]

It is better in many ways to place your arrow lower. Blood trails sooner and insurance in case the deer drops.

Yeppers


Dave

[gerald strine]

Very nice trail their a bit surprised you did not get a pass through with that 1 inch head but it its job .
I shoot Slick trick fixed Xbow tricks a 1 1/8th fixed 4 blade heads and have had a great number of very good Blood trails.
I am very happy with them and I can honestly say I have never hunted with a Mechanical head in my life .
I like to eliminate as many chances of something going wrong when hunting and I always know that a good fixed head will do what it supposed to do , not always the case with Mechanicals.
I bought some Spitfires to try one time but never actually used them, maybe someday but has not happened yet.

[IronNoggin]

... I bought some Spitfires to try one time but never actually used them, maybe someday but has not happened yet.

If you ever want to get rid of them, keep me in mind please!
I don't care for the offhore knock-offs NAP went with these, and US made ones are getting tough to find any more...

Cheers,
Nog

[DuckHunt]

a bit surprised you did not get a pass through with that 1 inch head

It was the only unlucky part of the shot. It was a dead center heart shot at 37 yards quartering away but the arrow hung up on the femur of the opposite leg. It was just under the skin. I broke the skin with my knife and pulled it on through.

Needless to say, the arrow got snapped by shoulder movement. A few minutes on the sharpener and it's back in the quiver on a new arrow ready to eat again.

[Normous]

Hitting the femur dead center on the exit side will slow the arrow down for sure but still counts as a pass through in my book!
Excellent post and video!

[Sandman]

Shot placement always paramount to broadhead. Regardless of broadhead it always matters with accuracy. Just my opinion from up here in the cheap seats~!
Cheers Chester

[longbow joe]

You have to use what you think is best it's that simple. Use what you have confidence in.
I have a friend l mentioned...that is kinda lacking in the accuracy dept.
He makes these crappy shots an gets away with it because he is using a giant expandable...l actually like this because I'm the one who ends up helping to look for his deer half the night.
I can say one thing that when my "good friend " but "suckey shot" switched to the swats from his whimpy 3 blade 1 1/8 fixed I have gotten a lot more October and November sleep in.
I'm only being called to load a tailgate and I'm much happier now.
Yes accuracy is very important most of all whatever head you use.
I killed dozens of deer with my longbow and a grizzly 1 inch cut 2 blade.
Probably best description was out of every 3 kills only one produced a really good blood trail with the setup one thing good is it always pennitrated the deer well but the bloodtrails were really lacking until l switched to the 175 grain 3 blade monster rothaar snuffer that left a bloodtrail.
I solved most windplaning issues with a heavy shaft and 6 inch real turkey feathers banana cut full helical 4 fletch.
As I've gotten older I appreciate the fact that I'm not up in a tree or walking with a sharp broadhead on my crossbow too...another reason why I favor my expandable.

[flightattendant100]

It is better in many ways to place your arrow lower. Blood trails sooner and insurance in case the deer drops.

If you are shooting from an elevated stand, an entrance higher than an exit make for quick blood trails and if shot placement is correct, quick recovery. Elevated stands aren’t always possible but I sure try to whenever I can

[AJ01]

Exit wound. 25-yard recovery. 2" cut Mean Green. Blood everywhere.
I was impressed!

[gerald strine]

a bit surprised you did not get a pass through with that 1 inch head

It was the only unlucky part of the shot. It was a dead center heart shot at 37 yards quartering away but the arrow hung up on the femur of the opposite leg. It was just under the skin. I broke the skin with my knife and pulled it on through.

Needless to say, the arrow got snapped by shoulder movement. A few minutes on the sharpener and it's back in the quiver on a new arrow ready to eat again.

I would go ahead and rate that as a pass through, at least you recovered the broadhead that is a nice bonus.