Blood trails
Moderator: Excalibur Marketing Dude
Blood trails
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?
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?
Micro Wolverine/Matrix 350 SE
Recovering Excalaholic
Recovering Excalaholic
- Carnivorous
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- Location: Belleriver Ontario
Re: Blood trails
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?
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?
A touch of frost has heightened your awareness and your heart steadily beats in anticipation. Your senses are suddenly alert to the movement on the forest floor and you realize that the moment of truth is at hand.
Re: Blood trails
It is better in many ways to place your arrow lower. Blood trails sooner and insurance in case the deer drops.
Some people just like stepping on rakes
- Reinyrooster
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- Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Re: Blood trails
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
- Posts: 3578
- Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2011 7:53 pm
- Location: Port Alberni, Vancouver Island
Re: Blood trails
Looks relatively easy to follow that trail.
I always use 125 grain Spitfires.
Trials are wide & short in most cases.
Cheers
I always use 125 grain Spitfires.
Trials are wide & short in most cases.
Cheers
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
Re: Blood trails
Yeppers
Dave
2010 equinox,
known as doe bow
vixenmaster custom string
swacker bhs, 2/1/4" cut 120 grn.
xx75 Easton 2219,s
firebolt arrows
S5 pads
if it ain't broke don't fix it
be safe in all you do
see ya in the woods
<-------<
known as doe bow
vixenmaster custom string
swacker bhs, 2/1/4" cut 120 grn.
xx75 Easton 2219,s
firebolt arrows
S5 pads
if it ain't broke don't fix it
be safe in all you do
see ya in the woods
<-------<
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- Location: Southern Michigan
Re: Blood trails
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.
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.
Hunt eat sleep repeat.
- IronNoggin
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- Location: Port Alberni, Vancouver Island
Re: Blood trails
If you ever want to get rid of them, keep me in mind please!gerald strine wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 3:06 pm... I bought some Spitfires to try one time but never actually used them, maybe someday but has not happened yet.
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
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
Re: Blood trails
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.gerald strine wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 3:06 pma bit surprised you did not get a pass through with that 1 inch head
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.
Micro Wolverine/Matrix 350 SE
Recovering Excalaholic
Recovering Excalaholic
Re: Blood trails
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!
Excellent post and video!
EXCALFFLICTION 1991 ->>----------> 2024
Matrix 355
Huskemaw and Leupold crossbow optics.
Boo Strings
SWAT BH's and TOTA heads.
Teach Your Family How To Hunt So You Don't Have To Hunt For Your Family
Matrix 355
Huskemaw and Leupold crossbow optics.
Boo Strings
SWAT BH's and TOTA heads.
Teach Your Family How To Hunt So You Don't Have To Hunt For Your Family
Re: Blood trails
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
Cheers Chester
Last edited by Sandman on Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
Wildlife Management & Reduction Specialist
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Re: Blood trails
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.
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.
Vixen 2, metal ibex,Phoenix,sapphire,matrix 330 ,matrix 355 ,vortex and baby grand piano y25 relayer.
Trigger tecs,leupold crossbones and nikon bolts.
Zombie slayers and mostly swat broadheads.
Trigger tecs,leupold crossbones and nikon bolts.
Zombie slayers and mostly swat broadheads.
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Re: Blood trails
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
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Re: Blood trails
Exit wound. 25-yard recovery. 2" cut Mean Green. Blood everywhere.
I was impressed!
I was impressed!
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming "Wow, What a Ride!
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Re: Blood trails
I would go ahead and rate that as a pass through, at least you recovered the broadhead that is a nice bonus.DuckHunt wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 4:54 pmIt 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.gerald strine wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 3:06 pma bit surprised you did not get a pass through with that 1 inch head
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.
Hunt eat sleep repeat.