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Frequently Asked Archery Questions This link is dedicated to topics that may be frequently asked in the field of archery… Why such a link? Well, one always needs more than one source of information… And second, this link tries to achieve a clear and non biased answer to the questions. If you have any comments on this links or other questions that would be appropriate please leave me a message at mfoster@spots.ab.ca.

This topic is often discussed in archery magazines, news groups and between bowhunters. But the answer to this is not as "clear cut" as it may see The arguments are valid on both sides, so for this I will describe the advantages and disadvantages for each of them.

Arrow Speed

Arrow speed is a great thing to achieve, by lowering arrow weight and raising the bows draw weight, you can increase you arrow speed considerably. This may reduce the chance of the animal "jumping the string" which should increase your chance of tagging you deer this season.

 

Arrow speed can also makes range estimation more forgiving. This is accomplished by making the trajectory of the arrow flight straighter which should allow you will hit the target even if range estimation is off by a few feet.

 

NOTE: This is not an excuse for improper range estimation.

 

The disadvantages in gained arrow speed is the increased noise, caused by inefficient energy transfer. The increased noise may not allow for a second shot. Also the arrow shot is less forgiving when you waver the bow a few inches.  Because of this fact,  the archer may miss his intended target entirely.

 

Finally, increased speed usually spells that loss of kinetic energy. This will reduce penetration, when an archer might need it the most.

Arrow Weight

Arrow weight increases the energy transfer from the limbs to the arrow. Thus reducing noise and improving chance of not being detected, which might allow for  another shot.

 

Arrow weight also increase the amount of kinetic energy. Kinetic energy can simply be understood as the energy required for penetration, the more energy you have packed into the arrow the more penetration you will have. Basically, with increased penetration you will be better able to down the animal more humanely .

 

The most noticeable disadvantage to arrow weight is the loss of speed.  Speed still has it’s place and too much weight is just as bad as too much weight. An excessive amount of arrow weight would make range estimation more crucial. This also makes shooting at extreme distances less reliable and not recommended.

 

NOTE: One should not take chances in hunting, by shooting a animal at long distances. You risk missing your shot and worse, wounding the animal.

 

Of course the best thing to reach would be an ideal balance between arrow weight and arrow speed.  You must take steps into achieving this balance.

Which is the Best Bow? Bow Style? Equipment?

There is no answer to such a question. Simply put, the best bow, is the bow that you are comfortable with and the best equipment is that which you prefer. Whether you are shooting a compound, longbow or recurve. That is fine as long as you feel you are pleased with what you have.

 

Of course if you are just starting into the field of archery,  visit your local pro shop and try different styles of bows. When you finally try a bow, that you feel you would want to shoot... By all means purchase it, and never allow someone push you into something you are unhappy with.

Slice in Broadheads Versus Replaceable Blade Broadheads Versus Retractable Blade Broadheads

Broadheads like many other fields in archery can cause heated debate. In the following the "pros" and "cons" will be discussed for primary variations of hunting tips.

Slice in Broadheads

These are characterized broadheads by two fixed blades. These broadheads have a advantage of penetrating through the animal with minimal need of pressure (0.5 pounds considered to 3 pounds for other styles). Unfortunately these tips do not have replaceable blades, so you must sharpen them yourself. For some people sharpening is not in their list of skills, so these tips are not recommended for such people.

Replaceable Blades Broadheads.

These tips have replaceable blades and is their primary advantage over the slice in style broadheads. Another advantage these tips have, is the amount of blades they have. A broadhead with three broadheads will have a larger cutting diameter than a two blade broadhead. Just Imagine the cutting power of the six blade models on the market today!

 

Unfortunately these tips require more energy to penetrate, because the tip must stretch the skin before being able to get inside.   Earlier versions of these tips were not very reliable and could leave blades inside the animal, so be careful when field dressing an animal.

Retractable Blade Broadhead

These are the new kids on the block, these tips are said to shoot like a target tip, but on impact the blades open up and then the retractable blades do their job. This in itself is an advantage, but the disadvantage should be clear. These tips are mechanical in nature and may fail to open.

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Broadhead Tuning Tips

Broadhead tuning can be a real pain. The reason for such tuning problems are due to the fact that the arrow's flecthing and the blades of the broadheads are competing to stabilise the arrows, thus causing you arrows to grouping in a less than adequate circle. Unfortunately, the only true remedies to such problems may not be considered worth while by most archers....

Increase the size of the flecthing (by about on inch ) : This may increase the control of the flecthing over the Broadhead and make a tighter group.

Decrease the size of the broadheads: This accomplishes the same task as increasing flecthing size.

Use retractable broadheads: As listed in the section above these arrow have the reputation of shooting like you bullet points and still have the killing power of a Broadhead.

There are four different type of arrow shaft materials, available on today’s market… Below is a description of all these materials, with a slight list of advantages and disadvantages…

Wood Shafts

Wood is the oldest of the four styles of arrow shafts, the wood grain is considered to be more esthetically pleasing. The arrows are also inexpensive (at least in initial costs) and are excellent for beginners and traditional shooters. These arrows are quite useful for "stump-shooting", due to their low cost and forgiving nature. Unfortunately, due to increasing demand the most common type of wood used for these arrows (Port-Orford Cedar) is hard to get, so the waiting period can get quite long. So one might try to find an alternative material for the shaft.  Because of the obvious flaws in wood, it is hard to find arrows of the same pine.  Also, one must rememeber to continuously check the arrow for signs of wear and tear.

Fiberglass Shafts

These shaft are almost indestructible and price wise are a very good buy. Yet, the manufacturing of these shafts was difficult in the way that if the shaft was not straight it would have to be destroyed. Still, these shaft are very good for small archery clubs that have their own bows and need a good source of arrows..

Aluminum Shafts

Early on during the manufacturing, aluminum shafts had several advantages. Mainly, their consistency in pine, in weight and the fact that they could be bent back to it’s original shape. Now carbon arrows have managed to surpass these shaft on two out of three. Even, though these arrows remain the backbone of the archery industry and hunters everywhere enjoy it strength and consistency. These arrow are not as forgiving as wood arrows and just like  must also be examined for damage.  If a damaged arrowis shot the shaft itself may collapse and case massive damage to the bow and injuries to the shooter.

Carbon Arrows

Carbon arrow were plagued with the same problems as fiberglass arrows, fortunately refined technology have remedied these problems.  The carbon fiber makes these arrow lightweight, extremely durable and have a higher consistency than aluminum arrows.

 

These arrows will easily outlast every other arrow shaft material with ease, unfortunately these arrows do not bend. They shatter! When these arrows shatter carbon shrapnel may be produced and taint the meat of you downed big game animal. This problem seems to be fixed by making two separate parts to the arrow and then joining it.  Be sure to check your arrows before shooting to avoid such difficulties.

Left or Right Helical

The popular belief on right or left helical, is that a right handed shooter should use a right helical fletch on his arrows. But Easton, was able to denounce this by video taping arrows being shot out of bows. In these videos, one could clearly see that the arrow starts to spin after it has cleared the bow, meaning that the choice is yours to make.

 

Unfortunately,  the fact that people still believe that right handed shooters should use right helical fletch. The demand on right fletch is considerable. In fact, the demand on right fletch is so high that one may actually have to wait. So, left fletch may be easier to get, especialy during hunting season, thus giving a slight advantage over the right fletch when considering a purchase.

Fletching size and Dimensions

Arrow fletching is critical in proper arrow flight. But as with any other aspect of archery, it can be fine tuned to the desires of the archer. In general there is one key that one can follow without any problem.

 

One can rely on the fact that the more surface the fletching has, the more stable the arrow will be. Note, that I did not say amount of fletching, because you are able to buy fletching with different shapes and size. Of course you must also, put into consideration that fletching means weight, and may slow down your arrows if you place too much fletching..

 

Also, if one wishes to use smaller fletching, because of a small sight window or arrow clearance problems and but find the arrow unstable. You can always use a greater amount of fletching, this will have the same effect as larger fletching and make arrow flight more stable.

Balancing your arrows

Proper arrow flight is judged by multiple factors, an arrows balancing point is one of them... To verify is an arrow is properly balanced, one must find the balancing point and calculate the percentages, the amount of the arrow is from tip to center and the amount from nock to center are all you need.

 

In general, for a properly balanced arrow the balancing point should be a 60 and 40 percent. Meaing that 60 percent of you arrow is from nock to center and 40 percent of you arrow is from tip to center. There are of course variations that can be used to balance you arrows to your style of shooting. Unfortunately, it is not recommended that one exceeds the 40 percent mark for the tip to center. For it will cause eratic flight.

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