I sure wish we could use expandible broadheads on big game! (Poll added)

[Snapshot]

Oh...I get your drift.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Maybe you should move upwind.. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

o.k lets go back to recurve hunting .....with the old two blade broadheads ... I am in .....

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

o.k lets go back to recurve hunting .....with the old two blade broadheads ... I am in .....

Actually, after having made aquaintance with Gene and Barry, I am giving the "Wensel Woodsman" a try.. 3 blade

[Snapshot]

I have an older, wiser, much-better-hunter-than-I brother who has punched a lot of deer tags over the past eight or ten years with a Woodsman doing the deed. I don't know that he would use it for elk...I would have to ask him but I would guess not; that instead he stays with a two-blade head for wapiti.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Been using 2 blade 170gr Grizzly's on 550 gr Sweetland compressed cedar, but am trying out 175 gr Woodsman Elites on 550gr Grizzlystik Safaris, like shooting darts at my target.
But then, I shoot a lot more deer than elk, was actually planning on using these on a bear come August....

[ribka]

Been using 2 blade 170gr Grizzly's on 550 gr Sweetland compressed cedar, but am trying out 175 gr Woodsman Elites on 550gr Grizzlystik Safaris, like shooting darts at my target.
But then, I shoot a lot more deer than elk, was actually planning on using these on a bear come August....

No elk yet but around two doz Wt 's in Wisconsin with the woodsman and snuffer heads

I know guys like them  for elk.

Gene and Barry really nice helpful guys. Ran into them in Iowa 8 years ago

Very good hunters and great sense of humor

[Snapshot]

Yes, I would try the Woodsman if I were planning a bear hunt.

[BOWHUNTER45]

yeah like I said many times over ... the indians never had problems killing animals ... So whats the problem .... solid hits with any broadhead means death ....

[predator guy]

What's next? Can't use expandible bullets? Or...compound bows? Or modern firearms? Who are these people that come up with these stupid regulations? What is the reason for NOT being able to use an expandible broadhead? Please fill me in.

[BOWHUNTER45]

They are junk .... just my opinion ... and I never used them ... but if you like them then thats fine too ...... all personal opinions ...

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

What's next? Can't use expandible bullets? Or...compound bows? Or modern firearms? Who are these people that come up with these stupid regulations? What is the reason for NOT being able to use an expandible broadhead? Please fill me in.

THE ONLY REASON EXPANDABLE BROADHEADS ARE ILLEGAL IN WASHINGTON IS BECAUSE WHEN DEPLOYED THE BACK OF THE BROADHEAD FORMS A BARB, AND CANNOT WORK ITSELF OUT OF THE ANIMAL IN THE EVENT OF A BAD HIT, THAT IS THE ONLY REASON WHEN THE LAW WAS WRITTEN. 

[huntingfool7]

You don't lose hunting days due to gear restrictions.  That is an empty line that gets repeated too much on here.  Did we get more days for ducks when they went to steel???  Reduced range and less effective, especially with the original steel loads.  Remember how crappy those were?

The pointy part of your arrow does not make you a more effective hunter nor increase your effective range.  The same is true for light up nocks. 

We should all just go back to cedar, feathers and obsidian.

[ribka]

You don't lose hunting days due to gear restrictions.  That is an empty line that gets repeated too much on here.  Did we get more days for ducks when they went to steel???  Reduced range and less effective, especially with the original steel loads.  Remember how crappy those were?

The pointy part of your arrow does not make you a more effective hunter nor increase your effective range.  The same is true for light up nocks. 

We should all just go back to cedar, feathers and obsidian.

I

Have to disagree after speaking with State Game Mgt guys in while bow hunting in  MD, WI and WA. I discussed the advancement of technology in archery and the lessoning of of length of archery seasons and all responded that technology in primitive weapons seasons will result in a shorter season.
It's not the single introduction of the head itself it is the culmination of all technoloy in archery. It is also the public perception regarding technology.

While archery hunting in WA I have had rifle guys stop and talk to me and complain about how easy bow hunting is now and it is not fair we have longer seasons then the rifle hunters.

There is a big push in the cross bow lobby to allow in all states, including WA,  during archery seasons.

So yes I would say people have an argument that it could possibly impact our archery seasons. I am selfish and will fight to keep out archery seasons.

[MDGrand]

I have said this before, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record...

The culprit for having your season's shortened has VERY little to do with technology. Sure, there is a reason that rifle hunters get a few weeks each year and archery hunters get a month or so. It is because the medium is easier with a rifle.

However,

it is NOT technology that is shortening the seasons.. it is WA adhearance to over the counter tags.

Every year, some novice hunter who spends no time on boards like these, no time scouting, no time except maybe once sighting in his rifle, buys a tag the night before and goes out the next day to raise hell with a case full of beer and no real care of he bags something. As I have said before... there is NOTHING wrong with this.. BUT.. it does cause crowded hill sides and those dedicated or serious rifle hunters the reason to take up another method.. i.e. Archery. By instituting a more selective draw system this would keep the Joe Six pack hunter who remembered that deer season opened the night before out of your honey hole because he did not take the time and care to put in for his tag months ago as did other more serious hunters.

Other states like CO, MT, UT, ID are great examples of how to run their license and tag department to WA. We need to start acting the same.

I believe if we offered a partial draw system, similar to MT.. we would get longer seasons, more serious hunters out in the field and all those who want to use new technology could use it without their being any real flack from other hunters. MT is a real great example of how to run this. For residents, they usually almost always get drawn for Elk and Deer in their areas.. rarely do they not get drawn.. but what it does do.. is close to opening day.. the tags are out! The Johnny come lately hunters can't join him! Sure.. I realize there are some on this board that dont even want to risk a 10% chance that they wont get their tag that year.. but hell lets say you dont get drawn for elk that year but you get months to hunt that muley you have been after or vice versa... wouldnt that be worth it?

Every serious archer who does not want the regs to change usually always comes back to the same position at the end.. that they do not want the regs to change because it will bring more people out in the field. By instituting a draw system, I think that would eliminate that arguement and make everyone happy.

As far as expandables... After reading this thread for weeks now... My position has changed somewhat and I want to thank the guys on this board like Bearpaw, stickandstring, etc...

The "barbed" arguement is valid.. but does not carry a lot of weight as other arguements. I do not know how easy it is for any arrow to "work itself out." My G5s are pretty stubborn buggers even in my target at home. Not saying anyone is terribly wrong here.. but this reason seems pretty light.

The "penetration" arguement I think is what holds the most water here.. On a large animal like Elk, I think they should mandate fixed blades. I am ok with that.

However, there is a place for them for Deer. WAY too many hunters all over the country use them and use them VERY successfully. The old ones many have had issues.. but the new ones seem to be great.