Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: Bofire on December 15, 2009, 04:44:55 PM

Title: dumb question
Post by: Bofire on December 15, 2009, 04:44:55 PM: Why are those broadheads that open on contact illegal? I saw one on TV called a Swacker or something, cut a hole like an Axe. Look like they would kill well. I am not a bow hunter, just curious.
Carl
Title: Re: dumb question
Post by: Woodchuck on December 15, 2009, 04:47:50 PM: Welcome to WA, you will have more ;)
Title: Re: dumb question
Post by: Crunchy on December 15, 2009, 05:24:50 PM: I believe because the expandable broadheads are not 100 percent reliable as to opening upon contact, and F&G worry about wounding animals..
Title: Re: dumb question
Post by: washelkhntr on December 15, 2009, 05:26:25 PM: :yeah:
Title: Re: dumb question
Post by: bowhuntin on December 15, 2009, 10:20:51 PM: Expandles also act like a barb... it would make it hard for an animal that wasn't hit well to pull it out or for it to work its way out.
Title: Re: dumb question
Post by: Gringo31 on December 16, 2009, 04:33:22 PM: The people in the Dept of F&G that I talked to about it told me that is was to keep archery as a "primitive" weapon. Same reasoning for not allowing scopes on muzzleloaders.
Title: Re: dumb question
Post by: lokidog on December 16, 2009, 09:57:46 PM: Quote from: Gringo31 on December 16, 2009, 04:33:22 PM
The people in the Dept of F&G that I talked to about it told me that is was to keep archery as a "primitive" weapon. Same reasoning for not allowing scopes on muzzleloaders.

Not even close to the same issue. Scoped muzzleloaders increase the effective range by as much as 2X. Expandable broadheads fall under the "barbed" category as someone mentioned. :twocents:
Title: Re: dumb question
Post by: halflife65 on December 17, 2009, 04:29:39 PM: Quote from: Gringo31 on December 16, 2009, 04:33:22 PM
The people in the Dept of F&G that I talked to about it told me that is was to keep archery as a "primitive" weapon. Same reasoning for not allowing scopes on muzzleloaders.

I would think that having a wheel/cam on your bow would have a lot greater effect on the the shot than the expandable broadhead (I'm a bowhunter and I have a compound - not arguing that only bow longbows and recurves should be used.) I don't think that the "primitive" argument holds much water as far as expandable broadheads go when compared to the effect of compound bows and, in fact, it's possible you were talking to someone who didn't really know why they're illegal. I think the argument that they could fail and not expand or act as barbs sounds a lot more plausible/realistic.

Even in states that allowed expandables, I would stick with fixed blade, anyway. But that's just my preference.
Title: Re: dumb question
Post by: alanger on December 17, 2009, 04:32:05 PM: shwacker expandable broadheads. they are good but this is washington. :'(
Title: Re: dumb question
Post by: PA BEN on December 18, 2009, 05:40:37 AM: Back in the day when these first came out, there would open and if it hit a rib going in the arrow would deflect and wound the animal. I would think the new heads these days are a lot better. But, F&G won't look into it. There OK for small game, Turkey, grouse, etc. ;)