Mechanicals are illegal, right? Why?

[Band]

After a huge amount of ongoing effort and testing of various scenarios with fixed blade broadheads I'm just not getting the kind of grouping I expect.  I get excellent grouping to 60 yards with field points but my broadheads do something completely different with no grouping to speak of.

So why is it that mechanicals are illegal for big game in this state anyway?  Is there something inherently wrong with today's mechanical broadheads?  Are they not an acceptable tool to get the job done for some reason?  Maybe this is one of those rules that will eventually be overturned in Washington like it is in most other states and we just need to bide our time until that happens?  What are the recognized archery organizations in this state saying about legalizing mechanicals?

[Woodchuck]

The premise for those rules is "primitive weapon" Same reason for no enclosed primers or scopes on front stuffers.

[dreamingbig]

What are the recognized archery organizations in this state saying about legalizing mechanicals?

They are generally opposed.  I am generally opposed as well.   Fixed blade heads introduce a higher chance of failure and have the potential to encourage shots at game that are not as ethical.  It is a very detable and sometimes heated issue.   

[huntnnw]

sounds to me you need to get your bow tuned..I have owned 10 different bows and have shot a multitude of broadheads since and I have had no difference in fieldtips and broadheads...paper tuned?

[Band]

sounds to me you need to get your bow tuned..I have owned 10 different bows and have shot a multitude of broadheads since and I have had no difference in fieldtips and broadheads...paper tuned?

I'm paper tuned beautifully which is why I'm still mystified that I can't get my broadheads to cooperate.

[Band]

What are the recognized archery organizations in this state saying about legalizing mechanicals?

They are generally opposed.  I am generally opposed as well.   Fixed blade heads introduce a higher chance of failure and have the potential to encourage shots at game that are not as ethical.  It is a very detable and sometimes heated issue.   

I agree with keeping some of the advances out of bow hunting to keep it somewhat "primitive" but allowing broadheads that are easier to make fly like field points seems like a no brainer to me.  I tend to think that those who are having this kind of problem are still likely to take longer shots in the heat of the moment because they can make the kill with their field points and they hope their broadhead shot will hit the mark which would make the intent you mentioned backfire and cause more animals to be wounded without recovery.  This is likely particularly true for those with less experienced.

[h20hunter]

Yep.........heated debate in the past. I understand they are considered barbed and have a higher mortality rate on wounded/lost animals due to the fact that the "barbs" do not allow the arrow to pull out. I have carried them in my quiver in Illinois where legal but have no experience with drawing blood with them. My father recently killed a ground hog in his yard with an expandable....Rage I believe....and the hit was devastating.

[Woodchuck]

I killed a deer in VA with an expandable and it did open a nasty hole. Died within 5 steps

[h20hunter]

I do own a set of the Rage expandables. After doing much research and seeing plenty of self filmed hunts on Youtube I have no doubt of their effectiveness. However, when in Rome.......

[BULLBLASTER]

There is definitely an issue going on whether it is tuning, arrows, or operator error. Next time out mark the arrows so that you can tell them apart and see if a pattern develops with each arrow. If not, it is most likely a human error. Even an out of tune bow will put the same arrow in the same spot.

[Fullabull]

After a huge amount of ongoing effort and testing of various scenarios with fixed blade broadheads I'm just not getting the kind of grouping I expect.  I get excellent grouping to 60 yards with field points but my broadheads do something completely different with no grouping to speak of.

Your statement above is key to why Mechanicals are not allowed.
No matter what fixed blade you are shooting, you should be able to tune you bow to have your Field points and BH's hit the same place.
Anything "Mechanical" has the potential to fail which is not ethical to the animal you are hunting.
Like firearm hunters, Bow hunters are suppose to know how their weapon shoots and not have to rely on devices that help them make up for tuning issues (which is what mechanicals do).

I would suggest downloading the Eastman tuning guide from their web site and do some fine tuning for your fixed blades. You will never regret it

Good luck

[h20hunter]

This may be on or off topic but would be curious to a few opinions on the "mechanical" difference between an expandable broadhead and hollow point or expandable hunting bullet? Both have gone through extensive product development, testing, and trials and both could/do fail to perform at least some small percentage of time.

quick edit: by the way....I'm not even sure of my opinion to this question......just looking for opinions.

[Russ McDonald]

Prior to moving to Washington I was using Grim Reapers and they grouped just like my field tips.  Got here and can't use them.  Got some 100 gr Muzzy MX3's  and still group just as good as my field tips.  In todays mechanical broadheads I doubt you will have any mechanical failures.  Unless you using and one piece constucted broadhead couldn't you also have mechanical failure on a fixed broad head like a blade breaking off or my some chanse you didn't get you blades tightened down one flying off when you shoot. Just my 

[BULLBLASTER]

This may be on or off topic but would be curious to a few opinions on the "mechanical" difference between an expandable broadhead and hollow point or expandable hunting bullet? Both have gone through extensive product development, testing, and trials and both could/do fail to perform at least some small percentage of time.

quick edit: by the way....I'm not even sure of my opinion to this question......just looking for opinions.

I don't think that this comparison is relevant due to the fact that arrows and bullets are meant to kill in different ways. Arrows meant to cut vital tissue and induce bloodloss. Bullets are meant to kill with shock or delivering massive amounts of energy to the targets organs.  It is a good thought tho. I guess a failure in wither case could leave a similar result... small hole and little shock or cut tissue. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

Mechanicals are junk ... just my opinion... I will take a fixed blade any day over a mechanical ....Yeah they blow a big hole as long as you hit dead center threw the lungs ... and even then they may deflect if there is any kinda angles involved .. and you definately want to stay away from heavy bone...  getting your bow in tune is a must !