collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?  (Read 4402 times)

Offline IFunk

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Mar 2019
  • Posts: 121
  • Location: Seattle
  • Groups: BHA, TBOW
Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« on: September 02, 2020, 10:04:13 AM »
I will be archery elk hunting for the first time this year and am curious what Trad guys are using up front for broadhead weight with either carbon or wood arrows.  I'm curious in hearing about success and/or failure stories.  I use fixed-blade, non-mechanical broadheads.  Thanks!

Offline kentrek

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2012
  • Posts: 3493
  • Location: west coast
Re: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2020, 11:48:22 AM »
Most trad set ups are pretty heavy upfront

Kifaru cast has alot of good trad info available

Would you be changing your set up just a week before season??

Offline Sandberm

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Nov 2013
  • Posts: 5378
Re: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2020, 12:30:19 PM »
Ive never elk hunted, but i fixed up some laminated birch arrows awhile back that were pretty heavy. Quite a bit of drop from 25 yards out compared to my cedars though, like about 6 inches worth of drop.

Good luck with your hunt.  :tup:

Offline IFunk

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Mar 2019
  • Posts: 121
  • Location: Seattle
  • Groups: BHA, TBOW
Re: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2020, 01:17:30 PM »
Most trad set ups are pretty heavy upfront

Kifaru cast has alot of good trad info available

Would you be changing your set up just a week before season??

Not ideal I know, just looking for opinions and options at this point.  My doug fir arrows are tipped with 125 grain Eskimos, but I've been told that for elk more weight out front is beneficial.  If I have to use them I will.   I've been shooting carbon arrows tipped with 200 grain field tips, but the broadheads I ordered for them have been delayed for weeks and I'm not sure I'll get them in time. 

Offline WSU

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 5501
Re: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2020, 01:36:08 PM »
I'm not a traditional bow guy but it would seem exponentially more important not to change things up weeks before the season.  Since you have not sights to adjust, it would seem you need to be really familiar with the trajectory at every distance you are going to shoot.  Wouldn't adding weight now throw all that off?

Offline IFunk

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Mar 2019
  • Posts: 121
  • Location: Seattle
  • Groups: BHA, TBOW
Re: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2020, 02:16:20 PM »
I'm not a traditional bow guy but it would seem exponentially more important not to change things up weeks before the season.  Since you have not sights to adjust, it would seem you need to be really familiar with the trajectory at every distance you are going to shoot.  Wouldn't adding weight now throw all that off?

I couldn't agree more.  Just seeing if anyone had any feedback and/or real life success or failure scenarios using various broadhead weights on elk at recurve effective ranges.  Mine being the shorter beginner range (15 yards or less).  I understand that there is no substitute for planning, practice and a well-placed shot. 

Offline kentrek

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2012
  • Posts: 3493
  • Location: west coast
Re: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2020, 05:18:12 PM »
with such a limited time I would get a very long style broad head and make sure its crazy sharp and just put it on your current arrows...practice every day during season and be honest to yourself about your max distance

This winter order up black eagle revelations and slap a high end head on there thats razor sharp..the exact numbers are less important then you think but just do what you can to maximize your success...which will be a balance between heavy arrow & fast arrow

Good luck !!

Offline Tracker0721

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 760
  • Location: Malo
Re: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« Reply #7 on: September 02, 2020, 06:34:39 PM »
My woodies run either my obsidian tips I flint knap, about 100 grains. Or my zwickey Deltas that I melted lead into so they’re 160 grain. With my carbons I’m shooting Easton axis 5mm with 50 grain hiit inserts and 250 grain cutthroat broadheads. Cutthroats are hands down the most durable head I’ve ever shot and hit the same as field points even out of compound bows. Lotta elk have fallen to 125 grains and cedar but you’d better not hit a shoulder bone or something.
May my presence go unnoticed, may my shot be true, may the blood trail be short.

Amen

Offline Tree Killer

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 554
  • Location: Oregon
  • Groups: RMEF, NWTF, NRA, OHA
Re: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2020, 07:52:02 AM »
I've killed quite a few bulls in the last 20 years using 125 grain Woodsman 3 blade broadheads. I shoot a 60# recurve with douglas fir arrows that weigh 620 grains.  I also have a few arrows with 160 grain VPA 3 blade heads on them.
"if you rattle, they will come"
"Stickbows, putting the arch back in archery"

Offline Webfoot

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Oct 2007
  • Posts: 314
  • Location: Forks Wa.
Re: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2020, 10:27:45 AM »
Can't go wrong with Magnus stingers 2 blade. 125 or 150 grain.

Offline scotsman

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2010
  • Posts: 771
Re: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2020, 07:53:33 PM »
X2 for Magnus Stingers 125 grain. People have been killing elk for thousands of years with wooden arrows tipped with heads averaging 125 grains. Extremely sharp heads and  total arrow weight of 550 grains, “In The Right Place” will kill an elk every time. Don’t overthink it, especially this close to season.

Offline stickbow9

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 20
  • Location: Monroe,Wa
Re: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« Reply #11 on: September 08, 2020, 10:37:59 AM »
This year I switched to Victory RIP XV arrows. 6.4 gpi with a 75 grain brass insert and 250 gr VPA Penetrator 2 blade. 540 grains total on a #53 lb draw weight. They fly great at 23% FOC (350 Spine). 25 yards is my comfortable max, with a special 35 yards holding on the spine.
If God had a tatoo, it would read . . . . .SEMPER FI!

Offline IFunk

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Mar 2019
  • Posts: 121
  • Location: Seattle
  • Groups: BHA, TBOW
Re: Stickbow Elk Hunters - What are you using up front?
« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2020, 02:53:49 PM »
I got my 200 grain cutthroats a week and a half ago and have been very pleased with their flight performance. They are attached to heritage 150’s. I’ve been shooting them into foam with a multi layer cardboard backer. Will touch them up on the wet stone tonight before heading out in the morning. Saved my lungs last weekend so this will be my first outing. Good luck to everyone going out this weekend and be safe.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Willapa Hills 1 Bear by ghosthunter
[Yesterday at 10:15:30 PM]


erronulvin trail cam photos by kodiak06
[Yesterday at 10:14:33 PM]


Yard babies by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 08:43:51 PM]


Unit 364 Archery Tag by buglebuster
[Yesterday at 08:06:11 PM]


A. Cole Lockback in AEB-L and Micarta by A. Cole
[Yesterday at 07:33:01 PM]


45 Winchester Magnum by poor_choices
[Yesterday at 07:01:02 PM]


1993 Merc issues getting up on plane by JKEEN33
[Yesterday at 06:49:08 PM]


Jupiter Mountain Rayonier Permit- 621 Bull Tag by zwickeyman
[Yesterday at 05:34:55 PM]


North Peninsula Salmon Fishing by Crunchy
[Yesterday at 03:21:50 PM]


Sportsman Alliance files petition to Gov Ferguson for removal of corrupt WA Wildlife Commissioners by lewy
[Yesterday at 10:30:15 AM]


If you've been following.... by timberfaller
[Yesterday at 09:05:13 AM]


Area 11 2025 - Well? by BLH69
[Yesterday at 08:58:57 AM]


2025 Quality Chewuch Tag by mountainman
[Yesterday at 08:48:35 AM]


1st Quality Deer tag in Washington and its a muzzleloader tag by raydog
[Yesterday at 07:56:07 AM]


2024 deer. Let’s see um! by dreadi
[Yesterday at 12:02:30 AM]


wyoming pronghorn draw by 280ackley
[July 01, 2025, 10:22:47 PM]


10 years ago- Now by Ridgerunner
[July 01, 2025, 09:49:05 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal