Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: cacciatore on February 23, 2024, 07:14:17 AM

Title: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: cacciatore on February 23, 2024, 07:14:17 AM

With a 60# Black Widow PL which would be your choice of Broadheads for a carbon arrow?

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Gun on February 23, 2024, 09:05:10 AM

Any decent COC broadhead, razor sharp. Put it in the right spot and it won’t go far. My experience is only w Black Bears tho.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Terry Green on February 23, 2024, 09:51:20 AM

If you always put it in the right spot,  you can kill anything with a field point.

That doesn't always happen as operator error can creep in and animals move.

Also, you need a blood trail. Bears are not short haired.

You've been around here long enough to know where this is going., so I'm sure you can figure it out.

Best of luck!!!

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: cacciatore on February 23, 2024, 10:20:07 AM

Quote from: Terry Green on February 23, 2024, 09:51:20 AM

If you always put it in the right spot,  you can kill anything with a field point.

That doesn't always happen as operator error can creep in and animals more.

Also, you need a blood trail. Bears are not short haired.

You've been around here long enough to know where this is going., so I'm sure you can figure it out.

Best of luck!!!

Quote from: Terry Green on February 23, 2024, 09:51:20 AM

If you always put it in the right spot,  you can kill anything with a field point.

That doesn't always happen as operator error can creep in and animals more.

Also, you need a blood trail. Bears are not short haired.

You've been around here long enough to know where this is going., so I'm sure you can figure it out.

Best of luck!!!

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: cacciatore on February 23, 2024, 10:22:43 AM

You are right Terry and I know the answer but I am torn between a Simmons and a 3 blade VPA, I would need it down as fast as possible.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Orion on February 23, 2024, 10:50:47 AM

Felix, "I would need it down as fast as possible."  Hmmmm.  You know, of course, that no arrow is going to stop a bear from getting to you should it decide to charge. So get in shape to run fast, or have a gun back up.  :goldtooth: My preference would be the VPA.  I think it will penetrate and stay on course inside the critter better than the wider 2-blade Simmons, but either will get the job done.  Good luck.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Terry Green on February 23, 2024, 10:53:46 AM

What Simmons sir? I also know,,, that you know,,  where I'm going with this also....  :goldtooth:

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: mnbwhtr on February 23, 2024, 11:41:56 AM

Just watched Fred Bear kill a couple with Bear Razorheads.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Hud on February 23, 2024, 02:33:42 PM

Grizzly 175 gr RW, for RW feathered shaft, for your LH bow, or VPA. An experienced guide is a must. 

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: cacciatore on February 23, 2024, 03:56:27 PM

Guide! That’s the problem because everything will happen in Kamchatka! I don’t think there will be any well trained bowhunting guide😱

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: cacciatore on February 23, 2024, 03:58:44 PM

Terry, I think a Tree Shark is maybe too large in case of a hit against a big bone, probably one of my Centaur Big Game.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Dave Pagel on February 23, 2024, 09:41:23 PM

Sounds like a big adventure in your future Felix!

I am partial to the VPA 3-blades for bears.  With 60# I think you are good for the big bears. 

DP

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Wudstix on February 23, 2024, 09:56:32 PM

I like the Centaur Big Game head, 170 gr.  VPA 250 gr would also be my choice, it just depends on the bow you have to push the head.  I'm a Snuffer fan, but feel the VPA is a more solid head for really big game with teeth.
 :campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 23, 2024, 11:53:41 PM

If you haven't already, look up the arrow lethality research done by Dr Ed Ashby. This isn't some little hobby he did with his buddy over a couple beers, but involves literally tens of thousands of archery kills on big game. The factors that go into high lethality arrows are simple, high FOC, high arrow weight, and fixed two blade broadhead - preferably with single bevel to coincide with the rotation imparted with the fletching.

Bear hides are not tough like moose or elk, and their ribs are akin to deer. Getting full pass through with the proper arrow combination is VERY doable. I'd expect it! Pass through means TWO sucking chest wounds helping collapse both lungs simultaneously, TWO blood trails, and no shaft plugging up the wound channel. That in itself cancels the extra cutting edge (and increased resistance) of a three blade.

Again, read the Ashby research. Look at how the research was conducted and how they come to the conclusions that they do. Most any bow will do. The terminal tackle, the point of the whole issue (to coin a phrase), is the best arrow you can send.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Walt Francis on February 24, 2024, 12:05:03 AM

Felix,
I opted for the VPA over the Eclipse on my brown bear hunt.

Best of luck on your hunt!

Are you going to make Lexington next month?

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: cacciatore on February 24, 2024, 03:12:28 AM

Quote from: Walt Francis on February 24, 2024, 12:05:03 AM

Felix,
I opted for the VPA over the Eclipse on my brown bear hunt.

Best of luck on your hunt!

Are you going to make Lexington next month?

Sorry Walt I am stuck in Italy so I am going to loose this banquet too, but I need to join the brothers for the next

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Bow man on February 24, 2024, 05:46:41 AM

ABowyer  300 grain Brown Bear head    https://www.abowyer.com/

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: BigJim on February 26, 2024, 10:44:39 AM

It appears as though I too will be hunting brown bear this year.. When I go, it will almost certainly be with a VPA three blade head. I will be in a position to take two.. so if the first one don't get me, I will likely shoot the second with a bear razor.. or just stay with the VPA's and not screw around.
good luck! BigJim

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Terry Green on February 26, 2024, 10:56:22 AM

Here is the best of my study......

2085 pounds, 3 blade Wensel Woodsman.

Also, I have over 20 years of posts on here with blood trail pics that show if I hit the off shoulder/lower leg bone with only an entrance hole, multi blades and WIDE 2 blades don't clog the shaft.  Some of these pics are from big hogs with 2 inch shields.  The shaft actually holds the shield open and the blood squirts out on every stride.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Sam Spade on February 26, 2024, 01:27:08 PM

I think Ed was a member here like starting the 1st year or so.  I know his reports have been hosted here since 2004.  It was all based on big African game.

And, the FOC study was originally started right here on Tradang by Terry.

https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=127087.msg2258505#msg2258505

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Wudstix on February 26, 2024, 03:25:06 PM

I do have some 190 grain Snuffer heads that have a bit more mass and would probably do well.  They have more cutting diameter than 1 1/8" VPA heads.  Wide and sturdy is the name of the game for big critters.
 :campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Sam Spade on February 26, 2024, 03:39:31 PM

wudstix. I thought you only shoot wood arrows.  :dunno:

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 26, 2024, 04:18:27 PM

Quote from: Sam Spade on February 26, 2024, 01:27:08 PM

I think Ed was a member here like starting the 1st year or so.  I know his reports have been hosted here since 2004.  It was all based on big African game.

And, the FOC study was originally started right here on Tradang by Terry.

https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=127087.msg2258505#msg2258505

Thanks for putting in the link for that post. I, too, noticed that higher FOC arrows just give me better accuracy. I think they just settle into flight faster.

And that post also gave me a pang to see Jawge's comment. There was one heck of a guy. He embodied the spirit of passing it along and few were in his class when it came to helping another bowyer out. I'll just take this as a reminder to be more like Jawge as often as I can.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Wudstix on February 26, 2024, 04:32:37 PM

Sam;
95-97% of the time.  For hogs I'll occasionally use Easton arrows without a soul.  Still haven't hunted with the other "carbon based" arrows, just foam.
 :campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Terry Green on February 26, 2024, 04:35:47 PM

Spade Aced it..... Tradgang was birthed on March 13th 2003, and Rob and I made sure she was healthy and we offered her to the public on the 15th.  See Ed's date registered.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Sam Spade on February 26, 2024, 04:53:02 PM

Wudstix, where did you get the 190 grain Snuffers?

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Wudstix on February 26, 2024, 04:57:34 PM

I got them in trade for a knife, they're rare.  From the earlier years.  I think there were other variants, 175, 200, etc... before they settled on 160 grains.  I'm starting to acquire and fair quantity of the 160's.
 :campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: woodchucker on February 26, 2024, 07:25:00 PM

I'd use a Zwicky Delta 4 blade :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: pdk25 on February 28, 2024, 12:40:40 AM

Good luck on the hunt, Felix.  I personally would be using a wide 3 blade with the juice of a 60# widow behind it.  I know that people love to quote the Ashby studies, but clearly they were based on penetrating heavy bone on an animal that you had to get through heavy ribs to get to the vitals.  Not the case here.  Put some blood on the ground brother.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: cacciatore on February 28, 2024, 05:42:39 AM

I have really an arsenal on broadhead and being mostly a Russian boars hunter I use the heavy ones with the 250grs as a standard. I have a dozen of Big Jim Big 3 made by VPA 300 grs if I’ll decide to go with the 3 blades.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: amicus on February 28, 2024, 10:55:34 AM

I've never hunted Brown bear with a bow but I have skinned a couple of them. If memory serves me well I don't think brown bears are any tougher skin and bone wise than a big Black bear. A big mature boar might be a little thicker and tougher. I think any arrowhead that would be used for Moose or buffalo would work for you. Bringing them down as quickly as possible depends on where you hit them. I would defiantly have back up.

Good luck to you. Being close to a big brownie is something you will never forget.

Gilbert

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Charlie Lamb on February 29, 2024, 09:57:20 PM

A 1 and 1/4' VPA would be great medicine. Easy to sharpen too.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: cacciatore on March 01, 2024, 07:29:09 AM

Quote from: Charlie Lamb on February 29, 2024, 09:57:20 PM

A 1 and 1/4' VPA would be great medicine. Easy to sharpen too.

Thanks Charlie they are already on my arsenal and sharp as hell

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: BWlongbow on March 01, 2024, 08:47:53 AM

Simmons Treesharks

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: cacciatore on March 01, 2024, 08:56:10 AM

Quote from: BWlongbow on March 01, 2024, 08:47:53 AM

Simmons Treesharks

Those are what I mostly use for wild boars

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: artifaker1 on March 02, 2024, 01:58:05 PM

I got to put in a vote for VPA, the Omega. Very impressive with the S7 steel, which is used for jackhammer bits and hammer drill bits, chisels and such things. The design looks like it might fly better than say the 250 grain Simmons but that is theory, not fact. You'll have to shoot quite few into a block to sort that out.
The most accurate would be best thing in dangerous game imo ...

Are you going to stop in and buy a bunch of berries and fruit to take to camp, like you did on our hunt ... lol

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: cacciatore on March 02, 2024, 03:52:36 PM

Larry, I really don’t know what I’ll have to eat bein in a place so far from civilization. I am also start to be afraid that the hunt is at risk because the Russia Ukrainian war. Hunting in Alaska with a pro guide wouldn’t have me so cautious in the quest for the most deadly broadhead

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Terry Green on March 02, 2024, 05:51:44 PM

All broadheads fly the same if tuned to the bow. I've kill 3 animals in one day with 3 different heads and weights. ZD4, Simmons 4 b, woodsman. All animals went into the cooler. Don't sweat the little stuff.

Pick something wide, mean and multi bladed and have at it.

I can't wait to hear your story......  :campfire:

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Wudstix on March 02, 2024, 08:42:25 PM

Seems like the consensus is wide and sharp.
 :campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: cacciatore on March 04, 2024, 07:42:50 AM

Quote from: Terry Green on March 02, 2024, 05:51:44 PM

All broadheads fly the same if tuned to the bow. I've kill 3 animals in one day with 3 different heads and weights. ZD4, Simmons 4 b, woodsman. All animals went into the cooler. Don't sweat the little stuff.

Pick something wide, mean and multi bladed and have at it.

I can't wait to hear your story......  :campfire:

You are right Terry what is important is the weight and of course the straightness.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: artifaker1 on March 04, 2024, 10:04:36 AM

Well I sure hope you get to go Felix ........

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: charles m on March 07, 2024, 06:23:08 PM

Quote from: pdk25 on February 28, 2024, 12:40:40 AM

Good luck on the hunt, Felix.  I personally would be using a wide 3 blade with the juice of a 60# widow behind it.  I know that people love to quote the Ashby studies, but clearly they were based on penetrating heavy bone on an animal that you had to get through heavy ribs to get to the vitals.  Not the case here.  Put some blood on the ground brother.

What he said ^^^

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Terry Green on March 11, 2024, 07:44:02 PM

Yes Patrick, if I was using any of my heavy MOABs with a 3 blade, it would most definitely a 145 grain Snuffer or the one 160 I have.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Wudstix on March 12, 2024, 07:12:50 PM

Felix;
Can't wait to hear your story of the hunt.  Best of luck.  Shoot straight.
 :campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: ozy clint on March 24, 2024, 11:43:19 PM

I'm with Woodchucker. Something the size of the Zwickey delta.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Jim Jackson on April 05, 2024, 11:31:33 AM

Big multiblade.

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Bobby Sikes on April 05, 2024, 05:23:13 PM

I'm with the one forty snuffer

Title: Re: Broadhead for giant brown bear
Post by: Wudstix on April 05, 2024, 08:57:17 PM

Snuffer 160 would work excellent.
 :campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire: