Deer penetration test!

[bigb3303]

So I have always wondered if I could get a pass thru on a deer with my 45lb recurve. So today after hunting I saw a doe laying in the ditch, and had a crazy idea! I took her home and proped her up against a tree. She was unfit to eat has been hit by a car so what the heck. I stepped back to 14yards, and took a shot. I hit her square in the front shoulder, and to my amazement the arrow buried to the feathers! Right thru the center of both shoulder blades. I now have upmost confidence in the bow and my broadheads on deer. Just figured I would share .  

[pamike]

Great idea. Was thinking about doing the same thing. Same me the trouble!!!

What broadhead and arrow did you use?

[bigb3303]

I shot a full length goldtip 3555 with a 150 grain slick trick. I take two blades off to make it just a two blade.

[Bud B.]

Be careful about picking up carcasses. Game Wardens can nit-pick the laws as it's illegal to tamper with them in some states.

But, good test subject. What broadhead were you using and what was your total arrow weight?

[Mike Vines]

All I can think of after reading this is the thread where that guy did the arrow head testing on the dead cow.  Everyine knows you can't kill a dead cow with a field point.  That thread brings a smile to my face everytime I think of it.

Glad your test results were positive.  Bud is correct, better be careful with picking up roadkill depending on where you are at.

[Blaino]

I'm glad you have some more confidence, but I believe we worry way too much about penetration with deer.
"Shooting through deer is like shooting through a paper bag filled with shaving cream that has a few tinker toys in it" - Terry Green
That really sums it up for me.

[Blaino]

[joe ashton]

only a dedicated  bow hunter would drag a road kill home to test broad heads...  Good job I'm proud of you.

[huntingarcher]

COOL...  

[bigb3303]

Here in Tennessee it's legal to take road kill if you call the twra of police department .  But I returned it to the wild so didn't call anyone. I figure cayotes got to eat to!

[Tall Paul]

Excellent test!

[Tall Paul]

Originally posted by joe ashton:
only a dedicated  bow hunter would drag a road kill home to test broad heads...  Good job I'm proud of you.

X2

[T Sunstone]

I have done the same thing and have always blown through the shoulder blade on a dead deer but it's a different story on a live deer.  I think the deers reaction is so fast that as soon as the arrow touches the animal it's in gear moving and takes a lot of energy out of the arrow.  It's like shooting something sitting still or moving at 60 mph.

[Tradtical Commando]

Thats what I am talking about!

[Mudd]

Mike I believe that was one of the most hilarious threads I ever read.

I thought I had a copy of it but it must have been on a previous computer.

I am attempting to research it. If I can find it I'll send you the link.

God bless,Mudd

PS: I also watched a U-tube video of stone tips being test on a deer carcass. Impressive!!!

[ChuckC]

Yup, it will do it, I have also had a deer stop an arrow from a 68# bow.  Lot depends on, well, everything.

ChuckC

[Bobby Urban]

Good for you but I have to agree - live is much different than dead when it comes to penetration and I believe it has to do with movement as the arrow is shot and hits the deer.  Kind of like those that shoot through the fileted shoulder blades and think they can do the same on a live animal.  Maybe/maybe not but you are comparing apples to oranges at best.

[ddauler]

Here is a link to a real 45lb test in progress notice the broadhead used. Case closed in my opinion.

 http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=774717

[KentuckyTJ]

Brandon, I have come to believe that when a fleeing deer tenses its muscles and drops or twists to get away after a shot has a lot to do with penetration also. But with that said you need not worry about your setup. It will work any deer sized critter for sure.

[4 point]

I hear people talk about shooting thru shoulder blades all the time. It's 99% luck and not the set up. A inch one way or the other is the difference between a dead deer or a deer running off with a broadhead in its shoulder. Even a high poundage compound with a heavy arrow won't blow thru the lower part of the blade. That being said, sounds like your setup has plenty of punch for any deer walking the woods.