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How to Sharpen a Broadhead

When it comes to bagging a deer, having a sharp broadhead is just as important as mastering the art of long-range archery. Without a good blood trail, locating your kill or wounded deer can prove to be quite difficult. A sharp broadhead will puncture the flesh and skin more directly and completely then a dull one, causing more blood and faster bleed out. It’s very similar to any type of sharp knife – the sharper the blade, the harder the bleeding. Here are the best practices for how to sharpen a broadhead.

Identify which type of broadhead you are using and assemble the tools

A fact that many new archers don’t realize is that most broadheads require at least a small bit of sharpening to reach optimum performance. If you’ve bought the kind that are manufactured specifically to be incredibly sharp and not need sharpening, you’re off the hook for now.

I’d venture to say that a vast majority of broadheads will need at least a quick tune-up before being ready to hit the field.

I recommend using broadhead arrows when hunting because they penetrate much better than other arrow types, and are also more accurate. Now that we’ve identified the broadhead type, let’s make sure that all necessary tools are on-hand:

Broadhead sharpener. These can be picked up at a hunting store or online. It’s worth it to buy a decent one for the garage if you plan to bow hunt regularly. Small, cheaper ones are also available for use on the go if that’s more your style.
Sharpening stone. If you don’t have a specified broadhead sharpener, a sharpening stone can get the job done. You’ll have to exercise more control and precision here. Obviously, you don’t want to cut yourself.

Sharpening with a broadhead sharpener

I keep a dedicated sharpener at home, as I don’t really like to do it on the fly or use equipment that isn’t meant for the task. The first step, before any sharpening takes place, is to install the broadhead onto the arrow to make sure it fits properly. Once you’ve got the head onto the arrow, we’re ready to use the sharpener. This tool allows users to hold the arrow by the end near the broadhead. You’ll want to get a secure grip on it using both hands.

Place the arrow in the center of the two plates at the top of the sharpener. The broadhead should be on top of the plates.
Sharpen the head by running it along the plates, much like you would a kitchen knife on one of those automatic sharpeners. It’s important not to counteract your sharpening by going back the other way.
Run it along from the back of the broadhead in towards the tip. This always seems to give more control over the action, in addition to optimizing the sharpening process.
Check the head for sharpness by lightly rubbing your finger along it at a perpendicular angle. Again, keep in mind that this is similar to a sharp kitchen knife- if you scrape too hard or the wrong way, you’re going to cut your finger open. I’m not going to sit here and tell you precisely when the head is ready. When it’s sharp enough, you’ll know.
If you are using top of the line arrowheads, I highly encourage you to use a dedicated sharpener. This will improve the life of the arrowheads, maintain accuracy, and ensure the best job of sharpening is done.

Sharpening using a whetstone or other file

If you aren’t keen on spending some cash on a nice sharpener, a whetstone will do the trick. Just file the headstone as you would anything else on the whetstone. 3 pronged broadheads are tough to do on a surface like this, but other than that you shouldn’t have any problems.

I don’t recommend doing this with top-notch broadheads, for risk of damaging them and having to spend a bunch of money replacing them. But if you’re out in the field or on a camping trip, having a portable way to sharpen the heads is typically better than nothing.

A bastard file is my favorite of these. Approach it like you’re using a dedicated sharpener, with the broadhead attached to the arrow, and file like you would anything else on there. Again, pretty tough with three-pronged heads, but you get the gist. You can take the bastard file anywhere: keep in your pocket or in your satchel.

Conclusion

Broadheads can be sharpened in a number of ways. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been taking the extra time to keep the heads sharp and clean. Accuracy is your best friend when out in the field, and leaving a solid trail of blood to track down the animal is going to make the entire process easier.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article on how to sharpen a broadhead. Please share on social media so that your friends and family can learn the benefits, and feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to get a discussion going.

When Do Bowsights Work Best?

Bow hunting is a whole different animal from other forms of the sport. I was attracted to it immediately, the second I held my dad’s bow in my hands for the first time. It’s so real – I’ve always felt a deeper connection to the land when I’m not hunting with an expensive rifle. The problem is, it can be hard to aim accurately with a bow in certain situations. The scope on a gun has all but eliminated sight problems, and bow sights aim to do that with bows. But https://www.dailyshooting.com/?p=448&preview=true“>when do bow sights work best?

1. When you’re not on level ground.

This is when I’ve found bow sights to work the best. They give you the ability to line up the appropriate sight pin on your target. As opposed to a bullet, which enters the body having the same impact as the bullet is rounded, bows are pointed. For maximum impact, you want the arrow to be as close to level and straight up-and-down as you can. When on slanted earth, this can be very tricky. Use a bow sight to:

Know the approximate degree/angle that you’re shooting from, so that you can correct as necessary.
See whether your target is on any type of slope. Also, whether or not the target is moving in a tilted manner or otherwise performing an action that might throw off the equilibrium of your shot.
Go even further by precisely aiming for the right spot on the target, despite any slope in your position or the target’s position.
These factors can eliminate the need for you to reposition yourself, which is particularly useful if you are in an area very dense with plants or other rustling, loud objects such as fallen leaves.

2. Ensuring that your bow is held in the right place.

When do bow sights work best for actual handling of your bow? Pretty much all the time, because they allow you to know immediately if you’re at an odd angle with the target. If you are shooting over multiple ridge lines, downslope, or upslope, bow sights work to better your odds of properly handling your bow for the situation.

Even for beginning hunters, bow sights help with handling because they make it very obvious if you aren’t https://www.dailyshooting.com/best–shooting–sticks–reviews/“>holding your bow the right way.
Bow sights help the shooter identify and utilize the correct anchor point.
They help immensely with aiming, as well as steadying the bow for an accurate shot.
They make it obvious if you are shaking or jolting the bow around to the point where your shot will be directly impacted. Here is a video on a 3-pin hunting bow sight.:

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3. When you have the perfect fit for your hunting style.

Do you prefer a fixed pin bow sight or a single pin moveable slider? After trying out the two and identifying your favorite, you will be a lot more comfortable using your bow out in the field that you were without a bow. Personally, I’m all for the fixed pin, because I’m used to its aiming and positioning now so I can properly place myself for each shot. I use the second and third pins most of the time. Here are some situations where one is better than the other, however:

Single pin is better when you aren’t quite as sure about your distance from the target. You can adjust it a little higher if the target is further away than originally thought.
Fixed pin is much better for short-distance shooting. After some practice, you’ll know almost instantly https://www.dailyshooting.com/best–gun–safe–reviews/“>which pin to use based on how far away the target is. This article explains some times when you should and shouldn’t use a bow sight.
Both can be useful when shooting over uneven terrain. Take an extra moment (if you can) to get the perfect placement on the pin so that you’re not focusing on anything on the ground.

4. When you have an estimated distance between yourself and the target.

Speaking of short and long-distance shooting, when do bow sights work best all of the time? When you’re confident about how far away the beast is from you. https://www.dailyshooting.com/single–cam–vs–dual–cam–bows/“>Bow sights are impeccable for aiming help when you’re in a blind spot and have been tracking the animal for a bit.

They are also great if you’re in other hidden areas, such as up in a tree or shooting from a risen platform. The entire point of a bow sight is to increase your accuracy on a calculated distance, so the more familiar you are with your shooting location, the more you’ll be able to lean on your bow sight for that perfect shot.

When starting out with bow hunting, do some practice without a bow sight until you have some basic skill at gauging distance. Then try using a bow sight and see how much easier it makes everything.
For blind spots, I always recommend using a bow sight. Particularly when large branches, water, or other hazards are between you and the target.
When hunting big game like deer and elk, bow sights are incredible because they help you zero in on the specific part of the animal that you’re intending to hit.
On the other hand, with smaller game, bow sights aren’t as necessary unless you’re needing assistance getting the shot line up.

Conclusion

The basic gist of when do bow sights work best is basically a combination of the distance and the difficulty of the shot. If you know how far away the animal is, use a bow sight! If you aren’t sure or are still trying to get a hold on distance acquisition, try some shooting without one. I’d urge you to always have bow sight skills in your bag of tricks, in case the opportunity calls. Better to be safe than sorry!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide and know when to use a bow sight. Please feel free to leave a comment and chime in on the discussion, and as always, give this article a share on social media so as to increase hunter awareness- always a good thing.

Featured Image by https://www.flickr.com/photos/widnr/6545500709/“>Wisconsin

What Are Single Cam vs Dual Cam Bows?

Bow and arrow use has really evolved throughout the centuries. Being one of the primary weapons in war before, it has been relegated long ago to uses involving leisurely hunting and archery after the development of more lethal weapons such as rifles and guns.

Nowadays, there are many enthusiasts who prefer bow hunting over rifle hunting, considering the fact that bow hunting is more primitive and more exciting than rifle hunting. To some enthusiasts, it gives them a sense of primal power that they can never really get out of the use of a rifle as a weapon of hunting.

There are many forms of bows; however, if you are a bow hunting enthusiast, you are definitely cognizant of the two primary choices when it comes to bows, and these two choices are single cam vs dual cam bows.

The mechanics of how a bow works is not a complicated system. In most forms of bows, the essential mount of the bow contains the sights, quivers, stabilizers, and limbs. This mount is commonly called risers.

The limb is either mounted with a cam or a wheel, and the cam usually differs in design from one form of bow to another. The cam can be used to store energy to propel the arrow, and this process of storing energy on the cam is called bow eccentrics. There are different types of bow eccentrics and the two popular types of bow eccentrics are those of the single cam and the dual cam.

There are always questions as to which is better to use between single cam and dual cam bows. Although the argument is not that important, the answers, however, to the abovementioned questions lie in the understanding of the disparities between the single cam and the dual cam bows.

Single Cam Bows

Single cam bows have single cam or wheel on their limbs. This single cam is located at one of the limbs of the bow. The mechanism as to how the single cam works is similar to the way a dual cam bow works. However, here are some of the pros and cons regarding the use of the single cam over the dual cam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DMIiVWdXc4

Advantages of using the single cam:

It doesn’t easily go out of tune: You need not worry about more often of any change in the flight of your arrow; hence, your arrow will not go astray. This also means that it is easier to keep in tune.
The single cam bow is quieter than that of the dual cam: This means that if you are going to engage in bow hunting, you got a better chance of not disturbing or alerting your target after you have let go of your arrow. This also means that you got a better chance of hitting your target after unleashing the arrow.
It is more precise: Since the single cam bow doesn’t easily go out of tune, you can definitely expect that you can have a more precise aim at your target than that of the dual cam.

Disadvantages of Single Cam Bows:

Single cams bows are a bit slower than those of dual cam bows: This means that if you want a more aggressive draw, you will surely find it more effortful than using a dual cam bow.

Dual Cam Bows

It is tempting to say that the dual cam bows have plenty of advantages over single cam bows. Dual cam bows definitely continue to improve making it almost maintenance free. Moreover, it is almost the same as the single cam bows. Since the evolution of the hybrid and binary cams, the seeming disadvantages of dual cam have been greatly diminished.

Advantages of Dual Cam bows: It is very fast: Since it has a level nock travel, it can give your arrow a smooth straight and level flight. Since there are two cams that work together to provide energy to your draw, you can surely create a stronger draw that provides a faster flight for your arrow.
Low Maintenance: The hybrid and binary cam systems almost eliminate the maintenance required for the dual cam bow
Shorter Strings Required: Since you are using two cams, you need less stretch and untwist. This means that you will definitely have a peep sight that is definitely more anchored.

Disadvantages of Dual Cam:

Noisier than single cam: This means that the let off is less smooth than that of the single cam. It likewise produces more sound than that of the single cam.

Conclusion about single cam vs dual cam bows:

The single cam vs dual cam debate has been widely discussed by bow hunters all throughout the world. Some bowhunters prefer the single cam over the dual cam, while others prefer the dual cam over the single cam. Yet, in the last analysis, these two types of bows are almost equal in appeal and versatility. There may be disparities between the two but everything boils down to the archer’s preference.

10 Things You Need to Know When Hunting with a Bow

Basing on experience, it is easy to say that bow hunting is more exciting than rifle hunting. Hence, if you have recently decided to give up on rifle hunting and give bow hunting a try, you definitely made a good decision. Bow hunting is exciting and would surely give you a novel experience. Despite the fact that there is a great discrepancy in the range of effectiveness between the rifle and the bow—the rifle hunter’s range of effectiveness being 200 yards or more, while the bow’s range of effectiveness is restricted to 2.3 yards to 42 yards—yet the experience of pulling off a great hit using a bow is far more rewarding than that of hitting your prey using a rifle.

10 Things You Need to Know When Hunting with Bow

Bow hunting is not an easy hobby, for there are definitely certain things that you should learn if you want to engage in it. Moreover, you should be cognizant of certain tips that may help you increase your effectiveness as a bow hunter, and here are ten valuable tips that you can learn by heart to ensure that you will be an effective and efficient bow hunter.

Practice makes perfect:

You should practice your craft all summer so that when the hunting season comes in, you are well-prepared for hunting. Great hunters are not created instantaneously, and just like what the old adage would usually remind you that practice makes perfect, you should also hone your bow hunting skills even before you face the real hunting process. Remember that nothing is achieved without sacrifice. Hence, you should sacrifice some of your time and effort beforehand, perfecting the use of bow and arrow to ensure that you will never come out empty-handed during the hunting season. Practices will definitely allow you to figure out your weak points in your bow hunting skill. Hence, prior practices will allow you to correct whatever is erroneous and defective in your hunting style.

Get the Best Hunting Tools and Accessories:

You should likewise ensure that you got the best hunting tools and accessories. If you want to feel good about your new outdoor hobby, you got to buy one of the best hunting bows at hand. However, whatever bow you choose, you should ensure that it is reliable and can be adjusted to fit your specific shooting needs. Moreover, aside from the right bow, you should also have the needed accessories for bow hunting. You may be needing tools such as knife and other tools that may be useful during your bow-hunting spree. You may also need a bow stand or a ladder if you are hunting on areas where there are many pine trees. Shooting sticks is the best hunting tool for hold a bow.

Know the Place where you are going to hunt:

It is imperative that you scout the place where you are going to hunt prior to your hunting. Just like what every good hunter does, you need to know the terrain and the movement of your potential targets. This means that you should spend much time in the open field to familiarize yourself with the outside conditions. The more you engage in scouting, the more you become a better bow hunter. You need to know top best place for deer hunting if you wanna hunt a deer with bow

Know your Effective Range:

You should also understand and know your effective kill range or EKR. This range is definitely the range wherein you can effectively hit your target. It is also the range where you can aim at your 9-inch circle. Many bow hunters place their EKR at around 40 yards. At this range, they are very effective in hitting their target. Others however place their EKR lower than that. EKR is definitely relative to your ability, and it depends on you to discover your effective kill range. Now once you have figured out your EKR, it behooves you to limit yourself within that range to ensure that you are within your effective range. However, if you want to increase your EKR, you can surely work on it by honing your skills further.

Wind and Temperature: Hone Your Senses

The wind plays a big factor in your hit and miss. If you are quick to figure out the movement of the wind, you can definitely improve on your targeting skills. The wind readily shifts from one direction to another; hence, you should make the wind work in your favor, otherwise, you would be prone to missing your target.

Be diligent in hunting:

Hence, you should condition your senses and body for the hunting process. Bow hunting is not for the weak of body and stamina. Hence, you should work out your body to improve your stamina and strength. Great hunters are patient. They sometimes sit and wait in one corner, waiting for their prey. For this reason, if you want to be successful in hunting, you need to be up to the rigor and challenge of bow hunting.

Attract your target:

Deer are often attracted to scents, and if you know how to play with scents, you can easily draw your target closer to you. Scent control is necessary if you want to get closer to your target. Moreover, you can immediately drive away your target if your target smells your scent. You should therefor use scentless soap when showering before going for a hunt.

Ask the Expert:

When you are not sure about what you are doing, you should ask someone who is more knowledgeable and more experienced in the field of bow hunting.

Moreover, you should also do your research on bow hunting to ensure that you are well-equipped good ideas on how to effectively hunt.

The Value of Good Vantage Point:

Always bear in mind that your success as a bow hunter is determined more often by your correct stand or position. For this reason, you should set yourself in strategic position that allows you to get a closer look at your target.

Know the behavior of your target:

Make sure that you read more about your target preys and learn their daily habits and behavior. With this knowledge at hand, you can definitely predict their behavior, and you will get good hits along the way.