In the ever-evolving archery world, hunters are always on the lookout for more advanced techniques to take their hunting skills to the next level. As archery deer hunters, our main goal is to find the most effective ways to enhance the performance of our bows that can result in better ethical skills and harvests.
However, in the last few years, the use of heavy arrows has caught the fancy of almost every bowhunter out there. Do these heavy arrows really perform better in hunting, or does it depend on other factors as well? Here, we have listed some of the prominent advantages and disadvantages of using heavy arrows to enable our fellow hunters to make an informed decision. Let’s dive right in.
Pros of Using Heavy Arrow:
- Superior Momentum and Penetration
When it comes to the momentum of any object, its weight plays a crucial role in it. Therefore, the more the weight of the arrow, the better the momentum you’re going to achieve when hunting animals. A ‘pass through’ is what most bowhunters strive for. When a bow enters and exits the animals, it will result in more blood and significantly less clotting. So, the animal can recover faster.
Lighter arrows, on the other hand, are a good option for hunting big game animals where you need deep penetration to take the animal. While light arrows can also achieve a ‘pass through’, you need to focus more on the shot placement in that case.
- Bow’s Forgiveness
A shot behind the shoulder bone of the deer is the Holy Grail for most archery deer hunters. However, this shot is somewhat tricky and hard to achieve especially in bowhunting. Even the slightest error or miscalculation can turn it into a scapula shot. This is where heavier arrows can be beneficial. Their strong force and momentum allow them to pass through the shoulder bone and hit the heart.
- Better Transfer Of Bow’s Energy
A bow has a significant amount of stored energy at full draw. As a hunter, you must take advantage of this energy by transferring it to the object (arrow). Research has shown that heavy arrows allow for better utilization of this stored bow energy. Optimum utilization of this energy provides hunters with several benefits such as a fluid shot, longer bow life, and lower shot noise, among others. These factors play an important role in achieving high accuracy in long-distance shots.
Cons of Using Heavy Arrow:
- Slower Speed and More Drop
Heavier arrows usually have lesser velocity than light arrows. The effect can increase even further in long-distance shots. If you’re not experienced in using heavy arrows, this drop can make it harder for you to determine the range of deer as well as to predict its movement from the time when you shoot the arrow till it reaches the target. While this factor may not seem that significant at 20 yards, it can become a critical factor while taking shots more than 50 yards such as when taking big animals like backcountry elk. For this reason, you need to consider both speed and power when choosing between light and heavy arrows.
- Speed vs. Power
When choosing between a heavy and lighter arrow, you need to keep in mind the animals you’re hunting and what is more important for you – speed or power. For instance, whitetail deer is the most hunted animal in the U.S. It weighs significantly lesser than other big animals like moose and elk. In this case, a lighter arrow can deliver better results. On the other hand, while hunting larger big game animals, heavier arrows should be preferred to attain maximum power, which is crucial in such cases.
In Conclusion:
At the end of the day, it all boils down to your comfort level, experience, and your bow setup. Both lighter and heavy bows have their set of pros and cons. By keeping considering the above factors, you can achieve your own balance and become a successful bowhunter. Keep experimenting with different types of arrows, analyze your harvests, and we are sure you’ll find a setup that will work perfectly for you.
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