A broken arrow and a broken heart

[jenbickel]

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That's supposed to be a broken arrow equals a broken sideways heart. I have shot two things this year and both times my arrows have snapped in half. I've never has this happen before! Any ideas on why this is happening? It's very frustrating to me.

 

[ivorytip]

you are still killing the animal right? the arrow making a pass through? if the animal dies than no worries, is it hitting a tree while deer is running away??

 

[Murdy]

Are these new arrows or have you been using them for awhile? If you have been using them for a while, new bow? or make any changes to your bow?

 

[trkytrack2]

If the animal is dead and recovered, no problem. The broadhead may be hitting bone and sticking and the arrow is breaking off when the animal flees. You can always switch to tougher shafts. What poundage are you shooting?

 

[jenbickel]

They are newer arrows.. They are Easton FMJ's! I have a 25" draw length and I'm shooting 62 pounds.. My arrows are cut at 26" and they are 400's 10.2 gpi. The bear died with the broken arrow but I shot a deer this morning and can't find him. He had a decent blood trail but I lost it after he got into real thick sagebrush. The blood trail would taper off and then get real heavy again and then pool real bad. I searched for what seemed like forever.

 

[jenbickel]

The only other new thing I did was put a string stopper thingy on my bow. I don't see that making a difference in my arrow breaking though...?!

 

[Murdy]

None of that sounds unreasonable equipment-wise. Maybe just one of those things. Only thing I'd note, though I can't really see how it would make a difference, is that the arrows seem to be longer than they would have to be (depending on your set up, of course). I have a 30 inch draw and my arrows are cut to 29, as with most compounds, the rest sits back a bit on the riser, but, again, I don't see how this would cause arrows to break.

 

[WVhdnWest]

If your arrow impacts tight to the shoulder i don't think it's unusual to break off a shaft when the animal bolts, broadside or quartering away. I've heard aluminum shafts break and have had whitetails break off both sides clean on a standing broadside shot and found only a shaft the width of the chest cavity still inside( no trees involved). A lost animal is a heartbreaker no doubt but don't beat yourself up over it.

 

[ivorytip]

im gonna assume you shot the deer and whitetail from a tree stand? if so and you dont generaly use a tree stand the arrow will fly in at a totaly diff angle, like trytrack said, prob hitting bone. go buy some choclates and youll figure it out

 

[jenbickel]

Lol I will never hunt in a tree stand. I never have and never will. I do eat chocolate though. I asked the guy at the bow shop here and he said its probably because I don't shoot a Hoyt.

 

[Whisky]

I asked the guy at the bow shop here and he said its probably because I don't shoot a Hoyt.

That guy knows his stuff. I'd listen to him and buy a Hoyt!!!

I'd say it's just a fluke. Arrows break. Sorry to hear about the deer though. My brother shoulder shot an antelope in Wyoming last week, didn't break through bone and it wasn't a lethal hit. We let him bed for a few hours and then went after him again. Never did get another shot off. He tore off pretty well on 3 legs, very little blood where he was bedded. It's awful feeling, but you hunt long enough, especially with the bow, you will lose an animal.

If you're not confident though, you may want to try some new arrows. Confidence in your equipment is a big thing too.

 

[ivorytip]

i cant fix your arrow but i can mend your heart... ha, good luck.

 

[brooks]

You're using good arrows. Pulling back 62 pounds ...you should be shooting a Mathews Z7Xtreme lol. I have had that happen alot over the years. I think the deer just broke it when he ran or hit a tree when running or something. I have shot some critters and it was a clean pass through and I have shot some and the arrow was broke ??????? I have also hit deer and couldn't find them after searching all day only to come back to where I shot them and find them close by in a place I just over looked the first time............Hey, do you have a elk tag?? nother question....when you getting back in the octagon ?

 

[jenbickel]

I have a general elk tag and not sure when I'm getting back in the octagon. It was fun but not many people around here that want to do it! I'm actually looking at getting a Mathews DXT. I want a 70# bow

 

[jenbickel]

And thanks everyone! I was incredibly frustrated yesterday. I never found the deer and I'm still bumming about it but I know it's just one of those things that happens. I may just switch arrows....and buy a new bow.

 

[kcaves]

We spent all day yesterday tracking a blood trail from an elk, but it was a poor decision on the shot, 10 yards right square in the chest only got one lung, blood trail ran out

 

[jenbickel]

Oh no!!!! Thats a definite bummer... I'm sorry!

 

[wapiti66]

Ive had more than one arrow break after shooting deer and had one break on a bull elk. the arrow that broke on the bull was because he ran by a tree and snapped it off. Where I hunt deer there are no trees, so...?? I think when you shoot them tight to the shoulder and hit bone on the opposite side their legs/shoulder blades motion could come back against the arrow when running and snap the arrow. That's my best bet, but Ive never thought it was a problem. Having a broken arrow inside of the animal could actually keep the blood flowing in some cases, and continue to cause damage. Ive never lost an animal that broke the arrow off. I would agree with buying the Mathews though!

 

[dito]

Wait till all the 2013's come out before deciding. Bear looks interesting and pse should be good!

 

[JNDEER]

Can you describe how the arrow broke (where at on the shaft) and where you believe you hit the animal?