Broadheads

[Digit]

Curious of everyones thoughts/opinions on mechanical broadheads vs fixed blade for elk I have always shot fixed blade but have considered going to mechanical. advice???

[ctdad]

Finally, a topic with controversy. Ha.

[BrentLaBere]

I really dont see it even to be necessary to switch to mechanical. Some states don't allow it so the decision becomes a lot easier. I have only had good luck with mechanical heads on deer and never had the option to shoo them on elk. The broadhead debate is like debating camo patterns.

[Toby]

Since you asked for our thought/advice, I would stick with fixed blades for elk.

[stringunner]

You will get guys that swear by fixed blade and then guys that swear by mechanical. My observation however, in looking at many debates on the matter across several forums, I think for ELK the fixed blade head seems to be more popular.

[Swede]

Digit: I an curious why you are looking to switch? I have never shot mechanicals and have no experience with them, so all I can offer here is hear-say evidence. The mechanicals are illegal in our State for big game, and I don't hunt much else. I did buy a pack of mechanicals for turkey when I won a free guided turkey hunt years ago. Unfortunately I never had any opportunity to try my new mechanicals out. So I have no experience with mechanicals and no turkeys either.

[jmez]

I wouldn't use or recommend a mechanical broadhead on elk. They expend a lot of wasted energy just opening the head. They do not penetrate heavy tissue well under the best circumstances. Elk are big tough animals, you should choose your equipment accordingly.

In looking across forums if you pay attention to the location icon of respondents you will see a disproportionate number of guys from East of the Mississippi touting mech heads for elk. Conversely, not many guys that live in the West and hunt them regularly will recommend you use mech heads.

[Digit]

Thanks guys. I was leaning toward the fixed blade but have had guys swear by the mechanicals that's why I was thinking about switching. I have always had really good luck with the fixed blade and was just curious about them. this is good info I think I will just stick with the proven method. they have never let me down yet so I think I will just stick with it.

[BMF11]

I have shot mechanicals on deer before without fail. However, I chose fixed blade last year for my first elk hunt and they performed flawlessly. My vote is fixed blade!

[Sneaky]

Mechanicals can kill them, no problem. But for me, I try to keep my equipment as fail proof as possible, so I shoot solid heads. And I mean solid, not just any fixed blade. I want something all steel and tough.

[Triplebhunters]

Not much input here. But many states ban them so hence I don't spend much time afield with them.

[danarnold]

I shoot both, rage for deer shuttle t for elk, I've had luck with both

my experience with mechanical has been that they're a hi maintenance bitch, overly expensive, opening if you touch a twig, opening in my quiver, shoot one deer and replace blades or the whole thing

fixed blade's been much less a pain for me

I'll admit I made a poor shot on a elk when i nicked a branch at 25 yards very steep uphill with a fixed blade and gut shot it, I think if it'd been a mechanical it would have opened him up much more than it did and might have killed it. it wasn't recovered

pretty poor case for using a mech. on elk, so if I had it to do over again I wouldn't use a mech that day, I just wouldn't take that shot

hindsight should be 20/20

[elkmtngear]

Mechanicals can kill them, no problem. But for me, I try to keep my equipment as fail proof as possible, so I shoot solid heads. And I mean solid, not just any fixed blade. I want something all steel and tough.

X2

With my luck, if I used a mech head, I would have the one out of a thousand failures that happen. So many other things can go wrong when trying to get a shot opportunity, I do not want to factor in broadhead failure.

[JJ Overkill]

im afraid a mech head could possibly disintegrate if I hit a heavy bone (plan for the worst) I want a solid head that has a chance of splitting bone and getting into the boiler room. the pic below is from VPA ( vantage point archery) im not sure what animal it came from but it looks stout to say the least.

[zpd307]

I shoot fixed blades. while researching, my buddy came across a youtube video where they shot a mechanical into a plywood sheet and the blades ripped off with very little penetration. the fixed blade went right through....

[Deafirishman]

I shoot fixed blades and always have stuck by them. Never saw the need to make the switch. If it works for you, why change ?? I shoot Shuttle T's and they fly like field tips for me. Like most people have said here, most states do not allow mechanical blades. Another reason why I just stuck with fixed blades.