Disappointing 1st Bow Hunt - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

MagicBlade · 11-13-2022, 10:19 AM

This year is my 11 year old grandson's first year bow hunting. He has taken lessons and has practiced at 20 yards with great accuracy. His bow blind is set up at 25 yards from the feeder.

He shot two doe at 20 yards and made two good vital shots. Drew blood on the first but didn't get good penetration. Same with the second.

I'm wondering if he's pulling enough poundage.

What poundage would you recommend to obtain good penetration.

Both shots were well placed and right where you would expect a heart shot.

texashunter · 11-13-2022, 10:23 AM

What poundage is he shooting and what kind of broadhead?

hopedale · 11-13-2022, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texashunter

What poundage is he shooting and what kind of broadhead?

You really do want to get a scale and check what poundage its set at.

Tom · 11-13-2022, 10:23 AM

does he have a COC broadhead?

Twist · 11-13-2022, 10:28 AM

Both factors above will definitely come into play, 20 yards for an 11 year old is a pretty good shot. Low poundage and type of broadhead are definitely going to be major factors.

MagicBlade · 11-13-2022, 10:32 AM

G5 Broadheads. Not sure of the poundage.

RifleBowPistol · 11-13-2022, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicBlade

G5 Broadheads. Not sure of the poundage.

Which broad head, they make multiple. If it's a fixed broad head, he should be good, a low pondage bow and mechanical broad heads, is probably a bad idea. A larger cutting area is going to take more energy to push the broadhead through. Then having low poundage on the bow, he is going to be shooting lighter arrows, which are going to have low energy to push a mechanical through.

I would get a 1" to 1 1/8" cutting width, good sharp fixed broadhead. I would want him to be shooting at least 45 lbs. of pull. I have never hunted anything but rabbits with a bow that had under 55 lbs. of draw weight.

Bowdacious · 11-13-2022, 10:48 AM

Which g5s?

Walker · 11-13-2022, 10:50 AM

And bow tuning is an absolute must for low poundage. That arrow has to fly strait and stable.

caughtandhobble · 11-13-2022, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walker

and bow tuning is an absolute must for low poundage. That arrow has to fly strait and stable.

x 10

txtrophy85 · 11-13-2022, 11:00 AM

Does anyone know what poundage he is pulling? IMO that’s pretty much step one when setting up a kid to hunt.

There is no minimum requirement in Texas currently but it used to be 40lbs. I would guess 35 lbs out of a modern compound would be a responsible minimum. As mentioned a 1” cut on contact broadhead would be ideal

Gunswayne · 11-13-2022, 11:06 AM

Get closer. Either with hand corn or move the feeder closer. As a Trad shooter my feeders are 13-20 yards. My kids did very well at the 10-15 yard hand corn piles that I placed when they were similar age.

ByronB · 11-14-2022, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunswayne

Get closer. Either with hand corn or move the feeder closer. As a Trad shooter my feeders are 13-20 yards. My kids did very well at the 10-15 yard hand corn piles that I placed when they were similar age.

^^^^^^This. Kids are all different shapes and sizes but as an 11yr old 20 yards can be rough on a kill shot. I am absolutely not saying it can’t be done. I threw corn out at 10-12 yards for my son when he was pulling 47lbs at age 11. He was able to kill javelinas and hogs with his Mathews Mission bow. When he turned 12 he grew about five inches and put on 35 extra pounds. That year cost me a lot in clothes and shoes due to his growth.

He could draw 60lbs as a 12yr old. He arrowed his first two doe in the same day that season with Rage broadheads. We still threw corn out at 10-12 yards until he was around 14 years old. Get some confidence under their belts and they will be able to back the corn piles up as they age. My son is 26 now and he thinks Bow Hunting is easy. I like to take credit for that because of those close corn piles.

Electrican · 11-13-2022, 11:07 AM

Were both of them recovered being vital shots? If so, his setup seems to be working.

DRT · 11-13-2022, 11:29 AM

Two blade CoC would be better for penetration. I would get him closer and at least 30lbs dw. 35lbs better.

Sent from my Nokia XR20 using Tapatalk

sp-bow · 11-14-2022, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRT

Two blade CoC would be better for penetration. I would get him closer and at least 30lbs dw. 35lbs better.

Sent from my Nokia XR20 using Tapatalk

x2

Javelin · 11-13-2022, 11:40 AM

Two blade magnus stinger and 35lbs is plenty. If you have a g5 mechanical you are setting him up for failure.

ORIONTHEHUNTER · 11-13-2022, 12:00 PM

Are you recovering the deer and confirming shot placement or just guessing on shot placement? It is either a shot placement issue or broadhead/poundage problem

Bucknaked · 11-13-2022, 12:38 PM

If no one has said Get them Closer yet then I’ll say it

WItoTX · 11-13-2022, 01:16 PM

Since you only asked, how many lbs, I would say minimum 45 lbs, at 15 yards. At 25 yards, I would want more like 50 lbs. But then there is the question of arrow weight. Where is he at there?

But there are so many other questions others have posted that need answers.

Did he target shoot BH's? Are his BH sharp (They won't be out of the box)?

jaker_cc · 11-13-2022, 01:32 PM

Sounds like y’all need to video the shots and confirm shot placement. If y’all didn’t recover either of them then it’s a shot placement problem or a draw weight and broadhead problem.

I’m not going to point fingers but if he’s hunting and no one around him knows his draw weight, or his broadhead he’s shooting then it’s time to step back a second and rethink the situation. Young kids can kill deer with their bows, but it takes thinking it out for them before they get put in a hunting situation.

hoythunter02 · 11-13-2022, 02:26 PM

Try to get him closer, 25 yds is quite a distance for a Bowhunter…getting close is the name of the game.

40 lbs will kill a deer with a sharp fixed blade.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Electrican · 11-13-2022, 06:07 PM

Checking in

Pablo Honey · 11-14-2022, 11:49 AM

Not to dog pile on you...but did you run a dog? Were the arrows still in the deer when it ran off?
You'd be surprised. Sigle sided penentration is tough for blood trailing but it will kill.

WItoTX · 11-14-2022, 12:04 PM

In for an update....

RiverRat1 · 11-14-2022, 12:14 PM

20 yards is way too far.

I bet the deer moved before arrow got to them. I know this happens because I videoed my daughters first deer. 11 yard shot. Slow motion you can se arrow going right at the heart but last 1/10th of a second the doe ducked and went forward. Impossible to believe until you watch a shot with your own eyes and then watch the video. At 20 yards there's no telling how much those doe could have moved.

ORIONTHEHUNTER · 11-14-2022, 01:04 PM

He must still be out looking for those deer

WItoTX · 11-14-2022, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ORIONTHEHUNTER

He must still be out looking for those deer

I wouldn't blame OP. Nothing worse than wounding an animal.

ORIONTHEHUNTER · 11-14-2022, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WItoTX

I wouldn't blame OP. Nothing worse than wounding an animal.

I'm not blaming him a lot of had follow up questions and were looking for an update on info and he has been mia.

Mitchell8 · 11-14-2022, 01:21 PM

If at first you don’t succeed try try again!!! Just keep trying to drop one!

Landrover · 11-14-2022, 06:41 PM

25/30 pounds is plenty. Cut on CONTACT. Arrow weight, arrow weight, arrow weight! 20 to 25 yards away is not as important as what is hitting the critter in the kill zone. Dont let him get discouraged please. Get the gear checked......draw weight, arrow weight, broadhead type/quality.

cmwessels · 11-14-2022, 07:10 PM

My son shoots 34 lbs and I have video of a spike dropping 8 plus inches before the arrow could make contact at 13 yards. They are fast....... aim low.

ShaBow · 11-14-2022, 08:43 PM

My sons were bow hunting and shooting small pigs at 7 yrs old with a 22# compound bow at 10yds or less with a COC broadhead. They shot animals consistently year after year first whitetails at 9 yrs old at 15 yds with 35#. They didn’t shoot past 15 til they were 12 and pulling about 45# and we still tried to keep them under 20. You must have him a plan to put the odds in his favor and stick to it even having to let deer walk. We watched lots of deer on many hunts that just wouldn’t get close enough but patience would pay off eventually. They were successful on several animals year after year. They learned a lot about aging deer, good and bad shot angles, how deer act, draw timing , woodsmanship, safety,and most importantly patience and it’s not all about a kill. Good luck with your grandson and y’all have fun and tell him to stick with it. PM me if you have any ?s

11-13-2022, 10:19 AM	#1
MagicBlade Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Keller, Texas Hunt In: Archer County Texas	Disappointing 1st Bow Hunt This year is my 11 year old grandson's first year bow hunting. He has taken lessons and has practiced at 20 yards with great accuracy. His bow blind is set up at 25 yards from the feeder. He shot two doe at 20 yards and made two good vital shots. Drew blood on the first but didn't get good penetration. Same with the second. I'm wondering if he's pulling enough poundage. What poundage would you recommend to obtain good penetration. Both shots were well placed and right where you would expect a heart shot.

11-14-2022, 08:43 PM	#33
ShaBow Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sour Lake,Tx. Hunt In: A Tree	My sons were bow hunting and shooting small pigs at 7 yrs old with a 22# compound bow at 10yds or less with a COC broadhead. They shot animals consistently year after year first whitetails at 9 yrs old at 15 yds with 35#. They didn’t shoot past 15 til they were 12 and pulling about 45# and we still tried to keep them under 20. You must have him a plan to put the odds in his favor and stick to it even having to let deer walk. We watched lots of deer on many hunts that just wouldn’t get close enough but patience would pay off eventually. They were successful on several animals year after year. They learned a lot about aging deer, good and bad shot angles, how deer act, draw timing , woodsmanship, safety,and most importantly patience and it’s not all about a kill. Good luck with your grandson and y’all have fun and tell him to stick with it. PM me if you have any ?s Last edited by ShaBow; 11-14-2022 at 09:12 PM.

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11-13-2022, 10:23 AM	#2
texashunter Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Harker Heights,TX Hunt In: Bell Co, San Saba Co	What poundage is he shooting and what kind of broadhead?

11-13-2022, 10:23 AM	#4
Tom Ten Point Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Conroe Hunt In: Rocky Mountains, Africa	does he have a COC broadhead?

11-13-2022, 10:28 AM	#5
Twist Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Brazoria County Hunt In: Leon County	Both factors above will definitely come into play, 20 yards for an 11 year old is a pretty good shot. Low poundage and type of broadhead are definitely going to be major factors.

11-13-2022, 10:32 AM	#6
MagicBlade Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Keller, Texas Hunt In: Archer County Texas	G5 Broadheads. Not sure of the poundage.

11-13-2022, 10:48 AM	#8
Bowdacious Eight Point Join Date: May 2014 Location: San Antonio TX Hunt In: Webb Co	Which g5s?

11-13-2022, 10:50 AM	#9
Walker Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Antonio	And bow tuning is an absolute must for low poundage. That arrow has to fly strait and stable.

11-13-2022, 11:00 AM	#11
txtrophy85 Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Boerne Hunt In: All over the World	Does anyone know what poundage he is pulling? IMO that’s pretty much step one when setting up a kid to hunt. There is no minimum requirement in Texas currently but it used to be 40lbs. I would guess 35 lbs out of a modern compound would be a responsible minimum. As mentioned a 1” cut on contact broadhead would be ideal

11-13-2022, 11:06 AM	#12
Gunswayne Eight Point Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Beasley,Texas Hunt In: Fort McKavett	Get closer. Either with hand corn or move the feeder closer. As a Trad shooter my feeders are 13-20 yards. My kids did very well at the 10-15 yard hand corn piles that I placed when they were similar age.

11-13-2022, 11:07 AM	#14
Electrican Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Burleson TX Hunt In: For a place	Were both of them recovered being vital shots? If so, his setup seems to be working.

11-13-2022, 11:29 AM	#15
DRT Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Tx Hunt In: Jones County and Missouri	Two blade CoC would be better for penetration. I would get him closer and at least 30lbs dw. 35lbs better. Sent from my Nokia XR20 using Tapatalk

11-13-2022, 11:40 AM	#17
Javelin Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lufkin Hunt In: Northern Polk County on the river, Houston County	Two blade magnus stinger and 35lbs is plenty. If you have a g5 mechanical you are setting him up for failure.

11-13-2022, 12:00 PM	#18
ORIONTHEHUNTER Six Point Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: SW Colorado	Are you recovering the deer and confirming shot placement or just guessing on shot placement? It is either a shot placement issue or broadhead/poundage problem

11-13-2022, 12:38 PM	#19
Bucknaked Pope & Young Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Hallettsville Hunt In: Lavaca , Edwards & Gillespie counties	If no one has said Get them Closer yet then I’ll say it

11-13-2022, 01:16 PM	#20
WItoTX Pope & Young Join Date: Jun 2016 Hunt In: Wisconsin, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Idaho	Since you only asked, how many lbs, I would say minimum 45 lbs, at 15 yards. At 25 yards, I would want more like 50 lbs. But then there is the question of arrow weight. Where is he at there? But there are so many other questions others have posted that need answers. Did he target shoot BH's? Are his BH sharp (They won't be out of the box)?

11-13-2022, 01:32 PM	#21
jaker_cc Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio Hunt In: Bee County/ Out West	Sounds like y’all need to video the shots and confirm shot placement. If y’all didn’t recover either of them then it’s a shot placement problem or a draw weight and broadhead problem. I’m not going to point fingers but if he’s hunting and no one around him knows his draw weight, or his broadhead he’s shooting then it’s time to step back a second and rethink the situation. Young kids can kill deer with their bows, but it takes thinking it out for them before they get put in a hunting situation.

11-13-2022, 02:26 PM	#22
hoythunter02 Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Texas Hunt In: Brady, Texas	Try to get him closer, 25 yds is quite a distance for a Bowhunter…getting close is the name of the game. 40 lbs will kill a deer with a sharp fixed blade. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11-13-2022, 06:07 PM	#23
Electrican Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Burleson TX Hunt In: For a place	Checking in

11-14-2022, 11:49 AM	#24
Pablo Honey Pope & Young Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SA/TX Hunt In: Old Mex.	Not to dog pile on you...but did you run a dog? Were the arrows still in the deer when it ran off? You'd be surprised. Sigle sided penentration is tough for blood trailing but it will kill.

11-14-2022, 12:04 PM	#25
WItoTX Pope & Young Join Date: Jun 2016 Hunt In: Wisconsin, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Idaho	In for an update....

11-14-2022, 12:14 PM	#26
RiverRat1 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bend TX Hunt In: San Saba	20 yards is way too far. I bet the deer moved before arrow got to them. I know this happens because I videoed my daughters first deer. 11 yard shot. Slow motion you can se arrow going right at the heart but last 1/10th of a second the doe ducked and went forward. Impossible to believe until you watch a shot with your own eyes and then watch the video. At 20 yards there's no telling how much those doe could have moved.

11-14-2022, 01:04 PM	#27
ORIONTHEHUNTER Six Point Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: SW Colorado	He must still be out looking for those deer

11-14-2022, 01:21 PM	#30
Mitchell8 Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: College Station Hunt In: Anywhere	If at first you don’t succeed try try again!!! Just keep trying to drop one!

11-14-2022, 06:41 PM	#31
Landrover Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Spring Hunt In: Wherever & Whenever	25/30 pounds is plenty. Cut on CONTACT. Arrow weight, arrow weight, arrow weight! 20 to 25 yards away is not as important as what is hitting the critter in the kill zone. Dont let him get discouraged please. Get the gear checked......draw weight, arrow weight, broadhead type/quality.

11-14-2022, 07:10 PM	#32
cmwessels Four Point Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Columbus Hunt In: Columbus	My son shoots 34 lbs and I have video of a spike dropping 8 plus inches before the arrow could make contact at 13 yards. They are fast....... aim low.