Monthly Archives: July 2025

Arrow Energy and Penetration for Black Bear

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I went on-line in search of recommended minimum arrow energies and penetration criteria.  I found that baseline bow energies begin at around 40 foot-pounds and go up from there. My compound currently has a peak weight of 50 lbs., shoots 185 fps and has 45 ft-lbs of energy off the bow shelf. Is that enough? It depends on your arrow weight and broadhead choice. A light arrow of say 400 grains will lack momentum. Couple this light arrow with a mechanical broadhead or say a three or 4 blade head will offer better cutting but far less or even no full penetration.

On bear, full penetration through both lungs and an exit wound for a blood trail are a necessity.

Under lighter bow and arrow weight, it would be wise to rethink your arrow weight and broadhead choice. Heavier arrows penetrate better as does a cut-on-contact broadhead with a lighter bow weight/arrow weight setup.

The goal is accuracy coupled with penetration by choosing a heavier arrow and perhaps a sharp 2 blade cut-on-contact head to reduce friction.

Accordingly, my 50 lb bow setup (may increase peak weight before the hunt) uses a very heavy arrow of 575 grains for momentum and a two blade cut-on-contact broadhead to reduce friction and maximize an exit wound for blood trailing. Momentum per my Garmin Chrono. note PF- Power Factor is 105.8 KG Ft/Sec. 

I am using a 2219 XX75 with a 2 blade 125g Steel Force head. It shoots like my field points at 20 yards. Reviews of this head for strength are mediocre thus I may try a stronger broadhead. Stay tuned…

Long time big game hunters attest to using heavier arrows given short shooting distances especially on big and dangerous game. 

Good Hunting!

My Maine Bear Returns From The Taxidermist – Updated

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I chose a half mount and it came out pretty realistic. He is a small bear but made for a great life-like half mount. This fall bear feasted on blueberries and raspberries before I took him with my 7mm Rem Mag and a 160 grain Nosler Partition. This winter and cold spring my wife and I enjoyed bear meatloaf and stew, my favorite dishes. I even had it for breakfast! The flavor was terrific.

Below, I did a knotty cedar/pine wall in my basement with the bear as the wall centerpiece. 

I added my Lancaster Revolutionary war 50 cal. flintlock rifle on the left. I built it several years back and it shoots a ball and patch as good as it looks! 

 I’m headed back to Maine in a Month for another opportunity with my bow or crossbow. Who knows, maybe even bigger!

 

Good Hunting!

Big Game Crossbow Bowhunting For Seniors

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We older bowhunters still have a strong desire to hunt big game. As we age we have issues with arms, joints, eyes etc.

“Staying in the game” is paramount to many of us because we love the adventure and excitement of the hunt and the resulting associated adrenaline. Without the fight/flight adrenaline many of us would not be hunters or for that matter, fishermen. 

Enter the modern crossbow. Today you can find crossbows everywhere in the hunting world and they pack a punch and accurate.

I have harvested wild boar with a recurve crossbow from Excalibur;

and black bear with my 10 Point Turbo. 

Of prime importance is accuracy. We owe it to the game we hunt!

I still love to shoot my recurve and compound bow but find my ability to pull and shoot heavier poundage is waning as I age. Years ago, when I was doing IBO 3D, I was pulling up to 82 pounds. Yikes!

Todays latest crossbows utilize hand cranks to pull and load the string, thus making it easy for seniors and juniors to shoot a powerful arrow and a sharp broadhead at big game.

The crossbow allows much more kinetic energy and penetration today than ever before. But you still have to get closer to game making it a real challenge. The hunter still needs to practice with the crossbow, loading, unloading, shooting at many distances.

Good Hunting!

 

 

Easton XX75 Aluminum Shafts, Painted Crests and Turkey Feathers – Stout and Beautiful

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As a hunter, I have had a long time love of a well built beefy feathered arrow with cresting. Not so much on skinny arrows, but that’s just me. The Easton XX75 Aluminum crested and feathered arrow is quite beautiful and still a mainstay in the industry and in my quiver for both traditional and compound bows.

 

I like beefy carbon shafts for distance shooting, but for hunting, I still like Easton Aluminum for value, strength and durability in the field. 

 

I took the Easton XX75’s to Africa years ago. And still hunt with them. 

 

Many of todays bowhunters are being sold on the need for speed.  As you might be aware, speed helps greatly, however it is penetration, aka arrow weight that drives your broadhead deeper in larger game, provides an exit wound, and the all important blood trail.  As a long time traditional bowhunter, I have been shooting Easton XX75 Aluminum for more than 40 years. I have 2219’s for my recurve but also use them in my compound bow and keep distances within 30 yards. 

 

These XX75’s are heavy, 575 grains with a 125g field point or broadhead to drive deep into the vitals. 

Good Hunting!

 

New Hampshire Wood Carving by a Hunter

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Driving through Tamworth NH on Rt. 16 (just south of Mt. Chocorua) I often pass by a large sign that says CARVING with many in process pine carving projects. I said to the Mrs., “Hey they are open, lets stop in.”

We were met by Joshua Sargent and Casey (likely his lovely wife). “Come on in”, Casey said.

Upon entering, we were stunned by Joshua’s finished carvings for sale.  The image below is what you see from the roadside passing by.

Below are just a few images from inside the shop. If you go on Youtube you can search for his carvings at CreationDust777

We loved his bear carvings and bought these below.

Above are these amazing carved wood faces made from pine limbs. These two are now in our kitchen. Joshuas hunting book entitled Cold Souls is for sale as well.

 

Stop in and check out the carvings and his book. You’ll be glad you did!