It's done, Eastern Senegal end-2003, warthog with my bow! First African safari.

Up to now (in North America), I've only hunted with mechanical arrowheads, heard rumors that fixed arrowheads grouped irregularly, due to wind deflection.

1) What are your preferences, why?

2) Is the wind-deflection thing BS (and I'm not talking 160MPH winds...)?

TIA,
Guillaume

Going to Africa I would use fixed, no nonesence 2 blade broadheads. At most a 3 blade with small blades.

Penetration is your primary concern and African game can be very tough.

Hello. I am far from an expert here, but I previously used NAP mechanicals. Had one semi-failure on a white tail deer. Gave them up then and there. I now use Magnus 125 grain 2 blade with the bleeder insert. My first kill was a bison. They are very good broadheads. I have been shooting them regularly in preparation for my Africa trip on June 30th of this year. I shoot a Mathews MQ-1, set at 62 lbs, with a 28 inch draw.

My broadheads shoot just as true as my field points...but did have to do some tinkering...I would offer the suggestion that you make the switch...and practice, practice, practice...Bill

I don't shoot anything but the big magnus blades (145 gr.?) and I don't see any need for bleeder blades, feeling that they could get twisted on a rib or something. Magnus blades are easy to sharpen so that they'll shave. I use a razor strop and jewelers rouge to touch mine up to frightening sharpness. I live in a state where you can take 10 or so deer every year with a bow season that lasts from mid-Sept to mid-Jan. and I take advantage of it. I've also been lucky enough take African game, moose and a dozen bears with a Mangus. Hogs around here are a pain and we cull them almost weekly.

I shoot traditionally and have no problem with wind-planning.

For the 100 or so head of animals I've shot Magnus blades (and only the Good Lord knows how many before that with similar Zwickeys), putting that big head through both lungs has always ended in a very quick death, usually within sight. You might want to look at Mossy Oak's "MegaBucks V" in which I take a running buck with a Magnus. Even though it had a full head of steam before the shot, the buck died within camera range.

The real issue is "why". Why take a chance that the mechanics will fail. Why shoot any blade with pieces that can break or come apart.... this includes all the "stick-together" three blade designs except the Wensel and the Snuffer. Why shoot something that, according to physics can't penetrate as well as a two-blade-fixed broadhead, and finally, why give up that long, long cutting surface that a fixed blade provides.

[ 05-06-2003, 20:25: Message edited by: JudgeG ]

Well gents, you all seem to be leaning on the same side of the boat

Thanks for your output, I'll re-zero my scope accordingly,
Guillaume

Forget the mech heads.

I do not know anything about bowhunting, but the last time I was in Alaska I think I remember some of the guys saying that the "mechanical folding type" broad heads were not legal in that state.
There has got to be a reason for it????

You might want to check out the Grizzly heads as well. Two blade 125, 160, 190 gr, and very tough.

Ive always used Zwickeys for everything. Simple yet effective.
There was a guy a few years back making a broadhead called a snuffer. I believe his name wa Roger Rothnar or something close. Im sure someone here will know. Anyway, the broadheads are based on a midevil armor penetrating design. I have never used them but a couple of my friends swear by them.

[ 05-07-2003, 05:59: Message edited by: Mike Smith ]

Snuffers are great heads. They are three-blade welded and vented broad heads that are very sturdy. The Wensel head is somewhat similar, but not quite so wide. I believe that the Magnus folks now make both of them. I wouldn't use either of them on thicker skinned game, however, because two-blade heads just penetrate better. Also, due to my inability to get them as sharp as I like my broadheads, I let better folks than me use them. Lots of my friends do!

Gene and Barry Wensel (and Roger, come to think of it) are friends, and I assure you they would never let any junk have their name upon it. As to Grizzly heads, you can't beat them, if you can sharpen them. I think they would penetrate an Abrams tank. They are the toughest s.o.b.'s in the world. Get them shaving sharp, and have at it.... I just can't get the knack?

Just make darn sure that you shoot tough heads and that they are so sharp that they scare you.

In Senagal, can you hunt Roan, Western Buff and Reedbuck?

I don't know if you have ever been to Equatorial Africa (I mean the wet part), but when the door opens on your airplane, just pull in a deep breath of the air.... it reeks of the stuff for which the "Dark" Continent claims it's name.

[ 05-07-2003, 06:07: Message edited by: JudgeG ]

I have handled them and they are definitely solid. They seemed heavy to me but then you have to remember Im small and have a very short draw length. You know I said a 'few' years but I just got to thinking and it was almost 15 years ago that I saw the snuffers the first time. Dont know where the time goes.

[ 05-07-2003, 06:06: Message edited by: Mike Smith ]

One more vote for NO mechanical heads!!! I have used many heads over the years. I like the "cut on contact" type, so I have been using the Satelite Titan for several years now. I used them last year in Africa and took warthog, wildebeest, kudu, impala, blesbock and a bushbuck. All fell between 30 and 100 yards. BUT!!!! I will not use them any longer! With the bigger critters, they fell apart!
The magnus type fixed, two bladed, cut on contact is the way to go.
Now........after saying all of that, some bows are set up where you probably could not shoot them. These light weight, 300 plus FPS arrows get a little squirley..... hence the need, and market, for mechanical heads.
My advise is heavy arrows, SHARP fixed two bladed heads and drop the weight of those speed bows.
Their place is on the 3D range, not in the field.
I know I have stepped on some toes.....so...... sorry in advance!

bo-n-aro