When discussing my new-found bow hunting ambitions, somebody told me to check if mechanical broadheads are legal in Alberta.

The regulations don't mention them specifically, at least all I can find is:

"An authorized arrow is one that is not less than 61 cm (24 in.) in length having a sharp, unbarbed broad-head of not less than 2.2 cm (7/8 in.) in width."

So... are they? Legal? In Alberta? Mechanical broadheads?

Frans

Yes, they are legal. If you have specific alberta questions you could try bowhunting.ca it's a good site that's very Alberta oriented. Mechanical broadheads are best suited to the new fast compounds you need I think 65 lbs of kinetic energy minimum. You're going to love bowhunting........I'm going for moose this fall if you're interested.

the chef

Chef,

65 lbs kinetic energy? Imperial units, argh!

But lbs is not an energy unit; if I had any feel of what a ft-lbs was, I could have guessed if you meant 65 foot pounds. But since I lack that sense, all I can do is ask...

Can you shoot me a PM on what your moose plans entail? I need to plan my fall pretty quickly now, and none of the leads I had seem to be developing.

Frans

Since I shoot a recurve I haven't bothered learning all the fancy stuff about kinetic energy etc. I'm under the impression that cut on contact broadheads are superior even if they arent as "cool" Expandable heads are used because they fly like a fieldtip.

I'm just doing a few weekend trips for moose probably not even overnight--although I'm well equipped for it. I have a couple close areas that interest me...one I hunted last year and heard some answering calls to my calls. They are within an hour drive of cochrane. I'm pretty sure it can be arranged to have a local use a horse or 4x4 in either area to haul out the beast. I have no intentions of shooting a cow moose the meat is nice but they have no "headgear" and are a lot of work. Let me know what your schedule looks like and I'll see if it works with mine....which is a little fragmented but which has quite a few free days here and there--in between deer hunting and chasing the elusive rocky mountain sheep!!!

the chef

Chef,

I'm still all open. I'm hoping to hear about a trip soon, but that might not materialize. I have some time off left over. I'll carry a whole moose out on my back if I have to... (OK, preferably not, and only when divided into many small pieces! )

I lost your phone number, PM me if you want.

By the way, you should have been out there for sheep already! Although they closed some trails around Minnewanka. Make sure you watch your back, and keep a clean camp!

Frans

Hello Chef;
If you are going to hunt that area, make damn sure you know where the Park boundary is. You wouldn't be the first guy to get caught on the wrong side by mistake and the wardens don't have any sense of humor. As well, if you decide to mosy(unarmed) into the park for a look see, don't pick anything up. An aquaintance of mine picked up the skull of a winter killed ram. It cost him 4 Grand plus legal costs and all the nasty publicity that came with it.
Grizz

Ya, if you find wildlife prts you have to apply for a found wildlife permit....before you pick up the item not after.

the chef

Frans, I use a Mathews Feathermax at 60# and a 30 inch draw. My field tips are 125gr and I have found that the Muzzy 3 blades in 100 gr fly to the same point of impact as my field tips. Also, I blew one practice shot and slammed one of my tips through a 1/2 inch piece of plywood and the tip is just fine. My buddy is using the Snyper tips and just hitting a twig or the arrow dropping in to the gravel(on a road shot once)wrecked his tips. So, maybe try the Muzzy's? derf

Hello Chef;
That applies outside the park. In the Park, you can't so much as pick up a rock or flower and they aren't above using a little entrapment. One of the party that was charged with the person I mentioned, got caught with some elk antlers they found on the trail. She told me they weren't lying on the trail when they rode up and since they were just a little ways in the park, she figured there would be no problem. Surprise, the wardens were waiting for them on the boundary line
Grizz

Yup, you can't even legally pick berries in a National park.

the chef

Hello Chef;
Glad you realize that. I just didn't want to see the headline in the Herald;"CALGARY CHEF FRICASEED BY JUDGE'".