Clean an arrow after the shot?

[Desk Jockey]

I have been using muzzy trocars on carbon express Maxima red arrows. Basically about $22 each. I shoot 1-3 deer a year for the most part. So, I had considered them semi disposable and didn’t Reuse them. In fact, I have saved all of them but after a few years that pile is getting big and they are just a little less “special”. I am thinking about bumping up my arrow and broadhead tech. Haven’t quite landed on a formula but a higher end broadhead, a $12-15 arrow, weighted insert and maybe a collar could double the cost per arrow.

So that has me thinking about how do I clean them once they have passed through an animal.

 

[Zspires94]

Soap and water works most of the time. Hydrogen peroxide for the tougher blood stains


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[xcutter]

Hot water and Dawn dish soap. Scrub with dish towel or paper towel.

 

[Boxerboxer]

What do you get for your money? If you don't need more durability or some other benefit why wouldn't you just clean up your perfectly good arrows and use them?

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[5MilesBack]

A scrub pad, hot water, and soap.

I had one arrow that the BH came unscrewed off of while inside the bull. When I found it, it was filled with blood from the tip to the nock. When I pulled the nock, blood poured out. I didn't even bother cleaning the inside of it, but used that same arrow on another bull the next year.

 

[Desk Jockey]

What do you get for your money? If you don't need more durability or some other benefit why wouldn't you just clean up your perfectly good arrows and use them?

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I started bow hunting about 5 years ago, so as a nube, I saved the arrows as part of a skull display from my first deer. Have just been adding to that collection as momentos up to now. It is worth noting that I shoot a pretty fast bow and hunt areas with rocks and rocky soil. Pass through son every shot except one spine shot. Arrow ends up in the ground on the other side of the deer somewhere. I would say my muzzy trocar broadheads are banged up more than half the time and the arrows are broken or damaged about a third of the time.

 

[Spiral Horn]

If using an all carbon arrow there is no reason that it can’t be reused after taking an animal. Just ensure it isn’t cracked and clean thoroughly with soap and water. Many times I’ve taken multiple animals with the same arrow.

 

[nphunter]

I've been able to save very few arrows after passing through animals. I think maybe 3 or 4 have survived over the last half dozen years. I don't mind donating an arrow to a nice bull or buck though, honestly, if I lived back east where I could shoot a half dozen deer a year I would worry more about it. I ruined an arrow shooting at my bull this year that hit a huge rock behind the bull. Last year I missed my first shot by hitting a branch and ruined that arrow when I found it, it was stuck into a tree an inch deep nock first and the broadhead was stuck in the tree right next to the shaft and was sheered off at the base. I took a follow-up shot on the bull after that and made a great shot and must not have touched bone because that arrow zipped through him so fast it disappeared out of sight. I was shooting Solid Legend heads with VAP Elites so about $50 an arrow with the head.

 

[Sp33d3rific]

I clean mine with soap and hot water.

I build all my arrows myself. I don't have a local shop and have to order them online. My extra arrow supply is usually gets extremely low due to poor planning on my part.

They get cleaned, inspected, and repaired if needed. Broadheads get touched up on stones, and the arrow gets rotated to the far side of the quiver.

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