Hunt Backcountry Podcast 512: Bowhunter Data

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Very interesting podcast this week that Steve & Mark had with Jeremy Dugger from Xpert Archery on his 500+ sample size data set on wounding rates.

I cannot help but make the connection to this and the small caliber vs magnum cartridge debate. Heavier and faster has the potential to create wider wound channels and “Wollop”, but what happens when you put that equipment in the hands of a hunter in field conditions?

Have a listen. The data speaks for itself.

512 | Bowhunter Data on Broadhead Lethality & Shot Distance

Podcast Episode · The Hunt Backcountry Podcast · 03/19/2025 · 1h 15m

podcasts.apple.com

 

[Moosehunter]

Thanks! Ill give it a listen

 

[MT_Wyatt]

The comments on wound rate influence based on how the fixed blades perform in poorly tuned bows or less forgiving situations was both surprising (being higher than mechs) and also not surprising at all. Super good episode.

 

[Moosehunter]

That was real good!
I'm a fixed blade die hard. Love a super tuned bow and fixed for elk. Good data tho. Good to listen to with an open mind. I ges maybe I've got more testing to do

 

[sndmn11]

Can someone share the data?

 

[sickles107]

500+ total samples on western game

broadhead type / wound rate
mechanical / 12%
fixed / 23%

Arrow weight / Wound rate
0-400 / 14%
401-450 / 12%
450-500 / 20%
500+ / 32%

Shot distance / wound rate
0-30yd / 14%
31-40yd / 25%
41-50yd / 19%
51-60yd / 9%
61-70yd / 17%
71-80yd / 16%
80+ was too small sample size

 

[TripleJ]

Listened to it yesterday. It's refreshing to have actual data to draw conclusions from, as opposed to opinions being parroted as knowledge.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Listened to it yesterday. It's refreshing to have actual data to draw conclusions from, as opposed to opinions being parroted as knowledge.

 

[P Carter]

I liked the podcast, question whether the information is properly characterized as “data”; it comes from conversations (“hunting stories”) the fellow has at his shop. I would guess that: the wounding is seriously underreported (who tells a hunting story to the archery shop about wounding and losing animals? Some, but surely people are several times more likely to tell a kill story than wound story); yardage is just plain inaccurate (how many times have you misjudged range in the field?); and the sample size isn’t large. Also, the fellow says at the outset that the archer’s experience is the biggest factor in wound rages, and in his shop the most experienced, most accurate archers use mechanicals. If both those are true, that seemingly could account for much (maybe most?) of the difference in wounding rates.

This is *not* a criticism of the podcast. I loved the information and really desire more good, actual information like this. Just a note to put it all in some context, which I think all the participants in the podcast would agree on. Good info, for sure.

 

[butcherboy]

I’m one of the statistics in this podcast. wounded one a few years ago and when I told Jeremy about it he asked me the questions and I could tell he was collecting info which is just fine. He asked me if I thought it was the broadheads fault and my answer was definite NO. I knew it was
my fault for making a bad shot. I rushed it and pulled my bow hand at the shot. Everything else was fine. I worked on my shot the whole next year, went back to my old higher poundage, switched broadheads because I’ve been looking for a better option. Killed an elk one year later after my mistake. I’m a diehard fixed blade guy, have shot archery and started bow hunting about 1989 or 90. I think the percentage of wounded animals is higher in that 20-30 yd distance because more shots are taken at that distance than anything else. Lower in the 60 yd distance because less shots are taken at that range. It was a good podcast. I’ll talk to Jeremy about it some more when I go to buy a new bow in a few months.

What’s also interesting is I have a different side of it as well as a meat processor. I’ve recovered a lot of broadheads over the years from animals. Both fixed and mechanical. The fixed are usually intact and the mechanicals are trashed. I’ve seen a lot come in that were recovered but almost too late. The elk were found hours later and partially spoiled. Those were due to deflection off a rib, shoulder blade, or leg bone and all were mechanicals. The animals lost with fixed blades were due to just plain bad shots.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I’m one of the statistics in this podcast. wounded one a few years ago and when I told Jeremy about it he asked me the questions and I could tell he was collecting info which is just fine. He asked me if I thought it was the broadheads fault and my answer was definite NO. I knew it was
my fault for making a bad shot. I rushed it and pulled my bow hand at the shot. Everything else was fine. I worked on my shot the whole next year, went back to my old higher poundage, switched broadheads because I’ve been looking for a better option. Killed an elk one year later after my mistake. I’m a diehard fixed blade guy, have shot archery and started bow hunting about 1989 or 90. I think the percentage of wounded animals is higher in that 20-30 yd distance because more shots are taken at that distance than anything else. Lower in the 60 yd distance because less shots are taken at that range. It was a good podcast. I’ll talk to Jeremy about it some more when I go to buy a new bow in a few months.

What’s also interesting is I have a different side of it as well as a meat processor. I’ve recovered a lot of broadheads over the years from animals. Both fixed and mechanical. The fixed are usually intact and the mechanicals are trashed. I’ve seen a lot come in that were recovered but almost too late. The elk were found hours later and partially spoiled. Those were due to deflection off a rib, shoulder blade, or leg bone and all were mechanicals. The animals lost with fixed blades were due to just plain bad shots.

Thanks for the insights!

 

[HighUintas]

Was any information on draw weight and some other bow specific factor (like brace height or bow model or age) collected?

I used to have an old Mathews LX. I shot that thing lights out. I wouldn't hesitate to take a 70 yard shot. Now I have a vxr28. I don't think I'd shoot further than 60 with it. Same draw weight, but the draw cycle is less smooth and the valley feels much shorter and less stable.

Again, those data points could be influenced by Archer experience and practice, but would be interesting to see the draw weight break down