Bow Help for My Son’s 1st Archery Deer

[Bort]

My 12 year old son is wanting to take his 1st deer with a bow this season. I need the Green Screen’s opinion if he and his equipment are ready.

He is currently shooting a 31lbs compound bow with a 25” draw length. He is averaging a softball size grouping at 20 yards. His arrows are 28” long with a 7.4 gpi and 500 spine. As I understand it, this means he is shooting approximately a 207 grain arrow?

I think we can crank up his poundage to maybe 35lbs. Do I need to up his arrow weight too? If so, to what grain?

I’m thinking of limiting his shots to 10; maybe 15 yards with a slick trick 100gr broad head.

He’s been deadly with rabbits, judo points, and that arrow this past year.

[Bill]

I think any 28” long arrow with 100 grain BH will weigh more than 207 grains. Only way to really know is to weigh it.

If he restricts his shooting to the range he can get a small group, understands the kill zone, and shoots a cut on contact BH, I’d say let the arrow fly!

Has he been practicing shooting BHs? That’s what matters.

[Bort]

With the broad head I guess it will weigh 307 grains. I’ll weigh it tomorrow. Thanks

[Bisch]

I would recommend a cut on contact broadhead like a Magnus Stinger or any others that you can get really sharp. His setup will work, and I would definitely agree with limiting him to no more than 15yd shots. Also, like Bull said above, make him practice with the broadheads to make sure they have the same point of impact as his field point arrows. A .500 spine shaft, esp cut down to 28”, is likely too stiff for a 31# bow.

That arrow actually weighs way more than 207gr!

shaft = 207
nock =. 10
fletching = ~20
insert = 15
point/broadhead = 100

Total = 352gr

Bisch

[Low Fence]

Yeah with fletching, insert, nock….. glue. He will be 350+

[justletmein]

I'd bet a cut on contact head at 20 yards would be fine. You don't need a pass through, if it sticks in the vitals it'll shred like a blender while the deer runs.

[60 Deluxe]

I started doing the math and was at about 320 grains arrow weight with the fletching still to go, then I see that Bisch beat me to it. The arrow is weighing over eleven grains per pound of draw weight. It is too stiff for the bow, but since it is a center shot bow, you should be good at short distances. Try a shot at forty or fifty yards and the stiff spine will be quite evident.

If it were me, I would want to see a little better grouping prior to putting him onto a live animal. The stress of a hunting situation when it comes down to executing a kill shot with a marginal bow on an animal that is highly reactive gets pretty slim when most facets of the equation are marginal. Close the gap to ten or twelve yards and the odds of making a good shot go up but the opportunity to draw the bow goes way down. Practice, practice, practice....until that bow is an extension of his body. I wouldn't increase his draw weight unless he is drawing the bow effortlessly. That comes with strength building and good form developed through practice. Then, don't think that you can swap to a broadhead and get the identical arrow flight. You will need some practice broadheads and some time to get the bow dialed in with the hunting points.

[Bort]

Thanks for all of the advice. I’ll tell him to start practicing with broad heads.

[Bill]

X2 on the suggestion for shooting a cut on contact BH like Magnus Stingers or Stinger Buzzcuts.,

[Dale Moser]

My son shot his 1st deer (small doe) with his bow at 11, and his 1st pig last year at 12. I believe his draw weight was closer to 40lbs, but I can't tell you much about his arrows...I would guess his draw length is a little longer as well. Magnus Stinger 85gr heads were reccomended to me, and that's what we used on both.

At the time he was shooting some archery tournaments at 10 yds, and he could make them touch (numerous robinhoods), at 20 he was getting ~baseball to softball groups.

He shot the deer at about 11-12 yards, and pulled the shot into the jugular, because he's the luckiest little **** I've ever seen in my life. Went through her, but didn't pass through. There was obviously plenty of blood, but we did not have to track. Probably the dumbest deer that ever walked, tasted great though.

He shot the pig at about ~14-15 yards, but used his 20 yard pin, so the shot was high and spined the pig....no tracking necessary. It hit him pretty hard, I think he had his new bow by then and was likely up to nearer 45lbs.


We had some weird experiences that were neither "ideal", and probably don't help you much. I'll try to attach videos.

I would definitely find the Magnus Stinger 2 blades in whatever grain he's sighted in for, and put a little finer edge on them than out of the package.
I believe 15 yards is the sweet spot for getting kids close, but not too close.
Print out a photo of the vital areas, and TAKE IT WITH YOU. Make him look at it in the blind.
Try to get video of the shot with your phone at least.


Doe

https://youtube.com/shorts/zFhtC7HfzLc?si=7e693tTByn_a6gun

Pig

https://youtu.be/5tqff7PN3dc?si=8p66HyahiMTr2VXR

[Dale Moser]

Also, when you put out your hand corn, put it in a line at 15 yards, or whatever your preferred shot distance is. If you can, lay a log or stump next to it to break up the animal's view toward you while the little man tries to draw.

Take your time and wait until the animals are settled in and calm. Little man aint gonna get calm, and neither are you, so you just gotta work around that.

Make him draw a few times with an arrow when you get in the blind, LET HIM STAND UP TO SHOOT if windows allow. It's very hard for kids to draw setting down.

Don't take shots at deer unless the distance and alignment are perfect. Pigs....KILL ALL PIGS...or just put arrows in them, no better practice!

Basically try to remember all the things you had to learn when you started bowhunting, and know that it's twice as hard with a kiddo!

[muddydog]

Good way to find is effective range. Shoot 1 arrow only. Groups don't count. The first cold shot is the only one that counts. Use 2 blade cutting tips and keep close shots. Move the poundage up as high as he can handle accurately. Practice like you hunt. Probably a seated position