I wouldn't say I snorted the fairy dust because it's the latest craze and all the cool kids are doing it but rather I tried it because I was not happy with the performance I was getting from my setup and as the saying goes "the definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over and expecting a different result" I was at least smart enough to know I had to try something else.
The short version of why I took a stroll down ranch fairy lane...
1. Realized most of my buck kills were not complete pass through shots.
2. Poor arrow flight and penetration.
3. Always used mechanical heads ( NAP spitfires, rage, blood trailers) with 400 spine arrows between 415 - 440grs TAW.
4. Broad head blades were always damaged after hitting a buck , with the does I will say the damage was from hitting the ground after the complete pass through (which is acceptable).
5. Didn't like that loud "WHACK" and energy dump when the BH hit the deer and then said deer took off like a bolt of lightning.
6. Lost confidence in my equipment to get the job done.
What the RF did for me was open my mind to new (for me) ideas, to think in a different way and understand how my equipment works. Here's what has transpired since toying with fairy dust:
1. I've learned how important it is to have a bow in spec and tuned properly. This IMO should be first on anyone's to do list BEFORE thinking about arrow tuning. It all starts at the bow, if it's out of tune then how can one logically expect good results at the terminal end?
2. I've learned how to work on and tune my bows.
3. I've learned how to build and tune arrows.
4. I've built 640gr arrows with fixed blade broadheads at ~17.8%FOC for this year to see for myself if "heavy" works for me. They fly great and group with my field points to 35yds and the reason why I feel so strongly about the bow being in tune first is the fact that I didn't have to make any adjustments to the bow or rest to get the fixed blades to match POI with the field points. I got the same result to a tested 50 yds with my second bow set up shooting a "light" 515gr arrow at 18%FOC. This is from a guy who never shot fixed blades or ever touched his bow except to shoot it.
5. Learned that broadheads right out of the package may be"sharp" but are not "hunting sharp".
6. Confidence is overflowing knowing every piece of killing apparatus is in tip top shape and WILL get it done.
The one point that always bothers me is the "mechanicals give great bloodtrails and fixed blades don't" statement. Now I can't speak from experience for fixed blades but I definitely can for mechanicals. Some kills have left a paint trail of blood while others left virtually nothing, most of the latter were because the arrow didn't punch a hole out the other side and since the arrow remained lodged in the animal it in essence plugged the only hole available for blood to escape. And I can admit my poor arrow flight played a part in that outcome. With a fixed blade atop of a "heavier" arrow improving penetration and passing through animals, it would leave two slightly smaller holes for blood to drain from and a better blood trail in my mind. I sometimes wonder where the entry and exit wounds were when I hear guys say " I blew right through him and there was no blood trail with a fixed blade". I guess some want the larger cutting diameter of mechs for when they gut shoot them or hit them too high and hope the broadhead nicks something vital but I am opting for the smaller cutting diameter that will punch through ribs and leg bone to get to the vitals and stop in the dirt after passing through the animal . But then again I will not take shots beyond my capabilities and risk injuring an animal because of poor judgement.
Now the RF does have an abrasive personality but me being raised a city kid in NY (I swear I was switched at birth cause I'm redneck at heart) had no choice but to grow thick skin or be eaten alive so I appreciate his antics because I can relate to that. Get past his personality and listen to his message, he does mean well.
Ok for those who have been on this site during last years season, can you think back to our beginning discussions on arrow builds and remember the member who was suggesting we should bump up our arrow weights to at least 500gr, use cut on contact broadheads and raise the FOC to at least 12% or so (can't remember the exact number) and we'd see better arrow performance? I do and he was stating this before the Ranch Fairy was a household name on this site. We all should be thanking
@kyler1945 for introducing us to exploring the virtues of going a bit heavier.
Cheers bud, you deserve the credit!!