We get a lot of bow hunters at Hog Wild. People choose to hunt with bows for a lot of different reasons. The challenge, a change of pace, lengthened hunting seasons, and if you ask many bow hunters, there's just something about connecting with historical practices that makes the hunt even more enjoyable.
We've come a long way since the spear. Hunters have a wide variety of weapons they can choose from these days. Still, many people choose to hunt with a weapon that has thousands of years of history and development behind it; the bow. Wile the wooden bows and arrows of our ancestors may hold some resemblance to our modern bows and arrows, that's about where the similarities end.
A lot of skill goes into a bow hunt. The ability to shoot straight and true is one such skill of course. But, it can take years to develop the skills of tracking, moving across the terrain quickly and quietly. Even knowing how to remain in one place isn't as simple as pulling up a chair in the woods. Still, the equipment you choose does make a difference.
Today's bows are engineered to shoot faster, farther, and with more lethality. And, just like a gun, the ammunition you choose can make a difference out on a hunt. In this case, it's the arrow, and for this post, more specifically, the arrowhead.
We get into a lot of discussions, and answer a lot of questions, about equipment at Hog Wild. Ultimately, it's all about skill and shot placement. The best equipment in the world can't make up for a bad shot. But once you get past that conversation, one of the biggest discussions around bow hunting is the broadhead.
There are literally hundreds of different kinds of broadheads, and they all serve a specific purpose. Opinions about which ones are best vary about as much as the broadheads themselves. From years of experience and guiding thousands of hunts, we certainly have our opinions about which ones are best for boar hunting.
Two types of broadheads
First, there are two basic types of broadheads.
Fixed - These broadheads feature non-movable blades. They are fixed and strong, but generally offer a smaller cutting diameter. Strength plays into the discussion because this type of broad head is good at plowing through difficult obstacles like bone. The smaller cutting diameter is a little less forgiving when shot placement isn't perfect.
Expandable - These broadheads allow for a more streamlined sight picture and a different dynamic as the arrow flies through the air. The blades remain folded into the arrow head until they impact something. Upon impact, they deploy. Generally, expandable broad heads offer a larger cutting diameter, but are not as strong and can break easily when encountering bone.
The Top Three Broadheads for Hog Hunting
From what we've seen, and our experience, we recommend a fixed blade broadhead for hog hunting, but we have also seen great success with expandables. You might like something different, but here's our top three choices:
Fixed Blade Muzzy - Pointed point on the end, with three fixed blades. This one has a ¾" Cutting diameter - so shot placement must be precise.
Fixed Blade Stinger - Pointed point on the end with two fixed blades. It has a similar cutting diameter to the Muzzy, but three blades is better than two.
Expandable Mechanical Two-Blade Rage Broadhead - They work well and the cutting diameter makes up for lack of penetration you may see with the expandable. With a 2 ½" diameter, there's a little forgiveness for a shot placement that is just a little off center.
This is our opinion. We'd love to hear yours. Leave a comment below, or connect with us on Instagram, Google, or Facebook to start a conversation.
