As I sit back and think

[Cheif]

As I sit back and think about my first deer season. I realize there is something that I need to focus on now that will prepare for the 2013 season. Better Equipment. I bought a new PSE Stinger in December. Ready to shoot. Now, I am asking TWO QUESTIONS:

1. FIXED BLADE OR EXPANDABLE BROADHEADS
2. WHISKER BISCUIT OR FALL AWAY ARROW RESTS

These are two things are something that I find asking myself what is better for me. Why not ask the experts!!! Any advice that a 2nd year rook may need to know. I know i ask alot of questions on here but hey if you dont ask you dont learn.

CURRENTLY SHOOTING WHISKER BISCUIT-- AND CHEAPO FIXED BLADES, and Carbon Arrows I realize I s.hould not skip over on my broad heads. you get what you pay for.
:001_005:

[Big_Holla]

Several years ago I made a switch from a regular arrow rest to a drop-away. I would never ever go to anything else. The first year alone I saw a dramatic improvement in my groups and at longer distances. The theory of getting that rest out of the way when the arrow is released is the only way to go IMO. As far as broadheads go, you do get what you pay for but then again I know many who have spent a lot on heads and still have crappy accuracy problems, small holes, etc.. The best thing you can do on that is try a few and see how they fly on the range. A head that flies consistently and accurately on every arrow in your quiver will do nothing but increase your confidence in your equipment and yourself when the time comes. Whether it's a fixed blade or mechanical, that's where you will get many opinions. I always was a tried and true fixed blade person. Nothing better than a cut on contact, no worries and a guaranteed hole. That was until I struggled with tuning my bow, getting them to fly consistently. Tried several models and just didn't get that feeling that I could do it every time. So, a couple years ago I switched to a mechanical after reading all kinds of reviews and getting people's opinions. Accuracy improved tremendously and so did my confidence. I have shot a few deer with them now and, even though I put a poor shot on my biggest buck as I touched the trigger before I had the pin where I wanted, I have a lot of confidence still in their killing ability. Yeah I do have some concerns now and then but it's always good to review how things have gone and what you can do to upgrade and make better. Always be open to change, after all...that's what your post is about and that is great!!

[Griz]

I second Big-Holla on the drop away rest. Its the only way you will shoot tight groups. The broadhead is another thing. I shot fixed blades for almost 40yrs. I changed to a mechanical a few yrs ago. I have mixed amotions. The positive is a big hole with lots of damage. Could make a marginal shot work. The negative is if it opens, stays open, doesn't break. Also my biggest concern is penatration. I do not have pass threws like I did with a fixed blade. At this time I am still shooting a mechanical. If you look back at old post you can get so many different opinions. Go with what makes you feel confident. My two cents.

[Seeker Bp]

OK, never hurts to ask questions on here for sure! I am just now starting to get into shooting my new Elite. I still have not got complete confidence in my setup. I shoot a whisker biscuit, and Fixed blades....(Magnus Stingers) I am very seriously considering going to a drop away rest since they are designing them more for arrow containment...never liked the idea that it could fall off the rest if turning the bow to get to the other side of the tree. I do believe that the whisker biscuit adds more drag, and could make contact with the flights and cause tailing off in the arrow. As far as Broadheads, you would be hard pressed to get me to change from the Magnus Stingers....Have been using them for years with great success. Shot placement is more key to me! Penetration has never been an issue. I have several buddys who use mechanicals with great success, so its all about your preferance, and what flies off your bow the best.....tune tune tune!! Thats what I like about Bowhunting, there is always room for improvement, and the products keep getting better and better. I am also finding that arrows can make a big differance also......Good luck next season Cheif!!

[mrbb]

well I might be the odd man here
but if your shooting well with a WB rest, getting good groups and all,
I see NO reason to change a set up to a drop away rest
I am NOT bashing drop away rest
BUT anything with more and Moving parts has a more likely hood of a failure, and I did shoot a drop away rest for 10+ yrs, before having to switch to a x bow for a back injury!
not saying a fixed rest cannot move.but its laws of odds, less parts, less chance to have one move
I do NOT watch many tv hunting shows, but in the few I have , I have seen some hunters claim, and I say CLAIM< that there rest moved/failed and all were drop aways, only said this after a miss shot, so thats why I say CLAIM the rest to be the issue!

next as for broadhead
well indians killed buffalo with rocks for heads
shot placement will always be key, don't get caught up in the having to have name brand heads media hype
if your broadheads fly to where you are aiming, and the blades are kept SHARP, what you shoot will kill a deer if you place it right
NO broadhead will ever make up for a bad placed hit on a deer, you have to cut/hit a main vital, be it a lung,heart or artery
thats how cutting kills an animal
no arrow to date without an explosive head will cause the trama a bullet will
to me the most important thing to worry about in the off season is making sure your bow is in tune, stays in tune, your arrows both target heads and braodheads fly to where your aiming
and from there its learning GOOD shooting form, and practice practice practice
kep good form, and a well in tune set up bow and your good to go

[Nis]

I've used a whisker biscuit for the last 5 years and its a great rest but when it's still and quiet and you make a draw on a deer, it's gonna hear you 10 out of 10 times. I got a fall away for Christmas and love it. I use rage broadheads and love them but you can't go wrong with anything from NAP either.

[00buck]

well i also shoot a whisker biscuit and 2 years ago i hunted in the rain that turned to snow and had ice build up on it changing to drop away this year and i like to shoot rage 2 blade havent killed anything with the new chisel tip yet but shot placement is very important dont rush the shot and lots of practice

[mrbb]

well I personally think if your in the rain that turns to ice, all things are going to not work as well, from as simple as added weight to the arrow shaft, to well moving parts can freeze, so? not sure a drop away is any better than a fixed in freezing rain to ice??
same as in heavy snow
I have hunted over the yrs and had arows freeze to the rest in me, as well as the nick to the string?
weather can sure play a roll in archery gear I think
and lets not forget about mechanical heads, I am sure there very prone to possibly not opeing if they freeze as well so?? something to think about I guess in bad weather??

[rednecklb69]

I had a drop away freeze up on me the last day of season this year and cost me a buck at 30 yards. I now have a whisker on my bow.

[ManOfTheFall]

I was introduced to archery season with a crossbow. I hunted with a crossbow for 17 years and loved it. I heard so much about the compound and took some flack from a few of my buddies so I eventually broke down and tried out the compound this past season. I did manage to take out 3 does this past season but for the first time in many years I did not tag a buck. Both weapons have thier own set of difficulties and also things that made things easier. I will say on the one day this past season that I hade an opportunity on a giant non-typical I could not pull the shot off with my compound but if I had the crossbow I would have had an easy 8 yard broadside shot. But, I made the vow to stick with the compound the entire season and I loved it. Probably even better than the crossbow even though I blew the one opportunity I had at a monster this past fall. I will definitely be sticking with the compound this next season again and as long as my body is able to do it. With that said my first year I felt more comfortable with the WB and I liked it. I may eventually go with the drop away though as I become more seasoned with the compound. As far as heads go I used Thunderheads for many seasons and liked them alot. I made the switch to Rage's when they came out and don't ever see myself going with any other broadhead than The Rage!!!!! Good luck in your future endeavors.

[blackbeard]

Fixed and drop away. Easy answers. Why do you want to add another piece of equipment to your setup which has the potential to fail because of mechanics (expandable broadheads). And before someone says I'm contradicting myself, I've never had my trophy ridge drop-away rest not drop away, but I guess it can happen after reading Redneck's post. I just think less contact between your arrow and your rest has got to be best accuracy wise, and more forgiving.

[rednecklb69]

They say when ever your hunting in extreme cold for bison and such, the tv guys all use whiskers because they cant freeze.

[Cheif]

Guys i bought some easton flatliner arrows and n.a.p. drop away rest. and i see a huge improvement in accuracy. I am shooting groups that are literally inches apart. very excited for some 3d shoots. thanks for all the advice. its made a world of difference for me.

[PlayTheWindMike]

1. IMO fixed blades can never fail you. Mech blades have failed me. I went back to fixed.

[Big_Holla]

Guys i bought some easton flatliner arrows and n.a.p. drop away rest. and i see a huge improvement in accuracy. I am shooting groups that are literally inches apart. very excited for some 3d shoots. thanks for all the advice. its made a world of difference for me.

That's great to hear Cheif!! The arrows also have something to do with it too as I've hear good things about those! Let us know what you decide on for your broadhead!!