Colorado Archery Elk Hunting - Broadheads for Elk

Working in the outfitting industry for a number of years, I have seen various questions resurface over and over again. One question that comes up more often than any other regarding archery hunting elk is, "What type of broadhead do you recommend"? Below is my typical response: 

 

"Since you asked for my preference, I’ll be honest and tell you that I much prefer fixed blade over mechanicals for elk. I am ok with mechanicals for smaller game (like white-tail, mule deer, pronghorn, etc.). I know of a few western big game hunters that use mechanicals for elk successfully, but my experience with the majority, is that they do not prefer them either. I have personally seen and heard first hand stories of them failing to get the job done on elk or failing to function as they ought. It’s not that I think they can’t work in the the perfect scenario, but that is exactly my point. Rarely do scenarios in the rocky mountains, hunting elk, lend themselves to perfection. A fixed broadhead can get the job done, even when the circumstance does not play out perfectly. I won't tell you that you that you can’t use them, I can only advise you not to." 

 

Again, I am not going to say that they will not work... I am only going to say that I prefer that, myself and our clients use fixed blades. 

 

As for recommendations on which fixed blade head to use, I have a few suggestions. There are many good ones out there, and some fly better than others depending on your personal archery equipment setup and how well tuned your bow is. I have been using the QAD Exodus and NAP HellRazor broadheads for several years and have had great success with them. The HellRazor's are similar to the G5 Montec, but with a slightly larger cutting diameter on the 100 grain heads. I would say that if you get the Montec broadheads, you should use the 125 grain version. Actually, consider 125 grain with anything you use. As I stated, I am using 100 grain heads, and you can too, although, you should make sure that your total arrow weight is a minimum of 450 grains. Some other popular choices among the proponents of fixed blades for elk are; Muzzys, Slick Trick Magnums, G5 Strikers and Magnus Stingers. 

 

There is one huge caveat to this whole dialogue... regardless of what broadhead you are using, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING is shot placement!