hand holding antlers

Scent control in deer hunting | How to hunt the wind so you can see and harvest more deer

So, what’s the big deal with deer hunting and all this “upwind” and “downwind” talk?

Every year hunters make mistakes by not paying attention to wind direction. You can have all the deer in the world on your property. You can have all the “best” and most expensive hunting gear.

whitetail buck standing in field

When it comes to harvesting mature whitetails, you had better be on your A-game when it comes to scent control and wind direction.

But, if you don’t pay attention to wind direction, you will be severely limiting your chances of harvesting a whitetail.

So, let’s learn how to hunt the wind, so that you can give yourself the best chance for hunting success while in the field.

Wind direction doesn’t really matter when hunting whitetail deer… does it?

You’ve probably heard stories of the hunter who rolls out of bed, goes through the local breakfast joint drive-through and gets a greasy sausage biscuit and drives to the hunting land.

Then, gets out of the truck, rides his/her 4-wheeler straight to the bottom of the tree they plan to hunt, ascend, light up a cigarette and shoot the biggest buck of their life.

6-point buck

Don’t just think about where the wind is right for you to hunt… think about where the wind is right for a buck, and then figure out how you can get in and out of that area to hunt him without him knowing.

Then, when the subject of scent control and wind direction in deer hunting comes up, they point to the wall hanger in the den and say something like, “pffffft, I never pay attention to the wind and you can see I’m doing just fine.”

Sure these stories are out there, but don’t be fooled. A mature whitetail didn’t become mature by “throwing caution to the wind.” A whitetail’s nose is its best defense and you are one of the most offensive smells around.

So, if you hope to have sustained success in the deer woods, you need to be serious about scent control. For bowhunters, who typically need to get a close shot to get the kill, it’s even more critical.

Handgun hunting is a thing? YES!

What is “upwind” and “downwind” in hunting?

So, if you’re still reading, you must want to learn about how to hunt the wind in a way that keeps your scent away from a buck’s nose.

When it comes to wind direction, the key is to stay “downwind” of the deer you are hunting. But, what does “downwind” and “upwind” really mean?

How to “hunt the wind”

Being “downwind” of a deer means that if you were looking straight at the deer you hope to shoot, the wind would be blowing in your face. Thus, the wind would be blowing your scent away from the deer.

Conversely, if you were “upwind” of the deer, the wind would carry your scent “downwind” toward the deer (not what you want).

So, you want the deer to be upwind of you, and you want to be downwind of them. Got it?

Let’s take a look at the diagram below, which might help clear things up.

hunting wind direction graphic

In this graphic, the yellow indicates wind direction. If deer are typically in the location indicated in this graphic, a hunter would want to approach the stand location from the “downwind” side of the deer, so they would not be alerted by the hunter’s scent.

It’s not just about being in the stand

So, let’s say you are in the stand (or from the ground) and you’re overlooking a field where you know the deer feed. You are downwind of where you think the deer will eventually be. You are golden, right?

Well, maybe not.

You’re scent doesn’t just matter when you are in the deer stand. It matters well before you even sat down!

EHD in deer: Learn all about it

Entry and exit routes when hunting

One thing deer hunters often ignore is how their entry and exit to and from their deer stand impacts the deer they are hunting.

So, the hunt actually begins before you take one step toward your hunting location.

When you are making your way to your deer stand, the wind is carrying your scent just as it does from the stand.

So, unless you want your hunt to end before it even gets started, you need to be sure that you have thought through the wind direction as it pertains to how you are going to get to your stand.

ladder stand pic

If you are going to use the wind to your advantage, your hunt begins long before you actually sit down in your stand.

This means you need to know where the deer typically are during the time you plan to enter. Are they bedding? Are they feeding? Where are these locations in regard to your entry route?

And it’s the same for your exit route. If your scent gets blown toward the deer when you leave your stand, you have just educated those deer to your location.

So, if you are trying to avoid danger, are you going to continue to go back to where the danger is every day? Well, neither would a deer. They are trying to stay alive and that means avoiding the danger, which in this case, is YOU!

So, be sure you are paying attention to wind direction as it pertains to your entry and exit routes.

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Ever seen a piebald deer? Check this out!

How to fool a deer’s nose… well…

Let’s be clear, you can never truly “fool a deer’s nose.”

But, there are some things you can do to make it harder for them to bust you.

whitetail buck in grass

You can never totally fool a buck’s nose, but you should do everything you can to make things more difficult for him to bust you. (photo by Jeff Coldwell)

Kill that clothing scent

Take a whiff of your laundry detergent. Smells nice, doesn’t it?

Not to a deer.

What might smell great to you could make a deer want to leave the county. So, what can you do about that?

It’s a good idea to wash your clothes in a scent-free detergent. Baking soda is also a good scent “eliminator.” There are lots of these types of scent-killing hunting detergents on the market, so you’ll have no trouble finding them at you local sporting goods store.

So, you think you know compound bows? [interactive diagram here]

Shower, for goodness sake!

Should you shower? For everyone’s sake, YES!

But, when it comes to deer hunting, that sweet smell of typical detergents that we discussed above… you want to avoid that in your shower soap as well.

Be sure to get a good scent-killing soap to use when showering before the hunt. And, don’t be afraid to be generous. You’re after an animal that lives and dies by its nose, so give yourself the best chance possible to NOT STINK!

Pitts are the pitts… don’t ignore them

Once you’re done showering, one more precaution you can take is to use a scent-free/scent-killing deodorant. There are lots of options out there.

Don’t forget to really scour those armpits. That is where a lot of the scent-causing bacteria is going to congregate, so be sure to cover ’em good!

Guns can be sold online, but HERE are the rules…

Sweat the details, but please don’t sweat…

Sweat is your enemy.

When you sweat, odor follows. And, if you’ve been paying attention so far, you know that is not what you want when hunting deer.

So, how can you avoid sweating?

Well, one thing to be careful of is how much clothing you wear when you are walking to and from your stand or hunting location.

But, what if it’s cold outside?

Don’t let THIS happen to you while hunting!
Learn about all the different ways deer use their hooves

Well, of course you want to have hunting clothing that will keep you warm in cold weather, but that doesn’t mean you have to wear all of it while you are walking to and from your stand or hunting location.

Plus, if you sweat on your way to the stand in an attempt to stay warm, you are going to end up being cold anyway when the sweat cools your body down. Nothing like being we in cold weather, right?

Check out this FREE FOC calculator for your hunting arrows

Many hunters are hunting on public land, which can mean a long trek to the final hunting destination. So, if you have a long walk to where you are headed and know you are going to work up a sweat, consider starting out by removing a layer or two. You might be a little bit cold when you start walking, but your body will warm up as you get moving.

Then, once you arrive at your stand or hunting location, you can put the layers back on, so that you will stay warm during the hunt. By doing this, you not only will be warmer, but you’ll avoid much of the odor that sweating causes.

This could be the difference in having hunting success… or getting busted.

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Bowhunting for beginners guide here

Clothe your body with… nothing

No, don’t hunt naked.

But clothe your body with the most “invisible” clothing possible.

This means wearing scent control clothing and using scent killing sprays.

Scent control is a big market in hunting apparel world, and there are a wide variety of options to choose from. So, take advantage of some the products that can help shield human scent.

It’s also a good idea to spray down your clothing, as well as your boots and gear with a scent elimination spray.

“But, isn’t all of this overkill?”

Well, remember, wind direction is the most important scent control tactic you need to pay attention to, but if you can gain any kind of advantage in harvesting a whitetail (especially a mature buck), should you do it?

Use cover scents

The use of covers scents can be helpful in shielding a deer from your scent. There are a variety of cover scents available, such as racoon or fox urine, acorn scent, pine, etc.

Just be sure to native to your area. So, if there are no oak trees in your area and you use an acorn cover scent, this could have the opposite effect you are intending.

A deer may be on high alert when smelling this, since it is not a smell they are used to in that particular area. So, take care in choosing the “right” cover scent.

Want to learn to build your own hunting arrows? Check this out!

Final Thoughts On Scent Control

So, remember, paying attention to the wind direction is paramount in your quest to consistently give yourself a chance to see deer.

Hopefully, when the moment of truth comes, you’ll shoot straight!

Hunt safely and good luck out there!

Check out the video below and learn how to play the wind to your advantage for better whitetail deer hunting success!

(Wind Direction video transcript)

>>Read about all the N1 shirt designs

Find out what deer hunting and playing the lottery have in common. Stick with us for the N1 Outdoors N1 Minute.

Suppose I knew the five winging numbers to the lottery and all you had to do was guess the order they go into to win. How many of you would refuse that information and instead, decide to guess the numbers yourself and the order they go in?

Hopefully none of you, but that’s exactly what many deer hunters do every season by not paying attention to the wind.

Wind direction is critical in deer hunting

All the scouting and trail can picture is in the world won’t make up for poor planning when it comes to wind direction.

For you bow hunters out there, it’s even more critical. Always be aware of which way the wind is blowing, not only in regards to stand location, but also in relation to the entry and exit routes to and from your stand or hunting location. The last thing you want is for your hunt to end with deer blowing before it even gets started.

Stay downwind of the deer in all situations. For those of you not familiar with the terms “upwind” and “downwind,” an easy way to remember, is to be sure the wind is in your face when approaching and hunting your favorite trail or location.

Paying careful attention to wind direction certainly won’t help you win the lottery, but when combined with effective scouting, planning and accuracy, it will increase your chances of seeing and taking more deer.

We hope you have a great week and remember… “where the moments happen, we’ll meet you there.” We’ll see you next time.

traditional archery arrows and quiver

The History Of Archery | A Look Into The Past That Led To Today’s Popular Sport

Have you ever watched those movies where they shoot arrows with a bow and wished that you could shoot them too?

Archery is indeed fascinating and remains one of the oldest arts still practiced today. In fact, archery is now one of the famous Olympic sports and is even a sport in the Summer Paralympic games.

So, just how did archery come about? And, when was is invented?

Archery was mainly used for hunting and warfare in the past, but is mainly a recreational activity now. If you have been longing to know more about archery, keep reading!

We will cover the history of archery, archery equipment, famous historical archers and even how you can get started in the sport of archery.

History Of Archery

The evolution of archery dates back to the beginning of mankind’s history as studies have found evidence of ancient archers around the world.

Ancient Egyptians are known to have regularly used bows and arrows for hunting and warfare around 3000 BC.

history of archery recurve arrow pic

Egyptians used bows and arrows, possibly as early as 5000 BC.

Also, in China, archery has been traced back to the time of the Shang Dynasty in 1766-1027 BC, when a war chariot carried an archer, a lancer, a driver and a three-man team.

So, what exactly is archery?

According to Oxford Living Dictionaries, archery is the sport of shooting with a bow and arrows.

An arrow speed calculator! What?

Merriam Webster defines it as the art, practice, or skill of shooting with a bow and arrow.

Someone who participates in archery is called an archer or a bowman. Anyone fond of archery or who is an expert at it is called a toxophilite.

Today, some still use archery for hunting wild game (known as bow hunting) and bow fishing has also grown in popularity. Archery is now rarely used for defense, except in leisure pursuits such as archery tag.

Who Invented The Bow And Arrow?

You might be wondering… who invented the bow and arrow and when were the bow and arrow invented? Well, we don’t know for sure who invented archery, but it’s believed that Egyptians may have used bows and arrows as early as 5000 BC.

When a skilled archer takes charge of a bow and arrow, the result can be effective and deadly. Thus, ancient bows and arrows out-classed other weapons, such as swords, that were available in the olden day.

The ability to shoot an arrow from a distance gave archers an advantage in battle over those bearing swords.

History Of The Ancient Bow And Arrow

You can’t really talk about the history of archery without examining the history of the bow and arrow. In the ancient times, the major weapons were:

• The axe, sword and mace for short range
• The spear and javelin for medium range
• The bow and sling for long range

A Bow had two basic parts, including the string and the body, made of pliable and tough wood. The archer would the wooden part of the bow (grip) at the center when ready to shoot.

When the simple bow was made, it had only one convex arc so it didn’t exploit the maximum pliability of the wood. So, the double-convex bow was invented to provide a greater range and tension.

Learn about arrow spine by reading THIS.

The composite bow was later invented for warfare purposes, as it was made of four materials including wood, glue, animal sinews & tendons and sections of animal horn.

The wooden part of the bow was made from different trees with different pliability and the back of the bow was covered with sinews bands.

The belly of the bow was also reinforced with two sections of animal horn. The composite bow had a range of 300 to 400 yards.

Today there are many types of bows, including flatbows, longbows, recurve bows, cable-backed bows and compound bows.

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What About The Arrow?

Arrows were also made of three parts, including the tail, body and the arrowhead. The tail was designed to ensure the arrow stayed on course in a straight and smooth flight, which was why it was made of feathers of sea-fowl, kite, vulture or eagles. These feathers, or “fletchings,” are now sometimes substituted as plastic “vanes.”

The body of the arrow was also hard, light, straight, long and thin to ensure maximum speed. The arrowhead was the hardest part, made of metal, flint or bone.

Arrow fletchings help the arrows fly straight and smooth.

Arrowheads could be either triangular or leaf-shaped, flat or with central rib or spine. In ancient times, the form of an arrowhead was based on the nature of the armour of the enemy that needed to be penetrated.

Today, arrows are made of fiberglass, composite materials, aluminum, wood and bamboo.

The Oldest Bow Ever Found

So how old is the oldest bow?

The oldest bows were found in Holmegard swamp in Denmark. Some date the series of bows found in the bog between 20,000-9,500 BC. The municipality called Holmegard is no longer in existence as of 2007, because it has been merged with other municipalities to form the Naestved municipality.

The first bows ever used were made of wood and stone or wooden arrowheads. In 3300 BC, the arrowhead was changed to bronze which could be shaped and sharpened with ease.

Development And Evolution Of Archery

Chinese introduced archery to Japan in the 6th century and it had a great influence on later techniques and etiquette. One of the Japanese martial arts was originally known as kyujutsu, meaning the “art of the bow.” But, now it’s called kyudo, which means ‘the way of the bow.”

Presently, modern kyudo is mainly practiced as the method of moral, physical and spiritual development. With kyudo, the archer has to perform a certain ritual movement before moving to the shooting line and shoots from a distance of 28 meters.

During Greco-Roman times, the bow was mainly used for hunting or personal exploits, rather than for warfare.

The superiority of Middle East technique and equipment continued for centuries. In 1200 BC, the iron age paved way for arrowheads to be made from iron, which allows for a deadlier shot and better armour penetration.

Archery was used for hunting, but Koreans, Indians, Parthians, Persians, Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Japanese and Chinese used it in their armies.

man shooting longbow

Early longbows, similar to this one, were used in war but were later rendered obsolete in battle due to the invention of firearms.

The English longbow was made from yew wood in 1337 and used during the Hundred Years War because of its ability to outreach the enemy bows.

Although the English longbows were effective, the Turkish and Asian bows were more efficient and far better than an English yew bow.

Later, firearms were developed and rendered bows obsolete, causing the use of bow to decline until the 18th century, when archery was revived as a sport. Since that time, there have been several big tournaments.

In the 1900 Paris Olympics, archery was included. Professional engineers started developing new types of bows in the 1920’s, including the modern compound bow and recurve, which are currently the most popular forms of the bow in the Western hemisphere.

History Of Archery In North America

Although bows and arrows were already in existence when Central Asian peoples crossed over to North America, the people didn’t seem to know about them. It’s believed that Native Americans did not begin the practice of archery until about 500 AD.

It’s believed that once they discovered the bow and arrow, that it became the preferred weapon of choice, because it took less raw materials to make than spears.

Indian tribes, such as the Cherokee Indians, used the bow and arrow to hunt for animals. They would bowhunt for fox , turkey, rabbits, elk, bear and deer. Deer were especially useful, as they provided materials for clothing and tents, as well as for food.

Indians used deer antlers to make weapons like spears, arrow heads, fish hooks, needles and other useful tools.

history of archery native american

Native Americans apparently did not begin using bows and arrows until about 500 A.D.

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12/21/2024 09:37 pm GMT

Archery In Mythology

If you’ve watched Chinese, Korean and Japanese movies, you will understand how popular archery is. Robin Hood is another modern movie where archery was made popular.

And, if you’ve read Odysseus in Book 21 of the Odyssey, where Odysseus was mentioned as being skilled in archery, you will see that the history of archery is a rich one.

Due to the use of the bow and arrow for warfare and survival, many heroes and gods are still depicted as using bows and arrows. Some of these mythological figures and folk heroes include:

• Abhimanyu
• Kama (son of Radha)
• Cupid
• Artemis and Apollo
• Hayk and Marduk
• Heracles
• Shiva
• Rama
• Arjune
• Robin Hood
• Wilhelm Tell (William Tell)

traditional archer in camo pulling back a bow

Although bow technology has come a long way over the years, many still enjoy shooting and hunting with “traditional” bows like this recurve.

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12/22/2024 12:58 am GMT

How was archery developed into a sport?

During the time of King Henry VIII, archery was developed into a sport in England. At that time, men younger than sixty were asked to practice shooting with arrow and bow. From that time, people started competing with one another during festivals.

In 1900, archery was included in the Olympic Games and was among the first sports in which women were allowed to participate.

During the 1920 Olympics, archery was included, but afterward dropped because of lack of consistent international rules and lack of interest.

girl shooting an archery bow

The sport of archery was included in the Olympic Games in 1900, one of the first sports in which women were allowed to compete.

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When people again started showing interest in archery in 1931, an international governing body called the Fédération Internationale de Tir à l’Arc (FITA) was formed to establish rules accepted around the world. But, that did not convince Olympic organizers to include archery again in the Olympic program until the 1972 Olympic Games in Germany. (FITA is now know as the World Archery Association.)

When the archery was added again to the Olympic Games, each archer was asked to use bows made of wood and covered in graphite. Their arrowheads were made of aluminum, with strings made of Kevlar or hydrocarbon.

Athletes were asked to use protective equipment like shooting gloves and arm guards to protect their forearms and hands.

Modern Day Archery

Unlike in the olden days when archery was mainly used for defense and war, modern day archery is practiced in different forms with different types of bows.

We now have disciplined martial artists, recreational archers, world championships, record-breaking distance attempts and Olympic level competitions. Although people still use archery for hunting game and for bowfishing, it is rarely used for war and defense.

Everything about archery in the modern setting is leisure pursuit and anybody can learn archery and become an archer.

>> Check out some of our N1 Outdoors brand archery and bowhunting videos which include aiming tips and bow maintenance.

Protective Equipment

Most archers wear an arm-guard, called a bracer, to protect the inside of the arm that holds the bow. It’s not that the bracer braces the arm; the word was formed from “brassard”, which means an armoured badge or sleeve.

Some archers (females especially) wear plastrons or chest guards on their chest for protection.

history of archery arm guard

A “bracer” is an arm guard to protect the inside of the arm when shooting a bow.

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12/22/2024 01:24 am GMT

Fascinating Facts About Archery

Archery has come a long way and since it is now mainly used for the recreational purpose, here are some interesting facts about archery:

1. Archery is one of the safest sports

Archery is considered to be one of the oldest sports in the world. With just one injury out of 2,000 participants, the National Safety Council has deemed archery as three times safer than golf. In fact, USA Archery claims the sport is safer than bowling. This means archery is fun and safe for everyone and you can try it too!

2. Archery is the national sport of the Kingdom of Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan has made archery their national sport. Almost every village has an archery range. That is how popular archery is in the Kingdom of Bhutan.

3. An archer is also called toxophilite

Although the word sounds funny, it is legitimate. The word “Toxophilite” originates from Greek “toxon” meaning bow and arrow and Greek “philos” meaning loving. So you are also a toxophilite if you are an archer!

4. King Henry V was a toxophilite

In 1421, King Henry V of England ordered 500,000 arrows for his army and the arrows were kept in the Tower of London where the king’s arrow keeper watched over it.

5. Archery was the first Olympic game that allowed women to compete

In the past, women are not allowed to participate in the Olympic Games but archery changed that. Archery allowed female competitors in the Olympic Games in 1904. Now, you can’t talk about the Olympic Games without mentioning female archers like Khatuna Lorig and Mackenzie Brown.

6. Monarchs in Britain have banned golf, bowls and football for archery

In Britain, various monarchs have banned golf, bowls and football because men refused to practice archery because of these sports. In fact, during King Henry VIII’s reign, he ordered every man in the country to practice archery after church on Sundays! So, England was the first country to organize archery competitions in the 1500s.

If you have watched movies like The Lord of the Rings, Robin Hood, Rambo, The Hunger Games, Brave and some of the Korean and Japanese movies, you would understand why a many people around the world want to become archers.

How archery can benefit you

You may be asking; is archery really that important? Does it offer any benefit? Well, archery offers both physical and mental benefits. It doesn’t offer these benefits to only adults; children can learn al lot from archery as well.

1. Exercise

The act of drawing a bow is an exercise and can help you burn calories, as well as build up certain muscle groups. So, if you are looking to stay fit, archery can be a good form of exercise.

woman shooting a compound bow

Archery is a great form of exercise that helps provide upper body strength, confidence, relaxation and coordination.

2. Upper body strength

When you draw the bowstring, your shoulder, arms, hands, back and chest are involved. So drawing a bow can help you stabilize your leg muscles and core muscles for balance.

3. Confidence

When you are successful in a competitive archery, you can gain self-esteem and confidence. Winning a competition and boosting your confidence can help you in other aspects of your life.

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4. Relaxation

Merely seeing your arrow fly and hit the target can give you a relaxing and satisfying experience.

5. Hand-eye coordination

With archery, you can gain hand-eye coordination. When you practice standing correctly, nocking an arrow, drawing your bow, setting up your shot and releasing the arrow, you are sure to gain hand-eye coordination. If you are consistent in practicing archery, you will increase your coordination.

6. Focus

To achieve a good shot, you need to be precise, account for variables including power, distance and wind. Because you are required to be focused when shooting an arrow, it can also help your focus in other aspects of your life.

7. It is a cool sport

Archers are usually portrayed by Hollywood as heroes because that is how people view old and modern legends like Robin Hood and Katniss Everdeen. Archery is also considered one of the safest, if not the safest sport in the world.

8. Friendship

Archery is a great pastime to take part in with friends. Whether you are target shooting or hunting with a bow, archery gives you a chance to connect to like-minded individuals.

9. Patience

Being successful at archery requires patience and dedication. So, if you are looking for a lesson in patience, this is the right sport for you!

10. It is open to all

Whether you are able-bodied or disabled, this sport can be taken part in by anyone. Even the blind can use special equipment to enjoy this sport. Archery is for everyone, whether young, old, male or female.

Want to learn to build your own arrows? Check this out!

How to get started in archery

Maybe you’ve seen others shooting a bow and arrow, or you’ve watched movies that feature archery and now you’re wondering how you too can get started. It is easy.

Whether you want to shoot arrows for fun, or learn to become an archery competitor, there is a place for you in the sport of archery.

history of archery kid archer

Archery is a great sport for youth, but there are several factors to consider when choosing a starter bow package.

Archery at its core is fun, addictive and challenging. And, with the many benefits it offers, you are sure to love it. The most important disciplines you need in archery are field, target and 3D.

You can easily find an organization that offers classes in each of the disciplines. And who knows, with practice and dedication, you might even be offered a chance to compete in competitions including national and international competitions!

After figuring out the aspect of archery you like, you need to consider the type of bow you would like to use.

Learn how to nock tune hunting arrows

The best bows for beginners

As a beginner in the sport of archery, choosing the right bow can be a difficult task but don’t worry, here are what define a beginner bow:

• Low maintenance
• Smooth drawing
• Affordable
• Easily adjustable
• Available in a ready to shoot package

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12/22/2024 01:50 am GMT

If you are interested in bowhunting, you can get information on different types and reviews of popular fixed blade as well as expandable broadheads.

You can start today

If you’d really love to become an archer or bowhunter, you can start today! N1 Outdoors was founded by three friends that love the sport of bowhunting, so archery is near and dear to our hearts!

We love providing archery tips, helpful information on bow hunting topics, such as good broadhead selection, and apparel that reflects our love of archery. 

innerloc carnage broadhead

Innerloc Carnage Mechanical Broadheads | Greatness or Gimmick?

I have to hand it to Innerloc Broadheads. The Carnage mechanical head definitely a cool and innovative-looking head.

I had been wanting to test these for awhile to see if the innovation translated to stellar performance.

So, let’s take a closer look at these heads.

As always, in this testing, I used my Bowtech SR6 set at 72 pounds, 27-inch draw, and a 460-grain Bishop FOC King Arrow.

Innerloc Carnage Broadheads Up Close

Now, the interesting thing about these heads is the way the blades stay together in the closed position. They don’t use an O-ring (i.e. the Afflictor Hybrids). They don’t use a retention clip. So, how do they keep the blades closed until deployment?

They use a sticker.

What?

That’s right. A sticker.

I have to say, it’s creative and different. Not only that, but they have a variety of stickers to choose from. They even have a program on their website where you can design and personalize your own sticker.

innerloc carnage broadheads and sticker
The Innerloc Carnage expandable broadheads use stickers to hold the blades closed.

When it’s in the closed position, the Carnage has nothing exposed. That’s going to fly extremely well. I don’t test mechanical heads for flight because they all fly really well. But for this, I imagine it’s going to fly extremely well. I’d say that’s probably going to be its greatest super power is its flight, in addition to its cut size.

innerloc carnage expandable broadhead with sticker applied
If you’re feeling really patriotic then you can go with this one. And what you do is you just wrap it around the blades. I will say, it’s not super easy, but it’s not rocket science either. Now, you’re ready for the 4th of July.
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innerloc carnage in fully open position
Here, we get a good look at the Carnage in a fully open position. The cutting diameter is 1-½ inches, which makes a really nice cut for a 3-blade head. The blades themselves are 0.040 inch thick, so they are thicker than most mechanical blades.
cutting diameter of carnage broadhead
The Carnage has a 1-1/2″ cutting diameter, which is very good.
innerloc carnage in closed position
In the closed position, the blades tuck under like this. Then, with pressure on the tip, the blades are forced back.
innerloc carnage rear deploying
You can see how the blades come out from the back. And so, I would imagine they’re going to fully open upon impact, and you’re going to get that full 1-1/2″of cutting diameter. It’s going to stay that way all the way through, as long as there’s pressure on this little plunger tip.

Now, its durability and its penetration, I wasn’t really sure about. So, I was eager to put this head to the test and see how it performs.

Innerloc Carnage 100 Grain Expandable Broadhead for Crossbows
Innerloc Carnage 100 Grain Expandable Broadhead for Crossbows
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12/22/2024 01:53 am GMT
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Edge Retention Testing

In the edge retention test I push paper down on the blades of the broadhead after every two strokes of the edge of an Easton Hexx Shaft. This tests how well the blade holds its edge.

easton hexx shaft arrow on blade of innerloc carnage
I ran the shaft of an Easton Hexx shaft across the blade for two strokes and then test. I will do process up to five times.
cutting paper on blades of innerloc carnage
The Carnage was still able to cut paper after 10 strokes of the arrow.

Penetration testing

For the penetration test, I shout the Carnage head into ballistic gel that was fronted with a rubber mat and 1/2″ MDF board.

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Cardboard penetration test

In the cardboard penetration test, I shot the Carnage into layered cardboard to see how many layers it could penetrate.

innerloc carnage after cardboard penetration test
The Carnage penetrated through 40 layers. And I might add, you notice how the blades set way back so that point, it’s like a nail, actually is what penetrated through the last several layers. But it did penetrate through the 40th layer.
THIS one is a “Tuffhead”

Ballistic gel test

innerloc carnage penetrating ballistic gel
The Carnage penetrated 7 inches.
rubber mat entrance hole of carnage broadhead
Here, you can see the entrance cut into the rubber mat that fronted the MDF and ballistic gel. Man, it did really well. Those blades perfectly opened and fully deployed upon impact. And you can also see the sticker that came apart there as it impacted.
innerloc carnage broadhead after going through ballistic gel and mdf
Upon further investigation, the Carnage broadhead after going through ballistic gel and mdf was missing one of the blades. It’s rare that a broadhead loses a blade just in this one layer of MDF, but that is exactly what happened. There are only two blades. And it’s not in the gel. You can see the gel only has two blades cut into it. I found it behind the rubber mat layer. It broke off at the pin that holds the blade in place.

Because the Carnage lost a blade, I never even got to where I tested it by shooting it into MDF (up to 5 times).

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Final thoughts on the Innerloc Carnage

So, what do you think of the Innerloc Carnage?

I will say, I thought it was pretty gimmicky at first, but it definitely has some strengths, such as its super low profile in flight, which makes it forgiving, its large cut, and its easy-open rear deploying blades.

But, it also has some weaknesses.

I question how well it’s going to do on angled shots because it has such a wide flared tip without anything to really grab upon.

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But, the biggest weakness is its durability. You saw what it did in the 1/2-inch of MDF when it lost a blade. I did the test again, just to be sure… this time it lost two blades. There’s just an inherent flaw in that pin that holds the blades together. It just seems to be breaking in some way.

So, I know a number of people have used these heads and hey, more power to you if you really like them.

But, I’ll tell you this, the Carnage is not going to make it in my quiver. But, check out the scores below and see what you think and see how it did in the areas that matter most to you.

Best of luck in your hunting adventures!

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innerloc carnage testing scorecard
Here is the final score card for the Innerloc Carnage broadhead.
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