ARROWS vs BRUSH!! (BOWHUNTING Experiment) 

I never dreamed the arrow would travel as well as they did through any of the obstructions. I figured (my luck) if the arrow skimmed a mosquito, the arrow would deflect straight up and end up hitting a kitten at a homeless shelter 😂

I don't know why yall get so much hate just cause yall don't pretend that hunting is easy and use what's trending you give real advice thanks for the great content.

Why take a shot through any vegetation at all ? Having said that , The Hunting Public is as candid as it gets !

I’m glad y’all did this. I’ve been meaning to for years. In 2019 I shot a buck at 12 yards broadside, and there was a dead twig (half the diameter of my pinky) within arms reach, but outside my field of view. I realized afterwards my pins & sight housing was 3.5” higher than my arrow... The dead twig was never in my view After the shot, I never saw my lighted nock. I ended up hitting the buck in the back ham, resulting in an intestine/leg shot. Tracked the buck 3.5 miles with 2 different blood dogs. Broadhead was a slick trick Magnum.

I don’t know about arrows, but I do know about bullets. Brush, no matter how big small or thick or thin. Devastating. I would think arrows would be even more so. ?? Interesting topic. 👍👍

Aaron made a really good point about trajectory impacting penetration. Be nice to compare ballistic gel penetration between a clean flight arrow and an obstructed arrow. Also add some expandables with different deployment styles. I seen some crazy deflections in those forward swept blades that have to swing open, like Grim Reapers, rather than be pushed open like the Rages. Either way, great content. Thanks for the info.

Great information

I noticed the Fairys arrow, started to pull itself back straight before hitting the target!

love the realness

I’ve been doing this kind of testing with my setup too. 33ish % foc @ 720gr rf single bevel. Seeing very little difference till start in to the heavier drier stems. Keep up the good work

Great video! I’m sure there are some couch pirates in here voicing their opinions. Y’all are out there getting data and results. Enough said!!

Good content as always boys

Curious... If you put the target out another ten to twenty yards.. At what distance does the fletching stabilize the arrow flight? Not a shot I'd take lol just curious

Last season I had a doe come in to about five yards and I was 12 feet high in my saddle. When I shot, my arrow hit the dirt right behind her (she trotted off to 20 yards where I ended up killing her). Afterward, I went back to look at my original shot and a small branch was hanging down right between the doe and me that I never even saw. That small branch deflected my arrow four feet off it's target.

in my shooting range almost every target are placed in the dirt, and i used to be worry about shooting through brush and shrubs, but now after many and many shot i don't worry anymore also at long range a 500gr hunting arrow almost do not get affect in the flight, my favourite shot is a 85 yard ibex through thick dirt and i don't even bother anymore, the arrow cut all branches which it bumps into and hit the target right where i aim, that's quite funny because whit a .308 i have to be care to not shot into the dirt, neighter into the lightest one or the bullet snap away from the target

I watched this video in utter amazement. Please re-take Hunters Education. Those animal clips are absolutely NO SHOOT scenarios. Unless you have a clear shot don't take it. Grass, weeds, twigs, animal position, so much wrong. We have a responsibility to the animal for a clean shot and kill. With no solid preface to this video a viewer comes away with, "Oh yeah, an arrow through certain media will do just fine." Wrong, you risk non-fatal wounds and suffering animals. We as hunters can do better.

Really difficult to do, but it would be awesome to have a chronograph on one side to see how much FPS the arrow loses too vs no brush. It is our job when hunting to put the animal down as humanly as possible so this is great info to know may the situation arise. Thanks guys!

My interest is definitely been peaked on wether a heavy arrow corrects faster than a lighter arrow

There is a silver lining with traditional equipment. I think Fred Bear made mention of this years ago. There are some hunting situations where lobbing an arrow is an advantage over a flat shooting arrow. I was looking at a deer across a weedy field at about 30 yards with sporadic weeds 3 to 5 feet tall. I did not take the shot because of so many weeds between me and the deer's vitals. As I was driving home, it dawned on me that I could have taken the shot because at that distance my arrow drops 24 inches and most of the arrow path arc would have been ABOVE the weeds until it almost arrived at the deer's location. Granted, 30 yards is a long shot for traditional equipment, but weeds may have not been the reason for passing on the shot.

In conclusion: don’t shoot the “woody stuff”

Very useful information. I definitely agree a follow up video with different platforms and weights in mind would be incredible to see. Keep up the great work THP!

I'm curious to know if longer arrows or shorter arrows make a difference. Does my 27" draw friend have an easier or harder time with shooting through things than I do with me 33.5" draw?

Do heavier arrows correct better than lighter arrows? I think you have another test to try.

Great job on the arrow deflection results but now I would like to see this done with the brush closer to the target. I noticed on some of your thicker brush the arrow would kick out but then stabilize before it hit the target and you hit your mark. I'm thinking with the thick brush closer to the target you are going to get some really bad angles and off target results. Keep up the great work you all do!!!

The RF comment near the end is exactly what i was thinking.. the part 2 with different platforms. My mind was thinking compare a 550, 650, 750 platform w/ high FOC to "standard" arrows, standard inserts, 100 gr heads. TAW i hear as common is between 420-480 with 440 and 480 heard the most from a variety of videos I've watched over the last few years since my RF rabbit hole opened.

Been watching THP since the beginning and the only thing that bothered me was the shots you keep taking through brush, first and foremost all hunting is about making the most ethical shot for faster recovery, the animals deserve that much out of us and shooting through brush…no matter what kind.. just isn’t using good hunting ethics, those tests don’t show you what’s between you and the animal in real hunting situations, bottom line.. just don’t do it…. The other point I’m trying to get across is that the more you show it the more others will try it which in turn leads to more wounded animals

Would love to see more practical/scenario-based testing like this #trustthewhitecoats

I’ve had a single stalk of wheat deflect my arrow. Clear as day hit the stalk and instantly veered right. But. At the time. I was using twister broad heads.

I would be interested in seeing a crossbow thrown into the mix. I know you guys don't crossbow hunt or have anyone on the THP team who does but for those of us that do it'd be useful info!

Keep up the good work guys! Love watching your videos. 11 more weeks till deer season here!

About 25 years ago I was hunting elk and we were using aluminum shafts with 125 grain fixed blade. The shafts were on the light side because we wanted more speed. The elk was 13 yards away and slightly up hill. As I shot I did not see a very small branch. The arrow hit the branch deflected it down and under the elk. The bad thing that happened next is the elk stepped on the arrow bending it. Elk survived the arrow did not.

I used heavy double bevel set up last fall and one of the deer I shot I hit a branch before the deer causing it to have that back end kick out. It actually still went through the deer completely. But… it went in where I aimed by shoulder and went out the belly closer to the back side. It ended up going in the angle it kicked out. Not ideal but I did get 1 lung and it got the guts. I did recover the deer after some tracking.

You guys beat us to this idea! We wanted to do the same testing on our channel. Great video showcasing arrow flight. We wanted to do a future video showcasing different penetration after going through the brush. Maybe it’s something you guys could help us out with or make a collaborative effort! Keep up the great content.

Back in the day. I used 2019. 25 inch. With over draw. Know that's old. But i was able to shoot thru scrub Oaks all the time. My buddy's was not able to with the 21 and 23. Thickness of shafts that would bend and deflect all the time

Could you run the same test with a target that measures kinetic impact? It would be cool to see how the grass effects it.

Fellows, love your channel great advice as always but on this I want to suggest you more carefully consider laws of motion (energy) and how a spinning stabilizing mass widens it center of gravity with centrifugal courses much like a gyro does. Imagine a kids top, when spinning is balanced and stable BECAUSE it’s spinning. The spin of arrow fights induced instability… notice the point pretty much pegs the center even after worse wood deflection tests? Perhaps if you wanted to insure more stabilization therefor accuracy through brush you could impart greater spin with stiffer or larger veins?

Ive always been super scared of shooting one of the flappers with the rubber bands through stuff like this. I just figured its like a little V sticking out front the can catch stuff. Cut on contact makes more sense to be able to slice its way right through.

PRETTY COOL MY FRIENDS!!!!! Muchas gracias!!!

Add to what you are saying the fact that the majority of hunters shoot the least weight they can in the front of the arrow and the smallest fletch they can get away with. (I had to get 5 inch fletch directly from a chick in China because bow shops don't carry it) Which = THE LEAST STABLE ARROW POSSIBLE. What you have are arrows that are NOT going to correct at all.

NO RESPONSES…. Hi Legends, I think I asked a little while ago when was the beginning of the season ( basically when are we likely to see some hunting videos) ?… Thank you

When I was like 14 I was hunting with my dad. We sat until around 10:30 and I got pretty bored so I wanted to get down, despite him wanting to sit another hour. I lowered my bow, and right as I put my foot on the ground 3 does came sprinting into our setup (of course). I was able to get my bow untied, nock an arrow, and get my release clipped on, and then the momma doe picked me off and ran behind this giant bushy collection of plants that had grown and died between two trees. I drew my bow and I could see the deer at around 20 yards RIGHT on the other side of the brushy stuff. So I just centered the pin and shot and, no joke, the branches literally caught my arrow mid flight. Just lost all of its energy in the big net of branches and twigs and didn't even make it through, just got stuck. And I was shooting a fixed 4 blade muzzy broadhead. I was only pulling 60lbs because I was 14 but still, I don't shoot through anything at all anymore. It's either an open shot or I'm waiting, unless I absolutely am positive my arrow will make it easily through the obstruction. Bows just aren't made for it. Like ranch fairy said, your arrow really is trying its best to not fly straight, any small obstruction will disrupt the flight path catastrophically. I shot a doe last year at 30 yards from my saddle and hit her right behind the ribs. I wasn't sure why I was so far back until I watch the footage and saw that I hit a branch that was almost entirely invisible to the naked eye. It was directly between me and the deer. So in about 15 yards I had nearly a foot and a half of deflection after hitting a tiny, invisible branch.

Bow hunting in the 90s in south Texas, there’s a lot of cedar. I shot at a nice 10 point buck on what I thought was a clear shot. The arrow hit vines that were hanging between the trees and took off for space. I found it at the end of the season. Those vines were barely visible, and not very big, but redirected an aluminum 2216 with a 125gr Rocky Mountain broadhead. Science.

The vanes contacting the brush certainly look to be causing some of the movement away from the shot line. You wonder if feathers would have larger or smaller deviations.

Hey guys love your stuff. Some of us old timers have had to go to crossbows. For various reasons. How about a show for us, with crossbows, that is. And I'm not an old-timer, might have some issues thou. lol.😵‍💫🤪

This exact thing happened to me shooting a deer from a ground blind. It was dusk and super quiet so I could hear the arrow smack a stick I missed in my shooting lane cleanup. Deflected pretty good. Got the deer, but i was lucky the broadhead hit the major veins of the neck. Much more careful about low hanging twigs now.

All brush has taught me is to avoid it. Broadhead Choice may be a Big Factor for that. I'm at a loss. A Mechanical No No for sure. Gun No No, too.

Great experiment! I’ve killed a couple bucks through a little golden rod.. I know it’s not ideal had they not been as big as they were I would’ve not pulled my bow back.. I lucked out twice probably won’t do it again hard to still hunt with bad knees ..

I tried shooting through brush for fun last weekend, I lost an arrow. 395 grain/ 9.6 FOC. It was gooonneee ! Rocket in the air into a overgrown fence line lol

Shooting through brush will affect arrow flight and penetration? Shocking revelation.

Okay okay, so I might be a middle-aged, old timer. If that exists. If not, I'm fine with non-existing, as long as I can still go out and hunt.😊

I've had mechanical blades hit twig opening up one blade and go kittywompuss. It's all chance if you take that chance.

It's gotta be just like arrow clocking, there's gotta be some energy dump

I would have thought even the softer "weedier" brush would still deflect enough that it wouldn't be worth taking a shot. I might be a little more adventurous now after watching this video. Great content fellas👍👍👍

I had an experience with deflection . I was shooting at a buck at 30 yards watch that Luma nock flying perfect towards that vital v about 5 yards before it hit the deer Luma nock disappeared watched the deer go of like ten yards and not even 30 seconds later it was swaying and waging its tail watch it walked of another 30 or so yards heard it bed down waited 2 hours checked the arrow it had barely any blood on it but the blood trail looked awesome went 20 yards could see the deer dead. That arrow deflection pushed that arrow so far off course I hit the furmoral arterie in its opposing side of a broadside shot. So nothing but luck getting that deer. But I am shocked that even thick grass didn't deflect the arrow more than it did. Great video guys. Keep up the good work guys on showing us this stuff.

I’d have to make an assumption that in freezing cold conditions those results would be amplified. Could be a goodn

Why promote shooting through any brush?

Finally someone tests this, you don't want to try this out in the field. I had a Buck this year I passed on because I was shooting through some tall grass, now I am kicking myself!

The kick your seeing is the broad head clipping the sticks or weeds on one side or the other it’s like only have one brake on your car on the front and slamming the brakes it pulls to the side the brake is working it’s super hard if ever for the arrow to recover but the soft stuff will cut yeah slow the arrow down for sure but woody stuff twigs it will deff affect the flight and give it the weeble wobble lol 😆

I’m surprised at how well those arrows flew! It would be interesting to see how lighter arrows fare.

But i bet the more you increased arrow weight, the less defection you’ll get and the heavier stuff you could go through. Mass and momentum

Always shoot fixed heads. I’ve shot fixed heads through small trees 2” diameter

Wow, wow, wow, great content guys, yup deflection is a bitch pardon the french. Its very real it happens and all we can do upon releasing of the projectile is hope that everything works out. There is only so much that we can do. But once all our parts are done it is up to luck and chance. Sometimes we are just not meant to kill that animal that day whatever reason. Following reports and doing the best you can get to things going where they should ect is great it helps increase the luck factor. But it does not make it a guarantee. Real world scenarios are the best. We all want that perfect clearing hahahaha but thats not realistic all the time. Great job guys.

Last season i had drawn on a really big buck and as i tracked him with my sight. the arm that was holding the bow made contact with a hanging good sized vine . Once i released the bow immediately bolted to the right sending my arrow violently to the right. At the time the pressure from vine seemed light but turned out to have terrible effects. The buck gave me a look then went back to chasing a doe. Hopefully I will get another chance this year . I got rid of the vine.

Love the channel!! Might I suggest next time, put a slow-Mo camera above and behind the target pointed at the shooter. Might be an interesting perspective to watch the fight of the arrow.

THP needs more transparency to the viewers Id like to hear a truthful count on how many animals have been missed completely or wounded and lost on a yearly basis after seeing clips of the shit your shooting through and angles you guys are shooting at live game!

Good test but after watching your arrows, you are being deflected so bad or your bow is way un tuned. I’d stay away from shooting through brush, your losing a lot of momentum.

You talked about it in the video, so it would be interesting to see how the arrow deflects when you hit a twig or brush at the end of the shot rather than from the beginning. Like when Aaron hit the twig at then end just before impact on the buck. Also, I shoot a crossbow. How would the impact be different using that instead of a compound bow? Either scenerio.

Honestly have no clue what was said, just stared at Zach’s arms the whole time 😂 Dude is yoked!

This is great information, I've nicked a branch or two in my day...lol 😂 I used mechanicals for years, until ya'll R/D some Ranch Fairy broadheads. Thanks for the testing. 😊

Going to give up hunting walkin ereas are disappearing around here plus I have health problems

I had a nice 8 pt at 12 yards this year and the arrow hit a vine 3 ft after launch and i watched the arrow get cradled by the vine and slow to a stop just before it tapped ole boy right behind the shoulder and fell to the ground as he trotted off. He had a guardian angel w him that afternoon

How dare y’all do an experiment on something to get actual really cool visual results shame on you

Whether its close to the shooter, or close to the target. The majority of the kenetic energy is spent on the obsticle. Id rather shoot through brush with an arrow than a bullet. The arrow has the fetching that help with flight. A bullet starts to tumble no matter what

Are you guys still using Vector/Method Archery?

Those don’t look like new 2024 Adapt +’s 😮😉

Well, I'm going fishing tomorrow. LOL

Is there a reason why warb draws across his chest? Not hating just curious.

Now there are going to be thousands of people taking obstructed shots at deer this fall.

Keep in mind that lighter stuff right now will be not only thicker but woodier come fall

You guys keep getting better and better over the years seems like. My favorites to watch are Aaron, Ted, Jake, and Greg.

Note that green vegetation cuts easier than dry vegetation. I’d be interested to see this test after the first frost to show how it would deflect during hunting season.

Weeds sticks grass etc is very inconsistant growth and so will ant testing data why risk a wounded animal ?

holy smokes that first arrow shot in slow mo flew HORRIBLE out of the bow lol wow

that was really good even if arrow gets to mark no energy

I dare y’all to try and public hunt NC that will show how good you guys are

Can you do this test with a bow way out of tune I’d be interested in seeing how the arrow reacts before the fletchings correct it

Yeah, a 380gr & 450gr arrows would be great.

Wow I hope I never have to hold that long cuz a big buck is looking at me lol

Some of the arrow flight is horrible.

I hit a green briar one time a few feet from the deer arrow deflected enough that hit the neck just in front of shoulder and came out behind its ear.

I love seeing the fletchings steer back to center after the deflection

Great video. But let’s all just wait till we have a clear shot.

Nice to see Zack is back

Nothing about the bear adapt plus!??

It would be interesting to see the reduction in velocity by the time it hit the target.

Hunting mature bucks isn't easy

What brand of target are you using to stop the broadheads ?

I want to start getting into RU-vid what are some tips to get into it

Use 4 fletched or larger feathers they seem to correct the arrow a little better

Green briers will screw your shots everytime