Category Archives: Big Game Hunting

Articles about Big Game Hunting.

The Slick Trick Crossbow Broadhead vs Muzzy MX-4 Broadhead

Posted on by
Reply

 

I am testing the 100g Slick Trick Crossbow 4-blade broadhead against the 100g Muzzy MX-4  Broadhead.

 

Both are 1 1/8 cutting diameter. Both are hunting broadheads for use with any Crossbow, Compound, Recurve or Longbow say the manufacturer.

 

Slick Trick Crossbow 4-Blade Broadhead 4=Pack. Cost $45 or $12.50 per broadhead Unassembled

 

Test Observation

Assembly: Requires assembly, no tools provided.

Extreme care needed to avoid getting cut. Needs threaded arrow insert to hold the broadhead blades together.

Tip – Steel 4 edge align with blades. Not true cut-on-contact

Blades: 4 stainless

Blade thickness 0.035″

Weight: 100 grains

Cut on contact tip edges not cutting sharp

grouping  – 4.5 inch drop from field points and 2.5 inch right at 25 yards

Reuse – Yes 

Made in USA

Notes: The Slick Trick ferrule is made of steel. This is needed as the wider slot cuts for .035″ blades would significantly weaken an aircraft aluminum ferrule. Small metal ring to hold blades in place. Don’t lose them. 

 

**************************

Muzzy MX-4 Blade 100g Broadhead 3-Pack Cost 29.99. Cost $9.99 per broadhead Assembled. 

Test Observation

Assembly: None needed.

Trocar Tip – Hardened Steel 3 trocar edge with true cut-on-contact

Blades: 4 stainless

Blade thickness 0.025″

Weight: 100 grains

grouping  – yes but 4.5 inch drop from field points, zero lateral drift at 25 yards.

reuse- Yes

Made in USA

Conclusion

Both broadheads work but fell 4.5 inches below field point. I prefer cut-on-contact tips and lower cost and ready assembled Muzzy. Slick Tricks were a headache to assemble and fall apart if not screwed into an arrow. Looked like Slick Trick tips would be cut-on-contact but not so. They are not cutting sharp.

 

Clear Winner: Muzzy MX-4

 

Cut-On-Contact Thoughts

Why do some hunters believe cut-on-contact broadheads are is so important?

 I believe, for example, like using an ultra sharp laboratory needle to draw patient blood, the pain nerve signal was never sent to the brain as it was cleanly severed on needle contact and the patient rarely feels much. 

However, a really dull needle used to draw your blood; Imagine that for a moment!! The patient or deer will scream and adrenaline along with coagulants will rush like an ambulance to the wound site. And your trail to recover game will be much longer. 

Big Game Animals have those same nerves. Cutting-nerves on contact (on game) before the pain signal is sent. VERY SMART!!

Good Hunting!!

Browning Speed 7mm Rem Mag with Hand Loaded 160g Nosler Partition on Black Bear

Posted on by

The Nosler Partition bullet is renowned around the world for penetration. I used it exclusively on an African Plains game hunt thus my selection for bear hunting. My Browning Speed in 7mm Remington Magnum was my choice. 

 

On my Maine Foggy Mountain black bear hunt, I tried to get 175g Partition bullets for my bear adventure. Unfortunately, they were not available, luckily, the 160g Partition bullets were.

I have chronograped my new hand loaded 160g Nosler Partition at around 3050 fps using IMR 4831 powder. That is cookin’

As you can see below, I shot my bear in the slightly quartering toward front left shoulder.

The bullet exited the off side ribs wrecking the lungs. No death moan aka no lungs. I estimate the terminal energy at around 3400 ft-lbs. Wow! The boar went 25 yards and piled up. Funny, I never felt the recoil estimated to be near 28 ft-lbs.

On inspection during meat processing, the wound site had a 2 inch by 3 inch wide football-like cavity beginning at around an inch in after entering. I did not hit shoulder bone. 

The bullet continued through lungs, ribs and exited. Was that overkill? Many bear hunters use the 300 Win Mag with 180g bullets. delivering 3700 ft-lbs at 25 yards and hitting you with 35 pounds of felt recoil.

If I go on a trophy black bear hunt, where bears often exceed 300 to 400 pounds, I may opt for a 300 Win.

Big Canadian bears can be aggressive, like climbing into your treestand and popping their teeth. 

If you can handle heavy felt recoil… not a problem.

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2024

 

Do You Want/Need Full Bullet Penetration On Black Bear? How did the Nosler Partition do?

Posted on by

One of the biggest complaints I hear and read by “bear guides” during the recovery phase is “lack of a blood trail” on a supposedly lung shot bear.

Bear fat, experts suggest, can often plug the exit hole if the exit hole is small and dense bear hair can absorb blood as well. Exit hole size on exit can aid in blood flow if the hole is large enough. Energy to penetrate and exit is equally important. Bullet caliber?

Bigger bores work but you also need penetration. 

Are we missing more here? What about the bullets construction?

What about the sectional density of the bullet? Is the bullet monolithic copper, standard cup and core, is it bonded, or is it partition/A-Frame?

Terminal ballistics tell the story here. Both bonded, partition, and monolithic bullets lead-the-pack in penetration. Cup and core, jacketed lead works but tend to separate thus penetration is often less in big game such as elk, moose and bear but cost much less. I have used both monolithic copper, bonded and partition/a-frame more than typical cup and core styles. They do cost more but I’m a good, better, best kind of hunter. Often seeking the best in bullets. 

My recent Maine bear was hit with a 7mm 160g Nosler Partition In the shoulder at 3000 fps.

The internal damage was devastating and left a 2 inch wide tunnel on entering the shoulder, wrecked the lungs,exited and left an immediate blood trail for just 25 yards where we found the bear piled up. 

The bullet mushrooms extremely well and the rear core remains intact for deep penetration and often exits. 

The Nosler Accubond is one of the worlds best bonded and accurate bullets but Nosler says the Partition bullet is best on penetration for an exit wound. 

And they were right! The Nosler Partition did the job very well. Go Nosler!

Good Hunting!

 

Making Maine Black Bear – Bear Balm

Posted on by

 Bear oil/grease below is the base of this easy-to-make bear balm recipe.

The many uses of bear fat is legendary in early America.

It is used for cooking, frying, pastry, lubricating, candle making, skin and hair care, waterproofing boots, shoes, and softening/protecting leather are but a few. 

It is an easy to make recipe which looks alot like mayonaise.

 

Ingredients:

1 cup black bear rendered oil/grease.

1/4 cup Jojoba Oil

1/4 cup cosmetic stearic acid beads heated to liquid.

Heat bear oil and organic stearic acid separately in a water bath below. The stearic acid  beads liquify at 180F. 

Combine hot bear oil and stearic acid liquid quickly in a glass mixing bowl while hot and mix. Then add the Jojoba oil and Essences and mix again by hand.

I used 50 drops of Bayberry Oil, 12 drops of Lavender Oil, and 12 drops of Sandalwood Oil to my basic recipe.

Scent essence oils are essential for calming aromatherapy too. 

Chill the balm in the fridge till stiff, then the whip the balm with a power mixer.

It looks like fluffy mayonnaise!

Place in small jars, label, and use small amount on hands and arms, rubbing it in.

The Bayberry oil etc. comes through as a very pleasing aroma. My next batch will be eucalyptus and peppermint scented. Enjoy!!!

Smooth Skin and Good Smells

Good Bear Hunting!!

 

Prep for Maine Bear Hunt

Posted on by

In just 8 days I will be headed north on my Maine bear hunt with Foggy Mountain Guide Service. I am preparing my gear for the hunt. 

My Bear Hunt Check list

  • Hunt directions & Maps, Eye Glasses
  • License’s, Med’s
  • Payment and Tip money
  • Browning 7mm RM Rifle, Leupold VX6,Nosler Partition bullets and hard and soft gun case
  • 10mm 15 shot Glock 20 sidearm
  • Phone and charger
  • Garmin In-Reach gps/SOS
  • Buck Knife
  • Fishing Tackle ( trout fishing near lodge)
  • Worms
  • Backpack
  • Tripods/bipods
  • Cameras charged up and pen and paper
  • Binoculars
  • Soap and scent remover
  • Safety harness
  • Rain gear
  • Hats
  • Head lamps with new batteries.
  • Paracord
  • First aid kit
  • Pee Jug
  • Camo Pants and shirts, face camo
  • Underwear and socks
  • Bug repellent
  • Spray pants for ticks
  • Boots and sneakers
  • Tart Granny Smith apples for mouth/throat moisture on stand. Silences cough.
  • Food snack bars
  • Water bottles
  • 2 coolers for game meat

I am ready to go!

In the meantime enjoy Labor Day.

In my family we do lobsters, clams, corn on cob and cold beer. 

Have Fun!!

Wish You “Good Hunting!”

How confident are you Hunting Black Bear Over Bait?

Posted on by

You can have all the confidence in the world to see bears if…

  • You have wind in your favor.
  • You have maximized scent removal from you and clothing.
  • Never walk into the baited area. 
  • Use a tree stand to keep scent above the site. 
  • Minimize movement. Use eyes before you turn your head. 
  • Eat foods that do not produce gas. 
  • Use a pee jug. 
  • Stay alert. Listen.
  • Shoot straight.

Hunters- North American Black Bear Populations Are Thriving

Posted on by

There are official sources that estimate one million black bears (Ursus americanus) are living in North America. Not only are they thriving, they are growing and extending their ranges into towns that had few or none.

Range of the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) #map #northamerica ...

Some hunters will simply not hunt them because they consider bear meat second to venison. The truth is, when venison is hard to get, bear meat begins to rise. And surprisingly, when dressed quickly and cooked properly, bear is first rate in a stew or roast, or as burger or sausage. 

In Maine, biologists estimate the population of 35,000 or more. In New Hampshire there are estimates of 5600 bears, Massachusetts estimates 5000 bears, Vermont estimates 8500 bears. And Growing! Thats, over 50,000 bears just in those 4 states.  A bears lifespan can be upwards of 15 to 20 years.  Old male bears will tip the scale over 400 pounds and upwards of over 600 pounds. Canada has perhaps very old black bears that exceed 400 pounds regularly.

Canada is still very wild. 

Bears are much like deer, they are crepuscular, meaning active in early morning and at dusk. Bears in wild away from humans often have diets of berries, grass, and insects but will eat meat and fish whenever available from carrion, fawns, moose, beaver and other wild young.

In the New England fall, bears are fat and if harvested at the end of Berry season, they have gorged on blueberries, raspberries and the like.

Bear meat at that time is quality to eat provided the meat reaches internal cooking temperatures of 160F or greater. Stewing bear meat at a slow boil both tenderizes the meat and kills bacteria and any parasites such as Trichinella (historically found in pork). 

And the fat is abundant to render for use in making pastry, soap, candles, waterproofing and lubrication.

In the spring, fat is gone but spring bears are lean and eat lots of grass.  Experts say bear fur is at its best in the spring. Canada hunts in spring. 

I am hoping my fall Maine black bear hunt this September brings me at least an opportunity if not a nice fat bear. I will be filming, photographing and writing too.

Hunting can be done with bow, pistol, rifle, muzzleloader and crossbow. Check regulations first. 

Good Hunting!