Broadheads

November 4, 2021

Question: I’m going archery turkey hunting this fall. I’m interested in trying a guillotine-type broadhead for my arrows. Are they legal to use and is there a limit to how big a broadhead can be?

Answer: Yes, arrows with guillotine type broadheads, meaning broadheads with extended blades, are legal to use. When they work exactly as designed, by way of action like a guillotine, they are the quickest, most humane way of taking a wild turkey. The authorized size of a broadhead for take of resident small game is found in CCR, Title 14, section 311. It states: It shall be unlawful to take wild turkey by use of hunting arrows and crossbow bolts unless fitted with a broadhead-type blade which will not pass through a hole seven-eighths inch in diameter. Mechanical/retractable broadheads shall be measured in the open position.

Notice the regulation is designed to prohibit use of a broadhead that is too small, not too large. The requirement to use a broadhead with the designated minimum size is to be sure that hunters are using arrows with a broadhead lethal enough to affect a quick and humane kill on the turkey (or other game). Be sure to practice extensively with arrows fitted with similarly weighted target tips because the guillotine broadheads are usually much heavier than traditional hunting broadheads. It’s important to know how they are going to fly once you release the arrow. Good luck on your turkey hunt!

WOULD NOT RECOMEND.

Maybe from a blind and a close shot, but I hit this bird at 20yrds and it bounced off the feathers when i hit low... I shoulda just used a broadhead...

Be sure to practice extensively with arrows fitted with similarly weighted target tips because the guillotine broadheads are usually much heavier than traditional hunting broadheads. It’s important to know how they are going to fly once you release the arrow. Good luck on your turkey hunt!

oof... this is good advise... but its hard to practice because of the air resistance w those damn helicopter blades and they break on the targets! Never again...

I hear those broadheads are basically impossible to tune because it's like having giant vanes at the wrong end of your arrow.

Agreed, they are hard to shoot but work well if you hit right.  I found using extra long feather fleched arrows helps keep things moving straight.

Agreed, they are hard to shoot but work well if you hit right.  I found using extra long feather fleched arrows helps keep things moving straight.

nice shot!