What you need to know about types of arrows and arrow tips

Bow and arrow hunting requires skill and knowledge in order for you to be successful. The hunter who chooses to use these weapons will need to be knowledgeable about their weapons, and their prey.

A lot of people concentrate on the bow they will be using, but, the arrow that you will be shooting is a critical component to this type of hunting. The wrong arrow could cost you the trophy buck.

The Arrow Basics

There are four basic parts to an arrow.

The sharp portion of the arrow is the arrowhead. There are a large number of arrowhead types, and each type of arrowhead is designed for a different type of hunting or game.
The long spine that the arrowhead is attached to is called a shaft. Your shaft may be made from a variety of materials. Shafts can be wooden, aluminum, fiberglass, or carbon. The material that the shaft of the arrow is made from can cause the arrow to be stiffer. The stiffness of an arrow can determine the trajectory of the arrow after it has been shot. This stiffness is called the “spine”. The stiffness of the arrow will determine at what point the arrow will lose the bend that it receives as it is shot from the bowstring and straighten out.
The feather part of the arrow is called fletching. This portion of the arrow can be plastic or it can be made of actual feathers. The fletching causes the arrow to spin after it is released from the bow. The fletching gives the arrow its accuracy to hit its mark, and keeps the arrow on course. The feathers of an arrow are not all the same. One feather is a different color and is referred to as the “cock” feather. This feather may also be referred to as the index feather. All of the other feathers are the “hens”.
The slotted tip on the end of the shaft is called the nock. The nock is where the bowstring is placed when you are pulling the arrow back. The portion of the bowstring that is placed in the nock is the “nocking point” on the string. The archer will pin point the precise positioning of their arrow by placing their bowstring into the nock either above the nocking point or below it.

Types of Arrows

Carbon Arrows

Arrows made from carbon are very sturdy. They can be used repeatedly, but once they are broken they are trash. They cannot be repaired like some of the other varieties of arrow.

These arrows can be equipped with tips designed for either archery, target practice, or hunting, Carbon arrows can be made to different spines and are excellent arrow shafts.

These are usually the most expensive arrows that you can buy.

Aluminum arrows

Aluminum arrows are lightweight and great to use with lightweight bows. These arrows can bend, and you can usually reshape or bend them back into shape. Aluminum arrows are an excellent choice for beginners.

The aluminum of the aluminum shaft is hollow. You can find aluminum arrows with inserts for changeable tips. Some aluminum arrows have tips that are glued in place.

These arrows are better suited to smaller game and most target practicing. They do not cost as much as carbon arrows.

Carbon and Aluminum Combos

The carbon aluminum combination arrows usually have an aluminum center with a carbon outer shell. They have all of the benefits of the carbon arrows. They are wonderful for shooting at a distance.

They are lightweight but they are stiff. If you are shooting in the wind they are a good choice.

You will find that a lot of competition archers use this type of arrow.

Wood arrows

Arrows made of wood are the traditional arrows. These arrows are usually made with real feather fletching. Normally a wooden arrow will have the tip glued into place instead of having an insert to put the tip on.

A wooden arrow can bend to a certain degree. Once a wooden arrow breaks it typically is trash. They are commonly the easiest of all arrows to break.

The price of wooden arrows will depend on the wood used in the making of the arrow, and whether they are lacquered, and what type of tip the arrow has.

Fiberglass arrows

Arrows made of fiberglass are pretty sturdy. These arrows will not have an insert for changeable tips. The tips will be glued in place. If you bend a fiberglass arrow you might be able to bend it back to its original shape, but normally once they are damaged, or bent, they are finished.

Fiberglass arrows make a good choice for target practice. They are not extremely expensive and they hold up slightly better than the wooden arrows.

Types of point

Inserts are established on the front end of the arrow shaft and allows you to change the arrowhead or arrow tips according to whether you are target shooting or game hunting. The insert is glued onto the end of the shaft so that the tip can be placed on top of the insert. There are some arrows that come with the tip glued onto them so you cannot change the type of tip you are using.
Field points are used for target practice and when you are hunting small game like rabbits. The tips are pointed, and they can be quite sharp. They can make a quicker kill than a blunt point can.
Blunt points are made of metal or rubber. These arrows kill an animal by striking it hard enough to kill it. The arrow does not penetrate the flesh.
Fishing points are used for hunting fish with a bow. These points have barbs like fish hooks so the fish stay attached to the arrow
Bullet points or target points are strictly used for target practice
Judo points are the go to when you will be hunting for small game in grassy areas. These arrows are blunt on the end of a flat arrow, but they have little claws that clasp onto what you shoot so they do not get lost in the tall grasses.
Hunting tips or broadheads are the points you use when hunting large game like whitetail deer. These points usually have blades that can be changed. Those blades are razor sharp so handle with extreme caution.

Buying guide for Beginners

Arrows come in different weights. The weight of the arrow is partially determined by the poundage of the bow you shoot it with. Most hunters of big game like heavy arrows. Beginners should choose one weight of arrow and shoot only that weight until you become proficient.

Once you have mastered one weight then try a heavier, or lighter, arrow, and you will be able to see the difference and learn how to use the different weights. You have to practice if you are going to be good with a bow and arrow.

The Rest of the Story

Arrows are used in the hunting of all manners of game and for the purpose of archery practice. Arrows are not toys and care should always be exercised whenever you use an arrow.

Never shoot an arrow without knowing what is behind the target you are shooting at.

Never shoot an arrow unless you are certain of the target. It is too easy to shoot at what you think is a deer, and then discover that you shot at a human, or someone’s horse.

Be safe when shooting arrows, and have fun. Archery is fun, and a great way to get in exercise and build muscle and control.

Types of Arrows and Arrow Tips