I have some older 23/64 cedar shafts spined at 65# that are flying really well out of my 60# longbow. However I have had a couple break off behind the point (Magnus 2 blade) on strikes with small trees, etc. I would like to use them for elk next fall but wondering if getting some that were footed makes much of a difference vs elk ribs.. Or should I consider going to something tougher than cedar? Your experience appreciated.

The only thing that footing them will do is move the weak spot to the back of the footing, rather than the back of the point.

Lots of Elk have been killed with plain old cedar arrows.

And a lot of Elk have been killed with footed cedars also.

Bob

That's an interesting comment fdp, have you had experience with arrows breaking behind the footing? Anyway... when I still shot wood and made my own footing used either Dymondwood or Gaboon Ebony usually on either Surewood or Hex-Shafts which are no longer available. The Ebony gave a higher FOC and was as hard as iron. I have never broken a footed shaft behind the footing or anywhere else. They usually passed through. I have never footed a cedar shaft, opting for something heavier and tougher. I have since gone to crbon because of the ability add the weight tht I want, and durability and longivity, but that was not your question.

Moving the weak point back will help a lot as the head has less leverage at that point. Plus even the splice is stronger than the shaft alone. That said, I prefer to use either heavier heads which mandate stiffer stronger shafts, or stronger shaft materials like poplar and birch. Either of those approaches will create heavier arrows, so if you are depending on flatter trajectory to make hits, you may want to consider carbon.

Footed arrows look nicer. I'd go with footed.

Everybody seems to like Sitka spruce, ever think about those or even ash?

I have footed cedars with maple,cherry,mesquite and black walnut. All look good with a stone head on the end.

footed is stronger and No it doesn't make it weaker farther down the shaft because the shaft will flex more then it does at the tip plus it will give you a little more FOC. same as they do with carbons for stumping. footed is a plus to any arrow just coast more to buy are more time consuming to make.

David...yes, I have had them break behind the footing.

Now admittedly, that could have easily been due to the quality of the footing job.

So, that's the reason for the answer.

There is no question that footed arrows are beautiful. But, for me (and me alone) if I were worrying about arrow integrity and strength, I would utilize an arrow wood that was more durable than cedar to begin with.

I agree with that, I never footed a cedar arrow, always something tougher.

aromakrs hex shafts you could pm him and see if he still has any left they are tough shafts and very straight with good weight to them.

Shot this ugly "dog" with a footed arrow, stone point and it didn't break.

Well, you could always split the difference with some Legacies ;)

I’m thinking that “which is stronger” might depend on how the footing was done.... and if the footing section is 8”-10”.... would it make a difference if the arrow broke there or not? Sincere question....

Years ago a fellow was making tapered and footed shafts for us. He always complained of consistency issues for spine and weight of his footed shafts. I had a dozen, when I got a grain scale I found that he was correct they did have a wider spread.

Are footed shafts stronger? Yes. Are they necessary to kill an elk. No.

I hunt Elk among a lot of Spruce and Doug Fir.. I always thought it would be fun to hunt them w/ one of the two....

I would choose the Fir

I have some footed (and tapered) Doug Fir shafts. I really like the way they shoot and look. As said by others, footed shafts are not necessary to kill an elk, but if you want to try them...why not?

Home made doug fir shafts with mahogany four finger footings. They just might get a chance to prove their worth on an elk this fall!

Thanks everyone for your responses. I will just make sure I mount the heads vertically so they go between ribs. Ha!

Hey, Monte, I think you can take your question "Cedars, Footed or Not for Elk?" And change it to a statement and it answers your question! :-)

Just my opinion, but it may be much easier to break a cedar ricocheting of a tree than by hitting an elk rib.

Too Short used to hunt big game with footed made by Aromakr

Killed with a footed douglas fir

Killed with a plain ole douglas fir arrow.

Results are the same.

Nope. Not dead enough.

Next??

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here