Dart blow back

T-Hat · Apr 5, 2016

I have a question, maybe somebody has an answer. I have not darted many deer yet - maybe 6 or 7 total so I am new to how it should work. But when I see others dart deer, the dart will typically hang in the skin while the gel collar dissolves. On the past 3-4 i have done the dart does not stay in the deer but immediately falls out. When knocking deer down, we still get the deer down so hasn't been a problem, but I know that is not how it is supposed to work. Is there something I am doing that is causing this? We use tri-port gel collar darts from pneu dart. Cartridge fired gun. We put a slight arch on the dart trajectory. We typically dart around 20-25 yards. So far we have only used less than 2 cc darts. I shoot in the rump and have had good hits (no bones high or low).

Thanks

RyanR · Apr 5, 2016

The issue may be the size of the needles. How big are they?

T-Hat · Apr 5, 2016

3/4 inch needle

Arrowed1 · Apr 5, 2016

Not that unusual on small darts. We see it a lot on 1/2-1-1/2 cc BAM darts but the deer always go down. I don't think 30% stick in the deer for any amount of time. We also use 3/4 " tri ports

Alouko Farms · Apr 5, 2016

I've only darted 30 times maybe.

The same thing happened to me, with my CO2 rifle W/O a gauge, but it seemed like the further the deer was away, the more likely it was that the dart stick. Last year I backed the power way down and learned to handle more arc. I had zero bounce backs in my last 15 shots.

DarylGM · Apr 5, 2016

I've darted 9 times so far (all 2 & 3cc darts) and 7 of those times the dart immediately bounced out. The other two times it hung on for 2 or 3 seconds while the deer ran away. All my shots have been within 15 yards. I was concerned that the deer wasn't getting all the medication and upon inquiring was assured that the meds are being injected properly in the brief moment the dart is in. I've been told to just make sure you're hitting the deer head-on as the dart will tend to ricochet off the hide if striking at an angle. I've had deer for less then a month and already can't wait to start on the chute/handling system soon. Darting works but it sure makes them skittish and I don't like deer I have to use binoculars for.

Johnny B · Apr 6, 2016

I say the dart is moving too fast, in my experience the slower that dart is moving the more likely it is to stick. I always practiced a few shots prior to darting a deer, the 20yd shot was always my ideal range. Just dial that power down as much as possible! Also, I have used barbed darts. They definitely hold with a little more vigor.

Simonson · Apr 6, 2016

I'm with Johnny on that one too much power I also have very few issues not sticking when shot in the neck Just saying

Bell · Apr 6, 2016

Why is it necessary for the dart to stay in the animal?

Johnny B · Apr 7, 2016

It isn't necessary for the dart to stick Bell, you are correct in saying that. I have always considered dart blow back to be a function of too much power, thus being able to see medication spraying out of the tip of the dart as it is propelled backwards. Again, this is one of the reasons for barbed darts. Those darts literally have teeth to bite in to the hide. If you can get a high arch on a dart and have it essentially fall into the deer instead of a straight arch less trajectory you will be far better off. Those burlap targets that Pnue-dart makes are great not only for target practice but to hear how hard the darts are hitting the target. You don't that loud catchers mitt smack when the dart hits!

South Alabama Whitetails · Apr 11, 2016

I would say the same thing , to much power. The dart is bouncing out, not blowing out. Also it does not make much difference. I have about the same results without the collar.

Search

Search

Dart blow back

T-Hat

RyanR

T-Hat

Arrowed1

Alouko Farms

DarylGM

Johnny B

Simonson

Bell

Johnny B

South Alabama Whitetails

Similar threads