Anyone that has shot any number of hogs knows that feral hogs are tough critters. Big hogs can be tough enough to take down with a high caliber rifle, much less crossbow or even a bow and arrow. But, it can be done. In fact, I’ve done it numerous times. And let me tell you, it’s all about shot placement and using the best broadhead you can afford when hog hunting with a bow and arrow. Big feral hogs have thick hides. In addition, boars have the “shield” that is chock-full of fat and toughness that lays just beneath the hide around their shoulders and back.
When it comes to plowing through a big boar’s shield you better be prepared. It takes wicked broadhead to open up a big boar like a filleted fish. Many people asked me, “What broadheads do you recommend for wild hogs? Do you use cheaper ones or the more expensive broadheads?” Okay, expensive is a matter of income. What is expensive to one person is not necessarily expensive to another. To me, the right broadhead for hog hunting depends on a number of factors for each individual hunter.
Here lately, I will often shoot a carbon arrow with a Mangus two blade 100 grain broadhead. I have killed seven big hogs just fine in the last three months. Make a good shot and the arrow will pass through and stick right in the ground. This can be said of any good shot, regardless of broadhead. Any high quality three blade would be good in my opinion, but many hunters that have a lot of hog shot opportunities will decided not to waste expensive broadheads on pigs.
Less expensive broadheads will give you a one and out. They will often create enough trauma that the animal dies, but the broadhead will often be worthless after the shot. In other words, you can’t recycle them. You can repair and easily sharpen the Mangus two blade broadheads. I’ve used other broadheads in the past and have had hog hunting success with them too. It’s more about shooting ability and being able to put the arrow in the right spot at the right time while chasing them in their habitat. On a horrible shot, even the best broadhead will not help you put pork on the table.
The one thing I would not suggest is a mechanical broadhead. Stick to fixed blades and go with them. If you are shooting hogs fairly often, especially smaller ones, go with the cheaper broadheads if you are not worried about losing an animal or being able to reuse the broadhead. For big hogs, go with quality or you risk losing your animal because of lesser quality material and fabrication. I’ve shot enough hogs and went through enough broadheads to know that you get what you pay for. A hog is not contest for a well-placed, sharp broadhead. The best broadhead for hog hunting is the one you can shoot the best.