With the start of archery season a mere hours always — heck, we’re at the point now where we know the wind direction for opening morning — it is a little bit too late to discuss new broadheads, but what better way to pass the time in a tree stand than to second guess your broadhead selection.

I look at it like that knot you chose to use on your fishing lure. There are many times — it’s a standing guide joke — I will turn to a client as they are fighting a monster muskie and say, “It’s about now that I hope my knot will hold true.” This always brings a reaction to anglers. For the record, I haven’t had one break in many seasons.

Our choice of broadheads is similar. Once we release the arrow on a monster buck or freezer-filler mature doe, you hope that our broadhead is going to do the job it’s designed for.

Over the years, I have had my share of failures in the broadhead department, including when they never fully opened and were those my fault or were they an issue with the broadhead itself? Though I have gathered a fair amount of knowledge regarding broadheads and how they operate, here are a couple real quick points before we look at a few top notch broadheads.

Always make sure the blades are razor sharp and keep them clean. We have to remember that a dull broadhead will not cut, hence it wouldn’t make it the kill zone in a fashion that will do the damage that it is designed to do. With expandable or mechanical broadheads, make sure they are clean. It doesn’t take much to get into the blade track to stop the blade from fully opening.

2020 has ushered in some impressive new broadhead designs across the industry in both mechanical and fixed blade options. Earlier this year at the ATA Show, I was able to check a few of the new broadheads for the coming season. Whether you’re shooting a compound or a crossbow, or you prefer fixed blade over mechanicals, here are five lethal broadheads you should consider for the 2020 hunting season.

Rage’s 2019 Hypodermic NC was all the talk this past season and this year’s offering on the NC line takes it up a notch. This year, though, Rage has added to their NC line of broadheads with what’s being called their most lethal broadhead ever. If you’re like me, the thought of a collar, clip, or O-ring holding the broadhead together might make you a little uneasy. The X-Treme NC solves those worries, and promises flawless performance every single time. Taking feedback from the original X-Treme, the new-for-2020 2-blade design is centered around a 1.425-inch long high-strength 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum ferrule whose two .039-inch thick blades instantly deploy to an enormous 2.3 inches upon impact. Available in two new 100-grain versions that bolster either a cut-on-contact leading-blade tip or a bone-crushing chisel tip, fans of the X-Treme will find the performance they command in these great broadhead. Leading-blade tip or a bone-crushing chisel tip, fans of the X-Treme will find the performance they command in these great broadhead.

For crossbow users, Ravin has expanded their already impressive archery foot-print with the release of three high performance mechanical broadheads. Delivering accuracy, you’d expect from Ravin, these broadheads are engineered with an internal spring clip that holds the blades closed while in flight even the fastest crossbow can’t force them loose but upon impact the blades seamlessly slide into place without fail. The aluminum model features a 7075-T6 ferrule and steel 12L 14 bone-splitting tip, while the 416 steel and Grade 5 titanium broadheads feature a single piece ferrule.

Although they carry the Ravin Crossbow brand, they are effective from any crossbow. The look we got at the ATA we were thoroughly impressed.

Your first reaction upon seeing an Annihilator Broadhead might be. “Someone has not attempted this design before?” And the answer is, “No.” While it looks simple enough, there is a lot more nitty-gritty science occurring that Annihilator has hashed out for us. The geometric design of the broadhead completely blocks the arrow traveling behind it. This creates a pressure vacuum in flight which thus, your arrow is less likely to be bullied by the wind and will fly truer to its path on longer shots. Upon impact, that vacuum and the turbulence induced around the entire arrow helps pull visceral tissue forward and through any game animal. This ensures more humane harvests and more successful hunts.

I saw the first broadhead that has ever incorporated a fixed four-blade design. Constructed with replaceable LUTZ blades the sharpest in the industry and a machined ferrule to ensure its strength, the Striker-X has a 1.25-inch cutting diameter and is constructed from 100% stainless steel. G5’s Anix Blade Locking System keeps blades secure in flight while also providing the ability to replace blades as needed. The Striker-X comes available in 100 and 125 grain options and will also be available in crossbow versions.

Back in the day I was one who leaned more towards a fixed blade broadhead and I still am to some degree. That’s why I searched Muzzy to check out their new ONE broadhead. The Muzzy ONE broadhead received its name because it has been milled from a single block of premium stainless steel, and is engineered for unrivaled strength, dependability, and accuracy. The strategically-positioned vents on the blades ensure true flight with each shot, and although the blades are ultra-sharp right out of the package, they can easily be touched up with a sharpening stone to keep the edge you’re looking for. The Muzzy ONE delivers the confidence hunters demand to take on the toughest game animal, time and time again.

As we have discussed before, there are a bunch of different broadheads on the market. I have found Swhacker year and year out works for me and my style of work. This year the Levi Morgan Series #269 is top notch. The design and construction are what is going to be on the tip of my arrows.

Broadheads are a personal choice and one that we don’t really want to second guess, but if you’re not happy with the ones you are carrying, then there are plenty of new offerings on the market this season.