hunting question

[devo024]

What do you folks think would be the min. lb for hunting deer? I have a friend who wants to go next year, and I swear, when she shoots her bow, it goes on an arc. She is very accurate (more than me) but I dont want her to shoot at a deer and have the arrow bounce off, or worse yet, just wound it. Im not sure but I think hers is around 45#.

[outfishin_]

That will work just fine....just have her keep her shots about 15 yds or less....and well placed....

[MathewsPimp]

i would say go for it! but i would not use anything under. my aunt shoots a FX with a mini-max cam and draws back 45 pounds and she had a clean pass through on a nice 4 point............it runs in the family!;)

[Joe Archer]

45 pounds with the correct arrow/broadhead combination and she can shoot out to 20 yards. My 12 year old daughter took a doe this past October, and had a pass-through with just under 35 pounds.
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[MathewsPimp]

45 pounds with the correct arrow/broadhead combination and she can shoot out to 20 yards. My 12 year old daughter took a doe this past October, and had a pass-through with just under 35 pounds.
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good for her man thats so cool

[devo024]

Wow, thats cool. I didnt think she would be able to go. She is pretty accurate out to about 35 yds, but Ill let her know to keep it at around 20. After shooting all summer, hopefully she can pull back a little more next year. Would be cool if we could both get our first archery deer this year:)

[MathewsPimp]

that would be a great year

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

Why Is It I Haven't Heard Anyone Comment On Arrow Placement And Keeping Your Broadheads Sharp? Poundage Should Be Your Last Concern! If You Can't Hit The Vitals I Don't Care If Your Shoot 120# Bow Or A 300 Magnum. A Bad Shot Is A Bad Shot. I've Killed Many A Deer With A 35# Bear Recurve Bow Back In The 60's And 70's (without Any Pins Or Sights ) And Those Deer Were Out To 45 Yards. I Was Shooting Wooden Shafts With Fletched Feathers And A Fred Bear Broadhead With A Razor Insert.
Practice - Practice- Practice And Keep Those Broadheads Sharp And You Will Kill Deer.poundage Is Something That Became Available With New Technology *** With All This Hold Off ***. Personnelly I Don't Think There Would Be 1/4 Of All The Bowhunters We Have Today Without All Of This Hold Off Of Poundage. How Many Of You Out There Ever Shot A 55# Recurve Bow (without Any Holdoff)
And Had To Hold Your Shot On A Deer At 20 Yards For Two Minutes And Then Make A Killing Shot. Maybe One Half Of 1 Percent I'd Bet!
Arrow Placement And Very Sharp Arrows Are What Kill Deer And Poundage Is Last. Anything 35# And Up With Correct Arrow Placement And A Very Sharp Broadhead Will Easily Do The Job.

[monczunski]

45 will do just fine...i killed two deer about 25 yards out shooting about 40.(wen i first started)...make her pull back a # that is comfertable to her... 45 # is all you need...if she is a good shot the arrow might pass right through the deer!!!!

[halfczech]

I know a guy that to prove a point, used a 35lb recurve and got a pass thru on a cow elk. its all about sharp broadheads and shot placement.

[HookDaddySlayer]

She's good to go at that weight. It really is about accuracy but I would like to make one suggestion. Go with a fixed blade (that is razor sharp) broadhead and stay away from the mechanicals. I would be leery of trying to get a pass through with a mechanical without a fair amount of kinetic energy. Not knowing the arrow weight, length, style(carbon/aluminum) etc. I am just guessing at this, but your comment about her lobbing them leads me to believe that it may be an issue. Wish you both luck next season.:)

[HookDaddySlayer]

If you do decide to bump her poundage up I have a tip. Take it up a quarter turn every other time you practice. It's hardly noticeable and after enough sessions she'll be suprised what she can draw.

[MathewsPimp]

thats what i did and i draw back 70 like nothing!

[Waterwolf55]

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/521/100_0072.jpg

My daughter-in-law shot this deer @ 15 yards W/ a 40# bow complete pass thru

[devo024]

If you do decide to bump her poundage up I have a tip. Take it up a quarter turn every other time you practice. It's hardly noticeable and after enough sessions she'll be suprised what she can draw.


Very good idea, I never thought of that. She is a pretty good shot, and after a summer of practice, we both should be a little better. She has taken a deer before (before I knew her) with a gun, so she knows about shot placement, and it being even more important with a bow. I have passed on deer with my bow the last 2 years because I wasnt confident in my shot placement, but I think this year will be the year :D

Also 1 more question, will the lb increase on a bow that hasnt been used for awhile? If we had a bow that hasnt been shot in a year or two that was a 60lb draw, would it increase? My old bow seems to be alot tougher to draw back than it was, and I cant believe that I got weaker, I dont have any trouble with the newer one. I just feel more comfortable with my old one.

[brdhntr]

I have her shoot over a chrono to determine her KE, too. Would help with developing a good our range limit.

On your bow, you would be surprised how quickly the muscles degrade if you
aren't shooting regularly. The muscles used to draw don't get used very often during a regular days work for most people.

[Swamp Monster]

Also 1 more question, will the lb increase on a bow that hasnt been used for awhile? If we had a bow that hasnt been shot in a year or two that was a 60lb draw, would it increase? My old bow seems to be alot tougher to draw back than it was, and I cant believe that I got weaker, I dont have any trouble with the newer one. I just feel more comfortable with my old one.


It's not the weight, it's probably just that your use to your new bow that has a different force draw curve. Depending on the let off, draw length, and style of cams.....60#'s from one bow may feel heavier or lighter than the same 60#'s from another. It also could be that the string on your old bow has stretched and the draw weight will increase a bit when that happens.


As for your original question...no problems as long as shots are at normal bow ranges, (I'd stay in the 20 yard range) the bow is well tuned, and the broadheads are razor sharp. Shot placement is critical as well, but it's critical regardless of how much weight you draw.

[carp_assasin]

poundage Is Something That Became Available With New Technology *** With All This Hold Off ***. Personnelly I Don't Think There Would Be 1/4 Of All The Bowhunters We Have Today Without All Of This Hold Off Of Poundage. How Many Of You Out There Ever Shot A 55# Recurve Bow (without Any Holdoff)


Am I missing something? What's hold off? :confused:

[KalamazooKid]

.... shoots her bow at about 38 lbs. Her last 3 deer have all been pass throughs. All at 15-20 yards.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/522/medium/DSCN0470.JPG

Stress (as others have done) ....

Limit yardage to 20 yards
Shot placement
Sharp broadheads
Full broadside or slightly quartering away ONLY!I'm going through this same learning curve right now with my 12 yr old son. Even though we practice out to 50 yards, ALL shots on deer are 20 yards or less ...... now if I can find him a cure for BUCK FEVER.:help:

[devo024]

Well this makes me feel more comfortable about us going together. Thanks for all the input and advice. Now, later on this year Ill start to ask about equipment :D

[djkillaz]

Minimun legal poundage is 45lb. If you draw at least that. Your golden!!!

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

Just Exactly Where Does It Say You Must Have A 45# Bow Or More To Hunt Deer?

[djkillaz]

I will get the reply I got from the Dnr. I emailed them last year for my son if he was at the correct pondage for deer. They told me 45# was what they want for the fact that to low of poundage will increase the chance of not pentrating far enough. And more of a chance of wounding the deer. And posts from stupid people. like the last post is the reason why hunters get a bad rap!!!

[Little Roober]

That may be what they'd like, but it's not the law.

[djkillaz]

I was told though that This was going to be added in the archery regulations. Not sure when. just know there pushing hard on it.

[djkillaz]

I emailed the lansing branch so I can get a response on this. I emailed the same rep. that I talked to the last time. I will have an answer if it past or what the deal of this topic. If it didnt I opologize to all who's bra's and panties got all blown up on the post. its redaline time for some I think!!

[Richard6908]

Minimun legal poundage is 45lb. If you draw at least that. Your golden!!!

Not to be an *** but that is the biggest load of crap ive ever heard.
You can easily take a deer with 30# as long as your smart on keeping good sharp broadheads,take time on shot and place it good.

[Backwoods-Savage]

What do you folks think would be the min. lb for hunting deer? I have a friend who wants to go next year, and I swear, when she shoots her bow, it goes on an arc. She is very accurate (more than me) but I dont want her to shoot at a deer and have the arrow bounce off, or worse yet, just wound it. Im not sure but I think hers is around 45#.

devo024, fear not. Your situation sounds familiar. My wife and I have archery hunted deer since the early 1960's, long before compound bows came on the market. At times she has been able to outshoot me too!

You'll be happy to know that our recurve hunting bows were 42 and 45 lb draw. The longest shot I've taken with the recurve bow is 36 yards; no problem. I had set a 40 yard limit for myself but everything had to be perfect before I'd take that long of a shot. Most have been under 25 yards.

Just make sure she practices a lot, under hunt-like conditions and also practices with broadheads. Then make certain that all broadheads are extremely sharp before heading out to the woods. If you can't shave with the broadhead, it is not sharp enough. Once again, practice more than just standing on the line and shooting a target or even a 3-D course. The 3-D courses are great, but you still need more practice. For example, practice shooting from a treestand, or if hunting on the ground, then from a blind or whatever she is going to use.

One way we like to practice is to set up a treestand and a minimum of 3 targets (we like the 3-D targets but don't use them exclusively) at varying distances and angles. Get on your stand and everything ready as you would for hunting. Then sit still! Take a book with you if you need to. Don't shoot even one arrow until a minimum of 30 minutes have passed. Then shoot only one arrow. Sit another 30 minutes before shooting one more arrow, etc. Great way to practice and also a very good way to force yourself to slow down and relax.

Good luck.

[utan]

DJ

There is no minimum poundage required in Michigan while bowhunting, that is a fact. As far as I know there is no "push" by the DNR to get a 45lb minimum on the books.

As a matter of fact a law like that would keep a lot of youngsters, old timers and women out of the woods during archery season. A lady I know took a monster buck around 10 years ago with a 28lb compound bow and cut on contact head. Her shot was around 15 yards and complete penetration netted her an awsome deer.

Heavy bows are ok if you need the arrow to stick in the ground for a foot after a pass thru but if you know your limitations and use your head you will be ok.

[bigbuckmaster]

The minimum you can shoot and kill a deer with is 25 pounds. It might sound impossible but you can kill a deer with that much.

[bmarken]

i killed my first deer with 33lbs very clean kill

[djkillaz]

This subject is far off track. I'm Out !!!!!

[sniper's mojo]

Why Is It I Haven't Heard Anyone Comment On Arrow Placement And Keeping Your Broadheads Sharp? Poundage Should Be Your Last Concern! If You Can't Hit The Vitals I Don't Care If Your Shoot 120# Bow Or A 300 Magnum. A Bad Shot Is A Bad Shot. I've Killed Many A Deer With A 35# Bear Recurve Bow Back In The 60's And 70's (without Any Pins Or Sights ) And Those Deer Were Out To 45 Yards. I Was Shooting Wooden Shafts With Fletched Feathers And A Fred Bear Broadhead With A Razor Insert.
Practice - Practice- Practice And Keep Those Broadheads Sharp And You Will Kill Deer.poundage Is Something That Became Available With New Technology *** With All This Hold Off ***. Personnelly I Don't Think There Would Be 1/4 Of All The Bowhunters We Have Today Without All Of This Hold Off Of Poundage. How Many Of You Out There Ever Shot A 55# Recurve Bow (without Any Holdoff)
And Had To Hold Your Shot On A Deer At 20 Yards For Two Minutes And Then Make A Killing Shot. Maybe One Half Of 1 Percent I'd Bet!
Arrow Placement And Very Sharp Arrows Are What Kill Deer And Poundage Is Last. Anything 35# And Up With Correct Arrow Placement And A Very Sharp Broadhead Will Easily Do The Job.


I agree whole heartedly with this post. That being said the more poundage you can pull the better off you are. It is a physical exercise so work the muscles little bit at a time and get to the highest poundage you can by hunting season. Only reason being is the margin of error factor. If you put it in the boiler room you dont need much poundage at all for a clean quick kill. If in a hunting situation you miss a little and have to get through some bone like a shoulder or something, you will be thankful for a cut on contact sharp broadhead and strong poundage. I unfortunately have had to rely on the high poundage on my bow to get the kill on a couple of occasions in the past. Bottom line......practice.practice.practice! If you are a crack shot poundage is not an issue. Good luck and do whatever it takes to get out in the woods!

[Pinefarm]

Easy guys. I edited some foul language that everyone knows shouldn't be used in a mean spirited way. Keep it clean and keep it on topic or I'll have to shut this one down.

[KalamazooKid]

And posts from stupid people. like the last post is the reason why hunters get a bad rap!!!

A very constructive question was asked about draw weights - one that really concerns youngsters, perhaps some women and seniors too. These are the folks that we really need in our sport right now. For someone with all of those sponsors, you should know your regulations and perhaps add something positive to this discussion.

[devo024]

Mods, I got my answers, and didn't want this thread to get to this. I was hoping I could just ask a simple question, and get some input, not start an argument. I thank everyone for their input, and this can get locked anytime now. Dont want anyone getting upset on my account :hide:

[Pinefarm]

Sounds great to me! :) ;)
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