min draw weight for deer?

Seif5034 · 10-04-2009, 07:30 AM

My wife wants to get into archery as I get back into it. She's never shot bows much. She's been to the range with me a time or two and shot bows with draw weights under 30#

I Know she wants to stay around 35# but I personally wouldn't be comfortable under 45#. I'm not sure how well a 35# bow will penetrate.

Can anyone suggest a old/cheap bow model that is adjustable from like 30#-50# ~27" DL?

Thanks in advance for your help

virginiashadow · 10-04-2009, 07:49 AM

Seif, best of luck. I know that around 35-40 lbs is enough to kill a deer.

itsslow98 · 10-04-2009, 07:02 PM

i thinkk the law in maryland states the minimum draw weight for deer hunting is 35#s here so i think its safe to say that 35+ is best.

jag-mag · 10-04-2009, 07:15 PM

30# in WI, 35# will kill a deer if the yardage is kept on the shorter side 20yrds and under.

dprsdhunter · 10-04-2009, 07:22 PM

40 in illinois

while on the subject -anyone ever had draw weight checked by game warden???

I have never heard of anyone

10-04-2009, 07:27 PM

I shoot selfbows and longbows. I can guarantee you 40lbs compounds will easily do the job. I just got a passthru on a doe with a 50lb compund shooting 170fps with a 550gr arrow. I do not feel underbowed at all.

Here's the important part. Shoot a cut on contact BH. Preferabely 2 bladed.

bigcountryok · 10-04-2009, 07:28 PM

35# is plenty with a good cut on contact broadhead. The PSE Spyder seems to be a good choice for a reasonably priced bow with alot of adjustment in it.

BuckRogers · 10-04-2009, 07:42 PM

My gf just got a Mission Menace and loves it. It goes up to 53lbs and is easily adjustable. Comes in different colors too. Whole setup was 450

909bowsniper · 10-04-2009, 08:51 PM

35# will get it done....