Poundage?

[SamPAhunter]

My old bow is 40-60lb draw. This bow is pretty old. Im going to be getting a new bow Saturday and was wondering with a 60-70lb draw bow can they take it acouple pounds below 60 as well? I can pull 60 easy. But for when I just feel like tonin down for like small game and such could it go as far as 58 or so?
Thanks guys!

[Monie]

Small game, as in deer? 60 lbs is MORE than enough for deer.

[deerslayer270]

no i think he means small game as in squirells and rabbits and such.....

[BGfisher]

60# is enough for any North American game so I'd choose a 50-60 to begin with. If you are just looking for now you might even look at bows in the Martin line as they have a 15# range. ie.-45-60 or 55-70.

Take into consideration that bows today are much more efficient than those of just a few years ago. What you might have thought you needed 70# for can be had with 60# today. A lot less wear and tear on the shoulders as well. This will become more evident as you age so no need to help the aging process.

[badger109]

Well, I know that the Matthews Drenalin 50-60# actually goes up to about 64. So a lower poundage bow might go up a few extra pounds. But 60#, especially in a good new bow, is pleanty to kill a deer.

[Straightarrow]

Bowhunters regularly kill deer with 35 lb longbows. Anything you use for small game is going to be overkill. Personally, I find nothing more fun than taking out my recurve when small game hunting. You can draw and shoot much, much quicker. Besides, it's just plain fun.

The reason you don't want to use the same compound for small game, is that the arrow required out of a 58 lb draw is not the same as what you need out of a 70 lb draw. You can go out an buy two sets of arrows - one for small game, but then your sights are not correct. For me, it's far easier and more enjoyable to shoot different bows for different purposes. You may even want to leave your old bow setup for small game.

You may want to think carefully about that recurve/long bow option. Good used ones can be found cheap and shooting them at small game is absolutely addicting.

[Roskoe]

My Hoyt Pro Tec 50/60 actually pulls at 62.4 when cranked up all the way. This is plenty of zip for anything on this continent. Also, bows seem to be more efficient when they are close to their maximum intended draw weight.

[davepjr71]

Go with the draw weight that you prefer. You are the one that is buying the bow and it's your money. There are a lot of people that shoot 60-70# bows.

My buddy had a Matthews that only maxed at 58 lbs. You are not guaranteed to be over 60 lbs with a 50-60 lb bow.

Go with the maximum draw weight that you can shoot comfortably. That means that you can sit in a chair and pull it back. However, if you haven't shot in a while even a 60# bow will feel heavy if you aren't working our regularly. (Work out regularly to protect the body)

Remember what Roskoe is saying. The bow is more efficient at maximum and if you are not going to shoot it regularly (deer season)at the max weight then go with the 50-60# bow. Check the max weight before buying to ensure it goes over 60#'s if that is a requirement.