Bow poundage?

[Mr. Longbeard]

I am getting a LH recurve to shoot to see if I can make the switch from RH shooter Too LH shooter... Anyhow the new LH bow is 45lb and I was wondering... Do you guys think 45lb's is enough poundage to take out a average size whitetail at 20 yards???

[LBR]

As long as you do your part with tuning and shot placement, 45# is more than enough.

[Cessna Flyer]

Absolutely not, you need at least 50 pounds, 60 pounds is even better.

I have seen a 40 pound recurve shoot through a nice 125 pound hog. Your 45 pound bow will do fine if you do your part.

[Night Wing]

A whitetail deer is a thin skinned animal. It doesn't take lots of poundage to kill a whitetail deer. I've been bowhunting close to 46 years and I take whitetail deer with both of my bows and my bows are 42# and 37#. The key (for me) using light poundage bows has always been a very sharp 2 blade broadhead, shot placement and heavy arrows. My 42# bow shoots a 672 grain arrow and my 37# bow shoots a 570 grain arrow. I don't think anyone shoots 15 grains per pound like I do. These heavy arrows give me pass through shots on the game animals I bowhunt. I practice shooting at 10, 15 and 20 yards, but when I'm bowhunting, I will take the shot somewhere between 12-17 yards.

[Mr. Longbeard]

I figured that 45lb would be enough... I just wanted to be sure...
Cant wait to put a deer down with my recurve... Im 46 years old and have killed over a 100 deer with a compound... I think this traditional archery is going to be a part of my bow hunting for a long time!!!

[Nessmuk]

45 is enough to take one down at 20 yards. 50 is better but 45 can more than handle a Whitetail

[Rogue]

Interesting I believe that 45# is more than adequate for deer but you said that you were switching from right hand to left hand. 45# might be a little heavy to make the transition with. Good luck to you If you can do it, I am all but worthless lefthanded.