I know a lady in PA (actually know her and her husband, and hope to visit with them some this summer) who killed a nice water buck and a record book gemsbok with her 47@26 longbow. Both of these animals are way bigger than a whitetail. I don't remember on the waterbuck, but I know on the gemsbok her broadhead was sticking out the far side.

It's second hand info, but I know guys in AK and Canada and they have told be about guys there killing moose with 45# trad bows. I'd have to get a few under my belt before I tried that though!

Consider arrow flight, shot placement, and broadhead--get these right and you should do fine even on those monster MD whitetails.

Chad