I'm about half Sauk with some Iroquois thrown in there. I grew up traditionally and even know some of the language. I have a few of my grandfather's bows that he made, and have been on the reservation a few of my summers.

Perhaps a history lesson is in order. 30-35# was more than sufficient for them because they used hunting techniques that are nearly dead now. They dressed as their prey and walked amoung them, they weren't noticed because they knew how to act like them, they weren't detected because they smelled like them, and could take an animal from as little as 10 feet away. They also drove animals off the edge of cliffs and into water to kill them or slow them down so they could be taken at a closer range.

Also don't make the assumption that natives used only one type of bow, because there were others that were of a higher weight that differed from location and tribes. Also, obsidian is MUCH sharper than steel will ever be. Look closely and compare the two under the microscope. Steel is choppy and sloppy and looks like it'll just tear rather than penetrate and cause any real damage. Obsidian on the other hand, is still being used by some surgeons because it offers a much cleaner and efficient cut with half the effort. A small obsidian projectile will pass through flesh much more smoothly than the sharpest metal blade. This can be easily proven. I don't recommend nor condone it because it could potentially be dangerous, but if you were to take a blade from your arrow head, and try to shave the hairs from your arm. Using a small obsidian fleck, apply the same amount of pressure to your arm and drag. You'll remove the top layer of your skin with just that small movement. With a projectile like that, you won't need a huge amount of weight.

For hundreds of years, the native men had one purpose; killing. Whether it was killing opposing tribes, or animals, their shots were well practiced and near perfect. They hardly had to worry if the arrow would find its mark. A bow was placed in a young boy's hands from the time he was able to hold it. From that day foward he'd shoot. He'd make his own arrows, his own bow, and master the skill to provide for the tribe.

Humans, whether you believe in evolution or not, have the same systems, functions and needs as animals. We require energy to do work. We get our energy through the food and other resources we take in. If we are doing a large amount of work, we require a large amount of energy, and therefore a large amount of food. Now whether natives recognized it scientifically or not it is not known for sure, but it is hardwired into every animal not to waste more energy than is needed, therefore they would not be taking long shots to chance spooking or wounding the animal because then it would require more energy to track it down. One shot, one kill was the easiest way to go because it required less energy and was therefore more sensible. They simply did not have the mass resources available to us to keep a constant (overabundant) supply of energy. Take a look at the cheetah, this is a perfect example of this behavior.

Now, if you are Cherokee as you say, you must have been brought up with some tradition. In this tradition you are taught (I know this because I have many Cherokee friends and my Grandma speaks Cherokee) a huge respect for all that is living and all that is not. The game you hunt falls into this. Which meant that you wanted to give that animal the respect and honor of a quick death. Therefore you wouldagain not take a lameshot or a questionable shot, because that would not be fulfilling the deer's honor. Ifthe animal suffered, you suffered.Honor was theonly way, for that was themeasure of a man. After a good shot and aquick deathyou thanked the animal for its sacrifice and gave it the honor of a last meal, generally a sprig in the deer's mouth. You would celebrate the animal at yearly festivals, and talk of how a particular deer evaded you for days, much like hunting camp today.

Now I come to the section of your quote that I put into bold. We live in a dangerous time and our tradition is facing extinction due to liberal hippie huggers. If not for the deer's sake, or the trouble of having to finish it off, think about the words that you just put on the internet for all to read. If we are going to win our battle, unfortunetly we have to play the game. We have to be careful at what we say and not give them any more fuel for their fire. I won't criticize the way you hunt, but personally I see it as less than honorable. Doing the humane thing, and always ensuring your shot is practicing general hunting safety, and not being reckless.

Let me put it to you in terms you may better understand. If not for the deer, if not for trying not to feed the fire, think about this. You shoot your deer, a trophy in ever sense of the word,and you miss. That deer is now running wounded. He runs for miles until he's on somebody else's property. That person drops him. That deer now belongs to him. A beautiful animal that could have been yours, and you let him slip through your fingers because you had something to prove. Or try this one, the US faces another disaster and people are forced to hunt for food for a while. Because you've accepted that 30# is more than enough, and don't see fit to better your hunting skill or ability, you keep missing deer after deer. Now what?

Ok, very long and drawn out. My point is not to accept anything less than perfection. I'm not talking some draw weight set forth by any one person. I'm talking about something safe, something smart, and something comfortable. If your draw weight is low, practice until you can pull more. If your draw weight is very high, practice lowering it sometimes to become accustomed to the different feels. You never know when you might have to use someone else's bow.

Also, as a side note, we do not use the same tools, although they may look the same or do the same things as the natives of their time, so they make a bad comparison when talking about draw weights today. That was my point in the history lesson. They were experts in their time, and we are not.

I am not starting a fight, nor am I looking for one, so choose carefully in your reply. I am but a well of information at your disposal, choose to use it as you wish.