ORIGINAL: Jameshere
Hi,
I am James, in my 40's and just bought my first bow, used,less then three weeks ago. It is a Buck brand, of Buck knives fame, Sabre model compound bow which was made between 1999 and 2002. Was set at 70lb draw but I could not get it back, weakling here, so the man at the sporting goods store set it as low as it could go, about 42 lbs. I could pull that back but the limbs in no time popped out of their holder? so I had it reset at 50 lbs. Some say I will not be able to kill a deer at this draw weight, others say I should be ok out to 30 yards or so.I am sure the min. draw is about 55 or 60 lbs for this bow, is it ok to shoot at 50 pounds? I am using a mechanical release and afterabout 10or 15 draws I can barely get it back. What should I do? Also any tips on shooting a compound bow for a new shooter/hunter and on deer and squirrel/rabbit hunting would be much appreciated! I live in Knoxville Tennessee and hunt the WMA spotsaround here.
Welcome to the sport mate. And might i add im a first year bow hunter but have owned my bow for a year prior.
First i would like to say who ever told you that you cannot kill a deer with a 50# draw is a fool.
I have seen hunting videos about this and some women shoot 40# to 46# draw and take a deer.
With my bow i am a 50# draw using Carbon Express 250 Arrows shooting 231 Feet per second.
The bow shop i deal with told/showed me if i switch to the Bemin ICS arrow i would get more Feet per second. So i shot one he made up. My bow will shoot that arrow at 250 Feet per second.
The IMO of my bow is rated for 305 FPS. So i would say this is very good for my setup.
For getting tired after 10 or so arrows, you will get stronger pretty quick and be able to handle the draw better, the more you shoot the bow. Dont burn your arm out or anything, but take 30 seconds to a minute betweens shots to help you build up strengh in your arms.
Now for the funner part of it. I shot at my first animal this year and it was squirrels. In my backyard i feed them in the summer and when season is close i put corn in front of my bow target. This way you dont lose arrows hunting them. I dont know if your allowed to bait them in your state or not. But if you can i would use them to practice on after you can shoot pretty well in your target.