very well said paul! i had done the same a few years back ., and i too had a real hard time pulling that bow back on stand ., and i was pulling back on a deer!! and i also herd some stuff tear in my shoulder also ., so now i am down to 65# and i cant go up anymore., start low and work your way up to being comfertable., being in that comfert stage no matter what #s you are pulling, will make the shot weather it be 15-or 40 much better!! good luck

Poundage is meaningless in a lot of cases. It comes down to arrow speed, not draw weight. My bow at 62 pounds shoots much faster than a recurve at 70 pounds, or even my old compound at 70. Now, some guys can circumsize a gnat at 40 yards with slower bows, and as long as they are comfortable with the penetration they are getting then more power to them. However, just getting a fast bow will not magically give your girlfriend the ability to shoot a deer at 40 yards.

First, 40 yards is a long shot. A lot can happen with even the fastest bows at that distance. I have been hunting all my life and bow only for the last 20 years and I can drill a 3D deer target at 60+ plus yards every time BUT it dosen't step, turn, flench, or jump the string. I keep my shots under 30 yards and it has to be perfect before I will shoot from 20 or more.

As for draw weight, my son shot his first deer several years ago at 9 years old with a 35# bow. He did not get a pass thrugh but the fletches were all that stayed in the exit hole. This kid could drive tacks at 10-15 yards and his bow shot like a dart. He used 100 grain Muzzys and Gold Tip arrows. With the correct set up and a WELL tuned bow 35-40 pounds should be O.K. out to 20 yards but that is about all you can get out of a short draw, low weight bow.

Shane

HAHA. Those were two seperate questions. Sorry to confuse you guys. The distance question was for me. I was thinking of buying her a new bow and wanted to know what you guys recommend for the poundage on her bow. Sorry if my stating of the question was confusing. I wouldn't shoot at a deer at 40 yards but some would just wondering what kind of penetration you could get at that distance. Thanks.

Paul and david pretty much summed it up. 40 yards is a long shot no matter what. Get your g/f a bow she can pull back. With practice she can learn to be an archer. Learn how to get close to deer and she'll be a bowhunter.