I havesomequestions.

What would shoot better? A well tuned arrow, tuned for a well tuned bow at 55#'s or an untuned arrow not tuned for an untuned bow at 70#'s?

What percentage of bowhunters do you think make sure their bow and arrows are tuned and tuned together?

Here in my part of southern MD we have one "pro shop" (not a big box sports store) and I am familiar with their bow "expertise" and the bow "expertise" of their patrons and you can bet that the large majority of bowhunters down here are their patrons. Now, I honestly don't know if it is better for a part-time bowhunter (get the bow out a couple of days before hutning season shot a few arrows to verify the sight) to pull 70# or 55#.

Do some of you more experienced bowhunters think it is better for a part-timer (as described above) to shoot 70# or 55#?

My personal (inexperienced) opinion on DW is that if you practice often and know how to tune your arrows and bow then 50#-60# should be plenty fast enough for any North American big game.

If you are not going to shoot at all until the season starts thanI think you should keep the weight down to what you can manage. If you are strong enough ot shoot 70# then use 70#. A poor shot is a poor shot. However, the higher poundage may allow you to recover the game better.

That whole thing about people only shooting during the season really burns my a$$. I live in an apartment andI can get to the range at least 1 time a week to shoot.I quit archery hunting for a few years becauseI couldn'tpractice. It was a moral decision based on the concern with wounding game taht I wish more people would follow.

If you are not going to put in the time to learn how to use the equipment or draw it properly, or spend the time at the range to be proficient then you have no business being in the woods with a weapon. If you want to watch the birdies and squirrel do it without a bow. I can not see wounding an animal just to say you fling arrows at game.

Personally, I'd rather be in the woods with a well tuned 70# bow than a poorly tuned 55# bow any day. The tuning issue should be kept seperate from the poundage discussion. A poorly tuned bow is poorly tuned bow no matter what the poundage.

I personally know several people who take deer with 50# longbow, including myself. Quik, you sure you actually hunt and know people that hunt?

First question is why are you so disrespectful? Yes, 55ft-lbsis plenty of KE. Thank you for helping my argument.My wife's bow at 41# (and it will be at 50# by the time season rolls around) is shooting 48 ftlbs of KE. That is plenty, especially with fixed blade broadheads. She also will only be shooting 20 yards and less. That bow at 50# will havealmost the sameKEas the 60# recurve, and that is with a 24" draw length!

My bottom line is that the draw weight does not have to be what it used to be for most big game species. Restrictions on KE make a lot more sense. If your argument were that no one should hunt with less than 50ft-lbs of KE, then at least I could see where you were coming from.Your current argument is like saying "If your biceps aren't X" in circumference you shouldn't be able to hunt." A rather weak argument indeed.

Sounds like y'all need to start eating your wheaties. Maybe then you'll be able to draw bows with the big kids.

Truer words have never been spoken. I think some people get their jollies just saying "my son bow hunts, and he's only 3 years old," or "my wife is a big-time bowhunter." Pads their ego or something. They leave out the important details that you could throw the arrows harder than their bows are shooting, or that they've crippled 12 deer in 3 seasons.

huntignson,

I commend the way you are going about archery hunting with your wife. If you limit the range the lower draw weight bows are acceptable. And you are having her shoot the highest weight she can comfortably shoot.If more people would do that we wouldn't need this argument.

The problem comes in when people start flinging arrows at animals at distances their skills do not allow. I'm not going to recommend any minimum weight. Our ancestors were killing animals with weapons that were nowhere as lethal as what we have today.

In the same token I believe that you should use the highest weight you can in case of a mishap. Today's 45# definitely are more lethal than the 55# bowI started off with andI think if a person is using new technology that's just fine. I just hate the idea of an arrow sticking out of an animal due to insufficient energy. That's why I go as high asI can comfortably shoot.

OMG this is the finniest thing I have read. My 6 year daugher can catch her self better than me. Has nothing to do with just peer strength.

I have hunted with 4 or 5 youth hunters with bows set a 40 lbs. We are4 for 4 on deer. I would rather have them shoot less pounds accurately
than shoot heavier pound bow to be macho to their buddies.

Those are some big assumptions

Here you go guys. With all this supreme marksmanship, I'm sure you'll get a perfect pass-through at 3#draw with a well-placed lung shot. This baby carries a whopping2 pounds of KE, which is plenty for fawn whitetail, especially if you use a cut-on-contact broadhead.

If you're using more bow than this, you're probably just overbowed, which will hamper your chances at success.

FYI - Boscov's has Get In Shape Girl Gymnastics sets on sale for $9.99. You guys could work on yourflexibility and core strength for the upcoming season.

http://www.boscovs.com/StoreFrontWeb/Product.bos?assortmentDepartmentNumber=6172240&amp ;assortmentId=4&itemNumber=37266&type=Prod uct

You sure know how to go over board[8D] You are going to make a great lawyer someday

OMFG!!! I about busted a gut on this.