what doy guys consider the min. bow weight for a hunting bow

I'd say it according to what'cha plan on huntin' w/it. [:-]

For close-in shooting on thin-skinned deer sized critters, I'd say 40-45# would get the job done...further shots and/or bigger critters call for more powerful bows.

Up here in BC it is legal to hunt everything with a 40 pound at your drawlength bow. Grizzly Bears, Moose, Caribou etc. Except Bison. You have to have a 50 pound at your drawlength bow.

Sharp broadheads and good shot placement, 40 pounds is plenty.


=keith=

i agree with lcoast... he is very right, good shot placement, a sharpened broadhead, and a reponsible good vital shot will get the job done at 40 lbs.

thanks for the replys
now back to looking for my first bow

Scary sharp broadheads, accurate shot placement, & superbly flying arrows are among the prerequisites for bowhunting no matter the draw weight.

Hmmmm....do you guys really recommend shooting a brown bear or moose with a 40# bow?? Yikes!!

Hunting what ?

Deer size game ? I dunno ... 40 pounds with the right arrow/broadhead and good shooting will kill deer size game I imagine ........

Can't say I'd try it, but I know one Canadian who said that there are guys there that regularly kill moose with 40-45# trad bows. Know a lady in PA who killed a record book gemsbok (about the size of an elk, with a lot more will to live) pulling 47@26 on a longbow--broadhead stuck out the far side, animal went approx. 65 yds and was down. Saw a fellow in Australia post pics of a camel he killed (dang big critter, yes he planned to eat it) with a mid 40's longbow--a Hill style if I remember correctly.

Sharp, sharp, sharp broadhead, pefect arrow flight, and putting it in the right spot will amaze you.

I do suggest checking your state regulations and seeing what the legal minimum is.

Chad

Just a thought on bow weight.. There are a lot of different types of longbows and recurves out there.. The speed can be slow, medium or fast.. Bow weight can also be rated to bow speed. If my 45lb recurve is shooting a arrow that weights 500 grs at 180 fps and another recurve, at 55 lbs, is shooting the same arrow at 185, I'd go with the lighter bow.. Easier to shoot.. But again, but type of game also enters the picture..and a sharp broadhead with a cutting point is what really gets the job done..

Thanks
Calabash

Vic,

Would I? yes, should the day come where I can't draw 50+ anymore.

HOWEVER

Can I? Nope, its against the law!

The best thing you can do UD is shoot some bows and figure out what you feel comfortable shooting. Realize you will gain a bit of muscle fairly quick depending on how much and how often you shoot. EVERYTHING will feel heavy mainly due to no left off and using different muscles. Find something that dont hurt ya, and go no more then that, 4 or 5 lbs less is even better.