Minimum pounds?????

lowcountry bowhunter · #1 07-29-2010, 03:31 PM

What do you think the minimum draw weight should be for a youth bow, to effectively kill a deer?

criggster · #2 07-29-2010, 03:46 PM

Personally, I think 45 pounds is minimum. But, you must always consider your states game laws. Does your state have a min.? Here in VA it states the bow must be capable of propelling an arrow a distance of "X" number of feet with a certain weight arrow.

Dogwood · #3 07-29-2010, 03:50 PM

Minimum legal weight, in my state is 40 lbs. If an archer cannot physically draw that weight, than I don't believe they are probably ready to hunt deer with a bow. JMO...
If legal weight in your state is less, I would question the ethics of it. Some modern, extremely efficient bows, might offer sufficient energy, with a little less weight (than 40lbs.), but I would be skeptical to go much lower, and expect to ensure clean kills. Your range would very limited, with less energy; that's for sure.
Many newer youth bows are highly adjustable, and allow kids to start with low poundage, and crank it up, to well over the minimum legal weight, as they develop strength and improve form.
PS>I, personally, wouldn't feel comfortable hunting deer, with less than 45lbs, as criggster said. But, many successfull hunters do, so it can be done, with reasonable success, when the archer is proficient, and knows their limitations.

Thump1 · #4 07-29-2010, 06:05 PM

Those 40 & 45 lb bow weight laws have been around since Moses was little and bows were REALLY slow. "Enough energy" is probably a better measure rather than poundage and I think that is what CRiggster's distance reference is estimating. Y amount of enery to propel a Z grain arrow X feet. Level vs 45 angle wasn't mentioned.

I'm sure there has been research done and some of the engineer types on here can comment better than I can. Archerytalk also might be a good source.

Also I'm sure it makes a big diff if your trying to drive a 2" expandable vs a smaller broadhead through a deer.

I love the fact you are starting early.

lowcountry bowhunter · #5 07-30-2010, 12:13 AM

Thanks for the info guys. I will check my state laws. My nephew is 10 and wants to start shooting. He is just a newbee but that is how it all starts. I think 45 is a good weight for him to work up to. Once he is there>>>> look out deer.

skin_dog1 · #6 07-30-2010, 01:11 AM

An aweful lot of deer have been killed with 40 pound recurves that aren't real efficient at transferring energy. I think a quality modern compound with a draw weight of 35lb's shooting the correct arrow with an 1 1/8" cut on impact fixed blade head will easily kill every deer he puts an arrow in if it is well placed. The thing I'd urge the most is to make certain he's accurate. Accuaracy is more important than the poundage and too much poundage will negatively impact accuracy. If he's drawing 70lbs and gut shoots or shoulder knuckle shoots a deer, it does neither of you any good! BTW, I've seen a 25lb compound fling an arrow at 250FPS! Now the energy wasn't that great because the arrow was very light, but you don't have to bury the arrow 6" in the dirt to kill the deer. Thats just wasted energy. All you need is a lung shot with 8" of penetration. The negative side of this is poor blood trails!! If you don't get a pass though, you only have 1 small hole and the arrow will be in it. Blood trails will be sparse so expect it!

Side Hill Growler · #7 07-30-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowcountry bowhunter

Thanks for the info guys. I will check my state laws. My nephew is 10 and wants to start shooting. He is just a newbee but that is how it all starts. I think 45 is a good weight for him to work up to. Once he is there>>>> look out deer.

I would get an adjustable bow for a kid. If he can't pull 45# You can lower it to a weight that he can pull. Keep it fun for the boy. Nothing is more frustrating for a kid than trying to do something he just isn't developed enough to do. With a bow at a lower pull weight will at least give him the chance to perfect his form, while he builds up his physical abilities.

buckdeer1 · #8 07-30-2010, 02:14 PM

My daughters bow set at 40lbs is alot faster than the old PSE and brownings I started with.At just under 40lbs last she hit a little high but still dropped the deer in it's tracks.I think the broadhead has alot to do with it at lower poundage and we are trying the stinger this year.Even with the youth bows there is a difference on how easy they are to draw at the same weight.The micro midas is easier to draw than the parker but I think the parker has alittle more aggressive wheels.

Mojostick · #9 07-30-2010, 04:34 PM

The favorite longbows and recurves I own are 45, 47 and 47. With a razor sharp 2 blade, a 40lb recurve can pass thru a deer.

This season, my "go to" bow will be my new Toekle Chinook recurve, coming in at 47lbs.

If using a modern compound, 35lb with either a 2 blade or something like an 85gr Magnus Stinger will kill any deer at reasonable ranges. Frankly, a 35lb traditional bow, with a razor sharp 2 blade, will kill any deer at short ranges.