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Just wondering what the proper set up for Alaska Moose and Brown bear would be? My basic setup for most all of my hunts is as follows- 60" longbow 55lb @28", whether Im shooting carbon or wood it's roughly a 600 grain arrow. Im going to be hunting the fall of 2011 and want to start preparing my rig. I will be using a 2 blade broadhead, either a Grizzly or aboyer broadhead. Im wondering if I have enough rig to penetrate both species? Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks again Gang- Andrew
Posts: 395 | From: Morrison Colorado | Registered: May 2007
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Never hunted either, but there had been a recent debate on similar setup for elk. Many thought it was light for elk which would make it really like for moose or bear. I would opt for at least another 10 lbs for moose, and probably even more for bear. They have been killed with less but I don't think it would normally be advised.
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I have hunted both, and they are both tough critters to take down. I personally use a Blacktail set at 70lb. Your set-up may be a little light, but stick to what you are comfortable with. Moose are very thick skinned and do not go down easy. Even with a rifle. I've killed a dozen or so moose and they are one of my favorite big animals to hunt. Make sure you trust the person backing you up, cause things can and will get exciting very fast. Good luck on your hunt!
Posts: 1 | From: Fairbanks, Alaska | Registered: Jan 2010
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I have shot moose with bow weights ranging from 45#- 75#, lighter weights due to shoulder injuries, 55-60# works, you need to be close and have everything flying straight and sharp. Your arrow weight is pretty close to what I shoot. Tha Alaskan moose are larger than the moose around Central Alberta so I would move up in bow weight a little if possible, as long as you can maintain accuracy. I can't speak on the bears as I have only shot blackbears. I think Fred Eichler shot his with less than 55#.
Terry
Posts: 459 | From: Central Alberta | Registered: Mar 2005
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Focus on optimizing your arrows. You already mentioned a shoulder injury so I doubt more poundage is an option here. Read the most recent Ashby reports and make your arrows more efficient, and get your arrow tune perfect. 55lbs is plenty if you get close and put the shot where it counts. You will get better penetration than a compounder with light arrows if you optimize your arrows. I would also look at pushing my arrow weight above 650 grains, this is the bone breaking threshold.
-------------------- Clay Walker Skill is not born into anyone. It is earned thru hard work and perseverance. Posts: 3246 | From: Vancouver, WA. | Registered: May 2009
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Thank you guys for the help and suggestions. It is greatly appreciated. Im already considering a 60lb+ bow, maybe something in the 63lb -66lb range. It's interesting, i feel more comfortable with a heavier bow, case in point is my 68" 63lb Adcock 2 piece longbow. thank you again, Drew
Posts: 395 | From: Morrison Colorado | Registered: May 2007
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I have yet to take a moose with traditional equipment. I used a 56# @ 29" long bow this year but just could not get a moose to where if felt like I had a good shot. In the last 30 years I have taken three moose with wheels and a bunch with a rifle. If you hit one of them through the lungs they will not go far. Get close and wait for a good shot and 55# will probably be enough. I think that you are on the right track at least 600 grains and a two blade broad head. You could contact Alaska Bow Hunting Supply they can give you some recommendations. They also have some pretty interesting broad heads. From few dealing I have had with them they seem to be pretty good people. http://www.alaskabowhunting.com/Posts: 252 | From: Alaska | Registered: Feb 2008
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I took my first canada moose this year with a 64# @ 29.5" pronghorn with 2219 shaft and magnus 160 2 blade. Total weight was 657 gr. Shot was 40 yd and hit low shoulder penetrating into off shoulder. I felt very good about this combo. I think the key is a heavy shaft with good FOC. Kent
Posts: 51 | From: Kansas | Registered: Aug 2009
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I have no personal experience in shooting either moose or brown bear with a bow and arrow. Fred Eichler has shot most of the grand slam of North American game with his Palmer 54# recurve, including brown bear and a large Alaska-Yukon moose. So, if you are using an efficient 55# bow with the arrow weight and broadheads you mention, have everything well tuned, and hit the animals in the proper spot, you should have no trouble getting good penetration. Fred's moose was a long ways off when he shot, but his arrow was well placed and still penetrated well. I am not sure what kind of longbow you have, but not every bow is terribly efficient. Ed Ashby had about an 83# longbow that shot the same arrow at the same velocity as a more efficient 65# bow. So, you can't go strictly by draw weight. Try shooting your arrows through a chronograph and make sure your bow is getting good velocities. A fast 55# bow will be enough. A slow 60# bow may not be. If you can shoot a 63# bow better than a 55# bow, by all means use the heavier bow, assuming they are both equally efficient.
Allan
-------------------- TGMM Family of the Bow Posts: 3186 | From: Oklahoma | Registered: Mar 2008
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Your setup is just fine but like the others said I would try to dial in an arrows about 600 grains - 650 minimum.
Your longbow the 63# one would do the trick for sure, but if you can't pull it I would stick with the 55# and up the arrow weight.
My bud got a nice moose ( we have some dandies here - big bodies) and he took it with a 53# lonbow that he made himself (lots of glass and shoots fast) and a 580 grain arrow. He shot him at 12 yards and got a pass through.
I am not sure if you would be wanting to shoot at 35+ yards though.
Jer Bear
Posts: 1608 | From: Whitehorse, Yukon | Registered: Jan 2008
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Agree with others regarding efficiency and "rated" poundage. My Hoyt limbs are expensive poor performers compared to my Black Max Samicks. But have sneaking suspision that BM limbs are heavier than rated. Please, please no poundage! Would prefer arrow weight and speed!
Posts: 30 | From: California | Registered: Nov 2009
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I made a complete pass through on a large brown bear(26- 10/16) with a 52# recurve,600 gn.ceader arrow at 30" draw,30 yd.shot, I would not hesitate on a moose with the same bow and a Grizzly Elgrande.John
Posts: 130 | From: MT | Registered: Mar 2006
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I hunt with a 60# Kodiak TD, arrow dynamics hammer head and a 150grn Alaska bow hunting supply samurai, total arrow weight is just above 600grn. 55# is plenty for moose, hundreds if not thousands of moose have fallen to a 40-45 pound bows before the 50 pound weight limit was instated. I also totally disagree about them being hard to kill! Lots of moose in the bush have been killed with a .223! In my experience put it in the boiler room wait 20-40 minutes and get ready to work harder than you ever have in the field.
Bears are another story. Doesn't matter what poundage your bow is you will need either a back up you trust with your life or a side arm you are proficient enough to risk your life with. 55# and your rig will definitely get the job done but arrows kill via massive hemorrhaging, that gives the bear enough time to take you with him! I have not had a serious charge yet but I focus on black bear, I do have 3 friends who had very close encounters with Mr. Brown last year. All three had to use there side arm to finish the job!
-------------------- Just this Alaskan's opinion Posts: 547 | From: Palmer Alaska | Registered: Aug 2008
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I hunt with a 60# Morrison TD Recurve, MFX shafts with 100 grain brass inserts and 145-150 grain broadheads. Haven't gotten a moose or a bear yet,but thanks to the many words of encouragement from the people on this sight and those on leatherwall, I feel very confident with my setup. This isn't a brown bear, but as Rick stated in his post..."you will need either a back up you trust with your life or a side arm you are proficient enough to risk your life with." I was the back up for this hunt...this is my brother's first big game kill with his set up. Posts: 41 | From: Russian Mission, Alaska | Registered: Jan 2005
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