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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Flyboy718 on November 10, 2011, 03:03:00 PM

Title: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Flyboy718 on November 10, 2011, 03:03:00 PM
Well...let me here positives/negatives, success/failures.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: ssoden on November 10, 2011, 03:05:00 PM
Very sharp 2 blade head, heavy arrow ( over 600 grains) , hit them were you should and you have success.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Jeff Strubberg on November 10, 2011, 03:06:00 PM
That's getting pretty marginal. What kind of bow?  What's your draw length?
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: RUSTY1 on November 10, 2011, 03:10:00 PM
I'm sure Joe (Night Wing) will be along shortly to give you his thoughts. That's right up his alley!!
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Flyboy718 on November 10, 2011, 03:11:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Jeff Strubberg:
That's getting pretty marginal. What kind of bow?  What's your draw length?
Quinn Comet XL...my draw with this bow is 31"
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Jake Fr on November 10, 2011, 03:35:00 PM
My wife shots 35# at her draw and shoots a 630grn arrow and its a lethal force to recon with in her hands. It will work just fine if you do your part and pick your best shot and hit em right
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Flyboy718 on November 10, 2011, 03:38:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Flyboy718:
 
Quote
Originally posted by Jeff Strubberg:
That's getting pretty marginal. What kind of bow?  What's your draw length?
Quinn Comet XL...my draw with this bow is 31" So, I am getting about 36# at my 31"[/b]
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Onestringer on November 10, 2011, 03:45:00 PM
Marginal at best.....but I am sure it will kill a deer.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Bjorn on November 10, 2011, 03:46:00 PM
36# and you are drawing 31"? You have lots of string time-go for it!!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Flyboy718 on November 10, 2011, 03:47:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Bjorn:
36# and you are drawing 31"? You have lots of string time-go for it!!    :thumbsup:      :thumbsup:  
I am getting about 36# at my 31" of draw.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: ChuckC on November 10, 2011, 04:07:00 PM
In some states that is not legal weight.  Sure, you can kill a deer with a 20 pound bow, or a .22, or a club.  If everythng works well.

The more on the fringe you go, the more chances for something not going well.  I don't know from experience, only guessing, but I am wondering if most of US can maybe jump the string on a 600 plus grain arrow pushed by a mid 30's bow.  If it hits, it will penetrate. . but. .
ChuckC
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: David Yukon on November 10, 2011, 04:15:00 PM
What about the distance of the shot, is that make any diference? like a dear at 5yards over the same dear at 15yards?
Is it something to consider?
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: on November 10, 2011, 04:27:00 PM
PM Night Wing. He can give you the skinny on hunting with low poundage bows as he has been doing it for quite some time.

Bisch
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Altiman94 on November 10, 2011, 04:29:00 PM
I'd keep the shots short, heavy arrow, 2 blade BH.  There's lots of guys out there who do it.  Shot placement is everything.  You can shoot a 90# bow, but if you hit them in the leg that's not going to work.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Night Wing on November 10, 2011, 04:31:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by RUSTY1:

I'm sure Joe (Night Wing) will be along shortly to give you his thoughts. That's right up his alley!!
Speaking of the devil.     :D  

I've shot low poundage trad bows for bowhunting since 1964 and I was 14 years old when I started. My first bow killed deer I took was taken in 1966 with a one piece 69", 34# @ 28" target recurve with white limbs. At the time when I was 16 years old and still growing, I was 5'7" tall and I had a 29" draw length back then so the poundage was right at 36#.

I used a scarry sharp 2 blade screw in Bear Razorhead broadhead (without the bleeder blades). The broadhead and insert weighed around 155 grains tipped to a 2016 aluminum arrow cut to 29 3/4" BOP. The total arrow weight was right around 510 grains so I was basically shooting a very heavy 14.1 GPP (grains per pound) arrow. The arrow was no speed demon either and I figured the arrow was doing somewhere around 150 fps (feet per second).

Arrow was fletched with 3, 5" right wing parabolic feathers with cock feather out and with lots of right helical twist. Bowstring was a dacron string.

The shot was a 15 yard broadside double lung shot. The shot was a complete pass through as the arrow was still flying in the air, after exiting the deer on the opposite side, from a concealed ground blind shot. The arrow traveled another 10 yards before hitting the ground. The deer (doe) traveled about 40 yards and was easy to find since I had a very good blood trail.

BTW, I'm now 5'9" tall with a 30" length and you can see in my signature, I still shoot low poundage recurves for bowhunting.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: bornagainbowhunter on November 10, 2011, 04:32:00 PM
I think that is too light. You asked for thoughts, thats mine.  If i were going to err, i err to the side of caution.  I don't try to get as light as possible and wonder if my equipment may or may not have the ability to kill.  I shoot upper 60 #s most of the time, but I do have a bow that is 53#@28, I pull 29".

I know that much poundage is not required for killing a deer, but I shoot it well and feel comfortable with it.  I shot Mrs. Hope last year, she was 49#@28" and I did kill a small buck with her. I know light bows can do the job, but 36# is super light, not even legal in AR.

Your draw is a huge plus, but if you have to ask the question, you have your doubts in the bows ability to be effective also.  Just my 2 cents.

God Bless,
Nathan
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: BobCo 1965 on November 10, 2011, 04:34:00 PM
My son got a passthrough on a buck with a 37# Ben Pearson Cougar using a 4 blade Magnus Stinger.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Jeff Strubberg on November 10, 2011, 04:41:00 PM
A 31" draw makes up for a ton of missing weight.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: cbCrow on November 10, 2011, 05:15:00 PM
This is my 2 cents. I killed my first deer in 1963 at the age of 14. In those days most hunters that shot traditional were using between 35-45# bows and were taking deer. It all changed when compounds came on the scene and all trad guys starting shooting heavier weights to keep up with them so to speak.Due to injuries I'm no longer able to shoot heavier bows and have found my way back to lighter bows. I hunt with a Harrellson longbow that pulls 38(37.5)#s@28" . I shoot a 424 gr. arrow which includes a 125gr snuffer( 11.3gpp) and have taken 2 deer in the last 3 years. Both shots were pass thru's and dispatched the animal within 60yds.I can speak from experience that they will work provided the person knows his/her limitations. I hunt from the ground and usually never take a shot beyond 15yds, and practice year round to be as proficient as possible. The bow does not kill, its the arrow!
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Ben Maher on November 10, 2011, 05:27:00 PM
I bet with that draw length you are shooting close to , or  as much as I do at my 26 1/2 " shooting 50 lb's .
Jimmy Blackmon has killed a great deer recently with a 40# self bow and  don't think he a long draw etc
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: David Yukon on November 10, 2011, 05:42:00 PM
So why are we shooting heavy bows?? No seriously I shoot mainly 60#29( I draw 30) and I have a 72#@30.5
And now a 46#@28... And I'm sure that the lighter one would stil be a good bow for mosse up here. When i startedshooting back east, the minimum bow weight for big game ,was 45#, and that weight was said to do a pass true on moose... With of course the right arrow placement and real sharp BH.And mooses are a lot bigger than you biggest white tail deer or even muele!!

I think that if your are confident in your gear and your ability to place an arrow at the right place from your choosen shooting distance, I thin it will make the job clean!!
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Rob DiStefano on November 10, 2011, 07:17:00 PM
all trad bowhunters should strive to employ as hefty a holding weight stick bow that can be controlled.  

so my question to you, jason, is what motivated you to start this topic?
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Ground Hunter on November 10, 2011, 07:35:00 PM
When all is perfect - it will work perfectly.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: RC on November 10, 2011, 08:09:00 PM
I`ve never used a bow of that weight hunting but....If I were for whatever reason forced to hunt with that much weight or little I should say I would do so. I would get a 2 blade no mercy scary sharp on about a 550 grain arrow and hunt.My range would not change because I seldom shoot over 15 yards. I would not hunt from a high stand or take close downward shots.I presently shoot 47@27 and get flack from some hunting Buds but I don`t mind...this year I`ve killed 3 times the critters they have.RC
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: The Whittler on November 10, 2011, 08:36:00 PM
I may be wrong ( ask my wife i am always wrong lol ) but I think Flyboy just wanted to know our thoughts on this, not that he was going to hunt with that weight. But then again.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Big Ed on November 10, 2011, 08:36:00 PM
I'll tell you one thing I am shooting 43 lbs. and have had a blast shooting critters this year. I agree with everyone else scary sharp two blade and keep your shoots reasonable.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: JamesKerr on November 10, 2011, 08:43:00 PM
Jason in my opinion that is erring on the side of to light. I have seen deer killed with that poundage but you need a heavy arrow and a scary sharp 3:1 two blade broadhead. I would go up to 45# if you can. You will still need heavy arrows but you won't have to worry as much about a marginal hit.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: randy grider on November 10, 2011, 08:54:00 PM
No doubt it will do the job.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: SERGIO VENNERI on November 10, 2011, 10:17:00 PM
Shot Placement is the most important part. Go for it!
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: on November 10, 2011, 10:49:00 PM
with a 31 inch draw he is getting plenty of power with a good flying arrow. what was it that Norb Mullaney figured in the old days. 8 fps for every inch over 28"? Even if he is only getting 5 fps per inch that is 15 fps increase over the same set up at 28". so if a 36 at 28 gets 150 fps with a 500 grain arrow, (my 38 pound BW target bow was faster than that with a Bear 308 with 125 up front by a wide margin,) he would be getting 165 with same weight arrow at a minimum.  That is as much as a 50 pound long bow at 27 inches shooting ten grains per pound, which no one would argue with.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: David Yukon on November 10, 2011, 11:03:00 PM
This place is great!!
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Workaholic1 on November 11, 2011, 09:35:00 AM
My personal opinion, if that weight is legal in your state, you should be fine.  Listen to what others have said.  Scary sharp broadhead.  Some recommend a 2 blade head.  Nightwing uses a 3 blade.  I plan on using a 3 blade as well, just not quite the same one he does.

  Biggest things in my humble non-expert opinion is making sure you are very well tuned, are running a very sharp broadhead, make sure you put the arrow where it needs to go, have confidence in your abilities, and don't take a shot outside of those abilities.

For the record, I'm shooting a 35# at 28 Bear recurve.  I draw 30.5-31, depending on the day.  That puts me at around 40-44, depending.  I haven't hunted with my setup just yet, mainly due to my schedule.  However, I fully plan on doing so.  cbCrow, and Nightwing have alot experience hunting with the weight range of your bow. Heed thier advice.

Just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: RkyMtn Joe on November 11, 2011, 10:27:00 AM
Well, I was called lots of names over on another site because I think this is too light a weight to shoot deer with.  This guy said if I read him right, that he has a 31 inch draw, and AT THAT LENGTH he is pulling 36 pounds.  

If you shoot at big bodied bucks, you will have some serious problems---that weight would be illegal in many states, and rightly so IMO.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: RkyMtn Joe on November 11, 2011, 10:31:00 AM
I went back and looked again--he is shooting a 30 pound bow, pulling it to 31 inches and estimates about a 36 pound weight at that draw length.  Way too light in my opinion.  

Will it kill a deer?  If everything is just right, perfect angle and shot and sharp enough broadheads etc, etc, etc, then yes.  Just  not a good setup for responsible shooting of deer IMO.

Seems a lot of other people are shooting light weights too.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Flyboy718 on November 11, 2011, 10:47:00 AM
Many people have asked why I would want to hunt with this weight and whether or not I intend to hunt with this weight...at this time I am not sure I would hunt with it - yet -  pending some testing and given good results I may move forward with, going to the woods with the bow.  My main reason is that I shoot this bow better than my 40# and 45# bows...I am a long and lanky guy, strong, but not bulky.  My draw length decreases in relation to an increase in poundage of my bows in my signature...so I believe that I can shoot the 36# bow better.  I am going to do some shooting from above with all three and go from there.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Ground Hunter on November 11, 2011, 11:28:00 AM
I'm sure I'll disrupt some feathers here - but.

Where/when did the idea of hunting/shooting a light bow begin?  I think bow manufactures started this to sell more bows.  Light bows do not need big commitment to shoot.  So, they sell more bows.  It is my opinion the light bows are just asking for trouble.  Most, not all, but most, could be shooting a heaver bow.  I'm a skinny (32 inch girth), 150lb, 56 year old diabetic.  I shoot a 70lb Hill every day upwards of 100 arrows.  I do have a few lighter bows in the 50lb range.  I use them for working on form - never for chasing game.  Your body will quickly adapt to a heaver bow - just work up gently.  The more you "push" with in reason, your body the stronger you will be.  The additional strength will pay off in other areas as well.  Bulk has nothing to do with it!
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: JamesKerr on November 11, 2011, 11:48:00 AM
If you can shoot it more accurately than that is the bow I would use. You are just going to have to be careful with shot placement and angle. I've seen you shoot and I think you could work up to the 40# with ease.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Flyboy718 on November 11, 2011, 12:12:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by JamesKerr:
If you can shoot it more accurately than that is the bow I would use. You are just going to have to be careful with shot placement and angle. I've seen you shoot and I think you could work up to the 40# with ease.
James...I have taken two deer with the 40# Quinn one last year and my best bow buck this year, a six point.  I think I just need to get a lot of shooting in from an elevated position and work on bending at the waist.  My whole deal about this is that I can draw the 30# Quinn 31" so I should be able to do the same with the others, but I am not and I think it is because I don't think I have the back muscle to effectively draw the heavier bows to 31".  So, I am sort of experimenting trying to determine the one I shoot the best.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: dnovo on November 11, 2011, 08:33:00 PM
I don't normally chime in on these light bows threads but here goes anyway. I don't understand why any normal adult man can't work up in weight and shoot 50 lbs with ease. I think there are too many things to go wrong with that light of a weight in a hunting situation. I am currently shooting 53# and consider that to be a light bow. Shoot with regularity and build some muscle.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: mongoose on November 11, 2011, 09:14:00 PM
Just thought I'd chime in  :wavey:  A lot of people keep repeating things about shot placement with such a light bow, but, the way I see it is...it don't matter whether you pull 35# or 90#, if You don't slice vitals you won't eat backstraps  :campfire:
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: dragon rider on November 11, 2011, 09:25:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by mongoose:
Just thought I'd chime in   :wavey:   A lot of people keep repeating things about shot placement with such a light bow, but, the way I see it is...it don't matter whether you pull 35# or 90#, if You don't slice vitals you won't eat backstraps   :campfire:  
:clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:  

Great comment, and that's the essence of it.  As long as it's a legal weight for your state you can shoot any weight you are comfortable with and take deer - if you make a good shot.  If your shot's no good draw weight, foc etc. isn't going to fix it.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Jake Fr on November 11, 2011, 09:33:00 PM
i totally agree with  mongoose. my wife shoots a 38#er and it does great for her but she is very picky and things have to be just right for her to shoot. i have talked to a lot of ppl and they all said that back in the day it was unusual to have a fella shoot a 50lb bow and 45lbs was pushing it for most. i think that alot of thing like our egos get to us and we work hard at to be able to shoot a heaver bow, so every one should shoot that weight in our minds right.  i cant i like 45 to 55 lbs and that comfortable for me but my buddy hunts 40lbs and kills deer every year. its just what you feel most proficienc in using. im sure some buffalo some where died from a mid 30's lb bow some where some time. just take your time pick your spot and be choosy on your shot. and you'll be fine and if they jump the arrow and no hit at least you get to keep hunting right
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: K.S.TRAPPER on November 11, 2011, 09:46:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by dnovo:
I don't normally chime in on these light bows threads but here goes anyway. I don't understand why any normal adult man can't work up in weight and shoot 50 lbs with ease. I think there are too many things to go wrong with that light of a weight in a hunting situation. I am currently shooting 53# and consider that to be a light bow. Shoot with regularity and build some muscle.
X2  

Tracy
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Hud on November 11, 2011, 10:05:00 PM
I'll second what Tracy said. Physically challenged, or handicaped may have a good reason to shoot lighter equipment, but for most adults, if you feel strongly about hunting ethically, then you accept the responsibilty as well. If we can't then more states will be setting minimum bow weights, & arrow weights, etc.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Ybuck on November 11, 2011, 10:18:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by dragon rider:
 
Quote
Originally posted by mongoose:
Just thought I'd chime in    :wavey:    A lot of people keep repeating things about shot placement with such a light bow, but, the way I see it is...it don't matter whether you pull 35# or 90#, if You don't slice vitals you won't eat backstraps    :campfire:  
:clapper:      :clapper:      :clapper:    

Great comment, and that's the essence of it.  As long as it's a legal weight for your state you can shoot any weight you are comfortable with and take deer - if you make a good shot.  If your shot's no good draw weight, foc etc. isn't going to fix it. [/b]
exactly correct, period
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: slivrslingr on November 12, 2011, 04:44:00 AM
If you shoot that bow the best, use it.  Get close, be picky about your shots, use a razor sharp 2 blade BH, and make sure your arrows are perfectly tuned.  You're way better off shooting a light bow well and with confidence than shooting a heavier bow mediocre and without confidence.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: pdk25 on November 12, 2011, 05:14:00 AM
I don't have experience with bows of that weight. As many others have said, I am sure it can get the job done in the right circumstances. It is then up to you to be honest with yourself when hunting. Can you effectively hit the mark in a crosswind? How will that effect penetration? Angled elevated shots? My dad killed deer with his 38# grizzly when I was a kid, but I also remember him taking shots where the deer ran off with his arrow and were never recovered. I doubt you will get many light bow shooters to fess up to these situations. If you shoot that weight best, then shoot it if it is legal and within it's limitations. I just would not let this stop you from working up to shooting a slightly heavier weight just as well that would not be so marginal.  If you are not physically handicapped, it is just a matter of effort on your part. If you don't want to put that effort in, well, what can I say.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: on November 12, 2011, 06:05:00 AM
On the stu's arrow chart for a generic recurve with a 14 strand fast flight, it comes up with 152 fps with a 2215 with 145 grains up front, 157 with a 2213 with 160 up front, And 160 with a Bear Super K with a 2114 with 145 up front.  If his Quinn is in the same league as these, I don't see a problem.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Fisherking73 on November 12, 2011, 06:49:00 AM
Interesting, 40lb minumum from my understanding down here in the sunshine state. I wonder if that applies to private land down here?
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: Ground Hunter on November 12, 2011, 08:20:00 AM
Fisherking

Generally, State Law is State Law - regardless of actual location.  A landowner could require a heavier bow on their land.  But not a lighter one.
Title: Re: Thoughts on 36# for whitetail deer
Post by: WESTBROOK on November 12, 2011, 08:31:00 AM
I see you have a 40 & 45 pounder, you dont like those??

Eric