Need more # or not

[Gun]

Last years Bull. 43# Bear TD. Hit opposite rib. Down in sight, 40 paces

[Gun]

This year so far, 5x4 Mulie buck complete passthru. Died in sight. Another P&Y Moose, while not a passthru, went 40 yds and down. 2 Mulie does, both passthrus. Down in sight. All w 43# Bear TD
You get the point. Get out and hunt!

[awry]

In general I agree with shooting as many #s as comfortable.
That said if Gun’s posts don’t convince ya low 40s will work, one can peruse through the 40# - 45# Bow Harvest thread.

https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=101178.0

[Wudstix]

With todays modern bow designs and all the new arrow technology 40#+ is sufficient to put most North American critters down.  The keys are tuned arrows for clean flight and sharp broadheads for good penetration.  Accurate shooting at vital areas.
 

[J. Cook]

I would normally have no input for this thread - however, after having spinal fusion surgery January, 2023 I had to drop down in weight for this year's hunting season as I'm simply not back in full shape (strength-wise) yet.  So I bought a black hunter to be able to shoot low poundage cheaply this season.  At my draw, it's 41#.  I was able to take a 5 point (pictured in another thread I posted) and I got a complete pass through.  I hit it in the 3rd to last rib on the entrance side and it exited right behind the off side shoulder (quartering away).  Broadhead was an 3-blade VPA - YES a 3 blade (that's because I can get that head so sharp, that I'm almost afraid to get near it).

My son just killed his first trad deer - his bow is a 45# vintage Browning Folding Hunter.  He pulls it to 27", so ~ 42#.  He also took a similar angled shot on his buck and same result - complete pass through with the ACE Standard. 

My other kill this season was a small 8 point with a 49@28 Browning Nomad Stalker (~ 45/46# at my draw).  I hit that deer slightly forward of the crease and it went through both shoulder blades up to the fletching.  I was astonished with the devastating penetration.  That head was a Magnus Classic (1 1/2" 2-blade). 

Our low poundage bows have been very effective for us this season.  HOWEVER, I plan to be back to my 60lb bows next season.  I also believe you need to shoot the max poundage you can accurately handle.  For me, having always shot heavier bows (from 55 to 70#), I really struggle with a clean release with the light weight bows... string just doesn't want to leave my fingers.  I like the feel of the heavy bow's release - it's crisp and snappy.  I like the slighter margin for error that a heavy bow affords me - mainly because of the same speeds but a much heavier arrow so far greater kinetic energy.  But again - my results show you that you can indeed get very efficient kills with the lighter bows.

[the rifleman]

Nice Moose Gun!  That certainly is a testament to what a sharp broadheads, well tuned arrow and well placed arrow is capable of.  I often wonder what actual draw lengths are of folks in many threads whenever draw weight is discussed.  I only draw 26" so have been trying to remember to list poundage at my weight.

[Wolfie2nd]

I feel that light poundage is fine and dandy when you hit em in the boiler room. We miss our mark from time to time and I'll take my 55lb widow spitting 705gr 2219s for the times they jump the string and you catch a shoulder. Or even when you hit em good and blow through the off side shoulder. Just like you said hit em good and your pulling your arrow out of 8" of dirt. Not a bad reason to have to sharpen a broadhead. I'm kinda old school I like heavy arrows and what's considered today's heavy bow. Times are a changing I'm just not ready to get on that train yet