Bow weight for 70 year olds

[rich k]

I am 83 and don't want to stop shooting. Have a 80% torn right rotator cuff which my doc doesn't think I should fix. He said I should just do exercises. I do them daily. I shoot right handed.
I shoot 38# and 40#. The most weight I ever shot was 53#. I took 22 whitetails, a wild boar and a javelina with a 45#. An elk with the 53. I can shoot about 50 arrows comfortably with the 38#. Good enough for a trad shoot!
Hope that helps

[frassettor]

I am 83 and don't want to stop shooting. Have a 80% torn right rotator cuff which my doc doesn't think I should fix. He said I should just do exercises. I do them daily. I shoot right handed.
I shoot 38# and 40#. The most weight I ever shot was 53#. I took 22 whitetails, a wild boar and a javelina with a 45#. An elk with the 53. I can shoot about 50 arrows comfortably with the 38#. Good enough for a trad shoot!
Hope that helps

Simply amazing 

[Wild Bill MCP 808]

I'm 71 and shoot 46# at my draw of 28" hunting. Three D shoots normally 40 - 43 #

[Duker]

At 82 I've dropped down to 42# from my normal 50# bows for deer hunting , but I'm also not shooting as much as I used to do to keep in shape 

[Friend]

Excellent thread!!!!

[Bluefeather]

I turned 70 in April and due to shoulder issues I've dropped from 45-50# to 35-40# at 30". with the right arrow/broadhead it's still enough to get it done. My hat is off to you guys still pulling heavier bows.

[bama]

Started shooting 55# when I was 16 and still at 55# at 73.

[6feathers]

76 years old and currently shootig 43 to 45 pounds at 27" no problems on game.  Biggest issue is  getting to and from hunting stand.

[SS Snuffer]

Soon be 74. Draw arm shoulder replacement. Was having trouble with my draw when cold. With 30 lbs. I get real good accuracy but it sure seems like a slow arrow, 35 lbs. Not as quite as good accuracy but much faster. I'm going to stay with 35 lbs. 1 more year. Simmons swamp shark and 465 grn. arrow worked this year.

[smokin joe]

I will soon be 76, and I have had both shoulders replaced. The bows I still own and shoot range from 43 to 49 pounds. I generally hunt with 45 pounds. I work out at the gym several times to make this possible.

[Horserod]

  I'll be 78 in a couple weeks and bad shoulders and cancer has forced me to practice with 30 # longbows and recurves.  I have a left hand 35 # longbow that Jerry Brumm made special for me.  Being a right-hand shooter most my life I have found I can shoot this lefty pretty good when my left shoulder gives me fits.  But, my hunting bow is a RH 62" 37 # Indian Tree longbow which my good friend and Viet Nam brother Rick Shepard made special for me......what a shooter!  The Brumm left hander is my backup.  I can therefore use the same hunting arrows for either bow.  And yes, I like to shoot my deer when they are close around 10 yds or so.  Like Elmer Fudd (Bugs Bunny cartoons) ......"Be v-e-r-y  q-u-i-e-t"       Horserod

[acolobowhunter]

Turning 76 in a few days and have decided my 70# bow is just to much for me now.  I can shot it, but only a couple arrows before I rest my shoulders.  Not worth starting shoulder problems.  I stepped back to 60# bow hoping I can continue.  I do have an old Bear "Bearcat" that is 50# and a joy to shoot.  The only problem is the 66" length.  It might be a bit long for using in a blind and a might light for some animals.

[Kirkll]

Turning 76 in a few days and have decided my 70# bow is just to much for me now.  I can shot it, but only a couple arrows before I rest my shoulders.  Not worth starting shoulder problems.  I stepped back to 60# bow hoping I can continue.  I do have an old Bear "Bearcat" that is 50# and a joy to shoot.  The only problem is the 66" length.  It might be a bit long for using in a blind and a might light for some animals.

A 50# bow with a 500 grain shaft will take an elk down no problem. So don’t worry about that part.    Kirk

[MnFn]

A lot of guys mentioned shoulder problems, torn rotator cuff, etc.  I have had significant shoulder pain in my bow arm.

I saw a surgeon who thought I should try injections first. i did that and got relief that lasted 8 or 9 months as I recall. I did that about three times and then talked with a PT person who designed some exercises to build up the muscles around the shoulder.

That has worked great. When I started the exercises, it hurt just trying to get my jacket on. Now I am using stretch bands and that has worked very well for me.
As I posted earlier, 51, 52 lb bows are no problem for this 72 year old.