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.

[elkken]

I'm 76, shooting a 40# Border recurve and a 49# Caribow LB. I shot a javi at LTR last year using the recurve but don't hunt or shoot near as much as I used to. On my string hand my ring finger locks up with too much shooting.

Last year I finally came to the conclusion that if I wanted to stay reasonably strong I needed to work out. Long gone are the days of passive exercise that gave me strength. No more racquetball, skiing, baseball, basketball and NO golf is not really exercise unless you walk and carry your clubs. ... I found an exercise gizmo of resistance bands called the Xfactor, costs about $100 on Amazon. Bands from 15,30 and 60#'s ... It attaches to a door so no having to go to the gym. I use it several times a week and it really works. I do about a dozen different exercises, mostly for arms, back and shoulders. I ride my bike for legs. Shooting my LB is now much more enjoyable other that my finger issue. It has also helped my golf game and my normal every day lifting and chores around the house.

Growing old ain't for sissies and keeping father time at bay takes a bit of work.

[Doc Pain]

I’m 71 and I shoot bows between 40 and 50 pounds. I switch back and forth. Right now I’m rekindling an old flame with a 50 pound Dwyer Original

[stagetek]

I'll be 73 in March. Still comfortable shooting bows 45-50#. The ones I shoot are 62-66", they're smoother, I believe that helps.

[rastaman]

I'm 71 and shoot 49 @ 27.  It's the same bow i've shot for 15 years.  i just bought some resistance bands also to help keep me at that weight.