? about 40# bow

[preflex]

im new to the forum and ive never hunted for any thing besides vermin before and i was wondering what kind of game i could get with a 40# bow.
the bow is a martin jaguar take down if that helps

thanks in advance

[TradOnly]

With true flight and a sharp two-blade on a heavy enough arrow anything from moose down.  I seen the results.  The problem lies in game laws.  NY has a 35 lb minimum.

[jhansen]

If the bow and its arrows are matched to each other (ie: fly well), anything up to and including deer is possible.  The truth is that elk and moose have been taken by bows of that draw weight or less.  It is all about where and what you hit.  The greater the draw weight of the bow, the heavier the arrow it will shoot with acceptable speed.  The heavier the arrow the better the penetration if thick bone is hit.  A friend of mine took two elk with a 45# bow with complete pass-throughs on both but he waited for just the right shot so that nothing thicker than a rib was hit.  There are those who will tell you that you need a 60# bow shooting 650 grain arrows for anything larger than a jackrabbit but is isn't true.    :eek:  

John

[Stone Knife]

If your drawing 28" or more there shouldn't be a problem, less than that and I would look for a heavier bow.

[Dick in Seattle]

I'm going hog hunting next month with either a 32# or 38#...  the 32# I have, the 38# (I hope) is about to get glued up.   Stay tuned and I'll let you know how those weights do by the end of next month.  Do check state game laws.   They really vary.  TX (where I'm going) has no restrictions on weight.  Washington (where I live) is 40# at the bow's peak draw weight.    I know, it makes no sense, but that's the way they wrote it.  What's the archer's draw length?  Mine is 25".  My son's is 31".   Oh, well...     I think 45# is common to a lot of states.

[Bowhuntah]

Dick, your bow is 32# @ 28, or 32# at your 25" draw?

[preflex]

thanks for the help so far i also have a 60# bow as my sig says but i will be shooting the 40# more because i practice in my yard so i wanted to hunt with the bow i practice with. also i could proally could get heavier limbs for it

[tarponnut]

I once shot clean through a doe with a 40# Bear Black Bear(on the ground 6 yards).

[preflex]

i didnt even think about the distances when i posted the question

[larryh]

dick, washington state laws read: "it is unlawful for any person to hunt big game with a bow that possesses less than 40# of pull measured at 28 inches or less draw."
arrows can not be shorter than 20" and must weigh 6 grains or more per pound of draw weight with a minimum weight of 300 grains.
good luck on your hog hunt! i'm sure you will take some excellent pictures!
larry

[acadian archer]

in mazny Canadian provinces you need to shoot 40 lbs at the archers draw length. If you can do this you'll have no problem taking deer or bear IF you shoot a tuned heavy arrow( I shoot 41 lbs at 10.5 grain per) with a sharp broadhead and a broad side shot.

[Plumber]

my son blew through a deer two nights ago with a 40 to 42 lb bow no problem just have the right arrow and sharp head

I shoot bows from 42-46#. I think they can do the job on most big game if I do my part of it--sharp broadheads, short distances, good shot placement. Having said that, I don't think you can plan on the best possible situation so unless you can restrain yourself from shooting when things aren't just right, you'd be better off with a heavier bow weight that you can shoot well.

[Night Wing]

I shoot a 42# recurve and a 41# hybrid longbow. They will take any deer sized game with ease. Like others have said; shot placement, scary sharp broadheads (I prefer 2 blade), short distances (20 yards or less) and heavy arrows are the keys.

[James Wrenn]

I use 40-43 lb bows and usually shoot though everything that lives where I do.Learn to shoot your bow well,tune well and sharpen well and you can kill about anything if you pick your shots.

Good luck on the hogs Dick.Will be waiting on the bacon pictures.  

[twotimer]

the subject has been summed up very well.shot placement and a fine tuned arrow with a sharp broadhead will git er done."and" never be afraid to let an animal walk on down the path,if you arn't sure about the shot.good luck on "making bacon" dick.regards,robert              

[T-Bone]

Shannon Kuzik shot a large moose with a 40# recurve and 500 grain arrow with a two blade magnus.   The two blade magnus bent went it hit the off side shoulder.  One peteward.com you can see the story with pictures.  With razor sharp heads and good flying well tuned arrows 40 pounds is adequate for moose and elk with a shot to the vitals.