Legal hunting poundage

[ncsaknech1ydh]

Most of the bows that I shoot are marked from 39 to 47 pounds at 28". I draw 32 inches which would mean with those bows I am shooting between 51 to 59 pounds at my draw length figuring 3 pounds per inch which is very close according to my bow scale.

My question is, if checked in the field, example would be my home state of SouthDakota where the minimum bow weight is 45 pounds for legal hunting, do you think I could get into trouble with a bow marked below the 45 pounds even though I would be able to show a game official that I am drawing 4 inches beyond the marked 28 inches?

[b44mag]

i often wondered this. then i found out PA is 35# min. bow.
i thought if you just remarked it who would know but you . but that would be wrong . or you could remark it  57# @ 32 1/2 CUSTOM and hand him one of those long arrows.

[Bill Sant]

In Alaska we have to use a poundage AT our draw lengths, not what is marked on the bow.  Guess the burden of proof would be on the warden to prove you were under the legal limit.  Most Wardens up here don't know about this stuff and never mess with us.  (famous last words heh)

[MercilessMing]

In my bow hunters safty class last year the instructor told us NY State cares what's marked on the bow.  Not what's your actual draw weight.

[lpcjon2]

In Jersey the wardens would think your just out antiquing if they saw you with a trad bow       I never saw one that had a scale or even bothered to look at the bow just the license. And jersey is a 30# min. I think.

[Hermon]

Kansas dropped their minimum weight law recently.  But my understanding of the law when it was in effect was that it was 45# min at 28".  Never knew anyone that was checked or ever saw a wardon with a scale.  I guess that they would go off of what was marked on the bow.

[Hermon]

[danderson]

mass law reads 40# at 28" so i would say that first bow isn't "legal"

[copperhead95]

i would say yeah, he might ticket you for that.

[wingnut]

You need to check the letter of the law in the state you are hunting.  Some say 40# @ 28 or less draw.

Make sure your legal according to the definition.

Mike

[archer66]

Missouri no longer has a minimum draw weight.  I think the minimum used to be 40 pounds but they removed that from the regs several years ago.

Archery is supposed to be an up close and personal form of hunting....proper shot placement and razor sharp broadheads are what gets it done.  I'm happy that Missouri recognizes that fact which allows more traditional archers, women, and kids to get involved.

[dakota tim]

I'm from Watertown.  Are you up around Aberdeen?  I used to fish a LOT around Waubay.  I sure wish I still lived there!  I wouldn't worry about this happening in South Dakota!  More likely out of state.

BTW, I'm pretty sure it's still 40# @28

[sweeney3]

I would definatly check with someone official rather than take "legal" advise on here, not that anyone here is out to do any harm.  It's just that if you say "But so and so on Tradgang told me I'd be okay.", you will NOT be okay, most likely.  Just a thought.

[Boomerang]

You could write on it 64lbs at 38 inches.