Draw weight?

[dragonheart]

Plan for the worst case.  Shoot as much poundage as you can shoot accurately.

[buckeye_hunter]

I think we are missing the mark here.

If you have a 47 pound bow that you can shoot well out to 12-15 yards, then just shoot it. Throw a sharp 2 blade on it and go hunting.

Most people overthink this whole thing too much. Shoot what works for you and don't worry about how long you can hold at full draw. Remember, you only have to shoot well and make that first shot count. Most of the time you don't get 2 shots at the same animal.

Go have fun and shoot that 47 pounder if you are shooting it well. Add a sharp 2 blade and you are good to go.

Forget the rest....

[Bjorn]

Ditto what buckeye posted.  

[AWPForester]

It has a lot more to do with draw lengh versus draw weight. 35#'s @ 28 is probably equivilent to 45 at 26.  Also the release means a lot to do wit it as well.  It can be done as Native Americans and tribes all over he world have proved it.   But you gotta ask why.  If because of injury or small stature, go for it.  Due to just being not strong enough to shoot more, man up and get'er done building those muscle's.  God Bless

[Night Wing]

I've shot light weight poundage bows bowhunting for deer for the last 48 years. Most of my shots are between 12-17 yards. They've all been broadside lung shots which takes out both lungs. No animal goes far without lungs.

So, to sum up. For a light poundage bow on deer....short yardages, broadside lung shots equals meat in the freezer.

If you look at my signature, the lightest bow I use for deer is 37#.

Conventional wisdom for light bow poundages says to use a 2 blade broadhead. Since I use light bow poundage, I went against conventional wisdom and shoot a 3 blade Muzzy 75 grain broadhead, but it's only 1" wide.

This combo gives me a good blood trail with short recovery distances due to the double lung shots I take along with short shot yardages I take.

[JamesKerr]

A 35# bow can definately kill a deer. Most Native American's bows were less than 45# and a lot less effecient than modern bows. Just make sure the animal is broadside or slightly quartering away.

[Bowwild]

Night Wing's comment about 3-blade is something I've been wondering about.  I recently had a discussion with a good friend who is a better bowhunter than I am about 2 blade vs. multiple blades. The focus of the discussion had to do with missed vessels with 2 blades that a 3rd blade might have cut.

My first deer this year I took with the 2-blade single bevel I've been swearing by for three years - still love it!  However, the arrow on my string for deer #2 is a 3-blade VPA - 175 grains. It is one wicked looking and very sharp machine!  I'm hoping for a 15 or under shot with it even though I would shoot the 2-blade 20 yards.