enough power?

[team fudd]

quick question,  i am shooting a bow that is generating on average 175 fps with a 59 lb draw at 29 1/2" with a 625 grain arrow.  is this set up adequate for woodland caribou?  i usually shoot kme sharpened muzzy phantoms fyi.  just kind of feeling like this set up may be marginal on bigger heavier boned animals and wanted some informed opinions. I still have time to have something built a little faster or heavier in draw weight. Thanks in advance!

[Shinken]

Yes, this set up would be good medicine for caribou with razor-sharp broadheads and excellent arrow flight.

Keep the wind in your face!

Shoot straight, Shinken

 

[macbow]

Caribou are not hard to kill. Not much different than deer .
50 pounds is plenty.
Just stay away from the shoulder. There is plenty of kill area behind the shoulder.

[Bjorn]

Tons of power.

[Looper]

Yes, for caribou, elk, moose, black bear, big hogs, and just about anything else you want to hunt.

[Jake Diebolt]

I went after caribou with a 50 lb bow. Their bone is not significantly heavier than a whitetail's - the woodland caribou may be a little bigger than the barren-ground. 60 lbs would do just fine. My uncle shot two at that draw weight - both complete pass throughs.

[Doc Nock]

Kinda depends where ya hit em...but a well placed kill shot with that set up, seems like it should do the job on most N. American game

[JamesKerr]

That set up sounds like it's ready to take any animal on this continent.  

[amar911]

That is DEFINITELY plenty to take any animal in North America -- and most other continents. Obviously, as with any other weapon, you have to do your part too! Have fun, and don't worry anymore about being under-bowed. Now you only need to be concerned about being under-prepared, unlucky, or just plain screwing up your shot.

Allan

[TxAg]

Never shot a caribou,  but I'd think that would kill just about anything that walks.

[Fanto]

read Dr. Ashby's penetration studies, start with the ultimate penetration hunting arrow article, you can find it on tuffhead broadheads website. there are many things you can do to maximise penetration with your setup. No. 1 is perfect arrow flight, 2) the broadhead ferrule must be bigger than the shaft, 3) FOC (more= better) 4) broadhead edge bevel (single = much more penetration) the others include finish of the shaft and heads (smoothness/ teflon heads) and finally structural integrity.

as far as your bow and arrow speed and mass, Ashbys many, many tests indicate that arrows 650gr and up, shot around 170fps, can produce outstanding penetration on buffalo.


The item i address is around your broadhead. At best, if youre using the 2 blade, id be confident of a humane kill through the ribcage, however the Muzzy has a very, very low mechanical advantage (its short and fat). If you are using a 3 or 4 blade, I have no idea if it will penetrate the ribcage. I am certain it will be stopped by a scapula or leg bone!

happy reading!

[Wickles]

You're totally fine, I wouldnt give it another thought. Enjoy your hunt.

[YORNOC]

I have hunted woodland caribou a couple of times on the isle of Newfoundland.
As said, and you probably know this already, proper shot placement is the key with any shot.
That said, they die very quickly. My friend got a pass through with a 42# target bow, the P+Y animal went down in 50 yards running.
Same for most of the others, died quickly.
When we cleaned the animals, we hung the bones in trees at camp and shot through them with different weight bows. Even the 42# bow was blasting through the fairly soft bones.The animals are not that big either,bigger than a deer but nothing like an elk.
Be prepared for a moving target, they do not migrate, you have to find them. When you do, they are constantly milling about. Do not make a noise to stop them, I have seen this backfire most times. Don't be discouraged either if you dont see them for a few days, suddenly they will be right in front of you.
Good rain gear is essential, great binoculars are a huge asset. Waterproof, fog proof.
There were a pile of ripped rubber boots at the end of the weeks, the tundra-like land is very scraggly and can tear through rubber easily. I wore 13" Schnees and oiled them nightly with pitch blend or mink oil.
A lot of guys in camp wished they had my boots.
KEEP YOUR FLETCHING DRY!!!!!
Good  luck, one of the most fun hunts I've ever had.

[Terry Green]

YES...you have PLENTY....now, get that out of your mind and go hunting....  

[Ravenhood]

If your setup wont kill it , I would be affriad to hunt it.

[recurve_shooter]

Yep, go kill one with it....but don't forget the pictures!

[durp]

it's really overkill...just trust it and shoot stright.

[PaPa Ron]

I wouldn't be afraid to shoot any North American game with that set up.

Good luck and I hope your successful.