40-45#bow elk or moose harvest pictures?

[fisherick]

A spin off of a poplar 40-45# harvests post.
Tried a search of larger game taken with low weight bows with no luck.
Lets see your pictures of elk or moose with 40-45# bows and your equipment details and stories.

I know that this weight is NOT IDEAL for this size animal. Most western states allow 35-40# bows or less as minimum draw weights. This may cover most youth, females, elderly, or those with recent surgery to continue to hunt.

[MnFn]

If you search Little Big Man’s posts, he posted about a moose he took with a 40# range bow.

[Orion]

In a country this size, one can find a couple of examples of anything.  45# will get the job done on elk under good circumstances, but it's on the iight side for moose, and 40# is just too light for moose.  And, yes, I am aware that a few have killed moose with 40# bows or less.  It's just not the way to bet.

[wood carver 2]

Here in Ontario, we can’t hunt moose with a bow that’s lighter than 48.5 pounds at a 27.6 inch draw length.
Dave.

[Gun]

I've posted this on that thread I think.

Shot this Bull last year w a 40# Bear TD @ 26" draw w my teeth. (Recovering from shoulder surgery)
560 gr old patriot carbon 45/60 spine with a Cutthroat right single bevel. Not a pass thru, but double lung. He went 45 paces and tipped over in sight.

I'm at 43# now using three under @ 27". Same Bow

Alberta will allow 35# draw weight this year for big game. I don't agree w it but it is.....

[MnFn]

I want to clarify my first reply.

 The OP asked for examples and I pointed out someone who had used a sub-50 lb bow on a moose.

I personally would not hunt an elk or moose with a bow less than 50@28”, and don’t condone it.

[Gun]

To be clear. I would rather use more weight as well. I hope I can get up to 50# at some point. I am very picky and careful with my shots too. I'll be 70 next month and the "Old Man Strength" is waning.

[JR Chambers]

So how do they know how far a guy draws? I see lots of guys short drawing at shoots so I know they short draw at the moment of truth.

[Hud]

I am assuming your hunts will be in a different state if your living in MA, and it would be best to check the regulations before applying for a permit. Good luck.

[The Whittler]

40#-45# will kill Moose all day if the State allowesmit. Their just big deer. :-)

[Md2bintn]

Why do so many people have such a short draw??? The average man should be at 28” plus/minus a quart inch.

[lopey15]

Why do so many people have such a short draw??? The average man should be at 28” plus/minus a quart inch.

I’m not average…I have a 26” draw, and that’s a true draw length. I have a solid anchor and do not short draw.

[Maclean]

I know 40-45# bow is NOT ideal, but most western states allow elk hunting with bows of 35-40# minimum draw weights OR LESS.

For those who have killed elk with a 40-45# bow please post.

Here in Idaho the absolute minimum draw weight at 28" for any big game is 40 lbs. Which means if you have a draw less than 28" you need to be shooting a bow of at least 43 to 45 lbs. @ 28".
In this state, big game includes deer, elk, mountain lion, pronghorn, bear, wolf, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and moose.

You're probably not going to see many, if any, harvest pics of elk or moose with such a low poundage bow. I personally don't know anyone who hunts elk with less than 50 lbs. at their draw weight. It's usually much more.

[RedShaft]

I know this don’t help you pics your looking for, but I have seen more and more people shooting lower draw weights.
Why? Well because when I started shooting trad guys for the most part hard terrible form. Short drawing, and mostly
Because of target panic and being over bowed.

Now what we have been seeing or what “I see” going on is archery being more concerned with proper form. Saving their shoulders and finally being able to get a grip on target panic. There is lots of good info out there now that was never available before. And guys are now I believe. And this is my option. Shooting more accurately, and with better tuned arrows than ever before.
Mostly that means you are seeing guys also holding longer at full draw longer. That means having to lower draw weights. I have seen more n more bows and guys shooting #40-50  than I ever had.
Generally when I was younger it seemed most GUY’S was shooting #55-75 and they could not handle it. Not from what I seen at the big trad shoots I have been to. There was exceptions. But I’m talking a majority. And they had target panic bad and shot with crunched up form and was not ever touching anchor points. Let along pulling back n holding it for 2-6 seconds each shot.
But now. That’s the norm. And that’s showing in sale of bows draw weights and what I see in classifieds.

[JR Chambers]

Totally agree with Redshaft. I would rather draw a 45lb bow to full draw than short draw a 55 lb bow.

[MnFn]

I think most everybody would rather full draw a 45# bow than short draw a heavier bow.
But if a heavier bow is required by state law, it doesn’t have to end there. You can build up your strength to shoot heavier bows. Working with bands or other techniques can help you get there. There are probably some exceptions to my experience, but it has worked for me.

After strokes and triple bypass, (and being 71 years old) I am shooting 47# and just received a set of 52# limbs for my Tall Tines. Just in case I get lucky on a lottery draw!

[JR Chambers]

Yea. we don't have a weight requirement in out state. In states where certain poundages are required I wonder if the take into account that most short draw? LOL. But I realize you have to have rules.

[David Mitchell]

Well, the OP asked for pictures and about all we have is opinions about bow weight.   

[Orion]

I think that's because there may not be many pictures illustrating the OP's scenario.

[Maclean]

I think that's because there may not be many pictures illustrating the OP's scenario.

Exactly.