Need more # or not

[Anders22]

Ok guys,

Going strictly long bow for me is new- I have been shooting lever bows for over 30 years,  Monster bows Phoenix has been my go to since 2007...

Piles of deer dropped.

This year I have dedicated myself to my Maddog 41# longbow...been shooting non stop since June and fell good to about 15 yards, which I limit myself to anyhow with any bow.

That being said, I feel a little underpowered for whitetail...maybe it is because I am used to slamming through deer and 8 inches into the dirt with my lever set at 63#....

I shoot a 638 grain Black eagle Vintage with 100 grain inserts and either 200 gr Bear razorheads or Grizzly single bevels...

Am I under bowed?  Should I try to get to 50, or does 41# get it done?

Haven't stuck one yet, have left a good many go as I was not 100% confident in the shot, but the freezer is bare....so.....

Just wondering if I need more # or should 41 get it done?  I know, sharp broadhead and shot placement and all...

Thanks,

[Josh H]

41# is fine for whitetail.

In general, I would tell you to shoot as much as you can accurately. If 41 is it, fine. If 50, fine. With that said, I'm not sure I would try adding that much poundage in the middle of the season if you are already shooting 41. 

It sounds like you are shooting a heavy arrow and good broadheads. You will get good penetration if you put the arrow where it needs to go.

Limiting your shots to 15 yards increases your odds for the arrow to go where you want it to go.

The only thing I'll tell you is to let the arrow fly, and be sure to post pictures here when you are successful!

Good Luck!

[Pine]

That's plenty for deer. I wouldn't be surprised if you shot clean through.

[MnFn]

This topic sure comes up a lot. There are a lot of opinions about this, some of it interesting so searching the topic may prove valuable to you.

 About fifty years ago, things were a lot different. I basically flew by the seat of my pants. I did not know much about tuning arrows. All I can say for sure was I knew I needed to practice, and I knew my broadhead needed to be sharp.

I killed my first deer, an average sized buck with my 40# recurve. So I know it can be done, ESPECIALLY with a well tuned set up, and with staying within 15 yards. But I don’t want to hunt with the minimum weight allowed.

For me, the problem is what happens if and when you decide to go after something bigger. Yes you can get another heavier bow and try to switch back and forth. That might work for you. It doesn’t for me.

Eventually, I Just got a bow that I can hunt with everything I am likely to hunt. That for me is low fifty pounds. A little more oomph and a cleaner release.

 I took some instruction a few years ago from Arne Moe when I wanted to shoot a longbow. I brought along a 46# and a 52# bow. When I switched during the practice to the heavier bow, Arne immediately said your release is better with the heavier bow. Just my experience.

Maybe not fair, but I have a hard time believing guys half my age (I’m 71),  Cant shoot a fifty pound bow. Unless there are medical reasons. I do have a 47# recurve in reserve, but if that becomes too much, I think I will be done.

I hope you get it figured out and good luck with your journey.
Gary

[Iowabowhunter]

Lever bow?

[Terry Green]

Please come no non trabo pictures, thank you.

[Anders22]

he had just asked what it was, did not know the rule.

Thanks

[Wudstix]

I hunted the first four years with a Ben Pearson 45#@28".   First year or two at 12 and 13 probably wasn't drawing 28".  Probably pulling 39-40#.  That was early years and we didn't know much about matching arrows or broadheads.  Was lucky enough to kill two does in those early years.  Deer weren't much smarter than us.  Keep shoots under 20 yards and use arrows tuned to your bow and broadheads matched.
 

[Sam McMichael]

I like heavier bows, but I do have a couple of 40# bows just in case I lose the strength to shoot my current bows. If you are accurate and confident with the lighter bow, then go for it! It is plenty adequate for deer.

[Terry Green]

he had just asked what it was, did not know the rule.

Thanks

Its in the rules you agreed to when you registered.  You might want to refresh as the  are also stickied to the top of this forum.

No worries. 

[Kirkll]

The old saying that you should always shoot the heaviest bow you can draw comfortably pays dividends….. a heavier draw weight will always give you a cleaner release, and if that moment comes where you don’t quite hit your anchor point, a heavier draw weight bow will be more forgiving….

There are good reasons why many states have a 40-50# minimum draw weight requirement for deer and elk…. So if you can increase your draw weight, I would do so. IMO       

[Terry Green]

The old saying that you should always shoot the heaviest bow you can draw comfortably pays dividends….. a heavier draw weight will always give you a cleaner release, and if that moment comes where you don’t quite hit your anchor point, a heavier draw weight bow will be more forgiving….

There are good reasons why many states have a 40-50# minimum draw weight requirement for deer and elk…. So if you can increase your draw weight, I would do so. IMO     

X2

[Maclean]

The old saying that you should always shoot the heaviest bow you can draw comfortably pays dividends….. a heavier draw weight will always give you a cleaner release, and if that moment comes where you don’t quite hit your anchor point, a heavier draw weight bow will be more forgiving….

There are good reasons why many states have a 40-50# minimum draw weight requirement for deer and elk…. So if you can increase your draw weight, I would do so. IMO     

X3

[Wudstix]

The old saying that you should always shoot the heaviest bow you can draw comfortably pays dividends….. a heavier draw weight will always give you a cleaner release, and if that moment comes where you don’t quite hit your anchor point, a heavier draw weight bow will be more forgiving….

There are good reasons why many states have a 40-50# minimum draw weight requirement for deer and elk…. So if you can increase your draw weight, I would do so. IMO       

X4

[BRONZ]

I also am using a 41# bow this year. 550 grain arrow, 175 VPA 2blade.  So far I've learned 20 yards is the max. Passed that, their reflexes are too good for an arrow this slow.
Here's the doe I shot... slow mo video...blew right through at 11 yds.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6CAMyxbdbrpucqjA8

[SS Snuffer]

All I will say is  after bowhunting Minnesota deer for 50 years, I have had pass-throughs 85 percent of the time with the bows listed below.

[TSP]

I like the responses by Gary and Kirk, its always better to use the most poundage that you be consistently accurate with under all conditions (not just shooting straight up and comfy at summer targets in the back yard).  If you take that approach you might never have the unfortunate circumstance of wishing you had used a little more 'poundage insurance' on a shot that didn't get as much penetration as you'd hoped for. 

Perfect shots aren't the norm.  Bones/ribs/shoulder blades etc. have no opinion about what poundage you shoot.  they just react to and reject anything weaker than what they are built to withstand.  So a sound approach is, if you can comfortably shoot hunting-type shots with more than a minimum or on-the-edge draw weight, even if the latter 'might' work, and you can do so with consistent accuracy at those higher weights, then why the heck would someone not choose to do that?      

[Maclean]

I like the responses by Gary and Kirk, its always better to use the most poundage that you be consistently accurate with under all conditions (not just shooting straight up and comfy at summer targets in the back yard).  If you take that approach you might never have the unfortunate circumstance of wishing you had used a little more 'poundage insurance' on a shot that didn't get as much penetration as you'd hoped for. 

Perfect shots aren't the norm.  Bones/ribs/shoulder blades etc. have no opinion about what poundage you shoot.  they just react to and reject anything weaker than what they are built to withstand.  So a sound approach is, if you can comfortably shoot hunting-type shots with more than a minimum or on-the-edge draw weight, even if the latter 'might' work, and you can do so with consistent accuracy at those higher weights, then why the heck would someone not choose to do that?   

100%

[Gun]

Last couple years, waiting and after shoulder surgery.
40# left handed. I'm right handed

[Gun]

2021 40# passthru
One of 3 does