LEGAL BOW WEIGHT ???

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

Ohio is 40# min on bow weight. This is a crazy ?????  If I shoot a bow rated at 40# @ 28" and I only pull it 26 inch it will drop it below 40 # . Is it illegal ??????

[Zmonster]

This is a great question that always has me wondering as well. Hopefully someone can shed some light on this.

The other question is: If your bow is #39 @28" and you draw to 29"

[adeeden]

In IL it says must reach 40 pounds somewhere in a 28" draw.

[Bill Sant]

In Alaska it is 40# or the equivilant at your draw length.  That is for "small" big game, caribou, black bear etc.  50# is required for "large big game like moose, griz, muskox etc.

[Mudd]

Right or wrong, Missouri's statute reads "A longbow, compound bow or recurve bow of any draw weight;hand held string releasing devices, illuminated sights,scopes and quickpoint sights are allowed"

God bless,Mudd

[K.Morgan]

I have been asked this question before and from my buddy the game warden he says it must read on the bow 40@28 or what ever. My wife does not shoot 40 so I had Ron King just raise it up to 40@32 and he says that as long a the bow says 40 @ something it is fine. They have no way of measuring your draw length in the field. So have the bow marked accordingly and you should be fine.

[Zradix]

Can you say...Paint marker or sharpie?

LOL
Hate to say it but I would bet a warden might be more suspect of a woman's DW than a man's.

Better make it "look" legal.
This particular law is flawed in my opinion.
You need to shoot what is more accurate for you.
Meaning in the spot with a 35# vs can't hit the barn with a 45#.
Just make a clean kill.
With that mentality my conscience would be clean.

Should you work up to more draw weight?...maybe.
Should you have to?....not really.

[OutbackMan]

From OH also and have always been told it's your draw weight at your draw length, not necessarily what the bow is at 28"...but I've got no valid source to officially confirm it.  You can always email the DNR and ask.  Anytime I've emailed them a hunting related question I've usually gotten a pretty quick reply.  Good luck.

[lpcjon2]

I think Jersey is 30 or 35 lbs. And I never saw a warden that carried a scale.

[LeverActionman]

North Carolina says 40# for longbow and recurve and 35# for compound.My question is would a longbow or recurve at 35# with a 500 grain arrow not out penetrate a 35# compound with a 300 grain arrow?

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Here in Ohio it is a 40# shooting weight So if your bow is 39@28 and you draw 29 you're fine.  On the other hand if your bow is 40@28 and you draw 26 you are illegal.

[JPE]

The draw weights are usally at your draw length , Mudd you are right Mo. has no bottom weight and it is a shame as I had a man come into my shop wanting hunting arrows for his sons' bow. A 20lb. walmart fiberglass kids bow. You know the little red ones. He was mad when I refused.

[AdamH]

What Buckeye said, it's pretty easy to figure it out , I doubt anyone will know your "True Draw" but you ...

[Red Tailed Hawk]

I think new york is 35#. I would say it goes by whatever weight is on the bow. How about 35# at 40".    
 What draw weight would that be?

[Bill Carlsen]

I've never met a CO that had a bow scale in his possession.

[Killdeer]

Virginia:

Bows must be capable of propelling a broadhead arrow at least 125 yards.

There must be some "ballpark" weight that the game wardens generally agree upon amongst themselves. Leaves a lot of leeway, and it would be pretty hard to test out in the field.
I did cut a few loose at the 200 meter berm, though, just to make sure!   :D

Killdeer

[OkKeith]

Here in Oklahoma, I know several of our Game Rangers who DO carry bow scales and they DO use them. Mostly in a case where (with kids, gals or short arm shooters) the weight is more dependant on draw length. They usually check the arrow length (with a measuring tape they carry) and look at the markings on the bow. Never known one to write a ticket, but some warnings have been issued.

If it's the law, then it's the law and should be enforced (and obeyed). I don't think a minimum poundage of 40lbs is unreasonable.

OkKeith

[Eugene Slagle]

In Virginia it's:
Bows must be capable of propelling a broadhead arrow at least 125 yards.

I've always thought this to be flawed because if the archer held at the right angle, they could match that distance with a 30# bow.

Killdeer beat me to it.

[woodsman 365]

Here in NB its 45#.

[MercilessMing]

NY is 35#.  And what counts is what has been marked on the bow.  I don't know the mark of weight has to be @28" or not.