rabbit and squirrel bow

[Slickhead]

I may have asked this here before but would 25-30lbs be enough for small critters?
Cabelas has a dual shelf longbow for under $100.
I was looking for a lighter bow to shoot and roam with. Hunt Squirrels /rabbits ect with dowel arrows.

Basically a beater bow that I dont worry too much about
I have a Savannah but looking for something new.

Thoughts

[lpcjon2]

Minimum hunting weight in NJ is 35# I think, you have to think if it will be an ethical kill with a light weight.

  And check the hunting regs in your area as well they may have a minimum weight as well

[magnus]

40#'s in Ohio.

[Slickhead]

Im not sure 40 is for small game ,just deer
I'll check

[lpcjon2]

Just keep in mind you get what you pay for, How good can a less than $100.00 LB be. Probably not very good. Check the classifieds and you may find an older bow (better quality) for just a tad bit more.JMHO

[Possum Head]

It should do fine for rabbits but squirrel are quick!

[xtrema312]

Other than regulation requirements you have to follow, you have to kill them effectively.  For a bow that light i would say broad heads, and maybe field tips.  Blunts will not do sufficient damage particularly on squirrels. Those things are tough. I can’t recall the weight of my old yellow fiberglass bow and the draw weight at my draw length, but it did kill some stuff.  Probably not enough for the job per regulations or what I would use now.  I know the first coon I dropped out of a tree was not too worse for wear after he shredded my friends pants and then ran off.

why not the savannah?.....thats what its made for.

[Traxx]

I agree on the cutting heads and to stay away from blunts or shock type heads.
Also,in most states,bow hunting regs apply to large game.

[Rob W.]

Originally posted by arrow30:
why not the savannah?.....thats what its made for.

x2

[Keith361]

^^ X3

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Originally posted by arrow30:
why not the savannah?.....thats what its made for.

Exactly what I was thinking.  

X4

I think 30 lbs would be enough for a rabbit bout not squirrel unless you take some advice as mentioned above.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

One thing about rabbits though, you may need a bit extra Oomph to get through unforeseen twigs.

[Slickhead]

The savannah is a great bow, no doubt about it.
Its a little stiff for awkward angle shots.
But I may use it anyway
That way Im not swithing back and forth.
 

[Slickhead]

Thats switching;)

[dnovo]

Rabbits are pretty easy to kill, but in my experience, I want more bow for squirrels than I do for deer. They are tough little critters and you need to hit 'em hard.

[magnus]

Did a little research and this iscwhat the ODNR book says. Sounds like 35# is legal to me. I agree on broad heads only though.

 

[Bill Skinner]

I use a 68 inch Hill for squirrels, it really isn't a problem.

  If you use #35 for rabbits, it will work fine with blunts, as a matter of fact, the arrows will go through the rabbit.  It won't do that well on squirrels, unless you are good enough to do head shots.  So you will need some type of cutting head like a broad head.  Problem is broadheads stick in trees and arrows deflect all over the place, I've had to duck my own arrows.  You may want to look into making a point of thick banding straps, they're a lot cheaper than used broadheads.

[RM81]

I read over the regs and I don't see any mention of a  minimum draw weight for squirrel and rabbits.  If you look in the deer section, it specifically states min draw weight of 40#.  Makes me think there isn't a legal minimum.

I just called and was told that if it doesn't specify in the reg, then there is no legal minimum.  But like the others have said, I'd use something other than a blunt if you're going lightweight.

EDIT: This is for Ohio.

[tarponnut]

I started when I was 9 years old with a fiberglass Ben Pearson recurve, 30#@28. I pulled less than that and killed a lot of squirrels, rabbits, doves, woodchucks, mice,etc.Squirrels can jump the string of any bow, regardless of draw weight,lol.
I'm sure I could have killed a deer with it when I could draw the full 30#(not that I'm suggesting anyone should).I was really accurate back then before t.p. and other maladies crept in.
Wasn't concerned or aware of any draw weight requirements in NY back then.