Elk weight

[Deeter]

Ok this for you guys out there that chase elk around God's beautiful country side.  What draw weight is a good weight for elk?  I know shot placement is everything but I do know weight helps also.

[Matty]

What's you're current set up?

[parshal]

I've not had the opportunity to actually shoot an elk with a bow but everyone tells me the heaviest you can shoot well is the best weight.  Wyoming has a minimum draw weight of 50# or a bow that can shoot a 500 grain arrow 160 yards.  A few other states have 50 as a minimum as well.  Colorado's minimum is 35# with a broadhead of at least 7/8" outside diameter.  

The bow I currently shoot is 51#.

[elknut1]

55# is a very solid wt to be at with your draw length. 500grn-550grn arrow would be a great wt as well.

 ElkNut1

[Bjorn]

I would say draw weight is way down the list in importance when it comes to  making the kill. Not all bows are equal-sometimes not even close in terms of delivering power to the arrow. Work on everything else and a 50# bow should do the job-mine has.

[fnshtr]

I took a bull in 2010 with a fairly lightweight (~46#) recurve and was shooting a 630 grain arrow with 125 grain COC broadhead (scary sharp). I would suggest as heavy as you can accurately shoot though. The heavier arrow seemed to help as I got complete penetration.

[FerretWYO]

I would reccomend 50+ and right in 10ish gpp arrow you would be good to go.  

There will be many people come here and say they did it with 35lbs or something similar. It is possible and the real key is setup.

*****BOTTOM LINE IS Your arrow weight has to be matched to your bow and your arrows must fly true.*****

Tuning is just as important as draw weight and arrow weight do not neglect it.

In addition if your shooting a dull broadhead it wont matter if your shoot 70lbs your in trouble.

[parshal]

Wow, they still have it listed in the Regulations but those may be the 2012 regulations they have online.  EDITED: The regulations online are the 2012 regs.

Good to know.

 

Originally posted by FerretWYO:
Wyoming law just recently changed. There is no weight requirment now.

[steadman]

Listen to the guy two above my post with the monster elk in his avatar  

[old_goat2]

54# is the most popular weight sold at the local traditional shop here in Denver. That's an average, I'd say highest weight you can shoot accurately after working out.

[Kamm1004]

Originally posted by steadman:
Listen to the guy two above my post with the monster elk in his avatar      

X2!!!!

A good rule of thumb for any game is to shoot the heaviest bow you can consistently shoot accurately matched with a good heavy arrow tipped with a SHARP broad head.

[Kamm1004]

Originally posted by steadman:
Listen to the guy two above my post with the monster elk in his avatar      

X2!!!!

A good rule of thumb for any game is to shoot the heaviest bow you can consistently shoot accurately matched with a good heavy arrow tipped with a SHARP broad head.

[awbowman]

Originally posted by old_goat2:
.......I'd say highest weight you can shoot accurately after working out.

X2, but don't sacrifice accuracy and a well tuned arrow for a few pounds.  No such thing as too much KE or speed in archery, come to think of it, the same goes for a gun.

[will_hunt]

DITTO FerretWYO!!! 55# will punch right through one if you are using kickin' sharp broadheads on perfectly tuned arrows. 70# won't be affective at all if you shoot arrows wafting sideways and/or dull broadheads. USE A BOW YOU TRUST AND ARROWS YOU HAVE PROVEN.  Get close and do not be satisfied with a questionable shot. Elk are hearty animals until they are wearing a double lung job. I believe 50-60#rs have been responsible for many an elk steak.

[rolltidehunter]

killed a bull at 15 yards with 53lb@26 550 grain arrow.

arrow burried up to the fletchings

[Ryan Rothhaar]

I've only killed 2 bulls - one average body size and one very large body size.  Shot through both with big Snuffers, one bow at 58 lbs and one at 65 with 620-640 gr arrows.  That is into the fletching with arrow out the offside.  

You really realize how big they are when they are on the ground...they are a BIG critter compared to a whitetail.  I don't feel overbowed in the mid 60's on elk, and I wouldn't feel very good under mid 50's with heavy arrows.  Of course I want to shoot big broadheads.  They are tough animals, and I REALLY want 2 big holes for tracking an elk in typical elk country.

R

[FerretWYO]

I was incorrect about the weight being removed. It was the arrow casting requirements that were removed.

[Shinken]

What ELKNUT1 said with a razor sharp, COI broadhead!

Shoot straight, Shinken

 

[Deeter]

Originally posted by Matty:
What's you're current set up?

I am shooting a bear kmag #50@28" with a 500 gr arrow and 135 grain head

[joe ashton]

I've taken 4 with mid 50# long bows. and a variety of very sharp broad heads. thunder head, zwicky 2 blade, magnus 4 blade and a woodsman...